Since 1988, the modest black stage, blinding neon lights and raucous, unbridled voices of McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre have inspired swells of Sarasota laughter. But when Les McCurdy realized a pattern of unpolished performers on his own stage, a new style of education emerged. McCurdy and fellow comedian Ken Sons have now made that McCurdy stage and spotlight attainable for all.

McCurdy and Sons present—Comedy Boot Camp.

For twelve hours over three days, plus a performance night, 10–20 students learn the ABCs of stand-up: everything from properly holding a microphone to exploring the bounds of comedy, practicing improvisational skills and giving and receiving constructive feedback. And in a comedic arena where McCurdy warns “you’re judged moment-to-moment” by every eye, ear and funny bone in the room, Boot Camp intends to boost confidence, generate personalized material and divulge the holistic art of stand-up comedy.

“It’s about finding funny,” says McCurdy, sipping coffee before his May graduates step up to the infamous McCurdy stage. Working with the McCurdy’s Boot Camp Workbook, students tackle writing exercises and create original content. One strategy that never fails to brew creative juices and win over an audience: self-deprecating humor. “I’m gonna tease my southern accent, my age, that I’m bald,” McCurdy explains. Only by realizing and taking advantage of one’s own humorous attributes, can a comedian see, understand and reflect the humor in other things. After two weekends, each student will have written a deliverable set and learned what works and what doesn’t—the results of feedback, workshop, feedback, workshop, feedback, workshop. Think borderline Comedy Central Roast Channel. “It’s criticism,” one graduate jokes with another, “don’t lie.”

Comedy virgins, second-time campers, restless retirees and the comically curious—Boot Camp welcomes the lot. While an estimated 60% of students includes aspiring comedians who aim to perform on some professional level, the remaining 40% largely consists of bucket-listers and recipients of McCurdy’s gift certificates. Or for professional play, doctors and lawyers often enroll to revive bedside manner or spice up courtroom charm. As Bill Richardson, an attorney and graduate of the May 2019 Boot Camp, explains, “I got really tired of being serious all the time.”

The next Comedy Boot Camp session will be held July 14–21 with a performance on July 24. Register online at the website below. 

McCurdy's Comedy Theatre Comedy Boot Camp

Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers, recently welcomed Mary Jo Heider as its first development director. Heider brings more than 18 years of experience in fundraising, grant writing and donor relations to the Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s, and will now develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan in partnership with the CEO. She will also serve as the organization’s major gift fundraiser, manage the nonprofit’s donor relations activities, oversee the event manager and maintain all special events, administer an annual giving program and act as an advocate for the agency.

Most recently, Heider served as the community relations and development manager for The Circus Arts Conservatory. During her 10-year tenure there, she spearheaded nonprofit funding, managed more than 400 volunteers, helped with a $4 million capital campaign and assisted with grants and grant writing. 

Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson's

Gulf Coast Community Foundation has awarded more than half-a-million dollars in scholarships to hundreds of local students for the 2019-20 academic year.

The foundation recently announced 461 scholarship awards totaling $537,719 for the upcoming school year. More than $215,000 was awarded from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation Scholarship Fund, an endowment established by the foundation’s Board in 1997 to help local students pursue meaningful higher education. A total of 188 students received the Gulf Coast Scholarship this year, with awards ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. The rest of the scholarship funding comes from more than 50 different scholarship funds established by donors and administered by the foundation on their behalf. Many of these scholarships support students pursuing specific fields of study, such as healthcare, vocational training, business or the arts, while others focus on students from particular communities or schools.

Recipients of the foundation’s scholarships may be from Sarasota County, Charlotte County or Boca Grande. Since 1997, the foundation and its donors have invested more than $8 million in students through scholarships. 

Gulf Coast Community Foundation

Dick Vitale has been presented with a check to The V Foundation for Cancer Research in the amount of $1,110,000. The donation was made by Mark and Cindy Pentecost and The Pentecost Foundation. The check is a result of this year’s Dick Vitale Gala, which was held at the Ritz Carlton Sarasota and raised $4.3 million in total. Funds will benefit the V Foundation, one of the nation’s leading cancer research funding organizations. 

V Foundation for Cancer Research

Rotarians from the greater Sarasota area came together to host the Rotary Fights Red Tide gala at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. Following the success of the event, the Rotary Club of Sarasota Sunrise presented Mote President & CEO Dr . Michael P. Crosby with $18,000 to support the Red Tide Institute at Mote. The Institute serves as a hub of intensive research and development focused exclusively on advancing promising technologies for controlling and mitigating red tide impacts toward practical application. 

Mote Marine Red Tide Research

The ACE Mentor Program of America (ACE) is a national program that mentors high school students, with the mission to encourage them to pursue careers in architecture, engineering and construction and to support their continued advancement in the industry. More than 9,000 students from 1,000 high schools annually participate in ACE, and the ACE Sarasota Mentor Program distributed scholarships to five Venice High School Engineering CTE students. And this year, a scholarship was given out by the Banquet’s Keynote Speaker, Ryan Perrone of Nautilus Homes. In addition to a scholarship of $2,000, Nautilus Homes offered a summer internship working alongside of the company’s executive and field team.

Since inception, ACE has awarded over $15 million nationally in scholarships to promising participants. 

ACE Mentor Program

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County and All Faiths Food Bank are expanding their longstanding partnership beyond Sarasota County to combat child hunger during the eight-week Summer Program at the Arcadia Boys & Girls Club in DeSoto County. As a result, nearly 75 children, ages 6 to 11, will receive a nutritious snack each day and lunch each Friday, as well as, a bag with enough food to last them throughout the weekends at no cost.

The organization is also able to provide free meals to Arcadia Boys & Girls Club members Monday through Thursday thanks to a partnership with the DeSoto County Schools Food Service Department. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County

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