SRQ DAILY Feb 23, 2021
Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning
"To them it feels like coming home, and I'm lucky to have been their home here since 1985."
Not that Sarasota has ever had a shortage of seafood restaurants, but at this point, seafood is officially on an upward trend again. Seabar opened late last year next to Gulf Gate Food and Beer, Triple Tail just joined the party at the Landings and Brine recently took over three conjoined spaces on Gulf Gate Avenue. Like all trends, this one likely emanates from a plurality of reasons. Seasonality and eating local are both extra trendy at the moment, and for Florida’s Gulf coast, that means all things water-based are enjoying a seat at the cool kids’ table.
At Brine, the menu won’t wow with over the top high-concept dishes, but what it promises are seafood plates that take the best of the sea and tweaks tried-and-true preparations just enough to make them their own. The Thai steamed mussels fit that description like a glove. Normally, mussels are just an excuse to consume large amounts of melted butter, garlic and lemon juice, but Brine found an inventive way to replace the decadence of mussels’ typical dressing. Coconut milk, lemongrass, cilantro, kaffir lime and a touch of red chili give these mollusks more pep and complexity than butter and garlic, but the gravy still manages to taste as rich and creamy as its dairy counterpart. Do not forget to squeeze the lime that comes with the bowl.
Bonus tip: the accompanying bread is a less embarrassing way to drink up the remaining Thai curry than sucking it through a straw. 
Brine Seafood & Raw Bar, 2250 Gulf Gate Dr
Known as “Mr. Main Street,” Jim ‘Sully’ Sullivan has certainly earned that title after celebrating 35 years as the owner of Patrick’s 1481. Serving everything from Mahi-Mahi Caprese Salad to Homemade Chicken Pot Pie to a Tenderloin French Dip, this iconic Sarasota institution has a menu bursting with items for everyone. Now the longest-running restaurant downtown, the legendary man behind everyone’s favorite burgers sat down with SRQ for a chat about what keeps his place going strong for over three decades.
SRQ: What does it mean to you to hold the title of longest running restaurant downtown?
Jim ' Sully' Sullivan: To me, it means a bunch of different things. For one, it’s allowed me to have a steady job for all those years (laughs), but more than that, it’s allowed me to employee many, many people and help them support their families. That Patrick’s is directly helping support them and their kids, that’s the most important thing to me. We are a family over there. My bookkeeper has been with us for 22 years, our chef for 18 years and I have several servers there for 10, 12, 18 years. We make sure to treat everyone fairly and I think having staff with that kind of longevity shows it’s working.
SRQ: With such a loyal and dedicated staff, would you say you’ve had the same sort of experience with your customers and the Sarasota community?
JS: Oh absolutely. Especially during this time of year, we’ll have a couple walk in smiling and shouting, ‘Sully! Sully! We just got off the plane and this is the first place we stopped!’ To them it feels like coming home, and I’m lucky to have been their home here since 1985. I’ve had some of the same customers coming back for 35 years. It’s just amazing. We signed a 25 year lease back then and you sort of think to yourself ‘Well, that’s that!,’ (laughs) but for us that just wasn’t the case. We moved a little further down the road and signed another 25 year lease, it’s crazy.
SRQ: How would you describe your menu to a complete newbie who knows nothing about Patrick’s?
JS: The best way to describe our menu is eclectic. There’s something for everyone. We have our famous options like the award-winning burger of course, but not everyone knows we have two vegetarian options for those burgers too: portobello mushroom and Beyond burgers. We actually have a ton of vegetarian options, funny enough our most popular entree is our Zucchini Pomodoro served with spiralized zucchini and red sauce. And for those who need to be gluten free, you can substitute any of our beautiful flatbreads for cauliflower crust.
1481 Main St, 941-955-1481
Since 2004, Embracing Our Differences has used the power of art and prose to promote diversity. One way it accomplishes this is through its annual, juried international outdoor art exhibition consisting of 50 billboard-sized works of art, each accompanied by an inspirational quote. The response to the call for artwork and inspirational quotes brought 15,912 entries pouring in from 128 countries and 48 states. The winning quotes and art will be showcased in the 18th annual exhibit, January 20 through April 1, in Sarasota’s Bayfront Park.
Key Chorale is extremely excited to present their annual Tomorrow’s Voices Tonight on March 1st, Student Scholar Soirée as a live stream event for everyone’s convenience and comfort. The Student Scholars will be showcasing 14 selections as they entertain with songs from Classics to Broadway as well as a special group performance of “I Dreamed a Dream” from the musical Les Misérables. Key Chorale’s Student Scholar Program is designed to prepare gifted juniors and seniors for college-level success in music. This experience is designed for students with an exceptional aptitude for music, who plan to further their musical studies after high school.
The Sarasota Ballet is excited to publicly announce two Terrace Programs—live, outdoor ballet performances allowing a return to the in-person ballet experience. Terrace Program 1 will take place Friday, March 5th, to Sunday, March 7th at 6 PM on the Asolo Terrace Stage at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. Terrace Program 2 will follow, running Thursday, April 29th, to Saturday, May 1st at 6 PM. Tickets will be available at a reduced rate of $20, to allow as many people as possible to enjoy the return of live ballet while still partially covering the costs of staging the programs.
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents Jazz of the World, with Bill Buchman’s Art of Jazz, Wednesday, March 10, outdoors at Plantation Golf & Country Club, 500 Rockley Blvd., Venice. Noted area jazz pianist and artist Bill Buchman and his Art of Jazz quintet, which includes flutist Rick Aaron, bassist Rob Fors, percussionist Chuck Parr, and congo player and founding Spyro Gyro member Gerardo Velez, journey through the diverse cultures around the world that contribute to today’s jazz repertoire. The concert is at 4pm, followed by a sit-down dinner at 5pm. Tickets are $57.
Sweet Sparkman Architecture & Interiors (SSAI), a multi-disciplinary architecture and planning firm headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, announced on Feb. 18, 2021 the company has partnered with Venice Theatre and will spearhead new growth initiatives across its campus. Redevelopment initiatives for the buildings are expected to start on May 3, 2021. “We are thrilled to collaborate on this ambitious next phase for Venice Theatre,” said SSAI partner, John Bryant, AIA, LEED AP. “We look forward to helping further Venice Theatre’s role as a cultural centerpiece for the arts community across South West Florida through inspired, functional design.”
Walsh & Associates CEO Joseph Walsh Jr. was once again ranked among the Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors for the second year in a row.
Following a massive renovation, Amore Restaurant is open to the public in its new location at 180 North Lime Avenue. Now with over 150 free parking spaces available. Amore’s menu offers traditional Italian dishes with a Portuguese twist that is unique to Sarasota County. The new restaurant has been completely renovated and includes tables and booths equipped with glass panels separating diners for environmental safety. Outdoor seating is also available. Enjoy live music Wednesday through Saturday.
For reservations call 941-383-1111.
The Florida Creativity Conference was founded by The Florida Creativity Alliance, a 501 C 3 nonprofit dedicated to promoting and encouraging creativity and innovation in ways which make a positive difference in people’s lives and communities. Creativity and creative problem-solving skills can be taught, learned, and enhanced. Particularly now, more individuals and organizations are seeking creativity as a means to fresh solutions to current goals challenges, and problems. The Conference will take place on Zoom during two weekends: March 12-14 and March 19-21 . All registered attendees will receive the link upon completion of the registration.
The Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has made a corporate contribution to the Van Wezel Foundation to support the Artworks Anywhere program. Cheryl Mendelson, CEO of The Van Wezel Foundation said, “At a time when access to meaningful arts experiences is so needed, we are deeply grateful to the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation for their commitment to help underwrite these important resources that positively impact more than 30,000 students each year."
With the generous support of sponsors, the Sarasota County Centennial Committee is pleased to announce the release of Sarasota County Auto Tours, a free smart phone app that brings safe, accessible history to the public. As part of the ongoing Sarasota County Centennial Celebration, the Committee has developed a novel approach to experience landmarks and places of interest at the visitor’s leisure. These tours bring the stories and sights of Sarasota’s rich history to life immersing participants in a one-of-a-kind experience.
The 1950s style is reveling in its revival in all forms of design, preservation and decoration.
Click here for the full article in SRQ's February 2021 flipbook.
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed a positive COVID-19 test result for a Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) driver on Friday, February 19th. In consultation with DOH-Sarasota, SCAT has identified the following operational dates and routes served by the affected driver:
- Tuesday, Feb. 16 – Route 12, 1:45pm to 9pm
- Thursday, Feb. 18 – Route 2, 2pm to 9pm
Realize Bradenton is thrilled to announce the all-star lineup for the 10th anniversary of the Bradenton Blues Festival. Friday, December 3, 2021 will feature Cece Teneal and Soul Kamotion, Johnny Rawls, and Doug MacLeod from 4pm to 7:45pm. Saturday, December 4, 2021 will feature Terrie Odabi, Jimmy Carpenter, James Armstrong, Dawn Tyler Watson, Bernard Allison and Bobby Rush from 11am to 7:30pm. Sunday, December 5, 2021 will feature Ariella from 11am to 2pm. The Bradenton Blues Festival Weekend will take place December 3 - 5, 2021. The Friday and Saturday concerts will be held at LECOM Park and the Sunday Blues Brunch at Mattison's Riverwalk Grille. Tickets go on sale May 1, 2021.
The Child Protection Center’s signature gala, Blue Ties & Butterflies, has transitioned to a beautiful virtual experience on April 14 at 6:30pm in order to ensure the health and safety of our dedicated donors, staff, and volunteers. All proceeds from this virtual fundraising event of transformational healing will support the Child Protection Center and the Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment of Child Abuse. This impact is particularly crucial now as we face the devastating effects the coronavirus has had on child abuse.
Jack Dowd has made a name for himself as one of America’s foremost artists and sculptors. His series of life-sized figures, ranging from well-known celebrities to locally known folks, take on an affectionately satiric interpretation that is unmistakably Jack Dowd. These unique creations have been viewed in museums and galleries nationwide. Jack has been recognized by Who’s Who in American Art and his work has been collected by private, public, and corporate patrons from Florida to Australia. Crossing over from artist to author, Jack Dowd has put down his sculpting tools and picked up a pen to write his first book, “Illuminating the Human Condition”. Without giving too much away, his first foray into the writing world is about. Join us at Mattison’s City Grille on March 7 from 3pm to 5pm for a book signing and conversation with local celebrity, national artist and now, published author, Jack Dowd.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance is hosting 2021 Professional Summer Programs from May 22 to 28, June 19 to 25, and July 10 to 16. Get ready to move this summer with Sarasota Contemporary Dance and guest teachers in sunny Sarasota for a week-long dance intensive, unlike any other. You have three weeks to choose from - or do all three. Open to High School Students through to Professionals (minimum age 14). Participant Performance Friday and Virtual Broadcast Saturday alongside Sarasota Contemporary Dance. Daily classes include improvision, contemporary, liquid strength, afro-modern, jazz, and SCD repertory. Participant Rising Choreographer Progam (2 per program). Guest Faculty include Dazaun Soleyn, Jennifer Nugget, and Christal Brown. SCD Faculty include Melissa Rummel, Monessa Salley, and Xiao-xuan Dancigers. Housing available, each program capped at 20 students. Work-Study positions are also available.
We invite you to join us for The Sarasota Ballet’s first outdoor performances of our 30th Anniversary Season. This live, socially distanced program features performances by The Sarasota Ballet Studio Company and the Margaret Barbieri Conservatory in an open-air environment, on the Asolo Terrace Stage located at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts on March 5 through 7 at 6pm. Programming is entirely separate from that of our Digital Winter – Spring Season, and serves as an excellent way to see future Company dancers. Tickets are $20 each, and your seating will be assigned to you on a first-come, first-serve basis. To allow for a more pleasant viewing experience, seating has been structured in pairs; therefore, we strongly recommend purchasing an even number of tickets (for example, ordering for yourself and your spouse, partner, or friend) so we can optimize seat assignment and provide you the safest and most enjoyable setting possible for this event. Ticket sales will be cut off three hours prior to all performances. Walk-up tickets will not be available. After purchasing your tickets, you will receive a confirmation email informing you that your tickets have been reserved. Following this, our box office staff will assign the best available seating to you, then send you a follow-up email confirming your seating. Due to the nature of this venue and performance, special seating requests are unable to be honored, and we cannot guarantee that groups will be seated together.
Isn't everyone ready for a fresh start? With the theme Reset, Restart and Re-energize, The Florida Creativity Conference will take you there. From the first opening session to the final wrap up, participants will have more than 30 engaging and dynamic online workshops to stretch creative muscles, teach problem-solving skills, and add tools to your creative toolbox. The 2021 Florida Creativity Conference will take place over March 12-14 and March 19-21 on ZOOM. The conference features innovation experts and world class creativity trainers, three keynotes, 30+ sessions and a community atmosphere. Sessions are 90 minutes and each participant will receive a recording of all the sessions at the conference. Register now at FLcreativity.com.
A fatal turf war between neighborhoods haunts the city of Richmond, California. Donté Clark transcends the violence in his hometown by writing poetry about his experiences. Using his voice to inspire those around him, he and the like-minded youth of the city mount an urban adaptation of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." This event will take place outdoors on Sunday, February 28 at 6:30pm.
WSLR 96.5 and the Suncoast Women of Action will host a Town Hall with House District 70 Representative Michele Rayner on Tuesday, February 23 at 7pm. Rayner was elected to the Florida House in November 2020, winning the seat previously held by Wengay Newton. The Town Hall will be streamed live on the WSLR Facebook page and will also be available on Youtube: https://youtu.be/0gF1eCOo_-M. The audience will be able to post questions for Rep. Rayner in the live chat. Rayner is a Florida native and was born and raised in Pinellas County. As an attorney at Civil Liberty Law, Rayner focuses on criminal defense and civil rights cases. Her work on cases that rose to national prominence, including those of Markeis McGlockton and Yasmine James, has led Rayner to become a recognized voice on the issues of criminal justice reform, education, health, and economic disparities, and race and gender issues both locally and nationally. She currently serves on the following legislative committees: the Health & Human Services Committee, the Insurance and Banking Committee, the Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining, the Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, and the Professions and Public Health Subcommittee.
Join curators Ola Wlusek and Sarah Cartwright in a conversation about artworks depicting conflict and trauma in The Ringling’s collection at 10:30am on February 23, 2021. While focusing on the exhibition Larry Rivers: Boston Massacre, in consideration with examples of European Renaissance and Baroque art, we will examine how power and violence are represented across time and explore how these images can help us understand conflict and address societal change today. $5 / Free for Members.
Online, Online
SILL launched its 50th season in January with two series. Its hard-hitting “Global Issues” series features acclaimed experts exploring topical issues. This year, they are being offered free of charge on a virtual platform. The global pandemic has exposed U.S. and global dependence on China for essential ingredients to make thousands of generic drugs. The U.S. can no longer make aspirin, penicillin, or other generic antibiotics. Gibson will discuss how we got here, the risks, and mitigating measures on Tuesday, February 23 at 10:30am.
Hermitage Sunsets at Selby Gardens continues on the evening of February 24 at with cellist Dorothy Lawson (in collaboration with Selby Gardens’ “Lichtenstein Nights”). Acclaimed cellist, member of ETHEL, and Hermitage Fellow Dorothy Lawson will share her music as part of this special “Lichtenstein Nights” evening. Lawson is a founding member and artistic director, of ETHEL, one of America's most adventurous string quartets. She has performed with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the White Oak Dance Project, Philharmonia Virtuosi, the American Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and numerous new music ensembles. Selby Gardens, 1534 Mound Street. Ticket sales information to be released soon. Additional information will be available at HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
Gioachino Rossini's The Happy Deception will play at the Sarasota Opera House on February 12 at at 7:30pm, February 14 at 1:30pm, February 17 at 7:30pm, February 20 at 1:30pm, February 23 at 7:30pm, and February 25 at 7:30pm. A duchess disappears and then washes up on a beach in a small mining town. A kind miner takes her in and cares for her, until ten years later when her grieving husband and his entourage pay a visit. Abduction, menace, passion, and comedy all swirl towards a happy conclusion. Tickets starting at $25 and online streaming is available.
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