SRQ DAILY Apr 30, 2021
Friday Weekend Edition
"I want to make sure the history is still on display and that will be talked about. People will see a mural and wonder, 'who is that?' And we'll be there to answer that question."
As a fourth generation Sarasota native, the history of the region lives in Walter Gilbert’s bones. He knows that the Rosemary District used to be called Overtown, that it once served as the center of commerce for the city’s Black residents during segregation and that the building at 513 Central Avenue was built by Leonard Reid, one of Sarasota’s earliest Black settlers. He knows a lot about the past, and the past is where he turns to make sure that before Sarasota reinvents itself, it rediscovers itself.
“I know a lot of Sarasota history,” says Gilbert, “and unfortunately, that also means I know about how the history of the Rosemary area has been obliviated.”
Little remains of the founding infrastructure of the Overtown area except for an odd building here and there, sometimes without even a historic designation to mark it. And it is just this marking that Gilbert hopes to achieve as one of the founding members of Rosemary Art and Design District (RADD).
As previously introduced in this Wednesday’s SRQ Daily, RADD hopes to memorialize the rich Black history of the Rosemary District with a campaign of historically informed murals. That mission came from Gilbert’s deep connection to the area and his dismay at so much of the history being lost to development. “I approached a lot of people with my idea of painting on some of these buildings,” he says, “and some were like, ‘Who? What?’” Others were pretty receptive.
As Gilbert assembled his team of like-minded luminaries, the conversation quickly went beyond murals. “Sarasota is famous for its art,” says Gilbert, “but we want to make the Rosemary District a cultural center. We’re talking about RADD walks, doing festivals and trying to cultivate and attract more Black business owners.”
But ultimately, the goal Gilbert envisioned for RADD is about starting a conversation. “I want to make sure the history is still on display and that’ll be talked about. People will see a mural and wonder, ‘who is that?’ And we’ll be there to answer that question.”
RADD officially kicks off its Gilbert Mural Initiative today at 6pm at 600 Central Avenue. 
It is a story that couldn’t be completely told until the final curtain fell. On Sunday, April 25th, 2021, Sarasota Opera concluded its 62nd season with a fully staged performance of Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas to a live audience filling 20% of the seating capacity of the Sarasota Opera House. The safe conclusion of the season resulted from many months of preparation to plan and implement lengthy protocols designed for the health and safety of the artists, crew, staff, and audience. On the continuing efforts to produce opera under such extraordinary circumstances, Maestro DeRenzi concludes, “When we pass this crisis, people will want to be with others even more than in the past. Great art has survived wars, depressions and pandemics. It will be up to us to restore the arts to their place of importance in our society.”
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants, a nationally-renowned establishment combining an upscale casual restaurant, Napa-style tasting room and artisanal retail market will open its third Gulf Coast location at the new Fruitville Commons in Sarasota. Conveniently located just east of Interstate 75, the new location will officially open its doors this summer bringing a fresh, unique concept to the greater Sarasota region—offering wine tasting, a wine club, a wine shop with wines and accessories, and an expansive eating area suitable for both leisurely dining and business meetings. The menu features dishes that pair naturally with Cooper’s Hawk wines. Wines are made at the company’s main winery in Illinois and then aged and served at nationwide locations onsite.
“Southwest Florida has seen rapid growth with its world-renowned beaches and ideal location on the Gulf Coast of Mexico,” founder Tim McEnery said. “As a year-round, go-to destination in South Florida and a place many go to escape the cold, northern winters, Sarasota was the perfect location for the Cooper’s Hawk brand.”
With the location currently under development, Cooper’s Hawk is now hiring approximately 140 employees for all positions include management, cooks and front-of-house staff. Both full- and part-time positions are available including kitchen staff, houseworkers, tasting room attendants, servers, hosts and bartenders. Hiring is now open at 337 Interstate Boulevard, Unit D in Sarasota. A hiring fair and open interviews will take place on Wednesday, May 12. Interested applicants can text code CHSA to 77948 for more details and to apply.
Photo courtesy of Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants
1917. Rope. Birdman. Victoria. Russian Ark. Lost in London. All these films tell their complete stories in one continuous, uninterrupted take. Or at least they give that illusion. The Sarasota-based Single-Take Challenge, however, is only for filmmakers attempting the "real thing". "We think creating a single-take is an unequalled exercise in filmmaking. It tests and benefits everyone involved, in front of and behind the camera" says festival director Mark Troy. 2021 marks the 6th anniversary of the Challenge, to be held both online and live at a theater in Sarasota. "Covid forced us to pivot to online-only last year, but there were aspects of that that we liked. So this year we'll have the best of all worlds" according to Troy. Filmmakers interested in creating and submitting their one-shot masterpieces have until August 15. The awards and screening ceremony will take place the weekend of October 8-10.
Under the leadership of internationally touring musician, music composer and educator Shankh Lahiri, this unique Indian Flamenco Fusion project offers an authentic taste of Raga Music from India with a fresh, modern feel of Spanish Flamenco music. Joining Shankh will be Don Soledad (flamenco guitar) and Kanada Narahari (sitar). Shankh & Friends will perform at the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center on Saturday, May 8 at 8pm. Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for the general public.
The Hermitage Artist Retreat presents “Michael R. Jackson: Just Sittin’ Here Lookin’” with Pulitzer Prize winner Michael R. Jackson, Friday, May 21, 6:30pm, live on the Hermitage Beach. Jackson, a 2021 Hermitage Fellow and the recipient of the 2020 Pulitzer Prize in Drama for his musical A Strange Loop, will present an evening of music and stories, in a collaboration between the Hermitage and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Free with a $5 per person registration fee.
Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is proud to announce that Dangerous Ladies: Voices of the Suffragists, the documentary following the theatre’s Suffragist Project—an artistic celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment (August 20, 2020), the woman’s right to vote—will premiere at this year’s Sarasota Film Festival. “We are thrilled that the documentary is premiering at the Film Festival,” said Kate Alexander, FST’s Associate Director At-Large and Director of The Suffragist Project. “The COVID pandemic eliminated so many of our city’s public offerings, including months of Suffragist Project performances, exhibits, and discussions. This premiere is a testament to the remarkable resiliency of our local artists.”
Pictured: Alicia Taylor Tomasko, Carolyn Michel, Kim Crow, and Ariel Blue perform The Suffragist Project Kick-Off on April 15, 2019. Photo by Sarah Haley.
The Circus Arts Conservatory's youth Sailor Circus program will return to the Sailor Circus Arena for its spring show, "A Night at the Movies." Audiences will be amazed by the circus skills showcased by students ages 8-18 while enjoying the music and vibe of popular films from various genres. All CDC protocols will be followed and masks will be required. “A Night at the Movies” runs from Thursday, April 29 through Sunday, May 2 in the Sailor Circus Arena (2075 Bahia Vista, Sarasota). Showtimes are 7pm on Friday, 2 and 7pm on Saturday, and 1 and 6pm on Sunday. Live tickets are $20-$30, and digital tickets – which will be available starting May 14 – are $25; go to circusarts.org or call the Box Office at 941-355-9805.
The Tony Saprito Fishing Pier will reopen to the public Friday, April 30 with a brief ceremony at 9am. All are welcome to attend the event, which will feature City leaders and the project team highlighting the improvements and new amenities, followed by a ribbon cutting and reopening the fishing pier. The pier, located adjacent to the John Ringling Causeway Bridge, underwent a comprehensive rehabilitation with a new concrete top deck installed and concrete pilings, caps and light poles retrofitted. Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant railings also were installed plus six benches and three shade structures to provide relief from the intense Florida sun. New pressure-treated composite planks are now incorporated into the deck at the foot of the pier where the surf from Sarasota Bay is strongest. To protect the structural integrity of the pier, the planks are designed to pop out during strong wave action and remain attached to the pier. The makeover pays tribute to Sarasota Bay through creative sea life art designs placed along the railings, plus a visual reminder “Protect The Bay” imprinted at the end of the pier. The City also partnered with Sarasota County to install a new Automated Rainfall Management System (ARMS) able to measure wind speed and direction, atmospheric pressure, temperature, and precipitation. Construction started in November 2020 and concluded in April 2021. The rehabilitation project was funded through the voter approved penny surtax and is expected to further extend the pier’s longevity. Saprito Pier opened in 1979 and remains a popular destination for fishing, walking and enjoying a beautiful sunset on the bay.
Join families, school officials, and community members in a courageous conversation about our public education system on Monday, May 24 from 6pm to 7:30pm. This event will be held through Zoom and livestreamed on Facebook. The Community Partnership Schools model leverages the social and institutional capital of long-term partners, making it possible for the school to offer resources and services that address the needs identified by the community. Although each CPS is different, common supports include healthcare, clothing, meals, parental engagement, instruction enrichment and tutoring - relieving teachers to focus on academics. The objective is to meet the social, emotional, mental, physical, nutritional and sometimes financial needs of students, fully immersing them in the opportunities offered by their school. Details will be sent upon registration. Register through Eventbrite, for questions please email sarasotastrong@gmail.com.
If you are lucky enough to own an Aston Martin, where do you store it safely? In this region, that place is Wheel Base Premium Garage Condos, a unique, hurricane impact-rated, build-to-own garage condominium facility that was designed specifically for the personal warehousing of rolling assets – especially car collections – where owners enjoy their prized belongings in a social setting. If you don’t yet own a Lamborghini but want to see one in person, Wheel Base and Gentlemen Drivers Group is inviting the public to a free car show on May 1 from 10am to 3pm, at 1600 Sarasota Boulevard. Sponsors of the event will be on hand that day with cars on display and welcome tents, including Gentlemen Driver's Group, Lamborghini of Sarasota, Dimmitt Automotive, Hagerty Insurance, and Corsa 7. The event will also feature food trucks and live music. For info, call 941-356-7718, or RSVP to JoannaBenante@MichaelSaunders.com.
The World Inline Cup will cross the ocean to the USA later this year. After negotiations with the organizers were finalised, an agreement was reached on a race under the Florida sun on October 17. Since the race, like the marathon in Dijon, France, will take place after the official final in Berlin, the marathon in Sarasota will receive the status of an Associated Race. This means that the race will be an official part of the World Inline Cup, but the points will not be included in the overall ranking. The prize purse is now at $15,000 and growing. Top Class Marathon in 2022 in Florida in planning. The Associated Race is intended to be a first step towards an official World Inline Cup Top Class Race in Florida in 2022 and beyond. Further details about the WIC season 2021 in these COVID impacted challenging times will be communicated shortly. For further information, please visit www.world-inline-cup.com and/or contact Volker Schlichting.
Run, walk or crawl to support our sea turtle conservation and research. Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium's 35th Annual Run for the Turtles is virtual, and open now through June 30. Each registration receives a special 35th Annual Run t-shirt, and goes to support Mote's sea turtle conservation efforts.
Join the Circus Arts Conservatory from Friday, April 30, 2021 until Sunday, May 2, 2021 at the Sailor Circus Arena at 2075 Bahia Vista Street. Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 2pm and Sundays at 5pm. Price ranges from $25 to $55.
Sailor Circus Arena
The Sarasota Ballet presents Agnes de Mille's Fall River Legend Dame Ninette de Valois' Checkmate Bronislava Nijinska's Les Biches from April 30, 2021 until May 1, 2021. Times vary.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 North Pineapple Avenue
The Sarasota Film Festival announced today that the 23rd annual edition of the festival will take place from April 30 until May 9, 2021. The festival is now accepting submissions for next year. Held annually in Sarasota, Florida, the Sarasota Film Festival emphasizes the best in cinema alongside exciting programs and events, with more than 200 films screened each year including features, documentaries, shorts, and kid-friendly picks. Entering its 23rd year, the festival brings the best new and established independent filmmakers to the Festival with local and kid-friendly programs that showcase its idyllic Gulf Coast community. The festival is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization and also offers a year-round educational program, which reaches thousands of local students through classic film showcases, film contests, summer camps and instructional workshops.
The Players Studio, the education department of The Players Centre presents Disney's Moana Jr. performed by The Players Kids performance group on April 30 and May 1 at 7pm. This thrilling and heartwarming coming-of-age story follows the strong-willed Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage. Moana and the legendary demigod Maui embark on an epic journey of self-discovery and camaraderie as both learn to harness the power that lies within. With empowering messages of bravery and selflessness, Moana JR. is sure to bring out the hero within each of us. Under the direction of Alyssa Goudy, Brian Finnerty and Debbi White. Music and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa'i & Mark Mancina. Book Adapted by Susan Soon He Stanton. Music and Orchestrations Adapted and Arranged by Ian Weinberger. Based on the 2016 Disney film Moana. Masks are required for this outdoor event. Temperature checks will be done and patrons will be socially distanced. Hamlet's Food Truck will be available (will be closing 30 mins prior to the performance). Tickets are $15 for Adults $15 and $12.50 for Students under 24 (Call 941-365-2494 to purchase student tickets) plus $1.50 per ticket handling fee. No tickets will be printed for this event. Upon making your purchase your name will be on a reservation list.
On Friday, April 30 at 6pm “Conveying Meaning” with Hermitage Fellows Kristen Miller, Michelle Lopez and Kathleen Driskell. Visual and interdisciplinary artist Michelle Lopez will share how she conveys what social justice means to her through visual mixed media. Kristen Miller translates poetry, conveying meaning from the original language. Learn about this delicate transfer of meaning between cultures. Writer Kathleen Driskell will show how the punctuation you learned in English class can be used to enrich prose and deepen literary meaning. Hermitage Beach, 6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood. Registration required at HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
The Rock Project honors the 50th anniversary of The Who’s legendary album Who's Next along with other greatest hits in a streamed performance shot live from the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, Long Island’s premier concert hall. The concert, on April 30 at 8pm, features the high-octane band, Wonderous Stories, along with special guest musicians, and the powerful Broadway voices of Constantine Maroulis (2x Tony Award Nominee, American Idol), Justin Matthew Sargent (Rock of Ages, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark), Lana Gordon (Chicago, The Lion King), and Michael Wartella (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Wicked). Together, they will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of this Triple Platinum album, track-by-track and note-for-note. Hailed as an undisputed masterwork of The Who’s career, WHO’S NEXT changed the world of rock after it was released in 1971 as their 5th studio album. With timeless songs like "Baba O’Riley” and "Won’t Get Fooled Again", WHO’S NEXT continues to resonate with listeners as if it were written yesterday. But don’t worry if your favorite Who songs aren't on this album! This concert also celebrates their greatest hits, so you can expect to hear other Who masterpieces like “Pinball Wizard” and “Long Live Rock” just to name a few.
Join Warren Colbert, collector and Ringling Museum of Art board member, in conversation with noted gallerist Karen Jenkins-Johnson virtually via Zoom on April 30 at 5:30pm. Mr. Colbert and Ms. Jenkins-Johnson will discuss the Ringling’s exhibition Sam Gilliam: Selections in the context of the current art market and emerging trends in collecting, including the rediscovery of master artists. Audience members will have a chance to participate in the conversation and ask questions of Ms. Jenkins-Johnson. Tickets are $5 for nonmembers and free for members.
Ringling Museum of Art's video exhibition Real This Time will showcase the work of artists including Bear Witness from April 23 until May 16. During this extraordinary time, video has become the key medium contributing to the public sphere. Video, often captured on cellphones and shared through social media, exposes social justice issues and matters of civic life to a global audience. For Real This Time features video-based works that examine the current state of American society and pose uncomfortable yet vital questions about personal and collective attitudes toward issues of race and inequality. The exhibition is presented in a sequence of individual screenings. Each work brings to light narratives of systemic racism and offers a unique inquiry that evokes historical exchange to illustrate the expansiveness of the issues affecting Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) today. For Real This Time opens up a space for deeper reflection on the common experience of resilience across cultures in order to create a shift in our psyches that inspires tangible and effective change.
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