SRQ DAILY Jul 9, 2021
Friday Weekend Edition
"In Cuba, they've got an instrument called a tres, which is very similar to the cigar box guitar."
Count Steve Arvey among those who managed to thrive during the pandemic. The blues guitarist, educator and ambassador took his spare time away from the stage and, with the help of his guitar-shredding YouTube protege Dovydas, beefed up his own YouTube channel. It kept him busy, earned him some income and allowed him to focus on the fulfilling task of sharing his passion for the blues. “It was nice to have a break from shows,” he says, “I did some songwriting, built instruments and made videos.” Among his many videos was series of tutorials for an instrument close to his heart: the cigar box guitar.
A cigar box guitar is exactly what it sounds like, a 3-4 stringed instrument in which the resonance chamber is a small wooden cigar box. The instrument was enormously important in the creation of the blues since it gave the genre’s earliest Black inventors an inexpensive way to express themselves and provide entertainment for social gatherings. Even today, the instrument has an accessible DIY mystique. “Some people think it’s a gimmick or a joke,” says Arvey, “but it’s a minimalistic approach that gives you a really great sound, especially with a slide.”
In a poetic way, Arvey’s love for the instrument also celebrates the time he spent in Cuba as a child. His father owned a company down there and the family lived in the island nation until the political turmoil of the late 50s and early 60s. “In Cuba, they’ve got an instrument called a tres, which is very similar to the cigar box guitar,” says Arvey, “and during the slave trade, those instruments made their way to New Orleans.” Today, Arvey even owns a cigar box guitar made from an empty box of Cohibas, Cuba’s most famous brand of cigars.
But tomorrow, Arvey’s personal history takes a backseat as he leads a workshop at Music Compound in which he’ll teach kids how to make and play their own. “This will be my first workshop since the pandemic,” says Arvey, who’s looking forward to getting back in front of a class. “Doing gigs is great, but what is it really?” he says. “There’s nothing more fulfilling than teaching.”
For Music Compound owner and founder, Jenny Alday Townshend, sharing Arvey’s passion is exactly what she set out to do when she founded the music school. “I met Steve way before I opened up Music Compound and I had no idea the impact he’d have,” says Townsend. “He’s great at these workshops, so educational with the histories, so passionate and engages the kids and gets them playing.”
Tuition for the workshop was provided by Suncoast Blues Society. 
Photo of Steve Arvey, courtesy of Music Compound.
As summer heats up and a stir-crazy population hits the streets once more, Florida Studio Theatre celebrates the reclaimed spirit with a throwback musical roadshow that pays tribute to those halcyon days of summers past—when every turn on the road meant adventure, those long warm nights lasted forever and even piling into the family minivan looked good.
Titled On The Road Again and currently touring the area, the new family-friendly show takes audiences on a musical roadtrip through the United States, highlighting the cultural and geographical diversity of the nation through song and story. And over the course of the 45-minute show, the four performers lead the audience on this exploration, darting from Florida to the west coast before looping back towards New England and trekking down the eastern seaboard back to Florida, making pitstops and pulling off at various locales along the way.
At each stop, the show stages a mini-concert to highlight the musical identity of the region, with everything from “Country Roads” and “Surfin’ USA” to “Dancing in the Street,” “Uptown Funk” and a whole Motown section. Even the youngest audience members will find tunes to sing along to with American classics like “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and “She’ll Be Coming Round The Mountain.”
And at each stop, members of the cast also share stories about the cities and places they’re visiting. But far from some impersonal tour—some book report recitation of American landmarks or PowerPoint presentation of a focus-grouped American roadtrip—On The Road Again puts the human element front and center through its performers, who play themselves in these moments and share their own memories and stories and reasons for loving the songs they sing and the places they come from.
“You get to connect to the actors as real people” says Caroline Saldivar, FST’s director of Children’s Theatre who helped create On The Road Again and now directs the show. And this connection only heightens the intimacy and the impact of the performance, driving home the human element that turns a show into a shared experience and makes a roadtrip more than a really long commute.
“Because songs are so much more than just the music,” says Saldivar.
Currently on the road, On The Road Again will have a free public outdoor performance this Sunday, July 11, at Nathan Benderson Park at 7pm. Pre-registration is requested and preferred, but not required.
Pictured (Left to Right): Allison Arana, Facia Lee, Jack B. Murphy, and Eddie Weaver in On The Road Again. Photo by Annabelle Cuitino.
This year, The Sarasota Ballet has returned to an entirely in-person format for their sold-out, five-week Summer Intensive program, which started June 28th and culminates in four performances at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. Fully booked, this represents the largest Summer Intensive participation on record at The Sarasota Ballet with over 120 students in attendance. The InMotion performances, which open July 29th and close July 31st, will feature extracts from beloved classical excerpts, as well as new works created specially for the students—including a world premiere by Resident Choreographer Ricardo Graziano. “We are so thrilled at the overwhelmingly enthusiastic response to our in-person Summer Intensive,” says Education Director Christopher Hird. “The record-breaking attendance reaffirms the interest in the quality and reputation of The Sarasota Ballet’s Education Programs around the United States. Not only have we increased attendance, but the caliber of ability of the students that are attending is quite remarkable. This is also why we’ve reimagined our Intensive Performances in order to create InMotion, so that the students can display their artistry and passion for dance to all.”
Tickets are available in two pricing tiers, $35 and $25, and are on sale now at www.SarasotaBallet.org or by calling 941.359.0099. Children’s tickets are available through the Box Office for $10.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's Stage of Discovery musical theatre summer camp students will present two performances of "The Technicolor Musical" to culminate its 2021 camp program. The young artists will sing numerous uplifting songs and send a message of love, understanding, peace and harmony to a world that needs it now, more than ever. Songs will include “Imagine,” “Everybody is a Star,” “Man in the Mirror” and many more, performed with youthful energy and enthusiasm. This show will give you hope for the future as the students welcome patrons back to WBTT's indoor theatre! Book by Nate Jacobs and Adrienne Pitts; created, adapted and directed by Jacobs.
Stage of Discovery is intense, focused and fun - and free - designed for youth ages 13-18 who are serious about developing their artistic talents. An audition for the camp, which runs June 14 - July 18, was required to participate. Performances will take place at 7:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday, July 17-18, at Westcoast Black Theatre (1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota). Audience capacity will be capped at 50% and masks are required to protect patron and student health and safety. Limited tickets are available; cost is $27/adults and $17/students. Visit westcoastblacktheatre.org or call the Box Office at 941-366-1505.
Pictured: Stage of Discovery students at work rehearsing 'The Technicolor Musical,' taken by Sorcha Augustine
This summer take advantage of some fun in the 941. Visit Sarasota is rolling out special deals and offers all season long through valued partners of their 'Live Like a Local' campaign. Choose from Mattison's Forty-One Restaurant's extensive wine list and receive 25% off any wine $40 or more. Valid only on Saturdays and through August 1, 2021. Be sure to mention this deal for your discount.
To learn about more of Visit Sarasota's Have Fun in the 941 deals and special offers, head here, and don't forget to hashtag #funinthe941 your experience on socials!
Mariner Wealth Advisors, a national wealth advisory firm, has entered into a binding agreement to acquire Allegiant Private Advisors, of Sarasota. Mariner Wealth Advisors has a rapidly-growing national footprint with more than 360 advisors across 46 offices, and has completed 23 acquisitions since its inception. This will be the advisory firm’s third office in Florida.
“We are always seeking to expand our advisor pool with the best and brightest talent, which is why we’re thrilled to welcome such an established group of individuals from Allegiant Private Advisors,” said Marty Bicknell, CEO and president of Mariner Wealth Advisors. “Allegiant’s unique approach to financial planning and full scale of services are completely aligned with our business goals, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together.”
Allegiant Private Advisors serves nearly 500 clients with nearly $1 billion in assets under management. “Mariner Wealth Advisors’ values directly align with our approach to establishing long-term partnerships with our clients, and we’re thrilled to be a part of the team and expand our reach throughout the state of Florida,” said Marty Kossoff, founder of Allegiant Private Advisors.
Allegiant Private Advisors will assume the Mariner Wealth Advisors’ name when the deal closes on July 31. This is the first acquisition since Mariner Wealth Advisors announced the sale of a minority stake in the company to Leonard Green & Partners. The firm plans to further expand this presence with the addition of seasoned wealth advisors.
One Eight Oh PR, a full-service public relations and strategic communications agency, recently welcomed accomplished media professional Joey Panek to its team as creative content director. Most recently, Panek was the executive producer and co-host of Suncoast View for WWSB ABC-7 in Sarasota, Florida. He produced the lifestyle talk show for more than five years, highlighting local businesses, arts organizations and community events. Through the pandemic, he found innovative ways to continue the show’s mission of dynamic local coverage.
At One Eight Oh PR, Panek will lead the firm’s digital marketing and video content efforts, assisting clients with live and on-location video and social media broadcasts, and will spearhead creative engagement communication campaigns. He will continue to serve as a frequent guest host on ABC7’s Suncoast View. “This is an exciting time for a change," Panek says. "Businesses are ready to rethink how they communicate with the communities. It’s a time for brands to embrace creativity and reintroduce themselves to their customer base. I’m thrilled to be a part of the team at One Eight Oh PR and join the momentum they’ve created for their clients."
Photo of Joey Panek, taken by SRQ Headshots.
Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) today announced that Aimee Cogan, CFP a Managing Director, Wealth Advisor in the Firm’s Sarasota office, has been named to Barron’s annual list of America’s Top 100 Women Financial Advisors. The “Barron’s Top 100 Women Financial Advisors” is a select group of individuals who are screened on a number of criteria. Among factors the survey takes into consideration are assets under management, revenue produced for the Firm and quality of service provided to clients. Investment performance is not an explicit criterion.
Giving in to the island vibes, flavors and sounds at Southside seafood eatery, Reef Cakes.
Click here to read the full article in SRQ's July/August 2021 edition.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance presents Christal Brown both in-person and virtually. In-Person on July 9 and 10, 2021 at 7pm. Masks are required. Seating is limited at half capacity. Please book in advance to secure a spot. Tickets are $20. Ticket purchases close 30 minutes before the show. Virtually on July 9, 2021 at 7pm LIVE Stream and July 10, 2021 at 7pm Broadcast Recording. Tickets are choose what you pay, $5, $10, $15. Ticket purchases close 30 minutes before the show. What We Ask of Flesh is a physical examination of the capacity of human life. Christal has been in dialogue with this idea for four years through a series of works entitled; What We Ask of Flesh: Endurance (Elon University 2019) What We Ask of Flesh: Journey (Keene State 2019) What We Ask of Flesh: Compassion (Middlebury College 2018) What We Ask of Flesh: Understanding (Boston Dance Complex 2018) What We Ask of Flesh: Survival (EMIA 2017). Christal Brown is the Founder of INSPIRIT and Project:BECOMING, the creator of the Liquid Strength training module for dance, an Associate Professor of Dance at Middlebury College and the CVO of Steps and Stages Coaching, LLC. Brown received a BFA in Dance and a minor in Business from UNCG and her MFA in New Media Art and Technology from LIU. Brown is a native of Kinston, NC where while serving as her mother’s sidekick, she learned the mechanisms of cultural organizing and the organic synthesis of art and activism. Her path of self-discovery has been influenced by trailblazers such as Chuck Davis, Bill T. Jones, Andrea E. Woods, Liz Lerman, Bebe Miller, and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. Brown is a mover and a warrior of change and transformation. Brown combines her athleticism, creativity, love for people, and passion for teaching to create works that redefine the art of dance, the creation of identity and structures of power.
Set to a score by Leonard Bernstein, the 1961 film “West Side Story” transports the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet to New York City in the 50s. The two feuding families are replaced by brawling street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. Though they come from rival gangs, Maria and Tony meet at a dance, and no one can stop their love. Will their passion carry them through a battle that threatens to destroy the people they love? Directed by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise, starring Natalie Wood, George Chakiris, and Richard Beymer. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes. This film will show on Saturday, July 10 at 7:30pm. All seating is reserved at 50% capacity of the theater. Masks are required for those who are not vaccinated and recommended for all others. Tickets are $10 and buyers are encouraged to purchase tickets before arriving at the theater. Information and tickets can be found online at SarasotaOpera.org or by calling (941) 328-1300.
Selby Gardens and the Duncan McClellan Gallery in St. Petersburg present the fourth annual summer glass show at Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus from July 10 to September 26. This year’s exhibition, featuring nature-inspired glass work created exclusively by Duncan McClellan, will be displayed in the Tropical Conservatory and the Gardens against a backdrop of lush flowers and plants. All artworks are available for sale with a percentage of proceeds benefiting Selby Gardens.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens , 1534 Mound St., Sarasota
Regarded by many as Mozart’s opera seria masterpiece, La Clemenza di Tito was composed in the summer of 1791—a few months before Mozart’s death—as a commission for the coronation of Emperor Leopold II as King of Bohemia in Prague. He supposedly composed the opera in just 18 days. This production is from the Zürich Opera House, conducted by Frans Welser-Möst with stage direction by Jonathan Miller, starring Jonas Kaufmann, Eva Mei, Vesselina Kasarova, Malin Hartelius, Liliana Nikiteanu, and Günther Groissböck. Running time: 2 hours, 4 minutes. This film will show on Sunday, July 11 at 1:30pm. All seating is reserved at 50% capacity of the theater. Masks are required for those who are not vaccinated and recommended for all others. Tickets are $20, $18 for subscribers and buyers are encouraged to purchase tickets before arriving at the theater. Information and tickets can be found online at SarasotaOpera.org or by calling (941) 328-1300.
The Jazz Club of Sarasota is hosting a Scholarship Award Presentation at Bevardi Salute! Restaurant on Sunday, July 11. Join them and support the future of jazz. Music and presentation of the award will include First Annual Matt Bokulic Memorial Scholarship and the Blake Bennett Memorial Scholarship.
The Jazz Club of Sarasota , Bevardi Salute! Restaurant
Yoga Instructor Ashley Stewart will lead a yoga session on the Ca' d'Zan Terrace. Each session will last one hour, and participants may begin entering 30 minutes prior to the event. Participants should bring a yoga mat and water or drink as desired.
Thursday, Jul 15 @ 7:00 PM
The Ringling Museum , 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
Violetta, a famed Parisian courtesan, has lived a life of lavish parties with influential friends. She abandons it all to be with her beloved Alfredo, but when her past threatens his family’s honor, she must forsake her dream of love. Verdi’s awe-inspiring music combined with a heart-breaking libretto has made La traviata one of the repertoire cornerstones of opera companies around the world. From Teatro Real, Madrid; starring Ermonela Jaho, Marifé Nogales, Francesco Demuro, and Juan Jesús Rodríguez; conducted by Renato Palumbo and directed by David McVicar. Tickets: $20 ($18 for Sarasota Opera subscribers). Running time: 2 hours 5 minutes, sung in Italian with English subtitles.
The Sarasota Opera House , 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
"Oh, the places we can go!” is a juried exhibition of handmade fine crafts where artists have created imaginative pieces inspired by places they’ve been or would like to go. From around the state, 37 artists created more than 80 pieces in ceramics, fiber, glass, metal and wood. At the opening and awards reception on Friday, July 9 at 6 p.m., people will have the opportunity to meet many of the talented artists and the show’s judge, Desmond Clark of St. Cate Fine Art.
Florida CraftArt, 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
MARA Art Studio and Gallery features nine female artists at Womxn Together for Art. Painter Jana Millstone is pleased to join this exhibit showcasing amazing Sarasota women artists. The gallery has created compositions of Jana's paintings and my ceramics representing a new chapter of our collaborative project COLOR & CLAY – DUET, a unique conversation between two artists in two mediums. The Halo Arts Project, sponsor of this exhibit, recognized our collaboration with 2021 Fellowship Award.
MARA Art Studio + Gallery , 1421 Fifth St. Suite A, Rosemary District, Sarasota
We Dream A World, African American Landscape Painters of Mid-Century Florida, The Highwaymen, explores the depth of art and business enterprise created by a unique set of landscape artists. Guest Curator Radiah Harper takes visitors through the experience of African Americans who, living in a hostile climate of racial injustice, were able to both learn their artistic craft through formal and informal education, and successfully break away from traditional field labor jobs to monetize their work. This exhibition will be presented in collaboration with the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition from July 10 to September 26.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens , 1534 Mound St., Sarasota
The City of Sarasota Parks & Recreation District is increasing the accessibility and enjoyment of swimming at the Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex. From lessons, to extended hours, they have your swimming needs covered. Learn to Swim: This program provides a positive, fun-filled opportunity for youth to learn abilities that will help reduce the number of water accidents and provide lifelong skills in swimming. Swim lessons are geared toward youth ages 6 months to 12 years. Participants will be divided into classes based on their abilities and ages. Sessions offer eight lessons for a registration fee of $65. Parent & Me classes are offered in a four-week session consisting of four lessons on Saturday mornings for $35. Adding to Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex’s Aquatic Programming is the Aqua Blast Class. Join us every Tuesday and Thursday for a steady paced cardio exercises mixed with weights and resistance training. This new class is a great way to burn calories just before lunch time. Non-swimmers welcomed, as this class is in our 3-foot Water Instructional Pool. Tuesdays and Thursdays starting May 11 from 10am to 10:45am. Ages 18 and up are welcome, and classes are $3 each. Purchase a 5-Class Pack for $55. Registration Deadline: Mondays prior to Tuesday class and Wednesday prior to Thursday class. Call 941-263-6732 or register on eTrak: https://www.letsplaysarasota.com/program-guide/online-registration/how-to-register. Starting May 8 Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex will be open on Saturdays. Reservations are available on the hour between 11am and 4pm. The high diving board is closed, but the low diving board will be available. Reservations for Saturday swim are now available on eTrak: https://www.letsplaysarasota.com/program-guide/online-registration/how-to-register.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is pleased to present Saito Kiyoshi: Graphic Awakening. The exhibition will open Mar 14, 2021 and run through Aug 15, 2021 in the Ringling’s Searing galleries. Comprised of recent donations of artworks by Saitō from Charles and Robyn Citrin to The Ringling and other collections, Saito Kiyoshi: Graphic Awakening is the first comprehensive exhibition of this artist’s work in the United States. The exhibition focuses on prints Saito created in the 1940s and 50s, arguably the most vibrant period of his career, and includes several rare, early designs. Saito Kiyoshi’s (Japanese 1907–1997) keen sense of design, superb technique, and engagement with an appealing variety of themes made him one of the best known and most popular Japanese print artists of the twentieth century. Dr. Rhiannon Paget, Curator of Asian Art said, “Visitors to the exhibition will see many of the imaginative designs that made Saito Kiyoshi one of Japan’s most beloved printmakers, especially in the United States. Saito’s corpus encompasses urban and natural landscapes, female subjects, theater, architecture, and cats that reveal his curious mind, sensitive eye, and playful sense of humor.” The exhibition is accompanied by a 200-page illustrated catalogue edited by Rhiannon Paget and with essays by Paul Binnie, Noriko Kuwahara, Rhiannon Paget, and Judith A. Stubbs, and published by Scala.
This Botanical Briefing, presented by Radiah Harper, Guest Curator, will take place on Wednesday, July 14 from noon to 1pm and is open to all. What prepared young African American adults to become the enduring landscape artists they are today? What was inside of them that encouraged the pursuit of a creative life? Join us for a discussion about the community that supported these young artists, the entrepreneurial spirit that helped them see painting as another way to live in the world, and the little-known tale of an art teacher that saw their potential and helped to empower them.
In The Round is an opportunity for emerging choreographers from Sarasota Contemporary Dance members and selected choreographers chosen by SCD’s Artistic Staff to set a work in progress during the Sarasota Contemporary Dance Summer Intensive. The choreographers are given feedback during the performance from audience members using the Liz Lerman Critical Response Process (CRP). Each In the Round will be its own unique experience, offering works choreographed on SCD summer participants by a variety of emerging choreographers and SCD Company dancers. In-Person Dates: May 28, June 25 & July 16 at 7pm. Masks are required. Seating is limited at half capacity. Please book in advance to secure a spot. Tickets are $20. Ticket purchases close 30 minutes before the show. Virtual Dates: May 29, June 26 & July 17, 7pm Virtual Broadcast Recording. Tickets are Choose what you pay, $5, $10, $15. Ticket purchases close 30 minutes before the show.
A solo exhibition of abstract figurative paintings by William Swanson Inspired by the beauty of the coral reef will be open June 26-July 30. His passion for the beauty and mystery of the coral reef has led Bill Swanson to attempt to bring attention to its endangered ecosystem through his paintings. William started scuba diving in 1985 with a trip to Roatan, Honduras. It was not until 1998 that Swanson began studying painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. His love of diving has remained, but due to the strenuousness of this sport, he limits his exploration to snorkeling to catch the beauty of underwater life. Memories of the beauty he saw while scuba diving and his continued concern for the underwater environment have been a constant theme in his large paintings. His works are featured in the window and inside the gallery during this solo exhibition. Swanson will be in the gallery for our MEET THE ARTIST event on two consecutive Saturdays, June 26 and July 3 from 10am to 3pm. 1367 Main St., Sarasota
Art Uptown Gallery
Participate in 60-minute Salsa dance lessons taught by DK Dance from July 1 through July 29 at 6:30pm. Then practice your new dance moves with 30 minutes of social dancing. This evening of Latin culture and lively dance will be great for students who participated in the Summer Latin Series and beginners alike. This is an outdoor event. Please wear workout clothes and sneakers. We also encourage participants to bring a water bottle. Museum admission is not included. About the Instructors: DK Dance Creations is a Latin dance studio located in Sarasota, FL. Offering Latin dance classes, choreography services for wedding/quince/sweet-sixteens, private instruction, dance teams, dance shoe store and makeup classes. They provide an array of classes including but not limited to Bachata, Salsa On1, Salsa On2, Cha-cha, Kizomba, musicality, spinning techniques, tricks and lifts and many more. Individual Class is $15 for nonmembers, $14 for members, and $10 for students. Purchase the complete 5-class series and save, $50 or $45 for members.
Water conditions and the health of seagrass beds in the Sarasota Bay area have been changing rapidly, and there is a pressing need to gather more information about the amount of algae growing in our bays. Algae is a natural part of the ecosystem, but if changing conditions cause it to grow out of control, it can damage vital habitats. Volunteers will help monitor macroalgae by snorkeling in an assigned area, estimating the coverage of seagrass and macro algae, and collecting samples. Volunteers of all levels of experience are welcome. The Eyes on Seagrass survey will take place over a two week window from July 12 - July 24. Volunteers can pick any time during this window. The survey will take about one hour. Training and gear distribution will be held over three days. You Will Need: A team of 2 or more (Give your group a name), Transportation, Mask & Snorkel, Kayak, paddle board, or boat, and GPS or GPS capable phone. We Will Provide: Survey equipment, Dive flags, and Training. Training and Gear Distribution on June 28 at Blackburn Park 9am-1pm, June 29 at Ken Thompson Park 9am-1pm, and June 30 at South Coquina Boat Ramp 9am-1pm.
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