SRQ DAILY Aug 13, 2021
Friday Weekend Edition
"That's the only time you, as a writer, really know if what you have works or doesn't. It's all been a beta test up until now."
Florida Studio Theatre’s annual August Play Reading Festival comes to a close this Monday with a reading of American In One Room, the latest from playwright Jason Odell Williams (Handle With Care).
In September 2019, over a long weekend at a hotel in Grapevine, Texas, 500 or so voters from across the country gathered to talk about immigration. And taxes. And healthcare and the economy and pretty much all the contentious issues that so often divide the American people. They were of all ages and ethnicities, genders and races and political leanings, who agreed on one thing—to try to talk things out respectfully. The organizers called it America In One Room.
At a time when political rhetoric more closely resembled playground prattle, the dedication to civic decorum did not go unnoticed. The press ran stories. Former President Barack Obama offered praise. And Williams, whose play of the same name brings audiences up-close-and-personal with a small group of eight attendees trying to keep their cool, found the perfect premise for a story that could pry at the heart of what it means to be an American. “The idea is to explore,” he says.
And for a playwright looking to authentically voice eight or nine characters sporting fundamentally disparate perspectives, exploration looks a lot like research. “That was definitely the challenge,” says Williams, who went so far as to track down actual conference attendees of all stripes to hear their stories, understand their perspectives and see the event through their eyes. These conversations then shaped the characters and dialogue of the play. “Sometimes it was verbatim,” Williams says. “What they said would become a bit of dialogue for one of the characters.”
Now, Williams is eager to hear from a different group of people—the Sarasota audience. As part of Florida Studio Theatre’s August Play Reading Festival, Monday’s reading represents a crucial step in the playwriting process. “This will be the first time it’s done in front of people live,” says Williams, and though there will be time for a talkback and audience critique after the reading, it’s the moment itself that reveals all.
“That’s the only time you, as a writer, really know if what you have works or doesn’t,” he says. “It’s all been a beta test up until now.”
The reading of America In One Room is this coming Monday, August 16, at 7pm at Florida Studio Theatre. 
Pictured: Jason Odell Williams
Rebekah Pulley is a St. Petersburg, FL based singer-songwriter and performer whose sultry, seasoned voice has been described as jaw dropping, with a tendency to break your heart and shake your soul. Her songwriting, live performances, and recordings have earned her 7 'Best Of The Bay’ awards from Tampa Bay’s own Creative Loafing. Rebekah Pulley will bring her smoky Southern Folk-infused sound with elements of jazz and blues to the Fogartyville stage on Saturday, August 21 at 8pm. Ronny Elliott, a hillbilly soul singer from Tampa reaches into the deep American well of rock n' roll and rhythm and blues to bring a gritty brand of dark-hued story songs to the stage.
Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Advance tickets are available online at wslr.org or by calling 941-894-6469.
The Van Wezel Foundation (Foundation) was honored with an Award of Distinction at the Florida Public Relations Association’s (FPRA) statewide Golden Image Awards on Tuesday, August 10, 2021. This recognition applauds the Foundation’s The Vision for the Sarasota Performing Arts Center Community Engagement Campaign: A place for Ideas. A place for the Arts. A place for you. This campaign was funded through the generosity of the Zella I. and Junius F. Allen Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.
“The vision of the Sarasota Performing Arts Center would not be possible without the engagement of our community, and we are honored to receive this state-wide recognition” said Cheryl Mendelson, CEO of the Foundation. “This outreach campaign will continue to evolve as we realize the promise of a new world-class performing arts center that will be a legacy for generations to come.”
From Left to Right: Alyssa Holcomb and Sasha Hausman accepting FPRA’s Award of Distinction on behalf of the Foundation.
Tuesdays just got a whole lot sweeter because of CMX CineBistro Siesta Key. Appropriately dubbed 'Tempting Tuesday,' take advantage of $5 movie tickets, for any show, all day long. Grab the kids for family movie night or your hunny for a mid-week date night, because summer Hollywood hits such as Jungle Cruise, Suicide Squad, Black Widow and Free Guy are all showing at the moment for your big theater viewing pleasure. This Tempting Tuesday deal is valid through December 31, 2021.
You must arrive 30 minutes before showtime to enjoy in-theater service. Excludes special engagements & holidays. Not valid on opening days. Ticket purchase not required for lounge entry. A $1.99 Blockbuster fee may apply to some movies.
For more information and insider ideas on how you can Have Fun in the 941, head here. And remember to hashtag #funinthe941 on social with Visit Sarasota.
CMX Cinebistro, 3501 S Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, 941-361-2456, cmxcinemas.com
Ten Ringling College of Art and Design Illustration students created a series of biographical sketches for the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) based upon the lives of ten women artists whose work is featured in the Museum’s collection. With aligned missions to inspire creativity and provide platforms for professional experience, the project was a collaboration between SAAM and Ringling College’s INDEX program. As winners of the INDEX competition, the ten students created short comics comprised of 12 to 16 frames apiece to convey the story of each of the ten women artists, some of whom may not have received the attention they deserved in their lifetimes.
The ten winning students were chosen from the 29 Illustration students that entered the Ringling College INDEX competition. Each winning student received a $1,000 award and the opportunity to gain professional experience by working on Drawn to Art: Ten Tales of Inspiring Women Artists. All ten comics are viewable at americanart.si.edu/art/art-comics.
“This INDEX project with the Smithsonian American Art Museum has been a phenomenal career-advancing opportunity for our students,” said Ringling College of Art and Design President Dr. Larry R. Thompson. “Working to tell the stories of these important women artists has drawn upon our students’ talent, creativity and ability to work collaboratively with faculty advisors and Smithsonian American Art Museum staff, providing valuable professional experience prior to graduation. We are very impressed with, and proud of, their work.”
The Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) was selected by the William and Harriet Sturdevant Memorial Charitable Trust to receive a $10,000 grant in support of the Children and Families Supervised Visitation Program (CFSVP), one of CPC’s Child Abuse Intervention programs. The intent of this program is to foster a healthy relationship with both parents, as research has shown this connection improves the overall wellbeing and stability of the child. Over 50 Sarasota County citizens serve as CFSVP volunteers.
“We are deeply grateful for the Trust’s past support in helping us achieve great success with our program services,” said Doug Staley, CPC’s Executive Director. This funding is particularly impactful as the nonprofit continues to face the severe effects COVID-19 has had on abuse and domestic violence.
The Child Protection Center’s mission is the Prevention, Intervention, & Treatment of Child Abuse. CPC has been serving Sarasota & DeSoto Counties since 1980. In fiscal year 2020, CPC provided 66,698 services to individuals. For more information on CPC or the Supervised Visitation Program, visit cpcsarasota.org or call 941-365-1277.
SB Architects, an international architecture firm celebrated for creating spaces that capture the history, culture, and context of each location, is honored to reveal the design for The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort and Residences, a new resort community nestled in the beautiful white sands of the Gulf of Mexico. Situated on a barrier island outside of Sarasota, Florida, The St. Regis Longboat Key is scheduled to break ground in fall 2021 and will deliver luxury seaside living with the amenities and service of a world-class, five-star resort upon opening in spring 2024. Developed by Unicorp National Developments, the elegant 166-room resort and 69 private luxury condominiums will be distinguished both for the property’s architectural expression and the level of luxury that the St. Regis brand will bring to the locale. SB Architects is working alongside Hirsch Bedner Associates Miami (HBA), Marc-Michaels Interior Design, and Enea Landscape Design to bring the vision to life.
Comprised mostly of glass, the buildings feature clean lines, fine detailing, and soaring floor-to-ceiling windows that draw in natural light and showcase stunning coastal views.
“Our goal was to create a sense of relaxed comfort and elegance through contemporary design in both the resort and private residences,” said SB Architects Vice President and Principal, Pinar Harris. “Drawing inspiration from the existing landscape for materials and celebrating the pristine waters of the Gulf of Mexico through visual connections to the ocean, the design channels the spirit of the St. Regis brand through a timeless expression of barefoot luxury.”
The resort features a 20,000 square foot St. Regis Signature Spa, a salt-water lagoon with live fish and sea life, and an open-air Sunset Bar overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, in addition to a meandering drift stream, heated infinity edge pool, beachside event lawns, and business meeting facilities. The private condominiums – ranging from approximately 1,500 to nearly 6,000 square feet – comprise three six-story buildings and offer residents access to the amenities at St. Regis Resort & Spa, in addition to their own dedicated private amenities, including a waterfront pool and spa with a privacy sundeck and Resident’s Clubhouse featuring a world-class Wellness Center with meditation and yoga studios. Each residence will feature expansive terraces – some with infinity edge plunge pools – and a secured private access elevator opening directly into the residence.
For more information about SB Architects and the world-wide reputation for excellence it has built in the planning and design of projects across the globe, visit sb-architects.com.
St. Regis Longboat Key Rendering, courtesy of SB Architects.
The Ramos Center for Interventional & Functional Pain Medicine proudly welcomes, board certified Interventional Pain Physician, Dr. Danielle Babb, to their comprehensive team. Her addition to the Ramos Center will play an integral role in the expansion of the practice northward into Pinellas County. Dr. Babb will initially be treating patients in their Bradenton office and soon transitioning into the Ramos Center’s first Pinellas County office in St. Petersburg. “I am excited to start my professional career at the Ramos Center, alongside this comprehensive and robust team of skilled physicians," said Babb. "Most importantly, I’m glad to bring my experiences and knowledge to my home community.”
Life on the Circle only gets better when days are bathed in the summer sun. Enjoy a breath of fresh air and immerse yourself in the perfect setting for adventure and fun. Join us for the “Sol of the Circle,” a series of special events for the entire family. St. Armands Family Day will take place every last Sunday from 11am to 1pm. Dates are June 27, July 25, August 29, and September 26.
American Fanfare concert will be held Sunday, July 4 at 4pm at the Sarasota Opera House and will be available on demand from July 17 to August 17. Rousing patriotic anthems and stirring inspirational choral works celebrate Independence Day. The Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble joins Choral Artists for the first time, performing Sousa marches to complement the program. Musical fireworks abound in this annual salute to America.
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
With three voices singing incredible songs like “Feeling Good,” “Moondance,” “Come Fly With Me,” “Home,” “Everything,” “Save the Last Dance for Me,” and many more, Shades of Bublé: A Three-Man Tribute to Michael Bublé brings the swinging standards and pop hits of Bublé to the stage in an unforgettable high-energy concert event. Shades of Bublé, created by Melissa Giattino and Ron DeStefano and produced by Drew Pournelle, will play beginning July 13 in FST's Goldstein Cabaret.
Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to present the eighth year of its annual Young Artist Program, through which Troupe members are able to showcase their talents with self-produced, one-person shows. The first Young Artist Program showcase of the 2021-2022 season, featuring 18-year-old student Astrid Victoria (known to WBTT audiences as Astrid McIntyre) is titled, “Love Language: An Evening with Astrid Victoria.” Two performances will take place Friday and Saturday, August 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m.
In "Love Language," which she describes as “a celebration of inspiration and retrospection,” Victoria will share her great love for music through a selection of songs that she describes as integral to her development as an artist. She will also showcase the ways in which her favorite creators have influenced her own songwriting, with a small collection of original songs.
Backing Victoria will be singers Michael Mendez and Canela Vasquez; the band will be James “Jay” Dodge II, bass, Matthew McKinnon, keyboards, Brad Foutch, guitar, and Mike Andrews, drums.
Young Artist Program showcases take place at the WBTT theater, located at 1012 N. Orange Ave. in Sarasota. Audience capacity will be capped at 50% and masks are required to protect patron and performer health and safety. Tickets are $25 general admission; sponsor tickets, which include reserved preferred seating and playbill recognition, are $100 (ticket fees are added at the time of purchase). Call the Box Office at 941-366-1505 or purchase tickets online at westcoastblacktheatre.org.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe , 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota
FST is presenting three staged readings of new work by members of its Playwright Collective, a select group of artists dedicated to developing new work for FST’s stages, in the 2021 August Play Reading Festival. After over a year of developing new plays virtually over Zoom and holding reading series online, this Festival will be FST’s first live, in-person New Play Development event since March 2020.
The three playwrights featured in this Festival—Thomas Gibbons, Kenneth Jones, and Jason Odell Williams—will each travel to Sarasota for one week of rehearsals and play development sessions with FST’s artistic staff, followed by a staged reading of each of their plays for live audiences. Professional actors from across the country will also fly to Sarasota to help bring these new works to life. After each reading, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and give feedback to the playwrights. These sessions are essential to the development and creation of new plays, giving playwrights direct access to artistic support as well as valuable audience feedback.
FST has played a role in the development of each of the featured plays. Last year, the theatre commissioned Jones to write Last Call at the Old Slave Quarters Lounge and Williams to write America In One Room. Gibbons has been working closely with FST’s artistic team to develop Steal Her Bones since its first draft.
The 2021 August Play Reading Festival will take place in FST’s Keating Theatre on August 2, 9, and 16 at 7PM each day. Subscription packages to see all three readings range from $28.50-48.00. Single tickets are $20 per-person for each reading. Subscription packages and single tickets are now on sale at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or 941-366-9000.
Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N Palm Ave., Sarasota
The John and Mable ringling Museum of Art is pleased to present Ecoperformance Week, Sept. 6- 12, 2021. Ecoperformance events at The Ringling have an arts-driven focus on conversations, performances, activities and films about ecology, climate, culture and environmental justice. The field of eco-performance looks at climate change and environmental justice as multifaceted environmental and social phenomena that can be transformed through cultural engagement. The week will kick-off with a streaming presentation of Ludic Proxy: Fukushima on Sept. 6. Set a few years after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster in Fukushima, Japan, the film is a video adaptation of Brooklyn-based theater-maker Aya Ogawa’s play Ludic Proxy. The presentation, which runs approximately 35 minutes and is presented in Japanese with English subtitles, may be viewed anytime during the day. Additionally, all ticketholders will have access to an “on demand” version, available from Sept. 6-12, 2021. Performance and Environmental Justice: A Panel Discussion will be offered via ZOOM on Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m. This panel presents perspectives that elucidate and redefine environmental justice and how culture, performance and storytelling impact awareness and social transformation around these issues. The series will include two films that will be screened in the Historic Asolo Theater. TrashDance will be presented Sept.9 th at 1 p.m. Trash Dance follows choreographer Allison Orr as she finds beauty and grace in garbage trucks, and in the unseen men and women who pick up our trash. Waste Land will be shown Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m. The week will close with a workshop on Sept. 11 via ZOOM. Decolonizing Theatre Basics with Groundwater Arts will examine the nuances of colonization and how they intersect with how we live and work. The workshop will entail both active and passive activities, videos and discussions, creating radical access points for everyone of all levels to leave empowered.
The Ringling Museum , 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
The five newest artists at Art Uptown Gallery will be featured in the September exhibit, New Color Perspectives, showcasing their paintings, drawings and jewelry art. Diane Boone, jewelry artist; Peter Garon, Judy Gilmer, and Hunter Jay, painters; and Arlene Steinberg, colored pencil artist, are all local, full-time residents of national and international recognition. Meet the artists on September 3 from 6 pm to 9 pm at the First Friday public reception with refreshments at the gallery. The exhibit opens on Saturday, August 28 and runs through Friday, September 25. Art Uptown Gallery welcomes patrons and friends at 1367 Main Street where the diverse art works of 28 local artists are shown, Tuesday-Friday 11 am-5 pm (except First Friday when open until 9 pm), and Saturday 10 am-3 pm. www.artuptown.com. Telephone 941-955-5409 for further information
Art Uptown Gallery, 1367 Main St., Sarasota
We are pleased to announce that the 7th Annual Manatee Pride Festival will be held on September 18, 2021, at the beautiful downtown Bradenton Riverwalk from noon to 5pm. Manatee Pride is a fund raiser, and all proceeds benefit ALSO Youth Sarasota/Manatee a 501(c)(3) non-profit Florida corporation, providing Advocacy, Leadership, Support and outreach for LGBTQ youth in Sarasota and Manatee Counties and dedicated to supporting, affirming, encouraging, enabling and empowering all LGBTQ youth. We would welcome your participation and support at our Festival on September 18, 2021. Our 7th annual Festival, Manatee Pride 2021 will again have live performers and renowned bands, great food, beer, refreshments (and other favorites), health checks and more. We expect our attendance to meet or exceed our previous attendance record. Mark your calendars & tell your friends. We look forward to seeing you in September for a safe & fun Manatee Pride. If you are looking for ways to get involved as a volunteer, participate as a performer, have a booth as a vendor or support our non-profit via a donation, please reach out to Craig@ALSOYOUTH.ORG.
FST’s 2021 Summer Cabaret Series concludes with an all-new show from Sarasota’s favorite swing-era territory band, The Swingaroos. A jazzy new music revue, Jukebox Saturday Night features some of The Jukebox’s greatest hits: “Get Your Kicks On Route 66,” “Heart and Soul,” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” Jukebox Saturday Night will play in FST’s Bowne’s Lab beginning Tuesday, September 7 and will play through October 31. Countless musical genres emerged during the first half of the 20th Century, and there was only one place you could find them all: The Jukebox. In this jazzy music revue, The Swingaroos put a dynamic twist on the Jukebox’s greatest hits, including “Get Your Kicks On Route 66,” “Heart and Soul,” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” Tickets are no longer available for this show.
America’s favorite musical satirist, Randy Rainbow, is taking his act on the road! On The Pink Glasses Tour, the two-time Emmy-nominated singer, writer and comedian will take on the hottest topics and skewer politicos of the day as only he can, as he brings his most viral video song parodies to life onstage. Featuring live accompaniment by some of Broadway’s finest musicians, the show will also include personal stories, an audience Q&A and brand new original songs written by Rainbow with Marc Shaiman (Hairspray, Mary Poppins Returns) and Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast).
The Van Wezel, 777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
A program about the joys of youth, written by the young and young at heart on Sunday, September 26 at 4pm at Holley Hall. Inspired by Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends. The progam consists of Josef Suk Piano Quartet in A Minor, Op. 1, Janacek Mladi ("Youth Suite"), Kenji Bunch Shout Chorus, and Mendelssohn String Quartet No. 1, Op. 12.
Learn about the rich circus history of Sarasota on an unforgettable trolley or van tour. Pass by key city landmarks as our informative and passionate tour guide, Bob Collins, tells stories about the colorful cast of circus characters, showmen, and performers who called Sarasota home. Meander through historic neighborhoods such as the Rosemary District, known for its vibrant food and art scene. Learn about the rich history of the Ringling brothers, the five brothers who owned and operated the circus renowned as the “Greatest Show on Earth.” Pass by the 21-gallery museum John Ringling constructed to house his extensive artwork collection, which opened to the public in 1931. Explore several other locations intimately involved in Sarasota’s circus history, including Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Circus Arts Conservatory, and the Circus Ring of Fame on St. Armands Circle. This 90-minute trolley or van tour is perfect for all ages and shows you a whole new side of Sarasota. Get ready for a fun-filled circus adventure during this show on wheels. It’s an illuminating experience you don’t want to miss. Tours with fewer than 10 guests will travel in our comfortably air-conditioned high-top van. Tour tickets are $34.99 and include FREE Parking.
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". 2021 marks the 6th anniversary of the Challenge, to be held both online and live at a theater in Sarasota. The Challenge prides itself on finding professional filmmakers to act as judges. This year for example, Larry McConkey is on the panel. McConkey is best known for shooting the infamous "Copa scene" long take in the movie "Goodfellas." 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. For more information contact SingleTakeChallenge@gmail.com
Save the date for Sarasota Contemporary Dance's 16th Main Stage Season "GRIT" is a testament to the company's passion, purpose, and perseverance. After surviving and celebrating its landmark 15th season through a global pandemic, SCD is returning to the stage with greater conviction than ever before in its responsibility to progress contemporary dance in Sarasota. Tickets and subscriptions will become available soon. The fundraiser will be held to kick off the season at Waterworks Sarasota.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance , 1005 N Orange Ave., Sarasota
SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email |
Powered by Sarasota Web Design | Unsubscribe
