SRQ DAILY Nov 12, 2021
Friday Weekend Edition
"I'm a product of Ann Gregory."
Filmmakers and their supporters gathered at Ringling College of Art & Design this week to celebrate the completion of another feature-length film shot in Sarasota and produced in partnership with the community, furthering a longtime mission to highlight the region as a potential hotspot for the film industry.
Entitled Playing Through, the film tells a semi-fictionalized account of Ann Gregory, the amateur golfer who made history in 1956 as the first African-American woman to compete in a national USGA championship. Written by Curtis Jordan, the project began not only upon his discovery of Gregory’s story, but the surprising fact that his own mother had actually played a round of golf against Gregory herself. Though Jordan’s mother was reticent to talk about the experience, he was fascinated, and that golf match became a key narrative element in a script Jordan says he wrote at least 15 times, never thinking it would be made, never thinking it was good enough.
All that changed when he met Andia Winslow. An actor who had been golfing since age 10, Winslow not only knew about Gregory, she understood the importance of her game and her accomplishments. “Black people in this country were excluded from leisure in a way that’s remarkable,” Winslow says, tracing a line from her own artistic and athletic path to the doors opened by pioneers before her. “I’m a product of Ann Gregory,” she says. And she found out that her parents knew Gregory’s kids.
“Kismet beyond kismet,” Winslow says, and the chance to talk with the Gregory family proved “informative but emotional.”
Still, there was one glaring problem in Jordan’s mind: his script. “I’m a 70-year-old white man putting words in these women’s mouths,” he says, and the dialogue was never satisfactory. Enter Winslow and her co-star Jules Rae, who both arrived in Sarasota a month early to workshop the dialogue and bring the script over the finish line. “Their input made the script,” Jordan says.
Armed with a “micro-budget” and support from the Sarasota community, including Laurel Oaks Country Club, Ringling College and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, shooting was ready to begin.
Ultimately, Jordan credits the widespread community support as a key reason the film was able to be made at all. “[Sarasota] has taken a chance on us,” he says. “I hope that the community feels they have a level of ownership in this.”
Playing Through is currently seeking distribution. 
Pictured: Andia Winslow (left) and Jules Rae in a scene from Playing Through. Photo by Rich Schineller.
Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is excited to bring children and their families the magic of the holiday season once more with the latest iteration of Deck the Halls. This interactive family-friendly, music-filled show celebrates everything that makes the holidays in Sarasota special and has become a holiday tradition for many families here on the Suncoast. This year’s production marks the return of the beloved Children’s Series show after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. This season, the festivities return with all-new sketches, all-new songs, and all-new memories ready for the making. Created by Sarah Durham and Caroline Saldivar, Deck the Halls begins playing on Saturdays and select Sundays starting November 27 in FST’s Bowne’s Lab.
Deck the Halls is part of a four-show subscription package. Also included in the Children’s Theatre Series subscription package is Cinderella, an all-new adaptation of the classic fairy tale, Hare & Tortoise, a whimsical retelling of the beloved Aesop fable, and The Grandma That Eats Everything & Other Winning Plays, a collection of award-winning plays written by elementary school students from around the world.
Deck the Halls features four elves who have traveled to FST all the way from the North Pole to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah, Florida style! With all-new songs, family-friendly scenes, and a dash of audience interaction, these elves will remind audiences of the mirth and comfort of the holiday season.
“This year, Deck the Halls highlights the best parts of the holiday rolled up in one: joy, togetherness, music, tradition, peace, and love,” said Sarah Durham, one of the co-writers of the show. “There’s humor and music and sweet reminders of what we’ve missed the past year or two. This show gives families a moment to stop, relax, and enjoy each other’s company, which can be difficult to do during such a hectic time.”
Subscriptions for all four Children’s Theatre shows are now on sale for $20 ($5 per person, per show). Single tickets are also available for $10 per ticket. Subscriptions and tickets are now on sale at 941-366-9000 or FloridaStudioTheatre.org
Photo courtesy of FST
Key Chorale, the Suncoast’s premier symphonic chorus, is excited to be back on the stage and is looking forward to a season mixed with dynamic collaborations and unique programming that have become their hallmarks under the guidance of Artistic Director Joseph Caulkins. Coming up Thanksgiving weekend is a show not to be missed! This performance will appeal to all audiences with one offering at the Sarasota Opera House. On Sunday, November 28, grace and beauty will combine in “Sheer Grace,” featuring Key Chorale and The Sarasota Ballet’s Studio Company and Trainees. The elegance and dreaminess of Eric Whitacre’s Five Hebrew Love Songs, and his setting from the beloved children’s book Good Night Moon, contrasts with the cinematic drama of Ola Gjeilo’s Dark Night of the Soul and John Rutter’s tuneful and brilliantly colorful Magnificat. Crystalline soprano Mary Wilson adds her soaring voice to a perfect afternoon of ethereal beauty. “Although neither of these works has been set to ballet yet, the first time I heard both of these pieces they just seemed so perfect for dance. Full of variety and rhythmic drive, these works will be elevated even more with the addition of dance,” says Artistic Director, Joseph Caulkins.
The performance takes place: Sunday, November 28, 4:00 PM at the Sarasota Opera House. Tickets are $20-$55. For tickets, go to keychorale.org or call the box office at 941-552-8768.
Renée Fleming, one of the most beloved and celebrated singers of our time, is back at the Van Wezel. With her magnificent voice and compelling stage presence, Renée has been sought after for various occasions. Winner of four Grammy Awards® and recipient of the U.S. National Medal of Arts, Renée Fleming has sung for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony and the Diamond Jubilee Concert for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. In 2014, Renée brought her voice to a vast new audience as the first classical artist ever to sing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl. And now, she will return to perform at the Van Wezel once again on January 5, 2022.
Kerkering, Barberio & Co., Certified Public Accountants, has established a five-year gift to the University of South Florida Muma College of Business that will encompass multiple components in the Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy, including scholarships to students. The announcement was made November 7 during the 27th Brunch on the Bay at the University’s Sarasota-Manatee campus. As part of this gift, Kerkering Barberio will provide annual scholarship funds to accounting majors each fall, extending opportunities for KB scholars to take advantage of internships with the firm.
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has awarded the Hermitage Artist Retreat a $50,000 Strategic Partnership Grant to support the Hermitage’s nationally renowned artist residency program and, for the fifth consecutive season, to serve as “Grand Sponsor” of the Hermitage Greenfield Prize Dinner and Celebration in April of 2022. The Hermitage Greenfield Prize is a groundbreaking partnership between the Hermitage Artist Retreat and the Greenfield Foundation. This prestigious national prize seeks to bring into the world works of art that will have a significant impact on the broad as well as the artistic landscape. 2022 will mark the fourteenth year of this annual jury-selected award, with the Hermitage Greenfield Prize Dinner scheduled for Sunday, April 10, at Michael’s On East in Sarasota.
The Hermitage Greenfield Prize includes a six-week Hermitage residency and a $30,000 commission to create an original work. The distinguished honor rotates annually among music, theater, and visual art. The 2021 Hermitage Greenfield Prize was awarded to playwright Aleshea Harris, with her commission set to premiere in 2023. The 2022 prize will be awarded to an artist in the discipline of music. In addition, the Community Foundation’s sponsorship will help to support the Hermitage’s artist residency program. Each year, the Hermitage invites accomplished and diverse artists across multiple disciplines for residencies on its beachfront campus.
Bradenton PC Repair and Last 7 Studios continue to partner with the Veterans of America Hospital at Bay Pines, The James A Haley Veterans Hospital and Goodwill Manasota to provide laptop and desktop computers to our veterans. The goal is to help veterans in need keep in touch with family and friends and to find employment. This is the Ninth year of this donation drive. Last year 30 Computer Donations were received and 26 of them were donated, bringing the total to 290 computers donated to veterans and their families since this program began. Help is requested to spread information about this program to Veterans in need. As we are approaching the holiday season, many households will be getting new laptops, I-Pads, and tablets for Christmas. Typically, the old electronics end up in a drawer for years or worse in a landfill somewhere and benefit no one. In most cases these devices can be cleaned up, repaired and or upgraded to benefit a Veteran in need. On 11-11-2021 and 11-12-2021 and then, continuing throughout the year, Bradenton PC Repair and Last 7 Studios will be running a computer donation drive to collect old devices and then refurbish them so they can be donated to local veterans. All donated devices will be cleared of all old data to ensure safety and privacy for the previous owner, (DBAN) and then be given directly to veterans in need. The donated items don’t need to be in working condition to be of use. Most non-working items can be fixed and still donated to our veterans.
Bradenton PC Repair is located at 6703 14th Street West in Bradenton, 941-567-4017, everyone donating will receive a coupon for, 1 Free Diagnostic, and 1 Free Pc Repair (excluding Parts) from Bradenton PC Repair.
Banyan Pediatric Care Centers announced the addition of experienced healthcare administrator and clinician Michelle Flynn, LCSW, CCM to its senior leadership team. Flynn will serve as the PPEC’s Chief Operating Officer, reporting to President Jason Moxley.
In her new role, Flynn will oversee operation of Banyan’s three facilities in Florida, while working with the leadership team to plan for future expansion in other states. Banyan operates nurse-staffed day care centers in St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and New Port Richey, Florida for young people from birth to 21 years old with medical conditions that require ongoing specialized care. In addition to her extensive administrative and leadership experience, Flynn is also a licensed clinician (LCSW) and Certified Case Manager, serving previously with the UVA Emily Couric Cancer Center’s Neuro-Oncology unit.
Chart-topping a cappella group Straight No Chaser returns to Sarasota on Friday, November 12 at 8pm. Their “Back In The High Life” tour marks the group’s return to in-person shows after a year of cancellations due to the pandemic. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 21 at 10am. Tickets for the November show at the Van Wezel are $29.50-$69.50 and can be purchased at www.VanWezel.org, by calling the box office at 941-263-6799 or by visiting the box office Monday through Friday between 10am and 4pm. To view a full listing of upcoming events, visit www.VanWezel.org.
After making the difficult decision to cancel last year's festival due to COVID-19, The Siesta Key Chamber is excited to announce the dates for the 2021 festival! This November 12-15th, twenty-four premier master sand sculptors will be competing for 1st place on Siesta Beach. The Siesta Key Crystal Classic is a visual and cultural arts festival now in its 11th year and has hosted over 300,000 attendees on the best beach in the USA! In only 24 sculpting hours, (spanning the four-day event), the master sculptors create sand masterpieces and transform the always beautiful Siesta Beach into an amazing outdoor art gallery. And it is more than just sand...the festival also features live music throughout the event along with a large village of shopping and food and drink vendors. Other activities include the popular three-day Quick Sand competition, sand sculpting lessons and an amateur sculpting competition. The festival will be open Saturday night until 9 pm with live music by Fleetwood Max, The Definitive Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band. A full live music line up will be announced in October. The party tent will be open and the sculptures will be lit through a fabulous light display.
Siesta Key Crystal Classic
Architecture Sarasota's MOD Weekend will take place November 12 through 14 and will celebrate Philip Hanson Hiss, the primary catalyst of the modern architecture movement in Sarasota. Their 8th annual MOD Weekend will feature a VIP Reception, The Vision of Philip Hiss, Party Under the Banyan Tree at Hiss Studio, The Symposium, Guided Trolley Tour of Hiss-Commissioned Schools, Guided Trolley & Walking Tour of Lido Shores, Tropical Modernism: Philip Hiss’ Lido Shores Self-Guided Walking Tour, The Hiss Dinner, North Siesta Key Guided Kayak Tour, and Grand Canal Kayak Tour. The three-day event will celebrate Hiss’s forward-thinking ideas and how they gave rise to the origins of the Sarasota School of Architecture (SSA).
Join us as we explore J.S. Bach’s Six Suites for Solo Cello as they’ve never been presented through a multi-sensory interactive performance, Bach Immersion. Over the course of three concert weekends, we will travel into each Suite’s unique world through a live musical performance alongside a myriad of other art disciplines including dance, painting, photography, spoken word, fashion design, and food. Having multiple artists collaborating and interpreting the music in conjunction with the audience will create a unique, one-of-a-kind experience that will only exist for those moments with that audience. Bach Immersion II In Person on Friday November 12 2021 & Saturday November 13 at 7pm, Masks will be required. Virtual Stream on Saturday, November 13 at 7pm.
Free Concert on November 12, 13 & 14 at J.D. Hamel Park, Gulfstream & Main On the Bayfront, Downtown Sarasota. On Friday, November 12 from 4pm-10pm, Saturday, November 13 from 11am-10pm, and Sunday, November 14 from 11am-6pm. Friday: Randy McNeely Band, 5:30-7:30, Soul Circus Cowboys, 8-10. Saturday: Mike Tozier, 1-3, Chas Collins, 3:30-5:30, Cadillac Blue Band, 6-8, Craig Campbell, 8:30-10, and An intimate evening with Craig Campbell unplugged. Sunday: Side Project Duo Noon-1:30, Dr Dave Band 2-4, and James Otto, 4:30-6. On Facebook - Sarasota Country Music Festival.
Inspiring Hope Dinner will take place on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive. This inspirational evening will feature entertainment and celebrity speakers Darryl Strawberry, The retired Major League Baseball great will talk about his mental health and addiction journey, and Steve Ford, The actor and son of former President Gerald Ford and First Lady Betty Ford will discuss his struggles with addiction and depression, who will be recognized for their mental health advocacy and achievements in an evening supporting this vital cause. The rest of the lineup will be announced by May.
Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound bring forth a funky, lyrically charged racket that is explosive, yet intimate on Friday, November 12 at 8pm. Taking cues from the dance bands of western Louisiana (and his native Midwest,), the streets (and 45’s) of New Orleans, touring African and Caribbean combos and the soul, funk & blues of his youth, Paul Cebar is a masterful synthesist of rhythmic culture. His time spent in his second home of New Orleans, as a musicologist in Florida, and as a journeyman wanderer in Cuba, is reflected in his musical worldview. At the core is gifted songwriting, and the company Paul keeps bears it out. Bonnie Raitt, Nick Lowe, Chris Smither, John Hiatt and Cesar Rosas are among his friends and admirers. Tomorrow Sound are an elite crew. Drummer Reggie Bordeaux, New Orleans native percussionist Mac Perkins, and bassist Mike Fredrickson, throw down some of the best dance grooves in the business.Multi instrumentalist Bob Jennings adds the luxury of implying a much larger ensemble with his multi hued contributions on keys and reeds.
Charles McGill: In the Rough from May 29 to November 21. Charles McGill: In the Rough explores the assemblage works of artist, educator, and golf teaching professional Charles McGill, who physically deconstructed and repurposed the plastic, steel, leather, vinyl, and hardware from vintage golf bags to examine the racial and class inequities associated with the sport and leisure activity.
La Scala di seta (The Silken Ladder) by Gioachino Rossini with words by Giuseppe Maria Foppa. This spirited one act comedy, which will run from October 29 through November 13, begins with a well-known overture, and goes on to spin a seductive story of a secret husband and would-be lovers who scale a silken ladder into and out of a lady’s room.
Starke, Florida has everything: agoraphobia, ‘80s nostalgia, spray cheese, road kill, hysterical pregnancy, a broken electric chair, kleptomania, strippers, flan and disco. Get your seats early… Trailer Park filled every seat in 2009, 2011, and 2013. The Great American Trailer Park Musical from show from October 29 to November 28 at the Venice Theatre. Includes adult language/themes. Audience discretion advised.
This November, Art Uptown Gallery will feature the work of local photographer Frank Bibbins in an exhibit entitled ”Cortez, The Fishing Village” with art that captures the beauty, energy and determination of the historic village and its people. The exhibit runs from Sat., Oct. 30 through Fri., Nov. 26. The public is also invited to a public reception on November 12 from 6pm-9pm. Art Uptown Gallery welcomes you to the 1367 Main Street gallery, where the diverse art works of 29 local artists are shown Monday-Friday 11am-5pm (except First Friday when open until 9pm), Saturday 10am-3pm and Sunday 12pm-5pm. Telephone: 941-955-5409 for further information. www.artuptown.com.
A modern take on the fourteenth-century morality play Everyman, this new play follows the character of Everybody (chosen from amongst the cast by lottery at each performance!) as they journey through the meaning of life, and most importantly, of death. A finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize, the play is absurdly witty, very moving, and unlike anything you’ve seen in the theatre. Everybody will take place November 3-21, 2021 with Previews on November 2, 2021.
Marvin has left his wife for his male lover and is struggling to keep his family together. In classic William Finn fashion, Falsettos has themes of Jewish identity, gender roles, and gay life in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Single tickets available Sept. 1, 2021 ($26.50 preview/ $29.50 single/ $14 student). Subscriptions are available now. The show dates are Nov. 3-6, 9-13 at 7:30pm and Nov. 7, 13-14 at 2pm.
Fifth Third Bank is partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast for its annual Giving Tree Toy Drive campaign. The Giving Tree Toy Drive program will begin on November 8, 2021 and end on December 3, 2021. Each Fifth Third financial center will host a “Giving Tree” decorated with gift tags with specific information that pertains to the need of a child in the community. We encourage you to visit any local Fifth Third Bank financial center in South Florida during the month of November to pick up your gift tag. Your donation of a gift or gift card will help make a difference and ensure a brighter holiday season for the underserved youth in our community. All donations can be dropped off at any local Fifth Third Bank in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Broward and Palm Beach. To find the nearest location, visit 53.com.
The Eighth Annual Alumni and Veterans Show will run from November 11 to December 13, 2021 with a Zoom Reception on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 from 5pm to 6:30pm. You are invited to view exciting new work by Ringling College Alumni and Veterans. This multi-media exhibition includes artwork from this extraordinary group. The show features a wide variety of media, styles, and approaches from emerging and established alumni and veterans practicing a diverse range of art using mediums including painting, digital design, drawings, prints, and mixed media. All artwork will be on display online only on this page from November 11 through December 13. To purchase please call 941-822-0442 and make arrangements for curbside pickup or shipping.
Join Big Cat Habitat for our Fox Yoga fundraising event in collaboration with instructor Erika Cain on Sunday, November 14th, 2021, Doors Open at 8:45am, 60-Minute Flow Begins at 9am. This is a unique interactive animal experience with gentle yoga weaved into the adventure. Erika will guide you through a yoga flow in our intimate encounter area, while Stormy and Miko, two silver foxes, freely play and connect with you. Allow yourself to be transformed by this exclusive experience as you become immersed in the outdoor environment and powerful energy of the foxes. This alignment-based class synchronizes breath with movement for you to deepen the mind-body connection and tune into your spirit animal. Practice is for most levels, giving you the opportunity to be gentle on your body. Big Cat Habitat hopes that this event will help guests connect with our majestic animals in a new way and support our mission to provide a safe, loving and permanent home for big cats and other exotic creatures in need. We take pride in educating our guests on the importance of species preservation to ensure the survival of these magnificent animals for future generations and to keep alive the human-animal connection in our world and in our community. Registration is $125 per person; includes interactive animal encounter, yoga flow and a single day pass to return to the habitat during normal business hours. (Friday thru Sunday 12pm-4pm). Only six spaces available. Advanced reservations ONLY. What to bring: Yoga mat, towel and any props to assist your practice. Complimentary refreshments and light snacks available.
Skyway Classics invites the public to attend their Grand Opening Car Show & Celebration on Sunday, November 14, 2021 at 12pm to 6pm. The event will be held at the Skyway Classics showroom located at 10420 Portal Crossing, Bradenton. Skyway Classics was previously located in Palmetto, and has expanded to their new location with a state-of-the-art showroom and storage facility. The grand opening celebration will begin at 12pm and end at 6pm and is free and open to all ages. Events will include a classic car show, hourly raffles, and showroom tours with local food trucks and beer vendor on site. In addition to the celebration, Skyway Classics is also debuting their new Skyway Motor Club, which provides concierge storage and maintenance services for classic car enthusiasts.
Please join us for Resilient Retreat’s OUTDOOR Farm to Table dining experience on Sunday, November 14, 2021 from 5pm to 9pm at Resilient Retreat, 13010 Fruitville Road. Our goal this year is to raise $60,000+ at our inaugural Farm to Table event. The funds raised at the event are critical to Resilient Retreat to continue to serve survivors of trauma and first responders and helping professionals. Come immerse yourself among the majestic oaks at Resilient Retreat’s 84 acres of conservation land. In true Farm to table fashion, our local chefs will craft a tasting menu featuring the very best local seasonal foods. Dine outside under the stars nestled among the beautiful live oaks while experiencing al fresco farm to table dining. Farm to Table proceeds will benefit Resilient Retreat’s mission to empower survivors of trauma to thrive through self-care and community. Get involved with this important, festive, and fun event. We look forward to celebrating with you on November 14, 2021. Tickets are $325. Rain Date is December 2, 2021.
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