SRQ DAILY Jan 19, 2022
Wednesday Philanthropy Edition
"This wonderful collaboration with Lipstick Lex will help raise much-needed funds to help even more animals in 2022. It is also a great way to honor the life of Betty White and her love for animals."
Each year, SRQ Media invites the community to nominate individuals with hearts of giving who have made a significant impact with local nonprofit organizations — from volunteers and board members to individual staff members and donors. This year, attendees were thrilled to be together as we recognized our annual Good Hero Philanthropic Award recipients at the SB2: Philanthropic Agenda Luncheon and Good Hero Philanthropic Awards Luncheon on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. In the coming weeks, we are happy to feature each of the twelve honorees in our Wednesday Philanthropic edition of SRQ Daily.
The Good Hero we are featuring today is described as being “the glue that has held ALSO Youth together over the past two years." When COVID hit, ALSO, like many organizations, was forced—to shut it's doors. Shortly after, the Executive Director and all the staff left except for one part-time employee. All that remained of this organization that had been so active in the Sarasota community for almost thirty years, was the Board of Directors, led by Mary Tavarozzi. Mary took control and kept ALSO Youth afloat by running Zoom meetings, planning virtual fundraising events, repairing the center in Manatee County so that it would be ready in time to re-open, cleaning the Sarasota Center, running financials for the organization, and a million other things without which, the organization would not have survived. Mary led the team to find a new Executive Director and to hire a new staff when the centers were ready to re-open. The impact she has had is incomparable. Mary, thank you for leading the way to this organization’s next chapter. 
Pictured: Mary Tavarozzi (center) with Wes Roberts, SRQ Media Vice President and Executive Publisher (left) and Arthur Lerman of JFCS. Photo taken by Wyatt Kostygan.
The turn of the new year was bittersweet for Sarasota-based international artist, Alexis Fraser, aka Lipstick Lex. She lost her aunt on the same day that she learned of the passing of Betty White. Many people know that Betty White was a one-of-a-kind advocate for animals, once saying, “Animals are near and dear to my heart, and I've devoted my life to trying to improve their lives.” Like Betty, Lex’s aunt always held an incredibly warm and loving soft spot in her heart for animals, especially dogs. It was by her request that friends and family honor her after her passing by donating to animal rescue organizations and to continue to always celebrate life to the fullest. Realizing that Betty’s 100th birthday was coming up on January 17, Lex knew she had a small window of time in which her art could do more than just satisfy her desire to pay homage, but to perhaps also uniquely connect with a cause near and dear to the hearts of both of these inspiring women – animal welfare.
“My art is made unconventionally as I create with lipstick and my kisses. I create with a feminine product to promote beauty and self-expression while adorning my works with sprinkled in kisses to promote love, affection, and adoration. Betty was an unconventional woman of her time and it felt fitting to honor that by creating her young sassy self with lipstick and my kisses! Through this one-of-a-kind portrait of a woman who truly was America’s Sweetheart, I hope to make beautiful Betty and my family’s beloved Aunt Claudia proud by raising money to support our local Humane Society, here in Tampa, Florida.”
“In 2021, HSTB saved over 13,000 animals. This work can only be done through the generous donations from the community,” says CEO of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Sherry Silk. “This wonderful collaboration with Lipstick Lex will help raise much-needed funds to help even more animals in 2022. It is also a great way to honor the life of Betty White and her love for animals.”
Lipstick Lex has created a custom 24 x 36 piece of artwork which will be auctioned off with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. The virtual auction goes live at noon on Monday, January 17, on what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday, and will run through noon on Monday, January 24. The auction is hosted at https://one.bidpal.net/bettywhite. Log in to either party’s Instagram to get in on the action at @lipsticklexofficial and @humanesocietytampabay.
Pictured: Florida artist Alexis Fraser, aka Lipstick Lex, is auctioning off her beautiful original portrait of Betty White that she created using lipstick as her medium. Photo courtesy of Lipstick Lex.
Local community member Deanna Williams had enough on her plate. Her husband – who recently passed away – was under hospice care, and she, her daughter and 6-year-old granddaughter have disabilities. In the midst of her own struggles, she found the time to organize and is contributing her own money to support weekly dance classes for children, ages 6-12, who have disabilities. Williams’ granddaughter loves to dance and has developed some skills but Williams can’t afford to send her to any established local programs. She decided to try and offer free classes for children like her granddaughter. Williams engaged a volunteer instructor who is currently teaching ballet and ballroom dance. While she has been happy to cover most of the costs related to the class – including clothing, toys and dance items such as a balance beam and barre (both of which she found at area Goodwill stores) – she wasn’t confident she could take on room rentals as well. So she reached out to Margie Genter, Vice President of Mission Services at Goodwill, with a heartfelt request for assistance. Genter worked with Williams to determine which day and time, and location, might work best for current and future participants. The first offering was on October 27, 2021. Currently, there are several children enjoying dance classes at Goodwill’s Honore location on Wednesday afternoons but more would be welcomed. By providing comfortable spaces and offering free educational, cultural and social activities designed to meet the needs of local residents, Goodwill hopes to help to create a stronger, safer, more vibrant and better-connected community. The dance classes are free and open to the public. To learn more or get a child involved, call Williams at 941-313-0892 or email vohag@live.com.
Pictured: Taking part in a recent dance class at Goodwill’s Honore community room were (from l-r) Zuri Colaile-Romero, Peyton Jennings, instructor Sara Glass, Amayah Theodore and Eyva Theodore. Photo courtesy of Goodwill Manasota
Sarasota Opera announced that Indiana native Conner Stigner has been hired as Sarasota Youth Opera’s new Youth Opera Coordinator. Mr. Stigner will provide administrative support for Sarasota Youth Opera programs and performances, as well as educational and outreach activities. He will be coordinating rehearsal schedules, serve as accompanist, and will also be the liaison to Sarasota Youth Opera members’ parents and parent volunteers. Sarasota Youth Opera’s educational program recently commenced its winter semester, as well as rehearsals for the upcoming 2022 Winter Opera Festival. Puccini’s Tosca, opening February 12, will feature a children’s chorus made up of members of the Youth Opera. Mr. Stigner has a wide array of experience in the music world, including his former post as Director of Music and Liturgy at Our Lady of Hungary Parish in South Bend, Indiana. He also worked as accompanist and assistant director of the South Bend Symphonic Choir and was a pianist and director of vocals and music at the 574 Theater Company and the South Bend & Elkhart Civic Theater. His most recent position as Voter Registration Deputy/Clerk of St. Joseph County, Indiana Board of Elections helped burnish his administrative credentials while integrating his interest in civic engagement.
CHAPLIN: The Musical will run from Thursday January 20 2022 to Sunday February 6 2022 at Stone Hall, 502 Third Avenue West, Bradenton. Approximate running time: 2 hours and 15 minutes. He came to America an unknown. He left amidst scandals and controversy. In between, Charlie Chaplin became one of the best-loved and most famous entertainers in the world. Chaplin provides a captivating close-up of the man who changed motion pictures forever. The musical dramatizes the making of Chaplin’s legendary films, including The Kid, The Circus, Modern Times and The Great Dictator as well as his turbulent childhood, frenzied love life and political beliefs. Featuring an original score by Christopher Curtis, including “Look at All the People,” “Just Another Day in Hollywood” and “This Man,” Chaplin tells the touching story of the man who makes the world laugh as his legendary screen persona, the Tramp, but struggles to find happiness in his own life.
Schubert's bewitching "night music" leads to the joyous sunshine of Mendelssohn's most beloved work on Sunday, January 23 at 4pm at Holley Hall. Inspired by Goethe's The Beautiful Night. This program consists of Schubert Nocturne (for trio) and Mendelssohn Octet.
BERNADETTE PETERS, Broadway's brightest star, in an evening of song from the Broadway shows she's received accolades for, as well as from all her Grammy Award®-winning and nominated albums including standards, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, among others. A glamorous evening as only Bernadette Peters can do. This show will take place on Sunday, January 23 at 7pm.
Broadway and TV star NORM LEWIS can currently be seen starring in the SAG, Critics Choice, and NAACP Image Award-nominated Netflix film “Da 5 Bloods” by Spike Lee and in the groundbreaking FX series, “Pose.” He was previously seen in the NBC television special, “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert!,” alongside John Legend, Sara Bareilles, and Alice Cooper. He recently appeared in the Broadway revival of “Once on This Island” and as Sweeney Todd in the Off-Broadway production of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” at the Barrow Street Theatre, receiving the AUDELCO Award for his performance. In May of 2014, he made history as “The Phantom of the Opera’s” first African American Phantom on Broadway. An Evening with Norm Lewis will show on January 23 and 24, 2022 at the Venice Theatre.
German Cornejo’s TANGO FIRE encompasses and defines all that is Argentine Tango; dancing which sizzles with sensuality, accompanied by the unforgettable music of the great Tango masters including Piazzolla, Pugliese and Gardel. As one of the world’s most popular dance forms, this exhilarating show combines the rawness and sophistication, seductive and sultry side of Tango, evoking the intoxicating passion of late-night Buenos Aires. This show will take place on Monday, January 24 at 8pm.
You’re never too old to learn, but what if you learn that the person you’ve been married to for 50 years is making you miserable? Bill and Nancy practically breathe in unison; they anticipate each other’s sighs, sneezes, and ends of sentences. But just as they settle into their new retirement home in Florida, Nancy wants out. As their two adult sons struggle to cope with the news, they’re forced to question everything they assumed about the people they thought they knew best. Sophisticated, funny, delightfully – and sometimes provocatively – honest, this new Broadway hit comedy takes an intimate look at the unpredictable and enduring nature of love. Contains mature themes and language. Recommended for age 16+. Grand Horizons will show January 19–April 1, 2022.
They were just four guys from Jersey, until they sang their first note. While their harmonies were perfect on stage, it was a very different story off stage — a story that has made them an international sensation yet again. Go behind the unmistakable music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in the Tony® and Grammy Award®-winning true-life musical, JERSEY BOYS. This show will take place on Tuesday, January 25 at 7:30pm and Wednesday, January 26 at 7:30pm and 1:30pm.
St. Armands Circle has announced the event dates for its upcoming 2022 “Sol of the Circle – Cold Days, Warm Hearts.” Experience life on the circle and visit an assortment of some of the best merchants in the region. Sol of the Circle, a joint effort by the St. Armands Circle Association and St. Armands Business Improvement District, invites locals and tourists alike to enjoy weekly events happening throughout the month of January. Sol of the Circle will start Sunday, January 9th, and will include events such as: Sunset Yoga - Sunday, Jan. 9, and Jan. 23, 5pm to 6pm, St. Armands Family Day - Sunday, Jan. 16, 11am to 1pm, Ladies Night - Thursday, Jan. 20, 6pm to 8:30pm, and Songs on the Circle – Wednesday, Jan. 26, 6pm to 9pm. St. Armands Circle is set to kick off the new year with a handful of events for one to enjoy in January. The first event features a soothing way to wind down the weekend with Sunset Yoga. This free event will take place on Jan. 9 and 23 from 5 to 6 p.m. Led by instructor Liana Sheintal Bryant. Songs on the Circle will return with a mix of several smooth genres. Each quadrant will feature a different musical act providing a soundtrack to your evening as you stroll around the circle. This special event will be held on Wednesday, January 26 from 6pm to 9pm. St. Armands Circle Association’s Sol of the Circle will also include Ladies Night, which will be held on Thursday, January 20 from 6pm to 8:30pm. Shop and dine out on the Circle with a festive atmosphere for a special night of fun. The final event will conclude on Wednesday, January 26. From 11am to 1pm, the Circle encourages you to enjoy St. Armands Family Day which will include great activities for the whole family to participate in.
Sarasota High School Theatre's I Never Saw Another Butterfly will show January 26-28, 2022. Over 15,000 Jewish children passed through Terezin, and only about a hundred were still alive at the end of the war. One of the survivors, Raja, having lived through it all, teaching the children when there was nothing to teach with, helping to give them hope when there was little enough reason for hope, creating a little world of laughter, of flowers and butterflies behind the barbed wire, tells the true story of the children. There were no butterflies at Terezin, of course, but for the children, butterflies became a symbol of defiance, making it possible for them to live on and play happily while waiting to be transported.
In this version of the future, expectant parents learn within the first few weeks of pregnancy which traits their child will have and what behaviors it is likely to exhibit. This intriguing new play follows the extreme lengths two couples go to in order to have a baby. Babel probes the world of modern eugenics, explores the societal value of a baby, and asks us what we are willing to risk for love. NNPN Rolling World Premiere. Babel will show from January 26 to February 18, 2022.
New College Students will be stationed in gallery 21 ready to share their research and insights on a selection of nineteenth-century artworks. This event is the culmination of an independent study project focused on "Bringing Art to Life in the Museum" and directed by Professor Katherine Brion, a specialist in nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century French art. This event is included with Museum Admission and will take place on January 26 from 2:30pm to 4pm.
This year, Dance Makers features new imaginative dance pieces created by nationally acclaimed contemporary choreographers. This year’s program includes dances from Dazaun Soleyn (San Francisco, CA), Jennifer Nugent (NYC), and Christal Brown (NYC) who was recently in residency at Jacob’s Pillow. Excitingly, Dance Makers will also revive Kinda Cagey, the fan-favorite grand piano and dancer duet from SCD’s 2nd season, performed by Leymis Bolaños Wilmott and Francis Schwartz. The choreography is diverse, the impact profound, and the dancers utterly captivating. Dance Makers will take place Thursday, January 27, 2022 through Sunday, January 30, 2022. All shows are at 7pm, except Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are $10 - $45. Available Virtually Friday, January 28, 2022 through Sunday, January 30, 2022. Virtual Tickets are $25.
Each of these extraordinary composers learned the "family business" from his father on Thursday, January 27 at 5:30pm at Holley Hall. Inspired by Bruce Weigl's The Harp. This program consists of Beethoven Quintet Op. 16 for Piano and Winds, Michael Tilson Thomas Street Song, and Mozart String Quartet No. 17, K. 458, "The Hunt."
The Van Wezel Foundation announced the return of its annual Inspiration Gala on January 27, 2022, featuring a performance from Grammy® and Emmy® Award-winner Harry Connick Jr. Now in its 20th annual year, the Inspiration Gala further enables the Foundation to fulfill its mission to create and sustain a vibrant performing arts center, advance education, and enrich communities by inspiring minds through the power of the arts. Harry Connick Jr. has exemplified excellence across multiple platforms in the entertainment world including music, film, television and Broadway for over three decades. But music and live performances remain the foundation of his art, and he will showcase classics from his remarkable career. Susan Travers and Kathy Martella are returning co-chairs for this year's Inspiration Gala, which also includes a Host Committee of dedicated benefactors. The evening will feature a program that boasts a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner, live auction and other special surprises, all leading to Harry Connick Jr.’s performance on the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall stage. As part of the annual celebration, the evening will also announce the Appleton Arts Integration Award, honoring an individual who best incorporates arts integration techniques in their approach to better our community. The Award is made possible by a legacy gift from Mrs. Louise Appleton, a local philanthropist who had a passion for arts and its connection to education. Sponsorship opportunities for the Gala are available from $50,000 to $10,000. Sponsorships can be reserved online by following this link: https://bit.ly/3zooiIF. To request additional information or inquire about becoming an event sponsor, please contact Carly Evans at 941-271-4185.
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
