For many, golden opportunities are rare. That’s why in early 2020, when one came knocking, Iain Webb, director of the Sarasota ballet, answered the door.

Fast forward two years later and that opportunity has finally blossomed into something real: the Sarasota Ballet’s World Premiere of A Comedy of Errors, a full-length balletic adaption of the Shakespeare comedy The Comedy of Errors, on display at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall from March 25th - 26th. Replete with choreography from Sir David Bintley - who is widely considered one of the greatest modern choreographers and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his contributions to dance in 2020 - a fully commissioned score from celebrated composer Matthew Hindon, and set and costume designs from vaunted designer Dick Bird, the program was an opportunity the Sarasota Ballet couldn’t pass up.

“A Comedy of Errors is the biggest premiere the Sarasota Ballet has ever done and the largest event we’ve ever put on as well. What’s particularly special is that it’s a full-length, story ballet, which is extremely rare today. Because the program features a commissioned score, it also provides our frequent collaborator, the Sarasota Orchestra, a rare opportunity to perform a world premiere. We’re very fortunate to have this incredible team here, working with our dancers and bringing the story to life on the stage,” says Sarasota Ballet’s Marketing Director, Jason Ettore.

Producing a program of such size and complexity, however, takes time. “Sir David first approached Iain about the project in early 2020. However, production was halted until March of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That downtime gave Sir David and Matthew Hindon a chance to write the score - deciding what they would adopt from Shakespeare’s original work. Because A Comedy of Errors is a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s comedy, its essence is the same as the original but a lot of the mechanics of it are very different. Sir David had to figure out how to tell the story in a modern setting, through the modern medium of dance,” says Ettore.

Finally, in September of 2021, Bintley was able to spend a few weeks in Sarasota choreographing with the Sarasota Ballet’s dancers. He returned in the beginning of February and has been here, rehearsing, ever since. Everybody, it turns out, has been working double time. “With something as large as comedy, we scheduled more time than usual - a full two months - for our dancers to focus solely on this project,” attests Ettore.

However, for the Sarasota Ballet, it has been time well spent. In recent history, the Company’s expansive repertoire of works has brought it national and international acclaim - acclaim that was initially garnered by a reputation for performing historical ballets and working with the heralded English choreographers of the early 20th Century. “With Sir David’s world premiere, it’s about expanding our repertoire to feature the choreographers of today as well as providing the dancers to create a dance legacy through their performance,” states Ettore.

 Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota,941.359.0099

Pictured: Ricardo Graziano and Arcadian Broad in Sir David Brintley's A Comedy of Errors. Photo courtesy of Sarasota Ballet.

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Motown with a Twist, a new take on classic Motown, comes to the Van Wezel on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 8 p.m. Are you ready for a brand-new beat? Motown with a Twist is a sparkling, electrifying night of the Motor City's most famous hit songs, featuring celebrity pros Keo Motsepe and Anna Trebunskaya from Dancing with the Stars performing with finalists from So You Think You Can Dance, as well as vocals by finalists from American Idol, The Voice and America's Got Talent. This family-friendly night features songs from Diana Ross and The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, The Jackson 5 and everything in between. You'll twist and shout to Motown with a Twist! Tickets are $32-$77 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 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Groups of 10 or more should contact 941-263-6726. Pre-show dining is available through Mattison’s at the Van Wezel which is located inside the theatre. Reservations can be made on VanWezel.org or through the box office. 

Morgan Stanley announced today that Aimee Cogan, Managing Director, and Wealth Advisor in the Firm’s Sarasota Wealth Management office, has been named to Barron’s list of “America’s Top 1,200 Advisors: 2022 State-by-State.” The “Barron’s Top 1,200 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. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, a global leader, provides access to a wide range of products and services to individuals, businesses and institutions, including brokerage and investment advisory services, financial and wealth planning, cash management and lending products and services, annuities and insurance, retirement and trust services. 

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Debra Gingerich was presented with the 2021 Built to Last Award at JMX Brands, the parent company of the largest online retailer of Amish furniture at www.dutchcrafters.com. Vice President Linse Miller recognized Gingerich with the award during the company’s annual awards luncheon. The Built to Last Award recognizes one veteran employee who steadily performs and exemplifies persistence, a solid work ethic, a depth of knowledge, and makes long-term contributions to the Sarasota-based business. Gingerich was the first employee at JMX Brands. She served as the writer and communications manager from 2004-2006 and later returned to the company in 2015 to manage the Content, Communications and Marketing Team. Gingerich was promoted to director of marketing in 2018, where she has utilized her extensive experience in marketing and storytelling to promote the company’s brands. A graduate of Eastern Mennonite University with a master’s degree from Vermont College, Gingerich has won the Work Without Veneers Award, the JMX Brands Colors Award and the President’s Award twice. Most recently, Gingerich has spearheaded the new customer experience initiative at DutchCrafters and serves as the chairperson for the JMX Brands Giving Committee. 

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The Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) has received funding from the MSC Foundation of Michael Saunders & Company. This grant will provide support for CPC’s Therapy services, providing treatment for the children and families who’ve experienced the traumas of child abuse. CPC’s Therapy program consists of the Sexual Abuse Treatment Program (SATP) and the Kid Kindness Program (KKP), both designed to serve children who have been physically and/or sexually abused, those children exhibiting problematic sexual behaviors, and their non-offending caregivers and siblings, providing free mental health support for victims and their families. The nonprofit’s Therapy program has been experiencing a drastic increase in services as the organization continues to face the effects of COVID-19 and the simultaneous population growth. This vital funding provided by the MSC Foundation will support the Child Protection Center’s immediate needs within their Therapy program. This support is made possible through the generosity of the Michael Saunders & Company’s agents, who choose to voluntarily donate a portion of their real estate commission on each transaction, and the voluntary contributions of their staff. The Child Protection Center’s mission is the Prevention, Intervention, & Treatment of Child Abuse, as the organization envisions a community where children are safe from abuse and free to thrive. For over 40 years, CPC has been serving Sarasota and DeSoto Counties in the State of Florida, and is accredited by the National Children’s Alliance. For more information on CPC, visit www.cpcsarasota.org or call 941-365-1277. 

Art Avenue is pleased to announce it will be hosting Hands Up for Homes! An Art Auction Benefitting Second Heart Homes, Inc. The live auction will take place Saturday, March 26, from 6pm to 9pm, at Art Avenue’s 1440 Main Street location in downtown Sarasota. Guests can park for free by the Selby Library or in Whole Food’s second-story ramp. The auction’s show piece is a stunning painting created and donated by local artist Vicki Chelf to support Second Heart Homes’ mission. The painting is a continuation of Chelf’s series, “Women of the Resistance,” which honors women who have contributed via secret spies to help the Resistance during WWII. The piece, titled “Second Heart Angel,” depicts Second Heart Homes founder Megan Howell as a local contemporary woman of resistance who is leading the charge to end homelessness in Sarasota. Guests will be able to bid on more than ten art pieces, including limited edition prints, and a piece created by one of their clients, while enjoying wine, hors d’oevres and live jazz by Ruffus. The event is free to the public. Supporters who are unable to attend the event can double their donations up to $500 through the Flanzer matching gift program at secondhearthomes.org. All proceeds go to Second Heart Homes, a local nonprofit that provides housing and high-touch supportive services to homeless men and women with mental health issues. 

Pictured: Second Heart Angel. Courtesy of Art Avenue.