This Friday night, kick off your weekend with a screening of Fiddler on the Roof at the Sarasota Opera - and then come back on Sunday for an HD screening of Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata. These dual screenings, of a classic movie on Friday’s and a modern, HD taped performance of an opera, started in mid-July and will run through late September, just in time to kick off Sarasota Opera’s Fall Season.

“The classic films are $12 dollars and HD are $22 for non-subscribers. People really enjoy seeing these movies and operas on the big screen with a really high quality sound system - the acoustics are great, which makes for a very luxurious and satisfying experience,” says Stephen Baker, Director of Marketing at the Opera.

The practice of summertime screenings is actually just the continuation of a long history of showing movies at the Opera. “It was originally built as a moviehouse and showed silent films in 1926. We even hosted the world premiere of Cecil B. Demile’s The Greatest Show on Earth in 1952,” says Baker.

While Friday night’s screening features a classic in Fiddler on the Roof - an adaptation of the 1964 musical and winner of three Academy Awards - the real gem of the weekend may indeed be Verdi’s La Traviata. The 19th century opera, which has a run time of three hours and 40 minutes, is a recording of a live production by The Royal Opera in 2021. “It’s one of Verdi’s most popular operas. “The way these productions are filmed too, allows viewers to experience different angles which in turn grants them the ability to fully appreciate the drama and impact of the story and accompanying music,” says Baker. Directed by Richard Eyre, La Traviata was sung in Italian but is overlaid with English subtitles - making it accessible to opera aficionados and newcomers alike. “It’s a really fun experience for people of all ages and can be a great introduction to the opera,” attests Baker.

Sarasota Opera, 61 N Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, 941-328-1300. 

Pictured: Giuseppe Verdis La Traviata. Photo courtesy of Sarasota Opera.

To learn more, visit

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is proud to announce it has, for the fourth consecutive year, awarded WBTT Artist Development scholarships to deserving students. Last year, eight up-and-coming artists were presented with $2,000 scholarships for studies in a college or conservatory program in the performing arts or arts management for the 2021-2022 academic year. This year, WBTT has again provided eight young, aspiring artists with scholarships of $2,000 each. This year's recipients are: Ariana Fitzgerald, in her fourth year at Jacksonville University, receiving the scholarship in memory of Alan Kurland; Astrid McIntyre, in her second year at Southeastern University, receiving the Kitty and John Cranor Scholarship; Canela Vasquez, in her second year at State College of Florida, receiving the Marian Moss Scholarship; Charlotte Corporan, in her fourth year at Rollins College, receiving the Marie McKee and Robert Cole Scholarship; Jetta Strayhorn, in her second year at Harvard University, receiving the Jody and Bob Beresford Scholarship; Tay Marquise, in his fourth year at Pace University, receiving the Jack and Priscilla Schlegel Scholarship; and Todd Bellamy II, in his fourth year at Florida A&M University, and Zion Thompson, in his third year at State College of Florida, receiving scholarships in memory of Shelley Goldblatt.

"While WBTT is dedicated to producing the finest dramatic and musical theatre, my dream and passion has always been to help young, aspiring artists to develop their talents and have the opportunity to achieve success," said Jacobs. "We are so grateful to the supporters who have made it possible for us to contribute financially to the arts education of these students and look forward to seeing the impact on their lives and careers in the years ahead." To be eligible for a scholarship, a participant must have performed on the WBTT stage in at least two productions, worked at the theatre as an intern, and/or been a participant in the Stage of Discovery summer musical theatre intensive program. Funds are disbursed directly to the educational institution the awardee will be attending in the fall. 

Pictured: Astrid McIntyre and Zion Thompson (left), and Tay Marquise, Canela Vasquez and Ariana Fitzgerald (right), with WBTT Executive Director Julie Leach, Founder/Artistic Director Nate Jacobs and Board Chair Doris Johnson (center).

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s Opportunities For All (OFA) was proud to celebrate the 2022 OFA Summer Internship program on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. This was the second year of OFA’s Summer Internship program, and the program continues to grow. Twenty-five interns were successfully connected to 18 Chamber members and local employers.
These 18 local employers gave a lifetime opportunity to our community's rising future leaders through OFA’s ten-week program. This program provides a win-win opportunity for local employers to have a diverse intern for the summer. Providing our bright, talented, leaders with this opportunity to broaden their exposure to the professional work world not only benefits employers, but it also contributes to the overall growth of the community and economy. Moreover, 85% of the interns were minorities. So far, four local employers have offered positions to their interns for continued employment.The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce fully funded this experience through the Opportunities For All grant provided by the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. For more information or to learn more about the Opportunities For All program, please reach out to Kaveecia Moore, Opportunities For All Manager, at kmoore@sarasotachamber.com. 

The Florida Public Relations Association’s Central West Coast Chapter is pleased to announce that Laura Ansel has earned her Accreditation in Public Relations from the Universal Accreditation Board. Ansel graduated from the University of Dubuque in 2008 with a Masters in Communication and has more than fifteen years of marketing and public relations experience in a variety of industries from manufacturing and higher education to tourism and municipal government. She currently is the marketing and engagement coordinator for the Parks & Recreation Department of the City of North Port, the largest municipality in Sarasota County. The Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) credentials is a symbol of excellence within the public relations industry. Led by the Universal Accreditation Board and managed by the Public Relations Society of America, the credentials signify a commitment to the highest level of performance and ethical practices of public relations.Ansel now joins the more than 5,000 professionals nationally that represent an elite group of highly skilled public relations professionals committed to practicing with exemplary ethical standards. For more information about the accreditation process through the Florida Public Relations Association, visit cwcfpra.com/accreditation. 

Sarasota County Schools is pleased to announce that Ms. Cameron Parker has been selected to serve as the Acting Principal of Emma E. Booker Elementary School. Ms. Parker started her new position on Wednesday, August 3. She will be working with the school’s leadership team and outgoing principal, Ms. Edwina Oliver, to ensure students & families start off the new school year strong. Ms. Cameron Parker received her bachelor’s degree in Education from Stetson University. She has a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University in Tampa, as well as a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida. Before starting her most recent role as the Professional Development Assistant Principal (PDAP) of Booker Middle School in 2016, Ms. Parker served as an Interim Assistant Principal at Laurel Nokomis School. She has also served as an Interim Assistant Principal at Fruitville Elementary School, an Information Technology Specialist and an Instructional Technology Trainer with Sarasota County Schools, as well as an Instructional Technology Coach and a 4th & 5th grade Teacher at Alta Vista Elementary School. Ms. Parker holds certifications in Elementary Education (K-6), Middle School Integrated Curriculum (6-9), Business Education (6-12), Principalship, and Educational Leadership in addition to an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement. 

Michael Klauber, co-owner of Michael’s on East and Michael’s Wine Cellar, leading restaurateur and wine impresario, will speak at Dreamers & Doers on Thursday, August 11, an interactive speaker series hosted by DreamLarge. As one of the best networking events of the summer, Dreamers & Doers provides a platform for young professionals and business owners to network while learning from the global business leaders living in the Sarasota region. The series is presented by Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County. Michael Klauber, known for his fine dining establishment Michael’s on East, Sarasota’s only AAA Four Diamond Award restaurant, Michael’s Wine Cellar, and co-founding Sarasota-Manatee Originals, has a well-established name in the hospitality industry here in the Suncoast region. At a young age he took over the restaurant operations at his family-owned resort, which was awarded the “Grand Award” from the Wine Spectator Magazine in 1982 during his leadership. Klauber opened Michael’s On East in 1987 which has since won numerous awards including being inducted into the Nation's Restaurant News “Fine Dining Hall of Fame''. In 1994, he created the first-ever online restaurant website, exemplifying his innovative marketing techniques. His success in the hospitality industry and inventive strategies make him a valuable resource for anyone in the industry. Klauber is deeply invested in the local community and its future and has been a passionate supporter of The Bay Park since its inception. Recipe for Success with Michael Klauber will take place on Thursday, August 11 at 5:45 pm at The Bay Park. For more information about the event and to purchase tickets, visit https://recipeforsuccesswithmichaelklauber.eventbrite.com. The series continues on September 8 with Michael Saunders, founder and CEO of Michael Saunders & Company.   

There’s never been a more important time to quit tobacco. 

Gulfcoast South Area Health Education Center, as part of the Tobacco Free Florida AHEC Cessation Program, offers free tobacco cessation sessions to help individuals quit all forms of tobacco.  These group sessions—held virtually and in-person—will assist you with developing your own customized quit plan. Free nicotine replacement therapy in the form of patches, gum or lozenges (if medically appropriate and while supplies last) and follow up support from a trained tobacco treatment specialist are provided with the session. 

Contact us today at 866-534-7909 or visit our page to schedule a class or learn more about the program!

Visit our page link: www.tobaccofreeflorida.com/groupquitcalendar  

Click here to learn more