This Wednesday, August 10th, Urbanite Theatre announced their 2022-23 season slate. The season is comprised of four mainstage productions (The Burdens, Birds Of North America, Backwards Forwards Back, and That Must Be The Entrance To Heaven) as well as two special engagements (Mr. Yunioshi and the 2023 Modern Works Festival). The season is titled Heredity, as the four mainstage productions interrogate the conception of family and heritage.

“We ever go into a season trying to set a theme then find the plays. We start seeing what themes emerge when we get to a short list of the plays we want to do. What we realized is that in several of these plays that we were looking at, family ties were the thing that was driving much of the action,” says Brendan Ragan, Co-Artistic Director of Urbanite Theatre.

While the four mainstage productions couldn’t be more different in terms of theatrical style or genre of show - the list includes comedies, dramas and even a tragedy - the one connecting theme that runs through all of them are the different facets of familial relationships. It’s a concept that feels very apt in a post pandemic lockdown world.

“When I started thinking about what kind of theater does Sarasota need right now, I just felt like challenges inside the family are something that are so very relatable. Given everything that we’ve been through, I feel like family units have really been damaged. Some of that is political, some of that is social, but people can relate to the fact that their family has been a cause of challenge, humor, or triumph and managing to forge bonds through these challenges feels really rewarding,” says Ragan. “I think that we’re far enough away from certain things that it’s allowing many families to heal - it’s a perfect year to further all of that.”

Urbanite Theatre, 1487 2nd St, Sarasota, Box Office: 941-321-1397. 

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Arts Advocates is pleased to announce two new events in the Arts Advocates Gallery, located in The Crossings at Siesta Key mall, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. A special exhibit of Cora Marshall’s works, titled “In and Out of Time,” runs from September 3 through September 24. Denise Kowal, founder of the Chalk Festival, will present “Chalk Talks: Behind the Scenes of the Chalk Festival” on September 15. More information can be found at ArtsAdvocates.org. “In and Out of Time” by artist and educator Cora Marshall is a special exhibit in the Arts Advocates Gallery, presented in collaboration with The Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative and funded in part by a grant from the Sarasota Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County. The exhibit opens on Saturday, September 3 and runs through September 24; the gallery is open every Saturday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Dr. Marshall's current work focuses on contemporary African American artists in particular, and artists who are mixed race: part African American and Native American. She earned a doctorate in art from New York University. Her paintings have been exhibited nationally and internationally including the National Conference of Artists in Ghana; A.I.R. Gallery in New York City; Hammonds House Gallery in Atlanta; Pittsburgh Center for the Arts; and Craftery Gallery in Hartford, Connecticut. “Chalk Talks: Behind the Scenes of the Chalk Festival,” featuring Denise Kowal, continues the Art Talk series on September 15 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Kowal has been a resident, patron, stakeholder, and business owner in Sarasota County for the past 40 years. She founded and manages the Avenida de Colores, the nonprofit umbrella organization for the Chalk Festival and Avenue of Art. She is primarily focused on pavement arts, and has made the Chalk Festival the most important pavement event in the world along with the artists, volunteers, donors and visitors. Cost for this Art Talk is $10 for Arts Advocates members, $12 for non-members. Registration is required at ArtsAdvocates.org. 

Due to audience demand, Florida Studio Theatre (FST) announces the extension of the comedic murder mystery, Smoke & Mirrors. Called “Smart” and “Very, very funny” by The Observer, Smoke & Mirrors centers on Hamilton Orr, one of Hollywood’s top directors, who brainstorms a deadly scheme to gain control over a multi-million-dollar film. Written by Will Osborne and Anthony Herrera, Smoke & Mirrors will now run in FST’s Gompertz Theatre through August 28, 2022. Tickets are now on sale at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or 941.366.9000. Set on a private island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Smoke & Mirrors follows a Hollywood creative team who is putting the finishing touches on the script for their next hit film. Hamilton, a conniving movie director and producer, wants complete authority over the film and isn’t afraid to go to extreme lengths to make it happen. So, he comes up with a deadly scheme and convinces the movie’s screen writer, Clark, and his wife, Barbara, to join his plot. When things don’t go as planned, the trio come face to face with the wily local sheriff, Leroy. FST’s production of Smoke & Mirrors is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The production is also supported by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, and Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax Revenues.Due to audience demand, FST is extending the run of Smoke & Mirrors an additional week. This comedic thriller will now play in FST’s Gompertz Theatre through August 28, 2022. 

The Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) named Michael Klauber of Michael’s on East CPC’s Community Partner of the year. Annually, the Child Protection Center awards outstanding community members and business partners for going above and beyond for child abuse victims in Sarasota and DeSoto counties. “Our partnership with Michael and his amazing team at Michael’s On East has been monumental for victims of abuse.” Says Doug Staley, Executive Director of the Child Protection Center. “Michael has been the face of our live auctions year after year, at our signature Blue Ties and Butterflies event. Without Michael and his team, we wouldn’t be able to make such a long-lasting impact. His work and
dedication to our mission is lifesaving.“ When presented with the Community Partner of the Year Award, Michael and his wife Terri were moved by this recognition. “I’m always honored to be able to be part of the events that help bring hope to families in our community.” Says Michael “On behalf of all of us at Michael’s on East, we are so proud to be associated with all that goes on to help children at the Child Protection Center.” Local philanthropist and champion for children and CPC, Graci McGillicuddy spoke highly of Klauber and Michael’s on East for receiving this award. “We are so blessed to have a corporate sponsor who feels the mission of CPC so deeply and provides such incredible support to CPC, to take care of children that need voices for healing and love!" 

Pictured (L-R): Sheila Miller (CPC’s VP of Philanthropy), Graci McGillicuddy, Terri Klauber, Michael Klauber, Doug Staley (CPC Executive Director).

Forty Carrots Family Center is the grateful recipient of a $50,000 donation from William Brown and Stephanie Filippi-Brown to support mental health services for struggling children and families through Forty Carrots’ Mental Health Program. With this generous support, Forty Carrots is able to prioritize the increasing demand for high-quality mental health services in our community. The need has skyrocketed since the pandemic and is essential to create strong foundations for children. With one in five children experiencing mental health issues, access to mental health services is crucial for healthy, strong child and family development. Since 1993, Forty Carrots Family Center has served families in Sarasota & Manatee counties, ensuring good beginnings that last a lifetime for children through its expertise in Parenting Education, Mental Health Services, and Early Childhood Education. Rated 4-Stars by Charity Navigator, Forty Carrots serves families from all walks of life, with 94 percent of families receiving services free of charge. Visit www.fortycarrots.org for more information. 

Pictured: William Brown and Stephanie Filippi-Brown

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Breeze Airways, the Seriously Nice™ low-fare airline founded by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, is announcing new nonstop service from Sarasota-Bradenton to New York/Westchester, NY, with fares from just $69* one way. The airline will also add one-stop/no plane change “BreezeThru” service to Norfolk, VA, from November 5, from $99* one way. From Sarasota-Bradenton, FL: New York/Westchester, NY (Sat and Tues, starting November 5, Nice from $69* one way; and Nicer from $99*); and Norfolk, VA (one stop/no change of plane service, Thurs and Tues, starting November 5, Nice from $69* one way; and Nicer from $99*). The airline also serves Hartford, CT, nonstop from Sarasota-Bradenton. Breeze’s business model, which focuses on providing fast, efficient, and affordable air service between underserved city pairs, has continued to expand its footprint across the U.S. using mid-sized aircraft. The airline doesn’t charge change or cancellation fees up to 15 minutes prior to departure and offers other benefits such as free family seating and a la carte pricing and upgrades including premium seating. 

Graci McGillicuddy, an area philanthropist and founder of All Star Childrens Foundation was honored as one of the “100 Women to Know,” an award that recognizes top female leaders across America. McGillicuddy joined other high-achieving entrepreneurs, executives, creatives, and philanthropists who were celebrated at the KNOW Women Summit in May at The Saguaro Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona. McGillicuddy has been a committed child advocate since 1986 after reading an article about an 18-month-old baby who died after having been brutally abused. Unable to comprehend the atrocity, ending the cycle of child abuse became McGillicuddy life's calling. She has worked tirelessly to prevent child abuse and provide treatment and care for our community’s most vulnerable children. McGillicuddy has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors for her outstanding leadership and dedication to helping keep all children safe and free from abuse. In November 2009, Senate President Jeff Atwater presented Graci with the Florida Senate’s “Spirit of Service” Award, the highest honor bestowed on civilians, and in October 2014, she was presented with the “Lightning Community Hero” award by Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik on behalf of the Lightning Foundation. The All Star Children's Foundation's Trauma-Informed Campus of Hope and Healing is the culmination of 36 years of an incredible journey of advocacy to make this a safer world for children. 

Williams Parker, Sarasota’s largest and oldest law firm, is pleased to announce that it has signed a lease for a new office location in Lakewood Ranch, one of the nation’s premier master-planned communities. Part of the Waterside Place mixed-use development, the firm’s new, expanded office will enable its lawyers and professionals to better serve the needs of clients located in Lakewood Ranch, along the rapidly developing I-75 business corridor, and further east. Said Michael J. Wilson, president of Williams Parker, “Our firm is proud to serve a broad range of clients from across Southwest Florida, delivering quality legal counsel with our signature focus on excellence, efficiency, and collaboration. As our client needs have grown, it has become clear to us that our current office solutions needed to expand in kind. The opening of our Waterside Place office — in tandem with the pending move of our downtown office to The Plaza at Five Points in late spring 2023 — will enable us to meet clients where they are with two locations, while also preserving the collegiality that is a hallmark of our firm.” Williams Parker’s new office will be located at 7500 Island Cove Terrace in Waterside Place. Based on the current construction timeline, the move to the space is expected to occur in spring 2023, followed shortly thereafter by the firm’s move of its current downtown office to The Plaza at Five Points. 

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