SRQ DAILY Feb 9, 2023
Thursday Family and Recreation Edition
"To hear students talk about what they feel is most significant is wonderful from our perspective."
The Through Women’s Eyes International Film Festival 2023, now in its 24th year, began as a one-film event with screenings at a theater on the Ringling campus. It has now evolved into a five-day festival with an online platform for viewing as well as in-person events in Sarasota. It was the brainchild of women who knew that women’s films and women’s perspectives were grossly underrepresented in mainstream media, a fact that remains true to this day.
E. Scott Osborne is president of the organization and one of the festival chairs. A former teacher at NewGate Montessori School and parent of NewGate students, she is always looking for ways to engage students in compelling conversations and events. When she first became involved with running the festival in 2015, she reached out to Amy Kremer, an English and theater teacher in the secondary program at NewGate, as both women are passionate about finding community-oriented projects and experiences for students so that they are learning outside the traditional classroom as often as possible. Through their involvement with this particular festival, her students are getting opportunities to become critical viewers of films, just like Kremer is teaching them to become critical viewers of books, poems, and conversations.
Elizabeth Hale is working with Osborne, Kremer, and the student reviewers. Hale has been a Montessori teacher for about 25 years. “I’m always looking for an authentic way for students to do their school work. This is an authentic writing experience for them because it’s not just for their teachers, it’s for the festival–a quality that makes it really important for these adolescents,” she says. “I’m so grateful for the students to have the perspectives of these filmmakers.”
The student reviewers are from the New Gate Montessori IB Global Program, which is the online campus made up of about 18 students from all parts of Florida, several parts of the United States and a couple of different parts of the world. This year, festival organizers are showcasing two types of films from around the world: (i) exceptional films by female and non-binary filmmakers and (ii) films that portray a woman’s perspective and life experience, made by any filmmaker. After receiving over 325 submissions from 43 countries, the selection committee chose 38 films that reflect a diverse array of experiences by and about global women and the LGBTQ+ community. Links for the selected films are sent to Kremer and Hale and the students view them and write synopses or reviews. The students also get to select the NewGate Inspiration Award for the film that is most inspirational to them.
“We have all sorts of films in this festival, and on all sorts of topics, including the war in Ukraine,” shares Osborne. “So to hear students talk about what they feel is most significant is wonderful from our perspective.”
“From the student side of it, it’s the conversations that are most important,” shares Hale, “They watch on their own, with parents, with friends, and they’re having meaningful discussions.”
Dates for the festival are: Thursday, March 9th - Monday, March 13th, 2023 All films are available online, on-demand March 9 - March 13. Select films will be showcased Friday and Saturday at in-person events, accompanied by social receptions, an opportunity to chat with visiting filmmakers, and topic-relevant presentations. All net proceeds from the film festival go to support the work of gender equality organizations. Link to festival: https://twe2023.eventive.org/welcome. 
Pictured: This year's opening film will screen the documentary Shirin Ebadi: Until We are Free, featuring Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi.
Experience Sarasota in a different way this week–perhaps more in depth–a way that you might not be used to. Whether you’re a native Sarasotan, a new comer to the Gulf Coast, or a tourist visiting for the very first time, chances are you don’t know the city as well as you think you do.
After all, Sarasota is not a static entity, but a growing, evolving community with new life bubbling up beneath the surface every day. Take the time to learn about all that Sarasota has to offer with Sunset Food Tours. The outfit, which began in Sarasota and operates in Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, and in the near future Orlando, offers a variety of different types of tours designed to show locals and tourists all that Sarasota has to offer. “Our Taste of Downtown Sarasota is our most popular tour. It’s a walking tour where we meet the group at a location around State Street, go through the city and talk about the history and art and that makes Sarasota so amazing,” says Levi Kay, the founder of Sunset Food Tours. “During the tour, which is around three and a half hours long, we will stop at various restaurants to sit down and have one of the establishment’s signature meals that the chef will prepare for us before we head out to the next stop. We’ll usually go to about four or five different places depending on the tour.”
The tour is a fun way for guests to try an array of dishes at various restaurants in a single night. Doing so allows Sunset Food Tours to have an almost symbiotic relationship with local restaurants, which for Kay, who has made his career in fine dining management, is a large reason behind why he started the company. “Typically the fare will feature some appetizers or main courses that we’ll portion out to make a sampler plate for guests. For instance, at Mattison’s City Grille, we’ll choose from about five different dishes to give the guests a real idea of what a taste of the restaurant will be like–hook them in so that they’ll come back with their friends and family.”
info@sunsetfoodtours.com, 941-228-9454.
Pictured: Levi Kay of Sunset Food Tour offers a variety of local tours. Photo courtesy of Sunset Food Tours.
During its 6:00 p.m. meeting on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, the Sarasota County School Board voted 5:0 to appoint the district’s Executive Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations – Dr. Allison Foster – as Interim Superintendent.Dr. Foster will serve in this capacity until the School Board conducts a search & appoints a new Superintendent. Foster’s appointment comes after the School Board voted 5:0 during their December 13, 2022, meeting to appoint Chris Renouf – the school district’s Assistant Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer – as Acting Superintendent. Dr. Foster has spent her twenty-six-year career in education working exclusively for Sarasota County Schools. Before assuming her current position as Executive Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations, she served as the Principal of Phillippi Shores Elementary School. Dr. Foster has also served as the Assistant Principal of Toledo Blade Elementary School and Gulf Gate Elementary School, a gifted education teacher at Ashton Elementary School, and a mathematics teacher at Laurel Nokomis School.
It’s time for Nick’s Super Bowl pick and you should bet on the Kansas City Chiefs! As part of enrichment, Nicholas the dolphin was shown two signs. One had a logo for the Kansas City Chiefs and the other had a Philadelphia Eagles logo. Nicholas swam over and used his rostrum to "pick" the Chiefs sign. Nicholas has demonstrated an uncanny ability to predict the winner of multiple sporting events, including the Super Bowl, Stanley Cup, World Series, NBA Finals and NCAA National Championships. Nicholas the dolphin has been with Clearwater Marine Aquarium since he was only six months old! Nicholas had severe sunburns and lacked critical survival skills because baby dolphins typically spend years learning from their mothers. He got his name after being found on Christmas Eve in 2002. Today, Nicholas is one of the most playful and energetic residents you’ll find at CMA! Nick’s pick video: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/hUDAON005f.
On Friday, February 10, and Saturday February 11, the 100+ voices of Key Chorale, guest artists Jamal Sarikoki, Suzanne Karpov, and the Key Chorale orchestra will present “A Sea Symphony” Masterwork by Vaughan Williams. The chorus, orchestra and soloists will sing of ships and their captains, wind and waves, the voyage of every human soul, and music so vivid you can almost taste the sea spray in the air. Vaughan Williams’ setting of Walt Whitman’s poetry from Leaves of Grass and Passage to India elicit thrilling viscerality in its climactic vision of the individual soul sailing forth ‘for the deep waters only, where mariner has not yet dared to go.’ This large-scale symphony was one of the first to incorporate choir throughout the work and is considered one of the mightiest first symphonies ever composed. The 6 years of this symphony’s creation also charted the composer’s parallel journey of self-discovery musically and spiritually. Vaughan Williams had been searching for poetry that transcended the dusty Victorian verse of the day, and immediately recognized American poet Walt Whitman as that unique voice for which he was searching. A great deal of inspiration came to the composer by way of the spiritual mysticism of Walt Whitman’s writing and the metrical freedom and visionary qualities of his poetry. Since its premier in 1910, “A Sea Symphony” has become the benchmark to measure the expertise of great choruses. This work requires a choir able to meet the inherit technical challenges while expressing the powerful depth of emotion within the piece, an orchestra able to play a very difficult and beautiful score, and soloists who can soar to the heavens and take all of us with them. Come an experience all of this and so much more. Ticket buyers are welcome to join us for a special presentation titled “Sea Change” by Mote Marine President & CEO, Dr. Michael P. Crosby, one hour before each concert. Dr. Crosby will reflect on the importance of the sea as he shares Mote’s mission, its groundbreaking research, ocean conservation, education and plans for its exciting future with Oceans for All. The performances will take place at the Church of the Palms: Friday, February 10, 7:30 PM; Saturday, February 11, 4:00 PM. Tickets are $35-$45. For tickets, go to keychorale.org or call the box office at 941-552-8768.
Parkinson Place Center For All Movement Disorders member Gene Ginsberg, M.D., will perform a Valentine’s Day piano recital on Tuesday, February 14th, along with served lunch and desserts at 12:20 PM followed by the recital at 1:15 PM. Dr. Ginsberg will perform music by Chopin, Gershwin, and Stevie Wonder, among others. Singer Rhonda Liss will accompany Dr. Ginsberg singing several songs from a romantic musical repertoire. The recital is free to our members. RSVP should be sent to reservations@parkinsonhope.org. Founded in 2012, Parkinson Place Center For All Movement Disorders is a registered 501(c)(3) non- profit based in Sarasota, FL. Membership is FREE. Parkinson Place Center For All Movement Disorders offers a variety of in-person and virtual programs including fitness, pedaling and voice therapy. Support groups for members and caregivers living with all movement disorders are “Circle of Support for Men and Women”, “Caregivers Only Club” and “Women’s Peer to Peer Group”. A few of our expert monthly speakers include our Medical Director, Ricardo Gonzalez, M.D. and neuropsychologist, Federica Priano, Ph.D. Visit ParkinsonPlace.org, Facebook, Instagram, or call (941) 893-4188 for additional information.
The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County (DOH-Sarasota) reminds the public that elevated levels of red tide continue to be detected at all 16 Sarasota County beaches. While current red tide cell counts remain at low to medium levels, some people may have mild and short-lived respiratory symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation like those associated with the common cold or seasonal sinus allergies. Some individuals with existing breathing problems, such as asthma, might experience more severe effects.Usually, symptoms stop when a person leaves the beach or goes indoors. Health officials recommend that people who are sensitive to red tide or experiencing symptoms avoid the beach or go into an air-conditioned space.If symptoms do not subside, contact your healthcare provider for evaluation. DOH Sarasota received results from samples taken Monday showing that red tide continues to be detected in low to medium levels at following beaches; North Lido Beach, Lido Casino Beach, South lido Beach, Siesta Key Beach, Turtle Beach, Nokomis Beach, North Jetty Beach, Venice Beach, Service Club Beach, Venice Fishing Pier, Brohard Beach, Casperson Beach, Manasota Key Beach, and Blind Pass Beach. Additionally, Longboat Key Beach and Bird Key Park / Ringling Causeway were added to the advisory today as both beaches are showing low to medium levels of red tide present.
You are invited to the Amish Woodworker Meet and Greet event at DutchCrafters Amish Furniture Sarasota Showroom, 3709 N. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota on Monday, February 20, 1 p.m. Come in and say hello to the Amish builder behind the Arts & Crafts Furniture Collection. Learn about his craft and what inspires him to create furniture that is as strong as it is handsome. Hear what this skilled craftsman has to say about the fine points of handcrafting heirloom quality, solid wood, Amish furniture and décor that is designed to impress and built to last. Enjoy light bites, beverages, and an exclusive in-store discount on products from the Arts & Crafts Collection. This event is free. RSVP by February 14: sarasotashowroom@dutchcrafters.com. See you there!
Join us on March 7, 2023 at Michael's On East for a dynamic luncheon symposium centered on conversations focused on regional philanthropic topics. The luncheon will include a panel discussion to explore the ever-changing world of non-profits and honor outstanding individuals who have made a meaningful impact within the community.
This walking tour led by volunteer guides will introduce you to interesting botanical specimens on the estate while providing a historic overview of the development of the estate. The Ringling Arboretum has been accredited at Level II through ArbNet and there are over 2350 trees within the arboretum representing native, exotic, historical, and culturally significant trees. Garden Tours are available Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays and take place entirely outdoors. It is 90 minutes in length and covers approximately 1 mile. We encourage visitors to bring bottled water, and wear appropriate footwear, preferably closed-toe, sunblock, and hats. There will be a maximum of 10 participants per tour. Tours are subject to weather conditions. Please check it at the Visitors Pavilion prior to your tour. Tickets will be available 30 days prior to each tour.
"Birds of North America" runs January 6th-February 12th, 2023 at Urbanite Theatre. As birders, John and his daughter Caitlyn adore spending tender autumn days attempting to catch glimpses of elusive birds. But as seasons, the climate, and global politics change, the two find their connection as rare as a red-headed Woodpecker. In a lyrical and endearing family portrait, Birds of North America unfolds in delicate, detailed layers like the scattered leaves of each passing year. For tickets and information contact Ph. (941) 321-1397, Email info@urbanitetheatre.com, Website www.urbanitetheatre.com
Urbanite Theatre , 1487 2nd Street Sarasota FL, 34236
Always… Patsy Cline created and originally directed by Ted Swindley
Always…Patsy Cline is more than a tribute to the legendary country singer who died tragically at age 30 in a plane crash in 1963. The show is based on a true story about Cline’s friendship with a fan from Houston named Louise Seger, who befriended the star in a Texas honky-tonk in 1961, and continued a correspondence with Cline until her death. The musical play, complete with down home country humor, true emotion and even some audience participation, includes many of Patsy’s unforgettable hits such as Crazy, I Fall to Pieces, Sweet Dreams and Walking After Midnight – 27 songs in all. Feb 2-12, 2023. For tickets visit theplayers.org, Ph. 941-365-2494, email BoxOffice@ThePlayers.org
The Players Centre For Performing Arts, Performance Venue & Box Office The Crossings at Siesta Key 3501 South Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130 Sarasota, FL 34239
Join Sarasota Art Museum for Jazz Thursdays featuring live jazz music, contemporary art, and sips and bites from Bistro. Hosted by the Jazz Club of Sarasota. Jazz Thursday happens on the second Thursday of each month, 5:30-8 p.m. Galleries, Bistro, and SHOP open. FREE for Members, $20 for Not-Yet Members.
The Manatee Performing Arts Center (MPAC) will host a very special matinee showing of a rags-to-riches story featuring a young man, whose family fled the Nazi invasion of their home in Italy, and who would one day become the most famous professional wrestler in the world. Bruno Sammartino makes its Florida debut at MPAC on Thursday, February, 9 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased on the MPAC’s ticketing center online.
Join us for a free movie at The Bay Park. Bring your blankets, chairs, family, and friends to enjoy a wonderful evening under the stars.
The Nest, the new concession at The Bay, will be selling tasty food and beverages to make the evening a legit and fun movie-going experience for all.
(R) - In 1977, college graduates Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) share a contentious car ride from Chicago to New York, during which they argue about whether men and women can ever truly be strictly platonic friends.
Visit thebaysarasota.org for more information. The Oval at The Bay, 1055 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota.
Chorus, orchestra and soloists sing of ships and their captains, wind and waves, the voyage of every human soul, and music so vivid you can almost taste the sea spray in the air. Vaughan Williams’ setting of Walt Whitman’s sea texts elicit thrilling viscerality in its climactic vision of the individual soul sailing forth ‘for the deep waters only, where mariner has not yet dared to go.’ This large-scale symphony was one of the first to incorporate choir throughout the work and is considered one of the mightiest first symphonies ever composed. Baritone Jamal Sarikoki and soprano Suzanne Karpov add their stunning virtuosity to this epic masterwork.
All ticket buyers are welcome to join us for a special presentation by Mote Marine President and CEO, Dr. Michael P. Crosby, one hour before each concert. Dr. Crosby will reflect on the importance of the sea as he shares Mote’s mission, its groundbreaking research, ocean conservation, education and plans for its exciting future with Oceans for All!
Visit keychorale.org for more information and to purchase tickets. Church of the Palms,
3224 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota.
Follow the beat of happy feet to a magical place where art and literacy meet. It’s all on the avenue we’re taking you to…Storybook Street! The Early Learning Coalition's FREE, family-friendly, book-themed wonderland returns—this time to Suncoast Technical College in Sarasota. Storybook Street will once again collaborate with more than a dozen local arts and culture organizations to bring children’s books to life. Designed for children ages birth to 7, this year’s extravaganza will be an in-person event. The event will feature dance, drama, art, music, movement and more. Preschool-level performances will be coupled with engaging, hands-on, age-appropriate activities for young children to enjoy. No registration necessary. Just show up (early) with a smile! The first 400 families will have an opportunity to walk away with 16 new children’s books each, a swag bag of goodies as well as meaningful, memorable moments to help foster an early love of reading. To enjoy the full experience, the Coalition recommends arriving before 10am since families will likely take more than an hour to visit all the booths and collect books. Children are welcome to dress up as their favorite storybook character!
Visit earlylearningcoalitionsarasota.org for more information.
This monthly gathering of car enthusiasts brings together automobile lovers from every walk of life, not to mention a wide array of spectacular cars. Bring your own vehicle (all makes and models are welcome) to show off, or check out the hundreds of cars on display. Each month, the event sponsors a different charity, and attendees are encouraged to donate $10 to benefit the charity. The event, occuring on the second Sunday of each month, will feature live music, complimentary coffee and more. To learn more, visit facebook.com/carsandcoffee941. Sarasota Cars and Coffee, The West District at University Town Center near Ford’s Garage, 295 N. Cattlemen Rd., Sarasota.
On February 11-12, the Gulfcoast Studio Company of the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School will present a program celebrating love in two acts. The first act features modern-day romantic classical and contemporary pieces. The second act showcases the eternal love of Swan Lake with highlights of the traditional “White Swan” choreography and Tchaikovsky’s haunting music.
There will be 3 intimate black box performances at the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School’s auditorium on Saturday, February 11 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm, and Sunday, February 12 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $35. Visit srqcubanballet.org to learn more and purchase tickets.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ 2023 Jean and Alfred Goldstein Exhibition Tiffany: The Pursuit of Beauty in Nature showcases the creativity and innovation of American artist and designer Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933). The first exhibition of its type to be presented in a botanical garden, the exhibition highlights the inspiring connection between Tiffany Studios and the natural world through unique horticultural displays in the Tropical Conservatory and the Gardens, accompanied by seminal examples of Tiffany’s work on view in the Museum of Botany and the Arts. To learn more, visit selby.org. Selby Gardens Downtown Sarasota campus, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota.
Grab your bestie and shower her with an evening of love & fun! The night will feature bottomless select wines, bottomless select wubbles, cheese, charcuterie, and accoutrements. There will also be jewelry by Link x Luxe, henna Tattoos by Haley's Sacred Tattoos and Champagne Sampling by Champagne Palmer and Co. Dress to impress as a photographer there to capture the moment. This is a limited ticketed event and costs $75/pp +tax and gratuity. Visit 99bottles.net to learn more and purchase tickets.
99 Bottles, 1445 2nd St., Sarasota.
Tootsie, the hilarious Tony Award-winning musical, coming to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall for a limited three-day engagement from February 13-15. Tickets are $42-$97 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.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.
During a career that has spanned 38 years, Calixto Oviedo has repeatedly proved his expert knowledge of Cuban percussion and Timba rhythms. His control of bass drums and timbales has been an irrefutable influence on the Timba genre as a whole. Oviedo will be showcasing his Cuban Music Train at Fogartyville on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets are $22 for members, $25 for nonmembers, and $12.50 for students. Advance tickets are available at www.Fogartyville.org.
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