SRQ DAILY Nov 3, 2023
Friday Weekend Edition
"I was really interested in pushing the structure of a baseball game as far as it could go."
The annual SARTQ Print Party returns this Saturday, with the Sarasota-based artist collective taking over the parking lot of the CoreSRQ community center just off Bahia Vista for its flagship screenprinting event, inviting the public out to learn a bit about the artistic process and wear their love of local art quite literally on their sleeves. Running from 11am to 4pm, the event is family-friendly and includes food trucks and music from a live DJ. “It’s a great opportunity to get out, enjoy a couple hours of beautiful weather, some great food and fun music,” says SARTQ co-director Julie Kanapaux, “all while supporting local artists.”
With 14 member-artists participating this year, attendees will have 14 new and original designs to choose from, each available for printing on whatever bit of clothing, fabric or paper an attendee wants to bring. T-shirts are the norm but, over the years, the artists of SARTQ have seen just about everything. Tablecloths, towels, aprons and underwear, 19th-century canvas sails, funeral shrouds and old pizza boxes—the customer is always right, and the only requirement is that it has to fit in the silkscreen.
Designs run the gamut this year, from the stark abstract stylings of Ellen Kantro’s black-and-white “Box” to the in-your-face messaging of Dana Laag’s “Give Me Liberty,” emphasizing the Patrick Henry quotation at the tip of a knife. Print Party regular Javo Rodriguez showcases the oddball illustrative imagination that has become his signature with “Still Developing,” a slightly misshapen teddy bear sporting a crown and flowing cape, while Grace Howl embraces the power of minimalism, evoking the portrait of a woman with only a few slashes of hot pink ink in “A Trace of Herself.” All 14 designs are available for viewing on the SARTQ website, each available only in the color shown, so attendees are encouraged to take a peek and plan their prints beforehand. Everything will look good on white, says Kanapaux, but the green, blue, red and gold inks selected by some of the artists provide opportunity for all sorts of more inspired color-matching.
And that sort of artistic experimentation is what Kanapaux really wants to spread through SARTQ community events, such as the Print Party. “It’s the chance to bring the creative process to the community,“ she says. “To not just give people something to take home and enjoy but to feel like they’re part of the creative process.” And with each artist attending their own station, smearing the ink on Print Row, as they say (or should), and hand-making the prints for each customer, the community has a chance to engage the artist and learn more about their individual process—and maybe even try their own hand at screenprinting something. “If they want to, they should go for it!” says Kanapaux. “Art is not an impossible thing.”
The SARTQ Print Party is this Saturday, November 4, from 11am to 4pm at the CoreSRQ community center on S Euclid Avenue. Prints are $10 each or three for $20. White t-shirts will be available for purchase on-site. To view this year’s Print Party artist designs, visit the SARTQ website below. 
Pictured: The artists of SARTQ pose for a photo at the 2022 Print Party.
One doesn’t have to be a baseball fan to appreciate Emily Nemens’ acclaimed debut novel, The Cactus League. Yes, Nemens’ novel tells the multi-layered story of the fictional Los Angeles Lions’ 2011 Spring Training in Scottsdale, Arizona, but it does so much more than that. Through the interweaving stories of seemingly disparate characters–a career hitting coach down on his luck, an All-Star with a dark secret, a team owner with a crumbling personal life–Nemens paints a searing portrait of post Great Recession America and the people that inhabit the surreal desert landscape of the Southwest. In The Cactus League, everybody is reaching, grasping desperately for their piece of the American Dream, only to find that what they’re striving for may be a thing of the past.
This Friday, Nemens will be discussing her novel at The Hermitage Artist Retreat, in a one-hour program titled “Baseball Fiction: The Cactus League in Grapefruit Country”. Nemens, a Hermitage fellow and former member of the Hermitage’s National Curatorial Council, is currently the sports/senior editor of the Stranger’s Guide and previously was the editor of The Paris Review. “When I began working on the novel in 2011, there was an early, early version of it that was a collection of stories where I really wanted to tell this kaleidoscopic version of Spring Training where it wasn’t just about the star, the most important player on the team, but rather all these different stories that were happening concurrently at Salt River Fields,” says Nemens. “That was the first impulse for writing it. I had this collection of separate stories and characters that I absolutely loved, but to read them together felt like they were walking by each other in a mall and not acknowledging each other. It felt like a missed opportunity that these stories weren’t connected to each other.”
In The Cactus League, each chapter features a different protagonist, a different story that may not seem connected to the rest of the novel until it finally is. Modeled after the nine-inning framework of a baseball game, Nemens’ story structure allows her to explore the grander scope of the setting while still pushing a continuous narrative. “I was really interested in pushing the structure of a baseball game as far as it could go,” says Nemens. “Which is to say, when you watch a baseball game, there might be an All-Star on that team, but he’s not necessarily the star of every inning. I had a sense of the momentum that I wanted to build and knew that all of these elements of the story would be coming together in the last chapter, the equivalent of the 9th inning.”
November 3, 2023 6:00pm to 7:00pm, Hermitage Beach, 6660 Manasota Key Rd., Englewood, FL.
Pictured: Emily Nemens, author of The Cactus League. Photo by James Emmerman.
Introducing Brigade, a phenomenal 7-piece band that will transport you back to the iconic sounds of the 1970s and 80s! See them perform Saturday, Nov. 11 from 6-9pm at Hamlet’s Eatery. Led by the talented vocalists Sharon Elizabeth and Adrienne Summerall, Brigade covers all the big hits and hidden gems from the legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame members, Heart. But hold on, even if you're not a die-hard Heart fan, Brigade's top-notch musicianship and high-energy performance will have you grooving along in no time! They will even through in some classic 80s favorites! With Dave Glaser and Mike Grundy shredding on guitars, Drew Golding tickling the ivories on keyboards, Johnny Tarsia smashing the drums, and Michael Durso rocking the bass, this band is a force to be reckoned with! So mark your calendars, rally your friends, and join us at Hamlet's Eatery Saturday, Nov. 11th for an unforgettable evening of rock and roll bliss! Not to mention great food and cold drinks! See you there! Hamlet’s Eatery is located outside in the courtyard of The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime at 821 Apricot Ave in Sarasota. For more information, visit www.hamletseatery.com or call 941-445-1938.
Creative Liberties Artist Studios and Gallery is celebrating its second anniversary in November and its two founders, Barbara Gerdeman and Elizabeth Goodwill, both artists and art educators, invite artists and arts enthusiasts to visit their three facilities this month and learn more about Sarasota’s vibrant visual arts scene. Creative Liberties continues its season’s offerings with an all-packed November, starting with an Artists Exhibition Opening Reception on November 1, 5-7 p.m., at 901B Apricot Avenue and 927 N. Lime Avenue, Sarasota. Celebrate Creative Liberties’ second birthday with plenty of cake and good cheer and view the work of 11 local artists: Cas Burleson, Mayer Kersun, Roseann Gaglio, Mike Carlson, Dick Lyons, Cely Lewis, Linda Eader, Bobbi Miller, Camille Enkeboll, Goldie Tremblay and Jan Kravec. Their art will be on view through December 23. All work is for sale.
Pictured: Creative Liberties members. Photo by Peter Acker.
After huge success and major turnout for the season three kickoff of the Downtown Improvement District’s popular event series, Fresh Fridays, the fun continues with its upcoming November block party, Art & Jazz on Palm. Now an absolute Sarasota must-do, the downtown community-wide celebration will take place on the newly refreshed S Palm Ave, between Main Street and Mc Ansh Square. Fresh Fridays, being a celebration of downtown Sarasota culture and in line with the theme of the coming month’s event, will include local merchants serving up smokin’ sips and eats, in addition to featuring area art. “Fresh Fridays is our way of uplifting and uniting the downtown community through showcasing its culture and accomplishments,” says Joseph Grano, President of Next-Mark and Fresh Fridays organizer and promoter, “which we have plenty of around here.” Among the restaurants participating in the taste of downtown are local favorites Brick’s Smoked Meats, Azul Steak and Sushi Lounge, Art Ovation Hotel, and sister restaurants BESO and State Street Eating House + Cocktails. We also have a couple of newcomers we are excited to have serving up artful arrangements and smooth sips, Toastique and Sarasota Wine Co.! Sarasota Wine Co. will have tastings of wines sold at their shop sourced from family-owned wineries, small producers, and organic/biodynamic and natural wines from all over the world. Attendees are encouraged to start their night early by experiencing a bit of Sarasota’s diverse and vibrant arts scene with the Palm Avenue Gallery Walk, where patrons can stroll the sights and take in beautiful pieces from talented local, national, and international artists at the exquisite art galleries the street is home to. A Fresh Fridays party is not complete without stellar live entertainment. Art & Jazz on Palm’s musical guest will be a swinging jazz ensemble, Hot Tonic Orchestra. This world-traveling ensemble fuses jazz with Latin rhythms, funk, and soul, tied together by original arrangements. With a mix of horns and a dynamic rhythm section, they deliver high-energy performances perfect for breaking out the Charleston and Lindy Hop. Finally, partygoers can expect free signature giveaways handed out during the event until supplies last. Accessible and convenient parking will be available at Palm Avenue and State Street parking garages. Guests can stay up to date by following Fresh Fridays on their social media channels or by visiting their website at freshfridayssarasota.com. Here, guests will find information for season three till the end of the year, which is, Friday, November 3, and December 1.
Art Center Sarasota’s 2023-2024 exhibition season continues with four exhibits, November 27-January 13. “Of Mementos and Fetishes” features oil paintings and quirky wood “vessels” by Aimee Jones that investigate the history of collecting objects and question the status quo. (An Artist Talk is scheduled for Friday, January 5, 5:30-7 p.m.) Ethan Fielder’s “Beyond the Sidewalk” showcases a new body of ceramic sculptures and vessels inspired by urban decay, with an emphasis on fire hydrants. (An Artist Talk is scheduled for Thursday, January 11, 5:30-7 p.m.) Tom Casmer’s “ges•talt” displays abstract, assembled wood sculptures inspired by the human figure, nature, and machine-made elements. (An Artist Talk is scheduled for Thursday, December 14, 5:30-7 p.m.) “Still Life” is a group show juried by Mara Torres. This exhibit invites artists to present their formal and conceptual notions of the contemporary still life format. (A juror critique with Mara Torres is scheduled for Tuesday, December 12, 4 p.m.) The opening reception for all four exhibits is Thursday, December 7, 6-8 p.m. Works on display will be available for purchase. Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For information, visit www.artsarasota.org or call 941-365-2032.
Pictured: The work of Aimee Jones will be exhibited at Art Center Sarasota this season.
A yearly autumn destination for art, the Florida CraftArt Festival, favored by enthusiasts, collectors, and holiday shoppers alike, returns to downtown St. Petersburg for its 26th year. Join us the weekend before Thanksgiving, Saturday, November 18th from 10-5 p.m. and Sunday, November 19th from 10-4 p.m. at the crossroads of Central Avenue and Fifth Street, and inside the expansive gallery of host organization Florida CraftArt where the holiday exhibition, UnWrapped: Handmade Holidays, will be in full swing. The juried Festival is the only art festival in the state, and among the only such festivals in the U.S. Southeast, dedicated to exclusively showcasing the best in contemporary fine craft. To qualify as such, work must be original and hand crafted. Mediums include ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, and wood. $10,000 in awards will be given by festival juror Jerry Jackson, board president of the Folk Education Association of America, formerly executive director of the celebrated century-old John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina. Artist demonstrations, music, a children’s MiniMakers activity tent, great food from local restaurants and food trucks, and wine and craft beer will add to the festivities. Festival details are available at floridacraftart.org.
Sarasota Jewish Theatre (SJT) announces that, due to a scheduling conflict with previously-booked actor Kraig Swartz, Doug Shapiro will play the role of Sam in Becky Mode’s “Fully Committed” which runs from January 31-February 4, 2024. The play will be presented at The Players Centre Studio 1130 at the Crossings at Siesta Key mall, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. To purchase tickets, visit ThePlayers.org or call 941-365-2494. For information, visit SarasotaJewishTheatre.org. “Fully Committed” is a riotously funny play that follows a day in the life of Sam (Doug Shapiro), an out-of-work actor who mans the red-hot reservation line at Manhattan’s number-one restaurant. Coercion, threats, bribes, histrionics—a cast of desperate callers will stop at nothing in their zeal to land a prime reservation at the right table. Directed by Gus Kaikkonen, Shapiro portrays 40 wildly diverse characters in an extraordinary acting tour de force. This past August, Shapiro performed “Fully Committed” to rave reviews at The Barnstormers theatre in Tamworth, New Hampshire. A well-known New York actor and popular voice-over artist, Shapiro voiced characters for the upcoming film Lost on a Mountain in Maine. He has performed Off-Broadway with National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene in “The Sorceress” (“Di Kishefmakherin”) and in “Once Upon a Mattress” with Jackie Hoffman. Shapiro recently shared a story with SJT’s board chair Carolyn Michel. While seated for a performance at Lincoln Center, he told a friend that he would soon be heading to Sarasota to do “Fully Committed” with Sarasota Jewish Theatre. He wrote, “From behind me I hear, ‘Did you say Sarasota Jewish Theatre?’ Two of your subscribers love your theatre and were very excited to hear I’ll be performing there. I’m so happy to hear that in less than three years, everything you’ve created is spreading joy all the way to New York City.” The season continues with M*A*S*H writer Larry Gelbart’s “Better Late” (March 13-21), directed by Carolyn Michel. This riff on a December-December-December romance bristles with biting humor. Nora (Nellie O’Brien) and Lee (Don Walker) have been married for 20 years when Nora asks if they can take in her ex-husband, Julian (Lee Gundersheimer), for a few weeks while he is recovering from a recent stroke. Tension builds between the two men as Julian’s orchestrated relapses prolong his stay from weeks to months and family and relationship dynamics are tested. How long will Julian stay and how long will it take until Lee cracks? The season closes with Mark Harelik’s “The Immigrant” (May 1-12), a heartwarming true story of a life fulfilled in the “Golden Land” directed by Gus Kaikkonen. In rural central Texas, 1909, a young Russian-Jewish immigrant has sought refuge in the land of the free. He arrives in America through the port of Galveston and discovers a world of unknowns. The first miracle he encounters is a banana. He goes door to door selling this fruit, and eventually manages to buy a cart. Life changes when he pulls his banana cart into the village of Hamilton. Able to speak only Yiddish, alone amid a staunchly Christian community, he begs for shelter. Miracles continue to unfold over the next 30 year as religion meets religion, culture meets culture, and humanity triumphs over fear. For more information, visit SarasotaJewishTheatre.org. To purchase tickets to the performances at The Players Centre Studio 1130, visit ThePlayers.org or call 941-365-2494.
Pictured: Doug Shapiro in Fully Committed at The Barnstormers. Photo by Lisa DuFault.
The Sarasota Players Studio presents the final play of the brand-new Sidebar Series, the emotional Pass Over by Antoinette Nwandu Nov. 10-12 and 17-19 in the Players Studio Black Box theatre (1400 Blvd. of the Arts, Suite 200, Sarasota, FL 34236.) Directed by Artistic Director Steven Butler, Pass Over reimagines Beckett’s Waiting for Godot through the eyes of two inner-city Black men. Emotional and lyrical, Pass Over crafts everyday profanities into poetic and humorous riffs, exposing the unquestionable human spirit of young men stuck in a cycle just looking for a way out. This show has strong language that may be upsetting for some theatre-goers and deals with griping social issues, and death. In an intimate Black Box setting located at The Sarasota Players Studio in the Rosemary District, the Sidebar Series are shows that fall off the beaten path and are designed to intrigue and engage audience members. Carefully curated by Artistic Director, Steven H. Butler, the stories are chosen to reflect on the fragility of the human condition.
ensembleNEWSRQ (enSRQ), the innovative chamber music ensemble, continues its eighth season with “Ligeti's 100th,” a program celebrating the birth centennial of the incomparable Hungarian-Austrian composer György Ligeti. For this concert, enSRQ welcomes back the celebrated pianist Han Chen to perform Ligeti’s “Études” and iconic “Trio for Horn, Violin and Piano.” The concert will also showcase selections from the “Infinite Staircase” project, an initiative featuring the world premiere of 18 new works for solo piano, co-commissioned by Metropolis Ensemble and pianist Han Chen, each paired with one of György Ligeti's 18 canonic piano études. Also featured are mixed instrumentation pieces inspired by Ligeti’s continuing legacy, including “Wax and Wire” from Viet Cuong, “Solo Cello Sonata,” and “Slipstream” from Stacy Garrop. The concert is Monday, November 20, 7:30 p.m., at First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave., Sarasota. Single tickets are $25. For more information on ticket packages and single tickets, including student ticket pricing, visit www.EnSRQ.org.
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, the area’s premier 5- star resort and luxury landmark, is preparing for a magical holiday season on Florida’s central Gulf coast. The resort just announced an extensive program of seasonal experiences, culinary delights, and family friendly activities that will take place from late November through New Year’s Day. Festive experiences and programs available to Sarasota residents include: Holiday-Themed Family Fun: Family is what the holidays are all about — and at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, all ages will make lifelong memories. The Ritz-Carlton Gingerbread Experience (Nov. 22): The most wonderful time of the year gets even more wonderful with the unveiling of The Ritz-Carlton’s life-sized gingerbread display. Each year, the resort’s pastry team conceptualizes and creates incredible thematic gingerbread structures using up to 400 lbs. of gingerbread, 300 lbs. of candy and 300 lbs. of chocolate. Step into the lobby and be mesmerized by one of their most intricate and edible creations. Gingerbread House Decorating (Dec. 16 and Dec. 23): After donning chef’s hats and aprons, decorate a festive gingerbread house guided by The Ritz-Carlton’s pastry team. Seasonal Food & Drink Festivities: Celebrate the holidays in style with these festive dining experiences at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Thanksgiving (Nov. 23): Experience a traditional Thanksgiving feast in The Ritz Carlton Grand Ballroom featuring chef-attended action stations. Christmas Eve & Day Dinner at Jack Dusty (Dec. 24 and Dec. 25): Make Jack Dusty, The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota’s signature restaurant, part of your holiday traditions and indulge in a three-course pre-fixe dinner with friends and family. Christmas Day Grand Ballroom Brunch (Dec. 25): ‘Tis the season to indulge in an exquisite brunch in The Ritz-Carlton Grand Ballroom featuring chef-attended action stations. New Year’s Eve Dinner & Cocktails at Jack Dusty (Dec. 31): Ring in the New Year with The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Gaze upon waterfront views at Jack Dusty during a three-course pre-fixe menu, and then celebrate with cocktails and live entertainment in reserved lounge seating. (Admission includes a bottle of champagne, of course). New Year’s Day Breakfast & Brunch at Jack Dusty (Jan. 1): Rise and shine to Celebrate the New Year at Jack Dusty with a sumptuous breakfast or brunch featuring live entertainment. Note: Reservations are required for all holiday dining experiences and can be made by calling (941) 309-2401. For Sarasota locals who have family visiting from out of town for the holidays, The Ritz Carlton, Sarasota’s Reconnect package is ideal, including breakfast for two and a $50 - $150 daily resort credit (varies by dates of stay and room type). Registered guests have access to additional festive programs and activities.
ON FLORIDA TIME | Mark and Michelle Thomas celebrate all things Florida at their new lifestyle shop, November 2023.
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.
Choral Artists of Sarasota presents the songs that brought hope and inspiration during military conflicts, from the Revolutionary War through Desert Storm. The featured guest artist is baritone Bob McDonald, a retired Sergeant Major from The US Army Chorus. The performance will be on Saturday, November 11, 1pm, at Church of the Redeemer, 222 S. Palm Avenue, Sarasota. Tickets are $40 for guests and $25 for Veterans. Student tickets are $5. For more information, visit www.ChoralArtistsSarasota.org.
Join UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County for the 32nd annual Farm City Week Agricultural Tour in Manatee County. The event is a day-long, chartered bus tour taking place Thursday, November 9. Each year, Farm City Week explores a new theme prevalent in agriculture. This year, attendees have the privilege of seeing first-hand how Manatee County agricultural productions are leading Innovations in Agriculture. Each tour stop explores different facets of the agriculture industry that have their own unique perspective on what innovation means for their operation. Learn more about how local Manatee County agricultural operations are using the latest innovations from technology to ideology, to improve their business, the local economy, and our environment on the 32nd annual Farm City Week Agricultural Tour. The tour is $75 per person plus Eventbrite fees and includes transportation, lunch, water and snacks, and entry to each location. Register at 2023fcwagriculturaltour.eventbrite.com.
Please join us for the annual Resilient Retreat Farm to Table dining experience on Sunday, November 5, 2023 at 4:00 pm. The funds raised at the event are critical to Resilient Retreat to continue to serve survivors of trauma and first responders and helping professionals. Come immerse yourself among the majestic oaks at 84 acres of conservation land on the retreat. In true farm to table fashion, our local chefs will craft a tasting menu featuring the very best local seasonal foods. Dine under the stars nestled among the beautiful live oaks while experiencing al fresco farm to table dining. Farm to Table proceeds will benefit the Resilient Retreat mission to empower survivors of trauma to thrive through self care and community. Visit https://givebutter.com/farmtotable2023 for more information and to purchase tickets.
Artist and gallerist Mara Torres González recently relocated MARA Art Studio + Gallery from the Rosemary District to Palm Avenue—a corridor long known for its prestigious galleries. A grand opening is scheduled for Friday, November 3, 6-8 p.m. during Palm Avenue’s First Friday Gallery Walk. The gallery is now at 76 S. Palm Avenue, Sarasota. For more information, call (941) 914-8110 or visit MaraStudioGallery.com.
Wellen Park is hosting a variety of musical genres and musicians throughout each week. Wellen Wednesdays and Thursday Tunes will feature various local bands every week under the Heritage Tree from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday Night Live will host a live band on the Solis Hall stage overlooking the Great Lawn from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday Sounds will feature music on the first, second and fourth Saturday of the month under the Heritage Tree from 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday Groove will feature music under Heritage Tree from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors are invited to bask in the captivating scenery and waterfront vibe by bringing their own lawn chairs or blankets for maximum comfort. These upcoming musical gatherings offer an open-door policy, requiring no prior RSVP for attendance. Guests can participate in Wellen Park’s Sip and Stroll program by purchasing to-go alcoholic beverages from Downtown Wellen food and beverage merchants. For more information, visit wellenpark.com.
Sarah Wertheimer, the executive director of Embracing Our Differences, recently announced that the organization will be staging its final exhibit of EOD’s 20th anniversary season at Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design, October 21-November 26. “Embracing Kindness” will showcase 14 artworks and accompanying quotations selected from exhibits from the past 20 years. This free exhibit will be located on the Museum’s Great Lawn at 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For more information, visit EmbracingOurDifferences.org.
The public is invited to enjoy an elegant night out at the Powel Crosley Estate, where Sarasota-Manatee students will deliver an unforgettable hospitality experience from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 17. The event promises to delight guests with a gourmet spread, including risotto, salmon, steak, dessert and an opportunity to customize their own “potato martini” with sautéed Spanish onions, roasted garlic confit, apple smoked bacon and other savory toppings. A second dinner will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 14 at the same location. The semi-annual dinner series is an opportunity for students in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management to gain hands-on experience in designing, preparing and executing an all-inclusive dining event. “This will be a dynamic learning experience for all of them,” said Joe Askren, a professor of instruction in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, who, along with his colleague Angad Dang, will assist the students throughout the night. “We look forward to showcasing our students’ skills at these events.” Visit usf.to/taste to purchase tickets.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is thrilled to open its 24th theatre season with "Once On This Island," a Tony Award-winning musical set on a Caribbean island and featuring Afro-Caribbean rhythms and instruments and spectacular costumes. The show tells the coming-of-age story of a peasant girl searching for love and her place in the world, while dealing with complicated social issues of race, class and affairs of the heart. The production runs from October 11 through November 19; individual tickets are on sale. For more information, visit westcoastblacktheatre.com.
The Orchid Show 2023: A 50th Anniversary Celebration will be on view October 7 through November 26 at the Downtown Sarasota campus. Since its establishment in 1973, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has formed the best scientifically documented collection of living orchids in the world. The Orchid Show 2023, presented by Better-Gro, will celebrate Selby Gardens 50th anniversary and highlight spectacular orchids from the living plant collection for which it is known across the globe. The Orchid Show 2023 will include a horticultural display in the Tropical Conservatory and an exhibition in the Museum of Botany & the Arts. Orchids of various shapes, colors, and patterns will abound in the Conservatory, illustrating the beauty and diversity of one of the largest and most beloved families of flowering plants. The Museum exhibition will present a selection of rare artifacts and historical images to help tell the rich story of Selby Gardens’ first 50 years, with emphasis on the plants and people who have made it such a special place. For more information, visit selby.org.
The Women’s Resource Center presents “You Are Worthy,” an eight-week series from September 14th through November 9th moderated by Chris Florand and Denise Whalin. This in-person series is part of the Women’s Resource Center’s life enrichment programs. The program is $25 for all sessions and takes place at WRC’s Sarasota office at 340 S. Tuttle Ave. To register, please call 941-256-9721 or visit mywrc.org/youareworthy. This program meets weekly on Thursdays from 6-8pm, with each session focusing on developing self-awareness skills, the building block where real personal growth and power to change lives starts.
Join Junior League of Sarasota on November 11 from 2-5pm for a Fla-mazing, family-friendly afternoon at Sarasota Jungle Gardens! The annual Jamboree event is Junior League of Sarasota’s family friendly event of the league year. This year’s event will be full of family, flamingos and fun. Proceeds from this event will support the Junior League of Sarasota’s signature focus, providing assistance to individuals who are aging out of the foster care system. All are welcome and encouraged to attend, but you must buy your ticket in advance! This will sell out! The event will feature flamingo feeding, a petting zoo, DJ, silent auction and much more! For more information or to purchase tickets, visit JLSarasota.org.
Join us on November 15th at 7pm to kick off the 2023-2024 season with the Tobias Quartet! Members of the Tobias Quartet initially connected during summers spent at the renowned Perlman Music Program on Shelter Island, NY. They reunited during their studies at the Juilliard School and the quartet ultimately formed in the summer of 2021 at the Music from Angel Fire Festival, located in New Mexico. During their residencies at Music from Angel Fire in 2021 and 2022, the quartet performed a wide range of repertoire including the world premiere of an octet by Elise Arancio in collaboration with the Vera Quartet. The name of their ensemble pays homage to Toby Perlman, to whom they are eternally grateful for her infinite wisdom and inspiration. Tickets will be available October 1st and this public show will be located at the Sarasota Art Museum in Thomas McGuire Hall, 1001 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, https://www.perlmanmusicprogramsuncoast.org.
Residents in the Bradenton community and surrounding areas will have the opportunity to receive free dental services at Creekwood Dental on Friday, November 17. Drs. Jennifer Pfeiffer, Brian Harrington and team at Creekwood Dental will be improving the oral health of the community as part of Free Dentistry Day, a day dedicated to providing free dental care to the growing number of Americans without dental insurance. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 108 million Americans are living without dental insurance. During Free Dentistry Day, cleanings, fillings and extractions will be provided to patients on Friday, November 17, between 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. at 5210 Creekwood Boulevard in Bradenton. Patients will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please call 941-755-1488 or visit www.FreeDentistryDay.org.
Visit Fresh Harvest, the newly launched weekly farmers market in Downtown Wellen. Fresh Harvest offers a selection of local goods from nearly 40 local vendors. Fresh Harvest takes place every Sunday in Downtown Wellen from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees can peruse different vendor booths and stock up on a variety of goods. Vendors will offer a wide variety of locally grown and produced food, including herbs, spices, cut flowers, teas, canned and preserved fruits and vegetables, syrups, baked goods, pickled foods, fresh seafood, meats, poultry, eggs, milk and prepared food and beverages. A limited selection of craft vendors also participate in the farmers market. For a listing of participating vendors and more information on Fresh Harvest Farmers Market, visit wellenpark.com/events/fresh-harvest-farmers-market. Downtown Wellen, 19745 Wellen Park Blvd., Venice.
Head out to Waterside Place for a rocking evening as part of the Lakewood Ranch Sights and Sounds Program. Enjoy a live concert in partnership with Easterseals and EveryoneRocks, featuring artists who are rocking their spectrum. This event is free and open to the public; there is limited seating at the Plaza, but attendees are welcome to bring their own seats. Food and beverages will be available from numerous Waterside Place merchants. For more information on shows, dates, and times, visit lakewoodranch.com/sights-sounds/. Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Dr., Sarasota.
Siesta Key Rum runs free year-round tours for guests to learn the story of the craft distillery, the awards they have won and the secret to how they make their rums taste so good. During our 30-45 minute tour we will discuss the following topics: history of Siesta Key Rum, an overview of the awards our small company has won, what makes our rums taste so good, the rum-making process from mashing and fermentation to distillation, barrel aging and bottling of our rums. After the tour, we welcome you to sample a freshly made Siesta Key Rum cocktail, stock up on your favorite rums and browse our gift shop. 2212 Industrial Blvd., Sarasota.
Wellen Park and The Rotary Club are partnering again this year from October 3 through November 17 for Thanks4Giving, a service project to help make Thanksgiving memorable for members of the community. The Thanks4Giving tree will be set up in the Wellen Park Welcome Center between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., filled with tags for you to choose from. Purchase a Publix or Walmart gift card and return it to the Wellen Park Welcome Center, where a member of the ambassador team will be prepared to receive it. On Nov. 18, the Rotary Club will collect the cards and use them to purchase full Thanksgiving dinners from Publix and Walmart. These dinners include frozen turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and all the trimmings for a traditional Thanksgiving feast. For more information, visit wellenpark.com.
Starting the week of Oct. 15, a dynamic lineup of weekly fitness activities for the community will begin. Groups will meet in Downtown Wellen, in front of Kind Vibes Outfitters. Yoga and Zumba classes meet on the Great Lawn. Walking Group Meet-Up, every Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. Cycling Group Meet-Up, every Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. Running Group Meet-Up, every Monday at 6 p.m. Yoga, every Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. Zumba, every Monday from 8 to 9 a.m. For more information, visit wellepark.com.
Suncoast Food and Wine Fest offers an afternoon of samplings and tastings from a large selection of fine restaurants as well as a variety of fine wines and other beverages in a beautiful outdoor setting. Your participation by purchasing a ticket provides financial assistance to many charitable organizations within Sarasota and Manatee counties, and other Rotary projects. Premier Sports Campus, 5895 Post Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is excited to welcome The Concert, A Tribute to ABBA to Sarasota on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 8 p.m. The Concert: A Tribute To ABBA continues to be the top ABBA tribute group in the world, dazzling all who see with their fantastic performance while playing the most iconic hits from ABBA, including Mamma Mia, S.O.S, Money, Money, Money, The Winner Takes All, Waterloo, Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, and Dancing Queen. Tickets are $30-$75 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 Mattisons at the Van Wezel which is located inside the theatre. Reservations can be made on VanWezel.org or through the box office.
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is excited to welcome Rick Springfield back to Sarasota on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $40 and can be purchased at 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.
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