SRQ DAILY Apr 5, 2024
Friday Weekend Edition
"In New York City after every single production people came forward and said I'm ready to get help."
In the Florida premiere of The White Chip by Sean Daniels at Florida Studio Theatre, audiences meet Steven, a man seemingly on top of the world. Steven has a happy marriage, a strong social life and is about to run one of the top theaters in the country. There’s only one problem: Steven is an alcoholic and his life is spinning out of control.
Such was the life of playwright Sean Daniels. “In 2011 I tried to take my own life because I had been drunk for months, I’d been fired from my job, my wife had left me and I’d driven my car head first into a telephone pole. It’d just been so long since somebody really smiled to see me coming,” says Daniels. “Instead of taking my own life I called my mother, who I did not get along with, but I knew that she would answer and oddly enough it was her one year anniversary of getting sober, so we share a sobriety date to this day. She got me through that night, got me to a rehab center in Jacksonville, Florida.”
As Daniels’, a longtime actor, director and writer, began his recovery journey he started to search for stories similar to his own. What he found, however, was that no story could emulate his own, with the humor and themes that he wanted to inject into it. Thus, the process of creating The White Chip, a poignant recovery comedy began. “I couldn’t find anything that was funny or had a sense of humor or was about science. Science was such a big part of my getting sober, understanding brain chemistry and genetics–and that was just not a part of the court-ordered AA meetings Kentucky sent me to when I got my DUI,” says Daniels. “I eventually realized I have to write the thing that I cannot find.”
Since then, The White Chip has become a critically acclaimed play, with multiple productions including prominent off-Broadway runs. For Daniels’, who is the director of The Recovery Project at FST–an initiative designed to transform the narrative of addiction throughout the country–the autobiographical project has been infinitely rewarding due to the responses from audience members. “What I always forget is that one in three families in our country is affected by addiction. That means that even if the audience isn’t made up of drunks, everybody has a brother or a cousin or a sister and they come up and they come up and say that afterwards,” says Daniels. “In New York City after every single production people came forward and said I’m ready to get help.”
March 20 to April 14, Florida Studio Theatre’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First Street, Sarasota.
Pictured: left to right: Michael Flood (#2), Julia Brothers (#1), Saxon Palmer (Steven). Photo by John Jones.
Though tourist season will soon wane, for those still lingering here on the beach, I highly recommend Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s posthumously published novella Until August.
The annual solo pilgrimage the main character, Ana, takes to her mother’s gravesite, leads her to self-discovery and spicy encounters. The joy of reading this is in the reverberation of lingering questions. Was she happy in marriage? Or are these explosions of independence simply her search for autonomy in a marriage cloaked in deception? All seemed pretty affable and fulfilling with her husband at the outset, so were her suspicions paranoia and acting out the chicken or the egg? Or perhaps she was fulfilling the destiny of her mother, unable to escape the fate of her ancestry? Are the books she takes to read on these trips (including The Stranger, The Day of the Triffids, Martian Chronicles just to name a few) a key Marquez is giving us to the answers?
Anyone married, middle aged with adult children or a single who travels can take something away from the last work of the Nobel Prize winner. Until August is available now at Bookstore1 Sarasota 117 S. Pineapple Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 or at their online store www.sarasotabooks.com.
Until August by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (ISBN # 9780593801994).
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents the final two concerts of its 2023-24 season in May. Miró Quartet, which won an Emmy Award for a multimedia project, performs on May 5 at First Presbyterian Church in Sarasota. Trio Gaia, first prize winners of the 2022 WDAV Young Chamber Musicians Competition, takes the stage at the Studio for the Performing Arts Recital Hall at State College of Florida in Bradenton on May 14. For tickets and more information, visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org or call (941) 306-1202.
Brigade, a phenomenal 7-piece band will transport you back to the iconic sounds of the 1970s and 80s! See Brigade, a Heart Tribute Band, perform live Saturday, April 13 from 6-9pm on the outdoor stage at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime. Led by the talented vocalists Sharon Elizabeth and Adrienne Summerall, Brigade covers all the big hits and hidden gems from 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 Saturday, April 13th for an unforgettable evening of rock and roll bliss! Hamlet’s Eatery will be open for dinner and beer and wine is available! There is no cover charge but tables are reserved for diners only.
Hamlet’s Eatery is located at 821 Apricot Ave in Sarasota. For more information, visit www.hamletseatery.com.
Hard Heart Burlesque is welcoming the beautiful weather and foliage April 14 at 8pm at McCurdy's Comedy Theatre. Join Florida's finest burlesque and variety performers as we shake and shimmy celebrating the season of rebirth and renewal.There will be some tease, some live vocals, dance, comedy and more. As Sarasota's local burlesque company, Hard Heart is proud to bring artists from all over the state (and beyond) for your viewing pleasure. Created by your producers "the sweetheart with a switchblade," Miss Marina Elaine and "the quadruple threat," Karma Kandlewick, April's show features Ruby Vesper, Barbarella Brown, Karma Carnelian, pole dance extraordinaire Kyle, the songbird of Sarasota Nicole Dreger and our emcee Franki Markstone. This is an 18 and older show.
Sunday, April 14 at 8pm, McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota,Tickets: $37.
Sarasota Jewish Theatre (SJT) is pleased to present Mark Harelik’s “The Immigrant,” based on a true story, as its closing play of the 2023-24 season. The play, directed by Gus Kaikkonen, runs from May 1-12 at The Players Centre Studio 1130 at the Crossings at Siesta Key mall, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. To purchase tickets ($18-$36), visit ThePlayers.org or call 941-365-2494. For information, visit SarasotaJewishTheatre.org.
Preview: May 1, 1:30pm, Performances: May 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11 at 7:30pm; May 3, 5, 12 at 1:30pm. To purchase tickets to the performances at The Players Centre Studio 1130, visit ThePlayers.org or call 941-365-2494.
The Sarasota Concert Association today announced the artists that will be featured in its 2025 Great Performers Series, as well as two Special Events.The 2025 Great Performers Series launches with the acclaimed French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, making his Sarasota Concert Association debut at Riverview Performing Arts Center (January 15, 2025). Thibaudet's performance will include Debussy’s Preludes Books I and II, promising an evening of unparalleled artistry. Audiences will then be treated to the return of the Cleveland Orchestra (January 26, 2025, at Van Wezel), a favorite among Sarasota music lovers. Under the baton of Kahchun Wong with violinist Sayaka Shoji, the orchestra will perform Beethoven’s Violin Concerto and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. The Czech National Symphony, with Music Director Steven Mercurio and pianist Maxim Lando (February 13, 2025, at Van Wezel) performs Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Dvorak's popular Symphony No. 9, “From the New World.” A special highlight of the season is the 300th-anniversary celebration of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons (March 14, 2025, at Riverview Performing Arts Center). This concert features the local debut of baroque violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte and the renowned French ensemble Les Arts Florissants. Concluding the series, the National Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director Gianandrea Noseda with violinist Hilary Hahn, will perform at Van Wezel (March 24, 2025). The evening’s repertoire includes Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and Erich Korngold’s Violin Concerto. In addition to the 5-concert Great Performers Series, the Sarasota Concert Association will present a special holiday concert featuring the male vocal ensemble Chanticleer (December 3, 2024, at the Sarasota Opera House). Legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma presents an evening of music and words at Van Wezel (February 27, 2025). In this one-night-only event, Yo-Yo Ma performs a special selection of his favorite pieces and shares stories about a life dedicated to music. Five-concert subscriptions to the Great Performers Series and additional tickets to Special Events are available now to current subscribers only. New subscriptions will be on sale beginning on April 10. Visit www.SCAsarasota.org or call the box office at 941-966-6161 on that date. Three-concert mini subscriptions will go on sale in June, and single tickets will be available in the fall.
Pictured: Yo-Yo Ma. Photo by Jason Bell.
USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association) Florida Baseball is thrilled to announce the return of two prestigious youth baseball tournaments to the Sarasota County area this April, with support from Visit Sarasota County. The USSSA Under Armour Championship Series NIT and the USSSA FL State Championships promise action-packed weekends of baseball for players and spectators alike. The USSSA Under Armour Championship Series NIT will take place on April 6-7, 2024, at various esteemed fields, including Babe Ruth Park and Cal Ripken Youth Athletic Complex. This event, now in its sixth year in Sarasota under the USSSA organization, will feature age groups ranging from 8U to 14U. In partnership with Under Armour, the tournament will showcase branded materials, embodying the spirit of excellence and competition. With an impressive registration of 85 teams, this three-game guaranteed tournament promises fierce competition across the age groups. Following closely on its heels, the USSSA FL State Championships will be held on April 27-28, 2024, at various renowned fields, including Cal Ripken Youth Athletic Complex, Foxworthy Campus/Bypass Park, and Wellfield Park. Like its counterpart, this tournament will host age groups ranging from 8U to 14U. As one of only three state championships hosted in Florida, this event boasts broad exposure for participating teams. With 130 teams expected to register, the FL State Championships promise fierce competition and thrilling matchups for players and fans alike.Both tournaments will feature age group-specific winning brackets, including subcategories for AA, AAA, and Majors divisions. Games for both tournaments will run from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM on Saturday and Sunday, offering ample opportunities for fans to catch the action. Admission to both events is open to the public, with no tickets or costs associated with attending. For more information about USSSA Florida Baseball and its upcoming tournaments, visit https://flbaseball.usssa.com/.
Experience a performance like no other! The Sarasota Cuban Ballet School is excited to present CARLOS ACOSTA ON BEFORE at the Sarasota Opera House on April 19-20, 2024. CARLOS ACOSTA ON BEFORE showcases the highest caliber and mastery of a craft one can aspire to in dance, and the opportunity to witness this dancer’s greatness live is a once in a lifetime experience. Acosta’s deeply personal story told through dance will be his first performance in the US since 2018 and his only US performance is in Sarasota. Acosta will dance his intimate contemporary ballet for two dancers with Laura Rodriguez from Acosta Danza, the company Acosta founded in Havana. Don’t miss the chance to see this living legend whose artistry defined a generation and paved the way for future
generations.
2024 BEST OF SRQ LOCAL PARTY | Join us on Friday, April 12, 2024, from 5-8 pm at the Aloft Hotel in Downtown Sarasota to taste and experience some of this year's "Best of SRQ Local" restaurants and cocktails. Share a hip evening with our area’s passionate localvores and foodies.
A HIGHWAY TO THE PAST | The paintings of the Florida Highwaymen depict an immersive portrait of Old Florida, April 2024.
Friday Fest, the free, outdoor summertime concert series at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall returns with an exciting lineup of bands who will bring the audience to their feet. This year the festivities kick off in May. Each event runs from 5-9 p.m. on the lawn of the Van Wezel overlooking beautiful Sarasota Bay. Bring blankets or lawn chairs, take in the music and the sunset, and enjoy food and beverages from local vendors.
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is excited to welcome Jimmy Failla to Sarasota on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 8pm. Tickets for the Everybody Calm Down Tour go on sale this Friday, February 23 at 10am EST. Tickets start at $20.70 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 George Thorogood and The Destroyers to Sarasota on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 7:30pm. Five decades, 15 million albums and more than 8,000 performances later, few bands can still rock the house like George Thorogood and Destroyers. Tickets start at $41.50 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.
Four-time Emmy winner Derek Hough will perform the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Thursday, April 18 at 8pm. From the mind of Derek Hough, Symphony of Dance is the first national tour for the performing dynamo in four years. The show features high-energy choreography, stunning stage production, astounding versatility and his magnetic stage presence. Fans will journey through a fusion of dance and music, as Derek explores styles ranging from ballroom and tap to salsa and hip-hop and everything in between. Tickets start at $80 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. Due to this show being rescheduled, limited ticket availability remains.
Chaired by leading philanthropists, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Lunch in the Gardens series features engaging speakers with interactive elements during a delightful lunch in an unforgettable bayfront setting at our Downtown Sarasota campus. Proceeds support Selby Gardens community education programs, international research, conservation, and beautiful world-class horticulture displays. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit selby.org.
The highly anticipated Sarasota-Manatee Originals Set the Bar Cocktail Competition is back for a 2024 edition, scheduled for Sunday, April 14, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. 25 accomplished mixologists, representing restaurants from across Sarasota and Manatee Counties, will present their innovative concoctions in five distinct spirit categories. In addition to a panel of industry experts, attendees will have the opportunity to sample these creations and vote for their favorites, with the judging criteria encompassing flavor, appearance, bartender presentation, and imagination. The competition is partnered with Children First, a local non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the healthy development of children and families. All proceeds from a silent auction will benefit this important cause. Tickets are now on sale for $85 each, with a limited number available. At-the-door tickets will be offered at $95 per person, subject to availability. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit eatlikealocal.com/events/setthebar.
99 Bottles Taproom and Bottle Shop, the local bar known for the experience of extraordinary craft beer and boutique wine located in downtown Sarasota, will celebrate its 5th Anniversary this April. To celebrate the event, 99 Bottles will host a block party unlike any other on April 13th from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. featuring live music, food trucks, rare beer pours, a collaborative beer release, and more. The event is open to all, and attendees can expect to experience rare and exclusive beers from renowned breweries, great bites from local food trucks, and more. A highlight of the event is the release of two special collaboration beers: Hazy IPA brewed with 3 Sons Brewing and an Imperial Stout brewed with Magnanimous Brewing. Both beers will be available to enjoy at the event as well as to take home in cans and bottles. Attendees will also not want to miss out on the 99 Bottles version of the golden ticket, in which one lucky attendee will be the recipient of free beer for the rest of the year. All attendees have a chance to enter to win. For more information and updates about the anniversary party, visit www.99bottles.net.
The Circus Arts Conservatory is thrilled about the return of WONDERBALL, a high-energy event that will feature a world-famous electronic dance music star. The proceeds will benefit its youth education programs. WONDERBALL promises to be an epic dance concert experience, headlined by renowned Norwegian DJ and producer Alan Walker. The event will take place on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 7 p.m. in the Sailor Circus Arena at 2075 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota. The event features a larger stage for a more immersive experience with enhanced LED lasers, lights and video screens, and the vibe for WONDERBALL 2024 is neon and guests are encouraged to dress in dance-ready festival/clubwear. This is an all-ages welcome event; alcohol and bar service will be available to guests ages 21 and up with proper ID. Concessions and including snacks, soda, and water will also be available. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit circusartswonderball.com.
For more than a decade, Theresa Caputo, known worldwide as the Long Island Medium, and star of the new Lifetime Series Raising Spirits, has touched the lives of millions of fans, comforting supporters when they need it most. Now Sarasota fans will get their chance at healing when the acclaimed medium and beloved personality appears live at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Thursday, April 11 at 7:30pm. Known for her unique ability to communicate with those who have passed on, Theresa Caputo Live: The Experience brings Theresa face-to-face with her fans as Spirit guides her through the audience. A full-stage video display ensures that everyone in the theater has an up-close experience regardless of seat location. Through personal life stories, candid humor, and intimate details about her gift to communicate with those who have passed, the beloved television personality and best-selling author delivers healing messages to her audience, reassuring them with the revelation that their deceased loved ones are still with them, just in a different way. Recognized as one of the most renowned mediums for over 20 years, Theresa Caputo Live: The Experience is an awe-inspiring event you will not want to miss. Learn more about Theresa at www.theresacaputo.com. Tickets start at $64.23 and can be purchased at www.VanWezel.org, by calling the box office at 941-263-6799 or by visiting the box office. 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.
Fresh Fridays is dancing its way into April and ready to sweep downtown Sarasota with a dance revolution on Main Street, its new location for the new month. The popular downtown community event is throwing a block party boogie on April 5, from 7-10 pm, between Palm Avenue and Pineapple Avenue, for their newest event, Dance Dance Downtown Sarasota. Attendees will enjoy electrifying live music from Society Hill, power up with fresh fuel from local restaurants, and bust a move with a special dance activity for the event. Guests can stay up to date by following Fresh Fridays on their social media channels or by visiting their website at www.downtownsarasotadid.com/fresh-fridays.
Clyde Butcher: Nature Through the Lens will be on view through August 31, 2024 at the Historic Spanish Point campus. Selby Gardens is excited to present the extraordinary imagery of photographer and conservationist Clyde Butcher throughout the grounds of the Historic Spanish Point campus. Large-scale prints on aluminum of Butcher’s beautiful photographs of plants, animals, and habitats of Florida will be exhibited amid the natural landscape of the 30-acre waterfront preserve, enabling the public to engage with the artist’s work like never before. In the tradition of earlier landscape photographers like Ansel Adams, Butcher captures the beauty and majesty of America’s natural treasures in dramatic black and white. The unique environments of Florida have been subjects of particular interest to Butcher since the 1980s, when he was first introduced to the magic and mystery of sites such as Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park. Nature Through the Lens will include Butcher’s photographs of regional locales such as Myakka River State Park and Casey Key. This exhibition is presented in partnership with the Clyde Butcher Gallery & Studio in Venice, Florida. For more information, visit selby.org.
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