The youngest artists in Sarasota make their gallery debut this Saturday with the Youth Art Show at Palm Avenue Fine Art. Organized by Creative Kids of SRQ, a nonprofit dedicated to encouraging youth engagement with the arts, this one-weekend exhibition celebrates local artists as young as five years old, giving them and their art the professional gallery experience, while driving support for the local arts education programs that inspired them. It’s the opening salvo in a larger mission, according to Tom Murray, a board member with Creative Kids, to make the self-proclaimed Cultural Capital of Florida live up to its name by supporting artists of the next generation.

“It’s all about creating opportunities for children and art to get together,” Murray says. “If folks come to the show and see these kids, they’ll see the pride, the self-esteem, and the satisfaction that radiates from their smiles, and they’ll know exactly where we’re going with Creative Kids of SRQ.”

The show begins at 11am this Saturday with an artist reception in the gallery, where many of the artists are expected in attendance. The exhibition will feature near 100 pieces of art, ranging from watercolor and scratchboard to ceramics and even stained glass, and will unite young artists from arts education organizations in the area, such as Children’s Art Classes of Lakewood Ranch and Lina Rincon Art Gallery & Studio.

Work will be for sale according to the artist’s discretion, Murray says, with prices ranging up to $100 and all proceeds going towards the artist. “It’s all about supporting the kids,” he says. “And that’ll probably be the best $100 anybody ever spends turning a kid onto something so pure and great.”

A single exhibition is just the tip of the iceberg, however, according to Murray, and prelude to even bigger plans for next year—if Creative Kids of SRQ can get the community support it needs. Already lining up one major sponsor, the nonprofit is looking to organize even more events next year, including a youth art festival that could feature as many as 1,000 local artists and expand involvement into the public school system. Those looking to learn more or get involved with Creative Kids of SRQ are invited to attend an open event after the Youth Art Show, from 5pm to 7pm, to learn more about the initiative and meet with community partners.

“These youth are the future of fine arts,” Murray says, “if we give them the opportunity.”

The Youth Art Show opens this Saturday at Palm Avenue Fine Art, with an opening reception from 11am to 5pm, followed by a presentation by Creative Kids of SRQ.

Palm Avenue Fine Art, 10 S. Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236. 

Pictured: The Youth Art Show features scratchboard portraits and more by budding local artists. Photo courtesy of Creative Kids of SRQ.

This weekend, head over to Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s Donnelly Theatre for a one of a kind performance starring one of the area’s prominent up and coming vocalists. I Sing Because I’m Happy; I Sing Because I’m Free will star Charlie “CJ” Melton in the organization’s final Young Artist Program showcase of the season.

WBTT’s Young Artist Program, currently in its 11th year, is an initiative dedicated to the development and ultimately showcasing the talents of young, budding artists of color. Through the program, artists like Melton are mentored by WBTT’s production staff, including Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs, so that they can develop the skills necessary to develop and present their own original production. These showcases, of which there are only three a year, serve as a launching pad for these young artists as they blossom into their professional careers.

I Sing, is a self-produced, solo show from Melton that will feature him singing some of his favorite songs from the Gospel and R&B catalog, with numbers like I’m Blessed by Charlie Wilson, So Amazing by Luther Vandross, Shackles by Mary Mary and more. While Melton will have on stage support from a few fellow WBTT artists, the show is his own and a true reflection of who he is as an artist. “I grew up singing Gospel music, building my singing career by performing at local churches,” says Melton. “Now, I’m able to travel and give that same energy at a more mature level. The sound and feeling of Gospel music just touches me.”

While I Sing is Melton’s first solo show, the talented vocalist, songwriter and aspiring actor is no stranger to WBTT’s stage. Melton, who is also a full-time certified preschool teacher, first worked with WBTT in 2014 and has been a part of several mainstage productions ever since. “I think it’s awesome to be able to express myself through my gift, my talent of singing and give the audience everything I have. To give them something to feel and love and walk away feeling encouraged,” says Melton. “The creation of this show is a lot of work, but I have such an amazing team here that’s able to help me. With Mr. Jacobs’ mentorship, I’ve learned that there’s nothing I can’t do.”

May 19 at 7:30 pm, The Donelly Theatre at WBTT, 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota.

Picutred: Young artist Charlie CJ Melton will present his Young Artist Program showcase I Sing Because I'm Happy; I Sing Because I'm Free on Sunday, May 19 at WBTT. Photo by Sorcha Augustine.

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Bards By the Bay has their finger pressed against the temple of Sarasota’s pulsing poetry scene. Every second and fourth Thursday you can find local poets and “professional listeners” dwelling by the bay’s edge in Bayfront Park. In the summer of last year, Frank “Bubba” Henson and Tanya Young began Bards By the Bay. As poets themselves, they craved to build a community that seeped the same undeniable passion.

“Sarasota has a really, sort of, deep poetic tradition of poetry,” says Henson. “What we try to do is to invite everyone, whether you’re a new writer or whether you’re a seasoned writer.”

All good things begin with music, and Bards By the Bay is no exception. Dwelling under the arms of a Banyan tree, local songwriter and musician, Rick Mantis, opened the last session with a heartfelt original song, accompanied by his acoustic guitar. Following Mantis, a portable microphone was passed like a torch around a campfire, prompting prose and poetry out of all who held it.

“What we do at Bards is different,” says Henson, “and you’ll see this, we try to do just good life-talk. Whereas someone may read a poem at another event, they’ll read their poem and maybe not talk about it. Here, they read a poem and then the group will ask questions about it, and the person might talk about it.”

Henson elaborates, considering how Bards by the Bay differs from other poetry groups. “Since I moderate, sometimes I won’t even read a poem, I’ll just talk about what’s on my mind as it relates to poetry or something like that.” Henson mentions what he calls, “professional listeners- people who don’t read poetry yet enjoy the open dialogue. “It’s real talk, about real issues. Not even necessarily about politics or any of that kind of stuff, but more of what life is really about. There’s a broad range of people with experience here, both academic and literary, so when someone shares, our first response is to always be encouraging.”

“Bards By the Bay is so rewarding. See, the nice thing about these local poetry groups, you tend to discuss in between. Sometimes Bubba wants us to read something twice to get the whole impact," says long-time poet Lois Betterton. “Tanya is an extraordinarily talented writer, she’s an animated reader, she has characters that she constantly brings up in her poetry—you get to know her through her characters, and Bubba is just a genius.”  

Pictured: Event coordinators Bubba Henson and Tanya Young (left) sharing a laugh with a participant during a poetry discussion. Photo by Eliana Burns.

The Hermitage Artist Retreat (Sarasota County, Florida) announced today that its annual Artful Lobster benefit will be held on Saturday, November 9th, 2024, from 11:30am to 2pm. Now in its 16th year, this signature outdoor event raises valuable funds for the Hermitage’s renowned artist residency program. The Artful Lobster is the only Hermitage benefit to take place on the grounds of the historic Gulf front campus – outdoors beneath a large tent – located at 6660 Manasota Key Road in Englewood. Michael’s On East offers a delicious lobster feast, with performances from award-winning Hermitage Fellows. Past artists who have shared their talents at this popular event include acclaimed string quartet ETHEL, celebrated musical theater composer Adam Gwon, internationally renowned flutist Claire Chase, accomplished violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain and more. The 17th annual Hermitage Greenfield Prize Dinner will be held on Sunday, April 6th, 2025, starting at 6pm at Michael’s On East in Sarasota. This elegant annual dinner heralds the jury-selected recipient of this prestigious prize, which will be awarded this season in the discipline of music. The Hermitage Greenfield Prize (HGP) is a distinguished national commission awarded by the Hermitage Artist Retreat in partnership with the Philadelphia-based Greenfield Foundation; the $35,000 award rotates annually among music, theater, and visual art. The 2025 HGP winner’s newly commissioned work will have its first public presentation in Sarasota in the spring of 2027. Past performers at this event have included Tony Award-winning Hermitage Fellows Gavin Creel and Rachel Bay Jones, Tony Award nominee Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, renowned classical musicians, and more. Sponsorship information and additional details for both events will be announced at a later date. For early sponsorship inquiries, call (941) 475-2098, Ext. 2. 

Photo courtesy of The Hermitage Artist Retreat.

Get ready to groove to the authentic sounds of the Bluestar Blues Band! If you're a fan of the legendary Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf, then you don't want to miss this live performance on the outside stage at The Bazaar Saturday, May 18 from 5:30 - 8:30pm. The Bazaar shops will be open until 7pm. Hamlet’s Eatery will open for dinner and drinks at 5pm. The Bluestar Band is a powerhouse of talent, featuring five incredible musicians who are passionate about delivering the real deal blues experience. Lead guitarist and singer Kevin O’Connor, who has opened for the iconic Buddy Guy, will captivate you with his soulful melodies. And don't miss the sultry sounds of The Velvet Hammer Beth, who also hosts her own Blues Radio Show on WSLR. Carolyn Davis will be tickling the keys and singing some of your favorites. The band's newest addition, saxophonist Michael Pawlus, brings his incredible skills to the mix, while drummer Vinny Vingelli sets the rhythm that will get your feet tapping. Come for dinner and dance the night away! There is plenty of seating and loads of room for dancing. No Cover Charge.

821 Apricot Ave in Sarasota. For more information call 941-445-1938 or visit www.HamletsEatery.com. 

Angélica Castro and Marcela Vanegas, two accomplished performers, writers and directors, are unveiling their latest directorial endeavor, "VOCES de la Maternidad (Voices of Motherhood)," a poignant exploration of motherhood within the Latino community in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The performance, presented by CreArteLatino, consists of dramatic readings of narratives collected from conversations with community members, brought to life by an ensemble of actors. Following each performance, engaging discussions will be facilitated, involving the audience, directors, storytellers, and actors. “VOCES de la Maternidad” is May 30-June 1, 8 p.m., and June 2, 5 p.m., at the Manatee Performing Arts Center in the Bradenton Kiwanis Theater, 502 Third Avenue West, Bradenton. Audience members must be 17+. Tickets are $22. To purchase tickets, visit CreArteLatino.org.  

Pictured: Marcela Vanegas and Angelica Castro. Courtesy of CreArteLatino.

Jazzercise Lakewood Ranch is so proud to be partnering with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association/Florida Gulf Coast Chapter! "Not only are we hosting our own team to participate in the walk on November 2, 2024 (with a warm-up led by our instructor team), but we are planning a big kick-off event at our studio on Saturday May 18th!  Come join our FREE class at 9:30, donations are welcome, it is open to the public.  Wear purple and enjoy some mood boosting, brain activating, sweaty fun," says Shari Nastri, Owner/Lead Instructor at Jazzercise Lakewood Ranch. "Did you know that engaging in regular exercise is important to your brain health?" Jazzercise is an amazing way to commit to building more movement into your day.  Every attendee is entered to win fabulous door prizes generously donated by Lavender Moon Aesthetics. The foundation will have an info table about their important services and resources for caregivers. The studio is located at 9009 Town Center Parkway, Lakewood Ranch (right off University). Pre-registration not required. Just plan to arrive a few minutes in early. FAny questions, please contact  jazzerciselwr@gmail.com.  

A TRIBUTE IN LEAF & STEM | Celebrating Yayoi Kusama and Georgia O'Keeffe at Selby Gardens, May/June 2024. 

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