SRQ DAILY Dec 5, 2024
Thursday Family and Recreation Edition
"Providing for these wonderful organizations and helping bring joy to children in our community is what the holiday season is all about!"
Though premiering on Broadway fewer than 10 years ago, something feels decidedly throwback about Waitress. Maybe it’s the stage, decked out like a ‘50s diner, all vinyl booths and checkered tiles. Maybe it’s the broad comedy, with characters playing to the audience as though the fourth wall were more a window. Maybe it’s the uniforms.
Most likely, it’s the infectious joy that reminds you of a time when musicals were king—and why.
A stage musical adaptation of the 2007 film that was not a musical, the curtain rises on our hero, Jenna, played wonderfully by Kaitlyn Davidson, singing about sugar, flour, and eggs. And as a smalltown waitress with the best pies around and just about the worst husband, it’s understandable that she’d sing about the former. Together with her two compatriots—the headstrong Becky and the delightfully weird Dawn—she holds down the day-to-day in a diner with a cantankerous line cook and an owner who makes brusque look kind, letting her dreams collapse like a pie that forgot its filling.
But when a handsome new doctor comes to town…
High-energy and charming from the get-go, Waitress succeeds in being both comfortingly familiar and absolutely absurd—like a Hallmark movie directed by Monty Python and with much better music. It hits the beats you expect, but perhaps not exactly in the way you’d think. And as the narrative spirals further and further from normal, the antics only escalate. It’s slapstick. It’s silly. It’s hilarious. (Tip of the hat to Nick Cearly for the show’s most unhinged—and perhaps bravest—performance.) Is it believable? Who cares? Was that a highly choreographed ode to infidelity? Maybe!
Like all the best comedies, Waitress also isn’t afraid to get serious at times and drop the slapstick for sincerity. These moments give performers like Davidson a real chance to shine, belting out emotional pleas with power and passion, and they make the comic highs that much sweeter. It’s a delicate balancing act—especially when topics like domestic abuse come into play—but one at which the play largely succeeds, with maybe an awkward bump or two.
All told, under Ben Liebert’s direction, it’s no surprise that Waitress has been selling out shows.
Currently onstage at Florida Studio Theatre’s Gompertz Theatre, Waitress runs through January 5. 
Pictured: Quinn Corcoran and Kaitlyn Davidson in FST’s Waitress. Photo by Sorcha Augustine.
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Toy Drive tree was delivered to the SCSO Headquarters at 6010 Cattleridge Boulevard on Monday, December 2. This annual tradition serves as a collection point for thousands of toys and gifts, which will be distributed to children in need throughout the community. The Sheriff’s Office extends gratitude to the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Public Safety Department for generously donating the tree once again this year.
With many families still displaced and living in temporary housing, this year’s toy drive is especially significant. If you would like to contribute, new, unwrapped toys or gift cards can be dropped off at either of the following locations: SCSO Headquarters at 6010 Cattleridge Blvd, Sarasota (open 7:00am to 7:00pm, seven days a week); South County Office at 4531 Annex Road, Venice (open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm) The drive will run through Friday, December 13.
The 8th Annual Holiday Toy Drive benefits the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida’s Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program, Teen Court of Sarasota, and the All Star Children’s Foundation. The drive aims to provide gifts for children ages newborn to 18, with a focus on new, unwrapped toys and gift cards. Please note that clothing and stuffed animals cannot be accepted.
“Providing for these wonderful organizations and helping bring joy to children in our community is what the holiday season is all about!” said Sheriff Hoffman. “Each year we are happily surprised that the response gets bigger and bigger. Our community and our employees love to be part of this uplifting event!”
This year, for added convenience, residents can also order and have gifts delivered directly from the Sheriff’s Office Amazon Wishlist.
Pictured: The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Toy Drive tree was delivered on Monday, December 2 to the SCSO Headquarters. Photo by Barbie Heit.
The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center (Glasser/Schoenbaum) announces it will accept applications for its 3rd Annual Emerging Leader Awards from now through Monday, December 23, 2024. The Emerging Leader Program aims to develop the next generation of compassionate and competent leaders who through innovation and talent will shape Sarasota’s physical, behavioral, and environmental health; human services; and arts & culture communities in the coming years. The Sarasota/Manatee area has seen unprecedented growth since 2020, with area human services and other needs also growing. Area visionaries and Emerging Leader Award sponsors Bill and Barbara Little care greatly about ensuring that the next generation of leaders have the skills, experience, mentoring, and preparation to succeed as area growth continues.
Ringling College of Art and Design has partnered with EasyEase.co to offer students the chance to showcase their design and animation skills and win a $10,000 scholarship and other prizes. High school students are invited to create an exciting animated movie poster for their personal film titled, My World… and Welcome to It. This animated poster should be designed as if it were to be displayed in a movie theater lobby. The Ringling College Animated Movie Poster Challenge is open to high school students from around the world.The challenge began on December 1, 2024, and runs through January 20, 2025. Winners will be announced in February 2025.
Sarasota County Schools is pleased to announce that 35 of our schools earned the Florida Positive Behavioral Interventions & Support (Florida PBIS) Model School recognition for the 2023-2024 school year!
Schenkel Shultz, a Florida-based architecture and design studio, proudly announces the completion and grand opening of the Booker Visual and Performing Arts Center in Sarasota, Florida. Situated at 3201 North Orange Avenue, this $23.6 million project breathes new life into the theater, while honoring its rich heritage. The debut of the Booker Visual and Performing Arts Center is a pivotal moment for Sarasota’s arts landscape, reaffirming its status as a cultural epicenter in the region. The center will serve as a vital resource for students, educators, artists and community members to foster collaboration, creativity and lifelong learning.
The second Friday Gulf Gate Festival is happening this Friday, December 13, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Last month’s event was a hit, and this one promises to be even better. Let’s make it a memorable evening filled with great food, music, and holiday cheer. Bring your friends and family, support local businesses, and get a head start on your Christmas shopping!
2667 Mall Dr., Sarasota, 941-580-8663.
Individual tickets for all Spring Training games at Ed Smith Stadium will go on sale Monday, December 9, at 12 p.m. ET. The club also announced its Spring Training promotional schedule. Beginning Monday, fans can purchase individual tickets for all 2025 Spring Training games at Ed Smith Stadium. Birdland Members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets as part of an exclusive pre-sale on Thursday, December 5. Fans who register for the Sarasota 365 newsletter will also have access to a pre-sale on Monday, December 9 at 10 a.m. Single game tickets can be purchased online at Orioles.com/SpringTickets. The Ed Smith Stadium Box Office will be open for in-person sales beginning Tuesday, January 21 at 10 a.m. and will remain open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for all of Spring Training.
Registration is open for the 2025 winter semester at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Ringling College, which offers noncredit educational opportunities for adults to pursue new interests, expand intellectual horizons, and enrich their lives. The semester, which runs Jan. 13-March 7, 2025, covers a wide variety of topics, including arts and entertainment, history, music appreciation, health, literature, philosophy, religion, and science. Classes are offered at Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; and online via Zoom. To register, or for information about becoming an OLLI member, visit www.OLLIatRinglingCollege.org or call 941-309-5111.
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.
Experience some of the best food and flavors of the region with more than 100, and still growing, curated vendors. The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch has fast become a favorite weekly tradition for people from all over the region seeking farm-fresh produce, delicious prepared foods, and specialty items and gifts. Aside from all the goodies you can shop at the Farmers Market, find your flow in a free yoga class or have the kiddos get creative during weekly-hosted workshops. 1561 Lakefront Dr., Lakewood Ranch.
Enjoy the extraordinary opportunity to experience the work of contemporary artist Shinique Smith in conversation with the collection of European art at The Ringling. Unfolding across six galleries of the Museum of Art, the exhibition creates a series of unique stories that together form an abstract narrative of the parade as a metaphor for life. Well known for her monumental sculptures created from an array of materials, including luxurious textiles, personal clothing, dyed fabrics, ribbon, and wood, and for her abstract paintings of calligraphy and collage, Smiths work in this exhibition speaks to various facets of the European artistic tradition, such as classical drapery and religious iconography, while foregrounding notions of Black femininity and the history of the circus. Learn more at ringling.org.
Join us for Space Saturday, the first Saturday of every month, as we explore a different topic in the world of astronomy. During Space Saturdays, you will discover an out-of-this-world activity during Backyard Science, formerly Science Sprouts, in The Mosaic Backyard Universe, explore space with a staff astronomer during KidSpace in The Planetarium, and finish your day with an astronomy-themed story during Tales Under the Tree. To learn more, visit bishopscience.org.
Enjoy a day of art and family fun at Sarasota Art Museum. On the second Sunday of each month, we offer free admission for visitors, special performances, and art-making activities for the whole family. To learn more, visit sarasotaartmuseum.org.
The Wellen Park Night Market returns the second Thursday of each month from 6-9pm offering an evening of shopping, live music and dining under the twinkling lights of Downtown Wellen. The Night Market features independent artists and makers specializing in art, jewelry, boutique fashion, home decor, bottle art, wood designs and specialty food items set up along Wellen Park Boulevard with 50 rotating vendors. Food items included rum cakes, desserts, lemonade, barbecue and vegan fare.
Wellen Park, 19745 Wellen Pk Blvd
Join us every Saturday for a FUN, hands on exploration into different areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math! Students will take part in unique activities and collaborative challenges plus create take-home projects using high-tech Fab Lab equipment like the vinyl cutter, laser cutter, foam cutter and more.
Suncoast Science Center, 4452 S Beneva Road Sarasota Florida 34233
Join us at The Bishop for Gentle Yoga with Manatees! Enjoy tranquil views of the manatees being cared for in the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat while engaging in yoga poses focused on balance, flexibility, and strength. Guests will need to bring their own yoga mats. Proceeds support the rehabilitation and return of manatees to the wild. Group size is limited to 15 participants and advance registration is required. Ages 7 and up welcome!
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Join us at 1pm on the second Thursday of each month for themed adventures at The Bishop! Combine hands-on activities with exciting exploration through our exhibits, planetarium, and manatee habitat. Choose your adventure based on your child’s age group: Junior Explorers (K-3rd grade, ages 5-8): Spark curiosity through hands-on activities and themed adventures perfect for young minds. Discovery Rangers (4th-6th grade, ages 9-11): Dive deeper with interactive exploration and themed adventures designed to challenge and inspire.
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Make your Saturday mornings even more fun! Check out the Backyard Science program for elementary-aged learners at The Bishop’s incredible indoor Mosaic Backyard Universe. This wildly popular learning program launched last year and offers a wide range of activities, observations, and crafts that are sure to excite curiosity and ignite learning. Using unique Museum resources, hands-on activities, and thinking questions within this amazing educational space, you and your child will explore a different topic each month.
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Her journey was as extraordinary as her music. At eighteen, Carole King wrote number one songs for Aretha Franklin and The Drifters. At twenty-nine, she was the voice of a generation. The road along the way was full of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. It wasn’t always perfect, but it was real - and that's what made it beautiful. A smash hit on Broadway and London’s West End, this soaring and inspiring musical features two decades of King’s hits, including “You’ve Got a Friend,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and “I Feel the Earth Move.”
Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34243
Embracing Our Differences is pleased to announce the return of “Embracing Kindness,” its collaborative exhibition with Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design. Now in its second consecutive year, this year’s exhibition runs through December 18 on the Museum’s great lawn, parallel to the Tamiami Trail. It features 14 enlarged images of original artwork created by students under the mentorship of renowned Sarasota artist and educator Jeffery Cornwell. Spanning more than two decades, these selected works celebrate the transformative power of kindness and respect, as expressed by young artists from Booker High School’s Visual and Performing Arts program, as well as NewGate School, who participated in Cornwell’s visionary art programs.
Sarasota Art Museum , 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
ArtCenter Manatee is proud to present the 5th Annual Holiday Extravaganza, featuring holiday trees decked to their fullest with thousands of handmade ornaments, handmade holiday décor, gifts and more.
ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St West Bradenton, FL 34205
An all-media open juried exhibit featuring the work of our members. Our members are the strength of ArtCenter Manatee, without which we would not exist. With that strength, comes a powerhouse of talent as each year the caliber of work continues to surpass our expectations.
Art Center Sarasota, 209 9th St West Bradenton, FL 34205
Discover Sarasota Tours announces our 3rd Annual Christmas Carol Trolley Letters To Santa holiday tour of music and lights running Dec 1-23rd at 5:30 and 7:30PM. This holiday favorite is a 75-minute family-friendly show filled with downtown lights, caroling down Main St., holiday stories, and heartfelt performances featuring the Trolley Troubadours, our singing ensemble of professional performers.
Discover Sarasota Tours, 1826 4th St, Sarasota, FL 34236
Be transported to Clara’s enchanted dream world in The Nutcracker. The holiday favorite features the beloved classic choreography and the beauty of Tchaikovsky’s score, with scenery and costumes conceived exclusively for SCBS by a legendary theater designer.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Avenue Sarasota FL 34236
Step into a tropical winter wonderland at our Downtown Sarasota campus featuring more than two million lights, festive photo opportunities, activities & entertainment for the whole family to enjoy! Lights in Bloom® is proudly ranked #6 in USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice contest for Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in the country.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota, FL 34236
The 34th National Juried Exhibition showcases the best representational paintings produced across North America. With nearly 200 juried artists and many invited Master Signature artists, it serves as a showcase for both up-and-coming talent and some of the most celebrated artists working today. The exhibition does not focus on a single style or theme but instead celebrates the diversity and art produced within the representational oil painting tradition. The exhibition & opening is in conjunction with the OPA National Convention, which features numerous lectures, painting demonstrations, and social events geared to artists and collectors.
ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St West Bradenton, FL 34205
CreArte Latino Cultural Center is excited to announce that it has moved to a new location in Sarasota County. The new facility features enhanced amenities designed to better serve the community as a vibrant cultural center and theater. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is Monday, December 9, from 5 to 6 p.m., and is open to the public.
CreArte Latino, 1913 Northgate Blvd, Sarasota.
Join us on the Bolger Campiello for live music and dancing. Food and beverage will be available for purchase on the bayfront. One chair per person will be available. No outside food, drink, coolers, chairs or pets are permitted. Members please note: $20 tickets are limited to one for Individual Memberships and two for all other Membership levels.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
The support group is open to anyone with hearing loss, impairment, tinnitus, hearing-assisted device users and caregivers, family or friends. Free lunch is provided for attendees.
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