SRQ DAILY Feb 21, 2025
Friday Weekend Edition
"The only thing I've really had is the paintings he left, And I've had this nagging desire to look underneath and see who this person was."
Jana Millstone never got to meet her biological father. At least, not really. He passed before her first birthday, leaving behind a body of work in watercolor and pastels, and a name—Max. The watercolors would hang in the house, but she would call someone else “Dad.” And for most of Millstone’s life, that was that. But tonight, with the opening of Max and Me at the Lexow Gallery, the artist unveils her latest collection of work, a new series created in posthumous collaboration with the father she never knew, in search of the man he was.
“The only thing I’ve really had is the paintings he left,” Millstone says. “And I’ve had this nagging desire to look underneath and see who this person was.” But what started off as a standard group show, with Millstone’s work on one wall and Max’s on the other, turned into something altogether different and much more involved.
Comprising 18 large-scale tapestry-and-canvas works created in the last eight months or so, Max and Me sees Millstone taking Max’s work—pastel anecdotes from barracks life during WWII, watercolor portraits of exotic gardens and beautiful dancers painted while posted in India—and incorporating it, piece by piece, into collaborative collages with her own work. The result is an image as metaphorically layered as it is literally.
Floating Toward Joy (pictured) is actually a combination of four separate works. The man’s portrait is lifted from a sepia pastel made by Max, as the palm trees in the back are taken from one of his watercolors. Scanned into photoshop and tweaked by Millstone, the images are then transferred onto canvas and stitched into a tapestry then decorated with Millstone’s own fabric art garden imagery. An embroidered poem adds the final touch. “It’s an unusual dialogue,” she admits. And, ultimately, a limited one.
“I did not find my father,” Millstone says, but she found an understanding and a kinship in the craft. “The common ground was the art,” she says. And in the man’s work she found a sweetness of personality, altogether the portrait of a kind and gentle person.
“There’s a language artists use and it’s impossible to be conveyed in words,” she says. “But working over his hand with my hand, it was like seeing his emerge under mine.”
Max and Me opens tonight at the Lexow Gallery at Unitarian Universalist Church, 3975 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, with a reception from 5-7pm.
Image courtesy of the artist.
March 5 through 16, 2025 The Sarasota Players is proud to present the Sarasota-premiere of Fun Home with music by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics by Lisa Kron and based on the Graphic Novel by Alison Bechdel. This moving musical won won five 2015 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.
March 5-16, 2025, The Crossings at Siesta Key, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.
Art Center Sarasota’s exhibition season continues with four exhibits, March 13-April 19. The opening reception for all four exhibits is Thursday, March 13, 5-7 p.m. All works on display are available for purchase. Art Center Sarasota’s exhibitions are paid for, in part, by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues and generous donors. Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For information, visit ArtSarasota.org or call 941-365-2032.
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is thrilled to welcome Gladys Knight to Sarasota on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. Very few singers over the last fifty years have matched Knight’s unassailable artistry. This seven-time GRAMMY® winner has enjoyed #1 hits in pop, gospel, R&B and adult contemporary, and has triumphed in film, television, and live performances. Tickets start at $60 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 10am to 4p. Groups of 10 or more should contact 941-263-6726.
Choral Artists of Sarasota announces a schedule update: the concert “A Measure of All Faith,” originally set for Sunday, February 23, at the Church of the Redeemer, will be replaced by “A Few of Our Favorite Things,” an intimate recital featuring soprano Adelaide Boedecker and pianist Joseph Holt. The program features some of their most cherished selections from opera, Broadway, and popular song. The concert is Sunday, February 23, 5 p.m., at Church of the Redeemer, 222 S Palm Ave, Sarasota. Tickets are $25. A gala reception honoring the singers, musicians and programs of Choral Artists follows the performance in Goewey Hall at the church. Tickets for the concert and gala start at $75. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ChoralArtistsSarasota.org or call 941-387-6046.
Next Thursday- grab a delicious meal at Anna Maria Oyster Bar at UTC, where a portion of all dinners from 4-9pm will support the Child Protection Center and the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse. Both dine-in AND carryout meals will be eligible for the give-back, making this a super convenient (and tasty!) way to make a difference for local kids. For those who attended The Children's Cup Golf Tournament last week, you may recognize Anna Maria Oyster Bar from their tournament partnership with us! We are majorly thankful for their incredible generosity and dedication to our community's children.
Thursday, February 27th, 4 -9pm, Anna Maria Oyster Bar, 5405 University Pkwy. Unit 110, Bradenton.
Tuesday, January 28th, SRQ Magazine hosted the annual Giving Coast and Good Hero Philanthropic Awards Luncheon. Local nonprofits, foundations, corporate donors, individuals and civic leaders came together to celebrate the community's spirit of giving and recognize leaders in philanthropy. Attendees were invited to share their “giving wishes” on behalf of area nonprofits by writing their wishes on gift tags and hanging them for display on the SRQ Giving Wish Tree. Second Heart Homes wishes for continuous growth, community support, exponential impacts and 3 more homes to provide their residents the love, care and support that they deserve. To help fulfill this wish, reach out to Megan Howell (megan@secondhearthomes.org).
Sarasota Teen Court wishes for sponsorship for their graduate and their 2 guest for Teen Court’s scholarship night. To sponsor a graduate on this night, reach out to Heather Todd (heather@sarasotateencourt.org).
Impact 100 SRQ wishes for sponsored membership for college students in Sarasota and Manatee county. To help Impact 100 SRQ reach out to them (info@impact100srq.org).
Cat Depot wishes for twenty bags of cat food to be donated to Cat Depot. To get this organization to their goal reach out to Claudia Harden (claudiah@catdepot.org).
Sarasota Children’s Museum wishes for sponsorships for fifty of their education subscription boxes, each box is filled with hands-on STEAm activities. To help the inspiration of children of our community reach out to Amber Lamerson (amber@sarasotachildrensmuseum.org).
As these organizations call on the community to fulfill their wishes, click on each organization to learn more and find ways to give back. The spirit of giving is for all who want to give back to our local community!
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.
The Sarasota Farmers Market Vendors Incorporated (“SFMV”) has been established as a not for-profit organization under laws of the State of Florida, continuing the 40+ year tradition of enhancing and improving the quality of life in Sarasota. Our charitable mission is to create a social opportunity for residents and visitors to gather and interact, to bring foot traffic to downtown Sarasota sustaining the economic viability of the entire downtown area, and to provide a venue for other not-for-profit organizations benefiting Sarasota.
Sarasota Farmer's Market, N Lemon Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Selby Gardens presents an exciting exhibition that explores the deep and meaningful connection between musician George Harrison – best known as the lead guitarist of the legendary rock band The Beatles – and the pastime of gardening, which became his greatest passion. The resulting multi-sensory experience highlights George’s connection to nature and celebrates his life and legacy through the power of plants!
Downtown Sarasota Campus, 1534 Mound Street Sarasota, FL 34236
Two operas, two betrayed husbands, two tragic ends. In Cavalleria rusticana the calm of a Sicilian Easter morning is broken by a betrayed lover who sets off a chain of events ending in violent tragedy. In true theatrical tradition Pagliacci's clown tries to go on with the show, but his real-life humiliation and despair lead to a grim climax. The violent passions and raw emotions of these two works changed the direction of Italian opera forever.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota FL 34236
Bassist, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Alain Pérez is one of Cuba’s most active and versatile musicians on the international scene today. He is a Grammy winner and nominee in multiple categories as interpreter and author and deeply cherished as a producer and ambassador of Latin Jazz and Cuban Popular music worldwide.
Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
Determined to win the heart of the beautiful Rosina, Count Almaviva enlists the help of Figaro, the barber of Seville, to steal her away from her guardian, Dr. Bartolo. Hilarious complications ensue to some of opera's most delightful music. The Barber of Seville is one of the most beloved comedic works in the operatic repertory.
Sarasota Opera, 61 N Pineapple Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236
A hit on Broadway and film, this hilarious play includes short playlets exploring the crazy and funny worlds of love, featuring one couple dating, marrying and divorcing, another long-married couple who can't remember who starts what, and a philandering husband and his hysterical, fed-up mistress.
Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
Continuing the story of The Barber of Seville, Count Almaviva's eye has now wandered and his current objective is Susanna, Figaro's fiancée. The distressed couple, along with Rosina (now the Countess Almaviva) conspire to reveal the count's lechery, despite the many obstacles thrown in their way. Mozart's musical genius, along with Lorenzo DaPonte's witty libretto make The Marriage of Figaro one of opera's masterpieces.
Sarasota Opera, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota FL 34236
Works by Dominic Avant, a professor at Ringling College, the artist and educator blends impressionism and realism to create dramatic, light-filled works. The exhibit is part of “Beyond Regional Boundaries,” an initiative created to amplify the voices of Black artists across the Sarasota-Manatee region. Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative’s (SBAC) “Beyond Regional Boundaries” initiative continues its powerful exploration of Black artistry with a dynamic exhibition, “Celebrations of Form and Grace." An opening reception, with the artist, is Monday, March 10, 5-6:30 p.m., in the Selby Lobby.
Sarasota Opera, 61 N Pineapple Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236
Celebrate the women who have captivated the world with their dynamic personalities and fierce vocals. Starting in the 1960’s, female artists such as Cher, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, and Celine Dion have been pushing boundaries and shattering records with hits such as, “Turn Back Time,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” and “My Heart Will Go On.”
John C. Court Cabaret, 1265 1st St, Sarasota, FL 34236
Circus Sarasota is back with an ALL NEW show in 2025 featuring awe-inspiring artistry from around the world. Your hometown circus returns under our NEW BIG TOP at Nathen Benderson Park this winter. Limited tickets are available for this annual tradition – book today!
Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Cir, Sarasota, FL 34235
The Sarasota Chorus of the Keys, celebrating its 76 th Anniversary, will present its Annual Show, “We’re Here to Entertain You." The all-male barbershop style chorus will sing popular pieces from the Great
American Songbook. Special musical guests are “Brouhaha,” A Quintessentially Quirky Quartet.
Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota, FL 34231
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's 25th anniversary season, titled "25 Years of Black Heritage," continues through May 25. The remaining shows in the season are "Fences" (through February 23), "Five Guys Named Moe" (March 5-April 6), and WBTT's first-ever, world-premiere tap dancing musical revue, "Syncopated Avenue." Visit westcoastblacktheatre.org to learn more about WBTT and to purchase tickets. Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N Orange Ave.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
The American Watercolor Society began as a group of eleven painters who gathered in New York City in 1866 and began to hold exhibitions of their work. Their annual exhibitions have continued from that day. The annual juried exhibition of the AWS is open to all artists worldwide. The traveling exhibition features 40 paintings from the original 160+ exhibitors each year and travels to three to six locations each year.
ArtCenter Manatee, https://artcentermanatee.org/2023-2024-exhibit-season/
Denise Cormier Mahoney is a mid-career painter and printmaker whose illustrative and surfaced designed compositions are infused with memories and stories told from the point of view of a child free to explore.
ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St West Bradenton, FL 34205
Join us for a staged reading of the new book, POEMS OF 1968 by Don McLagan. It was a year of trouble. In 1968, the Vietnam War divided students against authority, and children against parents. The volcano of technology spewed new power and threats in equal measure. Civil rights were legislated on the willing and the unwilling - many were unwilling. The President stepped back from another run for office. Two leaders were assassinated. It was a year of division, hurt, and rage, it seemed, like no other.
Bookstore 1, 117 S Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Calling all lovers of the expressive French horn! Sarasota Orchestra’s co-principal horn Hugo Bliss disjointed by a fellow superstar, Milwaukee Symphony’s hornist Scott Sanders whose career also began in Sarasota. Together with Joesph Holt on piano, they offer a cornucopia of remarkable music for this most magnificent instrument. The program includes Beethoven’s mighty sextet for two horns and string quartet. The performance will be held at the Sarasota Yacht Club on March 13, 2025 at 11 am. Tickets are $70. For more information, visit Artistseriesconcerts.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.
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
SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email |
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