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SRQ DAILY Apr 2, 2021

Friday Weekend Edition

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Friday Weekend Edition

"When I think of a really nourishing writer's life, I think it requires interaction with others."

- Dr. Emily Carr, New College's Visiting Assistant Professor of Creative Writing
 

[Creative Writing]  New College Lectures Offer New Writing Paradigms
Andrew Fabian, andrew.fabian@srqme.com

When someone imagines life as a professional writer, particularly when the adjective “creative” comes before it, the first picture to materialize often takes the form of a bespectacled individual in a heavy sweater staring out a window wet with rain as they await the divine spark that will get their fingers click-clacking on a keyboard. A cup of coffee or tea or whiskey sits on the desk, the liquids with which a writer, racked with self-doubt, hopes to fuel the masterpiece that will immortalize them. For Dr. Emily Carr, New College’s Visiting Assistant Professor of Creative Writing, this stereotype of a writer in isolation ignores an important part of what she calls the “writer’s life.” And last weekend, she premiered a trio of writing workshops called “Words in Action” in which she sought to offer a more complete picture of life as a writer.

“When I think of a really nourishing writer’s life,” she says, “I think it requires interaction with others.” Those periods of intense solitude spent in front of a keyboard must be “broken up by moments of intense community,” she says. To demonstrate this, Carr invited two artists whose careers exist well beyond the written word.

Performance poet Michelle Tea uses the written words of her narrative poetry as a way to explore issues and themes around class, queer identity and feminism. She has also published four memoirs, three novels and a collection of poetry. Cristy C. Road, who graduated from Ringling College in 2004 with a BFA in Illustration, has published several graphic novels and fronts the punk band Choked Up. The pair are also avid users of tarot cards, with Tea once writing horoscopes and Road making tarot the central theme of her MFA thesis. The program’s opening night saw them explore the use of the written word as a tool for dismantling historical inequities in gender and race, queer memoir writing and deconstructing the biases baked into tarot imagery.

“Every year when I pick the artists, I’m thinking about how they engage in their community and with their audiences,” says Carr. She also chooses artists based on the notion that a creative writer does not have to write for an existing audience. “You don’t have to write for the audience that’s already out there,” says Carr, “you can create readers in a much more natural, organic way.” The key, again, is the other half of that writer’s life—following up those intense bouts of writing in isolation with periods of connection. And that lesson presented itself in both Tea and Road.

“I spend a lot of time talking about multiple selves,” says Carr, “someone who can be intensely vulnerable and then have another persona that can go out in the world and be a charismatic, social person. With this series, we wanted to give the students that really communal experience to balance the solitude of writing.” 

Pictured: Poet Michelle Tea (right) and Christy C. Road (left) showed how the written word can build community and break barriers.

Click here for more information.

[New Book]  SRQ Book Club: Your Time to Thrive by Marina Khidekel and the Editors at Thrive Global
Roxanne Baker, Bookseller at BookStore1

The Mindfulness section at BookstoreOne Sarasota has seen an influx of new releases, all claiming how to re-start, re-new, etc. Yet Your Time to Thrive: End Burnout, Increase Well-Being, and Unlock Your Full Potential with the New Science of Microsteps has such a perfect baby step one size fits all approach that, if applied, can cure whatever ails you.

While each chapter focuses on different aspects of one’s life: Nutrition, Movement, and Creativity, just to name a few...a recurrent theme is joyously prevalent. Joyously since my unfortunate prediction came true, that 24/7 technology would become the bane of our existence. Your Time to Thrive corroborates this and better yet, Marina and her Thrive staff offer solutions to our false flopping claim that we can’t live without our devices. How to Thrive cleverly gathers numerous athletes (our hometown hero Tom Brady for one) and successful celebrities who are role models for device owners very capable of hitting Power Off.

Just one of the fantastic specifics is from Arianna Huffington, the original founder of Thrive. In the Purpose and Meaning chapter, Arianna uses a hurricane analogy, insisting that to find your strongest self, one needs to go inward (introspective or meditative equivalent) to the ‘eye’ of ourselves. With each chapter ending with a diary entry of someone’s microstep success story, this chapter’s cited power hack was a nightly journal entry that enabled the person to sleep better and be more at peace. In the six additional microsteps proffered as well, another doable idea is taking five minutes to list your core values, even posting them near your desk to remind you of what’s truly important. Even better, the fact that each chapter ends with an extra six introspective questions, further challenges the reader to take action.

Roxanne Baker is a Bookseller at BookStore1 Sarasota. Bookstore1Sarasota was opened in 2011 with one mission: to bring a high-quality independent bookstore to the Sarasota area. Their passion for the joy of books inspired them in the beginning and continues to drive them today. They offer a shopping experience curated with their customers in mind, and are gratified by the long-term relationships they have built with those who have come through their door: patrons and authors alike.  

Click here for more information.

[New Show]  Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Presents Pipeline

“Pipeline” follows Nya, a dedicated inner-city public high school teacher, who is desperate to give her only son, Omari, opportunities her students will never have. When a controversial incident at his private school threatens to get him expelled, Nya must confront his rage and her own fight to give her son a future — without turning her back on their community. "It has been invigorating to be back rehearsing and working to present great art created by talented Black artists," said Nate Jacobs, WBTT’s founder/artistic director. "This show is particularly relevant as America battles institutional racism and societal inequalities – we hope it will spark some thoughtful conversations in households throughout the community and beyond." Outdoor screenings will take place at WBTT’s Theatre Arts Center (1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota) from April 24-30 at 8pm; streaming video will be available from May 1-23. Tickets for the outdoor screenings of “Pipeline” are $20 per person 

Click here for more information.

[COVID Safety]  Sarasota Arts Organizations Come Together For Unified Approach To Safety Measures

Since the beginning of the pandemic, leaders from nine of Sarasota’s major arts organizations have been discussing best practices as they prepare to bring audiences back to their performance spaces. Together, they are collectively drawing from their shared experiences and research to move forward with #SafeArtsSarasota guidelines, a unified approach to safety that includes mask requirements and capacity limitations to allow for social distancing. The group includes representatives from Asolo Repertory Theatre, Circus Arts Conservatory, Florida Studio Theatre, The Hermitage Artist Retreat, Sarasota Ballet, Sarasota Opera, Sarasota Orchestra, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. 

Click here for more information.

[New Show]  Sarasota Contemporary Dance Launches Physically Integrated Dance Series

The Physically Integrated Dance Series is a virtual series starting April 1st through April 17th that expands upon New College of Florida’s popular annual Dance for Parkinson event. The series is brought to you by an ongoing collaboration with Sarasota Contemporary Dance and Parkinson Place. In keeping with the focus of offering physically integrative movement, the aim of this series is to show its participants that dance is for everybody, no matter their age, social-economic background, abilities,  

Click here for more information.

[Speaker]  Friends of the East Manatee Library at LWR to Host New York Times Best-selling Author

The Friends of the East Manatee Library at LWR invites you to support the programs at the future Lakewood Ranch library branch. Prepare your mimosas, get dressed in your most comfortable outfit, and relax while Heather Graham shares intimate knowledge about her career and reads excerpts from her new book released on March 23, 2021. “Danger in Numbers” takes place on the edge of the Everglades, an eerie crime scene sets off an investigation that sends two agents deep into a world of corrupted faith, greed and deadly secrets. Registration is open for the virtual event that takes place on Sunday, April 11, 2021 beginning at 1:00pm Tickets begin at $15. 

Click here for more information.

[Grant Applications]  The 2021 Jim Rolston Memorial Professional Development Grant Application is Now Open

The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance is again proud to offer the Jim Rolston Memorial Professional Development Grant for the fourth year.  The $5,000 grant is intended to provide financial assistance to an established resident artist of St. Petersburg, for training or education in improving or developing new art forms that will facilitate taking his/her work to the next level. This grant for Visual, Literary or Performing Arts provides an established artist the opportunity to transform their talents and interpret their experiences with the world around them. Application deadline is April 16, 2021 at 5pm. 

Click here for more information.

[New Show]  Sarasota Opera Announces Another Celebration Guest Artist and Featured Operas

On April 23, 2021 at 7:30pm the virtual Sarasota Opera: A Celebration! will feature a look back at favorite moments from the past five years and highlight how the support of the Sarasota Opera Community has made those moments possible. The event will also showcase Celebration Guest Artists performing exclusively for you. Tenor Matthew Vickers has been seen at Sarasota Opera as the Messenger in Aida, Arrigo in La battaglia di Legnano and more. Tickets for this celebration of our donors, subscribers, and ticket-buyers start at $75, with sponsorships available at $250, $500, and $1,000.  

Click here for more information.



[SOON]  DANCE: Virtual: Sarasota Ballet: Digital Program 6 , April 23 – April 27

The Sarasota Ballet's Digital Program 6 features: Sir Frederick Ashton's Valses nobles et sentimentales, Sir Frederick Ashton's The Walk to the Paradise Garden, and Sir Frederick Ashton's Façade. On the morning of April 23, all ticket holders will receive a personalized email containing their private link to Digital Program 6 along with links to the Performance Program Book, our 30th Anniversary Season Program Book, and a tutorial video on connecting your internet device to your television. If tickets are purchased after the morning of the 23, you will receive these links via email several minutes after time of purchase. Tickets for Digital Program 6 will be on sale until Tuesday, April 27 at 6pm. Upon becoming available to watch, Digital Program 6 can be watched as many times as you would like, until Tuesday, April 27 at 11:59pm, at which point the Program will no longer be viewable. Make sure you enjoy it before then.

[SOON]  GALLERY: Virtual: Madeby Gallery: 7th Annual Alumni Show , April 28 – May 21, 5:30pm-6:30pm

The Seventh Annual Alumni Show will run from April 28 until May 21, 2021. Zoom Opening Reception will take place on Wednesday, April 28 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. View exciting new work by Ringling College Alumni! Meet the alumni artists and add to your art collection. This multi-media exhibition includes artwork from an extraordinary group of Ringling College Alumni. The show features a wide variety of media, styles, and approaches from emerging and established alumni. Practicing a diverse range of art using mediums including painting, digital design, drawings, prints, and mixed media. The show represents a range of approaches to art-making created by the artists who received their original foundation training at Ringling College of Art and Design. ​ The show runs through May 21.

[SOON]  GALLERY: Sarasota Art Museum: Family Day , April 10, 2pm-4pm

Family Day offers artmaking activities and special events for visitors of all ages to engage with art and one another on April 10 from 2pm to 4pm. Reservations required; Space limited to accomodate safe physical distancing. Look: Enjoy the Janaina Tschape: Between the Sky and the Water exhibition prior to Family Day activities. Gallery admission rates apply. Free for Museum Members and those under 17 (accompanied by an adult). Talk: Emory Conetta, the Museum’s Curatorial Assistant, and Ross Johnston from Mote Marine will speak on the aquatic animals that can be experienced both at Mote and in the Museum’s current exhibition, Janaina Tschape: Between the Sky and the Water. Create: Use materials similar to the artist to create your own aquatic-inspired artwork to take home. Talk & art making activity free for all. Gallery admission rates apply. Free for Museum Members and those under 17 (accompanied by an adult). Bistro specials for Family Day: Margherita Flatbread Pizza, starfish cookies, and strawberry Shirley temples. During Bistro hours of 9am to 3pm. We recommend joining us for lunch in the Bistro (extensive outdoor and physically distanced indoor seating available) prior to the event. Reservations for Bistro seating encouraged, but not required.

[SOON]  GALLERY: Sarasota Art Museum: Janaina Tschape Video Retrospective , April 17 – April 18, Gallery hours.

We welcome you to join us on Saturday, April 17 and Sunday, April 18 for the Janaina Tschäpe video series in coordination with the Museum’s current exhibition, Janaina Tschäpe: Between the Sky and the Water. Each day will feature a unique sampling of Tschäpe’s video works created from 2000-2014. The presentation will commence at the bottom of every hour during Museum hours and will be held in the auditorium. Free with Museum admission. Limited to 20 people per viewing time.

[SOON]  FILM: Virtual: This Light Of Mine: The Making of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe , December 17 – December 31

The dream of one man became a cultural tour de force for Sarasota’s performing arts community. In 1999, actor and playwright Nate Jacobs founded the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, establishing a unique dramatic company to present and explore the Black experience. After twenty years of challenges and hard-won triumphs, the troupe experienced one of its toughest years yet in 2020. The killing of George Floyd ignited a national reckoning on race, and the COVID-19 pandemic made theatres go dark. Drawing on the resilient spirit that carried the troupe across previous hardships, WBTT has reimagined ways to stage its performances and fulfill its mission to promote inclusion and diversity in the arts. As a new generation of artists comes onboard, the troupe also finds successful approaches to address racism and lift others up through opportunity, mentorship and outreach. Produced by WEDU PBS in partnership with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County with generous funding from the George J. & Alice Pugh Donor Advised Fund. The film is available at https://www.wedu.org/shows/documentaries/this-light-of-mine/

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Van Wezel: Terry Fator: It Starts Tonight , April 2, 8pm

For the past ten years at the Mirage Hotel, world famous singer, comedian, impressionist and ventriloquist Terry Fator has sold out night after night with a show featuring his cast of characters that includes everyone from Winston the Impersonating Turtle to Elton John, to Elvis. In addition to winning America’s Got Talent, Terry has won Las Vegas’s best show, best all-around performer, best family show and best overall show. Don’t miss his Sarasota debut – LIVE at the Van Wezel on April 2, 2021 at 8pm.

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 North Tamiami Trail

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: The Hermitage Artist Retreat: Transformations in Music & Words with Henry Clarke and Denise Dillenbeck , April 2, 5:30pm

Music can transform a single life, and literature can transform a whole culture. Violinist Denise Dillenbeck will share musical samples as she reads from her memoir, How Beethoven Saved Me, exploring the relevance of classical music and its power to transform a life. Henry Clarke will read from his latest work, as he challenges us to explore how writing helps us to record, interpret, and shape our culture and society. This event will occur on Friday, April 2 at 5:30pm on Hermitage beach, 6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood. Registration required at HermitageArtistRetreat.org.

[SOON]  GALLERY: Rough Around the Edges Exhibition Opening Night Reception , April 2, 6pm-8pm

This Exhibition gave female artists a chance to let down our guard and make that piece that has been sitting in the back of our minds for days, months, or even years. It is an opportunity to let the art be the art, to let the process be the process, to explore the controversial in our work or to find that edge that might have been alluding us. The opening night, on April 2 from 6pm to 8pm will be broadcast live on social media as well as be open to the public. SPAACES is implementing social distancing, requiring masks and allowing three people at a time in the gallery.

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: The Players Centre: Bad Auditions by Bad Actors , April 2 – April 3, 7pm-9pm

The Players Studio, the education department of The Players Centre presents a comedy by Ian McWethy performed by The Players Teens performance group on April 2 and 3 from 7pm to 9pm at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime. A casting director has one day to find the leads for a community theater production of Romeo and Juliet. But what seems like a simple task proves impossible when the pool of actors includes extreme method actors, performers who just don’t know what to do with their hands, and one particular woman who may or may not think she’s a cat. This hilarious comedy will bring you to the last place you’d ever want to be... behind the doors of a casting session. Under the direction of Amanda Heisey. Masks are required for this outdoor event. Temperature checks will be done and and patrons will be socially distanced. Hamlet’s Food Truck will be available (will be closing 30 mins prior to performance). Tickets are $15 for Adults $15 and $12.50 for Students under 24 (Call 941-365-2494 to purchase student tickets) plus $1.50 per ticket handling fee. No tickets will be printed for this event. Upon making your purchase your name will be on a reservation list.

SRQ Media Group

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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