« Back To SRQ Daily Archive

SRQ DAILY Apr 16, 2021

Friday Weekend Edition

Friday Weekend Edition

"So many Black and brown boys are literally being thrown away because they have strikes against them and we hope this play will touch hearts and be a topic of conversation for our audience."

- Nate Jacobs, WBTT's Founder and Artistic Director
 

-Bang Heads, Spin Clay, as seen in SRQ's April 2021 edition. Click the photo for the full article.
[New Show]  Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Premieres Timely Video Production of Pipeline
Andrew Fabian, andrew.fabian@srqme.com

Nate Jacobs remembers sitting inside his grandmother’s home in Daytona when his father pulled up to the house. His father had driven up from Tampa like he did many times throughout the school year, and in this case, it was to watch Jacobs graduate. Jacobs remembers his mother uttering something snarky at the sight of his father, then turning to her children and seeing in their faces an untarnished admiration, nonetheless. “It was at that point that my mother realized no matter what she says or does, my siblings and I loved our father,” says Jacobs.

It was this moment that came to mind when he watched the first full rehearsal of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s production of “Pipeline,” where one scene in particular brought him to tears.

Written by Dominique Morisseau, recipient of a 2018 MacArthur Fellowship, the play explores a hardworking mother’s efforts to ensure her Black son has opportunities most of his peers do not. When the son’s father reemerges in his life, the son must confront his rage and confusion. In that relationship, Jacobs saw something deeply personal and timely. “Morisseau captured a glimpse into that mysterious relationship between a Black man and his father,” says Jacobs, “and really grapples with the questions of why we have so many angry Black boys running around the neighborhood.”

With full in-theatre seating still months away, the play’s timeliness also comes from the fact that it will premiere as a video production. Using three cameras, director L. Peter Callender hopes to capture the stage production on camera for WBTT’s socially distanced outdoor screening and for its on-demand stream for at-home viewers. “I know I have three cameras; center, left and right,” says Callender, “so my direction has to account for more views. I’ve had to think as a stage director, an actor, a film director and a tv director.”

All five sets will be on stage at the same time, with actors moving in and out of them as the story unfolds. The whole production requires a high degree of coordination and practice, almost like a sitcom filmed in front of a live studio audience. “But in the end, I want it to feel like it’s a play that you’re eavesdropping on,” says Callender, “so the audience will see the other set pieces in the distance. We want it to feel like it’s taking place in a theatre.”

With all of that effort in coordinating a successful shoot, Callender hopes the production lives up to the weight of the play’s themes, themes that struck Jacobs during rehearsals. “So many Black and brown boys are literally being thrown away because they have strikes against them,” says Callender, “and we hope this play will touch hearts and be a topic of conversation for our audience.”

The in-person outdoor screenings run Saturday, April 24 through Friday, April 30. Access to purchase the stream opens Saturday, May 1. 

Pictured: The cast of ‘Pipeline’ is (from l-r) Joel PE King, Emilia Sargent, Renata Eastlick, Donovan Whitney, Isaac Esau Gay and Emerald Rose Sullivan. Photo by Sorcha Augustine.

Click here for more information.

[New Book]  SRQ Book Club: Broken (in the best possible way) by Jenny Lawson
Roxanne Baker, Bookseller at BookStore1

Broken (in the best possible way) is the perfect gift book for friends or family in the hospital or simply experiencing a difficult time. Jenny Lawson, author of the bestseller Furiously Happy, again mixes chapter offerings of absurdly humorous modern world takes with poignant reveals about her various afflictions including agoraphobia, RA, and depression.

Her ever present mantra “I’m me, and that’s ok” courses as the through line. Along the way, she hilariously takes down the medical insurance companies she’s had to fight for financial assistance in the voice of an abused girlfriend. She ponders the odd issues of her dog Dorothy Barker and bemuses her husband’s chagrin at her trying to care for wayward animals and birds that venture into their property.

In more self-help like chapters, she logs her foray into expensive, but corrective TMS treatments and her search and revelation of a jinxed dementia genealogy. Yet Jenny’s writing is never maudlin, instead focusing on the reality of silver linings found in any cloud.

Laugh out loud chapters include the tsunami response she received to a tweet documenting her funny malapropism at an airport. I personally highlighted my favorites of the 50 plus tweet responses of “I feel you, and here’s what I did...stupidly” to share with family and friends when we need to be reminded that we’re only human, and thank goodness since we sure are funny! How much better our world would be with more self-accepting and self-soothing attention!

Broken (in the best possible way) is available for sale at www.sarasotabooks.com or at the brick and mortar store at 12 S. Palm Ave. Sarasota, Florida. 

Click here for more information.

[Menswear]  Greiner's of Sarasota Spring Trunk Show

Drop in Friday and Saturday, April 23rd and 24th, to see the full line of Zelli and Tori Richard. Serving refreshments Friday night. Located at 45 S Palm Avenue in downtown Sarasota.  

Click here for more information.

[Recognition]  Playwright Aleshea Harris Celebrated at Hermitage Greenfield Prize Award Dinner

More than 130 guests gathered to celebrate playwright Aleshea Harris, the winner of the 2021 Hermitage Greenfield Prize, on Sunday, April 11, at the annual Prize Dinner at Michael’s On East in Sarasota. “Neither rain nor sleet nor any tropical storm was going to stop us from finding a way to celebrate Aleshea Harris as the winner of this year’s Hermitage Greenfield Prize!” noted Sandberg in true show-must-go-on fashion. “While the change of venue was an unexpected surprise, we were determined to forge ahead with this very special evening of entertainment and celebration. We thank everyone at The Ringling Museum and Michael’s On East for their shared commitment to the safety and comfort of our guests. The adoration, respect, and joy in honor of Aleshea were truly palpable, and we are so grateful to the Greenfield Foundation and all of our sponsors for their generous support.” 

[Recognition]  Barancik Foundation “A Portrait of 2020” Receives Top Industry Recognition

Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation recently earned a 2021 Grand Image Award for its work on its year-end report, “A Portrait of 2020.” “We wanted to highlight the brighter moments of a year marred by so much unrest,” says Teri A Hansen, President|CEO of Barancik Foundation. “The goal was to celebrate the people and nonprofits who acted boldly to help our community through these crises.”  

Click here for more information.

[New Performance ]  Come Fly With Me At Phillippi Estate Park

Audience members are invited to go on a musical journey around the world with Choral Artists of Sarasota’s next concert, “Come Fly With Me.” This travel-themed, one-hour outdoor concert without intermission features 32 singers from the Choral Artists ensemble, Sunday, April 25, 4 p.m., at Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets are $25 per car and only sold in advance of the concert. 

Click here for more information.

[Recognition]  Winners of 30th Anniversary Youth Playwriting Competition

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is proud to announce the winning plays of this year’s annual youth playwriting competition. “This year, we received plays that ran the entire creative gamut,” said Adam Ratner, FST’s Young Playwrights Festival Coordinator and Lead Teaching Artist. “Plays ranging from a heartfelt piece about being different and feeling proud of that truth to an ambitious and hilarious attempt to capture some magic in The Tooth Fairy and the Little Girl.  Not only is this year the 30th anniversary of WRITE A PLAY, but we are honoring the vision and imagination of twice as many playwrights! It’s so exciting to finally be able to celebrate these young artists’ bravery and hard work.” 

[Performance Update ]  Florida Studio Theatre Extends Two All-New Musical Revues

Due to audience demand, Florida Studio Theatre (FST) announces that Vintage POP! and Three Pianos, two musical revues are being extended yet again. Vintage POP!, a special new concert exploring the transformation of popular music from the 1920s to the 1980s, will now run in FST’s Keating Theatre through Sunday, May 16, 2021. An FST original music revue, Three Pianos is now running in FST’s Gompertz Theatre through Sunday, May 23, 2021. These newly added performances will operate within CDC guidelines at 50% capacity.  

Click here for more information.

[Re-Opening]  Burns Court Cinemas Reopens 4/30

Beginning Friday, April 30 and will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1:30pm-8pm. Premiering The Truffle Hunters, Street Gang and Limbo - tickets on sale now.  

Click here for more information.

[Summer Camp]  Circus Summer Camp Registration Open

Returning to the recently renovated and air-conditioned Sailor Circus Arena this summer is the Circus Arts Conservatory’s popular Circus Summer Camp, where children will learn various circus arts disciplines and life skills while having the time of their lives. Camp is available in one- and two-week sessions; camp runs from June 14 through August 6. The Circus Summer Camp will be offered Monday through Friday, 9am-3pm in the Sailor Circus Arena (2075 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota). Cost is $350/week, or $700/two-week session.  

Pictured: Coach Jake Peterman helps Nate Gutierrez find his balance on the rola bola Photo by Cliff Roles.

Click here for more information.

[New Show]  All-Star Latin Jazz Quartet at Fogartyville

Frankie Pineiro has long been a fixture of the Tampa Bay Jazz community.  For many years he was host of the Latin Jazz program on WMNF 88.5 and for the past few years he has hosted the Afro-Cuban Jazz Edition on WSLR 96.5 from 10am-12pm on alternate Tuesdays.   Pineiro has put together an all-star band -the ACFM Quartet - for a performance at Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center on Saturday, April 24 at 8pm.  Tickets are $18 in advance/ $22 at the door.  

Click here for more information.

[New Class]  Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe to Present Master Class on August Wilson

In a one-hour, one-session class presented by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe on April 27, participants will explore August Wilson’s background, his ten-play cycle, known as “The American Century Cycle,” and his 4 B’s (the Blues, Jorge Luis Borges, Amiri Baraka and Romare Bearden). This class is being offered in celebration of Wilson’s birthday – the late playwright would have turned 76 on April 27. The class takes place on Tuesday, April 27, 1pm via Zoom. Cost is $10.  

Click here for more information.

[Photo Contest]  Conservation Foundation Announces virtual Summer Photo Contest

Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast and presenting sponsor Elizabeth Moore invite photographers of all ages and experience levels to enter their original work in Conservation Foundation’s annual Summer Photo Contest. Up to three photographs may be submitted per person and must be received via email no later than midnight on May 31.  Jurors will review all submissions and select 10 per category for display in online galleries on the Conservation Foundation website as well as the Conservation Foundation Facebook page. 

Click here for more information.

[Community Initiative ]  First 1,000 Days Sarasota County Launches Public Art Campaign “Color the Community”

First 1,000 Days Sarasota County is a community initiative to improve the health and well-being of babies and families. At the end of 2020, the initiative and its 75 community partners launched a website to empower all parents and caregivers with simple tools proven to promote quality early childhood development. The initiative partners are now using the power of art to celebrate families and promote local educational resources available to them.  Utilizing free curriculum with fun activities for parents to do with their children and a sidewalk chalk festival, First 1,000 Days Sarasota is encouraging the community to get involved this spring in the “Color the Community” campaign. 

Click here for more information.



[In This Issue]  Pop Goes The Garden

In an unexpected mash-up, Selby Gardens lives up to its trademark as The Living Museum. 

Click here to read the full article in SRQ's April 2021 edition.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: First Step of Sarasota: Drive-Thru Prescription Drug Takeback , April 24, 10am-2pm

The Venice Police Department will host a Drive-thru Prescription Drug Takeback event from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, April 24 for citizens to responsibly dispose of unwanted or expired prescription medications from the safety of their vehicles. Officers will be on hand to assist. VPD has partnered with Drug Free Sarasota and the Florida Department of Health-Sarasota County, along with the Florida National Counterdrug Program and First Step to organize this event as a drive-thru for residents’ convenience and safety. The event will be located at the Public Safety Facility at 1575 E. Venice Avenue. Only tablets and capsules will be accepted.
This ongoing program allows the public to return unused prescription medications into a controlled collection system. In doing so, the medications are destroyed without being deposited into our landfills or water system, substantially reducing any potential environmental damage and the chance of the meds becoming a health hazard. Safe disposal of these medications also decreases access to addictive drugs for accidental or intentional misuse.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Discover Sarasota: Circus Secrets Of Sarasota , January 1 – December 31

Learn about the rich circus history of Sarasota on an unforgettable trolley or van tour. Pass by key city landmarks as our informative and passionate tour guide, Bob Collins, tells stories about the colorful cast of circus characters, showmen, and performers who called Sarasota home. Meander through historic neighborhoods such as the Rosemary District, known for its vibrant food and art scene. Learn about the rich history of the Ringling brothers, the five brothers who owned and operated the circus renowned as the “Greatest Show on Earth.” Pass by the 21-gallery museum John Ringling constructed to house his extensive artwork collection, which opened to the public in 1931. Explore several other locations intimately involved in Sarasota’s circus history, including Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Circus Arts Conservatory, and the Circus Ring of Fame on St. Armands Circle. This 90-minute trolley or van tour is perfect for all ages and shows you a whole new side of Sarasota. Get ready for a fun-filled circus adventure during this show on wheels. It’s an illuminating experience you don’t want to miss. Tours with fewer than 10 guests will travel in our comfortably air-conditioned high-top van. Tour tickets are $34.99 and include FREE Parking.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Discover Sarasota: Amish Experience Tour , November 1 – May 31

Hop aboard our trolley or van tour to learn about the vibrant Amish and Mennonite cultures here in Sarasota. Learn about the beliefs, traditions and differences between these two religious orders from our knowledgeable and passionate tour guide, Kendra Cross. Visit the Pinecraft community, a small working neighborhood that attracts many members of the Amish and Mennonite orders. Many families travel to this Sarasota haven during the winter months to escape the harsh weather in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and several other northern states. Slow down and enjoy the small pleasures in life on our tour of this rustic and charming neighborhood. Enjoy the tour stops at Alma Sue’s Quilt Shop, The Carlisle Inn and Der Dutchman Amish Kitchen Cooking Restaurant for a sample of their delicious pie. Gain a new appreciation for the rich culture of Sarasota’s Amish and Mennonite communities on this informative trolley or van tour. Book your tickets online today. Tours with fewer than 10 guests will travel in our comfortably air-conditioned high-top van. Tour tickets are $34.99 and include FREE Parking.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Discover Sarasota: Psychic Sunday Tour , January 1 – December 31

Get in touch with Sarasota’s psychic influence on this interesting trolley or van tour. Learn why Sarasota is called Sedona by the Sea, explore the tools psychics and mediums use, hear about the history of the tarot, and learn why Sarasota is a psychic and spiritual energy center. Visit Pixie Dust on Sarasota’s Main Street, walk the sands of Siesta Key Beach, explore a labyrinth, and then enjoy a Spirit Gallery Reading and a mini tarot reading on the trolley or van. You can also book a 15-minute personal tarot reading with tour guide Michael Newton-Brown at the cottage after the tour. Ages 12+; young people ages 12-20 may attend if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Tours with fewer than 10 guests will travel in our comfortably air-conditioned high-top van. Tour tickets are $34.99 and include FREE Parking.

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Virtual: The Players Centre: Jukebox Reunion , April 16, 7pm

The Players Studio, the education department of The Players Centre presents a revue performed by The Players Follies performance group on April 16 at 7pm. A group of friends return to their old stomping grounds for their high school reunion to learn that their favorite diner is closing its doors. Friendship, drama, and nostalgia explode in this rock n' roll jukebox musical that makes memories to last a lifetime. Watch from wherever you like, this show is virtual. Tickets are $15.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Selby Gardens: Pioneer Boatbuilding , April 16, 10:30am-12pm

Join Historic Spanish Point campus staff for this 90-minute program which will include an introduction to the maritime heritage of the region and observation of the boat building now in-process boat building. This In-Person Program will be conducted outside – shine only, on April 16 from 10:30am to 12pm at the Historic Spanish Point campus. Drop in programs, no registration required. Cost: Selby Gardens Members-FREE or paid admission to HSP campus. This event is sponsored by Florida Department of State – Department of Community Affairs.

[SOON]  SCIENCE AND NATURE: Selby Gardens: The Orchid Experience , April 16, 7pm

Join us for a sensational and safe “Orchid Experience” under the stars throughout the grounds of Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus on April 16 at 7pm. The Gardens will be illuminated for an open-air, dazzling light show for this one-night-only Pop Art phenomenon celebrating the exhibition Roy Lichtenstein: Monet’s Garden Goes Pop! Proceeds support Selby Gardens’ community education programs, international research, conservation, and beautiful world-class horticulture displays, while enabling thousands of underserved children and their families to connect with our bayfront sanctuaries. Safety protocols for COVID-19 will be observed.

[SOON]  : Discover Sarasota: City Sightseeing Tour , January 1 – December 31

On this air-conditioned City Sightseeing Trolley or Van Tour, see the BEST places to tour, shop, and dine through Sarasota’s historic downtown neighborhoods of Gillespie Park, Burns Court, Laurel Park, St. Armands Circle, Lido Key, and the Rosemary Design District. You also see our world-class artistic and cultural organizations: The Ringling Museum, Ringling College, Asolo Theater, Selby Library, Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, Selby Gardens, Sarasota Opera House, Art Center Sarasota, and Sarasota Symphony Orchestra. Learn more about the architects and developers who designed some of our most unique homes and buildings, like the Blue Pagoda, Crocker Memorial Church, and Splendida. Circus history, Amish culture, real estate development booms and busts, and colorful stories about Sarasota’s founders give you a true overview of Sarasota’s rich and amazing cultural history. Trolley tours usually run on Fridays. Tours with fewer than 10 guests will travel in our comfortably air-conditioned high-top van. Tour is year-round, tickets are $34.99 and include FREE Parking.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Discover Sarasota: Haunted Sarasota Tour , January 1 – December 31

Hop on board our haunted trolley tour for a spellbinding, interactive, narrated adventure! Hear stories about famous murders, visit spirited buildings, and explore unsolved crimes during this 90-minute, air-conditioned nighttime tour. Sit back and listen as our entertaining Ghost Hostess brings the rich history of Sarasota to life on this fun and spooky tour—be sure to keep an eye out for surprise guests along the way. Tour includes complimentary beer or wine at the Trolley Cottage Tiki Bar before boarding. Ages 12+; young people ages 12-20 may attend if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Tours with fewer than 10 guests will travel in our comfortably air-conditioned high-top van. Tour tickets are $39.99 and includes FREE Parking. This tour departs from 1826 4th Street and happens year-round.

[SOON]  GALLERY: Center for Architecture: Designing Sarasota an Architectural History , January 12 – April 17, Gallery hours.

In collaboration with the Sarasota Architectural Foundation, the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation and the AIA Gulf Coast Chapter, this exhibit will examine the unique history of architecture in Sarasota from the time of Native Americans to the present and will run from January 12 until April 17, 2021. Timed reservation information will be available soon.

[SOON]  GALLERY: The Ringling: Sam Gilliam , February 21 – August 15, Museum hours.

The Ringling is pleased to announce a new exhibition of the work of Sam Gilliam. The exhibition, which is being drawn primarily from local collections and features work from the early 1970s to 2010, will run February 21, 2021 through August 15, 2021. Sam Gilliam is one of the most important abstract artists working today. He will have a career retrospective, at the age of 87, in 2022 at the Smithsonian Institution Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, DC. Known for his experimental exploration of materials and constant invention, Gilliam first came to critical attention in the 1960s as a later member of the Washington Color School artists. To emancipate his art from constraints, Gilliam infused his appreciation of blues and jazz improvisation to be conceptualized in abstraction. His radical freedom to express spontaneity when working with materials created the first of his important "drape" paintings in the late 1960s that he would continue to explore throughout his career. By removing the canvas from the traditional stretcher, Gilliam created innovative work that was both painting and sculpture. His installation of the "drape" works filled galleries with painted canvases suspended off the walls or from the ceilings and often draped over objects such as sawhorses or ladders. These pieces encouraged improvisation because they could not be hung in the same manner twice.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Motorworks Yappy Hour to Benefit Friends of Manatee County Animal Services , February 21 – December 19, 1pm-4pm

Friends of Manatee County Animal Services (FoMCAS) invites everyone to join them at the February Yappy Hour at Motorworks Brewery. FoMCAS will be the featured nonprofit and will have over $4000 in raffles and silent auction items plus a 50/50 drawing to help fundraise for the Manatee County Animal Services shelter animals. The family friendly and pet friendly event will be held on Sunday, February 21st in the Motorworks Beer Garden from 1pm to 4pm. The event will feature vendors selling an array of pet and non-pet related products with drink specials and food from local food trucks all in the 12,000 sq ft. artificially turfed beer garden. Raffles and silent auction items include resort stays on Anna Maria Island, spa packages, restaurant gift cards, sailing excursions, fabulous gift baskets, pet items, tickets to sporting events and a golf package, handmade arts by local artisans, jewelry, baskets of spirits, gourmet gift packages, and much, much more. Pet owners are encouraged to bring their leashed pets to enjoy the day and help contribute to the Friends of Manatee County Animal Services whose mission it is to work hand in hand with Manatee County Animal Services to enrich the lives of the shelter animals by raising funds to provide additional resources, medical care and heartworm treatment. Animal Network is the event partner with Motorworks Brewery for the monthly Yappy Hour held on the third Sunday of each month. It features different local nonprofit animal organizations that support, rescue, and find loving homes for dogs and cats in our community. Each month, the guest organization receives the funds raised through the silent auction, raffles and 50/50 split drawing. Over the last three years the event has raised over $100,000 shared among the various guest organizations. Animal Network, Dawg Phonics and Motorworks are sponsors of the Yappy Hour.

[SOON]  HEALTH: Beer Yoga Sundays in Big Top's Beer Garden , February 24 – May 2, 12:30pm-1:30pm

Join us for BEER YOGA outside at Big Top Brewing Co, in the beer garden from February 24 through May 2 from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. $10/ Yoga + 1 beer (or cider). Approachable for ALL levels. BYOM: Bring Your Own Mat & any props you desire. Enjoy your (1 included) tasty Big Top Beer before, after, or during class. If you choose to have it during class, we will use it! Be prepared to raise your beer to the sky in Triangle Pose or maybe take a sip as you balance in Dancer Pose. Each class, Tara offers a fun yoga routine designed to provide a well-balanced practice. Modifications are always offered to make asanas more approachable or more challenging for a student at any level. Yoga with Tara Garland. Space is limited, so sign up today.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Ringling College: 2021 Spring Semester , March 8 – April 30, Varied.

The spring semester features 50 classes and other programs covering a wide variety of topics. Highlights include Alzheimer’s Talks, a two-part series exploring 10 ways to love your brain; Only Hope: My Mother and the Holocaust Brought To Light, about a woman’s internment in Polish ghettos and two Nazi concentration camps; and From Public Health To Public Enemy: What Happens When Public Sentiment Obstructs Public Health. Classes and lectures are offered using a hybrid model—in-person on the Ringling College Museum Campus and online via the Zoom platform. Registration is now open for the spring 2021 semester at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Ringling College (OLLI at Ringling College), which runs March 8 through April 30, 2021. The semester features dozens of classes and programs covering a wide variety of topics. Classes are offered using a hybrid model—in-person on the Ringling College Museum Campus and online via the Zoom platform. Classes cover a rich diversity of topics, including art and music appreciation, health and well-being, global issues, philosophy, religion, culture and travel, and science. When offered in-person, classes will be held at the Ringling College Museum Campus (1001 South Tamiami Trail); masks and physical distancing will be required.

[SOON]  GALLERY: Virtual: Art Center Sarasota: Micro & Macro: Work by Savannah Magnolia , March 18 – April 16, Gallery hours.

Savannah Magnolia says her educational background in chemistry and neuroscience, laboratory precision, and the hidden physiology of the body inspire her work from March 18 to April 16. “My paintings merge science with art by re-presenting anatomy through stylized forms and hyper-saturated colors to subvert traditional expectations of anatomical diagrams. These large paintings expose inner systems and confront viewers with what it means to be a living body within the context of our current healthcare system. Landscapes are also used as metaphors to explore the horrors of the pharmaceutical industry, invasion of technology, disregard for the environment, and over-consumption. The superficial whimsy allows for such issues to be addressed with a subtler tone – giving a fantastical glimpse at what our world might become.” The exhibit will also include one site-specific work.

[SOON]  GALLERY: Virtual: Art Center Sarasota: Work from the Personal Collection of SARTQ Artists , March 18 – April 16, Gallery hours.

SARTQ, an area-based artist collective was founded in 2008 by Tim Jaeger and Joseph Arnegger, begun informally, the group quickly grew, exhibiting around the region and state, including at Art Basel Miami. After a hiatus of two years, SARTQ has now resumed creating artistic experiences throughout the community. This exhibit features work from the personal collections of eight members. This exhibition will take place from March 18 through April 16.

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Urbanite Theatre: Special Engagement: 2021 Modern Works Festival , April 13 – April 18

the 2021 Modern Works Festival Presented by Summer Dawn Wallace will be held from April 13 to 18, 2021. A playwriting contest, virtual reading festival and celebration of women in theatre. Of more than 300 scripts submitted, we've chosen three finalists to workshop and give staged readings with professional directors and actors. See all three readings, and you'll qualify to vote for the festival-winning playwright, who will take home a $3000 honorarium. Tickets will go on sale in January, 2021.

[SOON]  SPORTS: Sarasota County Croquet Club Hosts 2021 USCA National Championships , April 11 – April 17

The U.S. Croquet Association (USCA) will host its 2021 Association Laws National Championship April 11 - 17, 2021 at the Sarasota County Croquet Club (SCCC), located at Wellfield Park, 1400 Lucaya Avenue, in Venice. Forty of the top croquet players in the United States will gather to compete for the U.S. National Champions titles. Due to the event size, The Gasparilla Inn & Club, 500 Palm Ave, in Boca Grande will serve as a co-hosting venue Monday through Friday. The week-long tournament will feature single and doubles competitions, with the winners being crowned on Saturday, April 17, in Venice. Unlike many other sports, this national championship will feature a very diverse field of players competing against one another. Men and women of all ages will compete in the same divisions, which are only determined by skill level. Fourteen-year-old Blake Fields, of Rancho Mirage, Calif., is the youngest competitor. Targeting a younger generation of players is a special priority for the SCCC. While the club’s current membership base skews older, with the median age ranging in the 70s, outreach efforts are focused on youth organizations.

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Sarasota Opera: Dido & Aeneas , April 11 – April 25, 1:30pm and 7:30pm

Henry Purcell's Dido and Aeneas will play at the Sarasota Opera House on April 11 at 1:30pm, April 15 at 7:30pm, April 17 at 7:30pm, April 20 at 7:30pm, April 22 at 7:30pm, and April 25 at 1:30pm. In this Baroque treasure based on The Aeneid of Virgil, Dido the Queen of Carthage falls in love with the Trojan warrior Aeneas, yet scheming sorcery and fateful spells doom their great passion. Hear the abandoned and heartbroken queen conclude the epic tale with one of opera’s most memorable laments. Tickets start at $25 and online streaming is also available.

[SOON]  SCIENCE AND NATURE: The Ringling: Bayfront Gardens Tour , April 10 – April 26, 1pm

This walking tour led by volunteer guides will introduce you to interesting botanical specimens on the estate while providing a historic overview of the development of the estate from April 10 through April 26 at 1pm. The Ringling Arboretum has been accredited at Level II through ArbNet and there are over 2350 trees within the arboretum representing native, exotic, historical, and culturally significant trees. Garden Tours are available Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays and will take place entirely outdoors. It is 90 minutes in length and covers approximately 1 mile. We encourage visitors to bring bottled water, and wear appropriate footwear, preferably closed-toe, sunblock, and hats. There will be a maximum of 10 participants per tour. Masks are required of all participants, as well as social distancing. Tours are subject to weather conditions. Tickets are $15 for nonmembers and $10 for members and will be available 30 days prior to each event. Please check it at the Visitors Pavilion prior to your tour.

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

Copyright © 2024 by SRQ Media Group, 331 South Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236.
Powered by Sarasota Web Design | Unsubscribe

Read More

Driven by Honor, Soured by Division

Driven by Honor, Soured by Division

Jacob Ogles | Apr 1, 2024

A Class Act

A Class Act

Dylan Campbell | Apr 1, 2024

Return of the Roaring Twenties

Return of the Roaring Twenties

Laura Paquette | Apr 1, 2024

Versatile Venue

Versatile Venue

Laura Paquette | Apr 1, 2024