Diversions 04.11.13

Diversions YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

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HOME&GARDEN | home of the month

by Robert Plunket | Contributing Writer

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Top A sunny aerie in Plymouth Harbor holds memories of an adventurous life.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

// Arts&Entertainment: speaking out

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

Waxing poetic Poetry changed Cedric Hameed’s life — now he’s paying it forward.

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Photo by Mallory Gnaegy

“I could have used it as an excuse to take a self-destructive path and to have a chip on my shoulder, but I made the decision to be different. I wanted to make a change,” Cedric Hameed says.

oet Cedric Hameed grew up in Schenectady, N.Y., — a poor, crime-ridden, urban community. When he was in fourth grade, a documentary filmmaker for PBS, seeking potentially at-risk children to feature in a poetry study, came to his elementary school.

This man believed that if kids had an avenue of expression via poetry, then they’d be able to express how they felt about their environment, then progress and better their lives. Every Wednesday, the man would visit their classroom to teach them about sonnets, haikus, blank verse, free verse, etc., and, then, the students would write poetry.

“He planted the seed,” Hameed says. And the man was right; poetry enlightened Hameed — and saved his life.

The now 35-year-old wants to pay it forward to the community of Sarasota by initiating change through spoken word. The performance art is a meeting point of music, theater and lyric as a means of storytelling.

“Spoken word is the expression of saying exactly how you feel,” Hameed says. Since he

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// Arts&Entertainment moved four years ago from the Bronx, N.Y., to Sarasota, he’s founded and led Speaking Volumes Poetry Slam — a televised scholastic competition among Sarasota County high school students. Seven students each from Booker High School, Sarasota Military Academy, Sarasota High School and Northport High School will be featured in the next competition, which takes place April 29, at Florida Studio Theatre.

“For a lot of kids, it’s more than a poetry slam. It’s the first time they can say how they feel on a platform where they can be heard,” he says.

One young man had been kicked out of several schools in Sarasota County when Hameed met him. The student became involved in the poetry slam and eventually decided he wanted to do more with his life. He graduated from Booker and is attending the University of Florida.

But 33-year-old Hameed’s outreach doesn’t stop with youth. He leads a bi-monthly adult spoken word class at Florida Studio Theatre from October through March. He’s also a part of the Poetry Life Initiative, a weekend of events beginning May 3 that promotes poetry education through collaboration among FST, Bookstore 1 and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

But poetry wasn’t always the major influence in Hameed’s life. In fact, in high school, the 6-foot, 6-inch teen had played basketball with Los Angeles Clippers power forward Lamar Odom and was on his way to pursuing a professional basketball career, beginning at Boston

if you go SPOKEN @ The Cabaret A monthly spoken-word poetry performance When: 7 p.m. Monday, April 15. Runs every third Monday of the month.

Where: Florida Studio Theatre’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1241 N. Palm Ave. Cost: Tickets are $5 Info: For more information, call 366-9000.

University. However, upon graduation from high school, he discovered a paperwork filing mishap left him ineligible to play.

Hameed went to a community college in Jamestown, N.Y., instead. Because of this, his passion for the sport declined, and he lost his direction.

“I didn’t want to let go of the fact that the ball had stopped bouncing,” he says.

His brother, Kashif Hameed, convinced him to stay with him in the Bronx and help him initiate a poetry program to get adults and teens off the streets.

His brother had no knowledge of Hameed’s poetic outlet, or that he’d been writing poetry since elementary school. He would write something and immediately throw it away.

Hameed planned his first spoken-word poetry café without the help of his brother and invited 90 friends and family members. But only seven people

Speaking Volumes Poetry Slam When: Monday, April 29 Where: Florida Studio Theatre It will eventually be available OnDemand, under the “Get Local” tab.

ONLINE: See a clip of Cedric Hameed giving an example of Spoken Word online at YourObserver.com. attended.

“I hadn’t done spoken-word poetry prior to that night or said how I felt,” he says. But the attendees encouraged him to follow through with the event.

“I had an adrenaline rush, and I hadn’t had that same feeling since playing basketball,” he says of performing for the first time at his event.

After Hameed performed, his father was so inspired by his son, that he wrote something on the spot he wanted to read.

At that point, everyone wrote a poem and shared it.

“It was a big point, to see that poetry had a big effect on something,” he says.

For Hameed, poetry filled the void that basketball had left.

When Hameed was in elementary school, his alcoholic grandfather physically abused him when he used to stay with his grandparents every summer. He never told anyone about it, and

it was a hard situation to process emotionally. Basketball acted as his outlet, but it was stripped from him.

“I could have used it as an excuse to take a self-destructive path, to have a chip on my shoulder,” he says. “But I made the decision that I wanted to be different, I wanted to make a change.”

For two months following the first spoken-word café, Hameed’s determination grew. He studied spoken word, went to as many venues as he could and got over the fear of performing.

At his next event, 90 people attended. Eventually, it was a standing-room-only event. To boot, it was regularly televised on the HBO show, “Def Poetry Jam.” “I had a lot of teens who weren’t in school, but some started writing college essays — just from doing spoken word,” he says.

Hameed wanted to continue his community outreach when he moved to Sarasota to begin a family. His outreach isn’t for profit; he works full-time for Comcast. The cable company has even helped support his cause by televising “Speaking Volumes Poetry Slam” each year.

He’s honest with the students in his spoken-word events about the fact that he went through rough times and turned out OK. He wants to be a positive influence to help them know they can be something more; they can do something different.

“I feel like if you make it through certain situations in life, that you’ll end up becoming that example or voice that other people need to hear,” he says.

Five things that inspire Cedric Hameed: 1. Author and poet Maya Angelou. “I can identify with a lot of personal tragedy that you have to go through to find your voice. I think she’s a great example.”

2. Poet and social activist Langston Hughes. “The era in which he decided to be so expressive was uncommon for others. He was a big part of the Harlem Renaissance, a movement that inspired a group of people to look past their own circumstances to progress and change. Anyone about change inspires me, to be honest.”

3. Rapper Tupac Shakur. “He inspired me, not by what he glorified, but because he’s a big example of someone who goes through an internal struggle. He gave me examples of mistakes or pathways I didn’t want to take.

4. News stories. “In February, a basketball team in Texas let their special-needs basketball manager play the last five minutes of the game. The team they were playing was aware of it, gave the ball to him and let him score. It reminds me that there’s something bigger than myself here.”

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

// Arts&Entertainment: COLUMN

HEARD

By Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor | mgnaegy@yourobserver.com

Jake Brady and Grace Howel

“Retrospective” by Pablo Rojas will be on display through April 26 as part of the “Curated Unknowns II.”

 First of bi-annual art INSTALLATION

 Second installment of the now known

Jake Brady of MillerBrady Fine Art has finally settled into his new location after a year and decided he needed to host an event at the cool industrial space he loves to share with people. It’s tucked away in the Rosemary District, at 614 Florida Ave. “We wanted to do something where the artist was the focus,” he says. “We didn’t want it to be a $125 ticket gala or a street art fair.”

He and fellow artist Grace Howel decided to host an art show, “Art Off Palm.” It featured area artists in addition to themselves: Joni YounkinsHerzog, Joel Garcia-Vela, David Leifer and Frank Creaturo. There were paintings, sculptures and tons of artwork. Meadow Parish, a female singer-songwriter, entertained, and caterers served drinks and appetizers.

It was a trendy feel at the inaugural event, and more than 200 people attended the art exhibition. Brady suggests this event will take place at the start and close of every season.

Thanks to Zachary Gilliland, who curated “Curated Unknowns II,” which opened April 4, at Art Center Sarasota, the unknown artists are a little more known. It’s the second installment of the theme that he hopes will help shed light on seven Sarasota artists and two sculptors from St. Augustine that are emerging, contemporary artists in Florida.

“We’re all hurting for representation,” Gilliland says. Gilliland is an artist, himself, who worked for the art center as assistant curator before taking on the position of chair of the Exhibitions Committee (the volunteer committee of local art professionals). He also does some janitorial work at the art center to pay off student loans that he took out to become an artist.

The 40 pieces he selected from artists he heard of through word of mouth represent a variety of talent featuring pop art and abstract to digital illustration and ceramic por-

Photo by Mallory Gnaegy

The set as it appears on stage, as designed by Judy Gailen. The blue portion of the wall is on a turret and transforms into a hidden bar.

 The perfect set to commit a murder Gillette Castle was home to American actor William Gillette, the actor known for pioneering Sherlock Holmes’ character. Gillette is also the man on which Ken Ludwig based his murder-mystery farce script, “The Game’s Afoot.”

Asolo Repertory Theatre is hosting a production of the play through May 12. The production opened March 29, and featured an impressive set, complete with a rotating hidden room and massive curving staircase.

The set also featured one full wall of murals. According to set designer Judy Gailen, Gillette was a fan of the painter, Maxfield Parrish, whose paintings hung on the castle’s wall — Gailen is also a fan.

She was also inspired by a friend’s photos of California sunsets that reminded Gailen of Parrish’s work.

So, she wanted to recreate a mural that included the sunsets, as well as capture the Parrish paintings To research the production, Gailen and director Greg Leaming visited the castle where it’s perched above the Connecticut River. Gillette built it in 1914 on a 184-acre plot. He had the castle built to look like medieval ruins — the perfect setting for a murder.

“We learned the playwright didn’t want Gillette Castle, he wanted an Art Deco palace,” Gailen says in an email. She found it eccentric and remarkable; for instance, every door in the castle was different. She hoped to capture the eccentricity and play true to the script as Ludwig intended, and it’s a sight to see.

Photo by Mallory Gnaegy

Karen and Grace Roe Each week, The Observer posts a Patron Saints video featuring patrons of performing-arts groups and the venues to which they donate.

This week, Karen Roe talks about her experience with The Players Theatre of Sarasota. Friends directed Roe to The Players as a cure for her daughter Grace’s shy behavior — she couldn’t order at restaurants or make any eye contact. Grace took an acting class there, and now she’s starring in The Player’s Kids and The Players’ productions. Roe believes every child should have this opportunity, which is why she donates.

Visit yourobserver.com/content/ Patron-Saints-378.html to hear the full story. If you’re new to the series, you can view every video through the same link. Be sure to check back to Scene and Heard each week to learn about the next Patron Saint.

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traits. It runs through April 26 and features work from Ringling College of Art and Design alumni, such as the artist who goes by “Javo” and works from Pablo Rojas, as seen on left.

DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

// Arts&Entertainment: Highlights

5

by Yaryna Klimchak | Community Editor

iConcept brings artful haute couture The Art Center of Sarasota presented the fifth annual iConcept fashion show Friday, April 5, at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. Designers showcased a number of outfits made from materials including tennis balls, coffee packets and hazard cones.

“Natural Beauty” by Stephanie Peters

“With This Tee” by Natasha Joffer

“Love All” by Lisa Berger

Online For more photos from the 5th annual iConcept fashion show, visit YourObserver.com.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

// Arts&Entertainment: Spotlight

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

Unplugged allows Asolo Rep audience to plug in to up-and-coming plays

Photo by Mallory Gnaegy

Dramaturg Lauryn Sasso, actress and guest artist Gail Rastorfer, FSU/Asolo Conservatory third-year student Erin Whitney and Stage Manager Kelly Borgia rehearse with playwright Deborah Zoe Laufer and director Sean Daniels (not pictured).

The Havasupai Indians call the burnt-orange cliffs of the Grand Canyon home, and their tribe’s oral history suggests they emanated from the vast natural wonder, said to be the tribe’s guardian.

That is, until DNA test results from Arizona State University suggested their ancestors actually crossed the frozen Bering Sea to arrive in North America. It was devastating news to the Havasupai.

The 2010 court case, Havasupai Tribe v. Arizona State University Board of Regents, inspired playwright Deborah Zoe Laufer’s newest script, “Informed Consent.”

Laufer was present April 6, when company members of Asolo Repertory Theatre and FSU/ Asolo Conservatory students at “Unplugged” read the script of her play. The audience gave Laufer feedback during the talkback session following the reading.

“Unplugged” is a relatively new festival that allows upcoming playwrights to test drive their current and still-being-developed scripts on a Sarasota audience.

The playwrights are present for the readings that take place through April 27.

The mostly New York-based playwrights who attend are on the rise, and the Sarasota audience gets a glimpse of these productions before the final work premieres.

It was Laufer’s first time participating in Asolo Rep’s fourth

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THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

7

// Arts&Entertainment annual play festival. Her play examines the questions that arise in today’s society because universally accessible DNA testing allows more answers than ever before: If you were predisposed to early onset Alzheimer’s, would you test your 4-year-old child to find out if they are, too?

It just so happens that ARCpoint Labs in Sarasota offers individuals DNA testing services — and Laufer was able to do on-site research during her visit to Sarasota.

Her connection to Asolo Rep comes through her friend and colleague, Sean Daniels. Daniels directed the reading in Sarasota, and the duo will premiere the play next spring in Rochester, N.Y. Daniels’ mother, Kathy Daniels, is a Sarasota resident.

if you go Fourth annual New Play Festival Unplugged When: 8 p.m. Friday, April 12 “When Tang Met Laika,”

by Rogelio Martinez and directed by Brendon Fox; 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27 “Marquis Aurelius,”

by Steven Drukman and directed by Greg Leaming Where: Asolo Rep Rehearsal Hall at FSU/ Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Cost: Individual readings, $7. Festival pass, $21 Info: Call 351-9010 for more information

“The Sarasota audience will have a large chance to influence where the script is going, and its impact on it is a really big deal,” Sean Daniels said before the reading.

Sean Daniels participated last year when he directed Steven Drukman’s play “Death of the Author.” Drukman will be back this year, but this time, Daniels is directing Laufer’s script and Greg Leaming, assistant artistic director of Asolo Repertory Theatre and director of FSU/Asolo Conservatory, will direct Drukman’s newest in-the-works script. On April 27, a reading of Drukman’s play “Marquis Aurelius,” will take place under the direction of Leaming.

Drukman’s play is about two college-aged Midwestern men: a black football player on the track to success and a white drug dealer with fewer opportunities. It’s about teamwork and communication, and Drukman says he wrote it in a style completely different than his norm. Instead of an intricate plot, he took a nod from playwright Annie Baker’s style and peeled away the fourth wall to explore the space with the audience — which is why he appreciates feedback.

“Any sort of developmental scrutiny is good for a new play, and putting it in front of an audience is a bonus,” Drukman says. “Michael (Donald Edwards) and Greg (Leaming) have cultivated a really good audience, it seems to me.”

Famed playwright John Guare talks about his new play — kind of His first play that underwent the “Unplugged” process was “The Innocents,” and it proved successful. It premiered in the 2010 season at Asolo Rep. In 2014, “Death of the Author” is being produced in Los Angeles.

Also this year, playwright Rogelio Martinez will participate in “Unplugged” for his second time. In 2010, he chose to workshop his piece called “Fizz.” He found the process to be a helpful experience.

His newest play, “When Tang Met Laika,” is about the end of The Cold War and the space collaboration between the Russians and Americans. The title comes from Laika, the first dog sent into space.

Although parts went beautifully in a different version of this play, which was presented last year in Denver, Martinez felt there were other parts that needed to be taken back to the drawing board. The version being presented is the result of his extended work on the piece. He’s excited to present it in front of an audience April 12, and to see how the audience receives it this time around.

“The different thing about being a playwright is that your learning happens in public,” he says. “You can write your play at home, but you need to feel the temperature of the room.”

John Guare is the says. only Tony-award The Greenfield winner attending this Prize award allowed year’s “Unplugged” at him to take two trips Asolo Rep. His readto Latin America to ings take place April relive what happened 18 and April 19, at 28 years ago and to Historic Asolo The“get the details right.” ater. Guare is known He returned from for his plays, “Six his second trip to BoDegrees of Separalivia in November and tion,” “Landscape spent the next two of the Body” and months working on it.

“The House of Blue “I’ve never written Photo courtesy Paul Kolnik a play like this before, Leaves.”

He’s coming to Playwright John Guare will so my process is quite Sarasota because, in premeire his newest work different,” he says.

April 18 and 19 at Asolo 2010, he received the Repertory Theatre This play is more reGreenfield Prize, an ality based than othannual award that gives an artist ers. $30,000 as a commission for a piece Even if he won’t speak much to premiere at a Sarasota venue. about it now, Sarasota will be the Guare has had two years to develop first to hear a reading and, through his piece. feedback, could help develop the Guare worked on his still-being- route the famed playwright’s script developed play, “Eddie in the An- takes to end its journey. des,” for 10 days at Hermitage Artist Retreat, where he assembled notes and found his footing.

He won’t reveal too much about it because he says it’s a new play that he’s still discovering and that he’s ‘Eddie in the Andes’ by John still in the middle. But, Guare did Guare; directed by Michael Donald Edwards give some hints: He wrote about an hour of script, When: 8 p.m. Thursday, April 18 which he says is about halfway and 2 p.m. Friday, April 19 through. It takes place in South America — a place 75-year-old Where: Historic Asolo Theater, Guare visited when he was in his 5401 Bay Shore Road 40s.

Cost: Individual readings, $7. “(The play) reviews something Festival pass, $21 that happened to me 25 years ago in South America that I only very re- Info: Call 351-9010 for more cently began to understand,” Guare information

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THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

// Arts&Entertainment: reviews

CLASSROOM CRITIC The mission of Sarasota Film Festival’s education department is to inspire, educate and entertain students by promoting creativity, collaboration and community involvement. SFF Education reaches more than 5,000 students, working with them year-round, and creates special opportuni-

ties for recognition during the festival, empowering students with critical-thinking skills and the tools to express themselves.

All youthFEST films are free for kids ages 12 and under. For a full listing of youthFEST shorts programs, feature films and events, visit sarasotafilmfestival.com.

‘LUMINARIS’ Emma Roberts | Out-of-Door Academy

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“Luminaris,” directed by Juan Pablo Zaramella, brings a man and a woman working in a factory to a new light. It was funny, delightful, bizarre and unique. This story shows how dreams can come true if you work hard and don’t break rules.

The plot of the film is an average man working in a light-bulb factory to make a living. He also has a dream to illuminate the sky by creating a giant flying light bulb. To accomplish this, he had to steal tools from work. He almost had enough to make his goal, but the lurking, strict and mean boss caught him, and he was fired. He goes home sadly and walked away from his dream. Later, his co-worker came by and gave him the rest of the tools he needed. All night, they worked on it together and soon they illuminated the sky.

The techniques they used were metaphors. The introduction to this short film had many metaphors. The first was when the shadow faded off of all the buildings, which meant that everything was waking up. They put that in the film because it symbolized the start. The director’s style was a silent film. It had catchy music, but no one spoke; this made the film very intriguing.

In conclusion, this film had everything, from romance to action. It was easy to catch on to the plot and it kept you entertained. People who like comedy, romance and action will love this. This film

Courtesy photo

has a great message, too — don’t cheat at life, but continue to follow your heart and chase your dreams.

Hayes Chatham | St. Stephen’s Episcopal School “Luminaris” is a creative, witty and unique film. Director Juan Pablo Zaramella applies phenomenal film techniques to enhance an imaginary world. Hilarious facial expressions and a man’s great ambitions make “Luminaris” a great film.

Initially, “Luminaris” summarizes the day of a man, played by Gustavo Cornillon, who works in a very interesting light bulb factory. The light bulbs are produced through each worker’s mouth, like a bubble gum bubble. The audience soon realizes that the man aspires to do more in his life. When our antagonist, the man’s boss, Luis Rial, fires him, his dreams are crushed. Soon, his co-worker, Maria Alche, discovers his ambitions, and helps him to accomplish them.

Cornillon plays the protagonist very well and contributes to the film with

quirky and hilarious facial expressions.

Rial portrays his character as a disgruntled worker who wants to find any mistakes his employees make. Thirdly, the woman co-worker, played by Maria Alche, is a sweet character who helps the man in need out of kindness and falls in love. All of the characters are obviously making the same film and portray their parts very well.

Sergio Pineyro, “Luminaris’” director of photography, executed a variety of advanced and complicated film techniques.

He combines stop motion and time lapse into a masterpiece. When the man seemingly glides on light during his daily commute, the actor must stand in one place until the angle of the sun changes. Then, the actor moves a little and the crew shoots another picture and then repeats the process. This is surely strenuous work.

The combination of these techniques allow the actors to perform amazing feats, such as pulling a light bulb out of one’s mouth, or paper out of an ear.

Overall, “Luminaris” is a great film, full of animated actors and great filming.

‘ANTOINE'S FOUR SEASONS’ Kyla Rudd | Braden River Middle School Music and beautiful art all in one movie? “Antoine’s Four Seasons” has it. Audiences will simply love the film because of the animation by Philippe Béziat. The story that was just music and animation will make the viewers want to watch this pure amazement to the eyes.

The movie is about Antoine getting a magical drawing book for his 10th birthday and drawing something new every season. You will see Antoine’s drawings brought to life as it is being drawn. If he didn’t close the book before leaving, there would be consequences, which Antoine learns after making the mistake. The entire movie was filled with the beautiful sound of an orchestra that plays along

with the drawings. The drawings by Antoine go through the four seasons.

The actors didn’t say a word, but still did an amazing job. The emotion on Antoine’s face gave the scene an extra push for how the audience should be feeling.

The scared look on Antoine’s grandfather’s face when he didn’t close the book showed how bad it was.

The director combined animation and real life with music to make the beautiful movie. The camera angles were amazing choices. The audience is sure to love seeing all the cute drawings come to life. The music gave the feeling of the scene.

This movie is purely amazing. It could be a bit too long for young ages, but if you watch it, you’ll appreciate everything about it. The director did an amazing job putting it together and must have taken a lot of time to make it. So, if you love music and adorable animations, I’d definitely watch this movie.

Samantha Velasquez | Booker Middle School Imagination. Inspiration. That’s what Philippe Béziat did in the creative film, “Les Saison d’ Antoine,” or “Antoine’s Four Seasons.” This film touches all the emotions with happiness, mystery, scariness, and it’s also intriguing. It’s the heartwarming story of a grandpa’s present to his grandchild. Magical.

The music matches every season with happiness, feared storms, flying ladybugs and a scared hedgehog. It starts with fall, and two interesting squirrels running for an acorn, then follows with winter, and a storm that scares a poor hedgehog and music that makes your heart beat faster. After winter leaves, spring comes, with magical beans, like “Jack and the Beanstalk,” that grow tall with roots and animals. Last, but not least, is summer with flying butterflies and smiling flowers.

This film and its creativity deserve five stars with heartwarming, fast, high and low music to match every mood. It’s a story of imagination and the passing of time.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

9

// Arts&Entertainment: reviews

THEATER

THEATER

// ‘Miss Saigon’

// ‘Venus in Fur’

More than 20 years since its Broadway debut, “Miss Saigon” remains emotionally affecting. Loosely based on “Madama Butterfly,” David Belasco’s turn-of-the-century dramatization of the story of an Asian woman abandoned by her American soldier lover was written by the “Les Miserables” team of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg, with co-lyricist Richard Maltby Jr. The play relives the human toll of the Vietnam War by focusing on the plight of the civilians living there circa the infamous, hellish fall of Saigon in 1978. Called “soft opera,” the entire story is told through lyrics. Even though, at times, the lyrics are banal and repetitive, the score is lush and melodic, the orchestration and execution beautiful, the singing stirring.

As the inaugural production of the new Manatee Performing Arts Center, the production suits the space well. Both are large yet intimate. Designed by Marc Lalosh, small sets are wheeled onto the large stage; the backdrop of slatted wood suits the mood, as does the metal chain-link fence, and the lights and platform that make up the famous helicopter scene used to dramatically illustrate the anguish of those left behind when the American troops evacuate.

Smoothly directed and choreographed by Rick Kerby, the production moves at a good pace, flowing through scenes of alternating hope and despair. Aaron Cassette’s musical direction is lofty, except when hampered by a few technical glitches.

Holly Rizzo is perfect as the lead character, Kim, a 17-year-old who has been forced into prostitution after her parents were killed in the war. The play essentially lives or dies with her, and she delivers an idealistic resolute, loving young woman with a beautiful, shining voice.

The engineer, played by multitalented Omar Montes, with his strong voice and charismatic acting, also carries the show,

The Asolo’s Repertory Theatre’s latest production is a delightfully provocative Rubik’s Cube of a play-within-a-play, based on a manuscript-within-a-book, written in 1870 by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, after whom the term, “masochism,” was coined.

Tea Alagic, acclaimed New York director and artist, directs playwright David Ives’ “Venus in Fur” within an inch of its life. The audience hangs on every word, agog between laughter and suspense. The basic plot concerns an actress who arrives late for an audition to find only the writer/director still in the office. Eventually, she persuades him to let her audition anyway. What follows is a witty, edgy and often ribald exploration of the eternal dance of power and sexuality between man and woman, as well as director and actress. The two-person play is an actor’s dream, requiring them to whipsaw between period and contemporary characters and amaze us with their mastery of each, which these two do quite skillfully, excelling at every demand of the rich dialogue.

Sarah Nealis plays auditioning Vanda; and Scott Kerns plays Thomas, a writer/ director who has adapted “Venus in Furs,” a novelette about a man who gets his wish to be dominated by a woman he adores.

The pair engages in an intellectual and emotional pas de deux, which is sensual, but not to an uncomfortable degree. Both actors deliver dynamic, surprising and utterly satisfying performances.

It’s an intimate play and well suited to the cozy confines of the Historic Asolo Theater. The set design by Andrew Boyce perfectly recreates a small block-walled New York studio/rehearsal space, which includes an all-important chaise longue.

Courtesy

Holly Rizzo and William E. Masuck star in “Miss Saigon.” from the other end of the spectrum. He represents those who not only survive but thrive on the war, profiting first from the French and later the Americans, by exploiting women and selling whatever he can acquire. He wants to immigrate to New York, which he envisions as a paradise of gaudy sleaze, where he can appease his greed in the land of plenty, epitomized in the song, “American Dream.”

William E. Massuck plays Chris, Kim’s lover and father of her child. The lesser character of John, however, is more strongly written, and in it, Brian Chunn strongly stands out.

— Paula Atwell

if you go “Miss Saigon” runs through April 14, at Manatee Players. For more information, call 748-0111.

Photo by My Union House

Scott Kerns and Sarah Nealis star in “Venus in Fur.” Sarah Pickett’s sound design provides rain, plot-turning phone calls and facetious claps of thunder, with the accompanying lighting supplied by Matthew Richards.

Costume designer Emily Rebholz provides a trunk full of period costumes as well as some leather and lace.

— Paula Atwell

if you go “Venus in Fur” runs through April 28, at Historic Asolo Theater. For more information, call 351-8000.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

// Arts&Entertainment: REVIEWS

Music

FILM

// Chroma Quartet

// ‘No’

The Chroma Quartet has been together since 2008, but it’s only this season the group really made a splash on the Sarasota music scene. The players — violinists Christopher Takeda and Jennifer Best Takeda, violist Michael McClelland and cellist Abraham Feder — are all members of the Sarasota Orchestra but, unlike several other chamber groups that are under the mantel of the orchestra, this ensemble is on its own. As a result, the members have had to fend for themselves in terms of fundraising, publicity and venues — and they’ve done really well.

This year, Chroma presented three concerts for the First Tuesdays at First Church series, appearing there to bigger and bigger audiences each time. And with good reason.

Chroma’s programs are unique and fascinating. Its last concert, about a week ago, was called “Seriously Joking!” and went from Haydn’s E-flat Quartet — known as “The Joke,” to Beethoven’s Quartet in F Minor, subtitled, “Serioso,” with a charmingly quirky, awaardwinning “Half-Diminished Scherzo,” by Piotr Szewczyk, in between.

Along with the clever programming, Chroma plays well. Haydn’s “Joke” is a serious work filled with insider music pranks along with some obvious gags that can put the audience in musical stitches. It’s also an extremely exposed piece that leaves intonation and blending vulnerable but, except for some rare balance nuisances, Chroma pulled it off with a pure, straight execution that had the audience chuckling along with the unexpected syncopations and multiple false endings.

The “Half-Diminished Scherzo” offers intricate rhythmic pulses, intriguing cascades of almost modal-sounding scales and a slow passage layered with shimmering intervals and tiers of colorful chords that were densely written but well-defined in the hands of Chroma.

The late afternoon sun streaming through

The psychology behind selling political ideology has become a powerful resource.

In 1988, a young advertising executive and his team managed to achieve the impossible. Against all odds, they ousted Chile’s brutal dictator, Augusto Pinochet, from power. The new film, “No,” demonstrates how eliminating fear through positive imagery can bring about change.

In 1973, a military coup (aided by the CIA) deposed Chile’s elected president, Salvador Allende. Pinochet seized power, and for 15 years his regime was responsible for torturing, kidnapping and murdering political activists. Pressured, he agrees to a “yes” or “no” referendum on continuing his rule. For 27 days, each side is allowed 15 minutes of uncensored TV time to make its case.

Ad man Rene Saavedra is put in charge to develop the “no” campaign. It’s a risky and daunting task — everyone is assuming the election is fixed. His co-workers want him to educate the voters by exposing the horrors that Pinochet exacted upon the Chilean population. Rene thinks otherwise. He believes he can get voters to the polls by accentuating the positive.

Spots, which include dancing, picnicking, singing and a rainbow logo, promote that, by voting “no,” happiness is coming.

Surprisingly, it catches on, and the rest is history.

“No” is somewhat of an oversimplification of how Pinochet was overthrown but nonetheless riveting and engaging. Chilean director Pablo Larrain (“Post Mortem”) has crafted an intensely interesting piece of work, which is as timely as it is good-looking. He chose to shoot on low-resolution video with a 1980s U-Matic video camera. It was a stroke of genius in meshing archival footage with his own, creating a documen-

Courtesy

Michael McClelland, Abraham Feder, Jennifer Best Takeda and Christopher Takeda the church’s stained glass windows added a visual illumination that made this work particularly inspiring. And the sanctuary’s acoustics, unequaled in Sarasota, helped delineate the wondrous sound of this work, which has won awards for Szewczyk.

One of the inspired Chroma trademarks is that each of the group’s members speaks to the audience as an introduction to each piece. Charming, witting and informed, they add their own personalities to the mix of music, making these concerts enlightening as well as entertaining.

In an introduction to the Beethoven, Feder quoted Joseph Kerman, author of “Beethoven Quartets,” with the best description of the “Serioso” Quartet I’ve heard: “It’s impulsive, defiant, pained, adversarial … The F Minor Quartet is not a ‘pretty’ piece, but it is terribly strong — and perhaps rather terrible …

Everything unessential falls victim, leaving a residue of extreme concentration … ” Feder called the work “compressed music,” and the performance that followed was as expressive and descriptive in the Chroma’s playing as the words were in Feder’s introduction.

Chroma is an ensemble that jokes with charm while playing with great seriousness.

The group will be presenting its second season —the first Tuesdays of February, March and April — next year in the Music Fine Arts series at the First United Methodist Church. I suggest you get a subscription before it sells out.

— June LeBell

WHERE GREAT MEMORIES, INNOVATIVE

Gael Garcia Bernal in ‘No’

Courtesy

tary look and feel.

Another smart move was casting Gael Garcia Bernal (“The Motorcycle Diaries”) as the quietly confident Rene. His performance exudes the power of perseverance via a charismatic and, yet, subdued demeanor. In the end as he rides off on his skateboard, we’re as pleased as he, having known good prevailed and evil was sent hiking.

“No” proves the media has the power to manipulate individuals’ decisions. But on a much larger scale, it taps into human nature, itself. By extricating fear from our psyche, do we automatically do the right thing? “No” seems to indicate yes.

— Pam Nadon In Remembrance ... Roger Ebert believed that movies could change our lives. His love of film changed mine.

Online Read Popcorn Bob's Movie Magic reviews of “No,” “56 Up” and “Tyler Perry’s Temptation.”

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// HOME&GARDEN

Crafty Genes

by Mallory & Leslie Gnaegy | DIY Editors

PROJECT: Scaled Wall Art Skill level:

SUPPLIES:

Price:

• One 30- by 40-inch foam core board (black) • 7 to 10 sheets of poster board • Old rag • Three colors of

$$$$$

... after

before ...

wood stain — golden tan, brown and black

TIPS:

• Look online for images of close-up snake scales for a print inspiration.

1 stain the posters Use an old rag and apply wood stain to the sheets of poster board. The image we used had mostly gold, less black and only a few brown scales. We stained around five sheets gold, three sheets black and two brown, but we had a few sheets of poster left over.

For a step-by-step video tutorial of Leslie Gnaegy demonstrating the creation of the scaled wall art, visit YourObserver.com.

4 apply the scales

 Streaks make the scales look textured, so don’t worry if the stain doesn’t look perfect

Lay the scales out on the poster board according to your printed inspiration (start with the top row). Plan the layout and take a photo if you need to remember what looks best. The edges of the scales should touch, and the top layer will be on top of the layer beneath it.

Apply the scales using a dab of hot glue on the bottom point of the diamond shape.

2 cut the squares

Once the boards are dry, cut them into 3.5-inch by 4-inch pieces. It’s quickest to use a paper cutter for this step.

5 trim the edges

3 stencil and cut scales

If there are any black pieces of the poster core showing through, attach leftover scales in those places. Once the glue has set and you’re happy with the turnout, then trim the edges. We also made a custom frame for the wall art.

This is the most tedious and time-consuming part of the project. Make a stencil that was is a rounded diamond shape. Then cut the scales out. Grab a friend or a sibling to help with this step — it takes a long time.

 After all the scales are in place, trim the overhang.

 Trim along the edges to make a scale

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THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

// HOME&GARDEN : home of the month

by Robert Plunket | Contributing Writer (continued from page 1)

View from the Top A sunny aerie in Plymouth Harbor holds memories of an adventurous life.

Maria and Norbert Berta have been married 56 years.

ď‚ Hungarian folk art provides decorative accents.

ď‚ Red-and-black pillows add color to the master bedroom.

The view from the Plymouth Harbor home of Norbert and Maria Berta may well be the best in town. From their 12th floor perch in the middle of Sarasota Bay, you can see the downtown skyline, Siesta and Lido keys, the Gulf and the bay. It’s the perfect setting to enjoy the memories and adventures of a life well lived.

The Bertas’ journey to Sarasota began in the Hungarian town of Szombathely. They met when Maria was only 13, and, even then, Norbert says, “I knew she was the girl I wanted to marry.�

But neither could anticipate the drama of their wedding day.

The year was 1956. After a decade of Communist tyranny, Hungary was exploding in revolution. Norbert, recently graduated from the university, was serving in the army. When the Russians began shelling the barracks, he and many of his fellow soldiers, unable to match the brutal force of the occupying army, fled to Budapest and became wanted men.

Norbert and Maria were engaged at the time. After a quick consultation with their families, they were married immediately and then got a train that took them close to the Austrian border. There, they bribed an army patrol to guide them through the

minefields to Austria and freedom.

Next came immigration to the United States and then a busy life of moving around to various parts of the country, while Norbert pursued a distinguished career in chemical engineering and Maria worked as a med-tech and a teacher. Now, with 56 happy years of marriage behind them, their Plymouth Harbor home blends their personal past and present. Mementos and family photos complement the upto-date dĂŠcor to provide a setting that is unique as the couple themselves. *** The Bertas have lived in many places and visited even more, so when they moved three years ago into Plymouth Harbor they knew exactly what they wanted.

With 2,000 square feet of living area, the Bertas’ home is larger than most units in Plymouth Harbor. The couple renovated the space by incorporating lessons they learned from a succession of condos — six in all — they bought and remodeled on Longboat Key. “Every one I had fun with,�

Norbert recalls, “and every one I made good money.�

The focal point is undoubtedly the view.

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// HOME&GARDEN  Awards, patents and souvenirs line the walls of the office.

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

 Curios and curiosities in the front hall

 A spectacular view to the south highlights the Plymouth Harbor apartment.

The master bedroom, along with an office and a den/guest room, face the east side of the building. Bird Key is the first thing you see; beyond that is a spectacular view of the city skyline. The bedroom is roomy but simple, as befits a home designed for aging in place. Perhaps the most luxurious touch is an enormous, room-size walk-in closet, complete with a large display of the hair bows that Maria habitually wears.

The comfortable den and office both contain mementos of Norbert’s career in chemical engineering, including the patents for the various products he invented. The most interesting of these souvenirs recall his role in one of the great life-and-death

dramas of American business — the famous Tylenol poisoning incident of 1981.

Norbert was working as a plant manager for McNeil (a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson), when the country woke up to terrifying news — someone (the case is still unsolved) tampered with Tylenol capsules on various store shelves in the Chicago area, replacing the medicinal powder inside the capsules with cyanide. Six people died as a result, and the very future of Tylenol was hanging in the balance.

“Everybody had an idea,” Norbert recalls of the chaos that followed. Although he was not in the Research and Development division (he was an engineer), he asked the company for “a million

dollars and a year’s time.” In his kitchen at home he developed the gel capsule and the gel tabs, along with innovations in protective packaging, which not only saved Tylenol but revolutionized the way medicine is sold to the public. *** Today the Bertas’ life revolves around the Plymouth Harbor lifestyle, in which residents are offered a wide range of choices designed to make life simpler, easier and more enriching. Though they usually eat in their apartment, there is an elegant full-service restaurant downstairs, plus a more informal café for burgers and salads. The weekly calendar is filled with events, programs, movies and musical performanc-

 A large walk-in closet provides a luxurious touch “It is precious to us,” Maria says.

The living room and dining area face south, and to make the most of the vista that stretches down the keys all the way to Venice, the Bertas purchased low-slung Italian furniture that doesn’t block the sightlines.

The style is modern — white sofas set on spotless porcelain tile floors — but accents of color are everywhere. Pillows — some that Maria embroidered, others in Hungarian folk patterns and designs — brighten the atmosphere, and paintings — mostly European landscapes and city scenes — line the walls. The effect manages to be both European and resort-like at the same time.

es, which are particular favorites of Norbert and Maria.

As one of the older and more prestigious retirement communities in Sarasota, Plymouth Harbor has the reputation of being an extremely social place. Norbert and Maria enjoy hosting brunches for their fellow residents and for members of Sarasota’s Hungarian community. Physical activity is still important to them — Norbert was a long-distance runner in his younger days — and Plymouth Harbor’s outside and indoor pools, walking trails and kayak facilities provide plenty of options.

But, what centers their life these days is the view and the natural beauty of their surroundings. “It’s a wonderful place,” Norbert says.

“A wonderful way to live.”

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THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

// FOOD&COOKING: COLUMN

TIDBITES

by June LeBell | Contributing Columnist | june@junelebell.com

Louies Modern

Perry Johnson

 Louies Modern Is Open for business

After months of squinting through cracks in the window coverings on the Palm Avenue side of the new parking garage downtown, the much-anticipated restaurant in that space has opened. Louies Modern, with its state-ofthe-art open kitchen, wood-burning oven and grill, has finally opened its doors and, if we’re happy, the Seidensticker family — owners of Libby’s Café and, now, Louies — must be ecstatic.

The concept is modern and energetic. Unlike Libby’s, which is a casual neighborhood hangout (with great food), Louies aims for more advanced dishes prepared with contemporary techniques.

While Libby — the Seidenmade italian sticker mother Buratta (house d, la sa tomato — liked to keep cheese), local focaccia i, in ol pp ci d things simple, pickle Louie — the stick, salt plate

family’s patriarch — fancied the finer things in life, particularly good food and drink. So Louies Modern will be more sophisticated and will offer a contemporary spin on “the good life,” where associates and families gather in a downtown social setting for great food and drink.

Louies is offering everything from snacks such as sunchoke fritti or smoked trout deviled eggs, and small plates — petite prime beef tartar or a country terrine — to flatbreads and pizzetti from the wood-burning oven, dinnersize portions of fire-roasted sea scallops or butcher’s bistro steak frites and even a “gluten free and simply wood fired” list of possibilities.

The Francis

Perry Johnson

 The Francis Is Open for business

Sitting right next door to Louies Modern, and also owned by the Seidensticker family, the Francis is also now officially open. This 300-seat special-events venue bears Steve Seidensticker’s middle name and, coincidentally, Executive Chef Francis Casciato’s first name.

Until now, there were only two or three venues that could be rented by arts and philan-

thropic organizations for major luncheons and dinners. The Francis, which was supposed to be open a couple of months ago, has managed to allow a few dinner parties through its doors but, until now, the bathrooms and ballrooms were barebones. Now, the paintings have been hung on the walls and the fixtures have been properly mounted, so Sarasota has a major venue for food and ambience right downtown. And, with the parking garage adjacent, it makes life easier for those of us toddling in with stiletto heels and minimal cocktail dresses. Good move.

 Eat Out by Stopping In

With the weather warming up, a day at the beach is within the realm of possibility and there’s nothing like a good sandwich to take to the sands of Siesta Key beach. The Crescent Beach Grocery, a staple of the community, has always made good take-out items but now it’s offering a bourbon bacon BLT with brown sugar mayo. Pick it up and take it with one of the unusual sodas you’ll find in the aisles and a bag of gourmet chips. You’ll lap it up as the Gulf of Mexico laps at your feet.

 DEREK’S CULINARY CASUAL IS A MOVER AND SHAKER

Now that Derek Barnes has announced he’s moving from the Rosemary District to Bradenton, he’s also announced plans to host a culinary excursion much farther afield — to Portland, Ore. Barnes, a semifinalist for the James Beard Best Chef South award for Derek’s and winner of Florida Trend’s Golden Spoon award, will be hosting a wine-andCourtesy culinary excursion to Portland with Admiral Derek Barnes Travel International.

Kate Atkin, executive director of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals, says this marks the third such culinary tour the group has hosted since 2011. The program includes behind-thescenes visits to top wineries, walking tours of downtown Portland, excursions to outlying areas, encounters with celebrated chefs and visits to off-the-beaten-path restaurants and farms.

“I’m really excited about hosting this trip,” Barnes says. “Willamette Valley is the largest wine-producing region in the state … That entire region is so lushly beautiful, it’s the perfect backdrop to enjoy fabulous food, beer and wine.”

For more information about the trip, visit AuthentEscapes.com or freshoriginals.com.

Courtesy Garrett Richardson

Spring pea bruschetta

 Carmel Café and Wine Bar Spices Up University Park

We had a fantastic dinner recently at Carmel Café, on Cooper Creek Boulevard. And while we were there, we heard about the café’s modern-looking, cozy but sleek plans for spring.

Stretch out in a comfy armchair and sample the refreshing texture, taste and colors of the spring pea bruschetta. Or have a charbroiled, smoke-infused flatbread of shrimp, red peppers, olives, tomatoes, English cucumber, fontina and feta cheeses and yummy pea shoots while looking out the window from a cozy booth.

My favorite dish was the ravioli verde: spinach and ricotta ravioli topped with fresh peas, portabella mushrooms, haricot verts and pea shoots. Tender and tasty, I could have made a whole meal out of these delicate morsels that seemed to have layers of flavors bursting from their delicate wrappers.

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INSIDE: ‘Blue Ties and Butterflies’ Gala PAGE 20

YourObserver.com

By Rachel S. O’Hara Black Tie Photographer The Florida Wine and Balloon Festival celebrated its 23rd year with events running Thursday, April 4 through Sunday, April 7.

The main events took place at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and Premier Sports Campus, in Lakewood Ranch.

The four-day festival included

wine tastings, charity auctions, delicious food and two elaborate dinners — the Balloon Glow Dinner and the Smokin’ Hot Cigar Dinner, both catered by Mattison’s.

There was also plenty of musical entertainment including Steel Pan Dave, DJ Jack Jr., BC and the Gang and Ben Hammond. Sip and Soar, the final event at Premier Sports Complex, allowed guests

to sample a huge selection from some of the top winemakers in the world.

The balloon portion of the Balloon Glow Dinner did not go as planned due to the windy weather, however, guests got to see the baskets light up with propane flames and, on Saturday and Sunday, they got to see the full grandeur of the balloons.

THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

Pam Revels and David Yarletts

Ed and Maria Kron

inger

Photo by Stephanie Hannum

Board members David Band, Myrna Band, Chip Gaylor, Cathy Rustin, Allan Barberio, Sandy Loevner, Margo Bohaty, Marjorie Floyd and Trey Desenberg

Debbie and Bob Bolton

Sherra Fritz and

Chelsea Roberts

 Jo Ann and Don Burhart with Kandy Kaak

Barbara Staton and Bob Cutler

Matt and Victoria Gerzeny

Black Tie COVER PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGEs 18 and 19

 Bobby Hill and Dr. Deanne Rice

16

DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

// BLACK TIE: COLUMN

blacktie

tales

by Black Tie Staff

Diana walked the boardwalk, two vocalists sang “The Prayer” and Diana’s siblings, Monica and Tommy (brother John is out of the country), and Matt’s brother, James, popped out to congratulate her. After Matt proposed, a firework display began over the water and all of the couple’s friends and family were waiting on the balcony to celebrate.

More than 35 friends and family, who were equally surprised, were gathered to celebrate the newly engaged couple, including Diana’s best friend, Bridget Biederman, who had flown in from New York City for the surprise.

and will be happy to give her a few moments.”

The powers at be are reporting $60,000 was raised from the ask and overall an amount of $200,000 raised, with money still coming in. With time running short toward the end of the event, the 25 years of “She Knows Where She’s Going” retrospective video was unable to be shown, so see the video at girlsincsrq.org.

Next year’s Celebration Luncheon is slated for April 3, 2014, at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.

 Girls Inc. — The real story Matt Buchanan and Diana Kelly

 A fairytale proposal

Courtesy

If you were strolling along the beaches of Longboat Key Sunday, April 7, you might have thought you were walking into the scenes of a romantic movie. However, it was the big finale of Matt Buchanan’s romantic (and well-planned) proposal to Diana Kelly. The couple, who have been dating one-and-half years, celebrated their engagement during a party at the home of Matt’s parents, Vern and Sandy Buchanan.

Little did Diana know … the party was actually for her.

After two months of planning, the surprise evening finally arrived. Matt told Diana the evening’s event was to be his mom’s surprise birthday party (her birthday was actually March 27), so Diana would need to take Sandy for a girls’ day and have her back to the house by 8:15 p.m. When the ladies arrived, Matt told Diana to bring his mom straight to the boardwalk leading to the beach. At that point, Diana was “slightly annoyed” with the photographer who started singing “Happy Birthday,” because Diana thought she was blowing the surprise. At that point, Sandy let Diana know that the evening was actually for her and Matt was waiting. As

More than 800 guests at the April 4 Girls Inc. Celebration Luncheon got a glimpse of the essence or the organization when Zandy Sanders, 13, who was being honored as “Girl of the Year,” lost her composure when it was time for her to speak.

A phalanx of women were on the stage in a flash to surround and Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara support the Zandy Sanders and Lisa young woman while she pulled Walsh pose inside the front herself together cover of The Observer. and went on to dazzle the crowd. It was Girls Inc. in action; the songs and speeches, lovely as they were, didn’t come close to conveying the value of the organization as well as the sight of the female fortress surrounding Sanders. Board President Susan Jones quickly took to the microphone and said, “I’m sure we can all understand how emotional a moment this is for Zandy

Photo by Molly Schechter

Missing the birthday girl: Anne Virag, Claire Love, Lillian Richman, Jeanette DeAngelo, Renée Sheade, Doris Kaplan, Shirley Levine, Helen Learned and Shirley Ries

 April Fools’ birthday

One invitee was missing in action at the luncheon that friends threw for Helen Sherman, at Michael’s On East, on April Fools’ Day. It was the birthday girl who at the last minute had to miss her own party. She was there in spirit, however, and on the phone saying, “I was going to ask whether you were all here because you like me so much … or because you like Michael’s On East food so much.”

 Tidbits

… A message from above? … Marcia Jean Taub wore a lovely skirt inherited from her fashionable late mother, Ethel Taub, to the March 29 opening night of “The Game’s Afoot,” at the Asolo Rep, in honor of the third anniversary of her mom’s death. Completely unaware of the significance of the date, Margaret Wise was also wearing something from Mrs. Taub — a green pants tailleur purchased at Designing Women Boutique, to which her

family consigned much of her estate … Once burned, twice learned … their Jewish customers gave Kim Duffy and Sandi Wagner a hard time because their popular Toasted Mango restaurant had Kelly Engel Christmas decorations but nothing for Hanukkah last winter.

Come Passover, however, the women who run this wildly popular breakfast-and-lunch place were spot on: there was Matzo Brei on the menu all week … Midnight at the Oasis … The guests’ desert finery was on full display at this year’s Orchid Ball, April 6, at Selby Gardens.

Kelly Engel looked fabulous and very “Queen of Jordan,” and Jacqueline Morton made her hat from a scarf and antique lace — hopefully fashion designer Adrienne Vittadini, who was in attendance, approved of all the garb … Date night … Orchid Ball was also the first night out alone — without Saks Marketing Director Sally Schule — for Saks GM Joel Ellzey and his partner, Bryan Felker … Tales from Winefest … Nikki Logan was seen beaming, with fiancé David Curran in tow, at Winefest’s April 5 Balloon Glow Dinner.

The couple is planning their Dec. 1 wedding, to be held at the Postcard Inn, on St. Petersburg Beach. Logan is also celebratn ing a new job ra ur C id av D n — after seven and Nikki Loga years as Whole Foods’ marketing and community outreach director, she will be moving over to Mattison’s as community outreach director. Best wishes, Nikki!

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THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

// BLACK TIE: Camera ready

17

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Benefiting Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County Thursday, April 4, at The RitzCarlton, Sarasota Chairwoman Johanna Gustafsson, Girl of the Year Zandy Sanders, Susan Jones and Chairman Chris Pinckney

Spectacular 11th floor condominium nestled along Sarasota’s famous Lido Key and a short distance to St. Armands Circle. Management and concierge services by The RitzCarlton. Breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico, Bay and the Sarasota city skyline.

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DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

// BLACK TIE

THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

(continued from page 15)

Dr. Leslie Nulty, Dr. Jennifer Jaworski, Dr. Boyd Yesler and Dr. Amy Nulty

 Michele King tried some wine from Robert Pfingsten.

Jim and Carolyn McDonald with Marilyn and Martin Feinberg

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

Joe and Jo Anne Berry

Tess and Mike Evanoff

Mary Beth Hansen, Dale Nadon, Cathy Kazwell and Alicia Worthington

Medals won by Silkwood wines

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

Clare Donofrio and Kim Petitto

Now acceptiNg private pay patieNts

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2013 Annual Best of Ringling Juried Student Exhibitions

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Selby Galleries I & II, Crossley Gallery, Illustration Gallery and Academic Center Galleries: Juried Ringling College of Art and Design student work.

Check schedule.

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Hawthorne Village of Sarasota is a Not-for-Profit Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility. Our team of caring professionals treat you as family.

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Award Ceremony: Fri., April 12, at 5 p.m. at Scott Plaza followed by reception on Selby Gallery patio until 8 p.m.

April 26 – May 3, 2013

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Annual Ringling College Senior Thesis Exhibitions Selby Galleries I & II, Crossley Gallery, Illustration Gallery and Academic Center Galleries: Senior thesis work will be on display from each of the majors. Check schedule.

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Sponsored by:

Opening Reception: Fri., April 26, 5-8 p.m.

For more information visit us on the web: www.ringling.edu/selbygallery

We are proud of our brand new, state-of-the-art facility and our holistic philosophy of fitness for your Sarasota lifestyle.

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DIVERSIONS

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THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

19

// BLACK TIE

 Sue Monahan, Madeline Brogan, Ann Andrews and Terry Stottlemyer

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

 Rachel VanRiper, Linda Knipper and Megan Knipper  Dorothy Raleigh with her grandchildren, Anna Valach, 8, and Liam Walker, 3

Melissa and Michael Andersen

Lisa Palmeri and Sonya Powell

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DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

// BLACK TIE: Camera ready

 Lorri Loughlin with Mike and Karen Valentino  Daryl Axsom and Freya Zollinger

Patrick Cunneen and Kathleen Kellie

// ‘Blue Ties & Butterflies’ //

Benefiting Child Protection Center Wednesday, April 3, at Michael’s On East

Matt and Megan Otto

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

Dennis and Graci McGillicuddy with their daughter, Alyson Evans

Roger and Alisa Pettingell

�������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������� th ������������������������������������������� celebration Luncheon ������������������������������������������� 2012-2013 CL Sponsors �������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������� 2012-2013 CL Sponsors 2012-2013 CL Sponsors

Thank You!

To All Our Sponsors

25

Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County

Futures Partner

Leverage Sponsor

Dividend Partner Kate Coopersmith Karen & Alton Fessel

Gulf Coast Community Foundation Livingston, Patterson, Strickland & Siegel, P.A. New Balance Sarasota/David & Molly Jackson The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota Sarasota Magazine Serbin Printing Syprett, Meshad, Resnick, Lieb, Dumbaugh, Jones, Krotec & Westheimer, P.A.

Commodity Partner Mark Kamin & Associates, Inc., Cookie Boudreaux

Graci & Dennis McGillicuddy Johanna Gustafsson & Chris Pinckney, Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management

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DIVERSIONS

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THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

21

// BLACK TIE: Camera ready

// Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s April Fools’ Luncheon //

Benefiting Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe | Tuesday, April 2, at Michael’s On East

Cynthia Hoeksema and Leah Brown

Curt and Kati Ramage

// ‘Night in Paris’ //

Benefiting Lakewood Ranch Community Fund Saturday, April 6, at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

Chairwomen Margie Lee and Debbie Partridge

Ashley Canesse and Stephanie Hefner

Photos by Pam Eubanks

Sharon and Brad Frank

Daniel Tullidge and Amanda Smith recently became engaged.

Cheryl Anderson and Eva Slane

Teresa and Bob Simmons

Ellie Graves, Beverlyn Trudhart and Freda Bradley

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DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

// BLACK TIE: Occasions

Bride’s parents: Dr. Victor and Peggy Baga

Groom’s parents: Dr. Donald Snyder and Sandra Snyder

First Dance: “You are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne Wedding Photography: Audrey Snow Photography Day Of Wedding Planning and Consulting: NK Productions Floral Design: Flowers by Fudgie Cake: The Gasparilla Inn Music Coordination: Jay Goodley Favors: The Lollicake Queen Invitations: The Paper Tree

Photos by Audrey Snow Photography

How they met: Kyle and Victoria met in 2001 through mutual Cardinal Mooney High School friends while home for Christmas break. The two both attended Cardinal Mooney, but different years. And both their fathers are in the same industry, but Kyle and Victoria had never crossed paths. The couple began dating the following year and later Victoria went on the road with major league pitcher Kyle, following his 2007 World Series win with the Boston Red Sox. THE PROPOSAL: On Valentine’s Day 2012, Kyle asked Victoria to accompany him to watch the sunset on Turtle Beach before their dinner date at Bologna

Café. He appeared very nervous and kept checking his watch to make sure they didn’t miss the sunset. As it set, Kyle handed Victoria a Valentine’s Day card and at the end of the card, it said “To my fiancée … ” Once she turned to him, Kyle had the ring out.

THE WEDDING: The couple’s wedding took place Saturday, Feb. 23, at The Gasparilla Inn Golf Club Gazebo, in Boca Grande. The ceremony was officiated by Dr. Stephen D. McConnell, the pastor from Kyle’s family church, Church of the Palms.

The island holds a special place in the couple’s life, because Kyle has been vacationing and fishing there since he was kid,

and then began taking Victoria on long weekends during their relationship. Boca Grande reminds the bride of a Florida version of Martha’s Vineyard, where she has been vacationing with her family since childhood.

THE RECEPTION: Following the ceremony, cocktails were served on The Gasparilla Inn Croquet Lawns. Guests enjoyed music by John Rinell, who sounded so similar to Frank Sinatra, they were speculating a recording, but it was all live.

Upon moving into the reception tent, more than 115 guests received their table assignments via Lollicake favors. The tent was romantically decorated, with vin-



tage candelabras and mercury glass. The bride states her dress set the tone for the décor, featuring soft pinks and dark pewter and an antique romantic vibe with crystals and candles. Despite the fog that rolled in over the golf course, DJ Fitz Otis kept the dance floor hopping for hours.

HONEYMOON: The couple knew how busy life would get with wedding planning, so they treated themselves to a “pre-wedding-moon” in October in Napa Valley and Sonoma. They would like to take a proper honeymoon in the fall.

FUN FACTS: The bride found her Kenneth

Pool wedding gown at Brides Against Breast Cancer’s “Tour of Gowns” bridal show. Her “borrowed” was younger sister Kathryn’s cathedral veil, which she wore to her own September wedding in Martha’s Vineyard.

Noteworthy guests included relief pitcher Bobby Seay, Baltimore Oriole second basemen Brian Roberts, Tampa Bay Rays catching coordinator Paul Hoover and former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jon Switzer.

Instead of a guest book, the couple had guests write their words of wisdom on the pages of a Boca Grande coffee table book.

The couple’s getaway car was Kyle’s antique 1964 Lincoln Continental convertible.

Hidden Paintings of

“Sybil”

Shirley Mason’s true life story as portrayed by Sally Field



 



     

Commodity Exchange 1918 Bay Rd (off of Bee Ridge) • Sarasota, FL



941.954.1488 • 9 to 4 pm Daily (Sat 9 to 12)



Limited numbered of prints will also be available for purchase.

109294

109705

 

Original art that was uncovered after her death will be on display and available for all to see at the:

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Contest Enter to WiN the Memories with Mom contest

T

he day she taught you the secret family recipe, her ability to help you build the perfect fort, the look on her face when you told her she was to be a grandmother.

ES, FACIALS

ASSAG GOOD FOR M

AND

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m one great mo

d 4037 Clark R Sarasota 0 941.927.620 mi Tr 1279 S Tamia Sarasota 0 941.308.760 ity Pkwy 2855 Univers Sarasota 0 941.556.640

Pamper her

1922 Bay Road Sarasota 941.926.3335

Give Back to Mom on

May 12

sota Ave | Sara 1213 N Palmarestaurant.com ntic

50 N Tamia mi Tr 3170 Gulf o Sarasota f Mexico D r 941.954.8 Longboat 800 Key 941.383 .2 1960 Stickn 288 ey Pt Rd | Sarasota 941.922 .4 545

Treat her to so

mething nice

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e nic r e h w e m o s r e h Take

tEll us your MEMoriEs With MoM iN 200 Words or lEss. go to... yourobserver.com/MomMemories and send us your best memories and cherished photos.

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The prize packaged includes

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