Arts + Entertainment 2.2.23

A+E INSIDE: <GREAT EXPECTATIONS: FST’s ‘Babel’ digs into what happens when humans are, well, human. 6

BLACK

TIE INSIDE:

BIG TOP: Circus Arts Conservatory celebrates 25th anniversary with show-stopping gala. 8 >

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2, 2023

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LEGACY CONTINUES Two circus acts will return to their hometown to perform in Circus Sarasota.

Sarasota’s Joseph Bauer is a part of a family with 15 generations of circus arts experience. He is thrilled to continue his family’s legacy on the Wheel of Death and as a ringmaster.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

S

arasota’s Joseph Bauer Jr. has always admired ringmasters.

It was their ability to capture the audience’s attention with just their

voices.

He wondered if he fit the bill.

In 1991 in Saskatchewan, Canada, he got a chance to find out when the ringmaster wasn’t going to arrive on time for the tour in which his family was performing.

Bauer Jr. had always announced the ringmaster, so Bauer Jr.’s father, Joseph Bauer Sr., asked him to step in.

“I said, ‘Dad, there’s no way. I don’t know all these people’s announcements and introductions,’” Bauer Jr. says. “He said, ‘Hey, are you going to let the circus down?’”

Bauer Jr. went around to the different acts to get information about them to prepare his introductions.

Then he went out there and did his best.

“I still don’t know how I pulled that off,” he says. “I just thought, ‘Do it.’ And I did, and I loved it ever since. As soon as I got on the mic the first time, I knew it was something I was going to keep doing.”

Courtesy photos

SEE LEGACY, PAGE 2

Sylvia Zerbini’s Liberty Horses performance is like an equine ballet.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2023

Legacy FROM PAGE 1

Now, 32 years later, Bauer Jr. will take center ring once again under the Big Top as ringmaster for Circus Sarasota.

For Sarasota natives Bauer and Sylvia Zerbini, returning to the Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park means having another opportunity to perform in their hometown.

“It’s a blessing,” Bauer says. “It’s something special that not many people can do, and believe me, it has its challenges. I feel gifted and thankful that I can still be in this industry and be here in Sarasota.

What history is in this town. This is Circus City USA.” Zerbini says performing in her hometown is a great pleasure.

“Every time you go back, you just feel the warmth of the audience,” she says. “Sarasota is a great city that appreciates the circus arts. It’s an honor to be a part of a production that does so much with the Sailor Circus Academy teaching newer generations the understanding of the discipline.”

Bauer says being under the Big Top in front of a sold out crowd during Circus Sarasota is electric.

“The opening night is just always wow,” he says. “It gets you no matter how many times you step foot in the ring. That night in that tent when it’s jam packed and they’re waiting to see what they brought us this year, it’s great.”

FAMILY AFFAIR

The circus arts are a family legacy for Bauer and Zerbini.

Bauer’s family has been in the circus arts for more than 250 years, spanning 15 generations. His par-

IF YOU GO

CIRCUS SARASOTA When: Feb. 10 through March 5 Where: The Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle Tickets: $15-$75 Info: Visit CircusArts.org.

ents, Elizabeth Bauer and Joseph Bauer Sr., each came from circus families in Switzerland.

Zerbini’s family has been performing for nine generations.

Bauer learned everything he knows about aerial stunts from his father and grandfather.

“They taught me the basics I needed to get up in the air, and once I was up there, then the sky was the limit for me,” Bauer says.

Performing at Madison Square Garden as a family, Bauer remembers Lonnie Shrine, a reporter from the New York Times, interviewing the family of four daredevils. He says Shrine was in awe of seeing his family flying around and risking their lives.

“He said, ‘I guess you guys stay together, and the family that sways together stays together,’” Bauer says. “That made the headlines of the greatest show on earth, and that was the truth. We all weren’t scared.

We all learned from them. We carried on, and we were swaying and staying together as long as we could.”

Zerbini grew up watching her father, Tarzan Zerbini, work with wild animals like elephants, lions and tigers, while her mother, Jackie Zerbini, was a trapeze artist.

Their backyard was literally a circus, but to Zerbini, that was normal.

She would wake up every morning to do chores and care for the animals before going to school. She traveled eight to nine months out of the year, and the rest of the year she was back at school in Sarasota.

“Growing up on a flying trapeze and having animals around was normal — we didn’t know anything different,” Zerbini says. “It was quite an amazing way to grow up, learning how each animal had their own language and learning how to respect different animals. It was nothing out of the ordinary for us.”

At 5 years old, Zerbini quickly took an interest in horses and also loved aerial work.

“Horses are super sensitive,” Zerbini says. “You can look at a horse and he can literally tell you what he wants. It’s the emotion and a connection that a horse has with a human being that’s like no other.

There were all these subtle cues that, as a child, I picked up on, and I use a lot of that body language and energy connection with the horses.”

It wasn’t until Zerbini was performing with Ringling Bros. in 1998 that Kennedy Feld proposed she combine her trapeze act with her horse act. She went on to descend from the air to meet her Liberty horses on the ground.

Bauer remembers his first time performing on stage.

He was in Osaka, Japan at Toshimaya Park where his parents and sister were performing. At only 7 years old, Bauer was used to watching from the sidelines in awe of what his family could do.

The director of the park questioned why Bauer Jr. wasn’t performing. Bauer Sr. said he was too young, but the park director insisted Bauer Jr. be in the show.

When it came to the end of the Fearless Bauer’s performance, Bauer Sr. called his son onto the stage. Bauer Jr. ended up doing a handstand on his father’s forearm.

“I was a little nervous, but seeing my mom and dad and my sister on the stage, I felt kind of protected,” Bauer says. “It was a very quick thing, and then I took my little bow on one knee.”

Bauer Jr. went on to have a small part in the show, whether it was doing handstands or juggling. It wasn’t until he was 15 that he followed in his parents’ footsteps and started practicing to perform on the sway poles that were more than 100 feet in the air.

Bauer continues to perform on the Wheel of Death, most recently in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the Shrine Circus. At 57 years old, Bauer says he has to remind himself of the dangers of performing on the big wheel because it’s become second nature to him.

“You need to still respect it,” he says. “My biggest concern is always things around me while I’m on that wheel because it is 50 feet to the top.

My job is to thrill audiences as much as I can on it and be careful at the same time. It’s good to be that comfortable, but it can also be a little risky because you take it for granted that it’ll be fine. That’s usually when you get hurt.”

As much as he loves performing on the big wheel, Bauer is contemplating retiring his daredevil act, possibly at Circus Sarasota in 2024.

“If that could happen, I think it

Courtesy photo

would be a very, very special and rewarding place to end,” Bauer says.

Zerbini doesn’t travel to perform anymore because there aren’t many circuses that allow horses. When she’s not performing, she’s doing independent work at different facilities, such as the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida.

She can’t wait to show people the beauty of her 11 Liberty horses in an “equine ballet.”

“It’s great to have an audience sit back, relax and disappear into your world,” Zerbini says. “I have amazing music, and I choreographed a routine the horses dance to. There’s a ring full of horses, so there is no room for mistakes. If you’re sitting in the ringside seats, you will feel the wind and smell the horses just blowing by your face.”

Sarasota’s Joseph Bauer Jr. takes center stage under the Big Top during Circus Sarasota.

THE SARASOTA BALLET PRESENTS A S O L O R E P E R T O RY T H E AT R E

PRESENTS

Adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas Directed by

PETER AMSTER

Evan Stevens and Erin O’Connor

NOW - MARCH 26

February 24 - 27 | FSU Center

941.351.8000 | asolorep.org

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SPONSORS

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Box Office: 941.359.0099 | SarasotaBallet.org

MEDIA SPONSOR

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2023

EATING WITH EMMA

The best spots around Sarasota to celebrate Galentine’s Day On Feb. 13, grab your gal pals, gather your glasses and cheers to girl power.

henna tattoos and Champagne sampling from 6-9 p.m.

Girls Just Want to Have: A return visit for New York bagel boozy brunch every Friday through Sunday. As a Northeastern girl, finding a real bagel and schmear in Sarasota is harder than watching visitors maneuver a round-a-bout, but these shipped-in-that-morning New York bagels are the real deal.

This One’s for the Girls: While you’re sipping on drinks from all over the country, Tralia Italia Restaurant Pop-Up posts up on Monday’s at 99 Bottles from 5-9 p.m. to help soak up some of that sweet alcoholic nectar. PSA: The MVP Detroit-style slice will alter your perspective on pizza forever.

EMMA JOLLY CONTRIBUTOR

V

alentine’s Day is a heinous holiday (this coming from a woman living in newlywed bliss).

You and your significant other are conditioned to separately embark on the Hallmark haul of musthave items: cards, chocolates and tchotchkes.

But there are other ways to celebrate love in February then succumbing to Cupid’s cult.

I’m talking about Galentine’s Day. Leslie Knope, Amy Poehler’s character on “Parks and Recreation” says: “What’s Galentine’s Day? Oh, it’s only the best day of the year.”

On Feb. 13, grab your gal pals, graze grub, gather your glasses high (high enough to break the glass ceiling) and cheers to girl power.

Besties before testes, uteruses before duderuses, ovaries before brovaries, chicks before — well, you get it. Here are some perfect places to go to for Galentine’s Day. CHICKS CRAVING COCKTAILS: THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE

5312 Holmes Blvd. Suite 8, Holmes Beach; 941-213-9926; DoctorsOfficeAMI.com Gal-Pal Plan: Prepare to be buzzed.

Heat things up with the Eleanora cocktail ($22) for a memorable, magical mezcal moment, or be the badass babes you are and order the beloved Bees Knees gin cocktail ($16) with a lovely lavender honey hint. This will surely get your ladies night started!

Girls Just Want to Have: The Manchego pimento cheese ($11), maple leaf duckling tacos ($19) and Lobstercargots ($28) — luscious

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For ladies only, $75 each, enjoy bottomless select wines and bubbles at 99 Bottles on Galentine’s Day.

lobster chunks baked in crock with garlic butter. The menu features a sampling of evolving and revolving specials, which includes even more lobster, lamb, oysters and more.

This One’s For the Girls: Since this Doctors Office visit certainly won’t be your last, next time reserve a table in the outdoor gorgeous garden space, with limited seating under the twinkle lights, Thursday through Saturday.

LADIES WHO LUNCH: BABY BRIE’S CAFÉ & COFFEE HOUSE

1938 Adams Lane, Suite 105, Sarasota; 941-362-0933; Facebook. com/BabyBriesCafe Gal-Pal Plan: Mingle over mimosas or have a caffeinated catch-up while biting into brunch (with gluten-free options too!). Have your girl gang gather on the Key West-inspired wraparound porch, and you’ll forget that you’re in Towles Court.

Girls Just Want to Have: The hash brown casserole side transports you back to any holiday meal — especially when paired with the roast

turkey melt ($13). Don’t leave the hidden gem without one of the homemade goodies, like the white chocolate raspberry scone I recently scarfed down.

This One’s for the Girls: Owner Sarah’s daughter Brie can sometimes be seen in the kitchen making her famous chicken salad (sandwich with side, $12). If this womanowned business doesn’t define the importance of Galentine’s Day for generations to come, what does?

WINE NOT TREAT YOURSELF: COOPER’S HAWK WINERY & RESTAURANT

3130 Fruitville Commons Blvd., Sarasota; 941-263-8100; CHWinery.com Gal-Pal Plan: Instead of paying airfare to Wine Country, hop in a Lyft to thoroughly enjoy a winedriven dining experience in your own community. Be sure to make a reservation but wander to the wine tasting wonderland while you wait for your table.

Girls Just Want to Have: Crispy Brussels sprouts ($16.99) or the

crab, shrimp and lobster bisque (cup $8.99, bowl $11.99) are starters you will fantasize about forever. Treat yourself to an entrée that comes with Mary’s potatoes, but save room for dessert because the salted caramel crème brûlée ($10.99) is un-brûlée-vable.

This One’s for the Girls: Discover a new wine with your favorite women by joining the Cooper’s Hawk Wine Club. The best part? You can enjoy the rewards at home in your sweatpants or get dressed up for a vivacious vino-filled evening.

BEERS FOR THE BABES: 99 BOTTLES

1445 Second St., Sarasota; 941-4877874; 99Bottles.net Gal-Pal Plan: Warning! Your partner will beg to tag along to this dreamy drinking destination, but a limited ticket event is ONLY for the ladies on Galentine’s Day. For $75 each, you and your babes can sip on bottomless select wines and bubbles, snack on cheese, charcuterie and accoutrements plus treat yourself to permanent jewelry,

LIBATIONS FOR THE LADIES: LIBBY’S NEIGHBORHOOD BRASSERIE

1917 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota; 941-487-7300; 8445 Lorraine Road, Bradenton; 941-357-1570; LibbysNeighborhoodBrasserie.com Gal-Pal Plan: Calories don’t count on Galentine’s Day. Craving another chardonnay ($11-$25 per glass)?

Order it. Feeling like fried macaroni and cheese balls ($12.50)? Get it. Not to say the kale Caesar salad ($13) isn’t delicious, but nothing hits like a carb overload.

Girls Just Want to Have: Avocado egg rolls ($13.50) or the burrata caprese panzanella salad ($14). From the Impossible vegan double mac burger ($16.50) to the newly added seafood a la vodka ($25), this menu comes in clutch for your celebratory chica party.

This One’s for the Girls: Libby’s is offering their Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu from Feb. 9-14. Bring your best gal pal to a dinner for two, and choose one appetizer, two entrees, one dessert and a bottle of brut for $130. Ladies with libations is the perfect pairing for this female empowerment holiday.

Buy Tickets From VanWezel.org (941) 263-6799 • (800) 826-9303

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16 7:30PM

QUEBEC

THURSDAY, MARCH 16 7:30PM SPONSOR: Lexus of Sarasota — The Washington Post

FEB 24 + 25

TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY MARCH 14-15 • 7:30PM

7:30 PM

2

/2

3 S E AS O N

SPONSOR: Hyatt Regency Sarasota Monday-Friday 10-6 • Saturday 10-4 Open later Saturday and Sunday (on show days only) 380854-1

ringling.org

Prices, dates and times subject to change without notice.

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— Chicago Tribune

Photo: DJ Corey

BOW’T Trail Retrospek

SPONSOR: Lexus of Sarasota

HIT TV series & LIVE SHOW weaving MUSIC & DANCE with the STORY of IRELAND Photo by Kevin Calixte

RHODNIE DÉSIR

WITH ADAM BEN-DAVID ON PIANO

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2023

Don’t miss Momix — Alice at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

‘BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA’ 8 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St. $25-$39 Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.

This play by Anna Ouyang Moench might start as a father-daughter duo of birders exploring the wild world around them to catch glimpses of elusive birds. But just as the seasons, climate and global politics change, so too have the relationships in this family portrait.

Runs through Feb. 19.

SATURDAY PIANO CONCERT & ARTIST TALK: ELEMENTS OF MUSIC AND ART 4 p.m. at Midge Johnson Fine Art, 3983 Destination Drive, Suite 104, Osprey $25 Visit MidgeJohnsonFineArt.com.

Pianist Alan Wasserman and artist Midge Johnson compare commonalities between art and music in this piano concert and artist talk.

THIS WEEK THURSDAY

‘VISIONS IN BLACK’ 5:30 p.m. at Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, 1226 N. Tamiami Trail Free Visit SuncoastBlackArtsCollaborative.org.

MUSIC ON MAIN 6-9 p.m. at 8100 Lakewood Main St. Free Visit LakewoodRanch.com.

Come celebrate work from artists of color in the Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative’s cross-town exhibition that will feature work in three locations. This is the first gallery opening of the three. The exhibit runs through Feb. 25.

Enjoy food and drink vendors and live music during this celebration on the first Friday of the month. Band Ten-76 will entertain the crowd with classic and modern rock music.

The event benefits Easterseals Happiness House.

‘ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE’ The Players Centre for Performing Arts 7:30 p.m. at Studio 1130, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130 $30 Visit ThePlayers.org.

IN-STUDIO PERFORMANCE FEATURING DEANNA WRIGHT & IMANI WILLIAMS 7 p.m. at SCD Home Studio, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Suite 300 $10-$20 Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance. org.

Enjoy a memorable tribute to the legendary singer told through the eyes of her biggest fan. Weaving together Patsy Cline’s stories with her legendary tunes, this performance is a perennial favorite of audiences. Runs through Feb. 12.

FRIDAY

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Valentine decor at the Sarasota Downtown Merchants’ monthly event.

Symphony perform music from the greatest love stories of our time, including “Casablanca,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “Gone with the Wind.”

Runs through Saturday, Feb. 4.

‘NETWORK’ 8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave $39 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Anchorman Howard Beale’s ratings are dropping, and he faces his last broadcast after being let go. But rather than go quietly, he loses it on air, causing his popularity to soar.

This regional premiere dives into what happens when we get caught up in the illusion of TV … as well as what’s the real truth behind it. Runs through March 19.

Guitar Sarasota welcomes Zoran Dukic, a Croatian guitarist who is one of the great classical virtuosos of our time. Whether as part of an orchestra or as a soloist, Dukic has been wowing audiences for years.

TEN-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL 7:30 p.m. at FSU/Asolo Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail $29 Visit TheatreOdyssey.org.

At the 11th annual 10-minute play festival, high school students from around the region will stage their plays. From 40 entries submitted by area students, eight scripts have been chosen for full production.

Runs through Sunday, Feb. 5.

‘FLYIN’ WEST’ 7:30 p.m. at West Coast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave. $20-$48 Visit WestCoastBlackTheatre.org.

DON’T MISS

MASTERWORKS: A ROMANTIC AFFAIR The soaring melodies of Brahms and Rachmaninoff — what could be more romantic than that? Conductor Peter Oundjian leads the Sarasota Orchestra in performing Rachmaninoff’s “Second Piano Concerto,” one of the composer’s most beloved works. Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, blind since birth, will perform this wellknown masterpiece. Continues at the Van Wezel Feb. 3-5.

Actor DeAnna Wright graces the Sarasota Contemporary Dance’s home studio with a performance that explores the authentic self through spoken word, rhythmic movement and song. Runs through Feb. 4.

FIRST FRIDAY ‘SIP & SHOP’ 5-8 p.m. in downtown Sarasota, 1440 Main St. Free Visit DestinationDowntownSarasota. com.

CINEMATIC ROMANCE FEATURING VIOLINIST SANDY CAMERON 7:30 p.m. at Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Venice $33-$61 Visit TheVeniceSymphony.org.

Come downtown to stroll through the shops’ twinkling lights and

This is a night made for sweethearts as Troy Quinn and the Venice

1734 South Tamiami Trail Venice, FL 34293 941.493.7441

ZORAN DUKIC, CLASSICAL GUITARIST 7:30 p.m. at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way $37-$41 Visit GuitarSarasota.org.

4551 N. Washington Blvd.

Sarasota, FL 34234 941.355.8437

2510 1st Street West Bradenton, FL 34208 941.748.4679

IF YOU GO Sarasota Orchestra 7:30 p.m. at Neel Performing Arts Center, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton $37-$99 Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

OUR SHOWROOMS ARE OPEN

www.manasotaonline.com

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2023

REAL RAIL presents: 44th Annual

Model Railroad Expo February 18th & 19th• Saturday 10-4 & Sunday 10-3

1.00

$ DISCOUNT 1 person per ad

• All Scales • More than 100 Dealer Tables • Railroad Antiques and Collectibles • Kids can run trains on our kids portable layout • See Downtown Tampa built with Legos

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Bradenton Area Convention Center • 1 Haben Blvd • Palmetto, Fl ADMISSION Adults $8.00 • Kids 13 & Under FREE with Paid Adult

CDC REQUIREMENTS APPLY

VICTOR DeRENZI, Artistic Director RICHARD RUSSELL, General Director

SUNDAY WINTER CONCERT 2 p.m. at Peace Presbyterian Church, 12705 S.R. 64 E., Lakewood Ranch $10 Visit LWRWindEnsemble.org.

TUESDAY

OPENING

FEBRUARY 18!

MONDAY

What better prelude to Valentine’s Day than enjoying an evening of romantic music? As part of its Great Escapes series, the Sarasota Orchestra will invite audiences on a journey through heartfelt stories paired with music that will make you swoon.

All operas performed in the original language with translations above the stage.

© ARTWORK BY MICHAEL VOLL, 2022

Puccini’s MADAMA BUTTERFLY Feb. 18 - Mar. 24

WEDNESDAY GREAT ESCAPES: DATE NIGHT 5:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail $45-$108 Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

As part of its Music Mondays series, the Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning welcomes Leymis Bolaños Wilmott, choreographer and artistic director of Sarasota Contemporary Dance, to discuss her organization and craft.

MADAMA BUTTERFLY

To celebrate Judy Garland’s 100th birthday, singer Michael Feinstein leads audiences through a touching musical journey of Garland’s career.

The Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble, a community musical group featuring the talent of local musicians, presents its winter concert.

MUSIC MONDAYS: LEYMIS BOLAÑOS WILMOTT 10:30 a.m. at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road $10 Visit SillSarasota.org.

PUCCINI’S

GET HAPPY: MICHAEL FEINSTEIN CELEBRATES THE JUDY GARLAND CENTENNIAL 7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail $37-$77 Visit VanWezel.org.

Mozart’s DON GIOVANNI Feb. 25 - Mar. 25

Verdi’s ERNANI Mar. 11 - 26

Massenet’s THÉRÈSE Mar. 17 - 25

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! (941) 328-1300 | SARASOTAOPERA.ORG Paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues. Additional support provided by: Gulf Coast Community Foundation; Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation; and State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, Florida Council on Arts & Culture.

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A group of African American women leave the South in the 1890s in search of a better life and end up in the all-Black town of Nicodemus, Kansas. This story follows them in their journey to build a new life in a harsh region out west, with humor and heart-touching moments alike.

2023 WINTER OPERA FESTIVAL

IF YOU GO 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave. $25 Visit EnSRQ.org.

MOMIX — ALICE 7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail $27-$77 Visit VanWezel.org.

In a one-of-a-kind brand of dance illusions, Momix will conjure the magical world of the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts in this breathtaking reimagining of Lewis Carroll’s novel.

Buy Tickets From VanWezel.org (941) 263-6799 • (800) 826-9303 A N I N T I M AT E E V E N I N G O F S O N G S A N D STO RYT E L L I N G

FEATURING VANESSA FREEBAIRN-SMITH

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 • 8PM

RITA RUDNER ROBERT KLEIN THE MUSIC OF

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17 • 8PM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22 7:30PM SPONSORS: Lexus of Sarasota and WSNN-TV

Monday-Friday 10-6 • Saturday 10-4 Open later Saturday and Sunday (on show days only) Prices, dates and times subject to change without notice.

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VESPERS FOR A NEW DARK AGE Explore new music in this collaboration between ensembleNEWSRQ and Verdigris Ensemble, a contemporary chamber choir visiting from Dallas.

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OUR PICK

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2023

REVIEWS

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

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Florida Studio Theatre’s “Babel” explores a dystopian future.

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Building a better baby Everyone wants a perfect baby.

Genetic perfection is the only choice left in the dystopian future of ‘Babel.’

MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR

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941-306-1202 ArtistSeriesConcerts.org

ad news first: Climate change, war and famine have led to ecological disaster on a global scale.

Millions of acres of land are either flooded or barren. Hundreds of millions of people died. Hundreds of millions of survivors were forced to migrate.

To ensure humanity’s continued survival, a global government has launched a program of genetic engineering. For a child to be legal, each fetus’ DNA must be “precertified” in the mother’s womb.

Abortion culls most failing fetuses.

As a result, the genes for autism and predispositions for various diseases have been largely weeded out — along with the genes with a risk for violence and anti-social behavior. To enforce this edict, illegal offspring are all exiled. The good news? It hasn’t happened yet. It’s the premise of Jacqueline Goldfinger’s funny, terrifying, gutsy “Babel.” Her dark future is the latest FST Stage III production.

The playwright doesn’t off load this disturbing scenario in one big exposition dump. It stays in the

ATLES GRAMMY-NOMINATED BE

background and emerges in the references and expressions of casual speech. The action revolves around a same-sex couple: Renee (Anique Clements) and Ann (Lucy Lavely).

They’re friends with another couple — Dani (Rachel Moulton) and Jamie (Tom Patterson). At first, they just hang out and talk. Everyone’s happy because Renee’s expecting. Details about Renee’s upcoming “blessed event” is shared as it always has been.

Ah, but something’s a wee bit off. What should be a normal chat becomes a walk through a verbal minefield. The wrong word or question — then it suddenly gets tense. Why? You find out the couple’s new baby wasn’t “precertified.” Then you find out that’s a big deal. And then you find out why.

A doctor thinks the fetus’ DNA (taken from both Ann and Renee, then merged into a single fertilized egg) might be loaded dice. He didn’t sign off on their new arrival.

Without his signature, Renee has two choices. Abort the fetus — or give birth to a child who’ll be whisked away for life as a secondclass citizen in “the Villages.” Ann brushes the dilemma aside. She thinks there’s a third choice: Make the doctor sign. Ann is a top-tier marketer. Persuasion is her job, and she’s good at it. Ann breaks through sales-resistance every day. Get the doc’s signature? No prob. It’s just another sale.

While “Babel” is sci fi, its conflict

BAND

Ever Onward Season 27 HANZHI WANG, accordion

February 9 11:00 am performance followed by lunch Sarasota Yacht Club

Praised for her captivating stage presence, this groundbreaking young musician is the only accordionist to win a place on the roster of Young Concert Artists in its 61-year history. In the five years since, she has debuted at both Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.

fect Valentine’s Day celebration Join the Pops Orchestra for your per ally acclaimed as we perform with the internation

LIVERPOOL LEGENDS

r ie Hall • 2022 Tribute Band of the Yea Played the Rose Bowl and Carneg er ise Harrison, George’s Sist in Branson, MO • Hand-picked by Lou

ADDED Sat, Feb 11, 7:30pm !

CONCERT Riverview Performing Arts Center

“Quartet for the End of Time”

featuring the Lincoln Trio with Bharat Chandra, clarinet February 28, 7:30 pm • Historic Asolo Theater

Mon, Feb 13, 7:30pm SCF Neel Performing Arts Center

thePopsOrchestra.org 941-926-POPS (7677) 390247-1

This project is supported in part by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County; Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council of Arts and Culture and the State of Florida (Section 286.25 Florida Statutes); The Exchange; Gulf Coast Community Foundation; National Endowment for the Arts; the Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax Revenues; and the Virginia B.Toulmin Foundation.

Sun, Feb 12, 3pm Riverview Performing Arts Center

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French composer Olivier Messiaen wrote “Quartet for the End of Time” while being held in Stalag VIII-A, a WWII German prisoner-of-war camp.

A few of his fellow prisoners were professional musicians, and he wrote this deeply moving and unforgettable masterpiece for them to perform.

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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2023

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Ne STA xT RT we S ek !

IF YOU GO

When: Through Feb. 10 Where: FST Bowne’s Lab Theatre, 1265 First St., Sarasota Tickets: $25-$39 Info: Call 366-9000 or visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

with Nadirah T. Harper’s lighting and Louis Vetter Torres sound design. No scary shocks to eyes and ears. It’s more like an angry iPhone chirping in the next room. Just a nagging subliminal creepiness that gets under your skin.

“Babel” isn’t a happy-happy romp. Like a good “Black Mirror” episode, it’s disturbingly unpredictable — and keeps you constantly off balance. Goldfinger’s play is also smart. “Babel” is pregnant with ideas. It’s not virgin territory, of course.

Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” and Andrew Niccol’s “GATTACA” explored similar themes.

They’re just two examples from a very long list. OK, so Goldfinger didn’t get here first. But she blazes a fresh, new trail through this dark territory. And like all good sci fi, her futuristic tale is really about the present.

“Babel” shines a light on the harsh choices facing humanity if we continue to trash the planet.

It simultaneously illuminates our schizoid attitudes on parenthood, pregnancy, childbirth and who gets to decide what. “Babel” also confronts the belief that science can make people better. (Goldfinger clearly doesn’t hold to that notion.)

Playing God is not humanity’s strong point. When some folks tried in the past, the results were invariably horrific. “Babel” paints a bleak picture of future eugenics horrors.

On the bright side, “Renee” means “reborn.” The playwright still hints of hope.

Goldfinger does all that. And she does it well. That ain’t easy, folks.

Sci fi is a tough genre for storytellers. Making a speculative story work on stage is even tougher. Brava and bravo to Goldfinger and FST’s talents for making it happen.

I hope to see more in the future.

tiCkets

$20 - $75

25% oFF

All Tickets for the First 8 Shows!

(Fri Feb 10 – Fri Feb 17)

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Fri Feb 10 – sun MAr 5 Scan code for ticketS

CirCusArts.org 941.355.9805 390586-1

is fairly straightforward — with one surreal exception. Renee is constantly visited by a foul-mouthed, anthropomorphic stork that tries to convince her to abort. This big, bad bird is a hallucination: Nobody else can see it. The stork is in Renee’s head for two possible reasons — both bad. Either she’s going nuts or somebody put it in there.

Goldfinger’s dialogue is excellent.

People repeat themselves, interrupt each other and talk at the same time like characters in an Altman movie. When actors speak her lines, it sounds like speech, not a script. I love it.

Catherine Randazzo honors the playwright’s naturalistic randomness. Behind the talk, the underlying story is speculative fiction.

But she directs it like any other relationship dilemma — not sci fi.

Which is why it works.

Clements’ Renee is a multitude of contradictions. She wants to be a mother. She also knows she’s being used. Her partner’s filled with lovey-dovey talk — but it feels manipulative. Ann treats her like a baby-making machine, and Renee doesn’t like it. But she still wants a baby. Kudos to Clements for a nuanced characterization. But Lavely’s Ann has zero contradictions. She’s used to getting exactly what she wants. She’s driven, sharp and to the point. You figure she’ll never take “no” for an answer — even if it’s the only answer.

Patterson’s Jamie and Moulton’s Dani both seem relaxed and open.

But it’s an act. Behind this front, their characters are having problems. Jamie and Dani also want a baby — but they’re hitting some undefined, dystopian wall. Their fake spontaneity keeps it hidden. Patterson and Moulton deftly convey two characters constantly wrestling with thoughts they can’t speak.

Bruce Price and Alex E. Price’s set evokes the clean, well-lit spaces of minimalist future. Black cubes, white walls. An Ikea vision of dystopia. On the other hand, Mari Taylor Floyd’s costumes don’t look futuristic. No unitards or wide shoulder pads. Fashion hasn’t changed much since in the past three decades.

Evidently, it won’t change in the next three. All this comes to life

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2023

Jenne Britell and Co-Chairwoman Julie Harris with stilt walkers Tasman Henry and Jocelyn Williams

Veronica Brady and Hermione Gilpin

Photos by Harry Sayer

Lila Watkins with Wendy and Jerry Feinstein

Steven and Lisa High

GAL A Friday, Jan. 27, at Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park | Benefiting Circus Arts Conservatory

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he Circus Arts Conservatory celebrated 25 years of dazzling feats and circus operations with a spirited fundraiser and show on Jan. 27.

The annual benefit marked the quarter-century anniversary, with more than 350 guests dressing up in their most colorful circus designs for an evening of performance and philanthropy at the circus Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park.

After an hour of mingling, guests filled the circus tent to enjoy a circus performance that featured acts from Circus Arts Conservatory students as well as veteran performers, the Alexis Brothers and Maryna Tkachenko and Anastasiia Kornieieva from Ukraine. The performance segment concluded with a sweeping outreach act from a variety of students.

There were more surprises in store. It was announced at the gala that the upcoming Wonder Ball event on May 12 would feature none other than DJ and music producer Steve Aoki as the main entertainment.

The program ended with an outreach performance.

— HARRY SAYER

Elijah Clemons, Kepler Henry and Camile Dahlborg

Booker Middle School students pose at the end of their act.

Bernard Walsh, Giovanna Rezac, Co-Chairwoman Lauren Ann Walsh and Misha Rezac

Emma Clarke ascends on the Cyr wheel.

Colleen Buchmeir sings out to the crowd.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2023

SSOCI TION

Presenting world-renowned orchestras, chamber ensembles and acclaimed soloists

Pianist Awadagin Pratt TIE

Brigit Leonard and Jeff Birnbach with Scott and Jennifer Mayforth

Blue and White Gala

Wednesday, Feb 15, 7:30 pm Riverview Performing Arts Center

Saturday, Jan. 28, at Michael’s On East | Benefiting Sarasota Police Foundation

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he Sarasota Police Foundation put on its annual Blue and White Gala at Michael’s On East on Jan. 28.

Supporters of the foundation dressed their best and met for an evening of philanthropy.

Acclaimed for his musical insight and intensely involved performances, Awadagin Pratt performs a varied program of works from Philip Glass to Rachmaninoff and Liszt.

Guests mingled before sitting down for the program where they heard from President Jeff Birnbach.

Maverick Johnson later led the live auction.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Riccardo Muti, Music Director

— HARRY SAYER

Wednesday, March 1, 7:30 pm Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall In his final season as Music Director, Riccardo Muti leads the internationally acclaimed Chicago Symphony in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 and Mussorgsky’s Pictures from an Exhibition.

SCAsarasota.org | 941-966-6161 Photos by Harry Sayer

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Programs and artists subject to change.

Committee members Andrea Capek, Areaka Jewell, Sean Murphy and Libby Soderberg

2023 ANNUAL LUNCHEON COLLABORATION PARTNERS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2023 11:30AM - 1:00PM MICHAEL’S ON EAST 1212 EAST AVE S, SARASOTA, FL 34239

TICKETS $90

Give from t the hear

The 2023 Collaboration Celebration luncheon brings together nonprofits, businesses, and donors to celebrate the important work of collaboration on the Campus of Caring and beyond.

m o r f e Giv Gi r a e h e th th SARASOTA SOUTH 4055 Clark Rd (941) 927-6200

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2023

From festivals to performances and art exhibits, discover the wide variety of events happening in Sarasota and Manatee.

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Charlie Ann Syprett, Judge Charles Williams, Judge Daniel Weiss and honoree Larry Smith

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2023 Path to Unity Luncheon Thursday, Jan. 26, at Michael’s On East | Benefiting Sarasota County Bar Association Council for Diversity and Inclusion and the Florida Bar Standing Committee on Diversity and Inclusion

Hosted by:

T

he 2023 Path to Unity luncheon paid tribute to five trailblazing Florida law figures throughout history on Michael’s On East on Jan. 26.

The luncheon, put on by the Sarasota County Bar Association Council for Diversity and Inclusion and the Florida Bar Standing Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, brought hundreds of supporters to celebrate the lawyers who brought change to Florida.

That included James Weldon Johnson, the first African American lawyer admitted to the Florida Bar; Judge Mario Goderich, the first Hispanic judge to hold several judicial posts; James Kracht, a blind lawyer who con-

Italian Feast

& Carnival

Live Music | Entertainment | FOOD | Vendors | Rides & Games

FREE ADMISSION February 23, 24, 25, 26, 2023 Starts at 4pm - Thursday & Friday Starts at NOON - Saturday & Sunday VENICE AIRPORT | Parking $10

Photos by Harry Sayer

Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman and event Chairwoman Jade Davis

stantly challenged disability rules; first president of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers, Anna Brenner Meyers; and longtime LGBTQ advocate Larry Smith.

Those figures were memorialized with paintings that were present at the luncheon and will hang at the Florida Bar building in Tallahassee.

Judge Charles Williams led the luncheon before past Chair Charlie Ann Syprett delivered remarks and was presented with an award for her work. Sarasota Mayor Kyle Battie later issued a proclamation. The luncheon carried on with a legal legend presentation, during which local figured told the stories of the honorees.

—HARRY SAYER

www.ItalianAmericanClubOfVenice.com/Feast/

ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE:

THURS 4-4:30pm Venice High School Band THURS 5-9pm License to Chill - Tropical Rock FRI 4-6:30pm Bandana - Classic Rock and Roll FRI 7-10pm 301 Traveler's Band - The Ultimate Country Rock Experience SAT 12-3pm What's Going On - Classic Hits SAT 4-6pm The Best of Jimmy Mazz Variety Show SAT 6:30-9:30pm Florida Rhythm Kings - Blues/Classic Rock/Funky Old Soul SUN 12-4pm Harbor Drive - Rock/County/Blues SUN 5-9pm Blind Squirrel - Hi Energy Classic Rock/Soul/Blues Joe Cerrito on the Accordion in the Food Tent 394887-1

PRESENTED BY:

FRIDAY, MARCH 10 7:30 A.M. - 9:15 A.M.

HYAT T REGENCY SARASOTA Please join us over breakfast for networking and a keynote presentation aimed at two key components every entrepreneur should have: grit and commitment. This is a can’t miss event, offering a variety of sponsorship investments to stand out from the crowd.

Purchase your tickets today!

Theater... Music... Visual Art... Literature... Dance...

where it all begins.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

20th Anniversary Season

Angie Bastian

Join us for free innovative programs in music, theater, art, literature, dance, and more featuring award-winning artists from around the world.

Angie, Co-Founder of Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP, took a kernel of an idea and popped it into one of the fastest growing brands of natural popcorn.

What began with one kettle in the Bastian’s garage has grown into a beloved, empowered and spirited brand sold internationally. The accomplishments of delivering extraordinary products and growth, respecting partnerships and celebrating consumers attracted private equity investments and the sale to Conagra Brands in 2017.

INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATIONS

Hermitage Artists & Thinkers Series: “The Art of Producing”

Chamber Members | $65

Friday, February 3 @ 5pm • Longboat Key’s Bayfront Park

Non-Members | $85

Tony and Olivier Award-Winning Producer Tom Kirdahy in conversation with Hermitage Artistic Director and fellow Tony Award Winner Andy Sandberg

TABLE SPONSORSHIPS

Presented in partnership with the Town of Longboat Key and Asolo Repertory Theatre

Silver Sponsor (Table of 5) | $700

“Mastering the Monologue”

Friday, February 17 @ 5pm • New College of Florida (Sarasota)

Gold Sponsor (Table of 10) | $900

Celebrated playwright and theater-maker Don Nguyen discusses the process of writing monologues and shares examples of the form.

Presented in partnership with New College of Florida

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

“Comedy and Community”

Friday, March 10 @ 5:30pm • Hermitage Beach (Manasota Key)

The Hermitage Major Theater Award is made possible with generous support from Flora Major and the Kutya Major Foundation

To register (required) for upcoming programs:

HermitageArtistRetreat.org

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Madeleine George, Pulitzer Prize finalist, Hermitage Major Theater Award winner, and writer for Hulu’s hit series “Only Murders in the Building,” will speak about building community through theater and what she has planned for her HMTA commission.

Scan the QR Code to register for the 2023 Annual Chamber Breakfast

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2023

PEO P

F THE HE OF ETO B B E L L

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Presented by

OK O OK O

Chairwoman Christine Schlesinger with honorary Chairs Bob and Pat Gussin

PEO P

BLACK TIE

2021-22 Author Lecture 2022-23 Author Lecture SeriesSeries

October 12, 2021 – May 3, 2022 Wednesday, February 15 21 Authors • 20 Events at“in-person” 7pm atevents Temple Emanu-El 10 (also available on Zoom)

Golden Age of Friendship Dinner

and 10 Zoom-only events Shaunna J. Edwards & Alyson Richman The Thread Collectors

Shaunna J. Edwards has a bachelor’s in literature from Harvard College and a J.D. from NYU School of Law. A former corporate lawyer, she now works in diversity, equity and inclusion. Alyson Richman is a writer best known for The Lost Wife, a tale of a husband and wife who are separated in a concentration camp during World War II and reunited 60 years later at their grandchildren’s wedding. Her novels have received both national and international acclaim.

In 1863 New Orleans, a Black woman named Stella embroiders intricate maps on repurposed cloth to help enslaved men flee and join the Union Army. Meanwhile, in New York City, a Jewish woman stitches a quilt for her husband, who is stationed in Louisiana with the Union Army. Their paths converge in New Orleans, where an unexpected encounter leads them to discover that even the most delicate threads have the capacity to save us. The novel is loosely inspired by the authors’ family histories.

Thursday, Jan. 26 at The Westin Sarasota | Benefiting Senior Friendship Centers

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— HARRY SAYER

President and CEO Erin McLeod with Bob Carter

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door Temple Emanu-El is located at 151 McIntosh Road, Sarasota

Photos by Harry Sayer

Kameron Hodgens and Robyn Faucy

For tickets and more information about this event and the remaining authors in the People of the Book author lecture series, visit jfedsrq.org/books

. .

02 17 23 MICHAELS ON EAST | 5:30 PM | SARASOTA, FL BLACK TIE ENCOURAGED

Purchase your tickets online at NeuroChallenge.org

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: JOHN CULLEN, FOUNDER, IT'S JUST PARKINSON'S

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Neuro Challenge is dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers today.

PRESENTING

PLATINUM

GOLD

SILVER Kerkering, Barberio & Co Benderson Development Robert & Cathy Bray

EVENT PLANNING BY

EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE

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he Senior Friendship Centers paid tribute to its past 50 years of operation while looking ahead to the years to come with its Golden Age of Friendship dinner on Jan. 26.

Hundreds filled the Westin Sarasota ballroom event, which benefits the organization’s many enrichment and connection services for older adults.

Guests heard thanks from President and CEO Erin McLeod, past Chair Patricia Courtois and Board Chair Michael Juceam before Kathy Silverberg led the invocation.

Former President and CEO Bob Carter joined McLeod in looking at Senior Friendship Centers’ past and future before honorary Chairs Bob and Patricia Gussin were recognized.

The night continued with an anniversary auction, a paddle raise and eventually music and dancing.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2023

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