Arts + Entertainment 4.20.23

A+E INSIDE: < LAST CALL: The curtain is coming down on four plays in Sarasota this month. 3

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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT APRIL 20, 2023

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Kim Livengood, owner of the Bazaar on Apricot and Lime, takes a breather on the emporium’s signature truck.

The lights get brighter in the Limelight District

An area along Lime Avenue is raising its profile as a home for artists, artisans and small business.

Courtesy photos

Creative Liberties co-founders Elizabeth Goodwill and Barbara Gerdeman take an artistic approach to moustaches during one of their open studios events.

15TH ST. notice of the artistic ripening of an area formerly known for auto repair shops. Recent months have seen the 12TH ST. ot far from where arrival of Sunflower Market on Lime cranes loom over Avenue, a WaWa convenience store ascending tow- on Lime Circle and Sun King Brewing ers of multimil- on Mango Avenue. lion-dollar conThe arrival of Sun King has dos downtown, a prompted Kim Livengood to add scrappier, grass- Friday night hours for her dogroots development friendly Hamlet’s Eatery. The food is taking shape. truck-brewpub is located in Liven10THat STApricot .

2 A pedestrian- good’s Bazaar and Lime friendly arts neighborhood is gaining along with roughly 40 other tenants.

1 momentum in the Limelight District, Opened in 2018, the Bazaar is con1 3 located along Lime Avenue between sidered the anchor of the Limelight 8TH ST. Fruitville Road and 12th Street.

District.

Right now, the district’s fourth But wait, this is a story about art, boundary juts in and out along not business. Actually, it’s a story Waterloo Avenue to accommodate about BLVD. OF THE Athe RTSintersection of art and residential buildings. But this border commerce and what urban planners is in flux as the Limelight District, call “placemaking,” a community officially recognized by the city in development endeavor that’s easier ST. to extend its western 2020, 4TH works said than done. boundary to encompass galleries In the case of the Limelight Disaround Princeton Street. trict, a cabal of sorts has come The Limelight District recently together. Its members include Livenraised its arts profile with the March good, real estate developer and arts FRUITVILLE RD. 30 opening of the Palmer Mod- patron Howard Davis, Creative Libern gallery at 925 N. Lime Ave. The SEE LIMELIGHT PAGE 2 arrival of the new gallery MAIN ST. with artist spaces follows the February addition of a second space by arts collective Creative Liberties at 927 N. Lime Ave. Its flagship is nearby, at 901B Apricot Ave. Twenty-one artists call Creative Liberties home, including cofounders Barbara Gerdeman, who specializes in photography, acrylic painting and mixed media, and Elizabeth Goodwill, who creates book art, fiber art and mixed media. Their new building houses 10 studio artists, gallery space and the Creative Academy classroom.

“Thanks to a huge amount of support from the community — the public, artists, arts advocates and the media — we have been able to grow Creative Liberties in a short time period,” says Gerdeman.

The Limelight District is located along Lime Avenue between Fruitville Road and 12th Street.

Commercial businesses are taking MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER

N

SHADE AVE.

LIME AVE

EAST AVE.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

nn Limelight District 1. Creative Liberties at 927 N. Lime Ave. and 901B Apricot Ave. (Two locations.)

2. Palmer Modern gallery

at 925 N. Lime Ave. 3. Bazaar at Apricot and

Lime at 821 Apricot Ave.

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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT | THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023

Limelight FROM PAGE 1

erties proprietors Gerdeman and Goodwill, Palmer Modern owner and artist Craig Palmer and his wife, Jen Palmer, president of the Sarasota Studio Artists Association.

There are other movers and shakers in the mix, and you can be sure that those with a stake in the future of the Limelight District will make their voices heard. Anyone with land or a business in the district can join its association for a newly instituted membership fee of $100.

Davis has been approached by investors who want to be part of 925 Lime Ave. and other properties that Davis and his wife, Sherry, may acquire in the Limelight District in the future. But they prefer to go it alone, turning down investors and even shunning bank financing with one exception, Howard Davis says.

“When you’re investing your own money, it keeps you very focused,” he says. “And there is no such thing as a silent partner.”

A high-profile real estate developer who spent most of his career in Boston, Davis cut his teeth in Sarasota with the transformation of an abandoned furniture store he bought in 2016 in what is now known as the Rosemary District. In 2021, he sold the lovingly refurbished Mid-century modern building, The Boulevard of the Arts Center at 1570 Boulevard of the Arts, for $4.35 million.

In some instances, the impetus behind placemaking comes from local government. But the Limelight District’s birth can be attributed to Kim Livengood’s mother, Judy Alexander.

Alexander has spent most of her life as an indefatigable community volunteer. But to hear her daughter tell it, Judy Alexander’s dream was to own a warehouse.

“One day my parents were driving down Lime Avenue. My mom saw the building and said to my dad, ‘Let’s buy it.’ My dad never said no to my mom.”

Livengood’s father, Barry Alexander died in 2019, but he lived to see

Craig Palmer and Jen Palmer are partners in life and in promoting the arts scene in Sarasota.

that warehouse become a vibrant venue for artists and artisans to sell their wares. Fronted by an old-school pickup painted lime and apricot and decorated with a mural painted by artist Karen Chandler on a neighbor’s building, the arts-and-crafts mall is hard to miss.

Thanks to the efforts of its tenants as well as tourist development and artists groups, The Limelight District is becoming a destination for locals and tourists alike, particularly on the Second Saturdays organized by the Sarasota Studio Artists Association, which now has more than 50 members.

Spearheaded by Jen Palmer, the group has created a map of art galleries not just in and around the Limelight District but all over the city.

Right now, the Limelight District has the shopper’s lure of plentiful, free parking. Who could ask for more?

Actually, there are some things that Livengood & Co. have on their wish list.

Every arts neighborhood needs colorful banners hanging from city streetlights, and Livengood wants some. “But you wouldn’t believe what it costs —$100 each and liability insurance in case one of them falls down and hurts someone,” she says.

The banners, when they are hung, will carry a new Limelight District

logo, which is in the works along with an upgrade of the website. Fortunately, there is no shortage of branding, design and marketing expertise among members of the Limelight District’s braintrust.

Livengood and both Palmers have marketing experience while Creative Liberties co-owners Gerdeman and Goodwill worked alongside each other at the Art Center Sarasota.

As the Limelight District grows up, its backers want knotty zoning issues to be hashed out by the City Council.

Current code permits heavy industrial businesses that might not fit in with the arts district, some of them auto-related.

However, some gallery and shop owners like the idea of having some auto repair shops in the area because people getting their cars fixed must leave them for a few hours, creating the opportunity to explore the budding artsy neighborhood.

Also on the zoning front, Davis and Palmer see the need to accommodate live/work spaces for artists. Davis is offering entrepreneurial artists such as Palmer, Gerdeman and Goodwill the opportunity to lease space at below market value. They, in turn, are subdividing the space and renting it out to other artists.

Davis and others envision a future for the Limelight District where artists burning the midnight oil can

Courtesy photos

The dog-friendly Hamlet’s Eatery in The Bazaar at Apricot and Lime.

sleep on a sofa without running into trouble with the law.

Well acquainted with working with local governments from his career in real estate, Davis says the Limelight District is also asking the city for help on issues such as sidewalk improvements, better street-

lights and sewage system upgrades.

Some Sarasotans, especially second-homeowners and new transplants, may not realize that there are still some houses near downtown using septic tanks. Such outmoded waste disposal has the potential to foul the air and streets, not a good look (or smell) for the Limelight District.

Unlike other arts destinations across the country that have sprung up in warehouse districts — New York City’s Soho is an iconic example — the Limelight District is not plagued by crime.

Maybe the auto repair shops in the neighborhood do a good job of outfitting cars with anti-theft devices.

But for whatever reason, safety isn’t a concern right now, Davis says.

When you ask members of the Limelight coterie about their vision for the district, the answers overlap and involve common goals.

Inclusion ranks high on the list for Jen Palmer as well as the Creative Liberties co-founders Gerdeman and Goodwill — “art for all, not just rich people,” says Palmer.

Craig Palmer says the Limelight District’s artist studios can help creators build relationships with potential buyers, a factor that he sees as increasingly important in a hightech, post-COVID world.

“Some of the most interesting conversations are when visitors observe my work and explain to me what they see,” Palmer says.

Palmer Modern features an art gallery and includes a studio for Craig Palmer as well as affordable studios for five additional artists. The artists have access to a kitchen, lounge area, space to publicly display their work, and private, secure studios.

For Davis’s part, the placemaking happening along Lime Avenue is about the “three C’s — creativity, community and collaboration.”

Perhaps pioneer Kim Livengood sums up the goal the best: “We’re looking to create a neighborhood where you can park your car, walk around, watch art being made, buy some stuff and get something to eat or drink,” she says.

Oh, and don’t forget your dog.

Tribute to

Balanchine

April 28 - 29 | Sarasota Opera House Accompanied by the Sarasota Orchestra

The Four Temperaments Divertimento No.15 Western Symphony

MEDIA SPONSOR

Presented by

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941.359.0099 | SarasotaBallet.org Danielle Brown and Ricardo Rhodes in Western Symphony | Photography Frank Atura

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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023

REVIEWS

A theatrical last call ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost,’ ‘Paralyzed,’ ‘Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help’ and ‘Backwards Forwards Back’ will all close by the end of the month.

MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR

A

s the season winds down in Sarasota, there are four plays worth seeing that are closing in April. Sunshine, sailing and other social opportunities may beckon, but don’t miss some of the best that local theater has to offer.

To help you find the right seat, check out these mini reviews.

SHAKESPEARE GETS INTO THE GROOVE

“Love’s Labour’s Lost,” the Asolo Conservatory’s latest show, isn’t officially a musical, but it’s stuffed with songs. The plot? Simply put, this is Shakespeare.

King Ferdinand (Rueben Wakefield), the ruler of Navarre, strives to be a philosopher king. His entourage of three lords are academic aristocrats as well. To sharpen their mental focus, they make an idiotically idealistic vow: For the next three years, they’ll forgo contact with women.

With perfect timing, the Princess of France (Brielle Rivera Headrington) shows up with her entourage of three highly desirable ladies.

The King and his men are filled with amorous thoughts — and second thoughts about that vow.

There’s far more to it than that — but the complications aren’t the main attraction.

This early comedy is Marxist Shakespeare. “Marxist” as in Groucho, Chico, Harpo and sometimes Zeppo. “Love’s Labour’s Lost” isn’t about keeping your vows any more than “The Cocoanuts” is a study of South Florida real estate scams. The plot is a glorious excuse for Shakespearean silliness.

Director Jonathan Epstein adapted The Bard’s play and collaborated with Daniel Levy in farc-

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ing it up with songs. I assume Levy and Epstein worked closely together. Epstein is sensitive to Shakespeare’s word music; the real music never gets in the way. The resulting tour de farce is a hilarious romp.

IF YOU GO

WHEN LEE MET LEIGH, WORLDS COLLIDED

Covid delayed Etan Frankel’s “Paralyzed” but didn’t kill it. This season, it finally hit the stage at the Florida Studio Theatre. Here’s the basic story. Or stories ...

Leigh (Rachel Moulton) is a bit of a control freak with OCD tendencies. She’s got a high IQ and two doctoral degrees. Leigh loves math because it’s eternal, predictable and unchanging. She hides from real life because it doesn’t always add up.

Lee (Alexander Stuart) is a goodnatured good ol’ boy. In the brains department, he’s average. In the brawn department, Lee is a hardcharging, rising football star. Off the field, he doesn’t score many TDs. Leigh and Lee share snippets of their hard-luck stories. Their disjointed soliloquies slowly converge.

The force pulling them together?

An apparent suicide note that Leigh found behind a hotel toilet.

That’s the bare bones of Frankel’s fable. These dry bones seemed dead in 2020 — now they’re dancing around at FST. Their skeletal gavotte is witty, funny, satiric, frightening, metaphorical, philosophical and existential.

Despite the black comedy, it isn’t a happy-happy joyride. It gets harrowing at times. But never boring.

ASOLO REP PLAY KEEPS THE FAITH

In “Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help,” the action unfolds in a blue-collar Catholic commu-

Courtesy photo

Rueben Wakefield, Jackson Purdy, Trezure Coles and Brooke Turner star in the FSU/Asolo Conservatory production of Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost” in the Ringling gardens.

nity in the 1970s. While officially a “memory play,” it’s an unreliable narrator’s remembrance of things past.

That narrator is Linda O’Shea (Erin O’Connor), an adult telling the story of her 19-year-old self.

Back in 1973, something turned teenage Linda’s life upside down — and the rest of the O’Shea family’s lives along with it.

So what happened exactly? Linda’s younger sister, Becky (Willa Carpenter) was 13 years old. Her mother Josephine “Jo” (Lise Bruneau) should share the facts of life with her youngest daughter — but it makes her cry just thinking about it. So she passes the job off to her oldest daughter.

Linda does a good job but uses blunt words. Becky captures those words on a hidden tape recorder.

Father Lovett (Jay Russell), the family’s parish priest, gets his hands on the cassette. In his unforgiving hands, it’s explosive ammunition.

Katie Forgette’s play has a great concept. It’s also high-concept —and self-conscious of its own artificial artistry. Director Céline Rosenthal gets the audience howling, while Linda makes up her mind about what her story really was.

A SOLDIER GETS A SECOND CHANCE

Jacqueline Goldfinger’s “Backwards, Forwards Back” at the Urbanite Theatre is a one-man play.

The protagonist is unnamed. He’s simply “The Soldier” (L. James).

He’s a combat veteran who’s come back from Iraq, but not intact.

The Soldier’s mind has been shattered by PTSD. Combat’s random slaughter has rewired his nervous system. Certain triggers can instantly turn him into a killing machine.

After his sister issues an ultimatum, The Soldier goes to the VA center and asks for help. The treatment they give him is virtual reality immersion therapy. (It’s a real thing.)

The Soldier’s VR goggles play wartime scenes. Most of the time, nothing’s happening. Then — without warning — a jump-cut to ultraviolence. The terror comes in small doses at first, then increases.

The Soldier slowly builds a tolerance. You can tell he’s getting it together.

It’s powerful stuff, but Goldfinger’s not trying to push your buttons. “Backwards Forwards Back” isn’t a manipulative emotional roller coaster. It’s a glimpse into one veteran’s psychic reality.

‘LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST’ When: Through April 23.

Where: The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art’s Bayfront Gardens, 5401 Bay Shore Road.

Tickets: $32.

Info: Visit AsoloRep.org/ conservatory.

‘PARALYZED’ When: Through April 21.

Where: FST Bowne’s Lab Theatre, 1265 First St. Tickets: $25-$39.

Info: Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

‘INCIDENT AT OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP’ When: Through April 22.

Where: FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

Tickets: $29-$95.

Info: Visit AsoloRep.org.

‘BACKWARDS FORWARDS BACK’ When: Through April 30.

Where: Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St. Tickets: $25-$39.

Info: Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.

Director Brendan Ragan takes an egoless approach. He gets out of the story’s way and lets the actor do his job. With a script this good and an actor this talented, that’s wise.

MAMMALIAN DIVING REFLEX and Sarasota Elders

All the Sex I've Ever Had CANADA/GERMANY/AUSTRALIA

APR 20 – 22 7:30 PM

APR 23 5:00 PM

S E AS O

N

Photo by Gina Martin This presentation of All The Sex I’ve Ever Had is made possible in part thanks to grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and Ontario Arts Council touring programs

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ringling.org

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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT | THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023

THIS WEEK

Faced with a decline in tourism during the 1970s, a small Pennsylvania town decides to rename itself in honor of a dead Native American war hero who never even visited Beaver Gap while he was alive. Runs through May 21.

FRIDAY JAZZ AT TWO: JAMES SUGGS AND FRIENDS 2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road $15-$20 Visit JazzClubOfSarasota.org.

At the age of 9, Suggs took up the trumpet and began professionally at age 16 in northeast Ohio. He has toured with the Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey orchestras. In the Sarasota area, he has performed with Houston Person, Ken Peplowski, John Lamb, La Lucha and others.

THURSDAY

‘INCIDENT AT OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP’ 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail $33 and up Visit AsoloRep.org.

‘POPS: BROADWAY BOUND’ 7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trail $40-$90 Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

Travel back to 1973 with the Asolo Repertory Theatre to see how the O’Shea family does damage control when their prized respectability is threatened. Runs through April 22.

‘PARALYZED’ 7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Bowne’s Lab Theatre, 1265 First St. $18-$39 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

In this world premiere, the lives of two strangers — Leigh and Lee — with little in common besides their names come together after the discovery of a mysterious suicide note. Runs through April 21.

JIJI GUITAR 5:30 p.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St. $40 Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.

The first guitarist to win the Concert Artist Guild competition first prize in 30 years, JIJI has performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center and has been featured on PBS and NPR. RYAN BELLEVILLE 7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd. $28 Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

Currently starring on the hit Netflix show “Workin’ Moms,” Ryan Belleville was called “one of the best comics around” by GQ magazine.

His credits include numerous appearances at the Just for Laughs festival, TV appearances include CBC’s Halifax Comedy Festival, CBS’s “The Late Late Show” and MTV’s “Busted.” Continues Friday and Saturday.

Courtesy photos

The Sailor Circus performs “Around the World in 80 Days” through Sunday.

SAILOR CIRCUS: ‘AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS’ 7 p.m. at Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St. $20-$40 Visit CircusArts.org.

In “Around the World in 80 Days,” young athletes fly and soar to new heights in a show that tells the story of a smart, determined woman on a wild globe-trotting ride, seasoned by music and costumes reflecting the flavors of international locales.

Continues Friday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Saturday and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Sunday.

‘BIG SEXY: THE FATS WALLER REVUE’ 7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave. $20-$50 Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.

Nate Jacobs’ original tribute features Fats Waller’s signature songs, including “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Your Feet’s Too Big,” “The Joint is Jumpin’” and many more. Runs through May 28.

BILL AND THE BELLES 7:30 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court $18 for members; $20 for nonmembers; $10 for students.

Visit WSLR.org/Fogartyville.

Led by guitarist and vocalist Kris Truelsen, this band embodies classic American roots music through the use of driving fiddle and banjo tunes accented by the group’s signature harmonies. Their latest album explores topics of love, loss and mourning with a jaunty attitude.

1734 South Tamiami Trail Venice, FL 34293 941.493.7441

4551 N. Washington Blvd.

Sarasota, FL 34234 941.355.8437

‘ALL THE SEX I’VE EVER HAD’ 7:30 p.m. at Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bayshore Road $10-$35 Visit Ringling.org.

A group of six older adults from the Sarasota/Manatee community discuss the evolution of love and sexuality from the perspective of life’s later years. Continues Friday, Saturday and 5:30 p.m. Sunday. For mature audiences only.

‘LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST’ 8 p.m. at The Ringling Museum of Art’s Bayfront Gardens $35 Visit AsoloRep.org/conservatory.

FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training presents the early Shakespeare comedy about four young men, one of them a king, who try to swear off women. Runs through April 23.

‘BACKWARDS FORWARDS BACK’ 7:30 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St. $25-$39 Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.

In this world premiere by Jacqueline Goldfinger directed by Urbanite CoArtistic Director Brendan Ragan, a soldier returning from war fights his PTSD with virtual reality technology.

The play was due to close April 23 but has been extended to April 30.

‘VISIT JOE WHITEFEATHER (AND BRING THE FAMILY!)’ 8 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St. $25-$39 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org

2510 1st Street West Bradenton, FL 34208 941.748.4679

The Sarasota Orchestra celebrates Broadway with conductor William Waldrop and vocalists Carmen Ruby Floyd, Eryn LeCroy and Josh Young, Tony-nominated from “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Continues 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

SATURDAY FORKS & CORKS FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Ringling Courtyard, 5401 Bay Shore Road Prices vary and some events have a waitlist.

Visit EatLikeALocal.com/ ForksAndCorks/The-Festival The 16th Annual Forks & Corks Food and Wine Festival features a multiday menu of events, ranging from University Master Classes on Saturday and Wine Dinners. Runs through Sunday.

‘CUBAN CHOREOGRAPHY SHOWCASE’ 2 and 7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. $35 and up Visit SRQCubanBallet.org.

The Sarasota Cuban Ballet School presents classical and contemporary works celebrating Cuban choreographers, featuring

DON’T MISS

‘AMERICAN ROOTS’: CROSBY STILLS & NASH FOLK ROCK WITH THE LUBBEN BROTHERS When: 7:30 p.m. on Thursday Where: Oak Street Stage, 2050 Oak St. Tickets: $20 suggested donation to First Presbyterian Church Info: TheLubbenBrothers.com It’s CSNX3 as the triplets known as the Lubben Brothers explore the music of Crosby Stills & Nash. Michael, Tom and Joshua team up with Key Chorale at 4 p.m. Saturday at Church of Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road, and 5 p.m. Sunday at St. Boniface Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road.

OUR SHOWROOMS ARE OPEN Special Financing Available

www.manasotaonline.com

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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023

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OUR PICK

DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM

IF YOU GO When: 7 p.m. on Sunday Where: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trail Tickets: $47-$67 Info: Visit VanWezel.org.

Written by

DALE WASSERMAN MITCH LEIGH JOE DARION ALBERT MARRE Music by

Through songs of hope and inclusion, the LGBTQ chorus inspires our community to embrace equality.

LAURA SNOWDEN, CLASSICAL GUITARIST 7:30 p.m. at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way $37, $39, $41 Visit GuitarSarasota.org.

British-French guitarist Laura Snowden was invited by Julian Bream to premiere his latest commissions at Wigmore Hall. Her international appearances have since built rapidly, with festival debuts across Europe, China and the U.S.

SUNDAY ‘SPRING INTO SUMMER’ Suncoast Jazz Ambassadors 3 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St. $5 Visit SuncoastConcertBand.org.

This is the last concert of the season for the Suncoast Jazz Ambassadors.

Call 941-907-4123 for ticket availability.

and

Original Production Directed by

The Sarasota Orchestra chamber season concludes with Schumann’s Fairy Tales for clarinet, viola and piano. Schumann’s wife, Clara, inspired Brahms to begin his piano quartet in C minor, which took him 20 years to finish.

“Rothstein brings the themes of human dignity and desperate imagination into sharp relief”

Directed by

PETER ROTHSTEIN

–City Pages

MONDAY ‘STRETCH’ BRUYN PRESENTS ‘OVERJOYED’ STEVIE WONDER TRIBUTE 7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s John C. Court Cabaret, 1265 First St. $34-$39 Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

MAY 10 - JUNE 11

A S O L O R E P E R T O RY T H E AT R E

941.351.8000 | asolorep.org

Richard “Stretch” Bruyn and his quintet perform a tribute to pop music icon Stevie Wonder.

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DIVERSITY: THE VOICES OF SARASOTA — 25TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT 3-5 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail $20 Visit DiversitySarasota.org

CHAMBER SOIRÉES: SCHUMANN AND BRAHMS 4 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail $40-$50 Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

WEDNESDAY

Soar High.

Save BIG!

‘MON ONCLE’ SCREENING 2:30 p.m. at Sarasota High School Alumni Auditorium Free for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and Sarasota Art Museum members; $20 for others Visit OlliRinglingCollege.org The screening of the classic French film starring Jacques Tati will be hosted by Emmy-Award winning OLLI instructor Jeff Ryder.

Registration required.

Zip•Climb Swing•Soar The Ground Is Overrated BRADENTON

941-219-4457

www.TreeUmph.com BUY ONE GET ONE 402454-1

the Gulfcoast Studio Company of the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School with guest artists.

Lyrics by

HALF OFF!*

GIFT CERTIFICATES AND ANNUAL PASSES Save on summer adventures with 2 Gift Certificates for just $88.50 or save all year long with 2 Annual Passes for just $420.00! *Special price available through 5/15/23. Taxes and fees will be applied at checkout. Limit 4 Gift Certificates per person.

Cannot be combined with any other promo. Gift certificates to be used 4/23/23 – 8/31/23.

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POSTMODERN JUKEBOX: ‘LIFE IN THE PAST LANE’ TOUR Postmodern JukeBox’s “Life in the Past Lane” Tour celebrates the greatest 20th century musical genres, along with the hits of our own modern era, for a toe-tapping synthesis of vintage and contemporary.

BLACK

TIE

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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023

The event was held at the Art Ovation Hotel.

Pam Revels, Cornbread and Axel Traught

Linda Axelrod as Joan Rivers with Executive Director Anna Gonce

Carly Norris, Amanda Conner and Jenny Dwyer

T

he Humane Society of Sarasota County brought some Hollywood flair to its latest Paws fundraiser on April 14.

The latest “Paws on the Red Carpet” fundraiser drew hundreds to the Art Ovation Hotel for a lively morning of fundraising and fun for the nonprofit’s animal care services.

True to the name, guests arrived decked out in old Hollywood glamour and posed for photos on a red carpet stretching out to the Art Ovation hotel space. Volunteers with Humane Society pets were on hand to mingle with the crowd while this year’s Paw-Parazzi models snapped photos.

There was even a Joan Crawford impersonator who served as a host with Jason Alpert, who took to the stage following a program-opening number by Dynasty Dance Clubs.

Guests also heard from Co-chairwomen Donna Koffman and Tammy Karp as well as Executive Director Anna Gonce before the program’s close.

Paws on the Red Carpet Friday, April 14, at the Art Ovation Hotel | Benefiting Humane Society of Sarasota County

— HARRY SAYER

Co-chairwomen Donna Koffman and Tammy Karp

Jared Wurtzler, David Heedy and Justin Senior

Photos by Harry Sayer

Daria Fairchild, Hope McCampbell and Sarah Karp

Nikki Goslin and Ann Edwards with Sandy

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BLACK TIE

Wednesday, April 12, at Sarasota Art Museum | Benefiting Sarasota Art Museum

|

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023

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Rangsook Yoon, Charlotte Suhler and Flora Major

Ambassadors Dinner

Ellen Berman, Lois Stuhlberg, Katherine Martucci and guest artist Janet Echelman

S

arasota Art Museum supporters met for the annual Ambassadors Dinner on April

12.

Some of the museum’s closest donors and figures mingled inside the building and heard from guest artist Janet Echelman.

The afternoon continued with dinner and words from SAM leadership figures.

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Teri Hansen and Robert Cordaro

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— HARRY SAYER Photos by Harry Sayer

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BLACK TIE | THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023

AN ART MUSEUM IN OHIO’S AMISH COMMUNITY

Shine On! Gala

IS SEEKING DONATIONS

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Saturday, April 15, at Michael’s On East | Benefiting Visible Men Academy

T

he Visible Men Academy celebrated 10 years of education with its Shine On! gala April 15 at Michael’s On East.

The annual gala marked 10 years of the school with an elegant evening that started with mixing and mingling before it was time for the program to start.

The night honored VMA cofounder Louis Parker as well as Naiema Frieson, board chair, for their years of service. The pair were on hand welcoming guests and enjoying the event.

Co-chairwomen Janet Taylor and Christina Bonilla welcomed the audience before guests heard from VMA parent Jennifer Hendricks and Janjay Gehndyu, principal.

The program concluded with remarks from Frieson and dancing.

Principal Janjay Gehndyu and speaker Jennifer Hendricks

— HARRY SAYER

Signs, Superstition Signs,Spirits, Spirits, and and Superstition in inJewish Jewish Belief Belief Signs, Spirits, and Superstition Get clarity on life’s mostin mysterious phenomena Jewish Belief with an authentic Jewish

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DISCOVER THE KABBALAH PERSPECTIVE ON DREAMS, ASTROLOGY, JINXES & CURSES, ANGELS, DEMONS, SPIRITS & SOULS. This four-week course is offered three times a week at the following locations Starting Wednesday morning, May 3-May 24, 10:15am-12:00pm Chabad of Sarasota, 7700 Beneva Road Cost: $79 To Register: 925-0770

Starting Wednesday evening, May 3-May 24, 7:30pm-8:45pm Chabad of Sarasota, 7700 Beneva Road Cost: $79 To Register: 925-0770

Photos by Harry Sayer

Naiema Frieson and co-founder Louis Parker 398822-1

Starting Wednesday morning, April 26-May 17, 10:00am-11:30am Chabad of Downtown SRQ, 332 Cocoanut Ave. STE 103 Cost: $79 To Register: 928-9267

Co-chairwomen Christina Bonilla and Janet Taylor

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BLACK TIE

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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023

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The event was held at Michael’s On East.

Tennis Ball Friday, April 14, at Michael’s On East | Benefiting Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties

Co-chairwomen Amy Lyons, Barbara Lancer and Christina Bonilla

Carl Troiano and Scott Allen

T

he Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties hosted the latest Tennis Ball fundraiser April 14 at Michael’s On East.

The fundraiser, presented by the Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open and coming off the Joey Gratton Tennis Championship in early April, brought guests to the Michael’s event space for a program that started with mingling and bidding on silent auction items before it was time to head indoors.

Les McCurdy emceed the event, which raised funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County’s various programs as well as the USTA Foundation.

Yolanda Mancha and President and CEO Bill Sadlo

— HARRY SAYER

Photos by Harry Sayer

Jennifer and Lane Smith Tim Harney, Sunny Moss, Marion and Joe Lieb

Allison and Cliff Menezes

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FRIDAY 3 2, 202 1 Y A M

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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT | THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023

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Israel Independence DayYOM HA’ATZMAUT JOIN US! SUNDAY

ENJOY ISRAELI FOOD & FESTIVITIES WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS!

4:00 – 7:30PM

FESTIVITIES INCLUDE

APRIL 30

O TIO RQ. RA FEDS

J

VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS

RE

GIS

T

: IRED EQU G/yom R R N

MC/DJ: SRQ BEATS CO-CHAIRS, LISA ZELNIKER & KEREN SHANI-LIFRAK

(just to name a few — more to come): ^ My Tree in Israel Olive Oil with BMYA ^ Jewish crafts

HONORARY CHAIR LARRY GREENSPON

^ Limonana station by Michael’s On East ^ Trees for Israel with JNF

EVENT IS OUTDOORS, INDOORS, AND UNDER THE COVERED TERRACE

^ Notes for the Kotel (Western Wall) in Israel with Hadassah ^ Challah braiding activity with Baca Bread (challah available for purchase)

PRESENTING SPONSOR PRESENTED BY AUDI SARASOTA AND SUNCOAST PORSCHE

The 16th Annual Culinary Celebration

GOLD SPONSOR

Wear hite! w blue &

^ Nosh on falafel, malawach, burekas and more (Kosher options available)

BUNNY SKIRBOLL SILVER SPONSOR

ANN JACKSON

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Kehillah Collaborative and Sarasota-Manatee Rabbinical Association and Michael’s On East (as of 2/9/2023)

APRIL 20-24, 2023

WINE DINNERS - APRIL 20-24

Four days of wine and food festivity, thoughtfully presented by our Member Restaurants. Many winemakers or winery principals will be in attendance. Visit our website today for availability from Venice to Anna Maria Island!

THE 2022

Sponsorship opportunities at

JFEDSRQ.ORG/Israelat75-sponsor 393452-1

SARASOTA POLO SEASON

QUESTIONS? Contact Trudi Krames

at tkrames@jfedsrq.org or call 941-706-0037 FORKS & CORKS UNIVERSITY MASTER CLASSESBeginning - APRIL 22 Sunday, December 19 , 2021 th

Led by panels of world-renowned industry experts, these th Sunday, engaging wine seminars are designedthrough for those who want April 24 , 2022 an educational experience accompanied by guided tastings.

This year’s classes will present a rare opportunity to learn about wine with those instrumental in crafting them.

Every Sunday through April 30.

Only a few seats remain!

THE 2023 SARASOTA POLO SEASON

WINE SHOP TASTINGS APRIL 20 & 22

From a Wine & Cheese pairing at Vino Loco in Englewood, to Open Houses and Tastings at The Butcher’s Block, Michael’s Wine Cellar and Hive Bar in Sarasota, guests may swirl, sip and shop while mingling with visiting wineries.

Reserve your spot today!

THE 2022

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Our virtual auction promises a swank collection of lots featuring rare and exquisite wines, winery tours and tastings, and special dining experiences made possible by generous donations from wineries and friends of Sarasota-Manatee Every Sunday at 1 pm beginning December 19th 2021 through April 24th 2022 thousands of fans for exciting polo action, opening parade, live national Originals. Bid now thru Sunday, April 23 atJoin 3PM.

SUNDAY POLO

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The 2023 Sarasota Polo Season is almost over! Join thousands of fans for exciting polo th or scan theat QR code to March 17 2022action, Every Thursday 5:30 pm beginning through April 21st 2022 opening parade, live national anthem, Every Sunday at 1 pm beginningentertainment, December 19 2021 through April 24 2022 learn more!

The most unique after-work party in Lakewood Ranch.

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