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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
DECEMBER 19, 2024
Wallenda’s
Sarasota circus superstar wows hometown audiences under the big top at UTC.
MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER
+ ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
ARTS
After entertainers and athletes make a splash in their debut outing, it’s not uncommon for their follow-up effort to be disappointing. But there’s no sign of sophomore slump in the second year of Nik Wallenda’s Wonderland Circus. This year’s show, called “Illuminate,” is more polished and exciting than last year’s inaugural circus, “A Brave New Wonderland.”
But, of course, Wallenda is no newcomer to the circus. In fact, the 45-year-old King of the Wire is quite the opposite. He’s part of a circus family that traces its roots to Austria-Hungary in the 1780s.
The Flying Wallendas acrobatic troupe made its American debut in John Ringling’s circus in 1928, without a net because it was lost in transit. For better or worse, it became part of the family’s act.
When the family first came to Sarasota, the winter home of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, they stayed at John Ringling’s Ca D’Zan mansion.
As consumer tastes changed and circuses fell out of favor, Nik Wallenda has pushed the envelope of his art (Or is it a sport?) with daring tightrope crossings over Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon and a live volcano on cable and network TV. In the process, he has won Emmy Awards and racked up 13 Guinness World Records.
When an interviewer comments on the high production values (showbiz talk for good quality) of the videos that introduce holiday traditions to the audience during “Illuminate,” Wallenda explains without boasting, “I’ve spent years working with
the best in broadcasting. After you saw those videos opening weekend, we went back and made them even better.”
A lot of superstar performers are known for wanting to be the best — Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Beyonce, to name a few. Some want to achieve the highest ratings or concert tour grosses. Clearly, the drive for excellence motivates Wallenda too.
But there’s something else at work: Wallenda wants to redeem the circus in the eyes of the public.
As is the case with many things today, young people are the hardest to reach. “The 16- to 24-year-old demographic is tough for us,” Wallenda says during a phone interview.
“I was speaking with someone pretty powerful in Sarasota recently and he told me he can’t get his two teenaged daughters to go to the circus,” Wallenda laments. “They think circus is cheesy. We have to work hard to convince them that circus is cool.” Cue those TikTok #coolcircus videos.
If young people are staying away from Wonderland, it’s too bad because their peers are in the show.
Nineteen-year-old Emma Clarke is performing along with Anna Buchmeier, who is still in a high school, in a Hanukkah-themed performance during “Illuminate.” Clarke, daughter of Circus Arts Conservatory President and CEO Jennifer Mitchell, and Buchmeier received their training at the Sailor Circus Academy, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.
SEE WONDERLAND, PAGE 2
Comedic daredevil Johnny Rockett (left) and Master of Ceremonies Ty McFarlan deliver joy.
Anna Buchmeier (top) and Emma Clarke in a Hanukkah-themed aerial act
Colleen Pages and her camels perform at Wonderland Circus in “Illuminate.”
Nik Wallenda and the Circus Arts Conservatory have created a new holiday tradition with their Wonderland Circus, which runs through Jan. 5.
Images courtesy of Harry Sayer
A member of the Indian Pole act demonstrates his dexterity.
At one recent “Illuminate” show, Mitchell was in the audience near where her daughter and Buchmeier had a cheering section, presumably made up of friends and former classmates from Sailor Circus. Mitchell was congratulated by well-wishers after the show.
Along with Circus Arts Conservatory co-founders Pedro Reis and Dolly Jacobs, who recently passed the management reins of the nonprofit CAC to Mitchell, Wallenda and Company consider it their mission to “elevate” the circus.
That marketing buzzword gets tossed around a lot, usually in connection with high-rise condos and potent cocktails. But it seems apt in a world where a lot of action takes place off the ground.
“We want to get better and better,” Wallenda says. “We’re the only circus in the world with a red carpet when you walk in the door. We are building a brand new European tent as we speak. We want to elevate the entire experience.”
Wallenda and his Wonderland producing partners at the CAC have to educate the public that “Illuminate” is different from the Wonderland show last year as well as the performances of Circus Sarasota.
“We try to put the word ‘new’ on all our marketing materials,” Wallenda says.
Part of the problem is that many holiday shows like the Radio City Rockettes in New York City and Balanchine’s classic Christmas ballet, “The Nutcracker,” performed in Sarasota, New York and all around the world, are essentially the same every year but with new performers. While the debut of Wonderland showcased Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa, “Illuminate” also honors holidays from India and China with performances by artists from those countries.
SURPRISES IN STORE FOR ‘ILLUMINATE’ AUDIENCES
What’s more, there’s an element of surprise in every show. Last year, Nik’s mother, retired circus performer Delilah Wallenda, celebrated her 71st birthday by coming out of retirement to perform in a pyramid with family members.
“Seventy-one is just a number,” Delilah told Miami TV 7 last year.
“You’ve just got to keep on trucking on and follow your dream. Don’t give up on it no matter how old you are, just keep going,”
There’s a reason why “Never give up” is Nik Wallenda’s tagline. Like mother, like son.
Like any family, the Wallendas
have suffered their share of heartbreak. Nik’s great-grandfather, Karl Wallenda, died in 1978 when he fell during a high-wire stunt in Puerto Rico. There have been other injuries to family members over the years.
The one that hit close to home was when Nik’s sister, Lijana Wallenda, broke nearly every bone in her face when the troupe’s eight-man pyramid collapsed in 2017 while they were rehearsing at Circus Sarasota.
Even the normally stoic Nik was shaken by that accident. He recounts how faith and the support of his family and other troupe members helped him regain his confidence in his book, “Facing Fear: Step Out in Faith and Rise Above What’s Holding You Back.” Co-written with Don Yaeger, it’s surprisingly readable, even for those of little faith.
Among the Wallenda family members performing in this year’s “Wonderland” are Nik’s cousin, Blake, and wife, Erendira, who performed handstands and splits on a metal pole suspended on a shoulder bar between the two men. Erendira is also the director of “Illuminate.”
When the Wallendas are up on the
high-wire performing their deathdefying moves, Wonderland Master of Ceremonies Ty McFarlan asks the audience to turn off their cell phones and to be quiet so the troupe can communicate with each other.
A reassuring presence who stands in for Santa Claus in Wonderland, McFarlan is a veteran of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, where he was only the second Black ringmaster in its history.
You never know what’s going to happen at Wonderland. Who will be plucked out of the audience to perform alongside professionals?
Kids in the audience were mesmerized by clown Johnny Rockett’s spiky hairdo, affable manner and wacky bicycle, which seemingly falls apart before he turns it into a unicycle.
Wallenda ends his “circus with a purpose” with a brief but heartfelt appeal for tolerance and unity. “What if we could learn to get along with people we disagree with?” he asks. What indeed?
Wallenda and his Wonderland circus producing partners at the CAC have to educate the public that “Illuminate” is a different from the Wonderland show last year as well as the performances of Circus Sarasota.
William Cruzado and Carlos Benitez Aviles wow the crowd on the Wheel of Destiny.
Jayde Jing Wong and Xiantong Mo perform as Lion Dance Me at Wonderland Circus: “Illuminate,”
Images courtesy of Harry Sayer
OLLI at Ringling College Presents
FST’s ‘The Heart Sellers’ gives voice to the voiceless
Kate Alexander directs a heartwarming tale of love, friendship and the American immigrant experience.
MARTY FUGATE
CONTRIBUTOR
Lloyd Suh’s “The Heart Sellers” is now on stage at Florida Studio Theatre. Set in 1973, this witty, poignant play revolves around Luna and Jane, two recent Asian immigrants navigating the possibilities and pitfalls of American life. The significance of the title?
Director Kate Alexander says it’s a clever play on words. The story unfolds in the Nixon administration. A few years earlier, the Hart-Celler Immigration Act of 1965 had repealed quotas restricting Asian immigration. Alexander notes that Suh uses that as a jumping off point to explore the complexities of cultural assimilation, the power of human connection and the search for belonging. In the following conversation, she explains why these issues are still relevant today.
What’s the basic story in this play?
The story revolves around two young women who were part of a wave of Asian immigrants. Michelle Kim plays Jane, whose heritage is Korean. Rona Figueroa plays Luna, the Filipino character. Their husbands are medical residents in a midsized city without many people from their backgrounds. Like so many others, Rona and Jane entered arranged marriages before coming to America. These women now lack agency in an unfamiliar and sometimes unaccepting culture.
How did you find the right actors to bring Jane and Rona to life?
It wasn’t easy. Finding authentic Korean and Filipino actresses was incredibly challenging — it required searches in Atlanta, LA and New York. I’m happy to say we found two incredibly talented actors. Michelle and Rona are perfect fits for their roles.
How would you describe their respective portrayals?
Michelle’s Jane is a woman of few words. She has fewer lines and speaks in short, abrupt sentences due to her character’s limited English.
Ah. So, what’s left is body language and pacing.
Exactly. Michelle conveys profound meaning in small moments — like a simple “hmm” when her character’s watching Julia Child prepare a turkey on TV. It’s Thanksgiving eve, and she wants to do it right — like a good American. The unspoken subtext is Jane’s desire to assimilate. It’s subtle, but Michelle gets it across.
What about Rona’s take on Luna?
Rona’s musicality shines through her performance. Her natural warmth and enthusiasm bring Luna’s vulnerable charms to life — and it instantly connects her to Jane. In terms of acting, that’s great. In terms of storytelling, we had to take it down a notch.
How so?
We had to calibrate her character’s enthusiasm. If Luna and Rona bond too quickly, the play would lose its dramatic tension. So, we explored
Michelle Heera Kim and Rona Figueroa star in “The Heart Sellers,” which runs through Feb. 16 at FST’s Keating Theatre.
IF YOU GO
‘THE HEART SELLERS’
When: Through Feb. 16
Where: FST Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota
Tickets: $46
Info: Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
how the characters found common ground over time. That mirrors the complexities of real friendships. The two women are finding out who they are — and where they come from.
I assume their family history is a big part of that. Absolutely. It’s deeply woven into the fabric of the story. The playwright draws on the humor and irony of Filipino and Korean traditions. He insists on cultural specificity — and we honor that. Both actresses come from these respective backgrounds. Their authenticity adds layers to the play. Luna performs a brief folk dance. It’s a deeply personal connection to her roots. It’s a wordless communica-
tion. There’s so much of that in this play. The spoken lines of dialogue are just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many emotions and thoughts beneath the surface.
So, there’s a lot of internal work for the actors. Their spoken words don’t carry all the freight. What they don’t say is equally important. Definitely. The truth of this play lies in its silences. Those moments are rich with unspoken dreams and fears, required deep examination. For example, when Luna talks about being laughed at, both actresses reflect on their personal experiences without speaking. These pregnant silences highlight their shared and unshared emotions. We really worked to find these layers and make sure they resonated.
Is “The Heart Sellers” a comedy or a drama? It’s all of the above. It’s funny, charming and endearing, but also deeply poignant. The humor draws you in to the characters’ inner lives. It’s a story about two people navigating the conflict of assimilation — caught between old and new worlds.
They’re alienated — literally!
Is it true that Suh’s childhood informs the play?
Yes. The playwright’s mother was a Chinese immigrant. She had a very similar experience in the 1970s. For me, the most striking aspect is the attention Suh gives to the silent voices of young women who had immigrated during this era. This play brings light to the sacrifices and dreams of immigrant women, who are often overlooked in favor of stories about hardworking men building a better life.
Why is a play about immigrants in 1973 relevant today?
Immigration remains a hot-button issue; we still fear “the other.” Suh’s play fosters empathy without hitting you over the head with a political message. In one scene, Luna relates how she saw some “typical” Americans laughing and playing and how she just wanted to belong. After one performance, two audience members remarked that they’d never considered how immigrants felt. The play’s empathy extends to the humanity of any ostracized group.
Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine
Downtown gallerist finds a home in Fruitville Road furniture store
Upscale home furnishings
retailer Clive Daniel gives Angela Ligon a place to sell large pieces of art.
MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Angela Ligon doesn’t know where she’s going to live. The lease on the short-term rental she found after her Lido Key condo got flooded — not once but twice — by hurricanes is going to end soon, and there aren’t a lot of housing options during season in Sarasota.
But one thing that Ligon can count on: The temporary art gallery she set up earlier this year on the second floor of the luxury home furnishings emporium Clive Daniel gets to stay for a while.
Ligon got the news last week and she was elated. “Yesterday was the first time I met Clive,” Ligon said in a telephone interview. “He loved the artwork. He thinks it’s something they need. He’s talking about renting the space to me long term.”
Clive Daniel was founded by the father-and-son team of Clive and Daniel Lubner in 2011 with a home furnishings store and design services in Naples.
The retailer has since expanded its wares and services to locations in Boca Raton, Sarasota and Fort Myers.
The 70,000-square-foot showroom in Sarasota opened in Fruitville Commons near Lakewood Ranch in September 2022.
Like the massive store in which they are located, many of the pieces in Ligon’s art gallery are big. In fact, some are giant. A standout is a mixed media tapestry by Majo, a female artist who uses only one name. It’s called “Vida” and is 69 by 96 inches.
“Vida” is reminiscent of the potholders children used to make on toy looms. The work, spotted for the first time after Hurricane Helene, is also a reminder of the resilience of the Sarasota community.
With metallic threads, it’s got a bit of bling that runs through the colorful strips of fabric in a work that brings to mind the old-fashioned rag rugs that people have been making for centuries.
There are other massive showstoppers for people who want to adorn a wall in a high-rise condo surrounded by views of Sarasota Bay on three sides. They include S M Mancini’s “The Cellist,” a 60-by48-inch mixed media work that has a cello literally jumping off the canvas.
Another piece that will light up any room is Nancy Iannitelli’s cheerful “Mosaic Sun,” an acrylic on canvas work that is 60-by-60 inches.
Many postcard-like paintings inhabit Gisela Miller’s “Note to Self,” a wall sculpture made of seven wood boards that are each 55 inches tall and 8.5 inches wide.
“Note” invites conversation about travel, memory and adventure with images of the Eiffel Tower, an antique car and affirmations like “Gratitude” and “Up, Up and Away.”
The high ceilings and spacious setting at Clive Daniel’s Fruitville Commons showroom provide the perfect backdrop for these largescale works, many of which would look right at home in a museum.
For those looking for decorative objects, Ligon’s gallery features wood sculptures by Dennis Elliott made with maple and walnut burl and metal as well as Carrara marble pieces by Marton Varo, whose works are displayed all over the world, including at Ave Maria University east of Naples in Florida.
Before she opened her art annex upstairs at Clive Daniel in August, Ligon ran gallery and event spaces in downtown Sarasota for nearly eight years. A self-taught artist, she moved to Florida in 2013 from Houston after a career in the petroleum industry.
Ligon’s first eponymous gallery was downtown at First Street and Lemon Avenue. The second was an art and event space in the Rosemary District, in a furniture store building restored by developer Howard Davis that’s now called the BOTA building.
One of the first questions Ligon asks upon meeting someone is: “Have you ever bought a piece of original art?” She’s not trying to sell you something per se; she’s spreading the word about the transformative power of art. When Ligon recently delivered a piece of art to a client and hung it up in his office, he was overjoyed. “He was seemingly a big, tough businessman, but a piece of art made him jump and down like a little kid. It was such a joy to see,” Ligon says.
It would be a mistake to call Ligon merely a “gallerist” because she sees her mission as supporting not just visual arts but musicians, dancers and other performers. After some discussion during an inter view, Ligon settles on a definition for a job. She wants to be known as a “community arts advocate.”
Perhaps her tagline says it best: “My mission is to fill your empty space with inspiration.”
Photos by Monica Roman Gagnier
Angela Ligon, who ran art and event spaces in downtown Sarasota for nearly eight years, now has a gallery within Clive Daniel in Fruitville Commons.
Ligon Fine Art at Clive Daniel represents the wood sculpture artist David Elliott. This piece is called “Gemini Orbital.”
THIS WEEK
THURSDAY
‘LIGHTS IN BLOOM’
5:30 p.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St.
$29-$44 Visit Selby.org.
Planning to take the family to see Selby Gardens’ winter wonderland of 2 million lights? You’re not alone. If you’re planning to go, book your ticket online now because they are selling out quickly. Early admission is at 5:30 p.m. and costs more than general admission at 6:30 p,m. “Lights in Bloom” runs through Jan. 1 and is open every night except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
JAZZ THURSDAY AT SAM: THE BARKER PROJECT
5:30 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail Free to $25 VisitSarasotaArtMuseum.org.
Fresh from their triumphant collaboration with Sarasota Contemporary Dance, The Barker Project performs a holiday show on the Marcy & Michael Klein Plaza. The evening features extended hours in the galleries, Bistro and museum shop. This event is sold out online, but here’s an insider’s tip: Go to the museum in the late afternoon, pay for an admission or membership and stay for the show.
‘ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914’
7 p.m. at The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road
$39-$67 Visit Ringling.org.
Thanks to a partnership between Asolo Repertory Theatre and The Ringling, Asolo Rep is presenting “All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914” in the Historic Asolo Theater.
Written and directed by Asolo Rep
Producing Artistic Director Peter Rothstein, “All is Calm” tells the true story of an impromptu holiday ceasefire between English and German soldiers during World War I using word and song. Runs through Dec. 22.
DON’T MISS
SARASOTA BALLET:
‘FANCIFUL JOURNEY’
Get out your best sparkly ballet flats because the Sarasota Ballet is giving the community a holiday present at Sarasota Opera House. No, we’re not talking about Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker.” We’re talking about the world premiere of Sir David Bintley’s “The Spider’s Feast.” The fanciful ballet follows a hungry anthropod that is thwarted every time it tries to trap another insect for his dinner. The program also features Sir Frederick Ashton’s “Les Patineurs” and George Balanchine’s “Rubies.” Runs through Dec. 22.
IF YOU GO
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20
Where: Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. Tickets: $35-$125 Info: Visit SarasotaBallet.org.
WONDERLAND CIRCUS: ‘ILLUMINATE’
7 p.m. at the Big Top at UTC, 195 University Town Center Drive
$30-$100 VisitCircusArts.org.
Nothing says the holidays like the circus, especially when the star is Sarasota’s hometown hero, Nik Wallenda. For the second year in a row, superstar aerialist Wallenda teams up with the Circus Arts Conservatory to present “Illuminate,” a fresh show for the whole family that’s got all the holidays covered. Runs through Jan. 5, 2025.
‘BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL’
7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$35-$98 Visit AsoloRep.org.
Not just another jukebox musical, Asolo Repertory Theatre’s
“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” tells the story of King’s life, from her early days churning out songs with then-husband Gerry Goffin for other artists to her rise as the voice of her generation. Runs through Jan. 5, 2025.
‘THE HEART SELLERS’
8 p.m. at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave.
$25-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Take a time trip back to Thanksgiving 1973 when a chance meeting between two recent Asian immigrants adrift in a new land develops into an unexpected friendship. Runs through Feb. 16, 2025.
‘OFF THE CHARTS’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St.
$18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
The creative team behind Florida Studio Theatre’s popular cabaret series is at again with “Off the Charts.” Richard and Rebecca Hopkins and Sarah Durham take the audience on a tour of 20th-century pop music with arrangements by Jim Prosser. Runs through Feb. 9.
‘A MOTOWN CHRISTMAS’
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
$22-$57
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
You don’t have to be old enough to remember the Jackson Five singing
“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” to appreciate Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s “Motown Christmas.” This program of Hitsville holiday favorites is guaranteed to warm the heart of any Grinch. Runs through Jan. 5.
‘59TH STREET BRIDGE’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave.
$18-$42 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Feelin’ groovy? Simon & Garfunkel fans know that expression from the hit song that gives this cabaret
FRIDAY
FRIDAY JAZZ @ 2: MARK
MOULTRUP AND FRIENDS
2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist SRQ, 3975 Fruitville Road
$15-$20
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
Jazz Club of Sarasota presents Mark Moultrup and his friends James Suggs, Alejandro Arenas and Jean Bolduc for Friday Jazz @ 2. Originally from Detroit, Moultrup is a keyboardist, vocalist, composer, arranger and educator now living in St. Petersburg.
‘SHORT AND SUITE:’
AZARA BALLET
7 p.m. at Ovation Black Box Theater, 4602 E. State Road 64, Bradenton
$28-$30
VisitAzaraBallet.org.
Choreographed by Azara Ballet cofounder Martin Roosare, this holiday program includes classical ballet set to excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” as well as a performance accompanied by contemporary holiday music. Runs through Dec. 22.
‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’
7:30 p.m. at the Raymond Center, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice $15-$26 Visit VeniceTheatre.org.
Now in its 75th season, Venice Theatre continues its holiday tradition of presenting its musical production of “A Christmas Carol.” Veterans of past shows return, including Brad Wages as Scrooge, and are joined by new cast members. God bless us, everyone! Runs through Dec. 22.
SATURDAY
’DECK THE HALLS’
10 a.m. at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave. $12 VisitFloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Since it was first produced as part of Florida Studio Theatre’s Children’s Series in 2016, “Deck the Halls” has become a tradition for many Sarasota families. Celebrate the holidays in Florida style with palm trees decorated with twinkling lights, sand snowmen and Santa on a surfboard. This year, the interactive show returns with new sketches and songs.
PATTI SMITH: A BOOK OF DAYS
10 a.m. at Selby Gardens Historic Spanish Point, 401 N. Tamiami Trail, Osprey Included with $20 admission VisitFloridaStudioTheatre.org.
show its title. Florida Studio Theatre pays tribute to early folk-rock artists including John Denver, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. Continues through March 30, 2025.
‘WAITRESS’
8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St.
$39-$59
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
For fans of Sara Bareilles, Florida Studio Theatre’s production of “Waitress” needs no introduction. The Grammy-winning singer/ songwriter wrote the music and lyrics for this hit Broadway musical. Spoiler alert: Pie is always the answer! Runs through Jan. 5, 2025.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens collaborates with poet and musician Patti Smith, its artist-in-residence, on an outdoor exhibition at its Spanish Point campus of large prints taken from her newly published bestseller, “A Book of Days.” Runs through Aug. 31, 2025.
SUNDAY
‘JOE FIG’S CONTEMPLATING VERMEER’ 10 a.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail Free with $20 admission Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.
“Joe Fig: Contemplating Vermeer” brings the concept of meta (the thing inside the thing) with his delightful paintings of people watching an art exhibition. To riff
Photo courtesy of Dylan Cox
“Lights in Bloom” at Marie Selby Botanical Garden is a Sarasota holiday tradition.
Image courtesy of John Jones
Florida Studio Theatre’s“ Deck the Halls” runs through Dec. 24 at FST’s Keating Theatre.
Courtesy image
Azara Ballet co-founders Kate Flowers and Martin Roosare will perform in the holiday program “Short & Suite” on Dec. 20-22.
on the street artist Banksy, “exit through the gift shop” and pick up a “Contemplating Vermeer” mug as a stocking stuffer.
CHAMBER SOIRÉE 4 —
BEETHOVEN AND BRASS
4 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail
$42-$52
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Sarasota Orchestra presents an uplifting program of chamber music
featuring Early Hungarian Dances from the 17th century by Farkas and Beethoven’s Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 16. The concert ends on a yuletide note with selections from “A Canadian Brass Christmas.”
‘THE NUTCRACKER’
6:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$35-$80 VisitSarasotaBallet.org.
It wouldn’t be Christmas without Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker.”
The timeless story features 100 dancers from the Sarasota Ballet Studio Company, so be prepared for spontaneous applause from family members. For some of us, the tree that keeps growing taller and taller over the course of the production never gets old. Continues through Dec. 23.
MONDAY
‘SHINIQUE SMITH: PARADE’
10 a.m. at The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road Free with admission; Mondays free Visit Ringling.org.
The yearlong exhibition of Shinique Smith’s colorful fabric sculptures in dialogue with The Ringling’s Renaissance masterpieces is coming to a close. The crosscultural conversation embodies the universality of the human experience while incorporating voices of the African American diaspora and circus. The end result is nothing short of monumental.
Don’t
on
Eve with a program featuring Broadway star Bernadette Peters. At home, Quinn will lead the Venice Symphony in seasonal favorites such as “Sleigh Ride,” “Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” with vocal performances by Key Chorale and guest vocalist Liz Callaway. Runs through Dec. 22.
IF YOU GO
When: 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21
Where: Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave. Building 5, Venice
Tickets: $38-$70
Info: Visit TheVeniceSymphony.org.
“A Motown Christmas” runs through Jan. 5 at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.
Courtesy image Venice Symphony Music Director Troy Quinn will conduct “Home for the Holidays” from Dec. 21-22. Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine
Asolo Rep’s ‘All
Peter Rothstein’s moving a capella musical tells a true story with recovered words and timeless songs.
MARTY FUGATE THEATER CRITIC A separate peace broke out in 1914, the first year of World War I. It began all along the Western Front in Europe in the days leading up to Christmas. Snow was falling, bullets flying. Then German and British soldiers began singing music hall songs, patriotic ballads and Christmas carols on both sides of No Man’s Land, the area between where the enemies had dug in. This turned into a call and response.
After the music met, the men gradually came together. They sang songs, exchanged gifts, swapped helmets, played soccer and buried their dead.
A miracle or a freak occurrence? Either way, it actually happened.
Peter Rothstein’s “All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914” brings the silenced songs of this improbable history to the Historic Asolo Theater stage in The Ringling. Rothstein is directing this musical. He also authored it, in collaboration with Erick Lichte and Timothy C. Takach, who created the vocal arrangements.
In this Asolo Rep production, Rothstein’s approach is minimal, but not starkly minimalistic. A choir of nine men sing the songs. There’s no orchestration; it’s all a capella.
The show alternates song with speech; the music is broken up with quotes from letters, diaries, newspaper articles, war records and poets both living and dead. They’re the words of the men who were there or the men responsible. Nothing’s made up. After each reading, the actor recites the name of the quote’s author.
Is Calm’ re-creates a quiet Christmas miracle
The soldiers personified aren’t larger-than-life heroes; they’re young men, often teens, caught in a global conflict they can’t grasp and didn’t start.
The soldiers personified aren’t larger-than-life heroes; they’re young men, often teens, caught in a global conflict they can’t grasp and didn’t start.
Each actor portrays more than one character. Along with the choral ensembles, there are many moving solo performances. Tenor Benjamin Dutcher delivers a pow-
erful rendition of “Stille Nacht” (“Silent Night”). Tenor Phinehas Bynum is equally powerful on “Minuit Chrétiens” (“O Holy Night”).
The spoken word characterizations are also gripping. Sasha Andreev’s portrayal of Captain Hulse of the Scots Guards is deeply moving. He’s a sane man in a bloody mad world.
James Ramlet’s portrayal of Winston Churchill (the Lord of the British Admiralty in 1914) is mordantly comic. He dryly speculates on what would happen if Britain’s soldiers all went on strike and stopped fighting. Winnie’s soft-spoken understatement hides the true message: “Stop this damnable peace nonsense by any means necessary!”
Rothstein’s deft direction pulls
you into deeply personal, human moments. He’s not moving the actors around like chess pieces on a board. He’s pulling you into their stream-of-consciousness. (Outside of telepathy, diaries and letters are probably the closest equivalent.) Empathy is always the point.
Erick Lichte’s music direction makes the most of limited time and space. The soldiers sing their hearts out and it never feels contrived.
Marcus F. Dillard’s lighting and practical effects evoke the literal fog of war. (You can almost feel the cold.) Greg Emetaz’ projections reveal the larger theater of war without overwhelming the small-scale action.
Trevor Bowen’s costume design perfectly fits the musical’s point. British or German, the soldiers
IF YOU GO
‘ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914’
When: Through Dec. 22.
Where: The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road
Tickets: $30-$67
Info: Visit Ringling.org.
all wear black. Outside of accents and helmets, there’s no way to tell who’s who. They’re human; what else do you need to know?
These talents quietly pull you back to the Western Front in 1914. “All is Calm” isn’t in your face. There’s no tear-jerking or tub-thumping. This musical softly asks you to feel what these soldiers felt and see through their eyes. After that, your imagination does the work.
The “Christmas Truce” of 1914 really happened. A separate peace, in one of history’s bloodiest wars? Logically and practically, that should never have happened. It defies common sense.
Call it a miracle, call it a freak occurrence. But that’s not what’s so miraculous about the “Christmas Truce.”
In the bloody No Man’s Land of the 21st century, we’re used to bizarre, unlikely events. But they’re usually the devil’s handiwork. A nut with an AK-47 blasts a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. Another well-armed nut attacks the Sandy Hook Elementary School.
A nut with his own country (Vladimir Putin, Russia) invades Ukraine and kills a lot of people. Just because he can. Every few weeks, the flag seems to go to half-staff. So it goes. Such atrocities are barely news these days. But this spontaneous outbreak of peace is not the norm. It’s not what you expect. But it actually happened. At least once. And that’s something to sing about.
Image courtesy of Kayla Emy
Peter Rothstein’s a capella musical, “All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914” plays at The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater through Dec. 22.
BLACK
ART BASH
Saturday, Dec. 14, at Sarasota Art Museum | Ringling College of Art and Design’s Sarasota Art Museum
How often do we hear the word “biomorphic?” After the Sarasota Art Museum’s annual Art Bash held Dec. 14, it just may become the word of the year — at least in Sarasota’s vast and vibrant art world.
Coming from the Latin words bios (life) and morphe (form), “biomorphic” translates into “having a form that resembles a living thing, such as a plant, organism or body part.”
And the glow? That came not only from the carefully curated and strategically placed lights designed to glow up the entire venue, but also from the guests who came dressed in colorful attire. The merger of the two completed the tastefully elegant atmosphere where 325 guests enjoyed SAM’s Biomorphic Glow.
Under the watchful eyes of SAM Director of Special Events
Laura Stuart Wood and seasoned Sarasota fundraiser triChairs Umbreen Khalidi-Majeed, Roxanne Permesly and Elisabeth Waters, the event went off flawlessly.
After a cocktail hour with drinks, canapés, entertainment and open galleries to view, guests entered the colorful, glowing tent complete with elegantly appointed tables, a band stage and dance floor. Dinner, and an auction, headed by Tom Koski — who also served with his wife, Sherry, on the committee of 17 — was followed by a special five-year anniversary paddle raise. Dessert, dancing and mingling made for a creative and inspiring evening.
Funding from the evening benefits the Ringling College of Art and Design’s Sarasota Art Museum, which focuses on showcasing contemporary art.
— JANET COMBS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024
Photos by Janet Combs
E. Scott Osborne with Mike McAlpine
SAM’s Director of Special Events Laura Stuart Wood (center), is flanked by Geert Martens and Ray Murray, who are morphing into a bird and a butterfly for SAM’s Art Bash 2024.
SAM’s Director of Learning and Engagement Connie Cuadrado with Senior Curator Rangsook Yoon
This trifecta of tri-chairs of SAM’s Biomorphic Glow features Elisabeth Waters, Umbreen Khalidi-Majeed and Roxanne Permesly.
Dennis Rees, Felice Schulaner and Andy Sandberg
Andrew Forg, Miqui von Kulka and Elizabeth Ford
Front: Samo Davis and Emily Norris; Back: Payton Adams, Becca Boyd, Hanna Mullen and Laura Parker Samson
Photos by Janet Combs
Elizabeth Spahn, Patty Seidensticker, LaVerne Green, Roslyn Painter-Goffi, Barbara Zdravecky and Kate Lannamann
Don Lowe with Diana Paver and Patti and David Wertheimer
Clare and Rich Segall
Cornelia Matson.
Photos by Janet Combs Cause 4 Fashion keynote speaker Robin Scorsone and husband, Frank Dr. Dean Sutherland and Jennifer Williams co-chair the Neuro Challenge Cause 4 Fashion on Dec. 11.
Gana Gilkey gives Bill Bryan a hug at Cause 4 Fashion.
Donita Pace, Traci Willingham, Jennifer Bitner, Leslie LeBlanc, April Moschini and Diane Conti Ready for the runway: Terry McKee
touches from Ciara Monet.
Welcome to December, the month reminiscent of cold weather and holidays — unless you live in Florida where we decorate our yards in the sometimes blistering heat as we wait for The Claw to remove piles of hurricane debris.
Personally, I am reminded that another trip around the sun has been successfully completed. On Dec. 6 I exercised my membership and preferred parking spot at the Tampa Zoo with my Canon pointed at the entertaining orangutans, followed by a chaser party at a local Tiki hut where the band sang my 2024 theme song, “Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64?”
Thanks to friends who came out to dance in the sand, snack from a huge Costco cookie platter ($24.99 for members who need a delish holiday party take-along) and then tried to break up a bar fight where I learned one probably shouldn’t mess with a guy who has a safety pin in his cheek (not that there’s anything wrong with that). But I digress...
You are cordially invited to a recap of some of the happenings that have been happening in our small city.
Channeling
Granny Clampett
Let the residents of
Tree/ Woodlands II HOA
that not all
held in swell places while wearing city clothes or mingling around cement ponds. The eighth annual tree lighting on the boulevard and Toys for Tots donation station was another huge success with over 200 toys collected. Organized by retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. John Alexander and his wife, Gail, they guarantee an appearance by that couple in red velvet, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus
In uniform
The United States Marines celebrated its 249th birthday in November with birthday galas taking place in cities around America. Lucky for Sarasota that Edward Valdez organized one such gala at the Art Ovation Hotel for 200 guests. Valdez, a veteran and military liaison and his wife, Jade, together with a volunteer committee, celebrated with guest of honor Edward Rensi, past president and CEO of McDonald’s USA. All proceeds went to the Fisher House Foundation, and the 2025 celebration promises to be even bigger.
Proud husband moment
Ryan Ackerman excitedly told me about a nonprofit called Holiday House SRQ co-founded by his wife, Sepi, and Jenny Infanti. HHSRQ will be taken into four Title 1 schools giving 2,000 children the opportunity to shop for presents for their family with no cost attached thanks to organizers and generous supporters. Alta Vista, Brentwood, Emma Booker and Wilkinson elementary schools will reap the benefits, and a gentle reminder that a Title 1 school is defined as the recipient of additional resources from the federal government to help students from low-income families.
That fire sign
Sagittarians are known to be adventurous, open-minded, fun-loving and impatient. Additionally, and this drove my mom crazy, we are always on a quest for knowledge, so if you have some juicy news, dirty laundry, gossip or venting to share, please contact this Archer at JCombs@Your Observer.com. Anonymity always guaranteed upon request!
Janet Combs
Ellen and Matt Barry with Col. John and Gail Alexander at the Toys for Tots drive.
