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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR
TOur theater critic reveals his picks for the fall season.
RAISING THE CURTAIN
he human condition hits the stage in many forms in 2025.
The year isn’t over yet. In the area’s live theater scene, the best is yet to come. What’s coming transcends time, genre and subject. Our stages will be home to a mélange of movie monsters, a Black preacher with dreams of freedom, stranded air travelers, a dead man on vacation, a 21st century Emma and a tribe of outsider artists from the 1990s. Comedy, satire, tragedy, magical realism, song-and-dance — it’s all deeply human. And all deliciously different. Here’s a taste of my five favorites:
‘Purlie’
Through Nov. 9. Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave. $54, $24 students under 25 and active military. Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
Riotous laughter meets righteous anger in “Purlie” — Ossie Davis’ gospelfueled satire of Jim Crow-era repression. Davis joined forces with Philip Rose and Peter Udell for this musical theater adaptation of his original play. Their Broadway hit follows Purlie Victorious Judson, a fast-talking preacher who dreams of freeing his church from a bullying plantation boss. Expect a joyous mash-up of comedy, electrifying songs and revolutionary spirit. The show’s mix of humor and heart reminds us that faith can move mountains — especially when set to rhythm and blues. Directed by Nate Jacobs.
‘Monsters of the American Cinema’ Oct. 31 through Dec. 7. Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St. $5-$44. Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.
Christian St. Croix’s haunting play pulls a deft bait-and-switch. It begins as a sweet, coming-of-age tale — then unleashes the monsters of the American Id. But the protagonists are all too human. Remy, a gay Black widower, is raising Pup, his
late husband’s straight white teenage son. When he’s not refining his parenting skills, Remy runs the Good Time drive-in movie theater — one of the few remaining in the country. Outside of public showings, they can watch any movie they want at any time. Fortunately, they share the same tastes. They both dig oldschool, scary monster flicks — star-
Raleigh Moseley II and Jazzmin Carson star in Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s “Purlie,” which runs through Nov. 9.
Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine
RAISING THE CURTAIN
ring unusual suspects like Dracula, the Mummy, Frankenstein and the Werewolf. Pup and Remy happily bond over classic creature features — until ghastly cinematic monsters seemingly escape the silver screen. Or are they monsters from within? This funny, frightening, magical realist romp lets you decide. Directed by Summer Dawn Wallace.
‘Emma’
Nov. 7-23 at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail. $15-$30. Visit AsoloRep.org/ Conservatory.
The protagonist of Jane Austen’s “Emma” has been matchmaking her way across time since 1815. Kate Hamill’s brisk, witty stage adaptation reinvents the Regency classic novel as a high-voltage comedy of manners for the 21st century. The Asolo Conservatory’s acting students will tackle Austen’s tangled web of love, class and self-deception with fresh eyes and sharp comic timing. Expect romance, mischief and a few lessons in the mysteries of the heart. Austen famously described Emma as “a heroine whom no one but myself will much like.” How beautifully wrong she was. Directed by Ariel Bock.
‘Lucky Stiff’
Nov. 7 through Dec. 28. Florida Studio Theatre’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St. $25-$59. Visit Florida StudioTheatre.org.
Think your holiday weekend is on life support? Imagine spending it with a dead man in Monte Carlo. That’s the premise of this mirthfully morbid musical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty — the creative team behind “Ragtime.” The dead man’s party begins in England. Harry, a mild-mannered shoe salesman, inherits a fortune when his long lost
Pup and Remy happily bond over classic creature features — until ghastly cinematic monsters seemingly escape the silver screen. Or are they monsters from within?
American uncle dies. The catch? To cash in, Harry must fulfill his uncle’s rudely interrupted vacation plans and escort his embalmed body to the French Riviera. If not, he doesn’t get a penny. The result is a mad mix
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of mistaken identities, dog lovers, diamond smugglers and heartthumping chases, all propelled by Ahrens and Flaherty’s snappy score and wickedly absurd humor. Directed by Ben Liebert.
‘Come From Away’
Nov. 15 through Dec. 28 at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, $35-$120. AsoloRep. org.
Irene Sankoff and David Hein’s musical takes flight Sept. 11, 2001. Its uplifting story is true — and a ray of light on that dark day. The United States had shut down its airspace after the terrorist attacks. Thousands of homecoming flights were diverted. Thousands of inbound travelers wound up stranded in the small town of Gander, Canada. A town of 11,000 people now had about 7,000 uninvited guests The townsfolk could’ve resented the burden. Instead, the Newfoundland locals dubbed the travelers “Come From Aways” — and welcomed them with open arms. With its driving Celtic-rock rhythms, quicksilver
ensemble cast and heart-melting humor, this production by Asolo Repertory Theatre celebrates the power of humanity’s best instincts in the worst of times. Directed by Peter Rothstein.
Asolo Repertory Theatre’s production of “Come From Away” runs Nov. 12 to Dec. 28 at FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
Jon Gentry and Tyler Gevas star in “Monsters of the American Cinema” at Urbanite Theatre from Oct. 31 to Dec. 7.
‘Rent’
Dec. 4-14. The Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail. $15-$35. Visit ThePlayers.org.
Jonathan Larson’s hipster musical lifts its plot and personas from Puccini’s opera, “La Boheme.” His characters are still aspiring artists — but they struggle in the 1990s in New York’s East Village, not 19th-century Paris. Instead of tuberculosis, AIDS is the disease plaguing their lives. The time-shift works like magic. In a fitting counterpoint to the original, Larson’s rock-infused score pulses with youthful defiance.
The musical’s songs don’t remain the same. But they still tell the story of finding love and the courage to raise your voice in a world that’s not on your side. “No day but today,” is the credo of Larson’s angst-filled anthems. His musical stands as a time capsule of 1990s bohemia — and the timeless fight to create beauty in an ugly world. Directed by Brian Finnerty.
Living Arts Festival Week
Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine Florida Studio Theatre’s“Lucky Stiff” stars John Scalzi and Barrett Riggins.
Courtesy images
Take a trip to hog heaven for National Pork Month
Here are three tasty spots to pig out during October — or any other month.
My
and in conversation). Needless to say, as we dug into our scrumptious meals, we all found ourselves reflecting on how nice it would be if life outside could be as simple as the ingredients entering our mouths.
loved ingredient and lets chefs put their spin on it. As they share their signature dish with the masses, we gather around the table and make memories, savoring the joy that comes from a thoughtfully prepared meal.
In this case, it’s pork perfection, bringing a little piece of hog heaven into the chaos of our everyday lives. For just for a moment, let’s ham it up, experience a few ribs of joy and stop bacon each other crazy. Let’s swine and dine together in piggy bliss.
Easier said than done in our hog wild world.
So let’s get this sausage party started, shall we? Here are the spots where I’m headed to have a beer and the best
KOREAN SSAM BAR
1303 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota; 941-413-5080; Clover.com/OnlineOrdering-SSAM-Bar-Sarasota.
Hogging the Spotlight: This is one of those places I hesitate to share because I want to keep it to myself and my inner circle. But in honor of National Pork Month, I’m sharing it with my foodie followers. Yup (Yep, that’s his name!), head of the house and the owner, will take great care of you at the SSAM Bar, which was previously featured in my article about the top five rice bowls you have to try in Sarasota. I will forever urge you to get the bibimbap ($16) with pork, and you will never be disappointed.
Pigtastic Pairing: Come hungry and order the Tteok-Bokki ($10) or a classic kimchi pancake ($13). Then chase it all down with one or two of the fine Terra Korean beers ($5 and up).
SIEGFRIEDS RESTAURANT & BEERGARDEN 1869 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. 941330-9330; Siegfrieds-Restaurant.com.
Hogging the Spotlight: Is it Friday yet? Delivered to Siegfrieds every Friday morning by local legend Geier’s Sausage Kitchen, this never frozen, never precooked pork hock is a delicacy I raised my stein to in last year’s Oktoberfest article. The pork, called Schweinshaxe in German, is slow cooked to perfection all day and served with mashed potatoes, sauerkraut and homemade gravy. Due to its massive popularity, you can now pre-order yours with your reservation by calling 941-330-9330.
Pigtastic Pairing: If you find yourself at Siegfrieds any day other than Friday, go for the wiener schnitzel original ($27.90) with a side of spaetzle ($5) and a small boot ($13.90) of the Bitburger premium pils from Bitburg, Germany.
TWISTED PIT BBQ
8130 Lakewood Ranch Main St., Suite 104; Lakewood Ranch; 941388-8037; TwistedPitBBQ.com.
Hogging the Spotlight: You aren’t going to have a shortage of pig products to choose from when you enter this Lakewood Ranch Main Street hot spot. From the classic pit-smoked pulled pork sandwich ($15) with apple slaw to the pulled pork mac and cheese or baked potato bowl ($15) to the classic spare ribs meat plate ($16) that comes with one side and cornbread, you’ll be rib-tacular in no time. Or try the one-third ($12), two-thirds ($23) or full rack ($32) of those juicy ribs.
Pigtastic Pairing: Time to get tipsy, my swine and lush pals! Signature cocktails at the pit are all $14 and range from a backyard bloody with a dry rub rim to a Lakewood Ranchwater with tequila and guava puree.
Courtesy images
Texas-inspired barbecue has officially landed in Lakewood Ranch with Twisted Pit BBQ.
Hold your pork hock on Fridays with a reservation at Siegfrieds Restaurant and German Beergarten.
Korean SSAM Bar’s bibimbap, a dish of mixed rice with meat and assorted vegetables.
THIS WEEK
THURSDAY
HERMITAGE SUNSETS @ SELBY GARDENS
6 p.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St. Free with registration Visit HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
Hermitage Artist Retreat presents a conversation led by Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg that features a performance by violist Ralph Harris.
‘FEELING GOOD’
7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St.
$18-$42 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
The latest musical revue from Rebecca Hopkins and Richard Hopkins, “Feeling Good” pays tribute to contemporary crooners, artists like Michael Bublé and Bette Midler. A dynamic trio — Haley K. Clay, Andrew Leggieri and Russell Mernagh — makes its FST debut with swingin’ hits like “Come Fly With Me,” “It Had to Be You” and “Me and Mrs. Jones.” Runs through Feb. 8.
‘HELLO, DOLLY’
7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton
$31.50 Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter. com.
The Manatee Players community theater presents the feel-good musical that follows matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi as she tries to find a wife for the tightfisted Horace Vandergelder. Set in 1890s New York, “Hello, Dolly” is a timeless story that celebrates second chances and living a grand life. Runs through Nov. 2.
‘HEATHERS THE MUSICAL’
7:30 p.m. at Dingbat Theatre Project, 7288 S. Tamiami Trail
$10-$60 Visit DingbatTheatre.org.
Luke Manual’s Dingbat Theatre Project leans into the spooky season with “Heathers the Musical,” a dark comedy about a couple of misfits who want to deepsix the troika of teens named Heather who are the Mean Girls of Westerberg High. Based on the R-rated 1989
DON’T MISS
‘PURLIE’
Directed by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
film of the same name starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, “Heathers” contains references to illicit teen pastimes that give parents nightmares. Runs through Oct. 26.
‘A BAND CALLED HONALEE’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 Palm Ave. $39 and up Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
The subtitle to Florida Studio Theatre’s last cabaret show of the season is “A Tribute to Peter, Paul Mary … and Friends,” but any selfrespecting folk rock fan can spot the play on words in the name “A Band Called Honalee.” ICYMI, it refers to the mythical land made famous by the children’s song “Puff the Magic Dragon.” The incarnation of the Band Called Honalee appearing in Sarasota includes Brian Ott, a veteran of FST’s “59th Street Bridge,” Michael Grieve, Geoffrey Neuman and Sigrid Wise. Runs through Nov. 2.
‘MISERY’
7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton
$31.50
Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter. com.
What happens when a celebrated author is abducted by his No. 1 fan?
Find out during this Manatee Players production of William Goldman’s play, which is based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel of the same name. Runs through Nov. 2.
FRIDAY
RICHARD O’BRIEN’S
‘THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW’
7:30 p.m. at Venice Theatre’s
Raymond Center, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice
$40-$18
Visit VeniceTheatre.org,
Can it really be the 50th anniversary of this timeless classic? Let’s do the “Time Warp” again as Venice Theatre presents the story of Brad and Janet, repressed sweethearts who end up in the spooky mansion of a mad, cross-dressing scientist after they get a flat tire. Cosplay and audience interaction are encouraged. Runs through Oct. 25.
Artistic Director Nate Jacobs, “Purlie” is a musical based on Ossie Davis’ Tony-winning play, “Purlie Victorious,” which premiered on Broadway in 1970 and was revived to great acclaim in 2023. In the WBTT production, Raleigh Mosely II stars as a Black preacher who returns to his home in the Jim Crow South to save his community church. Sarasota audiences will see such local favorites as Jannie Jones, Chris Caswell, Patric Robinson and Jazzmin Carson, as well as WBTT newcomers Cody Farkas and Marcey Green. Runs through Nov. 9. IF YOU GO When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 Where: Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave. Tickets: $54 adults; $24 students 25 and younger and active military Info: Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
‘STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK’
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$50-$100
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Dinner and a movie? How about a live orchestra and a movie? Led by guest conductor Connor Gray Covington, the Sarasota Orchestra plays John Williams’ score as “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” unspools on the big screen at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Runs through Oct. 25.
PROGRAM ONE: ‘INTRINSIC’
7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail $35-$125 Visit SarasotaBallet.org.
The Sarasota Ballet kicks off its 2025-26 season with a trio of performances. Leading Program One is Michel Fokine’s “Les Sylphides,” honoring the 100th anniversary of Dame Alicia Markova joining The Ballet Russes. Next up is “The Lorenz Butterfly,” Jessica Lang’s world premiere the Ballet first performed at Jacob’s Pillow in July. It is set against a backdrop of Lang’s paintings exploring color and change. Will Tuckett’s “Changing Light,” a commission that is a love letter to Sarasota, closes the evening. Runs through Oct. 26.
SATURDAY
FST IMPROV: ‘WE’RE DOOMED!’
7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St. $15-$18 VisitFloridaStudioTheatre.org.
’Tis the spooky season, and one way to get some thrills, chills and a few laughs at the same time is with an original horror movie created by FST Improv performers with audience input. As the action unfolds, you decide whether to press “rewind,” “fast forward” or “play” on this never-before-seen production.
SUNDAY
HAUNTED ILLUSIONS
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, $36 and up Visit VanWezel.org.
Be prepared to be dazzled by master illusionist David Caserta — seen on “America’s Got Talent” — as he performs never-before-seen tricks and combines comedy and audience participation with his sleight of hand. Audience members are encouraged to dress up in Halloween costumes and participate in a costume contest that involves social media and the hashtag #VanWezelHalloween.
MONDAY
JAMES SUGGS AND FRIENDS
7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St. $34-$39 Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
Jazz Club of Sarasota presents James Suggs, one of the finest trumpet players in the Bay Area, and his ensemble. Suggs has performed tribute shows to Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and Harry James, and has released a critically acclaimed
The Headless Horseman haunts the Sarasota Polo Club grounds.
OUR PICK
‘THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW’
The Sarasota Players returns to the Sarasota Polo Grounds for what has become a local tradition, its family friendly adaptation of Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” You’ll see the awkward schoolmaster Ichabod Crane, the farm girl Katrina whose affections he is vying for with Brom Bones and of course, the Headless Horseman on a real horse. Audience members should bring their own chairs and blankets for this not-to-be-missed outdoor event. There will be a costume contest a half-hour before each show. Photos with the HH (as he is known to his familiars) will take place after the performance. Runs through Oct. 25.
IF YOU GO When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 Where: Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane Tickets: $25 Info: Visit ThePlayers.org.
CD, “You’re Gonna Hear From Me.” Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for food and beverage service.
‘ANCESTRAL EDGE’
10 a.m. at The John and Mable Ringling Art Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Road Free with $30 admission; Mondays free Visit Ringling.org.
The Ringling has recently been bringing more visibility to contemporary Native American art, first with its 2023 show, “Reclaiming Home” showcasing members of Florida tribes, and now with “Ancestral Edge” featuring nine female artists from across the U.S. Their bold multimedia works occupy the Keith D. Monda Gallery through April 2026.
TUESDAY
‘ART DECO: THE GOLDEN AGE OF ILLUSTRATION’
10 a.m. at the Sarasota Art Museum campus of Ringling College, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail Free for museum members; $20 Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.
The Sarasota Art Museum celebrates the 100th anniversary of the exposition that kicked off the Art Deco movement. More than 100 eyecatching posters from the Crouse Collection as well as industrial furniture, home furnishings and other objects loaned by the Wilsonian-Florida International University are on display. Through March 29, 2026.
WEDNESDAY
RAFAEL RAMÍREZ: CHRONICLE OF A TIME WAS
11 a.m. at The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road
$40-$50 Visit Ringling.org.
In this program in The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater, Rafael Ramírez honors flamenco dancer Antonio Gades on the 20th anniversary of his death.
In“Chronicle of a time that was,” Ramírez uses key moments in Gades’ life to explore his courage and vision. Runs through Oct. 31.
A HAUNTING NIGHT
7:30 p.m. at The Island Players, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria $15 Visit TheIslandPlayers.org.
The staff of the Island Players claims that their community theater is haunted, but we’ll let you be the judge. For one performance only, Mark Shoemaker and Heiko Knipfelberg will read Victorian ghost stories by E.F. Benson. Don’t be surprised if you hear some things that go bump in the night. Costumes are welcome.
Courtesy images
“Haunted Illusions” comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Sunday, Oct. 26.
Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine
A contemporary classical music troupe grows in Sarasota
MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Never heard of enSRQ? You’re not alone. It’s the new name of the contemporary classical music group that Samantha Bennett and George Nickson officially founded in 2015.
The group that is kicking off its 10th season on Oct. 27 was previously known as ensembleNewSRQ. Bennett and Nickson recently changed the group’s name to its acronym for simplicity’s sake.
Many Sarasota classical music fans remember Bennett, a violinist, and Nickson, a percussionist, from their days in the Sarasota Orchestra. Bennett was second principal violin of the Sarasota Orchestra from 201622, while Nickson was principal percussionist from 2012-19.
After arriving in Sarasota, the couple was thrilled to be playing full time with an orchestra, but they missed the spontaneity and exploration of their days at the New England Conservatory. At both school and at music festivals, they collaborated with living composers on new works.
“So much of what we did in school was helping friends with the creative process,” Bennett explained in an interview. “We assumed that was going to be part of our professional lives. And then we realized we were going to have to create an outlet to do this. We were going to have to make it happen ourselves.”
The contemporary classical group that today is called enSRQ traces its roots to a concert the husband-andwife team played in 2014 at First Congregational Church.
On the bill for the first concert was “Hop” by Paul Lansky, a duo for marimba and violin, as well as a vibraphone and violin piece called “Stillpoint” by Dutch composer Edward Top. Rounding out the evening was a Prokofiev sonata played by Bennett and Khan Variations, a composition for marimba written by Alejandro Viñao that Nickson performed.
“We had a really positive response, especially from audience members who weren’t used to seeing percussion instruments just a couple of feet away,” Bennett says. “We decided to keep it going.”
When Bennett and Nickson enlisted Brian J. Boyd to be the third board member (they were the first two), needed for ensembleNewSRQ to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under Florida law, they didn’t have a clear vision of what they were trying to create.
“We didn’t think about the long term,” Nickson says. “We only thought about the now.”
What they were sure about is that
Samantha Bennett and George Nickson are kicking off enSRQ’s 10th season.
they wanted to fill an empty niche in Sarasota — performing classical music composed in the last 50 years. In fact, most of the music that enSRQ has performed in its first decade is even more recent — it was written after 2000. A lot has happened in the 10 years since Bennett and Nickson founded the predecessor group to enSRQ. They have moved to Dallas, where Nickson is now the principal percussionist and Bennett is the interim section second violin with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Their Sarasota-based music group has performed more than 250 unique works and has appeared at The Ringling’s jewelbox Historic Asolo Theater, the Hermitage Artist Retreat in Englewood and at the Sarasota Opera House.
The group has also collaborated with Sarasota Contemporary Dance and participated in two different festivals at The Ringling, first in 2016 under the auspices of performance curator Dwight Currie and again in 2024 under his successor Elizabeth Doud.
The group recently recorded its first album in New York City, which will be released in 2026. The album doesn’t have a title yet, but it’s something that Bennett and Nickson have been dreaming of for years.
Helping Bennett and Nickson bring contemporary classical music to Sarasota are key collaborators such as percussionist Mike Truesdell and pianist Conor Hanick, both based in New York City, and Detroit cellist Abraham Feder.
Also playing important roles
in enSRQ are Sarasota Orchestra members Betsy Hudson Traba on flute, Jennifer Best Takeda on violin, Bharat Chandra on clarinet and Natalie Helm on cello.
Although Bennett and Nickson both hold master’s degrees in music, neither has an MBA or an arts administration degree. “We’ve had to figure it out as we went along,” Bennett says. “There’s been a steep learning curve.”
One thing that Bennett and Nickson could have never imagined was the arrival of COVID-19 in March 2020.
With in-person performances not possible during lockdown, the ensemble invested in the technology to livestream its performances.
“We did everything digitally that season, and it took us in a new direction,” Bennett says. “Technology helped us carry our art forward.”
With Boyd handling video and Sam Nelson on audio, enSRQ continues to livestream its concerts, picking up subscribers around the world who pay for online performances.
Another influential member of the enSRQ team has been photographer Matthew Holler, who has shot playful portraits of Bennett and Nickson. With their offbeat poses, the couple defies the stereotype of the serious, stuffy classical musician.
Rather than kicking off their 10th season with an anniversary concert, Bennett and Nickson have decided to stage a retrospective concert in February where they will play some of their most memorable pieces.
For their first concert of the season on Oct. 27, “Tangled Whispers,” the lineup includes Sebastian Currier’s “Whispers,” which explores a world where silence can be as expressive as sound.
Also on the bill are Amy Williams’ newly commissioned “Tangled Madrigal” for string quartet, Jerod Tate’s “Inchokkilliss” for guitar and percussion and Elliott Carter’s “Triple Duo.”
Like most of enSRQ’s concerts, “Tangled Whispers” will be held on a Monday at First Congregational Church, the place where it all started more than a decade ago.
IF YOU GO
‘TANGLED WHISPERS’
When: 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 27
Where: First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave.
Tickets: $30
Info: Visit EnSRQ. org.
“We had a really positive response, especially from audience members who weren’t used to seeing percussion instruments just a couple of feet away. We decided to keep it going.”
— Samantha Bennett, co-founder and co-artistic director of enSRQ
Matthew Holler
George Nickson and Samantha Bennett, co-founders and co-artistic directors of ensembleNewSRQ, now called enSRQ, kick off their 10th season with “Tangled Whispers” on Monday, Oct. 27 at First Congregational Church.
Thursday, Oct. 16, at The Ora Benefiting The Sarasota County Branch of the NAACP
GANDY
Photos by Lori Sax
Dr. Berkis Contreras, Dr. Ariel Frederick, Dr. Jammal Marcano, Dr. Stephanie Williams and Dr. Karen Hamad
Brandon Johnson, President of the Sarasota County Branch NAACP Trevor Harvey and Greg Rumph
Terry Connor and honoree Teri Hansen
Honoree Shawny Robey and Frederick Rich
Carlyn Collison, Whitney Bentz, Genevieve Judge and Amanda Morales
Shavon Reed-Agard and Honoree Roxie Jerde
Jeff and Nikki Sedacca enjoy a breeze off the Sarasota Bay.
Above: Beth and Steve Knopik from the All Heart Fund, Terri Shea-Klauber and Michael Klauber from Safari Sarasota and Maya Groch, Fumani Mathumbu and Kate Groch with the Good Work Foundation
Rocio and William Julien
Zach and Courtney Jekonski with Melissa and Brad Lerner and Susan and Brian Jarvis
Photos by Janet Combs
Dancers Mosi, Lala and Alake entertain during the cocktail reception.
Tom Koski is dressed for the bush as he escorts his wife, Sherry.
