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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

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Carolyn Michel: Quite the character The seasoned actress takes on the second annual SaraSolo festival. PAGE 4

EAT THIS

Nick Friedman

Keven Aland hopes to introduce Sarasota to gypsy jazz with his new ensemble, Hot Club of SRQ.

BAND OF K GYPSIES

NICK FRIEDMAN A+E MANAGING EDITOR

Hot Club of SRQ pays homage to the gypsy-jazz sound pioneered by Django Reinhardt in 1930s France.

even Aland had every intention of being a classical violinist.

He’d always loved the genre, and after earning a degree in performance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, he set out to pursue a career in classical music.

He earned a fellowship with the London Symphony Orchestra and played with the South Florida Orchestra, the Sarasota Chamber Orchestra, the Transylvania Symphony Orchestra and the Boulder Philharmonic. Everything was going according to plan. But when he discovered the music of French jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, he uncovered another side of his musical passion: gypsy jazz. PAGE 2

Flour Parlor Amy Nichols shares the story behind the sweet success she’s found with her new bakery. PAGE 6

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

BAND OF GYPSIES FROM PAGE 1

The genre took the classical music of the time and adapted it for small, acoustic ensembles with a hip, swung flair. Aland was smitten.

“Somewhere along the way, I heard Django Reinhardt’s band, Hot Club of France,” he says. “I was instantly captivated. I would listen to those recordings over and over, just listening for mistakes, and I couldn’t find any.

These were recordings from the ’30s, so there were no overdubs. It was the most perfect, passionate music I’d ever heard, and I knew I needed to find a group of musicians to play it.”

It would take nearly 15 years, two countries and countless gigs before Aland was able to realize his mission. His quest to form an authentic gypsy-jazz ensemble took him to Costa Rica, where he played rumba and flamenco music for four years before moving back to the United States and playing in bluegrass, rock, country, blues — even Celtic bands.

Along the way, he formed relationships with like-minded musicians, and now, Aland says he’s found the perfect group of players to pay tribute to the genre that captivated him so long ago.

With his new ensemble, Hot Club of SRQ, Aland says he’s ready to share gypsy jazz with Sarasota.

A NEED FOR SWING

Aland, 44, is sitting in his home studio, sipping black coffee and

IF YOU GO Hot Club of SRQ

When: 7 to 10 p.m., every Tuesday night Where: Starlite Room, 1001 Cocoanut Ave. Tickets: Free. Reservations recommended.

Info: Call 702-5613

listening to an unmastered track from Hot Club of SRQ’s forthcoming album.

“I actually kind of like the way it sounds, unmastered,” he says.

“It almost feels like you’re there, listening to it live.”

Relaxing before his evening gig, he glances at his collection of posters from various Django music festivals he’s attended across the country. He points to one from last June, hanging near wall-mounted guitars, mandolins and violins, and remembers how inspiring it was.

“I’d kind of given up on the whole Django purist thing,” he says. “But when I came back from that festival, I realized how much I missed that authentic sound. I like playing different styles, but I need that swing. So I called up a guitarist I’d played with, Larry Camp, and told him, ‘I’m starting a new project, and you’ve gotta be in it.’”

Camp, named one of the top10 unknown jazz guitarists in the country by Musician Magazine, joined Aland on violin, Sarasota

Keven Aland and Jon McLaughlin perform at Café in the Park.

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Courtesy

Larry Camp was named one of America’s top-10 unkown jazz guitarists

by Musician Magazine.

native Jon McLaughlin on rhythm guitar and J.P. Coley on upright bass to form Hot Club of SRQ. The group began learning Reinhardt’s repertoire and writing original music in the same style, and it didn’t take long to earn a dedicated following. The group’s newest weekly gig, Tuesday nights at Starlite Lounge, is quickly becoming a popular destination for live music.

“The response has been incredible,” says owner Tyler Yurckonis.

“Even the staff loves it — they all request to work on Tuesday nights. There’s nobody doing anything like this in town. You walk through the front doors, and it’s like stepping into a time capsule.”

PART OF THE CLUB

Nick Friedman

There aren’t a lot of uniquely American art forms, but jazz is widely considered to be one of them. And for Aland, that’s a huge part of the genre’s appeal.

With Hot Club of SRQ, he hopes to introduce more people to jazz, especially those who might typically shy away from it.

“Gypsy jazz is a very accessible form of the genre,” he says. “There’s an almost instant response. People don’t even know what they’re listening to yet, but they’re already grooving to it. I

“There’s nobody doing anything like this in town. You walk through the front doors, and it’s like stepping into a time capsule.”

– Tyler Yurckonis, owner, Starlite Lounge

think it’s really important to play this style of music and keep it alive. It’s a part of appreciating American culture.”

After years of searching, Aland says he feels grateful to have found a group of talented musicians who share his love of the music, and he hopes to continue the momentum locally. He expects the group to have its album ready in the next few months, but for him the best way to experience it is live.

“Improvisation is a huge part of the music,” he says. “There’s a sense of risk and excitement.

It’s a lot like riding a wave — you could wipe out, or you could have an incredible ride. I want people to experience something different. Maybe they can feel like they belong to the ‘club,’ too.”

Courtesy

Django Reinhardt

A GYPSY PIONEER Jean “Django” Reinhardt (1910 – 1953) was a French jazz guitarist, who is considered not only the founder of gypsy jazz, but also one of the greatest guitarists of all time. He and violinist Stéphane Grapelli pioneered the distinct swinging sound of the genre.

“Reinhardt’s band, Quintette du Hot Club de France, was one of the most innovate jazz ensembles to ever come out of Europe,” says Aland. “It’s part of what makes this genre so unique. No matter how good you are, everyone is always unified by Django.

I can’t think of another style of music that’s so unified and has such a traceable history. New listeners can hear exactly how it started, then explore the endless variations that have come afterward.”

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POWER OF PERSONALITY Carolyn Michel relives her favorite roles in the SaraSolo Festival.

MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

C

arolyn Michel. Anybody who enjoys live theater in this town knows that name. The mercurial actor has made a name for herself in every role you can think of. This weekend, she’ll be portraying a sampler of her favorite characters (both real and fictional) as part of the upcoming SaraSolo Festival, in a performance directed by her husband, Howard Millman. So, how does she keep all those personalities straight? We wondered — so we asked.

What can we expect at the SaraSolo Festival?

It’s a piece I put together called “Women I’ve Loved.” It’s a medley of my favorite characters from the one-woman plays I’ve performed. I’ll be doing little snippets of Dorothy Parker, Ann Landers, Rose from the play of the same name; and Bev and Grandma Rose from “Family Secrets.” I can’t wait to revisit them.

What do these characters have in common?

What I love about them is they’re very substantive people — strong women with a sense of ironic humor that gets them through the rough spots in life.

Carolyn Michel will perform snippets from her favorite one-woman shows at the SaraSolo Festival this weekend.

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Is that something they have in common with you?

Well they’re not unlike me.

Obviously, when you play a character you find something of yourself in them. So yes, I gravitate toward those women, but I also gravitate to the dog Sylvia, which I played a long time ago.

She’s carefree and funny. Dogs can freely express what they want. She was not one to really want to behave.

5

Courtesy photos

Carolyn Michel in “Family Secrets”

her. My point of view about her is she’s trying to doggedly cling to her independence.

A lot of people in Sarasota can relate to her.

Of course, it’s not only old people who experience that.

We experience a loss of control through many different stages of our life. People do things to create the illusion of control — some people eat, some people go to the gym. Hey, it might as well be a healthy illusion! The best you can do in life is ride the roller coaster and negotiate the twists and turns as they come.

What are some memorable roles over your career?

Well, the five I’ll be doing at SaraSolo, obviously. Also, Becky Felderman of “Morning Star” and Maggie in “Hobson’s Choice” were two wonderful, very different individuals.

Jane Wagner’s “The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in

IF YOU GO ‘Women I’ve Loved’

When: 7 p.m. Jan. 23; SaraSolo 2016 is Jan. 23 through 24 and Jan. 30 through 31 Where: Crocker Memorial Church, 1260 12th St., Sarasota Info: Visit gottavan.strikingly.com

the Universe” was an amazing challenge. I played 20 different characters. More recently, Aunt Silda from “Other Desert Cities”—she was another feisty woman I loved getting to know.

There were so many over the years.

How do you make them all different?

That’s what’s so challenging.

With each new role, I feel like I’m facing a blank canvas. I want to find the specificity of each

So as an actor you get to meet a lot of people.

Yes, you get to explore humanity, and you also get to explore history. None of us exist outside of our time period. To play a character, you have to know the history of their era; the mores, what was going on socially and historically. You have to do your research, and bring that with you into the piece. In real life, everyone walks into a room with their entire history in place. As an actor, you have to supply that background.

What’s one example?

When I played Rose at FST, she was born in Russia in the early 20th century; grew up in a shtetl; experienced work farms, the impact of World War II, the exodus and the birth of Israel; immigrated to America, and eventually wound up in Miami in the 1980s.

She lived through most of the major events of the 20th century.

I couldn’t play her without doing all that historical research and incorporating my knowledge in that experience. If you don’t do your homework, it shows.

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Marty Fugate

I understanding you’ll be playing the title character in “Driving Miss Daisy” this April at West Coast Black Theatre Troupe. Put us in her shoes.

She’s aging, and she’s reached the point that her car has been taken away from her. Now she’s feeling a loss of control. Daisy’s a woman who’s always done things for herself and never had anybody help her, and she’s reluctant to have somebody help

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

person I’m playing and make sure they’re different from the last one. That’s true whether the role is serious or comic. And I’ve played a lot of goofy characters of late. They’re not all the same; they have different thoughts, beliefs and backgrounds. Finding that individuality is the fun, frustration, challenge and joy of playing all these different women.

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Does a good actor need to have a split personality on some level?

Only in the sense that everybody does. We all have an inner child who wants to eat all the chocolate in the house, an overbearing inner parent saying no, and — hopefully — an adult playing referee saying, “OK, you can have one piece of chocolate if you finish your work.” We all have these different facets of our personalities. Actors may just be more aware of them. You learn to tap into the part of yourself that applies to your role. You literally put yourself in your character’s shoes.

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RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

Parlor. My dream was always to own a classic sweets shop that did more than just lollicakes, and Flour Parlor has allowed us to expand the menu.

I HAVE PEOPLE come in every day and ask, ‘What is a lollicake?’ It’s cake and frosting mixed together and coated in gourmet chocolate. It’s a lot like a truffle on a stick.

LOLLICAKES make people happy. Nobody complains about a lollicake. You create something, and there’s immediate response to it. We make these every day; people eat them every day, and they’re happy.

Amy Nichols has turned her love for baking into a career.

Amy Nichols Owner, Flour Parlor 128 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota

Heather Merriman Saba

HEATHER MERRIMAN SABA BLACK TIE EDITOR

Amy Nichols wasn’t always a baker. After years working as a landscaping architect, she stumbled upon lollicakes — a popular cake treat served on a stick — and never turned back. Nichols opened her new bakery, Flour Parlor, on Orange Avenue, and she’s been cooking up success ever since.

We sat down to talk lollicakes, home cooking and what kind of foods a baker craves.

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I USED TO BE a landscape architect. I was unemployed for a while, and that’s when I started making cake pops and I opened the Lollicake Queen.

That ended, and I opened Flour

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I DON’T COOK at home. I don’t have anything in my fridge, and I don’t have things in my pantry. I grew up in a house where my dad cooked every day, and he still does.

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EVERYONE, at some point in their life, says, ‘I want to open a bakery.’ I discovered cake pops and went with that.

I’ve always loved entertaining. Even working in an office, I’ve always been the girl who brought in treats for everyone.

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A NEW COMEDY WITH MUSIC Rebecca Caine and Karl Hamilton. Photo by John Revisky.

Location courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota.

THE RED-VELVET and sugar-cookie lollicakes are the most popular. I’m proud of the sugar-cookie cake, because I invented the recipe myself.

Most of our lollicakes are from recipes that we’ve found and modified to work for our lollicakes, which is a special formulation of cake. This one, I created entirely.

Lilianna Solum and Tom Harney. Photo by John Revisky.

Location courtesy of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

Wednesday • Jan. 27, 2016 • 11AM FSU Center for the Performing Arts, Cook Theatre 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243

Peter Amster, Director of Living on Love, and Greg Leaming, Director of Ah, Wilderness!, Asolo Rep Associate Artistic Director, and Director of the FSU/Asolo Conservatory, will be featured in this special behind-the-scenes panel discussion. Asolo Rep Dramaturg and Casting Associate Lauryn E.Sasso will facilitate the special event, which illuminates the directors’ creative processes and the plays’ themes and issues.

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LENS CRAFT

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Courtesy

Below: Big E’s regulars shared their memories of the North Trail establishment.

Bottom: Eric Hamilton closed Big E’s in September.

Joe Lipstein’s short documentary memorializes a local favorite, Big E’s.

NICK FRIEDMAN A+E MANAGING EDITOR

Nick Friedman

Joe Lipstein uses documentary filmmaking to tell others’ stories.

E’s.

The Indian Beach Plaza establishment closed in September, after rising rent costs caused owner Eric Hamilton to close the restaurant and community hub.

Located near Ringling College, the North Trail diner held special significance for many students, including Lipstein, who spent a lot of time eating, drinking and most importantly, he says, socializing in the popular restaurant.

“I was looking for a narrative story that spoke to me,” he says. “I realized this was right in front of my face. This was a place that was closing, and it was really special to a lot of people. It was a story I thought needed to be told. I don’t even remember the first time I

went there, but it was a place that immediately felt like home.”

To make the film, Lipstein says he spent several weeks interviewing patrons about their experiences, and he found that many of the regulars had similar experiences.

“The biggest thing I learned is that you have to immerse yourself,” he says. “Documentaries are about much more than lighting and shooting. It’s about immersing yourself and being in the situation with them. One of the biggest compliments you can get is for someone to open up and share a part of themself with you.”

Lipstein says that because of its unique location between affluent and impoverished parts of town,

Big E’s became a conflation of different backgrounds, life experiences and world views.

“It was an interesting crosssection of people,” he says. “People could meet and learn from one another. In a way, that’s what I hope to accomplish with my filmmaking. I love to see people looking at things differently.

Hopefully I can provide that kind of eye-opening experience.”

ONLINE To watch the documentary, visit vimeo.

com/joelips

194253

Joe Lipstein never really considered himself to be an artist. In fact, the Ringling College senior says he was something of a latebloomer in his artistic endeavors.

When he enrolled in Ringling College four years ago to study illustration, the Connecticut native had only been drawing seriously for about a year. After a semester, he says he realized he was better suited for a different kind of art.

“I never thought of myself as an art kid,” he says. “But I always had an artistic mind and outlook.

I figured out that drawing was maybe something I enjoyed, but it wasn’t necessarily my passion.

I was much more drawn to telling interesting stories, and I decided to switch to documentary filmmaking.”

Now a senior, he recently completed his second documentary and thesis project, “R.I.P. Big E’s,” a short film telling the story of the recently closed greasy spoon, Big

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

REVIEWS

Comedy unfolds in the theater of the mind MARTY FUGATE

IF YOU GO

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“The Drowsy Chaperone,” Players’ latest production, revolves around a fan of oldschool Broadway musicals. You hear him before you see him.

(According to the program, “Man in Chair,” as played by Michael Bajjaly.) Then the lights reveal — yes, a man in a chair, sitting at the edge of his shabby flat. He blithely breaks the fourth wall and gives you a piece of his mind.

When he’s feeling blue, The Man perks himself up with original cast LPs of vintage musicals. Tonight’s selection: “The Drowsy Chaperone,” from 1928. The scratchy record fades into a full orchestra; the characters pop out of the walls; and his apartment transforms into a Broadway stage. The musical then unfolds in a theater of the mind. The Man helpfully explains the premise and offers running commentary.

Janet Van de Graff (Jessica Tasetano), the star of “Feldzieg’s Follies,” is about to marry the dim but wealthy Robert Martin (Logan O’Neill).

Once she leaves show biz, Feldzieg’s show collapses. If that happens, visiting gangsters, disguised as pastry chefs (Mike Phelan and Tom Palazzo), will turn the lights out on Feldzieg (Tony Boothby). So the impresario does his best to scuttle the wedding. Mean-

‘The Drowsy Chaperone’

When: Through Jan. 31 Where: The Players Theatre, 838 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Info: Call 365-2494 or visit theplayers.org

Courtesy

“The Drowsy Chaperone” is a musical-lover’s dream — part parody, part guilty pleasure.

while, the drowsy (or tipsy) chaperone (Nancy Denton) does her best to keep bride and groom apart. Various bits of business ensue. And, in obedience to the iron laws of musical comedy physics, every unattached soul gets hitched before curtain.

That’s the silly musicalwithin-the-musical. As to the musical itself: Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison created the songs; Bob Martin and Don McKellar wrote the script.

Their creation is part satire, part love letter.

The Man points out the flaws of Jazz Age musicals — rac-

ist stereotypes, hackneyed routines, gaping plot holes and so on. Fanatical fan that he is, The Man loves them anyway.

The same applies to the musical’s creators—and the Players’ army of talent. Jared E. Walker qualifies as the general of that army; he’s this production’s director, choreographer and costume designer. His forces include assistant choreographer Charles Logan, musical director Rick Bogner, and set designer Kenneth Mooney.

And, of course, the actors.

Bajjaly puts in a winning performance as Man in Chair.

He’s a sexually ambiguous sad

sack, an Everyman, a Walter Mitty living on dreams. (All that, and a walking encyclopedia of musical theater trivia.) O’Neill’s a hoot as the befuddled bridegroom.

(Is it just me, or is he doing a Jimmy Stewart impression?)

He manages to stay on his feet while roller-skating blindfolded. Tasetano’s the perfect starlet — and shines in the “Show Off” number revealing the incandescent ego behind her sweet smile. Phelan and Palazzo’s wisecracking gangsters could’ve walked out of a Three Stooges short. (Aside from making terrible pastry

puns, they never resort to violence.) Denton has a looselimbed, Carol Burnett take on the titular Drowsy Chaperone.

Those are just a few highlights.

It’s a strong cast, and they’re all clearly having the time of their lives.

It’s a first-rate production full of great performances.

Sure, it’s all based on stereotypes and violations of logic.

But, as The Man would say, “So what?” The dumb blondes, gee whiz ingénues, cardboard gangsters and ethnic caricatures set up the song and dance nicely, and that’s what counts.

Ultimately, this is a musical created by fans of musicals for fans of musicals. It’s part parody, part guilty pleasure.

Weird recipe, but it works.

“The Drowsy Chaperone” is like a giant, sugar-saturated wedding cake. The satirical conceit lets audiences have their nostalgic cake and eat it too.

And the opening night audience did.

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Alex Mahadevan challenges Margie Pargie for the title of Sarasota’s best yogi.

COME AT ME, SARASOTA NEW YEAR, NEW ME Find out if we have what it takes to challenge yoga instructor and life coach, Margie Pargie.

ONLINE

This month, we challenged local yoga instructor and life coach, Margie Pargie. When she’s not out and about, striking yoga poses around Sarasota landmarks, she can be found teaching private lessons and helping clients learn about health and sustainability.

Although he’s convinced there’s not much room for improvement, Mahadevan agreed to meet up with Margie Pargie on Lido Beach to learn about yoga, meditation and finding his inner peace.

So good, you’ll look for reasons to celebrate.

So good, you’ll look for reasons to celebrate. | | 941.388.4415

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he start of the new year is a time when many people try self-improvement on for size, and that applies to us here in the Arts + Entertainment world, too.

For the latest installment of our video series, “Come At Me, Sarasota,” in which Alex Mahadevan challenges local athletes, restaurants, businesses and other individuals to competitions in their areas of expertise, we thought it was only fitting to take a New-Year’s approach.

So good, you’ll look for reasons to celebrate.

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A S O L O R E P E R T O R Y T H E AT R E ANNUAL GALA 2016

See how Alex fared in our video at YourObserver.com

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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY

Darwin’s Barrel Fest Tap Takeover Noon to 2 a.m. at World of Beer Sarasota, 8217 Tourist Center Drive, Bradenton Free Call 306-5868.

Join World of Beer and Darwin Brewing Co. for three special releases of barrel-aged beers: Big Deal, Llama Mama and Ayawasca.

The kegs are tapped at noon, and Darwin Brewing Co. will be on-site to help celebrate at 5 p.m.

Masque-Rave Annual Curator’s Ball 7 p.m. at Cock & Bull Pub, 975 Cattlemen Road $5, or $8 for ages 18 to 20 Call 877-1262.

Dig up your best masks and costumes for this annual evening of live music, featuring performances by DJ No Philter, DJ Major Rag3r, Godsnack and more. Participate in the costume contest and enjoy food and a bonfire.

Hip-Hop Showcase 7:30 p.m. at Nothing Arts Center, 3910 Goodrich Ave. $5 Visit facebook.com/nothingartscenter.

NICK’S PICK DRIVE-IN MOVIE NIGHT OK, so it’s not technically a drive-in, but this twicea-month double feature in the JDub’s beer garden is almost as good as the real thing. Grab

a lawn chair and blanket and relax for an outdoor screening of “Big Trouble in Little China” and “Escape From New York.” Angry Mike’s food truck will be on-site selling grub.

– NICK FRIEDMAN

ONLINE Find more information on these events and more at

YourObserver.com.

BLU MANGROVE RAW BAR • SUSHI BAR • FRESH EXOTIC FISH • HAND SELECTED STEAKS

THURSDAY Lunch, Look and Listen 11 a.m. at Michael’s On East, 1212 East Ave. $45 Call 306-1202.

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota continues its “Lunch, Look and Listen” series with cellist Ann Alton and pianist Joyce Valentine, who will perform works by Chopin, Piazolla and Couperin.

Drive-In Movie Night 6:30 p.m. at JDub’s Brewing Co., 1215 Mango Ave. Free Call 955-2739.

Sarasota’s safe(r) space venue presents an evening of live hiphop from acts including rapper, The OG Ninja, from the Bronx, hip-hop artist Trey Libra, from St. Petersburg, Sarasota-based lil tofu and beat maker YLXA. ‘Memories of My Favorite Things’ 8 p.m. at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail $32 to $82 Call 953-4252.

This concert of Broadway music showcases the brilliance of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Rodgers and Hammerstein. Guest vocalist Norm Lewis will perform songs from musicals including “Sound of Music,” “Cats,” “Carousel,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Sunset Boulevard” and others.

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SATURDAY

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

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DON’T MISS

Sarasota Seafood and Music Festival 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Five Points Park, downtown Sarasota Free Visit srqseafoodfestival.com.

Sarasota Seafood and Music Festival

SaraSolo Festival 1 to 7 p.m. at Crocker Memorial Church, 1260 12th St. $15 per ticket, $50 for a one-day pass and $90 for a weekend pass Visit gottavan.strikingly.com.

This festival of solo performances in varying styles and genres returns for its second year. Runs Jan. 23 and 24 and Jan. 30 and 31.

The Sarasota Downtown Merchants Association presents this inaugural mash-up of music and seafood. Chow down on indigenous seafood cooked on-site and music from acts including Holey Miss Moley, Hot Club of SRQ, Flat Land, Come Back Alice, R.J. Howson, Jah Movement, Kettle of Fish, Twinkle & Rock Soul Radio and the Sarasota Steel Pan Band. Runs through Sunday, Jan. 24.

FST Improv: Out of Bounds 7:30 p.m. in Browne’s Lab, Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave. $15 Call 366-9000.

FST Improv performs its weekly evening of laughs. Fans of comedy and improv will enjoy the unpredictable hilarity.

Kasondra Rose and the Sleepless 9 p.m. at Growler’s Pub, 2831 N. Tamiami Trail Free Call 487-7373.

SUNDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Music Mondays: Musical Conversations with June LeBell 10:30 a.m. at the Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road $10 Call 365-6404.

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and Khatia Buniatishvili 7:30 p.m. at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail $45 to $80 Call 953-3368.

Rum Exploration 5 to 7 p.m. at State Street Eating House + Cocktails, 1533 State St. $65 Call 951-1533.

Suncoast Concert Band 3 p.m. at the Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road $5 Call 924-1323.

Led by conductor Robert Stoll, the Suncoast Concert Band will perform a variety of musical selections, including Verdi’s “Grand March from Aida,” John Williams’ “Star Wars Marches” and others.

St. Petersburg-based singersongwriter Kasondra Rose will take the stage for an evening of silky-smooth serenades.

Les Amies 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road $25 to $45 Call 360-7399.

The Bath Salt Zombies, Didges Christ Superdrum and Dealbreaker 9 p.m. at The Five O’Clock Club, 1930 Hillview St. $5 Call 366-5555.

MONDAY

In her weekly conversation series, June LeBell will interview Grammy Award-winning record producer Thomas Shepard, who is best known for his recordings of Broadway musicals.

Renowned flutist Carol Wincenc joins forces with two New York Philharmonic principal players: violist Cynthia Phelps and harpist Nancy Allen for this Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota performance.

This Grammy Award-winning chamber orchestra takes the stage with renowned Georgian pianist Khatia Buniatishvili, who will make her debut with the group to perform Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 20,” as well as a world premiere of an Orpheus-commissioned orchestral arrangement of Rachmaninoff’s “Suite No. 2 for Two Pianos,” “Op. 17” by composer Paul Chihara, Haydn’s “Symphony No. 1 in D major” and Anton Arensky’s “Variations on a Theme by Tchaikovsky.”

Daytona Beach-based band, The Bath Salt Zombies, headline this show with their brand of quirky carnival folk-rock.

Learn the basics of mixology, with a focus on rum. This regular series features a small class size, as well as hors d’oeuvres and recipes.

An Intimate Evening with Renée Fleming 8 p.m. at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail $275 Call 953-3368.

Renowned soprano Renée Fleming makes her Van Wezel debut, in concert with the Sarasota Orchestra. After-party and meetand-greet event immediately follows the performance. Ticket includes seating, after-party and meet-and-greet.

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REVIEWS

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

The Met in HD presents ‘The Pearl Fishers’ JUNE LEBELL MUSIC CRITIC

The Metropolitan Opera’s Live in high definition performances have been taking place in movie houses around the world for 10 years, and we still don’t know how these presentations are affecting hometown opera companies, ticket sales or, for that matter, how they’ve influenced the Met itself.

But, speaking strictly as a consumer and patron — of the Met’s performances and those at Sarasota Opera — I’m mightily grateful for them.

First, the Met’s schedule of productions allows us to see operas we probably wouldn’t get to see elsewhere.

“Tannhaüser,” “Lulu,” “La Donna Del Lago,” all three of Donizetti’s Tudor Queens operas, and “Elektra,” aren’t common fare, but they’re all part of the Met’s 2015-2016 season, some in HD. Their productions are different from what we get here in Sarasota, not necessarily better. And the HD lets us hear singers who are too costly to bring to a city of this size, no matter how good the company.

Interestingly, The Metropolitan Opera hasn’t presented Bizet’s “The Pearl Fishers” for about 100 years, but Sarasota Opera has offered it three times since 2000, making it an

Courtesy photos

Above: Soprano Diana Damrau; Left: Mariusz Kwiecien

old friend to opera lovers from these parts.

My question is: Why on earth has the Met stayed away from this Bizet masterpiece for so long?

We have the great soprano, Diana Damrau, the impressive director, Penny Woolcock, and the great conductor Gianandrea Noseda to thank for its appearance at the Met. According to one of the insightful intermission interviews led by Saturday’s HD host, Patricia Racette, Damrau was speaking with General Manager Peter Gelb about a vehicle for the star soprano and it was she who suggested a new production of “The Pearl Fishers.”

As Leila, Damrau grows from a complex young girl with a past she’s abandoned in favor of being a Hindu priestess, into a tempestuous woman with a temper that makes Tosca, the Queen of the Night and Turandot seem like pussy cats.

Her voice in this production is sublime, combining coloratura deftness with a rich, spintolike warmth that makes you feel as if you’re in the theater, as well as the opera.

Matthew Polenzani, as Nadir, her lover, is passionate and sensitive as a singing actor.

And he’s not afraid to sing pianissimo to color the words and music in ways rarely heard on any operatic stage. His soliloquy, “Je crois entendre encore,”

was sung with a gentleness and fluidity of tone, including the high C, that was simply stunning.

Mariusz Kwiecien’s Zurga, the leader of the pearl-diving village, and dear friend of Nadir, has the difficult role of a man who wants to do the right thing but is pulled by honor, duty, love and jealousy.

A baritone of great heights and depths, Kwiecien is a deft actor who is supremely believable no matter how often he changes his mind. His aria, and his duets with Damrau were spellbinding.

Tuneful and dramatic as all these well-known arias were, many in the audience were there to hear the famous duet

of male bonding, “Au fond du temple saint,” and they weren’t disappointed. Polenzani and Kwiecien sang the poo out of it.

One thing you won’t see in most opera houses is pearl fishers diving hundreds of feet beneath the surface of the ocean, complete with sunshine shimmering down and air bubbles effervescing to the surface.

Since this was live in our local cinema, we were shown just how all this magic was performed, from the dancers who were suspended in harnesses to the magical projections by 59 Productions. This was cinematic enchantment as much as it was grand opera. And, with popcorn in hand, it was spectacular theater.

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Enjoy an evening of fantastic live entertainment that begins with a lively musical revue followed by a rare encore performance of “Passionella,” which won first-place at the Florida Theatre Conference. All proceeds will go towards raising $35,000 to send the cast and crew of “Passionella” to the Southeastern Theatre Conference to represent the state of Florida.

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ON THE FLIP SIDE: A+E < Hot Club of SRQ. Swing into the sounds of gypsy jazz.

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4th annual Women & Medicine Luncheon

YOUROBSERVER.COM

TIE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

Photos by Heather Merriman Saba

Co-Chair Deb Kabinoff, Alex Quarles and Co-Chair Charlie Ann Syprett

Rochelle Nigri and Scott Rockwell

Friday, Jan. 15, at The RitzCarlton, Sarasota Benefiting Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation

T

he fourth annual Women & Medicine Luncheon, conceived

by Margaret Wise and originated

by Anne Charters to benefit the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Foundation, was bigger and better than ever.

More than 300 guests crowded into The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota ballroom to be welcomed by co-chairs Deb Knowles and Charlie Ann Syprett and Foundation President and CEO Alexandra Quarles. Dr. Karen Hamad, Sarasota Memorial chief of staff, updated the audience on construction of the new rehab facility, plans for a freestanding cancer center and other projects. Synovus Bank, represented at the luncheon by Chief Strategy Officer Liz Dukes, is the event’s premier sponsor for 2016 and 2017. The luncheon’s inspiring program, which highlighted the latest trends and innovations in cancer care, included an interactive panel discussion with SMH physicians Dr. James Fioria, Dr. Ken Meredith and Dr. Alissa Shulman. Kudos to SMHF Director of Marketing Nikki Taylor and her crew for a well-run event with creative touches, including a memory stick with all the presenters’ slides. SEE PAGE 2 HEATHER MERRIMAN SABA | BLACK TIE EDITOR

More than 300 guests attended Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s 4th annual Women & Medicine Luncheon.

Erin Knievel and Jaide Beverly

Diane Roskamp and Margaret Wise

Kristin Elwell and Penny Thompson

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

4th annual Women & Medicine Luncheon FROM PAGE 1

Michelle Senglaub, Sally Schule, Jennifer Compton and Veronica Brady

Alex Miller and Chris Voelker

Above: Sarah Stern and Jennifer Michell Left: Carolyn Keystone and Faine Smith

Photos by Heather Merriman Saba

Lois Lucek, Beverly Bartner and Faith Goldman

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MOLLY SCHECHTER AND HEATHER MERRIMAN SABA Siren of Society

Marjorie North and Ida Zito

Va, pensiero…

File photo

Tidbits …

Call today or forever hold your peace … The Friends of the Sarasota Ballet is having a luncheon honoring ballet founder Jean Weidner Goldstein Monday, Jan. 25, at Michael’s On East.

Reservation deadline is Jan. 20, but if you say “Black Tie Sent Me …”

Cost is $45, or $100 for sponsors. Call Lydia Landa at 923-0298 …

Flash mob hits “Event Under the Tent” … To wrap-up the wrap party for this year’s Perlman Music Program winter residency, Event cochairs Edie Chaifetz and Nadia Ritter and past board president Fran Lambert delivered

She could make or break an event. We all searched for our names in boldface type in her column. Marjorie North commanded Sarasota’s social scene with her column in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune for 30 years. “To me she was the epitome of a social columnist,” said Karin Gustafson, former president of the YMCA Foundation. “She connected

on their promise of a big surprise when a group of about 50 students, faculty and advisers entered the tent singing Paul McCartney’s “Hey, Jude…” “Nah nah nah nah, nah nah nah nah” indeed … Cue the dolphins … Does anybody know how Bill and Margaret Wise get the dolphins to frolic in front of their Harbor Acres home on Christmas day? … She will be a beautiful bride … Lea Mei said yes to the dress at her sister-in-law Nicole Mei and Fondren Watt’s Blush Bridal Boutique in downtown Sarasota.

The bride-to-be, who will wed James Buchanan in May, will be wearing an Ines DiSanto gown ...

all of us. She would seek out newcomers to the community and connect them to people. She was really a serious part of our history in Sarasota.

And she was just much loved.” Gustafson recalls a recent 70th birthday party held for North at Designing Women Boutique, where local actress Carolyn Michel attributed her success to North’s encouragement. Veronica Brady reflected, “Marjorie made our community

Courtesy

Get wrapped with love … Renee Phinney and Jenn Smith Stutler launch “Wrapt with Love,” offering person-

Rachel Palladino, Nicole Mei, Lea Mei and Diana Buchanan at Blush Bridal Boutique.

a better place. She told us every other day to be good to each other and to be good to the causes that needed us. And I think that is her greatest legacy.”

Marjorie North Hirons, 70, died Monday, Jan. 18, in Bradenton. A celebration of her life is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 20, at Michael’s On East. She is survived by her husband, Bill Hirons, and daughters, Laura North, Christina Campany and Angela North.

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Molly Schechter

Edie and David Chaifetz with Bradenton Opera Guild President Mary Zabin

The Bradenton Opera Guild honored Sarasota Opera Board President David Chaifetz at its 23rd Winter Gala Jan. 10.

And they had fun doing it.

Former Board President Don Worthington kidded him about “raising money from people who don’t even like opera.”

Chaifetz kidded himself with a story about declining an offer to be honored by saying, “If I write you a check, will you go away?”

Other salutes came from Murray Bring, Rich Bergman and Syble DiGirolamo, emcee and co-chair of the party with Jean Yaigel.

For the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Verdi’s “Nabucco,” Opera Executive Director Richard Russell passed out the lyrics and, with Artistic Director Maestro Victor DeRenzi, invited the more than 75 guests to sing along. It was a moment. (“Va, pensiero, sull’ali dorate,” meaning: “Go, thoughts, on golden wings” opens this famous lament of slaves yearning for their homeland.)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

BLACK

BLACK TIE & TALES

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alized and pashmina wraps ... Storm damage … Tornados early Sunday forced the Sarasota Polo Grounds to close, canceling the Cutting Loose Cut-a-Thon benefiting Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue scheduled for that day. Watch for a new date ... Eat up ... Designing Daughter’s new president, Jennifer Rust, managed to make it to five restaurants to visit fellow DD’s during the night of ‘Dining for a Difference’ … Meet us at the barre … Pure Barre Sarasota will be getting Pure Barre Platform, come this February. Platform adds an element of cardio to the oh-sopopular barre workout.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

Photos by Cliff Roles

Veronica Miller, Mark Dunlop and Morgan Gerhart

Bob Rosinsky, Bill Robertson and Stephen Altier

Goodwill Manasota 2016 Legacy Luncheon Friday, Jan.8, at the Goodwill Corporate Campus Benefiting Goodwill Manasota

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

BLACK

Ponies for Pups Wednesday, Jan. 13 at Polo Grill and Bar Benefiting Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue

TIE Photos by Amanda Sebastiano

Above: Tammy Wyman and Susie Chinn make two new friends — Tav Ortiz and a mixed-breed puppy. Left: Jessica Ortiz and Jaymie Klauber, chairwomen of the Ponies for Pups event

Clockwise from back left: Travis Scheuer, Tim Miller, Jamie Mirikitani, Kevin Harvey and Jim Pollet bartend the event

Julia DeCastro and Renee Brady

TahiTian Pearls SPARCCle on the Runway

Wednesday, February 17, 2016 Fashions provided by SPARCC’s Treasure Chest The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota $125 per person

9:30 a.m. Boutique Shopping | 11:30 a.m. Luncheon/Fashion Show Complimentary Valet Parking Emceed by The Bermuda Mavericks, Les McCurdy and Ken Sons Chairs: Mary Warwick, Sandy Keir and Dori Zingmond For information, 716-225-5738 or RegisterKathleen online at Finnerty: www.sparcc.net Gailcall Bowden: 941-223-1525 | Register online www.sparcc.net For info Kathleen Finnerty: 716-225-5738 or Gail at Bowden: 941-223-1525 Gloria & Al Webel

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Lakewood Ranch High students Ally Boudreau and Noelle Kourakos collect entries for the raffle. The grand prize is a cruise.

Carol Beatty meets one of Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue’s newest arrivals.

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL FREE WITHIN FLORIDA 1-800-4357352 OR WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION NUMBER CH580.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

‘Living on Love’ Opening Night Party Friday, Jan. 15, at Asolo Repertory Theatre | Benefiting Asolo Repertory Theatre

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Curt and Janet Mattson Owners

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Above: Susan Jones and Margaret Wise Left: Flowers by Fudgie created the opening night table pieces for “Living on Love.”

Photos by Heather Merriman Saba

Nick and Mary Mastro with Jack Kesler and Maurice Richards

Your New Year’s Resolution:

Live More. Pay Less.

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24,000

$

at Kobernick House, Independent Living at The Meadows.

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• Move in by March 31st and save up to $24,000 off rental rates and fees • Two-bedroom apartments (starting at just $3,995) • $600 off one month’s rent studio and one-bedrooms • Second-person fee waived for the first 12 months

Savings are only available during renovations.

Call today to schedule your personal visit and enjoy lunch on us!

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Sponsored by Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Housing Council, Inc., Kobernick-Anchin-Benderson operates on a non-discriminatory basis for admissions, services and employment. • Assisted Living Facility # 8951 • Skilled Nursing Facility # 130471046

1951 N. Honore Avenue | Sarasota, FL 34235

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941-219-3542

www.KobernickAnchin.org/offer

BLACK TIE

YourObserver.com

|

Tuesday, Jan. 12, at various restaurants Benefiting Designing Daughters of Sarasota

T

he event was simple — go out to eat, or just grab a drink at any of the 21 participating restaurants between 5 and 9 p.m., and 15% of the bill gets donated back to Designing Daughters of Sarasota.

The social media presence for the event was large, and every restaurant was filled to the max with those dining for the cause, with the photos to prove it. Britney Guertin, marketing coordinator of Shore, said nearly half of the guests dining Jan. 12, were there for Designing Daughters.

More than 1,500 guests dined at the restaurants under reservations mentioning Designing Daughters, and the total amount of money raised will be announced at a later date.

“We’ve been blown away by the community’s support,” says co-chair Elli Baldwin. “So many local charities will see the impact, and we can’t wait to do it again next year.”

– HEATHER MERRIMAN SABA

Courtesy photos

Ashley Guttridge, Lori Hagey, Jennifer Rust, Jennifer Wick and Lauren Fitzgerald at Shore Diner

TIE

Dining for a Difference

n Amore By Andrea Restaurant n Café Amici Sarasota n Café Baci n Café Gabianno n Café L'Europe n Caragiulos ItalianAmerican Restaurant n Eat Here Siesta Key n Le Colonne n Libby's Café + Bar n Louies Modern n Made Restaurant n Mattison's Forty-One n Michael's On East n Owen's Fish Camp n Pacfic Rim Sarasota n Servandos n Shore Diner n Soma Creek Side n Stottlemyer's Smokehouse n Tandoor Fine Indian Cuisine n Tsunami Sushi

BLACK

‘DINING FOR A DIFFERENCE’ RESTAURANTS

Guests enjoyed dinner, and some came just for drinks at Made.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

Rennie Carter, Susan Mitchell Margie Broughton, Elizabeth Van Riper, Shelley Lister, Jane Summerville, Debbie Vincent, Becky Bolletti at Café L’Europe

MICHAEL KANE

TRUNK SHOW JAN 28 - 30 10AM - 6PM

MICHAEL’S CURRENT COLLECTION OF ART TO WEAR GARMENTS FOCUSES ON CASUAL, ELEGANT SHAPES OF HAND - DYED

AND THE EARTH’S NATURAL SPIRIT. HORS D’OEUVRES & WINE WILL BE SERVED

D R E A M COLLECTION American Original Art Couture

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OUR SPONSORS MEDIA Sarasota Magazine Observer Media Group Top Dog Boast VW Bulldog Pools The Mall at UTC Fète Catering & Ballroom BIG DOG Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers The George Barrie Foundation Hello Little Owl Woofdorf Astoria Davi & Valenti Movers BEST PLAYING PONY MV Orthodontics LAP DOG Merrill Lynch Marc Ellis Media Roger Capote Antonio Pinho Chaired by Jessica Ortiz and Jaymie Klauber Jemmi Jewelry

SHIBORI SILKS, INSPIRED BY NATURE

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364 St. Armands Circle Sarasota (941) 388 - 1974 dreamweavercollection.com

D R E A M

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BLACK TIE

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

FAS HI O N INS I D ER AMERICAN FOX HEATHER MERRIMAN SABA BLACK TIE EDITOR

K

arlenn Peluso knows vintage fashion.

We sat down with the Riverview High School grad to talk about her fashion sense, her brand and how her style has gotten her where she is today.

While studying dental hygiene at State College of Florida, Karlenn Peluso quickly decided the health field was not for her. She would show up to class in her handmade or dyed clothing and knew she had to get out. In 2008, she made the big move to New York City to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she felt more at home than ever.

How did you get into making clothing?

My dream has always been to have my own brand and clothing store. I knew I wanted to be my own boss. It’s been about nine years now that I’ve been making my own clothing. It started with textiles, fabrics and dying them on my own. I would buy white v-necks and RIT dye and experiment with colors and spray paint. From there, I started dying denim, which is so fun to work with. You can do basically anything to it: bleach, dye, rip, patches, etc. I was just getting so sick

Karlenn Peluso launched American Fox in 2010.

Villa DiLancia

of shopping at the mall. I didn’t understand why the stores here were all we had to chose from for fashion sense.

How was the idea for American Fox born?

Honestly, I was just bored of my closet. I’m a big movie fanatic and music lover, and I would see these characters or bands on stage in such cool outfits and thought, ‘I want to wear that, or I want to make that.’ The vintage shirts or outfits I would see, I would try to hunt them down in Brooklyn or L.A. Over time collecting and making clothes, they just became American Fox. It really was just my own personal collection, and people would ask where to find it. Then one person turned into 10, and so on.

Who is the American Fox woman?

Think Sharon Tate from the ’60s, or Edie Sedgwick. Someone with style who goes out of the box,

The Village

Inspired

We are

Showroom

by your lifestyle

5900 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite K Sarasota, Fl 34231 State Certified General Contractor CG-C060087

dares to be different or unique.

Someone who loves music, film and art. Someone who stands out from the crowd — you see them wearing an outfit that you would never think to pair together or go out of the house in.

Tell me about your vintage flannel collection.

All of the band shirts are rare vintage. Some shirts are 25 years old. The shirts come from Los Angeles, from a friend of mine who hoards old clothing.

I love the idea of these flannels, because you know we all have those old shirts that we really don’t want to wear but we want to save forever. Now you can put the shirt on a flannel. I’m starting with band shirts because I love rock ’n’ roll, but I will definitely be adding more into the idea soon.

What does the American Fox collection look like right now?

Lots of suede, fringe, leather,

Siesta Key

lace and camo. Most are upcycled fabrics from L.A. and, of course, the vintage T-shirts and jackets. Color scheme: taupe, camel, rust, maroon and olive.

Where can you buy American Fox? Right now, we’re keeping American Fox exclusively at On Trend.

I used to love the idea of shopping online, but I’m more into customer service and styling. I want people to come to the boutique — meet the actual designer and feel taken care of. I’m also doing custom orders. There is no time limit as of yet for how long I will be at On Trend.

Describe American Fox in just a few words.

A rock ’n’ roll lifestyle brand with a boho-chic flair.

What’s next for American Fox? New designs, collaborations with other designers and maybe a few music festivals.

Creative Kitchen & Baths

by Bob Elmes, Inc.

• Sarasota / Longboat Key / Siesta Key’s Leading Condo & Home Remodeling Specialist with over 45 years experience in the trades.

• Renovations professionally designed to fit your style and budget.

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Call Bob Elmes today for a free consultation

941-925-3723

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Heather Merriman Saba

Courtesy photos

American Fox is for sale at On Trend Boutique, Main Street.

www.CreativeKitchenAndBaths.com

Don’t get left out this SEASON RESERVE YOUR ADVERTISING SPACE TODAY for the Spring 2016 issue!

Please contact your OMG representative, call 941.366.3468 or email advertise@yourobserver.com

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