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THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2016

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Drag Queen Bingo Brunch

As John Ringling’s 150th birthday approaches, delve a little deeper into the personality of the man who shaped the Sarasota we know and love today.

Beneva Fruitville spices up your Sunday brunch. See our other favorite events.

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SEE THIS

NICK FRIEDMAN | A+E EDITOR

W

hen it comes to historical fig-

Theater for Dummies

ures, it’s easy to boil them down to an easy-to-digest nugget of

How to get the most out of our local theater scene.

PAGE 4

dates, facts and numbers. What’s not always as easy to do is to see them for what they ac-

SEE THIS

tually were — living, breathing people with all the quirks, tastes, preferences and hobbies that give any of us depth.

Living in Sarasota, John Ringling can easily fall into the former category. His name adorns just about everything in town — bridges, streets, museums, colleges. Locals and visitors alike take the man and his legacy at face value. As his 150th birthday approaches, we sought to strip away the ré-

#postdigital

Do you believe in life after tech? Art Center Sarasota’s new exhibition does.

PAGE 8

sumé and get to know the man himself.

Courtesy Photo

John Ringling poses near the pool at the Ca’ d’Zan.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2016

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

We sat down with Deborah Walk, curator of the Ringling Circus Museum, to present 10 things you probably didn’t know about John Ringling.

“We have sort of a cardboard cutout of the man,” she says. “It’s very two-dimensional. But the more you read about him and the impact he had on Sarasota, you get to know him as a person — he starts to come alive. There are very few people in history who get celebrations for their 150th birthday, but John Ringling deserves it.”

STARTING AT THE BOTTOM: John Ringling wasn’t always the larger-than-life circus magnate people know today. In fact, his first foray into show business wasn’t even in the circus. It was as a musician. He and his six older brothers toured the Wisconsin countryside — John on bass viol — until they realized people preferred tumbling acts to their musical stylings.

Even then, his first role in the circus wasn’t exactly at the top of the corporate ladder — he was the show’s Dutch singing clown.

For a man noted for his shrewd business sense, fierce competitive nature and stoic demeanor, it’s hard to imagine him getting dolled up with greasepaint pre-show to gallivant around the big top and delight a crowd with a song. But it just goes to show — everybody has to start somewhere.

JOHN APÉTIT: He was no slouch in the kitchen. The man knew his way around a homecooked breakfast. During the early years of the show, he’d cook for his older brothers, and much

like in every other area of his life, he enjoyed the finer aspects of dining. His longtime valet Taylor Gordon was even quoted as saying Ringling made “a wicked Spanish omelet.”

TOTAL RECALL: Ringling had an incredible memory. Part of his rise to becoming the face of the family business has been attributed to his gift for recollection. It’s been noted that he was so well-versed in railroad travel (we sense some slight exaggeration here) that he could stick his finger out of a traveling Pullman car window, glance at a few landmarks and immediately know where he was.

SUITED AND BOOTED — YET SURPRISINGLY MUTED: A Fortune magazine article from 1930 describes Ringling — or Mr. John, as he was known to many — as dressing “superbly.”

He purchased his ties from Paris and his suits from a variety of well-known Fifth Avenue outfitters. But at the same time, he was known for a distinct lack in the extravagance and flair departments, in which a man like P.T. Barnum thrived. He wasn’t much of a jewelry man — he wore a single ring. His game of choice? Not poker, but bridge (which he would play until all hours of the night — and never for money).

Such was his reputation that when he debuted his massive art collection, a 1928 article in the American Magazine of Art read, “So quietly has Mr. Ringling done his collecting and building that the news of the erection and establishment of this art museum comes like a bolt out of a clear sky.”

Courtesy Photo

Above: Ringling was fond of German shepherds.

Right: John and Mable Ringling were finally buried at the museum in 1991.

Far Right: John and Mable Ringling with a friend on the “Zalophus.”

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PUFF DADDY: It’s often been said that Ringling was never seen without his trademark cigar — usually a Cuban, although typically without nicotine. He was known to switch his stogie from hand to hand and gesture with it as he addressed people, and when he’d get particularly worked up, his puffs-per-minute would increase dramatically.

And in typical grandiose fashion, he would only smoke the first half before tossing the rest — and starting another.

Courtesy Photo

Ringling graced the cover of TIME in 1925.

IF YOU GO JOHN RINGLING’S 150TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

When: 5:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 31 Where: The Ringling Museum of Art Courtyard, 5401 Bay Shore Road Tickets: $40 Info: Call 358-3180.

In honor of John Ringling’s 150th birthday, The Ringling invites guests to enjoy a champagne toast, light bites and a cash bar. Several of Ringling's relatives will be in attendance, as well as one of John Ringling’s personal Rolls Royce cars. Proceeds will be directed to the Ca' d'Zan Preservation Fund.

HEALTH NUT: Ringling was deeply concerned with his health (Hey, the cigars were de-nicotinized, weren’t they?).

His brothers all died young, and Mr. John was known to watch his diet, avoiding red meats and exercising often. He even had a fitness room installed in the Cá d’Zan. SCANDAL ON THE (NOT-SO) HIGH SEAS: In 1922, John Ringling purchased a 125-foot yacht, which he christened the “Zalophus.” He would use the luxury boat to entertain friends and entice potential financial investors. On Feb. 4, 1930, while Ringling was out of town, circus general manager Samuel Gumpertz borrowed the ship. At the reasonable hour of 3 a.m., the heavy, all-steel vessel struck an object near Lido Key and sank in 12 feet of water. A statement declared four passengers were on board, but later, it was revealed that several additional highprofile guests were conveniently omitted, including Jimmy Walker, mayor of New York, and his friend, actress Betty Compton.

T H E P E R F E C T F A M I LY T R E A T “AN UTTERLY MAGNIFICENT SHOW” – Evening Standard

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2016

STRAIGHT FROM LONDON’S WEST END!

3

“The more you read, the more he comes alive” Deborah Walk

THE NEW YORK CONNECTION: Ringling was one of the major stockholders in Madison Square Garden. A frequent visitor to auction houses in the area, he and Mable Ringling also had a residence at 636 Fifth Ave., where Rockefeller Center is now located. While in New York, he held expositions to promote Sarasota and the state of Florida.

SAY CHEESE: Listed as one of the top 15 wealthiest people in the United States, a portrait of Ringling’s face adorned the cover of TIME Magazine in 1925.

BURIALS: John and Mable Ringling weren’t buried at their namesake museum — as they desired — until 1991. They originally wanted to be buried under the statue of David in the courtyard, but today the couple, along with John’s sister, is buried at the museum, behind the Secret Garden. Years of legal complications and family wishes saw the couple’s remains transported to various cemeteries in New Jersey to Port Charlotte. At one point, the couple’s remains were slated for burial in a pauper’s grave, due to unpaid storage fees. At last, the couple found its final resting place in the city they loved — and helped create.

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THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2016

Live theater is an art.

So is watching it.

MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR

W

e live in a war of light against darkness, gentle

readers.

The great divide is everywhere — live-theater audiences included. The devils act like it’s their living room; they rip open their cough drops, check their Facebook and come home complaining that theater stinks these days.

Meanwhile, the angels in the audience are transported to other times and places. They fly higher and higher. It’s not because they’re nice people.

They’ve just mastered certain skills.

Read on for tips from area theater pros on how to get the most out of live theater.

Heed their advice and take your seat on Cloud 9.

Or don’t, and ruin it for everybody. The choice is yours.

A N G E L S IN THE AUDIENCE

Illustrations by Marty Fugate

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JEFFERY KIN DIRECTOR AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE PLAYERS CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS

“The box of chocolates theory.”

Live theater is really like life.

(And life is like a box of chocolates, as the great Southern philosopher Forrest Gump reminds us.) You never know what you’re going to get, so just relax and enjoy it. You don’t have to be a genius, well trained, or even an arts enthusiast to know what you do or don’t like. Just laugh and clap at what’s in front of you onstage if you like it — and please sit quietly if you don’t!

ings. Ask yourself: “Why am I feeling this? What am I resisting? Where is the play taking me, and what happens if I get there?” You might be surprised at the answers. We’re not Disney World. We’re not just here to make you happy. We’re here to take you to the places everyone fears to tread. Embrace your inner conflict; travel with us and enjoy the journey.

BRENDAN RAGAN DIRECTOR, ACTOR AND CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE URBANITE THEATRE

“Be here now. And bring a sweater.”

KATE ALEXANDER DIRECTOR, ACTOR AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE

“Live theater is a trip. Don’t be frightened. Get started.”

Come open-minded and open-hearted and be willing to have your values challenged: While you’re here, prepare to embrace any conflicting feel-

Be present. I don’t mean put down your cell phone and stop crinkling the candy wrappers.

The rude behavior is a symptom, not the disease. It’s a sign you’re not in the room; your mind is someplace else. We have our best performances when the people are all present and breathing the same air as the actors — when they’re with us, both physically and emotionally. So, please check your mental baggage at the door and get ready to go on a storytelling trip. For the body, I’d say bring a sweater. We’ve got to keep it cold — and that’s true for every theater in town. When your actors start collapsing of heat stroke, the show does not go on.

JACK GILHOOLEY PLAYWRIGHT AND DIRECTOR

“Be choosy. Life is short.”

My wife, Jo Morello, and I bought season tickets only once in our 27 years in the area. We were burned. Never again. With local openings, we now decide on a play-by-play basis. We scan the ‘net for the play’s history and reviews. If we see enough solid support, we buy tickets for that one play, not the whole season.

For Jo and I, each play has to stand on its own merits. We may miss out on a Broadway-bound musical as a result, but that might not be a bad thing.

your cup of tea. Your unhappy surprise could become a complaint. “Copenhagen” is full of hard science stuff! There’s full-frontal nudity in “Hair.” To avoid this fate, read reviews, dig around on the Internet and talk to your friends who’ve seen it.

Patrons who do their homework get far more out of the plays they should see — and avoid the ones they shouldn’t. People are terrified of spoilers. But knowledge never spoils a play; it only deepens your engagement. It’ll also save you the trouble of writing angry letters.

“Do your homework.”

Ignorance isn’t bliss when it comes to live theater. There’s so much variety these days, you can’t expect every show to be

or lyrics. Allow yourself to be transported into the world the actors are creating. Open your mind and see life through a different set of eyes. You’ll find empathy and acceptance when you do.

DIRECTOR, ACTOR, PLAYWRIGHT, AND CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF GOTTA VAN PRODUCTIONS

“Let the magic happen.”

RICK KERBY

“Set minds to open. Engage.”

DIRECTOR, ACTOR, PLAYWRIGHT, AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF LITTLE GREY HAT PRODUCTIONS

5

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2016

ANN MORRISON

DIRECTOR AND PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE MANATEE PLAYERS

DYLAN JONES

|

An open mind is the most important tool you can bring to a play. So many theatergoers are immediately turned off if the characters don’t share the same values or lifestyle. They’re different — and that pushes the buttons of some built-in aversion. But why stick with the safe and familiar? You can see that at home; you don’t have to go to the theater. We want to show you something you haven’t seen. If your mind starts to shut down, please stay with us. Try to really listen and take in the dialogue

I go to the theater with what I call, “shaman eyes and shaman ears.” When the lights go down, I surrender to the magic of the agreed-upon reality on stage and enjoy the ride. I also open myself for healing. At its best, live theater transforms what I see and hear and helps me to better know myself and the human condition. The storytellers on stage work their magic and give me a chance to learn and grow. So, let the magic happen. Let the makebelieve absorb you for awhile.

When you’re in the theater, be in the theater. Don’t be in such a hurry to get out and go on to the next thing.

DISCOVER JOHN RINGLING’S 150TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION MAY 31, 5:30 – 7:00 PM $40 per person

Enjoy a champagne toast and light bites in celebration of John Ringling’s 150th birthday.

Proceeds from this event will be directed to the Ca’ d’Zan Preservation Fund.

Your support will provide the ongoing maintenance and improvements necessary to ensure the enjoyment of this historic Sarasota landmark for generations to come.

A CHANCE TO WIN

Win one of two great prizes from The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota! Tickets are $10 each, purchase online or by phone. Winners will be selected May 31, 2016.

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THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2016

THIS WEEK

SATURDAY THE BIRD TRIBE 7 p.m. at the L-Bar, 1917 S. Osprey Ave. Free Call 487-7300.

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

JOSH SNEED 7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd. $15 to $19 Call 925-3869.

THE BEER BOX MEMORIAL DAY POP-UP 6 to 11 p.m. at Evie’s Tavern on the Range, 4725 Bee Ridge Road Free Call 377-0990.

Josh Sneed has performed at the “Just For Laughs” Comedy Festival in Montreal and made his television debut on Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend” and filmed a Comedy Central standup special. Now he performs at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre through Sunday, May 29.

The Beer Box is back — this time as a pop-up craft-beer caterer. In addition to Friday, the Beer Box will be at Evie’s on the Range at noon Saturday, and at Evie’s at Spanish Point Restaurant and Tiki from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

The Bird Tribe is a grooving, rhythmic trio, whose original music is reminiscent of ’70s psychedelic rock.

BREAK THE HOUSE 8 p.m. at Old School Bar & Grill, 1991 Main St. Free Call 363-7744.

This DJ showcase features Mike Nice, Tony Faline and Mike Anthony, Joe Bond and Gumbee, Haze and Scotty B. and Steve Rice

FST IMPROV’S COMEDY LOTTERY 7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave. $15 Call 366-9000.

Join the cast of FST Improv for a show where the audience helps create the show. Before the performance, 12 audience members will randomly select an improv game from more than 50 options.

Those 12 games will comprise that night’s lineup.

ARTIST SERIES CONCERTS 20TH YEAR CELEBRATION 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road $40 to $45 Visit artistseriesconcerts.org.

Artist Series Concerts ends its 20th anniversary season with two ensemble performances featuring favorite artists from previous seasons, including Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe, Alexander Markov, Monica Pasquini and David McFerren. Continues at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 29.

LESA SILVERMORE, RUE SNYDER AND HUMAN LIKE TOYS 9 p.m. at Growler’s Pub, 2831 N. Tamiami Trail Free Call 487-7373.

Returning home from a short summer tour, local singer/songwriter Lesa Silvermore takes the stage at Growler’s.

SARASOTA MUSIC FESTIVAL A PROGRAM OF THE SARASOTA ORCHESTRA ROBERT LEVIN, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

TOUR DE FORCE Prepare to be astounded in the opening Saturday Symphony by Beethoven’s challenging violin concerto in the hands of Noah Bendix-Balgley, former Festival student and current concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic. Australian soprano Susan Lorette Dunn will whisk you away to the French countryside.

Noah Bendix-Balgley

Susan Lorette Dunn

Friday’s chamber concert “A Potpourri of Passions” offers the opportunity to hear a quintessential Mozart string quartet.

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 8:00 PM | SARASOTA OPERA HOUSE SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 8:00 PM | SARASOTA OPERA HOUSE

SARASOTA IN JUNE NEVER SOUNDED SO GOOD. Tickets from $24

SarasotaOrchestra.org | 941-953-3434 206635

6

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SUNDAY

Spend your Sunday with Beneva, bloody marys and Bingo. Beneva Fruitville hosts this regular brunch event, which features three games of Bingo, Chef Dave’s Fat City brunch menu and a full bar provided by Ace’s.

MEMORIAL DAY PARTY Noon at Big Top Brewing Co., 6111 Porter Way Free Call 371-2939.

MEMORIAL DAY LOYALTY COOKOUT 1 p.m. at World of Beer Sarasota, 8217 Tourist Center Drive Free Call 306-5868.

A NIGHT IN CUBA II 7 p.m. at The Gator Club, 1490 Main St. $10 Call 366-5969.

Let World of Beer do your holiday-weekend cooking. Starting at 1 p.m., guests can enjoy a Memorial Day cookout at the bar’s University Parkway location.

LDG Productions presents Cuban guitarist Renesito Avich, who will bring the energy and passion of Cuba to the main stage at The Gator Club.

BEACH CLUB’S TRIVIA MONDAYS 7 to 9 p.m. at Beach Club Siesta Key, 5151 Ocean Blvd.

Free Call 349-6311.

Each Monday, Beach Club Siesta Key offers trivia, featuring drink specials, prizes and brain teasers.

TUESDAY

TACO SHOWDOWN 4 to 8 p.m. at JDub’s Brewing Co., 1215 Mango Ave. Free Call 955-2739.

VENICE BREW BASH

KETTLE OF FISH 9 p.m. at Beach Club Siesta Key, 5151 Ocean Blvd. $5 Call 349-6311.

This taco-making competition features chefs from Angry Mike’s Fine Food, Busted Chef and World Bites Kafe. Each chef will serve

When: 3 to 7 p.m., Saturday Where: Centennial Park, 200 W. Venice Ave. Tickets: $35 Info: Call 275-9096.

DON’T MISS

two tacos, each showcasing a special secret ingredient. A panel of local judges will decide a winner, and attendees can vote for the People’s Choice award. Tacos are $2 each.

Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend at Big Top Brewing Co., with this party, featuring live music, food, a beer release and a 70-foot water slide.

7

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2016

MONDAY

DRAG QUEEN BINGO BRUNCH 11 a.m. at Ace’s Live Music, 4343 Palma Sola Blvd., Bradenton $15 Call 795-3886.

NICK’S PICK

|

Enjoy funk, rock and blues from Sarasota-based Kettle of Fish.

JOHN RINGLING’S 150TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION When: 5:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesday Where: The Ringling Museum of Art Courtyard, 5401 Bay Shore Road Tickets: $40 Info: Call 358-3180.

Celebrate the man who helped shape Sarasota as we know it today — John Ringling. In honor of his 150th birthday, The Ringling invites guests to enjoy a champagne toast, light bites and a cash bar. Several of Ringling’s relatives will be in attendance, as well as one of John Ringling’s personal Rolls Royce cars.

Proceeds will be directed to the Ca’ d’Zan Preservation Fund.

WEDNESDAY HUMP DAY 5K 6 p.m. at Mr. Beery’s, 2645 Mall Drive Free Call 343-2854.

Sample more than 60 craft and import brews; meet representatives from the breweries and enjoy live music, local merchants and food vendors. A percentage of the revenue will benefit E.A.R.S. Animal Rescue.

Mr. Beery’s weekly 5K happens to fall on Global Running Day, designed to encourage kids to pursue running for health.

ST. ARMAND’S CIRCLE ASSOCIATION PRESENTS:

MILITARY

Appreciation Day

PARTICIPATING VENDORS INCLUDE:

ON 30 D , 2 AY 01

6

Bennington Tobacconist Big Olaf Creamery

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Casa Smeralda

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Blue Dolphin Café

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Apricot Lane Boutique

Cha Cha Coconuts

6:30pm - 9:00pm

!” it o d t s u j : d l o o o nev8, e2016r t 6:30 - 9:00 You’reJune “wednesday, d:

ule Events Sched

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Café L’Europe

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Crab & Fin Destination Florida Flip Flop Shops Fresh Produce Gigi’s Cupcakes

70’s hits of 60’s + ll o ’r ’n rock motown and

Just Because Just Cruizin

dance party

Le Macaron Sea Maiden

$20, includes refreshments, wine and lots of fun!

SIMPLY MORE - The Salon at St. Armands

Kobernick-Anchin-Benderson At the Meadows 1951 North Honore Avenue, Sarasota

Soap Stories

$20, includes refreshments, wine and lots of fun!

St. Armands Antiques

rsvp:pmcmahon@kobernickanchin.org Kobernick-Anchin-Benderson At the Meadows or 377.0781 1951call North Honoreext.124 Avenue, Sarasota RSVP required : Space is limited - casual attire

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ALL VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY WILL RECEIVE APPRECIATION OFFERS FROM PARTICIPATING MERCHANTS.

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THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2016

LIFE AFTER TECHNOLOGY Art Center Sarasota’s #postdigital exhibition explores the pervasive nature of technology today — with a surprisingly hopeful outlook.

NICK FRIEDMAN

IF YOU GO

A+E EDITOR

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Humans have an interesting relationship with technology. It’s probably best described as a love/ hate dynamic. It’s no new concept that the devices created to connect us have begun to isolate us, and that’s typically the conversation you hear today — one of pushback.

But Art Center Sarasota’s new exhibition, #postdigital, has a different tone. Featuring art all created by artists who’ve incorporated digital technology in some fashion, the three-gallery show explores our technologysaturated culture through the eyes of the participating artists.

We’ve all integrated technology into our lives — perhaps to the point of its use being second nature. How has that affected our artists? What new opportunities does it present?

For curator Dustin Juengel, who organized the show as a collaboration between the Faulhaber Fab Lab and students and professors from Ringling College, New College and IMG, the overall theme of the exhibition is a positive one.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect before the pieces started coming

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in,” he says. “But I haven’t seen a lot of criticism. The pieces are very playful. Technology is an opportunity, too, but you need to negotiate that relationship to where you’re driving it — and it’s not driving you. If you’re not intimidated by it, there’s a whole landscape of opportunities.”

The work is divided somewhat thematically among the three gallery spaces. The first is the most apparent representation of the relationship between people and technology.

One installation is a color map created from a data algorithm of the artist’s Facebook news feed.

It’s located just next to Sarah Valdez’s piece: a mold of a woman’s chest, outfitted with a wearable LED necklace. The interactive piece invites viewers to approach the nude torso (proximity is defi1

4/27/16

1:11 PM

will be our new home until we move to the old Sarasota High School building in 2017.

We’re also merging with Ringling College to become the Ringling College Lifelong Learning Academy (RCLLA). We’ll have a new name and location. But you’ll still find the same this summer for the pure joy of it!

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great classes and people. Join us

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THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2016

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nitely at play, here), insert your finger into a sensor and see your pulse blinking back at you.

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The second gallery features projections

by Ringling students in a mix of performance and purely visual pieces. There’s even a section devoted to analog technology.

Lance Ford Jones and Claudia CumbieJones have been creating electronic art for nearly 35 years, and their two pieces are an interesting span of that career. One piece uses video-editing equipment from the ’70s to display a mix of sound, footage and video feedback that they created nearly as long ago. The other is a series of stills from immersive, 360-degree videos, created with a special Go-Pro rig.

“We love that play between digital and analog,” says Cumbie-Jones. “It’s inevitable that there will be backlash against digital technology, because it’s so ubiquitous. I definitely have a love/hate relationship with it, but I think it’s optimistic in general.”

The show, which runs through June 25, is a thought provoking, refreshing look at life in the digital age.

“There’s a lot of discussion about how technology is diminishing our social interactions,” says Juengel. “Here, technology is the reason all these people came together, whether it’s to work, collaborate or even admire.”

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THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2016

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Above: Make-A-Wish hosted Fashion Fusion — Trends on the Terrace May 20, at The RitzCarlton Beach Club.

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THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2016

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BLACK TIE EDITOR

B

ehind any great wedding is a great love story. And Kelli and Jason have one for the books.

The couple, who first met in 2006, at orientation day at Emory University, have been together for more than eight years. Currently residing in New York City, they were married March 19, at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. THE PROPOSAL

It happened Saturday, May 31, 2014, at Bannerman Castle, on Bannerman Island in the Hudson River Valley — a 90-minute train ride from Manhattan, where the couple was living.

Jason told the tour guide in advance that he would be proposing and asked for a private moment on the awning overlooking the valley for the special moment.

Another pre-planned touch — Jason had painted a lobster on a canvas with the text, “Will you be my lobster?” — an ongoing comparison the couple had to Rachel and Ross from “Friends.”

Following the proposal, Jason asked Kelli to go back to her place to change and get ready for a special dinner. He asked for her to come over to his apartment for a celebratory drink in advance. Little did she know, she was walking into a 50-person surprise party with close friends and family.

The best part is the entire day was captured on camera. Jason had hired an undercover photographer to document the proposal from the moment they arrived in Grand Central Train Station.

KELLI&JASON

THE WEDDING

Held March 19, at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the highlight of the wedding for the couple was their first dance, followed by the father-daughter and mother-son dances. The couple had practiced their dance a few times, but Kelli says that “in the moment it was perfect, even though every step was not exactly as we had rehearsed.”

The dance floor then opened up to the guests, and the None Other band kept everyone dancing. When the rain cleared, they had a massive, unconfined dance floor in the courtyard — and the party didn't stop there.

They kept it going with an after party at Michael's Wine Cellar with music from close friend DJ Pete Cuppernull, along with his brother Tom Cuppernull, who was a groomsman.

Photos by Binary Fliips

THE DETAILS Bride: Kelli Schleicher Groom: Jason Cross Parents: Joel and Diane Schleicher and Jeffrey and Batia Cross First Dance Song: Zac Brown Band “Whatever It Is” Photography: Binary Fliips Floral Design: Victoria Blooms’ white daisies, succulents, gerber daisies, pink coral and “lobster” colored flowers Invitations: Paper Truly Dress: Hayley Paige “Londyn;” hair piece and veil by Twigs and Honey

Something new, borrowed and blue: Pearl bracelet from Italy (a wedding-day gift from the bride’s mother), her mom’s Tiffany’s pearl and diamond earrings and Superga blue sparkle sneakers Cake: A small, white, vanilla cake.

“Neither of us are huge fans of cake, so we decided to just have a cake for the tradition of cutting it. Phil Mancini suggested passed desserts, including ice cream sandwiches. No one had to leave the dance floor!”

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THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2016

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