Black Tie Arts and Culture 3.12.15

INSIDE: BLACK

TIE

ASOLO GALA: A night in old-time Vegas 15 > < OPERA: ‘Don Carlos’ tells the whole story 11

ARTS + CULTURE YOUROBSERVER.COM

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015

STUDIO SPACE

FRESH FACE

After a stint in the Coast Guard and a career in advertising design, Sam Whiting continues his search for artistic inspiration and expression. PAGE 6

MUSICAL MOMENT

Photo by Nick Reichert

Christy Disbrow, of the Oscar Scherer Park Service, Eileen Kozloff and Carolyn and Jim Dunn, of the Sarasota Folk Club, want to bridge the gap between the folk-music generations.

music of the

PEOPLE

STRING SIREN

Cynthia Sayer’s rise in the jazz banjo world coincides with the popularity of her preferred instrument.

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BLACK

TIE

The Sarasota Folk Club’s annual folk festival is bridging the musical and generational gap.

NICK REICHERT A&E EDITOR

I

f folk music conjures images of another era — perhaps of hippies and sit-ins — the Sarasota Folk Club wants you to know that the music form has changed. Sort of.

Although it still maintains a hearty dose of its 1960s revivalist roots, the music you’ll hear at club’s upcoming folk festival has evolved to mirror what its purpose has been all along — to reflect the conversations of the present. PAGE 2

PEOPLE WITH PURPOSE Jessica Hays hopes to inspire others by sharing stories of her involvement.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015

MUSIC OF THE PEOPLE: Bridging the Gap FIVE QUESTIONS WITH EILEEN KOZLOFF

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“Essentially folk music is the music that is of the people,” says Eileen Kozloff, director of the Sarasota Folk Festival. “To me folk music is what people are doing, listening to and creating at this point in time.”

The Sarasota Folk Festival, which will be held March 21 and 22, at Oscar Scherer State Park, carries out that idea by bringing in dozens of local and national folk musicians to perform.

Beginning in 2000 with a collaboration between the Sarasota Folk Club and the Crowley Museum and Nature Center, the festival moved to its current expansive camping location from Crowley in 2009.

“This is one big reunion for most of the attending musicians,” says Kozloff. “It’s just a harmonious cacophony of sound.”

And to understand how the folk of today is different from its ’60s-inspired parent, one needs only to look at the musical lineup for this year’s festival.

The headlining bands include Roy Schneider and Kim Mayfield, the former being a contestant on NBC’s “The Voice”; Lon and Lis Williamson, a Florida couple playing together for more than 30 years; The New 76ers, a young acoustic trio from Tallahassee; and Radoslav Lorković, a multiinstrumentalist from Croatia who has performed all over the world, from the Canary Islands to Carnegie Hall. The festival also highlights regional artists such as Bing Futch, a master of the mountain dulcimer, and The Hum-

Q: Who is your folk hero?

A: I would have to say that Joan Baez and Bob Dylan were probably huge influences on me in terms of wanting to get music out as a force of expressing political commentary and to address the rights of man. They awakened a social consciousness in myself and others at my age.

Q: What other type of music do you listen to — anything surprising?

A: I love really multi-genre music. As a piano player, Bach is one of my all-time favorites. And in the jazz world I just admire so many.

I really enjoy bluegrass and good blues like B.B. King. I can even appreciate rap if it’s well-written. Something that would have good timing and be well-rhymed and possibly executed with a singer with a good interplay.

Q: If you could perform a duet with anyone, who would it be?

A: Well, of course Joan, but I love Emmylou Harris and I’d probably want to sing a duet with Mark Knopf. A trio with Emmylou and Mark Knopfler — I have chills just being asked that question.

Photos by Nick Reichert

Eileen Kozloff with her autoharp

Q: Are there any instruments you feel are misunderstood?

A: I think the autoharp is misunderstood because people think of it as not a fully developed instrument and that the people playing it aren’t serious musicians. It’s still changing. The autoharp is now made by wonderful luthiers, and they’re in the hands of some great players. Mike Seeger was part of my world intimately, and he played the autoharp. Brian Bowers has used the autoharp. The popularity of that instrument has just to come into its own.

Q: What are three words you would use to describe folk music?

A: Inclusive, expressive and accessible.

“If we don’t get the youth, if we don’t accept the transition between old-time folk and this bridge to the next generation, we’ll die out.”

– Eileen Kozloff, director of the Sarasota Folk Festival

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48 HOURS OF FOLK

3

stages

mingbirds, an alternative country Tampa duo.

“I think a lot of the music we play is semi-pop music,” says Jim Dunn, who has been the festival’s soundboard operator and acoustics guru for the last 10 years.

“You’d be surprised how few people try to cover or copy any Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul and Mary or Kingston Trio. We are trying to differentiate ourselves from that.”

The diverse mix of artists at the festival reflects the direction of folk music as it moves away from its traditional roots and transitions into a new Americana.

“If we don’t get the youth, if we don’t accept the transition between old-time folk and this bridge to the next generation, we’ll die out,” says Kozloff.

JAMMIN’ OUT

The music being played at the Sarasota Folk Festival maintains folk’s inherent aspect: the voice of the people. Whether it’s a protest song from the turbulent 1960s or a coffee shop ode to an unrequited love, folk music has always been a reflection of the moment.

As a testament to that, the festival works to cultivate a musical conversation.

Unlike other music festivals featuring one major stage/performance space, the Sarasota Folk Festival is akin to a two-day musical colony all about sharing.

Three stage spaces, a jam space, workshop tent, a children’s space and a dozen food and craft vendors will occupy the park adjacent to its nature center, parking and camp sites. It’s a collaborative

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headlining acts

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showcase performers

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food, craft and educational vendors

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charity hugging booth

IF YOU GO Carolyn and Jim Dunn have been playing the bass and guitar, respectively, together for years.

village that encourages mingling and — most importantly — jamming together. There isn’t a divide between the 36 musicians and acts scheduled to perform and the estimated 2,000 attendees.

“There’s a jam tent, and you’ll see a lot of performers and people not performing bring their guitars and play together,” says Carolyn Dunn, vendor coordinator for the festival. “There will be a workshop space with people talking about their craft, giving tips and advice.”

Dunn and her husband moved in 2005 to Sarasota from Burlington, Vt., and have been active members of the folk club as well as assisted in the technical needs of the festival.

Calling herself “the bass-playing grandma,” Carolyn, with her

husband on guitar, has been playing music for years.

Similarly, Kozloff is one of the many folk music and acoustic instrumentalists who calls Sarasota and its folk club home.

A transplant from Harrisburg, Pa., the multi-instrumentalist who specializes in autoharp and mandolin moved in 2011 to Sarasota and joined the club. Managing the festival since then, Kozloff views the annual acoustic extravaganza as a unique music festival in the area.

And, the festival is a natural extension of Kozloff’s lifelong love affair with music.

“I was telling a friend of mine this morning that one of my report cards in kindergarten said I enjoyed making up songs and teaching them,” she said. “It was

sort of a natural thing from the earliest record.”

Kozloff grew up in a musical household. Her family listened to music from an extensive 78 rpm jazz and classical music record collection.

“We use to sing in the car, even musical theater,” says Kozloff.

“Me coming to folk music allowed me to play with a bunch of different genres.”

She learned to play piano first.

The piano evolved into a lap dulcimer, then the autoharp, mandolin and now the guitar.

“One string instrument influenced the next,” says Kozloff.

“Because folk music is of the people, I think it’s participatory. It’s not like you’re in a concert hall.

You’re integrated into the music and the people at the same time.”

When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday, March 21, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m Sunday, March 22 Where: Oscar Scherer State Park, 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey Tickets: Weekend pass $30; prices vary Info: saraostafolkfestival. org

FOOD FOR FOLK The Florida Music Food Initiative is a collective of musicians who will have their instrument cases open at the festival and will perform for money that goes toward the Florida Association of Food Banks and The Florida Coalition for the Homeless. In addition, any non-perishable food items donated to the group will go to All Faiths Food Bank.

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Recently opened as the gallery and home of the Sarasota Sculpture Center, Alfstad’s gallery space is still used to highlight visiting artists.

The gallery’s most recent acquisition is an exhibit of Florida State University alumni Michael Wyshock’s, above, “Devil’s Swamp.” It’s a mixed-media show that uses canvas, rope, wooden boards, screen prints and animation and explores shape, line and color.

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Season means an influx of people — tourists and snowbirds — who are essential in supporting the artistic community. Two snowbirds from Knoxville, Tenn., who have had a great impact on Sarasota’s cultural heritage are Howard and Janice Tibbals.

Through their support, the Ringling’s Circus Museum, Tibbals Learning Center and archives house one of the world’s most extensive collection of circus artifacts reaching back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Besides an archive with Howard Tibbals’ various artifacts and posters he’s collected, the crown jewel of the collection is Tibbals’ ¾-inch scale model of circus performers and tents of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

“I like to come back every year to check on the archive and add or change the circus model,” Tibbals said.

This time he’s replacing a few of the horse performer models with new ones.

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VISUAL ARTS

PERFORMING ARTS

COVERS AT 3 Studio Artists of Sarasota Opera, Sarasota Opera House 3 p.m. March 13 Tickets: $5.

Call 366-8450.

‘I’M A STRANGER HERE MYSELF’ Keating Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre 8 p.m. March 17 and 18 Runs through March 29.

Tickets: $36 to $39.

Call 366-9000.

MUSIC THE JUDI GLOVER QUARTET The Venice Arts Center 2 p.m. March 12 Tickets: $12.

Call 485-7136.

FUZIÓN DANCE ARTISTS 9TH ANNUAL CONCERT Jane B. Cook Theater, FSU Center for the Performing Arts 7:30 p.m. March 12,13 and 14; 2 p.m. March 15 Tickets: $39; $15 student rush.

Call 359-0099.

FRANCIS SCHWARTZ AND TANIA-MARIA RODRIGUEZ Lifelong Learning Academy Selby Auditorium, USF Sarasota-Manatee 3 p.m. March 12 Tickets: $15.

Call 359-4296.

‘JERSEY BOYS’ Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 8 p.m. March 12, 13 and 14; 2 p.m. March 12 and 14; 1:30 and 7 p.m. March 15 Tickets: $65 to $120.

Call 953-3368.

SOUNDSCAPES: MASTERWORKS FOR PERCUSSION First United Methodist Church 4 p.m. March 12 Tickets: $10.

Call 955-0935.

‘OUR BETTERS’ Mertz Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre 8 p.m. March 12 and 13; 2 p.m. March 18 Runs through April 19 Tickets: $22 to $54.

Call 351-8000.

CONCERT AT NOON: STUDIO AND APPRENTICE ARTISTS Sarasota Opera House Noon March 13 Tickets: $5.

Call 366-8450.

‘CATCH ME IF YOU CAN’ Players Theatre 7:30 p.m. March 18 Runs through April 4.

Tickets: $25 to $30.

Call 365-2494.

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015

JOHN DEPAOLA QUARTET The Jazz Club of Sarasota, Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota 2 p.m. March 13 Tickets: $8 to $12.

Call 366-1552.

THE YING QUARTET Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, Historic Asolo Theater 7:30 p.m. March 14 and 15 Tickets: $25 to $45.

Call 360-7399.

CYNTHIA SAYER, JAZZ BANJO Glenridge Performing Arts Center 8 p.m. March 14; 2 p.m. March 15 Tickets: $17.50 to $22.50.

Call 552-5325.

POLISH AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SARASOTA CONCERT Holley Hall at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center 4 p.m. March 15 Tickets: $30, $15 with student ID. Call 924-0899.

THE TAKÁCS QUARTET WITH JOY YANG Sarasota Concert Association, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 8 p.m. March 17 Tickets: $40 to $70.

Call 225-6500.

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ARTS CALENDAR

CREATORS & COLLECTORS SELF-GUIDED ART & STUDIO TOUR The Fine Arts Society of Sarasota Diane Roskamp Exhibition Hall, Ringling College of Art & Design 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

March 13 and 14 Tickets: $20 in advance; $25 at the door.

Call 330-0680.

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NICK’S PICK ‘DON CARLOS’ Even though it’s the penultimate year of Sarasota Opera’s nearly three decades-long Verdi Cycle (performing every major and minor work by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi), this year’s addition to the cycle feels like a grand and epic finale. “Don Carlos” is the Italian master’s five-act grand opera and depicts the story of love and betrayal in the Spanish royal family between King Phillippe II and his son, Don Carlos, as they vie for the affection of the French princess, Élisabeth de Valois. This rarely performed “Paris version” of the show, which includes the original first act in the wintry forests of Fontainebleau, France, is more than four-and-a-halfhour opera experience if one

Courtesy photo

counts the two 20-minute intermissions. Running this week at 6:30 p.m. March 12 and 18 and 1:30 p.m. March 15, the opera, like any great work of art, compresses that intimidating runtime. And with sophisticated sets and costumes, stellar performances by leads Jonathan Burton, Michelle Johnson, Kevin Short, Marco Nisticò, Young Bok Kim and Mary Phillips, as well as pristine musical performance by the orchestra led by Maestro Victor DeRenzi, four-and-a-half hours have never passed by so quickly or so enjoyably.

Where: Sarasota Opera House When: Runs through March 24 Tickets: $19 to $125 Info: Call 328-1300

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Sam Whiting, in retirement, is exploring the facets of his creative spirit.

Fresh Faces Local artist Sam Whiting, who made a foothold in the art community with colorful fish portraits, continues to explore various other artistic avenues.

NICK REICHERT A&E EDITOR

Sam Whiting can paint you anything. The artist and former designer can produce portraits, abstracts and landscapes within a few days’ time. Just don’t ask him to paint fish.

The Louisville, Ky.-born and Richmond, Va.-raised 62-yearold artist left a career as a graphic designer and production artist 20 years ago and started painting large and vibrant portraits of colorful tropical fish.

The soothing aquatic portraits struck a chord with Sarasota residents and organizations. But after selling more than an estimated 250 portraits of fish, Whiting’s need to express another aspect of his artistic side took over.

“I just got tired of them,” says Whiting, “and I’ve always tried to stimulate myself by doing different things.”

Whiting’s unyielding drive for new things is a common theme of his life. And his need to create art has always been at the center of this drive.

“I pretty much painted all my life,” says Whiting. “At the beginning, I used it as gifts for friends and family.”

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“I was doing everything in outline with notes of realism. But now I see my paintings as a conversation that doesn’t really end. They also take me back, and I remember what I was doing at the time.”

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– Sam Whiting

After graduating from high school, he spent from 1973 to 1977 in the U.S. Coast Guard. Whiting attended the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and earned an Associate of Science degree in advertising.

Whiting then spent 15 years as a graphic designer and art director for various ad agencies in Florida and Texas. But he eventually became burnt out with advertising and searched for a new artistic outlet.

Living in a cozy artist’s loft on Citrus Avenue, Whiting hasn’t let age or time slow down his creative ambition. His studio space is awash in color. Whiting’s easel is surrounded by portraitures, landscapes and abstracts, representative of his diverse interests and experiments in style.

“A painting can take me five minutes or two weeks,” says Whiting. “I like to work pretty fast.”

Portraits of friends and celebrities, such as Amy Lee, lead singer of Evanescence, and Scarlett Johansson, are frequent subjects.

But instead of traditional portraiture, Whiting injects abstract patterns, reminiscent of Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, into his works.

“I like to branch out and challenge myself,” says Whiting.

Whiting is always tweaking his artistic style, including reassessing finished works. He is currently adding elements of abstract and geometric patterns to some of his more traditional portraits.

“I was doing everything in outline with notes of realism,” says Whiting. “But now I see my paintings as a conversation that doesn’t really end. They also take me back, and I remember what I was doing at the time.”

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Pluck be a Lady

Cynthia Sayer Where: The Glenridge Performing Arts Center, 7333 Scotland Way When: 8 p.m. March 14; 2 p.m. March 15 Tickets: $22.50 Info: Call 552-5325

BANJO BASICS

4, 5 or 6

number of strings a banjo can have

The head

the large circle section covered in an animal skin or plastic membrane

Bass banjo

A massive, orchestral bass-sized upright banjo with three or four strings

OME jazz banjo Sayer’s preferred banjo, which is a standard banjo without the short drone string

Courtesy

Cynthia Sayer tries to return every year to Sarasota to perform her unique brand of banjo jazz.

coincided with the popularity of her plucky companion. Having performed in Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center and even the White House, Sayer is one of the premier banjo players of her generation — she’s performed with Wynton Marsalis, Dick Hyman, Marvin Hamlisch and Wycliffe Gordon.

Sayer recalls a time in her late

20s when she told a woman at a party that she played the jazz banjo. “The woman didn’t know how to respond. She couldn’t react. It was just viewed as weird. But now if I go to any kind of gathering and they hear jazz banjo they think that is so cool, and I get barraged with a million questions.”

With her parents moving 10 years ago to Sarasota, Sayer finds

comfort in playing shows here as part of her annual tour. Sayer flew into town earlier this week to spend time with her parents before her weekend performances at The Glenridge Performing Arts Center.

“It’s a very big thing for me to play in the area, and it’s fabulous that I feel I can go there for an annual tour,” she says.

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Cynthia Sayer grew up in a cacoon of music. In Scotch Plains, N.J., Sayer and her three siblings would experiment with instruments, filling the house with all kinds of sounds. Her parents, Bertram and Barbara Sayer, were an amateur painter/photographer and vocal choir singer, respectively, so the arts were a constant childhood companion.

“Honestly, I played a bunch of instruments growing up,” says Sayer. “I took viola at school. I took piano lessons since I was 6. I took some drum lessons at school.

I was in the school orchestra and messed around with guitar.”

Throw in stints in summer and community theater and dance lessons, and then one has an impression of Sayer’s inevitable destiny in the arts. But it would be her serendipitous adoption of the banjo that would allow her to carve out a niche in the jazz and music world.

Imported from Africa and made popular in America in the 19th century in traveling minstrel shows, the banjo has a storied history in this country. Made popular in the Dixieland jazz halls of New Orleans and the bluegrass-covered hills of Appalachia, the banjo is a democratic instrument associated with the people. Sayer’s path with the banjo was predi-

cated by her desire to play another African instrument: the drums.

“I saw the drummer at our school’s talent show, and I immediately wanted to play drums,” Sayer says.

But her parents said no way — the drums were too loud.

“One day I came home from school and there was a banjo on my desk in my room,” says Sayer.

She was 13 at the time.

Sayer initially thought that the banjo, though fun to play, was mired in stereotypes. “Dueling Banjos” aside, the banjo was comical looking and sounding, and she couldn’t look past the instrument being synonymous with humor and kitsch.

It took two musicians to help Sayer see past the instrument’s whimsical reputation.

“My beginning banjo teacher, Patty Fischer, was from a different generation, and it was rare to encounter another female banjo player,” Sayer says. “I was so knocked out by Patty.”

And, in college, one of her colleagues played her a record from jazz musician Elmer Snowden.

“When I heard this record of a banjo playing with this intense swing, full of integrity and such a hot, driving instrument, I thought, ‘Wow, that’s what I want to do,’” Sayer says.

Since graduating from Ithaca College in 1977, Sayer’s rise in the professional music world has

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THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015

IF YOU GO

Cynthia Sayer, acclaimed jazz banjoist and Sarasota regular, dissects the often misunderstood banjo and its growing popularity.

NICK REICHERT

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THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015

Saturday, March 21 10am to 5pm

Ann Logan and David Leaser

Photos by Nick Reichert

David Leaser Pop-Up Gallery

Rain or Shine

Advanced Tickets: $30/person Day of Tour: $35/person

Friday, March 6, at State of the Arts Gallery

Group rates available upon request

Gourmet To-Go Lunch: $10 pre-order by March 13, 2015

Gift Certificates Available!

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ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE

Rawl and Jane Deland

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REVIEW DIRECTED BY SCOTT BLUM Our last outdoor concert of the Season!

SATURDAY, MARCH 14

Seating begins at 1:30 pm Concert begins at 2:00 pm Join us in the LBKCA courtyard for fantastic live music and delicious small bites from Mar Vista!

Scott Blum is known by many musicians, dance companies, and theater ensembles for the variety of music he plays. He will be performing with Evelyn Thomas, her husband, music director and keyboardist Anthony Simpson, Joel Brooms on the drums, bassist Irvine Goldberg, and back up singers Ozanda Grey, Pam Koontz, and Verceal Whittiker, so buy your tickets today!

April 2-26, Previews March 31 and April 1

Wednesday • March 25, 2015 • 11AM Cook Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243 Featuring Sotto Voce Director Melissa Kievman. Inside Asolo Rep invites you to hear from the creative artist responsible for producing the work you see on stage. Join us and be a true insider! Come early and enjoy coffee and pastries in the lobby!

Call 941.383.2345 or email lbkca@ringling.edu.

Open Seating: $30 advance/$35 at door

Melissa Kievman, Director (Sotto Voce)

VIP Seating: Sold Out

$5 For General Public • Free for Asolo Rep Guild members and donors.

Tickets are available by calling the box office at 941.351.8000.

SPONSORED BY

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SOTTO VOCE • By NILO CRUZ • IN THE HISTORIC ASOLO THEATER Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Nilo Cruz examines the resiliency of love and the indelible power of memories in this exquisite new play centered on the 1939 voyage of the S.S. St. Louis, which left Nazi Germany for Cuba filled with Jewish refugees.

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Gabriel Münter Gallery Opening

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THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015

DISCOVER

Thursday, Feb. 26, at Selby Gallery, Ringling College of Art & Design

WHAT’S ON WINE WALK TO CA’ D’ZAN MAR 20, 6:00 – 10:00 PM $125 / $110 for Members $185 VIP SOLD OUT Stroll The Ringling estate, taste fine wine, and delight in delicious food pairings and entertainment.

Photos by Nick Reichert

Above: Paul Scher and Kako Uedo Left: Ron and Harold Kendall with Larry R. Thompson

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: OF MICE AND MEN MAR 13, 7:30 PM, $20 / $18 for Members James Franco and Chris O’Dowd star in the hit Broadway production Of Mice And Men, filmed on stage by National Theatre Live.

VIEWPOINT LECTURE: GREAT ESCAPES & ELEGANT ESTATES MAR 14, 10:30 AM, $10 / $5 for Members Journey through the resort and country houses of Carrère and Hastings and their influence in Florida.

Above: Graci McGillicuddy with Phil and Julie Delaney

HOT CLUB OF SAN FRANCISCO: CINEMA VIVANT MAR 20 & 21, 7:30 PM, $20–$30 / $10 w/ College ID The flickering imagery of pioneering stop-action animation is accompanied by live gypsy swing.

S TAT E A R T M U S E U M O F F L O R I D A

Bernice Jones, Vicky Rendall and Lois Stulberg

ringling.org or 941.358.3180

| F L O R I D A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

OPEN DAILY at 10:00 AM

159432

Tickets and Information:

Polish American Association of Sarasota is proud to present

Twelfth Annual Concert

festivities

The Music of Frederie Chopin

The Warm-up Party

SATURDAY 14TH, SUNDAY 15TH & MONDAY 16TH 5PM ‘TILL!!!

• Bagpipers • Irish Stepdancers • Plenty of Green Beer • Corned Beef & Cabbage

THE BIG DAY!!!!!

TUESDAY 17TH

Lynches 29th Annual Shindig Party from 11am ‘till!!!!

• Music by The Jacobites

• Irish Stepdancers • Bagpipers • Corned Beef & Cabbage • Irish Stew • Green Beer • Free hats, beads etc.

A grand time will be had by all!

Tickets by phone:

941.924.0899 Admission $30

Hangover Party WEDNESDAY 18TH

Bloody Marys’ start flowing at noon.

Piano recital featuring Eric Lu winner of the 2015 National Chopin Piano Competition

19B North Blvd. of the Presidents St. Armands Circle

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www.lynchespub.com

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HOLLEY HALL (Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center) 709 North Tamiami Trail (Van Wezel Way), Sarasota, FL 34236

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March 15, 2015 at 4p.m.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015

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Joe Casey, Sarah Hund, Joey Barreiro and Ben Mackel star in “American Pie.”

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Back when rock was young, they were already saying, “Rock is dead.” (Lots of people. Seriously.) That’s the whole point of Don McLean’s “American Pie” — a wildly popular rock song that was also rock criticism, go figure. Not coincidentally, “American Pie” is also the title of the current revue at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret. Based on its talented performers, rumors of rock’s death are greatly exaggerated — at least a sweet, harmonic subset of it.

The performers in question are Joey Barreiro, Tony Bruno, Joe Casey, Sarah Hund and Ben Mackel. The revue is the brainchild of Rebecca and Richard Hopkins. Director Russell Treyz and Musical Director Ben Krauss put the pedal to the metal and bring it to life. As the title implies, it’s a slice of a ’60s song served hot.

The revue begins with a tight rendition of the Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ USA.” (Lyrics by Brian Wilson. Tune ripped off from Chuck Berry.) The talk before the tune gives a wise nod to the song’s doo-wop roots. That a cappella genre thrived on tight vocal harmonies, clever lyrics and a simple rhythm line wrapped in polyphonic complexity. Add instruments? Surf music is basically what you get.

Nice insight. But there’s a bigger picture.

Voice, plus polyphony, plus storytelling. It’s a branch on the tree of rock (as seen in Jack Black’s “School of Rock”). Doowop, surf music and folk rock are merely twigs on that branch.

And what tender twigs they are … touchy-feely, tender sensitive twigs. And that’s cool.

Rock isn’t all in-your-face aggression. As much as I love the Ramones and MC5, they’re not the whole show. Emotional connection shares billing with alienation; voices singing sweetly together can also rock. It’s what doo-wop, surf music, folk rock and the ballads of bleeding-

heart singer-songwriters have in common. The human voice as a musical instrument, basically.

And vocal harmony holds this show together. It’s the bed that such odd musical bedfellows as the Byrds, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Lovin’ Spoonful, Billy Joel, Paul Simon and/or Garfunkel, Carole King, the Doobie Brothers and Neil Diamond lie in. Their sweet (or angry) voices got airplay in a time when that mattered.

This revue does justice to these voices of the 1960s and ’70s. The songs include Paul Simon’s “The Fighter” and “Cecelia,” Graham Nash’s “Teach Your Children Well,” Ray Orbison’s “Blue Bayou” and more tunes than I can list.

They’re all good — though some are trimmed to the bone. My advice? Reduce the song list and play each song in full. If “American Pie” is the title, I want the whole pie. Quality, not quantity, is what counts, right? At least to my ears.

I don’t listen to Beethoven or Stravinsky out of nostalgia.

I listen because their music is good. The same applies to songs

by Brian Wilson, Bob Dylan, Graham Nash, Simon and the rest. Who cares what year they wrote their tunes? It’s good stuff. Period.

But maybe that’s just me. I can’t help but notice the rest of the baby boomer audience happily feasting on slice after slice of nostalgic pie. (Their joy of recognition while singing along on the choruses would be the tip-off.) It’s the soundtrack of their misspent youth, thus they dig it. Fine by me. There’s no wrong reason to listen to the good stuff, especially when such a good band is playing it.

IF YOU GO

“American Pie” runs through April 26, at Florida Studio Theatre’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota. Call 366-9000 or visit floridastudiotheatre.org for more information.

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What’s the recipe for grand opera? Take a soupcon of historic fact and mix well with large dollops of passion and heaping portions of great music. Then add fine singers, instrumentalists, appropriate costumes, scenery, a stage director with a vision and a conductor with the grit of a field marshal and, voila: “Don Carlos,” in just four hours and 30 minutes, two intermissions and five acts of glory. Sarasota Opera, under the direction of Victor DeRenzi, has been making its way through the entire Verdi catalogue, including the composer’s three versions of “Don Carlos.”

On Saturday, Sarasota Opera opened its production of the five-act French version, which gives us the opening act, omitted in the other editions, that gives the rest of the opera a raison d’etre. Finally, we’re able to see for ourselves the loveat-first-sight connection made between Don Carlos, infante of Spain, and Elisabeth de Valois, two young people (history tells us he was 15 and she just 13), and why they’re so ecstatically happy that their planned marriage is one they would have chosen.

We also see that Carlos’ father, Philippe II, king of Spain, who arranged the marriage, has — for political reasons — changed his mind and

decided it’s in everyone’s best interests if he marries Elisabeth, himself. That’s the back story we only hear about but never witness in the other versions. And, believe me, if you’re already feeling confused, that opening act helps mightily in the next several hours as we wade through political struggles, religious wars, the pageant of an auto-da-fé with its street fair atmosphere surrounding prisoners about to be executed, inexplicable ghostly apparitions, friendships that hold bonds so deep they cut through life, deceptions, jealousies and a horrific display of the terrors of the Inquisition.

But it’s the music that makes this grand opera truly grand.

Try as she may, Stage Director Stephanie Sundine couldn’t do much beyond what Verdi gave us, so most of the staging is static because the composer filled this work with a multitude of expository arias, duets and other exquisite small ensembles that allow us to see into the thoughts of the characters without much action.

To have much movement on stage would be counter to the essence of Verdi’s concept of this opera. So, it’s best to sit back, appreciate the beautiful scenery by David Gordon, 16th-century costumes by Howard Tsvi Kaplan, lighting effects that bring it all together

by Ken Yunker, and let the sound of music pour into your soul.

And pour it does. Michelle Johnson, as Elisabeth, brings a warm, rich, beautiful Verdian soprano that always seems to have more to give. On opening night she was careful not to over-sing and, as a result, her tone was always sumptuous and large with floating high notes reminiscent of a young Leontyne Price. Mary Phillips, the Princess Eboli who loves Carlos but is not only rejected by him but also a very dangerous woman scorned, sang and acted her role with great passion and understanding. Her voice has grown extraordinarily over the years since we first heard her in recital in New York City and, while she hasn’t lost her wonderful musicality, she has taken on a wider vibrato, darker sound and tendency (on this occasion, anyway), to over-sing. It’s not necessary.

The voice is there, and she doesn’t need to push it.

Jonathan Burton, the Don Carlos, displayed a brilliant, clarion tenor that reverberated through the house and gave a passion to his role that grew vocally and emotionally as the opera went on. In fact, Burton and Johnson were able to imbue their characters with a humanity that gave us insights into their growth from carefree lovers to honorable, caring friends — a bow to Sundine, who always looks into the characters in her stagings.

Kevin Short was an incisive, frighteningly cold Philippe,

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Soprano Michelle Johnson as Elisabeth and Jonathan Burton in the title role of Verdi’s “Don Carlos,” now playing at Sarasota Opera.

quite capable of killing his own son if he thought God would approve. His raw, rugged bass-baritone is a perfect match for his character, as is Marco Nistico’s brash baritone and no-holds-barred sound as Rodrigue, the friend-throughthick-and-thin who eventually gives his life for his friend.

Young Bok Kim made a terrifying Grand Inquisitor, showing an upper range to his stolid bass that we hadn’t heard before. And Tyler Putnam, a studio artist, showed great vocal prowess as a Monk.

Special mention must be made of the magnificent chorus members. Their sound overcame the oratorio-like stance they maintained on stage, pouring out Verdi’s music like a group double their size. And DeRenzi brought out the best in his orchestra. Best of all, no matter how much solid support DeRenzi gave the singers, he never allowed the powerful orchestra to cover them.

“Don Carlos” is a long song but, historically and musically, it’s well worth the sit.

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REVIEWS

‘Don Carlos’ version tells the whole story JUNE LEBELL

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Live musical performances that Entertain, Engage, and Inspire!

OF SARASOTA SARASOTA

YING QUARTET Saturday March 14 Sunday March 15 7:30 p.m.

OF SARASOTA

From heavenly harp to majestic Tchaikovsky JUNE LEBELL MUSIC CRITIC

Anu Tali, music director of Sarasota Orchestra, brought an unusual program to the Van Wezel Sunday afternoon for the ensemble’s sixth Masterwork series of the season.

It opened with a rarely heard version of “The Wood Nymph,”

by Jean Sibelius. A work that’s as picturesque as it is evocative of its subject, it’s also musically repetitious, but its storyline, told by narrator Jeffrey Plunkett, makes it more interesting.

The problem was the sound system, which muffled most of his words, so it was necessary, even though the narration was in an English translation, to follow along by reading the story while it was being read to us.

Fortunately, the next work, Glière’s Harp Concerto, was a confection of beautiful sounds and lush, romantic music filled with gorgeous melodies. The soloist, Xavier de Maistre, is indeed a master of his instrument with technique to burn and a magnificent range of dynamics and colors. The work is somewhat reminiscent of other great works. The middle movement, a theme with variations, sounds a bit like a Brahms symphony. And the finale, marked allegro giocoso, is like Handel’s “Harmonious Blacksmith” turned on its side. Still, it’s a work that’s fun to hear, and, in the hands of de Maistre and Tali it was so mas-

In the Historic Asolo Theater at The Ringling Museum of Art

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Songs from Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro” and Schumann, Faure, Vaughn Williams, Hoiby, Rogers & Hammerstein and Weill

LY! O N W O

t

S

W hO

S

Courtesy

Xavier de Maistre

terful it prompted a solo harp encore: “Carnival in Venice.”

The second half of the program was devoted to Tchaikovsky’s stunning Symphony No. 6, the “Pathétique.” Here the orchestra became the soloist with a sharply enunciated sound; warm, rich lower strings (especially violas); wind solos that knocked me into my chair; and some great sounds from the brass.

The second movement can be a klutzy waltz because Tchaikovsky chose to write it in 5/4 time (try dancing to that). But Tali and the orchestra made it graceful and delicious.

There’s no way to keep an audience from cheering after the brilliance of the third movement, but Tali, arms raised in the air, stopped us mid-clap to continue into the adagio finale, filled with great gulps of silences like sobs, and sounds that, through the judicious use of inner voices, went right to the heart.

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< Glitz at the Ritz-Carlton The Schoenbaum Humanitarian Award Luncheon 21 Fashion Standouts Asolo attendees channel their inner Rat Pack. 22

BLACK

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Photos by Heather Merriman

Above: Asolo Rep’s 2015 Gala was themed “An Evening Live at the Sands.” Right: Co-Chairs Jennifer Schemrbi, Debbie Haspel, Janet Walter and Jennifer Rust

Asolo Rep’s 2015 Gala

‘AN EVENING LIVE AT THE SANDS’ Saturday, March 7, at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota Benefiting Asolo Repertory Theatre

Liebe and Billy Gamble

G

lamour, rockin’ live music and an energetic crowd of nearly 500 guests attended Asolo Repertory Theatre’s 2015 Gala “An Evening Live at the Sands.” The ballroom was transformed to resemble the glamorous Copa Room at The Sands Hotel (the legendary Las Vegas nightclub where stars such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. performed) and guests enjoyed a “Vintage Vegas” vibe throughout the evening, complete with an authentic Vegas tribute band, Rat Pack Tribute Show, starring Frank, Dean, Sammy with headliner Mark Verabian and a six-piece orchestra, The Martinis. PAGE 17 Steve Dorff, Susan Green and Joey McKneely

HEATHER MERRIMAN | BLACK TIE EDITOR

Carolyn Keystone and Margaret Wise

Donna Simmons, Melanie Natarjan and Ausiya Mohamed

Larry Haspel and Pierre Thomas

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THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015

BLACK TIE & TALES

BLACK TIE STAFF

Backstage at the Asolo Gala …

It was “Katie, bar the door” at the annual gala benefiting the Asolo Rep’s outreach and educational programs with 450 of the theater’s “family” (and it is a family) packed tightly into two-thirds of the Ritz-Carlton ballroom … First encounters … Saks Fifth Avenue’s Sally Schule was an early arrival and stashed her new General Manager Terri Najmolhoda in Jack Dusty. Then she volunteered to help co-chair Janet Walter’s husband, Steve, rearrange a not-up-to-her standards bow tie ... “100% Laura” … was Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards’ tribute to Events Manager Laura Stuart Wood. Co-chair Debbie Haspel poetically deemed it “a reflection of the perfection of the Asolo.” Wood, who has put in seven years so far at the Asolo, has unarguably set a new standard for fundraising events in Sarasota … How nice to meet you … Marge and Bill Sandy brought her sister Judy Lieberman to the party. And attending with Debbie and Larry Haspel were his brother and sister-in-law, Ahron and Ruth Haspel, whose winter home is the Ritz Beach Club … Missing and missed … Gold table sponsors Tom and Ann Charters got stuck in New York City when weather cancelled their flight, and Margot and Warren Coville got stuck at home, doctor’s orders … The man in white … not too many can carry off this look. Meet Mark Barish of

Cliff Roles

Asolo Rep’s event manager extraordinaire Laura Stuart Wood

Adkins Florida Group, a friend of Eric Clark who is married to photographer Wendy Clark …

The color of the evening … was various shades of magenta, believe it or not, from Margaret Wise’s gown to Asolo board president Mary Lou Winnick’s evening skirt to Bruce Lesser’s brocade dinner jacket … How can this be? … Bruce and India Lesser are off on a cruise to celebrate their 45th anniversary … Looking ahead … Nice to see Teri Hansen and Chuck Barancik on one side of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation table across from their spouses Steve Wilberding and Margie Barancik …

Sssshhhhhhh … the ever-so-fit Matt Faucher, who played Stewpot in “South Pacific” and was emcee for the gala, had a hard time quieting the Asolo crowd. Co-Chair Jennifer Rust came to his rescue, saying she had seen Cliff Roles do

it with a long, loud “Sssshhhhhhhhh.” Later on, the same tactic worked for Executive Director Linda DiGabriele during a paddle raise … Long time, no see … Kathy Cole, who divides her time between Colorado and Florida, stayed in town an extra day to attend the gala with her long-time friend, Carol Phillips … A double date? … On being asked whether he was escorting Flora or Flori (Major or Roberts), AJC Regional Director Brian Lipton answered “both!” … And the winner is … If there were an Oscar for fundraising videos, Asolo media associate Jacob Duvall would win. He produced two beauties — he featured the Broadway-bound 2016 production of “Josephine” and it is not difficult to make Josephine Baker look good.

Dramatizing the benefits of what you are raising money for is another matter entirely.

Duvall’s video was graphic, gorgeous and beautifully brief and to the point. If only they were all like that …

Molly Schechter

Carol Phillips and Cathy Cole

Luxury Living Made Real

Tidbits

Courtesy

Deb Knowles Kabinoff with Cheryl Hurley, who received Guide Dog Ava 1.

A sister and a dog named Ava Deb Knowles Kabinoff formed “Team Ava” four years ago to honor the memory of her sister Ava and to benefit Southeastern Guide Dogs. In 2014, it was the largest and loudest team to participate in the organization’s walkathon, exceeding its financial goal and donating enough money to sponsor its third guidedog puppy, Ava 3. She will walk with her puppy raiser in this year’s event 10 a.m.

Saturday, March 21, at Payne Park.

You, too, can be part of the gang making the 1-kilometer trek around the track and enjoying breakfast courtesy of corporate sponsor Accrisoft Corp. Sign up by visiting guidedogswalkathon.org/ team-ava.

All chiefs and no Indians … the Jewish Family & Children’s Service gala will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year and the founder of the event and original chairperson Marie Monsky (2006) had the idea to create an honorary committee composed of all the past chairs. Most of them made it to a kick-off meeting last month. They are Nikki Nilon and Molly Schechter (2007), Sally Yanowitz (2008), Sue Jacobson, Barbara Lupoff, Kathy Killion and Steve Miles (2009), Gerri Aaron (2010), Judy Cahn and Marie Monsky (2011), Margie Barancik and Clare Segall (2012), Peggy and Ken Abt (2013) and Scott and Jill Levine and Steve and Lisa Seidensticker (2014). The cochairs for the 2015 gala set for Dec. 15 are Debbie Haspel and Susan Malitz … Mighty Oaks …

A mere 12 years ago, Maureen Horn, with a little help from her friends, created Tea to Tequila as a women’s networking group on Longboat Key with the goal of enjoying her old friends and making new ones. These days she reports a host of events that are virtually sold out, many with 150 participants. Interested? Visit teatotequila.com … Congrats … Education Foundation’s Feb. 27 Evening of Excellence event reports it grossed more than $275,000 for Sarasota County schools. The evening combines dinner with a lively auction that puts the top 25 student art works up for sale to the highest bidder. The program has raised more than $2.7 million for schools, students and teachers since 1996.

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Featured Listing | Siesta Isles 813 Idlewild Way • Siesta Key, FL Located on the Grand Canal $1,298,000

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015 12:00 PM Mediterraneo 1970 Main Street Sarasota, FL 34236 RSVP To reserve your space at this BNY Mellon Wealth Management luncheon, or to schedule an individual consultation, please contact Brendan Beitler at 941-244-1301 or brendan.beitler@bnymellon.com.

BNY Mellon Wealth Management is a leading wealth manager, and was named in 2014 by Family Wealth Report as the top U.S. Private Bank and the top Private Bank serving Family Offices.

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Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity Property information herein is derived from various sources including but not limited to county records and the multiple listing service, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate.

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Albert Joerger, PhD | 941.685.6145 | albert.joerger@sothebysrealty.com

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TIE Doug and Erin Christy, Doug and Jennifer Grosso, Diana Dunn, Courtney Church and Tyler Del Buono

THE AFTER PARTY

Above: Andrew and Natalie Tanner with Russ Vernon Right: Stephanie Shaw and Glo Reber

Asolo Rep’s 2015 Gala “An Evening Live at the Sands” featured a latenight party following the event at Louies Modern.

Guests enjoyed specialty cocktails, light bites and entertainment by UNISYN and Brandon Fluharty.

Pauline Schultz, David Berger, Michele Honour and Leonard Reina

Photos by Heather Merriman

Rochelle Nigri, Eduardo Anaya, Lauren Graham, John Wohlwend, Camile Tocher and Stefan Campagna

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Michael Berger, Sara Credit, Navid Kichi, Tomas Blazejowski and Nick Macoritto

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THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015

Polo Under the Palms Saturday, March 7, at Sarasota Polo Club Benefiting MD Anderson Cancer Center and Mote Marine Laboratory

Michael and Coral Pleas, Joe and Christina Carretta and Travis and Lindsay Scheuer

Co-Chairs Christie and James Uihlein

Photos by Pam Eubanks

Alene Fowler with Niki Trusty

Patricia Estes and Kelly Wheeler Tony Pinho and Roger Capote

FREE COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL SYMPOSIUM

Mod Squad

No Fuss

16th Journey to Wellness Symposium

www.imhro.org

INSPIRING HOPE…MAKING A DIFFERENCE SATURDAY, MARCH 14 Faux Orchids

Michael’s on East 1212 S. East Ave., Sarasota, FL Doors open at 8 am / Program 8:45 am - 12:15 pm

Stainless Steel Lamp

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Friends, family, health care professionals and those personally diagnosed with any form of mental illness.

Invite Everyone

TOPICS & PRESENTERS Stimulating the Brain to Unlock the Potential for Learning and Recovery in Mental Illness Vikaas Sohal, MD, PhD, Staglin Family/IMHRO Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, USCSF Developing and Implementing Early Detection and Intervention for Psychosis Carrie Bearden, PhD, Director of the Staglin Music Festival Center for the Assessment and Prevention Of Prodromal States (CAPPS) at UCLA Dottie Pacharis National Advocate for appropriate care and family involvement for those with mental illness. Author of Mind on the Run...

A Bipolar Chronicle, the book chronicle’s a family tragedy. It is the story of a family’s efforts to help their son through five major, prolonged bipolar manic episodes.

Live Edge Dining Table

Coffee or Cocktails

Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Congressman Tim Murphy (R-PA) Sponsor of Bill H.R. 3717 Rep. Murphy is a six-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

A clinical psychologist by training, Congressman Murphy led the charge on Capitol Hill to reform our broken mental health system.

Bunny Skirboll Founder of Compeer, 2015 “Inspiring Hope…Making a Difference” Honoree Moderated by: Andrew Cutler, MD CEO & Medical Director, Florida Clinical Research Center, LLC

Reclaimed Teak & Stainless Side Table

Wood Parquet & Iron Table

Q & A with scientists, Advocates and Bunny Skirboll following presentations

QUESTIONS? EMAIL MARLENE@IMHRO.ORG or call 941-504-6717

WEST INDIES HOME COLLECTION

CEU’s AVAILABLE: Register for Continuing

941-951-9222

Mon—Sat 10:00—5:00 www.westindieshome.com

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1312 Tamiami Trail N., Sarasota, FL 34236

MEDIA SPONSOR

Education Credits (3.0 CEUs) by emailing marlene@imhro or imhro.org/sunshinefromdarkness.

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Opposites Attract

Gala Evening

El Morocco Supper Club

Friday, March 13 Michael’s On East Benefiting Brain HealtH researcH

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Madison McDonough, Ashley Hagen and Colleen Shulman

Celebrate! Planned Parenthood ‘Growing the Promise’ 49th annual dinner

Above: Special guests The Honorable James A. Joseph and Mary BraxtonJoesph, Carolyn Johnson and Barbara Zdravecky

Photos by Heather Merriman

Above: Co-Chairs Felice Schulaner and Dennis Rees

Thursday, March 5, at USF Sarasota-Manatee Benefiting Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida Right: Marilyn Harwell, Carol Buchanan, Sarah Wertheimer and Dr. Maureen Maguire

Ted Meekma and Heather Dunhill

Magazine Sponsor

Newspaper sponsor

Fashion Show by

3.27.15

www.ncf.edu/pique-nique 162417

941-487-4800

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Gi ft Av Cert ai ifi la ca bl te e s

Dynasty Dance Clubs Get out there and Dance!

Ballroom | Latin | Social Dance Club | Competitive

Private & Group Lessons • No Partner Necessary Meet New People • Learn New Steps • Great Exercise 2272 Main Street, Sarasota 34237 (Off Lime Avenue) dynastydanceclubs.com 941-955-8558

Photos by Heather Merriman

Complimentary Dance Lesson

Nicole and Dan Starostecki, Jane and Brad Robbins and Ellen Wells and Robin Radin

with this ad

March Forth! on March Fourth

Floor Model Sale!

20% OFF

Wednesday, March 4, at Michael’s On East Benefiting Sarasota Orchestra

*

Ends March 31, 2015 * On Select Showroom Samples

Above: Fernando Traba, Elizabeth Beilman and Joshua Horne Right: Zuheir Sofia with Pamela and David Steves

RELAX FLORIDA STYLE

BY

DESIGN

2160 Whitfield Ave. Sarasota, Florida 34243 • 941-896-4302 RELAX FLORIDA STYLE HOURS MONDAY-SATURDAY 10-5

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PATIO

Left: Dee and Sam Stipp with Yoko Kita

A diva's jealousy leads to tragedy

PUCCINI “One of the best productions to be found anywhere.” —Herald-Tribune “Kara Shay Thomson IS Tosca. From the moment she sings her first notes ... the night is hers.” —Observer Group Showing through March 28. Next performances: Saturday, March 14, 7:30 pm | Tuesday, March 17, 7:30 pm Also in the 2015 Winter Opera Festival: The Marriage of Figaro | The Golden Cockerel | Don Carlos Seats start at $19— see 4 operas for just $69!

Sung in the original language with English translations above the stage.

SARASOTAOPERA.ORG | (941) 328-1300 Production Sponsor:

IMAGE: Richard Termine Sarasota Opera

SEASON SPONSOR

Paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues.

Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

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Jennifer Takeda with Jerry and Beathe Elden