Diversions 1.16.14

Diversions YourObserver.com

A&E

Barnabe Somoza creates art from unloved furniture.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

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Look inside Casey Key’s first ‘green’ home.

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FOOD&COOKING | CULINARY COUPLE

BLACK TIE

Starry Night Dinner PAGE 19

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

As the owners of Casa Italia, Raj and Nita Mathur may focus on Italian, but once a month they school others on the flavors of home.

Photo by Mallory Gnaegy

FOOD&COOKING COVER STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: ART TO SIT ON

RENEWED

Sponsored by The Humane Society of Sarasota

PURPOSE FINE ART FESTIVAL Bernabe Somoza owns thousands of pieces of discarded furniture. He gives new meaning to the discarded frames.

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

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ernabe Somoza has a story for every piece of furniture that fills his 10,000-squarefoot warehouse. As he walks around the periphery, his eyes light up beneath hip, circularframed glasses as he points out pieces. A red loveseat was in his son’s bedroom before getting new upholstery at Mission Avenue Studio, his Sarasota-based, vintage-furniture repurposing business.

The 65-year-old walks between isles of loveseats and cabinetry while giving a tour of the furniture. He pulls open a drawer in an unfinished ancient apothecary shelving unit to show the inscription of the herbal or chemical ingredient that once filled the drawer. He showcases the frames of a set of chairs from the 1960s and flips them over to proudly show the stamp of a high-end furniture maker — he’s learned the brand names since he bought his first piece in 2008. He still remembers it — a 19th century French Victorian sofa.

His enthusiasm for every sofa, chair, table and cabinet suggests he loves nothing more than ripping off the tired old fabric of someone’s discarded wingback chair and starting new.

Somoza handpicks every piece from weekly furniture auctions, charity consignment stores and, occasionally, an estate sale. The majority of the pieces span the 1930s to the 1970s — when furniture wasn’t mass-produced and was higher quality. He selects the high-end designer fabric. He decides if the wood should remain the original hue or receive a new coat of paint; he sometimes mixes the paint himself to get the right color — currently, he says anything blue sells instantly. He directs his seven employees on how to accomplish his vision, whether it’s a funky gold-andpurple antique French arm chair or a chic lemon-colored settee.

For the most part, they do the laborious elements of the job such as upholstery, staining, painting and sanding.

“I get second-guessed continually,” he says in purposeful earshot of his employees. “Particularly when I painted this chair gold,” he says pointing to a nearby armchair. “Of course, it sold last week.”

The webmaster and the administrator give each other knowing smiles — they’re used to Somoza’s joking demeanor. Later, the webmaster throws it right back, when a lazy-Susan-style coffee table arrives to the warehouse.

“It’s perfect! We can put Bernabe on it and spin him around (when he acts up),” she says.

Every day he eagerly asks his employees if anything will be posted on the website. He loves to watch the items sell. In less than 18 months, he’s sold 805 pieces — primarily online.

Somoza thinks his success stems from One Kings Lane, a popular, curated, interior design

SOMOZA’S GALLERY

Courtesy photos

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

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// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

IF YOU GO Mission Avenue Studio Where: 1337 Manhattan Ave., Sarasota Phone: 312-5506 Hours: Open 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. *You can also find some of Somoza’s work at SPARCC’s Treasure Chest

Mallory Gnaegy

“Part of the reason I didn’t want to continue just doing trading of art was that I could do nothing with painting except sell it,” Bernabe Somoza says.

“Now I have same thrill of finding the piece and then doing something with it.”

YOUROBSERVER.COM // See a video of Bernabe Somoza talking about his Mission Avenue Studio. and lifestyle online store and flash sale site. Mission Avenue Studio was just named one of the top-five vendors on the site. This fall, he opened Mission Avenue Studio’s physical location to local buyers.

Somoza has had previous entrepreneurial ventures that haven’t been as successful.

“In my country, it’s all entrepreneurial business, for the most part, so what I’m doing now is what I’ve always done,” he says.

Somoza, raised in Managua, Nicaragua, comes from an entrepreneurial family. In addition to the successful lawyers and doctors in his bloodline, there were five former presidents of Nica-

ragua. His grandfather brought pasteurization to Central America.

“That afforded me the opportunities to meet interesting people and have an open mind about a lot of different things,” he says.

He owned his first business at age 20, when he was put in charge of his late father’s company, Luis

A. Somoza Co. Ltd., a holding company. Since then, he’s owned a few holding companies, worked at an investment bank, founded a concert promotion and recording company and operated his own art-dealing business, among other things.

Before moving in December 2010 to Sarasota, he was dealing

19th-century art in Houston. He enjoyed the excitement of finding good deals, but was unfulfilled by the limitations of what he could do with them — there was no creative element. He searched for something new inside the same old entrepreneurial frame. Once he decided to start his new business venture, he started collecting — he bought 100 pieces before he even knew what to do with them.

Now, he’s selling nearly 100 pieces every two months.

“It’s a nice feather in our cap that we’re making progress. We have momentum,” he says, pausing to reflect before laughing and breaking out into a big grin. “It’s kind of cool!”

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: BACKSTAGE PASS

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

Patricia Delorey’s work never goes unheard

Photo by Cliff Roles

Bernard Balbot and Christian Conn in Asolo Rep's production of "Philadelphia, Here I Come!"

IF YOU GO ‘Philadelphia, Here I Come!’

Courtesy

Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards with Patricia Delorey recorded sound samples of people who were born in the town from the similar time period. A few weeks into her research she stumbled across a documentary “Disasters — Donegal Trawlers.”

It’s about three generations of fisherman who all die from various disasters in the small town during the late ’60s and early ’70s. It was a lucky find; sometimes she only gets snippets. It speaks to not only the sound of their voices, but the quality of

urns Ret

E EE! N O FR Y BU ONE GET

Cost: Tickets are $21 to $76 Info: Call 351-8000 or visit asolorep.org For Delorey, that’s the element that made these characters real and helps her translate them to the stage. These aren’t just people in a play speaking in a particular accent.

“These are real people,” she says.

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They live in a harsh environment that’s extremely punishing — they are real salt-of-the-earth people. Her voice quickens the more she talks about the film.

The film made her think about why someone would want to be a fisherman if both his father and grandfather died at sea.

“I remember one of the men said, ‘The sea gives and it takes away,’” Delorey says. “I thought, ‘That’s it!’”

Where: Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail

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cal way sounds are made in the mouth and how to describe them to the actors.

Delorey enjoys dialect work and the research involved. It gives her a broader perspective of the world. Learning about and perfecting a dialect is a way to honor it.

“By studying dialect, I learn about the people, who they are, the hardships they bear and the joys they have,” Delorey says.

Her research includes finding

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Northern Irish dialects are extremely difficult for actors to conquer. That’s why Asolo Repertory Theatre employs Patricia Delorey. She’s the dialect coach for the production “Philadelphia Here I Come!,” which is chockfull of characters using this dialect. She is also an associate professor at FSU/Asolo Conservatory.

This particular production follows Gareth O’Donnell as he decides to leave his uncommunicative father, his job as a grocer and his failed love life in Ballybeg, Ireland, to pursue new opportunities in Philadelphia. Ballybeg isn’t a real city, but the county the play lists in the production — Donegal — is real.

Delorey and director of the production, Frank Galati, began the process by discussing what to do with the dialect: Should they adapt it slightly or really go for it?

“I really went for it in this instance,” Delorey says. “The location has a lot to do with who these people are. Even though the story is universal, how it’s expressed has a lot to do with the way they speak and where they live.”

Delorey’s job is specific. She has to train herself in the dialect to be able to coach the actors.

She uses the International Phonetic Alphabet — it uses letters to represent specific sounds in every known spoken language.

Delorey describes the process as being similar to musical notation. She transcribes the script into sounds using this alphabet.

She also knows the physiologi-

DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: SPOTLIGHT

5

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

Curator Fan Zhang plans a full menu of Asian exhibitions I pretty much imagine myself as a big chef trying to use limited ingredients to present the best cuisines to my visitors and mixing different tastes.

– Fan Zhang

Mallory Gnaegy

“I think the new Asian center is just a starting point,” says Fan Zhang. “And, once the gallery is open, we will have more people to help spread the wealth.” experience taught him to pursue, examine and investigate. That’s how he became interested in art history and decided to study archaeology as an undergraduate student and also obtain a master’s and doctorate in art history.

But, instead of teaching, his passion brought him to The Ringling.

“I regard myself as some kind of an ambassador to introduce Asian art to this country,” he says.

He has a lot to accomplish be-

fore the 20,000-square-foot center’s completion. He hopes to secure longterm loans from the Lowe Art Museum in Miami, the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, The Field Museum in Chicago and the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation in New York City.

He’s working on bringing traveling exhibitions from the Hubei Provincial Museum in China and art of the samurai from the Stibbert Museum in Italy. In addition

to getting those out-of-house exhibitions, he hopes to highlight The Ringling’s Koger Collection, a ceramic donation from Nancy and Ira Koger — specifically, the Blanc-de-Chine pieces, or allwhite Chinese porcelain.

“In terms of Blanc-de-Chine, maybe we have the best collection in this country,” he says.

He hopes to expand what he describes as a “small but refined” collection by filling in the gaps with more traditional Japanese artworks, such as scrolls and medieval sculpture. Of course, he’d also like to pursue more modern and contemporary works. For instance, he hopes to bring a contemporary Chinese art exhibition of photography and video art focusing on stunt performance; that exhibit is tentatively planned for the summer.

“I pretty much imagine myself as a big chef trying to use limited ingredients to present the best cuisines to my visitors and mixing different tastes,” he says.

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When he was 18, he spent all the money his parents gave him for the New Year’s holiday on what he was told was a Han Dynasty bronze mural. The softball-sized circular plate sits on a bookshelf in his new office at The Ringling.

“I got my lesson from this interesting piece,” he says with a chuckle. “I learned there are lots of fakes and reproductions in the art market.”

His wasn’t real, after all. The

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The Ringling just broke ground for its new Center for Asian Art, thus begins a yearlong transition period until the early 2015 completion date. Fan Zhang, the Wall-Apelt curator of Asian art, is also in transition. The new wing and his position will be named in honor of Dr. Helga Wall-Apelt, the collector and philanthropist.

The 36-year-old (or in his third horse year according to the Chinese zodiac, he says) moved here the last week of August, and, as of mid-January, he almost feels settled. He’s in the market for a new home for his wife and two children, who will move to the area from Northampton, Mass. Zhang was the Freeman/McPherson post-doctoral curatorial fellow in Asian art at Smith College the past three years.

One surprise in his new city was the Canadian license plates, and that people would drive all the way to the Gulf Coast of Florida for a visit. But Zhang understands after learning about the local arts here and seeing the beach for himself.

There is no beach in Wuhan, China, where he grew up. It’s a modern city in the middle of the mainland, and, because it’s a transportation hub, people refer to it as the “Chicago of the East.”

This was his first attraction to ancient Asian artifacts.

Somewhere locked in the back of a closet of his old home in Wuhan is his childhood coin collection. He thinks it’s this collection of old coins that turned him on to other artifacts his ancestors made, such as bronze vessels, ceramics and painted landscapes.

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DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: HIGHLIGHTS

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

Pine View Drama Club takes flight in ‘Peter Pan and Wendy’ Bailey Macejak walks across the stage at Pine View School, occasionally glancing at the green script in her hand. As the voice of Tinkerbell, Director Hannah Andrasi, a senior, plays chimes as the response to Macejak’s lines.

Occasionally Andrasi asks her cast of peers to quiet down in the audience — she doesn’t want to have to ask them again.

The students are dressed comfortably, like they’re exhausted from the long tech rehearsals that take place the week before the production opens. But they’re also having fun with each other, smiling, playing games on their iPhones and listening to music.

The 25 students in the Pine View Drama Club have been preparing for “Peter Pan and Wendy” since September. They typically meet weekly after school, but as of Jan. 6 they’ve been rehearsing every day for opening night. They spent all day in a technical rehearsal Jan. 11.

The production is student-led and directed, aside from a flying expert, John Moore, in from Hall Flying FX in Chicago who came to work with students and parents on how to safely suspend actors in the air. Parent volunteers came to help build sets and help backstage during the production. It’ll take flight Jan. 17.

Director of the production Hannah Andrasi, senior, and Assistant Director Lillian Castle give the actors a few notes.

Bailey Macejak and Gretchen Beaumier fly in the final scene.

Students have fun on stage during rehearsal.

An abandoned “Peter Pan and Wendy” script sits downstage from the rehearsal.

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Flying expert John Moore (center) teaches technical director Mike Beaumier how to properly hook up his daughter Gretchen Beaumier to the flying apparatus.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

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Between running scenes, learning to fly and sword fighting, Brenna Nopper, Jack Kirsch, Melissa Hampton and Brooke Bertelsen snack and socialize.

Technical Director Mike Beaumier (father of Gretchen Beaumier, aka Wendy) helps with the sets and props.

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The students — rather, lost boys — on stage practice conga line choreography.

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: HIGHLIGHTS

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

Artist Pat Kaufman exhibits her colorful career Plymouth Harbor became a little more colorful Jan. 6 with the opening reception of “Crossing Borders.” The exhibit features the bold and colorful portraits and collages spanning Sarasota-based author and artist Pat Kaufman’s career. Some of the pieces come from “Collages 2014,” the author’s most recent book. There are also some portraits she painted in the ’80s in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. She used to spend several months there every summer. Her work will be on display through Feb. 4 at Plymouth Harbor, 700 John Ringling Blvd.

Wendy Underwood, Alida Dejongh and Nancy Lyon

Lee Yousri and Jeanne Gerry

“Welcome Angel” by Pat Kaufman

Bernice Davis

Artist Pat Kaufman (right) with her daughters Jenny Feder (left) and Carrie Feder (center)

“Juana” by Pat Kaufman

“Street Dancing Kiddies” by Pat Kaufman

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In the Historic Asolo Theater at The Ringling Museum of Art

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Winemaker Events January 24th & 25th At Participating Originals Restaurants January

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SARASOTA DOLLHOUSE MINIATURES FESTIVAL

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the siren we never see. Hearing her act goes way beyond physicality. But, it’s Phoenix who nestles firmly under your skin as the melancholy, kindhearted Theodore who wants nothing more than to be in love. This guy is an impeccable actor.

“Her” never resorts to coming off as gimmicky or flashy. The artwork, cinematography and score perfectly complement the storyline. But for some, the profound subject matter may be disturbing. If it’s totally acceptable to be in love with a non-human, one could ask ... will we cease to exist?

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INSPIRATION HAPPENS HERE Classes begin January 11th with rolling starts through April 1 Open to students of all ages and abilities come to Ringling College

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Joaquin Phoenix stars in “Her.”

Continuing Studies

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FINAL

S K E E OW

Director Spike Jonze’s new film, “Her,” is sweetly creepy. Known for his quirky approach to filmmaking (“Adaptation” and “Being John Malkovich”), Jonze doesn’t disappoint in this cleverly concocted visionary love story.

Set in the not-too-distant future, Joaquin Phoenix plays Theodore Twombly, a personal letter writer for total strangers. He’s quite good at his job. In the sad throes of divorce, he purchases a computer operating system (aka OS). Her name is Samantha (the mesmerizing voice of Scarlett Johansson), and her delivery is so audibly fetching that Theodore falls madly in love with her. And the feeling is mutual.

It should seem freaky, but somehow we accept it as readily as Theodore does.

When the relationship intensifies, Samantha longs for human form and, at one point, she provides it via a sex surrogate. Bad idea.

Theodore’s chemistry with Samantha is so pure that the notion of physically being with anyone else would be tantamount to acting sacrilegiously. Samantha’s thirst for knowledge leads her to hook up with another OS and, eventually, she breaks Theodore’s heart.

In this society of instant gratification and runaway technology, Jonze seamlessly makes the leap in our accepting his concept.

Face it — it’s no big deal to see people talking to non-physical entities with gadgets protruding from their ears already. His motive seems quite matter of fact, rather than a warning of what’s to come. “Her” is an ode to love and how we long to connect.

He’s assembled a gifted group of professionals who lend unadulterated credibility to a somewhat wacky premise. Amy Adams brilliantly makes the transition from sultry vixen in “American Hustle” to plain Jane as Theodore’s confidant in “Her.” And, speaking of sultry, Johansson is off the charts as

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: REVIEWS

Sunday ~ January 19 10-4 Admission: $7 Adults $4 Children under 12

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// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: REVIEWS

MUSIC

THEATER

// Sarasota Orchestra’s Masterworks

// ‘The Whipping Man’ The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s current production of Matthew Lopez’s “The Whipping Man” takes audiences to a Passover like no other. Why is this Passover different from all other Passovers? In nearly every way imaginable.

It takes place in April 1865, right after the Civil War, in a looted, half-burned plantation outside Richmond, Va. Caleb, a wounded Jewish Confederate soldier (Drew Foster), returns to reunite with two of his former slaves, Simon (Taurean Blacque) and John (Robert Douglas).

For reasons we later discover, Caleb doesn’t want to go to a military hospital. As a result, the ex-slaves amputate his gangrenous leg in a gripping, unforgettable scene.

Caleb survives. Passover rolls around. Simon insists that everyone participate — the former slaves included, who are both converts to Judaism.

Ironically, ex-slaves and an ex-slave owner will now commemorate the freeing of the slaves — both the Exodus in the Bible and the Emancipation in the reunited United States.

The ceremony goes on, with stolen wine and hardtack and collard greens standing in for matzo and bitter herbs. That may sound like a feel-good moment. But the bitter past catches up with the present. (For details, you’ll need to see the play.)

Without offering spoilers, I can say that the journey to freedom always takes a miracle, and miracles don’t always come. Either way, it’s never easy. Lopez doesn’t sugarcoat the pain.

The playwright’s structure is inventive and daring.

In some ways, it’s a bottle story with all the action confined to one claustrophobic space. In another sense, it’s a memory play. Caleb, Simon and John have little else to do but tell stories — which Passover is, among other things. On top of that, there’s a ticking time bomb of secrets and bad karma. The plantation’s island of safety is only temporary. It all adds up to double dose of suspense and heartbreak.

Freedom may or may not be waiting down the road.

For now, there’s a day of reckoning and pain.

Lopez’s play is an emotional wringer. Director

Courtesy photo

“The Whipping Man” runs through Feb. 2, at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1646 10th Way, Sarasota. Call 366-1505 or visit wbttroupe.org for more information.

Howard Millman never hesitates when it’s time to put audiences through it. He makes you feel every drop of emotion. But it’s honest emotion, unfolding from the hearts and minds of believable characters.

Under his direction, nothing ever feels like an effect.

Instead, he makes you feel like you’re there, in a specific place and time. The aftermath of the Civil War isn’t safely tucked away in a history book. It feels like it’s happening now.

Blacque’s performance as Simon has a true gravitas; he’s particularly moving interspersing “Let My People Go” with the Haggadah. Moral authority and the reality principle are both on Simon’s side.

His character rarely raises his voice; he knows he doesn’t have to. Douglas’ John is a rebel in a world he never made — a world, until recently, populated by so-called Rebels fighting for the right to keep other people in chains. Foster’s Caleb is a good Jew in a bad world. Passover puts his moral contradictions and evasions in his face. Whatever liberation Caleb may experience, you know he’s already left parts of himself behind.

Lopez’s “The Whipping Man” has the same moral authority as Athol Fugard’s work challenging the abuses of Apartheid in South Africa. Like Fugard, Lopez confronts us with a simple, unsentimental truth: Whips leave scars. Closing your eyes doesn’t make them go away. This West Coast Black Theatre Troupe production asks us to keep our eyes open and see the damage done. Seeing the reality of human bondage always hurts. But the journey to freedom always starts there.

— Marty Fugate

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The Sarasota Orchestra, under the direction of returning guest conductor Carl St. Clair, played a positively heroic program heroically this weekend that sent us careening from the Van Wezel, pulses beating, hearts throbbing and tears streaming down our faces. If that reaction sounds over the top, it’s because I’m writing this only an hour after returning home and my senses are still thrumming.

The evening began gently enough with two of Satie’s dreamy, languorous “Gymnopedie.” Debussy put his colorful orchestral stamp on these pieces, which were originally meant for piano, and the orchestra, with St. Clair, gave them a lovely, languid reading that smoothed the way for French music of a different sort, Saint-Saens’ Piano Concerto No. 2.

Far from the sleepy sound of Satie, this is a powerful, passionate piece that, in the electrifying hands of Van Cliburn gold medalist Jon Nakamatsu, took flight and never came down to earth. From the driving, preludium-type opening in the piano to the cyclonic presto of the finale, this was a performance of a lifetime: driven, persuasive, musical, jocular, insightful and stunning. St. Clair was a compassionate, sensitive accompanist, who led the Sarasota Orchestra so no voice ever overpowered another, yet the important lines shone through, while the piano was able to form a partnership with the other instruments, like the best of chamber musicians.

The lilting second movement, which reminds me so much of the scherzo

by Henry Litolff I have trouble telling

them apart, is a dancing romp with a good-humored wink and lots of surprising rhythmic and harmonic changeups.

Nakamatsu and St. Clair gave it just the right wit and sparkle to lead into a presto that burned up the keyboard.

Nakamatsu is a skilled technician whose impassioned temperament comes through his fingers without any superfluous mannerisms. The music is honored, first and foremost. But, wow, can he play. He was so persuasive in the concerto, the audience cheered for more, and he responded with a fearless and stunning performance of Schubert’s Impromptu in E-flat.

Some have said Richard Strauss wrote his tone poem, “Ein Heldenleben” (“A Hero’s Life”) in honor of himself. If that’s true, he must have been positively elated by the Sarasota Orchestra’s performance Friday night.

Leading his forces without a score, St. Clair gave one of the most gripping, stimulating readings of this work I’ve heard.

“Heldenleben” is an organic work with an explosive climax. The score is so dense it’s dangerously close to being impenetrable if the conductor doesn’t take care to clarify its voices, but St. Clair managed to cut through its complexities and turn this jampacked piece into a radiantly transparent work that glowed from the inside out.

Concertmaster Daniel Jordan’s solos were played with a sweet, stylistically perfect Straussian tone.

The winds sounded as if they’d just stepped out of “Rosenkavalier,” and the brass players — onstage and off — were brilliant. Horn player Joseph Assi’s fluid, sensational phrasing was breathtaking. The orchestra, as an ensemble, had an elasticity of tone that enlightened the music and made this a simply extraordinary evening.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

// HOME&GARDEN: LEED LIVING

by Heather Merriman | Black Tie Assistant Editor

Casey Key home brings some ‘green’ to the Gulf

Dr. Sid and Anita Holec’s beachfront home sits on 165 feet of the Gulf of Mexico.

La Casa Tile created the sustainable cement countertops in the dining room — the cement contains shells from the sand in the Holec’s beachfront backyard.

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of the construction and the construction material selected. Most of the home’s green aspects are not readily apparent — besides, perhaps, the solar panels on the roof.

Holec’s vision for the interior design of the home was achieved using the same green standards and efficiency aspects of the home’s design. Designer Robert Neil created the interior design of the home, which Holec describes as a “subtle, clean feel.”

The home’s green theme is carried out in various ways — dual-flushing toilets, engineered white oak floors, sustainable countertops and a detached garage, to name a few. By having a detached garage, the Holecs earned three points toward LEED Platinum certification, under the garage pollutant category for materials and resources.

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Dr. Sid and Anita Holec’s stunning beachfront home is the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum-certified home on Casey Key Beach. Originally built in 1949, the home was the last home built on the existing footprint on Casey Key, which allowed the entire home and guest house to flow onto a common deck that is close to the 165 feet of beachfront land on which it sits.

It was in 2003, while Anita Holec was browsing in a kitchen showroom in New York City, that an IceStone countertop grabbed her attention; it was that beautiful, recycled-glass countertop that sparked her interest in environmentally friendly home design.

“It opened this idea — all of these things are available using recycled products,” says Holec.

The Holecs had started down the path of sustainability, but it was architect Yehuda Inbar and MyGreenBuildings’ Steve Ellis that led them further when they began to remodel their home in 2004. Yehuda and Ellis collaborated with the Holecs and discussed the vision the couple had for the 3,330-square-foot home.

“I loved the fact that you could have what you wanted, without having to compromise anything,” says Holec.

In fact, most of the things that make the house special from a “green” standpoint happen behind the scenes, in the quality

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

// HOME&GARDEN

The living room perfectly illustrates the “clean and subtle” feel Anita Holec wanted for her home — the design was created using refined craftsmanship and healthy materials.

The design of the dining room was achieved using sustainable features to minimize the carbon footprint of the home.  Having a detached garaged earned the Holecs three points toward LEED Platinum Certification — under the Garage Pollutant Protection category for Materials and Resources.

LEED Facts The Holec residence One of Holec's favorite things: the sustainable glass countertops in the powder room. amount credits, which they can collect in a number of ways pertaining to categories put in place by the U.S. Green Building Council. Some items on the LEED for Homes Project Checklist that provide points for certification include high-efficiency fixtures and fittings, efficient hot water distribution system and using an existing infrastructure.

The landscape surrounding the home is significant to the green building practice as well, because it provides a large amount of credits for sustainable sites. ArtisTree Landscape Main-

tenance and Design installed the Florida-friendly and native landscaping. The design mitigates the need for permanent irrigation, pesticides and fertilizers that run off into the Gulf of Mexico and harm the ecosystem.

“With a Platinum-certified home, we incorporated solar panels and other energy-saving features to mitigate the cost of ownership over the long term and minimize the carbon footprint to a level close to neutral,” says Ellis about the design specifications for obtaining LEED certification for the Holec residence.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

by Heather Merriman | Black Tie Assistant Editor

RADIANT REDESIGN In only five days, 2145 Alameda Ave. had already begun to transform, as 23 of Sarasota’s finest interior designers put together the final touches of this year’s designer showhouse.

The home, which sits on Sarasota Bay in the Indian Beach neighborhood, is the only home featured for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County’s 19th annual Jewels on the Bay Designer Showhouse event.

The beautiful, secluded property sits on an acre and a half of

land, surrounded by lush trees and plants — designers call it a “magical paradise on the bay.”

The home, which is 10,000 square feet, has 23 spaces (including the outside grounds) that are being redesigned for the public exhibition.

The home will be open to the public daily starting Sunday, Jan. 19, and ending Sunday, Feb. 16. A preview party and exclusive tour, chaired by designers Jeff and Joyce Hart, will be held Saturday, Jan. 18.

TAKE A TOUR 19th annual Jewels on the Bay Benefiting: Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County When: Jan. 19 through Feb. 16; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday Where: Indian Beach, 2145 Alameda Ave. Cost: $25 at the door; $20 if purchased before Jan. 18, at Bee Ridge Lighting, Pecky and Burke Antiques

The showhouse sits on beautiful Sarasota Bay.

House captain Terrance Leaser worked around this Honduras mahogany headboard when designing the bedroom. He added this chandelier, inset, to the porch off the upstairs bedroom — the chandelier comes from an Addison Mizner home in Palm Beach that was torn down.

Photos by Heather Merriman

Jewels on the Bay Chairman Chuck Bolton designed the dining room — using an emerald green color as his starting point for the design. The chandelier in the dining room was an existing piece in the house.

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// HOME&GARDEN: DESIGNER SHOWHOUSE

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

15

// HOME&GARDEN

Louise Stewart designed the breakfast nook. Bee Ridge Lighting provided the lighting for the home – including this contemporary piece for the kitchen dining area.

Jill E. Martini designed the half-bath off the media room, which included burlap curtains and walls painted by Martini.

Jeff and Joyce Hart designed the library. David Steiner custom painted the piece to match the room designed by the Harts. The Venetian glass chandelier, inset, brought together an Old World/New World feel.

Tom Stanley designed the upstairs landing.

Cheri Neary added this vintage piece with a pagoda top to pull in the oriental theme of the room.

This oriental table, inset, was the focal point of design for the master sitting room.

Barbara Gardner designed the master bedroom, including adding a Murano glass lamp to the nightstand.

A highly decorative alabaster chandelier hangs in the home’s foyer.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

// FOOD&COOKING: CULINARY COUPLE

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor (continued from page 1)

As owners of Casa Italia, Raj and Nita Mathur may focus on Italian, but once a month they school others on the flavors of home.

Photos by Mallory Gnaegy

Nita Mathur prepares Nita’s coconut burfi, combining coconut, sweetened condensed milk and fresh ricotta cheese.

aj Mathur sees a car pull up t o Casa Italia and he greets the visitor with a warm smile. Even though there’s a “closed” sign on the front door of the gourmet market and it has been vacant of chefs and foodies for an hour, he has been expecting company. Tonight he’s expecting students for his restaurant’s monthly class, which offers an introduction to Indian cooking.

He ushers the first student to arrive past the shelves of hard-tofind spices, past racks of wine and olive oil, where tucked behind a refrigeration unit full of Italian delicatessen is a demonstration kitchen. His wife, Nita Mathur, is pulling out produce and equipment and placing it on a large stainless steel table. She stops what she’s doing to greet the first guest. She does so with a warmth equal to her husband’s. A few minutes after being introduced to the convivial couple, it already feels like you’re old friends.

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// FOOD&COOKING It’s this aspect, the comfort and warmth, that keeps a lot of people coming back to the monthly Friday night Indian and Italian cooking classes.

In past, they’ve had as many as 22 people attend classes, but tonight a bigger group’s last-minute cancelation leaves only a fortunate three students. They’ll get to take home a lot of leftovers.

“Are you hungry?” Nita asks.

“Is the Pope catholic?” Raj chimes in.

Today in the Indian cooking class, they’re making saag murg (chicken in a spicy spinach sauce), basmati rice pulao with mixed vegetables (a long-grain rice dish), cucumber raita (a yogurt salad) and Nita’s coconut burfi (a milk-and-coconut-based fudge).

Raj Mathur pours a glass of wine and begins explaining what many people find curious — Casa Italia’s emphasis on both Indian and Italian. Both Raj and Nita Mathur grew up in India and then spent a few decades in London before moving to the United States. Casa Italia was founded in 1984 by Giuseppe and Nanette Galloni, who operated it for the 18 years.

The Mathurs bought the business and have been operating it for the past 11. The former owners started hosting classes two decades ago. Raj and Nita Mathur weren’t expecting to host Indian classes or carry Indian goods, until their visitors requested it. These days, Nita Mathur leads the Indian classes and Frank Silvestro leads the Italian classes.

The next guests to arrive at the cooking class are Longboat Key residents Ann and Fred Marsh.

They are regular visitors to Casa Italia, and this is the fourth cook-

Masala dibba, an Indian spice box.

Nita prepares cucumber raita.

Raj Mathur pours wine for Ann and Fred Marsh while Nita Mathur dehusks cardamon spice.

ing class they’ve taken. Raj immediately pours them glasses of wine and catches up with the duo.

The Marshes are pleased to learn it’ll just be a few students, because usually the classes are pretty full. It’s impressive considering the popularity has come solely from word of mouth. Some people discover the classes while they’re looking for a hard-to-find ingredient the restaurant’s market carries. Others come seeking some of the best meats and cheese in town. That’s how the Marshes discovered Casa Italia — a friend from New York City recommended it for the Italian products. The Marshes are what Ann Marsh calls “Italophiles,” huge fans of the red, white and green.

“It’s as good as what we’ve found in Italy,” says Ann Marsh.

The regulars came in one evening and learned about the Indian Food Friday, when Nita prepares a catered Indian meal for pick up.

“We thought it was just about the best we’d ever had,” she says.

But the quality of the classes and food prep isn’t the only thing that keep the Marshes coming back. It’s the stories Raj and Nita Mathur share about their family, their culture and their heritage along with the organized and insightful way they teach.

Nita begins preparing papadum bread, a crisp seasoned dough cooked over the gas burner in the kitchen. She says it’s a running joke in her heritage that families test a new bride to see if she can crisp papadum bread without burning it. The class wants to know, did Nita Marthur burn the bread when she was a new bride?

How did Raj and Nita meet in the first place?

Nita Marthur grew up in the town of Ajmer, India, until she was 21. Raj had grown up in New Delhi, until he was 13 years old, and then he moved to London, where he lived for 38 years.

Kitchen

In 1978, he was visiting his aunt, who lived across the street from Nita Rai. Raj and Nita met each other in passing when they were with their families, and Nita’s mother, Rajeshwari Rai, told her daughter she thought he was a nice young man. Nita agreed. The two met, and instantly clicked.

Nita Mathur did not burn the papadum bread.

“She passed with flying colors,” Raj Mathur says.

Back in the class at Casa Italia, the chatting subsides as the demonstration takes over. Nita discusses the spices as she uses them, passing them around for the students to smell. She explains what to look for when picking out the produce, and gives tips on how to make dishes easier and more convenient for busy chefs (like using frozen chopped spinach or mixed vegetables and prepared yogurt).

For the most part, Nita Mathur does the cooking and demon-

Casa Italia’s Chef Frank Italian Cooking Class When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17 Casa Italia’s Nita & Raj – Cook Indian Cuisine When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 Where: Casa Italia, 2080 Constitution Blvd.

Cost: $55 Info: Call 924-1179 for reservations. strating. Occasionally, Raj will stir a dish and check on the temperatures — he’s best at hosting and sharing stories. But the class learns that before he got married, he would make his own yogurt. It is a common dish in India to help cleanse and balance the palate from spicy dishes — so he does know his way around the kitchen.

As the class comes to a close, there’s more than enough food to go around. The talking subsides as the students dive in to the completed dishes. It’s as quiet as it has been all night. The rice is a big hit.

It’s all a big hit. They’ll be back next month for the next class.

In The

of Euphemia Haye

™

Owner and Chef Joseph Casadio of The Sarasota-Manatee Originals Visit YourObserver.com/InTheKitchen For The Recipe And Video

15 South Blvd. of the Presiden ts Sarasota, Florid a 34236 941-388-1555 15southristora nte.com

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: CALENDAR

JANUARY 16 TO 19 ‘The Uninvited’ SCF Studio 84 Productions 2 p.m. at David S. & Anne V. Howard Studio Theatre Tickets $12. Call 752-5252.

Ringling by the Bay: Koko Ray & the Soul Providers 5 p.m. at Bayfront Gardens Tickets $10. Call 359-5700.

Conversation with the Curator: Exploring the Contemporary 7 p.m. at Historic Asolo Theater Tickets $10. Call 359-5700.

‘People of the Book’ featuring Robert Edsel The Jewish Federation of SarasotaManatee. 7 p.m. at Riverview High School. Call 552-6301.

Great Escapes Series: ‘American Tapestry’ Sarasota Orchestra 7:30 p.m. at Holley Hall Tickets $29 to $49. Call 953-3434.

‘Rock of Ages’ 8 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Tickets $35 to $75. Call 953-3368.

SCF Student Showcase Concert 8 p.m. at Neel Performing Arts Center. Tickets $10. Call 752-5252.

Thursday Nights Live New Orleans Jazz 8 p.m. at The Longboat Key Education Center

FRIDAY, JAN. 17

Jazz at Two: Eddie Tobin, piano/ vocals The Jazz Club of Sarasota 2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota Tickets $7 to $12. Call 366-1552.

Bay Street Brassworks Master Class State College of Florida, ManateeSarasota 5 p.m. at Neel Performing Arts Center. Free. Call 752-5252.

Great Escapes Series: ‘American Tapestry’ Sarasota Orchestra 5:30 p.m. at Holley Hall Tickets $29 to $49. Call 953-3434.

Rosie O’Donnell 7 and 9:15 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre Tickets $44 to $51. Call 925-3869.

ABBA the Concert 8 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Tickets $40 to $60. Call 953-3368.

Bay Street Brassworks Brass Quintet Concert 8 p.m. at Neel Performing Arts Center Tickets $5 to $10. Call 752-5252.

‘Pageant’ 8 p.m. at The Players Theatre Runs through Feb. 21.

Tickets $10. Call 365-2494.

SATURDAY, JAN. 18

Anna Maria Chalk Festival 8 a.m. on Pine Avenue, Anna Maria Free. Call 954-5800.

‘Boeing, Boeing’ runs through Feb. 2, at Venice Theatre. Call 488-1115.

‘Extreme Vegas’ runs through Jan. 19, at The Big Top. Call 3559335.

FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training’s ‘Loot’ runs through Jan. 19, at FSU/Asolo Repertory Theatre. Call 351-8000.

‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood’ runs through Jan. 26, at Manatee Performing Arts Center. Call 7491111.

‘Superior Donuts’ runs through

‘The Whipping Man’ runs through Feb. 2, at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Theatre.

Call 366-1505.

Sarasota Museum of Art/SMOA ‘ARTmuse Program: Lisa Hoke’ runs through Feb. 4, at Historic Sarasota High School. Call 3097662.

‘The Prima Donettes’ runs through Feb. 7, at Florida Studio Theatre. Call 366-9000.

Sarasota Fine Art Festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Gulfstream Avenue. Call 631-421-1590.

Sarasota Fine Art Festival 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Gulfstream Avenue. Call 631-421-1590.

Viewpoint: A Mural of Mammoth Proportions 10:30 a.m. at Historic Asolo Theater. Tickets $10. Call 359-5700.

27th annual Circus Ring of Fame 1:30 p.m. at St. Armands Circle Park.

Visit starmandscircleassoc.com.

Great Escapes Series: ‘American Tapestry’ Sarasota Orchestra 5:30 p.m. at Holley Hall Tickets $29 to $49. Call 953-3434.

Rosie O’Donnell 7 and 9:15 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre Tickets $44 to $51. Call 925-3869.

Cynthia Sayer’s Hot Jazz Trio 8 p.m. at The Glenridge Performing Arts Center Tickets $20. Call 552-5325.

SUNDAY, JAN. 19

Anna Maria Chalk Festival 8 a.m. on Pine Avenue, Anna Maria Free. Call 954-5800.

Cynthia Sayer’s Hot Jazz Trio 2 p.m. at The Glenridge Performing Arts Center. Tickets $20. Call 552-5325.

Open Jazz Jam Jazz Club of Sarasota Tickets $10. Call 343-7773.

‘Belles Sing The Blues’ Belle Canto 4 p.m. at Roser Community Church Call 778-0414.

‘Intimate Fantasies: The Worlds of Chopin and Liszt’ 4 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church. Tickets $15. Call 3714974.

‘Musical Journeys: The Holy Land’

‘Thurgood’ runs through Feb. 22, at Florida Studio Theatre. Call 366-9000.

‘Other Desert Cities’ runs through Feb. 26, at Asolo Repertory Theatre. Call 351-8000.

‘Philadelphia, Here I Come!’ runs through Feb. 27, at Asolo Repertory Theatre. Call 351-8000.

‘Poems, Prayers and Promises’ runs through April 20, at Florida Studio Theatre. Call 366-9000.

Sarasota Season of Sculpture’s Season VII: ‘Shared Ground’ runs through May 30, at Sarasota Bayfront. Visit Sarasotaseasonofsculpture.org.

4 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church Tickets $20. Call 924-4664.

Sarasota/Manatee Bach Festival 5:15 p.m. at The Church of the Redeemer. Free. Call 955-4263.

Engelbert Humperdinck 7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Tickets $55 to $80. Call 953-3368.

Rosie O’Donnell 7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre Tickets $44 to $51. Call 925-3869.

‘We’re Glad to be in Florida’ Jazz Ambassadors 7:30 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church Tickets $5. Call 907-4123.

The Legends of Doo Wop 8 p.m. at Venice Theatre Tickets $40. Call 488-1115.

YOUROBSERVER.COM // Visit

our website for more events.

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS at Longboat Key Center for the Arts Longboat Key Center for the Arts presents

Marlene Rose, Glass Artist

Join us for the opening reception Saturday, January 18 4:30-6:30 p.m.

RSVP today at lbkca@ringling.edu or call 941.383.2345

CREATE. DON’T MISS her upcoming lecture IMAGINE. Wednesday, February 5 | 1:00-3:00 p.m.

RSVP to reserve your seat!

DISCOVER.

Lauren Klein, J. Kenneth Campbell, & Lucy Lavely; photo by Frank Atura

To register for classes or to RSVP for our January opening reception, call 941.383.2345 or email lbkca@ringling.edu

6860 Longboat Drive South Longboat Key, FL 34228 Hours: Tu - Sa 11am to 5pm 131146

Opera Highlights 9:30 a.m. at The Longboat Key Education Center Tickets $20 to $25. Call 383-8811.

Jan. 26, at Venice Theatre. Call 488-1115.

‘Carousel’ runs through Jan. 19, at The Players Theatre. Call 3652494.

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THURSDAY, JAN. 16

Tickets $15. Call 383-8811.

STILL PLAYING

Black Tie

INSIDE: Bradenton Opera Guild ‘A Winter Gala’ PAGE 21

YourObserver.com

Director Pete Amster and Tyla Abercrumbie

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

Hosts Kevin Schoeler and Philip van der Voet with Denise Couturier and Doug Bradberry

Photos by Heather Merriman

Bob Bartner and Trisha Mire

by Heather Merriman | Black Tie Assistant Editor

Todd and Kristin Morton

To celebrate Asolo Repertory Theatre’s production of “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” guests gathered at the private residence of Kevin Schoeler and Philip van der Voet for the third Starry Night Dinner Saturday, Jan 12. The show runs Jan. 24 through April 13, with a preview Jan. 22.

The gorgeous home of Schoeler and van der Voet was decorated to highlight the comedic show — bright, happy colors adorned the tables on the patio and apples were added to the table settings as a representation of the characters dressing as characters of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

during the show.

Specialty drinks representing the lead characters were offered to guests: “The Vanya,” a dirty martini, “The Sonia,” a scotch on the rocks, “The Masha,” a passion fruit martini and “The Spike,” a blow pop martini.

Guests also had the chance to mingle with Director Peter Amster and a few of the artists from the show. Tyla Abercrumbie (Cassandra), Anne-Marie Cusson (Masha) and Tori Grace Hiens (Nina) were all in attendance. Amster and the artists participated in a panel discussion and offered an exclusive performance of the show.

Tori Grace Hiens and Mary Beth Goddard

Carol Phillips and Frank Galati

Anne Garlington, Renee Hamad, Terry Chandler and Kay Chandler

Stephanie Shaw, Dr. Stan Pastor and Judy Zuckerberg

Linda DiGabriele and Diana Armbrust

The “Masha” — a passion fruit martini

Randell Johnson, Charlie Huisking, Jeff Sebeika and Bobby Gensen

20

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

// BLACK TIE: COLUMN

BLACKTIE&TALES

by Black Tie Staff

Ilene Friedman, Bea Friedman and Dr. Harvey Friedman

Molly Schechter

MAGICAL MUSICAL MEMORIAL

S

arasota’s “Queen Bee,” Bea Friedman, endowed the Allan Friedman Piano Concert for three reasons: to honor the memory of her late husband, a passionate lover of the piano; to raise the bar for the orchestra by having it perform with world-class artists; and to give her family a reason to gather here. The 2014 edition (read June LeBell’s report on page 11), which Carl St. Clair conducted, featured a dazzling performance of the Saint-Saens Piano Concerto No. 2 by Jon Nakamatsu, and it accomplished all three goals.

Part of the tradition is an afterconcert reception for the guest artists, Friedman’s orchestra family, her relatives and friends and major supporters. Family present included

daughter and son-in-law Ilene Friedman and Greg Gregory of Sarasota; son Dr. Harvey Friedman from Columbus, Ohio; and sisterin-law Evelyn Friedman from Hillsdale, N.Y. Sarasota Orchestra CEO Joe McKenna shared how Friedman endowed the concert “several decades ago.” Messrs. St. Clair and Nakamatsu saluted Friedman, and Concertmaster Daniel Jordon took the opportunity to catch his breath after his amazing solos in Richard Strauss’ “Ein Heldenleben.”

Reception guests also included Friedman’s longtime friends and fellow orchestra supporters Pat and Don Hase and Fred and Annette Nagel, orchestra board President Anne Folsom Smith and Sydney and Jerome Goldstein.

The evening after … Janet and John Hunter and their poodle, Behta, hosted their annual Boxing Day dinner at their home. Janet and daughter Nancy Wagy do most of the cooking of a traditional British feast that includes Brussels sprouts, creamed onions and rutabaga — veggies that Janet says, “Our guests would never eat anyplace else.” The traditional potluck component included Sally Faron’s mincemeat tartlets and Myrna Band’s millionaire’s pie. The handsome Drew Morris, who works with Janet on most of her benefit management projects, annually writes and performs a parody lyric to a holiday tune. This year he tackled “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and managed to include the names of many of the guests.

Sing, “Gloria, Sally, Carol and Dolly; Jennifer, Marian, Betty and Molly; Tana, Marlene, Mike and Alfie … ” Congrats … Best wishes to Tom Morlock and Tanya Boyd who were married in an intimate ceremony Dec. 28, at the home of Tanya’s sister, Pamela Hill …

How’s your doppelganger? That’s German for alter ego or “second self,” a character that plays a major role in “Philadelphia Here I Come!”

The Brian Friel drama opened Jan. 10, at the Asolo Rep. One of the perks of being an Asolo co-producer is an invitation to openingnight dinners during which Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards and the show’s director, in this case the infinitely lovable Frank Galati, share such insights. Their comments invariably add to one’s enjoyment of the performance. Beneficiaries at this

S TIDBIT

KICKING OFF THE NEW YEAR

Cliff Roles

A headdress dangling mistletoe welcomed guests to Janet and John Hunter’s boxing day party. dinner included Teri Hansen and Steve Wilberding, Flora Major, Ellen Berman, Ed and Mary Lou Winnick, Ruth Kreindler and Ed Schaye, Bettina VonWalhof, Sandra and Rick Gomez, and Howard and Diana Armbrust …

The calendar calls … BT is collecting events for the 2014 Black Tie social calendar — if we don’t know about it, we can’t cover it! Email the following information to stephanie@yourobserver.com: name of your event; group hosting; group benefiting; time, date and place; ticket price; chairperson; contact name; phone number and email; website and event description.

THE CIRCUS ARTS CONSERVATORY GALA Benefiting: The Circus Arts Conservatory When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 Where: The Big Top Price: $195 BLACK Call: 355-9335 TIE

R AFFAI

More than 120 board members and sponsors gathered at the home of David and Edie Chaifetz Tuesday, Jan. 7, for America Jewish Committee’s open house to celebrate the success of 2013 and to welcome in the new year.

The setting was stunning — guests, including Rebecca and Rich Bergman, Gail and Skip Sack and Bunny Skirboll, enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails while watching the sunset over Sarasota Bay. See page 24 for more photos.

“We had planned to have everyone out on the patio, but no one would go outside,” said host Edie Chaifetz. “They all said it was too cold.”

AJC West Coast Florida Regional President Anne Virag announced, “2013 was the most successful year AJC has had so far.” The organization raised more than $900,000 last year.

Virag also announced the AJC 2014 Spring Award Dinner will take place Monday, March 17.

The event chairs are Matt and Lisa Walsh, Larry and Debbie Haspel and Honorary Chairwoman Bea Friedman (all past AJC award recipients).

AJC’s West Coast Florida Region will honor two individuals with awards this year — nationwide AJC Executive Director David Harris will receive the Human Relations Award, and Gerri Aaron will receive the Legacy of Leadership Award, which has only been awarded four times in the history of AJC.

We’re Celebrating Our 25th Anniversary!

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Come in and browse our showroom and Hunter Douglas Gallery for a huge selection of blinds, fabrics, draperies, wallcoverings and shutters.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

21

// BLACK TIE: CAMERA READY BRADENTON OPERA GUILD ‘A WINTER GALA’ Benefiting Bradenton Opera Guild Sunday, Jan. 12, at Bird Key Yacht Club Eleanor Williams and Benjamin Cowley

Co-Chairs Syble DiGirolamo and Jeanne Yeagle

Honoree Don Worthington with his wife, Rachel

Co-Host Joey Frye with Jan Fredericksen

Ken and Jennifer Tarasi

Photos by Heather Merriman

Don’t Miss the Party of the year!

2014 Circus arts Gala Voted “Best Gala” and “Most Fun Gala” in town friday, January 24th Under the Big top

tuttle ave. and 12th st., sarasota the Circus arts Conservatory’s biggest fundraising event is always unique, stunning and one of the most anticipated events of the season and with good reason...our festive celebration features glitz, glamour, gourmet food and the best in circus arts entertainment.

Benefits our human service & educational outreach Programs individual tickets $195 • Patron tickets $275

Please call the Development office

941-355-9335 CirCUsarts.orG

131053

the Circus arts Conservatory is a 501(c)3 non-profit performing arts educational organization

22

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

// BLACK TIE: CAMERA READY TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL GALA ‘THE OLDIES BUT GOODIES’ Benefiting Temple Beth Israel Sunday, Jan. 12, at Michael’s On East

Photos by Heather Merriman

Nancy Cohen, Bernard Blankenheimer and Judith Feldman

Nathan Fein Dinitz, Tina Fein Dinitz, Shirley Fein and Rick Fein Dinitz

Mimi Edlin and Sam Smullin

Our whimsical, happy art will make you smile!

Art and Gift Gallery

941.388.3700

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Historic Downtown Village 1861 Fruitville Road • Sarasota

Visit us on Facebook for special offers and schedule of upcoming art classes!

BALLROOM DANCING Ballroom | Latin | Social Dance Club | Competitive

Private & Group Lessons • Social Dancing Parties • Meet New People • Learn New Steps • Great Exercise

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

23

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

131041

// BLACK TIE: CAMERA READY

Fifty Shades of Blue Gone Gone Fishin Fishin Gone Fishin Gone Fishin Gone Fishin

Always Blooming Blue Blue Plate Plate Special Special Blue Plate Blue Special Plate Special Blue Plate Special

Anne Virag, Brian Lipton and host Edie Chaifetz

Photos by Heather Merriman

AJC OPEN HOUSE Thai Silk Pillows Hand Hand Carved Carved Wooden Wooden Fish Fish Hand Carved Hand Wooden Carved Wooden Fish Fish Hand Carved Wooden Fish Hand Carved Wooden Fish

Benefiting AJC West Coast Florida Tuesday, Jan. 7, at a private home

Silk Orchids Celadon Celadon Dinnerware Dinnerware Celadon Celadon Dinnerware Dinnerware Celadon Dinnerware Celadon Dinnerware

Your Mad Man Will Love ItWave Tidal Tidal Wave Tidal Tidal Wave Wave Evergreen Evergreen Tidal Wave Evergreen Evergreen Evergreen

Eclipse Copper Media Cabinet Driftwood Driftwood Table Table Lamp Lamp Fun Faux Fun Faux Plants Plants Driftwood Driftwood Table Lamp Table Lamp Fun Faux Fun Plants Faux Plants Driftwood Table Lamp Driftwood Table Lamp Fun Faux FunPlants Faux Plants

One of a Kind Cable Cable Ready Ready Cable Ready Cable Ready Cable Ready

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Debbie and Larry Haspel Driftwood Table Lamp Solid Solid Teak Teak Media Media Console Console Solid Teak Solid Media Teak Console Media Console Solid Teak Media Console Solid Teak Media Console

Dr. Arthur Anowitz and Ina Schnell

Rattan Dining Rattan Rattan Club Club Chair Chair Rattan Club Rattan Chair Club Chair Rattan Club Chair Rattan Club Chair

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Come Solve The Crime.

1/16/14 1/16/14 1/16/14 1/16/14 1/16/14 1/16/14

Murder Mystery Theater at the Powel Crosley Estate

Sally Yanowitz, Mimi Edlin and Nancy Schlossberg

on beautiful Sarasota Bay

Performances January 21-24, 26, 28-31 Live interactive performances – Tickets $15-$25

Available at Ticketmaster.com and the Bradenton Area Convention Center box office (941) 722-3244, Ext. 0 Group pricing available - contact the box office

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1/10/14 2:43 PM

Hannah Weinberg and Lois Stulberg

Gail and Skip Sack

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

25

// BLACK TIE: CAMERA READY SARASOTA ARTISTS: ‘ALL IN THE FAMILY’ SPECIAL PREVIEW

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Benefiting Children First | Thursday, Jan. 9, at IceHouse

Michelle Silva and Alex Stafford

Elenor and John Maxheim

COME SEE OUR EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION OF C HRIS TOPHER SPITZMILLER LIGHTING. Bob and Laurin Ripley with Julie and Brock Leach

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Photos by Heather Merriman

Howard Katz, Sandy Moore and Regina Walters

Sam Alfstad, Tim Jaeger and Gary Galati

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Shauna Malgieri and Sarah Wertheimer

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2085 Siesta Drive • Sarasota, FL 941 - 951 - 9200 andreassarasota.com

HOTFLASH

Black Tie Assistant Editor

or Sarasotans, it’s not often that we experience temperatures that truly require a change in our normal, everyday fashions. But for days like Tuesday, Jan. 7, where the day’s high barely reached 50 degrees, a dress or jeans with a chiffon top just won’t cut it. Black Tie’s Heather Merriman bundled up, braved the cold and headed out to St. Armands Circle to find the scoop on the trendiest winter fashions and tips on the best ways to dress for winter weather.

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We are excited to introduce to you Veal Osso Buco $32

Open Daily at 5pm

 Margie Barancik, who stopped into The Met, dressed fashionably for a cold winter day — a vest and scarf, in Pantone’s predicted color of the year: radiant orchid.

THE MET

 HOT ITEM:

L

JBrand Alah leather jacket in hibiscus — “How often do you see a pink moto jacket?” says Reynolds.

series

2013 ____ 2014

by Heather Merriman

F

Private dining room available for all your special occasions throughout the year with no venue fees or hidden charges (accommodates up to 32 guests).

Veal Osso Buco

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

// BLACK TIE: FASHION FORECAST

Since 2009, Chef Andrea Bozzolo, a native of Piedmont, Italy has provided the highest quality ingredients available, working mostly with local farmers and fisheries. All of our pastas are homemade and cooked el dente.

Center Cut Veal Shank braised with root vegetables for over 3 hours and served over atop of Saffron Risotto el dente.

DIVERSIONS

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January 21 with Tony Michaelides

 Marchesa Voyage scrap jacket in gold

“LESSONS LEARNED FROM ROCK-N-ROLL” Today many dream of being a rock star, but in reality very few are. What is it that separates one from the rest?

Why do we aspire to be a star? In a carreer spanning over thirty years, Tony Michaelides worked with some fo the world’s biggest selling artists: U2, The Police, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Whitney Houston, N Sync, etc. It gave him a rare insight and a behind-the-scenes look at how real rock stars are created. He will share some of these stories together with iconic photos and rare video.

ayering — the one word The Met’s Evan Reynolds used to explain how to handle cold weather in Sarasota. Layering pieces are a must for any woman’s wardrobe — you can wear these pieces in any type of weather, and layer them up on days when necessary.

“Jackets, like this one by Marchesa Voyage (left), are great for adding layers for warmth, and easy to take off and throw over your chair if you get hot indoors,” says Reynolds.

A must-have for this season, and a necessary staple in anyone’s wardrobe, is the asymmetrical moto jacket. “If you don’t have one, you have to have to one,” says Reynolds.

The fashion experts at The Met also suggest chunky knits (their favorite are Missoni’s), cardigans (you can never have enough) and cashmere wraps for layering up on chilly days.

The one item both Evan Reynolds and Jill Linehan suggests every wardrobe have: a great black turtleneck. “You can add a vest, add a scarf, add a cardigan — it’s such a buildable item,” says Linehan.

TRENDING THIS SEASON: Furs —

“We’ve been seeing a lot of fur this year,” says Reynolds. “If you’ve got it, wear it.”

5:30 p.m., MILDRED SAINER PAVILION, 5313 BAY SHORE ROAD

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TICKETS $20: DONATE.NCF.EDU/EVENTS, 941.487.4888

Verdi’s American Home

Winter Opera Festival 2014

 “We call this the ‘storm system’,” says Jill Linehan about this Armani nylon coat. Wear this with a thin cashmere and a scarf and you’ll be ready for all the elements.

international soloists | Full orchestra | Professional Chorus | Historic opera House | real-time english Translations | Tickets: $19–$135

 Dressing for the cold: “Anything cashmere,” says Jill Linehan.

INFLUENCE STYLE

T Il trovatore

The Barber of Seville

Verdi part of the verdi cycle

Feb. 8–Mar. 22

rossini

Feb. 15–Mar. 21

The Flying Dutchman Wagner Mar. 1–23

he chilly day brought a lot of people out to St. Armands’ most popular stores in attempts to find fashionable items to shield them from the cold — “We had this great Current/Elliott coated denim jacket. We had three and we sold all of them today,” Coowner of INfluence Sam Beebe says.

“When people come in for cold-weather items, we send them over to the Vince cashmere sweaters,” says Beebe. “It’s easy — put one under a moto jacket, it’s a quick throw on,” she says as she quickly and effortlessly puts together a great look, appropriate for coldweather days.

Jérusalem Verdi part of the verdi cycle

Mar. 8–22

(941) 328-1300 | SArASoTAopera.org 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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Sarasota opera House 61 n. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236

 TRENDING THIS SEASON:

“Ankle skinnies with booties,” says Beebe. Specifically popular at INfluence, the JBrand coated denim skinnies, right.

 “This Anatomie bubble vest is a great addition to any outfit,” says Jill Linehan.

Photos by Heather Merriman

 This Vince cashmere sweater paired with a jacket is a quick way to add some warmth to your everyday fashion.

DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

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// BLACK TIE: JUST MARRIED

GROOM’S FATHER AND STEP-MOTHER:

BRIDE’S PARENTS:

Robert & Benita Piper

Ward & Anita Brass

HOW THE COUPLE MET:

After being seated next to each other at a friend’s birthday party in May 2010, Sarasota residents Kathryn Lee Brass and Todd Anthony Piper learned they had much in common. The couple’s first date followed in March 2011.

THE PROPOSAL:

After a year and half of dating, the couple got engaged on Oct. 1, 2012. Todd took Kathryn to Lido beach for a sunset walk, which had become their routine in the evenings, so she thought nothing of it. Once they reached their destination, Todd got down on one knee to propose.

The couple was married Nov. 16, at King Family Farm. The couple loved the farm’s Farm to Table dinners and wanted that feel for their wedding. They selected an area close to the river on the backside of the property, under a canopy of trees, for the ceremony. The cocktail hour took place under a

THE HONEYMOON:

Following their big day, the couple left for Belize and spent eight days traveling the jungles, caves and barrier islands. The first four days were spent at Ian Anderson’s Caves Branch, where they had fantastic adventures climbing inside and tubing through caves.

The last four days were spent snorkeling and enjoying lobster in Caye Caulker.

FUN FACTS:

Kathryn and Todd made jars of local raw honey from King Farm to give away as gifts to more than 100 guests. They also potted all the succulents for the centerpieces and used wild flowers on the tables. Dried lavender was used as the toss at the end of the night.

THE DETAILS Hair and makeup: Courtney Franklin, Fresh Salon & Spa Dress: Something Blue Bridal Boutique Floral design: Elegant Designs Floral Art Studio Photography: Cat Pennenga Photography Videography: StarFruit Productions Catering: The Loft 5 Music: Trevor Bystrom Cake: Thompson’s Cakes Inc.

Photos by Cat Pennenga Photography

Where Sarasota Gets Engaged™ 3979 SOUTH TAMIAMI TRAIL | (941) DIAMOND | DIAMONDVAULTJEWELERS.COM

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THE WEDDING & RECEPTION:

large oak tree near the peach orchards and the reception was held under the market pavilion. The couple arranged all the seating for a family-style dining experience.

The Loft 5 catered the fresh, offthe-farm food.

DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

The Art of Selling

RITZ BEACH RESIDENCES, 1106.

Spectacular 11th-floor condominium in The Beach Residences nestled along Sarasota’s famous Lido Key. A short distance to St. Armands Circle.

Offered at $2,695,000

BEACHES OF LONGBOAT KEY. Gorgeous wrap-around views of the Gulf, Bay, downtown and the Islandside golf course. Large, open two bedroom, two bath, beautifully updated residence. Offered at $875,000

BAYPORT BEACH & TENNIS CLUB. Gulf views at this fabulous and friendly complex with tennis, clubhouse, swimmer’s pool, beautifully manicured grounds, private beach and bayside fishing pier that is fully funded.

Offered at $369,300

BEACHES OF LONGBOAT KEY Wraparound terrace boasts breathtaking panoramic views over the Gulf waters and private beaches. Terrace views extend to the golf course and Sarasota Bay. Offered at $1,595,000

AVIGNON VILLAS, 8.

Completely remodeled three bedroom, two bath plus sunroom with new cabinets throughout, appliances, granite, flooring, paint, moulding and baths. Offered at $749,500

BAYPORT BEACH & TENNIS CLUB. Serene garden views at this fully funded complex includes private beach, fishing pier, tennis, clubhouse, swimmer’s pool, and beautifully manicured grounds. Offered at $359,500

THE PIERRE. Spectacular forever views of Gulf, Bay, City, Golf and Intracoastal. 14 foot ceilings in this penthouse level. Beautiful wood floors and open floor plan Offered at $1,445,000

PORTOBELLO, 607.

Penthouse level with beautiful Gulf views.

FabulousGulf to Bay complex with private beach, bayside dock, tennis, clubhouse, pool, spa, and extra storage. Offered at $489,500

CEDARS EAST. Well maintained and turnkey furnished two bedroom, two-and-a-half bath townhome in Cedars Tennis Resort. Anderson hurricane windows. New hurricane rated garage door and exterior wood replaced with James Hardie plank.

Offered at $321,500

Mark Huber

Joyce Huber

Erin McWhorter

Broker-Associate

Broker-Associate

Realtor® M.B.A.

941.356.2435

941.356.2434

941.228.1405

MRREALT@sol.com

erin.mcwhorter@sothebysrealty.com

546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key, Florida 34228 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.

If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully.

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