Diversions 3.27.14

Diversions YourObserver.com

A&E

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

Bruce Rodgers oversees the place where ideas turn into art. PAGE 2

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FOOD&COOKING | HOMERUN CHEF

‘An Evening at the AvantGarde’ PAGE 15

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

Photo by Mallory Gnaegy

Chef Chris Covelli and Chef Gary Mazan try not to laugh as pitcher Darren O’Day practices his well-known tomfoolery.

COOKING FOR THE Chris Covelli feeds the Baltimore Orioles’ hunger for a World Series.

And, occasionally, he’ll serve them bacon.

FOOD&COOKING COVER STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

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DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: CREATIVE HAVEN

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

‘THE COOLEST PLACE YOU CAN’T GET IN’

Bruce Rodgers oversees the invitation-only Hermitage Artist Retreat, where he also oversees others as they turn their ideas into works of art.

T

“I can do anything from sweeping the floors to a lot of public speaking,” Bruce Rodgers says.

Performances: 7:00pm

Photo by Mallory Gnaegy

here’s a county-owned property just past a public access to Manasota Key Beach. Australian pine trees dance in the balmy breeze on two sides. There’s a twolane road and bay on one side of the property, and tangled mangroves and the beach on the other.

Five charming, historic woodenpaneled buildings face the water.

At separate times, Calusa Indians and nudists once inhabited what is now the well-kept yard of the 8.5acre property.

No longer a nudist colony, the Hermitage Artist Retreat currently acts as a seaside retreat for midcareer artists of all disciplines from around the nation. This is where ideas are conceived and begin to flourish into what audiences see in galleries, music venues, theaters and bookshelves around the nation. This is how Bruce Rodgers, founding executive director of the Hermitage Artist Retreat, describes the work that takes place here.

“It all begins in a room with an idea and a passion,” Rodgers says.

Occasionally Rodgers takes trips around the nation to see the ideas conceived on this campus in their full fruition. In November, he went to The Metropolitan Opera to see the Nico Muhly-Craig Lucas opera “Two Boys,” which was written in its entirety at The Hermitage.

On April 3, he’s going to see a Boston Symphony Orchestra concert for a piano concerto by Hermitage composer Bernard Rands, which will be conducted by Hermitage Artist Robert Spano. On the same trip, he’ll see Hermitage

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THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

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// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

IF YOU GO

Courtesy photo

The Hermitage beach cottage playwright Craig Lucas’ play “Ode to Joy” and a handful of other Hermitage artist-related productions and symphonies. He has a lot to do before then.

Rodgers dons a button-down, slacks and bright orange Nikes (much more clothed than the former inhabitants). From his window on the property, you can see bikini-clad spring breakers enjoying the sand and water. You can feel the salty trade winds coming through the screen door. But even though his cypress-paneled office is steps from the water, he doesn’t get out much. He’s busy fulfilling the retreat’s mission, sweeping floors or acting as the IT guy — he does it all.

Rodgers sips from a Hermitage Artist Retreat coffee mug. He had a late night and an early morning.

Bradley Wester, a visual artist from Rhode Island, just arrived Monday. Rodgers was at the campus till late in the evening at Wester’s dinner — the staff, donors and artists always welcome the incoming artists with a Monday-night feast.

Photo by Mallory Gnaegy

Currently, there are four artists visiting. Wester is joining playwrights Daniel Sklar and Ginna Hoben as well as composer Eve Beglarian. There are around 60 artists that visit the residency program annually. This is the core of what the Hermitage Artist Retreat does.

There’s no application process for the artists. A 10-person committee made up of leaders of the various fields the Hermitage Artist Retreat supports selects the artists who visit.

“It’s the coolest place you can’t get in,” Rodgers says quietly, slightly raising his eyebrows over circular-rimmed glasses. “We wanted to make it special to get invited here.”

Rodgers has been around since before the Hermitage’s inception in 2003, when sculptor Malcolm Roberts stayed as the first artist.

You might have seen Roberts’ wave sculpture leading into the Longboat Key Club and Resort property.

Rodgers sat on the steering committee that founded the nonprofit.

Back then, he was the associate

Program Director and Co-Founder Patricia Caswell, playwright Rich Orloff and Bruce Rodgers artistic director of Asolo Repertory Theatre (then known as Asolo Theatre Co.). And before that, he was working as a playwright. Part of the reason he was invited on the steering committee was because he had been a MacDowell Colony Fellow, the oldest artists’ colony.

Rodgers claims three plays to his penmanship, four if someone’s really counting. One of which brought him to Sarasota in the first place.

It’s called “Lost Electra,” and is about a man obsessed with finding out what happened with Amelia Earhart as a coping method for dealing with the death of his son.

Margaret Booker directed his play in Cincinnati in 1990. The following year, when she became artistic director at Asolo Rep, she brought it to that theater. In 1993, Booker offered Rodgers the job of resident playwright and literary manager.

But Rodgers doesn’t write anything other than grants and speeches these days. Today, he’s going to write what he’ll say in a video for the Greenfield Prize Din-

ner April 12.

The Greenfield Prize is a partnership between the Hermitage Artist Retreat and the Philadelphia-based Greenfield Foundation. Through the partnership, one artist receives a $30,000 prize in the form of a future commission and gets two years and ample time at The Hermitage to create the commission. Every April, a new Greenfield Prize artist receives a commission and the artist from two years prior presents his or her commissioned work.

Nilo Cruz will receive the Greenfield Prize this April. He’s the third playwright to receive the prize.

Composer/pianist Vijay Iyer will present what he created during his commission this April. The Gulf Coast inspired his piece, “Turbulence.”

Rodgers says Iyer came to the Hermitage two 10-day periods during his two-year commission.

Each time, he brought his wife and daughter with him. He stayed in what they call the pump house.

Rodgers likes to stay out of art-

Vijay Iyer’s ‘Turbulence’ On April 10, pianist Corey Smythe and wind quintet Imani Winds will premiere the Greenfield Prize commission as part of La Musica International Chamber Festival.

When: 8 p.m. Thursday, April 10 Where: Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. Cost: Tickets $40 Info: Call 366-8450 or visit lamusicafestival.org ists’ way and just let them work, unless they ask him to view their creation, ask him to dinner or strike up a conversation. He gets to know the artists, and knows the Hermitage is special to them.

Rodgers tells the story about the first Greenfield Prize winner, Craig Lucas. This month, Lucas wrote an article for American Theatre Magazine attributing the Hermitage Artist Retreat with changing his life. Before he came to the Hermitage, his house was in danger of being repossessed, his career bottomed out, he was out of money, and he didn’t have a lot of future prospects. He wasn’t receiving good reviews.

“After his time here everything turned around for him, and he credits us for that,” Rodgers says.

During that time, he wrote an opera libretto, two musicals and two plays. Lucas says in the article that at The Hermitage he found the cure of the difficulties of writing.

“It’s incredibly rewarding that we have this kind of impact on peoples’ lives,” Rodgers says.

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DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

CALENDAR A&E EDITOR’S PICKS THURSDAY, MARCH 27

Spring Dance Performance 7 p.m. at Booker VPA. Runs through Saturday. Call 355-2967.

Indigo Girls with Symphony Orchestra 8 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Call 953-3368.

‘Quartet’ 8 p.m. at Glenridge Performing Arts Center. Runs through April 2.

Tickets $20. Call 552-5325.

FRIDAY, MARCH 28

Iconcept 6 Benefiting Art Center Sarasota. 6 p.m. at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. Tickets $125. Call 365-2032.

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

ART SCENE

ON DISPLAY: From March 29

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota.

7:30 p.m. at Neel Performing Arts Center. Free. Call 306-1202.

SIZE AND MEDIUM: 20 inches INSPIRATION: “The image is an artistic interpretation of what space-time may have looked like less than one nanosecond after the Big Bang, when the universe was very rapidly expanding. ‘The Origin of Time’ is one of a series of images in a show at the Art Uptown Gallery titled ‘Where Time Goes.’ The image was created by visually display-

Unplugged New Play Festival Asolo Repertory Theatre 7 p.m. at Asolo Rep rehearsal hall Call 351-8000.

MONDAY, MARCH 31

Pops Series: ‘Satchmo, Fats & The Duke.’ Sarasota Orchestra 8 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Runs through Saturday.

Tickets $32 to $69. Call 953-3434.

Season Celebration on Stage 6:30 p.m. at Asolo Repertory Theatre. Tickets $250. Call 351-9010, Ext. 4712.

SATURDAY, MARCH 29

TUESDAY, APRIL 1

‘In Tribute.’ Chroma Quartet 5:30 p.m. First Church of Sarasota Tickets $10. Call 955-0935.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2

E IN TH

CAS T

ROBERTA MACDONALD ROLE: Jean in “Quartet” at Glenridge Performing Arts Center, 7333 Scotland Way from March 27 through April 2. Tickets are $15.

WHEN AND WHAT WAS THE LAST PRODUC-

SP

SUNDAY GOSPEL BRUNCH

by 25.5 inches. Photography.

Embracing Our Differences At Sarasota’s Bayfront Park and Bradenton Riverwalk. Runs through June 1. Free. Call 404-5710.

Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel The Jewish Federation of SarasotaManatee. 8 p.m. at the Beatrice Friedman Theater.

Tickets $36. Call 552-6301.

2014 Scholarship Competition for Piano

S CHEECF’IAL

through April 25 at Art Uptown, 1367 Main St.

SUNDAY, MARCH 30

Open Rehearsal La Musica International Chamber Music Festival. 9:30 a.m. at Sanier Pavillion at New College of Florida.

Runs through April 15. Tickets $15 to $75. Call 366-8450, Ext. 3.

‘THE ORIGIN OF TIME’ BY FRANK BIBBINS

‘4000 Miles’ (Preview) 8 p.m. at Asolo Repertory Theatre Runs through April 17.

TION YOU WERE IN BEFORE THIS? “Disenchanted,” “Drowsy

Chaperone” and “Oliver” before I developed lung cancer in 2012 and 2013

WHAT’S IT LIKE ACTING WITH YOUR HUSBAND? It’s the most

comfortable I am with any actor. We’ve done a number of shows together… that’s how I met him ... The rest was history and that was 54 years ago.

DESCRIBE “QUARTET” IN ONE

FROM: Blue Rooster, 1525 Fourth St.

ing a set of repeating computergenerated fractal equations of differing size and color. Since this is the only fractal image in the show, the method has opened a new means of expression for me that I expect to use in the future.”

Tickets $15 to $45. Call 351-8000.

‘Bring it On: The Musical’ 8 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Call 953-3368.

La Musica International Chamber Music Festival Concert 1 8 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House Tickets $40 to $175.

Call 366-8450, Ext. 3.

SENTENCE: It’s how the arrival

of a diva (I’m the diva) disrupts the placid often boring life of the other residents of this retirement home — all opera singers and orchestral musicians.

IF YOU COULD GET STUCK IN A RETIREMENT HOME WITH JUST THREE OTHER PEOPLE, WHO WOULD THEY BE? I would

love to have Harry Truman, Bill Clinton and Nelson Rockefeller.

WHAT’S THE WORST PART ABOUT AGING? I have just gone

through hell the past six months: radiation, chemotherapy, even more chemotherapy and I’ll probably face even more. It doesn’t help the aging process.

It accelerates it … I’m fighting the effects of cancer and aging at the same time. I’d rather do one at a time.

WHAT’S THE BEST PART? Getting to know more and more people. And learning things

WHEN: From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sunday mornings

WHAT IS IT? Every week live traditional and contemporary spirituals accompany a buffet of more than 20 Southern-comfort menu items. $24.95 for adults; $12 for children 12 and under; free for children 5 and under.

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL? Fa-

vorites include farm-raised catfish dusted in corn meal seasoning; thick-cut fried green tomatoes in buttermilk lime dressing; deviled eggs made with Duke’s Mayonnaise and Creole mustard; classic fried chicken and a piece of moist chocolate cake for dessert.

BEST PAIRED WITH: A “Hail Mary.”

This is Blue Rooster’s house bloody Mary complete with a jumbo shrimp wrapped around pickled okra and a bacon stir stick. that you didn’t know before because you’ve had a little more time.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE COME SEE “QUARTET?” It’s an entertaining,

amusing and touching show. And the theater at Glenridge is just so comfortable. The acoustics are fabulous. It’s a lovely intimate house.

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DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: SPOTLIGHT

5

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

Contemporary dancer brings her roots to Sarasota

Medhi Walerski also dances with NDT and choreographs for the company. One of the first projects Jacoby had when joining NDT in August 2012 was working with Walerski. They became close friends.

The duo will dance two duets both choreographed by Walerski.

Jacoby will also perform a solo piece by choreographer Marco Goecke. Goecke originally made

Bryan Arias

From left: Drew Jacoby and Medhi Walerski; David Harvey and Meredith Webster the piece for a dancer in Ballet de Monte Carlo as a gift to Princess Caroline.

Lil Buck with cellist Nina Kotova

Contemporary street dancer Lil Buck will perform a streetdancing piece to a song from “The Dying Swan” ballet. He arrived on the scene with this performance accompanied by cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Jacoby and her husband, Joshua Martens, run a dance website, “Dance Pulp,” where they feature

video interviews with dancers, directors and choreographers.

She had Lil Buck’s contact information because she was planning on interviewing him for her website. She thought he’d be perfect for this program.

Cellist Nina Kotova became involved because she and Jacoby have a future project in the works. The producer of this future project had contacted Lil Buck about a project, completely unrelated to both “Lifted” and the Kotova/Jacoby collaboration. Coincidentally, Jacoby had

Photo by Costin Badu

just asked Lil Buck to perform in “Lifted.” When Jacoby discovered this coincidence, it inspired the idea that Kotova could play “The Dying Swan” for Lil Buck in the program.

Meredith Webster and David Harvey

Calling her family, Jacoby met Meredith Webster long before they were dancing with San Francisco-based contemporary ballet company Alonzo King’s Lines ballet. They both studied at the same ballet school, Pacific

In 2007, Jacoby and Arias danced together at Complexions Contemporary Ballet in New York. He also danced at NDT, but left prior to Jacoby’s joining to work with choreographer Crystal Pite and to create his own choreography. Arias will perform one of his pieces as well as a piece by Pite.

Acacia Schachte and Jason Kittelberger

Jacoby has never worked with Schachte or Kittelberger, but they have many mutual friends. Her hope was to add dancers from a contemporary company similar to NDT, but American. These two dancers from New York Citybased Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet fit perfectly in her bill.

135463

Drew Jacoby and Medhi Walerski

Courtesy

Northwest Ballet.

Harvey joined Lines after Jacoby left. The two dancers will perform work by Alonzo King.

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Drew Jacoby says the dance world is small. As a United States-born and trained contemporary dancer currently dancing in the Netherlands Dance Theater (NDT) — she has an international network of contacts.

One of those contacts is Robert de Warren. Jacoby first met de Warren, president and CEO of the Sarasota International Dance Festival, in 2010. She performed at the Carreño Dance Festival, which he founded, in 2010 and 2011, and they have maintained contact since. He even visited her once when she was in New York.

When de Warren asked her to put together a one-night program of contemporary dance, she went to the rest of her contacts.

Jacoby describes the program as being similar to a big gala featuring international ballet stars, but with a contemporary twist.

Coined “Lifted,” the dance program will take place April 15 at Sarasota Opera House. Below is more about the performers featured in the program, and how they became included.

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DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: HIGHLIGHTS

Charlotte Dart, Elizabeth Lucchesi, Barbara Darvin and Arlene Baxter

A Comedy by Ronald Harwood

Four friends looking for a little harmony Starring Roberta MacDonald Robert Ennis Turoff Richard LeVene Judy Glynn

Directed by Peter Ivanov At a crazy home for retired musicians, plans for the annual Verdi gala are disrupted by the arrival of Jean, an eternal diva and the former wife of one of the residents.

Wed. 60 drummers drumming Jan. 29 at The Ringling at 8pm

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor A group of 60 college student percussionists stand in the center of The Ringling’s courtyard March 22. They will perform a composition by John Luther Adams as part of the NowHere: New Stages series at The Ringling.

They’ll ring in the Vernal Equinox with this program.

The students face various directions toward audience members it in Inuksu rticipates sporadically seated around the a p t is n io ss courtyard. The percussionists’ shirts A student percu read “Inuksuit” on the front and its meaning, “act in the capacity of the hu- with the occasional horn-blowing conch man,” on the back. The experience be- shell. Sirens and large bass drums regins with amplified breathing. One or two sound through the courtyard at various at a time, a musician blows air through times from traveling locations. The audia paper cone or conch shell. Soon after, ence mills around the courtyard similarly this musician travels to a new location. to the musicians. As they play, the sun sets Eventually more percussive sounds are around them ringing in the darker half of added — and it begins to sound like rain the Vernal Equinox.

One of 60 student performers

Diana Owens, Melanie Marsh and Debra Pietsch

March 27-29 at 8pm March 29 & 30 at 2pm April 1 & 2 at 8pm

Student performers play a variety of Shawn Lutz, Catherine Kelly and Joyce Masengale percussion instruments.

Every diva deserves an encore.

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552-5325

7333 Scotland Way

Sarasota

Photos by Mallory Gnaegy

 Kristin, Blake and Josh Taylor  Sixty students from four colleges participate in Inuksuit

DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

7

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: REVIEWS

// Sarasota Music Festival 50th Anniversary Concert How can the Sarasota Music Festival be 50 years old? In 1964, my parents were snowbirds, contemplating a move to Sarasota and, being avid chamber music listeners, they were thrilled that the city they were planning to live in, after being lifelong upper west siders in Manhattan, N.Y., was going to offer an important chamber festival.

Under Paul Wolfe’s leadership and, more recently, Robert Levin’s tutelage, the Sarasota Music Festival has become one of the leading teaching festivals in the world.

For three weeks every spring, the best of the best instrumentalists stream to Sarasota to learn from a faculty that represents some of the finest chamber musicians and soloists in the world and to play chamber and orchestral concerts with them, side-by-side.

This may make for excellent listening as far as audiences are concerned. But, the festival has also produced a bevy of alumni who have taken their work in Sarasota to major posts in the Boston Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Houston Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta symphonies and the Berlin Philharmonic. They’ve come from all over the world and, in turn, spread the word about Sarasota’s culture to the rest of the world. And some of them have been chosen to play principal roles in the Sarasota Orchestra.

In honor of the festival’s 50th anniversary, Levin brought six recent alumni to Sarasota for a special concert a couple of weeks ago in Holley Hall. Russian-born pianist Asiya Korepanova, an SMF alumna from 2011, and gold-medal recipient of the 2012 Wideman International Competition, opened the festivities with a well-sculpted performance of Rachmaninov’s Prelude in D flat. She later reappeared in a segment from Bartok’s “Contrasts,” with violinist Elena Urioste (who is an alum from 2005

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Music Makes Community will have you cheering!

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7th grade, Pineview School I thoroughly enjoyed the short film “Woody” by Stuart Bowen because of two aspects: the lack of dialogue and the chosen pieces of music. I also loved that the film showed that people will make big sacrifices in order to achieve their goals in life. Woody showed unending determination, even when his classmates seemed to snicker at his career choice: being an accomplished and known pianist. It was a beautiful film on following your dreams with determination. The lack of dialogue emphasized the orchestral music playing in the background, which, in my opinion, was important in contributing to the flow of the film. During the movie, when there were emotions such as frustration and confusion present, the music helped the audience understand what was going on, without words. The camera work was a little bit intrusive, or overdone, during the time when Woody is daydreaming.

However, overall, the cinematography helped the film move along nicely. I loved how the film was realistic, showing that you cannot achieve things without sacrificing things, or going through pain. The use of mannequins was very creative, as it showed that whether or not you are human, you still have goals to achieve and you will encounter obstacles in your path. The plot was very meaningful and well told. I would definitely recommend this to other audiences, especially to younger viewers, as it has a very deep message and theme.

7th grade, Pineview School “Woody” by Stuart Bowen is an interesting piece that I enjoyed. It revolves around having dreams and not being able to achieve them because of a physical disadvantage — such as wanting to play basketball but you are too short.

Many aspects of “Woody” can be related to things we see and experience in everyday life. Even though the main character cannot physically achieve his dream, his whole life revolves around doing what he loves even if that means just imagining it. I also enjoyed that all the characters looked exactly the same. Having all of them the same made their society seem like you could only accomplish certain tasks, and all others were absurd and unthinkable. In addition, making the characters look the same made the film seem like everyone is exactly the same and exactly equal, when in hindsight we are completely and utterly different in almost every aspect.

The director did a great job of fitting the lighting and music around the plot. I felt there was an unnecessary explosion toward the beginning. Otherwise, the cinematography was flawless. Although the overall theme was hopeful but depressing, there was a scene where my peers and I got into a heated discussion about whether or not the character was trying to solve his problems or give up entirely. I did enjoy listening to others opinions, and I also liked how the director let it go to the viewer’s imagination. The short film “Woody” by Stuart Bowen was an intelligent and well thought out movie and I enjoyed it a lot overall.

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film review based on SFF curriculum. Below, we feature two of the students’ reviews.

SFF provides its education programs free to students, and during the festival, April 4 through April 13, youthFEST films are free for kids ages 12 and under. Tickets are available at the SFF Box Office inside Regal Cinemas Hollywood 20. For more information, visit sarasotafilmfestival.com.

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and 2006, and has been featured on the cover of Symphony magazine) and the mesmerizing clarinetist Moran Katz (who was with the festival in 2004 and 2005, and is a recent winner of the prestigious Ima Hogg Competition).

Katz also offered a scintillating performance of Piazzolla’s “Oblivion” and Ravel’s beautiful vocalise, “Piece en forme de Habanera,” with great finesse and a wonderful range of colors. And Urioste was also heard in Hubay’s “Fantaisie Brilliant,” a wildride-of-an-arrangement of Bizet’s “Carmen.”

Brahms was represented by the gypsy movement (“Rondo alla Zingarese”), from his G minor Piano Quartet, Opus 25, with Urioste, Korepanova, violist Elizabeth Beilman (who was with the festival in 2007, was the 2013 winner of the President’s Prize of the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition and is the new principal violist of the Sarasota Orchestra) and cellist Mark Yee (a 2012 alumnus and winner of the Cleveland Institute’s Concerto Competition).

Pianist Ya-Fei Chuang, who was with the SMF in 1993 and has since become a major soloist and is a chamber musician and wife of Levin, presented a rousing and clean performance of Ravel’s “La Valse,” in her own arrangement. And, for a grand finale, Levin joined Chuang for exceptionally thoughtful and exciting readings of three dances for piano four-hands: Brahms’ Hungarian Dances 1 and 2, and Dvorak’s Slavonic Dance in E minor, Opus 72, No. 2.

Before the concert, Levin pointed out that every major orchestra in the U.S. is “populated with alumni” from the SMF. It was exciting to see the names of some of these musicians on a beautifully presented PowerPoint presentation (sarasotaorchestra.org/festival/ students/festival-alumni) that elicited gasps of surprise from many in the audience. But there’s no need to be shocked. After 50 years, it’s no secret that the Sarasota Music Festival is up there with Aspen, Tanglewood, the Music Academy of the West and Spoleto Festival USA. See you at the Opera House for this season’s performances, which start the first week of June.

— June LeBell

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St. Armands Circle, Sarasota ( 941 ) 388-2331 email pahanly@gmail.com HanlyHomes.com Just another day in paradise!

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DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: REVIEWS

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THEATER // ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ Once upon a time in Oklahoma, the weather went haywire, the rain stopped, dust storms blew away the top soil, crops failed, farmers couldn’t pay their mortgages, banks foreclosed, and Oakies fled to the promised land of California. This Dust Bowl exodus might have been a historical footnote to the Great Depression if it hadn’t been for John Steinbeck’s 1939 novel, “The Grapes of Wrath,” which follows the flight of the Joad family to the Bear State. Frank Galati’s adaptation is now playing in an Asolo Rep production.

It’s a masterful adaptation of a massive novel. Like any adaptation, it’s a distillation.

Galati left stuff out and put stuff in — including a few things I would have left out. But, most of the dialogue, scenes and themes are straight out of Steinbeck. The playwright is faithful to the book’s spirit.

“The Grapes of Wrath” has been compared to Exodus. Unlike God, 1930s California growers did not keep their promises. They blanketed Oklahoma with flyers promising a land of milk, honey and good jobs — a scam. But thousands of disposed tenant farmers believed it. They’d pull up stakes, arrive in California and find a few hundred jobs at starvation wages — take it or leave it. Sad history. And, if you know a little history, you know what the Joads are in for.

They are on a road to nowhere. You know it, but you’re still swept up in the journey.

“The Grapes of Wrath” wants to be a road picture. (Thanks to John Ford, it was, in 1940). Director Michael Donald Edwards and Production Designer Scott Bradley do a fantastic job of conveying a sense of forward momentum in the confined rectangles of a proscenium arch and stage. The Joads’ jalopy swivels on a turntable. You see the effect, but still believe the rattling thing is moving in space.

Edwards also nicely conveys the cost of the journey, the slow attrition, the growing body count, the wear and tear. (If I’m not imagining it, Costume Designer B. Modern subtly dirtied and distressed the characters’ clothes as the play progressed.)

The actors fully sell you on the hard miles

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Charming con artists fleece the rich and famous in a beautiful, cultured community by the sea. We’re talking about “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” of course. What did you think we were talking about? It’s a musical, with songs

by David Yazbek and script by Jeffrey Lane.

The Players is staging it now.

Said musical is an adaptation of the 1988 Frank Oz movie, which, believe it or not, was an official adaptation of “Bedtime Story” and an unofficial adaptation of every screwball comedy ever made.

The set-up? Two mountebanks cross paths in the French Riviera. Lawrence (Tim Fitzgerald) is the Picasso of flimflam artists, and he’s got his own chateau to prove it. His specialty? Improbable sob stories that separate wealthy women from their jewels and money.

(He’s a prince from a geographically unspecified country leading a cash-poor revolution.)

Freddy (Scott Vitale) is strictly small-change; $20 to this guy is a big payday. In the grifter food chain, Freddy’s a sidewalk sketch artist.

Class meets crass and, in the end, there can only be one. Lawrence and Freddy make a wager. The first scam specialist to con $50,000 out of Christine Colgate (Amanda Heisey), a sweet, bubble-headed American soapsuds heiress, wins. Loser leaves town. On y va. Or, as we say in the U.S., game on.

But roulette is a poor analogy. It’s scam artist chess, move after countermove. Paralyzed vet to queen four. Fake psychoanalyst to king’s bishop five. The gambits escalate to an improbable double checkmate. In case you missed the movie, I won’t spoil it.

Director Michael Newton-Brown drives the screwball action along with a savvy sense of comic rhythm. As to the screwball actors: Vitale dials it up to 11 as the younger grifter. He’s a great, high-energy physical comic and perfect as the sleazy-yet-charming Freddy. Fitzgerald’s Lawrence has a John Goodman-esque gravitas; the straight man, of course. That’s the toughest comic assignment, but he nails it.

Heisey’s Colgate is multidimensional and not the good-hearted, clueless, All-American girl she first appears to be. Andrea Keddell gets

they’ve traveled. Christian Conn gets to step into Tom Joad’s iconic boots. But he doesn’t play it iconically. He’s not Henry Fonda’s larger-than-life workingman’s Christ.

Conn’s character is life-sized — a tough, smart, decent guy, who doesn’t want to fight but will if pushed. Peggy Roeder is equally fine as the equally iconic Ma Joad. Again, she portrays a person, not an archetype. (Roeder’s character is hilariously human when she finally loses her temper at a pushy holy roller.)

Andrew Sellon is layered and self aware as the un-born-again Rev. Casy, who’s lost his old-time religion, found a new one and ultimately passes it on to Tom. Kudos also to Kristen Lynne Blossom (as Rose of Sharon, Tom’s increasingly pregnant sister), Douglas Jones (as a laconic Pa Joad), David Brietbarth (as the drunken, loving, guilt-riddled Uncle John Joad), David S. Howard (as Grampa Joad, a trashtalking natural comedian, who sadly dies too soon) and Carolyn Michel (as Granma Joad, his sweeter, better half, who soon follows). All in all, 28 actors bring Steinbeck’s Oakie odyssey to life. Along the way, the journey is punctuated

by Woody Guthrie-esque folk music, performed

by Tim Grimm (the composer), with Carmela Pedicini and Sara Moone on banjo and fiddle.

The song asserting “We don’t want handouts or charity” was particularly moving.

This small army of talent creates plenty of feel-good moments. But don’t expect a happy ending. We know the road is a dead-end from the start. What the road does to the riders is what counts.

The Joads suffer, all right. But they endure.

Sure, they’re fictional — as achingly symbolic as the cast of “Pilgrim’s Progress.” But they stand for flesh-and-blood people. Watching this play, you can’t forget the real-life Joads, and not only the ones in the 1930s. They’re still out there, traveling hard roads on our planet right now.

If their journey doesn’t move you, you’re made of stone.

— Marty Fugate

IF YOU GO “The Grapes of Wrath” runs through April 19 at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

Call 351-8000 or visit asolorep.org for more information.

the audience howling with her full-on lunacy as an unhinged Oklahoma socialite. Ken Basque is warmly funny as Andre Thibault, the police chief in Lawrence’s pocket. Cara Herman puts in a sweet performance as Muriel Eubanks, a mark at first, but Andre’s surprising love interest at the end.

Now, let’s talk song and dance.

Choreographer Kathryn Kulik supplies fun choreography that’s big on the ooh-la-la, with fine musical direction by Joyce Valentine. “Give Them What They Want” presents the fiction of con artist as dream maker. (Victims aren’t victims if they’re happy to give their money, right? Right.)

“Oklahoma” offers the nightmare of a lunatic panhandle princess roping Lawrence into purgatory in a plains state. “Great Big Stuff” is Freddy’s ode to excess. He bounces around like an oversexed Tigger, cataloging the things of this world.

“Now I know where I belong — “A life of taste and class “With culture and sophistication “pouring out my … “ Yes, it’s great big fun. With the exception of the hip-hoppy “Great Big Stuff,” the songs are old-school musical fare with satiric subtext — exceedingly witty lyrics, exceedingly forgettable tunes. You won’t be whistling the songs on the ride home.

As to the take-away moral, forget about that, too. “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” is all about guilty pleasures.

Vicariously, along with enjoying a trip to the French Riviera, you get to be a scoundrel in your mind — a scoundrel with a heart of gold. Real con artists regard their victims with the attitude great white sharks take to surfers. You’re lunch, buddy. But this is a fictional France, and it’s all for laughs. Everyone gets taken. But nobody gets hurt.

— Marty Fugate

IF YOU GO “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” has been extended through April 6 at Players Theatre, 838 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For more information, call 365-2494 or visit theplayers.org

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// FOOD&COOKING: HOMERUN CHEF

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

Chris Covelli feeds the Baltimore Orioles’ hunger for a World Series. And, occasionally, he’ll serve them bacon.

Photo by Mallory Gnaegy

Chef Chris Covelli slices an avocado for a made-to-order omlette for Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis.

altimore Orioles pitcher Tommy Hunter yells across the clubhouse’s dining room to chef Chris Covelli. He wants to know how much water to put in his oatmeal.

Covelli says Hunter is one of the more animated players on the team. Sometimes, Hunter sings to people. Today, he’s too busy loudly interrupting Covelli’s interview by cracking jokes.

One player walks into the dining room and sits at a table near J.J. Hardy and Adam Jones.

“That’s Nelson Cruz,” Covelli says. Cruz is the Orioles’ recently acquired power-hitting outfielder.

Covelli has gotten to know many of the players since becoming their spring training chef two years ago. He has since learned their favorite of his meals are skirt steak, curry salmon and, most of all, tacos.

To keep the healthy food interesting, Covelli gets creative with his meals. He serves tacos with fresh cut pineapple, mango salsa and pico de gallo. He also prepares a black bean soup to accompany them. He cooks the meat in a special blend of cumin, paprika and coriander. Covelli leans in and whispers: “We don’t tell them it’s ground turkey,” he says. “You can’t tell them!”

Everything Covelli serves is strictly regimented. Covelli works with a nutritionist, Sue

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When he’s not cooking for spring training, Chris Covelli teaches at Toscana Saporita Cooking School. all of their proteins are portioned — they get 4 ounces of steak.

Everything Covelli doesn’t serve goes by what he calls the stoplight system: red is high fat, yellow medium fat and green low fat. Covelli even follows the menu himself. He’s lost 15 pounds so far this spring training season.

Covelli’s career hasn’t always been so nutritionally focused.

He owned and operated his own restaurant in Massachusetts until 2008. For the past 13 years, he has taught at Toscana Saporita Cooking School in Italy, teaching everything from culinary students to celebrities, tourists to politicians.

Between that and his spring training gig, he also participates as a guest chef at charity events and demonstrates around the world. He’s been the guest chef

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for four James Beard Foundation dinners. Covelli was also featured on Home Shopping Network and was on the first season of Food Network’s “Rachel vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook Off.” He occasionally does some restaurant consulting in Sarasota.

He also sits on the board of the Florida Wine Fest and Auction.

This year, he’s auctioning off two spaces at his culinary school.

But his favorite job is working for the Orioles. Covelli is and has always been a huge baseball fan.

He grew up in New York City as a Red Sox fan. Now, his team is the Orioles.

“It changes when you work with them,” he says. “It becomes personal.”

He says he has gotten to know Tommy Hunter, Adam Jones and Chris Davis pretty well, and he says pitcher Darren O’Day has a

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great sense of humor.

As soon as he says this, O’Day walks into the dining room. He’s not wearing pants, just spandex slider shorts. He walks over to where a photographer is taking photos, announces he’s not wearing pants, covers himself with a dining room plate and hams it up for the camera.

Covelli lets out a deep laugh, but doesn’t seem surprised. Like he said, he knows these guys.

“This is the nicest, most respectful group of young people I’ve ever interacted with,” he says. “I would tell you if they were a bunch of jackasses.”

He pulls up the players’ stats every day. He watches every game. In the afternoons when he has time, he’ll sneak out and catch the end of the spring training games. He’s bringing his family to the final game of spring

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Last season he flew to Boston just to see the Orioles play the Red Sox. When the Red Sox beat The Orioles, it ticked him off.

Those were his guys the Red Sox beat.

“I wish people really understood how hard these guys work,” he says.

Covelli wakes up at 3:45 a.m. to get to the clubhouse by 5 a.m., and he and his crew are responsible for feeding the players throughout their 16-hour days, seven days a week. He goes to bed early to keep up with it. Last week, he fell asleep on the couch with a glass of wine in his hand that spilled all over his couch.

“It’s exhausting,” he says. “At the end of spring training, (the chefs) will be tired, yet the players go into regular season full swing.”

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James, to plan the menus. There are no cheat meals or cheat days when the players are training.

And they take it seriously.

“They have serious goals,” Covelli says. “They’re hungry.

They want a World Series, and there’s no doubt about it.”

Although the players have been requesting barbecue, it’s too high in calories and fat content. Everything on the menus, which change daily, has a calorie and trans fat count.

For instance, for breakfast there are waffles and pancakes made of whole wheat or buckwheat flour.

The salad bar (available at every meal) has things like fresh cut fruit, yogurt, cottage cheese and hard-boiled eggs. There’s also a grill line where players can get made-to-order omelets and turkey sausage. They are allowed to have bacon in moderation, and

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THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

// HOME&GARDEN

THINGS

by Robert Plunket | Contributing Writer

STARTING OUT DOWNTOWN

Downtown Sarasota has become a magnet for young professionals who want to start their careers in an increasingly sophisticated environment. In addition to the town’s famous cultural activities, there are plenty of hip bars and restaurants, plus upscale shopping and even a few old-time bookstores. Fitness options are everywhere, and a run across the bridge is a part of many millennials’ daily routines. Such a rarified atmosphere doesn’t come cheap. But look around. You’ll find some great places to live at prices within the financial reach of today’s creative class.

1. QUINTESSENTIAL DOWNTOWN 1350 MAIN ST., UNIT 1005 1350 Main St. holds title to the quintessential downtown high-rise for Sarasota’s young professionals. The lower Main Street location is perfect; the building is sleek and modern; and the amenities are state of the art. Here’s a one-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath unit on the 10th floor that comes in at just under 1,000 square feet. It has elegant finishes, including marble floors, specialty lighting and a cool glass-andgranite breakfast bar. There’s also a balcony with a view, indoor parking for one car and a washer and dryer in the unit.

And the resort-style pool is one of downtown’s nicest.

Priced at $399,900. For more information, call Amy Robinson of ReMax Alliance at 928-2044.

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// HOME&GARDEN

2. FOR THE YOUNG COUPLE 1020 BREWER PLACE The downtown core is circled by a group of vintage neighborhoods with older homes that have been updated with style and imagination. Here is a 1940s bungalow in Avondale, on the southern edge of downtown, that’s full of light and old-fashioned charm. It even has a white picket fence. Inside you’ll find two bedrooms, one-and-a-half baths, a liv-

ing room with a wood-burning fireplace, a formal dining room with built-ins, a sunroom that doubles as a TV room and a fenced yard with deck. You can walk to Main Street and Michael’s On East; Publix and Starbucks are even closer.

Priced at $479,000. For more information, call Tammy Garner of Coldwell Banker at 374-4161.

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3. JUST FOR STARTERS 1221 N. PALM AVE., UNIT 102

At 675 square feet, this apartment on Palm Avenue is a little on the small side but its cool factor — and price — makes it the perfect Sarasota starter. Located next door to Florida Studio Theatre and just a block from the The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, it’s in the venerable Frances Carlton, just about the only remaining apartment house from the 1920s boom.

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// FOOD&COOKING: HIGHLIGHTS

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Students at America’s Best Cheese tasting and class March 20

Photos by Mallory Gnaegy

Students of American cheese expand their taste horizons

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor The 15 students enrolled in Artisan Cheese Co.’s “America’s Best” Thursday, March 20 got hands (noses and mouths) on. They tasted and paired 10 American cheeses made of cow, goat and sheep’s milk. They learned what paired best with salty caramel, fig and black tea and Negley black mangrove honey. And, they learned with which wines to pair it.

The next class, Cheese 101, is April 2 as well as April 17. Classes are limited, and spots can be reserved online at artisancheesecompany.com.

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INSIDE: AJC Human Relations Award Dinner PAGE 18

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Pat and Dr. Larry Thompson made their grand entrance as John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jackie O.

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

Movie star Richard Dreyfuss hid in shame as his “Aunt Gertrude” was delivered in handcuffs to Ringling College of Art and Design's "Avant-Garde" gala.

AN EVENING AT THE AVANT-GARDE:

by Heather Merriman | Black Tie Assistant Editor

Susan Borozan and Chris Osborne

Scott Atkins and Heather Clark

Embodying the sixties in true AvantGarde fashion, guests gathered at the Ulla Searing Student Center on the Ringling College of Art and Design’s campus Saturday, March 22, for “An Evening at the Avant-Garde: The Swinging Sixties.”

Classic cars lined the entrance of the event, where guests took photos with the classics that matched their era of attire.

Bell bottoms, go-go boots, love beads, tie-dye, crochet and suede vests and round sunglasses — if it was hip in the 60s, it was worn at Avant Garde.

Dressed as President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jackie O., Ringling College of Art and Design President Dr. Larry and Pat Thompson arrived in a presidential limousine and waved to their admirers as they entered the event. Just minutes after the arrival of the Thompsons came the arrival of actor and Oscar winner (and honorary chair of the evening) Richard Dreyfuss, handcuffed, in a police car, and dressed in 60s drag. Dreyfuss made the rounds with his wife, Stella, before

changing into normal garb for dinner.

Following the arrival of Dreyfuss and the outdoor cocktail hour, more than 400 guests made their way into the center to continue the groovy evening chaired by Dan and Sarah Hoffe. Nothing but good vibes continued from then until the event ended at midnight. Following dinner and live auction (emceed by Michael Klauber, who donned a ’60s Afro wig), guests danced to the tunes of Frequency and chilled out in the Haze Lounge (beanbag chair lounging? right on!), all while taking in the sights of the kaleidoscope show.

As stated by Dr. Larry Thompson, in the (paraphrased) words of President John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what Ringling College can do for you, ask what you can do for Ringling College!”

The 18th annual student scholarship fundraiser has raised nearly $1.5 million for scholarships since the inception, and raised an estimated $100,000 at this year’s event.

Bob and Joan Tufts

Co-Chairs Sarah and Dan Hoffe

Sherry and Tom Koski

Photos by Cliff Roles

Tammy Walsh and Kevin Friedman

BLACK TIE COVER PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

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THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

// BLACK TIE: COLUMN

BLACKTIE&TALES

by Black Tie Staff

Photo by Heather Merriman

AJC AFTER THE DELUGE …

T

he American Jewish Committee’s 2014 Human Relations Dinner got off to a soggy start March 17, with the proceedings monsoon-delayed by about 10 minutes. Then the event, honoring beloved philanthropist Gerri Aaron and AJC National Executive Director David Harris and chaired

by Larry and Debbie Haspel and Matt and Lisa Walsh, soared to new heights.

Regional Director Brian Lipton, known to be on top of every last detail, was clearly gobsmacked by the announcement of a $100,000 gift in his honor from Marilyn and

Pat Martin, Terry Chandler, Melanie Natarajan, Charlotte Stringfellow and Dawn Epstein

PATRON PARTIES REV UP EVENT EXCITEMENT

K

elvin and Margie Cooper hosted the March 19 sponsor party for the upcoming Orchid Ball, themed “Birds of Paradise,” at their gorgeous home in Harbor Acres. Guests admired the Cooper’s zen garden that featured a koi pond and gravel path that was raked by Kelvin himself. Co-Chairs Wayne and Mindy Rollins thanked the sponsors and told how they love being a part of the Selby family through their involvement both with the Orchid Ball and with Wayne’s participation as a Selby board trustee.

Guests at the event included Mark and Aurelie van der Broek, Wayne and Debbie Seitl, Joel Ellzey, Miqui Lora, Charlie and Laurey Stryker, Cathy Layton and Billy and Nora Johnson. For tickets to the April 5 gala, call 366-5731, Ext. 229.

On the same night, patrons gathered to celebrate the upcoming Going for the Gold “The Golden Lotus” gala, benefiting YMCA Foundation of

Sarasota. Guests gathered at Stanley Kane’s home and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and a surprise dessert, chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches, in which the most dignified of guests were caught indulging in, complete with sticky fingers.

Jennifer Grondahl, Kurt Stringfellow and event Co-Chairs Merrill Bonder and Pat Martin thanked patrons for their support, which included Terry and Jim Chandler, Sean and Melanie Natarajan, Joana Pace-Brackett, Mitchell and Dawn Epstein.

At the May 3 gala, guests will enter an Indian paradise and experience the beauty of classical Indian dance — as well as have the chance to showcase their own Bollywood style moves on the dance floor. For the first time, the organization is offering a limited number of young professional tickets ($125) for philanthropists under 40. For tickets, call 951-1336.

Irv Naiditch. That brought the already record-breaking proceeds to an even more stellar $500,000.

Harris shared his belief that, ”If you want to speak to people’s hearts, you have to speak from your heart.”

He was clearly doing that when he spoke to the AJC mission of global advocacy, when he complimented Regional President Anne Virag for her “extraordinary devotion,” and when he said about Lipton: “If we could clone him and put him in major cities, AJC would be unstoppable and the world would be a better place.”

PICTURE THIS …

I

magine the top 36 male and 36 female pentathletes from around the world marching into The Ringling courtyard bearing the flags of their nations. The 100-plus movers and shakers who gathered March 20 at the bayfront home of Katherine Harris could not help but be excited by her vivid description of the opening ceremony for the Modern Pentathlon World Cup Finals that will take place in Sarasota and Bradenton in June.

USA Pentathlon Chief Executive Officer Rob Stull further tantalized the crowd by describing a pentathlete athlete taking tall fences on an unknown horse, fending off an attacker with an epée, swimming 750 feet, and running two miles cross country while shooting a laser target pistol. It all inspired great anticipation, as did the host USA Pentathlon’s plans to integrate this event and three more to come in subsequent years with the communities’ arts and educational organizations, and to make them “radically relevant” to young people.

Heart of Help

There are some delicious events planned as well, including that opening ceremony co-chaired by Anne charter and Deb Knowles and (of course!) a gala.

The occasion for the gathering was a board meeting held by the USA Pentathlon and Stull was the keynote speaker. Among the community leaders attending were Arthur and Lynn Guilford, Teri Hansen and Sheriff Tom Knight, who will serve as Chief of Sport for the shooting part of the competition.

Others included Michael Saunders, Diane McNeel, Daniel Logan, Michael and Terri Klauber, Larry and Jennifer Saslaw, Steve and Beth Knopik, Dr. Murf Klauber, John and Angela Massaro Fain and Hugh Shields.

Here’s an insider tip from Stull: Keep your eyes on the USA woman.

Learn more about the Modern Pentathlon at sbpentathlon.com.

S TIDBIT

Not here you don’t … The Modern Pentathlon opening ceremony will honor Col. John W. Russell, who served with Gen. George S. Patton in WWII and returned to the United States to run the Modern Pentathlon Training Center and coach six Olympic Modern Pentathlon delegations. Event planners thought to have a performance by horses from Col. Herrmann’s Lipizzaners, descendants of those rescued by Patton. But when Ringling people got wind of it, the event team learned, “No horses at the museum” … Over the bounding main for kids … There could not have been better weather for a better cause than the March 10 cruise benefiting the Children’s Guardian Fund, which supports more than 1,000 children in state care. Chuck and Nancy Parrish hosted 40 supporters aboard their 104 foot, 90-yearold Trumpy motor yacht Freedom, a sister ship to FDR’s Sequoia. John and Mable Ringling portrayed by museum docents Pierra Ricci Freitag and Will Pearson were among the guests along with Charles and Betty Ewing, Mort and Carol Siegler, Mary Dempsey and her daughter Cathy Abrams, Norman and Lois Muse, and incoming board chairman Hal Hedley. Jasmine Candlish, who is finishing two and a half years as the organization’s leader, shared the voyage with her daughter Fiona and granddaughter Caitlin …

iConcept Fashion Show WHEN: 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 28 WHERE: Sarasota Municipal Auditorium COST: $ 45 General Admission

GERRI AARON

Supporter of JFCS

Art meets fashion at this sixth annual fashion show, featuring works by artists who use unconventional materials to create wearable art. Funds raised through this unique event benefit Art Center Sarasota’s Youth Art Education Programs.

Healthy Families, Healthy Children & Healthy Fathers

JFCS-Cares.org

For a list of local ev ents, or to submit your own, visit ThisWeekI nS

arasota.com/calen da

r

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Gerri Aaron, a generous supporter of the arts, also passionately cares about providing safety net services to children and families. Since 2010, Gerri has been helping Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS) to build Healthy Families, Healthy Children and Healthy Fathers in our community.

Thanks to the generosity of Gerri, JFCS has kept families together by providing education and training that focuses on relationship, parenting, and family communication skills.

Watch a short video of Gerri and JFCS staff discussing these programs and learn how you too can help strengthen families at JFCS-Cares.org.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

// BLACK TIE COVER PHOTOS

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(continued from page 15)

AN EVENING AT THE AVANT-GARDE:

Hobart and Janice Swan

Sam Logan, Erin McWhorter and Jeff Hazelton

Angela and Rob Pulsifer

Bruce and Terri Saba

Photos by Cliff Roles

 Flora Major, Tana Sandefur and Elisabeth Waters Pam and Cliff Truitt

Steve and Gail Machov

Diane and Bob Roskamp with Susan Stewart

 Carol Phillips and Jackie Rogers

ART GALLERY | ARTISAN JEWELRY | SPECIALTY BOUTIQUE

GRAND OPENING FRIDAY APRIL 4TH

Michael’s on Main 1484 Main Street • Sarasota, FL 34236 • 941.955.5900

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Sarasota’s First Friday Featured Gallery on 4/4 between 6-9 pm Speed painting demonstration by Mary Shell Exhibition of originals by Marie Therese Lacroix and Violetta Chandler Artistic diversity & styles with a flare Boutique offers chic styles, “wearable art” with designer hangbags, Old Gringo boots, and artisan jewelry

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THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

// BLACK TIE: CAMERA READY AJC HUMAN RELATIONS AWARD DINNER HONORING DAVID HARRIS AND GERRI AARON Benefiting American Jewish Committee Monday, March 17, at Michael’s On East

Dennis Rees and Felice Schulaner

Anne Virag with Ralph and Liz Priestman

Honorees Gerri Aaron and AJC’s Director David Harris

Photos by Heather Merriman

Donald and Marie Monsky with Michael and Ruth Harshman

join us

4.2.14

WIN FABULOUS AUCTION ITEMS: A TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY, INCLUDING EXCLUSIVE TICKETS TO A RALPH LAUREN FASHION SHOW, WARDROBE PACKAGES, WINE BASKETS, AND EXCLUSIVE PACKAGE TO THE SARASOTA FILM FESTIVAL AND SO MUCH MORE!

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Magazine Sponsor

Newspaper sponsor

Fashion Show by

www.ncf.edu/pique-nique 941-487-4800 136589

Jim and Susan Buck with Jenni and Paul Hudson

Co-Chairs Larry and Debbie Haspel and Lisa and Matt Walsh

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THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

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// BLACK TIE: CAMERA READY SEASIDE SERENITY: A LUNCHEON WITH SIGRID OLSEN Benefiting Historic Spanish Point | Wednesday, March 19, at Michael’s On East

Photos by Heather Merriman

Janet Kempton, Kathryn Lehrman, Jill Middleton and Jolane Rutherford

Amy Sussman, Allison Scanlan and Ashley Kozel

Natalie Neto and featured speaker and designer Sigrid Olsen

Alexandra Barcone and Aurelie van Den Broek

REHAB • RECOVER RETURN HOME

Nancy Blackburn, Peggy Wood and Sharon Black Floyd

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— Jim Crill, Bob Hope producer

APR 22-23, Van Wezel Hall, Sarasota Online: Shenyun.com/sarasota Phone: 888.974.3698 or 941.953.3368

“ I wa s m ove d to te a rs a few times. It was very uplifting. They use their costumes brilliantly with their movement. I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

— Carol Miller, former Ballet teacher

“This show demonstrates the deep, deep, deep artistic soul of China... You’ve left people today feeling thrilled and instructed in a gentle way...

I am very touched by what I have seen today.”

— Anthony Daniels, Star Wars actor

5381 Desoto Road, Sarasota, FL 34235 (Just East of Honore on Desoto Road)

CoChairs Ann Moore and Pauline Joerger

“Wonderful, skilled dancers, wonderful tenor and soprano... it’s a pleasure to watch.”

— John McColgan, Riverdance Producer

Presented by Florida Falun Dafa Association

After Shen Yun performing arts shows on APR 2223, Shen Yun’s symphony orchestra will return to Sarasota for one concert

Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra

October 27 Van Wezel Hall

136300

20

S A R A S O TA’ S

COLOR

2014 AUTHOR LUNCHEON ‘STRANGER THAN FICTION: AN AFTERNOON WITH CARL HIAASEN’

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at Green Ginger Hair Design Haircut Expert

Benefiting Library Foundation of Sarasota County | Tuesday, March 18, at Michael’s On East

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John-Norman Tuck is Sarasota and Bradenton’s premier hairstylist and hair color artist. Getting his customers’ hair to look and feel its best is his passion. John-Norman started fulfilling his customers’ hair dreams in his AD PROOF Gulfshore Media Pasadena, CA salon and now, he has brought his talents to Sarasota.

330 S. Pineapple Ave., Suite 205 John Norman is well known in the Florida Sarasota, FL 34236-7032 (941) 366-8225 • (800) 881-2394 john-normantuck.com and California regions for his art.

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 Flori Roberts, Marilyn Harwell and Carol Green Fisuproud l l Stoeannounce r v i c etheSarrival a l oofn

John-Norman Tuck,

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369 ST. ARMANDS CIRCLE Katherine Orenic (941) 487-1135

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Let your hair tell me what to do. Getting your hair to look and feel its best has been my passion for many years, first in my Pasadena, CA salon, and now in Please see Sarasota. next page(s) Bring your hair dreams for proof. to Thank you. me, and I’ll fulfill them!

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HAIR

JohnNorman Tuck

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10 S. AdAmS dr. St. ArmAndS CirCle REMODELING, ADDITIONS & CUSTOM HOMES PLEASE NOTE

This proof is for representing color only and is not intended to show actual printed color.

Variations in monitors, operating platforms and settings can produce wide variations in color.

Digital color specific proofs can be ordered from your ad coordinator.

2nd floor with elevator great parking in back

941.928.1203 greengingerhair.com

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Full Service Design & Construction Extensive Condo Experience

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Matt and Diana Buchanan

25 10

$ $

BBQ, Bluegrass & Lobster Sliders 6pm-9pm

Featuring Sierra Hull & Friends

Mentored by Alison Krauss and appeared on The Grand Ole Opry!

($35 at the door)

per child

Thank You to Our Sponsors

First drink free, and cash bar thereafter

SATURDAY, APRIL 5

per adult

Sea Star Sponsors Gerdes Construction, Inc.

Scallop Sponsors Rapid Security Solutions Crest Engineering C. Alan Anderson Architect, P.A. LawnScape of Sarasota Coquina Sponsors Preferred Pavers & Concrete Andrew’s Tree Service Wagler Irrigation Inc. Maglich Homes Minuteman Press Observer Media Group Mezzacorona

For tickets and information call or check the event page at www.whimsymuseum.org.

2121 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234 • 941-364-3399

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Susan Park, Betsy Marshall and Leslie Loftus

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THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

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// BLACK TIE: CAMERA READY

TM

CLassiCaL Mickey Kunk, Honoree Alice Rau and Ann Logan

Photos by Heather Merriman

mystery tour Music By:

The

GLITZ AT THE RITZ HONORING ALICE RAU AND JOYCE TATE

b E at l E s Performing With Our:

Benefiting The Salvation Army of Sarasota | Thursday, March 20, at The RitzCarlton, Sarasota

livE

orchesTra

ď‚„ Debby Vollmer, Jennifer Compton and Diane Nalls

Hear Favorites: ElEanor rigby

All You Need is Love y e s T e r d ay

april 11 & 12 8:00 pm Van Wezel TickeTs from $32

941-953-3434

www.SarasotaOrchestra.org

Co-Chairs Michelle Crabtree and Wendy Rose

5

th

AnniversAry 1949 - 2014 133906

Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

131962

Honoree Joyce Tate and Lee White

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THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

// BLACK TIE: CAMERA READY ‘A GARDEN PARTY’ Benefiting Sarasota Ballet Thursday, March 20, at Sarasota Garden Club

Nicole Behar, Maria Shelton, Lee Sax, Joanna Ashley, Melissa Howard and Mary Gratehouse

Dana Duckman and Tammie Sandoval

Lorrie Giannetti and Nancy Whitacre

S T R Y! A ST ODA T

M

O pe 1-4 n 3/ 30 P

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O pe 1-4 n 3/ 30 P

Hillary Steele and Betty Schoenbaum

7673 Portstewart Drive $599,000 USD Immaculate Country Club Maintenance Free Home in Lakewood Ranch. Three bedrooms, Den, Open Plan, Pool, Corner Lot.

Melliss Swenson’s granddaughters Katy and Sophie Williams

Photos by Heather Merriman

Marta Riordan and Ann Donelly

Chairwoman Donna Maytham and Lynda Doery

SAILOR CIRCUS

H 65TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW H

LEGaCY

602 Weston Pointe Court $999,900 USD Courtyard Home in Bay Isles on Longboat Key. Gated with heated pool, guest suite, open plan and boat dock. Access to Sarasota Bay.

SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST PERFORMANCE YOU CAN COUNT ON

Charlotte Hedge, Tom Hedge Sr., Monica Barth, and Tom Hedge Jr. 941.587.6600 www.HedgeTeam.com tom.hedgejr@sothebysrealty.com Have a question about new downtown projects—Contact us

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d tS ol 3744 Beneva Oaks Boulevard $592,000 USD Large family home in Beneva Oaks on a huge lake with southerly views.

SAILORCIRCUS.ORG | 941.355.9805 SAILOR CIRCUS ARENA 2075 BAHIA VISTA ST., SARASOTA

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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.

Proud partner of:

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403 Sunrise Drive $2,395,000 USD Directly on Roberts Bay with dramatic water views. Over 5000 sq ft with boat house, efficiency apartment, heated pool & spa and more.

When you bring in a canned food item to benefit All Faith’s Food Bank Veteran’s Program.

Ju s

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FREE BAG OF POPCORN!

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THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

23

// BLACK TIE: CAMERA READY CAUSE 4 FASHION Benefiting Neuro Challenge Foundation Thursday, March 20, at Michael’s On East

Steve Blackledge, Carol and Richard Elliot, Lynn Blackledge and Nola Hietbrink

Mary Dempsey and Cathy Abrams

Photos by Heather Merriman

Kim Hill and Sue Marillier

Angela Edwards, Laura Cohn, Bonnie Silverman and Marianne Cohen cheers to friendship with their “neuro-tinis.”

AG JEANS JBRAND

DAFTBIRD WON HUNDRED SPLENDID KATIN

JACK SPADE

SLVDR ANALOG WELLEN

PAPERBACK

COMUNE V I N C E ALL

COMING SOON ALL AT 130513

TO

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Chris Ludwig with Stan and June Schuer

Co-Chairs Richard and J.J. Williams

478 John Ringling Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34236 Tel 941.343.2315 941.706.2653 www.influencestyle.com

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DIVERSIONS

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THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

// BLACK TIE: CAMERA READY 10TH ANNUAL CELEBRITY CHEFS FOOD AND WINE TASTING Benefiting Jewish Family & Children’s Service of the Suncoast Inc. Tuesday, March 18, at The Resort at Longboat Key Club Islandside

 Fred Cochran and Scott Smith Allen Clary, Alexis Copeland, Ashley Clary and Mary Mather

 Co-Chairs Lauren and Steven Fineman

Roz Goldberg, Alan Bandler, Lorraine Kaplan and Pat Hefron

Joe and Ora Mendels

SAILOR CIRCUS

65th Anniversary Celebration

Since 1949 thousands of students have graduated from the iconic Sailor Circus. Join us as we celebrate this internationally-recognized youth circus arts training program.

SATURDAY, APRIL 5

5:00-6:45 pm VIP Alumni Reception 7:00-9:00 pm LEGACY Performance Tickets: $30 Adults | $20 Child (age 12 and under)

SAILORCIRCUS.ORG | 941-355-9805

136636

James Thermidor and Ann Hendricks

Photos by Heather Merriman

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THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

// BLACK TIE: CAMERA READY

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Winner of NINE awards at the 2014 Parade of Homes

Spectacular Views Brittany Goodman, Sherry Lobo, Anne Carter, Jennie Baumberger and Ashley Messenger

of Anna Maria Island with an incredible home and lifestyle to match

SIMPLY SARASOTA TOUR OF HOMES KICKOFF PARTY Benefiting Junior League of Sarasota Thursday, March 20, at Tile Market I N T RO D U C I N G

Photos by Heather Merriman

 Jessica Hays, Sarah Massey, Keffie Lancaster and Brigid Saah

NEW WATERFRONT RESIDENCES ON FLORIDA’S LAST PRIVATE ISLAND Overlooking the classic, old Florida beach community of Anna Maria Island, Harbour Isle features award-winning Minto Island Coach Homes. Resort-style amenities include a kayak launch, pool with private cabanas, fire pit, and outdoor kitchen and dining areas. A proposed marina and planned Beach Club on Anna Maria Sound include a private clubhouse and resort-style pool. All in heart of the vibrant Bradenton-Sarasota area. All yours for an incredible waterfront value.

 Guests bought raffle tickets for a chance to win various baskets in the drawing.  Debbie Shapiro and Marie Bowman

Our Secret Is Out! Anna Maria has been named one of the Sunshine State’s “10 Best Secret Beaches” by USA Today/10Best.com and one of only four “Old, Classic Florida” destinations by the Wall St. Journal.

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For location, hours of operation and further details about our award-winning communities throughout Florida, visit mintofla.com. minto creates better places to inspire life © Minto Communities, LLC 2014. Not an offer where prohibited by state statutes. All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced, copied, altered, distributed, stored or transferred in any form or by any means without express written permission Artist’s renderings, dimensions, specifications, prices and features are approximate and subject to change without notice. Minto, the Minto logo, Harbour Isle and the Harbour Isle logo are trademarks of Minto Communities, LLC and/or its affi liates. CGC 1519880. 3/2014

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David Breitbarth & Doug Jones; photo by Cliff Roles

By Christopher Durang, Directed by Peter Amster

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From the novel by John Steinbeck, adapted by Frank Galati Directed by Michael Donald Edwards

FREE & OPE TO TH N E PUBL Doors I C op No tic en 7:00 p. m kets r equire . d

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THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

// BLACK TIE: POSH PICNICS

HOTFLASH

Satur day – Mar ch 29 – 7:30 p.m.

NEEL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 5840 26th Street West - Bradenton

by Heather Merriman

Black Tie Assistant Editor

2014 FINALS

Scholarship Competition for

PIANISTS

$23,500 in Prizes to be Awarded

Details 24/7 at www.artistseriesconcerts.org

STAGE III L

C MUST

L 5!

PRI OSE A

“Off-Broadway hit” - Sarasota Herald-Tribune

137285

Six career-potential pianists ages 14-25 from throughout the State of Florida

George Crowley and Jeffrey Plunkett. Photo by Brian Braun.

/14

26

CABARET

Photos by Heather Merriman

A variety of Christine A. Moore hats displayed at The Met during the Christine A. Moore Hat Trunk Show. The beige Christine A. Moore hat, above, would match well with many colors and styles of outfits.

!

IL 27

VER

O HELD

APR THRU

PREP FOR PIQUE NIQUE

“Perfect blend” -Venice Gondolier

C.S. LEWIS MEETS FREUD

by Mark St. Germain

“Nuanced and witty” - The Observer

“Beautifully...performed” -Sarasota Herald-Tribune

“Musicianship of the highest order” -Total Theater

Richard Hopkins, Artistic Director

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

Pillow Talk

366-9000 �oridastudiotheatre.org

1241 N. Palm Avenue, Downtown Sarasota

Evergreen

Embroidered Thai Pillows

Fun Faux Arrangements

You Shouldn’t Have

Sitting Pretty

Boxed Celadon Candles

Hand Carved Teak Bench

Goldilocks Shops Here

Rattan Nesting Tables

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Ben Mackel and Sarah Hund. Photo by Brian Braun.

S

pringtime, that time of year when the most polite of events happen — polo matches, Derby events, golf tournaments and more — all taking place under the beaming sun. So, what better time to don a fashionable hat?

New College of Florida’s annual luncheon, Pique Nique Sur La Baie, which takes place April 2, sets the standard for a beautiful spring day event.

The hats may be the event’s signature, but the overall image of the luncheon is what makes this a favorite of the local society scene.

This year, The Met will host the runway show and Mary Kenealy Events will transform the New College bayfront lawn into a “pique nique” suited for the elite.

“It’s a perennial favorite that you surely won’t want to miss, spring is in the air!” says Mary Kenealy Barbetta. Picture this …

French florals, Champagne, fashion and, of course, the most fashionable assortment of hats you’ll see all season.

of the unique and custom options offered at the Christine A. Moore trunk show, which has been extended through the end of March.

Not only do the sometimes-extravagant hats add to the beauty of the event, but they also create an opportunity to be different and stand out.

“It’s the flair,” says Reynolds. “Where else can you wear a hat like this, or a fascinator embellished with feathers and flowers and lace?”

For those of you who are looking for something not so over the top, fascinators and headbands are also an option when attending a “hat-preferred” event. These head covering accessories still make a statement, but are lighter on your head and your wallet.

Men can wear hats, too (“Why not?” says Reynolds). Considering that this year’s event is the first in 31 years to be chaired by a male, local attorney Chip Gaylor (co-chairing with Marjorie Floyd), it seems appropriate for more men to say “why not?” and don a hat as well.

LET’S TALK HATS

ACHIEVING THE LOOK

Just in time for the 31st annual event, The Met Fashion House and Spa recently hosted a trunk show featuring Christine A. Moore hats.

The official milliner for Breeders’ Cup 2013 Race of Champions, the Christine A. Moore Millinery hand makes both women’s and men’s hats in true Derby style.

So what comes first, the hat or the dress?

According to The Met’s Executive Assistant Evan Reynolds, this year the looks will likely be planned around the hats, largely because

When buying a hat, Reynolds says, “Buy what catches your eye.”

It’s all about the complete look — pick a color and accent it, whether it’s the hat first or the dress. If you have the dress first, find a color that is minimal in the dress and accentuate it with the hat. If you have the hat first, find a dress that coordinates well with the colors in the hat.

With a fabulous hat, the only accessory one needs is an outfit.

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WEST INDIES HOME COLLECTION Clockwise, from left: Joanna Ashley, Elizabeth Moore, Geoffrey Michel and Shoko Kupota at last year’s event; an embellished fascinator in purple; a coral and pink hat with rosettes and bows

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THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

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// BLACK TIE: JUST MARRIED

GROOM’S PARENTS:

BRIDE’S PARENTS:

Patricia Longueuil and Gary Longueuil

William and Patricia Mudgett

HOW THE COUPLE MET:

Donald Longueuil and Mackenzie Mudgett met at the Head Of The Charles Regatta in Boston.

Mackenzie was there rowing in the Princeton alumni boat and Don, also a former rower, was there as a spectator while visiting friends.

That weekend sealed their relationship, even though Don was working in Connecticut and Mackenzie was in business school in Philadelphia at the time.

Don and Mackenzie were married Jan. 25 at The Church of the Redeemer, officiated by The Very Rev. Fredrick Robinson (with The Rev. David Bumsted and The Rev. Charleston Wilson also participating). The couple’s faith and love were the cornerstones of the day.

HONEYMOON:

The couple explored the Seychelles and Tanzania for their honeymoon.

“The entire trip was fabulous, but the safari portion in Tanzania was particularly amazing,” says Mackenzie. “Seeing the ‘big five’ up close and observing various animal behaviors was our favorite part of the trip. The absolute peace of the open plains juxtaposed with the excitement of witnessing a hunt made for a relaxing, but never dull, experience.”

THE DETAILS First dance: “Everything” by Michael Bublé Photography: Genevieve de Manio Photography Wedding planning: Maria Brady, Choreographed Events Floral design: Beneva Flowers Invitations: Write-On Sarasota Cake: Pastries By Design | Dress: Vera Wang Favor: Sarasota Yogurt Co. Hair and makeup: Ana Molinari Lighting and decor: Affairs in the Air, So Staged, US Tent and Ice Pro Ice Sculptures Ceremony soloist: Adelaide Boedecker Cocktail hour music: Kara Nally Band Band: Rhythm Nation Videographer: Bill Wagy Productions

Photos by Genevieve de Manio Photography

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

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THE WEDDING AND RECEPTION:

Following the ceremony, a reception was held at Sarasota Yacht Club. From the champagne cocktail to the Whispers, the 10-piece band, to the mini donuts served on the dance floor, the couple celebrated their blessed event with their closest family and friends.

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