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ARC GALA: ‘Unconditional Love’ gala 15 < REVIEW: ‘The Golden Cockerel’ 10

ARTS + CULTURE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

SPOTLIGHT

REEL TIME

Entering its sixth year, the Jewish Film Festival of Sarasota-Manatee is expanding. Co-founder Roz Goldberg wants that expansion to include cultural community outreach as well as more screening venues. PAGE 6

FOOD

Photo by Nick Reichert

Dwight Currie sheds light on the expansive genre of performance art at the Ringling. One exhibit come from Lars Jan and his Early Morning Opera company. They will present “Holoscenes,” below, a multiformat art installation piece that simulates acts of drowning to raise awareness on global climate change.

The Art of

NOW

Dwight Currie, the curator of performance at the Ringling, leads the venerable arts institution into the realm of performance art.

‘A Taste of Israel’ USF Sarasota-Manatee hosts HospitaBull Evening at the Resort at Longboat Key Club. PAGE 14

BLACK

TIE

NICK REICHERT A&E EDITOR

M

ost art museums are known for their collections of creative and historically important pieces of permanent art.

However, rather than defining themselves as glorified vaults for visual art, many museums are nourishing a more fleeting form of expression: the art of performance.

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People with Purpose

Whether it’s involving her own or bettering the futures of others, children are Kristy Cail’s main focus.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

ART: discovering performance art at the Ringling NEW STAGES

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

One of those museums is the Ringling. Known mainly for its visual art collection and circus artifacts, the Ringling is focusing on exploring works that are still growing, developing and living in the now.

This is the very definition of performance art — art that consists of works created by artists in the present, rather than performances interpreting an artist’s previously written or choreographed work.

“That is a bit of a departure from most museums that exhibit those things that have stood the test of time and are thought to be the most rare and exquisite examples of a period or artist’s work,” says Dwight Currie, curator of performance at the Ringling.

Currie’s journey to becoming a performance art curator has been built around a lifetime of searching for works from new artists.

Born in Iowa, Currie earned his bachelor’s in English from Iowa State University. Upon graduation, he traded the open fields of wheat and corn for the bustling arts mecca of New York City. Currie saw each new Broadway production, but he was still searching for another artistic outlet. He found it in a barn in Connecticut.

“Every Sunday night in the summer in Connecticut, you’d go to the White Barn Theatre and there’d be something startling, new, interesting and fascinating,” says Currie.

The theater was the brainchild of Lucille Lortel, the godmother

Brought to the Ringling every year, the New Stages performance art exhibit brings an eclectic mix of theater, art, dance and music to Sarasota.

Julian Sands, United Kingdom One-man tribute poetry show to playwright Harold Pinter.

ETHEL, U.S. and Canada String quartet using contemporary music combined with video and images of the past.

March 6 and 7 Dusan Tynek Dance Theatre, Brooklyn, N.Y. Combination of modern dance choreography inspired by classic works of art from Michelangelo Caravaggio, Edgar Degas and Egon Schiele.

“And more and more artists are defying these neat categories. Sometimes the artists exceed the scholarship.

There isn’t language for it yet.”

March 20 and 21 The Hot Club of San Francisco, San Francisco String instrument ensemble playing gypsy swing and jazz music to the movement of the two films by pre-World War I filmmaker Ladislaw Starewicz.

– Dwight Currie

Tom Caravaglia

Emily Gayeski will peform with Dusan Tynek Dance Theater as part of the New Stages performance art exhibit March 6 and 7

OF SARASOTA SARASOTA

March 25 to 28 Lars Jan/Early Morning Opera, Los Angeles Highlights the creeping dangers of climate change and rising sea levels. “Holoscenes” will be performed on the property’s bayfront gardens, which is estimated to be submerged by the bay by the end of the century.

Live musical performances that Entertain, Engage, and Inspire!

Saturday – February 28 – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday – March 1 – 2:00 & 7:30 p.m.

In the Historic Asolo Theater at The Ringling Museum of Art

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of off-Broadway theater and the producer of approximately 500 plays, whom Currie befriended.

After a stay in New York City, Currie moved to Vermont to work on his own creative writing and ran a bookstore for several years.

“It was there I grew to love reading people’s first novels,” says Currie. “I would host new novelists in Vermont and give some of them, like George Saunders, some of their first readings.”

The performance-arts addict made his way in 2004 to the Ringling via its marketing department.

Soon after when the institution rejuvenated the programming in the Historic Asolo Theater, he was promoted to curator of performance given his performancearts management experience.

Currie joined the Ringling’s cast of seven curatorial experts.

But unlike the other curatorial categories that are specific to particular time periods or genres such as pre-20th century Western art, modern and contemporary, and works on paper, Currie’s purview has little scholarship or canon. Currie schedules performances and acts based on what excites him.

“What motivates me goes back to grade school show-and-tell,” says Currie, “what am I excited to share with Sarasota.”

Curries says it was a series of coincidences that allowed the performance sphere of the Ringling to grow. In 2010, the Ringling received the grants and donations to secure an annual international festival, the Ringling International Arts Festival. The momentum surged in 2011 with the installation of James Turrell’s “Joseph’s Coat” Skyspace, a time-sensitive piece that used an array of LED lights that responded to the day-

to-day light of sunset. Currie says it was the bridge for the Ringling to venture from permanent art fixtures to performance art.

RIAF, held this year from Oct. 15 to Oct. 18, brings in national and international artistic talent akin to New Stages, an exhibition of contemporary performance taking place now through March 28.

No artist or group fits within one artistic label.

“At a symposium we held here,” says Currie, “a visiting artist said that genres are for marketing. And more and more artists are defying these neat categories. Sometimes the artists exceed the scholarship.

There isn’t language for it yet.”

However, for RIAF’s sixth year, Currie and the Ringling selected a definitive theme: Asia. The six artists and groups represent the continent of Asia and its respective nations. Currie plans to expand programming of New Stages and RIAF with events surrounding each group’s main per-

formance.

Coinciding with expanded performances is an expanded performance space. Thanks to the recent joint gift of the Kotler-Coville families, the Historic Asolo Theater will receive a rejuvenated lobby and a new rehearsal space that will aid Currie’s mission of injecting the present into the Ringling.

Currently the theater lacks rehearsal space for visiting artists and a formal lobby. According to Currie, the new lobby space will serve as the important home to pre- and post-performance audience conversation. Construction is slated to begin in either January or February 2016.

“I’d like to bring back that notion of art that is still in play,” says Currie. “A lot of these forms, ideas are still at play. Will they stand the test of time? I don’t know, but I feel strongly that they need a platform and need to be seen.”

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GLOBAL VIEW

A look at from where Ringling International Arts Festival performers this year hail. Event takes place Oct. 15 through 18.

Tom Lee, South Korea Traditional Japanese puppet performance Orkes Sinten Remem, Indonesia Folk and punk band with energetic humor Phare, Cambodia A company composed of the youth of Cambodia present the program “Khmer Metal,” a story of the country’s passionate and mysterious nightlife.

Ayumi Sakamoto

Puppetry master Tom Lee will present the production “Shank’s Mare,” which uses the traditional Japanese puppet form Kuruma Ningyo, at the Ringling International Arts Festival.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

Tao Dance Theatre, China Notable for its numerous collaborations with emerging Chinese artists across every genre, this theater has performed its work at other prestigious dance festivals.

Ronnarong Khampha, Thailand Combination of traditional Thai dance and his own contemporary choreography Peni Candra Rini, Indonesia She creates one-woman shows that adopt various movements and imageries to create a reverie of mystery and intrigue using the traditional musical styling of her native Indonesia with her own innovative voice.

Jen Shyu, East Timor/Taiwan Jazz artist who will play lutes, zithers and multiple percussion instruments with original acting and singing to create an immersive musical experience.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

SCENE & HEARD

NICK REICHERT

Nick Reichert

Laurent Hilaire

STEP BY STEP The Sarasota Ballet collaborates with numerous choreographers and dancers throughout the year.

Guest artists conduct workshops and lessons or help lead rehearsals so the company of dancers learns and becomes a more knowledgeable dance body. Last week the renowned French ballet dancer Laurent Hilaire visited the company.

Put in a dance class by his parents at the age of 11, Hilaire has been dancing at the Paris Opera Ballet, the oldest national

ballet company in the world, for 40 years. Hilaire danced as a student in the corps de ballet; at age 25 was named etoile (principal dancer) of the company by then director Rudolf Nureyev; and has served as ballet master since 2005 and associate artistic director since 2011.

Hilaire left the Paris Opera Ballet last summer partly because of the organization’s new direction and partly because he wanted to find a new way to work. He has worked as a traveling master free agent, serving as a guest artist to help ballets across the

world to stage the repertoire of Nureyev, Hilaire’s former director and mentor. Before he arrived in Sarasota, he was assisting the National Ballet of Canada in Toronto. And after Hilaire assists the Sarasota Ballet for its performance of “Tribute to Nureyev” Feb. 27 and 28, which features performances of George Balanchine’s “Apollo,” Sir Frederick Ashton’s “Jazz Calendar” and Nureyev’s “Raymonda Act III,” the ballet master will be in Sweden for two months helping the Royal Sweden Ballet’s production of “Don Quixote.”

“Being a guest artist now is very exciting just to experience a different people, culture and a different way to look at the work,” says Hilaire. “It’s a very nice moment for me to be in a studio and not worrying about the considerations around running an organization, which was huge work in the Paris Opera Ballet with 154 dancers.”

Hilaire says he is honored and excited to travel around the world sharing his dancing expertise and knowledge of Nureyev’s work and of the man himself.

“He made a revolution on the way to consider a male dancer,” says Hilaire. “All of the big classical ballet was meant to value the woman, and also his work reflected the dance he saw in Denmark, France, England and Russia. He learned from all over the world and he created his own style. You know when it’s a step from Nureyev as soon as you see it. You cannot really compare it, but his choreography is as rich as the language of Shakespeare or Molière.”

Celebrating Diversity “Embracing Our Differences,” Sarasota’s public exhibit of local and international art and quotes, announced its winning submissions. The collection of artwork, designs and inspirational quotes that honor and encourage the values of diversity will be on display from March 29 to May 31 in Sarasota’s Island Park and Bradenton’s Riverwalk. Among the student participants, local eighth-grader Mackenzie Reiss, who attends Venice Middle School, won “Best-in-Show Student” for her original work, “A Duet is Often Better Than a Solo.” The piece depicts a fiery blue electric guitar lying next to a viola, both looking up at an expansive starry night sky. Reiss’ work will be on display during the two-month-long public art show; her school’s art program will also receive $1,000.

“We may sound completely different, but together we can create beautiful music,” says Reiss in her artist’s statement for the winning work. “To me, this means that just because you look different, it doesn’t mean that you can’t do well together.”

Mixed-Media Master

“Boy With Rabbit” by Craig Rubadoux

Opening March 6, the surreal and seductive impressions of life

by Sarasota master artist Craig Rubadoux will live inside the Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art gallery until April 25. Rubadoux uses canvas, paper and numerous other materials to create whimsical and colorful pieces that reflect with almost a childlike grace the beauty of gentle moments throughout life. This intimate touch is evident in works such as “Boy with Rabbit” and “Lovers in a Small Boat.” Rubadoux’s work is like snapshots of life taken with a mystical and radiant camera.

The Sarasota resident’s work is also on display in the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Gi ft Av Cert ai ifi la ca bl te e s

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ARTS + CULTURE

VISUAL ARTS

‘GALLERY I: OBJECTS TO BE CONTEMPLATED’ Selby Gallery, Ringling College of Art & Design 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday Runs until April 4. Call 351-5100.

PERFORMING ARTS

MUSIC

‘TOSCA’ Sarasota Opera 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26; 1:30 p.m.

March 3. Runs through March 28. Tickets: $29 to $135 Call 328-1300.

‘ONE SINGULAR NIGHT: THE MUSIC OF GEORGE GERSHWIN AND MARVIN HAMLISCH’ Thomas Pandolfi, pianist Artists Series Concerts, Historic Asolo Theater 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 and March 1; 2 p.m. March 1. Tickets: $25 to $45. Call 360-7399.

‘DANCING LESSONS’ Florida Studio Theatre, Keating Theatre 8 p.m. Feb. 26, 27 and 28 and March 1 and 3; 3 p.m.

Feb. 28 and March 1 Extended through March 14.

Tickets: $18 to $39 Call 366-9000.

‘BALANCHINE, ASHTON & NUREYEV’ Sarasota Ballet Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 and 28; 2 p.m. Feb. 28 Tickets: $20 to $105 Call 359-0099.

DRESDEN PHILHARMONIC Sarasota Concert Association, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 4 p.m. March 1. Tickets: $45 to $75. Call 225-6500.

WSLR BENEFIT CONCERT 525 Kumquat Court 7 p.m. March 1 Tickets: $12. Call 894-6469.

SONNY & PERLEY PRESENT ‘THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK’ Fruitville Library. 3 to 4 p.m.

March 4. Free. Call 861-2518.

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25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION & ART EXHIBIT Island Gallery West, 5638 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach March 2 to 31. Call 778-2346

Clay Walker

Freddy Cole, Nat King Cole’s younger brother, will perform with the Freddy Cole Quartet at the 35th annual Jazz Festival.

35TH ANNUAL JAZZ FESTIVAL One of the most intense annual pleasures of the Sarasota musical season returns March 1 through 7 with the 35th annual Jazz Festival.

Presented by the Jazz Club of Sarasota, this year’s festival occurs in the Riverview High School Performing Arts Center with the kickoff event at Phillippi Estate Park.

Participating artists at this year’s festival include the Doug Cameron Quartet, John Lamb, June Garber, Karla Harris, the Ted Howe Trio, Dick Hyman, Ken Peplowski, Kitt Moran and the Freddy Cole Quartet. The latter group is led by Freddy Cole, younger brother of Nat King Cole and uncle to Natalie Cole. Cole’s smooth vocals are backed by his guitarist Randy Napoleon, bassist Henry Conerway and drummer Herman Burney.

In addition to the more traditional concerts, the night of March 4 will be the return of the Jazz Trolley and Pub Crawl. Jazz fans can imbibe as they’re driven to nine different locations to enjoy various jazz artists.

When: March 1 through March 7 Where: festival kickoff at Phillippi Estate Park and concerts at Riverview High School Performing Arts Center Tickets: $25 to $50 per concert; $140 VIP package Info: Call 800-838-3006.

“Consequence” by Julie Kanapaux

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ARTS CALENDAR

‘MERGING PARALLELS’ EXHIBITION Art Center Sarasota 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday; closed Sundays Runs through March 6.

Call 356-2032.

‘MEANWHILE: STUDENT COMIC BOOK SHOW’ Christ-Janer Gallery, Ringling College of Art & Design 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Runs until March 7. Call 351-5100.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

NICK’S PICKS

ABSTRACTS, OIL & GLASS Galleria Silecchia 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday Runs through March 5.

Call 365-7414.

‘CASTLES IN THE AIR’ AND ‘THE MEMORY KEEPERS’ Dabbert Gallery Opening reception 6 to 8:30 p.m. March 6 Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday Runs through March 30.

Call 955-1315.

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JULIE KANAPAUX — ‘RECENT WORK’ Local artist and painter Julie Kanapaux cut her artistic tooth on the campus of Ringling College of Art & Design. A 2000 graduate who majored in fine-art painting and minored in photography, Kanapaux’s solo artistic homecoming is an exhibition of her most recent abstract work. Currently in the Patricia Thompson Gallery inside the Keating Center, the exhibition runs through May. Kanapaux’s sculpture series, “For the Humans,” has been on campus since 1999 on the corner of Old Bradenton Road and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way. When: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday; closed Saturday and Sunday.

Runs through May. Where: Patricia Thompson Gallery, Ringling College of Art & Design Info: Call 351-5100.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

Cinematic Cultural

EXCHANGE The Jewish Film Festival enters its sixth year with expansion throughout Sarasota.

to familiarize Jews and non-Jews with the Jewish Federation’s mission and Jewish cultural heritage through quality films.

This year’s eight films represent a wide spectrum of the Jewish experience. The opening-night film at the Hyatt Regency is John Lollos’ documentary, “Theodore Bikel: In the Shoes of Sholom Aleichem.”

The documentary examines 20th century Jewish folk culture through the works of author and playwright Sholem Aleichem and actor Theodore Bikel. The former was an instrumental author in the revival of the Yiddish language and Jewish short story; one of his characters, Tevye the Dairyman, inspired the popular Broadway musical “Fiddler on the Roof.”

The latter is an acclaimed actor and musician who produced several albums of Jewish folk songs, was a co-founder of the Newport Folk Festival and is an Academy Award-nominated actor in numerous films, including “The African Queen,” “The Defiant Ones” and “My Fair Lady.”

Onstage, Bikel played Captain Von Trapp in the original production of “The Sound of Music” and, in relation to Aleichem, has performed the author’s Tevye in

NICK REICHERT A&E EDITOR

The Milman-Kover Jewish Film Festival of Sarasota-Manatee combines advocacy with artistry.

The festival, held March 8 to 16, has grown from a singular event in 2010 at the Jewish Federation Campus on McIntosh Road to an eight-day festival spread over the greater Sarasota area. The festival’s geographical growth reflects the depth and variety of the eight films that will be screened across the city. But that growth isn’t limited to location and film programming. It also is reflected in the organization’s cultural inclusion.

“One of the major goals of the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee is outreach,” says Roz Goldberg, chairwoman and founder of the Jewish Film Festival. “Our vision is a vibrant, inclusive Jewish community in which everyone can participate ‘Jewishly’ in whatever manner he or she may find most meaningful.”

Goldberg defines “Jewishly” as anyone in the community who engages and enjoys media tied to Jewish culture or heritage. Goldberg says the festival’s purpose is

Nick Reichert

Roz Goldberg, chair and founder of the Jewish Film Festival, seeks to spread Jewish culture to the entire community via the silver screen.

“Our vision is a vibrant, inclusive Jewish community in which everyone can participate ‘Jewishly’ in whatever manner he or she may find most meaningful.”

– Roz Goldberg, chair and founder of the Jewish Film Festival

“Fiddler on the Roof” more than any other actor — 2,000-plus performances.

The two artists’ creative connection symbolizes the mission of the film festival. It shows the pervasiveness of Jewish art. And, as an added bonus, Bikel will attend the opening-night screening and will introduce the film, conduct a Q&A session and perform rendi-

tions of rich Jewish folk songs.

“We have gotten such an incredible response since we’ve started this festival,” says Goldberg. “Film is an effective form of outreach. It’s a way to reach everybody. We feel we’ve reached a lot of people. We have exposed them to things they didn’t know and struck intellectual and emotional chords.”

IF YOU GO The 6th annual Jewish Film Festival When: March 8 to 16 Where: Hyatt Regency Sarasota, Jewish Federation campus, Temples Beth Israel and Sinai, Lakewood Ranch Cinemas and The Devyn Tickets: $10 for individual tickets, excluding opening night Info: Call 552-6304 or visit jfedsrq.org/jff.

DISCOVER WHAT’S ON NEW ExhIbITION NOW OpEN!

RE:PuRPosEd ON VIEW THROUGH MAY 17 Many artists today regularly use material that could be considered garbage, trash, rubbish, or cast-offs in creating complex works of art.

Re:PuRPoSed IS SUPPORTED IN PART bY:

Image: Nick Cave, Soundsuit, 2008, Mixed media, 94 x 35 x 35 inches, © Nick Cave.

Photo by James Prinz Photography. Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.

Additional support was generously provided by the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation Endowment, the Elizabeth Firestone Graham Foundation, the Philip D. and Unni Kaltenbacher Endowment, the Publix Super Markets Charities Endowment, the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation Endowment, the Peter and Mary Lou Vogt Museum Generated Exhibition Fund, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Foundation, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

naTional TheaTRe live: TREasuRE Island FEb 27, 7:30 pM, $20 / $18 for Members Robert Louis Stevenson’s story of murder, money, and mutiny is brought to life in a thrilling new stage adaptation by bryony Lavery in this HD-screening.

Ringling undeRgRound MAR 5, 8:00 pM, $10 Adult / Free with College ID Enjoy live music and art in the Museum of Art Courtyard. Check out up-and-coming artists.

Select galleries are open for viewing.

dusan Tynek dance TheaTRe MAR 6 & 7, 7:30 pM, $20 – $30 / $10 w/ College ID The company will present Camera Illuminata, an evening of intimate solos and duets inspired by great works of art.

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ARTS + CULTURE

Nick Reichert

It’s all hands on deck in the Bowne’s Lab Theatre for reading day for the “Write A Play” program.

Child’s Playwriting The Florida Studio Theatre’s ‘Write A Play’ program wades through more than 4,000 plays by young dramatists from around the world.

NICK REICHERT A&E EDITOR

The Bowne’s Lab Theatre is one of the smaller performance spaces on the campus of the Florida Studio Theatre. Located down a hallway adjacent to the large Gompertz Theatre, the blue neon light of the theater sign invites you in.

Throughout the year, the Bowne’s is home to FST’s improv comedy ensemble, where every

Friday and Saturday night almost every week of the year the comedic pioneers discover newfound hilarious situations and scenes.

However, recently the Bowne served as a home for new comedy from a much younger source.

FST staff members, apprentices, actors and other playwrights burrowed deep into boxes full of thousands of plays that children from kindergarten to seniors in high school from Sarasota and around the world have written

for FST’s “Write A Play” program. Readers erupt in little burst of giggles every few minutes while seated at the tables covered in plays, some typed and some handwritten in pen or crayon. All aspiring playwrights hope for one thing: to eventually see their idea come to life on stage.

Started in 1991, the program is a three-phase arts education initiative that has exposed millions of children to the art and process of creating theater.

First, children visit FST and see that year’s children theater production, such as this year’s “RAPPunzel.” Then the teaching artists visit schools and classes across Florida and the southeast region of the United States to teach the basic tenets of a play. After that, children can write their own play and submit it to FST in one of two age divisions: “Under Six” for students in grades six or lower and “Seven Up” for students in middle and high school.

Two local young playwrights are brother and sister Seth and Skyler Stahlmann. The seventh- and 10th-grader, respectively, attend Generation Harvest homeschool in Sarasota. Both have submitted multiple plays in the past few years, and their plays, “Time Out” and “The Book,” won last year’s competition.

“This year I got an idea from seeing a picture of a war hero coming home,” says Skyler Stahlmann. “It’s just experiences in life, and art is the tangible expression of abstract thoughts, so I use a lot of emotions and convey it through writing and story.”

It takes FST staff about two weeks to read each play twice; in total, more than 4,000 plays are submitted for the contest.

After the 100 finalists are selected, FST staff critiques them again to whittle down the winners (26 plays were chosen last year).

The winning playwrights are invited to the Young Playwrights Festival in May, where the works are performed.

“Things that you have thought up and poured your time in so it can be onstage for others to enjoy is amazing to watch happen in front of you and seeing the reaction of a theater full of people,” says Seth Stahlmann.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

7

PAGE TO STAGE

1991

Year Write A Play started

55,000

Students the program reaches each year

4

Countries that the program has reached: U.S., Scotland, Israel and Russia

1 million

Approximate students exposed to theater in Write A Play’s 24 years

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

Left: Sue Stewart with Bart and Kameron Hodgens

Maria Sosa, Leah Brown, Libby McNary and Bethany Willats

SCF Foundation’s ‘Avenues des Artistes’ Saturday, Feb. 21, at State College of Florida

Above: Sarah and George Pappas Left: Jessica Rogers and Michael Foley

Photos by Nick Reichert

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

MARTY FUGATE THEATER CRITIC

Officially, they were the 332nd Fighter Group. Today, the world knows them as The Tuskegee Airmen — a group of African-American combat pilots who fought with distinction in World War II. They flew P-51 Mustangs (with distinctive red tailfins) as fighter escorts for lumbering B-25s on strategic bombing raids deep into enemy territory. They went up against Messerschmitt Me 262s — the world’s first jet fighters.

Notions of white Aryan superiority to the contrary, these black aviators came out on the winning side. These heroes paved the way for the integration of the United States military and, arguably, the nation itself. Ricardo Khan and Terry Ellis’ “Fly” tells their story at Florida Studio Theatre in a production Khan also directed.

Untold books have explored this history. It’s been visualized in high-profile movies such as “Redtails” (with its “Star Wars”-esque dogfights) and the “Tuskegee Airmen” (which Ellis co-wrote) on HBO. Yes, their story has been told before. But never like this.

A film can give you believable illusion, courtesy CGI or a grip rocking a replica of a P-51 on gimbals. Khan and Ellis’ play doesn’t try to compete with cinema. No “Miss Saigon”-style aircraft

appear. The actors mime the action with minimal staging — just chairs, trunks and rear projection screens (brilliant work by scenic designer Beowulf Boritt, projectionist Rocco DiSanti and the rest of the creative team). Yes, there’s audio and some CO2 fog. But the real action is in your mind.

Your imagination builds the world. It’s make-believe — and it works, with the power that only live theater can have.

The story told is as ancient as “The Iliad” and raw as “Generation Kill.” Basically, a group from disparate backgrounds comes together as a unit and goes off to war. Some die, some don’t. That’s no cliché. It’s what war is.

The difference here: These warriors were fighting on two fronts. Fascism over there; racism here. Their homefront enemy? Official studies that said, “Negroes lack the intelligence to operate heavy machinery.” Unofficial racist attitudes in the minds of white officers who spoke their minds in a constant barrage of racial slurs.

Along with helping bring down the Nazi war machine, the Tuskegee Airmen defied white expectations of black failure and earned the respect of their fellow aviators. To get to the Nazis, they first had to get through flight training school in Tuskegee, Ala. Four composite characters stand for the 996 original pilots in training: Chet (Jordan

Bellow), a 17-year-old recruit passing for 18; W.W. (Robert Karma Robinson) a refugee from Chicago’s jive-talking, zoot-suit scene; Oscar (Terrell Wheeler) a country boy from Iowa; and J. Allen (Shane Taylor) from the West Indies.

Excellent aviators all; the hard-as-nails white flight instructor (Greg Brostrom) scrubs two of them on flimsy pretexts. The Tap Griot (Omar Edwards) expresses the black aviators’ repressed emotions through dance — improvised riffs off Hope Clarke’s crisp choreography. Edwards’ machine gun fire with its staccato beats speaks volumes.

Chet and W.W. finally show what they’re made of in the flak-filled skies over Germany.

Michael Pauley and Sean Patrick Hopkins play two bomber pilots whose bigoted attitudes take a 180-degree turn in the presence of fearless excellence.

The excellent performers did justice to the real-life warriors. Khan approaches these characters as individuals, not archetypes. W.W., Oscar, J. Allen and Chet are flesh-andblood people, not walking editorial cartoons. You know they’re heroes without superpowers — heroes who bleed and don’t always win. That’s why you care.

“Fly” takes you on a hero’s journey — a fast-paced, 90-minute flight without a wasted moment. The airmen’s victories against racism are

REVIEWS

‘Fly’ takes you on a hero’s journey

9

Photo by Matthew Holler

Jordan Bellow and Omar Edwards star in “Fly.”

stirring but not the whole story. The multimedia experience viscerally captures the feeling of flight — both the exhilaration of soaring above the world and the knowledge that death (through enemy fire or your own screw-up) is always only seconds away.

The play makes you feel it.

Thanks to a few projection screens, audio effects and some trunks and chairs and the power of imagination, you’re right up there with them.

Uplifting, to say the least.

Don’t expect to come down for a while.

IF YOU GO “Fly” runs through April 4, at Florida Studio Theatre’s Gompertz Theatre, 1247 First St., Sarasota. Call 366-9000 or visit floridastudiotheatre.org for more information.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

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‘The Golden Cockerel’ gets a rare U.S. performance JUNE LEBELL MUSIC CRITIC

Scenic designer David P. Gordon wins the Golden Cockerel Award for best achievement in set design, and Howard Tsvi Kaplan comes in a close second for his costumes in Sarasota Opera’s production of RimskyKorsakov’s rarely performed work, “The Golden Cockerel.”

But there’s more to opera than colorful scenery and beautiful costumes. There must be energy and acting, great orchestral playing and, of course, electrifying singing. Sarasota Opera came through in some of these categories, but not all.

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov — the composer who wove musically spellbinding tales in his mesmerizing “Scheherazade,” took us on an excursion to Spain via “Capriccio Espagnol,” gave us a taste of Orthodox religion in his “Russian Easter Overture” and allowed us a few good swats as he took off on “The Flight of the Bumblebee” — seems to have had a single motif for his opera, “The Golden Cockerel.” Where most composers of operas have motifs for each character or idea (think Wagner), Rimsky-Korsakov has one theme that starts in the Overture and continues through each act, especially in the “Hymn to the Sun,” probably the best-known aria in the piece, sung by the Queen of Shemakha.

Perhaps that’s why so much of this opera sounds familiar. After all, it has not been performed in this country since the production in the late 1960s at New York City Opera starring Beverly Sills and Norman Treigle.

Although I was in that audience, that was a long time ago and I haven’t heard it since.

Sometimes operas and symphonies that are rarely performed have a reason for their obscurity. It may be that “The Golden Cockerel” falls into this category. Or it may be that the production at Sarasota Opera wasn’t up to the company’s usual excellence.

Certainly the singing was good. After a slightly shaky start, which, unfortunately, featured her big aria opening the second act, Alexandra Batsios, as The Queen, came into good voice and negotiated the vast range and coloratura passages the composer wrote for her part. She’s a good actress, too; she managed to dance through the stylized staging by Tom Diamond without looking self-conscious or strained. An American singer, she handled the Russian deftly.

Grigory Soloviov and Timur Bekbosunov were the two Russians in principal parts and they seemed born to the music.

Soloviov gave us an unflinching King Dodon with a powerful baritone verging on the bass.

And Bekbosunov traversed

deathly high notes that would make Juan Diego Florez blanch.

The smaller parts were, for the most part, taken by studio artists, including the King’s sons (Jon Jurgens and Kenneth Stavert), General Polkan (William Roberts) and the Golden Cockerel (Riley Svatos). Special mention must be made of Studio Artist Daryl Freedman who sang the part of the Housekeeper with a large, round contralto with a great top extension.

And then there was the chorus — the resonant, magnificent chorus (Chorus Master Roger Bingaman) that rang through the house like a Russian choir on Easter.

So, if the singing, scenery and costumes were splendid, what was the problem with this “Golden Cockerel”? Well, there were coordination problems in the orchestra. The strings, which are usually so good in this instrumental ensemble, just weren’t together. And, although conductor Ekhart Wycik kept things well paced with a nice forward movement, there were several times the singers and his orchestra were askew.

It was opening night so one hopes the kinks in the curtain’s openings and closings will get worked out, as well as the curtain calls at the end of each act, which seemed unrehearsed and messy.

But the main difficulty with

Rod Millington

Grigory Soloviov, Timur Bekbosunov and Alexandra Batsios in RimskyKorsakov’s “The Golden Cockerel.”

IF YOU GO

this production was the overly styled staging, which lacked energy, direction and focus. Diamond didn’t seem to grasp the concept of this fairy tale and its politicized doctrine. He played it too broadly or, at times, not at all, leaving the performers to wander about the stage, seemingly without thought for who they are or what they’re doing.

There are many facets to opera, and the music, singing and brilliant colors of “The Golden Cockerel” may be enough to carry some into this odd land of disenchantment. I wanted more.

‘The Golden Cockerel’ Where: Sarasota Opera When: Runs through March 19 Info: Call 3281300 or visit sarasotaopera.org.

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MUSIC CRITIC

It’s important that orchestras work with a variety of conductors to expand their vision, and Sunday, at the Masterworks V concert, the Sarasota Orchestra hit a jackpot with Carlos Miguel Prieto. The Mexican-born music director of the Louisiana Philharmonic and a pair of ensembles in Mexico is a graduate of Princeton and Harvard, but his real credentials are those he brings with him on the podium: clarity, warmth and incisive ideas about what he wants in the music. Best of all, he knows how to get it.

Never over conducting and never pushing the orchestra past its finest moments, he brought a wonderful control to his conducting that was at its most marvelous in Berlioz’s mindblowing “Symphonie fantastique.” This phenomenal piece of program music is so electrifying it could cause a conductor to overdo, running away with tempos and dynamics, but Prieto and the Sarasota Orchestra were in full control. The orchestra

played with a crystalline sound, great colors and an energy that always matched the composer’s intentions.

From the opening “Reveries and Passions” through “A Ball,” a pastoral trip “In the Country,” the electrifying “March to the Scaffold” and the final “Dream of the Witches’ Sabbath” with its hobbling waltz-with-thedevil and Dies Irae, there wasn’t one movement on the podium or sound in the orchestra that wasn’t stirring and meaningful.

Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony, which opened the program, was conducted without a score and with a rearrangement of the orchestra’s seating, putting the second violins opposite the firsts and bringing the winds closer to the audience. It’s a classical formation, and it worked beautifully, with the conductor eliciting a lean sound that never lost its richness. While tempos were brisk, nothing was pushed and, as one member of the ensemble said after the performance, “The last movement of that symphony is groovy.” I’d say that about the whole concert.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

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Marion Cotillard shines in ‘Two Days, One Night’

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A fairy-tale king falls prey to seduction RIMSKY-KORSAKOV

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SARASOTAOPERA.ORG | (941) 328-1300 Images: Richard Termine (1, 4); Rod Millington (2, 3)

into bed, but with the encouragement of friends and family, eventually, she takes charge. It’s a painful and enlightening journey riddled with dire setbacks.

The Dardennes are compassionate in their approach to the subject matter, and it pays off.

Cotillard, who won the Oscar for portraying Edith Piaf in “La Vie en Rose” (2008), looks quite different in “Two Days, One Night.” Sans makeup and smiles, she totally transforms herself.

Her character evolves from meek to powerful in a matter of days, and it’s utterly fascinating to witness. It is an understated performance and her best thus far.

“Two Days, One Night” is a film about the process of change.

It’s also about how difficult it is for the middle class to flourish as of late on a global level.

Most importantly, it insinuates itself into the audience’s psyche.

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Marion Cotillard received a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her role as Sandra in “Two Days, One Night.”

158334

Previous Oscar winner and this year’s nominee Marion Cotillard deserves raves for baring her soul in “Two Days, One Night.” Her portrayal of a desperate woman affected by the plight and blight of the middle class is as raw as an open wound.

Cotillard’s character, Sandra, is a wife and mother who has suddenly lost her much needed job in a curious manner. Co-workers have been offered a bonus of 1,000 euros in exchange for voting to dismiss her. On Friday she persuades the manager to conduct a second vote the following Monday. Over the course of two days and one night, Sandra must muster the courage to approach her colleagues in person and persuade them to vote in her favor.

Sandra needs to encourage seven employees to alter their previous decision and forgo their bonuses. On her painful campaign she's met with pity, fear, compassion and even physical violence. She comments to her devoted husband, Manu (Fabrizio Rongione), that she feels like a “beggar and a thief.”

Her emotionally frail state is exacerbated by having recently overcome a mental breakdown.

She’ssdfsdf popping Xanax like gumdrops.

Belgian director brothers JeanPierre and Luc Dardenne revisit the injustices of the workplace (“Rosetta,” “The Promise”) by means of employing an in-depth character study. Sandra abhors having to fight to keep her job, and yet there is no alternative.

Initially, she just wants to crawl

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

Sylvia listed three luxury residences, then Sylvia SOLD “ALL” THREE herself for $ 3.5, $ 3.8 & $3.9 million totaling over $ 22.4 million volume

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SYLVIA HIT THE TRIFECTA . . . AGAIN !

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

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Right: Shelley Sarbey, Elisabeth Waters and Jurate VanDyk

ARC UNCONDITIONAL LOVE ‘A New Beginning’ Gala Saturday, Feb. 21, at Michael’s On East Benefiting Animal Rescue Coalition

Co-Chairs Donna and Sydney Koffman

Donna’s favorite part about co-chairing with her daughter:

F

rom the stunning décor of purple, lavender and silver, to the little details such as the nametag wristbands with personalized dog tags for guests, this year’s Unconditional Love Gala was elegant, fun and most importantly, profitable. Chaired by mother-daughter duo Donna and Sydney Koffman, they put together a fabulous evening attracting more than 225 guests, raising more than $200,000 and adopting two puppies into loving homes.

“Knowing that a few dogs were adopted and found their forever homes that evening is heartwarming, the standout moment for me from the entire evening,” said Co-Chair Donna Koffman.

In November, ARC opened its new clinic, allowing the organization to triple its capacity of surgeries and continue its commitment to high-quality, lowcost spay and neuter services. ARC’s grand opening will be held 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 19, at its new location, 6320 Tower Lane.

“After seeing Sydney continuously volunteering in the shelter community for years now, it’s nice to see her recognized and seeing her efforts and hard work culminate in being asked to chair this amazing event for ARC. I’m thankful to be able to spend this time with her working on the event together and treasuring our last years together before she leaves for college. It was touching to see Sydney’s school friends and faculty come and support her.”

Above: Debbie Dannheisser and Ida Zito

Dayle Hoffman with Tammy, a Jack Russell mix

Ava Whaley and Carole Frank with Mr. Darcy, a Wheaton Terrier mix she adopted at the event.

Sydney’s favorite part about co-chairing with her mom: “I was able to meet so many new people and was able to get to know ARC’s vets and technicians and see all the animals in the new clinic. I loved learning more about how nonprofits operate and are funded — I never knew how much funding it took to operate these organizations and the work that goes into getting the funds necessary to be able to provide the services to the community.”

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

BLACK TIE & TALES

BLACK TIE STAFF Tidbits

Heather Merriman

Hostesses Diana Buchanan, Ashley Gruters and Montana Taplinger Cliff Roles

Keely Pastor holding Ruby Pastor and from the front: Violet Pastor, Gigi Tuffile, Jewels Morgan, Emme Morgan, Emma Mancini and Lilly Mancini.

Tough act to follow They say you can’t compete with kids and dogs, but that’s what the models in the Beth Israel Women Fashion Show had to do Feb. 16, at Michael’s On East. A parade of young ‘uns went down the runway first, wearing too cute outfits from Little Bo-Tique.

This was the brainchild of event co-chairs Sylvia Pastor and Nancy Cohen. DreamWeaver dressed the grown-ups: Cohen, Roz Fleischer, Sandy Krause, Marion Levine, the Observer’s Molly Schechter and Lois Schottenstein. Sarah Morgan, one of the moms, filled in at the last minute for Anne Virag who was ill. The Morgan and Mancini girls are all Phil Mancini’s nieces.

Susie Dunbar from DreamWeaver styled and narrated the show.

Ladies who lunch If you were driving down Main Street near Links on Thursday, Feb. 12, you might have noticed a bunch of girls having some sort of festive get-together. Getting into the Valentine’s Day spirit, Diana Buchanan, Ashley Gruters and Montana Taplinger hosted a Valentine’s Day lunch for a few of their closest friends (and their children) in the courtyard at Victoria Bloom’s. The girls, all donning pink, red and purple attire, made a toast with rosé to friendship and blessings and then enjoyed a lunch catered by Station 400, pastries by The Short Giraffe, Lollicake Queen cake pops, dipped pretzels and cookies made by Buchanan and party favors compliments of Michelle Schlossberg’s new PAINT Nail Bar.

Asking creatively … At the Feb. 11 Author Luncheon featuring David Baldacci, Gulf Coast Community Foundation offered a giving challenge to the guests,agreeing to match all gifts up to $25,000. The Library Foundation raised $90,000, and David Baldacci sweetened the pot by offering to the highest donor the opportunity to be included as a character in a future book.

Keith Monda was the highest bidder and will be written into a future Baldacci book as a character. Baldacci did not promise that the character would be a hero or a villain … Goodwill cameo … Don Roberts’ son, Dallas Roberts, made an appearance at Goodwill’s Mardi Gras Gala much to the excitement of long-time fan Amanda Morris. Roberts plays Owen Cavanaugh on "The Good Wife" … Sold! … The effectiveness of the Observer in marketing real estate appar-

Heather Merriman

Co-Chairs Donna Koffman and Peg Roberts, Graci McGillicuddy and Co-Chair Nikki Williams at Blue Ties & Butterflies pre-party Feb. 19.

ently extends to this column.

Last week we reported that Phil King and Dennis Stover’s west-of-trail home was going on the market; this week the story is that it sold in two days … A fond farewell … Sylvia Cohodas died last week of natural causes. She was a disciplined and delightful friend to many and a great supporter of human services and the arts, especially music … Thursday’s are for pre-parties … A crowd of more than 100 attended Child Protection Center’s Blue Ties and Butterflies pre-party Feb. 19, at Sophie’s at Saks Fifth Avenue Sarasota. Sophie’s put out a beautiful spread and a few ladies did some shopping, with a portion of the purchases going back to CPC. Seen mingling: Board President Graci McGillicuddy, Co-Chair Donna

Cliff Roles

Amanda Morris with actor Dallas Roberts

Koffman, Courtney and Chris Edbrooke and T.J. and Angie Nutter. The 3rd annual Blue Ties & Butterflies will be April 15 … Atlantic-Pacific on the Gulf of Mexico … Most of Sarasota could be found rejoicing on the beach this past weekend and you know who else was enjoying our beach weather?

Renowned New York blogger Blair Eadie, whose style blog Atlantic-Pacific is Black Tie’s go-to blog when we need a little fashion distraction. Eadie Instagrammed a photo on Siesta Key Beach Saturday, apparently here for a bride-to-be getaway weekend with one of her besties. We hope she enjoyed her weekend America’s No. 1 beach!

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2015 Modern Pentathlon Gala

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Saturday, Feb. 21, at Charles Ringling Mansion Benefiting Sarasota-Bradenton Modern Pentathlon

TIE Above: Jeanette Hyde and John Kidd Left: Co-Chair Aimee Cogan, Katherine Harris and Co-Chair Ariane Dart

Nishe Sabnarwal, Ron and Sania Allen and Mohit Sabnarwal

Photos by Heather Merriman

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

Above: Jamie Jalwan in a festive Mardi Gras headdress Right: Co-Chairs Maverick Johnson and Lulu Soeder

Janet and John Hunter with Gloria Moss and Jim Helmich

Goodwill Manasota Mardi Gras Gala Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Michael’s On East Benefiting Goodwill Manasota

Photos by Heather Merriman

Veronica Miller and Kelly Davis Strausbaugh Guests enjoyed hurricanes, the signature drink of the evening, in Bourbon Street-inspired cups.

Mike Bryant, Bob Rosinsky and Evelyn Bryant

W W W.V W F O U N D AT I O N . O R G

The 14th Annual Van Wezel Foundation Gala S A R A S OTA P R E M I E R E O F

FRIDAY, MARCH 27TH, 2015 / 5PM Cocktails by the Bay • Dinner Party • Performance by Sarah McLachlan • After Party

Please Join us for

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to benefit Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center

For tickets and sponsorship information Call 941.366.5578 or visit vwfoundation.org

Thursday, March 26, 2015 at the Sarasota Yacht Club 1100 John Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida

6:00 pm Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres 7:00 pm Dinner and Dancing Register online at www.sparcc.net or call 941-365-0208 ext. 124

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL FREE WITHIN FLORIDA 1-800-435-7352. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.” REGISTRATION NUMBER CH580

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

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The Art of the Violin Reception and Auction Thursday, Feb. 19, at a private home Benefiting Perlman Music Program/Suncoast

TIE Photos by Heather Merriman

Above: Scott Anderson and host Al Bru Left: Host and Co-Chair Delin Bru and Co-Chair Linda Driggs

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

Feb. 27 – April 4, 2015

Bethesda House 2015 Mardi Gras Madness

Selby Gallery I: Objects to Be Contemplated The average length of an art viewer’s gaze is 27 seconds - the mysterious nature of these works will require considerably longer contemplation. Featuring Kako Ueda, Jim Dine, Larry Clark, Pepón Osorio and others.

Courtesy of the artists and the USF Contemporary Art Museum, George Adams Gallery and Ronald Feldman Fine Arts, NY.

Tuesday, Feb. 17, at The Francis Benefiting Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice

Selby Gallery II: Gabriele Münter Paintings Five paintings by German artist Gabriele Münter, co-founder of Der Blaue Reiter, from the collection of Ronald and Harold Kendall will be on view.

Friday, Feb. 27, 5:00-7:00 pm: Free Public Opening Reception Monday March 2, 11:30 am: Director’s Tour

Sponsored in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax Revenues and WSMR Classical 89.1.

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Friday, March 20, 4:30-7:00 pm: Free Public Campus Artwalk Web: www.ringling.edu/selbygallery

Photos by Heather Merriman

Above: Sara Brinn, Teressa McCoy, Sebastian Szczawinski, Bianca Goetz and Claudia Moschini

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

Friday, Feb. 20, at Rectrix Aerodrome Center Benefiting United Cerebral Palsy of Southwest Florida

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Sarasota Exotic Car Fest ‘Miami Vice’ Jet Port Reception

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Rhonda and Dr. Joseph Pecoraro with Dr. Vilma Vega

Hearts Afire Benefit ‘What It Means to Love’ Friday, Feb. 20, at Michael’s On East Benefiting Hearts Afire Inc.

Above: Stan Fulton, Sal Biundo, Mario Biundo and Jessica Biundo

Photos by Heather Merriman

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

FAS HI O N STANDOUTS STATEMENT HANDBAGS HEATHER MERRIMAN BLACK TIE EDITOR

ASHLEY KOZEL

N

o matter what the season’s trends, a statement handbag is always in style. Featuring unique shapes, textures and designs, these purses will always catch a fashionista’s eye, likely won’t be very functional (your husband or best girlfriend will probably have to hold onto your lipstick, phone, keys … you get it), and always have a story to tell. Black Tie recently kept an eye out to see what sensational pieces we could find out on the town — here are a few we wouldn’t mind holding onto.

SUSAN JONES Photos by Heather Merriman

Ashley Kozel was decked out from head to toe in Chanel at Asolo Rep’s Starry Night Dinner 3, celebrating the production of “Our Betters” at the home of Mark and Kim Standish.

Dressed for the occasion (the Standishs’ have an incredible pop art collection), Kozel carried this fabulous Chanel bag.

“I fell in love with this bag because it is unique, artistic and quintessentially Chanel. I love the deep black of the shearling contrasted with the pop of vibrant color. It was one of the best pieces from the runway collection and is a very ‘me’ bag.”

Susan Jones was seen at the Corinthian Gala donning her limited edition (one of three) Valentino featuring three little birds at the clasp. Underneath, the feathers start white at the tips, then fade into a dark green, where they are encrusted with black Swarovski crystals.

“It was a gift from my husband. It reminds us of the legendary Hall of Mirrors at Versailles,” Jones says. “On the tables, it has a small bird as the only ornamentation. I love that he bought it as a reminder of some of our most romantic dinners together.”

AMY SUSSMAN

Amy Sussman’s Kate Spade “Flights of Fancy Balloon Bag” was spotted at Orchid Ball.

Sussman says throughout the years, she has become a watcher of Kate Spade’s small, collectible bags.

“Some years ago, I missed its woven Armadillo bag, so I have kept an eye on them since, waiting for a standout,” says Sussman.

She says she found the balloon bag over the holidays and it has attracted quite the attention.

“My son loved it and asked if he could toss it around, my husband didn’t mind holding it at all when we were checking in (at Orchid Ball) and my girlfriends have already put dibs on it for their next events,” she says.

BEHIND THE BAG

Kozel’s 100% CC bag is from Chanel’s Shopping Center Runway Collection. It was shown inside the Chanel baskets on the runway. According to a statement from Chanel, the inspiration recalls the promotional offers in supermarkets. “The Supermarket is an expression of our times, the Pop Art of everyday life,” Karl Lagerfeld said of the 2014 autumn/winter collection.

AIMEE COGAN A Judith Leiber can be spotted from across a ballroom, and when it comes to those iconic whimsical, crystal evening bags, the women of Sarasota have an impressive combined collection.

BT spotted Co-Chair Aimee Cogan with this stunning hand-beaded elephant piece at the Modern Pentathlon Gala.

“This is one of my favorites. It’s good luck when the elephant trunk is up,” says Cogan.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

HER PURPOSE: “I feel like

TIE

together we can rewrite the future of these children.

Some of these kids are destined to go down the wrong path, but with the efforts of our community, we can rewrite their futures. We can’t save everyone, but every child matters and every child deserves a fighting chance.”

BLACK

PEO P LE W IT H PUR POSE KRISTY CAIL

INVOLVED IN NONPROFITS: Nine years CURRENT NONPROFITS INVOLVED IN: Boys and

Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, Children First, Family Promise and Visible Men Academy

HER FAVORITE EVENTS: Children First’s Fairytale Ball, Dreammakers Ball, Girls Inc. Celebration Luncheon, Wine Women & Shoes, Rockin’ Lobster, Key to the Cure and Doc Idol Heather Merriman

K

risty Cail’s involvement with charitable organizations in Sarasota began about nine years ago. Since then, she’s served on committees, chaired eight fundraising events and done everything in between. But, for Cail, her favorite type of work is behind the scenes and the work in which she can involve her children.

MY START was with the Boys

and Girls Clubs. When Tom and I were dating, he was heavily involved with the organization. I also started getting involved with Children First about five years ago. I was introduced to the organization after attending its Flip Flops and Fashion luncheon. The program absolutely moved me.

Hearing Philip Tavil speak was what made me say, “I need to take a tour.” I knew it was for me. I’ve narrowed down the organizations I’m involved with to predominately chil-

dren’s organizations. I feel I can do my most work with the charities for children because that strikes home for me.

I STUMBLED across Family

Promise a year and half ago and started doing meals for the families, who are homeless and move from different churches every couple of weeks to help them get back on their feet.

They have children, often several, and they need good meals cooked and prepared for them.

It’s especially moving for me because I can get my son

involved. He helps me prepare the meals and we have sat and had dinner with the families.

He can’t quite comprehend everything, but he understands why we are doing this — because we are helping another family. He can see that it is just what we do. We help people.

I LOVE all things creative and I

like to make things by myself.

The challenge I love the most with events is “how do we do this for nothing?” Everything I do for events — for décor and auction baskets — comes out of my home. It drives my husband nuts — he’ll come home and I have the auction on my kitchen table and the décor and centerpieces everywhere else.

My focus always is, “How can this look great and how can we do this cheaper?”

MOST RECENTLY, I’ve gotten

involved with the Visible Men Academy, which is an abso-

lutely amazing program. It’s a school in Bradenton providing boys from low-income communities with a high-quality educational experience in a nurturing environment. The school is not just educational, but it teaches manners and love and helps instill a sense of control for the students’ futures.

I found out about the school through one of the founding members, Cindy Day. THERE IS no better purpose

than investing in our children.

Every child deserves to have a chance, the same chance that the rest of our children have.

When I see people like Cindy and Visible Men Academy and Children First and Boys and Girls Clubs spending every waking moment to help these children, it’s moving to see that they believe in them.

I think that is all that kids need — people to believe in them. The confidence build-

ing and love that is shown to these children is so important because a lot of them don’t get that at home.

IN THE beginning, being involved filled a void — it’s hard leaving a job after having children and feeling like you’re still contributing to the community in some way. Now, as a mom, it’s so important to get my children involved.

My hope is that if they see me, they will be involved as well, and it teaches them empathy.

Empathy is something that so many children lack, especially in such an affluent community like the one we live in. I don’t think our children realize that not everyone lives like that.

They don’t understand or aren’t even aware of the real struggles that families face.

That is the most important thing, for my children to see the reality of how the world really is.

Sarasota Concert Association’s Great Performers Series presents

Dresden PhilhArmoniC

Michael Sanderling, conductor Johannes Moser, cello

Sunday, March 1 • 4 p.m. at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

A Sunday afternoon concert for the whole family!

Tickets: $45-75 • Available online

941-225-6500 • www.scasarasota.org Observer YourObserver.com

wusf PublicaMedia

159353

BLACK TIE EDITOR

163979

HEATHER MERRIMAN

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

WILLIAM AND SLOANE BLACK TIE STAFF

W

illiam McComb and Sloane Sapan were set up in college 12 years ago. Fast forward to 2014, and the two were engaged. William proposed to Sloane at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, in Miami, because growing up that is where she always wanted to get married. However, as adults, the couple wanted something much more intimate and that led to deciding to have the celebration at their Siesta Key house, a Sarasota School of Architecture home built in 1955.

The Jan. 3 ceremony took place on a private property on the water on Siesta Key. It was located on Ralph Twitchell’s former property where his house sat before it was deemed unsalvageable and torn down.

The couple wanted a simple ceremony because the property spoke for itself. They only used candles to light the aisle and black ghost chairs as decor.

The ceremony took place at sunset, and, following cocktail hour, guests were treated to a firework sendoff to the reception across the street.

The reception took place at the couple’s own midcentury modern home. They transformed the backyard into a secret garden to accommodate their dream wedding. The bride’s vision for the wedding was magical and the evening’s theme was “one love.” She wanted to focus on setting a mood, and to do that lighting was the priority. Elegant neutral flowers, up lighting, candles and bistro lighting created a glowing ambiance against Venetian mirror tables.

THE DETAILS First dance “One Love” by Bob Marley Photography Tony Gajate Photography Floral design Gourmet Design Cake Gourmet Design Dress Inbal Dror

Tony Gajate Photography

Bill and Elle McComb, William McComb, Sloane Sapan and Dr. Christine and Robert Sapan

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