Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning Announces 2024 Season

November 27, 2023 – Sarasota

2024 marks the 53^rd anniversary of Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning’s (SILL) “Global Issues” series. This hard-hitting series, which runs January 9-March 29, features 24 internationally renowned experts discussing a vast range of domestic and global issues. The lectures are presented on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Sarasota; Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. at the Venice Community Center in Venice; and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. and Thursdays at 5 p.m. at the Cornerstone Church in Lakewood Ranch. Lectures will also be available for purchase on video. The 2024 season also features the popular “Music Mondays” series, which presents performances and lively conversations with renowned and emerging performers, January 8-March 25, on Mondays at 10:30 a.m. at Church of the Palms in Sarasota; and Mondays at 3 p.m. at Venice Presbyterian Church in Venice.

Bob Deutsch, SILL’s president, says that he’s looking forward to SILL’s 2024 season. “We have again assembled programs for Music Mondays and Global Issues that will spice up your Sarasota winter and give you plenty to think and talk about. Our Global Issues series continues to offer a broad overview of today’s complex world through non-partisan, expert-based, factual lectures. Nothing has been more present in the recent press than the situation in Israel and Gaza and I’m looking forward to hearing Amb. Dennis Ross in February. His long experience with the peace process will have him sharing deep insights into the Gaza War and prospects for peace and stability in the region.” Deutsch adds that GI speakers returning to Sarasota on popular demand include: General Russel Honore, who organized the Hurricane Katrina relief effort, will speak about the increase in domestic violence; Sarasota native Nolan Peterson will return to give an update on events in Ukraine; and Martin Walker and Bob Barylski will review the EU and Russia. New to SILL this year are Charlayne Hunter-Gault speaking about optimism and hope in troubled times; Dr. Shelley Rigger discussing Taiwan; Amb. Eric Rubin reviewing the Balkans; and Roya Hakakian with an overview of women in Iran. Other speakers will address such important topics shaping our future as nuclear energy, climate adaptation, and artificial intelligence. “These are among the outstanding group of speakers assembled by our Global Issues program committee led by Beth Cotner,” says Deutsch.

Joseph Holt, the producer and host of the Music Mondays series, says that this year’s Music Mondays series features a “balance between popular and classical music, particularly with the artistry of local pianist Eddie Tobin, former music director for Engelbert Humperdinck, as well as jazz sensation Colin Leonard, a third-year student at the famed Oberlin Conservatory of Music. We continue to feature star musicians from local ensembles and this year and I’m delighted that cellists Natalie Helm and Cheeko Matsusaka from Sarasota Orchestra will join us and discuss their work with nonprofit organizations in the area. Pianist Jonathan Mamora, recent winner of the Olga Kern International Piano Competition, will delight us with his pianistic prowess, and string lovers will be in heaven with the artistry of Ariana Kim and a star-studded sextet of musicians from the Curtis Institute of Music. Rounding out the season are a trio of emerging Latin American singers who are taking the world by storm. Ricardo José Rivera, performing with the Sarasota Opera this coming season, is joined with his wife Carmenchú Domínguez in a special duo session and Larisa Martínez, soprano, has one of the sultriest voices on the planet. Along with my co-host, Betsy Traba, we hope you will join us on our journey this season.”

Season subscriptions for the Global Issues are available for purchase now for $110 for 12 sessions. Single-day tickets for all programs are available at the door and are $15. Multiple subscription and flex pack options are also available. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit SillSarasota.org or call 941-365-6404.