April 6, 2018

On the Scene: Upcoming Events

Earth Day Celebration
The public is invited to an Earth Day celebration April 20 in downtown Sarasota, featuring music, food for purchase, prizes, a tiny home to tour, and a wealth of information on how individuals can help the planet.

The family-friendly festival, co-hosted by the City of Sarasota and Sarasota County Government, runs 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Selby Five Points Park. Residents and downtown employees are encouraged to stop by during their lunch breaks. Free admission; open to the public

The Five Points event will show visitors how to live and work more sustainably, including cutting energy use, exploring nature, carpooling, buying/growing local foods, composting, and more. Visitors can explore a tiny home, view electric vehicles on site, learn about the global Earth Day 2018 theme of ending plastic pollution, and enter a City raffle that will award trees and sustainability-related prizes.

The City of Sarasota also will give away trees at the Newtown Farmers Market on April 20 and through arborday.org/Sarasota on April 23. Learn more at www.scgov.net and www.SarasotaFL.gov.

“Tomorrow’s Voices Today,” a celebration of Key Chorale’s music in education programming
Key Chorale celebrates music in education with its final concert of the season featuring the combined choirs of Booker, Riverview, and Sarasota High Schools performing the best of their repertoire and joining with the members of Key Chorale in a festival chorus of nearly 200 voices. The concert will take place on Friday, April 27th, at 7:30 PM, at the Riverview High School Performing Arts Center, with a reduced ticket price of $10 for the community and $5 for students and their families. For tickets and information, please visit www.keychorale.org.

Manatee Performing Arts Center Announces Opening of 2.5 Minute Ride
Manatee Players’ production will run for 12 performances, April 5–22, in Bradenton Kiwanis Theater.

Author Lisa Kron takes the audience on a ride, relaying the comedy and tragedy of her family and their lives as she clicks through family “slides” and tells the story attached to each.

Construction Rodeo Reaches Hundreds of High School Students

The Gulf Coast Builders Exchange (GCBX) recently held its second annual Construction Rodeo, an event that showcased information on careers in construction to high school students.
In partnership with the Sarasota Technical College and Manatee Technical College, about 300 students from Sarasota and Manatee Counties were bused to the event, which was held March 20 at the Sarasota Technical College. During the four-hour event, more than 35 local businesses, speakers and hands-on demonstrations helped show students the various construction-related career opportunities. Last year, the inaugural community event attracted more than 350 high school students looking to learn about these prospects. More than 20 students were given apprenticeship opportunities or jobs after the event.

Sarasota Contemporary Dance Welcome Home Gathering
On March 27, donors and subscribers to Sarasota Contemporary Dance were invited to a “welcome home” gathering at the Company’s new home studio at 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Suite 300 in the Historic Rosemary District.

Following a reception and tours of the space, guests assembled in the spacious dance studio to hear remarks by Artistic Director Leymis Bolaños Wilmott, view a segment of a dance duet by choreographer Kristin O’ Neal, performed by Melissa Coleman Sperber and Charlotte Johnson, and get a sneak peak of the company’s 2018-19 season, “Rooted.”

Encouraged by board members Jamie Coffey and Michael Marraccini, several donors, including board chair Shane Chalke and his wife Monique, stepped forward to raise over $50,000 for the Studio Fund and performance sponsorship.

Brain Health and Dementia Seminar
Pines of Sarasota Rehabilitation and Senior Care Community will be hosting a free seminar for family members and caregivers to learn more about Dementia and Brain Health from local experts.

Leading local experts will address:
Preventing and Treating Neurologic Decline – Dr. Kinga Porter
Your Personalized Brain Health Guide: Science-Based Nutrition with Proven Results – Dr. Charles Bens

Dr. Kinga Porter focuses on evidence-based Holistic/Alternative medicine while incorporating her Internal Medicine training and Osteopathic background. Dr. Porter attended medical school at LECOM and trained in Internal Medicine at Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center. She now owns her own practice of Integrative and Functional Medicine.

Charles K. Bens, PhD (Nutritional Specialist) Founder/President of Healthy at Work is a wellness education expert focused on improving health from the cellular level. Dr. Bens received his Ph.D. from Clayton College of Natural Health – Holistic Nutrition. Dr. Bens has written 8 books and has received numerous awards and recognition for his work to improve communities, organizations and the health of employees.

April 12, 2018
1:00 p.m.
Pines of Sarasota
Free

Additional information will be available from Pines of Sarasota’s community partners; Brookdale Senior Living, the YMCA, Life Planning Law Firm and Whole Health.
Seating is limited. For reservations, please call Charles Rowley, Business Development Manager 941-356-0901. To schedule an interview with the Seminar’s experts, please call Lisabeth Begin, Publicist 727-243-6965.

Open Houses Scheduled to Reveal Three Design Concepts for The Bay
The Bay and Sasaki seek to gain input to draft a final master plan for the future of the site
Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization and master design and planning firm, Sasaki, will share three design options for the future of The Bay during a series of public open houses on April 17 and 18. The three designs build upon community feedback gathered from both in-person and online surveys in February.

thebaysarasota.org

The purpose of the public open houses is to share the concepts and gather additional input about which aspects appeal to the community in order to prepare one desired master plan. The three designs combine nature and environment, arts and culture, and recreation and boating opportunities – all of which were of utmost importance to the Sarasota community.

“Our goal is to provide a plan that is fiscally feasible, operationally viable, and environmentally sustainable,” said Bill Waddill, Managing Director for The Bay.

The public open houses are open to all and will include design boards of each concept with members of the Sasaki team available to answer questions. There will be no presentation as the set-up is an open house format. The community is invited to attend at any point during the time frames below.

Tuesday, April 17, 2018
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Robert L. Taylor Community Complex
1845 John Rivers Street (Formerly 1845 34th Street)

Wednesday, April 18, 2018
8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Van Wezel Grand Foyer
777 North Tamiami Trail

Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Herald Tribune Community Forum
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Sarasota Orchestra Holley Hall

Similar to the February meetings, an online survey will launch for those who are unable to attend the open houses and will close on April 27, 2018 at 11:59 pm. The survey will be found by visiting www.thebaysarasota.org. The feedback gathered from the community will be presented at the next major community open houses in late May where the design team will use this information in crafting the draft master plan.

Tickets on Sale for Theatre Odyssey’s 2018 Ten-Minute Play Festival

The Festival will be held May 3–6 at the Jane B. Cook Theatre (FSU/Asolo Center for the Performing Arts).
The eight plays selected for the 13th annual festival will be judged by three theatre professionals: Nate Jacobs, Founder and Artistic Director of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe; Julian Olf, a Sarasota-based director and playwright; and Dewey Davis-Thompson, Playwright/Director and regional representative of the Dramatists Guild of America.

     The 2018 plays and playwrights are:

     A Love Story by Dan Higgs
     Bob’s by Fredric Sirasky
     Cliché by Keith Whalen
     Death of Honor by Bernard Yanelli
     Silent Letters by Cece Dwyer
     The Card Game by Michael Bille
     The Hallmark Man by Seva Anthony
     U-Turn by Frank Motz
Also presented will be the winner of Theatre Odyssey’s Student Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival, Too Many Cooks by Luke Valadie.
May 3, 4, 5—7:30 p.m. | May 6—2:00 p.m.
Tickets: Adults: $25; Students: $10

Prominent Voting Rights Activist to Address League of Women Voters
Deirdre Macnab will headline a luncheon Tuesday, April 10.

As a former president of the Florida League of Women Voters, Macnab is widely credited with placing the organization at the forefront of the state’s influential interest groups. Her speech will detail her more recent efforts to take Florida to the number one position in rooftop solar. The local LWV chapter has successfully sponsored creation of one Sarasota-area solar coop and will soon announce a second.

With Macnab’s leadership, LWVFL successfully led the way in pressing the Florida legislature to reinstitute early voting and to protect voters from being purged from the rolls within 90 days of a federal election. The League also championed an aggressive campaign and litigation which limited gerrymandering in the state legislative districts.

The luncheon and speech will be held at Libby’s Cafe, 1917 Osprey Ave. from 11:30 to 1:30.
Reservations available at LWVSRQ.org
Members $30 | Guests $35

Supervisor of elections recruiting poll workers for coming elections
Invites registered voters to attend an orientation session

The Sarasota County elections office is inviting registered voters in the county to become part of its election day team.

Supervisor of Elections Rob Turner said that in preparation for the August 28 Primary and November 6 General Election, his office is now recruiting new poll workers for the coming elections and beyond, and has scheduled the following countywide orientation sessions for anyone who would like to explore the opportunity:

Monday, April 23, 3:30 p.m.
Fruitville Library, 100 Coburn Road, Sarasota 34240

Friday, April 27, 11 a.m.
Jacaranda Library, 4143 Woodmere Park Blvd, Venice 34293

Wednesday, May 2, 2 p.m.
Gulf Gate Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave., Sarasota 34231

Friday, June 22, 11 a.m.
Selby Library, 1331 1st Street, Sarasota 34236

Wednesday, July 11, 3:30 p.m.
North Port Library, 13800 Tamiami Trail, North Port 34287

Wednesday, September 5, 5 p.m.
Fruitville Library, 100 Coburn Road, Sarasota 34240

For more information, contact Pollworker@SarasotaVotes.com or visit www.SarasotaVotes.com.

Sarasota Opera Announces 2018 Season for “HD at the Opera House” and “Classic Movie at the Opera House” Series
The weekly series of filmed performances has allowed Sarasota Opera to expand its programming from the fall and winter season to year-around.
The 2018 “HD at the Opera House” series will open on Sunday, May 20th and run through September 30th and will include presentations of ballet and theater from some of the world’s most famous venues and companies, including the Royal Opera House, Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Royal Shakespeare Company, Vienna State Opera, and the Royal Ballet. Each presentation will begin at 1:30 p.m.
The “Classic Movies at the Opera House”, which debuted in 2017, will occur twice monthly starting Thursday, June 7, and will include timeless films designed to be enjoyed on the big screen in the elegance of the Opera House. Each presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m.

“Metal, Marble & More” Exhibit Opens at Dabbert Gallery
Exhibit opens April 6, 2018 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. 
The exhibit continues through April 30, 2018

Featuring 5 sculptors: Gert Olsen, Candace Knapp, George Paxton, James H Smith & Catherine Hunter
This is a diverse award-winning group for sculptors who work in Marble, Bronze and Wood.
Dabbert Gallery, 46 S. Palm Ave 

Inaugural Sarasota Veg Fest
Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about creating healthy, compassionate, and environmentally sustainable communities through a fun-filled festival at the Sarasota Fairgrounds.
May 5, 2018 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Presented by the Solutionary Events team

Featuring nationally-renowned and local speakers, food preparation demonstrations, vegan food and restaurant booths, live music from a variety of talented musicians, dance performances, eco-friendly vendors & exhibitors, humane education, a veggie kids zone, yoga and fitness classes, film discussions, a veg parade, and more. This event is fun for all ages, genders, and species. The festival is free to attend and parking is also free at the Sarasota Fairgrounds.

Solutionary Events is a 501c3 non-profit educational outreach organization with a mission to create a healthier world through organizing socially responsible plant-based events. The team at Solutionary Events believes that humans have an opportunity and responsibility to transition from being known as a problematic species and become a solutionary species instead.

team@sarasotavegfest.org | www.SarasotaVegFest.org

Doctor Idol: Battle of the Bands
Physician musicians take the stage in support of the Ear Research Foundation, which helps individuals with hearing loss and balance disorders.

Saturday, April 28 | 6-10 p.m. | White Buffalo Saloon (5377 McIntosh Rd., Sarasota)

Bands include Doc and the Ear-iginals, The Grand Poo-Bahs, Good Lovin’ Doctor, NU Jazz, Mid-Life Crisis, The Soul Sensations, Cochlear Connections, and the Dr. Ari Zelig Band. The Master of Ceremonies will be Ray Collins; celebrity judges are WBTT founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs, drummer and music producer Jeff Thal, and Dr. James R. Cocco.

The celebrity judges will pick the winning band based on musical talent, performance, showmanship, and crowd enthusiasm; attendees will determine the Audience Choice Award by purchasing raffle tickets and placing them into the jar of their favorite band.

Major sponsors are the Silverstein Institute, Rooms to Go Foundation, Music Compound, Allergy Associates of Sarasota & Venice, Greystone Health Network, Lerner-Cohen Concierge Medical Practice and Good Lovin’ Doctor: Dr. Robert Koser.

Tickets $50 | earrf.org or (941) 556-4219; tickets will also be available at the door.

SoCo Club Sport Hosts 3rd Annual Sarasota Field Day to Benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast
Last year’s event raised more than $3,000 for the organization.
The annual Sarasota Field Day, held this year on April 28 at Evie’s Tavern on the Range, sees teams of 6-10 join in this one-day, team-oriented event, where adults are encouraged to channel their inner 4th grader. Each team competes for the high score or best time in twelve different events, such as Cherry Pie Hunt, Extreme Team Dash, Rubber Ducky Launch.
Congrats to last year’s top teams: Team “Throw Some Bacon On it” took home the first place trophy. Prizes are also awarded to 2nd and 3rd place as well as for the Most Spirited Team and the Charity Challenge (TWU – raising $819!!). Overall, $2428 was raised to through the Charity Challenge and $658 through alcohol sales, benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast a total of $3068.

Manatee Performing Arts Center Announces Opening of The Long Reunion

May 24–27
Bradenton Kiwanis Theater
Rating: G

The show was written by internationally produced, award-winning playwright Jack Gilhooley, who resides in Manatee County. The Long Reunion humorously addresses the issue of rising tides as witnessed by three Manatee High School graduates over the course of four decades.
Gilhooley contends that his inspiration for the play emanated from a visit to Miami Beach when he witnessed fish swimming down Collins Avenue after a heavy rainstorm. “I knew then that there was a play in me about rising tides.”
Mark Woodland, Director

Performance Dates and Times
Thursday, May 24, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 25, 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 26, 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 27, 2 p.m.

Tickets $26 (fees may apply). Student and teacher discounts are available. Group rates are available.
Tickets can be purchased at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Avenue W, Bradenton,
by phone (941) 748-5875 or online at www.ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com.
Box Office hours:
Tuesday–Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.