The Banyan Theater Company will close its sixth season with Brian Friel’s Faith Healer. in the Jane B. Cook Theatre at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. As per the press release, here’s a bit about the play: “Frank Hardy (Eric Hissom) is a charismatic Irishman who travels the back roads of Wales peddling his healing miracles. Is he endowed with a unique and awesome gift or is he a con man? This is the question raised by him, his long-suffering wife Grace (Lisa Morgan) and his devoted manager Teddy (Geoffrey Todd). As the three bare their innermost thoughts, they ask provocative questions about whom we trust, what we know and why we believe. Chris Dolman, director of last season’s The Retreat from Moscow, joins the Banyan Theater again to direct Faith Healer.” To purchase tickets, call 941-552-1032 or visit the box office inside the FSU Center lobby.

Florida Studio Theatre presents the 2007 Pulitizer Prize Winner for best drama, Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire. “If there is a way down, there must be a way back up. The Corbetts are a family trying to reconnect in spite of a life-shattering loss that turns their world upside down. Rabbit Hole charts their bittersweet search for comfort in the darkest of places for a path that will lead them back into the light of day.” Call 941-366-9000 for the box office.

It’s A Grind Coffee House is serving up steaming hot acoustic entertainment every Friday and Saturday night. On August 10, its Phil the Hat; Jude Fannely on the 11th; Ryan Newcomb on the 17th and Jim Lemli on the 18th. Music is from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Lite fare served. Located in the Beneva Village Shops at 3482 Clark Road. Call 941-924-7305 for information.

SalOm, is a fusion of the word peace in Arabic (Salaam) and Hebrew (Shalom). Directed by Leymis Bolaños Wilmott, Rachael Inman and Keren Shani-Lifrak. "Salom: Step One", is a collaborative interactive dance-based performance originally conceived by Keren Shani-Lifrak, which was adopted by the Upper Manhattan Arts Project in New York City in 2000. This performance is the culmination of a week long exploration of cultural diversity in which the public is a part of the creative process and ultimately contributes to the structure of the performance. At the Backlot Theater August 11 at 7:00 pm and August 12 at 2:00 pm. Buy tickets on line via SRQBoxOffice.com.

The Peace Education and Action Center will hold its first Community Open House at the Friends Meetinghouse, 3139 57th Street in Sarasota on Sunday, August 12th from 4:00 - 7:00 pm. The Open House will consist of community-building activities, a vegetarian potluck and an introduction to the work of the Peace Center. VegSarasota.com will be partnering with the Peace Center to sponsor this event. All persons interested in learning more about the Peace Center are invited to attend. The Peace Education and Action Center will serve as a resource center for educators, youth and families on topics related to justice, peacemaking, and nonviolence. Call Arlene Sweeting, 941-741-9755 or 941-545-5635.

Cliff Roles hosts Talk of the Sun Coast every weekday from 4:30 to 5:30 pm on WSLR. Cliff always has a great variety of guests including August 10th when he welcomes Jenna Norwoord, producer of Supercharge Me! 30 Days Raw; Adrienne Stein of SNN 6 on the 14th and former prima ballerina Jean Weidner on the 15th.

(photo by Billy Elkins)

The Peter Paul Gallery is exhibiting the work of Gregg Stecker through September 4. Said the press release, “Stecker’s work encompasses both abstract and figurative modes. He is presented by several national galleries and has been published in The Chicago Art Scene, Art Direction and American Artist Magazine. Since the mid-nineties he has worked as a full time fine artist with abstract drawings and semi abstract landscapes from his many travels. His work has been shown and collected both nationally and internationally. “For me, painting is a journey to unexpected places. Places of color, places of humor and places of joy” says Stecker. Gregg resides in Sarasota nine months of the year and summers on his 165 acre rural family retreat in Michigan.” The Peter Paul Gallery is open Monday thru Friday 10:00 – 6:00 pm. Free parking for gallery visitors is available in the historic Mira Mar Plaza garage.

Handz-On at the Ringling Museum. They say, “This family experience employs exciting art making activities to make the Museum’s collections accessible and relevant to children and their families. The program is designed for children ages 5-10 and is included with the price of admission on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. During the month of August, families will investigate Impressionist paintings from the Brooklyn Museum, explore the colors and tools used by Impressionists, and then create their own impressionist-inspired painting.” For more information about each activity please visit www.ringling.org or 941-359-5700.

The artwork of David Edward Byrd in Gallery I at the Ringling College of Art’s Selby Gallery: “The Allman Brothers, Janis Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix, Traffic, the Grateful Dead, the Mothers of Invention, Leon Russell, the Jefferson Airplane, Santana and Elvis Presley are just a few of the bands for whom David Byrd created when he worked with rock impresario, Bill Graham. Since the early seventies the famed artist/illustrator has produced numerous posters for Broadway plays and musicals and has designed sets for major Hollywood productions. The exhibition will present the history of Byrd’s career beginning with his first poster for the Fillmore East Ballroom. A signed poster especially created by David Byrd for this exhibition will be available for purchase. Phone: 941-359-7563 or 941-351-5100 or email. 

Houdini’s Showplace, featuring world-renowned magician Vince Carmen, his wife Yvonne and daughter Erika performing “The Magic of Sarasota,” opens in its new location at the Sarasota Cay Club Marina & Resort, 7150 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. This dinner show attraction is truly designed for audiences of all ages. Houdini’s Showplace is open year-round. The magic begins at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Dinner is served at 7:00 pm along with tableside tricks; and the hour-long stage show begins at 8:00 pm. To purchase tickets, call 941-355-2781.

Embrace the NEW Players Theatre as they create a festival celebrating all things contemporary: music, dance, theatre and fine art with Contempo Fest '07. Conceived and developed by The Players Artistic Director, Jeffery Kin, audiences will experience the Fuzion Dance Artists, Sarasota’s first Contemporary Dance Company; view fine art from the Women’s Contemporary Artists Group; ponder a new play by SNAP! (Something New At Players!) and enjoy the power of composer/polyartist performer Francis Schwartz. For tickets and information call 941-365-2494.

Friday Fest on the Bay at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is on tap for another swinging show. “Suzette Jennings & MoodSwingz” have been entertaining Tampa Bay area audiences for 10 years with an eclectic repertoire ranging from contemporary jazz standards and swing to Motown to good old R&B. Suzette, who hails from Detroit, has been singing professionally since she was 17. She moved to the Tampa Bay area in 1992, bringing her culture, passion and soulful voice with her. Band members include Michael James on drums, Ruthee Losoviz on keyboards, Tito Garcia on guitar, Mike Foley on bass, and special guest, Mike MacArthur, on saxophone. Admission is FREE! For more information please contact the Van Wezel Box Office at 941-953-3368.

Always, Patsy Cline graces the MainStage of the Venice Little Theatre for three performances only. The VLT website says, “One of the best-loved names in country music is the subject of Always, Patsy Cline. A funny and touching tribute, it employs the true story of Cline’s friendship with Houston housewife and avid fan, Louise Seger, to frame the story and the music. Seger acts as the narrator of Cline’s story.” In the role of Patsy is Tamara Sipes. Becky Holahan plays Louise. Holahan and Sipes have been performing this show together since 2004.

The Backlot’s East Village Cabaret, in Lakewood Ranch, welcomes Sing Out Louise, a New York style Broadway sing-a-long. The show is an audience participation favorite; your chance to sing or just listen. Gary Kauffman on piano and tons of hits in the air. One show only. Tickets are $15 by calling 941-363-9300.

August 12 & 13
[ audition ]

Auditions will be held at the Manatee Players for the comedy NOISES OFF on Sunday August 12 and Monday August 13. They are being held at the Riverfront Theatre 102 Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton at 7:00 pm each evening. The play is being directed by Kelly Woodland. The performance dates are October 4 - 21, 2007. Those auditioning do not need to prepare anything in advance. Any questions about auditions should be directed to Rick Kerby at 941-748-0111.

Key Chorale, Sarasota's Symphonic Chorus and Official Chorus of the Florida West Coast Symphony, is holding auditions at Church of the Redeemer, 222 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota, on August 18, 19, 20 and 21. Candidates will be expected to have some choral experience and to sight read a simple piece. Positions in all sections are available, but tenors are especially welcome. For an appointment, call 941-924-0790.

The Schoolbus Theatre Touring Company will hold auditions for Private High on August 19 from 4:30 - 7:00 pm at the Backlot Theater. Bring a monologue and be prepared to do a brief improvisation. They need three women and one man in their twenties and 30's. All need to be able to "play" 28 onstage. Actors should be comfortable with improvisation in addition to working from a script. One woman needs to have a pleasant singing voice preferably with a blues feel. The STTC is a professional non-Equity company. Actors will be paid for rehearsals and performances. Private High will tour to area schools throughout the school year. Actors must be available to perform during the school day on occasion. Performances dates will be announced well in advance so that scheduling arrangements can be made. Contact Donna Gerdes via email for further information.

Gloria Musicae, Sarasota’s premiere all-professional chamber vocal ensemble, announces audition dates for its 2007 – 2008 season. Auditions will be held, by appointment only, Saturday, August 25 & Monday, August 27, between 11:00 am & 5:00 pm both days, at Sarasota’s Church of the Redeemer. Appointments must be made in advance by calling June LeBell, 941-925-3183 or email.

The Banyan Theater Company will hold Equity and non-Equity auditions for its February 2008 show, Yasmina Reza’s “The Unexpected Man,” on Monday, August 27 from 10:00 - 4:00 pm at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Men and women appearing to be in their mid-50s to mid-60s are invited to audition for the play, which will run at the Historic Asolo Theater from February 6 - 9, 2008. Those wishing to audition must schedule an appointment by calling 941-351-1277; prepare a five-minute maximum audition that includes two contrasting pieces; and bring headshots and a resume.

Canon XL2 1/3-Inch 3-CCD Widescreen MiniDV Camcorder with 24P Recording Advanced Optical Image Stabilizer. For information, contact info@anythingarts.com and we will forward your contact information. (first time using contact and information twice in one sentence!) Camera is like new, 2 Batteries (3 & 6 hrs), Charger, Wireless Remote (operates camera), Rear Camera Brackett (for additional wireless equip, etc.), Tripod. $1,500.00 price negotiable.

Information about show times, places and dates is assumed accurate but not guaranteed. Please contact the presenting organization directly, by the link or phone number provided, to confirm information.

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