We have all seen the special State of the Arts license plate that resembles either a wave or a bikini top, you pick. But did you know that when you buy that tag for your car you are putting money directly in to the hands of our local arts groups? That’s right, in addition to regular registration fees you pay an additional $20 and that money goes right back to the county in which the tag was bought for funding of arts organizations. It really is a way to pump additional money right in to the local arts scene. Click here to see how much money is raised.

January 26 & February 3, 4
[ fogartyville music ]

January 26, 27 & 28
[ tippy toes ]

The Sarasota Ballet of Florida presents the Concerto Barocco by George Balanchine and Firebird by Robert de Warren at the FSU Center for Performing Arts.

January 26 - 30
[ you are right sir ]

David Brenner has appeared on the Tonight show 158 times; more than any other guest. This weekend Brenner entertains audiences at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre with just 5 shows. A regular in Vegas, McCurdy’s is the only smaller venue on his schedule and makes this a don’t-miss opportunity. Call for tickets at 941-925-3869 right away.

January 27
[ art therapy ]

The Art of Intimacy.  Registered Art Therapist, Poppy Scheibel, offers this workshop in a creative and safe place for women to explore issues surrounding intimacy.  One need not consider herself an artist; all are welcome at I AM Healing Arts Center for $25 with supplies included. Call 941-927-6797 for info and registration.

Always
[ citizen blogger ]

Or, how about Blogger Man, The Lone Blogger or Super Blogger? Any of these would be a fitting description of Joe Moraca and his info-packed Blogsite. Click here to give it a visit.

The public is invited, free, at 8:00 pm both nights to the Cook Theatre to experience the FSU Conservatory’s production of David Mamet’s American Buffalo. The play is high octane and won the 1976 Obie Award when it ran Off-Broadway starring Al Pacino and William H. Macy. Call 941-351-8000 to reserve your free seats.

January 29
[ free film ]

Free screenings and discussions of the informative film about global warming, An Inconvenient Truth, will be held at 1:00 pm Monday, Jan 29, and at 12:30 pm Thursday, Feb 1, in room 307 of the Library, at Manatee Community College (MCC) Venice, 8000 S. Tamiami Trail. The screenings are scheduled as part of a five-day “Week of Action” that calls upon American and Canadian youth to draw attention to a “Rising to the Climate Challenge: Visions of Our Future” campaign. The screenings are open to the public and more info is available by email at fordd@mccfl.edu.

January 29
[ saxy boots ]

The original yakety-sax man, Boots Randolph, returns to Venice Little Theatre’s Main Stage with his jazz band for two performances - at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 in a show produced by the The VLT Theatre Guild. Tickets are $25.00 and are  available now at the box office, online or by phone at 941-488-1115.

February 2
[ mancini exhibition ]

Imperial Fine Art Gallery welcomes acclaimed Italian artist Alberto Mancini, featuring over 100 new works that have never been seen. You can meet the artist and enjoy his work on February 2 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm; the exhibition runs only through February 18. (editor’s note: We visited Imperial Fine Art and very much enjoyed this exhibition and look forward to meeting the artist and seeing anythingarts.com readers there during the First Friday Walk)

February 3
[ four exhibits in one ]

The Mack B Gallery is hosting four exhibits at the same time, in different galleries. The featured artists are Kevin Costello, Sybille Hotz, Katie Niewodowski and Margaret Murphy-Reed. The opening reception is from 6:00 - 9:00 pm and then on February 10 from 12:00 -2:00 pm Mack B will also feature an Artist’s Talk.

February 11
[ through women’s eyes ]

In support of UNIFEM’s Through Women’s Eyes Film Festival, a special fundraiser reception 5:00 – 7:00 at The Backlot. Come backstage for an advance screening of Gayle Knutsen’s short film "If There Were No Lutherans… Would There Still Be Green JELL-O?" and a clip from the Florida premiere of Beth Murphy’s "Beyond the 11th." Tickets are $50 for this worthy fundraiser. Call 941-284-1027 for details.

Now Playing
[ bruns court flick ]

"The Painted Veil tells a mesmerizing story while honoring all of the classic traditions of superior filmmaking -- a magnificent accomplishment that will haunt you long after it ends." -- Rex Reed, New York Observer Click here to see a clip of this film that is now at Burns Court.

February 3
[ musical experience ]

If you haven’t seen Elysian Sex Drive, then you are missing a great show! The band is full of high energy; great vocals, wild-ass percussion, flaming guitar riffs and flying keyboards. Catch them at Metro Coffee and get ready to rock. (they play for tips only at the Metro, so if you enjoy it, and you will, dig deep)

February 2
[ arts walk on palm and main ]

One of the favorite pastimes of locals and tourists alike is the monthly Palm Avenue Walk and gallery stroll around downtown Sarasota. See you there!

February 2 & 3
[ village of the arts ]

Bradenton’s Village of the Arts has its monthly art walk on Friday night and Saturday morning, so there is no excuse to miss it.

March 2 - 4
[ creative weekend ]

Register now for Florida Creativity Weekend IV and save money!  Check out the site for details on this exciting weekend designed to bring out and enhance the creative spirit in educators, business professionals, non-profit Board members or anyone seeking a more creative and balanced life.

January 28 & 29
auditions

The Manatee Players are holding auditions for GODSPELL on Sunday January 28 and Monday January 29 at 7:00 pm both evenings at Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, 6101 Cortez Road West in Bradenton. Those auditioning should prepare a song in their key and be prepared for any movement portion of the audition that the director may require. The production is slated for March 15 - 18. Call Rick Kerby for details at 941-748-0111.

Spring auditions for the Suncoast Youth Theatre will be Saturday, February 3 at 10:00 at Bee Ridge Park - 4430 S. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota. Auditions are open to middle and high school students.  Students should have a one-minute song and be prepared to learn a short dance routine.  The Suncoast Youth Theatre will produce the stage version of Disney's High School Musical April 13 - 14 at The Backlot.  Tickets on sale now. For more info call 941-228-4521.

playwriting

Robert Macadaeg has a degree in playwriting from Brandeis and is preparing to field beginner and advanced playwriting classes soon. Robert’s work has been produced locally and internationally. If you are interested in details, email here.

February 6
writing workshop

The Paradigm Art Gallery, on Main Street, is offering an eight week creative writing workshop led by Ann Black and based on the model developed more than 20 years ago by Pat Schneider, founder of Amherst Writers and Artists and author of Writing Alone and with Others. The workshop is conducted in a disciplined but non-hierarchical environment and is meant to help writers generate new material, deepen their craft and explore genre, tone, voice, and point of view. Registration is required by calling 941-955-4696 or by visiting the website links above.

and the OSCAR goes to

The nominations are in for the 79th Annual Academy Awards. Click here to see the whole list. My bet for best supporting actor is Jackie Earle Haley from Little Children.