Ongoing
[ belly dancing ]

Bethsheba of South Florida Belly Dancers asks, “When is the last time you danced with a goddess?” Belly dancing is an ancient art from that requires precision of movement, technique, style and the right attitude. Bethsheba offers classes for all ages to learn the Egyptian Cabaret style of Oriental Dance.

Now Playing
[ burns court ]

At Burns Court: Into Great Silence fits neatly into the sub-category of films that need to be experienced rather than just watched. Over 162 minutes director Philip Groening films a group of monks who dwell in the Carthusian monastery of the Grande Chartreuse in the French Alps. The monks have taken a vow of silence, and live life at such a gentle pace that it took them 13 years to respond to Groening's request to make a film about them. Watch trailer.

June 14, 15 & 16
[ plays at MCC ]

Manatee Community College students will perform a series of short plays in a Monu-Mental production that promises to deliver both whimsy and wisdom at 8:00 pm, June 14, 15 & 16, in the John W. James Studio Theatre, located off 26th Street at 60thAvenue West, MCC Bradenton. Twelve of the plays in MCC’s production of Monu-Mental were commissioned for a festival of new American plays by Actor’s Theatre of Louisville. The production also features five new plays written by MCC students and faculty. Director Dean Anthony said the results will invoke thought, consent, dissent and laughter. Call 941-752-5252.

June 14, 15, 22 & 23
[ acoustic music ]

Live music, coffee and deserts at It’s A Grind at 3482 Clark Rd in the Beneva Village Shops. June 15 catch Skullduggery Band; June 16 Jim Lemli; June 22 Big Ray and on June 23 Doug Spear. Music is from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Call 941-924-7305 for more information.

Opening June 21
[ gator play ]

Alligators, a play by Sarasota playwright Sylvia Reed, will launch Venice Little Theatre’s annual PlayBirth Series, when it opens as a Stage II production in the Pinkerton Theatre. Jay Handelman said, when he directed the play a couple of years ago, "Alligators tells the haunting story of a woman coming to terms with her past. Her memories of the mother who abandoned her, the mysterious one-armed woman who helped to raise her, and the father she never knew provide an often humorous and always moving exploration of the nature of survival and understanding."

June 28
[ opening art reception ]

Celebrate the creativity of Art Center Sarasota’s Member Artists in this multi-media juried exhibition. The galleries will be filled with extraordinary works by over 200 artists representing a wide variety of perspectives, styles, and mediums. Every ACS Member Artist submitting work to this exhibition will have one or more works, never seen before at the Art Center, on display.  This exhibition, coordinated by artist, Daniel Petrov will be juried by Patricia Dabbert, Dabbert Gallery, and Katrina Costedio, Paradigm Art Gallery. Festive opening reception June 28, 2007 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm.

NOW
[ art by dames ]

Twenty-one members of the National League of American Pen Women, Sarasota Branch and of Women Contemporary Artists have joined together to mount a summer exhibition at Unity Gallery, 3023 Proctor Road, Sarasota. Exhibition runs through August 29 during regular business hours. The Great Dames showing their work are all locally based professional artists, including: Kathleen McDonald, Dotty Terry, Marianthe Pastore, Nell Rude, Genevieve Perkins, Bernice Gaines, Catherine Cyrus, Eileen Ocon, Eleanor Merritt, Dorothea Wendlandt, Heide Dettmers, Joan Lyon, Jacquie Clack, Marge Bennett, Carol Doenecke, Margaret Mills, Helene Hirmes, Glad Elias, Barbara Schicitano, Alice Benjamin, Joyce Novak and Rosalie Silver. Media include oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, mixed media and photography. (Painting by Kathleen McDonald Two Fishing Boats, Cove, Ireland)

Every Tuesday
[ jazz on the ranch ]

Wednesdays in June
[ fusion dance workshops ]

Fuzίon Dance Artists, Sarasota’s first contemporary dance company, will be offering dance workshops for all levels throughout the month of June at the Deborah Vinton School of Ballet

Opening June 28
[ banyan theater ]

The Banyan Theater Company will open its 2007 season with Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll House (also know as A Doll’s House). The production will be at the Cook Theatre at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. Call 941-358-5330 for tickets and information.

Always
[ artist renderings ]

James Beath is an artist of exception talent and available to provide artist renderings of your home, business, church, condo or for new construction from plans. Check out his page by clicking here. (if your computer opens his page too small, move your cursor over the photos until an enlarge button appears)

June 29 & 30
[ magical theater ]

Kaleidoscope 2007 presents “Unwritten” each night at 7:00 pm at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. This is a truly touching and entertaining production by Kaleidoscope, a musical theatre workshop for adults and teens with developmental disabilities. When is the last time you took some time and saw something different and touching? Just do it. Tickets are $15 at 941-351-1800.

Susan Doll and David Morrow Florida On Film: The Essential Guide to Sunshine State Cinema and Locations. The authors will be on hand at Sarasota news & Book at 7 Pm for a free discussion and book signing. As SN & B site says, “The Sunshine State has played an indelible role in America’s film and cultural history from the camp horror feature The Creature from the Black Lagoon to the cult classic Scarface. In Florida on Film, Susan Doll and David Morrow discuss more than eighty films shot in Florida, their importance, and each film’s connection with its locale. Cast and credits lists are included, as well as behind-the scenes views and revelations about the filmmakers and stars. Each section concludes with a detailed Movie Tourist's Guide to sites connected to the films.

The Asolo Repertory Theatre is seeking actors, Equity and non-Equity, for its 2007-2008 Season, which performs in rotating repertory from October through June. 2007-2008 Season Information is posted on their website.

Sarasota Film Commissioner Jeanne Corcoran announces that the Film Commission and the EDC are having a photography contest for pros and amateurs alike. The idea is to document all of the great locations in the County for movies, tv shows and such. Full details by clicking here. anythingarts.com will feature the winners in a future issue.