[ your story here ]

Want news about your event to show up in the next issue of anythingarts.com? Great! We are getting a ton of submissions now and, frankly, some look more like 5,000 word essays. We get dozens every week and have to choose just a fraction. So, here’s what you can do to help us and help your chances of getting in. Write something that resembles the size, layout and information contained in the stories in this issue. Include a good quality jpeg photo attachment (that you have the rights to use) and supply us with links to your event website. We can’t get every submission in or this thing would be too big and you’d all stop reading before you got through it. But we will try to present as much as possible and continue to publish a diverse sampling of local events. Heck, make it really easy for us and we may just copy and paste your submission right in to the issue! Thanks for reading and please, please, please forward this issue to everyone you know and help us spread the word.

May 4
[ gallery show ]

During the May First Friday Gallery  Walk, from 6:00 - 9:00 pm, M Gallery of Fine Art is presenting a Three Man Show featuring the works of Bill Farnsworth, Dominic Avant and Hodges Soileau. (painting by Dominic Avant)

May 4 & 5
[ book signings ]

Be sure to visit the Village Voices Gallery in Bradenton’s Village of the Arts on Friday from 6:00 - 9:00 pm to see Patty Crismikal, author of Know When To Leave ‘Em. Then on Saturday from 11:00 - 1:00 pm see Gene Dominick and I Remember the Yorktown and from 1:00 - 3:00 pm it’s Mike Wall and The Gatherers. For info and more click here.

May 5
[ special film ]

In support of the Sarasota-Manatee United Nations of America Chapter's "Liberian Adopt-A-School for Girls Project," the local chapter of UNIFEM/USA is presenting Liberia A Fragile Peace at 3:00 pm at the Backlot. The film chronicles the recent history of Liberia; a country with 75 % unemployment and virtually no electricity.

The Fogartyville Café is serving up some fantastic live music! On May 5 catch Jonathan Byrd and his southern styling. Then on May 10, direct from the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival it’s Kevin Gordon. Tickets are cheaper in advance than at the door by calling 941-741-9755. Both shows benefit WSLR 96.5 our community grassroots radio station and the home of the Talk of the Suncoast with Cliff Roles every weekday from 2:00 - 3:00 pm.

The New Artists Piano Quartet (violin, viola, cello and piano) is one of the four resident ensembles of the Florida West Coast Symphony. Their final performance of the season is Sunday at 4:00 pm at the First Methodist Church at 603 11th Street West in Bradenton. Call 941-747-4406 for info.

The FSU Asolo Conservatory students are presenting the Second Annual 10 Minute Play Festival at 7:00 pm and it is FREE! The production showcases the actors of the Conservatory and a series of plays by FSU students here and in Tallahhaasseessee, or however it is spelled. While it is free, seats go quickly on a first-come basis so call 941-351-8000 to reserve a place or take your chances at the door.

The Players Theatre welcomes Festival Latino 2007. This is the seventh year of the annual event highlighting Latino culture and music. Get tickets via the Players Box  Office here.

Art Center Sarasota presents the Fourth Annual Florida Photography Juried Exhibition called The Fine Art of Photography. The exhibition runs through June 16 but you can also come to a special reception May 17 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Say cheese and crackers!

The Venice Little Theatre presents Over the Tavern by Tom Dudzick. The play is about growing up Catholic through the eyes of a twelve year old boy (I think it is some kind of divine test to see if I can write this without commenting on the subject of the play; I think I passed) Call 941-488-1115 or go to the website for tickets.

The Friday Fest on the Bay returns to the Van Wezel with Jose Valentino and his jazz band. The free, outdoor, concert is from 5:00 - 9:00 pm.

The New Gate School presents The Burning Rice Fields at the Players Theatre at 7:00 pm. The opera is based on a story about a Japanese fishing village and how an old woman regains her sense of purpose in life. Call 941-922-4949.

Ringmaster Needed

Want to run away and join Circus Sarasota? They are looking for a Ring Master for the February 1-24, 2008 season. Contact Pedro Reis at 941-355-9335 for audition details.