We told you about the David Byrd exhibit at the Selby Gallery, on the campus of the Ringling College of Art & Design, in a previous issue of AnythingArts.com. There is a reception tonight at 5:30 pm; followed by a presentation at 7:00 pm. The exhibit runs through September 29. For those who need a refresher: 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, Zappa and The Mothers of Invention, Leon Russell, Jefferson Airplane, Santana and Elvis Presley are just a few of the bands for whom David Byrd created.” Phone: 941-359-7563 or 941-351-5100 or email.

At McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre this weekend, catch Louis Johnson and Jaylyn Bishop on stage and funny. Johnson has appeared on Comedy Central, BET, A & E and won Showtime’s Funniest Person in America contest. Jaylyn is a regular on Comic View, MTV and a the host of ManiaTV.com. For ticket and information call 941-925-3869.

Greene Contemporary, a gallery on Palm Avenue, is exhibiting the work of Nicole Mauser and Jeffrey Schwartz. Mauser, a Ringling grad, is showing her work in a collection entitled Second Adolescence. Schwartz’s exhibit is called Imperfect Thirst. A preview of the dual-solo exhibit is Friday from 6:00 - 9:00 pm during the Palm Avenue Walk. Then on Saturday, the 8th, the artists will speak from Noon - 1:00. (work at right by Schwartz)

September 8
[ east village cabaret ]

Steve McAllister will perform two shows at The East Village Cabaret in Lakewood Ranch. Coinciding with the 50th Anniversary of the publication of Jack Kerouac's "On the Road", Steve will perform original songs and tell tales of his own hitchhiking adventures, as chronicled in his latest book "The Rucksack Letters". Shows are at 7:30 and 9:00 pm. For information and tickets call 941-363-9300. (editors note: if you haven’t been to the East Village Cabaret you should know that it is really a great looking, comfortable and intimate venue offering all kinds of performance. Go.)

During September, area museums will be featuring a special 2-for-1 offer on admission for Florida residents during the 30 Days of Discovery. Participating venues include Selby Gardens, Crowley Museum and Nature Center, Mote Aquarium, Historic Spanish Point, the Ringling Museum, G-Wiz and the South Florida Museum. This is a great opportunity to take the whole family out for a fun and educational day. Click here for links to all of these great places.

The GAP School in Sarasota is helping kids become artists. Student artwork is currently on display at the Rosemary Birthing Center; as part of a traveling exhibit. The purpose of the Traveling Art Gallery is to raise awareness in the local community about learning disabilities and gifted education and it is also a fundraiser for a The GAP School scholarship program. The Gallery demonstrates color and spirit from children who would not otherwise be expected to perform so creatively. A donation made by Sam Schneider, from Vista System in Sarasota, has enabled the GAP School to offer its Friday Arts Academy that includes art classes, as well as, food prep, music training and martial arts. To purchase a poster quality piece of artwork, contact The GAP School at amy@thegapschool.org or 941-924-6373. See all the different work by clicking here and consider hosting the Traveling Art Gallery at your business.

As part of Sustainability Month at Selby Public Library, they are screening Who Killed the Electric Car at 10:00 am. For more information contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask about the Electric Car Documentary at Selby Public Library. Watch the trailer. 

WSLR and Sarasota Indy Media join forces to screen a new documentary called WAR MADE EASY (click to see trailer). The film, narrated by Sean Penn, analyzes the strategies used by both Republican and Democratic administrations to support their agendas from Viet Nam to Iraq. The show starts at 9:11 pm at Big E’s Café. Free with donations appreciated. For more information, 941-894-6469.
 

Art Center Sarasota announces Seeing god, an open juried exhibition. Artists from around the State and Art Center Sarasota members were invited to explore individual interpretations of spirituality and “give form to the divine.” The artworks on display will range from playful to portentous and are sure to transcend stereotypical perspectives. This multi-media exhibition will include photography, sculpture, paintings, drawings and video installations. Running concurrently is a presentation of Ki Woon Huh Ceramics. Huh, a world renowned Master Potter from South Korea, blends earth and art in his large and small scale hand thrown and sculpted pieces.

The Englewood Art Center’s Artist of the Month is Cris Anderson. Cris has studied fine art and oil painting for the past 15 years from several prominent local artists, including Cindy Reynolds, Ed Gilmore and Nancy Colby. She has also studied painting and drawing at Manatee Community College where she received her degree in computer science and graphic design. Her work has been displayed at Manatee Community College, Englewood Art Center, Tarpon Coast Bank and local churches. Many of her purchased paintings are scattered throughout the country. Cris' paintings are largely executed in oil on canvas; however, she also enjoys working with many other mediums.

Silas Durocher has created music that is rhythmically vibrant and rich in melody and soul. At this opening event of New Music New College, Durocher will play guitar and sing and will be joined by the Florida West Coast Symphony’s John Miller (upright bass), Bharat Chandra (clarinet) and Sasha von Dassow (cello). Also performing will be drummer Devin Neel. The cabaret setting includes general admission table seating, complimentary refreshments and a cash wine bar. The cost is $10 per performance or $35 for the five event series. Listen. (hit play arrow)

The Betty Comora Quartet kick’s off the Jazz Club Sarasota’s weekly Jazz at Two concert series, presented at the Bayfront Community Center. All performances are from 2:00 – 4:00 pm, indoors, and will present a variety of bands over the coming weeks. Call the Jazz Club for info at 941-366-1552.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and MyGreenBuildings are cosponsoring an all-day event called Make it Green. The seminar is designed to clarify the definition of the term green and to inform homeowners and others about the rapidly expanding array of green products and efficient home and garden-related systems available. Participants will learn how to reduce environmental impact on our community and the world and ways to save money and live more healthy lives. For further information contact Donna Krabill at 941-366-5731, x 237.

The Venice Little Theatre brings the classic Streetcar Named Desire to the stage in October for just three weeks. Tickets are on sale now and going fast. VLT says, “Williams set Streetcar in New Orleans very purposefully, as it was widely seen as a city of seething sexuality, passion and seduction; the play’s disturbing sexual messages were both more palatable and more apparent in that setting.” And don’t forget about The Big Bang opening tomorrow night. Heck, just go to the website and check out all that is going on at VLT!

The Glenridge Players are holding auditions for Plaza Suite on September 9 at 2:00 pm. The production will run October 26, 27, 28 & November 2 and 3. Plaza Suite consists of three individual acts and will utilize three different directors. For further details on the auditions call 941-552-5325.

Arts Day has become so successful that it will now be an entire arts weekend January 11 - 13, 2008. There are all kinds of events, exhibits and performances planned. If you want to participate the deadline for submission is September 17. Click here for information and contact numbers.

The Manatee Players are auditioning performers for the Broadway musical SWING. Auditions are September 9 & 10 at 7:00 pm each evening. Performers are asked to come prepared to sing and dance something swing-style; an accompanist will be provided. Call Rick Kerby for more information at 941-748-0111.

Share your art talent and expertise with the students at The Preschool at Forty Carrots Family Center. Because young children explore the world through their senses, art is an essential component of the preschool experience. As a means to elevate the experience, Forty Carrots is reaching out to the community and inviting area artists to the classroom. Students ages 3 - 5 will explore and discover the beauty in classic art and the work of local artists. Interested? Call Sonia Azar or Leah Hutchinson at Forty Carrots Family Center 941-365-7716. Share your art talent with future artists and inspire a child today!

[ adobe photoshop classes ]

The Digital Technology Centre is putting on several one-day workshops for beginners, intermediate and advanced users of Photoshop CS3. There is also a class specifically for photographers. The instructor is Certified Photoshop Expert Chuck Vosburgh.

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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