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Featured Artist

In this issue, we don’t have a specific Featured Artist because “it’s all about you” and we want to tell you how we will soon feature ALL ARTISTS. On March 6, AnythingArts.com will debut a brand new companion website to our newsletters. The new site will contain tons of information and provide exposure for artists of all media. We are offering free web pages to artists, actors, photographers, writers, etc. The page contains your photos, your biography of up to 500 words and your full contact information including a link to your website. Check out the samples: Artist Page, Actor Page, Photographer Page – and then send us YOUR information and photos! (The fine print: there is none!)

Editor’s Note: If you like what you see in our Manatee Edition of the AnythingArts.com newsletter, remember we’re still in the experimental stage. We need your help to spread the word, so please forward this issue to everyone you know and encourage them to sign up. We also need advertisers! With our low rates, we’re perfect for individuals and companies who need advertising. Check out our rates here. Finally, don’t forget to send your press releases to Kelly so your events can appear in future issues!  (click here to nominate our next artist)

Manatee Community College (MCC) Studio 84 Productions combines comedy, drama and music for a thought-provoking and entertaining look at ethics in today’s America in “Morality Made Easy.” The collection of four one-act plays and musical numbers will be performed in the Chamber Theatre, room 123 of building 11, located to the right of the main entrance to Neel Performing Arts Center off 26th Street at 60th Avenue West (got that?). Show times/tickets: 941-752-5252.

The Ruskin Family Drive-In Theatre, 5011 U.S. Hwy 41 North in Ruskin, has been keeping the art of the drive-in movie theatre alive since 1952. Catch “The Spiderwick Chronicles” at 7:30 pm and “Cloverfield” at 9:05 pm. Box office opens at 7:00 pm; admission is $4.50 per person (children eight years old and younger are free with their own parents) and includes both movies. You can even take your dogs as long as you keep them on leashes. Cash only; take enough for concessions, you’ll want one of everything because they’re so inexpensive. Phone 813-645-1455 for more information.

Village of the Arts hosts its 2nd annual Black History Celebration from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. This family-friendly street festival promises musicians and dancers on multiple stages, scrumptious soul food, art and camaraderie. Scheduled to appear on the soundstages: Barbara Lane, jazz singer; Fuzion Dance; Voices of Grace Choir; Orton Graves, drummer; Pastor Kevin Washington & his band; Karen Christmas; Manatee School for the Arts; Everyone Owns The Right; Spats Cats; D.J. Alex; and many more. No admission charge! More info: 941-746-9228.

The Sarasota Soul Sensations, top jazz and R&B musicians, perform scintillating selections from the Motown Era, the Sound of Philadelphia, and other nostalgic tunes filled with unique harmonies and intoxicating rhythms. 8:00 pm at the East Village Cabaret, 6265 Lake Osprey Drive in Lakewood Ranch. Tickets: 941-373-3933 or click here.

Village Voices, 1010 10th Avenue West in the Village of the Arts, hosts Judith Goode from noon – 3:00 pm on February 16. She’ll be signing “God + Work = Success” and “From Law to Disorder.” Mike Wall will sign “The Gatherers” and “The Enigma” from noon – 2:00 pm on February 23. Call 941-748-6865 for more information.

Ride the exhibits at the Florida Railroad Museum, 12210 83rd Sreet East in Parrish. Steam engine No. 75 is back for a limited time – see the belching black smoke, hear the hissing of steam, smell the embers, feel the power as it takes you on a journey back in time. Train departs four times each weekend day. For added fun, the train will be robbed on February 16 and 17. Click here for times and tickets, or call 877-869-0800.

The Village Bookshop will host the Florida Bibliophile Society from 1:30 – 3:00 pm. Doug Knowlton will make a brief presentation on the history of poetry publishing in the United States. Please R.S.V.P. or call 941-720-2775.

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ArtCenter Manatee features a demonstration by renowned artist Rob Liberace from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Rob is an internationally acclaimed portrait artist who has been commissioned by Marc Pachter, George H. Bush, and Dr. and Ambassador Sol Linowitz. His light banter will entertain you as his portraits come to life during the demonstration. Cost is $5. Call 941-746-2862 for reservations.

ArtCenter Manatee presents its 16th annual Jazzy Ladies Wearable Art fashion show and luncheon from 11:30 am – 2:00 pm at IMG Academy Golf & Country Club, 4350 El Conquistador Parkway. Fashions by Hearts Desire Clothing, accessories created by local artists, great music, fabulous food, silent auction and a Chinese raffle. $35 per person. All proceeds benefit art outreach and education at ArtCenter Manatee. Reservations: 941-746-2862.

The Sarasota Reading Festival presents Tracy Chevalier: Discovering Stories in Art at 5:30 pm in the Historic Asolo Theater. Author of “Girl With a Pearl Earring,” Tracy’s latest novel, “Burning Bright,” finds inspiration in the works of the radical 18th-century poet-painter William Blake. Join her for an in-depth conversation exploring the mysteries of inspiration, the rigors of creation, and the intrigues of interpretation. A book signing reception follows the program. Tickets ($40 per person or $70 per couple, includes one copy of “Burning Bright”) and information: 941-360-7399.

Brendan Nolan's rich Irish voice and way with words will make real the pain, the joy, the humor, the triumph, the sadness and the longing as he sings songs from the old-country at the East Village Cabaret, 6265 Lake Osprey Drive in Lakewood Ranch. 8:00 pm show time. Tickets: 941-373-3933.

On exhibit in the South Florida Museum's East Gallery, “John J. Audubon: Birds of Florida” is a selection of original double elephant folio prints of Florida birds painted by Audubon during his Florida travels. The name Audubon is synonymous with the study and preservation of American wildlife. His masterpiece, The Birds of America, and his lifetime of written journals stand as an unsurpassed contribution to the world of fine art, natural science, American history and literature. 201 10th Street West in Bradenton; phone 941-746-4131.

Plan now to attend the 16th annual Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts at SouthShore Community Park. Manatee, as they call it, features a wide variety of media from painting and sculpture to woodcarvings and jewelry. The Festival also features live music and culinary arts demonstrations by top Bay Area chefs. If this isn’t enough, you can catch a free shuttle to the TECO Manatee Viewing Center to catch a glimpse of some sea cows. A portion of the proceeds from the Festival go to benefit research and preservation of the West Indian Manatee. Hours: March 8 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, March 9 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

The film commission of Florida’s Gulf Islands is seeking people and locations that would be helpful to production companies shooting movies, videos and catalogs in Manatee County. Hair and make up artists, prop builders, caterers, camera operators, owners of film-friendly properties – whatever! – we would like to have you in our database. Please, no actors or extras at this time. Submit your information here.

THIS JUST IN: The film commission is working with the location manager of linensource to find a “Key West-type home, think Jimmy Buffett meets Tommy Bahama,” for a catalog shoot the first week of March. The home does not need to be on the water. They need either a suitable bedroom or living room. If you think you may have the perfect spot, please e-mail photos here or phone the film commissioner at 941-358-8998 on or before Monday, February 18.

Manatee Players will be auditioning for the musical “Ragtime” beginning at 7:00 pm at the theatre, 102 12th Street West. Those auditioning must come prepared with a song in their key. Comfortable clothes and appropriate footwear are recommended for the movement portion of the audition. For more information, call Rick Kerby at 941-748-0111.

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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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