Do you do something, anything, that would be helpful to a production company shooting a movie in Sarasota County? Make-up, camera operator, driver, food service, stitcher, massage, whatever- the Sarasota County Film & Entertainment Office wants you in the Production Directory. You’ll be listed on-line and, if you act in the next week, you’ll be included in the hardcopy of the Directory. Click here right now and get the word out on your service and skills!

The Hotel Indigo, on 41 in Sarasota - a little north of Fruitville, has a great Happy Hour every Friday from 3:30 – 7:00 pm. The tropical lounge serves up 2-4-1 drinks, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and the fantastic blues guitar and vocals of Herman Anderson.

The Arts Day Master Schedule, downloadable at the Arts Council site and all over the place this weekend, incorrectly states the time and place of the performance by the Sarasota Jewish Chorale. The CORRECT time is 4:15 pm and the CORRECT place is in the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church. (it is NOT at 1:30 in the chapel as printed)

The stunning photography of Donna Des Isles, “Echoes of Light,” is on display at the Drunken Poet Café (1572 Main Street, Sarasota). Donna shoots natural scenes of refracted and reflected light on water and other surfaces. The result is fascinating abstract art. The Drunken Poet Café is a Thai bistro and sushi bar and supports local artist in this way. If you get a chance, check it out.

Asolo Repertory Theatre presents the United States premiere of The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead, a new, hit play by Australian playwright Robert Hewett. This one-woman tour de force performance explores multiple perspectives on love, adultery, anger, greed, peace, and the power of forgiveness. Humor and pathos are discovered as the play’s central event, and its consequences are revealed by various characters. The audience is forced to question if there is such a thing as absolute truth or whether everything they think they know as fact is really just a matter of perception. (This story is excerpted from the press release provided by the Asolo Rep and reproduced due to tired fingers and no more time)

The hilarious Florida Studio Improv Troupe will be making audiences pee in their pants this weekend at two Arts Weekend events! First, The Improv gang will be at Arts Night (see poster at the bottom of this newsletter) where they tackle a new set that includes five connected rooms of "their home" on stage. Then on Sunday, at Arts Day, the gang perform 4 times, beginning at noon-thirty, in the FST Cabaret. This is always a crowd favorite and with 10,000 people expected at Arts Day and a 100 seat cabaret, well, do the math and get there early.

The first annual Village of the Arts Studio Tour (VAST) welcomes the public to experience over 20 working studios for exhibits and demonstrations Friday and Saturday from noon – 3:00 pm. Call 941-447-3795. (pictured: Gordon Turner, Boabab Tree Gallery) 

Arts Day is probably the largest single-day event in the area dedicated to the arts. This year Arts Day is Arts THREE DAYS. There is something going on all weekend with the traditional Arts Day on Sunday. For all of the details on each element of this not-to-miss weekend, click here. 

If you have lived in Sarasota any time at all, you have heard the name Syd Solomon dropped as a great local artist. Now is the chance to see Solomon’s work at Greene Contemporary, beginning with the opening reception Friday the 11th from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. See works from Solomon’s private collection that have not been previously exhibited and learn about his fascinating life and career, for example: In 1966, the Ringling Museum acquired a Solomon as its first purchase of a living artist's work. The painting was titled by Jacques Cousteau who, when he visited Solomon's Sarasota studio in 1961, marveled at how much the image reminded him of the underworld of the sea. Cousteau looked at the painting and said ‘That is the Silent World.’. Call 941-365-9406.

State of the Arts Gallery is exhibiting Technicolor: Abstractions in Color at their studio at 1525 State Street, Sarasota. Opening reception is Friday January 11 from 5:00 - 9:00 pm. Call 941-955-2787 for more information.

The photography of Charles Reich is on display at Mack B Gallery. The exhibit, “NYC: Above & Below” treats viewers to the textures of NYC through photos, subway sounds and other mixed media elements. 

“Sing Out Louise,” is the areas only sing-a-long with Gary Kauffman on piano and Rochelle Seldin leading the audience with favorites from Broadway and beyond. Doors open at 6:30 pm and singing starts at 7:00 pm at the East Village Cabaret (Lakewood Ranch). $10 cover. Call 941-373-3933 or buy tickets in advance here.

Bob Zimmerman’s Big Band gets you moving at the Elks Club (3400 N. Lockwood Ridge Rd., Sarasota) from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. $10 cover includes coffee/tea and cookies- oh, the good ‘ol days! Call 941-378-5166 for details. Check out the lead singer's site here. 

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks will open The Palm Literary Society’s 2008 series at Michael’s On East at 11:30 am. Brooks’ new novel, People of the Book, is “…an intricate, ambitious novel that traces the journey of a rare illuminated Hebrew manuscript from convivencia Spain to the ruins of Sarajevo, from the Silver Age of Venice to the sunburned rock faces of northern Australia. Inspired by the true story of a mysterious codex known as the Sarajevo Haggadah, People of the Book is a sweeping adventure through five centuries of history. From its creation in Muslim-ruled, medieval Spain, the illuminated manuscript makes a series of perilous journeys: through Inquisition-era Venice, fin-de-siecle Vienna, and the Nazi sacking of Sarajevo.” (from the author’s website) Check out future author/speakers by clicking here. For more information contact Christa Southgate at 941-329-2604 

Backstage Onstage at the Historic Asolo Theater presents Music and The Harlem Renaissance, hosted by June LeBell and featuring guest speakers/artists like Dick Hyman, at 10:00 am. Tickets are $20 and $18 for Ringling members. Call 941-360-7399 for more information.  

The Selby Library presents “Two Men Reading” with authors Wayne Barcomb and John Jakes at 4:00 pm. The men will read a condensed version of Mitch Albom’s “Tuesdays with Morrie." Barcomb is the author of five novels and theater critic for the Pelican Press. John Jakes is the author of 17 consecutive New York Times Bestsellers including the Kent Family Chronicles, The North & South Trilogy and, his most recent, The Gods of Newport. For more information call 941-861-5000.

Last year Home Resource, the contemporary furniture showroom in Sarasota, staged a couple of theatrical productions right in their showroom. The furniture serves as the seating and the proximity to the actors is unique. It has become a popular phenomenon amongst theater goers and continues with “A Taste of Chekov”- excerpts from 4 plays by Chekov; The Cherry Orchard, The Seagull, The Three Sisters and Uncle Vanya. Directed by Louise Stinespring, the performances typically play to capacity audiences. For tickets and information click here.

The Powel Crosley Theatre will present Poe at the Crosley at the historic Powel Crosley Estate, One Seagate Drive at 8374 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. During this unique interactive theatre offering, patrons are greeted by characters including the ‘master of the macabre’ Edgar Allan Poe (Tom Laitinen), Edwin Booth (John Devennie), Margaret Fuller (Jaye Annette Sheldon) and George Sand (Catherine White). Audience members move from room to room in the mansion to experience eerie presentations. Call 941-722-3244. 

Art Center Sarasota has a full pallet of sculpture for you to experience this month. In Gallery #1: The Sculptors Among Us pays tribute to renowned locals like Dennis Kowal, Jorge Blanco, Christine Desiree, Malcolm Robertson Jack Dowd and Bruce White. In Gallery #2: The Black Muse 2008 - The Association for the Study of African American Life and History features the works of Eleanor Merritt, Gale Fulton Ross, Greg Rumph, and Jackie Peter Cully. Gallery #3 has the sculptures of Julia Hyman and Gallery #4 has a juried exhibit of sculptors for the area and around the state called Object of Touch. An opening reception is scheduled for January 17 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Call 941-366-2032. Photo Credit: Julia Hyman “Avocado". Courtesy of the artist.

New Music New College presents “Digits” with pianist Kathleen Supove. The concert is on the 19th at 8:00 pm at the Sainer Pavilion on the New College Campus; tickets $10. On Friday the 18th at 3:00 pm, there is a gratis lecture/demonstration. Says the press release, “Kathleen Supové is one of America’s most accomplished champions of contemporary music. Her concerts are a multimedia experience using electronics, theatrical elements, vocal rants, performance art, staging and collaboration with artists from other disciplines. In addition to her compelling virtuosity, she is also known for breaking the wall between performer and audience. Playing before a sell-out New College crowd in 2002, Supové won a thunderous ovation”. Call 941-487-4155 for tickets and information.  

Live at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre it’s ANT – the celebrity judge on Last Comic Standing and a regular on the Tonight Show and Tyra Banks. Tyra Banks show, really? Anyway, tickets are on sale now at 941-925-FUNY. (Ant's website) Later in the month see the hilarious Tracy Morgan of 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live alum. 

Did you go to a NYC public college or community college? This is for you; CUNY Alumni of SW Florida presents Don Crabb, author and composer of “Best Seller” - a musical about NYC and winner of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Worldwide Competition for New Musicals. Hear some of this new musical before its debut at the Manatee Players. Call Rochelle Youngleman at 941-462-1167 for details. Event is at The Meadows Country Club from 11:30 – 2:30 pm and the invitation says “no jeans or shorts.” Guess I can’t go.

January 24
[ peppi ]

Join artist Peppi Elona at the Venice Art Center or “Origyn: Homage to Womanhood”- an intimate conversation about her art and artistic evolution. Call 941-485-7136 for more information. (“Keeper of the Sun and Moon” Oil on Canvas, 72”x60”)

Sarasota Ballet performs Ashton’s “Façade," Brintley’s “Scottish Dance” and MacMillan’s “Las Hermanas” at the FSU Center for Performing Arts. “Las Hermanas” is based on Frederico Lorca’s The House of Bernada Alba which received both a local staged reading and a full production in the past year. This is an excellent opportunity to experience the story from an entirely new and different perspective. Call 941-351-8000 for information and tickets.  

Auditions for the play "Reality Show" will be held at the Theatre Odyssey tent. A male and female of approximately 20 to 30 years old are needed. If you fit that type and wish to audition, write theatreodyssey@gmail.com or call 941-504-1054 to schedule an audition time. Sides will be provided.

Auditions for Theatre Odyssey's Ten-Minute Play Festival will be held on January 20th at 6:00 pm at Players Studio on Tallevast. Those interested should write to theatreodyssey@gmail.com to get a list of the available roles. Auditions will be scheduled once the play selection has been completed and the available roles determined.

January 10 & 11
[ youth opera auditions ]

Placement classes for singers who plan to join Sarasota Youth Opera will be held Thursday and Friday. The program is open to all students age 8 (or those who entered third grade in 2007) through high school. These classes are necessary and students who are interested in participating must attend both days’ sessions, which are from 4:45 - 6:30 pm. Singers do not need to prepare a song for the placement exercise. The program admits all who apply, regardless of skill level and provides vocal and acting training. No one is turned away. Tuition for the program is $125 per term. Partial payments can be arranged and there are a limited number of scholarships available. Spring Term begins in early January and ends in mid May. A highlight of the season will be the American premiere of Dean Burry’s “The Hobbit” in May. Other features of the spring semester’s program include performing arts career exploration, opportunities to volunteer for the Festival season, and the experience of performing and working with world-class artists. To participate in Sarasota Youth Opera’s Spring Term, call 941-366-8450, ext 221 and leave your name with the Receptionist. For more information contact Becky Taylor, Director of Youth Opera Programs at 941-366-8450, ext. 255.

Venue Theatre is seeking to better utilize their delightful Black Box theatre space to produce "intimate and stimulating" works and is seeking qualified directors and others who have a like vision for small productions with minimal trappings. Join them at their OPEN HOUSE on January 13 (3:00 - 7:00 pm) to learn how you could "bring life to" that production you have always wanted to direct. If you are interested but can't attend the open house, please submit a cover letter and resume to Mary Kay Cyrus at mkc_va@hotmail.com

Digital Technology Centre presents a one day workshop in Adobe Lightroom to teach you how to handle the photographers workflow. The class is from 9:00 – 4:30 pm and costs $149. Other upcoming classes include Lighting, using the Wacom Pen Tablet, and Corel Painter X. Call 941-894-0362. 

McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre classes begin January 20. Choose from stand-up comedy, improvisational comedy and writing for comedy. This year, due in no small part to our participation last year, there is also the option of a “clean” stand-up class and a “clean” improv class. I can’t speak for the others in my class, but I know I took a @#*%ing shower- I was clean!
Call 941-925-FUNY for more information.

January 22
[ audition ]

The Powel Crosley Theatre will hold auditions for its March production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Tuesday, January 22 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Powel Crosley Estate, One Seagate Drive, 8374 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Men and women ages 18 and older – non-Equity professionals and community actors – wishing to audition should schedule an appointment by calling 941-722-3244 x 238; prepare two contrasting one-minute monologues including a piece from a Shakespeare work; and bring a headshot and resume. Actors in all roles get paid for performing. The Powel Crosley Theatre, a non-Equity professional company, performs at the historic Powel Crosley mansion. Visit their site for more information.

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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