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Featured Artist
Jo Ellen Gorris

Jo Ellen Gorris’ studio/gallery is Clay in the Garden at 1011 12th Avenue West in the Village of the Arts. As one of the founding members and the first secretary of the Artists Guild of Manatee, she loves the Village of the Arts and the camaraderie she has found within. While Jo Ellen doesn't live in the Village of the Arts, she has maintained her studio and garden since the inception of the Village nine years ago. Her most popular and sought after designs are her unique mermaids and sea hags. Their beauty comes from within, as these colorful creatures seem to emanate a certain air of authenticity and confidence. These lovely ladies of the sea wear their years of experience well. You must also check out Jo Ellen's one of a kind chess sets. The black and white tiled board is an entire tabletop with each piece standing anywhere from three to seven inches tall. Jo Ellen has open studio hours on Thursdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. She loves to share her skills at hand building clay sculptures and invites the public to join her. She stresses that she demonstrates, she doesn't teach. Either way, her fees can't be beat: how does $10 grab you? And it's collected only after you have built something! Many of her patrons have gone on to become clay artists in their own right. She loves to hear the stories of them returning to their homes up north and purchasing kilns and other supplies and launching a new avocation. You can reach Jo Ellen at 941-747-2359.
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Click here to be one of the first to see our brand new AnythingArts.com companion site. This new site is designed as a one-stop place to find comprehensive information on the area with emphasis on  the arts. While we are still inputting information and tweaking things, we welcome you to look around and let us know what you think. If you are an artist of any kind, or an arts related business, and your information is not here...let us know. Our plans are to create similar sites for Bradenton, Venice and other arts towns in the near future. Thanks for reading.

The Island Players, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria (map), present Garson Kanin’s “Born Yesterday” through March 30. An uncouth junkyard tycoon out to buy the favors of a U.S. congressman decides to make over his mistress, a former showgirl. And the fun begins… Call 941-778-5755 for tickets.

 

The Studio@620, 620 First Avenue South in St. Petersburg (map), presents the Cormac McCarthy CD release party and concert at 8:00 pm. McCarthy is a songwriter and humorist. The CD: “Curious Thing.” The concert: songs spanning his multiple releases. Even before its scheduled release, “Curious Thing” is getting high acclaim from fellow musicians and radio personalities alike. Learn more here.

 

Village Voices, 1010 10th Street West in the Village of the Arts (map), continues to bring you local authors for your reading pleasure. March 14 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm Arden Fowler will sign "Italy, My Beautiful Obsession." March 15 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm Pat Friedberg will sign "Dear Sammie" and "Dear Jake." March 22 from noon – 3:00 pm Jeff Nelson will sign "Baby's Breath." Stop by and say hello!


 

A first for The Village of the Arts – a St. Patrick’s Day parade! Beginning at 11:00 am, the parade starts on 12th Street West and will wind through the village. See the mayor, Irish step dancers, Celtic martial arts, the Shriners, the fire department’s Antique Engine Number 1, Pyrates of the Caribbean, the Manatee Wildcats and more. Visit the galleries and studios after the parade – many of which will have demonstrations, some of which will continue the entertainment. What about parking, you ask? Try the city garage, Bank of America and Harvest Chapel.

Written and performed by Steve Carroll, the one-man show “Charles Lindbergh: The Lone Eagle” portrays a man driven by his indomitable will and ambition, who unwillingly became the media's first “superstar.” At the Historic Asolo Theater, show times are 2:00 and 8:00 pm. For tickets or more info, call 941-360-7399 or visit ringling.org.

The 8th annual Lakewood Ranch Fine Art Festival will be held on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch on March 15 and 16 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Main Street is a beautiful shopping promenade and if you’ve never been, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by all this festival has to offer.

The 8th annual University Park Country Club Art in the Park artist showcase and sale will also be held March 15 and 16 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm in the club’s Waterside Terrace Restaurant. This is a juried art show featuring artwork done exclusively by UPCC residents and members, and it features watercolors, oils, acrylics, sculpture, photography and mixed media. Enjoy painting, sculpting and photography demonstrations throughout the weekend. 7671 Park Boulevard, off University Parkway, just two miles west of I-75 (map). More info: 941-358-9911.

Village Voices, 1010 10th Street West (map), hosts the Florida Writers Association Manatee Meetings for free critiques on March 15 at 4:00 pm and March 18 at 6:30 pm. If you go, be sure to take up to 10 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font of your original work to read. This could be the place to help launch your career! For more information, contact Dona Lee at 941-748-6865.

The Powel Crosley Theatre presents Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Powel Crosley Estate from March 19 – 29. “The course of true love never did run smooth” and least of all when the romantic cross-purposes of two couples are complicated further still by their entrance into a woods ruled by fairy royalty and an imp who runs amuck! For times and tickets, call 941-722-3244.
 

WSLR and Ace’s Lounge have teamed up to present some of the best independent music south of the Bay. Paul Geremia presents his fingerpicking and slide styles on March 20 at 8:00 pm. Dikki Du & The Zydeco Krewe perform on March 22 at 8:00 pm. Seth Walker offers a different kind of blues on March 23 at 8:30 pm. Ticket prices range from $8 to $15 and can be purchased in advance by calling 941-894-6469, and while the performers are smokin’, the audience is not allowed to. 4343 Palma Sola Boulevard, Bradenton (map).

Manatee County Film Rush 2008 showcases middle and high school filmmakers and their films. The entries will premier at the South Florida Museum on March 21 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Categories include narrative, documentary, experimental, animated, original music video and public service announcement. For more information, contact Dr. Sherry Lawrence at 941-751-6550 Ext. 2107. (map)

First United Methodist Church of Bradenton, 603 11th Street West (map), will present Faure's “Requiem” in its entirety on March 21 at 7:00 pm as part of their Good Friday communion service with combined choirs, soloists and a professional orchestra. Call 941-747-4406 for more info. Amen.

 

Sarasota Ballet continues to deliver European choreography with a program featuring Andre Prokovsky’s “Vespri,” Hans van Manen’s “Grosse Fuge” and Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s “Elite Syncopations” in three performances: March 21 at 8:00 pm and March 22 at 2:00 and 8:00 pm at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. To purchase tickets, call the box office at 941-351-8000. Tickets can also be purchased online at the Sarasota Ballet website. (photo by Frank Atura)
 

Doorknob Productions presents a sinister scientist who has created a machine that sucks all the letters of the alphabet out of the world, leaving everyone speechless! “The Alphabet Avengers,” a team of mismatched super heroes, come to save the day! An imaginative blend of humor, improv and audience participation, “The Alphabet Avengers” features kids from local elementary schools. At the East Village Cabaret on March 22 & 29 and May 10 at 10:30 am. Purchase tickets through the EVC box office at 941-373-3933.

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