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AnythingArts.com Newsletter

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Welcome to AnythingArtsNewlsetter.com Sarasota Edition, an electronic newsletter, by artists for artists, distributed by email every two weeks to promote everything from the funky avant garde to high brow mainstream art. Thank you for helping us make AnythingArtsNewlsetter.com so successful! Don't forget to check out our AnythingArts.com site! Sign up now to receive the AnythingArtsNewsletter GOING... GOING...



NOW [ hula time at fst ] (From AnythingArts.com Events Calendar) Now at Florida Studio Theatre, “A delightful stroll back to the fabulous 50s, ‘Hula Hoop Sha-Boop’ takes us back to the age of innocence. Musical vignettes and comedic stories recount the days of poodle skirts and soda fountains. This sock-hopping tribute features over a decade of favorites including ‘Yakety Yak,’ ‘Stay,’ ‘The Twist,’ ‘It’s My Party,’ ‘Peggy Sue’ and many more! (Shows at 6:00 and 9:00 pm).” Call 941-366-9000 for tickets and information.

NOW [ something fishy ] (From AnythingArts.com Events Calendar) “Edfish Gallery Is having a group show featuring artists who base their work on sea life, featuring artists Jim Roberts, Ed Walsh, Mel Stauffer, Mike Balas and an unannounced special guest. The work exhibited includes original gyotaku prints, raku fish wall hangings, oil paintings and airbrush originals. Admission is free to the public and everyone is welcome.” Edfish Gallery is located at 3315 Webber Street, Sarasota, call 941-706-2659 for more.

Opening January 23 [ occupied ] (From AnythingArts.com Events Calendar) Edward Albee’s “Occupied” opens at Florida Studio Theatre. “The play examines the life of acclaimed American sculptor Louise Nevelson. Born into a Ukrainian Jewish family, Nevelson’s family immigrated to America when she was a young child. With a personality as impressive as her art, was she destined for greatness? What is the relationship between creator and creation? Who was Louise Nevelson? Only she knew. Directed by Susan Greenhill and starring Kate Alexander and Patrick Noonan.” Call 941-366-9000 for tickets and information.

Through February 8 [ island players ] After being deserted by her husband, a woman suddenly finds herself the centre of attention in a small resort town in Norm Foster’s “The Affections of May.” Tickets for the Island Players production are on sale now by visiting their website and searching for a box office number, we gave up. Click here.

January 23 [ new fine art gallery ] Manatee Community College presents “A Society of Artists” exhibit. The opening reception is free and open to the public from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the Fine Art Gallery (Bldg. 11 on the MCC Bradenton campus). The exhibit runs though February 19. For more information, call 941-752-5225.



January 23 [ funny ha ha ] (From AnythingArts.com Events Calendar) Traci Kanaan, The Princess of Parodies, appears at the Lake Osprey Village Cabaret at 8:00 pm. “Traci grew up in a quiet suburb near Cleveland, OH. Her mother loved theater and opera; her father loved flea markets and dirty jokes. The result? A classically trained pianist with some twisted ditties! See what Traci does with a voice for theater and a face for comedy!” Call 941-907-9252 for info and tickets.

Every Saturday [ artist market ] (From AnythingArts.com Events Calendar) “Artists of all mixed media from Sarasota and surrounding areas come together every Saturday to display and sell what they have created. Currently we have vendors who sell jewelry, stained glass, greeting cards, quilts, shopping bags, baby bibs, stained glass, parrot toys, angel gifts, glass beads, copper home decor, leather goods, silk arrangements, artificial food decorations, glass encased butterflies and so much more. Should you need to relax, a licensed massage therapist is also in attendance. Local authors autograph and sell their books.” Call 941-927-6845.

January 24 [ feng you ] (From AnythingArts.com Events Calendar) “Cheryl Grace to Teach Feng Shui class at Elysian Fields from 10:30 -12:30 pm with a cost of $20. With the current economic climate and feelings of uncertainty about one's future, applying Feng Shui principles to your home or work environment can improve your chances for prosperity to flourish. Move from poverty conscious to prosperity conscious. Bring a notebook and a floor plan of your home and workplace/office.” Call 941 361-8866.

January 24 [ well strung ] (From AnythingArts.com Events Calendar) “Guitar Sarasota will present Croatian guitarist Ana Vidovic in her Sarasota mainland debut. This stunning, young virtuoso comes back to Sarasota after her debut with the Artist Series of Sarasota that brought her to St. Armands Key in 2007. It was at that occasion that Guitar Sarasota sponsored a master class with Ms. Vidovic in collaboration with the music department at Manatee Community College. Ms. Vidovic has given over one thousand public performances since first taking the stage in 1988. Her international performance career includes recitals in London, Paris, Vienna, Salzburg, Rome, Budapest and more.” The performance is in the Fellowship Hall of St. Paul Lutheran Church (2256 Bahia Vista Street, Sarasota). Call FSU Center Box Office at 941-351-8000 for tickets.

January 24 [ ice cream and mozart ] The Church of the Redeemer is hosting a Benefit Concert for the University of Florida Opera Theatre Workshop at 7:30 pm. The concert, called Mostly Mozart à la Mode!, features contemporary settings of some of the world’s most beloved operas by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart including The Magic Flute, Cosi fan tutte, The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni and more. Many talented performers from UF’s School of Music including local Sarasota favorite Adelaide Boedecker will perform scenes from these and other operas. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, call 941-955-4263 for additional information.

January 24 and 25 [ venice festival ] The Downtown Venice Craft Festival celebrates its 2nd anniversary on January 24 – 25, 2009, as downtown Venice is transformed into an outdoor craft art showcase complete with 150 crafters with affordable original works available for sale. Admission is free and open to the public. Visit artfestival.com or call 954-472-3755. (artwork shown by: Cecile Broz)

January 24 – February 22 [ black theatre troupe ] Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) presents “A Soulful Serenade” a series of musical revues featuring the most popular soul and R&B hits of the 70's. The season opens with the sultry “Sistas In The Name of SOUL" January 24 - February 22, it features an all female cast singing songs of Aretha Franklin, The Supremes, Gladys Knight, The Staple Singers, Donna Summers and More. All shows will be performed in WBTT’s new venue, the Art Center Sarasota (707 North Tamiami Trail) Surrounded by visual art WBTT presents live musical art, creating a unique experience for music and art lovers alike. Tickets for all WBTT shows are on sale now and are available at SRQBoxOffice.com and group sales can be purchased by calling 941-366-1505.

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Through January 30 (reception Jan. 24) [ art uptown ] (From AnythingArts.com Events Calendar) “Unique three dimensional landscape photographs by Wayne Wilmoth will be featured in a solo show at Art Uptown, 1367 Main St., Sarasota. Reception Saturday, Jan. 24, 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Regular Gallery Hours M-F 11:00 - 5:00, Sat. 10:00 - 4:00 pm. During monthly First Friday Gallery Walks on Palm and Main streets, 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Call 941-955-5409.”

January 25 [ two hawks and a jay ] (From AnythingArts.com Events Calendar) “Organists Carol and James Hawkinson are joined by Sarasota Orchestra tubist Jay Hunsberger in a diverse program entitled "Two Hawks and a Jay." Two composers whose works will be featured on the concert will be in attendance: Francis Schwartz ("Grey Road" for solo tuba) and Gwyneth Walker ("Celestial Keys" for Organ and Tuba). Other compositions by J.S. Bach, Massenet, and Mozart will be featured.” The performance is at Trinity United Mathodist Church (3200 Manatee Avenue, Bradenton) call 941-747-3704.

January 25 [ fairy talk ] Arosa restaurant will host an evening in the glen with Master Storyteller and Broadway actress Annie Morrison at 6:30 pm. WHILE SITTING IN A FAERIE GLEN is a storytelling theatre piece that was inspired on Annie’s sabbatical while she was sitting in an actual faery glen (pictured) on Scotland’s Isle of Skye. Annie created these stories for people she had been working with in their emotional healing but who were also battling another illness or syndrome. Arosa Fine Dining is located in downtown Sarasota at 1296 First Street, next door to the Sarasota Opera House. Admission to the performance is $10; food and drinks are at regular menu prices. For reservations, please call: 941-953-4004.

January 27 [ film at mcc ] “Shadow Magic” at 4:30 pm in the Art and Design Building, room 115, at MCC Bradenton, 5840 26th St. West. This film takes place in 1902 Beijing, where an enterprising young portrait photographer, Liu Jinglun, who is keen on new technology, befriends a newly arrived Englishman who's brought a projector, camera, and Lumière-brothers' shorts to open the Shadow Magic theater. Liu's work with Wallace brings him into conflict with tradition and his father's authority, further complicated by his falling in love with Ling, star of Beijing's traditional opera. Liu sees movies as his chance to become wealthy and worthy of Ling. This film was directed by Ann Hu and stars Jared Harris and Yu Xia. Admission is free. For more information, call Del Jacobs at 941-752-5593.

January 28 [ art talk & wine ] Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art is collaborating with CORK restaurant (St. Armands Circle) to present a three-part series of art talks and wine receptions, at the restaurant. The series if free and open to the public on the last Wednesday of January, February and March from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. The debut session will feature Gale Fulton Ross. Surrounded by her work, Gale will discuss her art and the inspiration behind it. Call 941-388-1675 or 941-373-3803 for more information.



January 29 [ author event ] (From AnythingArts.com Events Calendar) Join author Gina Greenlee at Sarasota News & Books for a reading and signing at 6:30 pm. The book is called “Postcards and Pearls: Life Lessons from Solo Moments on the Road.” This is how the event is described by SN&B: “Journey with Gina Greenlee and other women travelers as they share 118 "postcards" filled with life lessons learned while traveling on their own. Whether they drove to New Jersey, hopped a freighter to Bora Bora, or biked across Alaska, women from age 20 to 72 discover the joy of honoring their own rhythms, the confidence of knowing they can take care of themselves and the reward of making lasting life changes.” Call 941-365-6332 for more information.

January 30 [ meet filmmakers reception ] The 10th Annual Through Women’s Eyes Film Festival kicks of with a “Meet the Filmmakers” event at ESCA restaurant (Main St., Sarasota) from 5:30 – 6:45 pm. Seven award-winning filmmakers from around the globe will discuss their work at this popular reception. The cost is $50 and the limited tickets may sell out quickly, as in past years. So, call 941-284-1027 to reserve your space and click here for this year’s festival film schedule.

January 30 [ chorus concert ] The Key Chorale is in concert at the Church of the Redeemer (222 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota) under conductor Joseph Caulkins. No advance tickets are required for this free, 7:30 pm, concert, but arriving early is recommended since it is first-come. For more information, call the Parish Office Monday through Friday, 9:00 - 5:00 pm at 941-955-4263.

January 30 [ indian festival ] (From AnythingArts.com Events Calendar) “Come experience the traditions and culture of the Native American people at the Second annual Sarasota Indian Festival on January 30, 31 and February 1 at the Oscar Scherer State Park, 1843 S. Tamiami Trail from 9:00 - 5:00 pm on Friday, 10:00 - 6:00 pm Saturday, and 10:00 - 5:00 pm on Sunday. Find hand made, authentic, one of a kind arts and crafts. There will be paintings, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, bead work, leather work, along with traditional Seminole and Miccosuki food.” Call 941-924-2784 for more information.

January 30 [ new college music ] New Music New College, Sarasota’s contemporary music series, continues its 10th anniversary season at the New College Mildred Sainer Pavilion at 8:00 pm, with “Radical Tradition.” Cellist Scott Kluksdahl and pianist Noreen Casidy-Polera explore the Classical and Modernist dimensions of the music of Beethoven, who showed that one is only faithful to tradition by transcending it. The program includes the Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 3 in A Major by Beethoven, juxtaposed with contemporary composers Lowell Liebermann and Richard Wernick. Tickets are just $12 and more info is available by calling 941-487-4155.

January 30, 31 & February 1 [ ballet ] The Sarasota Ballet pays tribute to the 100th Anniversary of Serge Diaghilev and his Ballet Russe by honoring two of his most famous ballerinas: Dame Alicia Markova and Dame Ninette DeValois. There are Performances on January 30, 31 and February 1 at the FSU Performing Arts Center with Dame Alicia Markova’s production of Mikhail Fokine’s romantic ballet Les Sylphides and Dame Ninette de Valois’s The Rake’s Progress, and includes a reprise performance of last season’s Façade by Sir Frederick Ashton. Tickets can be purchased on line at www.sarasotaballet.org or by calling the Sarasota Ballet Box office at 941-351-800 or toll-free 800-361-8388.

February [ south florida museum stuff ] Ok, we are cheating here on this one. There are too many different things happening at Bradenton’s South Florida Museum, so here goes a sloppy cut-and-paste. Then go check out their site for more stuff. “Thursday, February 5, 2009 noon - 4:00 pm Antique Appraisal Day; Join us for the rare opportunity to have your treasures appraised by top professionals. Appraisals, $5 for one, 6 for $25. In the South Florida Museum Board Room, entrance on 10th street. Contact Suzanne White for more information 941-746-4131 x 37. Saturday, February 7, 2009 4:00 - 9:00 pm “Night at the Museum - Love is in the Air;" Join us for a romantic family classic in the Planetarium at 4:15 pm, followed by fun activities for the whole family. Enjoy planetarium shows all evening: Live Star Talk at 7:00 pm, Ultimate Universe at 7:30 pm, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at 8:15 pm. Manatee presentations in the aquarium at 5:00 and 6:30 pm. Admission is half price after 4:00 pm. Members are always free. Food is available for a nominal price.” Told you. Click here to get more information on lots to do there.

February 2 and more [ help get booker to bama ] Booker High School's VPA theatre program won the Florida Theater Conference Secondary School competition in November with their production of "John Lennon & Me" and are on their way to the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Birmingham, Alabama March 4-8. Please help get them there! With a cast and crew of 27, they need to raise $24,000. There are two ways you can help: send a check or attend the "dress gala." Checks - any amount is appreciated - can be made payable to Booker High School, noting theatre department on the memo line of the check, and sent to Booker High School, 3201 N. Orange Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34234. Donations are tax-deductible! The dress gala will be February 2 in the Booker theatre; doors open at 6:30 pm, show time is 7:30 pm and tickets are $25. You will be treated to a cabaret performance and the pared-down version of "John Lennon & Me," which is what the kids will perform at the competition. There is also a silent auction! For tickets or more information, call Judy Piercy at 941-355-2967 Ext. 65032. This talented group of performers and technicians has worked hard and deserve to represent Sarasota and Florida at this competition!

February 3 [ artist gala ] (From AnythingArts.com Events Calendar) & “A Court-A-Fare; In a festive and courtly atmosphere, at the Meadows Country Club, royal court jester Cliff Roles will lead an evening of fun, food, and multiple musical surprises. All are welcome to join in the merriment, sponsored by the Artist Series Friends, a non-profit group. All proceeds support the Artist Series of Sarasota Scholarship Fund, which confers music scholarships on young Florida musicians annually. Tickets are $80 in advance.” Call 941-504-4729 for tickets and information.



February 3 [van wezel art & backstage tours] Tours at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall are offered to the public on the first Tuesday of each month, October through May. Tour guides will walk you through the “gallery” of paintings and sculptures of Florida’s most renowned artists. The exhibit, owned by the Fine Arts Society of Sarasota, covers a wide range of media and styles of art dating from the 1930s to present. The Tour also offers the opportunity to go behind the scenes of the Van Wezel for a look at the workings backstage. Tours begin at 10:00 am in the Main Lobby of the Van Wezel and cost $5 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the Van Wezel Box Office or by calling the Charge Line at 941-953-3368. (Shown: Humberto Calzada, A World Within)

Opening February 6 [ venice theatre ] BINGO, the Musical is the next cabaret scheduled to open on the Yvonne Pinkerton stage at Venice Theatre. Starring a small ensemble cast of seven, BINGO provides an exciting night out for fun-loving theatre-goers and bingo players alike. The audience will play a few rounds of the game during the show and there will be prizes for the winners. Opening on February 6, 2009, BINGO runs four weeks through March 8, 2009. Evening performances are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm Sunday matinees are at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $24 ($12 for students) and are available now at the theatre’s box office at 941-488-1115 or online.

February 6 [ clay party ] A reception is planned from 6:00 - 9:00 pm for enjoyment of work by potter Susan Beecher at Carla’s Fine Pottery Gallery (1733 Northgate Blvd., Sarasota). Beecher is recognized as a ceramic artist that shapes the substance symbolizing human materiality into objects of elegant simplicity and extreme beauty.

February 6 [ artist reception ] Hearts Desire is excited to present award winning Lulu Meyer as the featured artist for the months of February and March. She is the artist behind Fluffs by Lulu, a line of vibrant canvases in pastels and oils and beautiful pillows made with hand painted designs on silk. Lulu uses a dazzling array of trim ranging from lace to fringe, silk flowers and glittering baubles to decorate her works of art. Her subject matter includes circus performers, female icons from the past and other glimpses of the female shape and form. Meyer teaches at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, and Manatee Arts Center. Hearts Desire, a art gallery and women’s boutique, also features owner Vicki Rollo’s eclectic jewelry, ceramics and raku by local artists Mayann Bona Huber and Georgann Nugent. Numerous other national artists are also represented.

February 6 [ manatee clay arts reception ] Curated by Amy Webber, "Clay Artists with a Voice" is an invitational exhibition of the best of the best. Fourteen professional clay artists from Sarasota and Bradenton will display their work at Art Center Manatee’s Kellogg & Searle Galleries. The artist reception is February 6 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. For complete information on exhibitions, classes & workshops, visit www.ArtCenterManatee.org or call 746-2862. (pictured: Amy Webber - "Lady Teapot")

February 7 opening [ opera season ] Sarasota Opera will celebrate its 50th Season when its 2009 Winter Opera Festival opens on February 7 with Puccini's Tosca. In addition to Tosca, the Winter Opera Festival will include Donizetti's The Elixir of Love, Mascagni's rarely-heard L'amico Fritz and Verdi's epic Don Carlos. The opera season will consist of 37 performances and run through March 29.

February 10 [ collage celebration and exhibit ] Enjoy a celebration honoring Pat Kaufman’s new book of collages, “O Florida.” The event is from 5:00 - 9:00 pm at Sternberg Interior’s Gallery (1962 Main Street, 3rd floor, Sarasota - enter behind Mediterrano restaurant). Call Jens Albiez at 941-366-9322 for more information. The exhibit runs through March 10.

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[ voice and speech training ] John Burr offers voiceover and speech training at his new studio in Sarasota. And this year, he's added a new program for kids from 14 to 18, called the Young Talent Program. Whatever your needs, with his many years of experience, John can help you develop into a world-class voiceover talent or public speaker. Check out John's website for the details.

Auditions [ theatre odyssey ] Theatre Odyssey is holding auditions for the 2009 Ten Minute Play Festival on Sunday January 25, at 7:00 pm, at The Players Studio (500 Tallevast Road, Sarasota). They have a need for a wide range of actors (male & female). Come with a prepared monologue or read “sides” that night. Call 941-704-4250 for more information.

Beginning February 9 [ improv workshops ] (From AnythingArts.com Events Calendar) Ready to laugh, flex your creative muscle, build confidence and make some new friends? Give Chris Friday’s Improv Workshops a try. No experience is necessary and workshops are limited to just 15 people so that you get all kinds of personal attention. The cost is just $150 for six Monday nights from 7:00 - 9:30 pm. For more information, Call Chris at 941-539-7961 or click here to email him. Workshops held at Booth Studio. Buy your tickets online today.

Through February 14 [ call to artists ] (From AnythingArts.com Events Calendar) “Katharine Butler Gallery seeks entries for 4th Annual National Juried Exhibition April 15 - May 9, 2009. Original 2D and 3D artwork in any traditional medium, including fiber, ceramics, metal, and glass from the past three years. No Giclees or videos. Entry fee $25 for up to 3 works. Application deadline February 14th. Juror Roy Slade, Director Emeritus, Cranbrook Art Museum and former director Corcoran Gallery of Art. Cash awards. For prospectus and application go to www.kbutlergallery.com or send SASE to Katharine Butler Gallery, 1943 Morrill St., Sarasota, FL, 34236.”

[ photo contest ] How do you capture the essence of Sarasota in a single image for an audience in China or France? The Sarasota Sister Cities Association (SSCA) has issued such a challenge to all area photographers through its People and Places photo contest. Contest details, applications, and rules are now available. A panel of art and photography professionals will select photos that best express the contest theme for an exhibition at the Ringling College of Art and Design in November 2009.



[ even more to do ] Be sure to check out the brand new AnythingArts.com websites for Sarasota and Bradenton. There’s an events calendar and lots hundreds of photos and things to see. We also have our new St. Pete, Tampa and Bellingham sites up and we’re working on them. Have fun spreading the ARTS!

Auditions [ pick me, no me ] Be sure to check the audition pages of local theaters to make sure you don’t miss anything (click the theater name): Florida Studio Theatre • The Players Theatre of Sarasota • Manatee Players • The Golden Apple • Island Players • Asolo Repertory Theatre
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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. You are receiving this email because 1. Christine Alexander and Rick Hughes know you are an artist or an arts patron and/or 2. You signed up for it, or 3. One of your friends has forwarded it to you because they knew you’d love it. To ensure that you continue to receive emails from us every two weeks, please add info@anythingarts.com to your address book today. Also, please send us your news!