Dec 9 -10
[ a balletic leap into the holidays ]
A snowy day in Victorian England sets the stage for the ice-skating revelry of Ashton’s Les Patineurs. The lush music of Dvorak supports Wheeldon’s The American. Then Aaron Copland’s famous score for Agnes de Mille’s Rodeo breaks into the wild open. It’s The Sarasota Ballet’s spectacular holiday show perfect for the whole family to enjoy.

OUR GIFT TO YOU, ANYTHING ARTS READERS!
Purchase 1 or more tickets online at Sarasota Ballet. Use the code HLDY2 and receive a 25% discount off your purchase. Les Patineurs (video sample) Rodeo (video sample)

Dec 1-18
[ it’s a wonderful life – on stage! ] 

The Players Theatre offers a new twist on Frank Capra's classic film, “It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” performed as a 1940s live radio broadcast in front of a studio audience. Five actors perform the dozens of characters in the radio play as well as produce the sound effects.  The show is complete with a trio of Andrews Sister style singers.  

Dec 1 - 23  
[ white christmas ] 
Manatee Players brings another famous holiday film to the stage with a  live, toe-tapping Irving Berlin musical production of White Christmas. No Bing. No Rosemary.  No Danny. No Vera. But it is rumored that it may snow onstage! 

Dec 9
[ swingin’ under the stars ]

The Jim Wellen Quintet will headline the Jazz Club of Sarasota's “Swingin' Under the Stars” holiday concert, Friday, December 9, 2011, 7 to 9 p.m., in Centennial Park in downtown Venice, 401 W. Venice Ave. The concert is free but donations are accepted in support of the Jazz Club’s scholarship fund. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. For more information, call 941-366-1552. For more information about the Jazz Club of Sarasota, call 941-366-1552, or visit this link.

Dec 9
[ it goes without saying ]

The acclaimed mime and performance artist Bill Bowers in "It Goes Without Saying," a uniquely crafted, autobiographical tour-de-force in which Bowers shares funny, heartbreaking, and true stories from his career as an actor and mime, and his life-long exploration of the role silence plays in our lives. Compared to the work of David Sedaris, Claudia Shear and Augustin Burroughs, "It Goes Without Saying," takes audiences on a tour of Bowers’ life, including scenes from his childhood in the wilds of Montana, outrageous jobs as a performer across the country, his Broadway experiences, and his time with the legendary performer Marcel Marceau. This special one-night-only performance is Friday, December 9, 7 p.m., at The Historic Asolo Theater in The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Tickets, which include the performance and a post-reception with the artist catered by Treviso, are $75. For reservations, call 941-351-8000 or visit this link.

Dec 10
[ write your life story ]

Sharing tips from years of experience in teaching and writing personal history, Patricia Charpentier makes penning your life story an easy, fun and fascinating process. Don't think you have the skills? Don't know where to begin? Let the encouraging words and clear examples in Eating an Elephant: Write Your Life One Bite at a Time walk you through writing your life story. The book signing is from 4:00 - 6:00 pm with a discussion at 4:30 at Cafe Palm. Patricia is available for private group workshops, contact Christine Alexander.

Dec NOW
[ grab your forks and come and get it ]

Tickets are now on sale for the much anticipated fifth annual Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival. Presented by The Sarasota-Manatee Originals (SMO), the four-day culinary festival features the anchor event, The Grand Tasting (January 29), in the courtyard of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art; Forks & Corks University seminars (January 28) in Michael’s Wine Cellar; and various winemaker events at area restaurants (January 27, 28). Tickets can only be purchased online. Grand Tasting tickets are $75 for general admission; $125 for VIP admission and include free admission to the museum’s art galleries on the day of the event. Forks & Corks University tickets are $110 for the full-day session; $60 for the half-day session. A four-course gourmet lunch prepared by top Originals member restaurants is included with Forks & Corks University ticket price. For information and tickets. “We’re recommending people buy their tickets early because we sold out weeks prior to the events last year,” says Kate Atkin, executive director of SMO.

Dec 10
[ learn to speak up and get money ]

Learn the basics of voiceover technique in this intensive one-day workshop with a professional voice coach with 30 years of experience. John Burr is hosting a one-day “Voiceover Basics Workshop,” Saturday, December 10, 2011, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., in Sarasota. “There is a wealth of viable opportunities for voiceover actors,” says Burr. “This can be a very lucrative career.” The workshop fee is $100; space is limited to seven students. Register online here. For more information about the workshop, call 941-378-0021 or visit his site.

Dec 10 & 11
[ holiday shopping ]

Do not miss this atomic indie craft show, Atomic Holiday Bazaar with "indie craft and art that won't make you gag or puke." Saturday from 10:00am - 4:30pm & Sunday from Noon - 5:30pm. Adults $5 (children under 12 are free) Questions, email Adrien Lucas directly.

Dec 10 and Dec 14
[ ditchield family singers home for Christmas ]

Remember those wholesome Christmas variety shows on TV in the 1960’s? Ok, maybe not, but step back into the good old “holly-days” with the Ditchfield Family Singers. The will be performing several shows in the area this season. Dec 10, 2 pm and 7 pm, they bring their annual gala concert to Riverview High Performing Arts Center, Sarasota. On Dec 14, you can hear them at the Manatee Players in Bradenton. Tickets are available online or by phone at 941-923-2013 and prices range from $15 to $40 each.

Dec 12 - Jan 9
[ sea grape gallery’s artists of month ] 

From December 12 to January 9, 2012 Sea Grape Gallery will be featuring two of their artists, Jim Beech, watercolor and acrylic painting artist, and Barbara Simmons, silver jewelry artist. Despite Jim Beech’s commercial art background, the majority of his time now is devoted to being a watercolorist and working in pen and ink. Barbara Simmons initially pursued a career as a high school library media teacher. When retiring from teaching, she made the decision to focus on her artistic gene and fell in love with the art of silver jewelry design. Both Beech’s and Simmons’ works are prominently on display at Sea Grape Gallery. In addition, more of their art and the art works of all Sea Grape artists can be viewed at www.seagrapegallery.com. Sea Grape Gallery is located at 113 W. Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda and can be reached at 941-575-1718.  The Gallery’s hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open until 8 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month for Gallery Walk.

Thru Dec 18
[ title of show ]

With just four actors, four chairs and a keyboard, this charming little musical tells the story of two guys writing a musical - about two guys writing a musical. The New York Times called [title of show] "delectable entertainment! A postmodern homage to the grand tradition of backstage musicals like Babes in Arms, Kiss Me, Kate and A Chorus Line." Ultimately, [title of show] is about fighting to do what you love. And friendship. It’s hip. It’s funny. It’s clever. Videos, song samples, stories and more here. For tickets, students $12-$15; adults $24-$27).

Dec 18
[ messiah sing-along ]

Warm up your voice and come to the Church of the Redeemer on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m., for its annual tradition of the “Messiah Sing-Along” – a joyous singing of Georg Friedrich Handel’s Christmas Messiah. This festive, family-friendly event features members of the choirs of Redeemer singing along with the congregation, accompanied by a Chamber Orchestra and organist Ann Stephenson-Moe, under the direction of Conductor Daniel Cartlidge. A $10 goodwill donation for tickets will be gratefully collected, and advance donations may be made via PayPal or by calling the parish office at 941-955-4263. Complimentary parking will be available at the M&I Bank Parking Garage on McAnsh Square between 6 and 10 p.m.  
 

[ this month at expressive arts sarasota ]

Click here to learn how you can release your expressive self this holiday season.

Dec 19
[ comedy improv ]

Florida Studio Theatre will be presenting its first ever Ha-Ha Holiday Improv Event in the Goldstein Cabaret called "Winter Blunderland." This new show will be a completely different and dynamic form of improvisation based on a ‘longform’ narrative style. Each week, the FST Improv troupe will create a III-Act play, completely unscripted, made up on the spot! It will be an "Instant Holiday Classic" every week. Watch as the actors take you on a dramatic journey from first audition, to rehearsal, to opening night of the Improvised play.

Deadline Dec 30
National Call for Entries-Pastels

Deadline Dec 30
TV ME! Pitch/Concept Contest for New Television Content

Deadline Jan 3
Call for Entries - Art of Trees

Deadline January 12
Embracing Our Differences will be returning to Sarasota's bayfront in April 2012. Their mission is to use art as a catalyst for creating awareness and promoting the value of diversity, the benefits of inclusion and the significance of the active rejection of hatred and prejudice. The Exhibit contains 39 bill-board size (16 feet by 12 1/2 feet high) artworks. Artists are asked to submit their interpretation of the theme "embracing our differences" in the required format detailed in their prospectus. CLICK HERE to download a copy.

Selby Gardens holiday extravaganza Lights in Bloom, December 16-23 and December 26-27 from 5:30-9:00 pm.  Seeking volunteers staff the ten nights.  No prior experience needed.

Especially seeking performers, including actors, dancers and individuals with behind-the-scenes theater experience -- on a nightly basis or, through the ten-day length of the run.

Tree Men – seeking two men with deep voice, preferably tall, to act as the kindly host of Selby Lights in Bloom. This person will be wearing a robe and a very fantastic headdress and will greet visitors as they enter the Gardens. Requires the ability to formulate and act the role of Tree Man.
 
Santa Claus (Dec. 17-23 only)– due to costuming restrictions, this position requires a 6 ft or taller man. Must enjoy children, have a hearty laugh, and be able to ably portray old St. Nick. This role may be played by multiple players.
 
Puppet-master (no experience necessary) – this volunteer will “fly” a lighted dragonfly on a long pole assembly during the event. The position requires some upper-body strength and an understanding of theatricality; this person will be dressed in black, including black makeup, to become “invisible” and will stay concealed while he/she operates the display. Will use a flag-holder for back support.
 
Behind-the-Scenes (possible combined position)
· Wardrobe mistress/master to distribute costumes to performers each evening and, at the end of each evening, to ensure that costumes are cared for and put away safely.
· Makeup artists to apply makeup for Garden fairies, Santa, elves, and any other characters requiring it.
 
If you are interested in volunteering for any of these positions, please contact Phyllis Kirtley atpkirtley@selby.org or 366-5731 x22

DEADLINE Dec 15
[ theatre odyssey 2012 call for plays ]

Calling all budding playwrights! Theatre Odyssey is accepting submissions now for their Ten-Minute Play Festival in April 2012. Plays must be presented in ten minutes and cast size should not exceed five actors. Theatre Odyssey will, in its sole discretion, make production decisions based upon appropriateness of content and the practical ability to produce all plays selected by its readers for presentation. To read the additional submission requirements click here.