Featured Artist:
Su Byron, Christy Carrington Lewis, Hashim Todd Pease & Doug Knowlton

Art Center Sarasota is presenting an evening of poetry, “Hard Words,” featuring area-based poets, Doug Knowlton, Cristy Carrington Lewis, Su Byron, Hashim Todd Pease and others, Thursday, March 10, 6-8 p.m., at Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-365-2032. Tickets are $5 for ACS members; $8 for non-members. Libations will be served.

A fourth-generation Sarasota native, Cristy Carrington Lewis is a former member of the Naked Poets Society, a Sarasota poetry group. A fixture on the local poetry slam circuit for several years, Lewis recently had two of her poems, "Us" and “Casper,” published in the New York Times bestseller, Count to Ten, by suspense author Karen Rose. Lewis says she believes in gnomes, the power of low-top Converse and wine that costs exactly $2.97 a bottle.

The former owner and writers’ group facilitator at The Village Bookshop in Bradenton’s Village of the Arts, Knowlton was named the “Token Poet” by Dave Beaton at the Fogartyville Café where he was a regular at the Thursday night open mic for five years. After self-publishing six chapbooks of poetry during the past decade, five are now collected into Native Hue, his latest work ready for a publisher.
Hashim Todd Pease has lived in Sarasota for 27 years and is one of the founding members of The Naked Poets Society. Pease has recently been far more interested in becoming a poem than writing them. He spends most of his time at Rising Tide International, a local spiritual community where he does sound, recording classes and seminars.

The former co-publisher and editor of Sarasota Arts and Entertainment, a monthly arts and entertainment newspaper, Su Byron is a freelance writer and editor whose columns and articles appear regularly in regional and national publications. When she has an extra moment to call her own, she’s also a poet, playwright and short story writer. To date, she has five collections of poetry, several plays in progress and a collection of 10 short stories. She’s trying to find the time to finish two additional collections of poetry, Fire Burns Less Than This, and Lying in a Filthy Bed with a Dying Cat.

For more information about this event, please call Art Center Sarasota at 941-365-2032.

Now
[ g wiz ]

Odyssey Marine Exploration, a Tampa-based leader in deep-sea shipwreck exploration, presents “SHIPWRECK: Pirates & Treasure," at G.Wiz (1001 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota). The interactive, multimedia exhibit is for all ages and is a discovery of the research, archeological recovery and conservation involved in the quest for deep-sea knowledge and treasure. 941-309-4949.

Now
[ florida studio theatre ]

FST has a great line-up of plays and some Improv, too. Now playing: Brassy Broads, through March 26; Race, through April 1; Sheer Madness, just through March 13. The FST Improv Troupe shakes things up Tuesday nights at 8:30 p.m. For tickets and info on all of this, call 941-366-9000.

Through March 19
[ opera ]

Sarasota Opera’s “La Bomheme” and “The Crucible” both play just through March 19. “I Lombardi” though March 20 and “Don Giovanni” through the 18th. So, you have time, if you get moving. Call 941-366-8450.

March and April
[ sarasota ballet ]

The Sarasota Ballet season is upon us and tickets are available, but going quickly. March 4-6 “Out of Denmark”; “Mr. B. A Tribute to George Balanchine” is April 1 & 2; the “Spring Surprise” is April 20 – May 1. Visit the Sarasota Ballet website for details.
Call 941-359-0099 ext. 101.

March 3
[ community performance ]

Composer Eve Beglarian, first winner of the 2009 Greenfield Prize in Music, will present a public program at the Historic Asolo Theater on Thursday, March 3 at 7:30 pm. Beglarian will speak about her present projects, including the 2010 River Project when she kayaked down the Mississippi, blogging, composing music and photographing all along the way. This unique journey inspired the chamber music Beglarian will present at her world premiere on Saturday, March 26th, being performed by members of the Sarasota Orchestra at Holley Hall. Reservations are suggested. A $5 ticket price covers the costs of the Historic Asolo. Call the theater box office at 941-360-7399.

http://www.hermitageartistretreat.org/
http://www.ringling.org/historicasolotheater.aspx

March 4
[ russian artist /exhibition ]

The Dancing Crane Gallery, Bradenton’s Village of the Arts, presents “From Russia with Love," an exhibition by five artists from Velikiy Novgorod Russia. An artists reception is Friday night from 6-9:00 p.m., during First Friday ArtWalk. David Lieberman will also present Klezmer music. Call 941-744-1333.

March 10
[ pigments of imagination ]

Kevin Webb of 10th Avenue West Studios, Bradenton’s Village of the Arts, will lead a demonstration and discussion into the world of flame, pigments and copper, at 7:00 p.m. in his studio. After the discussion, those interested are going to stroll to the Charisma Café and continue the fellowship and discussion. Call 941-744-7484.

March 10
[ ghosts ]

Ann Morrison leads a spirited tour of the Powell Crosley Estate at 7:00 p.m., sharing stories of the mansion’s haunted past, telling tales, singing and sharing local ghostly trivia. Reservations for “Among the Shadows” are needed, for this rare Sarasota offering. Call 941-722-3244 ext. 333

March 11
[ liberace ]

Martin Preston appears as Liberace in “A Tribute to the Showman and His Music” at St. Tomas More’s Chelsea Center, 2506 Gulf Gate Dr., Sarasota, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets available at 941-923-1691.

March 14
[ green music ]

Under the artistic and musical direction of acclaimed pianist and conductor Barry Douglas, Camerata Ireland brings together Irish musicians from all over the world to celebrate Ireland, its music-making and the wealth of Irish musical talent. The orchestra will perform a concert of traditional Irish songs and works by Rossini, Mozart, and Barber, Monday, March 14, at 8 p.m., at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota. Individual tickets are $60, $55, $45, and $35. Tickets and information are available by calling 941-955-0040.

March 20 & 21
[ kingston trio ]

Venice Theatre presents a concert by the Kingston Trio. The Sunday show is at 8:00 p.m. and on Monday there is a show at 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. Call 941-488.1115.

Private Coaching
[ voice and speech training ]

John Burr offers voiceover and speech training at his new studio in Sarasota. 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.

Call to Artists:

North Port Art Center

Myakka State Park

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 • Venice Theatre • Lemon Bay Playhouse