Featured Artist
Dennis James Gergel, Jr.

Dennis graduated from the Ringling School of Art and Design as an Illustration major. From childhood, he loved trains and that passion has carried through to his art and career. He worked in the art department of K-Line Electric Trains, in North Carolina for four years and has also done numerous freelance jobs for Lionel, CSXT, Tropicana and Farm Aid. There is a valuable lesson here for all of us: combine work with the things you enjoy! (click here to nominate our next artist)

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May 5
[ palm avenue going to the dogs ]

WHITEdog Design is hosting the works of artist Hope Conner beginning Friday night during the Palm Avenue Walk. Located in the historic Mira Mar building, in Suite 218 at 73 South Palm Ave., WHITEdog mounts exhibits several times a year to promote artists of interest and proceeds directly benefit the artist. Stop by as you stroll Palm Avenue. The Mira Mar building is one that everyone has seen but few have ventured upstairs, check it out. Call 331-1455 for more information.

Opening May 5
[ six inches forward, five inches back ]

Hedwig and The Angry Inch opens at Florida Studio Theatre Friday night. It’s a story that is touching, hilarious and filled with good music. The film, by the same title, played at Burns Court a few years ago and has become a cult classic. Hedwig is angry because of a botched sex change operation that left him/her with only a one-inch scar. Ouch, no wonder he/she is angry! Hedwig immigrates, legally, to the U.S., forms a rock band and tries to deal. This really is good entertainment and you shouldn’t let the subject deter you, really. For tickets, call the box office: 366-9000.

(**I don't often find performances worthy of standing ovations. Tuesday night I attended the dress rehearsal for Hedwig and I stood enthusiastically at the curtain. The lead is so strong; he earned and deserved it! Be warned, this is a full throttle, high volume experience and absolutely worth seeing. Rick)

May 5 & 6
[ jumpin’ java ]

Now playing at a coffee house near you… well, actually, the local scene has a few coffee houses that serve up much more than just coffee. Live music abounds in comfortable chairs with good food and drink. At It’s A Grind it’s Ed Coleman on Friday and Russell Rhymer Saturday. Call 924-7305 for details. Also, in downtown Bradenton at the Fogartyville Café you can catch Singing Biscuit and Radio Free Carmela from 8:00 -10:00 pm for an eclectic evening of music on Friday night. Contact Fogartyville at 741-9755.

May 7
[ rucksack letters ]

Local writer and filmmaker Steve McAllister took a two year road trip from Sarasota to Los Angeles to unwind and do a little soul searching. Along the way he encountered many strange and interesting things and some even more fascinating people. Luckily, Steve took time to write down his experiences and share them with friends in letters and emails. Steve has published an account of his travels called The Rucksack Letters and on May 7 at 1:00 pm he will be at Sarasota News & Book to share the trip with the rest of us.

May 7
[ what she said ]

Actress Blair Brown will conduct a special conversation with Sarasota film patrons at Burns Court Cinemas at noon. The program is a collaboration of the Sarasota Film Society and The Hermitage Artist Retreat, where Blair is an artist-in–residence. Perhaps best known for her roles as Jackie O in the TV mini-series, The Kennedy’s, and starring in the Emmy winning The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, Blair will share news of her current and upcoming projects. Call 364-8662 for more information.

May 11 - 14
[ private parts ]

The Glenridge Performing Arts Center stages Invasion of Privacy, a prize winning play by local Larry Parr. Starring Pam Wiley and directed by George Loukides, the play is based on the court trial of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings that resulted from her book, Cross Creek. Pam is a superb, much heralded, actress who never disappoints. Plus, The Glenridge Performing Arts Center is only a couple of years old and has the most comfortable theatre seats your tush will ever experience! What more could you ask? GPAC is conveniently located on Palmer Ranch and you can get more info by calling 552-3665.

May 11, 13 & 14
[ powerful documentary]

The Flanzer JCC concludes its Gefilte Flicks film series with the documentary Paragraph 175. The award-winning film recounts the persecution of homosexuals by the Nazi’s. Of the 100,000 men imprisoned under Paragraph 175 of the German penal code only 10 are known to survive today. They share their personal stories in this dramatic retelling. Call 378-5568 for details.

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May 11 - 21
[ huck on stage ]

Join the Venice Little Theatre for their final production of the Theatre for Young People series The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Evening performances are at 7:00 pm and matinees at 2:00. Contact the theatre for details.

May 13 & 14
[ hurricane?!?! ]

Don’t get worried, no need to hunker down yet. The Sarasota Youth Opera presents Aaron Copland’s The Second Hurricane on the main stage of the Sarasota Opera House. The cast of seventy, ranging in age from 9 - 18, will hit the boards, and high notes, on Saturday May 13 at 5:00 pm and Sunday May 14 at 1:30. The Second Hurricane was written specifically for high school students and tells the tale of students stranded after a storm and their realization that survival depends on working together. The Sarasota Youth Opera artists study and perform throughout the year and have a long history of compelling work. Call the Opera for more information at 366-8450.

May 15
[ no-fear theatre ]

The Play Reading Series at The Backlot, called “The Best Plays You’ve Never Seen”, continues with Teresa Rebeck’s Omnium Gatherum.  The play is not for those afraid of thinking, although that is exactly who should see this and why. Set at a lavish dinner party at the gates of hell, Omnium Gatherum’s dinner-talk revolves around 9/11 politics and the guests appear to be thinly disguised likenesses of Martha Stewart, Robert Ludlum, Oprah, Captain America, Osama Bin Laden and other large personas with strong opinions. This free event at The Backlot starts at 7:30 pm. Contact 363-9300 for tickets.

May 16 - June 17
[ art center exhibit ]

Art Center Sarasota exhibits the work of Joseph Melancon (with a little squiggle thing under the c that my computer won’t do) with an opening reception May 18 from 5 - 7. The exhibit is called Philippi Creek.

May 18
[ the art of money ]

The Fine Arts Society of Sarasota (FASS) is handing out scholarships at a special luncheon ceremony at the Van Wezel. In its thirty-fifth year, FASS scholarships have now exceeded $500,000 to performing and fine arts students. Recipients this year embrace painting, dance, screenwriting, opera and a variety of other worthy endeavors. For more information on FASS contact Kenney DeCamp.

photo by: Booth Studio

May 18 - 28
[ you want I should stay? ]

Herman is a middle-aged, Jewish rug salesman. Christine is an interior decorator and lapsed-Catholic. When Christine announces that she is moving to Florida Herman begs to keep her in NY and proposes. She is packing and he is pleading. That’s Mixed Emotions at the Island Players. Directed by Carol Kleinberg and starring Peg and Jim McGinnis.

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[ got talent? ]
Elle Productions, a growing Sarasota web design and development firm, is seeking local creatives to work on a contract basis.  They are currently seeking Flash developers, illustrators, web designers, PHP developers and graphic designers.  Elle Productions is interested in helping other independent, creative professionals get business and be successful.  Please visit www.elleproductions.com/creatives for more information and to sign up.

May 1
[ screen ]
A local independent film, The Secret Lives of Waitresses, is be casting by appointment. Call 678-458-5576 for details on this production to be filmed in and around Sarasota.

May 14 - 15
[ stage ]
The Manatee Players are having auditions  for “Bodas de Sangre" (Blood Wedding) by Federico Garcia Lorca. The performances will b e in July. To be performed in Spanish. Call 720-1558 for details.

May 21 - 22
[ stage ]
The Glenridge Players are having auditions for their 2006-07 season, comprised of five plays. Actors are compensated and roles will vary. Contact George Loukides at 927-9391.

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