Featured Artist
Steve McAllister

Steve McAllister is a man of many talents; author, singer, musician, filmmaker. He is searching for meaning in his own life and the world around him. This past Saturday, at Barnes & Noble, Steve read passages from his recently released novel, The Rucksack Letters. The novel is the result of a journey that spanned the continent and almost two years. Armed with the clothes on his back and a fistful of dollars, Steve set out to find himself and found the world along the way. Insightful and very honest, the book examines his daily experiences and gives readers glimpses into the childhood and societal influences that Steve is now trying to reconcile with his current reality. The presentation included original songs on guitar and was very enjoyable. The book is available at Barnes & Noble and Sarasota News & Book and Steve is available for engagements. Good job Steve!  (click here to nominate our next artist)

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The Sarasota Downtown Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday on Lemon and Main. It is so much more than “just” a farmer’s market. There are many artists on hand and it’s a great place to meet your friends and start the day with fresh brewed coffee and a tasty treat.

[ the king’s queen ]

Stephen King has some competition in the family. Tabitha King, his wife, has released a novel titled “Candle Burning.” Co-written with the late Michael McDowell, creator of BEETLEJIUCE and the Blackwater series, Stephen says the book will “put ice in your summer drink”.  Available in bookstores now.

[ little al on the prairie ]

Two highly anticipated movies will arrive at Burn’s Court this week when the star-studded “A Prairie Home Companion” opens with the likes of Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Woody Harrelson and Lily Tomlin. It’s a movie about a fake radio show that survived during the age of television. Also at Burn’s Court, “An Inconvenient Truth” starring Vice President Al Gore as he lays out the case for global warming and need for immediate action. The movie is, of course, getting criticism from the right and praise from the left and moderates. No matter how you lean, politically, it is a good idea to gather facts from all sides and then decide to agree that global warming is real and we need to do something.  941-955-3456

[ the huck you say ]

Huck Finn comes to life in “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” during the Summer Repertory season at the Venice Little Theatre. Beginning in July, the staged readings include “The Bog of Cats”, “Frozen” and “The Judas Kiss” which starred Liam Neeson on Broadway as Oscar Wilde before and after his imprisonment. Call the theatre for more info at 941-488-1115 or online. 

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June 15 & 16
[ on the radio ]

Amy Knapp, creator of "gg-single sarasota girl," will join Cliff Roles today at 2:00 pm. Amy is the playwright for the recently premiered gg monologues and columnist. On Friday Elaine Keating, community activist, will be the guest. Listen on line right here or on your radio at AM 1220 WIBQ.

June 16
[ singer-songscribe ]

Malcolm Holcombe will entertain audiences at the Fogartyville Café at 8:00 pm. His soulful country tunes and thoughtful songs have earned Malcolm frequent comparisons to Bruce, Neil Young and Bob Dylan. Advance tickets are only $10.

June 16, 17, 18
[ free at the asolo ]

Devora Millman directs a staged reading of playwright Richard Stahle’s “Live Girl” this weekend at the Asolo Late Night. It’s a “provocative comedy with no-holds-barred faithfulness to the human condition”. The performance is in the Cook Theatre and is free and at varying times: Friday June 16 at 9:45, Saturday June 17 at 10:10 and Sunday June 18 at 3:45. No reservations required and seating is on a first-come-first-seated basis.

June 17
[ funny ]

This Saturday marks the return of weekend Improv at Florida Studio Theatre. If this is your first time, or even if you are a regular, enjoy two-for-one tickets at this week’s anything arts inside tailgate party at FST. Just call and mention anything arts and there you have it, voila, a huge discount and our appreciation! The Cabaret is an intimate setting with small tables and full bar. Come see Christine and the gang in action and feel free to laugh your arse off! (see the ad below)

June 18
[ exhibit and discussion ]

The mack b gallery is exhibiting "Dixie", by Lauren Grant through June 30. On June 18 enjoy an open public discussion from 2:00 - 3:00 pm focused on Lauren’s work and “how our participation in the every-day institutions of our society reinforce self-maintaining negative stereotypes and propagate segregated communities.”

June 19
[ before the polar caps melt ]

Tim Flannery speaks about his new book, The Weather Makers, climate change and the need for action. Sponsored, in part by Sarasota News & Books, the Books Under the Banyans environmental author series is designed to elevate the discussion of environmental issues affecting Sarasota County and the world. Tickets are available at Selby Gardens and Sarasota News & Books. Ticket prices include a hardcover book, wine and light refreshments.

July 23 - 30
[ change for CHANGE ]

Congratulations to WSLR for one-year on the air! WSLR-LPFM 96.5 is a commercial free, listener supported, grassroots-homegrown radio station featuring local programming and national favorites like Democracy Now. The station is celebrating its anniversary with an on-air fund drive and is seeking support of local businesses to provide “gifts” for those becoming members of the station. This is a great way for businesses to have their products and services mentioned on the air and help the station at the same time. Also, be on the lookout for buckets around town where you can drop your pocket full of change for Change. To donate time or money, and for additional information, click here.

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June 25
[ horns and conga ]

Get your groove on and boogie the night away in the Beatrice Friedman Theater at the Flanzer JCC when Big Night Out hits the stage. Big Night Out is a seven piece tropical dance band that fuses Latin, Caribbean, Funk and Motown. The big horn section will really get you moving. Advance tickets are just $10 and seating is first-come-first-seated. You can bring your own picnic dinner and enjoy the cash bar. Call 941-378-5568 for details. **Evening benefits WSLR Radio!

Deadline July 1
[ step up bozo ]

Clowning Around Town will place 100 clowns all over the place In Sarasota. The five foot tall original creations will eventually be auctioned off and proceeds will benefit the Children’s Services Program of the Tidewell Hospice. Opportunities abound to get involved. You can sponsor a clown or donate a space for the clown to be exhibited. Email for details because the deadline for sponsorship is approaching.

July 8
[ money where your talent is ]

“How to Find Success in the Art World Without Losing Your Integrity.” That’s the title of the presentation by painter, sculptor and educator Edward Povey to be given at the Sarasota Arts Council from 10:00 – 5:00. Povey is an accomplished multi-media artist with sales reaching $500,000 per year. He has studied the psychology of learning and success and will share insights with attendees on how to mix their art with business. Call 941-284-4905 for details on this full-day seminar.

[ so size doesn’t matter ]

Okay, that title is a stretch. The eclectic theatre company is producing an evening of short plays. How short? Sixty seconds. That’s right, “Got a Minute” opens in September with sixty one-minute plays. Right now all of you actors and directors and playwrights out there need to get ready to participate. All proceeds from the production will go to breast cancer research. To submit a play, send it electronically to Jeff Kin. The theme? You fill in the blank: “__________ in the Face of Adversity.” The blank can be laughter, flying, courage, tap dancing, you name it. Be creative and go for it.

June 17
[ auditions for teen actors ]

The Little Black Box Theatre at the Sarasota School of Arts & Sciences is hosting auditions for the Suncoast Youth Theatre at 9:00 am on Saturday June 17. Actors between 12 - 17 years of age are asked to come with a prepared 1 minute monologue, a song, headshot and resume. Call 941-228-4521 for more information.

July 23
[ save the date ]

Sarasota Actors Workshop is holding open auditions on Sunday July 23 for the next SAW season. SAW will be performing 9 one-act plays per night for two weekends at the Backlot in October. Artistic Director Jeffery Kin and directors Carole Kleinberg and Amanda Schlacter ensure a fun and educational experience for all.  Rehearsals will be in the month of September. SAW sold-out its first two seasons and looks to do it again this year! Come join the fun and check back to anythingarts.com in the next issue for a confirmation of time and place of the audition. Save the date and see you then!

[ freelance ]
Alison Abbey, former fashion writer for SRQ Magazine and it's Page 1 Newsletter, is offering her freelance services. Alison has written for both print and television in creative and promotional avenues. For assistance with anything from web content/marketing to magazine articles to script writing, email Alison at awabbey@msn.com.

Now, right now
[ new service for artists ]
The mission of anything arts is to help artists of every medium to promote their work and share their craft. The world is becoming, like it or not, increasing internet based. We have heard from our readers how much you like our issues because you can click on the links and learn more about the artist or event. Some artists have unfortunately not been included in our issues because we simply have no way to present their story, show their work or link to them. So, we have aligned with our web-guru-chick to offer an inexpensive web page service for artists, and others. The deal includes design, hosting and consultation for far less than you’d expect and will give artists the ability to be seen and contacted. Click here for a sample and here to contact Elle Productions for details on getting your site up soon. Rates (PDF)

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