Featured Artist
Ringling School of Art & Design

Right under our collective noses sits The Ringling School. We all know it’s there, but if you haven’t paid attention in a while you might not know how lucky we are. First, the campus has several galleries that are open to the public and offer a wide variety of exciting work. Secondly, the RSAD curriculum is known for its excellence world-wide. In fact, a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar from China will be attending classes this year. Plus, recent grads have worked on Oscar Winning films for the last several years. This year the school was awarded 17 Addy Awards. Heck, even the college catalogue won national praise and was designed by students. The Ringling School is a major partner in the forthcoming Sarasota Museum of Art that will transform the old Sarasota High School. We are so lucky and we don’t have room here to sing all the praises we’d like, so check out the school’s site or, better yet, take a tour of the campus. Good job RSAD! (click here to nominate our next artist)

Tickets on-sale now

Sarasota Actors Workshop (SAW) is gearing up for its third season with an evening of one-act plays in October. SAW enjoyed early sell outs for its first two seasons and looks to repeat the success. Details will follow but tickets are available now at SRQ Box Office.

Our very own Christine Alexander has been recognized as one of  “40 Under 40 for 2006” by the Gulf Coast Business Review. The award is to highly professional and productive business “kids” in the community. Not only did she win, she is first on the list, alphabetically and in our hearts. When I first heard that Christine was recognized I thought “how brave that she openly admits to an IQ under 40, really brave.” All joking aside, Christine is a force of nature. She gets more done and makes more people's dreams come true than any ten people I know. Best of all, she does it with joy in her heart and a robust laugh that can be heard blocks away. You go Christine, you deserve it and more. Hell, if you got paid for anythingarts.com we’d double, no triple, your pay! 

Oh yeah, let’s not forget that anythingarts.com's web designer, Elsie Gilmore, was also one of the 40. Yeah Elsie! Man, I know who to associate with, huh?

July 28, August 4, 11
[ latte, latte, cocoa bean ]

The Metro continues to serve up hot, fresh brewed music every week. This week its Elysian Sex Drive. On August 4, it’s Radio-Free Carmela, and on August 11 Paul Mozzarella & Jamie Avary. Check the schedule at www.metro-coffee.com.

[ fiction fridays ]

Ok, that was a bad title, shame on us. Cliff Roles is hosting a Congressional Candidates Special every Friday from 5:00 - 6:00. Starting tomorrow, the candidates in order of appearance are: Jan Schneider, Vern Buchanan, Mark Flanagan, Christine Jennings, Tramm Hudson and Nancy Detert. Listen in your car at AM 1220 or on your computer by clicking here.

July 29
[ beaded lady ]

Shop and learn at Chloe’s Bead Shop in Bradenton. The next basic bead class is two days away. For info on future classes click here and ask Chloe.

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August 1
[ deadline approaching ]

The eclectic theatre company (no capital letters is artsy, don’t you think?) is presenting sixty one-minute plays in an hour called “Got a Minute?” The deadline for the submission of plays is August first, so there is still time. All profits from the production benefit The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Visit the website for details.

through August 4
[ animated keanu ]

Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey, Jr., Woody Harrelson and Winona Rider star in the animated “A Scanner Darkly” at Burns Court. The film is worth seeing for the technology as much as the story. Rather than trying to describe it, see for yourself by clicking here.

One more week
[ he looks kind of stiff ]

Enjoy the sculpture of the late Jack Cartlidge, retired new College associate professor of art, at the Selby Gallery on the campus of The Ringling School of Art & Design.

August 4 - 30
[ seeing greene ]

Pop quiz time! What does sgraffito mean? Click the word to find out and then you will understand the artwork of Thomas Joyce a little better. Joyce, whose work will be exhibited at Greene Contemporary through August, uses sgraffito elements in this work.

August 11 - 20
[ is the butler out on bail? ]

The Manatee Players presents Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre with “Murder at Café Noir.” The comic tribute to Bogart movies is audience interactive and includes dinner and at least one corpse. The production will be at the Bradenton Women’s Club. Call 941-748-5875 for more information.

Every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
[ the beat goes on ]

Live music is on tap with great java at “It’s A Grind Coffee House” on Clark Road in the Beneva Village. Try it out for a comfortable and cozy evening out. Call 941-924-7305.

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All the time
[ clowning around ]

The Howard Brothers Circus is the largest miniature circus in the world and it’s on permanent display at the newly opened Ringling Circus Museum. The exhibition is amazing for its scope and detail. Ladies, gentleman and children of all ages will enjoy the exhibit. Admission is included in the regular Museum ticket. Call for hours and special summer saving information at 941-358-3180.

August 17
[ sunset cocktail ]

Cocktails at the Ca’ d’ Zan, right on the patio where John Ringling and the notables of his day enjoyed a drink and fine music. You can, too! There is just a $5 admission and a cash bar and light fare are available while listening to “Shaman.” 941-389-5700.

Photo : Booth Studio, Inc.

August 21
[ il bel paese ]

Try telling someone from Italy that learning Italian is not art… go ahead, I dare you. You can learn the romance language while sipping fine wine and eating great food at Bacco’s Ristorante Italiano and Tuscan Steakhouse, on Lemon, downtown. The atmosphere is laid back, casual and very conducive to learning with ease. Early registration is always a necessity at 727-866-6892 or www.LearnItalian.us.

August 23
[ another gay movie ]

That really is the title, “Another Gay Movie.” Look out “American Pie” here comes “Quiche Lorraine” in a copycat film with a definite, um, twist. Showing at Burns Court to benefit ALSO and is the opening night of the Gay & Lesbian Film Celebration at Burns.

Through September
[ longboat art ]

The Longboat Center for the Arts is exhibiting “Art in Motion” in the Durante Gallery. The exhibit hosts pieces in every medium. Call 941-383-2345 for details.

Now showing
[ lots on palm ]

The Palm Avenue Gallery is running a Summer Showcase with glass art, watercolors, graphite works and several other media. Visit their website to enjoy the works of Carol Connely (shown to the right).

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New Business

Local businessperson and actor Pam Karasy, owner of the Soap Sanctuary, has a new venture call SRQBoxOffice.com. The secure on-line site offers a way for smaller venues and special events coordinators to sell tickets via the web using credit cards. This much needed service is a godsend to small groups without full-time staff. Tickets are on sale now for the upcoming Sarasota Actors Workshop production slated for October at the Backlot. Thanks, Pam!

[ audition ]

The Gulf Coast Men’s Chorus and Harmony - The Women’s Voices of Sarasota have auditions for upcoming productions on August 21 at Trinity MCC church. Call 941-957-0404 to information and to schedule an audition time.

register now
[ paint it ]

Colleen Cassidy-Berns is offering a variety of watercolor classes, as well as furniture painting and floor cloth creation. Classes start in about a month, so check it out soon by clicking here.

Here's the skinny. The studio for rent is upstairs at Booth Studio. 1100 sq/ft studio available for rent! Studio, Office, Sales Room, Dressing Room. Looking for a 1 - 2 year lease. Use of the full kitchen, bathrooms and fax machine down stairs. Go and see it. They are there M-F 8:30 - 5:30. Call Christine 941-359-3456 or email studio@boothstudio.com

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