We are sorry for the delay in this issue reaching your inbox. Constant Contact is the company through which we email anything arts and they had technical difficulties, yesterday, that resulted in the delay. Many of the items we report on are time sensitive, so naturally we are pretty upset about this and looking for alternatives in the future. Thank you for your understanding and continued support. Be safe this weekend.

A big thank you to our readers for responding so favorably to the special bulletin we distributed, Tuesday. about the play "The Day I Opened My Eyes." Approximately 50 of you showed up for the show and made the evening an even greater success. Congratulations to KT Curran and the cast for a great performance. Two Chrises, Peg and Rick

October 21st
[ let the blues cheer you up ]

Ben Prestage performs at The Fogartyville Café. Prestage, the grandson of a Mississippi sharecropper, grew up in the swamps of Southwest Florida steeped in the Southern Blues tradition.  Prestage honed his craft as a street performer on Memphis’ famed Beale Street and has since played venues, large and small, across the country.  

The Post-Industrial Carnival is a one-week happening of the arts that follows up on last year's raucous, lively and highly successful Industrial Carnival. The event brings together innovative artists from all over the world working in a variety of media and genres: from photography to performance. Participating Sarasota artists are Kimmy Ellinwood, Jon Schiller and Joseph Melancon. Music provided by: Chaotic Formula Orkestra, with special guest StrangeAgents. Flight 19 is an Experimental Skeleton project, an alternative art space located in the former Baggage Building of the Union Train Station in downtown Tampa. Opening event Friday, October 21 between 6 - 11 pm video festival and closing reception on Saturday, October 29, 6 - 11 pm. Gallery hours are daily between 11-5 pm. Contact Jeff Stover or Rozalinda Borcila at (813) 714-8525 for more event info.  

October 21 - 31
[ metro is a happen’ coffee joint ]

Metro Coffee and Wine is celebrating its Grand Opening month with a variety of events, entertainment and prize giveaways. On Friday Oct. 21, there is a benefit for The Wellness Community, Breast Cancer and Early Detection & Awareness “Women & Friends Celebrating Women." There will be entertainment by a variety of entertainers, light fare and wine tasting. Suggested donation is $10 for attending this worthwhile event.

October 21 - December 18
[ who was that masked man? ]

This masked man is a Borucan Indian of Costa Rica. Don’t miss this Weedon Island Preserve exhibit of intricately handcrafted masks created using centuries-old traditions and technique. During the first 10 days of the exhibit, two Borucan master carvers will be at the Weedon Island Center conducting public demonstrations and teaching classes during regular Center hours. 727-453-6500

October 24
[ boo who? ]

Boo you, that's who. The Freezer Show will film its weekly television talk-show with a Halloween theme at 6:30 pm on October 24 (doors open at 5:30). Admission is free if you are in costume. Guests of the show for this scary evening are Neil McCurry, filmmaker and President of People's Community Bank, and Michael McNees, Sarasota City Manager and actor. All audience members are invited to Khrome after the show for Monday Night Football and free Bud. Reservations for the taping are needed. Directions.  (Our very own Christine was an extra in this film!)

October 27 & 29
[ music to your ears ]

A Day in the Life of Mozart: The Florida West Coast Symphony celebrates Mozart’s 250th birth anniversary this October with two 8 pm concerts at the Sarasota Opera House. Prize-winning violinist Timothy Fain performs the Violin Concerto No. 3 on October 27, and pianist Wonny Song performs the Piano Concerto No. 24 on Oct. 29. Vocalists from Florida Grand Opera will also perform highlights from The Marriage of Figaro. Artistic Director Leif Bjaland conducts.  For tickets or information about the Symphony’s 2005-06 season, “Music Larger than Life,” call 941-953-3434.

You've been there before... the stand-up comedian makes you laugh so hard that you just can't breathe. You... feel... great! Tim Wilkins with Carmen Ciricillo (the Construction Comic) plus Jason Robinson, Tony Gaud, and Al Jackson, will also make your sides and cheeks hurt at their 10th Annual Bunch-O-Comics Annual Charity Event - where other, than McCurdy's Comedy Club. Ticket prices vary depending on the night you choose, and there is a two item minimum per person.  For tickets call 925-3869.

October 29
[ pepperoni y verdi con musica ]

Ok, I have no idea what I just said there. Maybe I need the Italian classes! But since we are speaking of the The Florida West Coast Symphony, let’s not forget the kids. On Saturday October 29 at 11:30 am, the FWCS presents a fun-filled pizza lunch and auction, “Bites and Bids”, to benefit the Youth Orchestra Program. Sarasota Magazine’s Jimmy Dean is the celebrity auctioneer and there will be fun for the entire family.  Call Marlene Hjertstedt at 941-966-1263 to save your space and support this great cause.

October 29
[ comedy & improv ]

The Chai-Lights Stage Series at the Flanzer JCC presents Chicago City Limits’ “Taking Liberties” for two shows on October 29 at 7:00 & 9:30 pm. The award-winning Chicago City Limits is the oldest running comedy revue in NYC and their humor knows no boundaries and nothing is sacred in this uproarious family-friendly show. For tickets call 378-5568. 

through October 30
[ wholly funny theater batman! ]

Ok, it has nothing to do with Batman. Bat Boy, the Broadway hit musical/comedy/horror show is now playing at the Manatee Players in Bradenton. The story is about a half-bat-half-boy creature living in Hope Falls, West Virginia and making the best of it until love, a secret and narrow-minded townspeople mix for hilarious, yet melodious, results.

November 4 - 13
[ film festival ]

The 18th annual Cine-World Film Festival runs at Burns Court Cinema presenting films from around the world in many genres. Also on hand, film-shorts from the Florida State University film school, Ringling School of Art & Design, Manatee Community College and a selection of shorts from the Toronto Film Festival. Packages available and excitement is assured. Advance tickets by link or calling 955-3456.

November 9
[ direct from the lincoln center ]

A musical evening to benefit The Community Music School of Southwest Florida features a reception, dinner, silent auction and performance by renowned violinist Arve Tellefsen, pianist J.Y. Song and cellist Darrett Adkins. The event begins at the Chelsea Center at 5:30 with an open bar, 6:45 dinner and 8:00 performance at the adjacent St. Thomas Moore Church. The Community Music School provides group and individual instruction programs throughout Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties. Advance reservations required, contact Mary Geldi at 929-1859

November 10-12
[ theatre ]

The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe presents " Woman from the Town, at the Glenridge Performing Arts Center on Palmer Ranch November 10-12 at 2:30 & 8:30 and again later in the month at The Back Lot. "Woman from the Town," by Samm-Art Williams, is the story of Lila Wilson, a now wealthy woman, who was evicted from her NC home 27 years earlier for having a child out of wedlock and now returns to help her sister save the family farm, threatened by the current economy. The family reunion is both comical and explosive as the two independent sisters face some long-standing issues. Tickets for both venues at 941-363-9300

[ art meets tech ]

Elsie Gilmore, of Elle Productions, designed and hosts our anything arts newsletter and website. Elle Productions is a leader in design and has produced many of the sites used in Sarasota the business world. We want to take this opportunity to thank Elsie for her personal and professional attention to our needs and for always going the extra mile to ensure satisfaction.

"Sins of Pearl", by local author Jim Henry, is a compelling story of love, internal conflict with religious dogma, voodoo and philosophy all set among the rural backdrop of Haiti. Henry's fiction reads well and vividly illustrates the Haitian countryside and traditions that he has experienced first-hand on humanitarian trips to the region. In keeping with his philanthropic goals, a portion of all books sales is donated to relief efforts in Haiti and the Caribbean region. Order on-line.

As seen at the Sarasota Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings, Mary and Terry Hart combine laser technology and birch wood to create original works of art. They can also take photographs and images and transform them into exact replicas in carved wood. Intricate and unique, the process is also available on granite and other surfaces.

[ in harmony with nature ]

Joyce Novak, VP of the Florida Artist Group, has displayed her work in Beijing, Shanghai and, through October, in Sarasota at the Harmony Gallery in the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center. Novak has always found nature to be one of the strongest influences in the creation of her art. The current exhibit, “Wetlands Triptychs”, is open to the public 8:30-4:30 and whenever the building is open to the public. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of art will be donated to the Florida West Coast Symphony.  

[ cool mini docs ]

You have read about him on the S2 Report... Brad Bryan. Local filmmaker releases two new videos on BradBryan.com. They are promotional pieces for the Verb Sarasota program, an initiative of the Sarasota County Health Department. Control and Prevention aimed at curbing childhood obesity by getting "tweens" (children aged 9-12) physically active.  Also make sure to check out his other work. We especially enjoy the On Your Side (Fake News).

[ life: scripted and unscripted ]
Florida Studio Theater has added two new Improv classes to its fall schedule to accommodate people with different schedules. Now Improv students can select day, evening and weekend classes. Registration is open for Improv, Acting, Dance and Playwriting. Classes begin in the first week of November and are suitable for all ages and abilities. Call for details 941-366-1350.

October 20 - November 17
[ what’s your IQ ]
Italian Quotient, that is. Professore Roberto Alvarez, owner and lead instructor of Learn Italian, will teach Italian every Thursday from Oct. 20th through Nov. 17th at Bacco Ristorante Italiano. The interactive class is for those Italian, those who love Italian people, or those who just love Italian food at Bacco’s. Act now to reserve your space. Call 727-866-6892 or use the links above.

October 24
[ picture this ]
Marilyn Sholin is recognized as a Master Portrait Artist and Corel Painter Master. Sholin conducts seminars throughout the U. S. and operates studios in Miami and New York. On October 24th, she will present a hands-on Corel Painter training workshop at Digital Technology Centre in Sarasota from 9-5. Sholin will demonstrate digital techniques that can be used to transform all or part of a photograph to create an entirely new image. The workshop will include information on marketing, pricing and selling transformed photograph-based art. For registration contact 941-894-0362.