Hurricane Stories Wanted

In response to the emotional impact of Hurricane Ian, Alliance for the Arts, in partnership with the Gulf Coast Writers Association, has initiated an Oral History Project titled ‘Storm Stories.’ They are asking for stories written by those who survived Hurricane Ian, who volunteered in its aftermath, and who witnessed heroic deeds. Everyone is welcomed to share their stories.

‘Storm Stories’ will have a dedicated, unmanned voicemail, as well as a way to submit written and recorded responses, allowing you to share your unique experience and express your emotions. All ages can submit stories, there is no fee and no word limit, although Gulf Coast Writers may edit stories for publication.

Local artists will use these stories as inspiration to create artworks to be displayed in a multi-media exhibition at the Alliance for the Arts in September 2023 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Ian. The exhibition will also feature the documentary-style photography of Kinfay Moroti’s.

Alliance for the Arts Executive Director, Molly Deckart explains, “Just tell your story about your experience through and after Hurricane Ian in whatever capacity you feel fit—uncensored and unbridled. It could be stories of resilience or trauma or pain or loss. It could be a wide range of feelings. It is meant to be cathartic and therapeutic.”

While ‘Storm Stories’ covers all of Lee County, Alliance for the Arts plans on expanding this project to the entire state of Florida.

Call 744-3047 to tell your story. Call 939-2787 for information about ‘Storm Stories’ and Alliance for the Arts. Visit gulfwriters.org or artinlee.org for information. The Alliance for the Arts is located at 10091 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers.

Charlie Hunter performs with Kurt Elling, March 17 during the 43rd Sarasota Jazz Festival.

Sarasota Celebrates Jazz

The Sarasota Jazz Festival presents concerts featuring popular musicians, classic films, open jam sessions, and a jazz club crawl, March 13-18.

As Music Director of the 43rd Sarasota Jazz Festival, Grammy award winner, trumpeter Terell Stafford has assembled an impressive collection of acclaimed musicians playing a wide range of jazz styles and genres. From the Latin rhythms of saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera to the progressive explorations of trumpeter Christian Sands, from the traditional sounds of pianist Dick Hyman to the modern jazz of guitarist Charlie Hunter, the festival features the legend saxophonist Houston Person, newcomer Lizz Wright, and acclaimed bassist Marcus Miller.

The Jazz festival features concerts performed indoors under the Ulla Searing Big Top on Regatta Island at Nathan Benderson Park, film screenings in the Burns Cinemas in downtown Sarasota, and a ‘jazz club crawl’, as well as late night open jam sessions.

The Festival opens with a VIP Reception on March 13, followed March 14 by a Jazz Trolley Club Crawl, including 10 bands at 10 locations throughout downtown Sarasota. Trolleys will run 5-10pm, starting at the University schedule

Town Center mall. Concerts are March 15-18, under the Ulla Searing Big Top, starting at 6pm. Cabaret-style late night jam sessions follow concerts on March 17 (led by La Lucha) & March 18 (led by Synia Carroll) on the second floor of the Nathan Benderson Park Finish Line Tower. Musicians are asked to sign up before the sessions and bring their own instruments (piano, bass and drums will be provided). Films will be screened at 9:30am on March 16 & 17.

March 13: VIP Reception (tba)

March 14: Jazz Trolley Pub Crawl (5:30-9:30pm)

March 15: Lizz Wright, Christian Sands Trio concert (6pm)

March 16: ‘The Benny Goodman Story’ film (9am)

March 16: Marcus Miller, Allen Carmen Project with Gumbi Ortiz concert (6pm)

March 17: ‘Miles Davis - Birth of Cool’ film (9am)

March 17: Kurt Elling with Charlie Hunter, Dick Hymans & Diego Figueiredo concert (6pm)

March 17: Late Night Open Jamled by La Lucha (9:30pm-12am)

March 18: Paquito D’Rivera, Houston Person & Tony Monaco concert (6pm)

March 18: Late Night Open JamSynia Carroll (9:30pm-12am)

The Sarasota Jazz Festival is produced by the Jazz Club of Sarasota, a nonprofit organization. The main stage events are produced in partnership with Circus Arts Conservatory.

Ulla Searing Big Top is located on Regatta Island at Nathan Benderson Park, at 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, off N Cattleman Rd, in Sarasota. Burns Court Cinemas is located at 506 Burns Lane, downtown Sarasota. University Town Center Mall is located at 140 University Town Center Drive in Sarasota. For information about the Sarasota Jazz Festival and Sarasota Jazz Club, call 941-2609951.

Selby Gardens Presents the Art of Tiffany

For its annual Jean & Alfred Goldstein Exhibition Series, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens presents ‘Tiffany: The Pursuit of Beauty in Nature’, showcasing the creativity and innovation of Louis Comfort Tiffany, who revolutionized glassmaking and American decorative arts, and believed that inspiration for art and design should be found in nature. It marks the seventh edition of Selby Gardens’ annual Jean & Alfred Goldstein Exhibition, which examines the work of major artists through the

Marie Selby Gardens presents the exhibition, Tiffany: ‘The Pursuit of Beauty in Nature,’ at its downtown Sarasota campus, thru June 25.