November 2019

Holiday Gift Guide

USFSM Impacting Lives & Our Community

The Sarasota Ballet’s CIRCUS NUTCRACKER Sarasota Youth Opera’s Brundibar

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CONTENTS features

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36 2019 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 49 STEP RIGHT UP FOR A NUTCRACKER LIKE NO OTHER

By Sylvia Whitman

55 MEET OUR QUEEN OF CHRISTMAS

By Sylvia Whitman

62 THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY 40 Years of Compassion and Impact

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

68 USF SARASOTA-MANATEE Making a Difference in Students’ Lives

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

75 THE RINGLING’S ART OF PERFORMANCE A New Curator’s Creative Genius

By Sylvia Whitman

ON THE COVER Ornaments from Shelly’s Gift & Christmas Boutique.

Photography by Jordan Kelly-Laviolette.

10

SARASOTA SCENE | NOVEMBER 2019

55

Click to View Featured Models

CONTENTS departments

SOCIAL SCENE

20 THE LIST November Events Calendar

44

ON THE TOWN

81 SCENES FROM AN INTERVIEW Dave Koz: The Man, His Music

PARTY PICS

26 28 30 32

and His Gift to the World

Sarasota Ferrari Exotic Car Show Sarasota Opera Curtain Raiser JoshProvides Wine Dinner & Auction

By Gus Mollasis

90 EDUCATION MATTERS

The Sarasota Youth Opera

Roskamp Institute Grey Matters

Brings Back Brundibar

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

INSIDER 101 INHEALTH

The Epidemic of Pain: A Mind-Body Connection

By Jill Morris, DMD

105 LAUGHING MATTERS

ART & CULTURE 94

Performing Arts Calendar

98

The One About Math

40 5 Questions with New Sarasota Orchestra Board Chair, Tom Ryan

LITERARY SCENE Three Incredible Real-World Stories

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

By Sylvia Whitman

scenesarasota.com

Unmasking Mental Health

SARASOTA SCENE | NOVEMBER 2019

of Sarasota County

102

Needs Across the Community

44 JFCS’s Call to Action:

12

Cultural happenings brought to

Be Informed Be Entertained Be SCENE

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

90

GET INSPIRED you by the Arts & Cultural Alliance

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

PHILANTHROPY

BEST SEATS

Showing together for the first time in Sarasota!

STEVE SELLS SILKS + MONIES JEWELRY

TRUNK SHOW November 21–23 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Reception: November 21 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

941.388.1974 • dreamweavercollection.com • 364 St Armands Cir • Sarasota, FL 34236 Customer Parking Behind the Store | Like us on Facebook

from the executive editor

I

I AM WRITING THIS MISSIVE ON TUESDAY EVENING OCTOBER 8 AND I NEED TO GET IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT.

Why this night, you ask? Because you’ll be reading this in November, and this is Scene’s Holiday issue.

Yes, November begins our holiday season. Holiday shows and events will fill our calendars. Lights will be twinkling all over town. People will be a bit cheerier.

Party invitations will arrive in our inboxes and mailboxes.

Pies will be baked. Gifts will be bought and Christmas tree stands will open.

But the fact is tonight, it’s not November, it’s October 8. And because of print lead time, I have to get in the spirit now. I am editing articles for Scene’s November issue about a local Christmas shop, a circus Nutcracker, a Van Wezel Christmas show, and products for the holiday gift guide. I’m just not ready to become Ms. Holiday, but my work says otherwise!

Tomorrow, we have a photo shoot at a local Christmas shop for our “Queen of Christmas” article in this issue.

Maybe that will put me in the spirit? Right now, it’s time for sleep and hopefully some visions of sugar plums.

What exactly are sugar plums? Can’t say I’ve ever had one. I am going to stop writing now. I clearly am tired and holiday un-inspired. Let’s see what happens tomorrow when I open this laptop again and resume writing… …Good morning! It’s now Thursday, October 9. I’m back at my laptop. My e-calendar pop up reminder says: Photo shoot at Shelly’s Gift & Christmas Boutique with owner Michelle Witzer. Okay, this should help get me going. Holidays here I come. I’ll be back to you after the shoot… …You’ve seen the store. It’s large and purple and pops out as you are driving on 41 (about half a mile south of Bee Ridge). As soon as I opened the door, I knew I could finish this note. It was a Christmas wonderland. I didn’t know where to look first. There were beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, ornaments, garland, and everything and anything Christmas you can think of. I could spend hours in this store.

And then out she walked—our “Queen of Christmas”.

You can tell Michelle Witzer truly loves this holiday. Her passion for bringing us everything Christmas permeates

14

SARASOTA SCENE | NOVEMBER 2019

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the room. My team and I felt like we were in a Hallmark Christmas movie as we oohed and aahed our way around all the carefully designed displays, selecting which vignettes and special pieces to photograph. Too many great choices. I started humming: It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas! I started thinking about gifts, cards, decorating and voilà, my mood changed.

I said to myself: Yes, I am ready. Bring on the holidays!

Be sure to read Sylvia Whitman’s interview with Michelle Witzer in this issue and visit this purple Christmas palace. The shop also has lots of gifts for many other occasions. And while you’re at it, please read Gus Mollasis’s interview with saxophonist extraordinaire Dave Koz, who has been enthralling audiences for years with his incredible Christmas show at the Van Wezel.

I saw this show a few years ago and it was terrific.

Also back for our enjoyment is the Circus Nutcracker performed by The Sarasota Ballet, and Sarasota Youth Opera’s Brundibar. And don’t forget to peruse our holiday gift guide with gift ideas from local merchants.

Visit our showroom and see the in home innovation Visitlatest our showroom and see the latest in home innovation

Stan Writesel & Baylee Stan Writesel & Baylee

Alan Gravley & Beau Alan Gravley & Beau

From the team at Sarasota Scene, we wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful start to your holiday season.

941.924.4481 www.B2END.com 4453 Ashton Road / Unit C / Sarasota, FL / 34233 941.924.4481 www.B2END.com Road / Unit C / Sarasota, FL / 34233 WCAA4453 & IDS Ashton MEMBERS WCAA & IDS MEMBERS

Want to submit some comments or questions? We’d love to hear from you at julie@scenesarasota.com.

Stan Writesel & Baylee Stan Writesel & Baylee

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Go to SCENESARASOTA.COM

To Subscribe and Sign Up for Our Weekly Newsletter 941.924.4481 | www.B2END.com 4453 Ashton Road, Unit C 941.924.4481 | www.B2END.com Sarasota, 34233 4453 Ashton FL Road, Unit C

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Hassle-Free

Holidays

Enjoy an effortless Thanksgiving meal and leave the kitchen work to Morton’s. Our chefs provide a delicious array of party platters, side dishes and desserts. Order a fully cooked fresh turkey or a combo meal to serve a party of any size.

Don’t forget our fine wines and beautiful floral centerpieces too. Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!

Receive a FREE $10 gift card for every $100 worth of gift cards purchased.

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Thanksgiving order deadline: Saturday, November 23 at 5 p.m.

Account Executive Alysia De Maio Art Director Darcy Kelly-Laviolette Marketing & Digital Content Director Jordan Kelly-Laviolette Distribution Mike Straffin Contributing Writers Sue Cullen Jacqueline Miller Gus Mollasis Ryan G. Van Cleave Sylvia Whitman Contributing & Social Photographer Nancy Guth Contributing Photographers Jordan Kelly-Laviolette Kelly Kearns Matthew Roback

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SARASOTA SCENE | NOVEMBER 2019

443 John Ringling Blvd. Ste. #F, Sarasota, FL 34236 941.365.1119 | Fax: 941.954.5067 | scenesarasota.com H John Knowles LLC, dba SCENE Magazine publishes 12 issues a year. Address editorial, advertising and circulation correspondence to the above address.

Sufficient return postage and self-addressed, stamped envelope must accompany all manuscripts, artwork and photographs submitted if they are to be returned or acknowledged. Publisher assumes no responsibility for care of return of unsolicited materials. Subscription price: $12.95 per year, $19.95 for two years. All contents copyrighted. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

AI WEIWEI ZODIAC (2018) LEGO Acclaimed artist Ai Weiwei will return to The Ringling with his new Zodiac (2018) LEGO series. The 12 impressive portraits in the series are made entirely of LEGO pieces and demonstrate the artist’s continued focus on the zodiac animal concept.

ON VIEW NOV 17 – FEB 2 Ai Weiwei, Zodiac (Tiger) (detail), 2018. LEGO bricks on aluminum di-bond backing, 230 x 230 cm, Private Collection.

Image courtesy of the artist, photography by Adam Reich.

Paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax Revenues.

Sponsor support is provided by

INFORMATION + TICKETS

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NOVEMBER 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

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social SCENE

November 2 » Children First 7th Annual Rockin’ Lobster

The LIST

NOVEMBER 2019 EVENTS CALENDAR We brunch for education. Celebrate opening nights. Listen to some wise citizens. Ooh and aah at incredible shoes. Enjoys the sounds of docs strumming guitars. And these are what we can do at just a few of November’s fun and important social and fundraising events. Be sure to take a look at the rest!

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SARASOTA SCENE | NOVEMBER 2019

Sharky’s on the Pier 6:00 p.m. $200| childrenfirst.net

3 » Bungalow Classic 2019 Tommy Bahama Benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast 4:00 p.m. $350 | bbbssun.org

6 » St. Jude Foodlosophy A Sarasota Culinary Experience Benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Michael’s On East 6:00 p.m. $200 | stjude.org

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Helping Children Diagnosed With Epilepsy

SARASOTA SCENE

sponsored events

2 Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that can strike ANYONE, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE. In fact, 1 in 26 people will have a seizure during their lifetime.

Seizures impact both the individual and the family.

The stigma and social isolation; the inability to operate a vehicle to get to school, work or medical appointments; the uncertainty of when the next seizure might occur; and the fear of SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy) are the frightening realities for many families in our community.

JoshProvides pulls back the curtain on epilepsy, the fourth most common neurological disorder, through community awareness, education, offering a local monthly Epilepsy Support Group, and providing seizure detection & alert devices, transportation assistance and assistance with medical services to children, families and individuals. Our families are NOT defined by their disorder…they are warriors who will overcome these obstacles thanks to your support!

Mission: To improve the quality of life for those living with epilepsy or other seizure disorders.

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SARASOTA SCENE | NOVEMBER 2019

» Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast Wild About Nature Festival Bay Preserve 10:00 a.m.

Free event | conservationfoundation.com

3

» Brunch on the Bay USF Sarasota-Manatee 11:30 a.m. $225 | usfsm.edu/giving/brunch-on-the-bay/

3

» Sarasota Orchestra Brunch Opener Michael’s on the Bay 10:30 a.m. $175 | sarasotaorchestra.org

4

» Asolo Rep Starry Night Dinner: The Sound of Music Private Home; Honoree Ann Charters 6:30 p.m. $250 | asolorep.org

6

» Wit & Wisdom of Aging Luncheon Michael’s On East 11:30 a.m. $125 | pinesofsarasota.org/wit-and-wisdom

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6 » Orchid Evening Selby Gardens With live entertainment by the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School 6:00p.m. $165 | selby.org

6 – 8 » Bacchus on the Beach 2019 Celebration of Food & Wine Resort at Longboat Key Club $75- $175 | longboatkeyclub.com

7 » New College Foundation 41st Annual Clambake

SAR

9 » Black Tie and Blue Jeans Equestrian Gala InStride Therapy Benefiting Easterseals Happiness House 6:00 p.m. $175 | instridetherapy.org

10 » All Faith's Food Bank Bowls of Hope

6:00 p.m. $250 | ncf.edu

Ed Smith Stadium 11:00 a.m. $30-$100 | allfaithsfoodbank.org

8 » Choral Artists of Sarasota Reinvention Luncheon

11 » Planned Parenthood's Fashion Show and Luncheon

Michael’s On East 11:30 a.m. $100 | choralartistssarasota.org

Nov 9 – Dec 1 » Sarasota Medieval Fair Ringling Woods 10:00 a.m. $18.95 | sarasotamedievalfair.com

9 » The Artful Lobster The Hermitage Artists Retreat 11:00 a.m. $190 | hermitageartistretreat.org

Michael’s On East 11:30 a.m. $125| plannedparenthood.org

11 » Helping Our Kids Soar Michael's on East

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15 » Wine, Women & Shoes The Signature Luncheon The Ritz-Carlton Benefiting Forty Carrots Family Center 10:00 a.m. $525 winewomenandshoes.com/event/fortycarrots/

15 – 18 » Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival Siesta Beach $30 | siestakeycrystalclassic.com

16 » The Venice Symphony Gala Plantation Golf & Country Club 6:30 p.m. $175 | thevenicesymphony.org

Benefiting Children’s Guardian Fund 11:45 a.m. $85 |childrensguardianfund.org

16 » Women's Sports Museum Trailblazer Gala 2019

13 » The 19th Annual Principals Luncheon Circus Arts Conservatory

16 » Dr. Idol: Battle of the Bands

11:30 a.m. $50 |sarasotaarts.org

E WIN

HO &S EN

Sarasota Yacht Club $125 | womenssportsmuseum.org

White Buffalo Saloon Benefiting Ear Research Foundation 7:00 p.m. $50 | earrf.org NOVEMBER 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

23

TASTEFUL | TIMELESS | MADE IN USA

Shop with us and find your new favorite dress!

1508 MAIN STREET SARASOTA 941-413-5298 MON-SAT 10 to 6 SUN 12 to 5 WWW.SARACAMPBELL.COM | @SARACAMPBELLLTD

It doesn’t need to be NEW to be

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18 » West Coast Black Theatre Troupe Anniversary Celebration: Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now 6:00 p.m. $35 – $250 | westcoastblacktheatre.org

18 » Aviva’s Keep The Dream Alive Michael’s On East 7:30 p.m. $150 | avivaseniorlife.org

28 » Florida Turkey Trot Nathan Benderson Park 8:00 a.m. $15 - $40 fit2run.com/florida-turkey-trot-2019

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SARASOTA SCENE | NOVEMBER 2019

30 » Light Up Siesta Key and Village Holiday Parade Beach Road 6:00 p.m. siestakeychamber.com

30 » Venice Holiday Parade Historic Downtown Venice

UP

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DEC. 6 | Florida Center Annual Winter Gala MIchael’s On East 6:30 p.m. $200 | thefloridacenter.org

DEC. 9 | Asolo Rep Starry Night Dinner Private Home 6:30 p.m. $250 | asolorep.org

DEC. 10 | La Musica Sonata a Due The Field Club 6:00 p.m. $250 | lamusicafestival.org

DEC. 15 | JFCS Gala 5:00 p.m.

The Ritz-Carlton jfcs-cares.org/gala/

DEC. 16 | Jewish Federation Women's Day Luncheon Michael’s On East 10:30 a.m. jfedsrq.org VISIT S CE NESAR AS OTA .COM for the latest social scene party pics.

To submit your event for consideration, please send information to scenemagazine@scenesarasota.com NOVEMBER 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

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Kyle Lulofs, Bella Cogan, Brandon Anderson & Shaun Lulofs

Sidney Ettedgui & Jurgen Otto

Noel Tagarelli

PARTY pics EXOTIC CAR SHOW The Sarasota Ferrari Drivers Group hosted its third annual event on Saturday September 28th, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting local charities. Over 120 cars were on display on St Armands Circle, from Lamborghinis and Ferraris to McLarens and Porsches.

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GET CONNECTED Karen Cash Greco, P. A. 941.504.6927

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Join us for a wonderful evening to celebrate the JFCS tradition of supporting the community through Mental Health and Human Services.

Y

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Sunday, December 15th, 2019

K

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

Special Entertainment Jay White as Neil Diamond

Tickets or sponsorship, please contact Sherry Gluchov 941-366-2224 ext. 141 or SGluchov@JFCS-Cares.org

social SCENE

Carol English, David & Jacqueline Morton

Laitin Schwerim & Vlado Konatar

Ray & Beverly Broth with Carol Von Allmen

SARASOTA OPERA CURTAIN RAISER Sarasota Opera’s Curtain Raiser Dinner celebrated the start of Sarasota Opera’s social season. The event was held on Sunday, October 20th at Michael’s on the Bay at Selby Gardens. The evening began with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the garden, followed by a three-course dinner and an exciting performance by artists from Rigoletto.

David & Edie Chaifetz

Bill & Rebecca Tompkins wtih Richard Russell

A Classic

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December 12th through 22nd

Select dates & times

Feel the spirit of the holidays with a festive, family evening of theater, carols and tales to warm the heart. All amid the historic grandeur of the majestic Powel Crosley Estate.

Dec.12 – 7:30pm Dec. 13-15 – 2:00pm, 7:30pm Dec. 17-18 – 7:30pm Dec. 19-20 – 2:00pm, 7:30pm Dec. 22 – 2:00pm, 7:30pm

Tickets are on sale now at ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com All tickets are $27.50 ($25.50 plus a convenience fee of $2.00)

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29

social SCENE JOSHPROVIDES WINE DINNER AND AUCTION

Sal Diaz-Verson & Alfred Rose

More than 100 guests attended the JoshProvides Epilepsy Assistance Foundation Wine Dinner and Auction held at Café L’Europe. Traci Smullen and Anne Weintraub co-chaired the dinner and Ron Milton, owner of Café L’Europe, served as auctioneer. Proceeds will provide seizure detection devices to children with epilepsy, offer transportation assistance for medical appointments to those prohibited from driving due to seizures, and will support the monthly Epilepsy Support Group which provides a community connection to local resources for families. Photos by Matt Roback.

Co-Chairs Traci Smullen & Anne Weintraub with Dan Vigne Patricia Staebler & Michelle Brault

Pat & Wendy Carlton, Inna & Steve Snyder

Andria Bilan, Nicole Chapnick & Sandi Chapnick

A

MOTOWN

CHRISTMAS Created, adapted & direCted by Nate JaCobs

deCember 4–6, 18–20, 2019

at the sarasota opera house

941-366-1505 westCoastblaCktheatre.org 30

SARASOTA SCENE | NOVEMBER 2019

TRUNK SHOW ONE DAY ONLY

November 6 • 10AM –6PM Regional manager, Denine Mackie, will present Fall 2019 TRAVEL CAPSULE presentation 2PM – 3PM Refreshments will be served!

Call 941.388.1974 to RSVP dreamweavercollection.com • 364 St Armands Cir • Sarasota, FL 34236 Customer Parking Behind the Store | Like us on Facebook NOVEMBER 2019 |

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WITH YOUR HELP...

A promising future becomes a reality, a passion becomes a career and a dream comes true.

Alfred Rose, Annie Isaacs & Richard Russ

Jackie Rogers, Bob Roskamp, Anna Scott & Angus Rogers

Drs. Cheryl Brandi, Fiona Crawford & Michael Mullan

Your support impacts a studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future.

Keren Lifrak & Lissa Murphey

ROSKAMP INSTITUTE GREY MATTERS The Third Annual Grey Matters (GM3) benefitting The Roskamp Institute was recently held at the RitzCarlton. Keynote speaker, NY Times bestselling author and actress Kimberly Williams Paisley, shared her personal stories, and Dr. Cheryl Brandi of The Roskamp Neurology Clinic and Dr. Mike Mullan, executive director of The Roskamp Institute, made presentations.

The event raised $166,000 in support of the Instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important work to understand causes and finding treatments for brain disorders.

Leslie Young & Cindy Juceam

Contact Cassandra Holmes 941-752-5390 or HolmesC@SCF.edu

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SARASOTA SCENE | NOVEMBER 2019

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SARASOTA VASCULAR SPECIALISTS The First Accredited Vein Center in Sarasota and Charlotte Counties

Michael Lepore MD, FACS, RVPI

Deepak Nair MD, FACS, RVT

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SARASOTA VASCULAR SPECIALISTS has been granted accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in the area of Superficial Venous Treatment and Management.

They are the first accredited Vein Center in Sarasota and Charlotte Counties, and one of only four in Southwest Florida.

More than one half of Americans age 50 and older are affected by varicose veins. Varicose veins occur when the valves in the leg veins no longer function, causing blood to pool in the legs. In some cases, this condition progresses to a more serious form of venous disease called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

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In the South

Respighi’s beloved tributes to Rome take the audience on a delightfully colorful tour in a concert conducted by JoAnn Falletta, Music Director of the Buffalo Symphony. Elgar’s In the South musically depicts a family vacation in Italy. Bruch’s touching and fiercely virtuosic Violin Concerto complements this compelling musical journey.

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2 019 HOLIDAY

GIFT GUIDE 1|

Make your list and check it twice.

Picking the perfect holiday gift for everyone on your list doesn’t have to feel like an impossible feat. From your parents and siblings to your significant other, your boss or best friend – there are endless possibilities. No matter what, it’s the thoughtful, personal presents that mean the most. Our strategy: go beautiful, pragmatic and useful whenever possible. Here are our picks for some of the most fabulous local gifts for a holiday to remember.

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SARASOTA SCENE | NOVEMBER 2019

1 | Isabella Adams - 13” Christmas Tree Embellished with clear Swarovski© crystals, its classic style and traditional green color will definitely bring back memories.

The Exchange $275 | sarasotawex.com 2 | Square Cut Ring Square Brazilian citrine (29 carats+) finished in 18k gold-plated setting. Certified.

Papillion Studio $480 | papillonstudiosarasota.com 3 | Advent Calendar Chocolate Box Count down your Christmas with this advent calendar filled with the best chocolate and truffles.

Banyan Tree Chocolate $60 | banyantreechocolate.com

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4 | Holiday Nutcracker The Cupcake Nutcracker stands 17” tall and is made by Hollywood Nutcrackers.

Shelly’s Gift and Christmas Boutique $106 | shellysgiftandchristmasboutique.com 5 | Charm Furs by Diana Rosh Unique reversible fur designs that are packable and light as a feather.

Foxy Lady $1,188 | foxyladysarasota.com 6 | Emerald and Diamond Earrings Emeralds and Round Brilliant, Pear and Marquis Diamonds all set in 14kt white and yellow gold.

Gold & Diamond Source $24,999 | goldanddiamond.com

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7 | Bruce Bag Collection Crossbody This shopper style Crossbody bag is made of 100% calf leather that has been tanned all by hand, using only plant materials.

Eleganza Leather $285 | eleganzaleatheronline.com 8 | Frank Lyman Sequined Dress Fringe hem and sparkling sequins.

The top half is sleeveless with wide shoulders and a high neckline.

Panache Boutique $174 | 941.955.1400

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4| 1 | SkinMedica® Bundle Combat the visible effects of aging, hydration, and skin discoloration, in one award-winning bundle! This system includes SkinMedica® Ha5, TNS Essential Serum, and 2.0 Lytera.

Sarasota Plastic Surgery $520 | sarasotaplasticsurgery.com 2 | Necklace by Monies Hand made of ammonite, amber, mountain crystal, citrine and wood Dream Weaver Collection $2,506 | dreamweavercollection.com

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3 | Handmade Vest African Mud Cloth Vest.

One size fits all.

Oh My Gauze! $198 | ohmygauze.com

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4 | Movado Bracelet Watch Yellow gold ion-plated stainless steel watch with a crystal-set bezel and luminous goldtone museum dial with a signature dot at 12 o’clock. Made in Switzerland.

Saks Fifth Avenue $795 | saksfifthavenue.com

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5 | Morton’s Famous Steak Basket This delicious gift includes: Top choice filet mignons or New York strips, silver dollar mushrooms, asparagus, potatoes, Caesar salad ingredients, decadent truffle butter, a bottle of wine and more.

Mortons Gourmet Market $105 – $210 | mortonsmarket.com 6 | The Flamingo Tray by Massimo Lunardon Hand-blown glass tray is an unique centerpiece and serving piece that will impress your guests. Handcrafted in Italy.

Malbi Decor $355 | malbidecor.com

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8| 7 | Men’s Fragrance by Shore Made in the USA using only the finest natural essential and fragranced oils. Environmentally friendly. Three available scents: Whiskey, Debauchery, or Peppercorn.

Shore $34 | shorebrand.com

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8 | Sarasota Bay, FL Nautical Map Pillow Feature printed outdoor, fade resistant fabric for years of wear and enjoyment. Made from 100% Polyester and machine washable. 18”x18” Rugs As Art $39 | rugsasart.com

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9 | Vamp Women’s Sunglasses Cat-eye, butterfly shaped lenses and 100% acetate frames with several colorways available.

Soto’s Optical Boutique $350 | sotosoptical.com

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10 | Women’s Sweater Crochet sweater top in aqua comes in sizes XS-XL Sara Campbell $228 | saracampbell.com

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11 | 50-Minute Massage Give the gift of healthy feet for life. Stay comfortable in your own clothes and enjoy a warm foot bath and an upper and lower body massage with extra emphasis on your feet.

Water + Sole $50 | waterandsole.com

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12 | Anai Haie Earrings Made from sterling sliver with rhodium plating and are designed with the intention to be stacked, layered or to stand alone.

Just/Because $20 and Up | justbecausesarasota.com

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NOVEMBER 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

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philanthropy

5

Questions with New Sarasota Orchestra Board Chair

TOM RYAN

By Ryan G. Van Cleave | Photo by Nancy Guth After nine years of exemplary service to the Sarasota Orchestra, Tom Ryan was recently named Board Chair. Prior to his time with the SO, he worked in the food industry for 30+ years and up until his retirement there, he served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of PEPSICO Beverages and Foods in Chicago.

Let’s get to know this key player in SO’s future through the following Q&A session done via a series of emails. Why emails?

Because while he’s officially retired, Tom’s schedule remains as robust as it ever was, which is so often the case with people of talent, compassion, and commitment. *** When did you first know that you were a music lover?

Although it seems like music was always playing in my home as I grew up, I really learned to love classical music in college. I took Music 101 and 102, and I learned a bit about the construction of music, about the different eras of music, about the brilliant composers of the world’s finest sounds, and, most important, what sounds I particularly enjoyed listening to.

I don’t play an instrument, but I relish the opportunity to listen to the skilled professionals in our orchestra reveal their amazing talents.

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SARASOTA SCENE | NOVEMBER 2019

What’s the most important thing people should know or understand about the Orchestra?

It’s two related things: We are more than music, and we are wholly devoted to enriching lives and improving our community.

Everything we do is deliberately civic-minded.

The community and the Orchestra have a reciprocal relationship.

For seven decades, the Orchestra has been honored to help the community thrive. And we have grown—in distinction, size, quantity and programming—thanks to the community.

Through live music performances, we seek to engage hearts, minds, and spirits. We want people to leave transformed. Our musicians are incredibly devoted to their art and to the people of Sarasota. In all, Sarasota Orchestra is nearly 300 musicians, educators, and staff—all deeply embedded and invested in this special place.

Each year, we reach thousands of young people through education programs. This season, we’re celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Sarasota Youth Orchestra, which engages hundreds of young people in music education. More than 9,000 local fourth and fifth graders attended Young Persons’ Concerts presented by the professional orchestra. In June, we’ll host the 56th annual Sarasota Music Festival, a world-renowned

teaching and performance festival that showcases classical music’s top educators and emerging stars. Our 43rd Summer Music Camp—now two weeks of full-day music instruction—will take place in July. It’s really non-stop work with young people.

In all of your experience with the Orchestra, what has surprised you the most?

Ironically, the simple answer is its complexity. Since we don’t own our own building, we perform concerts in various locations which requires the transport of music stands, chairs, sheet music, etc. (not to mention the musicians traveling as well!) and after the concert, breaking it down and transferring it all back to the symphony center. Rehearsals are generally held in our Holley Hall, but performances are usually performed elsewhere. And that’s all just for concerts.

We also provide educational programs for many hundreds of students from local schools; there are eight orchestras of students (each set-up for the different orchestras requires its own organization of the hall). We have a library for sheet music and recordings as well as librarians organizing it all; there are development professionals who work to raise the funds to enable the nonprofit

to complete its work; there are marketing professionals who keep the community informed of all our activities; there are the box office folks who somehow are able to keep track of seating in all our venues for our subscribers and single ticket buyers; and finally, last but certainly not least, there are administrators, like in all businesses, who work to manage the affairs and finances of the orchestra.

What’s the latest on the search for the Orchestra’s new home?

Let’s start with our vision: a new Music Center that will be transformational for people in our region for generations to come.

We’re continuing our search for a site. That process is guided by this organization’s established commitment to strategic, disciplined planning, and sensitivity to the Orchestra’s urgent need for a home. Our key criteria, which have guided us throughout this process, are timeliness, artistic and educational integrity, philanthropic considerations, and business and economic viability.

Limitations imposed by the lack of a dedicated, purposebuilt home threaten Sarasota Orchestra’s future vitality. We have pressing operational constraints at existing venues. Because NOVEMBER 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

41

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of these demands and the five-year design and construction timeline for a new Music Center, the Orchestra has a real sense of urgency.

One last question. What’s the most common misconception about orchestras/orchestra music?

The first myth is that orchestra music— or classical music in general—is an outdated art form. In fact, classical music has been evolving forever. It’s inextricably tied to larger cultural forces, and so it’s very much alive and changing.

Orchestra music is essentially about shared human experience, and that seems more important now than ever.

Our 2019-2020 season is a perfect illustration. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth with his immortal music throughout the season, we’ll be visited by an array of guest conductors who are today’s orchestra champions. And young soloists will join us. These are the torchbearers for future generations, and I’m excited to hear their “take” on these classics.

Another myth is that orchestra music is really only for people in certain economic strata, and nothing could be further from the truth. For example, we offer $9 tickets for youth and an accompanying adult.

Sarasota Orchestra believes that the arts are for everyone—all interests and backgrounds. Music communicates through emotion. It’s universal. To enjoy an orchestra concert, all you need are open ears, an open mind, and an open heart.

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on the Sarasota Orchestra, please visit sarasotaorchestra.org or call 941.953.3434.

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philanthropy

JFCSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CALL TO ACTION:

UNMASKING UNMASKING UNMASKING

MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY

By Sylvia Whitman | Photo by Nancy Guth

Left to Right: Mary Bane Stevens, CEO Heidi Brown, Karen Lang, Karen Lord 44

SARASOTA SCENE | NOVEMBER 2019

philanthropy Jewish Family & Children’s Service of the Suncoast (JFCS) is using the occasion of a $25,000 gift from an anonymous donor to launch not a new program but a new conversation—to unmask the myriad mental health challenges people face.

“Mental illness is our biggest issue,” says JFCS President/CEO Heidi Brown. It underpins most of the 40 or so intake calls that JFCS fields every workday. “It’s the biggest need, but also the biggest opportunity,” adds Brown. Society as a whole has overlooked mental illness and “grossly underfunded” treatment, she says. This conversation “is a call to action for the whole community.”

Mouse over the JFCS website, and icons pop up for services aimed at Youth and Seniors, Families and Veterans. But don’t mistake labels for silos.

If a homeless ex-Marine walks through the door, JFCS looks beyond just finding a bed under a roof.

“We’ll peel back the layers of the onion, for every client and every family,” says Brown. Perhaps that vet is dealing with PTSD. Or she’s struggling with addiction.

Relationships may have soured. Finding housing meets a short-term need but ignores the factors contributing to the crisis. “When we find the roots of the problem,” Brown says, “we’re able to address them.”

JFCS has broadened its outreach since its founding in the 1980s, but needs have broadened, too. “We receive referrals from just about any source you can think of—churches, temples, schools, doctors, other social service agencies,” as well as patients themselves, says Mary Bane Stevens, JFCS’s director of counseling services.

The community vote of confidence keeps JFCS stretched.

“We do the best we can,” Stevens says. If JFCS can’t assist a client, it looks for a local partner that can.

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING “Mental health is part of whole health—physical, spiritual, community,” says Karen Lord, JFCS’s supervisor of clinical programs. She oversees the one-on-one and group counseling sessions led by professional and intern therapists at the Flanzer Campus. “We want to normalize taking care of your mental health as part of taking care of your overall health.”

JFCS uses a “trauma-informed approach” to dealing with mental illness, explains Lord. A school may refer a child who’s acting out—stealing, fighting, running away. That’s a red flag for underlying trauma, so therapists listen and look for any life-altering event. It might be a loss of a beloved grandparent, a hostile divorce, bullying at school, abuse. “The question isn’t, What’s wrong with you?” explains Lord.

“It’s, What happened to you?”

To those who might argue for leaving the past alone, Lord references the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser Permanente. In short, this major research found that adverse childhood experiences negatively affected a majority of participants across all demographic groups. The more bad experiences a person had, the more negative correlations followed in adulthood, from physical illness to underemployment, prison time, even early death.

“If you can help people address trauma,” says Lord, “you help them be more successful down the line.”

In 2015, JFCS expanded beyond its main campus and satellite offices by opening the Gloria & Louis Flanzer Campus, the base for counseling and educational activities and the obvious hub for clients seeking mental health treatment. But because of internal referrals and an agency-wide awareness of trauma, “there’s no wrong door” to enter to get help, says Stevens.

Although confidentiality prevents her sharing details, Stevens can sketch a typical JFCS success story that unfolded over a year. Referred by her primary care doctor, a young mother hobbled into a one-on-one counseling session on crutches, dogged by depression, anxiety, and insomnia. A physical injury had landed her in a back brace, unable to work, and she doubted her ability to parent her two young children, one of them “medically complex.”

All programs recognize that mental health challenges “occur in every walk of life, in every lifestyle, at any age,” she adds.

Therapy is a “journey,” with goals set by clients, says Lord.

Therapists help clients “come up with natural support

NOVEMBER 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

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Over time, the self-doubting mother began to see a future for herself. Physical and mental healing led to better relations with her children and a reassessment of her career goals. Back at work as an advocate for children with disabilities, she’s ready to return to school, confident of her ability to stay on top of her responsibilities.

Stigma once discouraged many people from seeking treatment, but public conversation has shifted, particularly in popular culture, says Lord. More awareness of mental illness, however, has stressed a national system unable to keep up with demand for services.

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At times, JFCS also groans under its waiting lists. But because all JFCS programs address mental health, the agency can almost always steer clients to a beneficial experience. Partners in line for couples counseling might take a Healthy Families class in the interim, for instance. “We have that overlap,” Lord says.

JFCS has also embedded counselors (separate from the school system’s guidance counselors) at Booker Elementary, Booker Middle, McIntosh Middle, and Booker High School, giving families in those neighborhoods additional access to support.

Extending JFCS’s reach are the pool of graduate students and registered interns—about 15 at any one time— who learn and work alongside the licensed social workers and mental health counselors on staff. “We consider ourselves a training institute,” says Lord.

Clients without insurance benefit not only from the evidence-based teaching environment but from reduced fees when they see trainees.

Although local universities (USF, FGC, National Louis) supply the most students,

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SARASOTA SCENE | NOVEMBER 2019

trainees travel from as many as 30 states and as far as California and New England.

“At this point, we have more requests for internships than people who can supervise them,” Stevens says.

OFF-SITE SUPPORT “We will see any child for any reason,” says Stevens. For children from families roiled by drug addiction, JFCS runs Camp Mariposa.

One weekend per month, kids gather at a campground with therapists, nurses, and peer mentors to discuss self-care and coping skills. “Often these kids are the ones in the household making adult decisions,” says CEO Brown. “They learn how to overcome this cycle of addiction … and they can work through the guilt, the shame, the embarrassment, and the feeling that no one else has these problems.” They also have fun— canoeing, dangling on rope courses, toasting marshmallows over a campfire, giggling in the dark in their cabins.

In safe, supportive space, kids can take off the mask they’ve created to protect themselves, says Karen Lang, supervisor of community based counseling programs.

“Children impacted by family addiction experience a variety of challenges to include abandonment and neglect.

Camp Mariposa helps to reduce the feelings of isolation. Campers learn they are not alone, and this is not their fault. Camp Mariposa teaches coping skills.” Children discover “what is mentionable is manageable,” she says.

JFCS’s youth camp for 9-12-year olds has been so successful that the agency has started a parallel teen camp.

Other youth-focused programs also intervene at key moments. JFCS’s Mobile Response Team (MRT) heads into the community to stabilize a crisis involving anyone between the ages of 0 and 25.

Recently a school called: a student was cutting and told a friend goodbye—this was going to be his/her last day. The MRT showed up within the hour, Lang says, and

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Ladies & Gentlemen, Boys & Girls, Children of All Agesâ&#x20AC;¦

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Nutcracker like no other

by Sylvia Whitman | Photos by Frank Atura

NOVEMBER2019 2019 | | SARASOTA SARASOTASCENE SCENE NOVEMBER

49 49

Ryoko Sadoshima & David Tlaiye

One of Sarasota’s newest holiday traditions was conceived at the kitchen table. In town to stage one of his works, British dancer and choreographer Matthew Hart was kibitzing with his old Royal Ballet buddies Iain Webb and Margaret Barbieri, director and assistant director of The Sarasota Ballet. “We’d been having a bite to eat and a few drinks after a long day in the studio,” says Hart, “and Iain had mentioned that he really wanted a new production of Nut for the company… We also talked about another idea of his, which was to do a ballet that could pay homage/tribute to the circus and or the Ringlings.” Hart had recently visited the Ringling Museum and grounds, and retiring to his room, he let his mind wander, “when it just clicked.”

Kate Honea & Ricardo Graziano

John Ringling’s Circus Nutcracker made its world premiere in Sarasota in 2012. For anyone who grew up in a cave, The Nutcracker is a centenarian two-act ballet set to a Tchaikovsky score, a Christmas staple that has delighted (and occasionally bored) repeat audiences since commandeering the American stage in the 1960s. Hart removes the phantasmagorical story from a Russian drawing room and reimagines it in Jazz Age America, with the Kingdom of the Circus replacing the dreamy Land of Sweets.

Designer Peter Docherty’s Art Deco set captures the era’s rah-rah mood and the extravaganza of a big-top show. Loose transpositions follow: the mysterious Drosselmeyer of the original becomes John Ringling, with his nephew John Ringling North in the role of Nutcracker and Ringmaster.

Hart recasts the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Prince as trapeze artists Sugar and Prince.

“Most of the choreography isn’t based on the traditional production, except Sugar and Prince’s grand pas and solos,” says Hart. “I think the biggest challenge for dancers is that most of them will have been dancing The Nutcracker since they started dancing, so they come into this thinking, ‘Oh yeah, I know this.’ Then they discover just how completely different it is.” Not only does the company have to learn new choreography but also “new characters and new character interpretations.”

For Sarasota Ballet principals Kate Honea and Ricardo Graziano, who originated the roles of Sugar and Prince and reassume them this year, the playacting is the fun. Graziano, a choreographer himself, says that Hart used The Sarasota Ballet dancers’ personalities when shaping the characters.

Sugar, for instance, channels Honea’s “bubbly” nature as she blows kisses to her fans.

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The Circus

“We know how to act like divas,” says Honea, with a laugh.

Ellen Overtstreet in Matthew Hart’s John Ringling’s Circus Nutcracker

“Oh my God, we love ourselves,” says Graziano.

Graziano has adored the circus since his childhood in Brazil, where his uncle was a famous clown. His favorite part of the Circus Nutcracker? The opening of Act Two, when Prince and Sugar are hanging from a trapeze.

“I get so nervous,” says Honea.

“And I wish we were up there flipping,” says Graziano.

The original Nutcracker sold Honea on a career in ballet. Her mother took her to a performance, “and I said, ‘I have to be in it.’” She landed her first Nutcracker role at age 8 with the Miami City Ballet. By the time she was performing with the Pittsburgh Ballet, she was dancing all 30 performances of the season. She still loves the grand pas de deux and solos, challenging “stepwise and staminawise.” But the one-weekend window of the Circus Nutcracker (December 20-21), she and Graziano agree, keeps the production fresh.

So too does the circus flair, from the over-the-top costumes to the showboating performers. The battle between mice and soldiers (cave dwellers, imagine a bad dream after a big dinner) turns into combat between gangster mice and NOVEMBER NOVEMBER2019 2019 | | SARASOTA SARASOTASCENE SCENE

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“One thing I always tell people to look out for are the clowns and what they get up to during the party scene,” says Hart. “And the elephant! Yes, that’s something that will surprise the audience: The way it comes to life and then turns into the wild cat enclosure always gets a great reaction. It think it’s also a really lovely example of my and Peter’s ideas coming together to create something special.”

Skill & Expertise From a Staff You Can Trust

The Sarasota Ballet began rehearsals for the Circus Nutcracker back in September and has auditioned scores of local kids who will make an appearance in the party scene or in other bit roles. Vets of past productions (2012, 2013, 2015, 2017) like Honea and Graziano are coaching newcomers to the company, and Hart will come to town in December to “polish the edges,” says Graziano.

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“We may get too comfortable,” says Honea, “so he’ll push us. And he’ll get excited by all the new dancers.”

Born from conversation, John Ringling’s Circus Nutcracker continues as a collaborative creation celebrating Sarasota’s history.

“I think for anyone who thinks they know The Nutcracker, this entire production is going to knock them out of their socks,” says Hart. “Because it really is unlike any other Nutcracker out there.”

John Ringling’s Circus Nutcracker will be performed at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota with full orchestral accompaniment on December 20-21. For more information, see sarasotaballet.org/events

Ellen Overstreet | Photographer Matthew Holler | Dress courtesy of Neiman Marcus Tampa Bay

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Queen of Meet Our

C hristmas

by Sylvia Whitman | Photos by Jordan Kelly-Laviolette

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A

ll her married life, Michelle Witzer served as her husband’s right-hand woman. Four decades ago, they followed her in-laws from Philadelphia to Sarasota and worked in the family’s lowboy trailer manufacturing company. Steve Witzer became a serial entrepreneur—owned a restaurant, bought and sold real estate, ran “multiple businesses,” says Michelle. “As he would call it, I was his clean-up person.” When he retired, he told Michelle, “‘You helped me all of my life, let me do something for you.’” She had long dreamed of owning a gift store, so he built one to her specs, a homey building with a front porch and a faux-wood floor. He even painted it her favorite color, purple.

wedding and birthday gifts—umbrellas in a bottle, flamingo hand towels, baby onesies that say “I’m the reason Mommy wines”—Christmas never goes out of season. Flocked and lit trees tower over tables of quirky nutcrackers; majestic angels gaze down on ruddy-cheeked Santas; snowmen beam among sleds and stockings and Advent countdown calendars. Ornaments dangle and glisten along an entire wall: patriotic marshmallows, shimmery jellyfish, painted suitcases, pirouetting ballerinas, smooching guppies.

Michelle opened her perfect present in November 2016, becoming Sarasota’s unofficial “Queen of Christmas.” Although the store stocks

“Christmas is my favorite holiday, ever since I was a child,” Michelle explains. “My parents made it

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magic.” Raisedoutside Philly, the youngest of three, Michelle never saw a tree or a package in their house until Christmas morning. Then she and her brother and sister stepped into a wonderland of lights and presents and toy trains chugging around the base of an elaborately decorated evergreen. “Santa brought all that stuff,” she says. “I can still see it as a child. We just always BELIEVED.” Although she and Steve couldn’t match that feat as parents—“we were so busy”—Christmas remains a big occasion for a family that has grown from two kids to five grandkids and a great-grandchild. Now she shops not just for her brood but for everyone who walks into her purple cottage.

Every January she travels to Atlanta to place her next Christmas order, always aiming to add at least one new vendor so that her many repeat

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customers will find surprises among familiar favorites.

She’s especially particular about her Santas. “Some are not so jolly, so I always look at the Santas’ faces before I purchase them.”

The rest of her wares she buys from the New York market in August and from a few local artisans. “I could fill this store to the top,” she says. “You have to think of what other people like, not just what you like.”

Although many brick-and-mortar shops struggle to compete with online merchants, Shelly’s Gift & Christmas Boutique has thrived. “There’s still the people who want to touch and feel,” Michelle says. She also credits the location—just blocks from Trader Joe’s on Tamiami Trail—which she eyed for years. Unlike at the mall, customers can pull up and park steps from the front door. “I wanted it to be like a home,” Michelle says. “We tried to make it warm. You come in, and you want to be here.” Readers of a local publication named it the region’s best gift store in 2019.

of it,” she says. “I swear he’s here all the time, too. He was a wonderful man. This was his gift to me.” Michelle and her staff talk about him often, how he used to sit in the chairs up front. “He talked to every customer that came in,” Michelle says. “He loved it as much as I did.”

She also continues with other activities they both loved— spending time with family and fishing from their boat.

But the store gives her purpose as well as pleasure.

Finding and sharing “the perfect gift,” she can extend the magic of her childhood.

How long does she see herself minding the store? “As long as I can,” she says.

For more information, visit Shelly’s Gift and Christmas Boutique, 4420 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-260-8905, shellysgiftandchristmasboutique.com.

Even the Christmas side of the shop hums all year long. Tourists stop by for ornaments that often serve as vacation souvenirs. Business slows a bit in the summer; the boutique cuts back to five days a week, and Michelle takes her vacation. But by the time the soundtrack switches to carols on November 1, the doors remain open Monday through Sunday through the holiday season. The store’s anniversary celebration on the first weekend in November doubles as a preChristmas sale, with 25% off one item and snacks throughout the day.

Three years into her role as proprietor, Michelle still feels thrilled. Her four employees—“the girls”—run the register, but she shows up almost every day.

“We’re just like family here. I enjoy everything about the store. I enjoy the customers. I enjoy shopping for it,” she says. “The whole thing is exciting.”

Only Steve is missing. Less than a year after the grand opening, he died in a car crash on Tamiami Trail. Wiping away tears, Michelle says it’s important to include him in the success story. “He’s such a part

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25% of any one item

Help Us Celebrate Our 3rd Anniversary

Saturday, November 2 10am - 6pm

4420 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 941.260.8905

www.shellysgiftandchristmasboutique.com Monday - Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

ASOLO REP ’S 12 TH ANNUAL

Starry Night DINNER SERIES Three dinners at exclusive Sarasota locations, each themed to one of Asolo Rep’s productions. Enjoy exquisite dining, fine wines and entertainment by Asolo Rep performers.

Select the dinners that entice you the most, or sign up for all! Tickets are limited.

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THE CIRCUS ARTS CONSERVATORY

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In the Sailor Circus Arena

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The Community Foundation of Sarasota County:

of Compassion & Impact

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

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SARASOTA SCENE | NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2019 2019

F

Orion Marx & Donna Koffman

F

ounded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for those who wanted to create a lasting, charitable impact in the community, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has helped invest more than $252 million back into the community through grants and scholarships.

Considering that the Community Foundation started with an original gift of $500, this is quite the accomplishment.

Now in its 40th year, the Community Foundation is poised to continue its efforts to help caring individuals more effectively support the many worthy causes they champion.

Current board member Donna Koffman explains, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are entering another period of growth and need, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comforting to see an

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organization that connects individuals, families, and nonprofit organizations continue to have such powerful positive impact in our community and the lives of people who live here.” While there’s sometimes an overwhelming need in our community for basic support and services, she explains, the generosity of Community Foundation donors is its equal.

Koffman is also pleased with how the Community Foundation, through the generous support of donors, is able to provide nearly $2 million in scholarships for high school seniors and adult learners each year. “Last year, I helped out on the scholarship committee, reviewing

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numerous applications,” she says. “Knowing that the Community Foundation would be able to help bridge the gap between what these individuals could contribute and what was needed financially to help them achieve their goal of furthering their education was very inspiring and really resonated with me!”

Koffman is not the only one with great Community Foundation experiences.

When asked what her favorite Community Foundation memories are, President and CEO Roxie Jerde confesses that she has more than one. “My favorites are 1) the times

with our amazing team when new ideas and solutions emerge as we work to match donors with causes they are passionate about to strengthen our community; and 2) when I am out in the community, whether it is reading to students in our schools or celebrating student’s parents who are graduating from a certificate program.”

Jerde also points out that she’s continually surprised at the depth of caring donors have for our community, especially considering that for so many, they moved here later in life.

“Whether it is volunteering or creating a legacy fund to create lasting impact across generations, the generosity is truly inspiring.”

“When you look at the 40th year for any organization,” says Orion J. Marx, a former board member and Atlas Financial Private Wealth Services Group Member, “there often is a sense of maturity and consistency in operations and effectiveness. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has been growing, learning, and overcoming challenges to serve our community of donors and nonprofits for 40 years, with consistent success seen by our healthy nonprofits and philanthropic community. Our community gets to experience the impact of all the awards and growth the Community Foundation accomplished by becoming the largest community foundation in Florida, one donor at a time. What a great story!”

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2018 Giving Challenge­—Roxie Jerde with Debra Jacobs

“We believe every single person has the potential to change the life of another.”

Four Founding Members – 1980s

It IS a great story, and Marx thinks we can all be part of it, saying, “Philanthropy is not about any one person or organization. It is about a sense of community. The selflessness in giving provides for others and what makes our community, our country what it is. Every donor and each one of our associated nonprofits is the foundation for our community.”

Koffman adds that “Philanthropy is often seen as removed, or reserved for people with a certain income, but that is what is so special about the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. We believe every single person has the potential to change the life of another. That comes about through gifts large and small, and also through an intention to be charitable with your time and energy.”

For 40 years, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has matched donors with causes, creating lasting impact across generations because they understand one crucial thing—every one of us has the potential to impact a person, a cause, a community. It’s their belief that YOU can be the one to make a difference. And they’ll be there for the next 40 years—and beyond—to help make that happen.

As Marx says, “We are just getting started.”

For more information on the Community Foundation of Sarasota, please visit www.cfsarasota.org or call 941.955.3000.

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2004 Stuart Stearns & Leila Gompertz Digging

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Making a Difference in Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Lives

by Ryan G. Van Cleave

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SARASOTA SCENE | NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2019 2019

Nearly 900 people attended last year’s silver anniversary of Brunch on the Bay

From all vantage points, USF SarasotaManatee’s Brunch on the Bay means a lot to the community

For the past 25 years, the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee’s Brunch on the Bay has been a signature community event that features terrific cuisine and brings together business and community leaders on USFSM’s picturesque bayside campus. Most importantly, the money raised through Brunch has translated into more than $5.8 million in scholarships, in-kind gifts and matching donations that have transformed the lives of hundreds of students and in many cases made the difference in a student’s ability to achieve their dream of earning a college degree.

This year’s Brunch on the Bay, which will be held on Nov. 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., has a title sponsor, Bank of America, for the first time.

Let’s take a look at what the 26th Brunch on the Bay means to four people from the USFSM community.

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Dr. Karen A. Holbrook USFSM Regional Chancellor As regional chancellor of USF Sarasota-Manatee since January 2018, Dr. Holbrook recognizes what Brunch on the Bay means: more students receiving financial support to take advantage of the excellent academic programs and experiential learning opportunities that prepare them to lead lives of impact in the workforce and our community.

Brunch on the Bay builds upon the ongoing relationship between USFSM and the community that Holbrook says “is valuably essential and synergistic.” She adds that, “our students come from the community, and the vast majority prepare to accept jobs in this community. It is impossible to even begin to think about how this campus could thrive without the community support, connections and interdependence.”

“Students express the desire to engage in high-impact practices that also include study abroad and service learning,” she explains.

“Internships are highly valuable as a testing ground for a student to decide whether a potential career ‘fits’ and for employers to determine if the intern is a potential new hire.”

USFSM Regional Chancellor Karen Holbrook thanks the crowd for their generosity at last year’s Brunch.

She also recognizes that none of this can happen if students simply can’t afford to attend college. “Eighty percent of our students qualify for financial aid, so it’s crucial that we are able to provide scholarship that allow students can fully engage in their college experience, earn their degrees and give back to the community.”

Mike McCoy Market President, Bank of America Sarasota-Manatee counties Mike McCoy has a personal connection to USFSM, and his company, Bank of America, has a deep commitment to workforce development and enhancing the lives of people within the communities they serve. When USFSM sought a premier title sponsor for the event, Bank of America not only signed up, but also provided an additional scholarship.

McCoy explains that Bank of America is “committed to helping build stronger communities by connecting people to the workforce development and educational resources they need to achieve economic mobility. As an institution of higher learning, the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee embodies that philosophy by providing individuals opportunities to pursue their careers and drive the region’s long-term economic growth.

We have proudly supported that mission for years, and we are doubling down on our partnership with the title sponsorship of Bank of America Brunch on the Bay 2019.”

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Bank of America scholarship recipient Devon Sandoval (left), USFSM ‘19, with Bank of America Market President Mike McCoy

“It is impossible to even begin to think about how this campus could thrive without the community support, connections and interdependence.”

— Dr. Karen A. Holbrook

McCoy is excited to think about how many students will benefit from scholarships funded by other sponsors this year, too.

Brunch co-chair Pete Petersen, USFSM ’16, knows the importance of having a pipeline of talent to meet his workforce needs

“The school is my alma mater,” he says, “which means I also benefited from the wonderful education that we are helping others like Devon Sandoval attain at this year’s brunch.” This isn’t the first time McCoy has been involved with Brunch on the Bay. In 2002, he was honored to receive USFSM’s Distinguished Alumni Award, and he has served on the Brunch on the Bay committee for years, including a role as chair of its 10th anniversary event.

Pete Petersen CEO Dealers United, Brunch on the Bay co-chair, and USFSM alumnus Like so many others, Pete Petersen is part of the USFSM success story and a staunch supporter of Brunch on the Bay—so much so that he is co-chairing this year’s event along with alumna, Lauren Henry.

From his perspective as CEO and managing partner of Dealers United, Petersen says, “It’s an incredible opportunity to get exposure for your company with upwards of 1,000 local business and community leaders in attendance. Plus, participation is tax deductible!”

As someone who appreciates a highquality catered event, he notes that the food is amazing. “We have over 25 of

the area’s top restaurants providing their best brunch dishes! There will be lobster, crepes, cakes, and much more!”

As a USFSM graduate himself, Petersen knows that scholarships like these—and the education they provide—change the lives of local students. “I went back after I was in a senior leader position at my previous company, LexJet,” he explains.

“I was one of the only people in most of the meetings that didn’t have a four-year degree. It was important for me to round out my real-world business experience with a solid academic curriculum. I was able to leverage the professors’ expertise and classwork to improve my work and my career while ensuring I was thinking more strategically as a leader. Now, I

help build curriculum, teach classes, guest lecture, mentor, and gain access to amazing students who are ready to enter the workforce. It’s helped my career and personal life in so many ways.”

In short, Petersen knows that USFSM connects our students, businesses, and community. “We have an amazing opportunity as local business leaders to work on-campus with students, gain access to work-ready individuals and fill our companies with highly qualified candidates. Most of our team leads are USFSM graduates and they are smart, fun, and self-driven individuals.” In his mind, the USFSM candidate pipeline is one of the “secret sauces” of his company’s success.North Port resident

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Rigoletto Love Is Dangerous

Opera by Giuseppe Verdi November 1, 3, 6, 12, 14, 17 A protective father. A lecherous Duke.

A naive woman discovers that love isn’t always true. One of Verdi’s greatest works returns to the Sarasota Opera stage.

Rigoletto is sung in Italian with English translations displayed above the stage.

Scholarship recipient Kayla Collins, USFSM ’20, is working on both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in criminology

Kayla Collins USFSM senior and VP of student government Kayla Collins is on track to graduate in spring 2020 with a degree in criminal justice, and she hopes to add a master’s degree on her path to a career in law enforcement. She says that the most important thing people should know about the USF Sarasota-Manatee student experience is how incredibly personal and unique it is. “Each student has their own story regarding how they arrived at USFSM, yet each has a similar experience in terms of developing friendships that feel like family, a learning experience that provides direct relationships between professors and students, and opportunities to grow as leaders within the university and the community.”

Collins is not just a fulltime student, though—she also works 40 hours a week. Even with that, she needed a helping hand to afford her education. A Brunch on the Bay scholarship proved to be the solution to that financial dilemma. “Without it,” she admits, “I don’t have any idea how I’d pay for college.”

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For Collins—a community leader coordinator, lead campus experience guide, and USFSM ambassador—and so many others, Brunch on the Bay helps them to lead lives of impact.

As Collins herself says, “Brunch literally makes a difference in my life.”

For more info on Brunch on the Bay, other USFSM fundraising events, and ways you can make a difference in students’ lives, visit usfsm.edu or call the University Advancement office at 941.359.4603.

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Katelyn May & Ricardo Graziano in George Balanchineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Theme and Variations | Photography Frank Atura

ACCOMPANIED BY THE SARASOTA ORCHESTRA

22 - 23 NOVEMBER 2019 SARASOTA OPERA HOUSE George Balanchineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

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SARASOTA SCENE | NOVEMBER 2019

941.359.0099 www.SarasotaBallet.org

Art

of Performance A New Curatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Creative Genius

by Sylvia Whitman

YIN MEI, PEONY DREAMS: ON THE OTHER SIDE OF SLEEP

The Ringlingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Classical Indian Odissi dance. Pure Spanish flamenco. Dance theater from the Chinese diaspora. A Grammy-winning Cuban jazz pianist. A Mexican theater ensemble exploring history and democracy. A Haitian-American band inspired by African, Afro-Caribbean, and Afro-Latin cultures. Less than a year into her new job as the inaugural Ringling Museum CurrieKohlmann Curator of Performance, Elizabeth Doud has collaged dynamic work from across the globe to delight and challenge Sarasota audiences from October through April 2020.

And this is just the beginning.

NOVEMBER 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

75

MIWA MATREYEK: THIS WORLD MADE ITSELF

In December, for instance, the Art of Performance focuses on Mexican cultural heritage. Choosing just two works was tough.

The adult-focused Tijuana from Lagartijas Tiradas grew out of a cast member’s anthropology experiment—assuming a false identity to work on an assembly line in a factory on the U.S. border. A narrative in Spanish with English supertitles, “this is a really good example of contemporary theater practice in Mexico,” says Doud. “Top tier. It’s what’s happening in Latin theater outside of the United States.”

MASTERCLASS WITH CASA PATAS FLAMENCO FOUNDATION

Doud says she made a conscious effort to build on the Ringling’s successes, particularly the annual Ringling International Arts Festival (RIAF), which expanded into the yearlong New Stages in 2018. As a multitalented arts scholar, catalyst, and performer based in Miami, Doud had attended and marveled at RIAF. However, intense “festivals are the things of crazy people,” she says. She’s grateful for the longer Art of Performance season (the successor to RIAF and New Stages), her goal being to “get that mix of celebration and excitement that a festival brings and stretch it out.”

In this first iteration of Art of Performance, she has aimed for a mix of music, dance, and more theater than in the past. “I’m also interested in hybrid forms. For instance, we have an animator who’s also a shadow puppet artist.” She sought out finished works that could draw varied audiences, those interested in cutting-edge work and those eager for easier entertainment. “There are a couple of pieces more challenging in content and maybe form, and a couple of accessible pieces that also speak to segments of the community that may not have seen themselves represented in the museum so far,” Doud says.

76

SARASOTA SCENE | NOVEMBER 2019

A week later, a folkloric ensemble from Veracruz arrives, master practitioners in Son Jarocho, a music and dance tradition. “That’s a really family-friendly experience. It’s very recognizable,” says Doud. “It will remind you of what you think you know about Mexico, and the theater piece is showing you something that maybe you never knew. It’s a nice way to be in conversation with Mexican culture.”

To open that dialogue to more people, the Ringling is experimenting with matinees for Son Jarocho so schoolkids and daytime museum-goers can attend. The Ringling will also host a gallery walk and talk centered around the December 12 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. “It’s a way for the museum to point to a holiday that’s really significant for the Latinx community that isn’t necessarily recognized by a lot of public institutions,” says Doud. A scholar will discuss the significance of the Virgin of Guadalupe and then link her to “all the virgins— all the Marys—that we have in our collection.”

Patrons of the Art of Performance can expect more of these contextualizations, thanks to the capacious schedule. In addition to scholarly talks and informal chats, the Ringling is scheduling master classes with visiting artists in its new studio space, which can accommodate about 25 students. “It’s an opportunity for people to have a very specific, practical interface with an art technique,” says Doud. “The intention is to share some of the expertise with the community.” Not every performer can linger off stage, but “when we negotiate the contracts with the artists, we always ask them to include

that in the fee,” says Doud. “It’s something that we’re deliberately building in.”

Doud is quick to credit Ringling colleagues like Sonya Shay, who have spent years building relationships within the community that bring audiences into the theater.

With expansive and eclectic experience that straddles the academic and the artistic, the curator herself is particularly well positioned to network with performers and arrange 360-degree interactions.

Born and raised in Seattle, Doud traveled abroad when young and learned Spanish. At the University of Washington, she studied Spanish literature with an unofficial minor in dance. “I was always getting picked up in smaller performance projects and crazy contemporary dance pieces and wild performance art. And I was like, ‘Whatever you want, I’ll do it,’” she says.

DRUM CIRCLE LED BY INEZ BARLATIER

After teaching English as a second language overseas, she landed in Miami, “an accident of work, love, curiosity.”

Miami at the turn of the century, before the boom, when young people could rent studio space for a couple of hundred bucks a month, turned out to be “a really wonderful place to have artistic projects blossom,” says Doud. She formed a collective with a Brazilian choreographer and a Cuban American actress, and for a decade they staged all kinds of projects and performances. Grant funding was growing. Both producer and performer, Doud says she was exploring: “What is community engagement? What does it mean to contextualize culture for large groups of people? That has really informed how I communicate with audiences.”

To supplement her income, she taught in Miami Dade College’s refugee education program and eventually became the college’s artistic director. In that role, she “started to understand the national ecology” of contemporary performance. Against daunting odds, risk-taking artists make a product; producers bring it to an audience. For any piece to survive the slog “is really alchemy,” Doud says.

To scratch her academic itch, Doud earned a master’s in creative writing at the University of Miami and then commuted to Brazil to earn a Ph.D. (working in Portuguese, of course) in performance studies. In contrast to theory-heavy American programs, the Federal University of Bahia welcomed a combination of theory and practical art making. Doud focused on performing arts in the climate movement.

So, Ringling audiences can expect Latin American and environmental themes to get heavy play. “Not exclusively, of course,” says Doud, but she think it’s important for the museum to join the “transnational conversation.”

SPEKTRAL QUARTET

EDUARDO GUERRERO NOVEMBER 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

77

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In addition to looking south of the border, she wants to bring in “diverse narratives from the United States.” Likes most producers, she makes annual “pilgrimages” to New York City, but “we’re a big country,” she says. This year’s artist in residence, “doing developmental work in our studio space and on the grounds,” is a contemporary chamber opera pianist and singer from New York City. “I would never have met him had I not been in New York,” says Doud, “so I bow down to the temples of New York. But I also think that there’s a lot of other great music out there. Great theater being made. Great dance. Our string quartet that we’re bringing in April is from Chicago—a very hot center for contemporary classical music.”

On the climate front, Art of Performance will feature the group Artichoke Dance on Earth Day in April, combining performances inside and outside with a panel discussion and educational activities for families. And this month [November], the Ringling is hosting an Arts and Climate Change Incubator, a long weekend of activities and multidisciplinary panels orchestrated by New York playwright/activist Chantal Bilodeau.

“There are a lot of layers to it,” says Doud, who considers Bilodeau a kindred spirit.

Although heartened by recent media attention to the planet’s woes, Doud worries about burnout. “There’s a lot of outrage, which I feel all the time. I have this low simmering level of terror about what’s happening with the environment.

But we cannot be in warrior protest mode all the time because that’s exhausting.” Climate change is “hard for us to process because it’s so big and so difficult for us to make a decision about how we might effect change,” Doud says. The incubator creates “a cool space for individuals to meet other people and find a way to talk about it.” Bilodeau blends heady science and philosophy with nuts-and-bolts suggestions and simple fun.

“Without sounding too esoteric or too hokey, it is really important,” Doud says. “We can’t be in a state of panic and fear and shock the whole time because we become paralyzed.”

Her goal for all the programs under her purview is to get audiences involved. Yes, you can sit back to watch or listen to amazing talent from around the world. But The Ringling is extending an invitation to the community to do more, to join in the Art of Performance.

For more information about the season, visit ringling.org/events/series/art-of-performance.

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80

SARASOTA SCENE | NOVEMBER 2019

Pictured: Sarah Ellis, Chris Anthony Giles, and Alexander Stuart with ensemble. Photos by Matthew Holler.

SCENES FROM AN INTERVIEW

DAVE KOZ THE MAN HIS MUSIC & HIS GIFT TO THE WORLD

by Gus Mollasis

Just like the notes he plays in concert this soft spoken, smooth master musician returns to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on November 29 for his annual “Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour.” Sharing the stage with the GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist will be singer/guitarist Jonathan Butler, GRAMMY-winning singersongwriter Melissa Manchester, jazz/soul saxophonist Michael Lington and singer/ bassist Chris Walker.

As I chatted with this chart-topping artist, you can feel his thankfulness and appreciation for his musical gift. Yes, music is Dave Koz’s life and a big part of his heart, and he loves every minute he gets to share it with audiences around the globe.

And I loved every minute I got to chat with this cool cat and listen to some musical scenes from an interview of his life.

NOVEMBER NOVEMBER2019 2019 | | SARASOTA SARASOTASCENE SCENE 81 81

philanthropy

When did you first fall in love with music?

The first album I ever bought…I remember taking it home on vinyl and listening to side A with headphones on my Hi Fi. It was Tower of Power’s Back to Oakland (1974). Once I heard that horn section, my whole head exploded. That was it. I had no idea at the time that music would become my life, but certainly that was the “aha!” moment.

When did you know that you had to do this for a living?

I think it was kind of all throughout my upbringing. I come from a medical family. Dad was a doctor and my mom was a pharmacist. But all three kids amazingly enough went into the music business. My parents were always very nurturing.

Instead of saying “what’s wrong with you?” or “you want to be a musician?”, they were always very supportive. When you grow up with knowing you can follow your dreams, kids tend to do that. I was always kind of lost in a variety of creative endeavors—not just music. My parents could have had me put away for as many crazy things as I tried (laughs), but it was all under the banner of being a creative kid.

What are you most grateful for in life?

I played London recently for a week of shows and it hit me kind of hard what their country and our country is going through. Politics aside, you just have to acknowledge that

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these are strange times. It really hit me hard that essentially my job is to go and play music and put a smile on somebody’s face.

That’s the end goal. While I was on stage looking at these people so far from my home in LA, I thought they’re engaged, enjoying it and inspired by the music. As I saw those smiles, I thought how grateful I was that this is my job. Some people call it dharma. It’s a real present to me. Instead of me doing it for them, it’s them doing it for me. I felt extremely gratified and grateful in that moment.

Touching on one of your famous pieces of music, what makes you smile?

I love hanging out with my family and friends. On a recent Jewish holiday, we had a big family dinner. We were all sitting around the table at my sister’s house with all my nieces and everyone.

I thought about it. They were kids and now they are all adults.

Now she’s 27. Back then my brother and I were writing that song when my sister went into labor. We took a break from writing and went to the hospital to meet this new little baby in our lives. We then went back and finished the song that became “You Make Me Smile.”

Finish the following: When someone sees me for the first time, I hope they…

Feel the emotion that I put through each song.

philanthropy

A great musician will always…

Communicate their message.

show was going off the air and said, “I like your music.

Since one Cos is going off the air on Thursday nights, why don’t we get another Koz on the air on Thursday nights? Come and do a regular Thursday night sit in with us.” I did that for a little over a year. So Arsenio single handedly put me on the map. Same thing with Emeril Lagasse. Emeril is a musician. We know him as a celebrity chef, but he’s a musician in his heart. When I did his show, we’d tape two shows a day, and after the second show he would cook for us. If music is relegated to be a third class citizen on some shows, then it’s not as enjoyable. But when you work with people who have an appreciation for music then it’s always a great thing.

You’ve been a part of house bands for Arsenio, Pat Sajak and Emeril Lagasse. What have those experiences been like?

Pat Sajak was one of my first gigs and I was playing alongside my saxophone idol Tom Scott. I had a chance to play with him five days a week on national TV. That was about as good as it gets. Soon after my first record came out, Arsenio, who is a huge jazz nut, approached me in an LA restaurant around the time the Cosby

What’s your favorite part of the music business?

My favorite part even now after 30 years in the business is the live music experience. Nothing can ever replace that, however the size of the crowd—big place or small place. People come together united in music. To see the power that music still has to create bridges between people; to bring people together; and to unify. You see it right in front of you when you are on stage. And there is nothing that can ever take the place of that.

If you’ve seen my show many times, then you know you always can count on me for…

A nice Jewish Hanukkah song amidst all the Christmas music.

Music to me is….

A lifeline.

If I couldn’t do this, I would be…

An architect.

INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL

April 2-13, 2020

Sonata a Due

Concert Series

April 2, 6, 10, 13 Sarasota Opera House The finest musicians from around the world present both familiar and unusual chamber music.

Reception Recital Dinner

December 10, 2019 6:00 pm The Field Club, Sarasota Jennifer Frautschi violin Derek Han piano Reservations: LaMusicaFestival.org

photos: Frank Atura

Join us for the kick off event of our 34th season.

Open Rehearsals

March 31-April 13 Sarasota Opera House A rare opportunity to discover how notes come together to form a musical masterpiece.

Musical Chefs Interactive Dinner

April 7 Michael’s Wine Cellar A lively dinner featuring La Musica musicians leading cooking demonstrations to create your meal.

Season Sponsor Sponsored by

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Tell us who you would like to collaborate with.

In my old age now, I’ve become an infiltrator—my plan is to infiltrate these bands. I want to know more about how they do it. Recently in New York City, I saw a band called Vulfpeck that’s basically playing instrumental jazz music. They headlined and sold out Madison Square Garden. There are so many wonderful young new artists on the scene that are making incredible forays into music and doing it on their own terms without record companies and gatekeepers. They’re having massive worldwide success. My new thing is less about superstars and what kind of big names I can work with. I want to work with these young and hungry wonderfully creative new talents that are on the scene and changing the rules daily of how we do our business.

What piece of music or contribution are you most proud of?

I’m going to say when I worked on my album The Dance.

I had met Burt Bacharach on a writers’ retreat, and he agreed to write a song with me for my album. For a guy that grew up with Burt Bacharach blaring from the speakers in my house, my parents were just freaking out. They loved Bacharach. My dad had already passed, but my mom was still alive, and so I invited my mom to the recording session that started at 11 a.m. My mom was working and couldn’t get off work. I told her it was going to be a quick session and she needed to get out of work. She said she’d try. So, we’re at about two hours in at around 1 p.m. and we’re done. This is Burt Bacharach, not some no name.

He’s got things to do. And I’m doing everything I can to keep him there until my mom gets off work so that she can come to the studio and meet her idle. It’s about 4 p.m. He stayed around three hours after the session just to meet my mother. My mom walked into the door and she had the biggest smile on her face. We took pictures. She told him how much she loved him and that was it. That memory will stay with me forever.

Where does good music come from?

In one word—honesty. If somebody is playing a song or singing a song, and it’s not even sounding all that great

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but it’s coming from a truly honest and authentic place, someone is going to hear it and like it.

Are great musicians born or made?

It’s a combo. A race horse has to be trained. I think in music it’s the same thing.

Genius if it comes in pure form in a kid. It has to be nurtured, built and formed.

I think it’s a combination of God-given talent and then the ability to shape it into a form that can be easily communicated to people.

When you play your Christmas show are you moved in a spiritual way?

After 22 years of Christmas shows and seven Christmas albums, I’ve realized Christmas is a feeling. A palpable feeling for us. You know the song “We Need a Little Christmas”. With this year especially, with all that’s happening in our world, Christmas is a chance for us every year to press the reset button. During the holidays, press that reset button. As we move into a new calendar year, we get righted on the scale and pointed north again in our daily lives. With all the craziness, we get off kilter and we lose sight of who we are. The holidays give us a chance to gain our composure and figure out who we are. The songs do that. Many of them are from the heyday of the great American songbook and from the greatest writers of all time.

Hopefully many years from now after all the notes have been played, how do you want to be remembered?

I’d like when people remember my name that they have a good feeling in their heart. They get good vibes associated with my name.

If you were a fan or not, saw me once or at every year’s Christmas show, if you remembered me fondly with a smile on your face, then I would have done a good job.

“Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour” will be coming to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center on November 29th. For tickets, visit vanwezel.org/boxoffice.

The Florida Center for Early Childhood presents

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vision is recognized through those served at The Florida Center. Join us in celebrating four decades of providing local children and families with a happily ever after.

For more infomation or to RSVP by November 22: TheFloridaCenter.org or 941-371-8820 x1025

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on the town

Education MATTERS

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

THE SARASOTA YOUTH OPERA BRINGS BACK BRUNDIBÁR

W

hile it’s almost hard to believe that enough area youth come together each year to successfully perform a full-scale opera, it’s even more impressive that the program is open to every interested student age 8 to 18.

Youth opera conductor Jesse Martins explains that there’s no audition required—they work with whatever level of ability the students have. “Through our performance program, the participants learn far more than just music. They also come away with life lessons and a better sense of responsibility— things people might not associate with a music program.”

About working with the SYO, Martins says that in some ways, it’s easier to work with kids than adults. “They’re very blunt, and hungry. They learn things fast, and they’re always willing to listen and adapt. They’re open to finding a different way of exploring the same emotion or musical phrase.”

That hunger and passion is being put to good use this November as they take on Brundibár, one of the mostperformed youth operas of all time. Jewish Czech composer Hans Krása and librettist Adolf Hoffmeister created it for a 1939 children’s opera competition. When Krása got deported to the Nazi connection camp Terezín near German-occupied Prague, he found that the stage director of the original production had smuggled in a copy of the piano score. Krása immediately set about creating a youth cast to be accompanied by whatever instruments they had available. The official premiere was 90

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on the town

“While it might seem to be on September 23, 1943, in the Magdeburg barracks. Though performers were regularly deported out of the cast, they found newcomers willing to join in.

Over the next year, about once per week, Brundibár continued to be performed. Of the 15,000 children under the age of 15 who passed through Terezín, around 100 survived. Krása would compose several new works in Terezín before his own death at Auschwitz in 1944.

Despite the ominous backstory, this is the third time the SYO is performing Brundibár, which is actually a sweet, fairy-tale-like story about Annette and Little Joe who want to help their sick mother. They sing in the market to generate funds to help her, but an evil organ grinder named Brundibár chases them away.

With the assistance of a dog, a sparrow, a cat, and other children, Annette and Little Joe are able to vanquish the villain. “While it might seem to be a very serious story,” Collins says, “it’s told in a light manner. What makes it profound is that it was performed in the concentration camp.”

a very serious story, it’s told in a light manner.

What makes it profound is that it was performed in the concentration camp.”

In addition to the striking pop-up-book style set, what makes this production so powerful is the prologue created to provide context for the piece. Many groups add something to Brundibár because it’s only 40 minutes long, which doesn’t quite make for a full evening event on its own. While some youth operas pair it with another brief story or musical number, the SYO prologue uses words written by young people throughout the world who are living through intolerance, much like the context in which Brundibár was written. | SARASOTA | SARASOTA NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 20192019 SCENE SCENE 91

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Martins explains that “these aren’t the memories of adults looking 50 years back on their childhood, but the actual words of children, their experiences, brought to life by our young performers. It’s a big part of the night, and it has a deep element of real life in it that the performers embrace.”

He adds that what makes it so special is to discover how incredibly wise children can be when they’re not clouded by politics or prejudices, as seen in how the prologue ends with this well-known quotation by Malala Yousafzai: “When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.”

What a setup for an opera like Brundibár.

Stage director Martha Collins notes that the 87-member production is fully professionally staffed. “We don’t have lesser standards because of their age,” she says, because the performers take it seriously and learn a lot, even if they don’t go on to a musical career. “I still get emails from former students. One that I treasure came from a girl who was involved in a moot court as part of her final presentation for a law degree. She said that when she stood up in front of judges, she recalled what we’d said about projecting your voice and speaking with confidence.” Collins adds that she’s thrilled to see how so many kids blossom when given an opportunity like the SYO provides.

Brundibár will run on November 15 and 16 at the Sarasota Opera House. Come out and see for yourself why the SYO felt compelled to bring this vital, timely show back to our community once again.

Continental Cuisine | Al Fresco Dining | Live Piano Music | Fine Wines | Happy Hour Private Dining | Daily Lunch & Dinner | Doggie Dining 92

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F O R M O R E IN F O R M AT IO N

on the Sarasota Youth Opera, please visit sarasotaopera.org/youth-opera-program or call 941.328.1300.

Palm Ball

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S AT U R D Ay, F E B R U A R y 1 , 2 0 2 0 for an elegant evening at Bay Preserve on Little Sarasota Bay. Help save our cherished natural lands, forever.

941-918-2100 www.conservationfoundation.com/thepalmball Now accepting table and ticket sponsorships for this exclusive event.

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BROUGHT TO YOU IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ARTS AND CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF SARASOTA COUNTY

941.351.8000 / asolorep.org The Sound of Music November 16 – December 28

CHORAL ARTISTS OF SARASOTA 941.387.6046 / choralartistssarasota.org One World, Many Voices November 16

FSU/ASOLO CONSERVATORY FOR ACTOR TRAINING 941.366.9000 / asolorep.org/conservatory Antigone by Sophocles Through November 17

FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE 941.366.9000 / floridastudiotheatre.org Mainstage Bright Star (FL Premiere) November 6, 2019 – January 3, 2020 Cabaret Outlaws and Angels November 20, 2019 – March 29 That’s Amore Through February 2

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941.306.1200 / artistseriesconerts.org Zlatomir Fung, Cello / Young Concert Artists International November 2 – 3 Chopin Mini Delights November 17 – 18

Best SEATS

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Children’s Theatre Pinocchio Through November 2 Deck the Halls: A Holly Jolly Holiday November 30 – December 28

THE ISLAND PLAYERS 941.778.5755 / theislandplayers.org Relatively Speaking November 7 – 17

JAZZ CLUB SARASOTA 941.366.1552 / jazzclubsarasota.com Jazz on the Water Renesito Avich November 3 Jazz at Two Bob Miner Quartet November 1 Melanie Massell and Company November 8 Steve Martinucci Quartet November 22 Joe Bruno’s Dixieland Hotdogs November 29 Monday Night Jazz Cabaret Paul Gavin Mosaic Band November 25

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LEMON BAY PLAYHOUSE 941.475.6756 / lemonbayplayhouse.com Lying in State Through November 3 Chuck Gillespie “The Tuxedo Men!” November 16 It’s A Wonderful Life Dramedy by Joe Landry November 26 – December 15

MANATEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 941.748.5875 manateeperformingartscenter.com Buddy — The Buddy Holly Story Through November 10

NEW MUSIC NEW COLLEGE 941.487.4888 / newmusicnewcollege.org Images: Featuring new works by New College students, Kim Anderson, Mark Dancigers and Grand Electric November 16

THE PLAYERS CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS 941.365.2494 / theplayers.org Broadway The Fantasticks Through November 10

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SNAP Series Lip-schtick November 14 - 16

THE SARASOTA BALLET 941.359.0099 / sarasotaballet.org Symphonic Tales (Program 2) November 22 – 23

THEATRE ODYSSEY

SARASOTA OPERA

URBANITE THEATRE

941.328.1300 / sarasotaopera.org Fall Opera Rigoletto November 1 – 17 Youth Opera Brundibar November 15 & 16 Concerts at Noon Apprentice Concert November 8

941.321.1397 / urbanitetheatre.com The Thanksgiving Play November 8 – December 15

SARASOTA ORCHESTRA 941.953.4252 / sarasotaorchestra.org Masterworks Classical Romance November 8, 9, 10

STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA 941.752.5252 / scf.edu Symphonic Band Music that Should Never Have Been Written November 14 SCF Jazz Luck Be a Lady: Jazz Goes to Vegas November 21

941.799.7224 / theatreodyssey.org One Act Play Festival Through November 3

VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL 941.955.7676 / vanwezel.org Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock & Roll: Part III November 1 Roy Orbison & Buddy Holly – The Rock ‘N’ Roll Dream Tour November 4 Dwight Yoakam November 16 Straight No Chaser: The Open Bar Tour November 17 Cirque Dreams Holidaze November 22 & 23 Dave Koz And Friends Christmas Tour 2019 Jonathan Butler, Melissa Manchester, Michael Lington, with Special Guest Chris Walker November 29 Sebastian Maniscalco: You Bother Me November 30 NOVEMBER 2019 | SARASOTA SCENE

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THE VENICE INSTITUTE FOR PERFORMING ARTS 941.218.3779 veniceperformingartscenter.com The Everly Brothers Experience November 8 The Mystics in the Sugar Bowl Show of Shows November 10 Molly Hatchet November 17

THE VENICE SYMPHONY thevenicesymphony.org Bohemian Beethoven November 15 – 16

VENICE THEATRE 941.488.1115 / venicestage.com Mamma Mia! Through December 1 Good People November 1 – 17 Florida Bee Gees November 10 – 11 All About Soul November 25 Assisted Living the Musical®: THE HOME for the Holidays November 29 - December 22

For a full list of this season’s

431 St. Armands Circle | 941.388.4451 | cafeleurope.net

performing arts events, view our Arts & Culture Guide.

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NOV 16 – DEC 28 Music by RICHARD RODGERS Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II Book by HOWARD LINDSAY & RUSSEL CROUSE Directed & Choreographed by JOSH RHODES Maddie Shea Baldwin in The Sound of Music.

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ARTS AND CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF SARASOTA COUNTY

GET Inspired CULTURAL HAPPENINGS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE ARTS AND CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF SARASOTA COUNTY

1226 North Tamiami Trail Arts Advocates Exhibit November 4 – December 13 Opening Reception: November 14 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

ART UPTOWN GALLERY artuptown.com | 941.955.5409 “Playful Geometrics,” an Abstract Exhibit by Gillian St George Through November 29

DABBERT GALLERY dabbertgallery.com | 941.955.1315 Dabbert Gallery’s 15th Anniversary Exhibition Through November 30

FLORIDA SUNCOAST WATERCOLOR SOCIETY 914.572.7777 | suncoastwatercolorsociety.com Englewood Juried Open Aqueous Exhibition Opening Reception: November 9 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

November 9 – December 6

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THE JOHN AND MABLE RINGLING MUSEUM OF ART 941.358.3180 | ringling.org Remaking the World: Abstraction from the Permanent Collection Searing Wing November 10 – August 1 Ai Weiwei LEGO Zodiac (2018) Monda Gallery November 17 – February 9

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RINGLING COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN ringlingcollege.org/galleries | 941.359.7562 Jack Davis: Drawing American Pop Culture Lois & David Stulberg Gallery Through December 6 Hugh Davies: Recent Large Paintings Richard and Barabara Basch Gallery Through December 6 Virginia Hoffman: Vanishing Old Florida Patricia Thompson Alumnai Gallery Through December 17 Artists Minding Their Own Business Willis Smith Construction Inc. Gallery Through December 6

VENICE ART CENTER 941.485.7136 | veniceartcenter.com Fall Members’ Show Through November 8 Cornucopia November 15 – December 6

MAKING A DIFFERENCE. Every Day. For almost 30 years, the team at FirstService Residential has worked tirelessly to enhance the value of every property we manage and the lifestyle of every resident in our care.

As the North American property management leader, we know what it takes to create great communities that residents are proud to call home. We start by putting the right teams in place – Sarasota property experts who deliver genuinely helpful service. Then we back them up with the tools and resources that only the leading property management company can provide. That’s how we make a difference, every day, for great communities like yours.

To make a difference in your community, contact Jake Howse at 941.203.7889 or visit bit.ly/SarasotaScene.

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9/16/19 10:25 AM

Meet Artist

TRUMAN ADAMS Truman Adams is a freelance artist based in Downtown Sarasota. He is a graduate of Ringling School of Art and Design, and a father of two. Truman creates murals, portraits, 2d and 3d street art, fine art, live painting, custom canvases, mosaics, and any creative projects needing an artist touch.

Truman competed in Dubai Canvas 2017 for $650,000 with 24 other international 3D street artists painting the theme “Happiness”. His 7 large mosaics outside of the Church of the Redeemer in Downtown Sarasota not only illustrate the birth of Christ but the birth of his son who modeled for the last mosaic “The Presentation”. Truman Adams has been featured in the Sarasota Chalk Festival since 2009 becoming friends and working along side some of the greatest and most influential artists in the world. Truman’s first memories are of painting and drawing and he always knew he would be an artist.

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insider

InHEALTH THE EPIDEMIC OF PAIN: A MIND-BODY CONNECTION

By Jill Morris, DMD Dr. Jill Morris is a Neuromuscular Dentist with degrees in Clinical Hypnotherapy, Naturopathic Medicine and Dentistry

Over the years, I have seen different trends in my patients’ health maladies. In the 1990’s, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, temporomandibular joint pain syndrome (TMJ), migraines, and headaches were the buzz words.

From 2000 to 2010, Osteoporosis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Sleep Apnea, Gerd, Autism, ADD and ADHD rose rapidly. And today, cancer is the number one cause of death surpassing cardiovascular disease. Lyme’s disease has become an epidemic in America. In 1985 Pharmaceutical advertising on television began targeting the public directly with the lifting of certain FDA regulations.

John Sarno, M.D. Rehabilitative Medicine professor and pioneering author of “The Mindbody Prescription” and “Healing Back Pain”, reveals how many painful and chronic conditions are rooted in the everyday stressors of life and how the mind creates pain, immune dysfunction, and gut problems, to name a few. He calls this phenomenon Tension Myoneural Syndrome (TMS) which triggers the autonomic nervous system to decrease the oxygen to muscles, nerves, and tendons resulting in debilitating pain.

Patient’s that exhibit Tension Myoneural Syndrome (TMS) are people that take care of others and put everyone else first. They are the ‘do gooders’ in life. People that are perfectionists also have high incidences of TMS. These two groups of people put tremendous stress and expectations upon themselves.

Most people are living fast-paced lives. The political climate has helped create dis-ease and a lot of anger.

The internet and twenty-four-hour news have put us constantly into the ‘flight or fight’ nervous system category where we are always on edge and feeling pressure. All of this causes the stress hormones and autonomic nervous system to divert oxygen away from the muscles, nerves, tendons and vital organs.

We suppress emotions everyday at work to be able to work harmoniously with our co-workers. We suppress emotions with our loved ones in order to live a peaceful life. Internalization and suppression of anger, fear, frustration and resentment causes TMS and pain. Many pain symptoms occur during or just after a period of high stress and then can periodically come and go.

example of this is the placebo affect. When the mind is put at ease and believes in a cure, as in the placebo affect, the body heals.

The placebo affect is well documented in the scientific literature in eliminating pain.

The answer, according to Dr. Sarno, is to begin to think psychologically and not about the physical symptoms. First see a doctor to make sure there is not an underlying malignancy or life threatening situation. Make a list of all of the things and people that create pressure in your life. Refer often to this list and begin to journal about your feelings. Get them out. Awareness is the first step in what is happening as most of this is happening on an unconscious level. Take the time to do this everyday. We must bring our emotions to the surface so we can regain our health and begin to find peace and well-being on this amazing planet.

Jill Morris, DMD World Class Dentistry 3951 Swift Rd Sarasota, FL 34231 941.923.6363 sarasotadentist.com

We must do our best to put our mind at ease and believe in a cure. A great

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arts&culture

LITERARY Scene

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

THREE INCREDIBLE REAL-WORLD STORIES

didn’t care about physical limitations— especially when he had the type of digital world aptitude that soon had him working for the CIA and the NSA.

PERMANENT RECORD

by Edward Snowden

Finally, we have Permanent Record, the much-awaited memoir by the most notorious whistleblower in recent memory—Edward Snowden. After all this time, this deeplypolarizing figure takes on the task of asking the questions we have for him. He’s guarded his personal space for six years, but in these pages, he finally shares the context for his 2013 decision to disclose confidential reports about mass surveillance and the bulk collection of personal information.

It comes as no surprise that Snowden was a supergeek who got hooked on his dad’s Commodore 64. And when the Internet was born, Snowden embraced it as fully as one could, from coding to hacking. What’s far more of a WOW is that he comes from a family of patriots. One grandfather served as a rear admiral. His father worked for the Coast Guard. His mother worked for the NSA. Snowden claims to have relatives

serving in the military all the way back to the American Revolutionary War. For the Snowden family members to be so well-vetted by the government and yet end up with someone most consider a traitor in their midst? That’s a tough one to work through.

Snowden says his family always answered the call of duty, and he, too, tried to do so by joining the Army. He was so undersized that wearing a heavy backpack gave him stress fractures, and that injury caused him to wash out. The intelligence community

One aspect of Snowden’s life that isn’t deeply examined is his relationship to Lindsay Mills, the pole-dancing world traveler he finally married two years ago. Yes, we know he tried to shield her from the blowback of his actions by keeping his decision to go public a secret until it happened, but their relationship isn’t dealt with in much depth. Nor does he say much about Russia in these pages, though he has plenty to say in live interviews about it.

Another minor disappointment in this book is that there are no bombshells here. It’s all about the past, though the issues related to Snowden’s choice to divulge that secret information continue to loom large in the world today.

Still, it’s rare to see someone give up their entire life at age 29 for what they see as the good of others. Ultimately, Snowden’s life is an incredible American story about a controversial figure that’s become a pop culture icon. For those reasons alone, Permanent Record is worth a look.

Rating:

www.twitter.com/Snowden

MANHUNTERS: HOW WE TOOK DOWN PABLO ESCOBAR

by Steve Murphy and Javier F. Peña

I’m zooming through the Netflix series Narcos right now, so when I learned that this explosive memoir of small-town cops who became legendary DEA agents was the basis for it, I had to check it out. The good news?

The book didn’t let me down. Right from the start, it made good on the

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arts&culture

promise to reveal firsthand how Steve Murphy and Javier Peña helped the DEA chase down drug traffickers, with their white whale being the infamous Colombian drug lord, Pablo Escobar.

The story is told from both Murphy’s and Pena’s perspective, switching between them, as we get to see them in action early in their careers. Things really pick up when the duo gets to Bogotá, Colombia, which they said was like being in a war zone. Their stories give readers a ringside seat to the multi-country effort to bring down Escobar, the man at the center of the Medellín Cartel.

Steve Murphy and Javier Peña are the real deal.

It’s sometimes hard to believe the accounts they share—though they ring with authenticity. What makes this book more than just a true crime story is how we see their friendship grow at the same time we see the sacrifices they—and their families—made during the years they spent chasing down the most-wanted man in recent US history.

This book is exciting, relevant, and well-written—a must-read for anyone interested in knowing the real story about America’s war on drugs. Highly recommended.

Rating:

www.facebook.com/DEAnarcos/

refreshing that he comes across as selfdeprecating and likable. It also helps that he’s a gifted storyteller.

HAIL TO THE CHIN: FURTHER CONFESSIONS OF A B MOVIE ACTOR

by Bruce Campbell (with Craig Sanborn)

Self-styled B movie actor Bruce Campbell is at it again, offering more “confessions” from his never-dull life in Hail to the Chin.

Even if you’re not a Brucenik, it’s easy to like the funny, brutally honest stories he shares that are often accompanied by photos and images. Considering the legions of fans Bruce enjoys, it’s

The book tackles the events since his 2001 memoir, If Chins Could Kill. A good bit of this book examines his life in Oregon, which he moved to with his wife for some quieter living—“to renew, regroup, and reload.” To his surprise, Oregon life ended up having a few too many encounters with wild animals (bears!) and wild people (country folk!).

Who knew that Bruce used the wild lavender on his property to make soaps and sachets to give to the Teamsters on the TV set of “Burn Notice,” which he co-starred in for seven seasons?

But the book also gives us real behindthe-scenes insight into “Burn Notice,” his “pivotal” roles in the Spider-Man series, and his work teaming up with Sam Rami and Rob Tapert for a remake of The Evil Dead and then on the hit Starz TV show “Ash vs Evil Dead.” You also get his take on being able to check off playing dream roles: Santa Claus and Ronald Reagan.

One of my favorite anecdotes is how he was sent to Bulgaria to shoot a few SyFy network films. He shares his take on Bulgarian vodka and beer, and then talks about how he and his friend Josh got hooked on Kamenitza beer that was so “off-brand” that restaurants wouldn’t carry it. “After three of four of them we coined the ad slogan: ‘Kamenitza—it’s better than communism!’”

Bruce himself gives perhaps the best sales pitch on this book: “I never pictured myself hovering above Baghdad in a Black Hawk helicopter, facing a pack of wild dogs in Bulgaria, or playing an aging Elvis Presley with cancer on his penis—how can you predict this stuff?

The sheer lunacy of show business is part of the fun for me and I hope you’ll come along for the ride.”

Hail to the Chin is a fun, breezy dive into the life of a cult hero who’s been in the limelight—and the media world—for four decades.

Rating:

www.Bruce-Campbell.com

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Laughing MATTERS THE ONE ABOUT MATH

By Ryan G. Van Cleave | Illustrations by Darcy Kelly-Laviolette

I

n the course of “helping” my seventh grader with her math homework the other day, I came to a stunning conclusion: I don’t math as well as my twelve-yearold daughter.

Don’t worry—I got out of the awkward situation by blaming the obvious culprits. The sun was in my eyes. El Niño caused it. It was a Leap Year. Russian hackers messed it all up.

But the truth was undeniable. My daughter is a pre-algebra guru. I’m hopelessly post-algebra. (My wife tells me this doesn’t make sense, but who can trust her? She maths a lot. And well.)

This was the beginning of the week where Math Kicked Ryan’s Butt in Five Different Ways. Let me explain via sharing these knock-me-down-to-size anecdotes that have to stay just between us, okay? I don’t want people knowing about my mathiness situation.

Situation One: See above. Blech.

Situation Two: Ryan was playing basketball. One of his shots went in the hoop. Three of his shots did not go in

the hoop. How many shots were there in total? seconds elapsed before everyone watching determined that Ryan’s best basketball days were behind him?

Situation Three: I decided to take the entire first-year class of Creative Writing majors at Ringling College to an unnamed local escape room for reasons that I claimed fell under the umbrella of “community building.” I worked up a deal with the owner where all of us could join in the fun serious educational opportunity for $20/person. The mathematical conundrum occurred when the booking system insisted on first charging 7% sales tax and then a 3% booking fee. The two of us tried to reverse engineer the original sub-$20 price that’d give us a grand total, out-the-door price of $20. After ten minutes of head scratching, communal embarrassment, and general all-purpose HUHing paired with guesswork, we went with $20.08/person. Because we are sad, sad math-deficient adults.

Somewhere, a pair of high school math teachers were smiling mirthfully.

Situation Four: My daughter—not the aforementioned math guru but rather the engineering/robotics one who also maths plenty well—owns a shirt that says “Grammar is important, but

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insider math is importanter.” I tried to get her to exchange that shirt for this one. “I’m a great enginear engineir enginere I’m good at math.”

She kept them both.

Situation Five: I met up with two of my political pollster friends for an evening of root beer and darts. As we were warming up, pollster #1 threw at the bullseye and missed it to the left by 7 inches. Pollster #2 tossed her dart and it missed the bullseye to the right by 7 inches. The two laughed and high-fived, saying, “We nailed it!” Even when they explained it, I still didn’t laugh.

Situation Six: My wealthy tech-startup high school buddy promised that I could have all of his cash if he croaks first. All I have to do is log onto his laptop’s banking program and transfer out the money. “My password,” he said, “is the last 13 digits of pi.”

When my daughters explained that one to me, I was ticked off.

Situation Seven: I promised to make a list with five things on it, and I delivered seven. What can I say? 4/3 of adults struggle with fractions. Me? I struggle with out-of-control listing.

So, now you know my secret shame. I’m unlikely to math my way out of a paper bag. I’m about as anti-mathy as one gets. I never show all my work. I don’t honor the correct order of operations. I don’t always do unto one side of an equation what I do to the other. I don’t check my work. Sometimes, when no one is looking, I even divide by zero.

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Did I mention, too, that I do all math problems in ink?

Last night, I heard both daughters cranking up Jay-Z, who—I’ve been assured— has 99 problems. Is that a lot? I’m unsure because the truth is that I don’t know how many problems I’ve got because math is one of them! I’m sure this is the case because I’m right 97% of the time, and the other 5% is when I do math.

Alright—it’s time to do my penance and watch every Khan Academy math video.

You just wait. Next time, we’ll totally talk about linear algebra, multivariable calculus, and France’s many revolutions and republics (yeah, I’m going to watch the video on “1750-1900 Enlightenment and Revolution” just because). *** Have your own gripe with mathing? Ever wonder why, for some math folks, 1 + 1 = 3 and they’re sure they’re right? Do you get rankled when someone says math is the only subject that counts? Isn’t it strange that math is the only place where someone can buy 58 watermelons and nobody—I mean NOBODY—wonders why?

If these questions make you want to set your lawn on fire, please take a moment to email me at ryanlovesmath@sarasotascene.com. We can share horror stories about geometry class in high school. Who knows? Maybe you were the kid one chair over who cheated off me to your own detriment! If so, my apologies!

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