November 2024 by SARASOTA SCENE Magazine

Actual Patients

Smile Makeovers and Veneers

Dental Implant Surgery and Reconstruction

On-Site Laboratory with Master Technicians to Customize and Control Results

Implant Dentistry Cosmetic Dentistry Orthodontics

Burr Bakke, DDS

• Fellow of the American Dental Implant Association

• Fellow of International Congress of Oral Implantologists

• Fellow of the American Academy of Dental Facial Esthetics

• Member of American Academy of Implant Dentistry

• Post Doctoral Instructor of Full Mouth Reconstruction

Jill Morris, DMD

• Accredited Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (only 550 accredited dentists worldwide)

• Fellow of the American Academy of Dental Facial Esthetics

• Post Doctoral Instructor of Full Mouth Reconstruction

• Member International Academy of Oral Biological Dentistry and Toxicology

• Practicing dentistry for 33 years

Cameron Johnson, DMD

• Member of North American Association of Facial Orthotropics

• Member of the American Orthodontic Society

• Member of the International Association of Orthodontics

• Member of American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine

• International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology

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Longboat

Robert Delaney

Casey

Nicole Dovgopolyi

Sarasota

Bradenton

Dietrich

Siesta

Melissa Gissinger

Sarasota

Placida

Carol Stewart & Tanner Stewart

Sarasota

Toni Schemmel

Sarasota

Lenore Treiman

2024 HoLIDAY GIFt GUIDe

By Gina Liga

FeeL tHe eArtH move with compelling stories at asolo rep

By Scott Ferguson

meet GiAncArLo GUerrero sarasota orchestra’s new music Director

By Joanna Fox

PUt on YoUr sUnHAt AnD oPen YoUr mInD at the ringling eco-fest

By Scott Ferguson

‘tis tHe seAson! 2024-2025 social season planner On the COver peter rothstein, proDucing artistic Director of asolo rep. photo by aDrian Van stee.

A hub for research, medical education and innovation, the Institute will nurture next-generation clinicians and attract top physicians from around the world. It will ensure SMH remains at the forefront of medical excellence.

Community support is the lifeblood of the Institute. Learn

Kaileia Suvannamaccha

from the • PUBL is H er

ince arriving to Sarasota in 2018, whenever there was a hurricane threat, new friends told me that our area never gets hit hard by hurricanes. There’s the Indian burial ground theory, a 1906 fictional story about the legend of Sara de Soto (daughter of Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto) that claims Sarasota is protected from hurricanes, and then there’s the logical explanation that because of the shape of Florida’s land mass, hurricanes tend to make landfall to the south and travel east across Florida thereby missing Sarasota with a direct hit. Who was I to argue. For decades, one of these reasons proved possible as our beloved Sarasota took no direct hurricane hits.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton have thrown these theories out the window. Unfortunately, we’ve now been hit with two forces of nature with unprecedented impact that we will remember for a long time.

I am happy to report that all of us at Sarasota Scene fared well. We had a loss of power like everyone else, and a few down trees and branches, but we were among the lucky ones, unlike many of our friends and marketing partners, who suffered severe damage from both hurricanes. But out of tragedy we always see renewed hope and strength. The stories I am hearing about the generosity of people giving their help to others have been truly remarkable. We will cover some in a later issue.

Once power returned for the Sarasota Scene team, we were able to get back on track quickly and are only a day or two late in the release of this issue—our ‘Tis the Season issue— marking the start of a gala season which promises to be fun and exciting.

Ladies, get out your cocktail and formal finery; gents, dust off that tux, and fill up your calendars with inspirational events to attend that tug at the heart strings and make you want to give and give. We have all the info you’ll need in this issue. You’ll have a great time and most likely will make some new friends. I have so many galas I personally love and attend every season so if you see me, be sure to say hello. Unfortunately, November galas will be scant since several were canceled because of storm recovery and only a few of them have been rescheduled.

While you’re planning for season, please look at our holiday gift guide with lots of different gift ideas for the holidays. Hopefully we can reduce your stress level and make gift giving a bit easier!

In our cover story, you will “feel the earth move” as Asolo Rep’s season of compelling stories promises to shake things up. The season covers personal stories of world events and cultural happenings that shaped our lives. Its season starts this month with Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Be ready to sing along and tap your feet to songs from her iconic Tapestry album including “I Feel the Earth Move.” Asolo Rep’s producing artistic director Peter Rothstein shares his thoughts on what is so brilliant about this show and his inspirations and passion about the entire exciting Asolo Rep season.

This month’s Around Town features one of my favorite people in town—Margaret Wise. She has done so much for our community throughout several decades.

H JOHN KNOWLES, PUBLISHER john@scenesarasota.com

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!

Many things in town would not be what they are without her guidance, assistance, and hard work. Margaret and her good friend Katherine Harris have started a new organization called Women in Philanthropy, which honors the legacy of female philanthropists from the past and present and inspires and engages new ladies to philanthropy for the future betterment of our community.

There are so many special anniversary seasons for local nonprofits this season. In September, we celebrated the 25 th anniversary of West Coast Black Theatre Troupe. This month, our beloved Sailor Circus, which is part of the Circus Arts Conservatory, holds its 75 th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee. The celebration will include late November performances by its Gold Troupe and late December performances by its Red Troupe. The December shows will celebrate the rich history and artistry of Sailor Circus, which is the longest-running youth circus training program in the nation.

Thankfully The Ringling survived Hurricane Milton with minimal damage. Plans remain on track for its SunHAT Festival November 13-18. The Ringling tells us to get ready for unexpected, interactive, and delightful Eco-Performances which illuminate issues of ecology, climate change, and environmental justice. We tell you much more in this issue. Don’t miss it!

Our philanthropy article features generous Sarasotans Ed and Susan Maier, whose $4 million dollar-for-dollar challenge match toward FST’s new Arts Plaza has reignited its plaza project, which will be named in honor of long-time FST supporters Graci and Dennis McGillicuddy. You can learn more about this challenge match and FST’s Art Plaza mission in this issue.

Truthfully, we had more people stories planned for you this month, but the meanness of the last hurricane displaced a few of our interviewees. But I am sure even they will say they consider themselves fortunate indeed to be able to tell their stories in a later issue.

As we count our blessings heading into this holiday season, I hope for all of you good tidings of joy, great times and good health. Looking forward to seeing you on the “scene”!

H JOHN KNOWLES, PUBLISHER john@scenesarasota.com

67 No. 11

Publisher/Executive Editor

H John Knowles

Strategic Partnerships

Julie A. Milton

Executive Creative Director

Darcy Kelly–Laviolette

Communications Specialist

Gina Liga

Distribution

Mike Straffin

Accounting

Sally A. Bailey

Advertising Enquiries

Paul McNamara

Call/Text 917.751.6506 | paul@scenesarasota.com

Sharon Castellano

Call/Text 203.984.7577 | sharon@scenesarasota.com

Contributing Graphic Designer

Laura Guzman

Contributing Writers

Scott Ferguson

Joanna Fox

Julie Milton

Christy Pessemier

Tom Reese

Kaileia Suvannamaccha

Contributing & Social Photographer

Nancy Guth

Contributing Photographers

Harry Sayer

Lori Sax

Janet Combs

Maggie Martinez

the L ist

novem B er 2

SARASOTA ART & DANCE NIGHT

Sarasota Art & Dance Night is a celebration of dance and the vibrant cultural spirit of Sarasota, showcasing live dance and musical performances, along with group dance lessons and social dancing. 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM. Ticket prices range from $30 (general admission) to $150 (VIP).

Art Ovation Hotel | sarasotaarts.org/events/ Sarasota-arts-and-dance-night

SUNCOAST FOOD & WINE FEST

Spend the afternoon sampling from a large selection of local restaurants and a variety of fine wines and other beverages.

Premier Sports Park | suncoastfoodandwinefest.com

Julia Knitel

Photo by

Sorcha Augustine

Join the Sarasota Orchestra for a delightful brunch to celebrate 65 years of music education. 10:30 AM. Michael’s On East | sarasotaorchestra.org

B er 2

WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S

All funds raised through Walk to End Alzheimer’s further the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. The event begins at 8:00 AM, with a ceremony at 8:45 AM. Nathan Benderson Park | act.alz.org

CHILDREN FIRST ROCKIN’ LOBSTER

Enjoy the easy breezy atmosphere of a rockin’ good beach party as the sun sets over the Venice Fishing Pier at this annual event. 6:00 PM. Sharky’s on the Pier | childrenfirst.net/rockin-lobster

WEEKENDS STARTING NOVEMBER 2

SARASOTA MEDIEVAL FAIR

Welcome one and all to weekends of exciting tournaments, scrumptious feasts, and pure family fun. Woods of Mallaranny | sarasotamedievalfair.com

novem B er 6

SARASOTA ORCHESTRA MASTERWORKS DINNER 1

Enjoy a delicious dinner and the opportunity to meet Sarasota Orchestra’s Music Director Designate, Giancarlo Guererro, as well as conductors of the Masterworks Concert Series. 6:00 PM. Sarasota Yacht Club | sarasotaorchestra.org

novem B er 7

NEW COLLEGE SOIRÉE ON THE BAY CLAMBAKE

Celebrate philanthropy, education and community at New College’s annual fundraiser event. College Hall, New College Bayfront | ncf.edu

novem B er 8

RISE ABOVE 1ST ANNUAL GALA

Enjoy a night of elegance and extravagance at Rise Above Performing Arts’ 1st Annual Gala, Putting on the Ritz. This Great Gatsby-themed evening promises a dazzling celebration of art, culture, and community. Rise Above Theater | riseabovearts.com

Verify advanced experience after residency. Even carefully planned surgeries can experience a problem. Look for a surgeon who can think on his/her feet—one whose’s skill developed by handling the unexpected.

A surgeon with cancer reconstruction or trauma/ ER experience is a good example, since it requires the surgeon to customize every repair under a time restraint.These situations build the timely and creative plastic surgery skills you deserve.

www.abplasticsurgery.org www.plasticsurgery.org

novem B er 8

SCF FOUNDATION ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON

The Annual Scholarship Luncheon honors SCF scholarship recipients and the incredible contributions of supporters.

Michael’s On East | scf-foundation.org

novem B er 9

THE SALVATION ARMY

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Grab your ruby slippers and get ready for an experience filled with heart, courage, and the knowledge that you are making a significant impact on the lives of individuals and families across our community. Solis Hall, Wellen Park |give. salvationarmyflorida.org

brighter give

Everyone should have something to smile about, especially during the holiday season. Tidewell Foundation funds a variety of programs that brighten the lives of patients and their families in the care of Tidewell Hospice.

We are committed to supporting compassionate full life care for all stages of care. With your help, we can assure a brighter quality of life at the most difficult moments.

novem B er 9

TIDEWELL REMEMBRANCE WALK

Celebrate the memory of a loved one and help support the many free services the Tidwell Foundation provides. Nathan Benderson Park | tidewellfoundation.org

novem B er 10

ALL FAITHS FOOD BANK BOWLS OF HOPE

Each year more than 1,500 guests attend this event where 40 of our community’s finest restaurants serve delicious soups, bread, desserts, and more. Guests select beautiful handcrafted bowls to keep.

Ed Smith Stadium | allfaithsfoodbank.org

SMOOTH JAZZ FESTIVAL

Part of the You Are So Beautiful campaign, this musical event supports cancer patients suffering from hair loss, mental trauma, and those having financial struggles due to cancer treatments.

Siesta Key Beach | allevents.in

novem B er 11

VISIBLE MEN ACADEMY LOVE LUNCH

A fundraising event in celebration and support of Visible Men Academy.

Michael’s On East | vmacademy.org

novem B er 14

SELAH FREEDOM LIGHT THE PATH

Light the Path, is a celebration of hope and a call to action to end sex trafficking.

Westin Sarasota | selahfreedom.com

novem B er 15

ALL STAR CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION TWINKLE BALL

Glitter and sparkle at the inaugural Twinkle Ball and support our local children in foster care. Michael’s On East | allstarchildren.org

All The Support You’ll Ever Need

1

in 8

Women

will face Breast Cancer in their lives.

All of them deserve the Highest Quality Care.

This is why Sarasota Memorial designed a state-of-the-art Breast Health Services Program combining accessible screening with the very latest in treatment options, for a groundbreaking approach to cancer care as comprehensive as it is personalized.

With eight locations for 3D mammography, yearly screening is easier and more accessible than ever before, while advanced diagnostics at our breast health centers ensure accuracy is second to none. And for those in our care, dedicated nurse navigators explain and coordinate treatment plans, while an award-winning team of oncologists, radiologists, surgeons and pathologists equipped with the latest in medical technology, leading-edge treatments and clinical trials, ensures they have more options than ever before.

Because at the Sarasota Memorial Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute, No One Faces Cancer Alone.

smh.com/mammo

• scene s P onsore D • w estcoast b lack t heatre t roupe 25th a nni V ersary g ala s arasota o pera m oonlight & m elo D ies Dinner

MAZZIG

Safer, Smarter, and More Connected

NOVEMBER 6

7PM • The Ora • Sarasota

PUBLIC OPINION WAR: ISRAEL AND ANTISEMITISM

Hen Mazzig is a globally recognized speaker, educator, author, and digital influencer with more than 100 million users interacting with his content across all social media platforms. Mazzig will discuss the importance of being confident in our Jewish identity in the face of rising antisemitism and how we can advocate, raise awareness and safely celebrate and share our identities on social media in our postOctober 7 world. He has appeared as an expert on Jewish issues in media on four continents and was named a “Top 20 Jewish creative under 40” by the Jewish News.

PRESENTING SPONSORS: Edie and David Chaifetz

DECEMBER

6PM • The Ora • Sarasota

Celebrate 25 years with the Troupe featuring cocktails, dinner, show and dancing. The Ora | westcoastblacktheatre.org

An intimate fine dining experience celebrating Verdi’s life in Parma. Sarasota Opera House Courtyard | sarasotaopera.org

sparcc b lack t ie g ala novem B er 14 novem B er 16

Enjoy thoughtfully curated auction packages, a cocktail reception, sumptuous 3-course dinner and live musical entertainment. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens | sparcc.net

Celebrate the rich tradition of this joyful Eastern European Jewish and Yiddish music! Dance along to lively, energetic tunes, featuring Sarasota’s own Yiddish Cowboys, one of Florida’s only professional Klezmer bands. Optional dinner component from Michael’s On East and a cash bar available. This event will include a marketplace with vendors of local crafts and Judaica.

MEDIA SPONSOR:

JANUARY 8

7PM • The Ora • Sarasota

Reichl, an American food writer and editor will talk about “Eating Our Words,” sharing personal reflections on her years as food critic for The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and editor of Gourmet magazine. She’s written several memoirs, two novels, and has won six James Beard Foundation Awards including the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award. She is recognized as one of the most discerning voices in the food world.

For tickets or to register, visit JFEDSRQ.org/events Scanme!

novem B er 16

UTC FALL FESTIVAL & CARNIVAL

Fun for all ages, free entry, free parking, kids zone, and Dreamland Amusements Carnival.

University Town Center | eventbrite.com

novem B er 21

CHILD PROTECTION CENTER NIGHT OF HOPE & HEALING

This event features a wide selection of tastings from crowdfavorite restaurants, fantastic live and silent auctions, live music, dancing, and the opportunity to protect the most vulnerable children of our community.

Venice Community Center | cpcsarasota.org

CHASENGALLERIES.COM (941) 955 0155 99 SOUTH PINEAPPLE AVENUE, SARASOTA 1830 SOUTH OSPREY AVENUE, STE 102, SARASOTA

Meet the Designer

December 6th & 7th

DAVID RUTH

“UPOLO”

WINE, WOMEN & SHOES SIGNATURE LUNCHEON

An engaging fundraising event where philanthropic women (and a few good men) gather to sip, shop, savor and support Forty Carrots Family Center in a fun, innovative way

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota | winewomenandshoes.com

novem B er 22 novem B er 23

CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN 2024

All proceeds from the Champions for Children event will provide thousands of BGCSDC Club members a world-class Club experience that assures success is within reach.

Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club | bgbsdc.org

VISIT SCENESARASOTA.COM to submit your event for consideration, please send information to publisher@scenesarasota.com

Jennifer Hackbarth and Ricardo Rhodes in Sir Peter Wright’s Giselle |

Photo by Frank Atura

MEDIA SPONSOR

Giving Masters

Ed and Susan Maier and Florida Studio Theatre

By Joanna Fox | Photos by Nancy Guth

Sometimes, what once got us in trouble in our youth ends up being the very thing that plays a role in positively shaping our future. Such was the case with Ed Maier and the game of bridge he discovered in his freshman year at Denison University, a leading liberal arts college in Granville, Ohio.

After learning the game, his attention and time fell from academics to the social aspects of the game; instead of spending time in the classroom, he spent his time in the student union. The result of that semester was four F’s—not enough to keep him in school. Not only was he kicked out of school, but his father refused to pay for any further education. Ed left home and eventually ended up living at the YMCA.

Fast forward through years of hard work at low-paying jobs and finally graduating college on his own dime (where he continued to improve his game of bridge), Ed collaborated with his father on a successful business plan for one of the family’s mismanaged companies and established himself in the Maier enterprise. Before age 30, Ed was made a member of the board of the Maier Foundation, where he learned first-hand, by watching the best—his dad. “I learned the pleasure

and joy of giving money away responsibly,” said Ed. Over the years, the foundation made an indelible mark on the Charleston, West Virginia, area in the fields of education, medicine, and the arts. Each project is evidence that the foundation, first under Ed’s father, William, and then under Ed’s direction, followed the teaching of his grandmother, Sarah Maier, to do good with all the money you can spare.

Susan Maier, Ed’s wife, arranged a surprise 60th birthday party for him at the now-defunct Colony Beach and Tennis Resort on Longboat Key. It was the perfect place for these two tennis lovers to consider the area for their retirement years. There was tennis. It was below the freeze line. Plus, the second largest bridge club in the United States was here, which was important as Ed had continued playing and winning in duplicate bridge over the years. He had established himself as a Life Master. Susan had taken up the game and is herself close to becoming a Life Master.

Shortly after moving to Sarasota in 2021, Susan and Ed became close friends, at the bridge table, with Fran Mann and Mel Weisel, who introduced them to the arts in Sarasota and to Florida Studio Theatre in particular.

“We wanted to make sure that Dennis and Graci (McGillicuddy) received the proper recognition for all that they have done for Florida Studio Theatre for the last 33 years.”

Ed Maier

Their first FST visit was to a cabaret show which greatly impressed Ed. He had questions. “Where do they get all these good actors?” “Who is this group?” “Do they play here all the time?”

He came to find out that FST selects the best performers and actors from New York, California, locally, and from all over. Every cabaret show they attended was equally entertaining. While other aspects of FST were good, cabaret was the real draw for the Maiers. This led Ed to comment to Susan, “I think this organization may be worthwhile to help out.” And that is just what the Maier’s have done.

Their first project with FST was suggested by then Development Officer, Steve Tereci. At that time, the city was going to remove Auguste Moreau’s Butterfly Lady sculpture reproduction on the median of Cocoanut Avenue, but it “belongs here at Keating Theatre. The problem is it would cost $40,000 to buy it, move it, and set it on a pedestal on the terrace of the Keating.” With Ed’s “okay,” that gift began the relationship between Ed and Susan Maier and Florida Studio Theatre.

Of course, FST is more than the Butterfly Lady sculpture and cabaret performances. It is a campus that houses five theaters: Mainstage, Cabaret, Stage III, Children’s Theatre, FST School, New Play Development, and FST Improv performing 52 weeks a year. There’s even a restaurant. It has grown from 160 subscriptions to the largest subscription theater in the state of Florida and

among the largest in the country, reaching 230,000 attendees each year.

Richard Hopkins, FST’s Producing Artistic Director, has said throughout the years, “If the community wants it, they will pay for it.” That has proven true over the years and still holds today, as evidenced by the public’s response to the generous challenge match gift Ed and Susan Maier made of $4,000,000 toward the Arts Plaza.

The challenge is a dollar-for-dollar matching fund to name the Arts Plaza after Dennis and Graci McGillicuddy in honor of their involvement and service to FST over the past 33 years. Dennis serves on the Board of Trustees and Graci has been involved with FST since the late 80’s. The Arts Plaza had previously been named for Pat and Mary Mulva in recognition of their leadership gift.

Upon their relocation to Texas, Pat and Mary Mulva surprised everyone at FST’s 50th Anniversary Shindig by announcing that they were donating the naming rights of the building and the Mainstage Theatre back to FST. It was at this event that the Maiers were inspired to make an additional gift in recognition of the McGillicuddys. Ed speaks to the selfless contribution on behalf of himself and his wife, Susan, stating, “I’m not sure Susan and I would have done this had the Mulvas not given up the naming opportunity. We wanted to make sure that Dennis and Graci received the proper recognition for all that they have done for Florida Studio Theatre for the last 33 years.”

“This Maier challenge match gift started a fire and reignited the entire campaign. We are up to $3.4 million. We have been receiving up to 20 gifts a day,” Richard said.

“People are not giving to the bricks and mortar building, they are giving to the mission of who we are to this community,” shared Rebecca Hopkins, the Managing Director for Florida Studio Theatre. “The generosity of spirit in wanting to honor the McGillicuddys is contagious. Summer giving is generally slow, but not this summer.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION or donate to the challenge match, please contact FST Director of Development Matthew Glover at MGlover@floridastudiotheatre.org or call 941.366.9017.

4 3 0 P H E A S A N T WAY

B I R D K E Y

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Le a s e b a c k O p p o r t u n i t y $ 1 , 8 9 9 , 7 5 0

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2024 Holiday GiFt guide

M O rt O n’s Fa MO us p ri M e s teak O r s ea FOO d Gi F t Baskets

Everything you need to prepare an incredible dinner! Your choice of Prime NY Strip steaks, Filet Mignon, fresh Salmon, or Ahi Tuna, accompanied by silver dollar mushrooms, asparagus, baker potatoes, Caesar salad ingredients, a bottle of wine and more. This is truly a gift that guarantees to impress! Morton’s Gourmet Market Basket for 2: $125 Basket for 4: $210 mortonsmarket.com

d istressed B ase B all C ap

Adjustable distressed baseball cap features a variety of graphics and a bit of bling, the perfect gift for that sassy friend in your life. Darci Boutique $28 | shopdarci.com

en’s Fine a rt h i G h-Waist l e GG in G s

Start turning heads and making statements with ‘Flower on Emerald and with Red Hearts’ High-Waist Leggings. Printed with breathtaking artwork from Debbie Dannheisser, these high-waist leggings are inspired by a love of fine art and all things fitness.

Debbie Dannheisser Threads

$135 | DebbieDannheisserThreads.com

Ma Ck ensie-Childs “l O ve” tea kettle

Suit your personali-tea with The Tea Kettle Collective. Have a heart (or two) for our Love 2 Quart Tea Kettle, featuring hearts and polka dots on a heavy-gauge steel underbody, finished with a wood handle and a heart-shaped, red glass knob on the lid.

Shelly’s Gifts & Christmas Boutique

$179 | ShellysGiftandChristmasBoutique.com

rO und-Cut Brilliant d ia MO nd r in G

Gold & Diamond Source showcases world-class, handpicked diamonds in every size and price range and this gorgeous 5.01 carat round diamond ring is no exception. Perfect for a holiday engagement, or any special occasion. Call for pricing.

Gold & Diamond Source 727,573.9351 | GoldAndDiamond.com

Fren C h kande

a lien O r n e C kla C e

This necklace features 22” Onyx Accentué with silver wire, complemented by Austrian Crystal Montre II bezel and Civilization medallion. Absolutely beautiful all by itself or layered with other designs.

Foxy Lady

Siesta Key: 941-349-6644

St Armands: 941-388-5239

FoxyLadySarasota.com

C i G ar l O ver G i F t pa C k

This exclusive gift pack from Atabey includes 5 Atabey Ritos Tubos cigars, 1 limited-edition Atabey ashtray, and a beautiful gift box.

Corona Cigar

$220 | coronacigar.com

e ver G reen a pple Cru MB le C andle

Introducing Evergreen Apple Crumble! That lightly tart crisp apple, wrapped lovingly in a puffy, flaky pastry brings a warm glow to any room. Your next gathering with have everyone asking when you’re taking dessert out of the oven! Available Saturdays at the downtown Sarasota Farmer’s Market and Englewood Farmer’s Market.

Beaver Wicks

$25 | Beaver-Wicks.square.site

G O ld plated

sterlin

van

Boca

Boca Boutique

Necklace: $200

Earrings: $135 BocaBoutiqueSRQ.com

Mar

Wise

B y tom reese

You can’t help but notice this vivacious and engaging Southern beauty in any room she graces. Margaret Wise loves this town and for many years she has done everything in her power to lift it wherever and whenever it needs help. She is well-known on the Sarasota philanthropic scene, and when she gets behind something, do not bet against her!

We caught up with Margaret while planning the inaugural soiree in December for Women in Philanthropy with good friend Katherine Harris. Its mission is to honor Sarasota philanthropists from the past and present, while inspiring and engaging our next gen philanthropists for the future enrichment of our community.

Your Southern charm emanates from your Mississippi roots. How did your sweet accent and background influence who you are?

I grew up with a family that had a grocery store and a cattle farm. My father built everything from scratch and was a true entrepreneur. He had strong ethics; he was kind and believed in hard work. We worked hard from day one, and I learned how to ride a horse at the same time I learned to walk!

The only day we got off was Sunday to go to church. I watched my father help people at the store and give them credit when he knew he would never get the money back, but he always said he couldn’t stand to see anyone go hungry. As a result, my mother held an annual bonfire to raise money for all the IOUs. We were not a wealthy family, and my father had many setbacks, but he always picked himself up and continued to get bigger and better. He was never a quitter.

As a young single woman, you were the owner of several different businesses. What advice would you give young women today who want to become entrepreneurs?

I always try to walk in the other person’s shoes. My values were built from this and have never changed. I never knew anything other than entrepreneurism, and I never went into a venture where I did not honestly believe I was

going to succeed. Setbacks were just part of learning, and I always figured out a way to make things work. You learn more from your faults and failures than you do from your successes!

Additionally, my advice would be to know your weakness and surround yourself with people to offset those weaknesses. For example, with Women in Philanthropy (WIP), I knew that social media is not a strength of mine, so the selection of Tatyana Stewart and Dayle Hoffmann to help take that over was so natural. I think, now looking back, my greatest strength is my ability to take an idea, overcome all obstacles and make things happen.

You came to Sarasota in 1989 with your late husband, Bill Wise. How did you select Sarasota and how have you seen it change over the years?

Prior to coming to Sarasota, my husband was vice president and chief counsel of Shell Oil, which was big on philanthropy. This allowed me, when we lived in Houston, to get involved in giving back, and one of my focusses there was the opera.

When we moved to Sarasota in 1989, we had a neighbor named Deane Allyn. Deane was the CEO of Sarasota Opera at the time and had a vision for downtown. She recruited me to be the new president of Sarasota Opera.

the fIrst thIng someone needs Is an area of Interest that helps others. as you understand It more, It must also

Become a passIon. the second thIng you need to understand Is that the reasons for gettIng Involved must Be to help others, not to gaIn self-recognItIon or attentIon.

The setting for the opera was dismal. In fact, all Downtown Main Street was dead at that time. One of the main eyesores was what is now Five Points Plaza. It consisted of a fish market, now the park, a national tire company that burned tires on its premises, now the library, and a gas station, now Bijou Restaurant.

The head of the Downtown Association, Paul Thorpe, who eventually became known as Mr. Downtown, teamed up with us to make the necessary changes. They led the vision with the help of good commissioners combined with good fundraising. Eventually, Five Points Plaza was created. These two people get little credit for what it is today. I was so proud of participating in this revitalization.

You have supported and helped raise millions of dollars for many nonprofits. Tell us about your early involvement with helping important institutions grow and become the vital nonprofits they are today. I always looked for a need where my talents could be of some use. Examples include Sarasota Memorial Hospital when it needed a new tower, Asolo Rep when it was going bankrupt, and Selby Gardens when Jennifer Rominiecki (Selby CEO) first came to town. I also helped with cofounding Designing Women Boutique & Estate Services, a nonprofit organization with the mission to meaningfully grow funding for Sarasota’s arts and human services organizations.

As a founding partner in Designing Women Boutique, please tell our readers about how that store and its mission came to be and how the community has benefited from its being.

Three of us, Diane Roskamp, Jean Weidner, and myself, were all in Philadelphia at the time of the 9/11 terrorist

attacks. While waiting to figure out how to get back home, we realized that raising money was not going to be as easy to support our charities. We realized that we would have to earn it. This was when the idea of Designing Women began. In our 23 years, Designing Women has given away over $8 million to many local charities and paid for our building at the same time. We achieve our mission through fundraising events, and by selling gently used donated and consigned unique designer fashion, furniture, art, and accessories in our fashionable boutique, and through providing estate liquidation and downsizing services to individuals and families in the Sarasota area.

Along with the Honorable Katherine Harris, you have formed a new nonprofit, Women in Philanthropy (WIP), which will soon host its inaugural soiree. Tell us more. First, Katherine and I have known each other for over 40 years. She is a woman of integrity and intellect and is one of the hardest working individuals I know. She also has a wonderful passion for recognizing the great contributions of the women who have helped shape this community and helping the next generation of women with the joy of giving. She was a natural choice to help with this endeavor. Besides, I just like working with her!

The inaugural soiree is December 7, and it will be an unforgettable evening to honor the indelible legacy of exceptional Sarasota women philanthropists, both past and present. Held at the home of Katherine Harris, the evening will feature an exclusive reception, and a couture fashion experience led by WIP Creative Director, Tatyana Stewart. The soirée will culminate in a beautiful program for the honorees with gourmet banquet stations along the shore of Sarasota Bay, followed by dancing under the stars.

4420 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 941.260.8905

www.shellysgiftandchristmasboutique.com

Open 7 Days A Week Until Christmas 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Your legacy of giving, caring, and love for your community continues to make a significant impact in our town, and being a mentor is important to you. To those who want to get involved, what advice would you give?

The first thing someone needs is an area of interest that helps others. As you understand it more, it must also become a passion. The second thing you need to understand is that the reasons for getting involved must be to help others, not to gain self-recognition or attention. Finally, you must be dedicated to putting the work in to make it happen and incite passion in others.

You are a recent bride again since marrying Tom Taylor in 2022. Please tell us about Tom and how you met. Tom and I met while he was having a business meeting at Jack Dusty in the Sarasota Ritz Carlton. I was with friends at the next table and the humor was abundant. As a result, we got to talking and I invited him to the theater. We had natural chemistry and the rest was written. Four years later, we are happily married.

When Margaret Wise is not at a board meeting, or raising money for a worthy cause, where can we find you around town? What are some of your favorite lunch and dinner spots and things to do?

My husband and I really enjoy staying home with a good movie or having intimate dinners with small groups of friends. When we go out on our own, we seem to drift to restaurants that meet our taste buds at the time. Lunch may include our normal destinations Cafe Epicure, Green Orchid at Selby, Taste of Hong Kong, good pizza houses, Duval’s, Connors and Columbia (on the Circle). For night adventures we like Hyde Park, State Street, Besos, Cafe L’Europe as well as our two clubs.

Effective for Adults & Adolescents

TMS therapy is FDA approved for the adjunct treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adult and adolescent patients aged 15-21. This expanded indication means NeuroStar providers have a new treatment option available immediately for younger patients who suffer from depression and may not have had success with other care options.

NeuroStar® is the first and only TMS therapy FDA-cleared for the adjunct treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescent patients aged 15-21. This expanded indication means NeuroStar providers have a new treatment option available immediately for younger patients who suffer from depression and may not have had success with other care options.

Dr. Jordana Hollen, Associate Medical Director for TMS & Dr. Rebecca Cohen, Medical Director of TMS

FEEL THE EARTH MOVE

With Compelling Stories at Asolo Rep

By Scott Ferguson

The first four offerings in Asolo Rep’s 2024-25 season span both world wars, the cigar factories of 1920s Tampa, and pop music’s “hit factories” of the 1950s and beyond. The productions tell the personal stories behind the world-changing events and cultural touchstones of the 20th century that continue to shape our lives today.

The season opens with Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Nov. 13, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025), followed by All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 (Dec. 4-22, 2024), Ken Ludwig’s Lady Molly of Scotland Yard (Jan. 17-Feb. 8, 2025), and Anna in the Tropics (Feb. 19-March 13, 2025).

The tagline for the season, “Feel the Earth Move” is from the lyrics to Carole King’s song from her iconic 1971 Tapestry album, “I Feel the Earth Move.”

“The theme covers a lot of ground,” says Peter Rothstein, Asolo Rep’s producing artistic director, “because our season encompasses a wide range of stories and styles. In the context of Beautiful, it’s epic — you do feel the earth move when you hear that song — but it’s also epic because the feeling conveyed in the song comes from something deeply personal. That’s what’s so brilliant

Julia Knitel

about the show. I think it’s one of the best ‘jukebox musicals,’ because the story (with book by Douglas McGrath) and the songs reveal that often the moments in our lives that are the most private, the most intimate, can be the most epic.”

Julia Knitel, who will portray Carole King in Beautiful at Asolo Rep, has performed in various productions of the show for almost a decade.

“I joined the Broadway company in 2015 and became the youngest person ever to play the role,” Knitel says. “After being on Broadway for a year and a half, I went on tour playing Carole, and that was quite the adventure. I was 23 years old, traveling the country playing this magnificent role. Carole even came to see the show. I was an absolute wreck the entire day before doing the show that night. But as soon as I met her, she put me at such ease. She just made me feel so excited to show her what I had been bringing across the country with the story of her life.”

While many people think of King as a 1970s-era singer-songwriter based on her seminal album, Tapestry, she started writing songs at age 18 with Gerry Goffin (who later became her husband from 1959-1968) that were hits for the likes of Aretha Franklin, the Drifters, Bobby Rydell, the Shirelles, Dusty Springfield, the Chiffons, the Righteous Brothers, and many other solo artists and groups.

The musical traces the history of the Goffin-King songwriting partnership, their marriage and divorce, their friendship with songwriting duo Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, and her solo career as a singer.

“I really get to go on a journey each time I do the show,” says Knitel. “I try to do her justice and tell her story. I find different things every night and discover new connections between the lyrics and the points in the plot where she and Gerry are writing them. It’s very cool to surrender to the piece each night, no matter where I’m doing the show: on Broadway, on tour in a regional house. It’s an amazing thing to get to do.”

Knitel’s favorite Carole King song? She says there are many, but one that really touches her every time is 1960’s “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?”, a Goffin-King composition.

“I think it’s one of the greatest songs ever written,” she says. “When you look at the lyrics as a piece of poetry, and when you look at the structure of the song and the melody and the chords underneath it, it is a flawless piece of music. And it’s one of my favorite things to get to do every night. And what I find so striking about that song and others throughout the show, is that often the audience knows this music as well as the people on the stage know it.

“So when the first chord hits, you feel excitement and anticipation for the lyrics to start. I don’t want to ruin the story, but the song is a bit of foreshadowing. In the show it’s one of those moments where while Carole is coming into her own; it’s the first song she sings from beginning to end.”

Other notable songs in the show include “You’ve Got a Friend,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and of course, “I Feel the Earth Move.”

Rothstein says the theme of “feeling the earth move” through global and personal shock waves plays itself out throughout the season in different ways. All is Calm, which he wrote and has directed in a number of mediums and venues (including Off-Broadway, regional

Peter Rothstein

theaters, Minnesota Public Radio and PBS), is about true events during World War I, when German and allied soldiers raised their voices in song, inspiring impromptu and unofficial truces along the Western Front during the 1914 Christmas season.

This version will feature nine men playing several soldiers on both sides of the conflict, singing Christmas songs and popular tunes of the time in various languages. In a special holiday event in partnership with The Ringling museum complex, the intimate production will be staged at the Historic Asolo Theater, located in the Visitors Center on the Ringling grounds.

“It’s an acapella musical,” says Rothstein, “with some spoken-word excerpts from letters and speeches that

help set the scene. “It runs about 75 minutes, with about three dozen songs. The soldiers would do round-robin concerts back and forth across no-man’s-land, singing to each other as Christmas approached.

“When I set out to write it, I realized that if I told this story in the words of the soldiers themselves and people like Winston Churchill, Pope Benedict, World War I poets and others, it would have much more power than any piece of fiction I could create to tell the story. So I collected a lot of rich material that forms the basis of the play.”

The Christmas truce and word that it happened were squashed by military leaders on both sides, fearing that it would weaken the men’s fighting spirit. It never occurred again after 1914, even as the war dragged on until late 1918.

Asolo Rep’s season moves to World War II for its next production, the world premiere of Ken Ludwig’s Lady Molly of Scotland Yard. The popular playwright’s work was last seen on the Asolo stage last season in the Gershwin-inspired musical, Crazy for You

Ludwig was inspired when he came across a book with that title by Baroness Orczy, a collection of short stories.

“The book is indeed about a woman named Lady Molly of Scotland Yard, and it’s set in 1910 when Orczy wrote it,” he explains. “She has a sidekick, so it’s sort of a Sherlock Holmes-Dr. Watson setup. But I didn’t use any of her stories, because I wanted to write something set in World War II.

So I used her title and the name of her main character, and I wrote the play and all the other characters from scratch.”

In the play, Lady Molly and her sidekick, Peg, are Scotland Yard detectives trying to solve a mystery. A murder investigation leads them to the top-secret code-breaking operation at Bletchley Park, about 50 miles northwest of London. Molly and Peg go undercover as cryptographers, which worked because many of the code breakers there were women. The women’s tasks were to decipher messages sent by the Germans in code, scrambled to disguise their military plans, using devices called Enigma machines.

“They came across women who had the ability to solve very complex puzzles. They tested men and women, using crosswords and other challenging tests. As they narrowed down the possible code breakers, the tests got more and more complex. I find it fascinating that they were open to women working to crack the codes. They made a huge difference in the war effort, especially the breaking of the naval codes. Their work probably shortened the war by about two years and saved hundreds of thousands of lives.”

Ludwig pitched the idea of the play to Rothstein, who agreed to host and direct the world premiere at Asolo

Rep. The pace is frantic, as Molly and Peg uncover a Nazi plot that could spell doom for England. They race against time to unravel and foil the plan. As the season brochure says, “Saving the world has never been so much fun.”

“It’s a great thriller,” says Rothstein. “Ken is so theatrical in the way he thinks, so the piece is highly theatrical, and in some ways it reads like a movie. The women are in a car, then they’re in Parliament, then we’re at Bletchley Park, then we’re at the Savoy listening to Louis Armstrong singing, then we’re in an airplane swirling around a cathedral. These things are not easily staged, but audiences will have fun seeing how we do it!”

Next up is the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Anna in the Tropics, by Nilo Cruz. It takes place in 1929 just up the road from Sarasota, in a cigar factory in Tampa’s Ybor City.

“My father told me about this beautiful tradition of lectors, or as we say in Spanish ‘lectores,’ reading books and newspapers to the workers in the factories as they rolled the cigars. I was a teenager when I heard the story, and it stayed with me. But it wasn’t until years later when I was writing for the theater that it occurred to me to write about the lectores in the cigar factories of Tampa.”

The idea of feeling the earth move can come from big and small revolutions, and it often comes from the most personal and intimate places. “ ”

I’d imagine how they were impacting the workers. That’s how I came up with the structure of the piece.”

Rothstein says, “Anna in the Tropics puts the workers’ seemingly small lives inside the cigar factory where the reader is reading Anna Karenina, in the same space as this big romantic epic novel. They realize their small world is really not much smaller than Tolstoy’s epic novel.

Cruz set the play in 1929, when word about coming mechanization of the cigar factories brought uncertainty to the workers. When a new lectore arrives in Tampa from Cuba, he brings a copy of Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina to read to the workers. The story that unfolds in the classic novel is paralleled in the play.

“I chose the book in part because I love Tolstoy. But also, the concept of reading a Russian novel aloud in Spanish in 1929 was intriguing to me, given the later influence of the Russians in Cuba.

“So I thought it should be a Russian novel and it should be romantic. So I chose Anna Karenina. When I selected the passages from the novel that the lectore would read,

“The idea of feeling the earth move can come from big and small revolutions, and it often comes from the most personal and intimate places. I’m always drawn to that kind of work in the theater, and there’s a lot of it in our new season.”

For more information and tickets to these shows and other productions in the 202425 season, which runs through June 15 and includes Dancing at Lughnasa; Good Night Oscar; and Jesus Christ, Superstar, visit AsoloRep.org or call the box office at 941-351-8000.

The Ora, 578 McIntosh Rd., Sarasota Friday, December 6, 2024 • 6:30 p.m.

Experience the profound impact of The Florida Cente transformative work and be moved by extraordinary s of triumph and hope. Join us for a very special eve where wonder is not just imagined, but beautifully

Open Bar | Inspired Cuisine | Heartfelt Narratives Powerful Vocals by Allison Nash | Dancing to Soul S ensations

Live and Silent Auctions | Paddle Raise Black Tie Optional

STEP INTO THE WONDER WITH US!

Sponsorships available: Britnie Lanning (941) 371-8820 ext. 2031

Tickets and more information:

MEET Giancarlo Guerrero

Sarasota Orchestra’s New Music Director

Brings Global Experience and Lots of Passion as He Takes SO into the Future

By Joanna Fox

Dorothy said it best in The Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home.” But where do you call home when you are a ‘citizen of the world’, when you speak six languages –seven counting the language of music? And where do you call home when you are a 76-member orchestra with no dedicated space in which to rehearse, create, and perform?

When you are Giancarlo Guerrero and Sarasota Orchestra, you come together and build that home. A home for community, concerts, and conductors. A home where not only the musicians play their instruments, but where the music hall is an instrument itself. A home that honors the past as it embraces the future.

The past includes an 11-year-old boy, Giancarlo Guerrero, in Costa Rica who was enrolled in a youth orchestra program to ‘keep him busy and out of trouble.’ He said peer pressure kept him focused on practicing so he would be able to return to the

orchestra with his friends each year. Little by little what began as a hobby became his passion, a passion that has taken him around the world and finally here to Sarasota.

That passion has fueled his involvement with youth orchestras over the years and Sarasota Orchestra has “one of the most impressive youth orchestras that I have ever encountered,” said Giancarlo. “Music education has been a pillar of the Sarasota Orchestra institution reaching as many students as possible all over the area.” Giancarlo acknowledged that not every student involved in the youth program will become a professional musician, but they will become the music lovers and concert goers of tomorrow. Music stays with you so much so that Giancarlo went from “being in the back of the band with two sticks playing drums to the front of the orchestra with one stick.”

Giancarlo Guerrero brings with him experiences and podium time of 30 years conducting with orchestras globally: New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, orchestras in Germany, Poland, and others in Europe, Latin America, and Australia. He is a six-time GRAMMY®award winner. His musical interests are varied. “I do like all types of music from heavy metal rock to salsa and jazz music. In the past I have collaborated with artists from many different genres like Bela Fleck, Ben Folds, Victor Wooten and Esperanza Spalding,” said Guerrero.

This internationally respected orchestra leader will serve as Sarasota Orchestra’s seventh Music Director taking the orchestra into the future playing an integral role in many aspects of the new Music Center. Guerrero’s energy and passion are palpable and will reach a wide range of Sarasota Orchestra audiences beyond the podium.

Guerrero will complete his final year of his 16-year tenure as the music director of the Nashville Symphony while serving as Sarasota Orchestra’s music director designate, as well as continuing to guest conduct internationally. Giancarlo is intimately familiar with the great American composers. He has broken the strings that have bound the classical music world to change with the times. When Mozart, Beethoven, and the centuries old composers were new on the scene, they needed to be championed, and Guerrero has the works of many new composers that he champions in his portfolio. “I am always looking for young composers with the potential for a big career and I try to find joint projects to put them and their music on the map.” It is a way to keep the art form alive and relevant. And where better to perform new music than in a new hall?

As with all art, the process is integral to the product when it comes to Sarasota Orchestra’s vision for a Music Center.

Conversations have been held throughout the community involving other arts organizations in Sarasota and Manatee counties. This Music Center would not be for just the orchestra; it will be a welcoming space for the community, impacting the culture, the language and the personality of the community and establishing a new rhythm for our time.

Location is paramount. When asked about the location on Fruitville Road near the interstate, Joseph McKenna, President and CEO of Sarasota Orchestra, said, “When Carnegie Hall opened, it was way up town and some people thought it might be too far away. Now it’s in the center of Manhattan. Our new location is the geographical center of what is becoming the region.” The Music Center will create a sense of place that will be a home specifically for the orchestra and will serve the arts needs of the community.

Sarasota Orchestra has been nomadic playing in five different venues over the years. The new Music Center will establish a home that reflects the orchestra and gives the organization an expanded “freedom of expression” (McKenna) that it does not have now. This concert hall will be one of only four acoustic music halls in Florida and the only one on the west coast of Florida. It will offer acoustic precision—imagine how the concert experience will change for both the musicians and the audience. When the musicians can hear each other better, they listen better, they contribute differently, pushing each other to the next level which in turns heightens the listening experience for the audience. In the new concert hall, the orchestra, under Guerrero’s direction, will further their own style, their own sound, their own musical identity. This space, this home, will showcase the virtuosity of Sarasota Orchestra.

Guerrero is quick to point out that the “each concert is a shared singular experience. No two people in the hall experience the concert in the way. Who we are and what we bring to the concert in the form of memories, expectations, and even what happened that day determines our experience.” It is his job to “lead and inspire the musicians in such a way as to create a limited sense of separation, a full immersion with the music with each member of the audience.”

Sarasota Orchestra is here for the whole community. There is something for everyone. The language of sound can be understood universally. Last season, the orchestra hosted 58,000 ticket buyers. The magic, passion, and energy of Maestro Giancarlo Guerrero will be sure to bring more listeners to the orchestra.

For more information and tickets to Sarasota Orchestra’s 24/25 concert season, visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

Put on Your Sun HAT & Open Your Mind at The Ringling ECO-FES T

By Scott Ferguson

Sarasota’s cultural gem called simply The Ringling is known for its diverse collections, reflecting the interests and legacy of John and Mable Ringling. It is celebrated for its classical art; circus history and artifacts; the architecture of Ca’ d’Zan, the home of the Ringlings; and the beautiful gardens on its 66-acre grounds.

In addition to the many reasons to visit The Ringling, the venue will highlight the natural environment at its site on Sarasota Bay during the SunHAT Eco-Performance Fest, Nov. 13-18.

The event is designed to explore themes of ecology, climate and environmentalism through a series of live performances, walks, talks and a special dinner. The festival will take place in The Ringling’s indoor and outdoor spaces, presenting a dynamic program blending dance, music and other forms of performance. The goal is to stimulate the audience’s imagination and inspire conversations around critical environmental challenges facing Florida and the world.

The festival is dubbed “SunHAT” in part because HAT is an acronym for the Historic Asolo Theater, which serves as the venue for one of the performances. The intimate theater imported from Italy is the former home of the Asolo Repertory Theatre.

“SunHAT is a play on words, representing being outdoors and wearing a hat that’s protective, a kind of all-weather accessory,” explains Elizabeth Doud, The Currie-Kohlmann Curator of Performance at The Ringling. “And the ‘Sun’ part of the title is because we’re in Florida. We think SunHAT is a fun way to express the idea of an event happening outdoors as an extension of the HAT, because a lot of

the festival is going to be outside. We have five main performances, with three of those happening outdoors.”

Doud, who is the creator and main organizer of the SunHAT Eco-Performance Fest, holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Miami and a PhD in Performing Arts from the Federal University of Bahia, Brazil.

“I did my PhD research in the role of the performing arts in the climate movement,” says Doud. “Over the last 10 years, as an artist myself and as an event producer and academic, I think the visual arts has done a great job creating projects that respond to questions and issues around climate and environmentalism. There’s been remarkable work conceptually and aesthetically around these topics. But the performing arts has had a more difficult time finding ways to tell the stories of ecological issues and climate change.”

With SunHAT, Doud and her colleagues are bringing together a number of different ways of exploring these issues creatively through the performing arts. The festival will feature presentations by a range of artists. Admission is pay-what-you-will (99¢ and above, with the exception of the Mushroom Dinner and the Nature Provides Herb Walk), with the aim of making the events accessible to the broader community. The event is an effort to position the performing arts as a powerful medium for sparking awareness, reflection and activism about environmental issues.

SunHAT Fest Highlights

Here are some highlights of the SunHAT Fest

(all events are Pay-What-You-Wish unless otherwise noted):

Nov. 13 & 14, 5:30 p.m.

You Look Like a Fun Guy.

An outdoor dance and theater presentation from Dance Heginbotham. It is inspired by mushrooms, their relationship to avant-garde composer John Cage, their powers to facilitate transformation, and their tastiness. The performance on Nov. 13 is a prelude to the Mushroom Dinner.

Nov. 13, 6:45 p.m

Mushroom Dinner with Artist Talkback by John Heginbotham, The Ringling Grillroom, $75.

This artsy feast is made possible by the creative culinary force of Chef Leonardo Pileggi and the urban farm magic of Sarasota’s Petrichor Mushrooms. Savor a multi-course mushroombased meal, paired with wines by guest sommelier.

Nov. 14, 10:30 a.m

Nature Provides: Exploring the Edible and Medicinal Landscape, $15

($12.50 Ringling members).

Nature Provides: Exploring the Edible and Medicinal Landscape, $15 ($12.50 Ringling members).

Herbalist and Acupuncture Physician Bob Linde will present an indoor/outdoor talk on the common understanding of food/nature/ medicine that mixes bioregional plants with traditional knowledge.

Nov. 14, 7 p.m.

DJ Cavem.

Eco Hip-hop artist and vegan chef DJ Cavem coined the term Eco-Hip Hop in 2007, and it has since sprouted into a global movement. An activist, educator and vegan chef, Cavem’s mission is to rap about climate change, food justice, and plant-based foods.

Nov. 15, 16 & 17, 4:30 p.m., and Nov. 18, 11 p.m.

Sakasaka by Compagnie Zolobe, Historic Asolo Theater.

Using only a mop, a bench and buckets, three clowns from, Madagascar will have you laughing out loud as they continually try to drink a cup of water. Expect the unexpected as the clown trio takes the audience on many adventures. Sakasaka, which means “thirsty” in Malagasy, is a wordless, physical comedy with live music that highlights the global issue of water scarcity and the importance of protecting this precious resource.

Nov. 16, 3 p.m.

SunHAT Keynote with Moira Finucane. Taking place under the Banyans, this performative address invites the audience to reflect and respond to provocations of Art versus Extinction, drawn from an eponymous suite of works the artist has developed over the last 10 years. Finucane shares a poetic analysis of the priorities and rhetorical strategies of storytelling around climate change, ecology and environmental justice. Her brave and visionary artistic and social practices bring wildness and intellectual rigor that are inclusive and inspirational.

Nov. 15 & 16, 7:30 p.m.

Morning/Mourning by Gelsey Bell. This experimental opera inhabits a world in which all humans have disappeared from Earth. An ensemble of five vocalist/multi-instrumentalists witnesses and guides the audience through the changes on Earth, as forests grow back, new species evolve, and the human-made world erodes away. Inspired by the book The World Without Us (2007) by Alan Weisman, the piece explores our current human relations with nature.

Nov. 16 & 17, 5:15 p.m.

Invisible Rivers by Mondo Bizarro. Performed on and near Sarasota Bay, this unique collaboration between Louisiana-based Mondo Bizarro and the Land Memory Bank & Seed Exchange combines art and education to involve citizen audiences. Part procession, part performance-art talk, Invisible Rivers uses music, theater and boatbuilding to showcase the experiences of the rapidly changing coastal region of southeast Louisiana.

“We have so many things happening on the campus during the festival,” says Doud. “Our hope is that you’ll want to see every single aspect of SunHat. That’s the way the schedule is broken down. If you really want to go all in and come to the whole shebang, you’ll be able to do that. Whether you’re a ‘tree-hugger,’ an environmental enthusiast, an artist or a lover of the arts, or you just want to experience something different and thought-provoking, we hope you’ll join us.”

The SunHAT Eco-Performance Fest is funded in part by a grant from South Arts, the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project and National Theater Project, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information, to see videos about the events and to purchase tickets for performances and the Mushroom Dinner, visit www.Ringling.org/SunHAT-Festival/.

NOTE: The locations of SunHAT festival events on The Ringling campus are subject to change. Check the website for the latest updates.

‘Tis the

season

2024-2025 social season planner

November 2024

Nov 2

Children First Rockin’ Lobster

Enjoy the easy breezy atmosphere of a rockin’ good beach party as the sun sets over the Venice Fishing Pier at this annual event. 6:00 PM. Sharky’s on the Pier | childrenfirst.net/rockin-lobster

Nov 3— scene sponsored

Sarasota Orchestra Brunch

Join the Sarasota Orchestra for a delightful brunch to celebrate 65 years of music education. 10:30 AM. Michael’s On East | sarasotaorchestra.org

Nov 6— scene sponsored

Sarasota Orchestra

Masterworks Dinner 1

Jennifer Hackbarth | Photo by Mikenna Bowers

Nov 7

New College

Soirée on the Bay Clambake

Celebrate philanthropy, education and community at New College’s annual fundraiser event. ncf.edu

Nov 8

Rise Above 1st Annual Gala

Enjoy a night of elegance and extravagance at Rise Above Performing Arts’ 1st Annual Gala, Putting on the Ritz.

This Great Gatsby-themed evening promises a dazzling celebration of art, culture, and community.

Rise Above Theater | riseabovearts.com

Nov 9

The Salvation Army

There’s No Place Like Home

Solis Hall, Wellen Park | give.salvationarmyflorida.org

Nov 11

Visible Men Academy

Love Lunch

A fundraising event in celebration and support of Visible Men Academy.

Michael’s On East | vmacademy.org

Nov 11— scene sponsored

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

25th Anniversary Gala

Celebrate 25 years with the Troupe featuring cocktails, dinner, show and dancing. The Ora | westcoastblacktheatre.org

Nov 14

Selah Freedom Light the Path

Light the Path, is a celebration of hope and a call to action to end sex trafficking.

Westin Sarasota | selahfreedom.com

Nov 15

All Star Children’s Foundation Twinkle Ball

Glitter and sparkle at the inaugural Twinkle Ball and support our local children in foster care.

Michael’s On East | allstarchildren.org

Nov 16— scene sponsored

Sarasota Opera

Moonlight & Melodies Dinner

An intimate fine dining experience celebrating Verdi’s life in Parma. Sarasota Opera House Courtyard | sarasotaopera.org

Nov 16— scene sponsored

SPARCC Black Tie Gala

Enjoy thoughtfully curated auction packages, a cocktail reception, sumptuous 3-course dinner and live musical entertainment.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens | sparcc.net

Nov 8 Garden in Bloom Fundraiser Gala

Enjoy a night filled with fashion, live art, dancing, live music, delicious food, giving back, and mingling with your local community.

The Meadows Country Club | eventbrite.com

Nov 21

Child Protection Center Night of Hope & Healing

Venice Community Center | cpcsarasota.org

Nov 23— scene sponsored

Champions for Children 2024

All proceeds from the Champions for Children event will provide thousands of BGCSDC Club members a world-class Club experience that assures success is within reach.

Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club | bgcsdc.org

December 2024

Dec 6— scene sponsored Florida Center Wonder Gala

Enjoy a delicious dinner, lively music, and an exciting auction in support of The Florida Center for Early Childhood. The Ora | thefloridacenter.org

Dec 7— scene sponsored Women in Philanthropy

Inaugural Soireé

An unforgettable evening to honor the indelible legacy of exceptional Sarasota women philanthropists. Bay Point Park | womeninphilanthopyofsarasota.com

Dec 14

Sarasota Art Museum Art Bash

Art Bash will start with cocktails, canapés and entertainment, followed by a seated dinner, auction, paddle raise, music and dancing.

Sarasota Art Museum | sarasotaartmuseum.org

Dec 31— scene sponsored

Selby New Year’s Eve Gala

Kick off 2025 at Sarasota’s most sophisticated blacktie New Year’s Eve experience! Enjoy private access to Lights in Bloom®, passed hors d’oeuvres, a seated four-course dinner and more. Michael’s on the Bay | selby.org

January 2024

Jan

4— scene sponsored

The Hospital Gala

The Hospital Gala 2025 will kick off SMH’s year-long centennial celebration. Don’t miss the premier event of the season.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota | smhf.org

Jan 11

Lighthouse Vision Loss Center

Brilliance Ball

Learn about Lighthouse Vision Center’s mission to change the lives of the blind and low-vision while enjoying craft cocktails, live music and a paddle raise auction. Lido Beach Resort | lighthouseeducationcenter.org

Jan 11 Perlman Music Program Celebration Concert & Gala

Join PMP for an exciting evening of celebration attended by Toby and Itzhak Perlman, PMP students, faculty, and staff. Enjoy fine wines and dining with entertainment by the fabulous Pearltones, plus a singalong with students, faculty, and guests.

Sarasota Opera House | perlmanmusicprogramsuncoast.org

Jan 17 Sunshine From Darkness Inspiring Hope Dinner

Enjoy sparkling performances, powerful testimonials and connect with your community while learning about the future of Sunshine From Darkness.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota | sunshinefromdarkness.org

Jan 31— scene sponsored

The Circus Gala

An over-the-top evening of fun under the Big Top. The Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park | circusarts.org

Jan 31— scene sponsored Sarasota Opera Gala:

A Night in Seville

Be immersed in Spain’s beauty, culture, and vibe with all the splendor of the region’s cuisine, wine, tango dancing, and flamenco music. A black-tie affair with spice and flair.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota | sarasotaopera.org

Jan 17

Catholic Charities Ball

An elegant evening to celebrate the mission of Catholic Charities to serve all of those in need who come for help.

The St. Regis, Longboat Key | catholiccharitiesdov.org

February 2024

Feb 7— scene sponsored SCF Avenues to the Future: Inauguration Dinner

Be immersed in Spain’s beauty, culture, and vibe with all the splendor of the region’s cuisine, wine, tango dancing, and flamenco music. A black-tie affair with spice and flair.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota | sarasotaopera.org

Feb

8— scene sponsored

Selby Orchid Ball

This elegant evening celebrates the soon-to-beannounced 2025 Jean & Alfred Goldstein exhibition throughout the grounds of Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus, as well as offering a special toast to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Selby Gardens’ President and CEO, Jennifer O. Rominiecki.

Selby Gardens Downtown Campus | selby.org

Feb

16— scene sponsored

The Sarasota Ballet Gala

Honoring Patricia Golemme and Timothy Fullum, this extraordinary evening will feature a new atmosphere of specialty curated performances, along with a dazzling celebration of fine dining and dancing.

The Ora | sarasotaballet.org

Feb 19— scene sponsored

Sarasota Art Museum

Unconventional Evening

An immersive and fluid event featuring cocktails, dinner, artists, and performers flowing throughout each of the Museum’s spaces – where you can interact, activate, and “be the art.”

Sarasota Art Museum | sarasotaartmuseum.org

Feb

23— scene

Feast Upon the Fields

Experience a culinary adventure in nature surrounded by beautiful scenery. conservationfoundation.com

Feb 27

Glasser/Schoenbaum DARE to C.A.R.E. Collaboration Celebration

This annual get-together joins community and business leaders, philanthropists, non-profit agencies, foundations, and volunteers in an inspiring celebration of non-profit excellence.

Carlisle Inn | gs-humanservices.org

Feb 28

Asolo Rep Gala

Asolo Rep’s biggest fundraiser of the year featuring a cocktail reception followed by a seated dinner, paddle raise, live music, and dancing.

The St. Regis, Longboat Key | asolorep.org

Feb 29

Senior Friendship Center

City of Lights Gala

Make a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors in our community while empowering them to live fulfilling and joyful lives at this annual event featuring a formal dinner, live entertainment, auction and more.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens | friendshipcenters.org

March 2024

Mar 1

Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation Mystery Under the Stars Gala

This 2025 signature event is an intriguing evening set in the 1920s. Help solve the crime and get the reward of supporting cancer patients.

The Ora | fcfs.org

Mar 8

Team Tony Jackets & Jeans Gala

The 8th annual event will include creative cuisine, music, dancing, silent and live auction packages, and 300 guests thrilled to not be at another black-tie event!

Michael’s On East | teamtony.org

Mar 22

Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School Green & Gold Gala

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens | friendshipcenters.org

In the Pinkerton Theatre Nov. 8-24

A captivating ballroom dancing romance set in 1911 NYC where two unlikely souls tango and foxtrot their way to new possibilities.

In the Raymond Center thru Nov. 24

Based on the hit movie with a Tony-nominated score by Dolly Parton, three women take control of their lives in a man's world!

Mar 28— scene sponsored SPARCC Runway

Fashion Show

Fabulous luncheon; amazing designer deals at the boutique; and designer fashion on the runway.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota | sparcc.net

Mar 28— scene sponsored SMHF

Women in Medicine

The place to be for the most useful women’s health information. Proceeds will benefit greatest needs at Sarasota Memorial. To date, this event has raised nearly $1,180,000 for SMH.

ﬂorida’s classical music station

April 2024

Apr 2

Child Protection Center

Blue Ties & Butterflies

The Child Protection Center’s signature event is a beautiful evening that local philanthropists and advocates look forward to year after year. Help end the silence and secrecy of child abuse.

Michael’s On East | cpcsarasota.org

Apr 5— scene sponsored

Children First Fairytale Ball

Join Children First for an unforgettable evening of enchantment as they celebrate 25 years of making dreams come true.

Michael’s On East | childrenfirst.net

Apr 5— scene sponsored

Sarasota Art Museum

En Plein Air Wine Dinner

Dine under the stars with hors d’oeuvres and a 4-course dinner, each paired with wines curated by Michael Klauber. Sarasota Art Museum | sarasotaartmuseum.org

Celebrates

75 Years of Histoy & Artistry A Ring of Life Lessons with an Array of Dazzling Shows Sailor Circus

Since its inception as a high school gymnastics class in 1949, the Sailor Circus Academy has blossomed into a premier youth circus training program held right here in Sarasota at the Circus Arts Conservatory. Renowned globally as The Greatest ‘Little’ Show on Earth, the Sailor Circus holds the distinction of being the country’s longestrunning youth circus, enchanting over 1 million spectators over the last 75 years.

The circus and Sarasota go hand-in-hand. When John and Mable Ringling moved to the area in 1927, they brought the excitement of the circus with them. Many families involved in the circus moved to the area, and many of their children attended Sarasota HIgh School. During your run-of-the-mill physical education classes, these children began practicing their acrobatics and gymnastics skills, causing a wave of more people interested in learning the art.

Over time, the interest involved into a sanctioned program where artists involved in the Ringling Circus began teaching classes to Sarasota High School students. It resulted in performances held in circus tents at the end of the school year where these talented kids could shine in front of a public audience.

The success of the program continued, and the Sailor Circus began their run as the the longest running youth program in the country in 1949. The name “Sailor Circus”

By T om Reese

came from Sarasota High School’s mascot, the Sailors. The school originally chose this mascot because their students had to sail across waters to reach St. Petersburg and Tampa for competitions before the Skyway Bridge was opened in 1954.

As times changed, the Sailor Circus eventually needed a new home after being part of Sarasota High School and the Police Athletic League for nearly 60 years. The Circus Arts Conservatory and its founders, Pedro Reis and Dolly Jacobs, stepped up and took over the program in 2011, leading to its current state, the Sailor Circus Academy. As Dolly was a part of Sailor Circus in her youth, this was a very special transition for her.

“The Sailor Circus is not just an afterschool activity. It truly is one of the most special gems of Sarasota. For 75 years it has impacted hundreds of thousands of children’s lives in a positive way, teaching them creativity, endurance, discipline, respect, camaraderie and a self pride that cannot be taught, but earned. They take these lessons with them along with many lifelong friendships,” said Dolly.

At the Sailor Circus Academy, students engage in a challenging, yet rewarding, after-school program that focuses on developing essential life skills, fostering self-discipline, building confidence, and instilling a strong commitment to success. All of this takes place in a supportive and secure circus environment.

There is a vast array of incredible coaches with global experience leading the charge at the academy. These individuals have dedicated their lives to the circus. A great example of one of these spectacular coaches is Dolly, who in 2015 became the first circus artist to be a NEA National Heritage Fellow in recognition of both her continuing artistic accomplishments and contributions as a teacher. These coaches are here to pass on their craft and lift up the next generation so that circus arts can thrive for years to come.

“It is an absolute privilege to provide such a program to students throughout the Sarasota region and its neighbors such as Manatee and Charlotte County. It doesn’t matter where you live or go to school, you can participate in this program. We are so thrilled to continue the legacy of circus arts in our community,” said Pedro.

Today, the Sailor Circus Academy is made up of two separate groups, the Gold and Red Troupes. Members of the Gold Troupe are in the beginner to intermediate skill range, while members of the Red Troupe have advanced and established skill sets. The Red Troupe is based on an invite-only basis, while no experience is necessary to join the Gold Troupe.

The Gold Troupe membership offers a chance for leisurely participation or serves as a stepping stone towards the more advanced Red Troupe, which focuses on performance. Students in the Red Troupe strive to create and showcase a grand, full-length production at the conclusion of each season. Additionally, they may receive invitations to participate in external events like parades and other festivities.

“Each individual student is different. They behave differently, they have different characteristics, but the outcome of each student is the same. They leave this program with their head held high, proud of their achievements and all of the lessons that they’ve learned, especially teamwork and recovering from failure. They learn to never give up,” said Pedro.

In an effort to continue the education of circus arts and develop the next generation of entertainers, the Circus Arts Conservatory has also paired with Sarasota High School and Booker Middle School to create magnet programs with specialized curriculums to interested students. Despite just starting these programs in the last five years, interest has continued to grow as more and more children get involved through their schools, many of which go on to join the Sailor Circus Academy.

“Once upon a time, there was a preconceived perception of what the circus was, and it was our mission to highlight it as a performance art that can be celebrated in many different ways. It’s amazing to see the student body expand so largely and profoundly through these programs. I can confidently say the circus arts have become cool,” said Pedro.

In honor of the academy’s 75th anniversary, there will be two separate performances by the Gold and Red troupes, respectively, throughout November and December 2024. Tickets for these performances can be purchased at www. circusarts.org.

Sailor Circus Academy Gold Troupe’s event, “Zodiac,” featuring the youngest and brightest stars of the program, will perform twice on November 23 at Sailor Circus Arena in Sarasota. It will feature troupe members as they flip, fly and soar to new heights while they dazzle the audience.

Sailor Circus Academy Red Troupe will perform the “75th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee.” There are a total of eight performances from December 26-29 at the Sailor Circus Arena. These shows will celebrate the rich history and artistry of the nation’s longest-running youth circus training program as the students star in a variety of thrilling acts.

“Celebrating 75 years of the Sailor Circus is just incredible. Some of these students went on to become engineers, doctors, lawyers, and teachers. It’s just a slew of amazing achievements that they have taken with them on their path to become good citizens and individuals. We often get letters, phone calls, and even donations from alumni expressing how important the Sailor Circus was for them, and that they wouldn’t be in the position they are in today without it,” said Pedro.

The students of Sailor Circus Academy are acknowledged as future leaders and significant contributors to the rich legacy of Circus in Sarasota. There are plenty of scholarships available directly because of generous donors and alumni so that everybody interested has the opportunity to join the academy, regardless of their ability to pay.

For more information on the Sailor Circus Academy, make a donation, or to enroll for next school year’s programs, visit www.circusarts.org and its various subpages.

e DU c Ation matters

BIG CHANGES FOR LITTLE LEARNERS: THE FLORIDA CENTER’S PRESCHOOL CONSULTATION PROGRAM

By Kaileia Suvannamaccha

“Preschoolers are expelled at three times the rate of students in kindergarten through 12th grade,” reveals Kate Reed, Chief Philanthropy Officer at The Florida Center for Early Childhood. The consequences of this startling statistic are severe. Bouncing from one school to another sets children on a path toward long-term academic and personal challenges, such as undiagnosed disabilities, poor self-esteem, and an increased likelihood of dropping out of high school. For parents, the strain can also be overwhelming—lost workdays, countless meetings with administrators, frantic school searches, and, tragically, a higher risk of child abuse.

The Florida Center’s Preschool Consultation Program is transforming this grim reality in Sarasota and Manatee counties. By equipping teachers with the tools to navigate young students’ intense emotions, the program empowers educators to foster stability, reduce expulsions, and promote healthy social-emotional development.

at Georgetown University and board member of The Florida Center. “And if we all agree on that, the next step is to support the people working with young children.”

The Florida Center’s Preschool Consultation Program does exactly that—pairs a mental health expert with someone who provides care to preschool-age children, giving them confidence, skills, and strategies to address the needs of each child at the earliest stage of development.

Shifting Perspectives

The heart of the program is built on the fundamental understanding that behavior is a form of communication, especially in young children. Preschoolers often lack the words to express their emotions, and may act out instead, whether through tantrums, defiance, or withdrawal.

“If we’re going to address the needs of children and families in Sarasota and Manatee, one of the best things we can do is start as early as possible,” says Dr. Neal Horen, Director of the National Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation

“When asked what they needed most, teachers said they needed help responding to student behavior,” says Kelly Romanoff, Senior Vice President at Barancik Foundation, whose team has supported the program through funding of services as well as program evaluation.

“This was the perfect solution—offering coaching that helps teachers understand what children are trying to express

through their behavior,” she explains, shedding light on the program’s impact. “The work is proving effective. Now, teachers can thoughtfully ask, ‘What is this child trying to tell me, and how can I help them?’”

This shift in perspective is critical in helping educators address the root causes of a child’s behavior rather than merely managing classroom disruptions.

Changing the Narrative

Since the program’s launch in 2023, participating schools have reported fewer expulsions and more teachers who feel confident and better equipped to support their students. The program is designed so that the consultants work together with teachers—collaboration being key to the program’s success.

“I love that the focus is on the workforce. Being a preschool teacher is tough,” adds Kimberly Treharne, Chief Program Officer of The Florida Center. “Teachers are often unaware of how stressed they are until they start working with the consultant.”

As Dr. Horen points out, this is especially vital given the staffing crisis that hit early education during COVID. “When

teachers feel supported, they stay—and that consistency is crucial.”

Amy Robinson, M. Ed., Director of Early Childhood Education at Starfish Academy, a program of The Florida Center, expressed her gratitude, saying, “We have the best consultant I’ve ever worked with in 30 years of being in the field of early childhood education. Her compassion, communication style, and knowledge continue to astound me every day. She is an essential piece of our team, and we are lucky to have her in our building!”

Rachel Kelley at Free to Grow Academy 2 shares her experience as well. “Our consultant is amazing—she loves the children, and they love her. She always shows us new strategies to assist children with social and behavioral skills. I love the way she keeps us updated on the children’s progress and gives us areas to focus on each week.”

Consultants also build relationships with parents, ensuring that the strategies used in the classroom are reinforced at home and that families who need it are connected with referrals for developmental services, such as speech therapy, behavioral screenings, or mental health services. Treharne explains, “It’s much easier to address speech delays with a three-year-old than a six-year-old.”

Early intervention ensures children have the support they need before entering kindergarten.

Better Futures for Young Learners

The benefits of The Florida Center’s Preschool Consultation Program extend beyond the classroom. Children who stay in stable educational environments tend to be more successful. They build stronger self-esteem and are better able to overcome challenges later in life. Parents, in turn, feel more supported, which reduces stress at home and fosters positive parent-child relationships.

“Our goal isn’t just reducing expulsions,” Treharne emphasizes. “The goal is to equip adults with the skills and insights to support children’s development without needing a consultant on-site permanently.”

Thanks to the Preschool Consultation Program, Sarasota and Manatee counties are leading the way in early childhood education—proving that with the right resources and support, even the biggest emotions in the littlest learners can be navigated with care. With each school that joins the program, the vision becomes clearer: a community where every child has the opportunity to thrive.

The Ripple Effect

The consultation model’s success in Sarasota is also seen as a potential blueprint for other regions. Dr. Horen explains, “What the Florida Center is doing here could serve as a great model across Florida. Teachers and families carry these lessons with them wherever they go. We’re planting seeds that can take root and grow in other places.”

The Florida Center is creating a ripple effect—one child, one teacher, one family at a time.

Celebrating and Supporting The Florida Center at The Wonder Gala

Kate Reed highlights the upcoming Wonder Gala on December 6 at The Ora as a meaningful way to support the center’s mission. “The Wonder Gala will capture the magic of the season while celebrating the remarkable progress of the children and families we serve,” she says. “Recent storms and natural disasters have added significant emotional and financial hardship to the families we support, making it even more important for us to come together during this challenging time.”

The special evening offers guests a unique opportunity to connect with others who share a passion for The Florida Center’s mission and to witness the profound impact of its transformative work. “By attending and supporting the Wonder Gala, supporters help ensure our vital programs continue to thrive, providing services that aren’t fully funded by other revenue streams.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION and to purchase tickets and learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit TheFloridaCenter.org or call 941-371-8820.

ARTIST SERIES CONCERTS

941.306.1200 / artistseriesconcerts.org

Yamazalde Trio

November 2

Winner’s Circle

November 7

Sarasota Rising: Celebrate!

November 17

PROJECT Trio

November 19

Excelsis Percussion Quartet

November 24

ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE

941.351.8000 / asolorep.org

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

November 16 – January 5

BOOKER VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

941.355.2967 / bookervpa.com

War & Peace

November 2

The Journey So Far

November 19

CIRCUS ARTS CONSERVATORY

941.556.5349 / circusarts.org

Sarasota Rising

November 17

Wonderland Presents: Illuminate

November 22 – January 5

Sailor Circus

Gold Troupe Show Zodiac

November 23

ENSEMBLENEWSRQ

ensrq.org

Ives and Schoenberg at 150

November 25

FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE

941.366.9000 / floridastudiotheatre.org

Off the Charts!

Through February 9

Out of Bounds

Through November 30

FOGARTY COMMUNITY MEDIA & ARTS CENTER

941.894.6469/wslr.org/fogartyville

Igor and the Red Elvises: Get Out the Vote

November 4

Halie Loren

November 8

Rod Picott and Rebekah Pulley

November 9

East Nash Grass

November 10

Singer/Songwriter Series

November 11

Zen Monk Chong An Sunim

November 12

Shamaar Allen

November 15

Project Joni

November 16

ISLAND PLAYERS

941.778.5755 / theislandplayers.org

A Doublewide, Texas Christmas

November 14 - 24

JAZZ CLUB OF SARASOTA

941.260.9951/jazzclubsarasota.com

SRQ Jammers at Selby Library

November 4, 18

Monday Night Jazz at the Cabaret

November 11, 25

Jazz Thursday at SAM

November 14

Jazz on a Friday Afternoon at Two

November 15

Jazz on the Water

November 17

Circus Arts Conservatory

Artist Series Concerts

Asolo Rep’s Beautiful

KEY CHORALE

941.475.6756/keychorale.org

Perfect Pitch

November 4

Sarasota Rising

November 17

LEMON BAY PLAYHOUSE

941.921.4845/lemonbayplayhouse.com

Two Witches, No Waiting Through November 3

Mark Evans Comedy

November 9

Chuck Gillespie: To Veterans with Love

November 16

MANATEE PERFORMING

ARTS CENTER

941.749.1111/ manateeperformingartscenter.com

Merrily We Roll Along Through November 3

On Golden Pond

November 7 – 17

Brand New Day: Tribute to Sting and The Police

November 12

MCCURDY’S COMEDY THEATRE

941.925.3869/ mccurdyscomedy.com

Open Mic Night Thursdays

November 7, 21

Jamie Lissow

November 1-3

Carmen Ciricillo

November 6-10

Humor Institute Class Performance

November 13

Dr. Reichbach and his staff have committed to the mission of providing hope to those suffering from pain and mental health illnesses since first opening the Gulf Coast Ketamine Center in 2016. In 2020, the practice began a partnership with Veterans in Pain, a national nonprofit dedicated to solutions for U.S. veterans suffering from physical and emotional chronic pain. Serving as the director of the ketamine division for Veterans in Pain, Dr. Reichbach proudly offers discounted services through Reichbach Center for veterans and their immediate family members.

Craig Shoemaker

November 14

Jamie Kennedy November 15-16

Music Monday with Michelle Malone November 18

Andrew Dice Clay October 25-26

Open Bar Comedy November 19

Ron Feingold November 20-24

Drag Queen Bingo Extravaganza November 24

Paul Jensen November 27, 29, 30

NEEL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

941.752.5252 / scf.edu/neel

Manatee Community Concert Band

Presents Home of the Free, Because of the Brave November 2

Soul Struttin’ Symphony with the SCF Jazz Ensembles November 7

THE PLAYERS CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS

941.365.2494 / theplayers.org

The Good Doctor November 8-10

THE POPS ORCHESTRA

941.926.7677 / thepopsorchestra.org

Great Balls of Fire! November 10-11

THE SARASOTA BALLET

941.359.0099 / sarasotaballet.org

P2: Giselle November 22-23

SARASOTA CONTEMPORARY DANCE

sarasotacontemporarydance.org

In Studio Fall Show

November 8

Sharon Ohrenstein (Sarasota Jewish Theatre) November 16-17

Alyssa Marie Braud November 25

SARASOTA CUBAN BALLET SCHOOL

941.365.8400 / srqcubanballet.com

Dracula November 1-3

SARASOTA OPERA

941.328.1300 / sarasotaopera.org

Lobby Concert

November 8

The Hobbit

November 9-10

The Music of Giuseppe Verdi November 14-17

The Sarasota Ballet November 22-23

The HobbitTM at Sarasota Opera

The Sarasota Ballet

SARASOTA ORCHESTRA

941.953.4252 / sarasotaorchestra.org

Schubert Octet

November 3

Classical Conversations 1: Going Places

November 7-10

URBANITE THEATRE

941.321.1397 / urbanitetheatre.com

Jennifer, Who is Leaving Through December 1

VENICE THEATRE

941.218.3779 / venicetheatre.org

9 to 5

Through November 24

Syncopation

November 1- 24

Hot August Nights

November 11

Greggie and The Jets

November 24

WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE TROUPE

941.366.1505 / westcoastblacktheatre.org

Crooners: Solid Gold Edition Through November 17

Legends, My Favorite Songs Starring Naärai Jacobs

November 3-4

A Motown Christmas Starting November 27

My Favorite Songs Starring Naärai Jacobs

art scene

ART CENTER SARASOTA

941.365.2032 / artsarasota.org

Gabriel Ramos

Amy Sanders

David Fithian

Juried Show: Euphoria! Through November 16

ARTCENTER MANATEE

941.746.2862 / artcentermanatee.org

The Artist’s Journey Through November 22

Veteran’s Art Center

Tampa Bay, Honor of Heroes Through November 30

Members Exhibition Starting November 26

ARTISTS’ GUILD OF ANNA MARIA ISLAND

941.778.6694 / amiartistsguildgallery.com

Saturday Tea & Art

November 2

Night Market

November 8

CLYDE BUTCHER GALLERY

941.486.0811 / clydebutcher.com

Art Walk Event

November 14

Holiday Book Signing

November 16

CREATURO GALLERY

941.953.6163/ creaturogallery.com

Art Walks Every First Friday November 1

CREATIVE LIBERTIES

941.799.6634 / creativeliberties.net

Artist in Residence:

Liza Compass & Jane Rubini at 340 Central Gallery

November 1 - January 1, 2025

Featured Artists:

Judy Levine, Ronnique Hawkins, Lynn Cooke, Paula Colman, Jess Nagy, Rick Cardoza and Ralph Berger

Through November 23

Family Art Day, 927 N. Lime Ave

November 23

Featured Artists on View at 901B Apricot Ave Through December 21

HARMONY GALLERY

941.953.4252 / sarasotaorchestra.org/about/ community/harmony-gallery

Adrienne Watts: Wearing Connection Through December 16

LIGON FINE ART GALLERY ANNEX @CLIVE | DANIEL HOME DESIGN

832.361.0308 / angelaligonart.com

Jozef Batko Oil on Canvas

Pascal Benichou Oil on Canvas

Duncan Chamberlain

Mixed Media Sculpture

MARA ART STUDIO + GALLERY

941.914.8110 / marastudiogallery.com Canvas Conversations

Through November 16

MARIE SELBY BOTANICAL GARDENS

941.366.5731 / selby.org

The Orchid Show 2024: Purple! Through December 1

Gary Green—Island Gallery West

Adrienne Watts

COUNTRY CLUB Palm Aire

36 Holes of Golf for Every Skill Level

Complete Practice Facility with a Driving Range, Short Game Area and Two Putting Greens

Exciting Social & Dining Calendar with Monthly Trivia, Music Bingo and More

Full Racquets Facility with Tennis, Pickleball and Padel

Fitness Center

Heated Salt Water Pool

• social scene •

PA rt Y pics

GROUNDBREAKING AT THE QUAY

Property Markets Group (PMG) and MoneyShow officially broke ground on One Park Sarasota, an 18-story luxury condominium designed by Sarasota-based Hoyt Architects on October 1, 2024. The Quay waterfront community will introduce 86 residences, high-end amenities, breathtaking views of Sarasota Bay and the city skyline.

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