westcoast black theatre troupe steps center stage ARTS + CULTURE GUIDE THE SARASOTA BALLET GOES TO LONDON • AROUND TOWN WITH STEVEN HIGH • SCF PERFORMING ARTS
2024/2025
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WestcoAst BLAcK tHeAtRe tRoUPe MARKs
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By Scott Ferguson
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For The SaraSoTa BalleT, anSwering The call meanT coming home.
By Scott Ferguson
On the COver
2024-2025 ARts & cULtURe GUIde
Your ulTimaTe guide To everYThing arTS & culTure
naTe jacoBS wiTh The Soul croonerS oF weSTcoaST Black TheaTre Troupe. phoTo BY nancY guTh.
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from the • PUBL is H e R
ut of all the fun issues we publish monthly, our September Arts & Culture issue is my favorite! From performing arts to visual arts and everything in between, I can’t wait to go through the arts and culture guide in this issue and make my season plan.
Since I was born in Ireland, I’m very excited about Asolo Rep’s Dancing at Lughnasa, a Tony and Olivier-award winning play. It opens March 21and takes place in 1930s Ireland. The entire Asolo Rep season line-up is very exciting. I also can’t wait to go down memory lane at Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and clap to the amazing music of Carole King.
I can tell you this with 100% certainty. You’ll find me at every opening night at Sarasota Opera. The opera lineup this season is quite special and includes Cavalleria Rusticana/ Pagliacci, the Barber of Seville, Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, and one that is less known—Verdi’s Stiffelio. Our Sarasota Opera is world class. Get your tickets early!
You’ll also find me at every performance of The Sarasota Ballet. After being invited this summer to perform at The Royal Ballet in Covent Garden in London, an honor indeed, our beloved ballet company returned to rave global reviews. You can read all about this triumph in this issue. They’ve got a great performance season which includes favorites like Giselle and Romeo and Juliet and a host of others.
On our cover, we proudly feature West Coast Black Theatre Troupe founder Nate Jacobs along with the Soul Crooners. Learn about the Troupe’s 25-year history, feel Nate’s passion, and learn more about this amazing, talented company right here in our own backyard.
We go “Around Town” with The Ringling’s Executive Director Steven High. The Ringling is a community gem, not only for us lucky locals, but for many around the country and the world. Steven has done a terrific job expanding the museum and bringing us new exhibitions to enjoy.
In our monthly philanthropy article, please support the outstanding music program at State College of Florida. Did you know that SCF is the only higher education institution in the area with undergraduate programs in music and theater? Students get the opportunity to learn from distinguished faculty, use state-of-the-art facilities, perform live, and complete internships with world class performing arts professionals.
If you have a child or teen who loves to explore, I encourage you to take them to The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in Bradenton. It is the largest natural and cultural history museum in our region. It is dedicated to inspiring a lifelong love of science and nature through interactive exhibits and educational programs. Learn more in our monthly education feature.
Speaking of children, the arts have been central to my enjoyment and development since I can remember, and to that of my children as well. Among my most cherished memories is bringing my children to museums and science centers around the Toronto area. We spent time at the Royal Ontario Museum and saw the King Tut exhibition. We had season memberships to the Ontario Science Center and the
H JOHN KNOWLES, PUBLISHER john@scenesarasota.com
Zoo. These were wonderful activities that gave us education, entertainment and family conversation, and best of all, brought our family closer together.
We had a family tradition of seeing the Nutcracker at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga every Christmas. You can start that tradition with your family (if you haven’t already) at The Sarasota Ballet Studio Company’s Nutcracker this December.
When my daughter was four, we were joined by my publisher boss and his family. He sat beside my daughter who gave him an ongoing commentary of what was happening on stage. Those were the days of Care Bears, and she had watched the VHS tape of Care Bears Christmas 100 times. He was a good sport about it all and it was nice to share our tradition with another family.
I’ve enjoyed taking my grandsons to the eye-popping amenities on Vancouver Island, which include Butterfly World, the Northland Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, the English River Falls, and hiking trails full of historic landmarks. I am also looking forward to visiting and bringing my granddaughters to the Toy Museum, Royal Botanical Gardens and Hamilton Children’s Museum. Sharing art, science, and the natural world with the generations that follow is a great gift to the future of a community.
When my grandchildren visit Sarasota, I am sure they will love Selby Gardens, The Bishop Museum, the circus Museum at The Ringling, the children’s performances at FST, and so many of the other family-oriented activities we’ve come to know and love. And best of all, I will remember spending this time with them.
Along with my Sarasota community “family”, I am looking forward to attending opening nights, but it is the second opening night at Sarasota Opera where I wear a kilt along with my fellow club opera sponsors and supporters to celebrate Sarasota’s Scottish heritage. That is a wonderful tradition here. There’s also the WBTT Gala where I can hopefully wear my bright Blue Sparkly sneakers, and if I get to wear my 1930’s wing top shoes this season, it will be amazing.
Supporting our local arts and culture this season is vitally important. The state of Florida has cut support of the arts in its budget, which will make our beloved organizations even more dependent on our support. The arts enhance our economic development, educational pursuits, emotional health, and help create a positive community environment. So please, open your hearts and wallets to help, and reach out to your state representatives and make your voices heard.
H JOHN KNOWLES, PUBLISHER john@scenesarasota.com
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9
6:00 PM TO 10:00 PM
BAY PRESERVE AT OSPREY
Indulge in culinary delights, sip delicious signature cocktails, and dance the night away in the glow of the moonlight. We invite you to discover a hidden world of nocturnal beauty at this breathtaking evening in support of our urgent and vital work.
Tickets and sponsorships available now. Visit conservationfoundation.com/party2024 or scan the QR code to learn more and register today!
Event proceeds support Conservation Foundation’s vital mission to protect the land and water of Southwest Florida for the benefit of people and nature.
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Wonderland: Illuminate
Sat, Nov 22Sun, Jan 5, 2025
An immersive joyfilled holiday circus experience like no other
Sailor Circus 75th Anniversary Jubilee Show
Thurs, Dec 26Sun, Dec 29, 2024
Our students celebrate 75 Years of Sarasota’s youth circus legacy
Circus Arts Gala Fri, Jan 31, 2025
Sarasota’s premier fundraiser supporting youth circus education & outreach
Circus Sarasota
Sat, Feb 15Sun, Mar 9, 2025
Awe-inspiring circus talent for every age under the big top
Cirque des Voix
Fri, Mar 21Sat, Mar 22, 2025
Circus Artists perform with the voices of Key Chorale and a live Orchestra
Sailor Circus Spring Showcase Fri, April 25Sun, April 27, 2025
Showcasing the talent of America’s longest running youth circus
LABOR DAY CRAFT FESTIVAL
Located on Miami Avenue in Downtown Venice, this open-air festival features arts and craft vendors, food vendors and more. Historic Downtown Venice | artfestival.com
SEP 1-2: ANNUAL LABOR DAY REGATTA
This annual regatta draws participating sailors and their families from throughout the region to race courses off the shore of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron and Ken Thompson Park. Sarasota Sailing Squadron | sarasotasailingsquadron.org
septem B er 5
SARASOTA SALSA AND BACHATA FEST
Pool parties, workshops, performances and nightly socials. Hyatt Regency | sarasotasalsabachatafest.com
RINGLING UNDERGROUND
Enjoy live music, art and atmosphere in the Museum of Art Courtyard during Ringling Underground. This event features an eclectic mix of local and regional live music. Check out up-andcoming artists displaying their work in the Museum of Art Courtyard. Ringling Museum Courtyard | ringling.org
septem B er 6
LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, SARASOTA AND DESOTO COUNTIES
The annual Leadership Breakfast honors remarkable trailblazers whose dedication to youth empowerment has resulted in greater opportunities for local teens. This year, the club will honor Jack Cox, President and Owner of Halfacre Construction Company, and Dr. Harriet Moore, Director of Strategic Engagement at Sarasota County Schools. Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club | bgbsdc.org
septem B er 7
GIRLS, INC. TOTALLY TAILGATE
Tailgate food, competitive cornhole, beer garden with local brews, multiple screens to watch your teams, and live music by Jah Movement. Proceeds will support Girls, Inc. programs that inspire all girls to become strong, smart and bold. Michael’s On East | girlsincsrq.org
septem B er 9
EXOTIC CARS ON THE CIRCLE
Admire exotic supercars and find a new favorite during this free event in St. Armands Circle Park. St. Armands Circle | starmandscircleassoc.com
septem B er 12
DOWNTOWN WELLEN PARK NIGHT MARKET
This market brings together independent artists and makers who specialize in home décor, fashion, art, design, food and more in a fun and inspiring environment.
Downtown Wellen Park | signupgenius.com
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SARASOTA OFFSHORE BOAT RACES
Powerboat P1 is in Sarasota a little later this year for the next round of the 2024 APBA National and UIM World Championships. Over sixty competitors are expected for two days of world-class marine motorsport action along the coast of Lido Beach.
Van Wezel Wet Pits/Lido Beach | p1offshore.com
Trunk Show
septem B er 20
FRIDAY FEST AT THE VAN WEZEL
Friday Fest is a free, outdoor concert series with an exciting lineup of bands known to bring the audience to their feet. Take in the sounds of dance, soul and R&B with K-Luv and The United Funk Foundation. Food and beverage from local vendors will be available. Van Wezel Lawn | vanwezel.com
septem B er 21
SARASOTA OPERA
FOOD & WINE
FESTIVAL
Enjoy wine tastings and culinary delights prepared by the finest assortment of restaurants from across Sarasota and Manatee counties on stage and throughout the historic Sarasota Opera House. Sarasota Opera House | sarasotaopera.org
SUNCOAST BLOOD CENTERS
RED HOT GALA
Let your hair down, dress up in your hottest red attire, have a cocktail, some dinner, a bit of Las Vegas style gaming, and get out there on the dance floor at this annual gala benefitting Suncoast Blood Centers.
Hyatt Regency | suncoastblood.org
septem B er 28
FRIENDS OF MANATEE COUNTY
ADOPT-A-PALOOZA
Adopt-A-Palooza is the largest one-day pet adoption and expo-style event in Manatee County, featuring over 100 adoptable pets from Manatee County Animal Welfare local shelters and animal rescues—all under one roof.
Bradenton Area Convention Center | fomcaw.org
KEY LIME & TROPICAL FEST
Don’t miss Fishermen’s Village annual salute to the quintessential Florida favorite – key lime pie. Fishermen’s Village | fishermensvillage.com
VISIT SCENESARASOTA.COM
to submit your event for consideration, please send information to publisher@scenesarasota.com
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upcoming in octo B er
5–SHARKTOBERFEST: Mote’s annual craft beer festival that takes place in the aquarium after hours. The event features local and regional breweries offering samples of their staple selections alongside unique, seasonal brews.
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium | mote.org
6–MORTON’S FIREHOUSE CHILI COOKOFF: Stop by long time family-owned Morton’s Market and try some amazing chili while supporting a great cause.
Morton’s Market | mortonsmarket.com
WEEKENDS STARTING OCT 12–
HUNSADER FARMS PUMPKIN FESTIVAL: Celebrate fall at Hunsader’s with live music and shows, games, hay rides, food, petting zoo, train rides and of course, pumpkins.
Hunsader Farms | hunsaderfarms.com
CHASENGALLERIES.COM (941) 955 0155 99 SOUTH PINEAPPLE AVENUE, SARASOTA 1830 SOUTH OSPREY AVENUE, STE 102, SARASOTA
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JAN 17 - FEB 8
Race against time with Molly and Peg in this world premiere, highoctane, laugh-out-loud adventure. These brilliant detectives are out to save the world, and it has never been so much fun!
APR 2 - 26
Enter stage right and into the extraordinary mind of Oscar Levant: an eccentric actor, a brilliant musician, a unique cocktail of genius and insanity.
Feel the earth move in the musical journey of Carole King, featuring two decades of her iconic hits, including “You’ve Got a Friend” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”.
FEB 19 - MAR 13
Dive into a world of passion, intoxication, and revolution in Nilo Cruz’s Pulitzer-prize winning, POETIC masterpiece, set in Ybor City, Florida.
Be transformed by a story of love, betrayal, sacrifice and redemption in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s epic, earth-shattering rock opera. NOV 13 - JAN 5
MAY 14 - JUN 15
SECURE YOUR SEATS TODAY!
MAR 19 - APR 19
Long to dance along with five unmarried sisters in Brian Friel’s Tony and Olivier-award winning memory play set in rural Ireland in the summer of 1936.
HOLIDAY SPECIAL
DEC 4 - 22
Marvel at this remarkable moment in history when the war suddenly stopped, and enemies sang carols together. a unique theatrical experience told in the words and songs of the men who lived it.
ANNUAL GALA
Lead Sponsor
IN THE
TROPICS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2025 | 6:30 – 11:30 PM |
THE ST. REGIS LONGBOAT KEY
1601 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE, LONGBOAT KEY, FLORIDA 34228
Spend an elegant evening celebrating Asolo Rep’s annual gala, in the lush environs of the new St. Regis Hotel on Longboat Key. Soak up the vibrance of the tropics and celebrate Old Florida finery over dinner, drinks, and dancing—surely a night to remember!
The funds generated from the Gala play a vital role in sustaining the talented artists and educators who contribute to Asolo Rep’s 2024-2025 season. Visit asolorep.org/annualgala
SEASON SPONSORS SHOW SPONSORS
Virginia B.Toulmin Foundation
State College of Florida’s Performing Arts THRIVING on Community Involvement and Giving
By Tom Reese
It’s no secret that the State College of Florida, ManateeSarasota (SCF) is an integral part of the SarasotaManatee community. Originally established in 1957, SCF proudly serves as the region’s premier public college. Annually, SCF caters to over 10,000 college credit students across its Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice campuses, as well as through a wide range of online courses.
However, many people don’t realize that SCF is the only higher education institution in the area with undergraduate programs in music and theater. In addition, 99% of those students enrolled in performing arts programs live in Sarasota and Manatee counties, making it an intimate and local environment for everyone involved.
Currently, SCF offers three programs in the Performing Arts Department: Music, Music Production, and Theatre. Students enrolled in these programs get the opportunity to learn from distinguished faculty, use state of the art facilities, perform live, and complete internships with world class performing arts professionals.
The college has several cutting-edge venues for the performing arts where students can complete their
studies. The SCF Neel Performing Arts Center has served as a community hub for Sarasota and Manatee Counties since 1966. This venue hosts both college and communitysponsored events, and the main performance hall was beautifully remodeled in 1999.Third party events include concerts, ballets, and other world class performances from the likes of Floyd Nation and an upcoming Fleetwood Mac Experience in January 2025.
The David S. and Anne V. Howard Studio Theatre serves as home for the SCF Theatre Program, which hosts 4-5 performances throughout the year as students progress through their studies. In 2021, the Studio for the Performing Arts Recital Hall opened its doors, providing a 150-seat, acoustically designed, state-of-the-art performance space for smaller recitals, lectures and more.
For students studying music production, the 26 West Creative Studio boasts a cutting-edge media production studio, equipped to professional standards. The studio features a stage set, cameras, control room, audience seating, and additional amenities.
Many students involved in SCF’s Performing Arts Department heavily rely on scholarships and other opportunities available through the SCF Foundation to pursue their dreams and
passions. While there is a comprehensive list of many different scholarships, the need for more community support, giving, and sponsorships is real.
There are already several scholarships that are funded each year by people and/or organizations in our community. Any person or organization could donate to these existing scholarships, or create their own scholarship. Creating an annual named scholarship requires a minimum contribution of $4,500 and may be paid over three consecutive years. The scholarship will be awarded on an annual basis per selection criteria.
One example of a scholarship like this is the Music Excellence Scholarship. Every year, generous community members contribute to this fund to support a student selected by the faculty to join the SCF Presidential String Quartet and SCF Presidential Jazz Combo. These talented students are awarded $1,500 per semester to rehearse and showcase their musical abilities, essentially serving as the college’s outreach arm for the SCF Music Program. The groups’ performances play a crucial role in various college fundraising events, community outreach initiatives, local organizations’ luncheons and dinners, as well as corporate sponsor business gatherings.
Donors of the Music Excellence Scholarship are paired with a student from the SCF Presidential String Quartet or SCF Presidential Jazz Combo, whom they can mentor, attend
performances of, and support. The $5,000 sponsorship fee covers the student’s tuition, as well as administrative costs like purchasing music, repairing instruments, marketing, uniforms, faculty stipends, and other program expenses.
Carol Beeler, a local resident, has been sponsoring two students a year for the past 9 years with her late husband as part of the Music Excellence Program. She is very passionate about being heavily involved in each student’s lives, serving as both a role model and a mentor as they complete their studies. She keeps in contact with each student and has seen several of them go on to begin successful careers and even pursue doctorate degrees. As this year’s fall school season begins, she will have sponsored over 20 students across SCF and the Asolo Repertory Theatre.
“A lot of the students I sponsor have unfortunately lacked prominent role models in their lives. I do my best to get to know them and help them on their journey,” explained Carol. “One of the lessons that I always give my students is paying it forward and helping others around you.”
Another example of a recurring scholarship is the Cascades Community Scholarship. Each year, the SCF Symphonic Band performs a concert at the Cascades Community in Sarasota on a Sunday afternoon. The residents of the Cascades buy tickets and make donations to support two $1,500 scholarships each year. Cascades resident Stu
Krams started this scholarship program and organizes these performances every year.
“This past year was the 12th year we’ve gathered as a community for this performance and scholarship. It’s really taken on a life of its own,” explains Stu. “The first year we raised around $700, and it has grown to where last year we raised over $3,800. The students benefit directly from the scholarship money and we help pay for the coaches of these groups.”
The Cascades Community Scholarship is a wonderful example of how a tight knit community can make a difference without one single large donation. Every year, a resident and neighbor of Stu donates over $1,000 of his own money to help produce the concert and add to the overall contributions of their community. We could all stand to benefit if more residential communities did more acts of kindness like this.
Another wonderful way to help SCF’s Performing Arts programs is through a legacy endowment or legacy gift. The gains from these funds are then distributed to SCF Music students. Establishing an endowed scholarship is a meaningful way to support the arts in perpetuity. Donors with a passion for music and/or theater can create a named, endowed scholarship by contributing a minimum of $25,000, which can be paid over five years. Once the scholarship is fully funded, it will be awarded annually based on the donor’s specified selection criteria.
Examples of this in action are the following: The Koenig Endowed Fund, a scholarship that is used to offset the cost of tuition for private lesson classes all music majors are required to take and to help pay for any equipment the student may need. The Max Corzillius Endowed Music Scholarship, where SCF Music faculty choose between 6 and 12 students to receive $1,000 to $1,500 a year. The Eaton Fund, used for facilitating additional funding needs of the SCF Music Program such paying for guest solo artists, masterclasses, and more.
The SCF Foundation also offers a variety of music and theater funds that community members can support through regular donations. Donors can choose to contribute to the funds that align with their specific interests and priorities. There are no restrictions on the donation amount for these funds.
Outside of scholarship and endowment funds, general philanthropy is a primary reason these programs at SCF exist today. A fundraiser resulted in over $7 million for SCF to create an addition to the SCF Music and Theatre Building that contains 12 practice rooms, music faculty offices, instrument storage rooms, choral rehearsal room, percussion Studio, choral music library, and a 150-seat recital hall.
“Most of our students are overcoming many barriers to their education like financial constraints and geography.
Some of them are first generation college students where completing FAFSA forms for financial aid can be tough to navigate. It’s the donors that are really helping these students complete their degrees and achieve the American dream of making a career in performing arts or becoming a music educator,” said Cassandra Holmes, Executive Director of the SCF Foundation.
There are several options to make a lasting impact, such as establishing an endowed scholarship, creating a named scholarship, contributing to an existing scholarship fund, supporting a specific program or ensemble, donating or purchasing an instrument, or even endowing a faculty chair. Even just attending performances at the SCF Neel Performing Arts Center can be beneficial by giving the students an audience and supporting the programs through ticket costs.
“If you want to get involved, but you’re not sure how, start small. If you have particular interests in either mentoring, financing, coaching, or simply attending performances, figure out how to dip your toes into the water and help these students. You could even go in with other friends or family to help sponsor a student,” said Carol Beeler.
There are many options depending upon the current state of your
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FOR MORE INFORMATION on the SCF Foundation or getting involved, visit scf-foundation.org/donate2arts or call 941-752-5390.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 | 1 PM - 4 PM
PM - 4:00 PM
produced by Festival
SUPPORTING AND CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF SARASOTA YOUTH OPERA
Enjoy wine tasting and cuisine sampling prepared by the finest assortment of restaurants from across Sarasota and Manatee counties!
VIP TICKETS: $100 | 12:30 PM EARLY ACCESS
GENERAL ADMISSION: $75 PER PERSON/$85 AT THE DOOR
2024-25 SEASON
Dean Burry
Nov. 9 & 10, 2024
Sarasota Youth Opera THE
Nov. 15 & 17, 2024
Pietro Mascagni AND PAGLIACCI
Ruggero Leoncavallo
Feb. 15 – March 29, 2025
THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
March 8 – 28, 2025
Gioachino Rossini
Feb. 22 – March 29, 2025
STIFFELIO
Giuseppe Verdi
March 15 – 30, 2025
photo
around Town
steven high
B y tom reese
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is one of the largest and most respected art museums in the country. From its inception in the 1920s through today, The Ringling continues to adapt to a new age of technology and art while continuing to curate new exhibitions and expand its offerings.
Its continued success and popularity shine a bright light on its Executive Director, Steven High, who, along with his dedicated staff, work tirelessly to bring our community, and visitors from around our country and the world, an exceptional experience.
We wanted to learn more about the person at the helm, and what it takes to maintain and enhance such a highly prestigious institution, and Steve High graciously agreed to do just that.
As Executive Director of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, what are the most important aspects of your role?
As Executive Director, I hold, cultivate and steward a long-term vision for The Ringling. My work is to secure the institution’s future through funding, programming and continued relevance. This view is made real through the creativity and brilliance of thought of our dedicated staff and board at The Ringling.
With nearly 500,000 sq. ft of buildings, The Ringling is the 16th largest art museum in the U.S., right behind the Brooklyn Museum—not counting the 66 acres of our Arboretum. A Florida State University campus, The Ringling
has 260 staff, 400 volunteers, a $26 million budget and attracts more than 400,000 visitors from throughout the U.S. and the world annually. I work closely with our chair Meg Hausberg and our 28-member board of directors to implement our strategic plan and raise the necessary funds for key projects.
Before joining The Ringling, you had decades of experience at other museums such as Telfair Museum of Art. What are your favorite memories from the past and some of your favorite exhibitions that you’ve curated? I have been fortunate in my career to have worked in many interesting museums in beautiful cities. I started out working at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art as a research
museums are places where VIsItors can engage
wIth new Ideas, reflect on trends as well as hIstory and oBserVe human eXpressIon across centurIes and, here at the rInglIng, eXperIence our Bayfront gardens along the Bay.
assistant for curators and collections staff and assisted in the first installation of Judy Chicago’s Dinner Party. I then moved to Boston to work at the MIT Museum, first as preparator and then assistant curator. I went on to work as the director at five different institutions throughout the U.S.
Some of the exhibitions I curated in my early career include contemporary German expressionist painters, abstract photography, Irish contemporary art, contemporary art from Haifa, solo exhibitions by Antoni Tapies, Orshi Drozdic, Alfredo Jaar, Dorit Cypis, Terry Adkins, Lorna Simpson, Dennis Oppenheim and many others. My two favorite exhibitions that I curated were Nightmare Works documenting the deceased Hungarian performance artist Tibor Hajas, and Anonymity and Identity including work by Annette Messager, Gary Hill, and Thomas Florschuetz. For the past 27 years, I have overseen an amazing group of curators who have produced hundreds of exhibitions from across the country and the globe.
The Ringling is widely regarded as one of the best art museums in the country. What strategies do you use to maintain relevancy and keep it fresh for recurring visitors? We work collaboratively across departments to create an exceptional experience for both our local community and visitors to the area. Museums are places where visitors can engage with new ideas, reflect on trends as well as history and observe human expression across centuries and, here at The Ringling, experience our Bayfront Gardens along the Bay.
With several new exhibitions year-round and a growing and historic permanent collection, our largest effort to engage with our community is through our robust education programs for both adults and youth. Our education team develops lectures and events that help visitors better
understand the work on display. They work diligently to make this experience accessible and relevant for community groups, people with disabilities and their caregivers, healthcare workers and local hospitals. Also, the Art of Performance series brings cutting-edge performers from around the world to our 18th-century Historic Asolo Theater (The HAT).
Beyond this programming, several large projects we’re working on that are exciting for The Ringling’s future are:
• The piece-by-piece restoration of the Museum of Art Courtyard. We’ve started with the fountain under David.
• Expanding our facilities to better reach underserved communities.
• Replacing the Historic Circus Museum.
• The restoration of the Rupp Pavilion, more recently known as the former Banyan Cafe.
• And bringing the restored Aeolian Organ back to be the heart of the Ca’ d’Zan.
What are your favorite current exhibitions at The Ringling? I get most excited about the great diversity of art and artists within our collection and our dedicated efforts to represent artists of color and gender throughout a collection that dates from 11-8th century BCE to today. We have a rich legacy of collecting art that began with John Ringling’s collecting in the late 1920s. With 200,000 square feet of exhibition space, our exhibits are constantly changing and evolving.
Currently, we have the third iteration of SKYWAY, which celebrates contemporary art and artists in our region through a collaboration with Sarasota Art Museum; Museum of Fine Arts, St. Pete; USF Contemporary Art Museum; and Tampa Museum of Art. Also on view are, Radical Clay, an extraordinary exhibition of contemporary Japanese women ceramicists; Embodied, featuring highlights from
What is it like to have the museum governed by Florida State University, and what have they done to help the growth of The Ringling over the years you’ve been Executive Director?
Immediately after the governance change to FSU in 2000, the university and museum were able to raise funds for a major restoration of the historic properties as well as a twenty-year building plan for the estate that resulted in new facilities.
Our association with FSU remains strong and the university supports The Ringling in many ways including funding, staff and research, design and construction services, and the list goes on. Let me give you an example. Leading up to Hurricane Ian, FSU facility and police staff organized equipment, construction material, generators and staff to help The Ringling campus. After the storm, FSU’s Senior VP for Finance and Administration and his team worked with our staff over three days to remove fallen trees and clear pathways so that we could be ready to welcome visitors back to our campus safely and in record time. It is this huge commitment of support from FSU that makes The Ringling a very special institution.
In return we coordinate academic internships with FSU graduate
students in Art History, Education and Business where students can spend the academic year at The Ringling working with curators, educators, performance programming, management and customer service. We also work closely with the FSU Foundation to manage our endowment and support fundraising initiatives.
Over the years, you have been the recipient of several awards including the Director’s Chair Award from the Western Museum Association. What are some of the awards you are most proud of and why?
I’m most proud of receiving the National Award for Museum Service for The Nevada Museum of Art while I was director there for ten years. This award (now called the National Medal for the Arts) is considered the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities. We were one of three museums in the country to receive the honor in 1999. My Board Chair and I accepted the award from Hillary Clinton in a White House ceremony. I am proud of this award as it highlighted the work we did in reaching out to all populations in our community and, in particular, the large Hispanic and Basque communities in Northern Nevada. It was an honor for our staff, our board, and our community to have our museum be recognized in DC, and I am still very proud of that accomplishment.
The Ringling benefits from the hard work of dedicated volunteers in the local community. Can you explain why your volunteers and members are so important in the overall growth and the future of the museum? How can our readers get involved? Our volunteers, members, and donors are key for The Ringling. We have a corps of more than 400 volunteers who give their time and energy to help The Ringling thrive. There are many
opportunities for volunteers to get engaged, including welcoming visitors, driving our Courtesy Carts to assist anyone with a free lift around campus and helping in the administrative offices. One of our largest groups of volunteers is our Guides. Our education and curatorial staff work with our Guides to provide them with knowledge of the collections and Ca’ d’Zan and they, in turn, bring the collections to life for our visitors.
Members help to make The Ringling vibrant and are vital not only because of their essential support, but membership is also a community. There are so many benefits for members, and especially for our Circle Members. I invite anyone reading this to explore what level of membership is the best fit for you or explore our volunteer program. Also, a gift of membership for a friend or family member can be a great introduction to The Ringling.
In a rapidly changing digital world full of AI art and new technology, why is it so important to continue to maintain museums of art and curate collections to preserve history?
Museums like The Ringling are multi-dimensional institutions that bring the history of art, science, circus, and the natural world together in an environment that is welcoming, contemplative, beautiful and extraordinary. Where else can you see a painting from the 16th century contrasted with an artwork from the present, and be able to discover the synergies and connections between the two? Our exhibition by Shinique Smith does just that. Where can you explore the history of the circus through the stories of the artists, and experience these artists in an immersive environment with your family? Look to our Greatest Show on Earth® Gallery for this one-of-a-kind presentation.
Museums are important for a numbers of reasons, but it is the experience of informally bringing people together to absorb the beauty and history of our cultures that makes us think about who we are today, and what lasting ideas and objects will survive from today to tell our story in the future. During the pandemic, our galleries and 66 acres of Arboretum became a respite for people to forget fears and isolation and immerse themselves in culture. One of our most sought-after artworks during the pandemic was Bernardino Scapi’s Virgin and Child with Saints Sebastian and Roch from 1530. Its symbolism conveyed a protection against plague and the Black Death and gave hope to a new future.
New technology has always been embraced by the makers of culture and as history shows, the advent of AI will only enhance the tools that artists have to create. Museums
also innovate with new technology regularly in the types of systems we use to maintain the temperature and humidity requirements in our galleries, to partnering with artists like James Turrell to create the Joseph’s Coat Skyspace experience, and in exhibiting work by artists utilizing the newest technology, like AI, such as Joy Buolamwini or Trevor Paglin who explore the social implications of artificial intelligence.
When you aren’t working, what are your favorite things to do and places to visit around Sarasota?
Sarasota is a wonderful community filled with the arts and a beautiful environment in which to live. My wife and I like to be physically active and frequently swim, hike, bike, kayak and enjoy morning walks on Lido Beach. During the winter season we engage with the performing arts and other museums in the region and attend many of the social events that make up the calendar in Sarasota. Throughout the year (except prime hurricane season), we travel for business and pleasure. During the summer months we enjoy the heat and slower pace of our city. It is a great time to recharge and prepare for the year ahead.
To learn more about The Ringling and ways to give, please call 941-360-7330 or visit ringling.org.
QUINTESSENTIAL PROGRAM FOUR
January 31 - February 3, 2025
FSU Center for the Performing Arts
Renato Paroni’s Rococo Variations
Paul Taylor’s Brandenburgs
Gemma Bond’s World Premiere
MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP PROGRAM FIVE
February 28 - March 3, 2025
FSU Center for the Performing Arts
Presented by The Sarasota Ballet
ROMEO AND JULIET PROGRAM SIX
March 28 - 29, 2025
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Sir Frederick Ashton’s Romeo and Juliet (Company Premiere)
MOVEMENTS OF GENIUS PROGRAM SEVEN
April 25 - 26, 2025
Sarasota Opera House
George Balanchine’s Serenade
Jerome Robbins’ In The Night
Sir Frederick Ashton’s A Wedding Bouquet
DANCE EXTRAS
MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY
October 11 - 13, 2024 | FSU Center for the Performing Arts
THE SARASOTA BALLET SCHOOL’S
THE NUTCRACKER
December 13 - 14, 2024 | Venice Performing Arts Center
December 22 - 23, 2024 | Sarasota Opera House
IMAGES OF DANCE
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 | Sarasota Opera House
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Marks
soul 25 years of on stage
From a
humble
start
to
international success, WBTT is center stage this season
By Scott Ferguson • Photos by Sorcha Augustine
In 2009, after a decade of struggling with the nomadic theater company he founded a decade earlier, Nate Jacobs was on the verge of leaving Sarasota and heading to New York with a plan to take his career as an actor, singer and director to a new level. He even had a plane ticket. But there was a plot twist.
Enter Howard Millman, then the president of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s board of directors and the former artistic director of Asolo Repertory Theatre, where Jacobs had acted in various productions.
Jacobs remembers: “Howard called me and said, ‘Nate, can I talk to you?’ And I hesitantly said yes. So I met him somewhere and he said, ‘Let’s take a ride.’ He took me to Art Center Sarasota, a gallery near downtown Sarasota. He showed me the downstairs space and said, ‘What do you think about this? Can you do anything in here?’
Jacobs was reluctant, since he had already decided it was time to move on from Sarasota. “But out of respect for Howard, I said, ‘Yes, I think I can do a small revue with a few guys, singing songs from the 1970s.’ And that was the beginning of Soul Crooners .”
People loved the show and it re-energized Jacobs. Soul Crooners and its variations (including the “sequel,” Soul Crooners 2 ), have been presented to enthusiastic audiences at various venues in Sarasota, including productions at WBTT’s 10 th Street campus in the summer of 2011 and in 2013; Tampa’s Straz Center in 2015; the ‘ 70s Soul Party at Ed Smith Stadium in 2019 (which drew a sold-out crowd of more than 3,000 fans); and Light Up the Night outdoors on the WBTT campus in 2021 during the Covid pandemic.
Productions have also been staged to sellout crowds at the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 2013, 2015, 2022, and this summer, when the festival added “International” to its name. The show was even exported to Germany twice. But it has never been presented on WBTT’s mainstage following the 2019 completion of the theater building’s renovation — until now.
From October 9 to November 17, WBTT will stage Soul Crooners: Solid Gold Edition on its mainstage. The cast features Jacobs and other longtime WBTT favorites: Earley Dean as host/narrator Cedric Soulchild, a character based loosely on Soul Train host Don Cornelius; Christopher Eisenberg; Michael Mendez; Raleigh Mosely II; Leon S. Pitts II and Sheldon Rhoden. The singers are backed by WBTT’s sizzling live band, led by music director/drummer Etienne “EJ” Porter. The intricate choreography is by Donald Frison. The show is all new, with songs that were not performed in past productions of Soul Crooners .
Nate Jacobs Photo by Michael Kinsey
Dr. Reichbach and his staff
As described on WBTT’s website, the 1970s music featured in the show “was known for combining lush orchestrations with great vocalists who could sing unforgettable melodies and delightful harmonies.”
At a preview of the show at WBTT in July, the signature sounds of that rich musical era were fully in evidence. The company presented act one of Soul Crooners: Solid Gold Edition at home before the cast, musicians and crew packed up to take the production to the International Black Theatre Festival.
Patrons were on their feet several times during the show, as the cast shared soulful renditions of songs made famous by Earth, Wind and Fire, the Commodores, the Stylistics, Teddy Pendergrass, Al Green, Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Barry White and other soul, pop and R&B stars of the 1970s. Melodies and harmonies blended effortlessly as the performers lit up the stage in matching gold reflective vests. Ensembles and solos added variety to the production.
Among other highlights, Jacobs brought down the house with his spirited interpretation of “A House is Not a Home,” a hit for Vandross. Pitts crooned “My First, My Last, My Everything,” in a tribute to White’s sultry style. As he does in many WBTT revues, Pitts sang up close and personal to women in the front row as they swooned to his sexy bass voice.
Michael Mendez, who has been in every production of Soul Crooners and its variations since 2011, says, “When I first came to WBTT, I was given an opportunity to be a part of Soul Crooners. It featured all the music I loved, since I had heard a lot of the tunes sampled in hip hop songs. It’s been a very special show for me because I was in the process of learning how to properly perform. It has shaped who I am as a performer. It was great to
watch Nate Jacobs create a show, breathe life into it, then get us ready to bring it to the audience.
“One of the special things too about the brand of Soul Crooners is that we developed the power of bringing people back in time, to the moment when they first heard these songs. That’s one of the big reasons why I love being part of this show.”
A Motown Christmas, which runs November 27, 2024 to January 5, 2025, was first presented in 2015. Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s annual holiday offerings, billed as the theater’s “Christmas card to the community,” alternate between this show and another Nate Jacobs original, Joyful! Joyful! , as well as Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity.
“People love Black Nativity ,” says Jacobs, “but our regular patrons started saying, ‘I’ve already seen that.’ I thought about Motown Records founder Berry Gordy — an iconic visionary that people often say I remind them of. They say, ‘You did the same thing he did. Like him, you saw something in kids from the projects, and nurtured their talent.’ So I said, ‘I’m going to create a show that celebrates Motown’s history: the music and the artists, as well as the holiday and the season.’ So I created A Motown Christmas and it’s been a hit ever since we’ve been doing it.”
The musical features WBTT’s Motown-inspired renditions of religious and secular holiday songs (Motown’s artists performed Christmas songs on various albums), from Joy to the World and O Holy Night to Jingle Bells and Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer , plus the flip side: songs that are part of the Motown catalog of hits such as Stop! In the Name of Love, My Girl and The Tears of a Clown . The show, under license from WBTT, has also been performed at Houston’s Ensemble Theatre and Hattiloo Theatre in Memphis.
The cast of A Motown Christmas includes WBTT regulars Maicy Powell, Syreeta Banks, Dolores McKenzie, Michael Mendez and Raleigh Mosely. They’ll be joined by relative newcomers like Catara Brae, who made her WBTT debut last season in the world premiere of Ruby , a musical created by Nate Jacobs and his brother, Michael.
When asked what he’d like audience members to know before they see Soul Crooners: Solid Gold Edition and A Motown Christmas this season, Jacobs says, “I guarantee you’ll find these shows to be highly entertaining and uplifting.”
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Executive Director Julie Leach adds with a smile, “And you’re going to have lots of fun!”
Celebrating Black Heritage WBTT’s 25th Anniversary Season
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s 2024-2025 season explores the rich heritage of African American arts and culture, taking audiences on a time trip from the sweet sounds of seventies soul music to the infectious rhythm of vintage tap dancing. Get ready to clap your hands and dance in your seats!
Soul Crooners: Solid Gold Edition
Created, adapted and directed by Nate Jacobs. Oct. 9 to Nov. 17, 2024
A Motown Christmas
Created, adapted and directed by Nate Jacobs. Nov. 27, 2024 to Jan. 5, 2025
August Wilson’s Fences
Directed by Chuck Smith. Jan. 15 to Feb. 23, 2025
Five Guys Named Moe , a musical by Clarke Peters, featuring Louis Jordan’s greatest hits
Directed by Jim Weaver. March 5 to April 6, 2025
Syncopated Avenue , World Premiere Tap Dance Review
Created, adapted and directed by Nate Jacobs. April 16 to May 25, 2025
Season tickets, as well as separately available tickets to A Motown Christmas , are on sale now at westcoastblacktheatre.org, or by calling the box office at 941-366-1505.
Tickets to WBTT’s 25 th Anniversary Celebration: 25 Years of Black Heritage , Thursday, November 14 at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, featuring beloved performers from the company’s quarter-century of popular productions, will be available at vanwezel.org/boxoffice closer to the event date.
Photo by Wyatt Kostygan
WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY
Margery Barancik (1936-2019) Despite preferring anonymity, she stood out as the most generous of benefactors with a foundation surpassing all in Sarasota. Her background in educating children with disabilities, and her subsequent community involvement reflect her commitment. With a focus on family and giving back, she realized her vision of profound impact and generosity for children and families, poverty, mental health, arts, and environmental stewardship for a generational legacy of giving.
Judith Economos (1940 – 2024), is a creative force with a Ph.D. in Philosophy and Fine Arts background. Her legacy emphasizes philanthropy, supporting STEM and marine science scholarships, and countless research topics. She gifted every life she touched with the beauty of her masterpieces, whether a poem, her teachings, or her way of artistic expression. Judith’s legacy is a testament to her generosity, pursuit of creativity, and intellectual excellence.
Marie E. Johnson-Colbert is a philanthropist since the 1980s and known for her 50-year career in retail and academia where she shaped the industry with trends such as “camo fashion” for women worldwide. Her interest in philanthropy began with the “Friends of Jackie Robinson Foundation.” She is a prominent collector of Fine African American Art, prioritizing education and art through impactful fundraising and fashion events.
Flora Major, a humanitarian from Hungary, leaves a profound impact by championing healthcare, children’s welfare and the arts. Her theatrical productions uplifts communities and led her to establish the largest prize in the world annually for the creation of a new play at a historic Artists Retreat. An advocate for cultural enrichment, she shares her love for horticulture, education, and music by generously lending her art collection to organizations.
Elizabeth Moore is an enthusiastic patron deeply involved in conservation efforts. Her contributions highlight her commitment to environmental causes, marine science, education, and the arts. Elizabeth selflessly conserved her ranch for watershed and wildlife benefits. Through her handson approach and financial support, her involvement with various foundations and projects underscores her passion for making a positive impact on our state.
Nikki Sedacca, a philanthropic role model, she is known for her jewelry designs and community outreach. She champions emerging artists and creative ventures with her business enterprise. She has been involved in various not-for-profit organizations, holding key roles and leading fundraising efforts. Her dedication to supporting multiple causes through event coordination and committee memberships show her commitment to making a difference.
Ariane Dart, a philanthropist and with a giving spirit, merges her love for car racing with aiding the safe return of missing children. She plays a role in her family’s business, using marketing expertise to support charitable initiatives for educational programs. As an engineer, her innovative thinking has enhanced the community through events with entertainers, leading to millions raised. She supports healthcare and education, empowering children and parents in life skills.
Mary Kay Henson’s steadfast dedication to philanthropy and community shine through her extensive support for education, public schools, and innumerable charities. Her hands-on involvement in people’s lives reflects a commitment to helping children and families in poverty. The Henson Fund’s targeted mission for education and enrichment programs for underprivileged children underscores her drive for making a significant difference in the community.
Sherry Koski is honed in New York’s competitive landscape across communications and financial sectors as a successful executive. The entrepreneurial spirit, propels her selfless dedication to philanthropy, focusing on health, children, and education. She excels in building deep relationships and is a passionate visionary for contributions both locally and globally through non-profit organizations. Sherry enjoys fundraising and introducing new individuals to Sarasota’s charitable endeavors.
Graci McGillicuddy, is a passionate advocate and philanthropist, dedicating her life to children’s rights in Florida. Born in Columbia, she began as an educator and later spearheaded initiatives for child protection, reforming foster care, ending abuse cycles, and advocating for all children. Her influential journey also includes leading efforts in the arts, fundraising, founding organizations, and fighting human trafficking.
Lee Peterson (1926-2017), an esteemed philanthropist in Sarasota, her background as a Broadway professional, recording artist and opera singer inspired her to invest in the arts. She impacted mental health services, youth development, floriculture and social services with her support and involvement in numerous leadership and community roles. Her joy, enthusiasm and contributions are legendary and have left an generational legacy.
Virginia Toulmin (1925-2010), is known for her leadership and viewed philanthropy as an opportunity to uplift her community and others. Her impactful legacy lives on through her Foundation’s generous contributions, distributing millions annually to children’s issues, mental health and cultural initiatives that positively impact a multitude of lives in Sarasota and organizations around the world.
London
Calling
FOR THE SARASOTA BALLET, ANSWERING THE CALL MEANT COMING HOME.
By Scott Ferguson
When The Sarasota Ballet Director Iain Webb and Assistant Director Margaret Barbieri were invited to bring The Sarasota Ballet to London this summer to perform at The Royal Opera House, they were thrilled — and just a bit nervous. At various stages in their careers they had been dancers with The Royal Ballet, one of the great ballet companies of the world. Founded in 1931 and based at the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden since 1946, the company has a rich tradition of artistic excellence.
The Sarasota Ballet, founded in 1987 and only becoming a full resident ballet company in 1990, is a very young company in comparison. But its stature in the ballet world has grown exponentially.
“What an amazing thing for The Royal Ballet director, Kevin O’Hare, to invite us,” says Webb. “But the most exciting thing for me about the trip was to pay tribute to (acclaimed British ballet choreographer) Sir Frederick Ashton, whom I absolutely worship. It’s such an amazing gift for the dancers to be able to perform not just in London, but in the Royal Opera House. For The Royal Ballet, The Sarasota Ballet and the Ashton Foundation to launch a five-year worldwide celebration of his works was quite something.”
Sir Frederick Ashton (1904-1988) choreographed his first ballet in 1926. Beginning in the 1930s, he served in various roles at The Royal Ballet and its precursors, as principal choreographer, associate director and director. Following his retirement as director in 1970, he devoted his remaining years to choreography. Both Webb and Barbieri trained under Ashton and are in awe of his legacy.
“It was great to represent Sarasota in London, and for our company to perform at one of the top dance venues in the world,” Webb says proudly. “But it was really about bringing the Ashton ballets back home.”
The Sarasota Ballet took almost 40 dancers and several staff members to London. A group of donors who helped finance the trip and other patrons came along to cheer them on.
“It was incredible,” says Webb, “an amazing experience. We were so proud of the dancers. They were really tremendous; I couldn’t have asked for anything more than they gave. The audience fell in love with the dancers and obviously they love Sir Fred’s works. But it was quite nerve-wracking. It was the most pressure I’ve ever been under in my whole career.”
Barbieri adds, “It was even more nerve-wracking than if we were up there dancing ourselves. When our dancers were up there on that stage, I’m sure they were nervous, but they got up there and danced and they were beautiful. And even though we were in the audience, in our minds we were dancing every step of every person’s role.”
The Ashton ballets performed by The Sarasota Ballet at the intimate Linbury Theatre at the Royal Opera House included Valses Nobles et Sentimentales, Dante Sonata, Sinfonietta, Diverts and Façade . The Sarasota dancers were joined by members of The Royal Ballet on the main stage for The Walk to the Paradise Garden
Jennifer Hackbarth, a principal dancer with The Sarasota Ballet, says the productions they took to London “showed such a spectrum of Ashton’s works. It really gave audiences a taste of different facets of his choreography.”
Daniel Pratt, a first soloist, adds, “It’s a really interesting look at Sir Frederick Ashton’s work. Audiences here in Sarasota have seen many of his ballets in recent years, but in Europe people don’t see them as much anymore.”
Reviewers of The Sarasota Ballet’s London appearances noted the irony of British audiences being reintroduced to one of their own ballet icons by an American ballet troupe.
Graham Watts, writing in Bachtrack , the classical music website, said “Bringing Ashton from Florida to The Royal Opera House sounds like ‘coals to Newcastle’ but I think ‘discovering buried treasure’ might be a more appropriate idiom.”
Other critics were also positive. In Gramilano , a website dedicated to dance and opera, Jonathan Gray wrote, “Who could have predicted, when he died in 1988, that it would be a ballet company based in Florida, in years to come, that would best honour the memory of Frederick Ashton? …The company looked marvelous (in their London debut), and should be proud of their achievements. It’s no wonder that Iain Webb was honoured with the De Valois Award for Outstanding Achievement at the National Dance Awards. I can’t think of a person who deserves it more.”
Alexander Simpkins, also writing in Bachtrack , was effusive: “Thanks to the efforts of ballet director Iain Webb and his wife, Margaret Barbieri, who has staged most of the ballets, we see Ashton’s work clearly and lovingly presented. … I will
miss this company and their repertoire when they return to Sarasota: London will be a duller place without them.”
In Slipped Disc , the classical music news site, Alastair Macaulay praised The Sarasota Ballet’s performance of Valses Nobles et Sentimentales, calling it “one of literally dozens of Ashton ballets that have brought superlative poetry to the Gulf of Mexico.”
Despite all the accolades for Webb’s accomplishments as the director of The Sarasota Ballet, he is quick to credit others.
“Sir Fred has certainly put the Company on the map, but without Margaret’s generosity in passing on her knowledge, as well as her work ethic and dedication, the Company wouldn’t be what it is now. And of course it was very expensive to put our London tour together. Joseph Volpe, our executive director, and Sandra DeFeo, our board chair, have orchestrated raising the money. It’s quite a challenge these days to fund the arts, and we’ve been very lucky that our board and staff are so committed to what we’re doing.”
Webb also credits arts-loving Sarasotans for supporting the Company in greater numbers since he and Barbieri arrived in 2007 and brought their experience and expertise.
“Seventeen years ago, people didn’t really know The Sarasota Ballet. And now we’re sort of flying the flag of the city, shining a light on Sarasota.”
THE SARASOTA BALLET’S 2024-2025 SEASON
The Sarasota Ballet plans another compelling season of dance artistry. Continuing its tradition of performing the works of Sir Frederick Ashton, his ballet Romeo and Juliet is one of the highlights. The schedule includes:
Relative Works (Program One), FSU Center for the Performing Arts, Oct. 25-27, 2024: World Premiere, choreography by Jessica Lang, Virginia B. Toulmin & Muriel O’Neil Artist in Residence, music to be announced; Amorosa, choreography by Ricardo Graziano, music by Antonio Vivaldi; Napoli Act III, choreography by Johan Kobborg, music by Edvard Heisted and Holger Simon Paulli
Giselle (Program Two), Sarasota Opera House, accompanied by the Sarasota Orchestra, Nov. 2223, 2024: Production by Sir Peter Wright, original choreography by Jules Perrot and Jean Coralli, music by Adolphe Adam
Fanciful Journey (Program Three), Sarasota Opera House, accompanied by the Sarasota Orchestra, Dec. 20-21, 2024: Rubies, choreography by George Balanchine, music by Igor Stravinsky; Wunderland (Company Premiere), choreography by Edwaard Liang, music by Philip Glass; The Spider’s Feast (World Premiere), choreography by Sir David Bintley, music by Albert Roussel
Quintessential (Program Four), FSU Center for the Performing Arts, Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 2025: Rococo Variations, choreography by Renato Paroni, music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky; Brandenburgs, choreography by Paul Taylor, music by Johann Sebastian Bach; World Premiere, choreography by Gemma Bond, music by Sergei Rachmaninoff
Mark Morris Dance Group (Program Five), FSU Center for the Performing Arts, Feb. 28-March 3, 2025
Romeo and Juliet (Program Six), Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, March 28-29, 2025: (Company Premiere), choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton, production courtesy by Peter Schaufuss; music by Sergei Prokofiev
Movements of Genius (Program Seven), Sarasota Opera House, accompanied by the Sarasota Orchestra, April 25-26, 2025: Serenade, choreography by George Balanchine, music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky; In the Night, choreography by Jerome Robbins, music by Frédéric Chopin; A Wedding Bouquet, choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton, music by Lord Berners
(Continued on next page.)
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ARTS&CULTURE
Your Ultimate Guide to Everything Arts & Culture
(Listings are subject to change. Please check websites for updates.)
Key Chorale’s 40th Ruby Jubilee season will be a magnificent celebration of music’s rich history and its power to inspire. From stirring Gospel grooves to the intricate harmonies of Baroque, and masterful compositions of Verdi and Beethoven, it’s sure to be an unforgettable series of performances and dynamic collaborations.
Theatre Odyssey
P.O. Box 1383
Sarasota, FL 34230
941.799.7224
theatreodyssey.org
Urbanite Theatre
1487 Second St
Sarasota, FL 34236
941.321.1397
urbanitetheatre.com
2024:
Modern Works Festival
September 4-8
Jennifer Who Is Leaving October 18 - December 1
2025:
Spaceman
January 3 – February 16
No One is Forgotten
March 21 – April 27
From 145th to 98th Street
May 30 –June 29
Van Wezel
Performing Arts Hall
777 N Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34236 | 941.953.3368
vanwezel.org
2024:
Friday Fest: K-Luv and The United Funk Foundation
September 20
Shrek The Musical
September 24-25
Masterclass: Shrek
September 24
John Crist: Jokes for Humans
September 26
Friday Fest: Big Night Out
October 4
Billy Ocean
October 15
The Life and Music of George
Michael
October 20
Dear Evan Hansen
November 1
Wheel of Fortune Live!
November 2
The Commodores
November 16
Air Supply
November 17
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
November 19
Black Violin BV20: Then and Now
November 21
Leslie Jones
November 22
Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let’s Play
November 23
Lewis Black: Goodbye Yeller Brick Road, The Final Tour
December 6
TINA: The Tina Turner Musical
December 13
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas
Ballet
December 27
Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert
December 29
Clue: A New Comedic Play
December 30-31
2025:
Funny Girl
January 14
HMS Pinafore
January 27
The Addams Family
January 28-29
Forever Tango
February 6
Come From Away
February 18-20
Neil Berg’s 115 Years of Broadway
March 2
Twyla Tharp Dance: Diamond
Jubilee
March 4
Get the Led Out
March 15
Itzhak Perlman in Recital
March 16
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
March 18-23
Brandford Marsalis Quartet
April 2
Les Misérables
April 8-13
Beetlejuice
April 22-27
Venice Performing Arts Center 1 Indian Ave Venice, FL 34285 | 941.218.3779
veniceperformingartscenter.com
2024:
Keys and Classics
October 6
Venice Concert Band: Home of the Brave
November 4
Smokin’ Renegade
November 9
Venice Concert Band: Holiday Gems
December 2
Classic Carols, Modern Mirth: A Holiday Extravaganza
December 16
2025: The Texas Tenors
January 4
John Denver Tribute: Chris Collins and Boulder Canyon
January 19
Venice Concert Band: All My Favorites
January 20
Live and Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney
February 2
Rumours: Fleetwood Mac
February 8
Cash, Killer and the King
February 15
Stars and Stripes: Celebrating Great
American Songs
February 23
Venice Concert Band: See the USA
February 24
Forever Donna: Featuring Rainere
Martin
March 1
Brass Transit
March 7
Beatles Vs. Stones
March 8
An Evening with Norm Lewis: Venice Theatre (Co-production)
April 16
ABBA Revisited
March 21
Eirinn Abu and His Miami Sound Machine
April 16
Queen Nation
April 19
Black and Blue: A Journey Along the Danube
April 27
Venice Concert Band: Center Stage
April 28
Separate Ways: Journey Tribute Band
May 3
Venice Symphony
700 US Highway 41
Venice, FL 34285 | 941.207.8822
thevenicesymphony.org
2024:
A Symphonic Spooktacular
October 11-12
Instrumental Influencers
November 15-16
Home for the Holidays
December 20-22
2025:
Sports Orchestrated
January 10-11
A Salute to the Pops!
January 31 - February 1
Hollywood in Venice
February 21-22
Crazy for Gershwin
March 14-15
Special Event: The Rat Pack is Back
March 22
Cosmic Worlds
April 25-26
Venice Theatre
140 W Tampa Ave
Venice, FL 34285
941.488.1115
venicetheatre.org
2024:
The Mousetrap Through September 15
The Torch Bearers
September 20 - October 13
Agnes of God*
September 27 - October 20
9 to 5 The Musical
October 24 - November 24
Syncopation
November 1-24
Venice Laughs
December 6-15
A Christmas Carol
December 6-22
2024 Concert Series:
A Tribute to Neil Diamond
November 11
A Tribute to Elton John
November 24
2025:
Don’t Touch That Dial
January 17 – February 9
My Fair Lady
January 31 – March 2
The Lightning Thief
February 28 – March 23
The Silver Foxes
March 11 – 16
Alice in Wonderland
April 4 – 27
The Learned Ladies
April 11 – May 4
Pinky’s Players
May 8 – 11
2025 Concert Series:
A Tribute to Linda Ronstadt
January 20
Beatles Tribute
February 3
Capitol Fools
February 17
The Astro Yachts
March 9
An Evening with Norm Lewis
March 16
Tribute to Elvis
March 17
Alter Eagles
April 14
Simply Clapton
April 21
Let’s Hang On
May 4
Can’t Get Next to You
May 18
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
1646 10th Way Sarasota, FL 34236
941.366.1505 westcoastblacktheatre.org
2024: Soul Crooners Solid Gold
October 9 - November 17
Motown Christmas
November 27 - January 5
2025:
Fences by August Wilson
January 15 - February 23
Five Guys Named Moe
March 5 - April 6
Syncopated Avenue: World Premiere Show
April 16 - May 25
French Connection
October 8 • 7:30 pm • Church of the Palms
French-born violinist Arnaud Sussmann and pianist
Michael Stephen Brown have been heard in recitals and with major orchestras across Europe, Israel, and the United States. They have been featured on PBS Live broadcasts as Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center artists. Their program of French music includes sonatas by Debussy and Saint-Saëns.
From Bach to Bluegrass
October 15 • 5:30 pm performance followed by dinner Plantation Golf & Country Club
From bluegrass to classical, jazz and gospel, Kayla Williams crosses genres and styles effortlessly. Her performance includes instrumental and vocal music accompanied by jazz pianist Chris McCarthy, hailed as one of the most imaginative and impressive voices on the New York jazz scene.
Yamazalde
Trio
November 2 • 4:00 pm • Church of the Palms
Described by the New York Times as playing with “explosive vigor and technical finesse,” Sandy Yamamoto has dazzled audiences in concert performances around the globe for the past three decades as a soloist and as a member of the award-winning Miró Quartet. Matthew Zalkind is a top-prize winner in multiple international competitions, and Julio Elizalde is one of the most soughtafter recital partners in the country. This program includes music by Haydn, Mendelssohn, and Paul Schoenfeld.
museums & v I s U AL AR ts
530 Burns Gallery
530 Burns Lane Sarasota, FL 34236
941.951.0620
530burnsgallery.com
AlexArt International Gallery 25 North Pineapple Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236
813.465.1249
alexartinternational.com
Alfstad & Contemporary 1419 5th St. Suite A Sarasota, FL 34236
941.366.6400
alfstadand.com
Contemporary art gallery, video screening room and print-making studio
Art Avenue
3501 South Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34239
941.894.7405
artavenueflorida.com
Collections:
Natasha Turovsky
Jack Dowd
Richard Moravits
Susan Szantosi
Tegi Barsegian
Leroy Neiman
Mariela Moode
Jordan Avery
Salvador Dali
Safae Mounsif
Yekatarina Gruzinova
Elin Li
Pablo Picasso
Alexander Macovei
Vicki Chelf
Art Center Sarasota
707 N Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236
941.365.2032
artsarasota.org
Juried Show: Flora & Fauna
Through Sept. 28, 2024
Artist Talk: Precious Darling
Sept. 13, 2024
Artist Talk: Tanner Simon
Sept. 14, 2024
Juried Show: Euphoria! Oct. 10 – Nov. 16, 2024
Juried Show: Trompe L’oeil
Dec. 5, 2024 - Jan. 18, 2025
Annual Juried Members Show
Jan. 30 - Mar. 1, 2025
Juried Show - Epoch of Change: Footprints of Humanity
Mar. 13 - Apr. 19, 2025
North Sarasota County Spring Art Show, K-12
Apr. 29 - May 10, 2025
Annual Juried Regional Show:
Vice & Virtue
May 22 - Aug. 2, 2025
Juried Show: Self Portrait
Aug. 21 - Sept. 27, 2025
ArtCenter Manatee
209 9th St W
Bradenton, FL 34205
941.746.2862
artcentermanatee.org
Create 2024
Sept. 5 – 27, 2024
Open Book
Oct. 1 – 25, 2024
Sarasota Pen Women
Oct. 1 –25, 2024
The Artist’s Journey
Oct. 29 – Nov. 22, 2024
Member Exhibition
Nov. 26 – Dec. 27, 2024
Holiday Extravaganza
Nov. 26 – Dec. 27, 2024
12×12, Open Juried Show
Jan. 2 –24, 2025
Women Contemporary Artists
Jan. 2 –24, 2025
American Watercolor Society
157th Traveling Exhibition
Jan. 28 – Feb. 28, 2025
Roots & Reflections Through Memory & Nature
Denise Cormier Mahoney
Jan. 28 – Feb. 28, 2025
Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society
Annual Aqueous Exhibition
Mar. 4 –28, 2025
Manatee County School District
Annual K-12 Exhibition
Apr. 29 –May 23, 2025
Oil Painters of American 2025 National Exhibition & Annual Convention
May 28 – June 27, 2025
Dog (& Cat) Dayz Of Summer
Open Juried Show
July 1 – Aug. 8, 2025
The Artful Giraffe
1861 Fruitville Rd. Sarasota, FL 34236
941.388.3700
artfulgiraffe.com
Gallery, gifts and studio
The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island
5414 Marina Dr. Holmes Beach, FL 34217
941.778.6694
amiartistsguildgallery.com
An artistic community consisting of classes and workshops, galleries and art events.
Art Review SRQ
1367 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941.955.5409 | artreviewsrq.com
Chasen Galleries
The Mark 99 S Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 955 0155
Glass artist Renato Foti
January 2025
Southside Village 1830 South Osprey Avenue, Ste 102 Sarasota, FL 34239 (941) 260 5787
Chasen Galleries II
Crossings at Siesta Key Mall 3501 S Tamiami Trail #1034 Sarasota, Florida, 34239 (941) 250 4861
Please visit website for current list of artists and exhibits.
Creative Liberties
941.799.6634 | creativeliberties.net
Creative Liberties
Artist Studios & Gallery 901 B Apricot Ave, Sarasota, FL 34237
Feature Artist Opening Reception
Oct. 10, 2024
Gaze & Graze:
A Progressive Dinner Gallery Tour Dec. 3, 2024
Studio and Feature Artists
February Opening Reception Feb. 6, 2025
Studio and Feature Artists
April Opening Reception Apr. 3, 2025
Studio and Feature Artists
June Opening Reception
June 5, 2025
Creative Liberties
Artist Studios, Gallery & Creative Academy
927 N. Lime Ave, Sarasota, FL 34237
Family Art Day
Sept. 28, Oct. 26, Nov. 23, Dec. 4, 2024 & Jan. 5, Feb. 22, Mar. 22, Apr. 26, May 24,
June 28, 2025
Feature Artist Opening Reception
Oct. 10, 2024
Gaze & Graze: A Progressive Dinner Gallery Tour
Dec. 3, 2024
The Studio Artists of Creative Liberties, Past & Present, Exhibition Opening Reception
Dec. 12, 2024
Studio and Feature Artists
February Opening Reception
Feb. 6, 2025
Studio and Feature Artists
April Opening Reception
Apr. 3, 2025
Studio and Feature Artists
June Opening Reception
June 5, 2025
Creative Liberties at Gaze Gallery, Artists in Residence
340 Central Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236
Beck Lane Opening Reception
Sept. 12, 2024
ARCOS Opening Reception
Nov. 21, 2024
ARCOS Opening Reception
Jan. 16, 2025
ARCOS Opening Reception
Mar. 13, 2025
ARCOS Opening Reception
May 8, 2025
Creaturo Gallery
1270 Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
941.953.6163
creaturogallery.com
Art Walks every first friday.
Embracing Our Differences
P.O. Box 2559
Sarasota, FL 34230
941.404.5710
embracingourdifferences.org
Winter/Spring Showcase
Jan. 19- Apr. 13, 2025
Bayfront Park, Sarasota
Florida Maritime Museum
4415 119th St. West
P.O. Box 100
Cortez, FL 34215
941.708.6120
floridamaritimemuseum.org
Music on the Porch
2nd & 4th Saturdays
Soar in 4 at the Bishop Museum
First Wednesday of every month Caught in the Storm: 100 Years of Florida Hurricanes Ongoing
Captain’s Corner
Ongoing
Main Gallery— Displays on Local Fishing, Maritime Navigation, Boat Building, and Tools Used in Boat Construction
Ongoing
Maritime Library Ongoing
Harmony Gallery
Beatrice Friedman
Symphony Center
709 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota, FL sarasotaorchestra.org/about/ community/harmony-gallery
25% of all proceeds from the sale of the artwork benefit Sarasota Orchestra.
Helmuth Stone
1467 Main St. Sarasota, FL 34236
941.260.9703 | helmuthstone.com
Fine art, antiques, and jewelry auctions. Gallery features American, European and contemporary fine art, sculpture, illustrations, jewelry, and Asian antiques.
Kira Lee Art Gallery
kiraleeart.com
Pointillism portraits that incorporate lyrics and quotes.
Ligon Fine Art
20 North Lemon Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236
832.361.0308
angelaligonart.com
Monthly Exhibit
Sept. 12, Oct. 17, & Nov. 14
Ligon Fine Art @ Clive | Daniel Home 3055 Fruitville Commons Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34240
Lina Rincon
Art Gallery & Studio 1734 4th St. Sarasota, FL 34236
813.541.7548
linarinconart.com
Art Immersion Program: 10-month Art Curriculum for Children Ages 5 Through Teen Aug. 2024 – May 2025
Lipstick Lex lipsticklex.com
First Frida Fridays at Kolucan Mexican Bar & Grill
First Friday of Every Month
Beats & Brunch at Kolucan Mexican Bar & Grill
Second Sunday of Every Month
Mara Art Studio and Gallery
76 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236
941.914.8110
marastudiogallery.com
Canvas Conversations
Sept. 27 – Nov. 16, 2024
ZEN: A Solo Exhibition by Midge Johnson
Sept. 27 – Oct. 22, 2024
Julia Rivera
Oct. 25 –Nov. 16, 2024
Still Waters
Nov. 16 – Dec. 21, 2024
Beyond the Canvas
Jan 8 – 28, 2025
Opposites Attract: The Power of Black + White
Jan 8 – 28, 2025
Interplay: A Dialogue Between
Abstraction and Representation
Jan 31 – Feb. 25, 2025
Lori Childers Solo Exhibition
Jan 31 – Feb. 25, 2025
M A R A
Feb. 28 – Mar. 25, 2025
Convergence: A Spectrum of Styles
Feb. 28 – Mar. 29, 2025
Echoes of Identity
Mar. 28 –Apr. 22, 2025
SunLit
Apr. 25 – May 30, 2025
Marie Selby
Botanical Gardens
900 S. Palm Ave Sarasota, FL 34236
941.366.5731
selby.org
Exhibitions:
The Florida Highwaymen: Interstate Connections Through Sept. 15, 2024
VIRTUAL 43rd Annual Juried Photographic Exhibition Through Sep. 30, 2024
Artist in Residence: Patti Smith Through 2024
North Port Art Center
5950 Sam Shapos Way North Port, FL 34287
941.423.6460
northportartcenter.org
Heart and Soul
Sept. 2 –27, 2024
Night and Day, Dark, light, shadow, night or stars bright.
Sept. 30 – Oct. 25, 2024
Instructor Gallery: Open House
Nov. 16, 2024
Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie
Oct. 28 – Nov. 22, 2024
Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie
Oct. 28 – Nov. 22, 2024
Creatively Abled, Special Show Invitational
Nov. 10, 2024
Color My World
Nov. 23, 2024 – January 2025
Ringling Museum
5401 Bayshore Rd. Sarasota, FL 34243
941.359.5700
ringling.org
Radical Clay Through May 11, 2025
Skyway 2024:
A Contemporary Collaboration Through Jan. 26, 2025
Embodied Through Sept. 21 2025
The Greatest Show on Earth® Gallery
Ongoing
Shinique Smith: Parade Through Jan. 5, 2025
Jess T. Dugan: I want you to know my story
Through Feb. 25, 2025
Sarasota Art Museum
1001 South Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236
sarasotaartmuseum.org
The Truth of the Night Sky: Anne Patterson and Patrick Harlin Through Sept. 29, 2024
Skyway 2024:
A Contemporary Collaboration Through Oct. 27, 2024
Modern Masterpiece Uncovered: Galloway’s Furniture Showroom by Victor Lundy Through Oct. 27, 2024
Molly Hatch: Amalgam Through Apr. 26, 2026
Tammy Nguyen: Timaeus and the Nations
Oct. 20, 2024 – Jan. 19, 2025
Claire Ashley: Chromatic Blush
Oct. 20, 2024 – Jan. 19, 2025
Larry Fink / Martha Posner: Flesh and Bone
Nov. 17, 2024 – Ap. 13, 2025
Joe Fig: Contemplating Vermeer
Nov. 17, 2024 – Ap. 13, 2025
Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks
Feb. 9 – May 4, 2025
Personal to Political: Celebrating the African American Artists of Paulson Fontaine Press
May 4 – Aug. 10, 2025
Chris Friday: Where We Never Grow Old
May 4 – Aug. 10, 2025
Inside Out Artists
Jose Alvarez (D.O.P.A), Coming Together
Chakaia Booker, Square Peg
Molly Hatch, Staccato
John Henry, Complexus
Olivier Mosset, Untitled
Leah Rosenberg, 28 Colors
Christian Sampson, Vita in Motu
SARTQ
sartq.com
sartqcollective@gmail.com
Light & Dark Through Nov. 4, 2024
SPAACES
2051 Princeton St, Sarasota, FL 34237
941.374.3492
spaaces.art
SPAACES Studio Artists Present Oct. 5, 2024
Ta Daa and The Journey Goes On: A Solo Show by Åke Arnerdal
Opens Nov. 1, 2024
KX2: A Collaboration of Ruth Avra & Dana Kleinman
Opens Jan. 10, 2025
Grids And Stripes: Samantha Modder & Joshua Haddad
Opens Feb. 7, 2025
Dissonance (=) the New Way
A Live Performance by Edwin Culver Mar. 7, 2025
Liminal Space: Works by Robert Aiosa & Anthony Mancuso Mar. 14, 2025
Care: Givers and Receiver Apr. 18, 2025
Echoes of Youth June 6, 2025
State
of the Arts
1525 State St. Sarasota, FL 34236
941.955.2787
sarasotafineart.com
Celebrate 20:
Anniversary Exhibit
Sept. 2024 – Jan. 2025
Spring Forward Jan. – Mar. 2025
Beach Vibe Mar. – May 2025
Studio on 5th
1350 5th St. #002
Sarasota, FL 34236
941.330.8091
susancronkart.com
William Hartman Gallery
48 South Palm Ave. Sarasota, Fl 34236
941.955.4785
wmhartmangallery.biz
Art from Nature
Old Sarasota Photographs
William Kelley Gallery
1990 Main St Sarasota, FL 34236
williamkelleyart.com
Fine art prints.
Wyland Gallery
314 John Ringling Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34236
941.388.5331
wylandgalleriesof thefloridakeys.com
Clarita Brinkerhoff
Sep. 20 –23, 2024
John Lennon
Birthday Celebration Extravaganza
Oct. 4 –6, 2024
Walfrido Garcia
Nov. 7 – 10, 2024
David Wight
Nov. 22 –24, 2024
Valerie Studio and Gallery
1301 Main St. Sarasota, FL 34236
231.622.3434
valerieabstractart.com
Visit website for upcoming events & exhibitions.
Village of the Arts
1110 12th St., Bradenton, FL 34205
villageofthearts.com
Visit website for upcoming events & exhibitions.
EXTREME JEWELRY MAKEOVER
HI sto RY, sc I ence & educat I on
Anna Maria Island
Historical Society
402 Pine Ave, Anna Maria, FL 34216
941.778.0492 | amihs.com
Museum and historical park, gift shop, old city jail, Belle Haven Cottage, tours
Lectures, workshops and study groups focused on the works inspired by the psychology of Carl Gustav Jung
Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast
400 Palmetto Ave, Osprey, FL 34229
941.918.2100
conservationfoundation.com
Community and youth wildlife and environmental education, special events and volunteering opportunities
Crowley Museum & Nature Center
16405 Myakka Rd Sarasota, FL 34240
941.322.1000 | crowleyfl.org
Florida habitat, historical pioneer buildings, and heritage farm animals providing children’s programming that explores history, develops self-reliance, connects to nature and imparts practical living skills
Historical Society of Sarasota County
1260 12th St, Sarasota, FL 34236
941.364.9076 | hsosc.com
Celebrate Sarasota County history with lectures, conversations and more from Oct. 2024 - Apr. 2025
Manatee County
Agricultural Museum
515 10th Ave West, Palmetto, FL 34221
941.721.2034
manateecountyagmuseum.com
Cardboard Challenge
Sept. 21, 2024
Christmas in the Park
Dec. 6-7, 2024
Current Exhibits:
Dig it! The Secret Soil from the Smithsonian’s
Museum of Natural History
An Icy Surprise
Dairy Days of Manatee County
Online Exhibit: Underwater Farms, Aquaculture in Manatee County
Manatee Village
Historical Park
1404 Manatee Ave East, Bradenton, FL 34208
941.749.7165 | manateevillage.org
Offering education material at the museum, online and through outreach programs
Pioneer Architecture
Sept. 28, 2024
Cemetery Tours
Oct. 2024, Feb — May 2025
An old Florida Christmas
Dec. 14, 2024
Temporary Exhibition:
Living off the Land Through Nov. 2024
Permanent Exhibition:
One Century Plus of Ranching in Manatee
King Wiggins Office
Wiggins Store
Stephens House
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
941.366.5731 | selby.org
Downtown Campus
900 South Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Steinwachs Family Plant
Research Center Tour
Select Wednesdays
Yoga in the Gardens
Check website for dates
Children’s Rainforest Garden
Open During Regular Hours
Annual Orchid Show & Auction
Oct. 7, 2024
Selby Spooktacular
Oct. 2024 (TBA)
Lights in Bloom®
December 6 – January 3, 2025
Jean & Alfred Goldstein
Exhibition Series
Starting Feb. 2025 (TBA)
Historic Spanish Point
401 North Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229
Lights at Spooky Point
Oct. 10 – 31, 2024
Cocktails at the Cottage
Nov. 8, 2024
Wintergreen Weekend at the Point Dece. 2 & 3, 2024
*Check website for updates to list of events.
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236
941.388.4441 | mote.org
Sharktoberfest
Oct. 5, 2024
Mote-ivational Mondays
Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27, 2025
Coffee with a Scientist
Feb.4, 25, Mar. 18, 2025
Run for the Turtles
Apr. 5, 2025
Check Mote’s website for dates for the following education programs:
Animal Encounters
Breakfast with the Sharks
Private Kayak Tours
Dip Netting
Summer Camp
Boy/Girl Scout Programs
Classroom Outreach
Community Outreach
Florida Master Naturalist
Homeschool Programs
Internship Opportunities
Lifelong Learning
Mote Science Talks
Guided Shoreline Tours
Sensory Saturdays
Teacher Professional Development
Youth Ocean Conservation Summit And more
Music Compound
775 Bell Rd, Sarasota, FL 34240
941.379.9100 | musiccompound.com
Music education for all ages
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute/Ringling College of Continuing Studies
1050 South Tuttle Ave, Sarasota, FL 34237
941.366.5731 | olliringlingcollege.org
Provides affordable and outstanding educational programs and social interactions covering a broad spectrum of topics for mature adults
Ringling Underground Ringling Museum Courtyard ringling.org
September 5, 2024
Music on Main Main Street, Lakewood Ranch lakewoodranch.com/events
September 7, 2024
Literacy Under the Trees Oscar Scherer State Park gradelevelreadingsuncoast.net
September 7, 2024
Exotic Cars on the Circle St. Armands Circle starmandscircleassoc.com
September 9, 2024
Sarasota Bradenton Fall Home Show Robarts Arena homeshowflorida.com
September 13 – 15, 2024
Sarasota Offshore Boat Racing Powerboat P1 Events Van Wezel/Lido Beach p1offshore.com
September 13-15, 2024
Friday Fest Van Wezel Lawn vanwezel.org
September 20, 2024
Sarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival Sarasota Opera House sarasotaopera.org
September 21, 2024
2nd Annual St. Armands Circle Craft Festival St. Armands Circle artfestival.com
September 21, 2024
Editor’s note: Sarasota Scene makes every effort to list the most current events, however, all events are subject to change. Please check individual websites before making plans.
Key Lime & Tropical Fest
Fishermen’s Village fishermensvillage.com
September 21, 2024
SCF Music’s Fall Festival of Music
SCF Neel Performing Arts Center scf.edu
September 26, 2024
Wellen Park Oktoberfest
Downtown Wellen Park wellenpark.com/events
September 28, 2024
Manatee County’s 8th Annual Adopt-A-Palooza Bradenton Area Convention Center fomcaw.org
September 28, 2024
Venice Beach Party Esplanade South visitvenicefl.org
September 28, 2024
OCTOBER 2024
Phillippi Farmhouse Market
Phillippi Estate Grounds sarasotacountyparks.com
October 2 - April 2025
Annual Pumpkin Fest
Fruitville Grove
fruitvillegrovefarm.com
All weekends in October
Mainly Art
Old Main Street Bradenton business.manateechamber.com
Every Third Saturday October - May
Master Gardener
Plant Sale & Ed Fest
Twin Lakes Park
sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu
October 5, 2024
All Faiths Autumn Harvest Dinner
All Faiths Food Bank Warehouse allfaithsfoodbank.org
October 5, 2024
Repticon Sarasota Sahib Shrine Center repticon.com
October 5, 2024
Sharktoberfest & Craft Beer Festival
Mote Marine mote.org
October 5, 2024
Autumn Harvest Dinner
All Faiths Food Bank allfaithsfoodbank.org
October 5, 2024
Venice Home Show
Venice Community Center venicehomeshow.com
October 5-6, 2024
Lights at Spooky Point
Historic Spanish Point selby.org
October 9 - 31
Morton’s Firehouse Chili Cook-Off
Morton’s Market mortonsmarket.com
October 6, 2024
Witches Night Out
Phillippi Estate Park visitscgov.net
October 11, 2024
Sarasota Rocktoberfest
JD Hamel Park paragonfestivals.com
October 11-13, 2024
Benderson Chase Rowing Regatta
Nathan Benderson Park nathanbendersonpark.org
October 11-13, 2024
Jaguar Festival d’Elegance
St. Armands Circle
starmandscircleassoc.com
October 12, 2024
Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival
Hunsader Farms hunsaderfarms.com
Weekends in October starting October 12, 2024
Community Event & Expo
CoolToday Park cooltoday.com
October 16, 2024
Sun Fiesta!
Centennial Park, Venice escape-to-sarasota.com
October 18-20, 2024
Oscar Scherer’s
Haunted Trail Event
Oscar Scherer State Park halloweenhauntedtrails.com
October 18 – 19, 2024
The Ringling Museum
Annual White Party Museum Courtyard ringling.org
October 18, 2024
Taste of North Port City Hall, North Port llsnevents.com
October 19, 2024
23rd Annual Anna Maria Island Bay Fest Pine Avenue, AMI annamariaislandchamber.org October 19, 2024
Project Pride Festival Rosemary District ppsrq.org October 19, 2024
Big Mama’s Collard Greens Festival
Robert Taylor Park newtownnation.com
October 19, 2024
Sarasota Celtic Music Festival Motorworks Brewing Co. celtoberfest.org October 19, 2024
Sarasota Water Lantern Festival
Nathan Benderson Park nathanbendersonpark.com
October 19, 2024
St. Armand’s Fall Festival of the Arts
St. Armands Circle starmandscircleassoc.com
October 19-20, 2024
19th Annual Hungarian Festival Sarasota County Fairgrounds gffusa.org October 19, 2024
Back to Angola Festival Manatee Mineral Springs Park eventbrite.com October 19-20
11th Annual Arcadia Fall PRCA Rodeo Mosaic Arena, Arcadia arcadiarodeo.com October 19-20, 2024
Lakewood Ranch BooFest Lakewood Main Street allevents.in October 25, 2024
Truly Valued Taste of New Orleans
Selby Gardens trulyvalued.org
October 26, 2024
Sarasota’s Halloween Pub Crawl Joe’s On Main eventbrite.com
Sarasota Fine Art Show Phillippi Estate Park eventbrite.com
November 16-17, 2024
2024 Champions for Children Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club bgcsdc.org
November 23, 2024
Sarasota Seafood & Music Festival Sarasota Fairgrounds paragonfestivals.com
November 29 – December 1, 2024
Boys & Girls Clubs of Desoto & Sarasota Counties Champions for Children Lee Wetherington Club pleasureway.com
November 23, 2024
Siesta Key Light Up The Village & Holiday Parade Siesta Key Village mustdo.com
November 30, 2024
DECEMBER 2024
Fresh Fridays Downtown Sarasota downtownsarasotadid.com Fridays in December
Together We Roar Philanthropic Agenda & Annual Hero Awards Michael’s On East srqwebtix.co
December 3, 2024
The Ringling Museum Holiday Splendor Ca d’Zan Mansion ringling.org/events December 5, 2024 941-260-8523 • mooncoeyewear.com 105 S Lemon Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Lights in Bloom
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens selby.org
December 6, 2024 – January 3, 2025
St. Armands Circle
Holiday Night of Lights
St. Armands Circle sarasotafl.gov
December 6, 2024
Balloon Glow & Laser Show
Sarasota County Fairgrounds sarasotafair.com
December 6-7, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest Waterside Place lakewoodranchbluesfestival.com
December 7, 2024
Venice Christmas Boat Parade
Intracoastal Waterway Venice venicegov.com
December 7, 2024
Family Art Making Ringling Museum Education Center ringling.org/events
December 7, 2024
Lakewood Ranch
Holiday of the Arts
Main Street LWR lakewoodranch.com
December 7 – 8, 2024
Seasonal Brew Tastings
Big Top Brewing Company bigtopbrewing.com
Check website for dates
Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch Waterside Place lakewoodranch.com
Sundays in December
Holiday Movie in the Park Waterside Park sarasotacountyparks.com
2024 ICF Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) World Championship
Nov. 9 –24, 2024
WSLR+Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center
525 Kumquat Ct
Sarasota, FL 34236
wslr.org
Visit website for full list of events and exhibitions.
the exchange
Supporting Sara S ota’ S a rt S Community
t hrough p hilanthropy and Con S ignment
by jo S hua thoma S bray
The Exchange, formerly known as the Sarasota Women’s Exchange, has been a cornerstone of Sarasota’s artistic and philanthropic landscape since its founding in 1962. Established by three visionary women, The Exchange was created as a self-sustaining business to support the arts without the need for constant fundraising efforts. Over six decades later, this nonprofit consignment store has become one of Sarasota’s most beloved institutions, providing vital support to the local arts community through scholarships and grants.
The Exchange began as a modest initiative with a clear purpose: to fund the Florida West Coast Symphony (now the Sarasota Orchestra). As the organization grew, so did its mission. Today, The Exchange is not only one of the largest and oldest consignment shops in the region but also a significant benefactor to a wide array of local arts organizations. According to Karen
Koblenz, CEO of The Exchange, “Our mission has remained true to the original vision of supporting the arts, but we’ve expanded to meet the evolving needs of our community.”
The organization’s history is marked by resilience and adaptation. In its early years, The Exchange faced a few relocations before settling into its current home, the historic Sarasota Herald-Tribune building, in 1967. This building has since been expanded and renovated, allowing The Exchange to grow its operations and maintain its mission of supporting the arts. “We’ve been here for a very long time,” says Koblenz, “this is home. It’s a testament to our stability and commitment to the community.”
One of The Exchange’s most impactful programs is its scholarship initiative, which supports local high school
and college students pursuing higher education in the visual and performing arts. This highly competitive and merit-based program focuses on students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the arts.
Scholarships from The Exchange are not just about financial support; they are about creating a deep connection between young artists and the community. This interconnectedness is a hallmark of the organization’s approach to philanthropy. “One of the prerequisites is that they do have to live locally, and they have to be pursuing a higher education in the arts,” Koblenz notes, emphasizing the importance of community ties.
In the 2023-2024 fiscal year alone, The Exchange awarded nearly $500,000 in scholarships and grants, making a significant impact on the local arts scene. These funds are carefully distributed, with a focus on accountability and effectiveness. “We pay after the fact,” Koblenz says, “to ensure that the funds are used as intended and to
maintain the trust of our consignors, volunteers, and the community.”
The strong support from the Sarasota community has been a vital source of strength for The Exchange. “We’ve always been blessed with being busy and receiving great support from our community as far as shoppers and consignors,” Koblenz notes. This unwavering support has enabled The Exchange to continue its mission, even in the face of economic adversity. The organization’s commitment to accountability and transparency, particularly in its financial dealings, has helped maintain the trust and loyalty of its community.
The Exchange’s impact extends beyond individual scholarships. The organization also plays a crucial role in supporting local arts organizations through grants. These grants are awarded to both established institutions and emerging organizations, reflecting The Exchange’s commitment to encouraging a varied and
lively arts community in Sarasota. “We look at not only the large organizations, but we also choose to support startups,” Koblenz says. This inclusive approach ensures that The Exchange’s support reaches a broad spectrum of the arts community, nurturing new talent and helping fledgling organizations establish themselves.
The process for awarding grants is rigorous, with a strong emphasis on fiscal responsibility and accountability. “We handle our grant process differently than others,” Koblenz explains. “For students, the money directly goes to the university. As far as the grant program, when they ask for money, once they finish the program, they have to submit a report to us showing the attendance, showing the success of it.” This process ensures that the funds are used effectively and that the organizations receiving grants are making a tangible impact on the community.
Community feedback plays an essential role in this process, with The Exchange taking into account the success and impact of the organizations they support. This careful maintenance of resources has allowed The Exchange to make a significant and lasting contribution
to Sarasota’s cultural scene, ensuring that the arts continue to thrive even in challenging times.
As The Exchange looks toward the future, its goals remain focused on growth, sustainability, and deeper community engagement. Koblenz emphasizes that while the organization’s core mission has remained consistent, there is a continuous push to expand its impact, particularly in the realm of scholarships and grants. “Our long-term plan isn’t different; we just want to maintain and grow our business,” Koblenz explains. This growth is not just about increasing sales or expanding their consignment operations, but also about amplifying their support for the local arts community.
One of the key strategies for future growth involves enhancing the visibility and reach of The Exchange within Sarasota and beyond. With the ongoing economic challenges, The Exchange recognizes the increasing importance of supporting the arts, especially as funding sources become more competitive. “Organizations like this are going to prove to be more critical,” Koblenz notes, reflecting on the broader role The Exchange
plays in sustaining the vitality of the region. This includes not only financial support but also creating a sense of community and shared responsibility for the arts.
Koblenz also highlights the importance of the organization’s legacy. The Exchange has been a part of Sarasota for over 60 years, and maintaining this legacy is a key priority. “Longevity—it matters. It says that you’re committed to it,” Koblenz says, underscoring the organization’s deep-rooted connection to the community. This commitment is reflected in the careful stewardship of resources, ensuring that The Exchange can continue to support the arts for many years to come.
The Exchange’s commitment to the arts is not just about preserving the past; it’s about investing in the future. This includes supporting the next generation of artists by providing opportunities for new arts organizations to thrive, and ensuring that the arts remain accessible to all members of the community. As Koblenz eloquently says, “Through our young people, we are able to expand beyond our borders. Some of them even impact the world, and that is a greater mission than ourselves.”
The Exchange stands as a shining example of the power of community-driven philanthropy in Sarasota. From its humble beginnings in 1962 to its current status as a key supporter of the arts in Sarasota, The Exchange has remained true to its founding principles while adapting to the changing needs of the community. Under the leadership of Koblenz, The Exchange continues to thrive, navigating challenges with resilience and a steadfast commitment to its mission.
As Sarasota evolves, The Exchange’s role will undoubtedly continue to grow, ensuring that the arts remain an integral part of the community. With its strong foundation, clear vision for the future, and unwavering community support, The Exchange is poised to remain a pillar of Sarasota’s local arts organizations for many years to come. Whether through scholarships that help young artists achieve their dreams or grants that support local arts organizations, The Exchange’s impact is deep and far-reaching, touching the lives of countless individuals both within and beyond the Sarasota community.
To learn more about The Exchange, visit its website at www.sarasotawex.com.
2024-25 | 80th Anniversary Season
CHANTICLEER HOLIDAY CONCERT
Dec 3, 2024, 7:30 pm | Sarasota Opera House
A new program of classic Renaissance and holiday favorites
PIANIST JEAN-YVES THIBAUDET
Jan 15, 2025, 7:30 pm | Riverview Performing Arts Center
Debussy Preludes Book I and Book II
CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA
Kahchun Wong, conductor | Sayaka Shoji, violin
Jan 26, 2025, 7:30 pm | Van Wezel
Pictures at an Exhibition
CZECH NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Steven Mercurio, Music Director | Maxim Lando, piano
Feb 13, 2025, 7:30 pm | Van Wezel
Dvořák’s “New World Symphony”
AN EVENING WITH YO-YO MA
Feb 27, 2025, 7:30 pm | Van Wezel
Music and stories about a life in music.
VIVALDI FOUR SEASONS
Les Arts Florissants | Théotime Langlois de Swarte, violin
March 14, 2025, 7:30 pm
Riverview Performing Arts Center
NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Gianandrea Noseda, Music Director | Hilary Hahn, violin
March 24, 2025, 7:30 pm | Van Wezel
Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony
ed U c Ation matters
DISCOVER THE BISHOP MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND NATURE: A HUB OF EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
By Joshua Thomas Bray
Located in the heart of Bradenton, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature stands as an inspiration for educational enrichment and community engagement on the Gulf Coast. As the largest natural and cultural history museum in the region, The Bishop Museum offers an array of interactive exhibits and educational programs that cater to a diverse audience. From its state-of-the-art planetarium to the engaging Mosaic Backyard Universe, the museum is dedicated to inspiring a lifelong love of science and nature. Its commitment to education is at the core of The Bishop Museum’s mission. Its educational programs ignite curiosity and cultivate a deeper understanding of the natural world. These programs, including the well-known Backyard Science and Homeschool Science Days, are carefully crafted to cater to different age groups and learning styles, ensuring that every visitor, from toddlers to teens, can benefit from its offerings.
Gabrielle Meyer, the Director of Learning at the museum, emphasizes this approach: “The idea behind our educational programming is that we want to enhance educational experiences using our collections and the expertise of our
learning specialists.” This focus on personalized learning is evident in how programs are structured to meet the needs of various learners.
Backyard Science is one of the flagship programs, held every Saturday during the school year. It provides children with the opportunity to dive deeper into a specific science topic through hands-on activities, observation, and creative play. The program is designed to be dynamic, with monthly themes that link to different exhibits within the museum, such as the Mosaic Backyard Universe. This ensures that learning extends beyond the classroom and into the exhibits themselves, making the experience more immersive and impactful.
Another significant program, Homeschool Science Days, occurs on the second Thursday of each month. This program offers a tailored educational experience for homeschooled families, allowing students to explore topics in a structured yet flexible environment. The program is divided into two segments: Junior Explorers and Discovery Rangers, catering to younger and older children respectively. This differentiation
ensures that each child receives an appropriate level of challenge and engagement.
The Bishop Museum’s commitment to accessibility is also a hallmark of its educational outreach. Through participation in the Museums for All program, the museum offers free admission to low-income families, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent anyone from experiencing the museum’s rich educational offerings. Other programs include Blue Star Museums and Museum on Us through Bank of America. The Bishop Museum also offers free admission to all Florida teachers and active-duty members of the U.S. Military, including free admission to all US military Veterans in November. Additionally, the museum provides scholarships for programs like summer camps, further supporting families who might otherwise be unable to afford these opportunities.
These scholarships are made possible through the generous support of donors who are passionate about making education accessible to all. Meyer shared that these scholarships have had a significant impact, stating, “We
had a scholarship for a few families that were very much in need. Those students were with us for multiple weeks and able to enjoy the unique and impactful experience. Through generous donors and people who believe in our mission, we’re able to make these experiences accessible to all students and families.”
One of the most innovative and engaging spaces within The Bishop Museum is the Mosaic Backyard Universe. This interactive exhibit was designed specifically with children in mind, offering them a space to explore scientific concepts in a playful and creative environment. The exhibit features a treehouse, a cardboard rocket ship, and various hands-on activities that encourage exploration and learning.
While the exhibit was in place before Meyer joined the museum, she has been instrumental in enhancing the educational value of this space. Her focus has been on creating experiences that are both engaging and educational, ensuring that even frequent visitors find something new and exciting each time they participate. The Mosaic Backyard Universe is not just a place for play; it’s a carefully designed educational tool that helps children connect with scientific
concepts in a tangible way. By integrating these concepts with elements of imagination and creativity, the exhibit allows children to learn in a manner that feels natural and enjoyable. Whether it’s solving puzzles, exploring the treehouse, or engaging in one of the many hands-on activities, children are constantly learning while having fun.
The Bishop Museum has also made significant strides in integrating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education with its natural history focus. This integration is most evident in the museum’s approach to programming, where natural history exhibits are often used as a springboard for exploring broader STEM topics. For example, the museum’s manatee rehabilitation efforts are not only about conservation but also provide a unique opportunity to explore engineering challenges related to marine biology, such as improving boat propeller designs to minimize harm to wildlife.
Meyer’s, with her background in science and engineering education, has been a driving force behind this integration. “There’s a lot of ways to pull STEM education in how you’re going to improve something, make it better, look at it with
a different lens,” she notes. This approach ensures that the museum’s educational offerings are not only grounded in natural history but also relevant to contemporary scientific and engineering challenges.
To further support this integration, the museum is introducing a STEAM cart (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics)—a mobile unit filled with building challenges and other activities that encourage children to engage with STEM concepts in a hands-on way. This initiative is part of a broader effort to make STEM education more accessible and engaging for all visitors, regardless of their prior exposure to these subjects.
In response to the growing influence of technology in education, The Bishop Museum has begun integrating digital tools and resources into its programming. However, the museum remains committed to the value of in-person, hands-on experiences, which are central to its educational philosophy. While technology is used to enhance certain aspects of programming, such as background research and planning, the focus remains on providing immersive, interactive experiences that cannot be replicated through
a screen. This approach reflects the museum’s broader educational strategy, which prioritizes direct engagement with exhibits, materials, and educators. By fostering an environment where children can explore, create, and learn in a tactile and interactive way, the museum ensures that its programs remain relevant and impactful in a rapidly changing educational landscape.
Looking ahead, The Bishop Museum is not content to rest on its laurels. The museum’s educational team, led by Meyer, is continuously exploring new ways to expand and enhance their programs. This includes not only adding new programs but also refining existing ones to ensure they remain relevant and impactful. The museum is also exploring opportunities to host large-scale events that can bring the community together around shared educational experiences. These events would be designed to appeal to families and would tie directly into the museum’s mission of making science and nature accessible to everyone. By focusing on quality and engagement, the museum aims to create programs that are not only educational but also memorable and fun for all participants.
As the museum continues to innovate and adapt, its commitment to providing high-quality, accessible, and engaging educational programs remains unwavering. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is setting a new standard for what a modern educational institution can achieve.
est se A ts
BSeptember Serenade includes trios by Mozart, Bruch, and Robert Schumann, and an arrangement of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet for viola and piano.
ARTIST SERIES CONCERTS
941.306.1200 / artistseriesconcerts.org
September Serenade
September 22
FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE
941.366.9000 / floridastudiotheatre.org
Comedy Lottery
Through September 28
The Four C Notes
Through October 13
KEY CHORALE
941.475.6756/keychorale.org
On Our Way
September 21
LEMON BAY PLAYHOUSE
941.921.4845/lemonbayplayhouse.com
Spreading it Around
September 4-22
Women of Comedy IV
September 29
FOGARTY COMMUNITY MEDIA & ARTS CENTER
941.894.6469/wslr.org/fogartyville
Liz Longley
September 6
Songwriter Series
Featuring Carmela Pedicini, Kelly Goddard, Carrie Hamby
September 9
Open Mic Series “The Sandbox”
September 23
Earth’s Tapestry
September 27-28
ISLAND PLAYERS
941.778.5755/theislandplayers.org
Crimes of the Heart
September 19-29
JAZZ CLUB OF SARASOTA
941.260.9951/jazzclubsarasota.com
Jazz at the Cabaret with Paul Gavin
September 9
Jazz Thursdays at the Sarasota Art Museum
September 12
Jazz at the Cabaret with Danny Sinoff Trio
September 30
MANATEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
941.749.1111/ manateeperformingartscenter.com
The Fantasticks
September 19-29
MCCURDY’S COMEDY THEATRE
941.925.3869/ mccurdyscomedy.com
LA Hardy
September 4-7
Sinister Sisters Burlesque
September 8
Music Monday Cedric Burnside
September 9
Dean Napolitano
September 11-15
Humor Institute
Class Performance
September 18
April Macie
September 19-22
Open Bar Comedy
September 24
Florida’s Funniest Comedian
September 25
Jamie Lissow
September 26-28
Drag Queen Bingo Extravaganza
September 29
Lynerd Group combines with
for a celebration of Gospel music with a little jazz too.
The Stephen
Key Chorale
FST’s The Four C Notes
THE PLAYERS CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
941.365.2494/ theplayers.org
Seussical the Musical September 12-22
SARASOTA OPERA
941.328.1300 / sarasotaopera.org
Sarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival
September 21
SARASOTA ORCHESTRA
941.953.4252 / sarasotaorchestra.org
Chamber Soirée 1: Baroque Banquet
September 29
URBANITE THEATRE
941.321.1397 / urbanitetheatre.com
Modern Works Festival
September 4-8
VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL
941.953.3368 / vanwezel.org
Shrek the Musical September 24-25
John Crist: Jokes for Humans
September 26
VENICE THEATRE
941.218.3779 / venicetheatre.org
The Mousetrap Through September 15
The Torch Bearers
September 20 – October 13
Agnes of God*
September 27 – October 20
Friday Fest: K-Luv and The United Funk Foundation
September 20
art scene
ALEX ART INTERNATIONAL
813.465.1249/ alexartinternational.com
Artists in Residence:
Fabio Del Boni
Massimo Meda
Guido Borelli
Paolo Passoni
Europe in the 1990’s
Sharon Grimes
Bill Stone
Edoardo Montaina
Andrea Hillebrand
The Masters
ART CENTER SARASOTA
941.365.2032 / artsarasota.org
Precious Darling
Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County
Tanner Simon
Juried Show: Flora & Fauna Through September 28
ARTCENTER MANATEE
941.365.2032 / artsarasota.org
Create September 5-27
CHASEN GALLERIES
941.260.5787 / chasengalleries.com
CLYDE BUTCHER GALLERY
941.486.0811 / clydebutcher.com
Lifeworks, Las Cruces, NM
September 6 - November 30 Visions of Florida, Daytona Beach September 12 - March 2, 2025
CREATURO GALLERY
941.953.6163/ creaturogallery.com
Art Walks Every First Friday September 6
CREATIVE LIBERTIES
941.799.6634 / creativeliberties.net
Featured Artists: Works on Display Through September 28
Good Day Sunshine! Through September 28
ISLAND GALLERY & STUDIOS
941.778.6648/ islandgallerywest.artspan.com
David Tejada, Harmony: Lines, Shapes and Color
September featured artist
LIGON FINE ART GALLERY ANNEX @CLIVE | DANIEL HOME DESIGN
Florida Highwaymen: Interstate Connections Through September 15
Clyde Butcher
Island Gallery West
Sarasota Art Museum
Art Center Sarasota
ArtCenter Manatee
BE SEEN IN SCENE
Reach Sarasota Scene Magazine’s affluent audience in both print and digital!
Contact John Knowles for upcoming special features or general advertising
Call or text (727) 637-8139 or email john@scenesarasota.com
MEG KRAKOWIAK
941.400.2478 / megkrakowiakstudios.com
Dancing with Light September 4-30
RINGLING MUSEUM
941.359.5700 / ringling.org Embodied Through September 21, 2025
Shinique Smith: Parade Through January 5, 2025
SARASOTA ART MUSEUM
941.309.4300 / sarasotaartmuseum.org
Molly Hatch: Amalgam Through April 26, 2026
The Truth of the Night Sky: Anne Patterson & Patrick Harlin Through September 29
Modern Masterpiece Uncovered: Galloway’s Furniture Showroom by Victor Lundy Through October 27
SARTQ
941.309.4300 / sartq.com
Light & Dark Through November 4
THE SOUTHERN ATELIER
941.753.7755 / southernatelier.org See Website for Classes & Studios
STATE OF THE ARTS GALLERY
941.955.2787 / sarasotafineart.com
CELEBRATE 20: Anniversary Exhibit September 2024 –January 2025
Skyway 2024: A Contemporary Collaboration Through October 27, 2024 TO SUBMIT YOUR EVENT/EXHIBITION FOR CONSIDERATION , please send information to publisherr@scenesarasota.com
Island Gallery West
Meg Krakowiak
Art Center Sarasota
meet the artist Sandra wix
Sandra Wix was born in the beautiful and historic city of Geneva, Switzerland. Influenced by her parents’ passion for the arts and travel, she embarked on a journey that shaped her into the vibrant, bilingual artist she is today. At the age of five, Sandra’s family moved to her father’s hometown in Suriname, South America. Seven years later, they relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she pursued her education at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, ultimately earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design.
Today, Sandra continues to follow her passion as a freelance artist in Sarasota Florida. She creates unique, abstract/realistic, acrylic paintings focusing on portraits and landscapes for private and public commissions. Her work spans mainly in acrylic paint, pen and Ink and colored pencil. Her talents also shine in mural design, with projects for schools, sports parks, and private homes. Along with her freelance work, her past experience also includes a position as Graphic Artist and Instructor at Suncoast Technical College and Whole Foods Market, as Graphic Artist, creating promotional graphics, hand-drawn chalkboards, and signage, earning several performance-based awards for her dedication and skill.
She has also been a featured artist at global furniture events, in Highpoint, NC where she brought conceptual elements to life through large paintings and backdrops, contributing to highly successful showcases. To meet Sandra and view some of her work visit her website at www.sandrawix.co and stop by her studio located at Creative Liberties on 927 N Lime Avenue, Sarasota, Florida. Creative Liberties Artist Studios, Gallery & Creative Academy is home to many artists and is open to the public Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday through Wednesday by appointment.
