Filmmaker, podcaster, comic book author and general all-around raconteur Kevin Smith visited Ringling College campus yesterday with plans for an upcoming web series to be filmed in Sarasota. Invited down as part of the Ringling College Studio Lab, a partnership between Ringling College and Semkhor Networks, Smith toured the campus and met with students before leading a presentation and question and answer session with more of the student body. “Driving in—nothing but art. Art everywhere,” said Smith of his first trip to Sarasota, before singling Ringling College out as “the best-kept secret in Florida.”

Smith follows on the heels of actors and filmmakers such as Justin Long, Dylan McDermott and Roman Coppola, all of whom are in the process of putting together projects to produce with the help of Ringling College facilities and students. “We both had a vision that a film program should include real productions,” said David Shapiro, head of Semkhor Networks, of his conversations with Ringling College President Dr. Larry Thompson leading to the creation of the Studio Lab. The two also agreed to focus on digital content—“Where the future is,” according to Shapiro.

Currently untitled and short on details, Smith refers to his latest project as “the Classy Picture,” hinting at perhaps more adult subject matter than is typical Smith fare. Smith will also act in the series, in addition to writing and directing. Initial plans to shoot in Pennsylvania fell through for financial reasons, and Long, a frequent Smith collaborator, recommended checking out Ringling College. Long currently plans to shoot his own serial project in Sarasota come September.

But in addition to Ringling facilities and Sarasota locales for shooting, Smith also expressed excitement at the prospect of working with the Ringling students. “I’d rather work with students,” said Smith. “Not because paid professionals suck, but who’s got more passion than students? Who’s hungrier than a student in college?” As long as students are compensated, Smith sees no problem. “I will get more out of working with these people than they probably will get out of working with me,” Smith said only half-joking. “I guarantee you—I’m going to work with these cats and be embarrassed at how much better they are at their job than me.”

According to Shapiro, all students working on professional productions receive either credit towards their degree or paid compensation. "We’re building a reputation,” he said. “There really is no community like Sarasota and no school like Ringling.” 

What happens when the man behind the curtain turns out to be a bunch of kids? That’s exactly what Pine View School looks to find out this Thursday with the opening of the school’s first musical, The Wizard of Oz. Produced almost entirely by the 75 students of the Pine View Drama Club, club member make up not only the cast, but the crew as well, including directing, set design, musical score, lighting and more. “The onus was on the students to demonstrate that they really wanted to be a part of this,” said Lori Moyer, 10th grade English teacher and faculty co-sponsor of the Drama Club. “So they worked.”

Students took the reins from conception, deciding by democratic vote what play to perform, an adult only stepping in to be sure that the material selected would be suitable for the entire Pine View community, which includes elementary school students. By selecting Oz, the older students actually made a place for their younger counterparts, who will be playing the munchkins and are “completely adorable,” according to Moyer.

Working since January, near all aspects of the production have fallen under student control, while parent volunteers and faculty such as Moyer provide occasional guidance and handle the financials. In the process, Moyer said, students become mentors and learn not only their technical craft but also crucial skills in team-building and communication, including with entities outside the student body, as students dealt with ancillary issues such as advertising and feeding the crew through long hours. “It’s been an all-encompassing effort,” said Moyer. “We really pulled from many pockets of the Pine View Community.”

Starring Rachel Galindo and Grace Callahan as Dorothy, Foster Schwartz as the Cowardly Lion, Max Vitkus as the Scarecrow and Benjamin Casey as the Tin Man, the crew faces down Witch of the West Liv Brown on their way to see Oz, played by Amanda Gerulski. Gretchen Beaumier serves as student director with assistant Harris Lichtenstein and tech directors Sloan and Zayne Kolesar. The show opens at Pine View School on Thurs, Mar. 31, at 7pm for a three-night run through Sun., Apr. 2. Tickets are $10, with proceeds benefiting future productions.

“What they are going to bring to the stage this weekend is something our campus has never seen,” said Moyer. “The way they have transformed the stage is absolutely magical.” 

Darwin Brewing Company holds a fun event at their taproom the first Monday of every month from 7-9pm. For $25, guests enjoy three tapas courses paired with three different Darwin Brewing Company beers. I attended the event in February thanks to an invitation from my friend Eleni Sokos of Sokos Social (who produces the event). Eleni and I volunteer together for the Dinner Bell Supper Club at Geraldson Community Farm so I know she loves to support local businesses and eat great food. Chef Rich Knowles of EnRich Bistro was on hand for the February event to showcase his culinary chops with dishes like Thai Pork Tacos (pictured) paired with Darwin’s Summadayze IPA. This Monday, one of my favorite chefs, Evan Gastman of The Cottage, will be showing us how it’s done Siesta Key-style. I can’t wait to try the Sunray Clam Bowl with the DBC Circa 1926 broth and the Ginger Pork Bahn Mi, which will be paired with the San Juan Tropical Helles Lager. Monday night, $25, three courses – get your ticket quick! 

Darwin Brewing Company, 803 17th Avenue W., Bradenton, 941-747-1970.

Anna Maria Oyster Bar was recognized by America’s Blood Centers as the 2015 Corporation of the Year for the restaurant family’s longstanding commitment to hosting blood donation events. Representatives from Anna Maria Oyster Bar accepted the honor at the 19th Annual Awards of Excellence event, which was held on Monday, March 14 at the Hyatt Jacksonville Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville.Nominated for the prestigious award by SunCoast Blood Bank, Anna Maria Oyster Bar hosts two separate blood drives at its Landside, Cortez and Ellenton locations twice a year, one for SunCoast Blood Bank and one for One Blood. 

Anna Maria Oyster Bar

Yellow Strawberry, a boutique salon in Sarasota and Manatee counties, hired Gwendolyn Shafer as a full-time makeup artist at its Bee Ridge location in Sarasota.Shafer brings 23 years of experience to Yellow Strawberry as a makeup artist, working with high-end brands like Chanel, Sisley, Lancome and Jane Iredale, which the salon currently carries. An esthetician for almost 20 years, she specializes in waxing, bridal makeup as well as event makeup. 

Yellow Strawberry