Kicking off yesterday night with a specially-commissioned three-hour performance installation from choreographer and artist Belaxis Buil, the Harvey Milk Festival returns for a seventh year to Sarasota, bringing live art, theater and musical acts from across the world to perform in promotion of LGBTQ communities and rights. Continuing tonight with a politically charged performance from acclaimed Cuban-American artist Octavio Campos at Florida Studio Theatre, the festival culminates Saturday at Five Points Park with a donations-only outdoor concert featuring 11 musical acts including New York dance-pop favorites Avan Lava, queer punk band PWR BTTM and the disco/New Wave-inspired Muscovites of Pompeya all the way from Russia.

“One of the best things about the festival is that it really has the feel of something put on by locals, for locals,” said Josh Scheible, guitarist and vocalist for Sarasota-based rock band Physical Plant, also performing this Saturday. The band’s second appearance in the festival, Physical Plant played the 2014 festival and Scheible said looks forward to returning, as much for the music as the message. “We definitely like to support this kind of event in any way we can,” he said.

With an opening ceremony featuring organizer and founder Shannon Fortner and Sarasota Vice Mayor Suzanne Atwell, the concert will be punctuated by a candlelight vigil and keynote address from local student and activist Nate Quinn, a senior at Pine View School working for trans rights in the Sarasota school system. “I’m really glad they made the choice to feature Nate and it’s great to see the festival take that step, reach out and get into the activist community,” said Scheible. “It’s good to see those gaps being bridged.”

But social awareness doesn’t mean you can’t have a rowdy good time or put on a good show. Sharing the stage with international touring bands and acts from all over Florida, Physical Plant has to represent for its city. "We're looking to tear down the house," said Scheible. “We’re going to go out there and show that Sarasota can hang.”

“Octavio Campos: America’s Next President” begins tonight at 7pm at Florida Studio Theatre. Tickets range from $15-20, with $50 VIP options.

Music Fest begins Saturday, May 14, at 2:30pm in Five Points Park and runs till midnight. See full listing of bands and times at link below. 

Pictured: David Baker, Ryan McCarthy, Josh Scheible and Caegan Quimby of Physical Plant. Photo by Shane Donglasan.

Music Fest at Harvey Milk Festival

Elizabeth Pickett Gray knows skin. Her homemade line of lotions, salts, sprays and washes cleanses pores and allows natural radiance to emerge, with a Martha's Vineyard-style ocean-swept ease. Once only an apothecary, Gray's Burns Square store PHbotanical expanded two months ago, leaving ample space for a whitewashed open kitchen where Gray can experiment with her latest complexion-clarifying potion: all-natural smoothies. 

The Green blends into a medley of tangy orange juice citrus and bittersweet greens, and the handful of juicy, ripe mashed blueberries will calm even the staunchest anti-kale advocate. 

If you're feeling especially clogged, try the White—coconut milk, banana, greens, matcha green tea and bee pollen refresh and rejuvenate for that coveted healthy glow. 

PHbotanical, 539 S Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, 850-591-1329

Sweet and mild, meaty chunks of corvina white fish paired with peppers that pack a punch make ceviche a refreshing meal reminiscent of a midday lunch in the mountains of Peru. The citrus base adds an acidic undertone to the flaky fish—a signature touch of the delicacy lauded as the national dish of Peru. Peruvian Chef Giorgina Botta shares the process of creating the traditional ceviche served at Inkanto.

Ingredients: 1 lb. of corvina fish fillets, well rinsed; 1 Tbsp. salt and pepper; ½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 6 limes); 1 red onion,thinly sliced (medium size); 3 Tbsp. cilantro, finely chopped; 1 Aji Limo pepper, blended; 1 Rocoto pepper, blended; 1 oz. Peruvian corn (choclo), boiled; ½ sweet potatoes, boiled.

Cut the fish into bite-size chunks and place in a bowl. Add salt and pepper and then gently turn the pieces to ensure the salt and pepper coats are evenly spread.

Add thinly cut onions with chopped cilantro then add the lime juice to marinate the fish. Mix frequently to make sure the spices and marinade are covering all of the fish.

Add the Rocoto pepper paste with the Aji Limo pepper paste gently. Add more if you’re looking for a hotter dish. Serve with boiled sweet potatoes and Peruvian corn. Top with raw onions. 

Inkanto Peru, 4141 S.Tamiami Trl., Suite 16, Sarasota, 941-924-6410

Steve Royce has been appointed as the new principal of Gocio Elementary School, effective June 14. Royce will succeed Pamela Buchanan, who is retiring after a 38 year career in public education and six years as principal of Gocio. Royce has served as the principal of Tara Elementary School in Manatee County since 2012. He started his career in education in the Manatee County School District in 1994 as a teacher at Harlee Middle School. While there, he started the first school-based Boys and Girls Club in Manatee County. 

Sarasota County Schools

The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System will activate a new state-of-the-art inpatient unit at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center on May 18. The newly renovated, 20-bed ward is the first of several existing wards at the facility that will transition to a new patient-centered environment with private and semi-private rooms and the latest medical equipment over the next few years.Other features of the $5.3-million renovation include newly installed ceiling lift systems that allow for safe patient transport to and from the bed and to the shower; a state-of-the art nurse call and patient monitoring system; an interactive patient education and entertainment system; secure medication dispensing technologies; decentralized nursing stations; and mobile technology to allow medical professionals to more efficiently manage care of hospitalized Veterans. 

Bay Pines VA Healthcare System