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SRQ DAILY Aug 18, 2017

Friday Weekend Edition

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Friday Weekend Edition

"Venice Theatre is a fantastic theater and we have a lot of fantastic people and support in the community."

- Morgan Graves, actor
 

[Theater]  Venice Theatre Wins Big at State Conference
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Each year, the Florida Theatre Conference’s Community Theatre Festival invites community theaters from across the state to perform in a multi-day juried competition, which sees each participating theater present a short production to be judged by its acting, directing and set production. Venice Theatre sent eight representatives to this year’s conference, with the troupe returning victorious, clutching six awards, including Best Actor, Best Actress, Outstanding Play and the coveted “Spirit of the Road” award.

Traveling light, the troupe comprised a crew of four, Stage Manager Jennifer Kaiser, Costume Designer Jonathan Hall, Scenic and Lighting Designer John Andzulis and John Wyczlinksi, and three actors, Kristofer Geddie, Murray Chase and Morgan Graves, all under the direction of Ric Goodwin. Upon arrival, the team received a 10-foot by 10-foot space to store their set and costumes, waiting for their call, when they would have 10 minutes to set the stage, an hour for performance and 10 minutes to tear it all down again. Competing against the New Tampa Players and Firehouse Community Theatre, the Venice Theatre presented a production of Tennessee Williams’ one-act drama 27 Wagons Full of Cotton. Referred to as a “Mississippi Delta comedy” by the author, a more apt description may be “really messed up,” according to Graves, who won Best Actress for her performance. “The only thing we could come up with [to explain that],” she says, “was that no one dies.”

A three-character drama, the story begins when Jake (played by Chase), a cotton gin owner and terror of a man who regularly abuses his wife, Flora (Graves), burns down the cotton gin of his rival, Silva (Geddie), in a bid to steal his business. Silva, knowing the truth but unable to prove it, takes his revenge on Flora while Jake seems not to care, leaving the three in an unchallenged triangle of abuse.

And though their competitors did “an excellent job,” says Graves, it was the Venice Theatre team that walked away with six awards—Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Scenic Design, Outstanding Play and the “Spirit of the Road” award, given by the host to the team that exemplified positivity, respect and a good attitude throughout the competition. “Out of all the awards, that was the one we were most proud of,” says Graves. “And it has nothing to do with the production itself.”

With this recognition, the Venice Theatre team qualifies to advance to the next round and compete at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Mobile, AL, in March 2018. They will again present 27 Wagons Full of Cotton, incorporating the tips and critiques from judges this round. “It’s all very constructive,” says Graves. “It is a competition, but everybody leaves at least feeling they got to see some good theater, be around people who also love theater and get some constructive criticism.” 

Pictured: Morgan Graves receives her award for Best Actress at the Florida Theatre Conference Community Theater Festival. Photo by Jennifer Kaiser.

[Politics]  Confederate Statue Debate Hits Manatee
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Protests about the location of a Confederate monument in Bradenton will take place Monday, less than two weeks after similar demonstrations led to deadly clashes between rival activists in Charlottesville, Virginia. 

“What does it mean for a young black person who has been told they are created equal to see a statue in front of their courthouse which celebrates and symbolizes a part of society that did not want them to exist as free and equal humans?” says Shakira Refos, co-leader for the Black Lives Matter Manasota Chapter. BLM, along with The Rodney Mitchell Foundation, Indivisible Bradenton Pro-gressive, Answer Suncoast and Action Together Suncoast, will protest at Riverfront Park at 6:30pm on Monday.

The protests were announced the same day President Trump tweeted remarks supportive of keeping Confederate monuments in place, and the pro-Trump America First-Team Manatee announced it will host a counter-protest on Monday at the same time as the liberal protests. “Memorials were put where they are for a reason, so that people will not forget the sacrifice that was made by the soldiers,” reads an email announcing the protest. 

The moves have prompted a special Manatee County Commission meeting today to discuss public safety concerns. While all sides have committed to non-violent protests, similar conflict in Charlottesville turned deadly this weekend after white nationalists and neo-Nazis flocked to the city, then clashed with Antifa protestors. Police say a white nationalist ran into a crowd of counter-protestors, killing one woman and injuring others, and two law enforcement officers died in a crash while patrolling the protests.

But conversation about the Bradenton statue has been taking place since before that. Shortly after Snooty, Manatee County’s animal mascot, died at South Florida Museum, Anthony Pusateri began a petition that went viral calling for the Confederate memorial in front of the courthouse to be replaced with a monument to the late mammal. “I knew we had a Confederate monument and it seemed very out of place,” Pusateri says. “It’s not about tearing it down or destroying it, but about relocating it to a better, more appropriate location and replacing it with something people could get behind besides a political or social agenda.”

But veterans in the area say it’s a mistake to conflate a memorial to soldiers to any political cause. Rich Swier, who previously organized veterans to support the Unconditional Surrender statue staying in Downtown Sarasota, says the Bradenton monument is about soldiers, not a cause. “These men were brothers, fathers and sons. They fought against one another, believing what they thought was right,” Swier says. “In my opinion, the right side won.” To take down historic monuments, though, is akin to what many communist dictators have done, Swier says, noting that on a recent trip he took to Cuba you couldn’t find statues that predated the revolution in 1959. 

[Recognition]  SRQ Media Wins Two Charlie Awards

SRQ Media (SRQ) has won two coveted 2017 Charlie Awards from the Florida Magazine Association. SRQ’s Explore Paradise: Bradenton Gulf Coast Islands Travel Journal won the 2017 Charlie Award for Best Custom Publication and SRQ Magazine | Live Local. Love Local  won the 2017 Charlie Award for Best Overall Design. The Charlie Awards, sponsored annually by the Florida Magazine Association (FMA), recognize publishing excellence in the state of Florida and represent the pinnacle of achievement in Florida magazine publishing. Winners were announced at the Charlie Gala on August 11, 2017 at The Ritz-Carlton in Naples, FL. 

SRQ Media

[Recognition]  Bentley Named to Best Lawyers In America 2018

Morgan R. Bentley, managing partner in the commercial litigation law firm Bentley & Bruning was recently selected by his peers for inclusion in the 24th edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his work in Litigation - Real Estate. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become largely regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. For the 2018 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, 7.4 million votes were analyzed, which resulted in more than 58,000 leading lawyers being included in the new edition. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, nor can lawyers nominate themselves; therefore, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers "the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice." 

Bentley & Bruning

[Recognition]  Workforce Education Scholarship Program Graduates Six

Since 2011, Goodwill Manasota and The McKay Academy—formerly known as Ave Maria Preparatory School—have partnered on the Workforce Education Scholarship Program. Program participants are Goodwill Manasota employees with disabilities who wish to earn a high school diploma while working. This past week, six students—Johana Contreras Calderon, Selina Frazier, Irma Orona, Timothy Swart, Mario Tomlinson and Eureka Wiley—graduated from the program. The length of time it takes to complete the Workforce Education Program depends on how many high school credits the student already has; however, the average commitment is approximately two years. The students meet twice a week, once at the Goodwill Corporate Campus in Bradenton and once at The McKay Academy campus in Myakka City. The program offers small class sizes, enabling students to benefit from more personal attention from instructors. It is free to all participants thanks to the Florida Department of Education, which covers the cost of books and tuition. Approximately 50 have participated in Goodwill’s Workforce Education Program since its inception in 2011; to date, 30 have graduated. 

Goodwill Manasota



"Where Time Goes #2" by Frank Bibbins. Art Uptown Gallery.

[TODAY]  THEATER: Random Acts: Hold My Beer , August 18 – August 19

Sarasota’s Guerrilla Theatre Troupe is back to spread mayhem, laughs and decrease property values. Not for the kiddies or faint of heart. Lots of adult language, adult situations and really bad limericks! If you are easily offended…you will be.

Pinkerton, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice

[TODAY]  THEATER: Classic Movies at the Opera House , August 18 – September 22

Sarasota Opera announces an expansion of their “HD at the Movie House” series entitled “Classic Moves at the Opera House.”. This inaugural series will consist of five movies ranging in years from 1935-1972 beginning Friday, August 18th and run through September 22nd. Sarasota Opera will join forces with The Circus Arts Conservatory on August 18th for the opening showing of Cecil B. DeMille’s “The Greatest Show on Earth” re-creating some of the circus magic that was seen around the theater at the original Sarasota premiere of the film on January 31, 1952. Tickets for this new series are only $10 and all showings will begin at 7:30pm.

Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236

[WEEKEND]  GRAB BAG: Comedy night benefits Rotary Futures College Resource Center , August 19, 5:30 – 10 p.m.

TheRotary Futures College Resource Center, a community-based nonprofit resource center that provides free post-secondary planning services to Venice-area students, is hostingComedy Night, its biggest fundraiser of the year. This year, the always sold-out event will feature hilarity from stand-up comedian Tim Wilkins, who has entertained millions in legendary venues ranging from Radio City Music Hall and chow halls in Afghanistan to colleges, casinos and cruise ships. An extensive silent auction will also be open.

Plantation Golf & Country Club, 500 Rockley Blvd., Venice

[WEEKEND]  THEATER: Stephen Ditchfield presents Through the Years , August 20 – August 27

A highly accomplished bass/baritone soloist, Stephen is acclaimed for being the consummate performer, whether on stage before thousands, or in the intimate atmosphere of a cabaret. He has been entertaining and inspiring audiences for over 30 years and has recently been recognized as “one of the finest baritone voices in America today.” Join him for an afternoon of incredible variety.

Pinkerton, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice

[SOON]  THEATER: Mammoth Bones , August 22 – August 27, 7:30pm and 2pm

Directed by Connie Schindewolf, this play is about Robert who is suffering from depression and anxiety. When he finds a mammoth bone in his yard, he starts to hear the sound of ancient mammoths, leaving him wondering whether he is communicating with spirits of the past or is his medication playing tricks with his mind? Single tickets are $15. 

The Players Centre for Performing Arts, 838 N Tamiami Trail

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: ROAR! The Music of the 1920s and Beyond , August 22 – September 24

Featuring classics from the Jazz Age songbook made famous by the likes of Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, Helen Morgan, Ruth Etting, Al Jolson, and more. Join as Carole Bufford travels back to a time where flappers, vamps and sheiks were shimmying in gin joints as a whirl of great social and political change happened all around them. For more information and to purchase tickets please visit www.floridastudiotheatre.org

Florida Studio Theatre , 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  GALA: United Way Suncoasts Sarasota Area Campaign Kickoff , August 24, 11:30-1:00pm

Join the celebration as United Way Suncoast kick-off another exciting campaign year and challenge yourself to achieve even more for our community. Enjoy inspiring speakers over lunch while you network with problem-solvers and game-changers like you.  Be sure to invite friends and coworkers who care about taking action and making a difference.  When we work together, we can win the fight.  Because TOGETHER, we are the UNITED Way. Tickets are $30/person or $300/table of 10.  For more information or to register, call Shelle Austin at (941) 328-6973.

Michael’s On East, 1223 S Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL

[SOON]  THEATER: Melissa Cripps presents Turning Point , August 24 – August 25

Songs from Broadway to Hollywood. Selections from Sondheim, Kander and Ebb, Cole Porter, and many others. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Breast Cancer Research.

Pinkerton, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: Jah Movement Reggae Band at Van Wezels Friday Fest , August 25, 5pm

Jah Movement Reggae Band return to the Van Wezel’s FREE outdoor concert series Friday Fest bringing their infectious groove to the bay for the second year in a row on Friday, August 25th. Winners of Creative Loafing’s 2016 ‘Best Local Reggae Band’, Jah Movement feature a glorifying sound where individual talents of each member come together. Highlighting the talented ensemble is vocalist Shantel Norman, hometown hero, who will be celebrating her birthday with this Friday Fest party. Adding their own touch of R&B, soul and funk to some of the best live reggae music, it’s always a surprise to see which popular songs they will pull out of the box at the show. 

Van Wezel, 777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  GALLERY: Painting Tropical Birds of Florida , August 25 – August 27

Join us in the Jungle Gardens for quick sketching of the tropical birds of Florida from life. Using these sketches, artists will then return to the studio to create paintings of life energy and vibrant colors. 

Southern Atellier , 7226 21st St. E., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Kim Kollar presents BABS! Badass Broads of Song , August 26 – August 27

VT’s own “BAB” Kim Kollar pays tribute to some of the best female vocalists of all time. She’ll be belting her face off to songs such as “Before the Parade Passes By,” “I Miss the Mountains,” “Worst Pies In London,” and many more!

Pinkerton, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: The Sixth Annual ChalkFest , August 26

For the sixth year in a row, Englewood’s ChalkFest will transform the Dearborn Street sidewalk into an oversized canvas for chalk-art masterpieces. Professional artist demonstrations include the creation of atrompe l’oeil –or visual illusion—work of art by Johan Bjurman, a noted classically trained painter. This day of discovery will also feature fun prizes and a people’s choice award. The ChalkFest is free and sponsored by the Englewood Art Center, a division of Ringling College of Art and Design, and is presented by the Pioneer Days Committee as part of Englewood’s popular Pioneer Days festival. 

Englewood Art Center and the Pioneer Days Committee

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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