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SRQ DAILY Nov 27, 2018

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"As the biggest advocate in the House for Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida, I can’t tell you how excited I am to chair this committee."

- State Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota
 

[Government]  Gruters Tapped For Commerce, Tourism Commitee
Jacob Ogles

Political discussions about business incentives and tourism marketing dominated discourse in Tallahassee over much of the last two years. Now, Sarasota’s newest state senator will play an outsized role on those issues.

State Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, will serve as chairman of the Florida Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee for the 2019 legislative session. That comes after two years as a state representative fighting leadership in his own party about the topics.

“As the biggest advocate in the House for Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida, I can’t tell you how excited I am to chair this committee,” Gruters said.

Gruters, an ally of outgoing Gov. Rick Scott and the chairman of the Republican Party of Sarasota for the past decade, long stressed job creation as a campaign message. With his new chairmanship, he hopes to make Florida the top state to do business in the nation.

As to how, he’s open to the use of business incentives. “I believe in using every tool in the toolbox,” he said.

But that approach may not find any more traction in the state House under new Speaker Jose Oliva than it did under former Speaker Richard Corcoran.

On the tourism front, Gruters welcomed new Visit Florida numbers on Monday that showed the state remains on track to set a record for number of visitors again this year. Some 95.8 million tourists came to the Sunshine State in the first nine months of 2018.

More will continue to flock to local shores so long as the state supports cultural destinations, something the Sarasota area coincidentally boasts en masse. “Think of how much the economy depends on tourism in Sarasota,” Gruters said. “We have so many cultural gems, and it’s awesome to be able to be their champion in Tallahassee.”

President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, tapped Gruters for the role, so the two share a commitment to the region’s major attractions.

And Gruters said the Sarasota area has a growing number of assets on the way, including a new Mote Aquarium, planned improvements to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and a massive redevelopment of Sarasota’s Bayfront.

“I will be the proudest advocate, along with all my fellow members from the Sarasota delegation,” he said. “We will go up there and do the best job we can.” 

Photo courtesy Florida Senate Majority Office: State Sen. Joe Gruters on the Senate floor after being sworn into office last week.

[ShopTalk]  Sarasota Art & Handmade Home Show
Britt Mattie

Formerly known as The Sarasota Craft Show, the highly anticipated juried show returns to Robarts Arena, November 30 through December 2—continually hailing as southwest Florida’s preeminent destination for discerning collectors, art enthusiasts, interior decorators, designers and homeowners for the past nine years. The vibrant three day event features premier crafts and exceptional works in ceramics, clay, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed-media, decorative fiber, wood, painting, furniture, paintings, digital graphic art, photography and sculpture by more than 100 of the nation’s top artists.

The Sarasota Art & Handmade Home Show is produced by Richard Rothbard and his wife Joanna Rothbard of An American Craftsman Galleries, offering an ever-changing collection of exquisite American-made art objects and unique craft media. "Our artists consider the Sarasota region to be a prime market for their work," says Richard Rothbard. "With that reputation, some of the best artists in the nation, including many from Sarasota’s own arts community, look forward to this show every year." Rothbard notes that the indoor ambience and air-conditioned space of Robarts Arena offers a civilized alternative to hot, sunny crowded outdoor art fairs. “It’s a more personal experience. You can take your time, visit with the artists and start a real conversation about their work,” he says. “Artists can show their work in literally the best light.”

The Rothbards carefully scouted the 100+ artisans for the 2018 show—with several local artists showing up from Clearwater, St. Pete, and everywhere in between to Nokomis and Venice to participate in the exhibit this year. Local highlights include Su Griggs’ compelling sculptures, Scott Causey’s high gloss ceramics, Tom Ruthz’s pet portrait paintings, Joan Michelin’s wearable fiber art, Malik Sanjib’s 3D experiential mixed-media, John Grammer’s metal wall-hangings of Florida sealife, Vicki Rollo’s blown glass and beaded indie jewelry and Parker Converse’s wood rocking chair creations. To which Richard and Joanna Rothbard mention, “We are always excited to see the high caliber of work being produced by the participating artists from this area."

For more information about the show or to save by buying your tickets in advance for this weekend, visit the link here. 

Photos provided by An American Craftsman.

[Education]  Goodwin Named Chair of Sarasota County School Board

Members of the Sarasota County School Board have elected Jane Goodwin as chair at its annual reorganization meeting. Goodwin will serve a one-year term ending in November 2019. Caroline Zucker was elected vice chair and will also serve a one-year term. Goodwin was elected to the Sarasota County School Board in 2010. She also serves on the board of the Florida School Music Association, is chair of the Florida School Board Association’s Legislative Committee, secretary treasurer of the Florida Consortium of School Boards, is a board member of the Venice Regional Bayfront Hospital and a board member of the Venice Performing Arts Center. Goodwin is a former teacher and her two grandchildren attend Sarasota public schools. 

Sarasota County Schools

[Philanthropy]  Devine Joins Barancik Foundation as Communications and Learning Officer

The Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation has announced the hiring of Murray Devine for the newly created position of Communications and Learning Officer. Previously with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Devine will direct the Barancik Foundation’s communications strategy, publicize the impact and institutional learnings of Foundation grants and initiatives, and consult with local nonprofits on effectively demonstrating stories of impact created through Foundation support. Devine previously served as the manager of communications and marketing at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County since 2014. He is a member of Leadership Florida Connect Class IX and a vice president on the Board of the Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida PR Association. 

Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation

[Philanthropy]  Sarasota Orchestra Receives GCCF Arts Appreciation Grant

The Sarasota Orchestra has been awarded a ­­­­­$50,000 Arts Appreciation grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation. The Sarasota Orchestra’s mission is to engage, educate and enrich the community through high-quality, live musical experiences. The grant will supporthet the Sarasota Orchestra’s 2018-2019 70th anniversary season. The grant also supports Sarasota Orchestra's extensive education programs for our three surrounding counties. Approximately 325 students participate in eight ensembles comprising the Sarasota Youth Orchestras, the three-week Summer Music Camp provides music education to an additional 225 students and nearly 10,000 area fourth and fifth graders utilize a yearlong curriculum guide in conjunction with a live orchestral performance of the Young Person’s Concerts. 

Sarasota Orchestra

[Real Estate]  Pinheiro Joins RE/MAX Alliance Group Sarasota Office

Realtor Isabel Pinheiro has joined RE/MAX Alliance Group as sales associate in the Sarasota office. She is also a RE/MAX agent in Canada, where for 15 years she helped clients buy and sell their homes, and advised them on how to build wealth through real estate. Pinheiro is a consistent member of the RE/MAX Diamond Club and Hall of Fame, awarded to top-producing agents, and is a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. She is accredited by the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing and holds the Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) designations. Pinheiro continues to serve as the co-team leader for the Bailey Group based out of Ontario, Canada, ranked #24 among RE/MAX offices worldwide, and, prior to her real estate career, owned a top travel agency in that area. 

RE/MAX Alliance Group



[TODAY]  THEATER: A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder , November 7 – January 13

Monty Navarro may be distant heir to the family fortune, but there are several deadly ways to jump the line of succession. Along the way, Monty has to juggle his mistress, his fiancée and the constant threat of landing behind bars. It will all be worth it if he can slay his way to his inheritance… and be done in time for tea.

Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota.

[TODAY]  GALLERY: National Sumi-E Society , October 30 – November 30

Celebrating the Japanese art of ink wash painting, also called Sumi-e, this exhibition brings art from around the country to Bradenton for a show dedicated to the delicacy, beauty and history of the medium. Spanning across all three galleries, this is another flagship exhibition for one of Bradenton’s leading art centers.

ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St. W, Bradenton.

[TODAY]  THEATER: South Pacific , October 26 – December 2

This beloved musical, winner of 10 Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, is set in the South Pacific during World War II and follows two parallel love stories that face prejudice and war. Both a social commentary of the time and a favorite for hopeless romantics, this musical includes classics such as “Bali Ha’i,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” and “Some Enchanted Evening.”


Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave. W, Venice

[TODAY]  MUSEUM: Coco Fusco: Twilight , October 14 – February 17

A solo exhibition presenting recent video projects by internationally acclaimed writer and interdisciplinary artist Coco Fusco. Works explore the current political and social climate in Cuba as the Revolution enters its twilight years. Fusco will be premiering her lasted video project currently in production. This newest project, made possible by her 2016 Greenfield commission at the Hermitage Artist Retreat, is a short video-essay on contemporary Cuba that reflects on the anxieties emerging as the country faces an uncertain future. Fusco will also be unveiling a new sculpture on The Ringling’s grounds.

The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota.

[TODAY]  THEATER: The Music Man , November 17 – December 29

The winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, this American institution with its one-of-a-kind score features fast-talking salesman Harold Hill, who brings trouble to River City, Iowa when he cons the townspeople into buying instruments for an imaginary band—but his plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when his heart is stolen by the town librarian. Tony Awarded-nominated Jeff Calhoun directs.

Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota.

[SOON]  THEATER: Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul , November 28 – January 13

After several years of requests from theater patrons, Sheldon Rhoden will reprise the role of Marvin Gaye. This original show begins in the 1950s at the start of Gaye's career with Motown and follows its twists and turns until his untimely death in the mid-1980s.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 North Orange Ave., Sarasota.

[SOON]  THEATER: Guitar Girls , November 28 – March 31

A celebration of female singer-songwriters who have used their music to give themselves a voice in contemporary America. Artists like Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin, and Carly Simon have made indelible marks on the music industry.

Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  GALLERY: Cycle 2: Art Center Instructors, McMennamy and Gatzambide , November 29 – January 4

Art Center Instructors exhibition will feature the talented local and visiting Art Center Sarasota instructors. A second gallery will offer Stephen McMennamy, an Atlanta-based artist, his first solo exhibition featuring his time-based video collages. Artist Peter Gatzambide will exhibit a recent series of assemblage paintings and works on paper in his first solo exhibition at Art Center Sarasota.

Art Center Sarasota, 707 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota.

[SOON]  BUSINESS: SB2 presents Philanthropic Agenda , November 29, 11:00am - 1:00pm

The SRQ Philanthropy Agenda luncheon and panel discussion will explore the dynamic and ever changing world of non-profits. What's trending, who's innovating, why are donor-advised funds growing so rapidly and what exactly are donors looking for? The luncheon will culminate with the SRQ Gives Good program at which we will honor the Non-Profit Innovation in Philanthropy Award and the Local Philanthropy Hero Award honoring individuals who have meaningfully impacted our community for good in the past year.


The Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  THEATER: Elf- The Musical , November 29 – December 16

Santa Claus narrates the story of Buddy, who was raised at the North Pole. Prior to Christmas, Buddy learns he’s human, not an elf. He convinces Santa to let him return to New York City to find his real father. He finds his father (who’s on the naughty list) and a step brother who doesn’t believe in Santa. Buddy decides it’s up to him to bring back the spirit of Christmas to his family and all of New York.

Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave W, Bradenton

[SOON]  DANCE: Raphael Xavier: Point of Interest , November 30 – December 1, 7:30PM

Crackling with his signature bravado and high-energy physicality, Raphael Xavier shares the stage with a multigenerational cast, performing a series of solos, duets and quintets in his newest work, featuring a soundscape of beats, spoken word poetry and musical rhythms. 

Distilling the art of break dancing to its purest form, Raphael Xavier takes this movement vocabulary to uncharted territory. Point of Interest ventures into the "mature" space for hip-hop dance, following the standard of traditional Breaking aesthetics while pushing the boundaries of a culture and dance form commonly associated with youth. 

The Ringling

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Perfect Pairs , November 30 – December 3

Ward Stare leads Sarasota Orchestra in a program pairing exquisite French music with rich German orchestral fare. Twin sisters Christina and Michelle Naughton provide double the drama in Poulenc’s Concerto for Two Pianos, while Ravel’s masterwork appropriately uses the word “delicious” in its subtitle. Mozart’s music from Thamos, King of Egypt is a rarely heard delight and German Romantic giant Richard Strauss’ operatic suite concludes the program in an explosion of orchestral virtuosity.


Sarasota Orchestra, 709 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: The Nutcracker , December 1

In the season opening, the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School presents a production of this timeless classic alongside Tchaikovsky’s much-loved score. Travel through this fanciful world and dance along with the sugar plum fairies, as Clara and her Nutcracker Prince journey into the whimsical Kingdom of Sweets.

Sarasota Opera House , 61 North Pineapple Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: Bradenton Blues Festival , December 1

This sixth annual festival features a stellar lineup of top blues musicians, including Welch-Ledbetter Connection, Mr.Sipp, Shakura S’Aida, Chris Cain, Harper & Midwest Kind, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Kelley Hunt, & Trey Wanvig in between sets. Food, drinks and merchandise will be available for purchase on this beautiful riverfront setting.

Bradenton Riverwalk Event Pavilion, 452 3rd Ave. W, Bradenton

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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