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SRQ DAILY Apr 24, 2019

Wednesday Philanthropy Edition

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Wednesday Philanthropy Edition

"The origin of the authentic India message is what we wanted to show."

- Jay Patel, A Journey Through India
 

[Festival]  Experience A Journey Through India at The Ringling Museum
Tricia Robustelli

Explore one of Southeast Asia’s varied treasures with A Journey Through India, an upcoming festival at the Ringling Museum, celebrating Indian performance, food, music and art. For more than a year, Jay Patel and the rest of the Ringling Museum planning committee have been working hard to prepare, trying to incorporate as much of the widely diverse culture as possible. Running from April 26 to 28, the three-day festival begins with a Bollywood party on Friday, lectures and performances all throughout Saturday and a yoga wind-down on Sunday.

On the evening of April 26, The Bollywood Dance Party kicks off the festival in the Ringling Museum courtyard. DJ Pram brings his high-energy style to teach dance moves while scenes from classic Bollywood films show around the courtyard. Rajat “Rocky” Batta, a Bollywood choreographer, will present a special dance performance.

The following day consists of a day-long program, Celebration of India, and speaks on Indian art, literature, philosophy and popular culture. “That's where the tradition comes in,” Patel says. “The origin of the authentic India message is what we wanted to show.” The series of performances on Saturday from 10am to 3pm marks Patel’s favorite portion because it, “portrays the traditional Indian culture,” he says. Also, there will be dance performances by community groups, art-making and other activities for families.

A special Saturday evening concert held at the Historic Asolo Theater, featuring Ustad Shujaat Khan, showcases the North Indian classical music that has been heard through famous artists from the past, influencing even the biggest bands in the world. “George Harrison from The Beatles was very interested in the sitar,” says Patel, “and teamed up with a well-known player.” This type of instrument was used to influence The Beatles’ music, songs like  "Norwegian Wood,” "Tomorrow Never Knows” and "Love You To" has sitar influences throughout their melodies. The sitar will be performed by Shujaat Khan, accompanied on tabla by Shankh Lahiri and Dibyarka Chatterjee.

The final day of the festival is Hatha Yoga. This free event takes place at the Ca' d'Zan Terrace early in the morning. Taught by an Isha Foundation yogi, the event wraps up in a relaxing manner.

Patel sees a different side of India shining through the festival. He explains how many don’t know what India is about. “It is a lot more diverse and interesting,” Patel says. Overall, he wants people to know, “more about India then what they know.“ 

Pictured: Ustad Shujaat Khan will be playing the sitar at a special concert at The Ringling Museum this weekend. Photo courtesy of Ringling Museum.

[Education]  Once Upon a Time in Southside Elementary
Brittany Mattie, brittany.mattie@srqme.com

Select students from Southside Elementary School celebrated storybook endings on Monday, April 22 at their Fractured Fairy Tales book party in Mrs. Waite’s class. The celebration culminated a year-long collaborative partnership with a select fourth grade class, as well as the Youth Experiencing Art (YEA!) program and three volunteer Ringling College art and graphic design students.  “I’m a full-force believer of meshing the literary world with the art world,” she says. “Art integration is so paramount in helping kids connect in a course they may struggle with academically—it allows them to blossom and flourish.”

As part of a special immersive literature unit she’s been doing for 13 years now, Mrs. Waite intermingles all the stages and elements of making a storybook. “It’s really an in-depth project to take that same storyline of a fairytale you’ve read, and escape it to add your own twist on it—that’s the fractured part of the fairytale,” she explains. Upon deciding which fairytale concept the kids wanted to lean off of, they created a new setting, new characters, new scenes and wrote a whole new “cool and imaginative” storyline. After lots of revisions, editing and typing them into a computer to make them shine, the Ringling College artists came in for the art integration portion. They worked with the fourth graders to paint each of their illustration title pages, accompanied by a lesson of background, middle ground and foreground watercolor painting. Student photography, digital animation and other visual graphics were added also, as part of the artful immersion learning to create each story's character.

Parents, media, representatives from the YEA! Program, fellow Southside educators, including Principal Jennifer Nzeza, plus Jahkori Dopwell Hall, JT Chen and Yanglu He—the three volunteer Ringling College students—all filled Mrs. Waite’s classroom along with the anxious fourth graders excited for the publication’s reveal. As Mrs. Waite walked around to each student and placed the book face-down on their desks, Ringling’s Director of Student Volunteers & Service Learning Rachel Levey-Baker thanked the fourth graders for teaching the college students a little something as well, “This experience for them is very much a learning experience, and they all feed off of your creativity,” she says. “They’re taking the knowledge they have as college art students, and just that process of having to teach it to you helps them learn as well and makes them better artists.”

With lots of exciting chatter, the kids were ready to flip over their end product. Once Mrs. Waite gave the “1, 2, 3, Reveal!”, a high-pitched unison, “Woah!” filled the classroom. Each story unfolded in glossy printed pages and encapsulated with a fun book cover, designed by Dopwell Hall—integrating characters from each fairy tale and showcasing them into a fun collage. “I like how they made it like a 3D background,” says fourth grader Alexis Dempsey. “It made all our characters come to life.”

The students each received a copy of their published class book and celebrated at the end with a cake-filled “author signing party.” Meanwhile Principal Nzeza announced to the room, “It's one of those outside-the-box curriculums that are so unique,” she says. “This is what they’re going to remember. This is something they’re going to be able to hold in their hands 10-20 years from now. They’ll be able to say, ‘Oh gosh, remember when we did this in Mrs. Waite’s class?!’ I just think it’s so special.” 

Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

[Philanthropy]  Lighthouse of Manasota Announces New Brand, Logo

Lighthouse of Manasota, a nonprofit organization that provides no-cost rehabilitation training and education to the blind and visually impaired in the region, has announced its new name and unveiled its new logo. The organization will now be known as Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center. Lighthouse has served the community for nearly 34 years. In recent years, stakeholder feedback indicated that the organization was not telling its story well enough. Additionally, its name no longer accurately represented its geographic region—which has grown to encompass five counties—and its logo appeared outdated. Wordslinger Marketing & PR spearheaded the rebranding and Rough & Ready Media designed the new logo. The new logo uses a font that is more friendly to the visually impaired, incorporates Braille letters and was designed using two shades of blue, a color that studies indicate is representative of hope. The organization also has a new tagline: “Hope and Empowerment for the Visually Impaired.” The New web address is below. 

Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center

[Philanthropy]  Team Tony Cancer Foundation Hires Deam as Support Program Coordinator

The Team Tony Cancer Foundation, a Sarasota-based nonprofit organization that provides free peer-to-peer cancer support and resources to cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers in the local community, recently hired Kelly Deam as its support program coordinator. Deam brings more than 16 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector to her position, and will oversee the peer-to-peer mentor and medical grant assistance programs and other project management tasks at the growing nonprofit. Past positions include manager of quality assurance and volunteers for Cardinal Ritter Senior Services, director of development and alumni relations for the American Youth Foundation and development director for Boys Hope Girls Hope and Friends of Kids with Cancer.

Deam and other staff members from the Team Tony Cancer Foundation will work out of the nonprofit’s new headquarters located at 3562 South Osprey Ave. in Sarasota. Called the Cancer Connection Center (C3), the coffee-shop-style concept that provides a safe, warm, supportive and welcoming environment designed to deliver peer-to-peer support, create a sense of belonging and provide free resources and educational opportunities to enhance the well-being of those impacted by cancer. 

Team Tony Cancer Foundation

[Philanthropy]  Sueiro Named Boys & Girls Clubs 2019 Florida Youth of the Year

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America Youth of the Year program has celebrated the inspirational stories of outstanding teens across the nation since 1947, and recognizes members who demonstrate strong leadership and service skills, as well as academic excellence and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle. Earlier this year, 18-year-old Riverview High School Senior Leonela Tase Sueiro secured the local 2019 Youth of the Year title for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County. And this month, Sueiro was selected as the 2019 Florida Youth of the Year.
Sueiro will advance to the Southeast Youth of the Year Celebration at the Georgia Aquarium on June 18 in Atlanta, GA. If she wins the 2019 Southeast Youth of the Year title, she will then go on to the National Youth of the Year Celebration in September at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. The national winner will become a role model, ambassador and spokesperson for 4 million Boys & Girls Clubs members across the United States, receive academic scholarships and have opportunities for life-changing experiences. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County

[Philanthropy]  Junior League Grant Supports Florida Center for Early Childhood

The Junior League of Sarasota County has donated $5,000 to the Florida Center for Early Childhood to outfit visitation rooms where children in the welfare system can visit parents and receive counseling from mental health professionals, transforming the rooms from a clinical setting into home-like spaces that are conducive for therapy sessions. The rooms, which were outfitted with comfortable furniture, soothing décor and toys for play therapy, are a crucial part of the Florida Center’s Early Childhood Court (ECC) Program.

ECC is a specialized, team-based approach that helps infants and toddlers find a stable, permanent home more quickly than in traditional court proceedings, so they don’t miss out on important relationship-building milestones. Research shows nurturing relationships are critical for a child’s healthy development. 

The Florida Center for Early Childhood manages the ECC program locally, in conjunction with Sarasota Family YMCA/Safe Children Coalition. ECC specialized intervention teams include a Case Manager, Infant Mental Health Therapist and Family Support Worker. Each ECC team can serve up to 20 children and their families. There are currently three ECC teams in Sarasota and Manatee counties. 

Florida Center for Early Childhood

[Philanthropy]  Forty Carrots Receives Grant for Braden River Library PIP Programs

Forty Carrots Family Center has been awarded a $6,000 grant from the Eugene F. and Elizabeth Hull Fund, Weichel Family Fund and Anonymous Donors of Manatee Community Foundation for its Partners in Play (PIP) parenting education summer program at the Braden River Library.

This program is designed to strengthen the bond between parents, caregivers and children (ages 0-5) by offering a safe, developmentally appropriate and creative play experience, guided by Forty Carrots’ professional parenting educators, at no cost to the participants. These research-based groups encourage both play and relationship building, which is at the heart of this program.  Since January 2018, Forty Carrots has served 533 unduplicated clients at Braden River, many returning week after week, and demand for groups consistently exceeds capacity.

Braden River Library is one of 15 library locations throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties where the PIP programs are offered, serving more than 2,500 clients annually at no cost. 

Forty Carrots Family Center



[TODAY]  PERFORMANCE: Sailor Circus 70th Anniversary Spring Show , April 18 – April 27

These performances will be held for two weekends Thursday, April 18-Saturday, April 20 and Thursday, April 25 – Saturday, April 27. To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Spring show.

Sailor Circus , 2075 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota

[TODAY]  THEATER: The Cake in the Cook Theatre , April 5 – April 28

Faith, family and frosting collide in this heartfelt new comedy. Thirty-something Jen wants her deceased mother’s best friend Della, a struggling baker, to create her wedding cake. She returns from New York with her betrothed to her North Carolina hometown and finds that Della will honor her wish, until she discovers that there are two brides. Moral quandaries and lots of butter collide in this new play told with generosity, humor, and more than a few surprises.

Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[TODAY]  SCIENCE AND NATURE: Gauguin's Voyage to Paradise , February 10 – June 30

Just as Paul Gauguin left an indelible mark on the post-Impressionist art world, the deep impact of botanical imagery on his work cannot be denied. This exhibition will highlight the essential role of botanicals in achieving the artist’s vision of the savage, primitive and exotic. Together with lush displays of tropical plants in the conservatory and gardens, the show will feature dramatic woodcuts and rarely seen works in other mediums by the artist.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 900 South Palm Ave., Sarasota

[TODAY]  THEATER: Wednesday's Child , April 3 – May 24

A world premiere from Mark St Germain, when a young surrogate mother is found dead, a police investigation explodes the lives of everyone who knew her. As Detective aleece Valez and Walt Dixon begin to put the pieces together, secrets surface, alibis weaken, and lies are uncovered. This dramatic new play explores motherhood, passion, and the thin line between right and wrong.

Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota

[TODAY]  THEATER: Love Sung in the Key of Aretha , March 13 – April 28

Four women musically review their life experiences as told through the songs made famous by the late and legendary “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin. Join to pay tribute to one of America’s most iconic voices in this joyful appreciation of Aretha’s music and its impact on our lives.

Westcoast Black Theatre Mainstage, 1646 10th Way., Sarasota

[SOON]  GALA: An Emerald Evening , April 25

Join NAMI Sarasota County for an evening to raise awareness and support youth and family mental health programs in our community. The event will include dinner catered by Michael's on East, open bar, live auction, and music and entertainment by the one and only Jonathan Cortez.

Michael's On East Ballroom, 1212 East Avenue, Sarasota

[SOON]  HEALTH: Relay For Life Of Venice , April 26 – April 27, 7:00pm - 7:00am

The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is the world’s largest movement to end cancer. Money raised from Relay For Life helps the American Cancer Society save lives by funding ground breaking research to discover cancer’s causes and cures and help people facing cancer today with free programs and services. People form teams and raise money together leading up to the event. Then, everyone comes together for a night of fun that celebrates cancer survivors, remembers loved ones lost to cancer, and unites us in our commitment to fight back against the disease.

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: A Journey Through India , April 26 – April 28

Created in collaboration with local community partners, the festival will celebrate the performing and visual arts, literature, flavors and thought of historical and contemporary India. Friday, April 26, the festival will kick off with a Bollywood dance party in the Museum of Art Courtyard. Saturday, April 27, look forward to a day-long program of cultural exploration, including a series of lectures from scholars speaking on various aspects of Indian culture; music and dance performances by community groups; art-making and other activities for families; and a market featuring local food and artisan vendors. Sunday, the Festival culminates with a free, celebratory morning Hatha yoga event on the Ca’ d’Zan terrace.

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: Bazaar Birthday Bash , May 1

Celebrate The Bazaar’s one year birthday with live music by Kaleidogroove, free beer from JDub’s, smoothies from Cha Cha Coconuts and cupcakes from Bad Girls Baking Co-Op. Also find art demos, great shopping, food truck and more surprises.

[SOON]  BUSINESS: Hear Me Roar Women in Business Leadership and Awards Luncheon , May 2, 10:30am-1pm

Join us for the 2019 Hear Me Roar Awards and Leadership Luncheon taking place on Thursday, May 2, 2019 from 10:30am to 1pm at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota in Sarasota. Every year, this incredibly powerful event features a nationally-recognized keynote speaker, a noted luminary who has made a significant impact in their field and the announcement of the winners of this year’s 2019 Women in Business Competition. We are thrilled to announce this year's Keynote Speaker Geralyn Lucas, author, breast cancer survivor and inspirational speaker and this year's 2019 Trailblazer Award Recipient, Journalist and Civil Rights Activist Dorothy Butler Gilliam. Stories collected over the course of the past year's Women in Business initiative will be shared along with the announcement of the 2019 inductees into the Women in Business Leadership Circle who will engage in the science and art and mentorship through regional programming aimed to empower women—from 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th-grade girls in Sarasota and Manatee counties to professionals looking to expand their capacity for leadership. Tickets online through March 25.

Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Evolving/Revolving , May 2 – May 5

"Evolving/Revolving" is becoming SCD's annual homage to the 'upbringing' of Sarasota Contemporary Dance. The final performance of the season will be comprised of diverse, new works by past company collaborators and/or dancers as well as works brought back by popular demand. This year's production will feature Gerri Houlihan, Pamela Pietro, and an aerial work by SCD Co-Founder, Rachael Inman.

Jane B. Cook Theatre, FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Phoebe Hunt and the Gatherers , May 2

Named one of the ‘Top 10 New Country Artists you Need to Know’ by Rolling Stone Country, Phoebe Hunt is an accomplished Americana instrumentalist with foundations in jazz and swing music.  Phoebe is skilled at taking seemingly disparate elements and pulling them together in a dazzling kaleidoscope of lush, coherent sound and rhythm patterns. The result is music that swells, crashes, and breathes organically under Phoebe’s soulful, plaintive voice.

Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center , 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Plena Adentro , May 4

Plena’s origins can be traced back to the changes in society caused by Puerto Rico’s transfer from Spanish to U.S. rule, and the abolition of slavery which caused displaced colonial sugar cane workers to seek economic opportunities in the growing cities of the island. While it is important to study Plena given the popularity of its folkloric style, it is equally as important because it is a living tradition that is still an active part of Puerto Rico today, marking important occasions in the lives of our people, from birth to death, and even street protests.

Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center , 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Sweeney Todd- The Demon Barber of Fleet Street , May 4 – June 1

This murder and revenge in 19th Century London has shocked audiences. Unjustly imprisoned for 15 years, barber Sweeney Todd returns to take his revenge on the judge who took him from his family. When he partners with Mrs. Lovett and opens a barber practice above her meat pie ship, Todd’s need for vengeance increases. Their notoriety soars until Todd comes face to face with the judge. This thrilling theatrical treat is Sondheim at his very best.

Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Tomorrow's Voices Today , May 5

Witness a choral festival incorporating more than 200 singers of all ages. Maestro Caulkins inspires music-making at the highest levels, planting seeds that will ripen throughout students’ lives with an eclectic program from classics to contemporary. Key Chorale’s 6th annual collaboration with the Sarasota County Schools will feature Pine View, Venice and North Port High School choirs performing separately and alongside Key Chorale.

Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Venice

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: An Afternoon of Operetta , May 12

Two centuries after the beginnings of operetta - a form of opera with light music and subject matter - it continues to delight audiences worldwide. Our production showcases the work of favorite composers Gilbert & Sullivan, Franz von Suppe' and Jacques Offenbach. Revel in the glorious melodies featurning soloists, chorus and instrumentalists.

Sarasota Opera HOuse , 61 NOrth Pineapple Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  HEALTH: Relay for Life Sarasota , May 18

The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is the world’s largest movement to end cancer. Money raised from Relay For Life helps the American Cancer Society save lives by funding ground breaking research to discover cancer’s causes and cures and help people facing cancer today with free programs and services. People form teams and raise money together leading up to the event. Then, everyone comes together for a night of fun that celebrates cancer survivors, remembers loved ones lost to cancer, and unites us in our commitment to fight back against the disease.

Van Wezel , 777 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL

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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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