SRQ DAILY Jan 3, 2020
Friday Weekend Edition
"We will continue to invest in our state's infrastructure to help attract new businesses and create opportunities for residents."
The new Sarasota Museum of Art can be difficult to describe. It’s eclectic yet organized, playful yet serious, historic yet modern, a figurative playground for adults and a literal playground for children. And on the second floor of the museum is an exhibition of work from an artist that captures the magic of another paradox: trash and beauty.
Brazilian artist Vik Muniz, best known for his use of rubbish to create striking images, has the entire second floor to himself, with art that highlights his fluency in subverting traditional modes of beauty with unconventional objects. Muniz’s photo collection titled Pictures of Garbage showcases the work he produced while he was filmed for the award-winning documentary, Waste Land. In the film, Muniz, whose work often carries the weight of social activism and community engagement, worked with trash pickers who prowl the world’s largest landfill in his native Brazil to create works that capture the impoverished lives of these catadores. The collection features photographs of collages made from found objects that capture the essence of each trash picker.
To help capture some of that essence, Muniz collaborated with each individual catador, and the result are images of breathtaking humanity and unexpected beauty. The image featured above, titled Atlas (Carlão), shows a dark-skinned man carrying a ball of trash above his head. His body appears almost as an outgrowth of the trash he carries, a clear statement on his lot in life and the resources unavailable to him. And yet, with a stoic expression on his face, the image also communicates a certain grace with which he carries himself in spite of his underprivileged life. Another portrait shows a mother with two children, their faces more suggestive of need. When viewed up close, the discarded tires and pieces of fabric that form the background seem incongruous with the sanctity of the mother, making the viewer want to reach in and help.
Fortunately, owing largely to Muniz’s commercial and critical success, the profits from the images were able to provide funding for community works for the impoverished trash pickers. And, as guests pour into the newly opened museum, the collection will help bring more awareness to the plight of these unsung heroes. The galleries are open six days a week and closed on Tuesdays. 
Photo by Andrew Fabian, This close-up of ‘Atlas (Carlão)’ shows the stoicism and grace of its subject, a catador from Jardim Gramacho landfill outside of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty has appointed Budge Huskey as the company’s chief executive officer, which will take effect today. The appointment follows a three-year succession plan first announced when he joined the brokerage as president in 2016. Huskey will oversee all of the operations and growth strategies of the $5 billion real estate company, a leading affiliate in the Sotheby’s International Realty® network ranked as the 34th largest real estate brokerage company in the country. He succeeds Judy Green, who led the organization through a decade of significant expansion and who remains a shareholder in the company serving in an advisory capacity. “It is truly an honor to lead such a renowned firm of more than 1,200 top professionals representing real estate’s most iconic brand," says Budge Huskey, CEO of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. "We will ensure our company’s continued growth while nurturing the unique culture and elevated standards which serve as the foundation of our success.” A well-respected leader in the residential real estate and franchising industries, Huskey previously led the Coldwell Banker brand as president and CEO before electing to return to Florida and the brokerage business. During his esteemed career, he has been ranked among the top 10 in the annual Swanepoel Power 200 report, as well as frequently appearing on the Inman list of Most Influential People in Real Estate.
Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced more than $5.2 million in funding for infrastructure projects in small and rural Florida communities. The funds are administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) through the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant - Economic Development category (CDBG-ED) and the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF). “I am pleased to announce more than $5.2 million is being awarded to small and rural Florida communities to improve infrastructure,” said Governor DeSantis. “We will continue to invest in our state's infrastructure to help attract new businesses and create opportunities for residents.” The Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and DEO. The Rural Infrastructure Fund, administered by DEO, provides funding to local governments for infrastructure projects in rural communities to encourage job creation and business investment, and to strengthen and diversify rural economies. The small and rural communities receiving funds include the City of Palmetto in Manatee County among other Florida cities.
The City of Palmetto – ($1,500,000, CDBG-ED) to install public infrastructure including street, water, sewer and stormwater improvements to support the construction of the Palmetto Sheraton Hotel adjacent to the Bradenton Convention Center. This project is expected to create a minimum of 43 new, full-time jobs.
“Governor DeSantis is focused on making strategic investments in small and rural communities,” said Ken Lawson, Executive Director of DEO. “The Community Development Block Grant and Rural Infrastructure Funds are available to help communities that need it the most. These programs provide communities with the funding they need to make major infrastructure improvements, allowing them to set the stage for future development and economic resiliency.”
As millions of people embark on their 2020 New Year’s Resolutions, Sarasota Memorial’s HealthFit renewed one of its own. The HealthFit - Powered by Sarasota Memorial announced today that it achieved re-certification as a Medical Fitness Facility by the Medical Fitness Association. HealthFit remains the certified facility in Sarasota, and one of just two in the state. The SMH facility was the first in the state to achieve the certification in late 2016. It was effective for three years. To retain the designation, facilities must pass a rigorous recertification process, including an on-site inspection of its medically supervised exercise programs and review of its outcomes. “The re-certification represents an ongoing commitment to provide the safest and most effective environment to help individuals achieve their personal health and fitness goals,” said Kayla Murphy, manager of Sarasota Memorial’s HealthFit center on Clark Road. “This achievement can only be achieved because of the strong commitment from our staff, quality feedback from our members, and exceptional support from leadership. We are proud to have been able to demonstrate to the surveyors the strong sense of community that we have cultivated for our members, and the high quality programming we have developed to meet our community’s needs.” Only 40 facilities nationwide have earned certification from the MFA.
“As the incidence of chronic disease continues to rise, the need for more medically supervised outcomes and accountability-based Exercise is Medicine programs has never been more relevant in our industry than today,” said Robert Boone, FACHE, FMFA, President and CEO of the Medical Fitness Association. “It is clear that moving towards a population health prevention model of care with all its necessary components and guidelines is a herculean task. HealthFit - Powered by Sarasota Memorial has taken an important step towards filling a gap in the current care delivery model.”
Internationally recognized studio, ROBRADY design, added to its list of accolades by winning awards in three categories during this year’s Good Design® program hosted by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. Competing with a record 900 submissions from over 47 countries, Sarasota-based ROBRADY design took top honors in the global design program’s Medical, Sports and Recreation and Interactive Media categories. In the medical category, ROBRADY was recognized for its extensive work on PILL, a smart opioid dispenser that provides physicians and patients with an effective tool for improving compliance and monitoring behavior to combat the national epidemic. The cost-effective PILL solution features a reusable data core that delivers state of the art digital features at a fraction of the actual cost in an effort to “Stop the Start” of Opioid addiction. The Sports and Recreation award acknowledged ROBRADY’s work on the Yamaha 275 jetboat. For the company’s new flagship, ROBRADY combined bold, integrated exterior design elements with ergonomic and versatile luxury appointments such as positionable aft seating and ample interior space. The result will help chart the course for future Yamaha designs. Rounding out the trio was an award in the Interactive Media category, ROBRADY won for its interface design for Medallion Instrumentation Systems. Incorporating input from users and programmers throughout the process insured that the display optimized both functionality and user experiences to create a very clean Human Machine Interface (HMI) experience that reflected the elegance and ease of use of the high-end watercraft.
The Polar Cup, a popular treat from the 1980s & 1990s, has been revived in Bradenton and Sarasota by local entrepreneur Mike Micochero. Micochero and his family will attend local events and schedule appearances throughout the community, introducing a new generation to The Polar Cup. “I fell in love with The Polar Cup as a kid and we would enjoy this treat all of the time - especially after football practices at Southeast High School. I’m proud to bring The Polar Cup back to our community,” said Mike Micochero, The Polar Cup distributor. “The Polar Cup was such a big part of our lives and it’s incredible to hear stories of people introducing their kids and grandkids to their favorite blast from the past.” Along with his wife Diane, son Michael and daughter Cindy, Micochero services local businesses and events. Micochero, a representative with Otis Spunkmeyer and other fundraising products, plans to add appearances by The Polar Cup to prize packages for local schools. Micochero and his family will operate The Polar Cup van throughout Bradenton and Sarasota, with plans to expand the company throughout Southwest Florida. As an authorized distributor, Micochero recently renovated a van and partnered with Speed King Signs of Palmetto to ensure the logo and branding were updated, and reminiscent of the popular vans from past generations. Future plans for The Polar Cup include increasing the fleet size with the possibility of a brick and mortar store - a physical location for The Polar Cup. Current flavors offered include lemon, watermelon, cherry, strawberry, mango, pineapple, pina colada and sour apple.
Concealed and Revealed offers a unique selection of paintings by the artist, along with numerous objects from the Solomon Archive on view for the first time. Syd Solomon (American, 1917-2004) described himself as an “Abstract Impressionist” alluding to the fact that his work infused impressionism into the processes, scale and concepts of Abstract Expressionism. Solomon moved to Sarasota in 1946 with his wife Annie. His was the first work of contemporary art to be collected by The Ringling in 1962. His paintings were greatly influenced by climatic factors and reveal a fascination and concern for Florida’s aquatic environment. Solomon incorporated his experience as a camouflage designer during World War II into his painting. It is not well-known that he was also an accomplished graphic artist, who in his early years designed commercial signage for prominent hotels and businesses in Sarasota. Like his work in camouflage, Solomon’s calligraphic skill was essential to the development of his later gestural abstraction.
Syd Solomon: Concealed and Revealed is presented in partnership with the Estate of Syd Solomon and is accompanied by a 96-page publication with essays by former curator at The Ringling Michael Auping, George S. Bolge, Dr. Gail Levin, and Mike Solomon. The exhibition will include artworks from private collections and The Ringling’s permanent collection.
John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota
Each season, The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast hosts The Perlman Music Program (PMP) Sarasota Winter Residency. Founded by Toby Perlman, and with a world-renowned faculty led by her husband, internationally acclaimed violinist and conductor Itzhak Perlman, PMP augments its seven-week summer school program in Shelter Island each December with a 17-day winter residency, December 21, 2019 - January 4, 2020, in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The residency provides valuable mentoring and performance opportunities for approximately 35 young international string musicians, ages 12-20+, and offers 20+ free and low-cost musical events on the campus of USF Sarasota-Manatee. Each year, the winter residency culminates with the Celebration Concert, January 4, 2020, with Itzhak Perlman conducting the PMP String Orchestra and Patrick Romano leading the PMP Chorus at the Sarasota Opera House.
USF Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 34243
Recent studies suggest that listening to music can reduce stress, elevate mood, relieve pain, and even increase life expectancy. Sarasota Orchestra can help you add music's many powerful benefits into your wellbeing resolutions for the New Year, with five upcoming concerts in January alone. If laughter is the best medicine, then our first concert of 2020 is just what the "Doc" ordered. With live orchestra underscoring the antics of your favorite Looney Tunes characters on screen, Bugs Bunny at the Symphony offers a spectacular fusion of classic animation and classical music in its 30th-anniversary edition. This popular concert has been touring the world with sold-out performances for three decades, and now returns to Sarasota Orchestra in a newly-revised 30th Anniversary Edition. This critically-acclaimed production projects the world's most iconic Looney Tunes on the big screen, while the orchestra plays the classically-infused original scores live! From "What's Opera, Doc?" and "The Rabbit of Seville," to "Baton Bunny," "Corny Concerto," "Rhapsody Rabbit," and "Long-Haired Hare," don't miss the brilliant cartoons that first introduced classical music to much of the American public. Plus five brand new animated shorts, newly-created by the Warner Bros. animators in celebration of Bugs Bunny's 80th Birthday in 2020.Don't forget about our $9 youth ticket pricing to get the whole family in on a joyous kick-off to a musical New Year.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, 777 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning (SILL) is preparing for its 49th year of extremely popular global issues lectures and musical conversations. In 2020, these programs will begin in January and continue through the end of March. Speakers of global issues lectures are well-known, highly experienced experts, and guests on musical conversations are internationally renowned musicians, singers, and performers. SILL is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization. In its 49th season, its programs will include 96 lectures and musical conversations presented in Sarasota, Venice, and Lakewood Ranch. SILL audiences mostly consist of highly educated and intellectually curious seniors living on the Suncoast year-round or during winter months. SILL also simulcasts some of its lectures to selected senior communities. Last year, attendance at SILL events exceeded 40,000. Single tickets to SILL events are only $10 at the door when available, and a season ticket for 12 same-day lectures cost just $85, which represents substantial savings. For program schedules, venues, speaker bios, and ordering season tickets visit sillsarasota.org
First United Methodist Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave.
Dabbert Gallery presents the exhibition "Local Color, Florida Style" to open at the First Firday Gallery Walk on Friday, January 3, 2020 and continues through January 31, 2020. Featuring six of the gallery's Florida artists including Arnold Desmarais, Martin Dunn, Bill Farnsworth, James Griffin, Joe Palmerio and Luke Steadman. Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 5pm.
Dabbert Gallery, 46 S. Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL
The Hospital Gala has raised more than $2.2 million to benefit Sarasota Memorial Hospital ER/Trauma Services and Cardiac Services. This year, proceeds will support Cancer Services to help the SMH cancer care team deliver the best life-saving care for you, your loved ones and those in our community.
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, 1111 Ritz Carlton Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236
The Key Chorale Chamber singers will present their fourth installment in their American Roots series January 11-12 with American Roots: Grassical. The 7-member DePue Brothers Band joins the singers in a program from the hills of Appalachia to progressive bluegrass sounds of today. These classical violin virtuosos, with blazing bluegrass chops, have pioneered the term “grassical,” a vivid blend of bluegrass, gypsy, and jazz. They have been the subject of a PBS documentary, named “Musical Family of America” by presidential decree and released 3 acclaimed CDs. Experience a one-of-a-kind program taking our popular bluegrass concert onto a new set of tracks. “This concert has become such an audience favorite that it is a challenge to keep raising the bar,” said Maestro Caulkins. “By adding such a polished ensemble like the DePue Brothers Band, along with brand new charts written especially for this concert, I am certain this will be an unforgettable experience.” Hear contemporary and old-time bluegrass from the Wailin’ Jennys, Emmylou Harris and Ricky Skaggs, to Flatts & Scruggs, The Foggy Mountain Boys and the immortal Ralph Stanley. Guest vocalist and audience favorite Madison Spahn, who joined us last year for American Roots: Digging Deeper, will be back again this year.
St. Boniface Episcopal Church (1.12) ; Venice Presbyterian Church (1/12), 5615 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key; 825 The Rialto, Venice
For the past several years, dazzling young bassist Xavier Foley has been thrilling audiences and critics alike with the stunning musical magic he makes with the essential but often overlooked double bass. Foley’s playing makes this largest and lowest member of the string family as important as any solo instrument. The Philadelphia Inquirer calls him a “spectacular player” and one who is “blissfully unaware that dazzling virtuosity is usually someone else’s job.” A native of Marietta, Georgia, Foley was also featured recently on PBS Thirteen’s NYC-ARTs and was named to New York WQXR’s "19 Artists to Watch” list for 2019. He has performed at Carnegie Hall and as a soloist with the Atlanta Symphony and Philadelphia Orchestra, amongst others. Joining Foley will be pianist Kelly Lin, a sought-after accompanist whose groundbreaking collaborations with Foley have dazzled audiences and been hailed by critics for their “agile interplay between piano and bass,” as well as their “radical, riveting reinventions of old classics.” The duo will be performing their critically acclaimed program that includes Foley’s reinvention of Mozart’s Violin Sonata in E Minor, that transposes the violin part to a range comparable to a cello’s; Schubert’s “Arpeggione” Sonata, D 821, which showcases Foley’s vast range, utilizing every bit of the bass’s vast sonic capability; their phantasmagorical take on Glière’s Intermezzo and Tarantella; and original compositions by Foley.
Historic Asolo Theatre, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
Choral Artists of Sarasota continues its 41st season with “Celebrating Sondheim,” Saturday, January 18, 4 pm, at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota. This tribute to Stephen Sondheim, who is celebrating his 90th birthday this year, features his music from such acclaimed Broadway shows as A Little Night Music, Company, Sweeney Todd, and Sunday in the Park with George. Renowned musical theater artists Ann Morrison, Amy Jo Connours, Michaela Ristaino, Ben Pattison, and Matthew Nall will join the 40 singers of Choral Artists of Sarasota in this concert. “In celebrating Sondheim in his 90th year, this performance allows us to present a retrospective of his most iconic works alongside some musical gems that will touch a chord in all of us,” says Joseph Holt, artistic director. “Sondheim has the gift to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.” Tickets are $28 to $45; $5 for students. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.ChoralArtistsSarasota.org or call 941-387-4900. A free Concert Insights event, which offers audiences the opportunity to learn about the artistic director’s insights about the program theme and music—and a chance to meet soloist Ann Morrison —is Tuesday, January 7, 10 am, at Center for Arts and Humanity, 1226 N. Tamiami Trail. The event is free but please register online or by phone as seating is limited.
Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota
Join us for our 3rd Brain Health Matters! Lecture Series: Brain Health & Physical Activity with Dr. John J. Ratey & Dr. Stephanie Peabody. In this presentation, Dr. John J. Ratey from Harvard Medical School and the Brain Health Initiative will show us that moving our bodies has a profound positive effect on the physiological health of our brains. Further, Dr. Ratey will share how physical activity optimizes our brain performance, including our cognitive abilities and emotional wellbeing across the lifespan. We will see how our brains have evolved to help us move, think and understand to successfully face the demands of our environment. We will end with a series of brain healthy recommendations to apply to your own lives. You will learn how exercise stabalizes blod pressure, improves cardiac performance, decreases diabetes risk, boosts the immune system, increases metabolism, improves our ability to think and remember throughout life and reduces risk for Cognitive Decline, Azheimer's Disease and Parkinson's.
Black Box Theatre at The Out-of-Door Academy, 5950 Deer Drive, Lakewood Ranch
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