In spite of the sci-fi genre’s vast assortment of intelligent, speculative and character-driven works in print, its flagship stories all seem to feature CGI-laden spaceship battles on the silver screen that are impossible to adapt for the stage. “Theatre is much more powerful when it’s heavy with metaphor,” says Jason Cannon of FST, “and it can be difficult to suspend belief for a typical sci-fi story.” So, when he was scouring scripts for the eccentric programming of FST’s Stage III series, he was pleasantly surprised when he came across “The Nether” by Jennifer Haley, a sci-fi police procedural that evokes some of Philip K. Dick’s more ominous themes.

Like HBO’s Westworld, the play explores the way digital lives can serve as surrogates for darker impulses, allowing people to indulge in revolting activities—rape, pedophilia and murder in this case—with no real-world repercussions. The ethical questions are timely, and this, coupled with the virtual world in which the play’s action takes place, is part of the reason Cannon was so excited to pick the play up for FST. “The play takes place in a digitized fantasy version of an 1880’s Gothic revival house,” he says, “so we’re still in a sci-fi world but it’s a recognizable, impressionistic version of our past, so it feels entirely plausible.” But it was not just the feasibility of the set design and the relevance of the themes that intrigued Cannon.

To say that he reads a lot of screenplays in his search for envelope-pushing productions for FST’s Stage III would be a gross understatement. He has become adept at seeing where a story goes before it actually gets there, but The Nether bucked this trend. “On first read, this play surprised me four times with some twists and ideas,” he said, something that has delighted audiences even if some of the play’s themes have made them uncomfortable. “We’re not in the business of shocking just for the sake of shock,” says Cannon, “but Stage III is definitely for the adventurous theatre-goer.” 

The twists and turns in this psychological thriller can be experienced at FST through February 9th. 

Photo taken by Matthew Holler

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Brazilian babe and mixologist of liquid wax, Bia Antunes, launched her artisan candle-making company in August to bring strong, yet sensual scents that infuse vegan ingredients, pure essential oils and all-natural soy to create a non-toxic blend, sans parabens and phthalate. Upon intently hand-pouring each blend into a chic, amber glass jar in her Sarasota studio, Bia's creations ensure a clean, even and slow burn once match meets wick. 

Bia Candle Co. uncapped its inaugural scent, Jasmine Magnolia, an herbaceous floral aroma made with freesia, ylang-ylang and gardenia, before releasing the ethereal Amber Santal scent, a creamy, woodsy whiff made with vanilla bean orchid and sandalwood. Soon after, came Wash Away My Sins, a purifying wave of Gulf coast elements like sea salt, white wood and ozone (the "clean" smell, in particular after a heavy thunderstorm). Newly-launched 2020 scents, recently announced by Bia, include Smokin’ Cowboy, “an aromatic alchemy of Tuscan leather, blue iris, violet, cedar and sandalwood,” she says. “This cowboy will blow your mind.” Don’t worry gentleman, this is considered a unisex fragrance to light up any pad. And coming February 13, Bia will launch her newest scent, Honeydew Me, a combination of honeydew melon, watermelon, sparkling mineral water and lady apple peel. “Watery and fruity, fresh yet sweet,” she says. “It's a beautiful scent, perfect for gifting and enjoying for Valentine's Day.” 

The launch will take place at Bia Candle Co. studio, from 10:00 am — 5:00 pm, at 1316 Central Ave. in the Rosemary District. Bia will be offering six of her other gold-cap creations to choose from that day as well. Any questions, please text 941-787-0898. 

Otherwise, find Bia Candle Co.’s intensely scented and addicting candles at local retailers such as The Sarasota Home Collection, Molly’s Boutique, Art of Living Collective, Suna Salon, Creekside Trader and The Yoga Shack (Sarasota and LWR).  

Photo courtesy of Bia Antunes.

Shop Bia Candle Co.

Don’t miss An Evening with Michael Feinstein Singing Gershwin – live at the Van Wezel on Thursday, February 20 at 8 pm. Why sing Gershwin? The widow of legendary concert pianist-actor Oscar Levant introduced Michael Feinstein to Ira Gershwin in July of 1977. Feinstein became Gershwin’s assistant for six years, which earned him access to numerous unpublished Gershwin songs, many of which he has since performed and recorded. Gershwin’s influence provided a solid base upon which Feinstein evolved into a captivating performer, composer and arranger of his own original music. Feinstein has had the opportunity to work and be inspired by a plethora of note-worthy figures. He has written songs with Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Lindy Robbins, Bob Merrill, Dr. Maya Angelou and Marshall Barer. Feinstein interviewed and performed alongside music luminaries such as Bette Midler, Neil Sedaka, Liza Minnelli, Rickie Lee Jones, David Hyde Pierce and more. Tickets are $37-$77. Purchase tickets at www.VanWezel.org, the Box Office or by calling 941-263-6799. Pre-show dining is available at Mattison’s at the Van Wezel located in the theater and can be reserved at www.VanWezel.org or through the Box Office.   

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The New College of Florida Art Department is pleased to present the 2020 Juried Student Art Exhibition, February 3 - March 13 at the Isermann Gallery. Students draw upon a range of academic influences, inspiring compelling and varied artworks that explore meaning through diverse modes of production. This year’s exhibition celebrates the most outstanding levels of creative achievement from the past academic year and features 25 artists and 32 works of art ranging from traditional to kinetic sculpture, painting, drawing, digital media, sound and animation. 

A reception and awards ceremony for the artists is scheduled for Thursday, February 6, 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Awards and juror’s talk will be presented at 5:30 pm. This year’s juror is Nathan Skiles, Professor of Art at Ringling College of Art and Design. Skiles' recent exhibitions include Skyway at the Tampa Museum of Art, Will The Circle Be Unbroken at the Center for Arts and Culture at the University of Notre Dame, The Clockmaker’s Apprentice, The Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton, NJ; Black Forest / White Lightning, Sloan Fine Art, New York, NY; Welcome to Tartarus, Welcome to Valhalla, Greene Contemporary, New York, NY.

The event is free and open to the public. The gallery is open Monday to Friday, noon-5:00 pm. 

The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce announces Cameron Decker as the artist to perform at the 2020 Annual Dinner. Cameron, a local musician, will be representing the Tampa Bay Area later this year when competing in Blind Auditions for NBC’s Emmy Award-winning​ show, The Voice. Cameron began playing the Saxophone at age 10. He then performed in Sonny LaRossa’s America’s Youngest Jazz Band then continued playing music in the Ruth Eckerd Hall Teen Jazz Band.​ He continues to perform professionally at venues throughout the Tampa Bay and Sarasota Area. The 2020 Annual Dinner: BIRDS EYE VIEW will be held on Thursday, February 6 at the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort (5500 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach).

Cost to attend this year's Annual Dinner is $70 per Member or $75 per future member. Tickets include a plated dinner, entrance into the local business expo, a discussion from influential leaders in Pinellas County, the live performance from Cameron Decker and more. Tables are available for purchase. To sign up, visit www.tampabaybeaches.com 

For more information or to register for this event

Kim Galway, executive producer of Victory Journey, is making strides in the Bradenton/Sarasota community to fulfill the promise she made to her grandfather, World War II Canadian Veteran George G. Blackburn. In interviews on At the Movies with Gus Mollasis, Galway and co-producer David Taylor, share ways in which individuals and companies in the community can sponsor, donate and be a part of Galway’s retracing of the deployment route taken by her Grandfather and Allied soldiers concentrated on NW Europe. Galway and the crew will stand where her Grandfather stood on May 8, 1945 on German soil, in time for VE Day’s 75th Anniversary on May 8, 2020. In writing three books about his experience in combat, George G. Blackburn’s hope was that his grandchildren and future generations would not soon forget the sacrifices made by the allied troops, the struggles they faced and the battles they fought in World War II. Over the past year, Galway has recruited a small team of local filmmakers who share her passion for WWII, and the important timeless message Victory Journey sends. Currently in pre- production, the crew is seeking community support to help make this documentary a reality.  

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Are you looking for a unique art experience in Sarasota? Chasen Galleries announced the grand opening of their second location, at the Westfield Mall (Siesta Key) Chasen Galleries II will offer the comfort of an art gallery with the exclusivity of visiting an artist's studio. Chasen Galleries is a contemporary fine art gallery representing artists, glass artisans, and sculptors from around the world. Since 1983, they have offered a diverse array of styles and techniques, as well as personalized services dedicated to pairing clients with the perfect work of art for their home or space. Whether a new collector or a connoisseur, Chasen Galleries has work to fit all budgets and tastes. The official Grand Opening of Chasen Galleries II will be at the Westfield Mall (Siesta Key) on Friday, January 31.

To RSVP call the gallery at 941-260-5787 

To RSVP to the Chasen Galleries II grand opening