For the second year in a row, local non-profit Perlman Music Program/Suncoast is providing young musicians from Sarasota and Manatee counties and across the state of Florida a chance to live the symphony experience and perform under the direction of internationally renowned violinist and composer Itzhak Perlman, whose varied work includes performing at President Obama’s 2008 inauguration and popular projects such as the score for Schindler’s List.

A separate entity but working closely with the Perlman Music Program (PMP) in New York, a summer residency for up-and-coming concert musicians, PMP/Suncoast organizes auditions and workshops for local violinists and violists aged 8-18 who want to bring their musicianship to the next level in a collaborative project with the PMP Sarasota Winter Residency. Dubbed the PMP/Suncoast Super Strings, the young artists’ experience culminates in a performance with the PMP String Orchestra and Perlman himself at the Sarasota Opera House in January.

“It’s like a masterclass setting but it’s really supposed to be an inspirational experience, not a scary one,” said PMP/Suncoast executive director Elizabeth Power. “We try to make it as accessible and friendly as possible.”

Qualifying auditions begin tomorrow at Venice High School where Venice Symphony director and conductor Kenneth Bowermeister will lead a panel of judges overseeing the first of more than 50 applicants from across the state. Prospective members will perform the first movement of Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor, while the judges watch and listen with an ear for tone, rhythm, technique, tempo and memorization. The second round of auditions, performing the part of the second violin (but open to violists for the first time this year), will take place the following Saturday.

All who qualify will be allowed into the program, attending two workshops and readying themselves for the big performance. And thanks to the generosity of PMP/Suncoast partner USF Sarasota-Manatee and this year’s accommodations from Venice High, the entire experience is free of charge for the young musicians.

“I had a great experience. It’s a great opportunity for kids to perform and Itzhak Perlman is one of my favorite performers,” said Sommer Altier, a 10th grader at Booker High who was a member of last year’s Super Strings and is auditioning again this year. “It was a time to grow for me and I had a great time learning from all the instructors and meeting Itzhak Perlman was amazing. I’m happy that they’re doing it. Everyone really took something from the program.”

“The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast is all about inspiring the next generation of concert artists, educators and audiences,” said PMP/Suncoast executive director Elizabeth Power, who views the enrichment of the community as the greater good and purpose of the program, in addition to the individual benefits accrued by participants.. “How exciting is it to have that young musician out there in the audience, who maybe isn’t quite ready for Super Strings, but might strive to be in the future? Having that little extra inspiration can be highly rewarding.”

Auditions will be held at USF Sarasota-Manatee tomorrow and Sept. 13, and the final performance with Perlman will take place on Jan. 2 at the Sarasota Opera House. 

Drop by Gulf Gate’s Scandinavian Gifts to discover a colorful smorgasbord of all things Nordic. Owner Pamela Stepsky artfully adorns her shop with candles, clogs and crystal, making aisle perusals feel like charming strolls through Stockholm streets. Iconic moose and brown bears notoriously “graze” you with their presence, wandering across fine linens and Christmas ornaments alike. You can’t help but love the corner of Anna’s Thins, Lars’ Own Ginger Snaps, and Grandpa Lundquist Glogg all gathered like a long lost family.

Filled with both frivolous and functional finds, Stepsky’s store embraces everything “Scandi.” Eco-friendly Swedish dishcloths are a top-seller as they clean green with their playful motifs. Don’t be fooled by the wild strawberries, these kitchen cuties are tougher than they look. Machine washable, fully compostable and able to absorb 15 times their weight, this clean-up crew is scrub-a-dubstepping their way to being the new Swedish House Mafia.  

Scandinavan Goods, 2166 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota

Scandinavian Goods

The clarion call of the sea brings many a fisherman to Southwest Florida, but what you do with the one that didn't get away once you get back home?  Sarasota Florida Fishing offers recipes to consumers, including this delightful bluefish dish.

Picked Bluefish, Herring Style

Ingredients: 3 cups bluefish chunks, 1 large onion, thinly sliced, 1 heaping tablespoon pickling spice. For Marinade: 1-1/4 cup white or wine vinegar, ½ cup sugar, 2 tablespoons salt

Fillet bluefish. Remove all skin and dark meat. Wash fillets thoroughly before cutting them into bite size chunks.

Mix bluefish, onion and pickling spice in jar. Stir together ingredients for marinade and pour into jar.  Fill to the brim. Close jar and store in refrigerator for one week, remembering to shake the jar once a  day to allow the spices to blend evenly. Before eating I add sourer cream.

Sarasota Florida Fishing

NFM Lending is pleased to announce the opening of a new branch in Sarasota. The branch is located near the intersection of Fruitville Road and Honore Avenue. The NFM Lending branch will focus its lending platform throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties and the surrounding areas. NFM Lending offers Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, FNMA, Jumbo and many other loan options. The Sarasota branch currently has openings for qualified Mortgage Loan Originators for full and part-time positions. The branch’s goal is to continue to partner with realtors in marketing services and borrower education efforts, and to grow the branch to service the needs of the surrounding community. 

NFM Lending

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota named Mandy Schuerman as the head coach of the SCF Manatees women’s softball team. She will assume her position Sept. 8. Schuerman most recently was an Exceptional Student Education teacher in physical science and chemistry and head coach of the women’s softball team at Bloomingdale High School in Valrico. Her experience at the college level includes serving as the assistant coach and pitching coach at Florida International University in Miami and assistant softball coach and health science adjunct professor at Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C.  

State College of Florida

Next-Mark, a full-service marketing agency in Sarasota, today announced the appointment of Caroline Early as its strategic communications manager. At Next-Mark, Caroline’s primary focus is to manage public relations, oversee brand strategy and develop social media content for clients. Early previously served as the public relations specialist for Voalte, a healthcare technology company headquartered in Sarasota. Originally hailing from the Midwest, Early received her master’s degree in public relations from Syracuse University before relocating to Florida to pursue a career in strategic communications. 

Next-Mark

As the Official Wine Sponsor for the SRQ Bal Masqué event, Bijou Café's Master Mixologists will be celebrating by creating a special signature cocktail, the "The Bijou Bal Masqué Bellini," for sale in the Gossip's Bar on October 4 alongside delicious fare from Bijou's extensive menu. Bijou's creation will be a twist on the classic Italian Bellini cocktail - a sparkling concoction of pureed peaches and bubbly created in the 1930's by Giuseppe Cipriani, founder of Harry's Bar in Venice, Italy. Named for it's unique pink color, The Bellini reminded Cipriani of the toga of a saint in a painting by 15th-century Venetian artist Giovanni Bellini. This traditional Italian creation is the perfect way to kick off the Venetian infused evening. So on October 4, before Bal Masqué starts at 8pm, head over to The Bijou Café across from the Sarasota Opera House for a festive happy hour starting at 5pm to enjoy a swill of sparkling peachy bubbly and a menu of delights. 

Get Tickets To Bal Masqu�