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SRQ DAILY Nov 3, 2014

Monday Business Edition

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Monday Business Edition

"The success of RIAF 2014 is indicative of Sarasota's growing interest in and enthusiasm for contemporary performance."

- Dwight Currie, The Ringling
 

[Real Estate]  Sarasota Unit Sales

September saw 934 sales, according to the Sarasota Association of Realtors, a near-record. That puts sales for the first three quarters of the year at 8,784, ahead of last year. If a pace of more than 900 sales per month is sustained through the fourth quarter, then the record sales—11,482 from the standout year of 2004—could be exceeded. 

[Culture]  RIAF Sees Attendance Double
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

The Ringling International Arts Festival had nearly double the attendance from 2013, according to figures released by The Ringling, with box office revenues roughly two-and-a-half times that of last year.

"The success of RIAF 2014 is indicative of Sarasota's growing interest in and enthusiasm for contemporary performance," said Dwight Currie, associate director of Exhibitions and Programs for The Ringling Museum. "It is very encouraging as we continue The Ringling's Art of Performance season."

Other figures on this year's RIAF:

•6,804 ticket holders attended the 32 performances of the eight productions

•87 percent capacity attendance

•Sponsorships increased 30 percent

•Bolero Sarasota drew nearly twice the number of anticipated participants (94 vs 50)–12 percent of whom were K-12 students–and was enjoyed by the nearly 900 Opening Night attendees.  Nearly 100 percent of the Bolero Sarasota participants also attended performances of Keigwin and Company.

Intergalactic Nemesis, RIAF's first foray into family-friendly programming,  drew nearly 75 percent capacity attendance—over 8 percent of which were students.

•Box office for The Table necessitated an additional Saturday morning performance.

•91 percent capacity attendance at music programming (Vijay Iyer Trio, Duo Amal, and Pedrito Martinez Group)  represented nearly 40 percent of the total seats filled—a new high for RIAF.

•The balance of the 2014-2015 Art of Performance programming at The Ringling gets much earlier start this year with more music: Cambalache on Nov 7-8 and will continue with New Stages in the winter. 

[Exec Moves]  Lange to Join Science Center as COO
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

The Suncoast Science Center is charging up its roster, and is hiring a new chief operating officer. Christine Meeker Lange, best known locally for her work at Ringling College of Art and Design, said she looks forward to helping the startup change science education in the region. “I am truly honored to be chosen as the first Chief Operating Office of the Suncoast Science Center and am really looking forward to the amazing challenges and opportunities that await me,” Lange said.

Fritz and Ping Faulhaber founded the Suncoast Science Center in April, with Fritz Faulhaber serving as chairman of the board and Ping Faulhaber as executive director. Lange said she was excited to build upon the plans. “The Faulhabers are to be credited for taking the bold move from just talking about STEM education to creating an arts-infused, experiential learning space which I believe will act as a catalyst for change in our school system and beyond. Traditional textbook learning is simply not enough these days. It is critical to infuse left-brain models with right-brain ideals to give students of all ages a much richer environment in which to discover, experiment and play,” said Lange. “I hope to become a vital part of the SSC’s continued development for years to come.”

Lange brings 25 years of experience in media, technology and higher education. As special assistant to the president at Ringling College, she serves as a media spokeswoman for the school and headed up several chief level strategic initiatives, including the recent announcement of plans for a production facility and the 2010 launch of the college’s Filmmaking Studio Lab program. She has also has handled college branding and efforts to launch the Sarasota Museum of Modern Art. 

[Circus]  Wallenda Completes Chicago Wirewalk
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Sarasota daredevil Nik Wallenda completed a high-profile skywalk in Chicago Sunday event, including walking a pass of tightrope between Marina Tower West and East while blindfolded. In a press conference afterward, he credited his faith for his successes.

"My faith plays a key role in every aspect of my life, not just my performance," he said.

The blindfolded part of the event drew the most media attention, but followed a dramatic walk from the Leo Burnett Building at a sharp angle to Marina Tower. That walk was the highest skywalk Wallenda had performed. Wallenda is the most famous member today of the Sarasota-based Wallenda family, known for decades for The Flying Wallendas highwire act.

The stunt was broadcast live on The Discovery Channel as part of the broadcast special Skyscraper Live With Nik Wallenda. Wallenda also conducted pre- and post-event press conferences webcast online. 

[Community]  Ringling College Debuts New Program, Promise to Students
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

It was a day of big announcements at Ringling College’s annual Preview Day, when President Larry Thompson took the stage Saturday afternoon to attack the myth of the starving artist, reveal a new initiative and make one special guarantee to all future Ringling students.

Under a display reading “No More Starving Artists,” Thompson addressed the crowd. Dubbing creativity and design skills “the new oil” of the job market, Thompson argued in favor of pursuing an artistic degree, claiming that these are the skills that lead to innovation and thus are in demand for the foreseeable future.

“Businesses need more artists and designers in order for them to be competitive,” said Thompson, asserting that in a market overrun with similar options, it’s the design that makes the final sale, not the function.

In order to assist Ringling graduates leverage that demand into a career, Thompson unveiled the Collaboratory at Ringling College – a program putting Ringling students in the workspace with real clients, garnering professional experience before entering the job market. Thompson then proceeded to extend a promise to all future Ringling students beginning next year – to guarantee the opportunity to every single student to work with such a client.

Between the new program and the 75,000 employers that visit the campus of Ringling College each year, Thompson hopes to not only end the myth of the starving artist, but also put to bed the rising question of the worth of a college degree.

“Absolutely it’s worth the investment,” said Thompson. “And going to Ringling College is even more worth it.” 

[Opening]  Ringling Colleges Announces Visual Arts Center

Ringling College of Art and Design announced plans to build an approximately 20,000-square-foot Visual Arts Center thanks to a $3 million gift by Ringling College Board of Trustee Dr. Richard Basch and his wife Barbara Basch, a Sarasota Museum of Art board member. The facility is planned to open by the end of 2016. The new Visual Arts Center will be named for the Basches. The focus of the facility will be fine arts, including the study of sculpture, glass, wood and clay, and will include exhibition and gallery space as well as the possibility of studios for studies in fiber, jewelry and metal. The glass facilities will have the capability of both hot glass casting and cold working. 

Ringling College

[Exec Moves]  Fiorica Named SMH Chief of Staff

Sarasota Memorial Hopsital’s medical staff installed its new leaders for 2014–2015, with GYN Oncologist Dr. James Fiorica becoming Sarasota Memorial’s chief of staff effective Nov. 1. He succeeds outgoing chief of staff Anesthesiologist Dr. M. Cindy VonWaldner, whose term ended Oct. 31. As the new chief of staff, Fiorica, who serves as Sarasota Memorial’s medical director of Women’s Cancer Services and practices with Sarasota Memorial’s First Physician’s Group, will serve as the top representative of Sarasota Memorial’s more than 800 medical staff members. A member of SMH’s medical staff since 2004, Fiorica served as chief of staff-elect last year. He completed his medical degree at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. 

Sarasota Memorial Hospital

[Exec Moves]  Pfahler Leading SCF Foundation Board

The State College of Florida Foundation announced its board of directors for the 2014-2015 year, including Presint Chris Pfahler, Vice President Chris Kuhlman and Treasurer Lisa Bristow. Pfahler has served on the SCF Foundation board since 2005 and for the past three years has managed Gulf Coast Community Foundation's STEMSmart initiative. 

State College of Florida Foundation

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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