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SRQ DAILY Feb 11, 2016

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Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning

"It's a total de-pantsing of the theater industry."

- Brendan Ragan, Urbanite Theatre
 

[Theater]  Taking Flight at the Urbanite
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Urbanite Theatre continues its latest season with a production of Stupid F%#*ing Bird, the irreverent and comedic reinterpretation of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull from award-winning playwright Aaron Posner. Directed by Vincent Carlson-Brown and starring Joseph McGranaghan, Cindy de la Cruz, Zak Wilson and Urbanite co-founder and co-artistic director Summer Dawn Wallace among the seven-person cast, Stupid F%#*ing Bird maintains Urbanite’s devotion to mature programming, but with a lighter edge for some in-season fun.

“It is a total de-pantsing of the theater industry,” said Brendan Ragan, Urbanite co-founder and co-artistic director. With dual storylines addressing generational conflict and expectation and love in the world of high art—as an idealistic director clashes with tradition and a young actress vies with an aging star for the affections of another—the result is something Ragan describes as self-aware and self-deprecating amidst its honesty. It’s a send-up and tongue-in-cheek in its way, “but beyond that, it’s a really funny and touching play.”

Bringing in Carlson-Brown to direct the production was a no-brainer for the theater, having recently worked with him for the sold-out and award-winning Isaac’s Eye this past summer. A veteran of Nebraska Shakespeare and armed with “a killer sense of humor,” Ragan had no doubts about the director’s ability to juggle the dark and the light, the pathos and the humor. And don’t worry if you’re unfamiliar with the Chekhov story. “You might get a couple extra chuckles,” said Ragan, “but it’s a love story gone awry and who can’t relate to that?”

Opening this Friday, but with showings already sold out across the board, Ragan and Wallace added two new shows just yesterday, giving latecomers another shot at catching Stupid F%#*ing Bird before it flies away. Noted Ragan, looking at this second year in his and Wallace’s great adventure, “the upward progression hasn’t waned.” 

Pictured: Joe McGranaghan. Photo by Brendan Ragan.

[Opening]  Shaw Supports Kahwa by Pouring Morning Joe
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Mayor Willie Shaw could be found Wednesday morning prepping drinks at Sarasota’s newest coffee shop. Kahwa Coffee, a St. Petersburg coffee roaster opening its first location in Sarasota, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony early Wednesday and Shaw participated with some behind-the-counter service as well. “I know the technique for a latte or a Stephanie’s Special or a regular coffee,” he joked afterward. On a more earnest note, Shaw said the opening of the cafe was the latest sign that business in Downtown Sarasota continues to thrive. “It shows there is enough for everybody in the way of enterprises,” he said.

The environment was enough to attract company owners Sarah and Raphael Perrier to open here. The Sarasota location extends the reach of Kahwa as far beyond St. Petersburg as it has ever gone, and Raphael said the growth in the area makes that move possible. “It’s about the whole atmosphere,” he said. And Kahwa has enough of a local following of Sarasotans sipping the coffee during weekend visits or after commuting to the city that demand was reaching a fever pitch. Routinely, the Kahwa team heard requests to open in Sarasota.

Sarah expects the brand to do well. Kahwa roasts its own coffee, mixing flavors from South and Central America and from India into custom brews. “We have a specific taste that no one else has,” she said. Opening up within blocks of other local and corporate coffee shops, the Kahwa owners remain confident in their product. And located next to a rising residential development on Second Street, they expect many new locals will make Kahwa a favorite stop each day.  

Photo by Wyatt Kostygan

[Recognition]  LeBell Honored by State Broadcasters

The Broadcasters Club of Florida will honor June LeBell, the first female announcer on a major commercial classical music station in the nation, with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. LeBell hosts her own series, “June LeBell’s Musical Conversations,” on Public Radio’s WSMR in Sarasota and Tampa, and for 30 years was a staff announcer, host and producer of numerous award-winning series with sponsors that included IBM, Restaurant Associates, ITT Corporation and several airlines on WQXR in New York City.  

Broadcasters Club of Florida

[Synergy]  Benjamin Moore, Sarasota Paint Open Concept

National retailer Benjamin Moore tapped Sarasota Paint Company to create a new concept store, the first of its kind in the United States.The initiative is called "Benjamin Moore Store of the Future." It’s based on extensive surveys to determine how to best serve client needs. Sarasota Paint Company unveiled the store on 12th Street in Sarasota. Renovations include an improved color selection area, new color chip display and enhanced lighting to help customers make design level decisions. 

Benjamin Moore

[Real Estate]  LBK Home Sells for $6.4M

A Gulf-front home on Longboat Key sold for $6.2 million after being on the market for just over three months.The Gulf of Mexico property was listed by Tom Delaney of the St. Armands Circle office of Michael Saunders & Company for $6.395 million.  It was sold by Bruce Myer of Coldwell Banker. Built in 2011, the 5,264-square-foot home includes a grand two-story living room, gourmet kitchen, study and private master suite on the main floor; and a second master suite, two terraces and three guest suites on the second level.   

Michael Saunders & Company

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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