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SRQ DAILY Apr 15, 2016

Friday Weekend Edition

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Friday Weekend Edition

"I hope the audience walks away with a new appreciation for this music and this era."

- N'Kenge, performer
 

[Music]  Reinventing The Sound of the Sixties
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Singer and Broadway performer N’Kenge (Sondheim on Sondheim, Motown: The Musical) makes her Sarasota debut tonight as she and acclaimed conductor Jack Everly bring the hit show The Beat Goes On to the Van Wezel for a two-day run with the Sarasota Orchestra. Celebrating the songs and sounds of the ‘60s, from the Beatles to the Supremes, The Beat Goes On reimagines the classics with full orchestral arrangement and theatrical flair. “These are the songs that we’ll always be singing,” said N’Kenge, “and to hear these amazing songs with a full orchestra is going to be quite thrilling for all of us.”

Alongside N’Kenge, singers Kristine Reese, Farah Alvin, Max Quinlon, Jim Hogan and Ray Chicas croon and chorus through countless tunes, while Everly and the Sarasota Orchestra trade electric guitars for cellos and violins, throwing in their own medleys here and there. Aretha Franklin has her moment to shine, and even Burt Bacharach gets the spotlight for a bit. With costume changes, a cast of characters and careful staging, it’s as much a theatrical production as it is a concert. Throw in Everly’s running commentary on the artists and music presented onstage, “and the audience is getting not only great music, but educated in a certain way,” said N’Kenge.

This will be the third collaboration on The Beat Goes On between N’Kenge and Everly, who currently serves as Principal Pops Conductor with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and more, though this will be his first performance with the Sarasota Orchestra. “It’s always an honor to work with him,” she said. “He pays so much attention to detail, bringing all the different colors out of these arrangements. I hope the audience walks away with a new appreciation for this music and this era.”

The Beat Goes On opens tonight at 8pm at the Van Wezel with a second show the following evening at the same time. Tickets still available. 

Sarasota Orchestra Box Office

[From The Chef]  Ears for Mother
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Why settle for French toast merely the size of a slice of bread? The Table Creekside shares this recipe, which will be served at a Mother’s Day Brunch event on May 8. If ambitious young chefs want to wake up early and cook this up for mom, read the ingredient list carefully and give yourself enough time.

Ingredients: 2 cups flour; 2 eggs; 2 oz. melted butter; 2 Tbsp. white sugar; 1 tsp. salt; 1 tsp. baked powder; ½ cup water.

Combine all ingredients into a mixing bowl and knead until a soft dough forms. Add flour as needed. Let the dough rest covered in a warm dry area for at least 15 minutes. Cut the dough into 6 equal parts and shape to your liking. Deep fry until golden brown. Top with cinnamon sugar.

Ingredients (for topping): 3 green apples (peeled and cut into wedges); ½ stick of butter; ¾ cup brown sugar; 1 tsp. vanilla extract; 3 Tbsp. orange juice; 1 pinch salt; 1 tsp. ground cinnamon.

In a sauté pan, melt the butter and sugar and allow to caramelize lightly. Add remaining ingredients and sauté for 5 minutes until apples are soft. Place on top of Elephant ear and enjoy! Top with powdered sugar.

Serves six. 

The Table Creekside, 5365 S. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, 941-921-9465.

[Exec Moves]  Neal Communities Hires Gericke

Neal Communities, a Lakewood Ranch-based homebuilder, hired Debbie Gericke as an area sales manager. Gericke brings 30 years of experience in the real estate industry to Neal Communities. She will focus on managing, training and guiding the sales team to achieve yearly goals. During her three decades in real estate, Gericke has overseen more than $1 billion in sales throughout the Southeast. She is originally from Destin. The Neal Communities position brought her to Sarasota. 

Neal Communities

[Opening]  Sculpture Coming to Downtown Roundabout

Embracing Our Differences, a sculpture by Arizona-based sculptor S. Blessing Hancock, is scheduled to be installed in the center of the roundabout at Main Street and Orange Avenue in downtown Sarasota at 6am on Sunday. The stainless steel, 20-foot-tall, site-specific sculpture resembles an infinity symbol and shines with the rainbow colors of the Embracing Our Differences logo, a local organization best known for its annual outdoor art exhibit and educational initiatives promoting diversity. 

Embracing Our Differences

[Dedication]  Children First Names Wing for Aaron

Children First’s Dr. Elaine Marieb Early Learning Center on Wednesday unveiled the newly named Gerri Aaron Educational Wing for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. The Sarasota County Head Start provider named the wing in honor of local philanthropist Gerri Aaron and to thank her for a recent major gift to Children First. As a special part of the ceremony, nearly two dozen five-year-old students attending Children First performed a medley of songs for Aaron and guests.  

Children First

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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