SRQ DAILY May 4, 2018
Friday Weekend Edition
"My dreams came true; this is reflected in my work."
As a sculptor, Jorge Blanco has been creating for 40 years. Working in powder-coated aluminum, large-scale and small, with his trademark whimsy and vibrant palette, he’s shown across the world, and collections of his work can be found on four continents. Galleries have mounted solo shows dedicated to Blanco from Venezuela to Italy, and even just down the road in Miami. “But never here,” he says, of his adopted hometown of Sarasota, where he’s lived for near 20 years. There have been plenty of group shows, and Blanco’s sculptures can be found around town, but never showing on their own. Now, with the opening of Solo Blanco at Alfstad& Contemporary last week, Blanco has the gallery to himself and couldn’t be happier.
Showing more than 15 pieces within Alfstad&, ranging from the handheld Mini Fire Fish to the 14-foot-tall Zephyrus nearly scraping the ceiling, Solo Blanco provides viewers with a broad initiation to Blanco’s world. Abstract or figurative, character-focused or object-oriented, functional or purely decorative, a jaunt around the gallery floor affords contact with several different aspects of the artist’s work. From sliced carrots to deconstructed fish to a bright yellow bench (from Blanco’s backyard), each hints at more in the wings, unseen for now but perhaps waiting in Blanco’s workshop. And for those curious as to process, a short video looping in the back room of the gallery offers a bit of insight.
“This is wonderful,” says Blanco, surveying the show. “And, for me, this is a great gallery.” From the architecture to the modern gallery aesthetic and lighting—not to mention sheer space available—it all seems to click. And for the artist whose Runners have graced Tamiami Trail for years now, their melon heads peeking out from the median underbrush as cars whoosh by, Solo Blanco represents a little belated recognition. “Sometimes I feel people know nothing about my work,” says Blanco. “So this is a new opportunity to me.”
In addition to Blanco’s sculptural work, the show features 12 original watercolors from the artist’s days as a celebrated cartoonist and creator of El Naufraga, or The Castaway. Premiering in the Venezuelean newspaper, El Diario de Caracas, in 1980, The Castaway became a national sensation, and when Blanco moved to Sarasota near 20 years later, he brought the character with him, publishing for a time in City Tempo, a precursor to SRQ magazine. On May 15, the gallery will release a limited edition series of prints for each image, with Blanco available to sign any purchased.
Solo Blanco runs at Alfstad& Contemporary through May 19. And with a record-breaking opening last week that saw more than 500 people flocking to the gallery for the artist’s first solo show, the question looms large—what took so long? “I’m curious too,” jokes Blanco. 
Pictured: "Mina" by Jorge Blanco. Photo courtesy of Alfstad& Contemporary.
Sarasota County now has a transportation plan in place to assist residents with getting to a hurricane evacuation center if they do not have a means of transportation or cannot drive themselves. The plan will provide Sarasota County residents and their pets with transportation to a general population hurricane evacuation center. This program is only activated when an emergency has been declared in Sarasota County and evacuation centers are open. Transportation will be offered at designated rally points throughout the county, although rally points may change depending on the severity of a storm. To utilize the program, residents must complete a registration form. Residents who pre-register will receive an automated telephone message with information about the location of rally points and pick-up times. The transportation plan is part of Sarasota County's ongoing efforts to improve services following the completion of the Hurricane Irma After Action Report, which was led by former Federal Emergency Management Administrator Craig Fugate.
Sarasota-based behavioral and mental health specialists, Comprehensive MedPsych Systems (CMPS), has announced its acquisition by Refresh Mental Health, a Jacksonville Beach, FL company comprised of mental health companies throughout the United States. CMPS was established in 1998 by Dr. Geoffrey Kanter, a double board-certified adult and pediatric neuropsychologist and Executive Director of the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology. The group now is joined with a rapidly growing company comprised of mental health, addiction and eating disorder companies in over 10 states with more than 500 clinicians including psychiatrists as well as psychologists, neuropsychologists and Master’s level providers. Locally, CMPS has offices in Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Venice and Port Charlotte. The CMPS name and brand will continue and Dr. Kanter will remain President of CMPS and will be responsible for its operations and future growth in Florida and the surrounding regions.
PetSuites of America has recently begun construction on a 20,000-square-foot pet-care facility featuring pools, kitty play areas, big dog and little dog play yards, overnight boarding, grooming and more, located at 5205 53rd Ave. E in Bradenton. Upon opening, PetSuites will be hiring 10 full-time and 14 part-time Bradenton pet lovers at the 14,000-square foot building. The building will also feature an adjacent 7,000 feet of additional outdoor yard space, including two pools for use in every dog’s favorite activity, daily play time. PetSuites has consistently put a strong focus on socialization and play, offering group play for pups who like to play with others and individual play time for the pups who need special attention. They also will have special kitty areas including cat play areas, cat-loving staff and kitty cuddle time.
Christina Charlotte recently joined J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp., a Venice-based commercial construction company owned by her father, Jeff Charlotte, as the company’s new office manager. In her new role, Christina Charlotte will provide project administrative support and manage the accounts payable and receivable operations to ensure the construction company continues its high-level service to clients, subcontractors and vendors. Prior to joining J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp., Christina Charlotte served in several customer service positions, including the front desk agent for a hotel, an administrative assistant at a private beach club and an event coordinator and the general manager’s assistant at a local nonprofit. After spending several years working in the hospitality industry, she chose to make the career change to commercial construction.
Hu Dost combines genres of neo-folk and world-rock in their eccentric tunes. The duo consists of Moksha Sommer and Jemal Wade Hines. Their music has a genuine quality that evokes both tears and laughter among listeners. Opening the show is the Hot Club SRQ duo, Kevin Aland and Jon McLaughlin.
Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota.
We will end our Finding Maestro Season in spectacular fashion as acclaimed violin soloist and former concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic, Glenn Dicterow, performs John Williamsʼ themes from Far and Away and Schindlerʼs List. The program also features classics from Oscar-winners Henry Mancini, Jerry Goldsmith and Ennio Morricone.
Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Sarasota.
Join us for SRQ Magazine's SALSA DE MAYO FESTIVAL on Saturday, May 5, 2018 from 10:30-1pm outside at Morton’s Market in Southside Village, Sarasota. Local chefs are invitied to create an interpretive gourmet salsa to compete for the title of Best Handcrafted Salsa. Attended by food enthusiasts, families and neighbors, Salsa de Mayo showcases innovative creations from fire-roasted poblano salsas to shrimp salsa ceviches! Join us to celebrate the magazine's 20th Anniversary as we turn up the heat!
Morton's Gourmet Market, Outside, 1924 S Osprey Ave, Sarasota
In aconcert that is sure to capture the essence of bustling city life, some of the world's greatest cities provide the backdrop for this Discoveries program. Beethoven's mighty music speaks of the Parthenon's destruction in his Overture to The Ruins of Athens. Night music creeps through sultry Madrid streets in Boccherini's highly evocative Quintet in C Major. See the Big Apple through the lens of dance in excerpts from Leonard Bernstein's ballet Fancy Free and and Gruber's lively swing-style Manhattan Broadcasts. Copland's Quiet City casts the bustling metropolis in subdued and achingly beautiful colors.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 North Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.
Featuring nationally renowned and local speakers, food preparation demonstrations, plant-based food, live music from a variety of talented musicians, dance performances, eco-friendly vendors & exhibitors, humane education, a veggie kids zone, yoga classes, film discussions, a veg parade, and more, the event is fun for all ages, genders, and species.
Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.
A party at White Buffalo Saloon will kick off this year's 5 week Tarpon Tournament. This tournament is historic and has taken place in Sarasota anually since 1930. If you’re looking to make new friends, have some fun and test your angling skills, come fish with us and yours could be the next name on that trophy. Tarpon are world-class game fish and are easy to access directly off Sarasota’s beautiful beaches. Described as one of the most exciting fish to catch, tarpon are known for spectacular leaps and determined fights. For more information, click the following website: http://www.sarasotatarpontournament.net/.
White Buffalo Saloon, 5377 McIntosh Rd., Sarasota.
The Harvey Milk Festival features a variety of attractions including live music, film, performing and visual artists, speakers, and vendors designed to engage a large and diverse audience. The mission of the Harvey Milk Festival is to honor the life of Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay Americans elected to public office, by fostering emerging talent in musicians and artists who support diversity and reject discrimination, and to promote equality for LGBTQ people through supporting equal rights legislation.
Five Points Park, North Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.
The final performance series from Sarasota Contemporary Dance will comprise of diverse new works by past company collaborators and dancers which celebrates the company’s past and future through impactful collaborations.
Jane B Cook Theatre, FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
Come out and enjoy a beautiful day of golfing for a good cause. Proceeds will benefit Sarasota Teen Court's substance abuse reduction, anti-bullying and character development classes that they provide for young people.
The Meadows Country Club, 3101 Longmeadow., Sarasota.
Join the Sarasota Orchestra for a fan-friendly outdoor Pops concert at Ed Smith Stadium, home of the Orioles. Get yourself a hot dog, some popcorn, and sit back to enjoy the Orchestra in the outfield. The concert will showcase Broadway stars Deedee Magno Hall and Cliffton Hall. Conducted by Andrew Lane, the musicians of the Sarasota Orchestra will play a wide range of popular music including songs from La La Land, Grease, Les Misérables, scores from Disney films and other fan favorites.
Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St., Sarasota.
Bringing its 41st Annual Juried Exhibition to Bradenton, the Southern Watercolor Society takes over all three of ArtCenter Manatee’s galleries with a collection juried by international award-winning master watercolorist John Salminen. In addition to the exhibit, each annual show brings with it a watercolor workshop for interested artists. Salminen will be teaching the workshop as well.
ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St. W., Bradenton
The Reserve's (former) singing barista returns for a very special performance to show off what she has learned at Berklee College of Music in Boston. In her music, Sky Stahlmann grew up singing and dancing opera and plays with the genres of jazz, musical theatre, rock and pop in her music. She is currently working on her first EP in a style that she calls "popera" which signifies her mesh of pop and her classical roots.
The Reserve SRQ, 1322 North Tamiami Tr., Sarasota.
Watch Bradenton's favorite, fierce roller derby squad face Swan City in their home arena. Prepare for a night of tough competition and keep the good times rolling to benefit Ewenity Farm, a herding dog haven.
Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, 5309 29th St. East, Ellenton.
Sponsored by Rethinking Plastics, the goal of this screening is to raise awareness regarding the average American's overuse of plastics. Americans use roughly 60,000 plastic bags a day for a few minutes of single use before it is thrown away. Jeb Berrier's film, Bag It, follows where "away" is and the fate of these plastic bags. For environmentalists and for those looking to learn more, the film is an interesting piece that will open eyes to just how much we use plastic, why that is harmful and what people can do.
Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota.
This performance is from a jazz ensemble called The Roots of Unity, headed by trumpeter Chris Kottke. Their repertoire includes both straightahead and latin jazz, from classic standards to modern originals. Kottke attended the Berklee College of Music and was active in the Boston jazz scene for about a decade before moving to Sarasota in 2016 to pursue his day job as a math professor at New College of Florida. In addition to the Roots of Unity, Kottke can be occasionally heard in such Sarasota-based jazz ensembles such as Ocean's 11 and the Sarasota Jazz Project.
The Reserve SRQ, 1322 North Tamiami Tr., Sarasota.
A tuneful and memorable tribute, Patsy Cline's rise to legendary stardom is told through the eyes of her biggest fan, Louise Seger. From her performances in honky-tonks to the Grand Ole Opry, Patsy Cline will "always" have a place in country music, with hit songs such as, “Walking After Midnight,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Crazy,” “Sweet Dreams,” and many more you know and love.
Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota.
Come through the Reserve to help them fine tune their retail wine selection. Wines from a wide array of places such as France, Italy, Argentina and more are offered. Pair the wine with a savory meat and cheese platter and enjoy the low key evening. The event is reoccuring, so May 31 is not the last chance to take advantage of this wonderful deal.
The Reserve SRQ, 1322 North Tamiami Tr., Sarasota.
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