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SRQ DAILY May 11, 2018

Friday Weekend Edition

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Friday Weekend Edition

"This is what you can expect from this organization, and this is what we expect from an artist or volunteer."

- Murray Chase, Venice Theatre
 

[Theater]  Venice Theatre Announces New Operating Standards
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Venice Theatre this week announced the adoption of a new set of operating standards, including an updated and extensive overhaul of the theater’s harassment policies and procedures. The change comes some four months after allegations of sexual misconduct against guest director Ben Vereen, who helmed the Venice Theatre production of Hair in 2015. “This is a manual of behavior,” says Venice Theatre Executive Director Murray Chase of the new standards, “and this is how we expect people to behave.”

Though the theatre was already operating under an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission-approved policy, says Chase, recent revelations brought a need for another look. “We wanted to get much more specific and much more detailed,” he says. And over the last three months, the theater’s leadership has made the overhaul a priority, eventually finding the guidance needed in the Chicago Theatre Standards, a comprehensive harassment policy put together by artists and administrators from the Chicago theater community in response to a now nationally recognized problem. Much of the standards were adopted wholesale, says Chase, with some necessary adaptations for Venice Theatre, which is a community theater, not a professional theater, and includes many more volunteers than official staff.

Venice Theatre’s new harassment policies, which can be found online, now include not only statements and guidance from the EEOC as to the definition of sexual harassment, but more than a page of additional material laying out all the myriad ways that harassment can manifest in physical actions, vocal statements or even under theatrical guise—such as attempting to recreate sensitive scenes outside of the proper setting. There are “absolute can’t-dos,” says Chase, such as overt misogyny and obvious assaults that previous policies would cover, but the new policy also takes care to look at the less obvious, and takes steps to prevent problematic situations from ever arising in the first place.

New rules about who can be in dressing rooms, and when, have been enacted, as well as similar rules regarding the Green Room. Rules about what doors will be left closed, and when, provide expectations of privacy to be respected and officially upheld, as opposed to unofficially recognized. Which teaching or instructing positions require background checks has been updated as well, in the interest of safety. And coming from the other direction, the theater will in the future be more strict about pick-up and drop-off policies for parents, so that children are not left in the theater’s care when the theater cannot guarantee their safety.

And though the theater will not be unfeeling and draconian in its policies, says Chase—“It’s not one off-color remark... it’s a pattern.”—there will be consequences for violations. “Any time something is unwanted and expressed as such, then that has to be stopped right then,” he says, “and if it’s anything involving a minor, there’s no leeway.”

In direct response to the Vereen incidents, a new policy also requires that all rehearsals be held at the theater, and any exceptions require the stage manager to be present at all times. Today, Chase likens those revelations to the Apollo 1 disaster, which saw a lethal fire during a test on the launch pad. “That was our lack of imagination,” he says, echoing the words of former astronaut Frank Borman, and not something he wants to see the theater repeat. To that end, Chase views the document as a living document, to be revisited yearly for updates and improvement. “Things will change,” he says. “Every year we’re going to give it a good, hard look and see what needs to be added.”

View Venice Theatre's new harassment policies online below. 

Venice Theatre Harassment Policy

[GoodBite]  She Made Me Do It
Brittany Mattie, brittany.mattie@srqme.com

The Table Creekside continues to stand out as a hallmark hideaway from downtown Sarasota with its quaint, yet classy milieu. With prime waterfront dining and top-shelf local seafood, relish in the sweeping view of historic Phillippi Creek banks whilst shooting fresh oysters, and enjoying the company of loved ones. There’s indubitably no better time for a scene such as this with Mother’s Day on the horizon. Bar Chef at The Table Creekside and Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar, Matthew Serrano created this special craft cocktail to help us all celebrate our one and only this Sunday. She Made Me Do It will positively put an extra pep in Mom’s step—Vanilla vodka and Kahlua are shaken and strained into an iced mug, then French pressed with chilled cold brew espresso. Rumchata foam, espresso beans and a cinnamon stick ultimately top off this buzz-worthy caffeinated aperitif.

Join The Table Creekside this weekend for its award-winning Mother’s Day Brunch from 10am-3pm. Reservations highly recommended! 

Image provided by The Table Creekside

The Table Creekside, 5365 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-921-9465.

[Education]  SCF, Leadership Simplified Host Leadership Boot Camp

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) and Leadership Simplified will offer business leaders an opportunity to enhance their skills, expand communication techniques, manage their time and increase effectiveness through a leadership boot camp. Back by popular demand, the boot camp will be offered from 8:30am to 4pm, June 27 in Room 135 at SCF Lakewood Ranch, 7131 Professional Pkwy. E. Doug Van Dyke, CEO of Leadership Simplified, will facilitate the day-long session. Learn about working agreements, priority management, building a powerful day and the art of moving groups. Registration is $299 per person and each participant will receive a copy of Van Dyke’s book, Leadership Simplified - The Field Guide for Savvy Leaders. To register and view the full agenda, visit the website below. 

SCF Corporate and Community Development

[Transportation]  Osprey Avenue Resurfacing Project to Begin May 29

The City of Sarasota will begin work Tuesday, May 29, on a resurfacing project on a 1.4-mile stretch of Osprey Avenue between Siesta Drive and Bahia Vista Street. The City and its contractors will conduct the resurfacing in phased segments. The first segment of Osprey Avenue, from South Drive to Boyce Street, is expected to be completed by the end of July. To minimize disruptions at nearby Southside Elementary School, work was coordinated to begin shortly after the school year ends. Osprey will remain open to two-way traffic throughout the duration of the project, with construction anticipated to take place between the hours of 6am and 9pm, Monday through Friday at this time. No detours are expected, and businesses along Osprey Avenue will remain accessible throughout construction. Planned improvements include resurfacing, new curbs, signalized intersection improvements, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramps and bike lane restriping. Future segments, and their tentative schedules, include: Boyce Street to Arlington Street (August-October), Siesta Drive to South Drive (November-January) and Arlington Street to Bahia Vista Street (January-March). The entire project is expected to be completed by spring 2019. The Osprey Avenue project is part of an extensive annual resurfacing program within the City of Sarasota. Each year, approximately 9-11 miles of streets within City limits are resurfaced. 

City of Sarasota

[Recognition]  Bradenton Dedicates Park to John and Rebecca Neal

This week, City of Bradenton officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new park in Bradenton and dedicated and named the park for local residents, business owners and philanthropists John and Rebecca Neal. The new park, previously a blighted parcel with dilapidated old homes on it, sits across the street from Ballard Elementary School in Bradenton on Wares Creek at Ninth Avenue West and Ballard Park Drive. In 2011, a bank planned to sell several old homes on the land in foreclosure. Officials asked the Neals to quickly intervene and purchase the property for future better use. One year later, the Neals sold the parcel to the city for their cost, with a donation value of over $1 million. Now a beautified passive recreation area, the John and Rebecca Neal Park is a welcoming waterfront parcel of open space with a kayak launch, future fishing pier and a community garden with 49 individual plots and a tool shed. Only one of the seven land parcels, the largest, sold to the city will be home to the new park. The other parcels will most likely be used for future housing. 

City of Bradenton

[Recognition]  Hall Architects Named to UF 2018 Gator100

Hall Architects of Sarasota was named to the University of Florida’s 2018 Gator100 for the second consecutive year. Sponsored by the UF Alumni Association, in partnership with the UF Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center, the Gator100 recognizes the 100 fastest-growing businesses owned or led by UF alumni. Hall Architects is an award-winning full-service firm specializing in architecture, interior design, planning and historic preservation. Its public and private sector projects have been recognized with awards at the local, state and national levels. The firm was founded in 2004 by UF alumnus Gregory Hall, AIA. Hall received both his Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture from the UF College of Architecture. 

Hall Architects



[TODAY]  FESTIVAL: 9th Annual Harvey Milk Festival , May 10 – May 12

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.

[TODAY]  MUSIC: Outdoor Pops: Field of Dreams , May 11 – May 12, 8pm

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 LandGrease, Les Misérables, scores from Disney films and other fan favorites.

Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St., Sarasota.

[TODAY]  SPORTS: Teen Court's 2018 Golf Tournament , May 11

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.

[TODAY]  PERFORMANCE: Evolving/Revolving , May 10 – May 13

Sarasota Contemporary Dance’s final performance series at the Jane B. Cook Theatre will feature diverse new works by past company collaborators and dancers Annamaria Diamant, Doug Gillespie, Kristin O’Neal, Brian Fidalgo, and Erin Cardinal. This performance celebrates the company’s past and future through impactful new and popular works.

Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243

[TODAY]  BUSINESS: Classical Music Celebration , May 11 – May 12

A unique gathering of performers from around the world including renowned classical musicians, a full orchestra and an aerialist will perform at the first ever Classical Music Celebration in Sarasota presented by ESFM Entertainment and InterMedia Productions. Billed as Music for the Senses, this musical event benefitting the Payton Wright Foundation will feature classic guitar duo CARisMA who tour with Andrea Bocelli. Tickets range from $19 to $79, with VIP tickets for $149.

Sarasota Opera House , 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, Florida 34236

[WEEKEND]  SPORTS: Sarasota Tarpon Tournament , May 12 – June 17

The Sarasota Tarpon Tournament will take place from May 12-June 17 celebrating the start of Tarpon Season and 88 continuous years of sanctioned competition. For an entry fee of just $125, anglers not only compete for an overall winner category, but also, weekly, junior, ladies, and ‘his & hers’ categories. Weekly winners and winners of the two additional categories will all compete in a 2-day Fish-Off weekend to determine overall winner whose name is inscribed on the historic trophy. A kick-off party will be held on May 9 at White Buffalo Saloon featuring live music, great food and a cash bar.

[WEEKEND]  SPORTS: 88th Annual Sarasota Tarpon Tournament , May 9 – June 17

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.

[WEEKEND]  THEATER: FST Improv Presents: FST Freestyle Saturdays , April 14 – June 30, 7:30pm

FST Improv was started in 2001 by Rebecca Hopkins and has been entertaining audiences on the Suncoast of Florida ever since. The first few years of performances were in the Goldstein Cabaret before finding a permanent home in the Bowne’s Lab in 2013. In 2014, former ImprovBoston Artistic Director Will Luera was hired as the Director of Improvisation and a variety of new shows have been added including long-form favorites When X Meets Y, We're Doomed, and The More You Know.

Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota.

[SOON]  GALLERY: Southern Watercolor Society Curated Show , May 15 – June 22

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

[SOON]  MUSIC: Sky Stahlmann Returns to the Reserve , May 17

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.

[SOON]  SPORTS: Bombers vs. Swan City , May 19

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.

[SOON]  FILM: Bag It Film Screening , May 22, 7pm

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.

[SOON]  MUSIC: The Roots of Unity (with Chris Kottke) , May 27, 2pm

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.

[SOON]  MUSIC: Always...Patsy Cline , May 30 – July 1

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.

[SOON]  FOOD: Reserve Spring and Summer Wine Tastings , May 31, 6pm

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.

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: World Oceans Day , June 2, 10:00am-1:00pm

A worldwide ocean celebration is on the horizon. Join the fun during the World Oceans Day Family Festival on Saturday, June 2 at Mote Aquarium. Mote’s World Oceans Day event will spotlight the ocean's deep connection to the human spirit and the boundless inspirational power of our natural world's greatest resource. The family festival is free with regular paid admission to Mote Aquarium and is free for Mote Members.

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium , 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  THEATER: Jungle Book , June 6 – June 24

Using the same multimedia jaw-dropping approach as past hit show Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, this reimagination of Kipling's classic stories will transport audiences to the world's jungles. Audiences will have the chance to truly meet characters like Mowgli the Man-Cub and Baloo the Bear in this upcoming performance.

Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Jungle Book , June 6 – June 24

Join Mowgli, Baloo and friends when Asolo Rep presents the world premiere of Jungle Book from the creators of the hit show Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Using the same jaw-dropping multi-media theatrical approach, Jungle Book re-imagines Rudyard Kipling’s classic stories through modern eyes to transport audiences to the world’s jungles. Family Day is June 16; Family Package pricing starts at just $15 per ticket when one person in the party is 18 or younger.

Asolo Repertory Theatre , 5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243

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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