SRQ DAILY Apr 3, 2019
Wednesday Philanthropy Edition
"You're seeing museum-quality artwork as it's happening. As the viewer, you're part of that process."
It’s been five years since the International Sarasota Chalk Festival actually graced the streets of Sarasota, but this Friday the annual celebration returns to its home in the Burns Court area for a three-day spectacle in the streets. “It’s kind of like going back to our roots,” says Denise Kowal, festival founder and organizer. And while this year might be a little smaller than previous, with Kowal and the festival feeling out its return to the old stomping grounds, the affair features more than 50 artists from around the world and the world premiere of the latest, patented creation from the father of 3D pavement art, Kurt Wenner.
Now in its 11th season, the festival regularly attracts artists of international renown to the region for an up-close and personal display of their artistic prowess, turning the blacktop into a multicolored tapestry for all to see and appreciate—and Wenner has been no stranger to the festivities. This year, the celebrated American innovator returns to debut his recently patented “illusion environment,” an installation that takes his perspective-bending optical illusions into a literal 3D space.
“It’s a mind-blower,” says Kowal, who has been able to go behind the scenes with the carpenters helping assemble the installation, where geometry reigns supreme and math class is certainly in session. Nothing is perpendicular, but all angles are precise, and, once completed, Wenner’s artwork will adorn every surface, all in conversation for a grand optical illusion. “It’s just never been done before,” Kowal says. “This is [Wenner] taking things to the next level.”
It’s a level of artistry that Kowal hoped to convey in the title of this year’s festival—“Museum in Motion.” Chalk artists don’t command the same respect as other fine artists, she contends, and something about the medium or its transitory nature leads audiences to treat it more as a quaint craft than a serious endeavor. “But almost all of our artists have work in museums,” says Kowal. “And the work that they do while they’re here? They put as much time and skill into those pieces as they do the museum pieces.” The big difference, she says, is that audiences at the Sarasota Chalk Festival get to see the work being made, and talk with the artist one-on-one.
Running April 5–7 in the Burns Court area, the International Sarasota Chalk Festival is staged entirely by volunteers and free to the public, but $10 donations are requested. Kowal cannot say whether or not this weekend means a permanent return for the festival, but community support will surely play a role.
“We’re going to evaluate how this one goes,” she says. “We’re going to see if we can make budget.” 
Pictured: "Circus Paradise" and Kurt Wenner from Sarasota Chalk Festival 2012. Photo by David Tyler.
Asolo Repertory Theatre and The C3 "Creativity, Collaboration and Culture" Project will be featured in a Sarasota Film Festival documentary. The film showcases how students from the Hershorin Schiff Community Day School and Visible Men Academy worked and came together last year through improvisation, spoken word and play. Throughout a 12-week residency led by Asolo Rep Community Engagement Specialist Ria Cooper, 22 students from both schools explored personal identity and commonality through theater. Cooper met weekly with the students, all in grades 5–8, to facilitate dramatic arts activities to create a short play exploring themes of overcoming differences.
This C3 Project was funded by a nearly $20,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, which also provided subsidized tickets for participants to a performance of Asolo Rep's 2018 production of Ragtime.
The film, which is just over 10 minutes long, was directed by filmmaker Tyler McCool and Ria Cooper. It will have two screenings: April 8 at 8pm in the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium and April 12 at 8pm at Regal Hollywood Stadium 11.
Manatee County has an opening for a citizen member on the 2019 Value Adjustment Board, which hears appeals regarding denied property tax exemptions, petitions relating to assessments and appeals concerning ad valorem tax deferrals. The VAB also appoints special magistrates to hear petitions. After the special magistrate hearings, the VAB meets to consider and act upon the recommended decisions of the magistrates.
Applicants must own homestead property within Manatee County; and must not be a member or employee of any taxing authority in this state, or represent property owners, property appraisers, tax collectors, or taxing authorities in any administrative or judicial review of property taxes. Applications are due May 2 and may be found online at the website below.
Goodwill Manasota has announced its 2019–20 Board of Directors, which assumed its duties on March 20. Brad West has been elected as the new board chair. New to the board this year is Matt Nessetti; he joins directors Peter Crowley (Emeritus), Debbie Douglas, Rae Dowling, Rod Hollingsworth, Sandy Kirkpatrick, Jacqueline Moore, Allen Weinstein and Richard Wharton. Coming off the board are longtime, dedicated leaders and past board chairs Steve Boone and Rob Morris. West has been a director on the Goodwill Manasota board since 2016. He is the current senior vice president of corporate development and treasurer for PGT, where he has worked since 2006. He previously held positions including vice president and controller, and chief financial officer, before his recent promotion. West, who has two decades of management experience in manufacturing organizations, earned a B.B.A. degree from the University of Michigan, and is a certified public accountant in Georgia.
Ron Beck and Jeff Burkee have joined the growing team of the new Gulfside Bank. Beck will be Senior Vice President and Manatee Area Executive and Burkee will be Senior Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager. Beck has had a long career in banking, starting as an FDIC examiner before moving into various leadership roles in credit administration and commercial banking having most recently worked for Synovus Bank. As Manatee Area Executive, he will be responsible for expanding the Bank’s business interests and branch footprint into Manatee County. Burkee comes to Gulfside with more than 20 years of commercial banking experience in the Southwest Florida area, most recently serving as a Senior Vice President for Centennial Bank. In his new role Burkee will be responsible for growing and managing loan and deposit relationships as part of the Bank’s commercial banking team.
A world premiere from Mark St Germain, when a young surrogate mother is found dead, a police investigation explodes the lives of everyone who knew her. As Detective aleece Valez and Walt Dixon begin to put the pieces together, secrets surface, alibis weaken, and lies are uncovered. This dramatic new play explores motherhood, passion, and the thin line between right and wrong.
Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota
Join us to experience an evening of award-winning bites and imbibes as voted on by the readers of SRQ Magazine in this annual TGIF Best of SRQ Local Party on Friday, April 5th from 5-8pm at the Aloft Sarasota Hotel in Downtown Sarasota. 15+ Restaurants. Cocktail Samplings. Live DJ in the Courtyard. Celebrating the best locally owned establishments in the region, SRQ MEDIA asks our astute readers to vote for their favorite local eats, shopping, arts, luminaries and hotspots culminating in the buzzworthy special "Best of SRQ Local" awards feature published in the April edition. Celebrate your TGIF with the best our region has to offer—we will highlight local experiences—from new restaurants to the memorable theatre productions, from our community's best achievements to seriously talented chefs. Tickets on sale at SRQMAG.COM/BestOf.
Aloft Sarasota Hotel, 1401 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, FL
Faith, family and frosting collide in this heartfelt new comedy. Thirty-something Jen wants her deceased mother’s best friend Della, a struggling baker, to create her wedding cake. She returns from New York with her betrothed to her North Carolina hometown and finds that Della will honor her wish, until she discovers that there are two brides. Moral quandaries and lots of butter collide in this new play told with generosity, humor, and more than a few surprises.
Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
Craig Rubadoux showcases has been described as a "Sarasota master." His paintings are intensely personal glimpses into emotions, and he frequently speaks of his work as a journal. Greatly affected by his environment and a love of nature, Rubadoux focuses on line, color, and spatial relationships. Meet the artist at the opening reception.
Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art , 1288 North Palm Ave., Sarasota
Meet, shop, and support local artisans at the outdoor market located in front of The Overton restaurant in Rosemary District. Donations will also be collected to support Royal Pet Rescue. Enjoy live music, food, drinks, and free gourmet frozen pops (while supplies last).
The Overton, 1420 Boulevard of the Arts., Sarasota
Held annually in Sarasota, FL, The Sarasota Film Festival emphasizes the best in cinema alongside exciting programs and events, with more than 200 films screened each year including features, documentaries, shorts, and kid-friendly picks. Entering our 21st year, we’re proud to bring the best new and established independent filmmakers to our Festival with local and kid-friendly programs that showcase our idyllic Gulf Coast community. The festival is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization and also offers a year-round educational program, which reaches thousands of local students through classic film showcases, film contests, summer camps and instructional workshops. This year the festival will take place April 5th – 14th, 2019.
The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is the world’s largest movement to end cancer. Money raised from Relay For Life helps the American Cancer Society save lives by funding ground breaking research to discover cancer’s causes and cures and help people facing cancer today with free programs and services. People form teams and raise money together leading up to the event. Then, everyone comes together for a night of fun that celebrates cancer survivors, remembers loved ones lost to cancer, and unites us in our commitment to fight back against the disease.
Manatee County Fairgrounds
The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is the world’s largest movement to end cancer. Money raised from Relay For Life helps the American Cancer Society save lives by funding ground breaking research to discover cancer’s causes and cures and help people facing cancer today with free programs and services. People form teams and raise money together leading up to the event. Then, everyone comes together for a night of fun that celebrates cancer survivors, remembers loved ones lost to cancer, and unites us in our commitment to fight back against the disease.
Laishley Park , 120 Laishley Court, Punta Gorda FL
Join representatives from the city and the local arts community to celebrate the newest addition to Sarasota's Public Art collection, Jumping Fish, by artist Jeffrey Laramore, which captures the wonderful, vast and varied sea life that Sarasota Bay offers. One of the most vibrant public arts programs in the United States, the Sarasota compendium now consists of 84 artworks. Dedication begins at 5:30pm, at the roundabout at Palm Avenue & Coconut Avenue. Reception to immediately follow at Florida Studio Theatre.
This is a story through the eyes of Jean Marie-Masse of how friendship and music transcend boundaries. A French drummer, Jean-Marie Mass helped unconditionally promote black American music during a time when segregation and racism were terribly active.
Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
La Musica stages four concerts for a springtime festival celebrating musical virtuosity and the grandeur of the concert stage. With single tickets at $45 and bundled packages for the entire festival run, rehearsal passages are also typically made available as well, for those wanting a behind-the-scenes look at how professional musicians prepare for their next performance.
Sarasota Opera House , 61 N Pineapple Ave Sarasota
Asolo Rep’s seventh annual community-based documentary theater project, is created from the real-life experiences of local residents and community members and is inspired by this season’s production of Bekah Brunstetter’s The Cake. Through the collection of stories (by way of story circles and interviews), Asolo Rep aims to provide an opportunity for local community-building: this process allows for an ongoing discussion and collaboration, and uses theater to create connections and to explore connections that already exist. Faces of Change is part of Asolo Rep’s IllumiNation Series
Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center , 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota
Musical Chefs Interactive Dinner is a lively, interactive dinner event featuring La Musica artists joining Philip Mancini and Michael’s On East’s Executive Chef Jamil Pineda to lead guests in cooking demonstrations to create the evening's meal.
Michael’s Wine Cellar, 1283 South Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, FL
Join The Child Protection Center for its 7th annual Blue Ties & Butterflies event on April 10Th at Michael’s On East from 6-9pm. This signature event is beautifully designed to build awareness about CPC’s mission in the prevention, intervention & treatment of child abuse. The evening will include cocktails, dinner, & live auction, which includes a Darkness into Light – Original Painting , Dinner in the Sky, Kentucky Derby Experience trip & Masters Golf Tournament Experience. Purchase tickets at https://cpcsarasota.org/events/blue-ties-and-butterflies or call 941-365-1277 Ext. 120
Michael's On East
Cumberland Advisors, USF Sarasota-Manatee and Global Interdependence Center presents their third annual Financial Literacy Day. Panel Discussions include: Outlook for the US Stock Market & Global Economic Outlook, How the World Looks in Economics and Geopolitics, Sessions on Health, Hunger, and Philanthropy.
Selby Auditorium- USFSM, 8350 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
Cumberland Advisors, USF Sarasota-Manatee and Global Interdependence Center host their third annual Financial Literacy Day with keynote speaker, Gretchen Morgenson, a senior special writer in the investigations unit at The Wall Street Journal. The panel discussion includes topics ranging from the US Stock Market & Global, Geopolitics, health, hunger and philanthropy.
Selby Auditorium, 8350 North Tamiami Trail., Sarasota
Join us for an evening of deep-dive peer mentorship at the spring SkillSHARE: Mentorship at the Speed of Life on Thursday, June 13, 2019 at the SRQ Studios at 331 South Pineapple Avenue in Downtown Sarasota from 5-7:30pm. Register online by submitting questions from the areas in which you'd like to be paired with a peer mentor for the evening at SRQMAG.COM/SKILLSHARE. Light bites and wine. Registration closes on Friday, May 17, 2019; the registration fee is $25 per person. Limited to 16 mentees. For more information, contact SRQ MEDIA at 941-365-7702 x204.
SRQ Studios, 331 S. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236
Open Bar Cocktails and Hors d’ Oeuvres. Dinner, Entertainment, Live & Silent Auctions, Raffle, Wall of Wine. Gala Entertainment provided by Katherine Herbert and Luca Stine, both past award winners of the Suncoast Music Competition. And the Bill Buchman Trio playing throughout the evening.
Michaels on East, 1212 East Ave S., Sarasota
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 |
Powered by Sarasota Web Design | Unsubscribe
