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SRQ DAILY May 29, 2019

Wednesday Philanthropy Edition

Wednesday Philanthropy Edition

"If you're not moving, you're bored."

- Theresa Heskins
 

[Theater]  Asolo Brings the World to the Stage with Jules Verne Classic
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

If “all the world’s a stage,” then Mr. Shakespeare had it easy. Over at Asolo Repertory Theatre, a cast of eight actors and an intrepid crew are cramming the entire world onto the stage, as they gear up for opening night of Asolo Rep’s annual summer production—Around the World in 80 Days. And between elephant rides, Wild West shootouts, hot air balloons, and a whopping 109 characters to account for, bringing Phileas Fogg and his exploits to life have been an adventure in itself. “It’s all of the things that theater doesn’t usually do,” says director Theresa Heskins. “It’s kind of an impossible play.”

But for Heskins, on loan from the UK as Around the World makes its international debut first in New York City and then in Sarasota, the challenge makes the job worthwhile. Maybe it's the Phileas Fogg in her. “I like being in a room with a group of really imaginative actors and finding ways to solve problems,” she says, and Around the World certainly provided that. But unlike previous summer productions at Asolo Rep, which have employed projections and video accompaniment to tell a larger-than-stage story, Heskins has eschewed all that in favor of techniques that openly rely on the audience making the leap with the actors—what she calls “co-creativity.” “Ways that rely on the audience investing their imagination that joining us,” Heskins says. “They help us make the play.”

It’s a different experience, Heskins argues, a distinctly theatrical one that differentiates the medium from its cinematic cousin. “In cinema, the work is all done for us,” she says, and the resulting audience more prone to passivity, but at the same time sometimes less willing to suspend disbelief. The theater encourages it, and Around the World demands it.

Still, Heskins found much inspiration in both cinema and video games as she put the production together. “We spent quite a lot of time watching films,” she says, “and anyone coming to see the show will see that onstage.” And as the Scotland Yard inspector chases Fogg from country to country, getting involved in dust-ups and donnybrooks, the cast and crew used what they saw to create choreography that changes with the setting. For scenes in India, the gang watched Bollywood films, and for the Hong Kong sequences, they watched Jackie Chan. And for the US, what other than some good old-fashioned Westerns?

“If you’re not moving, you’re bored,” says Heskins, which seems the perfect fit for Fogg.

Produced by the people behind Asolo Rep’s 2017 production of Hetty Feather, Around the World in 80 Days opens June 6. 

Pictured: Matthew Ganley (Colonel Proctor), Kirsten Foster (Mrs. Aouda), Andrew Pollard (Phileas Fogg) in 'Around the World in 80 Days.' Photo by Andrew Billington.

[Philanthropy]  GCCF Board Approves $7.4 Million in Grant Funding

Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s Board of Directors recently approved $7,422,249 million in grants. The bulk of the grant funding—more than $5.3 million—came from donor-advised funds established by donors to Gulf Coast to support their charitable interests. The grants also included more than $1.2 million in distributions from project funds, which organizations entrust Gulf Coast to administer on behalf of charitable projects and initiatives in the community. Recent project fund distributions included $50,000 for Venice Area Beautification Inc.’s Venice Urban Forest project and $85,171 for Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation’s First 1,000 Days Sarasota County initiative. Other grant awards approved included $547,375 in grants from endowed funds designated for specific charitable organizations; $77,300 in Community Grants of $10,000 or less to support programs of regional nonprofit organizations; and nearly $50,000 in disaster grants for continued recovery from last year’s Hurricane Irma and disaster-preparedness for the future. 

Gulf Coast Community Foundation

[Philanthropy]  Gorr Foundation Awards $140,000 to Support Manatee County Children

The John J. Gorr Foundation of Manatee Community Foundation recently awarded $140,595 in grants to support children in Manatee County. The investments support children in foster care, students impacted by trauma, child abuse prevention, parent education, and early childhood education.

Grant awards included: $92,500 to the Sarasota YMCA’s Safe Children’s Coalition to fund more than two years of the coordinator position in Early Childhood Court, decreasing the time foster children remain in care; $9,795 to Manatee County Substance Abuse Coalition (Drug Free Manatee) to establish a website for Handle With Care, a program notifying the school system when a student has experienced a traumatic incident; $7,300 to the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee to provide Handle With Care/Trauma-Informed trainings for Pre-K childcare providers and support staff in K-12 schools; $9,000 to Forty Carrots Family Center for Partners In Play classes at Manatee County Libraries; $8,000 to Step Up Suncoast to provide books for young readers from low-income families; $9,000 to Parenting Matters for an evidence-based, in-home parenting education program focused on child safety, parenting skills, social supports, and positive decision making; and $5,000 to The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature for its new Mosaic Backyard Universe. 

Manatee Community Foundation

[Philanthropy]  Parenting Matters Expands in Sarasota County with New Parent Educators

As referrals for parental education and support have risen from local agencies and schools, Parenting Matters has recently stepped up to increase its services to meet the increasing demand. The organization recently hired three new Parenting Educators to serve more families in Sarasota County and address the greatest gap in parenting services—intensive home visits for high-risk families. As Parenting Educators, the new staff will help families to address needs such as: child safety, communication, positive discipline, child development, access to community resources and becoming involved in and advocating for their child’s education.

In 2018, Parenting Matters served more than 700 parents and 1,354 children in the region. The organization expanded its physical footprint into Sarasota County by adding office space at the conveniently located Glasser-Schoenbaum Human Services Center, and $240,000 in grant funding from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation was provided to increase operational support. 

Parenting Matters

[Philanthropy]  Founders Club Awards Mote Marine Grant for Coral Disease Research

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium coral scientists may get one step closer to better understanding a devastating coral disease with the help of a new grant from the Founders Garden Club of Sarasota.

The Founders Garden Club, a member of the Garden Club of America and based in Sarasota, awarded a $20,000 grant to Mote’s Coral Health & Disease Research Program to investigate the potential of microplastics serving as a vector in the spread of coral disease. The leader of this investigation will be Dr. Erinn Muller, Science Director for Mote’s Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration and Manager of Mote’s Coral Disease and Coral Restoration programs.

First identified in 2014 near Virginia Key, FL, stony coral tissue loss disease has caused devastation throughout the Florida Reef Tract, spreading all the way to Key West. The disease affects at least 20 different species of coral, causing over 80% mortality in some species. The disease is believed to be a water-borne bacteria, although the exact pathogen is still unknown. 

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium



[TODAY]  GALLERY: Myakka Light , May 25 – June 28

Frank Bibbins has used infrared and low color imagery to capture the evolving landscape of the Myakka River and State Park over the past decade. This photography exhibit not only presents an intimate look at the preserve but concentrates on conservation and preservation. A public reception will be held June 7, 6-9pm.

Art Uptown Gallery, 1367 Main St., Sarasota

[TODAY]  MUSEUM: Natasha Mazurka: Order Systems , March 17 – September 29

Mazurka’s work reflects the communicative potential of pattern by combining visual references to architecture, biology, data analytics and instructional code. From her intense research into pattern languages, Mazurka presents an art exhibition that flatters and disturbs concepts of certainty and stability residing within pattern systems existing all-around us.

The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota

[TODAY]  MUSEUM: Interpolations: Artwork from The Ringling and Monda Collections , March 17 – September 8

This new exhibition fuses artworks from The Ringling’s permanent collection of modern and contemporary art and selections from Keith D. and Linda L. Monda’s collection. As part of the four promised gifts from the Monda family, pieces by Beverly Pepper, Teo González, Yayoi Kusama and Richard Serra enable the Museum to present a broader and more complex history of late twentieth- and early 21st-century art. These new promised gifts will be featured along with other selections from Monda’s collection and key works from the Ringling’s own growing collection of modern and contemporary art.

The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota

[SOON]  GALLERY: Cycle 5 , May 30 – July 5

In Gallery 1, Monumental, a group show, features small-scale sculptures. Next door, local artist Keith Crowley will exhibit a recent series of his meticulously layered photographically-based oil and watercolor paintings in his first solo exhibition at Art Center Sarasota. In Gallery 3, and featuring incisive and satirical investigations of the ego, sexuality, and competitiveness found on full display at gyms, Caitlin Albritton’s paintings and drawings of contorted figures address questions of gender issues and body politics.

Art Center Sarasota, 707 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: The Niceties , May 31 – June 30

Zoe is called into her professor's office to discuss her paper about slavery's effect on the American Revolution. What begins as a polite clash in perspectives explodes into an urgent debate about race, history and power.

Urbanite Theatre, 1487 2nd St., Sarasota

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: Art, Animals and You , June 1, 9am - 3pm

Explore the galleries with a scavenger hunt, see what the vendors have in store, enjoy the art of the "Fur, Feathers, Flora & Fauna" exhibit and bring your well-behaved leashed pets for a free Pet Portrait. There will also be 1-hour children's art workshops at this interactive and creative day of family fun.

ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St. W, Bradenton.

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: Evolve Summer Social "Saturday Night Fever" , June 1, 7-11pm

Don't miss the Evolve Summer Social "Saturday Night Fever" benefitting the Children’s Guardian Fund on June 1st from 7-11pm at the Grove at Lakewood Ranch.  Each year, hundreds of children in foster care go without birthday presents or celebrations.  Through the proceeds from this event and  community donations, the Children’s Guardian Fund can provide $35 Walmart Gift cards to guardians for each child’s birthday.  Last year’s event “Havana Nights” raised over $13,000 providing over 370 gift cards. 

[SOON]  MUSIC: Keven Aland and Hot Club SRQ , June 3

Join the Jazz Club of Sarasota for dinner, accompanied by the musical stylings of Keven Aland and Hot Club of SRQ, as the Monday Night Jazz Cabaret Summer Series continues. Tickets are $35 for Jazz Club members and $39 for non-members. Dinner service begins at 6:30pm; performance at 7:30pm.

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

[SOON]  MUSIC: Artist Showcase (AS1): Fairy tales and Fantasy , June 6

Embark on a fantastic journey to faraway places. Various artist will perform to evoke a world of childlike imagination. Also, experience the world premiere of Andrea Clearfield's Ha-Galgal (The Wheel), a prayerful work inspired by the sound of the shofar, for solo horn.

Holley Hall, 709 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Around the World in 80 Days , June 7 – June 23

Eight actors, 109 characters, six trains, six boats, four flights, one storm, a circus act and an elephant take center stage in this play. When Phileas Fogg and servant Passepartout board the train in London in 1875, he has only 80 days to travel the world to win a wager with his fellow members at the Reform Club. An adventure lies ahead that includes romance, danger and surprises with Scotland Yard pursuing him at every turn.

 

Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: World Oceans Day Festival , June 8, 9am

Take part in a fun, family-friendly event celebrating our salty waters. A variety of ocean-themed activities will be available to learn about World Oceans Day. Even get the chance to dip nets into the water and discover the creatures beneath the waves! Learn amazing facts about our large wildlife—like sea turtles in Florida and explore the history of fishing in Manatee County.

Emerson Point Preserve, 5801 17th Street West, Palmetto.

[SOON]  MUSIC: Four, Two, One (Saturday Symphony) , June 8, 7:30pm

The depth of talent cultivated at the Sarasota Music Festival will be on display as four 2019 Violin Fellows join forces for Vivaldi's Concerto Grosso from L'estro Armonico. 2018 Festival alumni Katherine Arndt (violin) and Cassia Drake (viola) will share the stage for Mozart's beloved Sinfonia Concertante. Finally, pianist Jon Kimura Parker, world-renowned for his energy and onstage charisma, will bring his spirited personality to Beethoven's iconic Piano Concerto No. 4.

Sarasota Opera House, 709 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

[SOON]  BUSINESS: Summer Fest June 8th 2019, 11am-3pm , June 8, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Music Compound is excited to announce a partnership with Child Protection Center joining them in celebrating their 40th anniversary fund raising campaign, help us help them by attending our Summer Fest 2019. Enjoy live music, food trucks, bounce house, beer samples, silent auction and other area vendors. This is a family friendly event, everyone is welcome!

The Bazaar at Apricot and Lime, 821 Apricot Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: 18th Annual St. Armands Circle Craft Festival , June 8 – June 9

Festival-goers will enjoy works from the state’s best talent of crafters and long-time festival favorites along with the newest names on the contemporary craft scene.  Come see some of America's best crafters displaying one of a kind jewelry, pottery, plant holders, soaps, and more. Also included will be an expansive green market.

St. Armands, 411 St. Armands Cir., Sarasota

[SOON]  DANCE: Happy Feet Dance Recital and Fundraiser , June 9, 4:00pm

Presented by Such-A-Diva & Dude! Theme: Bollywood Night! Preferred Attire: ‘That outfit you were wanting to wear for your red carpet appearance’. Celebrity guest: Punit J. Pathak. 100% of the profit from the tickets go to the Aga Khan Foundation.

Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Avenue West, Bradenton.

[SOON]  THEATER: Summer Circus Spectacular , June 11 – August 3

This family-friendly spectacular showcases some of the finest circus artists from around the world, performing acts to thrill audiences of all ages. Show times are 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Tickets for preview shows, June 11-14, are just $12; for the remainder of the run tickets are $16/adults, $12/children 12 and under.

Historic Asolo Theatre, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Come Together: When the 60s met the 70s , June 11 – July 21

With music made famous by Cher, The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, and more, this rockin’ revue explores the changing musical landscape from 1965-1975. Come Together explores the musical soundtrack of one of the most exciting, controversial, and impactful decades our country has ever seen. Featuring hits like “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” “Come Together,” and “Killing Me Softly.”

Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N Palm Ave., Sarasota

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