SRQ DAILY Nov 6, 2020
Friday Weekend Edition
"I hope that it can help people understand how fundamental and essential it is to love yourself and love your neighbor and that it all starts within yourself. Love is the glue holding us together."
A man of many beanie hats and trades, Brandon Thrift has been known to mix up a snazzy craft cocktail as a former bartender for Sage SRQ, and seen banging his head up on stage as the drummer for heavy metal band Dealey Plaza. The 25-year old with locks probably longer and more lush than yours is no stranger to cheering up bar guests and playing music for cheering crowds. But when the pandemic hit, most cheering ceased. Restaurants and bars closed, shows and events were canceled, and Thrift found himself with a lot of downtime. “Around late March, my musical career and craft cocktail bartending job came to an immediate halt thanks to Covid,” he shares. "I found myself craving creative expression.” Aside from the general wariness and uncertainty the pandemic instilled in us all, losing both main sources of artistic expression was an additional blow to his innately positive demeanor. With the time and headspace to suss out a new outlet for his right-brained abilities and showcase his artistry, Thrift turned to painting — fashioning tarps and drop cloths, making messes, but most importantly exploring the medium to cheer himself up as well as those around him.
An abstract expressionism style came naturally for Thrift as he began to experiment with splattered wet paint and bold colors to convey an impassioned, perfervid notion — each piece entirely unique from the last. “The idea I had for the entire approach — being the primary and secondary color-scheme — was to keep it as fundamentally relatable and easily absorbed by as many people as possible,” he shares. And as for the free-throwing artistic process, he notes, “There is no wrong way, no wrong approach to the application. Anything goes!”
And as the woes of the pandemic continued to unfold, and hardships were abundant to those around him, the newfound artist found his stride when his paintings evolved to become a vessel to convey a clear, all caps two-syllable message he believed needed to be heard, or read. A simple phrase with a poignant mantra: Spread Love. “The inspiration itself stemmed from a combination of spiritual intervention and the infallibly chaotic energy of the world around me,” he says. “The negativity essentially necessitated the birth of something dynamic and positive — thus the ‘Spread Love’ movement.”
With time and paint on his hands, Thrift rented a car and took to the open road to figuratively and literally spread his message. Thrift packed and stacked his splattered paint signs into the rental, with a goal in mind to drop them off one-by-one along the way, sharing it in as many states and with as many people as he could over the course of three weeks. Driving over 12,000 miles — embarking from Sarasota, FL, across the American Southwest, up the Pacific coast and ending up in Portland, OR — Thrift passed mile markers through 12 different states, entering and exiting countless national treasures and National Parks. “I would make pieces on the road by finding supplies around town or on the Craigslist free section,” he says as he began to run out of signs to leave in his imprinted wake. “My favorite piece was a 9-foot long surfboard that was broken in half that I found in Santa Cruz. There was no plan for that trip, I just took it one minute at a time and followed my gut.”
Recently back from his solo wayward journey of leaving surprises for strangers — similar to the viral trend of The Kindness Rock Project — his pieces have been making quite the impression locally. It's no hard task stumbling upon and spotting his unmistakable artwork in a bounty of establishments, businesses, parks, street corners, landmarks and hotspots around town. “Art always has been and always will be for the people,” he says. “Same thing with music and food — It’s a form of expression and communication that bonds humanity.” People need positive reinforcement and happy reminders above all else this year, it’s clear. And while Thrift had no outlandish expectations or any idea this passion project would blow up to become such an enlivened campaign that has received an incredible amount of attention in the media and traction throughout the community. “I receive messages every single day about this project — whether it be a photo of a piece hanging in their home or a simple ‘thank-you.’ There has been nothing but positive reception.”
Now featured in State of the Arts Gallery, Lipstick Lex Gallery, The Artful Giraffe gallery and LIGON fine art gallery, Thrift’s 'Spread Love' artwork can be found and purchased to support the continued movement that is so indelibly pertinent in a moment of combative tumult and polarised division throughout the country. “I hope that it can help people understand how fundamental and essential it is to love yourself and love your neighbor and that it all starts within yourself. Love is the glue holding us together.” 
Pictured: Sharing the love at Horseshoe Bend in Arizona, courtesy of Brandon Thrift
Clinic owner and spring training team chiropractor for the Baltimore Orioles, Dr. Ken Kaufman is excited to add this highly valuable and sought after nutrition program to their Sarasota practice. “The fundamental cause of many health conditions stems from inadequate and poor nutrition. And, what separates the Optamiz Nutrition Program from anything else is the level of personal detail and testing that the program provides.” The Optamiz Nutrition Program utilizes the latest technology in Gene testing, micronutrient testing, and a vast array of food, chemical, and autoimmunity testing
Sarasota-based law firm Bentley & Bruning P.A., led by attorneys Morgan R. Bentley and Kevin R. Bruning, is pleased to announce that it has received rankings in the 2021 edition of U.S. News - Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” for the practice areas of Litigation – Real Estate, and Commercial Litigation. Said Bentley, “To be included in this list again is another great achievement for our lawyers. It isn’t just for one or two individuals, but the team as whole."
For the eleventh straight year, Icard Merrill has been named to the list of “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers. The firm has achieved this ranking every year since the program started in 2010.
Manatee County has two vacancies on the Environmental Land Management and Acquisition Committee (ELMAC), a citizen’s advisory committee which makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on environmental land acquisition and management issues, including recreational planning and programming of public lands. Applications are due Nov. 25, 2020 and may be found online.
Tampa Bay Water is looking for partners to help prevent water pollution and protect the sources of our drinking water. If you are a non-profit, community group, school or university located in the counties of Hillsborough, Pasco or Pinellas, you could be eligible for a Source Water Protection Mini-grant. Applications are due November 15.
It's time to celebrate safely, joyously, and with great food all while being entertained between meal courses with skillful, artistic cirque performers. Glow Table DInner, presented by Lamborghini Sarasota, will highlight its first of several magical dining experiences utilizing their chic, colorful dining tables with tempered glass on Friday, November 6, 2020 in Lakewood Ranch, FL, just off Main Street, in front of Grove's restaurant and ballroom.
Interviews on the spot for LPNs, RNs, Behavioral Health Techs, and Admissions Counselors. Monday, November 9 and Tuesday, November 10 from 12 PM to 3 PM. Please visit www.fsos.org for a list of current openings and qualifications.
Orphaned children from Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) collaborate to craft a collective fairytale drawn from their darkest memories and brightest dreams. Their fictional character, Liyana is brought to life through animated artwork as she embarks on a perilous quest to rescue her young twin brothers. As the children’s real and imagined worlds converge, they must choose the kind of story they will tell, both in fiction and in their own lives. This genre-defying film weaves their animated hero’s journey with poetic documentary scenes to create an inspiring tale of perseverance that reveals the strength of the human spirit and the healing power of storytelling. Liyana has won more than 35 jury and audience awards and has been screened at more than 100 film festivals around the world. Moderator: Julie Cotton.
Online
Please join in celebrating the architectural legacy of Carl Abbott FAIA at this year's SarasotaMOD.
Illest of Illustration is an annual juried exhibition that showcases the outstanding works created by current Illustration students of Ringling College of Art and Design. Over 100 works were chosen from more than 200 submissions. The talented guest jurors, Justin and Annie Stegg Gerard, made their selections based on the quality of technique, concept, and skill of medium used. Exhibition open by appointment only. Email galleries@ringling.edu to request an appointment. This exhibit began on October 23, 2020 and will end on December 4, 2020, during museum hours.
Ringling College Galleries
The Florida Cultural Group Inc will produce Starlight Movie Night, sponsored by the Bradenton Area Arts & Culture Department, on the heels of the destination's month-long National Arts and Humanities celebration. Four family-friendly films will be shown on big screens set up at four outdoor locations (on land and water) found throughout the Bradenton Area. Attendees must reserve a free viewing spot at the location of their choice to secure their space and ensure a safe and socially distant movie night under the stars.
Holmes Beach Community Park:
“Dolphin Tale” (rated PG) will be featured at Holmes Beach Community Park at 5900 Flotilla Drive in the City of Holmes Beach. Reserve a spot and bring your own chairs, blankets and coolers. This screening also includes a guest speaker from Clearwater Aquarium starting at 6:30 p.m., presented by The Center of Anna Maria Island. Masks are required when not in your viewing section.
Manatee Performing Arts Center: This community hub for arts and culture at 502 3 rd Ave W in Bradenton will transform into an outdoor movie theatre, showing “Swiss Family Robinson” (rated G). At this location, attendees can reserve a section and set up their own lawn chairs and blankets outside, or reserve a parking spot and enjoy the movie from their vehicle. Coolers are allowed, and Manatee Performing Arts Center will be providing popcorn.
Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch: These sprawling fields located at 5895 Post Blvd in Lakewood Ranch provide plenty of room for guests to set up their lawn chairs and blankets and get comfortable for an outdoor showing of “Pelé: Birth of a Legend” (rated PG). Concessions will be available at this location, and guests are welcome to bring coolers.
Palmetto on the Manatee River: Cruise over and anchor your boat for a unique movie experience on the water. “Peanut Butter Falcon” (rated PG-13) will be shown from the big screen on the west side of the Palmetto Pier and the north side of the Manatee River. There are no reservations at this location, so be sure to arrive early and anchor boats 10’ apart to maintain
social distancing.
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has just announced a premiere outdoor concert event, Bay Music Live. On Saturday, November 14, Jah Movement's signature sound will electrify the lawn and terrace outside of the Van Wezel in this socially-distanced, sunset show. The event kicks off at 4pm with music starting promptly at 4:30pm Lawn spaces and tables will be arranged for social distancing, and guests can enjoy fresh air and a stroll on the newly developed Mangrove Bayou Walkway. Food and beverage by Mattison's will be available for purchase, with beer by Michelob Ultra & Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
The year the land for Selby Gardens' Downtown Sarasota campus was purchased is also a momentous one in women's history. The dynamic display in the Tropical Conservatory celebrates the Suffrage Movement and the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote. The Museum of Botany & the Arts will showcase our preserved plant collections. Our Historic Spanish Point campus Gazebo will also receive the Orchid Show treatment and pay tribute to Sarasota pioneer Bertha Palmer. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the official opening of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' Downtown Sarasota campus. To celebrate, the Orchid Show will honor founder, Marie Selby, and highlight the accomplishments of the many notable women who have built on her legacy and helped to make Selby Gardens home to the best scientifically-documented collection of orchids in the world. The year the land for Selby Gardens' Downtown Sarasota campus was purchased is also a momentous one in women's history. The dynamic display in the Tropical Conservatory celebrates the Suffrage Movement and the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote. The Museum of Botany & the Arts will showcase our preserved plant collections. Our Historic Spanish Point campus Gazebo will also receive the Orchid Show treatment and pay tribute to Sarasota pioneer Bertha Palmer.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound Street Sarasota, 34236
Co-chairs Ariane Dart and Pauline L. Wamsler cordially invite you to the in celebration of Selby Gardens' 45th Anniversary Orchid Show: Women Breaking the Glasshouse Ceiling. While we cannot be together in-person, all attendees will enjoy a delicious lunch while creating a unique floral design led virtually by one of Washington, D.C.’s most sought-after floral designers, Sarah von Pollaro, Founder, of Urban Petals Floral Design.Proceeds from Lunch in the Gardens support Selby Gardens' community outreach education programs; international research and conservation; and beautiful, world-class horticulture displays. It is their hope that they can help children and families develop an appreciation for nature.
Online
Sarasota Opera's first live-streamed performance will take place on Friday, November 13 at 7:30 PM at the Sarasota Opera House, featuring favorite opera selections by Verdi, Rossini, Puccini, Wagner, and Mozart, accompanied by piano. A limited number of tickets will be available for an in-person, distanced audience at $25-45. Tickets for the live stream are $10. The live stream will be available for viewing for two weeks.
The Venice Museum & Archives’ new exhibit, “Selling Venice: Advertising in the 1920s,” opens January 21, 2020 and ends January 13, 2021. This small exhibit located at the historic Triangle Inn will feature enlarged advertisements pulled out of the Venice News, published from 1926-1928. Come enjoy seeing the huge marketing campaign to sell properties and goods in Venice during these initial “boom years” in the city’s history. During museum hours.
The Historic Triangle Inn, 351 Nassau Street South Venice, FL 34285
Visit the Sarasota Farmers Market in Downtown Sarasota from 7am-1pm, rain or shine. We understand the severity of COVID-19; therefore, we are instituting some guidelines for both vendors and customers to follow as you join us downtown. Customer Code of Conduct: Stay home if you are sick or have been in contact with someone who is sick, Make a shopping list before coming, Pre-order and prepay vendors online if possible, Designate one shopper per household, Leave pets at home unless it is a service animal, Wear a mask, Look with your eyes only touch what you will buy, Maintain 6 feet of space between you and any others, Shop quickly and get everything to go, No gathering keep walkways clear, Hand sanitizer available at all vendor booths and sanitizing stations.
Downtown Sarasota, Lemon Avenue and State Street, Downtown 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 |
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