SRQ DAILY Jul 27, 2021
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"I was always taught to go low-to-medium in cost and that the expensive stuff is just to show off."
Chef Chris Covelli just cannot sit still. The accomplished world traveler and chef always seems to have something new stewing in a stockpot, some obscure cookbook dog-eared on an old folk dish or a jar of veggies pickling in an experimental blend of herbs and spices. And even as he and Sage’s ownership seek to expand their fine dining empire with the acquisition of Bijou Café in Downtown, Chef Covelli and sidekick Brett Wagner found time to create a summer menu of dishes both swanky and thoughtful, and even win a “Wine Spectator” award of excellence along the way.
The first standout is the seared foie gras first course. An appetizing grid of sear marks line the foie gras, which comes atop an apricot compote, itself spread upon a parmesan polenta cake. The arrangement on its own is a decadent and inspired bit of culinary freestyle as it blends sweet, savory and richness in a way that honors traditional platings of foie gras while going beyond them. But then the blackberries that adorn the edge of the artfully plated stack are themselves a statement, pickled as they are in kimchi liquid.
An ideal wine pairing from Sage’s cellar is the 2017 Eldorado Gold from Ferrari-Carano, a Sauternes-style dessert wine made with Botrytised Semillon grapes. Similar in complex sweetness to a Hungarian Tokaj aszu wine on the higher end of the puttonyos rating system, the liquid candy’s notes of apricot in the bouquet and honey or crème brulee on the palate pairs perfectly with the silky savoriness of the foie gras.
From the main course menu, an annatto-crusted pork belly offers a similarly luxurious experience. Braised for over four hours, the fat in the pork belly is rendered expertly to melt in the mouth rather than pose a challenge in chewing. Topped with a garlicky charred gremolata, Covelli found a unique accompaniment in the form of sunchokes, similar to Jerusalem artichokes, and these he chops and roasts into something that looks like roasted fingerling potatoes but taste more vegetal. Finally, it all sits on a thin layer of fennel tomatillo puree that rounds out the look and flavor profile of the plate with its bright green hue and hint of sweet-and-sour.
In typical Covelli fashion, wine pairings at Sage never mean breaking the bank. “I was always taught to go low-to-medium in cost,” says Covelli, “and that the expensive stuff is just to show off.” In this spirit, a smooth 2019 Rioja Tempranillo from Honoro Vera has a fruit-forward flavor with a savory cocoa finish that’s low in acidity.
Sage’s summer menu runs through September 5, at which point Sage closes for renovations for the month of September and reopens October 5. 
Photo taken by Andrew Fabian
The John and Mable ringling Museum of Art is pleased to present Ecoperformance Week, Sept. 6- 12, 2021. Ecoperformance events at The Ringling have an arts-driven focus on conversations, performances, activities and films about ecology, climate, culture and environmental justice. The field of eco-performance looks at climate change and environmental justice as multifaceted environmental and social phenomena that can be transformed through cultural engagement. The week will kick-off with a streaming presentation of Ludic Proxy: Fukushima on Sept. 6. Set a few years after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster in Fukushima, Japan, the film is a video adaptation of Brooklyn-based theater-maker Aya Ogawa’s play Ludic Proxy.
The 7th Annual Manatee Pride Festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 18, 2021, once again at the beautiful downtown Bradenton Riverwalk, from noon to 5pm. Manatee Pride 2021 will again have live performers and renowned bands, great food at reasonable prices, beer, cider (and other libations), health checks and more.
Manatee County Government has intensified its daily beach raking efforts along the shores of Anna Maria Island, and County staff have begun taking additional steps to address red tide before it reaches local beaches. To date Manatee County has avoided the worst impacts from an early summer red tide bloom, but County leaders are taking steps to ensure Manatee beaches remain clear from debris. “We are staying ahead of this situation and we’ll be announcing additional efforts to keep our beaches clean and clear in the coming days,” said Dr. Scott Hopes, Manatee County Administrator. “Multiple County departments and dozens of our staff are making considerable efforts behind the scenes to ensure we know where red tide is, where it’s headed and how we’ll address it before it impacts our local beaches.”
The Academy at Glengary provides workforce development that helps address this technology gap, but the pandemic put a spotlight on just how crucial digital literacy is on the job. In response, the Academy at Glengary created an initiative to better prepare its members—adults on a journey to recover from serious mental illness—for the modern workplace. The $200,000 Gateway to the Future initiative ambitiously provides the tools and training needed to give members every advantage in their quest for gainful, fulfilling employment.
Intercoastal Medical Group is pleased to announce the addition of Internal Medicine physician Jacob S. Gardner, MD, to its Hyde Park East office. Dr. Gardner is accepting new patients. He is located at the Intercoastal Medical Group Hyde Park Internal & Family Medicine Practice, 2881 Hyde Park Street, Sarasota, FL; phone 941- 366-2460.
Florida Studio Theatre (FST)’s resident improv team, FST Improv, returns to the Bowne’s Lab stage with one the troupe’s most popular shows, Life’s a Beach. Drawing inspiration from audience suggestions, FST Improv’s cast members create scenes and musical numbers that celebrate—and poke fun at—all things Sarasota. Beginning June 5, FST Improv will perform Life’s a Beach every Saturday at 7:30pm in FST’s Bowne’s Lab. Doors open one hour before show time. A full food and drink menu is available for pre-show dining. Tickets are now on sale at 941-366-9000 or floridastudiotheatre.org. After performing for live, limited capacity audiences this spring in FST’s Mainstage Keating Theatre, FST Improv will now return to its home theatre, FST’s Bowne’s Lab. Lampooning and celebrating this piece of paradise loved by so many are FST Improv members Kevin Allen, Sarah Durham, Kyle Van Frank, and Will Luera. These quick-thinking performers will also be joined onstage by one of two musical improvisers, Sergei Glushonkov and Michelle Neal. From the annual snowbird migration and never-ending construction to pervasive roundabout confusion and elusive downtown parking, nothing is safe from a good-spirited tease.
The Kids Summer Beach Runs are one mile beach runs held every Tuesday (through July 27) at Siesta Beach on Siesta Key near the pavilion, and every Wednesday (through July 28) at Brohard Beach (1600 Harbor Drive) next to the Venice Fishing Pier, near Fins at Sharky's, Venice. This one-mile fun run for kids is a summer favorite and a great opportunity for families to exercise together and have fun at the beach! Weekly registration begins at 5:30 pm with race time at 6:30 pm. Kids receive a participation ribbon at each run. Complete four runs and earn a free custom t-shirt. The runs are a popular summer event combining exercise and fun. Ages 1 - 17. 948 Beach Rd., Sarasota
Siesta Beach, Venice Beach
A solo exhibition of abstract figurative paintings by William Swanson Inspired by the beauty of the coral reef will be open June 26-July 30. His passion for the beauty and mystery of the coral reef has led Bill Swanson to attempt to bring attention to its endangered ecosystem through his paintings. William started scuba diving in 1985 with a trip to Roatan, Honduras. It was not until 1998 that Swanson began studying painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. His love of diving has remained, but due to the strenuousness of this sport, he limits his exploration to snorkeling to catch the beauty of underwater life. Memories of the beauty he saw while scuba diving and his continued concern for the underwater environment have been a constant theme in his large paintings. His works are featured in the window and inside the gallery during this solo exhibition. Swanson will be in the gallery for our MEET THE ARTIST event on two consecutive Saturdays, June 26 and July 3 from 10am to 3pm. 1367 Main St., Sarasota
Art Uptown Gallery
Participate in 60-minute Salsa dance lessons taught by DK Dance from July 1 through July 29 at 6:30pm. Then practice your new dance moves with 30 minutes of social dancing. This evening of Latin culture and lively dance will be great for students who participated in the Summer Latin Series and beginners alike. This is an outdoor event. Please wear workout clothes and sneakers. We also encourage participants to bring a water bottle. Museum admission is not included. About the Instructors: DK Dance Creations is a Latin dance studio located in Sarasota, FL. Offering Latin dance classes, choreography services for wedding/quince/sweet-sixteens, private instruction, dance teams, dance shoe store and makeup classes. They provide an array of classes including but not limited to Bachata, Salsa On1, Salsa On2, Cha-cha, Kizomba, musicality, spinning techniques, tricks and lifts and many more. Individual Class is $15 for nonmembers, $14 for members, and $10 for students. Purchase the complete 5-class series and save, $50 or $45 for members.
An international art exhibit designed to proclaim inclusion, respect and kindness debuts at Sarasota-Bradenton’s Nathan Benderson Park. The annual, juried art exhibit is composed by a Sarasota-based arts and education non-profit, Embracing Our Differences (EOD). It consists of 50 billboard-sized works of art, each accompanied by an inspirational quote. The international exhibit uses the power of art and prose to promote diversity and inclusion. The 2021 exhibit brought 15,912 entries from 128 nations, and from 48 U.S. states. The winning quotes and art are showcased in the Bayfront Park every year, from January through March. Thanks to the generosity of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, the public will have another opportunity to see this exhibit. The exhibit is on display at the park May 20 - Aug. 8 and is free for the public to view.
Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota
American Fanfare concert will be held Sunday, July 4 at 4pm at the Sarasota Opera House and will be available on demand from July 17 to August 17. Rousing patriotic anthems and stirring inspirational choral works celebrate Independence Day. The Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble joins Choral Artists for the first time, performing Sousa marches to complement the program. Musical fireworks abound in this annual salute to America.
WSLR + Fogartyville is pleased to host a Summer Spoken Word series for individuals that want to explore the art form or those experienced with spoken word that want to work in a collaborative environment to develop new pieces. Spoken word poetry is a broad designation for poetry intended for performance. Though some spoken word poetry may also be published on the page, the genre has its roots in oral traditions and performance. Spoken word can encompass or contain elements of rap, hip-hop, storytelling, theater, and jazz, rock, blues, and folk music. Characterized by rhyme, repetition, improvisation, and word play, spoken word poems frequently refer to issues of social justice, politics, race, and community. Related to slam poetry, spoken word may draw on music, sound, dance, or other kinds of performance to connect with audiences.
The series will start with four workshops and end with a live performance on Friday, August 13th at 7pm. Each workshop will be two hours in length and participants are asked to make a commitment to all four sessions. The cost to attend all four workshops is $20 per person and scholarships are available if the cost is a barrier to participation.
Participants will learn about the spoken word art form---including (but not limited to) what it is, its history, writing techniques, and performance practices. In doing so, participants will also gain self-knowledge as they create different narratives and performances. All participants will walk away with a portfolio of poems at various stages, as well as two polished performance pieces. They will perform these poems at a culminating event, open to the public. The workshop series will spark creativity, nourish vulnerability, strengthen community and uncover marginalized histories and art (spoken word poetry is inextricably linked to the Harlem Renaissance, the Black Arts Movement, and hip hop). The workshop will be limited to 20 participants. Pre-registration is required. You can register online at WSLR.org.
WSLR, Fogartyville , 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota
When people think of the Apollo program, they tend to remember Apollo 11 (the first moon landing) and Apollo 13 (the successful failure), but Apollo 15 was an extremely important mission as well. Mission commander David Scott and lunar module pilot Jim Irwin became the first humans to drive a vehicle on another world — the 460-pound Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV)! Scott and Irwin traveled 17.5 miles (compared to Apollo 14’s previous record of 2.1 miles) and Scott and Irwin set a record for most time on the lunar surface during extravehicular activities: 18 hours and 37 minutes. Have you ever imagined what it was like to drive a rover on the Moon’s surface? You can experience one of humanity's greatest achievements in The Planetarium during 15: Mission of Discovery, a new show created exclusively by The Bishop to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 15 moon landing! Playing July 20-August 31 only at The Bishop! Tuesday-Friday: 12:15 and 2:45pm Saturday: 12:15 and 2:45pm Sunday: 12:30 and 2:30pm
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature , 201 10th Street West., Bradenton
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