Since June 13th, something special has been brewing amongst the West Coast Black Theatre Troupe. Unlike the company’s traditional performances, however, this is not an effort spurred on by the talents of professional performers, but from the efforts of the Sarasota area youth. Now in its seventh year, the WBTT’s Stage of Discovery summer musical theater training program continues to be a haven for 13-18 year olds interested in exploring musical theater. The five week intensive program, requires an audition for entry, but is free of charge and offers lessons in singing, dancing, and acting from WBTT staff and guest instructors.

“The program is geared towards under-represented kids who typically wouldn’t have the opportunity to study theater. It’s a five week intensive featuring singing, acting and dancing with instructors of varying levels of experience coming in to teach. It culminates in the performance of an original production, We Dream, says Jim Weaver, WBTT’s Education Director and Artistic Associate.

We Dream, which was created, adapted, and directed by Weaver, will be performed by camp members on July 16th and 17th at the WBTT’s Donelly Theatre. The title of the production is in reference to the collective youth’s hope for a better future - something that Weaver felt was particularly relevant to the uncertain times the country finds itself in. “I wanted these young adults to have an opportunity to teach us adults - to express how they dream about a better future and a safer world, where we can all accept each other for who we are,” attests Weaver.

We Dream will feature a cohesive grouping of song and dance numbers, poetry, and monologues, all tied together by the production’s universal theme of peace, love, and understanding. “I wanted to challenge the students by putting something together that incorporated all three of the basic art forms they are studying - not just the song and dance aspect, but the acting as well. For We Dream, I created a compilation of different songs, strung together with poetry or monologues by different playwrights,” says Weaver. Tickets are $27/adults, $17/students

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Box Office: 941-366-1505, 1012 N. Orange Ave, Sarasota. Tickets are $27/adults, $17/students. 

Pictured: Rehearsal of WBTTs We Dream. Photo by Sorcha Augustine.

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For more than 12 years, architect James Nichols suffered from swallowing and throat problems. His condition got so bad he had trouble eating and sleeping, he lost more than 20 pounds and had constipation issues. He went to see Sarasota gastroenterologist Abdelhai Abdelqader, M.D., who diagnosed the problem and recommended a new procedure called POEMS. In the past patients like Nichols would have to travel to Orlando or Gainesville and wait months to see a specialist, but now this procedure is being offered at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital. Physicians are now able to perform the peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) procedure at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital. Physicians use high-definition, flexible endoscopes to go through the patient’s mouth and into the esophagus. Procedures are done in the endoscopy lab, which means no operating room or surgical scars for patients. Most patients go home the same day or just stay overnight. “This is big city care being done locally and this is the latest in endoscopic management. Complex digestive issues, that used to require surgery are now being done incisionless and minimally invasive so that means patients no longer have to suffer,” said board certified gastroenterologist Abdelhai Abdelqader, M.D. Patients are now coming to the Sarasota area from other parts of the state for treatment. James Nichols, is glad he didn’t have to travel far from his seasonal home in Sarasota. “In addition to eating and swallowing better, I sleep better and have an overall quality of life improvement,” added Nichols. 

Pictured: Endoscopy Team with Dr. Abdelqader.

Embracing Our Differences recently named Sheila D. McKoy as its exhibition director. As an employee of the New Jersey Transit system for nearly 30 years, McKoy, a public art and creative placemaking expert and consultant, coordinated more than 150 public arts projects at transit facilities throughout the transportation system. During her tenure there, she managed the selection of artists from around the nation and oversaw contract negotiations with contractors and artists alike. McKoy also served as coordinator between communities, consultants, architects, and engineers to smoothly guide the process of integrating the artworks. In her new role, McKoy will oversee the planning, staging and management of Embracing Our Differences annual exhibit. McKoy participates regularly in panel discussions on public art at events and venues around the nation, including Audible, Pratt Institute, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, creative place-making conferences, and at museums and galleries. She is a board member of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County. McKoy holds a BA and an MBA in business management. 

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An effective mental health and supportive-housing program for homeless adults in Sarasota will be expanding its work into Manatee County. Second Heart Homes recently purchased a property in Bradenton on June 9, expanding its program capacity to serve 43 men and women. The timing of the expansion comes as homelessness is up 25 percent in Manatee County since September, and more than 65 percent of those are homeless for the first time. Second Heart Homes’ high-touch, tailored-services approach sets it apart from other homelessness nonprofits by providing long-term housing and care that revives dignity, establishes stability, and teaches independence. Clients come to the organization based on their commitment to address their mental and physical health, remain sober and achieve personal goals toward self-sufficiency. Many later rejoin the community. The purchase of the new property was enabled by a $300,000 grant from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Other community leaders came together quickly to support the purchase, too, Howell said. Since being founded in 2019, the organization has provided its clients with more than 10,000 nights of living off the street. This has helped alleviate the strain on emergency and other social services personnel to care for homeless individuals, as well as the prevalence of panhandling. 

Pictured: Megan Howell, founder and executive director of Second Heart Homes (second from left) celebrates with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty team members Emilie Sebion, Craig Cerreta and Tamara Currey, who helped facilitate the purchase. Photo

Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) has elected the following officers for the 2022-2023 fiscal year: Barbara V. Gardner, Chair; Patrick Duggan, First Vice President; Shelley Walters-Walker, Second Vice President; Joan Castellani, Secretary; Andrea Hunt, Treasurer. Newly elected board members are: Gwen Arcara, Roger Capote, Luisa Goldman, Jami Goodlad, JoAnn Heisen and David Rayner. Continuing board members are: Susan Ghezzi, Charlotte Hinman, Capt. Deb Kiner and Charles Wilson. Outgoing board members are: Susan Erhart, Becky Mahoney, Diane Muir, Coral Pleas, Lori Rodgers, and Emily Walsh. “With over 40 years of service in our communities, SPARCC continues to successfully grow the free and confidential programs and services offered to survivors and their children,” said newly elected SPARCC Board Chair, Barbara Gardner. “I am honored to be part of an organization committed to being the heart of community free from the grip of domestic and sexual violence, and looking very forward to my term as Board Chair.” 

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation announces the appointment of new board member, Jon Soderberg. Soderberg is managing partner at Prinsen Ventures and an attorney. He previously practiced with two large Washington, D.C.-based firms for several years and served as senior counsel for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of Enforcement. Jon joined medical device technology company Welch Allyn in 1999, where he served in several roles. In 2011 he was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Development and Strategy Officer, and later led the merger with Hillrom creating a global leader in patient care solutions. Jon earned a bachelor’s degree from Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland and a Juris Doctorate degree from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. A resident of Sarasota, Jon is a former trustee at Goucher College and currently sits on the board of PhotoniCare, a medical technology company. The current 20-member Healthcare Foundation board also includes Deb Kabinoff, Chair; Philip A. Delaney Jr., Past-Chair; Joel Morganroth, M.D., Treasurer; Gwen Mackenzie, Secretary; Robert G. Bartner; Carl W. Battle; Ariane M. Dart; Gary Dornbush; Mary Evelyn Guyton; Thomas F. Kelly, M.D.; Robert P. Martin; Diane M. Mayer; Jonathan E. Mitchell; Barbara Rodkin; Eric Spiegel; Sandra Stuart; David Verinder (Ex Officio); Kirk Voelker, M.D.; and Robert L. Wood. 

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