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SRQ DAILY May 11, 2023

Thursday Family and Recreation Edition

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Thursday Family and Recreation Edition

"We are overwhelmed in the best way possible by how quickly Creative Liberties has been able to grow. "

- Barbara Gerdeman, Creative Liberties,
 

[Baseball]  A Packed Weekend at LECOM Park
Dylan Campbell, dylan@srqme.com

Minor League baseball is alive and well on the Gulf Coast, with the schedule of the Florida State League already in full swing. The Bradenton Marauders, the Single-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, came home to Bradenton’s LECOM Park on Tuesday night after a two-week road trip. For the Marauders, who at 16-12 are second in the Florida State League West division, this return home could not have come at a more opportune time. As of Wednesday morning, the team is 5-5 in their last ten games and losers of their last three – the homestand will hopefully give them a chance to lick their wounds and continue the chase for the division title of which they are five games behind the Clearwater Threshers, the Single-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.

For baseball fans in the area, catching a Marauders game means more than just the chance to see some good baseball, it means laying eyes on players that might be stars of the future. The Bradenton Marauders are home to two of the Pittsburgh Pirates top 30 prospects: Thomas Harrington, a right-handed pitcher that was drafted 36th overall in 2022 out of Campbell University and 19-year old Shalin Polanco, an outfielder that was signed as an international free agent in 2021. Although Polanco has had a rough start to the season, Harrington has fared well, posting a 4-0 record with a 3.65 ERA in five starts.

This weekend’s homestand will also feature a number of promotional events, starting with Thirsty Thursday on Thursday night’s game against the Lakeland Flying Tigers, which will feature discounted alcohol prices for all fans 21 and over as well as $1 sodas. Friday’s event will be a Women in Sports Night that will include a pre-game panel of the important women that keep the Marauders’ organization running smoothly, and Saturday night is titled Star Wars Night in which the Marauders will take the field in Star Wars themed jerseys that will be available for auction after the game as well as a post-game fireworks display.

LECOM Park, 1611 9th St W, Bradenton. 

Pictured: Star Wars Night 2016. Photo courtesy of the Bradenton Herald.

To learn more click here.

[St. Martha Catholic School]  RocketKids: Guide to Private Schools - St. Martha Catholic School

ST. MARTHA CATHOLIC SCHOOL (SMCS) in Sarasota offers a challenging, faith-based academic experience to students in pre-kindergarden through eighth grade. "In effort to serve God and our community, students, staff and families work together to maintain high academic standards develop Christ-centered relationships, and provide stewardship to Sarasota and the surrounding areas," a spokesman for SMCS says. "Students have consistently performed in the top 20 percent across the nation year after year."

The school follows a STREAM curriculum (an interdisciplinary, standards-based model that integrates science, technology, religion, engineering, arts and mathematics). Teachers design units of study that challenge and empower students, creating an environment that encourages problem-solving collaboration, student-led inquiry and hands-on projects. A science lab, vegetable and prayer gardens, open fields and the Zazarino Center serve as dynamic learning spaces. The Catholic faith is woven into all subjects and grade levels, promoting a culture of innovation and ethical action.

School’s Mission
In partnership with Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church, the mission of St. Martha Catholic School is to provide each student with diverse opportunities which develop strength in faith, and excellence in knowledge and learning. Students build character through their Christian service to the school, parish and world communities. 

Check out more on this feature!

[Sporting Events]  Visit Sarasota Celebrates Eventful April for Sports Tourism

Visit Sarasota County, the official tourism marketing arm of Sarasota County, hosted a busy April 2023 for sporting events. Notable tournaments this month, which drew significant tourism numbers for the area, included adult and youth competitions in golf, tennis, swimming, rowing, soccer and softball at world-class facilities throughout Sarasota County and Lakewood Ranch. Among the events supported by Visit Sarasota County in the last month, the Association of Tennis Players (ATP) Challenger Tour Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open at Payne Park, the USA Swimming Open Water National Championships at Nathan Benderson Park, and the 5th Annual LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood National Golf Club drew elite adult athletes and fans, while the Florida Scholastic Rowing Association’s Sculling and Sweep Championships at Nathan Benderson Park, the 11th Annual Sarasota Cup (soccer) at Premier Sports Campus, and the Miss Florida Mid-Season Tournament at the Miss Sarasota Softball Complex attracted youth teams and their families. Nathan Benderson Park, Payne Park and the Miss Sarasota Softball Complex at 17th Street Park and Fruitville Park are all public facilities built and maintained in part through Sarasota County funds, and are available for public recreation. The Miss Sarasota Softball Complex, built more than 40 years ago as the area’s first softball facility, is currently undergoing Phase 1 of an extensive renovation and expansion valued at $46 million. 

To learn more click here.

[Farmers Market]  Bradenton Public Market Adds Summer Dates

Realize Bradenton is pleased to announce the continuation of the Bradenton Public Market (Market) through the summer months. The regular weekly Market season runs October 1, 2022 – June 3, 2023, however, due to record-breaking attendance during this season, summer dates have been added. The summer Markets are scheduled once a month on the last Saturdays of June (24th), July (29th), and August (26th) on Old Main Street and 3rd Ave West in Bradenton from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. Our Market family is excited to see their customers throughout the summer while still enjoying some well-earned time off. The Market was founded in April of 1979 in a Downtown Bradenton parking lot. Over the past 44 years, the Market has grown and evolved to fill Old Main Street with produce, local artisans, and prepared foods. In addition to the increase in attendance, as the only open-air market in Manatee County that participates in both SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and FAB (Fresh Access Bucks), it is valuable to have these resources available to the community throughout the summer.

Bradenton Public Market, Summer Dates (Monthly), Last Saturdays of June (24), July (29), August (26), 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, Old Main Street and 3rd Ave West, RealizeBradenton.com/Market. 

[Arts & Entertainment]  May Events at Creative Liberties

Creative Liberties Artist Studios and Gallery, based on a foundation of artists helping artists, continues its season’s offerings with an all-packed May. It starts with a reception and party for the Spring Exhibition at Art Ovation, Thursday, May 11; 6 p.m. The exhibit is "Onaelan,” featuring the work of 10 Creative Liberties studio artists. The event includes a reception at 6 p.m., followed by a party at the Perspectives Rooftop Bar. Meet the artists, walk the galleries, enjoy hors d'oeuvres, champagne, signature cocktails and live entertainment. Featured Creative Liberties artists are: Elizabeth Goodwill, Barbara Gerdeman, Jie Li, Adrienne Watts, Sandy Koolkin, Drita Hajroja, Jeff Vasington, Donna Bergman, Traci Kegerreis, and Lisa DiFranza. Creative Liberties presents the Summer Second Saturday Open Studios, Saturday, May 13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. All three Creative Liberties locations will be open along with six other local area studios. Visit www.creativeliberties.net for a full listing of studios (and addresses) that will be participating. Join Creative Liberties for an opening reception to welcome artists David Munoz and Emily Baar as the May and June artists-in-residence at Gaze Gallery, Thursday, May 18, 5-7 p.m. Creative Liberties at Gaze Gallery is located in the ARCOS Apartments at 340 Central Avenue in the Rosemary District, Sarasota. There will be beverages and lite bites. Finally, bring the whole family for Family Art Day, Saturday, May 27, 9 a.m.- noon. These free monthly events feature interactive art-creating sessions led by professional artists. Artist Drita Dawn will lead families in a creative project that is suitable for all age and skill levels. No RSVP is required. This is a free program, made possible by generous funding from the Floyd C Johnson and Flo Singer Johnson Foundation. Creative Liberties Artist Studios and Gallery was founded in November 2021 by Barbara Gerdeman and Elizabeth Goodwill, both artists and art educators. Goodwill explains that they launched this venture “to empower regional artists with a variety of business services and studio and exhibition opportunities.” Creative Liberties is a collective, communal space that provides work and display space for local artists. There are also display walls available for non-studio artists to rent. The enterprise recently celebrated the openings of two more locations at 927 N Lime Avenue that features 10 new studio artists, additional gallery walls and the Creative Academy classroom/ community space; and at 340 Central Avenue, which offers limited-time artist residencies for work and display space. "We are overwhelmed in the best way possible by how quickly Creative Liberties has been able to grow. We are extremely grateful for the incredible support we have received from the community, including from the public, the artists, the arts advocates and the media. This support is the catalyst to the rapid growth we've experienced,” says Gerdeman.

For more information about Creative Liberties, visit www.creativeliberties.net; call 941-799-6634 or email info@creativeliberties.net. The Limelight studios are open to the public, Thursday to Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and Sunday to Wednesday by appointment. The Rosemary artists residency at Gaze Gallery is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Pictured: Creative Liberties studio artists. Photo courtesy of Creative Liberties.

[Grand Opening]  The Pickleball Club Celebrates Grand Opening of First Indoor Facility in Florida

The Pickleball Club, a firm founded in 2019 and the nation’s leading developer and operator of private membership-based high-amenity indoor pickleball facilities throughout Florida, recently celebrated the grand opening of its first club. In Sarasota near Lakewood Ranch, Fla., the recent ribbon-cutting marks the opening of the first dedicated indoor pickleball facility in the state, and the company has six more underway, with a goal of opening at least 15 over the next five years. The 33,393-square-foot club located at 1300 Sarasota Center Blvd. officially opened its doors to the public on Tuesday, May 2. It features championship-grade courts with permanent nets, an outdoor players’ courtyard, Pickles Café, Dink’s Pro Shop, an indoor players’ lounge observation deck, luxurious locker rooms and a HEPA filtered air-conditioned environment. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on May 2 to commemorate the occasion. Attendees heard from executives of The Pickleball Club and guest speakers, including Steve Johnson, president and owner of Southern Cross Contracting; Catrina Southall, USDA deputy state director for Florida; and Brittany Lamont, president and CEO of Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, among others. The event attracted over 200 people. Last month, the club announced the purchase of two additional properties in Venice and Pinellas Park, bringing its total of secured locations to seven. The Venice club will be located at the intersection of Crestview Boulevard and Jacaranda Boulevard. The Club will have 16 indoor pickleball courts and two outdoor pickleball courts. The Pinellas Park location is located at Gateway Centre Business Park and will have 16 indoor pickleball courts and two outdoor courts. Four other clubs are under development in Port St. Lucie, The Villages, Fort Myers and Bonita Springs. The Pickleball Club’s strategy is to take advantage of the significant unmet demand for a quality indoor social-sports experience dedicated to pickleball. Each of the company’s clubs range between 34,000 to 50,000 square feet with 12 to 16 indoor pickleball courts, multiple outdoor courts, an outdoor players’ courtyard, Dink’s Pro Shop, Pickles Café, luxurious locker room facilities and ample space for gathering with friends, new and old. 

Pictured: Matt Gordon, Brian McCarthy and Valerie McCarthy from The Pickleball Club cutting the ribbon. Photo courtesy of The Pickleball Club.

[Presentations]  New College Challenge Campus Design Collaboration to Present Final Designs to Community

New College of Florida, alongside six partner universities who participated in the NewCollege Challenge, will present their final New College Campus designs May 12-13, 2023. As part of the "New College Challenge," a year-long initiative, New College invites members of the community to observe presentations and provide feedback on Friday, May 12, and take part in an exhibition and panel discussion on Saturday, May 13, 2023.

Friday, May 12, 2023. New College Challenge Presentations & Feedback, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Design professors present work, Mildred Sainer Auditorium, New College of Florida, 5313 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota. Saturday, May 13, 2023. New College Challenge Exhibition & Panel Discussion, 10 – 11:30 a.m.., Open house with student designers, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Panel discussion with partnering design professors, Architecture Sarasota, 265 S Orange Ave., Sarasota. Partnering universities include Kean University, Syracuse University, University of Florida, University of Miami, University of South Florida and Yale University. 

[Grant]  New Funding from CareSource to Support Educational Services for Children with Disabilities

Easterseals Southwest Florida announced today it will receive a grant of $30,000 to support educational services at its Easterseals Academy for children with intellectual and physical disabilities. The grant is part of a national $2.55 million donation CareSource, a nationally recognized leader in managed care. Funding from the grant to Easterseals Southwest Florida will support Easterseals Academy, a specialized educational option for children in grades K-12 living with intellectual and physical disabilities. Therapy integrated into the school day allows students to stay in school and to make positive progression toward their education and therapy goals. For more than 30 years, CareSource enterprise has built trusted relationships with the mission of transforming health care with innovative programs and a family-centered model of care that address the social determinants of health, health equity, prevention and access to care. CareSource and its family of brands have been a part of improving quality of services offered to Floridians since 2019. The nonprofit, nationally recognized managed care organization serves over 2.3 million members and administers one of the largest Medicaid managed care plans in the U.S. The organization offers health insurance, including Medicaid, Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicare products. CareSource also recently expanded its national footprint and ability to serve more members with complex needs by acquiring The Columbus Organization, which partners with health care agencies and provider organizations in 12 states to support individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and behavioral health challenges through its staffing, quality improvement and care coordination services. Annual CareSource grants of $725,000 will support the work of select Easterseals Affiliates nationwide, the work of Easterseals’ national office, and the organization’s Project on Education and Community Health Equity, an initiative focused on addressing the educational and health care needs of children with disabilities, including children with disabilities of color, so they are kindergarten ready and can reach their full potential. Another round of funding for Easterseals affiliates’ programs and services will be announced in late 2023. 

[Recognition]  Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation Names Five Educators As Ripple Effect Award Winners

Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation is again celebrating the incredible work of Sarasota County educators who go above and beyond. On Friday, five educators were greeted by their principal, the interim superintendent, and district leadership during a surprise ceremony where they were named 2023 Ripple Effect Award winners and presented a $5,000 check from Barancik Foundation. Please join us in celebrating: DaVida Dagan of Glenallen Elementary School, Holly DeWitt of Brookside Middle School, Diana Eidel of Wilkinson Elementary School, Chelsie Jacob of Laurel Nokomis Middle School, Jeff Kahler of Suncoast Polytech High School. 

[Leadership]  Manatee District Announces Assistant Principal Appointments

The School District of Manatee County is announcing newly named Assistant Principals at the following schools for the 2023-2024 school year. Elementary Assistant Principals: Scott Flynn from Assistant Principal at Prine Elementary to Assistant Principal at Daughtrey Elementary School, Mary Cooke from Assistant Principal in Alachua County to Assistant Principal at Prine Elementary School, Heather Rivero from Student Support Specialist at Myakka Elementary to Elementary Assistant Principal at Johnson K-8 School, Angela Young from Interim Assistant Principal at Samoset to Assistant Principal at Samoset Elementary School, Susan Ebbesmeyer from School Coordinator at Palmetto Elementary to Assistant Principal at Palmetto Elementary School, Shelby Bench to Assistant Principal at Barbara Harvey Elementary School. Secondary Assistant Principals: Bethany Gerber from Assistant Principal at Dr. Mona Jain Middle to Assistant Principal at Haile Middle. Dr. Minetha Brown from Assistant Principal at Nolan Middle to Assistant Principal at Lincoln Middle, Dr. Linda Francis from Assistant Principal at Manatee High to Assistant Principal at Southeast High, Danielle McClellan from Testing Coordinator at Southeast High to Assistant Principal at Dr. Mona Jain Middle, Denise Brigg from Instructional Specialist at the PSC, to Assistant Principal at Manatee High School, Ashley Dohme from Student Support Specialist at Palmetto High to Assistant Principal at Parrish Community High, Jacob Sponsel from Dean at Lakewood Ranch High to Assistant Principal at Nolan Middle School. 

[Arts & Entertainment]  Sarasota Opera Presents HD at the Opera House Oklahoma Starring Hugh Jackman

Sarasota Opera is pleased to present an HD at the Opera House film of a National Theatre production of Oklahoma! starring Hugh Jackman. This will be shown on Sunday, July 16 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and are $22. This acclaimed, Olivier Award-winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! Starring then-newcomer Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables, The Greatest Showman) as Curly, alongside Maureen Lipman, Josefina Gabrielle and Shuler Hensley, this riveting stage production was filmed during its record-breaking 1998 run in London. Directed by theatre legend Trevor Nunn (CATS, Les Misérables) with new choreography by Susan Stroman, Oklahoma! features some of musical theatre’s most delightfully hummable songs, including “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin,” “The Surrey With The Fringe On Top” and the joyous title tune, “Oklahoma”. Now one of the most beloved musicals ever to grace the stage is now coming to big screens around the globe 80 years after it first premiered on Broadway. All seats are general admission. Ticket buyers are encouraged to purchase tickets before arriving at the theater. Information and tickets can be found online at SarasotaOpera.org or by calling (941)328-1300. 



[SOON]  MUSIC: Jazz Thursday at Sarasota Art Museum , February 9 – June 8, 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Join Sarasota Art Museum for Jazz Thursdays featuring live jazz music, contemporary art, and sips and bites from Bistro. Hosted by the Jazz Club of Sarasota. Jazz Thursday happens on the second Thursday of each month, 5:30-8 p.m. Galleries, Bistro, and SHOP open. FREE for Members, $20 for Not-Yet Members.

[SOON]  MUSIC: The Concert, A Tribute to ABBA , May 11, 7:30 pm

The Concert, A Tribute to ABBA brings one of the greatest pop phenomena back to life. The Concert, A Tribute to ABBA continues to be the top ABBA tribute group in the world, dazzling all who see their fantastic performance while playing the most iconic hits from ABBA, including Mamma Mia, Waterloo and Dancing Queen. Tickets are $27-$72 and can be purchased at www.VanWezel.org, by calling the box office at 941-263-6799 or by visiting the box office. Groups of 10 or more should contact 941-263-6726. Pre-show dining is available through Mattison’s at the Van Wezel which is located inside the theatre. Reservations can be made on VanWezel.org or through the box office. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, vanwezel.org.

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Wonderball at The Circus Arts Conservatory , May 12, 8 pm
The Circus Arts Conservatory presents a brand-new event, intended to enthrall existing supporters as well as bring new fans into the fold while benefiting its youth education programs. Wonderball promises to be an epic concert experience, featuring twice Grammy Award-nominated electronic dance music artist and music producer, Steve Aoki. This is an all-ages welcome event; alcohol and bar service will be available to guests ages 21 and up with proper ID. The venue will be decorated and lighted to convey the ambience of an EDM show, with special circus touches as only the CAC can provide. Guests are encouraged to dress in their flashiest clubwear. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit circusarts.org. Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota, circusartswonderball.com.
[SOON]  SEMINAR: Black Women in Our Collective Culture at Hermitage Beach , May 12, 6:30 pm
Black Women in our Collective Culture will feature Hermitage Fellows Delita Martin and Imani Perry. Two acclaimed Hermitage Fellows, visual artist Delita Martin and author Imani Perry, share a common subject redefining the role and representation that Black people and Black women occupy in our collective culture. Combining various creative practices such as collaging, drawing, painting, printmaking, and sewing techniques, Delita Martin has been exhibited both nationally and internationally. Author of seven books including South to America, A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon Line to Understand the Soul of a Nation, Imani Perry is the Hughes-Rogers Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University. Join these two incredible artists and educators on Hermitage Beach to hear and see insights into their important work. Registration is required at HermitageArtistRetreat.org and is $5 per person. Hermitage Beach, 6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood.
[SOON]  BUSINESS: Sarasota County Schools Job Fair , May 15, 10 am to 2 pm

You are invited to attend a Job Fair on Monday, May 15 at the Carlisle Inn in Sarasota. You will have the opportunity to learn about a variety of careers available throughout the SCS district, learn about the valuable benefits offered and complete an online application. School and district staff will be available for questions and application assistance. To register, please visit sarasotacountyschool.net. Email recruitment@sarasotacountyschools.net with any questions. Carlisle Inn, 3727 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota.

[SOON]  FOOD: SIN Nights at Geckos on Hillview , May 12 – August 31, 10 pm to midnight

Enjoy SIN Nights for Geckos Hospitality and Service Industry Colleagues. Join Geckos on Hillview Street in Southside Village and let us serve you late at night after your shift on Friday and Saturday nights. We will keep the light on late for you and offer Geckos food and drink specials just for you from 10-Midnight. Come in wearing your uniform or bring in your schedule and enjoy the camaraderie of friends at Geckos on Hillview. 1900 Hillview Street, Sarasota, www.GeckosGrill.com.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Sarasota Cars and Coffee at University Town Center , March 11 – December 9, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

This monthly gathering of car enthusiasts brings together automobile lovers from every walk of life, not to mention a wide array of spectacular cars. Bring your own vehicle (all makes and models are welcome) to show off, or check out the hundreds of cars on display. Each month, the event sponsors a different charity, and attendees are encouraged to donate $10 to benefit the charity. The event, occuring on the second Sunday of each month, will feature live music, complimentary coffee and more. To learn more, visit facebook.com/carsandcoffee941. Sarasota Cars and Coffee, The West District at University Town Center near Ford’s Garage, 295 N. Cattlemen Rd., Sarasota.

[SOON]  MUSEUM: Eco Engineers , April 12 – September 3, During museum hours

Eco Engineers are plants and animals that profoundly impact their ecosystem. Through their presence or behavior, eco engineers create microhabitats, or unique areas within an ecosystem. Other species have taken notice of these microhabitats and decided to move in! In this exhibition, explore nine of Florida’s eco engineers and discover why our landscape wouldn’t be the same without them. Eco Engineers is a bilingual (English and Spanish) special exhibition created by our own Museum curators. Included with museum admission. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton, bishopscience.org.

[SOON]  SPORTS: Extended Orioles Spring Training , April 28 – June 3, Various times

With the Major League Baseball season now underway, the Orioles’ year-round baseball operations continue in Sarasota with Extended Spring Training. The public is invited to watch Orioles minor league players in action at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in April, May, and June. Baltimore’s farm system is currently rated as the top player development system in baseball, according to Baseball America, ESPN, and MLB Pipeline. Visit orioles.com/sarasota to learn more.

[SOON]  GALLERY: Disney Artist and Ringling College Alumnus Tim Rogerson Show , May 2 – May 26, During gallery hours

Madeby Gallery invites you to the Disney Artist and Ringling College Alumnus Tim Rogerson Show now through May 26. Over 50 of Tim’s original paintings, giclee on canvas, and lithograph prints are for sale. Many have been personalized on the back by Tim, which brings added value to the Disney piece. Don't miss this rare opportunity to add to your Disney collection. Tim Rogerson is a Disney Fine Artist and Ringling College Alumnus. He is one of only a select group of artists allowed to recreate iconic Disney characters and scenes. Visit madebygallery.com to learn more. Madeby Gallery, 2700 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

[SOON]  GALLERY: The North County K through 12 Spring Art Show , May 10 – May 20, Various times

Students from 18 elementary, 7 middle and 6 high schools throughout Sarasota County will show off their creative talents at the North County K through 12 Spring Art Show, May 9 through 20, at Art Center Sarasota. The North County Art show is presented in conjunction with the South County Art Show at the Venice Art Center from May 2 through 11 to comprise the Sarasota County Schools’ Spring Art Show, serving all the county’s public schools. On Tuesday, May 16 and Thursday, May 18, Art Center Sarasota will stay open until 7 pm to give families an opportunity to view the exhibition. Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For information, visit www.artsarasota.org or call 941-365-2032.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Summer Photo Contest with the Conservation Foundation , April 26 – May 31, Submissions open through midnight May 31st

Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast is delighted to announce the return of their virtual Summer Photo Contest. Entering its fourth year, this annual event invites photographers of all ages and experience levels to share their original work showcasing the natural beauty of the Sunshine State. As in years past, the exhibition will be entirely virtual with website and Facebook displays. Works submitted for this online juried exhibition must have been taken in Florida within the past year. There is also a Youth Perspective category for ages 15 and under. The submission deadline is midnight on May 31. For categories, details, entry rules, and submission forms visit conservationfoundation.com/summerphoto.

[SOON]  MUSEUM: She Engineers at the Bishop , January 24 – July 30, During museum hours

SHE ENGINEERS is a bilingual (English and Spanish) poster exhibition highlighting eight women in various engineering fields. In their own words, the women share their passion and what inspired them to become engineers. If we support a woman in STEM, then she can change the world.

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Comedy Roulette , April 13 – May 17, Various times

FST Improv’s free-form show, Comedy Roulette, is an off-the-wall improvisation potpourri where performers are freed from the traditional do’s and don’ts of improv. Instead, improvisers are encouraged to follow the funny and launch into a new scene or storyline whenever inspiration strikes. Comedy Roulette plays Saturdays in FST’s Bowne’s Lab from April 8 to May 17, 2023. Florida Studio Theatre, 1265 1st St., Sarasota, floridastudiotheatre.org.

[SOON]  GALLERY: Unique Differences at Art Uptown Gallery , May 2 – May 26, Various times

The newest artists at Art Uptown Gallery will be featured in the May exhibit, Unique Differences showcasing their original paintings. Meet the artists, Ian Begg, Lynn Armstrong Coffin, and Tammy Keller, at the First Friday public reception on May 5 from 6-9 p.m. All four award-winning artists are local, full-time residents of Sarasota. The exhibit opens on Saturday, April 29 and runs through Friday, May 26. Art Uptown Gallery welcomes patrons and friends at 1367 Main Street where the diverse work of award-winning regional artists is exhibited daily. Telephone 941-955-5409 or visit www.artuptown.com for hours and further information.

[SOON]  MUSEUM: Joseph's Coat, Skyspace by James Turrell , April 13 – May 26, Various times

Joseph’s Coat: Skyspace by James Turrell (2011) is a triumph of technology, engineering, and aesthetics. The Skyspace, created by internationally-renowned artist James Turrell, is a gathering place for contemplation and offers a unique experience. At sunset, a sophisticated system of LED lights is employed to change the color of the space. In doing so, the artist changes the context in which we view the sky through the 24-foot aperture in the ceiling, affecting our perception of the natural environment and the surroundings. As we gaze up at the sky we are invited to contemplate light, perception, and experience. Tickets are $10 and are free for members. Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota, ringling.org.

[SOON]  THEATER: Visit Joe Whitefeather and Bring the Family at Florida Studio Theatre , April 12 – May 21, Various times

Florida Studio Theatre is proud to present the world premiere of Visit Joe Whitefeather (and bring the family!) by award-winning playwright Bruce Graham. It’s the 1970s in Beaver Gap, Pennsylvania, a small town with a problem. Tourism has declined and it doesn’t look like there is any hope on the horizon. When a new resident joins forces with the bewildered city council, they devise a plan to rename the town to honor a dead, Native American war hero who had never visited the town before. It’s a plan so wild and insane that it just might work. Tickets range from $25-39 and are now on sale at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or at 941.366.9000. FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 1st St., Sarasota.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 2023 Jean & Alfred Goldstein Exhibition Tiffany: The Pursuit of Beauty in Nature , February 12 – June 26, During garden hours

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ 2023 Jean and Alfred Goldstein Exhibition Tiffany: The Pursuit of Beauty in Nature showcases the creativity and innovation of American artist and designer Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933). The first exhibition of its type to be presented in a botanical garden, the exhibition highlights the inspiring connection between Tiffany Studios and the natural world through unique horticultural displays in the Tropical Conservatory and the Gardens, accompanied by seminal examples of Tiffany’s work on view in the Museum of Botany and the Arts. To learn more, visit selby.org. Selby Gardens Downtown Sarasota campus, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota.

[SOON]  MUSIC: Reel Music at the Florida Studio Theatre , February 15 – June 25, Various times

Florida Studio Theatre presents the original music revue, Reel Music, celebrating the movies that helped create the soundtrack to the last century. Featuring classics like “Singin’ in the Rain,” “Circle of Life,” and “My Heart Will Go On,” this new Cabaret traces how films—and the music highlighted in them—have evolved over the past one hundred years. Created by Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins, and Sarah Durham with musical arrangements by Jim Prosser, Reel Music begins playing February 15, 2023, in FST’s Court Cabaret. Single tickets for Reel Music
range between $18-39 and are now on sale at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or at 941.366.9000.

[SOON]  MUSEUM: Reclaiming Home, Contemporary Seminole Art at Ringling Museum , March 29 – September 4, Museum hours

Reclaiming Home, Contemporary Seminole Art group exhibition will mark The Ringling’s first presentation of contemporary art by Native American artists with ancestral, historical, and present-day connections to Florida. An imperative step toward establishing a meaningful relationship with the Native American artistic community, Reclaiming Home will highlight the breadth and depth of the artwork by Seminole, Miccosukee, and mixed-heritage artists from Florida with the important work by internationally-recognized artists. The exhibition will expand the conceptual framework of Native American art made in Florida today and provide a fuller understanding of the complexities of issues within the art of the Seminole diaspora. Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota, ringling.org.

[SOON]  MUSEUM: From the Chambers Honoring John Sims at Ringling Museum , May 6 – August 6, Museum hours

In December 2022, the innovative artist, activist, writer, and filmmaker John Sims passed away suddenly at his studio in Sarasota. The tragic loss of Sims left a deep impact on the art world. His art, informed by mathematics, design, sacred symbols, and poetic text, boldly confronted white supremacy, the Confederate flag, and the deep disparities and division within our society. The Ringling is honored to have had the opportunity to work closely with Sims, who was their artist in residence in 2020. The exhibition From the Chambers, Honoring John Sims brings those two works together, on view publicly for the first time, in conjunction with John Chamberlain’s sculpture Added Pleasure. The exhibition serves as just one part of the significant legacy the artist leaves behind, in Sarasota and beyond. On view May 6 through August 6, 2023 in the Searing East galleries. Ringling Musuem, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota, ringling.org

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