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SRQ DAILY Jul 14, 2023

Friday Weekend Edition

Friday Weekend Edition

"I put character into every last detail and I want you to see that these are handmade."

- Jeff Riggan, Artist.
 

[Arts & Entertainment]  A Portrait of Grief with Li Volk
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Hundreds of artists gather in New York City tonight, as the 16th International ARC Salon begins its 10-day celebration of the realist tradition with a combined exhibition and auction. Paintings will be sold, awards will be given, and Sarasota-trained artist Li Jian Volk will be attending for the first time, accompanying three of her works that have been selected for inclusion from the more than 5,400 entries the competition saw this year. (Little more than 1,000 were ultimately selected.) One of them, a charcoal drawing of a scene from the Cortez fishing village, even won an award. And though the award will say “Honorable Mention,” it will mean much more to Volk.

A former student and now regular at the Miano Academy of Art, formerly The Southern Atelier, Volk paints in the old ways, emphasizing anatomic exactitude and studying the realist techniques of the Renaissance Masters. And when visiting artist Huihan Liu took Volk and other students to the Cortez fishing village, they spent a whole week conducting research, making sketches, interviewing fishermen and even jumping aboard to see the whole messy process from catch to crate. “We try to find real life,” says Volk, noting that the same thing can be seen in China, where artists still look for the old fishing villages not yet consumed by the tides of industry. “All cultures have that kind of thing,” she says. Her resulting drawing, a charcoal rendering of a lonely fish gasping in a slab of sunlight carved from the darkened interior of a Cortez fishing house, she named “The Big Catch.” She submitted it for competition in early 2022.

Before the year was over, she had sworn off art.

“I stopped doing art for 10 months,” Volk says. “I was quitting.” A personal tragedy had rocked the foundations of her world and cracked its firmament. Art made no sense. She stopped drawing. She stopped seeing her artist friends. She went to a Buddhist monastery in Tibet and stayed for a month, learning again how to meditate and how to be present. She learned the power of compassion and the beauty of impermanence. And when she came home, she found a letter waiting for her: “The Big Catch” had won an international award. Volk took it as a sign. “That my artist’s road isn’t over yet,” she says. “And that I’d be able to carry on.” She started drawing again immediately.

Now reinvigorated and refocused, Volk returns to the canvas with a calling, wanting to share the lessons she’s learned in the last year, to become the artist she was meant to be. “I’m not young,” she says, “but I’m a young artist. And I’ve figured out my purpose.” 

Pictured: Pictured: The Big Catch, charcoal on paper, by Li Volk.

[Arts & Entertainment]  Sculpting Panhandlers In Paradise
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

For many artists, moving to the Gulf Coast means painting beach scenes and palm trees, seascapes and sunny days. But for Jeff Riggan, who arrived in Manatee County in early 2020, paradise had an obvious problem. And with his latest sculptural series, Off The Grid, the artist hopes to shine an unconventional spotlight on an oft-recognized but all-too-ignored social ill.

“I know people who are homeless,” Riggan says, “who are living right off 64 under the overpass.” And the artist himself is no stranger to homelessness, having lost his home in the 2008 financial collapse and experienced it firsthand. Now on surer footing but still dismayed by what he sees around him, including a neighbor moving into their car because they couldn’t afford the ballooning rent, Riggan feels compelled to say something. Anything. “This could be anybody,” he says. “This could be you, me, your neighbors, your parents—anybody.” And one day, stopped at an intersection and watching the panhandlers move from car to car, it struck him: these scenes are as iconic of everyday Florida as any of its beaches. But only the latter ever show up in galleries.

Working with found objects and recycled materials, epoxy and clay, Riggan recreates these scenes in his signature “rusted and busted” style, all grime and grit and exposed baling wire, calling upon his experience both as a sculptor and as a guy who used to build theme park attractions for Universal Studios. Shaping scrap wood with a jigsaw and angle grinder, he blot-coats it with a homemade mixture of tile mastic, glue, handfuls of beach sand and black paint until it looks like sunbaked asphalt. Painted popsicle sticks become an upturned fruit crate and rectangles of waxed cardboard from a frozen pizza box become street signs. Most of the figure’s body is cobbled together from wooden pegs, discarded jewelry, bent wire and colored clay, but Riggan uses a two-part epoxy to sculpt the head, carefully hand-carving every line of its careworn face. “I put character into every last detail,” he says. “And I want you to see that these are handmade.”

Three of these Off The Grid dioramas have been completed already—the panhandler in the median, a tented homeless encampment and a beach scene complete with a movable swing—each inspired by something that Riggan has seen right here in Bradenton and Sarasota. “I don’t know the solution,” he says, “but I really hope that this can turn some heads.”

Currently working on expanding the project, Riggan is hoping to partner Off The Grid with one or some of the many nonprofits and agencies already trying to raise awareness and lend what effort he can. “Homelessness is an issue that people should be confronted with,” he says. “What are we going to do about this problem that’s growing and growing and growing?” 

Pictured: Sculptor Jeff Riggan's Off The Grid series recreates scenes of homelessness in Sarasota/Bradenton. Photo by Jeff Riggan.

To view more from the artist, visit the website here:

[Arts & Entertainment]  WBTT's Stage of Discovery Student Show
Dylan Campbell, dylan@srqme.com

“One of the things I’ve emphasized to the kids is that you never know who’s watching you from the audience,” says Jim Weaver, the Education Director/Artistic Associate at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. “If in some moment you decide that you’re going to separate from what’s happening on the stage and not pay attention to the scene, you’re going to take that audience member out of the story.”

Weaver is speaking on one of the lessons that he and fellow staff members at WBTT have been working to instill on the participants of this summer’s “Stage of Discovery” camp, an intensive, five-week summer musical program offered by WBTT to students ages 13-18. “Stage of Discovery”, now in its eighth year, is an audition-only program that provides five weeks of lessons in acting, dance, singing and improvisation free of charge to its participants. This summer, the program will culminate in two public performances of FAME The Musical in WBTT’s The Donnelly Theatre on July 15 and 16. The show is based on the 1980 musical film FAME, which chronicles the life and challenges of students at New York's High School for the Performing Arts.

“In terms of picking FAME, I couldn’t think of anything more apropos to what the program is about,” says Weaver, who is also set to direct the show. “Everything that they’re studying in the show is exactly what we’re doing at this camp. For me, it’s very important that everyone feels that they are contributing to the show as well – this is our first time doing a “book” show, or something that has been published and produced before as opposed to the musical revue shows that we’ve done in the past. Part of the program is realizing that everybody is essential to telling the story, no matter how big or small a role they may have.”

In keeping with the sentiment of the camp, Weaver didn’t cast FAME through a traditional audition process. “Because we have participants from ages 13-18, we have a wide range of experience and skill levels. So what I’ll do, since I don’t want them feeling as if they’re competing with one another, is I’ll go and just observe the classes as they’re happening for the first few weeks and cast the show that way,” says Weaver. “It’s kind of like my own secret audition process where I can figure out which character suits each camper without having them feel that pressure to perform on the spot.”

Saturday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 16 at 2 p.m., The Donelly Theatre at WBTT, 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota. 

Pictured: Stage of Discovery student Hadara Porter learns a dance number. Photo by Sorcha Augustine.

[Arts & Entertainment]  The Players Centre presents the 2022 Winner of The Players New Play Festival, Lateral Moves by Cece Dwyer

Running July 21 through 23, The Players Centre is happy to produce the 2022 winner of The Players New Play Festival, Lateral Moves by Cece Dwyer. Directed by Candace Artim, this production will take place in The Players’ new black box theatre in the Rosemary District, Space is limited, and there will be a talkback after each performance led by Artistic Director Steven Butler. Synopsis: Family affairs come into play during a weekend at Martha’s Vineyard as an engaged millennial couple find their respective unattached boomer parents have the upper hand.

July 21-22 at 7:30pm, July 23 at 2pm, 1400 Blvd. of the Arts, Suite 200 (Second Floor) Sarasota. 

For ticket information click here.

[Retirement]  The Sarasota Ballet's Principal Danielle Brown to Retire

The Sarasota Ballet announces that Principal Dancer Danielle Brown, having enjoyed a dance career spanning more than a decade and a half with the Company, has retired after the end of the 2022 – 2023 Season. The impact her presence brought to The Sarasota Ballet is indelible and her beauty and elegance gracing the stage will be truly missed. Brown began her career with The Sarasota Ballet at the opening of the 2007 – 2008 Season, hired as a corps de ballet dancer. In 2010 she was promoted to the rank of Principal. Throughout her career, she would continue to flourish and dance roles spanning the Company’s vast repertoire, including ballets by Ashton, Balanchine, de Valois, MacMillan, Tharp, Wheeldon, and Wright, as well as roles created on her by Sir David Bintley, Will Tuckett and Resident Choreographer Ricardo Graziano. Executive Director Joseph Volpe speaks of Danielle’s impact on The Sarasota Ballet, “While her beauty on stage has been an inspiration, it is also a true gift to have a dancer who can be appreciated as an artist and as someone who can connect with our patrons both on the stage and off. Danielle is a unique breed of dancer that we could always count on to be a part of a dinner with patrons, stay late for an event to greet donors, or be interviewed and share more of herself with our enthusiastic audiences. Iain, Margaret, and I all feel blessed to have supported her during her career and look forward to seeing where her next chapter will take her.” 

[Arts & Entertainment]  Wellen Park hosts Summer Music Series in Downtown Wellen

Wellen Park invites the community to come out and enjoy music from local bands and artists during the Summer Music Series every Wednesday through Sunday in Downtown Wellen. Now through September, Wellen Park is hosting different musicians throughout the week. Wind Down Wednesdays, Thursday Tunes and Saturday Sounds (every week) will feature music under the Heritage Tree from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday Night Live (first Friday of the month) will feature a band on the Solis Hall stage overlooking the Great Lawn from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday Groove (second, third and fourth Friday of the month) will feature music under the Heritage Tree from 5 to 9 p.m. Unplugged Sunday (every Sunday), there will be music under the Heritage Tree from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 6 p.m. The event is open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for seating on the Great Lawn and around the Heritage Tree. For more information, visit wellenpark.com/events/summer-music-series. 

[Arts & Entertainment]  Sarasota Youth Opera Hosts a Free Family Day at the Opera House

On Saturday, August 19, from 12 to 2 pm, bring the whole family to a free “Family Day” event and come see what Sarasota Youth Opera is all about! The Sarasota Opera House will be abuzz with activities – you can hear the Youth Opera sing, attend a “Find Your Own Opera Voice” singing session, join in fun acting games, and stand on the opera stage when you take a tour of the opera house. You can even get creative and make some props, have fun at the wig and makeup demonstration, explore the beautiful costumes, and more! This fall Sarasota Youth Opera will present Benjamin Britten’s The Little Sweep on the Sarasota Opera House stage, complete with professional sets, costumes, and orchestra. The opera tells the charming story about a group of children who join together to free a young chimney sweep apprentice from his cruel master and send him back to his family. The fall program starts up on August 15th, and auditions for the lead roles will be held on August 22 and 24. No prior experience is necessary, all skill levels are welcome! To learn more about Youth Opera visit https://www.sarasotaopera.org/youth-opera-program.

Sarasota Youth Opera Family Day, Saturday, August 19, 2022, from 12 to 2 pm, Sarasota Opera House: 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota. Tickets: This is a FREE event and no tickets are necessary. 

To learn more, visit

[Fashion ]  Creating Community at Motel Therapy Boutique
Kendall Stone, kendall@moteltherapy.comom

It was a night inspired by a Pinterest board at Motel Therapy’s first ever after-hours event. The event was a candle painting workshop hosted at the boutique in collaboration with multiple women-owned, local businesses. Candle painting is a popular trend at the moment; if you search candle painting on Pinterest you’ll find tall tapered candles painted with colorful designs like flowers, hearts and polka dots. The activity is simple and fun, and you’ll be left with unique candles to display in your home or use as a sentimental gift.

The intimate event hosted 20 women on a Saturday evening and offered light bites and beverages curated by Plait, a local tablescaping and food styling company specializing in special gatherings and dinner parties. Plait transformed the boutique into a beautiful and cozy space with two large banquet style tables set with large floral bouquets, personal place settings with design inspiration and all of the necessary supplies to paint.

As the guests arrived, they enjoyed appetizers and conversation. Once seated, everyone began painting and enjoying good company. Throughout the night, Motel Therapy offered permanent jewelry and exclusive discounts on clothing. The store buzzed with good conversation, creativity and positive energy.

Although the event focused on painting candles, Motel Therapy’s overall goal was to create community and build relationships. The evening offered a unique and new experience for the locals of Sarasota and offered an opportunity for four local businesses to network and collaborate. Motel Therapy will continue to host events and pop-ups throughout the year. The events are advertised on Instagram and their email list.

Florals provided by: Blossm Cart, 4023 Sawyer Rd Sarasota, FL 34233, Sarasota Florist Local Flower Delivery | Venice Florist | Blossmcart @blossmcart; Glassware provided by: DOT, Dot (shopdotshop.shop) @shopdot; Permanent Jewelry by: Link x Luxe, 532 S. Pineapple Ave Sarasota, (inside Motel Therapy), LINK x LUXE | Permanent Jewelry Sarasota @linkxluxe; Tablescaping by Plait@byplait.

Motel Therapy,532 S. Pineapple Ave Sarasota. 

Pictured: A look inside the candle painting workshop at Motel Therapy. Photo By: Kelsey Fuse.



[Good Hero]  Nominate a Good Hero Today!

Do you know a board member, volunteer, philanthropist, staff member, or a corporate organization with a giving heart that has meaningfully impacted our community in the past year? Nominate them today! Nominations close Friday, October 6th, 2023 at midnight. 

Nominate Here!

[Feature]  Summer Reads

SUMMER READS | Recommended by Roxanne Baker of Bookstore1Sarasota, July/August 2023. 

Read Here!

[SOON]  FOOD: 14 juillet Apero , July 14, 5 to 7 pm

Join the Alliance Francaise de Sarasota in Celebration of 14 juillet/Bastille Day at Bijou Garden Cafe. The apero is a great way for Francophiles to come together and share their passion for the French language and Francophone cultures. Bijou Garden Cafe, 1287 1st St., Sarasota, afsarasota.org.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: The 2023 Hermitage STARs with Five FAAE selected Arts Teachers from across the state of Florida , July 14, 1 pm

The 2023 Hermitage STARs with Five FAAE selected Arts Teachers from across the state of Florida. The incredible talents of the art educators of Florida reach well beyond the boundaries of the classroom. The STARs program, now in its thirteenth year, is designed to nourish and replenish the passionate artist within each of the remarkable teachers selected for the honor. This year, they represent multimedia strands of visual art, writing, and music and come from all across the state of Florida. The artists will have two weeks to create new work, culminating in a sharing with the community on Friday, July 14th on the Hermitage campus. Family and student friendly program, all are welcome. Registration is required at HermitageArtistRetreat.org $5. per person registration fee. Hermitage Beach,
6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood.

[SOON]  FOOD: 14 juillet Gourmet Menu at Cest La Vie , July 14

If you cannot make it to France for the 14 juillet and Bastille Day holiday, head to Cest La Vie for a delicious gourmet menu crafted by Executive Chef Christophe Coutelle. The three course menu includes a glass of wine and classics dishes like vol au vents and beef burgundy. Cest La Vie, 1553 Main St., Sarasota, cestlaviesarasota.com.

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Roxx Revolt and The Velvets at Oscura , July 14, 8 pm

Oscura presents a night of music from Roxx Revolt and The Velvets featuring The Dirty Janes and Widows. Doors open at 7 pm. Music at 8 pm. Ages 18 and up. $15 ADV. and $20 DOS. Oscura, 816 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton, oscura.live.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Limelight Market , July 15, 10 am to 3 pm
This week, the spotlight is on Limelight Market. This fun, pop up market happens in the courtyard of The Bazaar on Apricot and Lime with rescue dogs from TenderHeart Charities looking for their furever home, unique guest vendors, food, and live music with Sabrina. Check out over 40 local creators and curators inside. Great way to support local. Free, until you buy something amazing. This month the guest vendors include Siesta Key Rum, The Tie Dye Nerds, Bread Bandits, Mystic Blooms, Wordier Than Thou, Charlie Sarasota, and Surfing Coconut. For more information visit www.BazaaronApricotandlime.com. Located at 821 Apricot Ave, Sarasota.
[SOON]  THEATER: FAME The Musical , July 15 – July 16, Various times

For the eighth summer, aspiring actors, dancers and singers ages 13-18 are taking the stage with Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. WBTT is proud to present Stage of Discovery, an intensive, five week summer musical theatre program that is offered at no cost to participants. The program will culminate with two public performances of FAME The Musical, is a stage musical based on the 1980 musical film of the same name. It follows the lives of students at New Yorks High School for The Performing Arts as they navigate their way through classes, auditions, and the highs and lows of life. This bittersweet but uplifting story explores the issues that confront many young people today. Tickets, which are $27 for adults, $17 for active military and students age 25 and under, are now on sale. Visit westcoastblacktheatre.org or call the Box Office at 941-366-1505. Performances take place in The Donelly Theatre at WBTT 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota.

[SOON]  FILM: 25th Anniversary Screening of Oklahoma , July 16, 1:30 pm

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 riveting stage production was filmed during its record breaking 1998 run in London. Oklahoma! features 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. Sarasota Opera, 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: My Search for Warren Harding, A Reading and Conversation with Author Robert Plunket , July 17, 6:30 to 7:30 pm
The comic masterpiece My Search for Warren Harding, by Robert Plunket, is getting a second life with its recent reissue. When My Search for Warren Harding, Robert Plunket’s glittering story of literary sleuthing and deceit, first appeared in 1983, it garnered immediate and far-reaching acclaim. Come hear more from Plunket as he talks with us about the new edition of his novel. This is a ticketed event. Tickets are $19 and include a copy of My Search for Warren Harding. More information and RSVP here: https://www.sarasotabooks.com/events . In the loft at Bookstore1Sarasota, 117 S. Pineapple Ave.
[SOON]  THEATER: Divas Three , July 11 – September 17, Various times

Florida Studio Theatre presents Divas Three, a dynamic music revue featuring four decades of hits by some of the most influential women of music. With songs made famous by Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Carole King, and more, this original revue pays tribute to the artists whose musical impact has earned them the coveted title of diva. Created by Nancy Allen Productions, Divas Three begins playing on July 11 in the FST Court Cabaret. Tickets are now on sale at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or at 941.366.9000. Florida Studio Theatre, 1265 1st St., Sarasota.

[SOON]  THEATER: 2023 Players New Play Festival , July 10 – July 14, 7:30 pm

Running July 10 through 14, The Players is back with the 2023 Players New Play Festival Each night hear a brand new play written by a local playwright, directed by a local director and performed in readers style theatre by local actors. The winner will be produced in The Players 2024 summer season. The Players Shop, 2169 10th Street, Sarasota. Visit theplayers.org for detailed information about each play and to purchase tickets.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Sculputure Anatomy Classes with Stephen Perkins , July 3 – July 17, 2 to 5 pm

Solid anatomy study should be the foundation for all figurative art. But have you ever studied anatomy from a round or 3-D perspective? This way of learning is a game-changer for bringing your understanding of anatomy back into your drawing and painting. Whether you choose to explore this class in charcoal or clay, you’ll benefit from Stephen’s in-depth guidance of the subtleties of the beautiful and suggestive gestures and anatomy of the hands and feet. Stephen Perkins is recommended by some of the top sculpture organizations in the world including the National Sculpture Society, The Posey Foundation, and the American Numismatic Society. To learn more and enroll, visit mianoacademy.org.

[SOON]  GALLERY: Creative Collaboration , July 1 – July 28, Various times

The newest artists at Art Uptown Gallery will be featured in the July exhibit, Creative Collaboration, showcasing their original paintings. Meet the artists, Donna Grossman, Christine Hales, Debbie Kadagian, Maureen Riesco and Kathryn Adele Schumacher at the First Friday public reception on July 7 from 6-9 p.m. All five award-winning artists are local, full-time residents of Sarasota. The exhibit opens on Saturday, July 1 and runs through Friday, July 28. Art Uptown Gallery welcomes patrons and friends at 1367 Main Street where the diverse work of regional award-winning artists is exhibited. Telephone 941-955-5409 or visit www.artuptown.com for hours and further information.

[SOON]  THEATER: Black Pearl Sings , June 28 – August 6, Various times

In 1935 Depression-era Texas, two women from very different backgrounds discover the other holds the key to everything they have each been searching for. Susannah is an ambitious Library of Congress musicologist, determined to record undocumented slave songs. Pearl is an African American woman with a soulful voice, a steely spirit, and a sentence in a high-security female prison. Pearls memory is a treasure-trove of unrecorded slave era music, but can she hand over her ancestors’ songs without giving up something of herself? Black Pearl Sings tells the evocative story of an unlikely bond, preservation of musical heritage, and the human need for hope and healing. Florida Studio Theatre, Keating Theatre, 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota, floridastudiotheatre.org.

[SOON]  GALLERY: 55 Frida Project , June 18 – August 18, Various times

Maverick, Mexican painter Frida Kahlo painted 55 self-portraits in her short and tragic life. View the commemorative exhibit by artist Beck Lane of her work at UUCS Lexow Wing Gallery, her artwork merges extraordinary creative vision and innovative technique and has been collected and shown in pop-up galleries, solo shows, galleries, and private collections in Boston, California, New York City, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Miami, Brussels, Switzerland, South America, and Israel. On her YouTube Channel, Catalyst and Co., Beck records herself painting live, while offering encouragement to fellow artists, and sharing her experiences as an artist and her painting process and techniques. These mixed medium works pulsate with powerful, vibrant energy, fluid color and rare style. On Sunday, July 16, Lane will be painting live from 12-2 pm at the Lexow Gallery. UUCS Lexow Wing Gallery, 3975 Fruitville Rd., www.uucsarasota.com, www.becklaneartist.com.

[SOON]  DANCE: Saltare Mortis In Studio Series at Sarasota Contemporary Dance , June 9 – July 17, 7pm
At the Saltare Mortis In-Studio Series, come take a glimpse into our lives as detectives as we attempt to solve a mystery in a town where crime is next to none. Though detectives in training, we have many tools up our sleeve to help us solve the mystery. But we could use your help. Put your detective skills to the test to help us unmask the criminal. You never know what surprises we will run into along the way. Shows will run in person on June 9 and 10 and July 14 with virtual options on June 19 and July 17. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit sarasotacontemporarydance.org.
[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: The Surfer Boys at Florida Studio Theatre , June 13 – August 13, Various times

Florida Studio Theatre kicks off its Summer Cabaret Series with The Surfer Boys,an energetic tribute to the music of The Beach Boys. Featuring such hits as California Girls, Good Vibrations, Barbara Ann, and Surfin USA, The Surfer Boys is filled with the honey-tinged harmonies and unforgettable melodies that defined 1960s California and pop music. The Surfer Boys begins playing June 13 in the FST Goldstein Cabaret. Tickets are now on sale at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or at 941.366.9000.

[SOON]  THEATER: Shear Madness , May 31 – July 16, Various times

There has been a murder in a local hair salon, and it is up to the audience to solve the crime. Everyone is a suspect when the old lady living above Shear Madness salon is mysteriously offed. Join two police officers to piece together the clues behind this strange, scissor-stabbing homicide. Chock full of up-to-the minute spontaneous humor, Shear Madness has slayed the hearts of audiences around the world. Now it is up to Sarasota audiences to outwit the suspects and catch the killer in this interactive comedy whodunit. FST Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St.
Sarasota, floridastudiotheatre.org.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Laser Light Nights at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature , May 25 – September 2, 7pm and 9pm

Break out the big hair and acid-washed denim because Laser Light Nights are back at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature. Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night from May 25 through September 2, we are rocking out to some of your favorite artists in the Planetarium! A variety of food options and drinks are available for purchase onsite with cash or card. Tickets are $15. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St W., Bradenton, bishopscience.org.

[SOON]  MUSEUM: Lorna Bieber, Natural World at The Ringling , May 20 – October 15, Museum hours

The Ringling presents a solo exhibition of works by Lorna Bieber in May that includes two new pieces making their debut in the Keith D. and Linda L. Monda Gallery for Contemporary Art. Her artwork first and foremost encourages us to indulge in the pleasures of looking and discovering anew the details of the visual world. Her artistic practice is grounded in appropriating, recycling, and manipulating imagery. The work reminds us of the image world that inundates our daily existence. Our experience of reality is mediated through a barrage of photographic digital images that supplants our connection to the natural world. Yet, Bieber is less interested in a critique of this condition than she is in offering her work as an antidote, a way to inspire viewers and reconnect with our shared sense of wonder. Included with museum admission. The Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota, ringling.org.

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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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