It can be easy to believe that once a person enters into adulthood and forges a career in their respective field, that their path is set. That whatever they are doing in their career, be it as a doctor, lawyer or plumber, and whatever permutations their familial lives may take, is what the rest of their life will look like. That trajectory is completely fulfilling for many, but for Jim Stanard, who’d enjoyed a successful actuarial career, it wasn’t quite enough.

“I retired from full-time business work in 2005 and thought to myself, ‘how am I going to spend my time?’”, says Stanard, who’d played guitar while growing up in the Philadelphia area. “I decided to see if I could get back into my music.”

So Stanard began playing, picking away at his guitar, taking lessons that morphed into a stint at the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp in Los Angeles and vocal lessons with former rock artist Kip Winger. Stanard moved to Sarasota in 2015 and started playing covers, particularly of folk rock and Americana, when the next challenge came: writing original music.

Soon came the albums, with a sound reminiscent of folk-rock legends like Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson and even Bruce Springsteen. First was 2018’s Bucket List, then 2020’s Color Outside the Lines and 2021’s EP Soultrain Sessions which featured covers of songs by artists such as Jason Isbell, Townes Van Zandt and Leonard Cohen. “They say that you need to write 100 songs before you’re really ready to write well,” says Stanard. “I’d say that my songwriting technique is much better than it was back when I began and I’ve clearly become a better singer than I was when I released my first album.”

Currently, Stanard is releasing singles from his third full-length studio album, 2025’s Magical, including Too Much Fun, a groovy, humorous track accompanied by an animated music video. Magical also features the historical ballad Where The West Was Won, which tells the story of the displacement of Indigenous peoples, particularly of the Cherokee Nation.

“I grew up on story songs. One of the early songwriting techniques I learned was that when you’re writing a song, you should imagine that you’re actually writing a video,” says Stanard. “You’re trying to influence what pictures the audience has in their heads while listening to the song.”

Provided photo.

To view the music video for Too Much Fun click here.

Teaching has always been at the center of Nate Jacobs' heart. While Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) has been producing high-level professional theater since its inception in 1999, growing the next generation of artists has been one of the pillars of the organization’s mission.

“I was the caretaker of my five younger siblings, so back when I was 11-years-old I wasn’t necessarily passionate about it, it was my duty,” says Jacobs, the founder and artistic director of WBTT. “All throughout my life I have been associated with working with young people to the point where I became an adult and realized that it actually was my calling. Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe was founded by three 17-year-olds, an 18-year-old, a 22-year-old and myself.”

This spring, WBTT is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Stage of Discovery summer musical theater intensive program. From June 9 to July 13 aspiring actors, singers and dancers aged 11-18 will take part in an all-encompassing program—free of charge—that will prepare them for the next step in their artistic careers. Stage of Discovery will culminate in at least two public performances of an original musical on July 12 and 13 written by WBTT Education Director and Artistic Associate Jim Weaver. “We put a lot of work and effort into coming up with extremely creative, fun and exciting productions for our kids to do. My motto since I’ve been building shows for children is that I don’t want to produce anything that I wouldn’t want to sit in a theater and see,” says Jacobs.

WBTT’s Stage of Discovery program is not for the faint of heart. Entry into the program is audition-based, with limited slots available, and the curriculum includes professional instruction in dance, acting, singing, improvisation and other facets of theater such as creative writing and lighting. “These are kids that are passionate about the performing arts. All of them are on their feet and on that stage—even the most shy kids that come through that door, if they express that interest then we know that it’s just about pulling them out of their comfort zone and we accept them into the camp,” says Jacobs. “Every summer we have a handful of kids that are intimidated by the bright lights, but then you see them blossom over the course of the camp and it’s really beautiful for them and their parents.”

Stage of Discovery, June 9-July 13, 9am-4:30pm, Westcoast Black Theatre, 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota, 34236

Youths from the 2024 Stage of Discovery program perform in the culminating show. Photo by Sorcha Augustine.

To learn more click here

The Venice Pride Subscription includes the following five shows on select Wednesday evenings: Nunsense, Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show, The Sound of Music, The Cake, and Annie. 

To learn more click here

Arts Advocates is pleased to announce that eight Sarasota and Manatee county students have each been awarded $5,000 scholarships for the 2025-2026 school year. The scholarship program awards students whose studies include visual and related arts, dance, writing, music, theater, and architecture. All scholarship monies are generated through Arts Advocates activities and donations. To learn more about or become a member of Arts Advocates, visit ArtsAdvocates.org.

Pictured: Scholars (back row L-R): Emmalee Bunnell, Samantha Tanelli, Danae Tran, Lillian Fox, Noelle Prouty, Harrison May. Standing in front of them: scholarship committee co-chairs Debra Altshul-Stark and Tonya Eubank.

Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources invites the community to attend SRQCon, a free pop culture convention taking place Saturday, June 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St., Sarasota. SRQCon transforms the library into an all-ages celebration of comics, gaming, cosplay, storytelling and creative expression. Attendees can expect an action-packed day featuring panels, workshops, interactive activities, live demonstrations, virtual reality, crafts, and a cosplay contest. For more information, visit SarasotaCountyLibraries.org or call 311 or 941-861-1110. 

Join Jade Dellinger, Director of the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at Florida Southwestern State College, as he introduces the work of American contemporary artist, Robert “Bob” Rauschenberg. In this illustrated lecture, Jade Dellinger will introduce the first Space Art object, the Moon Museum, a small collective artwork sent to the moon on the landing leg of the Lunar Module Intrepid during the 1969 Apollo XII mission. Presented in conjunction with Robert Rauschenberg: A Centennial Celebration on view through August 3.

May 30, 11:00am, Museum of Art | Chao Lecture Hall, $10 | $5 for Members. 

DutchCrafters Amish Furniture, the leading retailer of American-made Amish furniture at http://www.dutchcrafters.com, will host a special day of events Wednesday, June 11 in its Sarasota Showroom, celebrating the skill and story behind its handcrafted furniture. The day includes two opportunities to engage with an Amish craftsman representing one of DutchCrafters’ top partner woodshops, a meet-and-greet in the afternoon followed by a designer-focused networking gathering in the evening. Space is limited. RSVP by June 4 to karijo@dutchcrafters.com to attend the IDS event. 

Jump into June at Miromar Outlets! Celebrate the start of summer with unbeatable deals, outdoor entertainment, and fun for all ages. Discover the latest styles, dine al fresco, and enjoy memorable moments with family and friends under the sun. Whether you're hunting for gifts or treating yourself, Miromar Outlets is your go-to destination this June. Miromar Outlets is located at exit 123 off I-75 in Estero between Naples and Fort Myers. 

Manatee County Habitat for Humanity officially broke ground on Kings Cross Place, its newest community of affordable homes, during a heartwarming ceremony attended by more than 50 supporters, partners, and local leaders on Tuesday afternoon. The event marked the start of a bold new chapter for Manatee Habitat. Located just east of Oneco in Bradenton, Kings Cross Place will consist of 27 affordable homes—ranging from 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom to 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom layouts—that will be sold to low-income families through zero-percent interest mortgages. Homeowners will pay between $900 and $1,000 per month for a 30-year mortgage, providing a path to financial stability and homeownership in a time of rising housing costs. 

To learn more click here

The School District of Manatee County is hosting a job fair next week offering positions in education for the next school year. Join us and discover how to inspire the next generation of learners!  The virtual job fair is being held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Available positions include VPK and K-12 teachers, as well as ESE teachers, teacher aides, and paraprofessionals for the 2025-2026 school year. Applicants are asked to register in advance at the following link: https://app.brazenconnect.com/a/manatee_county/e/n3Vyp. The School District of Manatee County offers a competitive salary with great hours and benefits. For more information, or to view a list of current positions available, please visit www.ManateeSchools.net/Careers. 

The Palmetto Marriott is excited to announce that its exclusive Beach Club is now officially listed on ResortPass, allowing locals and day visitors to enjoy luxury resort amenities without the need for an overnight stay. Starting today, guests can book day passes for access to the Palmetto Marriott Beach Club’s premier amenities, including a resort-style pool, relaxing hot tub, towel service, and scenic outdoor spaces. Whether you're looking to unwind poolside, enjoy a cocktail under the sun, or plan a refreshing daycation, the Palmetto Marriott is now more accessible than ever. 

Day passes are now available at

Alliance IT, a leading provider of managed IT and cybersecurity solutions, proudly announces its new certification as a Sophos Accredited Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Partner. This accreditation marks a significant step in Alliance IT’s ongoing commitment to delivering world-class cybersecurity services and enhancing threat protection for businesses across the region.Through this prestigious partnership, Alliance IT can now offer clients access to Sophos’ award-winning MDR services — providing 24/7 threat monitoring, proactive threat hunting, AI-powered threat detection, and rapid incident response. With average detection-to-resolution times of just 38 minutes, Sophos MDR drastically reduces risk exposure from raysomware and other evolving cyber threats.