Written by Lauren Gunderson and directed by Sean Daniels, there’s much ado about something in this whip-smart, laugh-out-loud new romantic comedy. Lady Disdain is a fast-paced, razor-sharp riff on the deliciously dramatic world of Fantasy Romance novels (yes, those ones—you know them, you love them). Beatrice and Ben, rival audiobook narrators with voices made for swooning and tempers made for sparring, are locked in a battle of wits, words, and wildly inconvenient attraction. Whether you find yourself on team Ben or team Beatrice, there’s nothing like snuggling up with a good play. Asolo Rep proudly presents this rolling world premiere from one of America’s funniest and most celebrated playwrights. Lauren Gunderson says “Shakespeare always reminds me to raise the stakes in my plays—bigger risks, bolder actions, grander scenarios, characters at the edge.” Runs June 6 - 27. 

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Encore Live represents a long-time dream for owners Kristen Lee, David Lay and Mark Bazan.

After decades of experience in events and the music industry, Lee and Lay wanted to create a space that was centered around music first—where people felt connected and entertained.

“We put it all together and we opened this,” Lee explains, referring to how the idea for the space came from putting together the owners’ different skill sets. In addition to Encore Live, both Lee and Lay own an event company, a production company and they perform as the lead singer and drummer of the party band 22N. “We have a lot of experience when it comes to production and music,” Lee says.

The owners explain that making Encore Live successful has been about building a loyal audience. “If you have a new place like ours, it’s very difficult because you don’t have a group of people that come,” Lay says, “The big thing is to promote your built-in crowd.”

To do this, Encore Live has always carefully chosen its bands. Lay explains that they look for certain characteristics in their performers. “I look for what kind of following they have, what age range, and what they do in other places,” he says. Encore Live’s demographic tends to sit above age 40, so they make sure to book artists that will engage their audience.

They have also tried to bring in big names as well. Since opening, Encore Live has had quite a few celebrities walk through the doors, drawing hundreds of people. “We’ve had Joe Perry from Aerosmith, Dan Donegan from Disturbed, Ed Roland from Collective Soul—these are huge, A-list celebrities,” Lay emphasizes.

However, Lee explains that what is most important to the Encore Live team is what people take away from the venue. “They won’t remember exactly what they did here, but they’ll remember how they feel,” she says.

8341 N Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, 941-373-7976, encoresrq.com

Pictured: Encore Live brings people together to enjoy live music. Photo courtesy of Encore Live.

Lee Wetherington Homes, a top rated, privately owned custom luxury home builder in Sarasota, recently announced it has been selected to offer homes within Westlake at Wellen Park, an exclusive, high-end neighborhood coming to Venice, Florida. Once complete, Westlake at Wellen Park will feature 156 homes and be located just south of US 41 on Preto Boulevard. Developed with a focus on lakefront living, a 30-acre lake within the neighborhood will offer residents waterfront views, along with pedestrian and walking trails that will be interconnected. A community amenity center, complete with a resort-style pool, fitness area, pickleball courts and more, will also be included. The neighborhood is located within walking and biking distance to Downtown Wellen Park, a center-point for community gatherings and go-to destination for things to do in Venice, including food and drink options, shops, entertainment and more. 

Attorneys Tyler J. Brown and James D. O’Donnell have graduated from Leadership Sarasota, an achievement that highlights their dedication to professional development and continued investment in the Sarasota community. A program of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Sarasota empowers professionals to refine their leadership skills and dig deeper into the issues facing the region. Participants with a shared enthusiasm for professional development and community welfare come together to grow their connections, learn directly from community leaders, and complete a service project together, leaving a positive impact on the Sarasota area directly upon graduation. Visit shumaker.com to learn more. 

Five Florida sisters with a family history of pancreatic cancer were among the first to enroll in a Sarasota Memorial study evaluating LINFU (Low-Intensity Non-Focused Ultrasound), a novel screening technology designed to detect pancreatic abnormalities that later could become cancer.  Their family history and participation highlights both the personal impact of pancreatic cancer and the hope that earlier detection tools like this may benefit other at-risk families in the future. 

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John Cannon Homes is pleased to announce Brendan Carroll has joined the company as Vendor Coordinator, supporting Project & Vendor Coordination within its residential construction operations team. In this role, Carroll will help facilitate a smooth transition from pre-construction into the building phase for John Cannon Homes’ luxury custom residences throughout Southwest Florida. His responsibilities include coordinating with vendors and internal teams, supporting project timelines, maintaining documentation, and helping ensure efficient communication across all phases of construction. Learn more at johncannonhomes.com 

Michael Saunders & Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Rosile as chief information officer. A graduate of Venice Middle and High Schools, Rosile earned a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the University of South Florida. Technology became a defining part of the Warren, Pa., native’s life from the time he was 12. Throughout his 30-year career in the technology industry, Rosile worked with both small teams and global organizations to design and lead infrastructure, application, and enterprise solutions to help businesses scale and innovate. Always striving to deliver superior client service support, market knowledge, and communication tools to its more than 650 agents in 19 offices from Sanibel to Tampa, Michael Saunders & Company is committed to simplifying and enhancing everyday operations through technology solutions and innovation.