Good News Friday: Biz(941) Supports - March 13, 2015
Southeastern Guide Dogs Walkathon
March 21
The biggest fundraiser of the year for Southeastern Guide Dogs, this event features a fun walk for two- and four-legged supporters, music, food, shopping and more. Go to guidedogswalkathon.org to sign up and participate.
Lino Tagliapietra
Jan. 6 – March 15
Lino Tagliapietra is widely recognized as one of the world's premier artists working in glass. This exhibit will include more than 30 works on loan from the artist, Schantz Galleries in Stockbridge, MA, and the Richard and Barbara Basch Collection. For more information, go to ringling.edu.
Both Your Houses
Jan. 21- April 12
Imagine a divided Congress. Imagine lawmakers more interested in lining their own pockets than serving the national interest. Imagine an idealistic young Congressman determined to expose the corruption by introducing a bill so stuffed with pork it is sure to oink itself to death. Will his fight cost him the support of his peers, his constituents, and the woman he loves — who just happens to be the daughter of the Appropriations Committee chairman? A comic masterpiece that could have been pulled straight from today’s headlines, this marvelous political satire is as relevant today as when it won the Pulitzer Prize in 1933. Colorful characters, sharp wit and glorious wisecracks reminiscent of 1930s screwball comedies add to the fun and fury. Go to asolorep.org for show times and to purchase tickets.
Never Marry A Girl With Cold Feet…and other life lessons from Vaudeville
Feb. 18 – June 7
Vaudeville was the original American entertainment. Celebrate its greatest musical artists such as Fanny Brice, George M. Cohen, Jerome Kern, and Al Jolson at this rollicking show, featuring irreverent humor and unforgettable melodies like “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” “Birth of the Blues,” “Give My Regards to Broadway,” and “Nobody.” “Never Marry a Girl With Cold Feet” opened this week and continues through June 7 in the Court Cabaret. For tickets, go to floridastudiotheatre.org.
Jazz Hot Mamas
Feb. 21 – March 29
In this hot musical revue, Nate Jacobs salutes the great women performers of the jazz era such as Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Etta Jones, and Peggy Lee. They rose to stardom, broke barriers, and left a legacy few can match. Their phenomenal voices, style, and grace won over audiences around the world. Don’t miss this sensationally sizzling show! Get tickets at westcoastblacktheatre.org.
American Cancer Society Big Top Gala
March 14
Enjoy an elegant evening of gourmet dining, live music and dancing, live and silent auctions, and surprises courtesy of Feld Entertainment. Join in this fun event to support cancer research and education, and advocacy and services on behalf of and for cancer patients. For tickets and information, go to cancer.org.
Inside the Studio
March 16
Including demonstrations by dancers of The Sarasota Ballet, Inside the Studio Series brings patrons into the studios for behind-the-curtain experiences into the upcoming program. For more information, visit sarasotaballet.org.
Takacs String Quartet with Joyce Yang, Piano
March 17
Presented by the Sarasota Concert Association. Go to scasarasota.org for tickets.
Simply Sarasota Tour of Homes
March 19-21
Tour posh Sarasota homes and enjoy surprises at each location. The tour benefits the Junior League of Sarasota, and is always a delight. Go to jlsarasota.org for more information and for tickets.
Hot Club of San Francisco: Cinema Vivant
March 20-21
The flickering imagery of pioneering stop-action animation is accompanied by the live gypsy swing of the Hot Club of San Francisco in this imaginative and innovative screening of two films by the pre-WWI European filmmaker, Ladislaw Starewicz: The Cameraman's Revenge, a charming piece about the marital troubles of beetles; and The Mascot, an adventure story about lost toys. This performance is part of The Ringling’s New Stages 2015, Re:Imagined, which explores the creative response to influences both historic and imaginary, ranging from a whimsical interpretation of historic cinema to a visceral engagement with an envisioned environmental catastrophe. Visit ringling.org/events/series/new-stages for more information and tickets.
An Evening at the Avant Garde: Comic Capers
March 20-21
Be Snoopy, WWI Flying Ace. Chase the kids with Family Circus. Solve crime with Dick Tracy and Batman and Robin. Whether you like Peanuts or Pogo, Blondie or Beetle Bailey, cavort with your favorite cartoon characters at Ringling College’s annual scholarship fundraiser. Go to ringlingcollege.edu/avant-garde for more information.
The Mad Hatter Gala
March 20-21
Don’t be late for a very important date! Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund with dining, dancing and Wonderland fun. Visit lwrfund.org for tickets and information.
Audra McDonald
March 22
Audra McDonald is unparalleled in the breadth and versatility of her artistry as both singer and actress. With a record-breaking six Tony Awards®, two Grammy Awards®, and a long list of other accolades to her name, she is among today’s most highly regarded performers. Blessed with a luminous soprano and an incomparable gift for dramatic truth-telling, she is equally at home on Broadway and opera stages as in roles on film and television. In addition to her theatrical work, she maintains a major career as a concert and recording artist, regularly appearing on the great stages of the world. Go vanwezel.org for tickets.
Town Hall: Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson
March 23
The Ringling College Library Association presents Sarasota’s premiere lecture series and Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, host of Cosmos, an international National Geographic and Fox television series, astrophysicist and director of the Hayden Planetarium. For more information, go to rclassociation.org.
Murray Perahia, Piano
March 25
Presented by the Sarasota Concert Association. Go to scasarasota.org for tickets.
Holoscenes
March 25 - 28
Presented in the open air on The Ringling’s waterfront, the performance site itself — predicted to be underwater by the close of this century — plays an integral role in a visceral and involving engagement with vulnerability. For the past ten years, the imagery of human figures at the mercy of surging waters has prompted conceptual artist Lars Jan to explore our baffling response to the devastating effects of climate change. It is the anticipation of catastrophe that informs Holoscenes, an exploration of our capacity for empathy and long-term thinking that presents movement art in a large aquarium wherein the performers are threatened and engulfed by rising waters. This performance is part of The Ringling’s New Stages 2015, Re:Imagined, which explores the creative response to influences both historic and imaginary, ranging from a whimsical interpretation of historic cinema to a visceral engagement with an envisioned environmental catastrophe. Visit ringling.org/events/series/new-stages for more information and tickets.
Pique Nique sur la Baie
March 27
This 32nd annual luncheon and fashion show takes place along the beautiful New College bayfront and benefits the Jane Bancroft Cook Library and New College of Florida. For tickets and information, call (941) 487-4800 or go to donate.ncf.edu/piquenique2015.
Van Wezel Foundation Gala featuring Sarah McLachlan
March 27
Celebrate the Sarasota premier of Sarah McLachlan with the Van Wezel Foundation. Enjoy cocktails by the bay and dinner, plus a party after her performance. Tickets and more details are at vwfoundation.org.
Wright, Graziano & Taylor
March 27-30
Wright, Graziano & Taylor opens with Sir Peter Wright's Summertide, a world premiere by Ricardo Graziano and Paul Taylor’s Company B. Graziano, resident choreographer, will premiere his fifth ballet created for the Company. The revival of Taylor’s Company B, which The Sarasota Ballet premiered in November 2012, revolves around the portrayal of exuberant hope and poignant loss set in the early 40s when the country was being drawn into WWII. Go to sarasotaballet.org for tickets and show times.
Firefly Gala
March 28
Enjoy a private concert by superstar Bret Michaels, along with a sparkling evening of dining and cocktails. Proceeds help Forty Carrots Family Center provide education to children and families. To go fireflygala.org for tickets and information.
Sweet Home Habitat
March 28
Join the crew of Habitat for Humanity South County as they click their heels together and say, “There’s no place like home.” Follow the yellow brick road and enjoy dinner and dancing at the beautiful Plantation Golf & Country Club. For ticket information, call Veronica at 941-493-6606 x 225 or visit habitatsouthsarasota.org.
Center for Architecture Sarasota Grand Opening Gala Celebration
March 28
Celebrate the grand opening of the renovated Center for Architecture Sarasota with cocktails, dinner and music by the USF faculty band, “In Crisis.” VIPs will attend a pre-reception and have private access to an exhibit of works by the original building architect, Joseph Farrell, AIA. Go to cfasrq.org for more information.
Center for Architecture Sarasota Open House
March 29
Tour the newly renovated Center for Architecture Sarasota, view an exhibit by the original building architect, Joseph Farrell, AIA, and enjoy interactive children’s activities. Open house will be followed at 5 pm by a lecture by Joseph Farrell, AIA. Go to cfasrq.org for more information.
Town Hall: Dr. Ben S. Bernanke
March 31
The Ringling College Library Association presents Sarasota’s premiere lecture series and Dr. Ben S. Bernanke, distinguished fellow in residence at the Brookings Institution and chairman of the Federal Reserve System (2006-2014). For more information, go to rclassociation.org.
Sarasota Magazine's Best of Sarasota 2015 Party
April 21
The hottest ticket to the coolest party of the season is now available! Sarasota Magazine's Best of Sarasota Party will be held Tuesday, April 21 at Selby Gardens. Sip, savor, and socialize at Sarasota Magazine’s Annual Best Of Sarasota Party featuring the top restaurants and businesses of the winners and finalists of our annual readers' poll. For tickets visit SarasotaMagazineBest2015.EventBrite.com. For sponsorship opportunities call (941) 487-1109.