SRQ READERS SET EPIC RECORDs IN THIS 15th ANNUAL BEST OF SRQ LOCAL COMPETITION by coming out in unsurpassed numbers with 104,395 votes for their hometown favorites. Join us as we celebrate our 25th anniversary with community partners Circus Arts Conservatory and the Sarasota Film Festival—also turning 25 this year. Our shared, quarter-century milestone takes us under the big top for an up-close and personal meeting with a unicyclist and into the movie theaters for a few glittering film premieres. The Sarasota Film Festival has brought unprecedented national and international attention to our coast with filmmakers, actors and celebrities. After 25 years of incredible growth, the Sarasota Film Festival has added “film-lovers mecca” to the identity of our arts community. “Our most significant focus is to bring these creative folks back into town on a regular basis to interact with the community,” says SFF President Mark Famiglio. “We have a film-loving community.” This year, SFF welcomes many headliners, including a documentary about the band who graces our cover, the Indigo Girls. It’s Only Life After All is a documentary that explores 40 years of home movies, raw film archives and intimate present-day verité, telling the story of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers on their road to music stardom. SRQ was blown away to receive a personal “Happy 25th!” from the generous iconic folk rock duo themselves! Founded by circus royalty Dolly Jacobs and Pedro Reis, The Circus Arts Conservatory has become an internationally-renowned institution, bringing circus performers from around the globe to share the story of circus arts. More than a form of entertainment or even a way of life, circus is a heritage and history that must be cared for and protected so that it can be enjoyed by generations to come. “Circus is one of the oldest living forms of family entertainment,” says Pedro Reis. “For Dolly and I, we realize the importance of continuing the legacy.” So grab a bucket of popcorn, sit back and get ready to enjoy the show. And now, without further ado, “Ladies and gentleman, children of all ages, we present this year’s daring winners”. #BOSRQ
BEST OF SRQ LOCAL READER QUOTE COMPILATION + WRITING BY ARIEL CHATES AND BARBIE HEIT PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN
THIS PAGE: Grammy Award– winning American folk rock music duo Indigo Girls’ Amy Ray and Emily Saliers grace the silver screen at this year’s Sarasota Film Festival with their documentary It’s Only Life After All. Image courtesy of the Indigo Girls.
COMING THIS MAY | A RETROSPECTIVE OF 25 YEARS AT THE SARASOTA FILM FESTIVAL COMING THIS JULY | CELEBRATING THE CIRCUS ARTS CONSERVATORY’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY
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