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< DISNEY: Samantha’s Friends make dreams come true. 11 LUCIA BLINN: Local poet finds new inspiration. 6
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018
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Stages of Discovery
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s summer program gives students a chance to shine onstage. PAGE 7
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PERFECT PAIR
NIKI KOTTMANN
MANAGING EDITOR OF ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Photos courtesy Marina Solotzew
“Dream of Venice” depicts a woman observing Carnival in Venice, one of the themes on which Alexander Solotzew currently focuses.
Alexander Solotzew’s favorite theme to paint helped him find a partner in business and life. NIKI KOTTMANN A+ E MANAGING EDITOR
T Alexander was born and raised in Russia, while Marina was born in Odessa, Ukraine, then moved to Moscow at age 8 and to the U.S. at age 34.
he delicate white lace tablecloth is adorned with various types of fruit and European pastries. Next to the croissants sits a pitcher of steaming herbal tea, its fruity aroma inviting and warm before it even touches the tea cup. But none of it entices Alexander Solotzew. He sits twiddling his thumbs, his eyes darting anxiously toward his wife, Marina. He wants to know if he can leave to go paint
now, she translates after a series of Russian words dart out of his mouth. Before she finishes her nod, he’s already off to grab his helmet and hop on the motorcycle he rides to his gallery and studio a few minutes down the road. “You need 50 years to get to this point,” Marina says of her husband, noting that at any given time, he’s envisioning 10 paintings in his head. “He’s constantly growing.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Patriotic spectacle Choral Artists of Sarasota celebrated Independence Day with several unique tributes. PAGE 10
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‘Carole’s Kings’
Florida Studio Theatre revue lights a candle to the iconic singer-songwriter’s universal music. PAGE 9