Jan. 22.
BY HEIDI KURPIELA CONTRIBUTOR
Each year, artist Clifford McDonald submits pieces of art for acceptance into “Embracing Our Differences,” the annual outdoor juried exhibition in Bayfront Park — 10 submissions each year to be exact, hoping that at least two will get selected for the show.
So far, McDonald has been successful. For five years in a row, the 35-year-old Booker High School graduate has had his art blown up to billboard size and put on display in Bayfront Park.
“The exhibit aligns with how I think and the message I want to spread,” McDonald says. “To be able to go out there and see all these different people from all over the place taking in the work on such a large scale. It’s powerful.”
This year McDonald, a former art teacher at Visible Men Academy in Bradenton, did something different when the call for artists went out. Rather than turn in 10 entries hoping to have a couple picked for the show, he submitted only two — and to his delight, both made the cut.
A BIG EMBRACE
SEE EMBRACING, PAGE 2
‘Embracing Our Differences’ is taking its visual tribute to cultural diversity on the road. Now in its 20th season, the outdoor art exhibition will open
Courtesy photos
“We Are All Pearls” earned Brazilian artist Whittney de Araujo Best In Show among adult artists featured in the show. The piece references Johannes Vermeer’s famous “Girl With a Pearl Earring” painting as a way to illustrate that beauty in art isn’t only relegated to the classic blond-haired, blue-eyed muse.
YOUROBSERVER.COM JANUARY 12, 2023 ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT <REMEMBERING A LEGEND: Colleagues celebrate famed theater director Frank Galati’s local legacy. 6 THE HOSPITAL GALA: SMHF fundraiser breaks records with 2023 outing. 8> BLACK TIE INSIDE: A+E INSIDE:
“Free Hugs” by Clifford McDonald
Embracing
His digital collage “Good Trouble” — inspired by a phrase coined by civil rights activist John Lewis — is a mashed-up representation of social issues focused on standing up for what’s right, or as McDonald says, “if you see something, say something.”
His other piece, “Free Hugs,” is much more self-explanatory. “When you see it, you feel embraced. It’s a simple concept that goes straight to the point,” says the artist, who works full time in the marketing department at Harvest House, a nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing to homeless families.
McDonald’s pieces are just two of the 50 works featured in this year’s Bayfront Park exhibition, the theme of which is “Embracing Kindness.”
“I want my art to inspire posi -
tive social change,” says McDonald, whose little sister, Katrina Kinsey, a ninth grader at Booker High School, also has work featured in the show. “I’m in the beginning stages of growing a nonprofit arts organization with that same objective in mind.”
For the first time since launching 20 years ago, EOD, which opens Jan. 22 in Bayfront Park, will pack up its billboards and travel to two other outdoor venues over the course of the spring. On March 25, the show will open at Butler Park in North Port, and on April 29, it will open on the grounds at State College of Florida in Bradenton.
Taking EOD on the road is no small feat given that each work of art is printed on a 12-and-a-halffoot by 16-foot vinyl banner that’s framed and anchored four feet into the ground. Setting up the largescale exhibition takes a full day and requires good weather, no wind and a crew of about 10-12 people.
But it’s worth it for the exposure,
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FROM PAGE 1
Courtesy photos
“Art is the best way for me to express myself,” says Sarasota artist Clifford McDonald, whose piece “Good Trouble” — inspired by a John Lewis quote — is featured in this year’s “Embracing Our Differences” exhibition.
“Embracing Our Differences” will have it’s grand opening event on Jan. 22 from noon3 p.m. in Bayfront Park. The event is free and open to the public and will feature performances by Jah Movement, the West Coast Black Theatre Troupe and several local spoken word poets. Bring your kids for interactive activities sponsored by local arts and education organizations. Bring your appetite for the assortment of food trucks (Miss Susie’s Newtown Kitchen, Big Blue Grilled Cheese, Kilik’s Kitchen and Krewe Du Snoball). All Best-inShow winners will be honored during the event, as well as the artists featured in the show. For more information, visit EmbracingOurDifferences.org or call 941-404-5710.
says
EOD Executive Director Sarah Wertheimer.
“Being that it’s done on such a large scale, you’re able to get up close and personal with the art,” Wertheimer says. “It’s a much more approachable feeling for a lot of people. A lot of times art can feel intimidating, and this can hopefully take away the intimidation factor.”
Wertheimer says EOD’s ongoing educational initiatives continue to grow the scope of the project. Case in point: In its first year, the organization received 124 submissions when it put out its original call to artists. This year, Wertheimer says she received 13,733 submissions from 119 countries. What’s even more impressive, the exhibition quadrupled its visitor attendance in the past two decades, from 100,000 attendees in its inaugural year to 400,000 attendees in 2022.
“I would say that since our organization was founded, the mission has become even more needed today,” Wertheimer says. “Treating one another with kindness and respect … considering where someone else is coming from … it seems so simple. But why is it so hard?”
In an effort to reach more local
students, EOD has added more educational programming, including two different reading programs in Sarasota and Manatee County schools, scholarships and a docenttraining program open to high school students and teacher workshops providing area educators with skills, strategies and resources focused on art appreciation, character building and diversity education.
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT | THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2023 3 YourObserver.com
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IF YOU GO
“Self Image” by Booker High School ninth grader Katrina Kinsey.
Alexis Lee’s “Stretching Beauty” was selected out of 14,000 submissions for this year’s Best in Show Student Award. The California 10th grader will be in town for EOD’s grand opening event Jan. 22 at Bayfront Park.
THIS WEEK
THURSDAY
JAZZ THURSDAYS
5:30 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail $20; members free Call 309-4300.
The Sarasota Art Museum partners up with Jazz Club of Sarasota for Jazz Thursdays every second Thursday at the Marcy and Michael Klein Plaza. Pop by the galleries, bistro or shop between performances to pick up an eclectic gift for someone you love.
GREAT ESCAPES: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
7:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail $45-$108
Runs through Sunday, Jan. 15. Call 953-3434.
Come out for a concert that features a wide span of music from classical to modern. Enjoy as the Sarasota Orchestra plays songs from Sondheim, Motown and more. On the classical side, you’ll hear pieces including Bizet’s “Toreador Song” from “Carmen” and the wild “Ritual Fire Dance” from “de Falla’s El amor brujo.” From opera to the nightclub, there’s music to please everyone.
RIVERDANCE 25TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail $37-$87
Visit VanWezel.org
This traditional theatrical feast of Irish music and dance touches down at the Van Wezel this week. Now in its 25th year, this beloved dance spectacle — rooted in a threepart suite of baroque-influenced traditional music — has only grown more beloved and familiar over the years.
FRIDAY
MAKING MUSIC TOGETHER 7 a.m. at Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Building 5, Venice Free Call (219) 928-8665.
The Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota teams up with the Venice High School Orchestra to present this free concert. The Chamber Orchestra will play Mozart’s “Divertimento in G Major,” while the students will perform three works: William Grant Still’s “Danzas de Panama,” the theme from “Schindler’s List” and “Fanfare,” a piece written by the former assistant conductor of the Naples Philharmonic specifically for youth orchestras.
JAZZ AT TWO KITT MORAN
QUARTET
2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road
Members $15; Guests $20 Call 260-9951.
Before Kitt and Mike Moran moved to Florida, they played the top jazz clubs in New York City and New
IN-STUDIO PERFORMANCE FEATURING POET SCYLLA LICOMBE IN COLLABORATION WITH SARASOTA CONTEMPORARY DANCE ENSEMBLE
7 p.m. at SCD Home Studio, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Suite 300; virtual option available $10-$20
Runs through Jan. 14 Call 260-8485.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance’s In-Studio Series offers a place for artists to workshop new pieces or add the final touches to developing works. In this performance, poet Scylla Licombe teams up with the SCD Ensemble for a live performance, which will be followed by a Q&A.
SATURDAY
NEW BEGINNINGS ARTIST MARKET
10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Creative Liberties, 901B Apricot Ave. Free Call 799-6634.
Kick off the new year with Creative Liberties’ January Art Market, which will feature local art vendors and open studios of resident artists, as well as live music, a food truck, craft beer and even a tent where kids can make a piece of art of their very own.
‘THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE’
10 a.m. at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave. Runs through Feb. 25 $10 Call 366-9000.
Join Peter and Lucy as they travel to Narnia in this theatrical
adaptation of the beloved tale by C.S. Lewis. They travel through the fantastical world to battle the forces of evil and discover that love is the most powerful magic of all. Kids and adults alike will enjoy this play, performed by FST Acting
JERRY SALTZ: ART IS LIFE 1 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail $40; members $35 Call 309-4300.
New York Magazine senior art critic, Jerry Saltz — winner of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize in Criticism and the 2019 National Magazine Award — lectures about the contemporary art world. An acute observer of the arts, his opinion and takeaways are pure gold and sure to delight astute Sarasota art lovers. His talk will begin at 1 p.m. and will be followed by a book signing.
KATHLEEN SUPOVÉ: NEXT DOOR 8 p.m. at Mildred Sainer Pavilion, 5313 Bay Shore Road $15 Visit NewMusicNewCollege.org
New Music New College welcomes back Kathleen Supové for the pianists’ solo concert “Between Starshine and Clay.” The eccentric and provocative Supové will perform works from her current project about migration and cosmic expression. This concert is free for NCF students, faculty and staff and will be live-streamed on YouTube.
SUNDAY
FRANKIE VALLI AND THE FOUR SEASONS 7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail $97-$137 Call 263-6799.
Be sure to “Walk Like a Man” as fast as you can as you come to enjoy this perennial audience favorite,
DON’T MISS WINDJAMMERS FEATURING SAILOR CIRCUS ACADEMY
This annual free show partners up Windjammers Unlimited, a band featuring wind instruments, with the students of the Sailor Circus Academy. Enjoy this collaboration as dazzling circus feats are put to the upbeat music of this ensemble.
IF YOU GO When: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15 Where: Circus Arts Conservatory’s Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St. Tickets: Free Info: Call 355-9805.
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Jersey. Now, thanks to the Jazz Club of Sarasota, they are joined by their bandmates to delight audiences with music from the American songbook and jazz standards.
Apprentices. It is also part of the four-show Children’s Theatre Series available this season at FST.
Don’t miss the Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show.
tribute
George Crumb, one of the 20th century’s most adventurous and exceptional composers. Crumb, who died in 2022, will be celebrated in this concert featuring two of his most influential works: “Black Angels” and “Madrigals.”
IF YOU GO
When: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16 Where: First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave.
Tickets: $25 Info: Visit ENSrq.org
MONDAY
TALAMANTES AND WILLKERSON, SOPRANO AND BARITONE 10:30 a.m. at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road $10 Visit SillSarasota.org
The Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning welcomes soprano Danielle Talamantes and baritone Kerry Wilkerson to its Music Monday series. The two singers will perform and engage in a conversation about their musical journeys.
WEDNESDAY
LECTURE: OPERA AND DANCE — AN UNEASY MARRIAGE 10:30 a.m. at Selby Library, Geldbart Auditorium, 1331 First St. Free Call 861-1168.
Joy McIntyre, an opera singer and associate professor emerita at Boston University, will lecture on the push and pull of the art forms of opera and dance. The Sarasota Music Archive presents this free event as part of its John Goodman Memorial Lecture and Concert Series.
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Sarasota theater community mourns loss of stage legend Frank Galati
The two-time Tony Award winner and Asolo Rep Associate Artist died Jan. 2. He was 79 years old.
HEIDI KURPIELA CONTRIBUTOR
Shortly before Christmas, Michael Donald Edwards, producing artistic director at Asolo Repertory Theatre, stopped by the Indian Beach home of Frank Galati and Galati’s husband, Peter Amster. Not knowing this would be his last chat with Galati, Edwards sat and laughed with his friend and colleague like it was any other day.
Although his once larger-than-life presence had taken on a more diminished appearance, Galati, who had been battling cancer for some time, was as spirited as ever.
There was no mention of illness and no sad goodbyes. Like so many creative genius-types, Galati — a pioneering director, actor and screenwriter with two Tony Awards and one Oscar nomination to his name — was still turning over project ideas in his mind. He shared one project with Edwards, who felt like he’d just been gifted a treasure.
“We talked about everything from the classical world of Senecan-style (drama) to poetry to live theater,” Edwards says. “The Galati magic was still there — even after he was gone I could feel it. I can still feel it.”
Galati, who died Jan. 2, was regarded as something of a mythical figure among theater veterans. A pioneering member of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company and an associate director at the Goodman Theatre, Galati’s credits and accolades spanned decades across both
theater and film, including an Oscar nomination for his 1988 screenplay for “The Accidental Tourist,” two Tony Awards in 1990 for his adaptation of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” and a Tony nomination in 1998 for the original staging of “Ragtime.”
Those who worked with Galati say the director, who also was a full-time faculty member of the Department of Performance Studies at Northwestern University, had an otherworldly essence — “like he was in his own stratosphere,” says actress Andrea Prestinario, who played Eliza Doolittle in the Galati-directed production of “My Fair Lady” at Asolo Rep in 2011.
When Prestinario ended her run as Eliza, she asked Galati if he would
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ART CENTER
Photo courtesy of Asolo Repertory Theatre Frank Galati started working with Asolo Rep in 2010.
Galati once more in Asolo Rep’s production of “1776,” says the director’s blessing helped seal her acceptance to the prestigious theater training program.
“We didn’t deserve him in a way,” Prestinario says. “The way he would communicate with actors and fellow creatives … he would use play and imagination to create a room and a process that allowed you, as an artist, to feel comfortable enough to make mistakes. He would zoom out and let you make choices and then slowly zoom back in and help massage the scene. He was masterful as a director, a special human. I was lucky to be in his orbit.”
Galati arrived in Sarasota in 2010.
At the urging of Amster, who had worked with Edwards decades ago at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Galati agreed to helm Asolo Rep’s “Twelve Angry Men.”
Amster was already working as an associate artist at the Sarasota theater company, and Edwards was desperate to get Galati on board as well.
“I had seen ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ and other shows at The Goodman
and I was very intimidated at first,” Edwards says. “Frank Galati was this iconic figure to me, one of the most professionally inspiring directors in the business. One of my greatest joys in life was being able to persuade him to direct something here — and unbelievably, I succeeded nine times.”
Almost presciently, the director ended his nine-year run at Asolo Rep with last year’s world premiere of the musical “Knoxville,” which he adapted from the James Agee novel “A Death in the Family.”
“Frank was an acute observer,” Edwards says. “He saw what others didn’t. He could pull out feelings we didn’t even know we gave them voice and expression.
“I deeply loved him, not only as an artist but as a friend. He was a part of my chosen family, and I miss him profoundly.”
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would
on to work with
actress, who
later go
File photo
Frank Galati when he directed Asolo Rep’s 2011 season-opener “My Fair Lady.”
“The Galati magic was still there — even after he was gone I could feel it. I can still feel it.”
— Michael Donald Edwards
Hospital Gala
Almost all nonprofits and their events were greatly affected by the pandemic, but some were affected more than most.
It’s safe to say that the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation has been among that number, having to reschedule and rework events during much of the last couple years.
The organization had to convert its 2022 gala into a virtual format this past year (at the last minute no less), but no such action had to be taken this time around.
The Hospital Gala made a lively, in-person return to The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota on Jan. 7.
Around 700 donors and supporters came dressed up in style for the event, which supports the health care system’s various programs and services each year.
This year’s event benefited the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute Oncology Tower, which opened a little more than a year ago.
Guests mingled before filling the Ritz-Carlton ballroom, where they heard from SMHF board Chair Deb Kabinoff, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System President and CEO David Verinder and SMHF President Stacey Corley.
Dinner was then served, followed by the paddle raise. The event brought in more than $1.5 million for the cancer institute.
The night ended with dancing and entertainment by the C’Nergy band.
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Saturday, Jan. 7, at Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota | Benefiting Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2023 YOUROBSERVER.COM
—HARRY SAYER
BLACK TIE
Kai Soderberg, Dr. Karin Kroeger, Peter Soderberg, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation President Stacey Corley, Libby and Jon Soderberg
Mary Kenealy and Sally Schule
Anne Charters, Monica Verinder and SMHF Board of Trustees Chair Deb Kabinoff
Jason and Jennifer Conley
John and Suzanne Southerland
BLACK TIE | THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2023 9 YourObserver.com 388340-1 Friday, January 27, 2023 25 YEARS CAC celebrates 25 years of excellence in transforming lives through the power of the Circus Arts! This important milestone recognizes our work of the past and shines a light on the present and future! For sponsorships, TA bles, A nd TiC ke T s: 941.355.9335 x311 karenm@circusarts.org The Circus Arts Conservatory is a 501(c)(3) non-profit performing arts educational organization Cir C usAr T s.org | 941.355.9335 U Fes T ive Co Ck TA il h our V U World Cl A ss Cir C us p er F orm AnC es V U e leg AnT dining by miChA el’s on eA sT V bernard and lauren Walsh Julie A. harris under the ulla s earing big Top at nathan benderson park’s regatta island 396186-1 NEW TOPICS A DYNAMIC LECTURE SERIES ON CONTEMPORARY ISSUES Fleeing Atrocities: Witness Perspectives In partnership with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Dr. Helen N. Fagin Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Collection 5:30 PM | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023 TICKETS $10 AT NCF.EDU/NEW-TOPICS Co-Presenter: Media Sponsor: 389100-1 Photos by Harry Sayer Pauline and David Sales with Kelly Romanoff
BLACK TIE & TALES HARRY SAYER
A Wonder Ball to Be
The Circus Arts Conservatory is gearing up for its annual gala later this month — which is certain to have its fair share of high-wire displays and feats — but it always helps to have a second act.
The CAC recently announced its Wonder Ball event, a new fundraiser outing for the organization that will be held May 12.
As for what will be part of this new endeavor? Some details are still under wraps, but planner Umbreen Khalidi-Majeed of UmbreenDesigns — who says she has been hashing the itinerary out for more than a year — promises something that will “bring the SRQ music scene to the next level.”
Who knows what that will entail just yet, but it surely will be a party no one will be able to forget.
The event also promises to have a dinner beforehand at Michael’s On East before guests head to the Sailor Circus Arena for the big show. Jan. 27’s Circus Gala will be its 25th anniversary, but details on the upcoming Wonder Ball will be announced there as well. Here’s hoping for a good show to come.
New Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation Record
The start of January is always a little snoozy in the social scene, but leave it to the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation to start the new year off with a bang.
The annual Sarasota Hospital Gala has always pulled in numbers, having raised more than $5 million for the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System’s programs and services up to this point.
This past weekend’s gala, though, reached a new record. The event brought in more than $1.5 million for the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute, a jump from the $1.2 million raised at the last in-person gala in early 2020.
It’s been a minute since SMHF’s signature event has been around, but it’s good to see donors returning.
Debutante Ball
The local Debutante Ball event has been around for some time, but it’s been held at various venues as of late.
Often held at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, the event relocated to Michael’s On East this past year.
For this offering, the Debutante Program’s event has a new home — the Circus Arts Conservatory’s Sailor Circus Arena.
Seventeen debutantes took to the stage at the arena during the annual Debutante Ball on Jan. 7.
Proud parents and family arrived for a cocktail hour before settling down for the program, where the 2022 debutantes were presented and performed the ceremonial waltz.
Dinner was then served, followed by music from the Top Spin band. The next Debutante Ball will be held Jan. 6, 2024.
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Harry Sayer
The upcoming Wonder Ball with the Circus Arts Conservatory promises plenty of surprises and musical fun.
Celebration Dinner
Jan. 5,
The Perlman Music Program Suncoast celebrated its winter residency students with a dinner fundraiser at the USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus on Jan. 5.
The Celebration Dinner — held for the first time since the pandemic — came after a concert performed by PMP students in the program’s winter residency.
Some of the string musicians then joined donors and supporters at the USF campus for an evening of recognition, which started with drinks and light bites before attendees took to their seats.
After the dinner and a paddle raise, guests enjoyed a musical performance from the artists.
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Thursday,
at USF SarasotaManatee Campus | Benefiting Perlman Music Program Suncoast
—HARRY SAYER
Harry Leopold and Audrey Robbins
Photos by Harry Sayer
Co-chairs Michael Ritter, Nancy Wolk, Fran Lambert and Seymour Ziegelman
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