Arts Council of Manatee County News

The second annual Trash to Treasures Eco-Art Contest will be held November 15-16 at the Efest Green Living Music & Arts Festival in Lakewood Ranch. The contest is open to everyone including adults, children, diverse businesses, non-profit groups, civic and social clubs, schools, and individual classrooms. All entries must be comprised of mostly repurposed materials (recycled, discarded, reused, etc.).

Participating artists must register online at www.efest.us before 5pm eastern standard time on October 15. Details about the contest and the entry form are posted on the Efest website. Questions can be directed to Catherine Seress at efest08@gmail.

The Sarasota Ballet's new Downtown Series subscription offers the opportunity to see three exciting programs that guarantee something for everyone and will be performed in downtown Sarasota.

Divertimento No. 15, Checkmate, Pineapple Poll - Sarasota Opera House
Friday, November 28, 8 pm
Saturday, November 29, 2 pm & 8 pm
Sunday, November 30, 2 pm

Les Patineurs and The Two Pigeons - Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Friday, December 19, 8 pm
Saturday, December 20. 2 pm & 7 pm
Sunday, December 21, 2 pm

Anna Karenina - Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Friday, March 20, 8 pm
Saturday, March 21, 2 pm & 8 pm

Contact: Gayle Williams at (941) 377-6709 or gwilliams@dmgsarasota.com

ArtWalk
September 5th 6-9:30
Arts Council Gallery
926 12th Street West
Village of the Arts
Robert L. Lewis
Original Highwayman

Workshop with Mr. Lewis
September 6th at Arts Council
926 12th Street West
call 746-2223 for times

Teachers Workshop with
Peter Rampson from Ringling College
September 5th
Computers and Art
at Manatee School for the Arts
for information call 746-2223

Arts Council Luncheon
September 24th
noon-1:15
Bradenton Country Club
call 746-2223

Where: The Village Book Shop, 1006 11th Ave West, Bradenton
When: Friday, September 5th, 8 pm
Contact: 750-9141 or thevillagebookshop.org

As always poets, writers, spoken word performers, stand-up comics and acoustic musicians are all welcome.

JAZZ AT TWO RETURNS!
Friday afternoon concerts in the Bayfront Community Center, 803 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota return starting September 19 and run through May 29, 2009. Featured on Friday, September 19 at 2 p.m. will be TOM BARRETT'S DIXIELAND BAND and on September 26 at 2 p.m, saxophonist BOB DORAN & QUARTET will perform. Admission is $9; $5 for Jazz Club members

JAZZ AT TWO SUNDAYS AT THE GLENRIDGE, Sunday, September 21, 2 - 4 p.m.
The Jazz Club of Sarasota and The Glenridge Performing Arts Center present third Sunday concerts at The Glenridge Performing Arts Center, 7333 Scotland Way, Sarasota. Featured entertainment on September 21 will be the GREG LECEWICZ SEPTET WITH VOCALISTS. Tickets are $12.50; $7.50 for Jazz Club members in advance only. Call 941-552-5325 for reservations.

2nd ANNUAL VENICE JAZZ FESTIVAL
FREE JAZZ LECTURE: Saturday, September 27, 10:00-11:00AM. Venice Library, 300 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice. Popular jazz lecturer TONY BENADE will speak.

FREE OUTDOOR JAZZ CONCERT: Saturday, September 27, 1:00-4:30PM. W. Blalock Park located in 300 block S. Nassau St., Venice. Please bring your lawn chairs. Refreshments available.

DICK HYMAN AND FRIENDS CONCERT featuring pianist DICK HYMAN, PETER APPLEYARD on vibraphone, BOB WILBER on clarinet and sax with JOHN LAMB on bass and ED METZ, Jr. on drums: Sunday, September 28, 7:00 - 9:00 PM. Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice. Tickets: $30 at door; $25 in advance at Paper Pad, Bella Luna Cafe, Venice News Stand, Venice Stationers, Jazz Club of Sarasota or on Saturday, September 27 at W. Blalock Park concert.

FREE JAZZ PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITS: Featured photographers ALEX BASS, BOB BYLER, AND JEAN GERMAIN. September 20-29 at Venice Art Center, 390 S. Nokomis Ave. and Sunday, September 28, at the Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Ave.

"Serendipity" paintings by Kimberly Charles. "Serendipity" combines the unexpected elements of bold colors, graphic designs and simple compositions set in limbo of white space devoid of gravity.

When: September 22 - November 7th, 2008
Opening Reception Friday, September 26th, 5-7 pm
Where: ArtCenter Manatee's ComCenter Gallery located at 9040 Town Center Parkway in Lakewood Ranch. The exhibit will be available for viewing free of charge during office hours Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm.
Contact: The ArtCenter Manatee at 746-2862 or www.ArtCenterManatee.org

Fuzion Dance Artists - Community Dance Class - no previous experience necessary
Afro-Modern taught by Leymis Bolanos Wilmott
Live Drumming by Orton Graves
Franklin G. Berlin YMCA - 1075 South Euclid Avenue Sarasota
Saturday, August 23, 2008, 3:00PM - 4:00PM
$7.00 and free to YMCA Members

When: Thursday, August 21st, 7:00 pm
Where: The Village Book Shop; 1006 11th Ave West, Bradenton, FL 34205
Contact: Village Book Shop at 750-9141 or www.thevillagebookshop.org.

Fuzion Dance Artists - Wednesday Advance Dance Class
Guest Artist - LaMicheal Leonard
New College Florida - Fitness Center - 941-487-4218
5800 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL (for directions visit, fuziondance.com)
August 27, 5:30PM - 7:00PM, $15.00 for this class only

Guest Artist - LaMicheal Leonard is a current member of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company.

Florida Studio Theatre's Children's Fall Performing Arts Workshops begin September 15, 2008. The class schedule, under the direction of Kate Alexander, has something to offer everyone in the theatre spectrum. Interested youth and teens can experience behind-the-scene classes from the Youth's Basic Acting to Teen Scene Study.

All classes are held in FST's professional rehearsal studios in the heart of downtown Theatre and Arts District 1241 North Palm Avenue. Prices range from $215-$545. Reservations can be made by contacting FST's Education department at 366.1350.

For more details regarding the classes, please contact Eric Pugh, Marketing Director, at (941) 366-9017 ext. 313 or epugh@floridastudiotheatre.org.

Kaleidoscope Company
Date: August 8 & 9, 7:00 pm
Where: Asolo Theater
Tickets: $15
Contact: 351-8000 or 800-361-8388 or www.asolo.org

Taught by: Leymis Bolanos Wilmott - Artistic Director
Franklin G. Berlin YMCA
1075 South Euclid Avenue, Sarasota
Saturday August 23, 2008, 3:00PM - 4:00PM
$7.00 and free to YMCA Members

Taught by Company Members and Guest - Each week a different style
New College Florida - Fitness Center - 941-487-4218
5800 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL (for directions visit, fuziondance.com)
Begins August 20, 5:30PM - 7:00PM, $12.00 or 4 classes for $40.00
Guest Artists: 8/20 Stephanie Carter, 2009 guest choreographer for Fuzion (SRQ)
8/27 - LaMichael Leonard, former Fuzion dancer, now with Bill T. Jones (NYC)

WHERE: First Baptist Church Memorial Chapel, 1306 Manatee Ave W

WHEN : Sunday, August 10th, 4:00pm

TICKETS: $8 at the door

DETAILS: 941-920-2408 or manateestrings.com

JAZZ AT TWO SUNDAYS AT THE GLENRIDGE, Sunday, August 17, 2 - 4 p.m.
Featured artist will be David Pruyn Quartet. Tickets are $15 on the day of the concert, $12.50 in advance and $7.50 for Jazz Club members in advance only. Call 941-552-5325 for reservations.

GOLDEN APPLE JAZZ, Monday, August 25, 7 - 10 p.m.
Featuring The Michael Royal Sextet. General admission is $15; Jazz Club members pay $10, and the student charge is $5.00. Reservations may be made by calling the Golden Apple Theatre at 941-366-5454.

The Village Bookshop is having a Back to School Sale.
Receive 30% off any item not previously discounted during August and September.
Location: 1006 11th Ave West
Contact: 750-9141 www.thevillagebookshop.org

Upcoming exhibition at ArtCenter Manatee's ComCenter Gallery.

Exhibit: "The Blessing of Color" an exhibit of paintings by John Samson.
Dates: August 4th - September 19th, 2008
Time: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm
Opening Reception: August 8th, 5-7pm
Location: 9040 Town Center Parkway in Lakewood Ranch
Contact: visit www.ArtCenterManatee.org or call 746-2862

Florida Studio Theatre will extend Kathleen Clark's Southern Comforts at the Keating Mainstage through August 17.

Tickets are $19 - $32 and may be purchased from the FST Box Office in person, by phone (941) 366 – 9000 or online at www.floridastudiotheatre.org