Whimsical felines
Decorative clay pots and "Whimsicats" created by Sarasota clay artist Boots Culbertson will be featured in a one-woman show called "Pause for Pots and Paws" from March 5 to April 2 at Art Uptown on lower Main Street in Sarasota.
Culbertson received formal training in art and biology, earning a graduate degree in medical illustration from the University of Illinois Medical School. She has produced medical and botanical illustrations for many scientific publications. But, fascinated with three-dimensional work, she turned to clay for creative expression.
After an apprenticeship with renowned Sarasota potter and sculptor Frank Colson, Culbertson started her career in clay. She has become known for her evolving series of playful "Whimsicats." Many of these lovable creations will be included in her show at Art Uptown.
Culbertson says she tries to capture in her works the energy she feels from her surroundings. "For me, it is exciting to feel I have responded to my environment, catching some of its energy in the forms I create, then to see that energy returned, full-cycle, into the environment of others through these forms," she explained.
A reception with refreshments for "Pause for Pots and Paws" will be held on Friday, March 26, from 6-8 p.m. The gallery is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 955-5409 or visit www.artuptown.com.
A set of "Whimsicats."
"Loveable Whimsicat."
ART
RINGLING MUSEUM OF ART - Through April 4, "Gothic Art in the Gilded Age: Medieval and Renaissance Treasures in the Gavet-Vanderbilt-Ringling Collection." Through April 25, "In Search of Norman Rockwell’s America," featuring Rockwell paintings and photographs by Kevin Rivoli. March 18, 6-9 p.m., cocktails at the Cà d’Zan. Cover charge: $5; food vendors; cash bar. Tickets for the museum are $25, or $20 for seniors 65 and up; children ages 6-17, $10; children 5 and under, admitted free. Art museum free to all on Mondays. Located at 5401 Bay Shore Rd., 351-1660.
RINGLING COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN - Through March 31, "Perestroika (n) Restructuring: The Glass Sculpture of Kathleen Mulcahy, Ron Desmett and Martin Prekop" in Galleries I & II. Also, through March 19, exhibit of works by students at the College of Art and Design in Xiamen, Sarasota’s Chinese Sister City. On the second floor of the Academic Building, area No. 26. Galleries located one-half block east of 2700 N. Tamiami Trail on Dr. MLK Jr. Way. Call 359-7563; www.ringling.edu/selbygallery.
ALLYN GALLUP CONTEMPORARY ART - Through March 27, exhibit of paintings by Luisa Basnuevo, "Synoptical Allusions," and collage paintings by Arless Day. Artist reception, 6-8 p.m., March 12. Located at 1419 Fifth St.; 366-2093; www.allyngallup.com.
ART UPTOWN - Through April 2, "Pause for Pots and Paws," featuring works by clay artist Boots Culbertson. Artist reception, March 26, 6-8 p.m. Located at 1367 Main St.; www.artuptown.com; 955-5409.
CAMBRIDGE CHRISTNER FINE ART - Through March, works by Raul Torres Rojas, Fernand Leger, Paul Signac, Carlos Kis. Located at 415 S. Pineapple; 364-4300.
DABBERT GALLERY - Through April 30, "Paintings from a Sketchbook," solo show by Robert Baxter. Located at 76 S. Palm Ave.; 955-1315; www.dabbertgallery.com.
ELIZABETH STEVENS GALLERY - Through March, "Homage to Matisse, featuring works by Marge Bennett. March 19, a special showing of enameled jewelry by Melissa Searle and pottery by Jim Robinson. Located at 1945 Morrill St.; 365-4222; elizabethstevensgallery.net.
GALLERY AT TOWLES COURT - Through March, exhibit of prints by Steven Trefonides and sculpture by Anita Wexler. Located at 252 S. Links Ave.; 308-1986.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SARASOTA COUNTY - March 21, 1-5 p.m., art show and sale featuring local artists, in the Pioneer Park neighborhood at Crocker Memorial Church, 1260 12th St. Wine and cheese offered.
IMPERIAL FINE ART - March 13-20, exhibition of 29 paintings by Italian artist Alberto Mancini, inspired by the poetry of Emily Dickinson, – only the second public exhibit ever of these works. Located at 1453 Main St.; 954-8901; www.imperial-fineart.com.
KATHARINE BUTLER GALLERY - Through March 13, exhibition of works by Katharine Cosenza Butler. March 17-April 10, Interior Designer Invitational. Located at 1943 Morrill St. in Towles Court. Call 955-4546 or log onto www.kbutlergallery.com.
LOCAL COFFEE & TEA - Through April 30, "Critters and Comforts," works of Gary Gorman. Located at 5138 Ocean Blvd. in Davidson’s Plaza on Siesta Key; 870-2671; www.localcoffee.com.
LONGBOAT KEY CENTER FOR THE ARTS - Through March 19, Annual Members’ Exhibition. Located at 6860 Longboat Drive S., Longboat Key. Call 383-2345.
MOTE MARINE - March 12-19, juried art show with spotlight on the sea. Opening reception, March 11, Located on Ken Thompson Parkway; www.mote.org/artexhibit2010.
PARADISE GALLERY - Through March 31, "Emotional Feelings," sculptures by Don Frost. Located at 5760 Palmer Blvd.; 378-1234.
PARKLAND ART GALLERY - Through April 30, watercolors by Elaine Charney, paintings and brooches by Jill Krasner and jewelry by Ruth Mazin. Located at 506 S. Pineapple Ave.; 366-1649; ParklandArtGallery.FL@gmail.com.
SELBY GARDENS - Through April 16, "Rainforest Masks 2010 of the Borucan Indians of Costa Rica." Through March 28, the Sumi-e Society Exhibition in the Selby house. Located at 811 S. Palm Ave.; 366-5731 or www.selby.org.
SIMON’S COFFEE HOUSE - Through April 5, exhibit of art by Carole Kendal. Restaurant located at 5900 S. Tamiami Trail; 926-7151.
STATE OF THE ARTS GALLERY - Through April, "Joie de Vivre." Through May, "Locally Grown and Certified Organic," an exhibit by artists who have created works in Sarasota for as many as 50 years. March 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Meet the Artist event for the Fine Arts Society’s Creators and Collectors Tour, featuring five artists represented by the gallery. Located at 1525 State St.; call 955-2787 or go to www.sarasotafineart.com.
STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA, MANATEE SARASOTA - March 15-April 1, "Al Vesely and Patrick Lindhardt: Figure/Ground," featuring elegant female figures and stark Midwestern landscapes. At SCF Bradenton, 5840 26th St. W., in the Fine Art Gallery, building 11 North; 752-5225.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH - Through April 28, "Fancy Free," featuring collages by Lea Gitow. Located at 3975 Fruitville Rd.; 371-4974.
VICTORIA B. COOLEY STUDIO/GALLERY - "Comforts of Home," new works on exhibit. Located at 1920 Adams Lane, Towles Court.; 374-1988; www.BaileyCooley.com.
WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER - Through March 30, "Visions," solo show by Sarasota pastelist Corinne Fallacaro. Located at 340 S. Tuttle Ave.; 366-1700.
MUSIC
SARASOTA ORCHESTRA -Through March 13, "Great Escapes: The Green, Green Grass of Home," featuring selections from "Oklahoma!" and "Finian’s Rainbow" and Grieg’s "Norwegian Dances." March 19, 8 p.m., Pixel Pops: "The Dream of America," featuring photos and monologues about Ellis Island experiences, plus Stella Sung’s "Rockwell Reflections," with the artwork of Norman Rockwell. At Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. March 25-27, "Masterworks: In Myth," featuring Orff’s "Carmina burana" and Mozart’s "Symphony No. 40." Call 953-3434; visit www.sarasotaorchestra.org.
ARTIST SERIES OF SARASOTA - March 21 and 23, "Joie de Vivre," featuring pianist Ya Fei Chuang. Tickets: $35 and $40. At the Historic Asolo Theatre, Bay Shore Road. Call 388-1188 or go to artistseries.net.
BELLE CANTO - March 21, 2 p.m., concert featuring selections from Bach to Broadway. Ticket donations: $10. Located at First United Methodist Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave. For details, call 966-5904.
BENEFIT CONCERT WITH ANNE FEENEY - March 14, 7:30 p.m., Lake Osprey Village Cabaret, with proceeds going to Sarasota-Manatee N.O.W. Chapter. Tickets: $10, in advance; $15, at the door. Call 894-6469; visit www.wslr.org. Located at 6265 Lake Osprey Drive, Lakewood Ranch.
BOOKER MIDDLE SCHOOL - March 16, 7 p.m., Spring Chorus Concert. School located at 2250 Myrtle St.; 359-5824.
BROWN BAG CONCERTS - Noon, at the Gazebo in Phillippi Estate Park every Thursday during March. Bring your brown bag lunch and a lawn chair and enjoy a different musical group each week; 861-5000.
CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER - 30-minute Lenten organ recitals at 12:10 p.m.: March 17, organist Linda Peterson. Free; goodwill offerings accepted. March 14, 5 p.m., Great Music Series: the annual Bach Festival, featuring "Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor" and "Concerto for Harpsichord in A Major, BMV 1008." Ticket donation: $12; advance purchase through www.boxofficesrq.com or by calling 955-4263. Located at 222 S. Palm Ave.; 955-4263; www.redeemersarasota.org.
CONGREGATION FOR HUMANISTIC JUDAISM - March 13, 10:30 a.m., the CHJ chorus, the Humanaires, sings with the Unitarian Universalist Church choir in a program, with the choruses and congregation around a campfire. Free; 929-7771. Located at 3023 Proctor Rd.
JAZZ AT TWO - Fridays, 2 p.m., in the Bayfront Community Center, 803 N. Tamiami Trail. March 12, Ava Logan. Admission: $10; $5 for Jazz Club of Sarasota members. Call 366-1552 or visit www.jazzclubsarasota.org.
JAZZ AT TWO SUNDAYS AT THE GLENRIDGE - March 14, Paulette Dozier. Tickets: $7.50, members; $12.50, non-members. At 7333 Scotland Way; 552-5325.
JAZZ CLUB OF SARASOTA - March 20, 7:30 p.m., Winter Concert with Chuck Redd, Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail. Admission: $25;, members, $20. Call 366-1552 or visit www.jazzclubsarasota.org.
JAZZ IN THE CHAPEL - March 14, 4-5 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m., Jazz Trio, with Johnny Moore, Dominic Mancini, Charlie Prawdzik and special guest Bill Carmichael. No admission fee; freewill offering. Located at First United Methodist Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave.; 955-0935.
LA MUSICA - April 9-21, 24th International Chamber Music Festival with the theme, "Resolution." Rehearsals open to the public beginning April 7, Mildred Sainer Pavilion, New college. Concerts at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. Single tickets: $40, concerts; $10, rehearsals. Series subscription: $175. Through March, order tickets and passes from La Musica, PO Box 5442, Sarasota, FL 34277. For details, call 366-8450, ext. 3, or visit www.lamusicafestival.org.
LONGBOAT KEY CENTER FOR THE ARTS - March 16, Al Hixon Jazz All Stars. Tickets: $20 in advance; $25, at the door. Located at 6860 Longboat Drive South; 383-2345.
THE MEADOWS - March 20-21, 18th annual MCA Celebration of Fine Arts. Drawing included for work of art. Free. Located at MCA Building, 2004 Longmeadow Dr.
MUNCHTIME MUSICALES - Second Wednesday of the month at noon. Free. March 17, Sarasota Opera’s Studio Artists. Located at David Cohen Hall inside the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 N. Tamiami Trail; 351-7467; www.sarasotaconcertassociation.org.
MUSIC OF CHOPIN - March 14, 4 p.m., performed by the winner of the National Piano Competition, with a violist and soprano. Tickets: $25 in advance; $30 at the door; students with IDs, $15. Available by phone (426-9161); at Imperial Fine Art, Pierogi Inn and M&M Delicatessen in Sarasota; Dream Cafe in Venice. Located in the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail; 953-4252.
OSCAR SCHERER STATE PARK - March 14, 2 p.m., "Music in the Park" and ice cream social with Carl and Betty Ross of Tymes Past. Every Thursday through March, 2 p.m., Music Jam Gathering for musicians and listeners. Park located at 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey. For information, call the Rosses: 865-963-5682.
PINE SHORES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - March 21, 5 p.m., concert by WoodWorks Marimba Quartet. Free. Church located at 6135 Beechwood Ave.; 922-1597; www.pineshorespres.org.
SARASOTA CONCERT ASSOCIATION - March 16, Buffalo Philharmonic with pianist Fabio Bidini. At Van Wezel, 777 N. Tamiami Trail. For tickets, call 955-0040 or visit www.sarasotaconcertassociation.org.
SARASOTA FOLK CLUB - Last Monday of the month. Open mic, 7:15 p.m.; concert, 8:30 p.m. Located at Sarasota Sailing Squadron, 1717 Ken Thompson Parkway, Suggested donation: $6. Call Jean Hewitt, 377-9256 or 320-4774; e-mail jvhewitt@pobox.com.
SARASOTA MUSIC ARCHIVE - March 14, 2:30 p.m., "A Duo-Piano Program," featuring Miriam Gerber and Laura Vajda in a program of music by Mozart, Bach, Schubert and Mendelssohn. Located at Selby Library, Geldbart Auditorium, 1331 First St.; 861-5000; www.sarasotamusicarchive.org.
SARASOTA OPERA - Through March 13, "Hansel and Gretel." Through March 21, "Cavalleria rusticana" by Pietro Mascagni and "Pagliacci" by Ruggero Leoncavallo. Through March 21, "The Magic Flute" by Mozart. March 12, "Sarasota Opera Souvenir," a selection of pieces from various operas, in the opera house lobby. Free. March 16, 8 p.m., Apprentice Artists to perform operatic excerpts with full orchestral accompaniment in the William E. Schmidt Opera Theatre of the opera house. Tickets: $15. Through March 20, "Giovanna d’Arco." Located at 61 N. Pineapple Ave.; 366-8450; www.sarasotaopera.org.
SCHOLA CANTORUM SIESTA - March 21, 6 p.m., Evensong service featuring S.S. Wesley’s "The Wilderness." Free. St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key; 349-5616; www.bonifacechurch.org.
SECOND SUNDAYS AT SELBY - Free monthly concert series, 2:30 p.m., sponsored by the Sarasota Music Archive, at Selby Library. March 14, piano duo of Miriam Gerber and Laura Vajda. Doors open at 1:45 p.m. Call 861-1168. Located at 1331 First St.
STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA - March 16, 8 p.m., concert by pianist Dr. Kevin Orr, featuring works by Beethoven, Bernstein and Brahms. Admission: $8; Florida students, $4. In the Neel PAC, 5840 26th St. W. Call 752-5351 or 752-5252. Maps and directions online at scf.edu/maps.
SUNCOAST CONCERT BAND - March 14, 3 p.m., presenting "A Wee Taste of Ireland." Admission: $5. Located at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Rd.
SUNCOAST JAZZ AMBASSADORS - March 21, 7:30 p.m., an evening of Big Band and Dixieland music, "To the Ladies! Bless ‘Em All." Tickets: $5. In Payne Park auditorium, 2100 E. Laurel St.; 955-9452.
VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL - March 12, 8 p.m., Shirley Jones: "A Night at the Oscars." Tickets: $10-$50. March 13, Connie Francis and Bobby Lewis. Tickets: $30-$100. March 15, "The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess – 75th Anniversary." Tickets: $10-$60. March 17, "An Evening with Liza Minnelli." Tickets: $30-$125. Located at 777 N. Tamiami Trail; 953-3368; www.vanwezel.org.
VENICE THEATRE - March 14, local singer Patti Highland performing country standards. Tickets: $15. Located at 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice; www.venicestage.com; 488-1115.
THEATRE
ASOLO REP - March 14-April 3, "Unplugged," inaugural new play festival. All-access pass: $45; mini pass (includes one table reading and two staged readings, $20. Through April 1, "The Perfume Shop," a new adaptation of "Parfumerie" by Miklos Laszlo. Through April 11, "Hearts," a tribute to the legacy of World War II veterans. March 12-April 18, "Managing Maxine," a look at love in the "golden years." Located at 5555 N. Tamiami Trail. Call 351-8000; www.asolo.org.
FLORIDA STATE CONSERVATORY FOR ACTOR TRAINING - Through March 21, "Machinal," loosely based on a true 1927 story of a woman tbeset by the din of life. In the Cook Theatre at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail. Call 351-8000; www.asolo.org.
FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE - Through March 21, "Shear Madness." Through March 20, "Reflections," a cabaret featuring the sounds of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Through April 3, "Ruined," a Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by Lynn Nottage. Tickets: $26-$29. Every Tuesday night through April 6, 8:30 p.m., FST Improv in the Goldstein Cabaret. Tickets: $12. Located at 1241 N. Palm Ave. Call 366-9000; www.floridastudiotheatre.org.
GLENRIDGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER - Through March 13, "The Second Time Around," a comedy about communication and the generation gap. Tickets: $17.50. Visit www.theglenridge.com or call 552-5325. Located at 7333 Scotland Way.
GOLDEN APPLE DINNER THEATRE - Through April 4, "Li’l Abner." Tickets: $41-$43. Located at 25 N. Pineapple Ave.; 366-5454; www.thegoldenapple.com.
PLAYERS THEATRE - March 18-28, "Fiddler on the Roof." Tickets: $23; students, $12. March 21, "The Final Toast" by Stuart Kaminsky. Tickets: $15. Located at 838 N. Tamiami Trail; 365-2494.
VENICE THEATRE - Through March 14, "Annie." March 11-April 11, "Rent." March 17-21, 18th Annual Follies with Venice Theatre’s Silver Foxes. March 20-21, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," performed by students of Epiphany Cathedral School. Tickets: $16, adults; $8, children. Located at 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice; www.venicestage.com; 488-1115.
WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE TROUPE - March 19-April 4, "The Magnificent Mills Brothers." Shows at 8 p.m., Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail. Call 366-1505; e-mail wbtt@comcast.net.
COMEDY
PLAYERS THEATRE - March 22, 8 p.m., "Stand-Up Comedy of Carmen Ciricillo." Tickets: $15. Located at 838 N. Tamiami Trail; 365-2494.
FILM
MONDAY NIGHT MOVIES AT THE RINGLING - March 15, "Crimes and Misdemeanors," with Martin Landau and Angelica Houston. 105 mins. Located at the Ringling Museum complex, 5401 Bay Shore Rd.; 360-7399; www.ringling.org.
TOUCHING TOMORROW - March 20, premieres of "The Film Forecast," with three new films and "Expecting Mary." Call 359-5700; e-mail filmforecasts@gmail.com. Located at the Historic Asolo Theater, Bay Shore Rd.