3/24/2023
Arts & Entertainment
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Bluegrass Bash
The Heartland/Southwest Florida Bluegrass Association will be hosting another show featuring some of the most talented bluegrass bands in the state of Florida. On Saturday, March 25, they will be featuring two bands: “Southwind,” and “Southern Express Bluegrass Band”. The show starts at noon with an open mic. Craig’s RV Park, 7895 NE Cubitus Avenue, Arcadia, will be hosting with an outdoor stage area. Many campers arrive on Friday night and stay the weekend. Jamming and parking lot picking break out regularly. Musicians of all levels are invited to attend. A $7 donation is requested for visitors. The association is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization devoted to the promotion, preservation, and appreciation of bluegrass music. For questions, call Mark Horn at 941•219•2256.
Xanadu at Venice Theatre
Xanadu brings campy ‘80s fun on roller skates to Venice Theatre’s Pinkerton stage Friday, March 24 through Sunday, April 16. Showtimes are 7:30pm, Tuesdays through Saturdays and 2pm on Sundays. There is also a 2pm matinee on Saturday, April 1. Several performances are already sold out, so tickets should be purchased as soon as possible at www.VeniceTheatre.org or by calling 941•488•1115. Prices are $15 for students through 12th grade, $21 for college students, and $31 for adults. Venice Theatre is located on the island in Venice at 140 Tampa Ave. W.
Sea Grape Artists of the Month
From April 6 to May 4, Sea Grape Gallery will be featuring two of their artists, Susan Krasny, oil, acrylic, and mixed media, and Brenda Berdnik, mixed media. Sue Krasny’s paintings are meant to communicate a unique sense of place through the bold use of color and light. Sue’s oil paintings are primarily done with palette knife to create texture and layers of color and her acrylic paintings might include playful elements such as luminous paint and surprises of texture. Brenda, a multi-faceted artist, has explored many mediums, including textiles, basket weaving, pottery, metalsmithing, enamels, mosaics, poetry, graphic design, and painting in mediums from miniatures to large works. As Brenda explains, “My palette of material is vast, and my techniques span the ages, which makes my creations a blending of skills from the past combined with the magic of technology”. Their creations are prominently on display at the Sea Grape Gallery. In addition, more of their art can be viewed at www.seagrapegallery.com. Sea Grape Gallery is located at 113 W. Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda and can be reached on 941•575•1718.
Hermitage Program in North Port
“Creativity for All,” featuring Hermitage Fellows Nandita Shenoy and Tina LaPadula, will take place on Thursday, March 30, 5pm, at Butler Park, 6205 W. Price Blvd., North Port. Using the large-scale visual art exhibition from “Embracing Our Differences” as a launch pad, they will invite students and audience members to tell a story. They will share insights as they guide this participatory creative process. There is a $5 registration fee, and you can register online at www.hermitageartistretreat.org.
Cinematic Sounds
The Punta Gorda Symphony’s final Mainstage Concert of the season, “Cinematic Sounds,” will be held at 7:30pm on Sunday, April 2, at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, 75 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda. The concert will feature some of the most recognizable and beloved music from great movies to the delight of both classical music lovers and film buffs. Also on the program is the World Premiere of a timpani concerto written by Gabriel Suarez and dedicated to Miguel Ángel Pagua Molina, the Symphony’s principal timpanist. As if that weren’t enough, there will be a festive after-party for all concertgoers at the venue following the concert, featuring local jazz favorite Patricia Dean & Friends. It will be a night to remember! The Symphony is offering a 25% discount on tickets purchased online before midnight on Friday, March 31 with Code MC25. Purchase online at www.PGSymphony.org/performances.
The Silver Foxes
Don’t miss the singing, dancing, and laughs when Venice Theatre’s Silver Foxes take the stage for their annual production, Tuesday, March 28 through Sunday, April 2. This group has been entertaining audiences for over 25 years. Evening performances start at 7:30pm. Tickets are $26 adult and $15 youth. Purchase tickets online at www.venicetheatre.org or call the box office at 941•488•1115.
Legally Blonde-The Musical
Venice High School Drama presents “Legally Blonde: The Musical”, Tuesday, April 4 through Friday, April 7. Based on the novel and the hit-movie of the same name, “Legally Blonde: The Musical” chronicles the journey of the famously perky Elle Woods, a fashion-savvy, UCLA sorority girl who finds her life turned upside down when she is dumped by her boyfriend Warner. To prove to Warner that she is more than just some blonde sorority girl, she follows him to Harvard Law, where she struggles to fit in and do well. Showtime is 7pm at Venice High School, One Indian Avenue, Venice. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased online at www.veniceperformingartscenter.com.
Artist Colony Ensemble Concert
The Artist Colony in Englewood, Florida will host a free concert with the Artist Colony Ensemble and Twinkle Toes Dancers on Tuesday, April 11, 5 to 7pm, at Pioneer Plaza, 325 W. Dearborn Street. Grab your chairs, pack your dinner or order to go from one of the area restaurants, and spend the evening. Follow the Artist Colony on Facebook.
Reggae Night
If you’re looking for a relaxing evening, let the soothing reggae vibes combine with the rhythmic waves at Centennial Park gazebo, 200 W. Venice Avenue, Venice, on Thursday, April 6, 5 to 9pm. There will be two bands performing. The concert is free. Bring your own seating.
Englestock Music Festival
The first annual Englestock Music Festival is set for Saturday, April 15, 2 to 11pm, at Pioneer Plaza, 325 W. Dearborn Street. Come out to support Lemon Bay High School Arts Department and Suncoast Humane Society with a full day of great food, amazing live music, beer, wine, and vendors, with a secret musical surprise. Also, raffles and 50/50. The music line-up will be The Filthy Heathens, Southbound 75, Twinkle, and Maiden Cane. Tickets are $25 in advance and online; $30 at the gate. The VIP section is available for $100 and includes free food and beer. Tickets may be purchased online at www.eventbrite.com. The event is organized by the Widows Sons Knights of the East.
The Brothers Doobie
There’s no one in the industry today that can recreate the sound and style of the world-famous Doobie Brothers like “The Brothers Doobie.” Inspired by the Brothers’ superior song writing, The Brothers Doobie delivers powerful harmonies and a fun-filled high-energy performance covering a catalog of hits spanning both the Johnston and McDonald eras. Come hear them in concert on Tuesday, April 18, 7:30pm, at the Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Avenue, Venice. Tickets are $38 and may be purchased online at www.venicetheatre.org.
Love, Lies, & the Doctor’s Dilemma
“Love, Lies, and the Doctor’s Dilemma” will be presented by Charlotte Players from Thursday, April 20 through Sunday, April 30. Joan Scheller lives with the great love of her life, Sandy. In an effort to hide their relationship from her overbearing sister-in-law, she introduces him as her psychiatrist. One little white lie leads to another. Before long, Vinny the Enforcer, a quintessential Italian mobster, masquerades as her security guard, while her son, Chris, is forced to wear a dress and become her daughter Christina. Further complications occur when her new neighbor, Rachael, whose life appears to be a series of catastrophes, creates chaos and confusion wherever she goes. “The Doctor” is in. Has Joan created a monster? Everyone wants a session. Mayhem and hilarity ensue. Can they survive Joan’s little white lies? Curtain time is 7:30pm evenings and 2pm matinees. Tickets are $25 adult and students $13. Purchase tickets online at www.charlotteplayers.org or call 941•255•1022. The Langdon Playhouse is located at 1182 Market Circle, Port Charlotte.
Fairytales and Flutes
The last concert of the season for the Venice Symphony is set for Friday & Saturday, April 21 & 22 at the Venice Performing Arts Center, One Indian Avenue, Venice. “Fairytales and Flutes” features one of the greatest flute players of the time, Jim Walker, former principal flute of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He solos on Mozart’s “Flute Concerto in G Major,” John Williams’ “The Face of Pan,” and Mancini’s “Pennywhistle Jig”. William Walton’s “The Wise Virgins Suite”, music from Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty”, and Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” round out the concert. Concert times are 7:30pm Friday and 3:30pm Saturday. Tickets are $43-$58 and may be purchased online at www.thevenicesymphony.org.
Venice Theatre Presents
Venice Theatre, 200 W. Venice Avenue, Venice, presents two touching tales of compassion when “Graceland” and “Asleep on the Wind” come to the stage Friday, April 21 through Sunday, May 7. “Graceland” is a poignant, sometimes humorous, story about Rootie and Bev, two ardent Elvis Presley fans, who camp out at the entrance of his Graceland mansion prior to its opening as a public museum. The women vie to be the first to step into the sacred space for compelling personal reasons. “Asleep on the Wind” is a heart-melting preamble to “Graceland.” Rootie, ten years earlier, is with her favorite brother Beau in their “special place” that Rootie speaks about in “Graceland.” Beau shares life-changing news that informs why Rootie must go to Graceland a decade later. Evening performances start at 7:30pm and matinees at 2pm. Tickets are $28 adult and $15 youth. Purchase tickets online at www.venicetheatre.org.
From Broadway to Opera
The Venice Chorale presents “Harmony from Broadway to Opera” on Saturday, April 23, 7pm, at the Venice Performing Arts Center, One Indian Avenue, Venice. The Chorale’s Apprentice Chorus and Youth Chorus will be featured. Enjoy music from “Candide”, “Phantom of the Opera”, “Wicked”, “Madame Butterfly”, and many more. Tickets are $20-$25 and may be purchased online at www.veniceperformingartscenter.com or call 941•218•0627.
Feathers, Fur & Fins
Ringling College Englewood Art Center invites artists to submit their 2D and/or 3D artwork in any media that depicts the artist’s favorite creatures for an exhibit in June. The Feathers, Fur + Fins Exhibition is a juried and judged show with prizes awarded for first, second, and third place. Receiving is Saturday, June 10, 9am to noon and removal is Saturday, July 8, 9am to noon. Opening reception is Saturday, June 17, 2 to 4pm. Englewood Art Center is located at 350 S. McCall Road. For more information, call 941•474•5548 or email [email protected]
Artist Sought for Sculpture
As part of their class legacy project, the 2023 Leadership Englewood class is seeking an artist to create a sculpture dedicated to Charlotte County and it will be installed at Chadwick Park. This sculpture will not only memorialize the efforts of the LE23 waterway cleanups, but the resilience of the Englewood community embodied through the recovery from Hurricane Ian. Sculpture requirements include the theme of resilience and should be interactive for attendees. The artist should propose a name, UV protection coating required, hurricane debris percentage to be incorporated (28% preferred), height between 5 and 7 feet with base maximum not to exceed 7.5 feet, and able to withstand the elements. The project budget includes all project costs, including artist’s fee and expenses. The application deadline is Monday, May 1. The application and more details can be found at www.englewoodchamber.com.
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