Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County newsletter ARTbeat! 04.11.2014

On April 11, Florida Studio Theatre will present the world premiere of Tom Jones by Mark Brown, the writer of audience favorite Around the World in 80 Days.

In this thrilling adventure of the heart, Tom Jones, a charming young man of questionable birth, is madly in love with Sophia Western. But when Sophia’s father arranges for her to marry a loathsome man, she flees for her life. Aristocrats, wenches and scalawags abound in this bawdy and rollicking romp through the back roads and bedchambers of England.

The play is an adaptation of the ground-breaking novel, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, by Henry Fielding.

The show will open in the Gompertz Theatre and will run through June 1. Single tickets range from $18-42. Tickets may be purchased online.

The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe ends its 2013-2014 season with Bubbling Brown Sugar, a musical revue featuring the music of numerous African-American artists popular during the Harlem Renaissance.

“This is an iconic work of African-American theater; one of the first successful musicals on Broadway with a primarily African-American cast,” says Director Harry Bryce. “It was also one of the first times that Broadway paid homage to the Harlem Renaissance. Surprisingly, Bubbling Brown Sugar is not done very often so this is a wonderful, rare occasion. It’s an important selection for WBTT and reinforces the Troupe’s effort to keep African-American literature alive and present.”

Music in the show includes that of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Fats Waller and Eubie Blake.

The show will run through May 11. Tickets for Bubbling Brown Sugar can be purchased online.

On April 11, Jazz Club of Sarasota welcomes Giacomo Gates back to the stage.

Gates is considered to be one of the world’s leading practitioners of vocalese, a challenging form of singing where lyrics take the place of instrumental melodies. Heavily steeped in the traditions of the original vocal improvisers—from Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald through their modern counterparts, Betty Carter and Leon Thomas—Gates also draws from such bebop-rooted masters as Jon Hendricks, Babs Gonzales, King Pleasure and Eddie Jefferson.

Gates will be joined by pianist Mac Chrupcala, drummer Patricia Dean, and bassist, John Lamb, who performed for more than 10 years with the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

Jazz Club of Sarasota president Dave Walrath is thrilled to be bringing the Connecticut-based Gates back to Sarasota. “Giacomo Gates and this quartet dazzled the audience at last year’s Sarasota Jazz Festival. We’re pleased to be able to reunite them once again for another evening of innovative and invigorating jazz,” says Walrath.

The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. at Holley Hall in the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center. Tickets can be purchased online.

The Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents pianist Alexander Schimpf April 12 through 13 at the Historic Asolo Theater.

88-Key Salute will include Bach’s “Toccata in E minor, BWV 914”, Brahms’ “Piano Pieces, Op. 119,” Debussy’s “L’isle Joyeuse,” and selections from Kapustin’s “Preludes in Jazz Style.”

Schimpf’s rise to prominence began after winning a series of elite piano competitions, including the 2008 German Music Competition, the 2009 International Beethoven Competition in Vienna, and the Mixon First Prize at the 2011 Cleveland International Piano Competition.

Learn More!

Saraota Keys Pop-Up Concert feat. Sarasota Young Voices
Mattison’s City Grille
April 12 at 11:30 a.m.
In celebration of being accepted to perform at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris this June, the Chamber Choir of Sarasota Young Voices will treat the community to a pop-up concert that will commence by the Farmer’s Market at Lemon and Main streets. The casual program will consist of traditional choral favorites to pop music by small group ensembles. A free-will offering will go towards their concert appearance expenses in Paris. Learn More!

Legacy of Valor: Honoring Veterans, Troops and their Families
McKechnie Field
April 12 at 6:30 p.m.
As part of The Legacy of Valor, a campaign created by The Patterson Foundation, this family-friendly, patriotic event features live music showcases, including the National WWII Museum’s charming trio, the Victory Belles, who will take audiences on a nostalgic journey with spirited performances of classic American songs. Learn More!

Exsultate! Chorale
Grace United Methodist Church
April 13 at 3:30 p.m.
In the final performance of the season, the over 100 voices of Exsultate! Chorale will perform with its chamber chorus Jubilate!, and the 20 member Exsultate! Youth Chorus.  The chorale is led by Artistic Director and Conductor Stephen Johns and accompanied by pianist Mary Jeanne Moorman.  Kathleen Crane directs the Youth Chorus, which was new this year.  La Voci de Venezia, the Venice High School honors chorus, will also perform. Learn More!

Ann Sweeten
The Glenridge Performing Arts Center
April 13 at 2 p.m.
Contemporary pianist/composer Ann Sweeten is one of the world’s most recognizable musicians, although you may not know her name. Her stylish and sophisticated original music has earned her a place on many streaming music sites and soundscapes.  Learn More!

Sarasota Pops Orchestra Concert
Neel Performing Arts Center
April 13 at 3 p.m.
Under the baton of conductor Robyn L. Bell, the Sarasota Pops Orchestra presents this season’s grand finale. In keeping with this season’s “Numbers” theme, this closing performance will take the audience around the world with Kurt Weil’s Mack the Knife from the Three Penny Opera, and George and Ira Gershwin’s Someone to Watch Over Me, all featuring the duo of jazz guitarist Marc Mannino and jazz trombonist George Mancini. Learn More!

Tom Jones

Bubbling Brown Sugar

Giacomo Gates

Alexander Schimpf

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