EXTRAS ADDED TO ARTFUL LOBSTER “FEAST ON THE BEACH”
The Hermitage Artist Retreat is pleased to release the details of its signature Artful Lobster “Feast on the Beach,” being held this year on Saturday, November 14 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. New this year will be expanded menu selections, as well as silent auction items that include work created by renowned Hermitage fellows. Two fellows have been invited to attend, Composer and Performer Kamala Sankaram, who will be entertaining the guests and 2015 Greenfield Prize winner Bobby Previte who will be visiting the Retreat for the first time and is anxious to interact with the community that honored him. The event takes place on the Hermitage beachfront campus, 6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood. Individual tickets are priced at $175 each. Patron tickets are $250. Reservations can be made on the website www.HermitageArtistRetreat.org or by calling 941-475-2098, ext 2.
“We know the old adage, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,’ so we have left our incredibly successful event as is, but could not resist adding a few additional surprises this year,” explained Bruce Rodgers, executive director. “We hope those who have joined us before will be excited by the unique auction items, as well as food selection. Anyone joining us for the first time will be more than pleased. At the very least, our extravagant beachfront lunch on a beautiful day at the very best time of year is sure to make everyone glad they attended.”
The Artful Lobster Feast on the Beach has a plentiful menu featuring whole Maine lobsters, as well as chicken and ribs. This year, chairs Tom and Sherry Koski suggested adding a pre-event selection for attendees that includes in-shell lobster, out-of-shell lobster or two lobster rolls. Michael’s on East, which caters the event, was happy to oblige.
In addition to the extravagant meal, the event features live and silent auctions that help to raise money for the Hermitage residencies, as well as community programming. Five very special live auction items include a week on Lake Como, Italy; a timeshare vacation in the destination of your choice, guided kayak tour with noted naturalist and former County Commissioner Jon Thaxton, a spectacular necklace donated by the Diamond Vault and a Michael’s Wine Cellar party for 20. Silent auction includes a special selection of work created by Hermitage Fellows, special for this event.
Entertainment this year will be by Hermitage fellow Composer and Performer Kamala Sankaram. Described by the NYTimes as “strikingly original,” Sankaram has received many commissions, grants and awards for her work in musical theater. As a performer, the Wall Street Journal hailed her as “an impassioned soprano with blazing high notes.” She has performed with and premiered pieces by Anthony Braxton, Beth Morrison Projects, the Philip Glass Ensemble, the Wooster Group, Anti-Social Music, and Petr Kotik, among others. She is the front woman for world music ensemble, Bombay Rickey, and appears regularly with Opera on Tap. In addition to her musical pursuits, Kamala has been a voice actor on Comedy Central’s Superjail and Cartoon Network’s Golden Age, and holds a PhD in Cognitive Psychology from the New School for Social Research.
“Kamala is a delightful person, as well as extremely, extremely talented,” Rodgers continued. “We are thrilled to be able to add her as a featured performer for this year’s very special Artful Lobster.”
For more information on the Artful Lobster Feast on the Beach or to order tickets, visit the website, www.HermitageArtistRetreat.org or call 941-475-2098, ext. 2.
