Arts groups encourage creative fireworks with new programs
Happy Fourth of July
It’s a day for celebrating the nation’s 246th birthday, and if you’re reading this early enough in the day, consider carving out a couple of hours to take part in a Sarasota tradition, the 17th annual “American Fanfare” concert presented by the Choral Artists of Sarasota. It’s a program filled with patriotic music and some surprises and features performances by the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble at 4:30 p.m. at the Sarasota Opera House. When it’s over, you will still have plenty of time to grill some burgers or hot dogs and watch the fireworks that are expected to explode over skies across our region.
After the holiday, you can want to venture over to the Players Studio on Boulevard of the Arts in Sarasota for the 2022 New Play Festival, which this year features readings of four new works, any one of which could get a full production by the Players Centre for Performing Arts next summer. The festival runs Tuesday through Friday.
The festival is one of many signs of the creative nature of our region because all the playwrights represent the Gulf Coast area from Tampa to Fort Myers.
The Hermitage Artist Retreat on Manasota Key is doing its part to help with the development of new work in a variety of art forms by launching the new Cross Arts Collaborative, which provides residencies to artists and performers affiliated with local arts organizations. The first two recipients represent the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and Florida Studio Theatre.
And with an eye on the country, Marty Fugate takes a look at the newest exhibition at the Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College, “State of the Art 2020: Constructs,” featuring paintings, photos and more from a variety of artists whose combined work weaves together a portrait of the nation.
Enjoy the holiday and the week,
Jay Handelman
Arts Editor
Follow Jay Handelman on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Contact him at jay.handelman@heraldtribune.com. And please support local journalism by subscribing to the Herald-Tribune.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Arts groups encouraging creativity with new programs
