InspireSarasota! Returns For Second Year To Spotlight Arts, Culture

SARASOTA, FL – The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County has a long history of supporting and advocating for arts in the community.

From forming the Arts Education Task Force to offering community grants, the organization has served the Sarasota area for nearly 30 years. Last year, the group organized a two-week public celebration of the arts, culture and creativity of the area’s residents.

InspireSarasota! will return for its second straight year, with 13 days of events, activities and performances around the county. Many of the area’s most well-known organizations –whether they’re known for arts and entertainment or not – are scheduled to participate by hosting events.

Here are the events that are scheduled for InspireSarasota! 2016:

Saturday, Oct. 22

Circus by the Sea, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. – This joint venture by The Circus Arts Conservatory of Sarasota and Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium spotlights both the circus heritage and the conservation culture of the Bay area. Sailor Circus students will give two performances at the Mote aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, and will provide opportunities for attendees to try several circus acts, such as juggling or hula hoop. The event is free with paid admission to Mote.

Monday, Oct. 24

Ten Years of Inspiration Luncheon, 11 a.m. – The Key Chorale’s annual luncheon is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Joseph Caulkins joining the group as the artistic director and maestro. The symphonic chorus will also present its Perfect Pitch Award during the luncheon. Tickets are $100.

Celebration of the Arts, 7 p.m. – This is the InspireSarasota! kickoff event hosted by the Arts and Cultural Alliance at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail. This free event features performances by four of the area’s arts organizations and honors community arts leaders.

Tuesday, Oct. 25

Sarasota Choral Festival first rehearsal, 6 to 9:30 p.m. – The Key Chorale hosts this community event at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., and is open to singers high school age and older. Last year, 200 people participated in the festival, hosted by the area’s only symphonic chorus. The event features three rehearsals during InspireSarasota, culminating in a performance on Saturday, Oct. 29. The schedule for this first rehearsal is registration/check-in, 6 to 7 p.m.; rehearsal, 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 26

Octoberfest Trolley Pub Crawl, 5:30 to 10 p.m. – The Jazz Club of Sarasota will host its Oktoberfest Jazz Trolley and Pub Crawl through downtown Sarasota, starting at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall at 5:30 p.m.. Eight jazz groups will perform at seven venues throughout the evening. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 the day of the event Participants will be given wristbands, but people who are not on the tour can pay a $5 cover charges at any individual event. Call (941) 366-1552 or visit www.jazzclubsarasota.org for tickets.

Friday, Oct. 28

Jazz at Two, 2 p.m. – The Jazz Club of Sarasota will present the six-piece Sarasota Jazz Project Big Band at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 3975 Fruitville Road. The InspireSarasota! concert is part of the Jazz at Two series. Tickets are $15.

Sarasota Choral Festival second rehearsal, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. – The Key Chorale hosts this community event at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., and is open to singers high school age and older. Last year, 200 people participated in the festival, hosted by the area’s only symphonic chorus. The event features three rehearsals during InspireSarasota, culminating in a performance on Saturday, Oct. 29. The schedule for this second rehearsal is check-in, pizza party, vocal coaching, 5:30 to 7 p.m.; rehearsal, 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Mysteries to Die For, 6 to 9 p.m. – Friends of the Selby Public Library and the Sisters in Crime Florida Gulf Coast Chapter will host Lisa Black, a New York Times bestselling author and latent print examiner for the City of Cape Coral. Black will present her approach for creating a great crime novel and chair a panel featuring other popular Florida mystery writers: Wendy Dingwall, Shannon Esposito, Cheryl HOllon and Susan Santangelo. Participants are invited to dress as their favorite mystery character. Hors d’oeuvres are provided by Libbys and a cash wine bar will be available. The event takes place at Selby Public Library, 1331 First St.

Saturday, Oct. 29

Sarasota Choral Festival final rehearsal, 8:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. – The Key Chorale hosts this community event at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., and is open to singers high school age and older. Last year, 200 people participated in the festival, hosted by the area’s only symphonic chorus. The event features three rehearsals during InspireSarasota, culminating in a performance on Saturday, Oct. 29. The schedule for this final rehearsal is check-in, complimentary doughnuts and coffee, 8:15 to 9 a.m.; rehearsal, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; lunch, 1 to 2 p.m.; change into concert attire, 3:15 to 3:45 p.m.

An Inspirational Walk: Patriotism Through Art and Architecture, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – The Arts and Cultural Alliance and The Patterson Foundation will host this event which will spotlight Patriot Plaza at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 Clark Road (State Road 72). The event will highlight the plaza’s outdoor art museum, including the amphitheater and five large public art displays by national known artists. Musicians and speakers will perform to enhance the ambience.

Sarasota Choral Festival performance, 4 to 6 p.m. – The Key Chorale hosts this community event at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., and is performed by singers high school age and older. Last year, 200 people participated in the festival, hosted by the area’s only symphonic chorus.

Giving Hunger the Booos Halloween Costume Party, 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. – The 20th Annual Giving Hunger the Blues event will kick off with this Halloween event at The Francis, 1289 N. Palm Ave. The event will feature Reverend Barry and Funktastic Soul with the Hellacious Horns. There will be a costume contest with a $500 cash prize. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. VIP packages with reserved seating are $65 in advance and $75 at the door. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Mayor’s Feed the Hungry Program. To purchase tickets, visit http://givinghungertheblues.org/halloween-party/.

Ying Quartet with Bharat Chandra, 7:30 p.m. – As part of the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, the Ying Quartet featuring clarinetist Bharat Chandler, will perform Mozart and Brahms chamber works at the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road. Tickets are $45.

Sunday, Oct. 30

Giving Hunger the Blues Festival, noon to 9 p.m. – In its 20th year, the Giving Hunger the Blues Festival will feature 20 bands on three stages at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Along with its regular blues performances, GHTB20 will host rock, soul, R&B and jazz acts. There will also be a youth stage, and expanded children and family area, martial arts demonstrations, games, prizes and a variety of food, arts and crafts vendors. General admission is $10 in advance and $15 at the door. VIP passes are $35 and a VIP weekend pass is $85. To purchase tickets, visit http://givinghungertheblues.org/.

Ying Quartet with Bharat Chandra, 7:30 p.m. – As part of the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, the Ying Quartet featuring clarinetist Bharat Chandler, will perform Mozart and Brahms chamber works at the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road. Tickets are $45.

Tuesday, Nov. 1

Art and Backstage Tour, 9 to 11 a.m. – The Fine Arts Society of Sarasota will present the Art and Backstage Tour at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Tickets are $5. For more information, call Janet Arena at (941) 363-2025.

Friday, Nov. 4

Jazz at Two, 2 p.m. – The Jazz Club of Sarasota will present Eddie Tobin at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 3975 Fruitville Road. This InspireSarasota! concert is part of the Jazz at Two series. Tickets are $15.

Saturday, Nov. 5

InspireSarasota! Festival, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Sponsored by the Arts and Cultural Alliance, this daylong event will take place at Five Points Park, North Pineapple Avenue in downtown Sarasota. The event will feature performances by Sarasota County School students, local performing arts youth groups and exhibits showcasing local businesses and arts organizations. There will also be events in Selby Library’s Geldbart Auditorium and Sarasota Opera’s Peterson Room.

For more information on any events or having an event listed on the InspireSarasota! calendar, visit https://inspiresarasota.net.

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