Sarasota Orchestra, CreArte Latino, The Players Centre: Art News

SARASOTA-BRADENTON, FL — Check out the latest art news from Sarasota and Manatee counties:

Sarasota Orchestra Receives Grant from Impact100 SRQ

Sarasota Orchestra was awarded a $110,500 grant from Impact100 SRQ. The funds will be used to purchase and repair instruments for the orchestra’s education programs.

“We are honored to receive this momentous grant from Impact100 SRQ. Their generous support will significantly enhance Sarasota Orchestra’s efforts to keep music and music education accessible to everyone in our community,” Joseph McKenna, the orchestra’s president and CEO said.

Over the years, the Sarasota Youth Orchestras and Summer Music Camp have impacted thousands of young people from Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties, according to a news release from the orchestra.

Sarasota Orchestra loans instruments and equipment to students in their education programs whose families cannot afford them. Purchasing or renting an instrument could potentially represent a significant financial burden, or even a deterrent, for students wishing to participate in music programs, the orchestra said.

“The members of Impact100 SRQ were excited to award one of six $110,500 grants in the 2022 giving year to Sarasota Orchestra,” Pam Kandziora, Impact100 SRQ president, said. “It was the first time in our chapter’s four-year history that we funded an initiative in the Arts and Culture Focus Area. Our members collectively recognized the importance of an initiative which will allow more students to experience the benefits of music education without financial barriers to participation.”

The Players Centre Presents Pulitzer Prize-Winning Play “Proof”

To kick off the new year, The Players Centre presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Proof” by David Auburn.

The show runs Jan. 12-22 at Studio 1130 at The Crossings at Siesta Key, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

“’Proof’ is a passionate, intelligent story about fathers and daughters, the nature of genius and the power of love,” the theater said in a news release.

The show is directed by Kelly Wynn Woodland and the stage manager is Diane Cepeda. It stars Vera Samuels as Catherine, Mark Woodland as Robert, Patrick Mounce as Hal and D’ariel Barnard as Claire.

Parkinson Place Center for All Movement Disorders Launches Ballet Classes

Starting Monday, Parkinson Place Center For All Movement Disordersintroduces its new class Brain, Balance & Ballet instructed by Azara Ballet. The class takes place at the center, 5969 Cattleridge Road, every Monday at 1:30 p.m.

The center offers more than 75 free classes, programs and educational events each month to people living with Parkinson’s disease and all movement disorders, as well as their caregivers.

The benefits of Brain, Balance & Ballet classes include increasing balance, enhancing coordination, strengthening expansive movement and technique, and improving rigidity, the center said in a news release. Additionally, the balletic exercises can enhance cognitive function, boost mood and provide a sense of well-being.

“We are excited to add a new class Brain, Balance & Ballet to our extensive program. Since research indicates the arts have a positive impact on our overall health, this class will benefit both our members and caregivers. All are welcome to participate, and no experience or talent is required. We are looking forward to seeing our members experience a new type of class that will bring enthusiasm, better health and enjoyment,” Susan Belesi, member relations and program director, said.

CreArte Latino Cultural Center Awarded Grant from Manatee Community Foundation

CreArte Latino Cultural Center was chosen to receive a $3,600 grant from the Justine S. Sprenger and Rita H. Bullock Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation.

The grant will support a new Latin music workshop for Latino youth between 9 and 16 years old—with an emphasis on students who come from low-income families, according to a news release from the center. The six-week pilot program will be taught in Spanish by local professional musicians.

The workshop will feature an exploration of traditional folk music from Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Instructors will offer basic training in an array of instruments, including percussion (bongo, conga, güira, maracas, marimba and timbal), strings (guitar, banjo, tiples, cuatro) and keyboard.

“Each participant will learn how to play the basics of one or several instruments of their choice,” Carol Hartz, executive director, said.

The objective of the program is to offer Latino youth opportunities throughout the Sarasota-Manatee area to learn to play, interpret and explore their own creativity through the musical form.

“Many of these children and young teens may not be familiar with traditional Latin rhythms and songs such as cumbia, salsa and joropo,” she said. “After participating in this workshop, we hope they’ll come away inspired to learn even more.”