Subscribe
Share
Don't miss our special events!
Follow us on Facebook!
Past Issues
Trans
View this email in your browser
NewsLetter - March 2017
Our 2017-18 Slate of Officers
Join Us At Our Coming
Events
Tuesday, Mar. 14, 9:45am
Social and Singers
Jewish Congregation of Venice
600 N. Auburn Road, Venice
Friday, Apr. 7, 5:30pm
Celebration Dinner and
Installation of Officers
Bird Key Yacht Club
Thursday, Apr. 20, 4:30pm
Annual Picnic at Turtle Beach
The Sarasota Opera Guild's Nominating Committee has
recommended the following candidates for the SOG Board's 201718 season. The election of officers will be held at the March 14
Social and Singers (general membership meeting) at the Jewish
Congregation of Venice.
President: Antoinette Dowling
1st Vice President: Zona Starks
2nd Vice President: Pat Dodge
VP - Communications: Ann Waller
VP - Marketing: Karin Murphy
VP - Membership: David Chivas
VP - Volunteer Coordinator: Ann Gray
Thursday, June 8, 11:30am
Thursday, July 13, 11:30am
Tuesday, Aug. 8, 11:30am
Summer Salons
Administrative Secretary: Sherry Wheeler
Friday, Dec. 8
Poinsettia Luncheon
Bird Key Yacht Club
Treasurer: Michael Bowers
Welcome New Members!
In addition, the Guild has dozens of members who serve on various
Dr. Beverly Roberts
Cathy Mariani
committees. If you'd like to help in any way, contact Volunteer
Recording Secretary: Bonti Burgess
Assistant Recording Secretary: Joel Reznick
Corresponding Secretary: Alma Abshier
Assistant Treasurer: Cecile Adams
Coordinator Ann Gray, 383-1109.
Alina C. Otal
Patty (Dolly) Del Vecchio
The installation of officers will be at the Celebration Dinner on April
7 at the Bird Key Yacht Club, and the new and old Boards will hold
At the February
Social and Singers
a joint meeting in May. The elected officers and the immediate Past
President (and the Parliamentarian if requested by the President)
make up the Executive Committee. The Parliamentarian and the
Committee Chairs, who serve on the Board, are appointed by the
President.
Thanks to the Nominating Committee: Barbara O'Connor, John
Barbara Driscoll, Helen Panoyan,
Elaine Krayenke Ellison
Halstead, Janet Huelster, Linda Moretti, and Sherry Wheeler.
Maestro DeRenzi Joins Us at Our Celebration
Dinner - Friday, April 7
We are pleased that Maestro Victor DeRenzi will be our guest
Ruth Bader, Karen Kennedy,
Carol von Allmen, Alma Abshier
At Shades of Love
speaker at the Sarasota Opera Guild's annual Celebration Dinner,
on Friday, April 7, from 5:30 to 8:30pm at the Bird Key Yacht Club.
Maestro DeRenzi's artistic vision has garnered the opera company
international attention. At this event, he will discuss this season's
highlights and provide insights into next year's offerings.
The cost is $60 per person for a gourmet buffet that includes hors
d'oeuvres, carving station, grilled vegetables, breads, and dessert.
David Chivas, Shelly Vance, Ron
Rice
A flier will be coming shortly. Checks, payable to SOG, should be
sent to Joel Reznick, 1591 Monarch Drive, Venice, FL 34293. For
more information, call Joel at 941-408-0592.
President's Message
Paul Haggar, Pat and Greg
Reinhart
by Peter Phillipes
It’s March and the season—both tourist
and Opera—appears to be more active
than ever. Most of us feel as if there is
hardly a day without a performance, a
meeting or a special event of some kind,
Marcia Frankel, Bert Fivelson, Pat
Dodge, Frank Cerullo
See photos of all our events
(courtesy of Ray Broth) on our
Facebook page.
and nights at home are rare. That is the
blessing and the endurance test of living
in the Sarasota area.
The Sarasota Opera’s 2017 winter season opened last month with
two extremely popular and highly acclaimed productions—Madama
Butterfly and The Italian Girl in Algiers. Both operas, which will
Our Sincere Thanks to:
Bonti Burgess and Paul Haggar
continue through March, have drawn large audiences of very
enthusiastic patrons. If you have not yet obtained your tickets, now
would be the time. The two March openings will be the highly
of Bright Day Home Healthcare
for providing the wine at our
educational events.
Michael Bowers, Michael
Matash, and John Piper for the
bountiful refreshments at "Shades
of Love."
Terry Brennan Davis and Dan
Jeremitsky for the delightful hors
d'oeuvres at "Noel Coward and
Opera."
Peter and Suzy Phillipes for
underwriting the March 14 Social
and Singers.
If you'd like to add your support
and sponsor an event, please
contact Karin Murphy, 941-5491068.
anticipated Dialogues of the Carmelites, which coincides with the
French cultural festival in Sarasota, and the richly melodic The
Love of Three Kings, back after a 14-year absence. The month
also features the Artist Choice concert on the evening of March 19
and the Spring Opera Spectacular, which closes the opera season,
on March 26.
March is also an important month for the Guild. On the afternoon of
the 2nd, Alan Brasington’s special production of Noel Coward and
Opera was presented at the Jonas Kamet Library. This was the
concluding Guild cultural event of the 2016-17 series, and
organizer Zona Starks already has another unique season in the
planning stage.
Our Singers and Social meeting on the 14th will mark our annual
visit to Venice. The meeting will feature the election of Guild
Sarasota Opera's Events
officers for the coming year, a talk by Audience Development
Director Sam Lowry on the current season and what to expect at
Meet the Artists
the Opera in 2017-18, as well as a concert by Studio Artists.
Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi
and Executive Director
Richard Russell interview the
singers and artistic staff
responsible for bringing the
productions to the Sarasota Opera
stage. $20 per session. At the
Opera House.
Coming up next month will be our Celebration and Installation
Tues., Mar. 7, 5pm
The Love of Three Kings
events as will fit into your social schedule.
Concerts at Noon
Covers at Three
Friday, March 10
Dinner on April 7, this year at the Bird Key Yacht Club, where
Antoinette Dowling has planned a wonderful evening of great food,
and great conversation and remarks by our special guest speaker,
Maestro Victor DeRenzi. Finally, on the 20th, Ann Gray promises
us another afternoon of food, fun and fashion—and wine as well-at the Annual Picnic. We hope to see you at as many of these
Best regards,
Peter
Artists Choice Concert
Sunday, March 19, 7:30pm
February Social and Singers
Salute the Stars
performed arias in German, French, and Italian, underscoring the
Friday, Mar. 24, 11:30am
Sarasota Yacht Club
$75 per person; $125 patron
sponsor
international scope of opera.
Help celebrate the outstanding
Sarasota Opera Artists who will be
honored in 2017. In addition to
mixing and mingling, you will
experience a live performance by
this year's award-winners.
At the Guild's February meeting, Sarasota Opera's Studio Artists
Program and Music Director Kevin Miller accompanied singers
Spring Opera Spectacular
Sunday, March 26, 7:30pm
For more information on Sarasota
Opera events, see
http://www.sarasotaopera.org/ or
call the Box Office at 941-3281300
Sean Christiansen from Switzerland, Helena Brown of Brooklyn,
Dane Suarez of Illinois, Ashley Galvani Bell of New York, and
Suchan Kim from South Korea in their performances.
In the business portion of the morning, Stacy Ridenour, Director of
Development, accepted the Guild's check for $10,000 in support of
the Opera from SOG President Peter Phillipes, and
At the Prologues
Director of Education Ben Jewell-Plocher, between Zona Starks
and Peter, accepted the Guild's check for $1,000 to help underwrite
Hope Byrnes, Cecile Adams
transportation to the opera for school children.
March's Social and Singers will be on Tuesday, March 14 at 9:45
am at the Jewish Congregation of Venice. See you there!
"Noel Coward and Opera" Gets Superb Reviews
Bonti Burgess, Mike Groninger,
Beverly Broth
by Zona Starks, 2nd VP, Membership
The March 2nd "Noel Coward and Opera" was the last guild friendraiser/cultural event of the season. It was superb. Scripted in the
style of Noel Coward, the skit was written by poet/actor (and SOG
member) Alan Brasington using clever word play that kept the
audience thoroughly entertained. It was read by Alan, and
actresses Jan Wallace and Monia Joblin, complete with Irish
brogues and other accents, and deserving of the standing ovation it
received.
Carol Bernhard, Jerry Cohn
The night came off without a glitch, thanks to Mr. Ben and Maestro
Jesse Martins, who, at the last minute, moved the Youth Opera
rehearsal from the Jonas Kamlet Library to another room, due to
the Herald Tribune's leaving us stranded by closing their facility
while they moved next door -- and somehow failed to notify the
Guild. We are forever grateful for the Youth Opera’s generosity.
Zona Starks, Susan Straus,
Cookie Bloom
Thanks, also, to Terry Brennan Davis and Dan Jeremitsky for the
outstanding food, to Bright Day Homehealth Care for contributing
the wine/drinks, David Chivas for registering people, Ann Gray for
greeting everyone and saying “yes, this is the place,” to Victoria
Frigo and Karin Murphy for creating the fliers announcing the
event, and especially to Stacy Ridenour and the opera staff for
making certain that we had chairs and tables awaiting us. Oh, yes,
we had almost 90 people attend. Thank you all.
Alan's next performance will be "A Wee Bit O' Blarney" on March
17 at a St. Patrick's Day Dinner and Show at Longboat Island
Bunny Nesbit, Beverly Broth,
Mary Groninger
Chapel.
Guild Members - Extraordinary People
Alice Jo Cargo
A.J. (Alice Jo) Cargo is an extraordinary musician, educator and
National Project Writing Fellow which
puts her in an elite group of teachers
who go above and beyond to enable
young people to become the best they
Presenter Dan Garde and
Louis Martorella
can become. What is remarkable is the
struggle that AJ endured to accomplish
her educational success.
AJ was raised on a Centennial Farm in River Falls, Wisconsin. “I
mowed lawns, drove a tractor, and walked the woods,” says AJ.
“My mother taught me that I could do anything I put my mind to,
Rudi Bauer, Betty York, Pat
Reinhart, Karen Iezzi
while my father instilled in me the importance of public schools for
See more photos on our
Facebook page.
school became a constant struggle for AJ. She had to contend with
the growth of intelligent thinking in our country.” However, high
ADHD which resulted in an inability to focus on one concept at a
time. This made it difficult for her to study or to take written tests.
Fortunately, AJ was selected as one of only 60 students for an elite
group of young performers from the state of Wisconsin known as
“KIDS”. This group was formed to encourage music education and
to highlight young performers, but for AJ it became much more
than that. “Music saved my life, taught me math, taught me to
Thank You to Zona Starks:
We have enjoyed five
informative and entertaining
cultural events -- complete with
wine and delicious food. Thank
you, Zona, for making all of this
possible.
Karin Murphy
Acknowledge a special
occasion, thank someone for
their help, or recognize a friend
with a contribution to the
Thinking of You Scholarship
Fund. Your gift of $15 or more
is tax deductible. Please send
your Thinking of You tribute
focus, and rebuilt my self-esteem.”
AJ entered the University of Wisconsin-River Falls as a Vocal
Music Major. Continuing her career in music, she was a part of the
University Choir, Chamber Singers, and a member of the European
University Choir that toured European countries. Although AJ
excelled musically, she continued to struggle academically,
especially with writing. “Music saved my self-esteem but did
nothing for my ability to write an essay for an examination.” AJ’s
determination and professors who allowed her to take oral exams
made it possible for her to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in 1973.
and check, made payable to
SOG, to
After AJ married Pastor William A. Cargo in 1976, she and her
Michael Bowers
9925 Laurel Valley Avenue Circle
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
941-704-0284
[email protected]
Tuesday Morning, a group dedicated to supporting the arts in the
LIKE Us On Facebook!
Follow us and get notifications
when a new event or photos are
posted. That way you'll never miss
something important.
Sarasota Opera Guild NewsLetter
Editor: Ann Waller
Contact [email protected]
with comments and suggestions.
The Sarasota Opera Guild was
organized to foster, promote, and
increase knowledge
and appreciation of opera in the
community in conjunction with
Sarasota Opera; to encourage and
assist young singers; and to
sponsor projects to raise funds for
the opera.
If you are interested in joining or
becoming more active in the Guild,
please contact Zona Starks, 941483-3283,
[email protected].
husband moved to Grosse Point Park, MI, where AJ joined
Detroit area. However, AJ was determined to get her teaching
degree despite her ADHD.
Writing was still a problem when AJ returned to University at age
38. “I failed my written essay and was denied entry into the School
of Education. Dejectedly, I returned home, where a special
education teacher taught me how to ‘Write a Banana’ - an
organized, easy way to begin to write an essay, from a thirdgrader’s perspective. I returned to school the following Monday and
aced my first college essay exam!”
AJ and her ‘Banana’ went on to receive a teaching degree from the
University of Michigan, Master of Arts in Curriculum and Teaching
from Michigan State University, as well as to be named a Fellow of
the prestigious National Writing Project. AJ taught elementary
education for 22 ½ years in the Oscoda, Michigan Public Schools
and is adamant that people know, “ADHD and success are
compatible.”
The Sarasota Opera Guild is fortunate to have AJ Cargo as a
member.
We have all had exciting lives and accomplished amazing things. If
you would like to share your story, or would like to recommend
someone you think should be spotlighted, please contact Jodie
Myers at [email protected].
Can't Drive at Night? Guild Member Jerry Cohn has generously arranged for “Seniors on
the Go” to transport SOG members who can't drive at night to
evening Guild events, free of charge.
To schedule, call Dave at Seniors-on-the-Go, 941-444-0569, at
least 48 hours prior to the event.
Tipping is not required, but would be appreciated as a nice “thank
you.”
Our mailing address: [email protected]
Our Web site: http://www.sarasotaopera.org/sog.aspx
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list
This email was sent to [email protected]
why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences
Sarasota Opera Guild · 61 N. Pineapple Ave · Sarasota, FL 34236 · USA