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Suncoast Culture Club

Arts & Culture Podcasts

The Suncoast Culture Club podcast is your weekly dose of what’s happening in the performing and visual arts on Florida’s Suncoast, including interviews, reviews, discussions, behind the scene tidbits, and insider trading. Join State College of Florida arts faculty and staff members as they bring you all the arts happenings on the Suncoast from music to dance to art to theatre. Come along and join our club.

Location:

United States

Description:

The Suncoast Culture Club podcast is your weekly dose of what’s happening in the performing and visual arts on Florida’s Suncoast, including interviews, reviews, discussions, behind the scene tidbits, and insider trading. Join State College of Florida arts faculty and staff members as they bring you all the arts happenings on the Suncoast from music to dance to art to theatre. Come along and join our club.

Language:

English

Contact:

941-752-5579


Episodes

Audrey Landers, American Actress, Singer, and Sarasota Resident, Joins the Club

4/10/2023
Many know her as Afton Cooper, JR Ewing’s mistress on the hit 1980's television show Dallas, others may know her from her role as Val Clarke in the film version of A Chorus Line, others will recognize her from her many appearances on shows such as Happy Days, the Dukes of Hazaard, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Battlestar Galactica and many others. In 1996, she created the children’s television series The Huggabug Club, has her own fashion line, often guest hosts on the ABC-7 Suncoast View program, has performed as the feature artist for the Sarasota Pops Orchestra, and lives RIGHT HERE in Sarasota, Florida. This week, American actress, singer, producer, proud mother, and entrepreneur Audrey Landers joins Robyn on the podcast to talk about her life, career, family, and how terrifying Sarasota round-a-bouts can be! She is inviting us to her upcoming performance at the Sarasota Opera House on Wednesday, April 19 for the Ear Research Foundation's Hear and Now Oil Baron's Ball. One in which you should attend! All that and more on this week's Suncoast Culture Club podcast. Come along and join the club! • Audrey Landers Facebook & Instagram & YouTube • Daniel Landers IMBd & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube • The Ear Research Foundation Hear and Now Oil Barons' Ball Tickets • The Ear Research Foundation Website & Facebook & Instagram • The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota Website & Facebook & Instagram Support the show

Duration:00:36:59

Joan Ellison, Songstress and Judy Garland Restorationist, Joins the Club

3/20/2023
In 2016, she embarked on a mission to restore Judy Garland's original orchestrations, culminating in a song-for-song recreation of Garland's 1961 Carnegie Hall concert. At Michael Feinstein's invitation, she serves as Editor of the Judy Garland Carnegie Hall Concert Restoration Project for the Judy Garland Heirs Trust. Recently, she was given the privilege of restoring the newly-discovered MGM film arrangement of Over the Rainbow. And now, she will be performing these incredible arrangements with the Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota. Join Robyn and Joan Ellison as they talk about Joan's amazing life and career, the painstaking recreation of the orchestral arrangements of Judy Garland's songs, and why she's never seen Renée Zellweger's movie JUDY. Then, go get your tickets to the Pops Orchestra's performances with Joan on Sunday, March 26 at 3:00 p.m. at the Riverview Performing Arts Center in Sarasota and Monday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the SCF Neel Performing Arts Center in Bradenton. You can get your tickets at ThePopsOrchestra.org or by calling 941-926-7677. Come along and join the club! • Joan Ellison Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube & Twitter • The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota Website & Facebook & Instagram Support the show

Duration:00:26:54

JoAnn Falletta, Conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic, Joins the Club

3/13/2023
You saw her guest conduct the Sarasota Orchestra last February and now she returns to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Monday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m., courtesy of the Sarasota Concert Association, to conduct her very own orchestra, the Grammy Award-winning Buffalo Philharmonic. For their Florida tour, conductor JoAnn Falletta, the Buffalo Philharmonic, and guest violin soloist Sandy Cameron will present Kodaly's Dances of Galánta, Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto, and Dvorak's Symphony No. 7. Tickets are available from the Sarasota Concert Association by going to SCASarasota.org or by calling 941-966-6161. JoAnn joins Robyn on the podcast this week to talk about her shift from guitar player to conductor, the incredible amount of organization involved in taking a symphony orchestra on tour, and just which movie gets her vote: Tár or Mr. Holland's Opus? All that and more on this week's episode of the Suncoast Culture Club podcast. Come along and join the club! • Sarasota Concert Association Website & Facebook • JoAnn Falletta Website & Facebook • Buffalo Philharmonic Website & Facebook & Instagram & Twitter • The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota Website & Facebook & Instagram • SCF Music Program Website & Facebook & Instagram Support the show

Duration:00:32:04

Linda Moxley, Executive Director of the Sarasota Concert Association, Joins the Club

1/19/2023
She has had an amazing career in marketing and public relations for orchestras such as the Baltimore Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, and Atlanta Symphony, but in October of 2020, she moved to Sarasota to be the first executive director in the 78-year history of the Sarasota Concert Association. Take a listen to Linda Moxley's fascinating life and career while learning all about the history and current offerings of the Sarasota Concert Association. All that and more on this week's episode of the Suncoast Culture Club podcast. Come along and join the club! • Sarasota Concert Association Website & Facebook • The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota Website & Facebook & Instagram • SCF Music Program Website & Facebook & Instagram Support the show

Duration:00:43:22

Scott Keys, Musical Theatre Director and Educator, Joins the Club

12/12/2022
He was the theater teacher and director at Booker's Visual and Performing Arts High School for 22 years, has directed shows at nearly every theatre house on the Suncoast, has won so many awards, we don't have room to list them here, and now he is working on a brand new project called On the Roof featuring the music of Carole King and James Taylor to open at the Venice Theatre in January. Join Amanda Schlachter and Robyn Bell on this week's Suncoast Culture Club podcast as they interview the incomparable Scott Keys in a quest to find his story, passions, and inspirations. What you will find is the end of one era is the beginning of another! Come along and join the club! • Venice Theatre Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube & Twitter & Trip Advisor • The Players Centre for the Performing Arts Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube • Booker VPA Website • SCF Theatre Program Website & Facebook Page & Instagram • Manatee Performing Arts Center Website & Facebook & Twitter & YouTube • Asolo Repertory Theatre Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube Support the show

Duration:01:01:26

The Pops Orchestra Presents "Hollywood Holidays" with Four Guest Film Makers from the State College of Florida

12/4/2022
The Pops Orchestra celebrates this holiday season with all your favorite Hollywood holiday film scores, featuring original movies made to the arrangements by four SCF Film students. Their teacher, Chris Bellanca, joins the Pops too as the featured narrator to 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Join conductor Robyn Bell as she talks to Lake Simms, Max Sorba, Michael La Placa, and Delaney Recupero about their lives as budding film makers, their experiences in producing the films for this concert, and the future careers they envision for themselves. You have two opportunities to see this show: 1. Sunday, December 11 at 3:00 p.m. at the Riverview Performing Arts Center and 2. Monday, December 12 at 7:30 p.m at the Neel Performing Arts Center Get your tickets at ThePopsOrchestra.org or by calling 941-926-POPS (7677) The Pops Orchestra: Music You Love, Musicians You Know. We'll see you at the show! • The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota Website & Facebook & Instagram • SCF Film Program Website Support the show

Duration:00:33:38

Robert Vodnoy, Conductor of the Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota, Joins the Club

11/27/2022
Robert Vodnoy brings almost 50 years of conducting experience to the Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota, which he founded in 2017. They have grown from one concert a season to five, and Bob joins the club this week to tell us about the inception, growth, and planned upcoming season of his chamber orchestra, which begins on Thursday, December 1. You might also be able to answer the question, "Just what in the world IS a 'chamber orchestra!?'" All that and more on this episode of the Suncoast Culture Club Podcast. Come along and join the club! • Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota Website & Facebook & YouTube Support the show

Duration:00:39:25

Eddie Weaver, Cast Member of Florida Studio Theatre's "The 70s: More Than a Decade," Joins the Club

11/20/2022
Eddie Weaver hails from Atlanta, was an acting apprentice for Florida Studio Theatre last year, and is now one of the four stars of FST's cabaret "The 70s: More Than a Decade," showing now through February 12 at the John C. Court Cabaret. Take a listen to Eddie's journey to the Suncoast, his dream to run his own theatre company in his hometown, and the best place in Sarasota to get pies, pasta, and chicken! All that and more on this week's episode of the Suncoast Culture Club Podcast. Come along and join the club! • Eddie Weaver Facebook & Instagram • Florida Studio Theatre Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube • The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota Website & Facebook & Instagram • Yoders Restaurant Website & Facebook & Instagram • PDQ Website & Facebook & Instagram & Twitter and Tik Tok • Clasico Italian Chophouse Website & Facebook & Instagram • Buddy Brew Coffee Website & Facebook & Instagram • Green Zebra Website & Facebook & Instagram • Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube • Urbanite Theatre Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube Support the show

Duration:00:45:28

Urbanite Theatre Presents Matt Schatz's Play "The Burdens," Now Through December 4

11/14/2022
Actors Morgan Lavenstein and Jake Fallon join the Suncoast Culture Club Podcast to talk about their lives, journey to the Suncoast, and this crazy, wacky, dark, raucous family comedy about a brother and sister who are launching a plot to kill their 100-year old grandfather, but only dialogue through the miscommunication laden platforms of text and email. Urbanite Theatre's production of "The Burdens" is running now through December 4. Get your tickets and experience this one-of-a-kind presentation. • Urbanite Theatre Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube • Morgan Lavenstein Facebook & Instagram • Jake Fallon Website & Facebook & Instagram • Daiquiri Deck Website & Facebook & Instagram & Twitter • Owen’s Fish Camp Website & Facebook & Instagram • O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill Website & Facebook • O & A Coffee and Supply Website & Facebook & Instagram • SCF Theatre Program Website & Facebook Page & Instagram Support the show

Duration:00:49:24

The Pops Orchestra Presents "The Spirit of America" with Guest Artists from the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

10/30/2022
The Pops Orchestra welcomes Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe performers Amber Myers, Maicy Powell, CJ Melton, and Raleigh Mosely II in presentation of The Spirit of America, featuring spirituals, gospel tunes, and anthems, along with stirring patriotic selections to honor our nation's veterans. Join conductor Robyn Bell as she talks to these four talented singers about their lives, careers with WBTT, and the importance of this music in the history of America and as part of America's gifts to the world. You have two opportunities to see this show: 1. Sunday, November 6 at 3:00 p.m. at the Riverview Performing Arts Center and 2. Monday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m at the Neel Performing Arts Center Get your tickets at ThePopsOrchestra.org or by calling 941-926-POPS (7677) The Pops Orchestra: Music You Love, Musicians You Know. We'll see you at the show! • The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota Website & Facebook & Instagram • Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube Support the show

Duration:00:40:54

Jeffery Kin, Executive Director and CEO of Sarasota Rising, Joins the Club

10/23/2022
You might know him as the former Producing Artistic Director at the Players Centre, but Jeffery Kin has a new job and mission and he wants to share it with the world. Join Robyn Bell and Jeffery Kin as they both talk about their new jobs, the vision of Sarasota Rising, and their plot to get the Benderson Corporation to explore one more philanthropic initiative, this one for the arts organizations of Sarasota County. All that and more on this episode of the Suncoast Culture Club Podcast. Come along and join the club! • Sarasota Rising Facebook & Instagram • SCF Foundation Website & Facebook & Instagram • The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota Website & Facebook & Instagram • The Players Centre for the Performing Arts Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube • Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County Website & Facebook & Instagram & Twitter Support the show

Duration:00:58:04

Joy McIntyre, Retired Opera Singer, Teacher, and Suncoast Arts Volunteer, Joins the Club

10/17/2022
The first 20 years of her career was spent performing leading roles in more than 30 opera houses across Europe. Her second 20 years was spent teaching voice at Utah State University and Boston University. Her next 20 years has been spent on the Suncoast where Joy McIntyre volunteers for countless arts organizations including the Artist Series Concerts, Suncoast Music Scholarship, Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning (past-president), Sarasota Concert Association (past-president), and Sarasota Music Archive (vice-president). Joy brings joy to all those who work and perform alongside her. On this podcast episode, listen to her fabulous life stories, from Brunnehilde to Casey Key! • Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota Website and Facebook and Instagram and YouTube • Sarasota Concert Association Website & Facebook • Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning Website & Facebook • Sarasota Music Archive Website & Facebook & Instagram • The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota Website & Facebook & Instagram • Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube • SCF Music Program Website & Facebook & Instagram Support the show

Duration:00:38:56

Jay Handelman, Arts Editor and Theatre Critic for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Joins the Club

10/5/2022
Who has the coolest job in town? Why, it would most certainly be Jay Handelman, the arts editor and theatre critic for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune , his employer since 1984. Jay joins the club to talk about his career at the paper, the many changes he has witnessed in the arts scene on the Suncoast, and how to walk that tightrope when a performance doesn't quite hit the mark for him. All that and more on this episode of the Suncoast Culture Club Podcast. Come along and join the club! • Jay Handelman Facebook & Instagram & Twitter • Sarasota Herald-Tribune Website & Facebook & Instagram & Twitter • The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota Website & Facebook & Instagram • The Players Centre for the Performing Arts Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube • Sarasota Orchestra Website & Facebook & Instagram & Twitter & YouTube • Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube • Asolo Repertory Theatre Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube • Sarasota Opera Website & Facebook & Instagram • Florida Studio Theatre Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube • Manatee Performing Arts Center Website & Facebook & Twitter & YouTube • Sarasota Ballet Website & Facebook & Instagram Support the show

Duration:00:41:59

SCF Theatre Program Presents "Nothing Serious," September 23 through October 2 in the Howard Studio Theatre

9/18/2022
The SCF Theatre Program presents its first play of the year, "Nothing Serious" written by Rich Orloff, September 23 through October 2 in the Howard Studio Theatre on the SCF Bradenton campus. The play's director, faculty member Amanda Schlachter, and assistant director, SCF Theatre major Tori Flounders, join the club this week to talk about their experiences, the importance of the SCF Theatre Program in the lives of students and community members, the concept of this show (ten 10-minute comedies rolled into one!), and so much more! Come along and join the club! Rich Orloff's Nothing Serious Directed by Amanda Schlachter Assistant director Victoria Flounders Elements designed by Craig Smith, Timothy Bourn, Kenji Trujillo, and Ethan Fuhrmeister. Cast and crew includes: William Ashburn, Christopher Byler, Erika Campbell, Sarah, Chowdhury, Samuel Echevarria, Jean Felicita, Thomas Finn, Victoria Flounders, Ethan Fuhrmeister, Starr Mandell, Martin Nichols, Sofia Radbach, and Elizabeth Sorba • SCF Theatre Program Website & Facebook Page & Instagram & Tickets • The Players Centre for the Performing Arts Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube • Urbanite Theatre Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube • Asolo Repertory Theatre Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube Support the show

Duration:00:37:38

Katherine Michelle Tanner, Founder of Sarasota's Tree Fort Productions, Joins the Club

9/6/2022
She is a graduate of FSU's Asolo Theatre Conservatory and owner and artistic director of Sarasota's Tree Fort Productions. Katherine Michelle Tanner is an actor, playwright, singer, dancer, filmmaker, choreographer, photographer, and teacher, and for the next month, she is producing and performing the one act play she wrote and choreographed about World War II Polish Jewish ballerina, Franceska Mann called Mann's Last Dance. Her remarkable play about this unlikely World War II heroine can be seen at Tree Fort Productions at the Crossings Mall (3501 S. Tamiami Trail) September 9 through October 2. Take a listen to this podcast episode about Katherine's life, career, and the making of her one woman play, Mann's Last Dance and then go see this performance! Come along and join the club! • Katherine Michelle Tanner Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube • Mann's Last Stand Ticket Link • Tree Fort Productions Website & Facebook & Instagram • SCF Theatre Program Website & Facebook Page & Instagram Support the show

Duration:00:31:00

Kerry Smith, Director of Artistic Planning for the Sarasota Orchestra, Joins the Club

8/29/2022
When she was in college, if you would have told Kerry Smith that she would be anything other than a professional viola player, she would have told you to go fly a kite. How she ended up being an arts administrator and becoming the Director of Artistic Planning for the Sarasota Orchestra is a fascinating and heartwarming story. One that has seen her make beautiful personal connections and experience great loss of those she has come to admire most, including Bramwell Tovey, the Sarasota Orchestra's recently passed conductor. Listen to this week's podcast to learn about Kerry's life and career, the enormous challenges and fulfilling experiences she has had in her role with the Sarasota Orchestra since coming here in 2019, the incredible season of performances with guest conductors and soloists she has put together, and the next steps for the Sarasota Orchestra as it begins another search for a new conductor and the process of building a new music center. All that and more on this week's episode of the Suncoast Culture Club Podcast. Come along and join the club! • Sarasota Orchestra Website & Facebook & Instagram & Twitter & YouTube • SCF Music Program Website & Facebook & Instagram Support the show

Duration:00:36:16

Manatee Performing Arts Center's "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"

8/8/2022
Sarah Yonko, Chris Cordero, and Mike Nolan join the club to talk about their careers as community musical theatre performers, lives outside of the theatre hall, and performances in the upcoming run of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, playing at the Manatee Performing Arts Center August 11 through August 21. Directed and choreographed by Rick Kerby, music directed by Rick Bogner, and featuring Alex Zickafoose as J. Pierrepont Finch, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying chronicles the rise of Finch from window washer to chairman of the board of the World Wide Wicket Company. Listen to this week's episode of the Suncoast Culture Club podcast as Sarah, Chris, and Mike describe this musical, how their characters interplay in the story, and give us a tease of their favorites songs and most fun parts of the production. Come along and join the club! • Manatee Performing Arts Center Website & Facebook & Twitter & YouTube • SCF Music Program Website & Facebook & Instagram Support the show

Duration:00:30:29

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's "Stage of Discovery" Summer Camp-WE DREAM!

7/13/2022
Each summer, the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe hosts a 5-week summer camp for students ages 10 to 18 called "Stage of Discovery." Jim Weaver, WBTT's education director and artistic associate, and Astrid Victoria, a Stage of Discovery alumnus who now serves on the staff of the camp, join the club this week to tell us about this wonderful program, the growth and progress of the students, and this year's theme for the Stage of Discovery performance called "We Dream." The Stage of Discovery performers will present their "We Dream" show for the public on Saturday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 17 at 2:00 p.m. in Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's Donelly Theatre. Tickets are available at WestcoastBlackTheatre.org. Don't miss it! Come along and join the club! • Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube • SCF Music Program Website & Facebook & Instagram • SCF Theatre Program Website & Facebook Page & Instagram Support the show

Duration:00:28:20

Jared Mancuso and Nick Gallardo of Florida Studio Theatre's "Rock 'n' Roll Reignited" Join the Club

7/7/2022
From Pennsylvania to Tucson, the Buddy Holly Story to Dollywood, and many stops in between, Jared Mancuso and Nick Gallardo combined their love of playing rock 'n' roll and formed the band "Not Fade Away." Now, they can travel the country performing your favorite 50's and 60's rock 'n' roll tunes in their reimagined arrangements. Their show "Rock 'n' Roll Reignited" is playing now through August 7 at Florida Studio Theatre's Court Cabaret and you can hear the story of their careers, the influence for this show, and their many other creative projects on this week's episode of the Suncoast Culture Club podcast. Come along and join the club! • Florida Studio Theatre Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube • Not Fade Away Show Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube • Jared Mancuso Website & Facebook & Instagram • Nick Gallardo Facebook • The Barber Website & Facebook & Instagram • Lido Key Beach Website • Bricks Smoked Meat Website & Yelp & Instagram • The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota Website & Facebook & Instagram • SCF Music Program Website & Facebook & Instagram Support the show

Duration:00:39:33

Urbanite Theatre Presents Gracie Gardner's Play "Athena," Now Through July 10

6/24/2022
Actors Lea Sevola and Emma Giorgio, along with director Summer Dawn Wallace, join the Suncoast Culture Club Podcast to talk about their lives, journey to Urbanite, and this amazing story of two strong young ladies who start as fencing foes and end up wanting something for each other...something more than they want for themselves. Urbanite Theatre's production of "Athena" is running now through July 10. Get your tickets and watch these wonderful actors bring the story to life. • Urbanite Theatre Website & Facebook & Instagram & YouTube • Summer Dawn Wallace Website & Facebook • Lea Sevola Website & Facebook & Instagram • Emma Giorgio Website & Facebook & Instagram • SCF Theatre Program Website & Facebook Page & Instagram Support the show

Duration:00:32:18