The 2018 SARASOLO FESTIVAL Begins This Weekend!

The 2018 SaraSolo Festival First Weekend begins this Saturday 1 / 27 Artistic Directors and Co - Founders Ann Morrison and Blake Walton have brought 8 eclectic performers to the first weekend of Sarasota's newest and most exciting arts event s the SaraSolo Festival. The performances , spread over two weekends , January 27 & 28 and February 3 & 4 , at Sarasota's Pioneer Park historic site venue , Crocker Memorial Church , 1260 12th Street.

For tickets , complete schedule of performances , times and dates , workshop registration go to www.SaraSolo.org. Or to contact the SaraSolo Festival by email at sarasoloorg @ gmail.com or by phone at 941 - 479 - 8084 Follow us on Facebook @ SaraSolo Fe stival.

" Blake and I curate our programming , " says Artistic Director Ann Morrison , " m uch like a museum or gallery will gather fine artwork. "

The creators of the festival search for and sometimes help to develop works that represent a wide variety of solo shows. This weekend's opening line - up demonstrates that diversity. Dancer , Instructor and Choreographer Eli zabeth Bergmann opens the festival with her w orld p remiere COMING TO MYSELF an intertwining of original modern dances and her sophisticated poetry in a profound and touching exploration of honesty and awakening self - discovery.

Singer Brenda Watty br ings her unique Motown singing and storytelling talent in a new take on her 15 - year life as a girl - group singing veteran of The Marvelettes , ( " Don't Mess With Bill " , " Mr. Postman " ) in BRENDA WATTY : MY LIFE AS A MARVELETTE. Willi Carlisle , an Arkansa s - based folksinger , poet , musician , theatre artist , scholar and square dance caller in collaboration with directo r Joseph Fletcher has created THERE AIN'T NO MORE : DEATH OF A FOLKSINGER. Mixing elements of storytelling , clowning , folk songs , and puppetry , Carlisle takes the audience on a journey into the dark heart of the " old , weird America. "

The show won the 2017 Orlando Fringe Festival " Best Show of the Fringe. " New Yorker Walker Vreeland , recently premiered his humorous and deeply moving autobiograp hical play with music FROM SHIP TO SHAPE at The United Solo Festival NYC , where Morrison and Walton are Academy members.

The play , about losing your mind while chasing your dreams , the journey in pursuit of healing , and how a cruise ship can push you over the edge , garnered Vreeland the 2017 United Solo Festival " Best One - Man Musical , " as well as a nod to his Director , Academy Award winner Milton Justice for " Best Director of a Musical. "

Actor / Singer Steve McAllister , created Will Rogers REVIVED after playing the iconic humorist in a theater production. As Will Rogers , McAllister charms when jabbing at politics with Rogers ' easy take on Congr ess , both Republicans and De m ocrats and Washington in general in words that become fresh and contemporar y in the hands of McAllister. His simple and straightforward delivery makes for a laugh - filled remind er that very little has changed in the 80 years since Will Rogers first spoke.

Orlando Actor / Costumer Timothy Beltley relates funny tales from small to extra - large of his second career in " The Sewing Shop Show " as he takes us behind the scenes into a costume shop , telling of how creating costumes has impacted his life. Cody Clark , a full - time professional magician from Louisville , K entucky , who is on the Autism spectrum , wows with honesty and warmth while telling tales of his life in his magic show CODY CLARK : A DIFFERENT WAY OF THINKING.

Clark has brought his show around the country to help audiences understand that Autism is a gift. Canadian writer , musician and actor Nisha Coleman performs her award - winning SELF EXILE , a rich a nd generous portrayal of misfits and weirdos and the rhythms of urban life. This is a moving story of a young woman who went to Paris for love and found her life. Coleman will follow this performance with a residency at the Hermitage Artist Retreat at Manasota Beach. In addition to these performances the re is a new showcase by 80 + aged writer / performers through ELDER VOICES.

This new presentation will take place Sunday 1 / 28 at 11 : 30am and is fr ee to the public. When : January 27 & 28 and February 3 & 4 Where : Crocker Memorial Church , 1260 12th Street For tickets and festival information : www.SaraSolo.org

To post a comment, you must register and login.