Scene & Heard

+ Gloria Musicae artistic director seeks singers for musical commemoration
The Sarasota Orchestra has asked Joseph Holt, artistic director of Sarasota’s professional vocal chamber ensemble, Gloria Musicae, to select singers in the Sarasota, Bradenton, Tampa, Venice and Fort Myers area to participate in a musical commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Singers should be currently or recently affiliated with one of the area’s vocal organizations. Gloria Musicae, Key Chorale, Florida Voices, Belle Canto and other local community church and synagogue groups have also been contacted to find singers for these special placement auditions. The goal is to find 75 singers to form a chorus to represent every singing group in the area.

For information on auditions, rehearsal times and performance calls, contact Rachel Assi at 551-206-3919.

+ Night of comedy to benefit homeless youth
McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre owners Les and Pam McCurdy and the Y Angels, led by Debbie Dannheisser, have partnered to host a night of comedy to benefit Sarasota County’s homeless youth. The awareness event will raise donations to help homeless students with their back-to-school needs — backpacks, calculators, writing materials, shoes, uniforms, etc. The Y Angels are members of the Y Foundation of Sarasota’s Community Coalition for Children. This year the group has selected the School House Link, a collaborative venture of the Sarasota Family YMCA and the Sarasota County School District. The pre-show meet and greet starts at 6 p.m. with the curtain rising at 7:30 Thursday, Sept. 8, at McCurdy’s, 3333 N. Tamiami Trail. Tickets are $20 per person, and premium tables of four are $100. Call 925-3869 or visit www.mccurdyscomedy.com.

+ Sarasota Ballet appoints new development director
On Monday, the Sarasota Ballet announced the appointment of Noreen Delaney as development director. Delaney joined the ballet staff for the 2009 and 2010 seasons before joining Sarasota magazine and has been an account executive for Vanity Fair and Allure magazines.

In her role as development director, Delaney will be responsible for individual gifts, donor relations and related development initiatives.

“I am thrilled to be rejoining the Sarasota Ballet as development director and to be part of such a growing, dynamic and innovative dance company,” said Delaney in a prepared statement.

Michael Scott, former development director, is now business manager and will be responsible for events, corporate sponsorships and special projects.

“Noreen will bring her enthusiasm and passion for the Sarasota Ballet to her position as development director,” said Sarasota Ballet Director Iain Webb. “We welcome her to our team.”

+ Carreño Dance Festival kicks off with intense summer programs
The Carreño Dance Festival and Summer Intensive began Aug. 4 and will run through Aug. 27. Intensive dance classes led by heralded leaders in the dance world, such as Loipa Araujo, José Carreño, Rinat Imaev and Liz Bergmann, are being offered during the next few weeks. Dance enthusiasts can purchase observer passes for $10 per session; or four sessions for $36.

The special closing performance, “Festival of the Stars,” takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 27 and features international stars such as Sarah Lane (see this week’s Diversions cover story on Pages 1 and 2), who is known for her role as Natalie Portman’s dance double in “Black Swan,” Carreño and others. Tickets range in price from $15 to $50. Call 328-1300 for ticket information.

HOT TICKETS
Naarai Jacobs to serenade at scholarship concert: Naarai Jacobs, daughter of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s founding Artistic Director Nate Jacobs, will present her first scholarship concert 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road.

Jacobs, who has appeared in numerous WBTT productions, will sing some of her favorite pop, R&B and show tune songs. Most recently, she has starred in the company’s “The Motown ’60s Revue.” She is entering her sophomore year at Howard University’s School of Performing Arts, in Washington, D.C.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the door (checks or cash only). Scholarship opportunities are also available. Call 371-4974.