Scene & Heard

+ Eighth-grader donates bar mitzvah money
When I was in middle school, anytime I had money, I’d spend it on things such as Gameboy games, mood rings and movie tickets. But eighth-grade student Andrew Stevens chose to use a big chunk of money received for his 13th birthday quite differently. Stevens had just completed summer camp at Florida Studio Theatre and discovered that any money donated to the Jocelyn and Jeffrey Stevens Fund at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County would be matched by The Georgia Court funds through the Community Foundation. So, using his bar mitzvah money, Stevens wrote a check for $250, to be turned into $500, for the Gompertz Campaign.

+ Here’s a Little more news
In 2011, we featured Will Little in his third year at FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. We’ve also mentioned him a few times in regard to his involvement with the Westcoast Black Theater Troupe. Early this month, it was announced that Little will be joining the WBTT staff as the assistant to the artistic director. Although Little had already been assisting the troupe in this capacity on an as-needed basis, the position became a full-time gig for him Monday, Aug. 20. In this position, Little will work directly with Artistic Director Nate Jacobs on casting, season selection, teaching, community outreach, education and special events.

+ Calling all singers, actors and dancers
Westcoat Black Theatre Troupe is holding auditions for the 2012 to 2013 season from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at 1626 10th Way in Sarasota. Actors should be 18 years or older, and any auditioning singers should be prepared with a 32-bar song provided at registration, in addition to two, one-minute, contrasting monologues of his or her choice. The season will include two musical reviews: Nate Jacobs “’50s Jukebox Revue” and “Soul Crooners.” To reserve space for auditions, call 366-1505 or sign up online at wbttsrq.org/about-us/employment.

+ Hitting the pavement
Sarasota pavement artist David Brancato has been selected as one of a dozen artists to work with the innovator of 3D pavement art, Kurt Wenner, starting Oct. 28 for this year’s Chalk Festival. The third-time Chalk Festival participant will create a 3D circus composition that Wenner is designing specifically for Sarasota.

In other chalk news, founder of the Sarasota Chalk Festival, Denise Kowal, will judge the 40th anniversary of the Grazie di Curatone street painting festival competition in Italy. It will be her second year as a judge for the competition.

+ SEASON is coming
Calling all directors, PR people, gallery curators, black tie organizers and anyone else in charge of art, entertainment and black tie events. The Observer Media Group is collecting entries for its fall SEASON magazine, a guide to the arts and society. Please submit your event name, time, date, location, cost and phone number. Don’t forget to send us accompanying photos, if available. Email information to Mallory Gnaegy at [email protected], and if you have questions please call 366-3468, Ext. 364. Thanks for your time!

+ Correction: In the Aug. 15 entry of Scene & Heard about the birthday party thrown for Maria Wirries at Cat Depot the names listed should have appeared as follows: “Grandpa” Greg Gregory and his wife, Ilene Friedman. Also, the likeness of Artemis was a painting by animal portraitist, Nancy Colby, not a photo.

Hot Tickets
‘The Fabulous Five’: This new show adapted and directed by Nate Jacobs features hit songs from non-Motown hits of the 1960s, such as “You Send Me,” and “Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher.” The show starts Aug. 22 and runs through Sept. 2. Tickets are $28. Call 366-1505 for more information.