Scene & Heard

+ An earnest, or Ernest, photographer
One hundred fifty Ernest Hemingways made their way last weekend to Key West to participate in a particular contest. The 20th-century esteemed writer had a permanent home in Key West, but this story is about a different “Old Man and the Sea” — none other than local photographer Cliff Roles participating in the 32nd annual Hemingway look-alike contest at Sloppy Joe’s Bar on Duval Street.

Roles grew a long white beard and donned his best fishing hat and a pensive face to join the ranks and see if he had what it takes. He placed in the first round of finals but did not make it to final five. He bid a “Farewell to Arms,” rather Key West. But he thinks the “Sun Also Rises” on an opportunity for a Sean Connery look-alike contest once he finds it.

+ Death of a local art supporter
Veronica Bravo died July 13 at the age of 75. Bravo was the wife of WQXR’s Bob Sherman and a dear friend of Diversion’s longtime contributing columnist, June LeBell. Bravo was a resident of Ossining, N.Y., as well as Sarasota.

Early in her performance career she was a stage dancer in London’s West End. When she moved to the U.S., she became a regular performer on the “Sing Along with Mitch” TV series. Later in her career, she went on to classical-music arts management and publicity.

Bravo will be remembered as a warm, elegant, gracious and dynamic woman with an irreverent sense of humor. She filled her home with plants and artwork, was a passionate animal-lover and a strong advocate for personal freedom of choice and human dignity.

+ Harping on a particular subject
Do you remember the story former A&E Editor Heidi Kurpiela wrote about Sarasota Orchestra’s principal harpist, Cheryl Losey? Well, even if you don’t, Losey is planning the second Gulf Coast Harp Festival. It’s a weeklong summer program for serious harpists in the area. And because harpists’ fingers are like lightning, never striking the same chord progression twice, you don’t want to miss the free recital taking place at 3 p.m. Friday, July 27, at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail.

Don’t break her harp, make sure to go!

+ Players seeking players
The Players are getting older. The group has been around since 1930 when 281 patrons each paid $2 to subscribe to the one-act plays they performed.

The Players Theatre is searching for stage veterans from 1930 to 1990 to be honored at a benefit in November. They are looking for anyone who appeared on The Players stage during that time, or anyone who knows how to reach those who did. Call 953-9599.

HOT TICKETS
>> ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’: Venice Theatre will perform “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” as its summer stock musical. The musical about Miss Mona Stangley’s brothel on a chicken ranch outside of Texas runs July 25 to Aug. 5, on MainStage at Venice Theatre. Tickets $25, call 488-1115 or visit venicestage.com. See photos from the show online at YourObserver.com.