Scene & Heard

+ It’s the crafty ones you have to watch
A group of rebels with a cause, armed with knitting needles and colorful yarn, took over Sapphire Shores Park, located at 5100 Sun Circle Drive, Feb. 22, when it went on a guerrilla-knitting rampage and gave 10 trees new sweaters.

The act was in celebration of the upcoming Sun Circle Art Show 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 2. It will feature juried fine art and craftwork by artists and artisans of Indian Beach and Sapphire Shores; live performances; readings; a bonsai exhibit; and sale and silent auction.

+ Artist Nat Krate lived a life fulfilled
Artist Nat Krate, of Sarasota, died Feb. 17.

In a Diversions interview this past December, Krate said he was known for two things: nudes and florals. And, although his art was a major part of his life, the best part about him was the passion he held for living. And, if passion for life has any outward effect on art, it’s no wonder that his work is so remarkable.

Krate let readers in on the secret of life: “Love is the best medicine that you could possibly obtain — for health and mental purposes,” he said. His wife, Helen, sat in on the interview, and both of them kept gazing at each other with the kind of look young lovers give to each other. During the interview, Krate mentioned his wife every few minutes.

Krate was put in hospice care in May, but rallied and left hospice in August. And, Dec. 5 he led fellow residents of The Fountains to Art Center Sarasota to see one of his featured pieces. It was then that he said he’s done everything he could ever dream of in life. He had a few tips to share: “Be curious. Follow your instincts. Make mistakes. Learn from them. Try to laugh at yourself now and then.”

+ Keep arts thriving via your chump change
Truth or dare? Diversions dares you to donate $20 or more to a benefactor of this year’s 36-Hour Giving Challenge.

The online giving challenge takes place from 6 a.m. March 27 through 6 p.m. March 28, and the goal is to raise $1 million for 300 local nonprofits (see a list of participants at thegivingpartner.guidestar.org). The Patterson Foundation will match funds up to $430,000.

There are lots of A&E groups participating. You can search them if you click on the “find” tab at the top-left of the page, enter “Arts, Culture and Humanities” in the “major area” tab, then click “submit request.”

The Players, Florida Studio Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre and the Van Wezel Foundation have already sent out Press Releases. And some groups are really getting into it. For instance, PLATO is planning a live-music and food event at Patrick’s, 1481 on Main Street from 4 to 8 p.m. March 5, featuring pianists Michael Sebastian and Gary Kauffman playing requests for pledges (see platoarts.org for more information).

+ Art imitates nature
That was the case at the Feb. 19 performance of Bizet’s “Pearl Fishers,” the second act of which features a major storm. Opera Executive Director Richard Russell appeared onstage to explain that the start of the third act was being delayed slightly by a lesser deluge inside the opera house. 

Communications officer Sam Lowry had fun with his morning-after explanation via email: “ …  As I understand it, a sink overflowed in the second floor bathroom. Our wonderful facilities team rallied together quickly to ‘wipe up’ the situation so to speak.”

Hot Tickets
‘Hello, Dolly!’: See Kim Kollar star as Dolly Levi at 7:30 p.m. at Venice Theatre, 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice. It runs through March 17. Tickets are $13 to $28. Call 488-1115.

‘Masterworks: Beethoven’s Ninth’: This is the fifth Masterworks program and fifth guest conductor working with Sarasota Orchestra this season. It starts at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail. Tickets range from $30 to $84. Call 953-3434 for more information