Scene & Heard 4.1.15

+ SMOA vs. SAF
The potential demolition of a portion of a historic work of architecture was debated last week, not between an arts organization and a government board, but between two Sarasota arts organizations. The parties in question, the Ringling College of Art and Design and the Sarasota Architectural Foundation, clashed over the fate of the Paul Rudolph walkway canopy, a white modern piece of architecture that connects the campus of the historic Sarasota High School (currently under renovation to be transformed into the college’s Sarasota Museum of Art) and the current Sarasota High School.

The canopy’s design is trademark Rudolph, an influential American architect who helped design not only the current high school but other fixtures throughout Sarasota. He established the town’s school of architectural design and aesthetic.

The college initially planned to demolish the portion of the canopy immediately surrounding the school March 25 so as to continue construction on the SMOA building. But, due to a passionate response from SAF that included a rally the morning of March 25 and social media messages from architectural enthusiasts around the country, the two factions met over the weekend to talk about the canopy’s future and to reach a compromise.

Ringling College, SMOA and the SAF are currently formulating strategies to preserve the canopy while not delaying the scheduled opening or increasing the museum’s construction cost. The museum is still slated to open in the first quarter of 2016.

+ Film Festival Favorites
The Sarasota Film Festival is fast approaching. There are more than 200 films one can see this year. To offer a little entryway into the festival’s impressive lineup, here are some notable films, events and functions to attend during the festival, which runs April 10 through 19.

‘Time Out of Mind’
6:30 p.m. April 10, at the
Sarasota Opera House
This year’s opening-night film is one that will hit close to home for many Sarasotans and will serve as the launching pad for one of the festival’s major themes this year: homelessness. Directed by Oren Moverman, “Time Out of Mind” depicts one man’s descent into the debilitating world of being homeless. Starring Richard Gere, the film has already received early praise for its realistic depiction of homeless peoples’ everyday life along with Gere’s powerful portrayal. Kick off this year’s festival with Moverman and cast member Ben Vereen. Festival organizers have even said that Gere himself could make an appearance.

‘Newtown at 100: A Glimpse Through Our Eyes’  
5:30 p.m. reception; 7 p.m. film April 16, at the Sarasota Opera House
The neighborhood of Newtown is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and to mark the occasion the Sarasota Film Festival’s student film academy has enlisted Booker High School students to create a documentary that records Newtown’s past, present and future from residents’ perspective. “Newtown at 100: A Glimpse Through Our Eyes” was made by the students under the direction of the honorable Charles E. Williams and SFF’s Education Director Samuel Curtis. Along with the film, the Booker High School Gospel Choir and “American Idol” finalist Syesha Mercado will perform. Proceeds from the event will go toward Booker High School’s film academy.

Fashion and Film: Cinema Tropicale
9 p.m. to 1 a.m. April 17, Michael’s On East
Enjoy runway fashion, catchy music and fantastic food at Cinema Tropicale. Hosted by Michael’s On East, patrons can enjoy wonderful food while watching the latest fashion designs walk down the runway accompanied by music from DJ Mondo, Gypsy Band Coq Au Vin, Funktastic Soul and Stolen Fruit. The fashion event corresponds with this year’s festival focus on some of the most fashionable movies of all time, including “North by Northwest,” “La Dolce Vita,” “Roman Holiday,” “Clueless” and “American Gigolo” (all to be screened April 12). In addition, the late and legendary documentarian Albert Maysles’ most recent film “Iris,” a profile of New York City fashion icon Iris Apfel, will be shown as one of the festival’s spotlight films at 7 p.m. April 19.