Scene and Heard

Alumni Accolades

Ringling College of Art and Design is known for churning out top-tier grads. Alumni from the school regularly go on to work on high-profile projects, and Oscars season is a great reminder of that fact.

At this year’s Academy Awards, 13 Ringling graduates shared the spotlight as Pixar’s “Inside Out” won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film.

"It's been such a thrill watching ‘Inside Out’ be so successful, especially when it carries such a wonderful message,” said alumnus Jaime Landes Roe, directing animator on the film, in a release. “I feel very lucky to have been a part of it, and it was so great to have worked alongside so many of my talented peers from Ringling College of Art and Design on such a special film.”

Last year, 29 Ringling graduates worked on the Oscar-winning film, “Big Hero 6,” and alumnus Patrick Osborne won Best Animated Short Film for his movie, “Feast.”

Life After Verdi

For the last three decades, the Sarasota Opera has devoted itself to producing the complete works of Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi. The cycle ends this month, and many are wondering what’s next for the company.

The Sarasota Opera announced its 2016/2017 season, highlighted by its Sarasota Firsts initiative, which will bring a host of operas never before performed at the Sarasota Opera House.

The season includes: “Don Pasquale,” by Gaetano Donizetti (A Sarasota First); “The Secret World of Og,” by Dean Burry; “Madama Butterfly,” by Giacomo Puccini; “The Italian Girl in Algiers,” by Giaochino Rossini (A Sarasota First); “Dialogues of the Carmelites,” by Francis Poulenc (A Sarasota First) and “The Love of Three Kings,” by Italo Montemezzi.

“Through the Verdi Cycle, we were able to introduce our audience to works by Verdi rarely performed anywhere else in the world,” said Maestro Victor DeRenzi in a release. “Through the Sarasota Firsts initiative, we will continue bringing Sarasota Opera audiences significant works never heard on our stage.”

Pastrami Prescription

Doc Sam’s New York Deli and Gourmet Eatery, the rebranded iteration of the former Sol Meyer NY Delicatessen, has officially opened its under its new name — a move surely appreciated by both diners and Google Maps users.

Still located at 1473 Main St., the location is distinguishing itself under its ownership by Dr. Myles Samotin and managing partner and chef Scott Mullen, who say they plan to continue serving New-York-style Jewish deli food.

“Food was always a way to bring our family together, “ said Mullen in a release. “So I guess you can say food has always been in my blood. I try to take classic comfort recipes and turn them into new favorites.”

RIAF

In its eight years of existence, the Ringling International Arts Festival has become known for just what its name implies — bringing an exciting, eclectic mix of artists from around the world to perform in Sarasota.

The Ringling announced the festival’s 2016 lineup last week, which features 20 performances of seven productions between October 13 and 16. This year’s lineup includes Matt Haimovitz, an Israeli cellist; Gravity and Other Myths, an Australian acrobatic ensemble; Doug Elkins Choreography, etc., a contemporary dance company; eighth blackbird, a Grammy Award-winning high-energy sextet; Lucidity Suitcase Intercontinental, a one-man show by director and actor Thaddeus Philips; Circo Aereo & Thomas Monckton, a contemporary circus act; and LMnO3: Lohse, Marquis & Oakley, a comedy trio. Tickets are $35, and performance locations vary.

Rock Solid

Looking for modern urban apparel? Austin Kowal, owner of Clothesline Creative, celebrated the grand opening of his new retail shop, SOLID, last weekend. Located at 530 S. Orange Ave., the shop features streetwear, footwear and other accessories. The celebration included live music by DJ Kamal Menard and Shahid Avraham, free giveaways, free haircuts by Fresko Fadez and live art by Peter Runge.