Port Charlotte

10 Let’s Go! E/N/C/V May 30-June 5, 2012The Arts & Humanities Council presents Charlie AwardsARTS & HUMANITIES COUNCIL OFCHARLOTTE COUNTYThe Arts & Humanities Council of CharlotteCounty announces the 2012 CharlieAwards Honorees are artist Barbara Albin,book publisher James Abraham and MaestroToshimasa Francis Wada of the Charlotte SymphonyOrchestra.Albin will be honored for her “OutstandingContribution to the Arts,” Abraham for “OutstandingContribution to the Humanities” and MaestroWada for “Outstanding Contribution to Music.”The 16th Annual Charlie Awards Ceremonyand Dinner will take place on Tuesday at the CulturalCenter of Charlotte County. Tickets are $50per person and include a formal dinner. A cashbar will be available. Tickets can be purchased bycalling 941-764-8100 or atwww.charlottearts.org.For Outstanding Contribution to the Arts —Barbara Albin.Since arriving in 2000 with her husbandWayne, Albin has been actively and generouslyinvolved in the artistic/cultural world in CharlotteCounty. The list of local programs that Albin hasinitiated and/or supported is lengthy. She was afounding committee member of the Arts & HumanitiesArt Therapy programfor dementia sufferers: trainingvolunteers in workshops, workingwith residents in a localnursing home and providingthe poster art for “Expressionsfrom Beautiful Minds” – thefundraiser for this program.OutstandingAlbin has helped develop anContribution toart program for current returningveterans. She is one of fourthe Arts —Barbara Albin.creators of the “Spirit of PuntaGorda” event to commemorate the one-yearanniversary of Hurricane Charley. As president ofSea Grape Gallery, she helped guide the Gallerythrough rebuilding after the devastation of thehurricane. Barbara is generous with donations ofartwork to many non-profit organizations such asC.A.R.E, the YaYa Girls, the Visual Arts Center,the Military Heritage Museum, Team PuntaGorda, the United Way and the list goes on. Andher talent as an artist is unsurpassed.As one of her letters of support said — “This isBarbara’s year to be recognized.”Outstanding Contribution to the Humanities —James Abraham.It is not often the Council has the opportunitygasPto honor someone in thehumanities; Abraham is a“perfect recipient.” Abrahamis a journalist, editor, bookpublisher, columnist, author,educator and literary critic.Abraham has organizedbook fairs featuring CharlotteCounty authors, co-foundingthe annual Dearborn StreetBook Festival and invitingauthors to participate in theCouncil’s annual festivalOutstandingContribution toMusic —Toshimasa FrancisWada.Artsensation. He nurtures new and establishedauthors and in the process published over 200fiction and non-fiction books. Currently, he is editingand publishing Vernon Peeple’s second bookon Punta Gorda history.Not satisfied with working only in creativewriting, Abraham spearheaded the Arts &Humanities Council’s series of study circleson race relations and the 9/11 tragedy. He is avolunteer actor and stagehand for the CharlottePlayers. He has lectured on the Civil War andslavery at FGCU Punta Gorda campus, Baltimore’sinfluence on Edgar Allen Poe during theBig Read at the Mid-County Library, and PuntaGorda’s place in pioneer history at the VisualArts Center.Abraham is being honored for all he has doneto nurture the written word in Charlotte County.Outstanding Contribution to Music —Toshimasa Francis Wada.Every letter of supportfor Maestro Wada’s nominationmentions the enthusiasmhe has inspiredin our local musicians andaudiences. It is his’ ownpassion and innovativenew programs that hasOutstandingbrought new audiences toContribution to thethe Charlotte SymphonyHumanities —Orchestra concerts.James Abraham.Wada has introducedsymphonic choral music with productions of“Carmina Burana” and Mozart’s “Requiem.” Inthe process the Symphony has collaboratedwith local groups such as theCharlotte Chorale and the Suncoast Chorale.He continues to nurture student participationthrough the presentation of “Peter vs. the Wolf”to the entire fourth-grade population of CharlotteCounty and inclusion of local high school studentsin the programming.Wada has also introduced different genres ofmusic to the symphonic experience. The production“Bluegrass Meets the Maestro” was sowell received last season, the Kruger Brothersreturned for a second engagement this year.Wada has been described as “a breathof fresh air in the musical world of CharlotteCounty.” We agree.The Board of Directors of the Arts & HumanitiesCouncil invites the community to join themhonoring these worthy recipients.4470614476532 eEVERY WEDNESDAYIFRQM 7PMT010PM20% OFF ENTIRE BILL*Some restrictions apply ypa. .,LLIVE NCIVEAWAYS PT. CHARLOTTErHNTERS1360 TAMIAMI TRAIL PORT CHARLOTTE; FL 33948 1 (941) 628-0220' ' 1 1Beginning April 2 ndKIX Country 92.9FM introduces:KIX COUNTRY CLASSICS 1070AM!Playing the “All Time Favorites”ALL THE TIME!Hear artists like Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson,Alabama, Merle Haggard,Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash& Much More!IrtRadio.Mix it up at Venice Theatrefor 2012-2013 seasonBY KIM COOLas many times as you wish as long asFEATURES EDITORthere is a seat available one hour beforethe performance. With such a ticketVenice Theatre is one of the topthree community theaters in the this past season, that would nearlyUnited States for many reasons. guarantee that you would have seen allYet another one is the selection of subscriptionplans offered to its customers But with shows such as “How Tofour endings of “Stand By Your Van.”— eight choices.Succeed in Business Without ReallyTo see every single MainStage, Trying.” “Moon Over Buffalo” and “Hello,Stage II and Generations show plus Dolly!” on the main stage, “The Vaginafour choices from the theater’s many Monologues” and “Our Town” in theother offerings, choose the Golden Pinkerton” and Generations showsTicket for $319. Not only do you get the like “Heidi” and Venice Theatre’s ownbest seats in the house but you can wonderful version of Charles Dickens’exchange tickets for other nights when classic “A Christmas Carol,” plus cabaretshows like “Hair” and “Rocky Horrornecessary.If you really want to overdose on Picture Show,” this is some kind of deal.Venice Theatre offerings, purchase the The Asolo Repertory Company has aUltimate Rush ticket for $40 per month similar deal in Sarasota but only Venicefor a minimum of six months. With thatpass you can see every single showSEE PAGE 15MONOMER4th Year Customer AppreciationCelebrationLive Music from 3pm-10pm$1 Domestic DraftsDrink SpecialsALL DAY!453514Raffles All DaypJnkr KaP.aEnjoy Food Offof our$1 menuS at u r day, J u n e 2 n dCome Celebrate the Goal Post’s 4 Year Anniversary with Us!