Guest Contributor Greg Bowdish visited the Hollywood Nights red carpet at the Sarasota Film Festival to talk to students who were exposed to the filmmaking process by Inspired Minds, a Sarasota-based company that seeks to promote creativity, confidence and character through the cinematic arts.

Bonnie Silvestri writes that she is more convinced than ever that arts organizations must collaborate in order to continue to enthrall 21st century audiences. The Sarasota Ballet’s production of La Fille mal Gardée was a beautiful integration of theatricality, lavish scenery and costumes, and most importantly, live music performed by the Sarasota Orchestra.

Kathryn Parks sits down with Jack Gilhooley, a prolific and multiple award-winning playwright who lives and works in Sarasota. Kathryn will play the lead role in a reading of one of Gilhooley’s new works, titled Most Valuable Playgirl.

Take a stroll through Island Park and through the power of art you will be reminded of the importance of accepting the racial, cultural, physical, sexual and philosophical differences that exist among us. Now in its 10th year, the annual Embracing Our Differences exhibit was erected at the end of March and will remain there for the public to experience free of charge through June 2.

The Florida Studio Theatre’s production of In the Book Of has an important and politically relevant message about tolerance of those who seek refuge on our shores.

Local photographer Mark Palmer has shot everything from drag queens to tropical storms to zombie poker games. A recent shoot featured our own Backstage Blogger Kathryn Parks getting sliced and diced by the slasher starring in House of Blood, a locally-made horror film.