Two upcoming “must-see” events in Sarasota: Jazz Festival and Women’s Film Festival
“Barbara King’s dusky, Sarah Vaughan-like qualities, mark her as a talent to watch” – Lloyd Sachs, Chicago Sun-Times
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Barbara King knew from an early age that she had great vocal cords. She grew up singing in church and school choirs and participating in high school musicals on the stage. When she attended Vassar College, she joined the choir, touring around the country to sing.
After graduation, she headed back home to New York City to teach special education, then enrolled in Brooklyn Music School to study voice. She met up with a number of musicians in New York, which led to tours and jazz festivals in Greece, Japan, Lithuania, Estonia, Dubai and Italy, and she says, “at that point wanted to pursue a full career in music.”
For the next 25 years she would work as a soloist in the tri-state area, working at top venues such as The Lenox Lounge, The Iridium, the Village Vanguard, Sweet Basil, Birdland, Mintons Playhouse and others. Her debut CD, entitled “Perfect Timing,” received a top rating in Downbeat Magazine. In addition, for two years, she and her husband, Julian Phillips, were co-owners of ‘The Sound Bite’ – a news themed jazz and blues restaurant located in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC. As musical director, she hired many well-known musicians to perform there.
Barbara and Julian had been visiting Sarasota for years, and fell in love with its scenic beaches, beautiful weather, and cultural vibrancy. They finally decided to sell their Long Island home and relocate six months ago. “It was important to me to be in a city that had music, art and culture so I could pursue my passion for music,” says King, who promptly began networking with local musicians and securing bookings at various venues in Sarasota and surrounding communities.
She will perform as part of the Sarasota Jazz Festival’s Jazz Trolley Crawl on March 18th at the Art Ovation Hotel, from 5:30-9:30pm. Please see more about the Jazz Festival online: www.sarasotajazzfestival.com (Jazz Festival runs March 17-22)
Buy tickets to Art Ovation Hotel and Barbara King’s performance: www.eventbrite.com/e/downtown-jazz-trolley-pub-crawl-tickets-1094726389099?aff=oddtdtcreator
Read more about Barbara King: www.barbarakingjazz.com
To hear Barbara sing: www.facebook.com/wordpower/videos/1270413814069164/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v
“Culture War” documentary at “Reel Equals” Women’s International Film Festival…Celi Mitidieri and Milena Montero, filmmakers
Sarasota is hosting the 26th annual “Through Women’s Eyes” International Film Festival March 6-11 in Sarasota. Two highly talented, former Ringling College female students will debut their documentary, “Culture War” at the film festival. “Culture War” synopsis: On Jan. 6, 2024, Gov. Ron DeSantis wages a war against “wokeness” and appoints six new members to New College of Florida’s Board of Trustees, marking a shift in leadership at the small, progressive public school and flipping its world upside down for the college’s community. The consequences of the appointment are immediate, with the firing of the now former president, Patricia Okker, the abolishment of the diversity and inclusion office, the end of the gender studies major, the recruitment of student athletes, and the diaspora of dozens of faculty members. This case has gotten national and international
attention. Governor DeSantis, at the time in the race to be the Republican representative in the next presidential election, has made himself directly attached to the events happening at this small liberal arts institution. New College’s situation represents the endless opportunities for government control of public educational institutions and the many impacts.
About Celi:
Formerly of Sarasota and a 2024 graduate of Ringling College of Art & Design, Celi now resides in LA, and was born and raised in Brazil. At 23, Celi says she was drawn to producing a documentary as “it has the power to amplify voices and tell stories that might otherwise go unheard. For me, it’s not just about capturing moments – it’s about building trust, forming deep connections and creating films that inspire understanding and action.”
About Milena:
Born in Buenos Aires, Milena now resides in Miami. and works as a freelance director, producer and cinematographer. “As a filmmaker drawn to stories where art meets activism, the transformation of New College of Florida represented a pivotal moment in American higher education that demanded documentation,” she says. “As film students at Ringling, New College’s sister school, we had a front-row seat to history unfolding. The sudden ideological shift of this small liberal arts college became a microcosm of larger, national debates about academic freedom and government influence in education.”
For information about the film festival visit: www.throughwomenseyes.org/reel-equals-film-festival.
Note: The Film Festival is available in-person or streaming.
For tickets to “Culture War” visit: www.twe2025.eventive.org/schedule/67698ec845ff474aa364263b
Film Festival tickets to all films: www.twe2025.eventive.org/welcome