Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Events.
It was a first class, world class event Thursday night put on by U.S. Tent Rental Company. The event was called “Couldn’t Have Done It Without Ya!” It featured cutting edge event lighting, tents, décor, linens and more. All proceeds of the event benefited the Wheelchair Florida Sled Hockey Team, and focused on the strong […]
Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Blog.
I am getting ready to celebrate one of my favorite holidays: Grandparents Day! Yes, it really is a holiday. In fact, President Jimmy Carter signed it into law in 1978. Although it is called Grandparents Day, the originator Marian McQuade wanted to designate a day for families to visit their elderly relatives. Therefore, I think […]
Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Music.
I did the Wave last night! No, not standing and raising my arms at a sporting event. I did a show along with guitar genius Jami Gee, drummer Eddie James Liashek, and Scott Stevenson on bass at The Wave Grill at Ramada Venice Resort Hotel. Everything about last night was extraordinary. Therefore, I have to share it with all of you. First of all, the hotel itself is a work of art right down to the bathroom and very elegant. When you walk in the front door you immediately feel like you have stepped into a tropical resort.
Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Music.
Steve Arvey is a household name in many parts of the country and overseas, as well. Steve Arvey isn’t your everyday musician. He’s a bit like an eccentric genius, and you can see the “smoke” coming out of his ears when he’s deep in thought. He’s like the Albert Einstein of the music scene all over Florida, and in his home town of Chicago, and Steve performs seven days a week, almost all the time. His fingers are in an array of pies every day. He’s a man with a big heart, and lends his talents to fundraising for so many causes. When you need someone to really do the job, rally folks together, and raise money, Steve is incredible.
Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Music.
When I was first approached about contributing some articles to The Sarasota Post about my experiences as a young musician in Sarasota I thought, cool! Then, I quickly realized I would actually have to write which is not my idea of fun unless it’s song lyrics. After all, I do plenty of writing for school so I couldn’t think of any reason I would agree to waste my free time writing. My mind was completely changed after watching Lauren Mitchell perform.
Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Blog.
Sarasota, FL – Short film No Real Than You Are begins production this summer after a successful Kickstarter campaign. The script follows a fictionalized history of Sarasota’s founding family and a young descendant’s downward spiral into opiate addiction.
Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Music.
I hear I missed a magic moment at the Myakka Blues Festival. Kettle of Fish were up on the stage and Dana Lawrence’s 5 year old daughter Cassidy strolled on up, reached for her father’s hand, kissed it and touched his hand to her face. It brought the house down! If you ever think rockers are any different than anyone else, you’re wrong. They bleed, cry and play just like the rest of us.
Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Blog.
Lauren Mitchell sent this to the Sarasotapost.com very late last night. Thank you, Lauren and congratulations on a great tour.
Hello from the road, Believers! I thought I’d take a minute to let you all know about some of our adventures while we’ve been on tour. North Carolina was a great start to the trip, jamming with Mel Melton at Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse, and singing with Mac Arnold and Plateful of Blues at the Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival were definitely some highlights for me.
Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Events.
A Great Day At The Myakka River!
Photos by Mark Kracker
To quote Steve Arvey-
“After it’s all said and done, it’s really about the beauty of the Myakka River….After everybody left, I sat and I finally got a second to kick back and thank God and all the people that were blessed to be a part of the celebration of this incredible river and how we all shared in friendship, life and music this day…..I sat for a long while and wished so many more people can see this fantastic river one day. Thank you Snook Haven for believing in me and helping me and the Suncoast Blues Society to put this fest together.”
Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Music.
RJ Howson…An Old Soul in A Young Man’s Body
Resonating, I am actually sitting here listening to RJ Howson sing and play guitar on “Make A Fool of Me” (one of his original songs) recorded live at a legendary Blues club Chicago called Kingston Mines. I’m channeling the vibe from yesterday when we sat down with our high test iced coffees and talked. The problem for me was that this could have ended up being a 5 hour interview because RJ has the gift of gab and the experiences that make him an old soul. I’m not sure if it’s because he might have been here before or if he’s just taken in so much more than the average person in deep thinking and life studying in his years.
Written by Sande Caplin on . Posted in Music.
While hanging at the Jam each week at the Flying Dog Café, Sande Caplin and I did a number of interviews with various musicians and interesting characters that were regulars at the Dog. One of my distinct favorites was my interview with Rebecca Bird, a.k.a The Songbird. So as we were setting up the camera and the lights, I began to get to know Rebecca and I was taken with her soft personality, her Marilyn Monroe-type sex appeal and with her love of her Dad, whom she spoke about so passionately. When people like Rebecca are up onstage you don’t really wonder about their backgrounds because you’re so caught up in the performance, but she did let go of some intimate details of her life.