Sarasota's SARASOLO FESTIVAL Kicks Off January 27

The 2018 SaraSolo Festival, the fourth celebration of theatre and solo artists returns to Sarasota over two weekends, January 27 & 28 and February 3 & 4, 2018. This annual showcases an eclectic mix of 45-90 minute solo performances by 19 national and International Artists - featuring music, dance, cabaret, comedy, magic, poetry, performance art, stand-up, storytelling and visual art creation as well as biographical, autobiographical and poetic plays.

For tickets, complete schedule of performances, times and dates, workshop registration go to www.SaraSolo.org. Or to contact the SaraSolo Festival by email at sarasoloorg@gmail.com or by phone at 941-479-8084 Follow us on Facebook @SaraSolo Festival. Also performers may be added and those listed are subject to change.

As one of Sarasota's newest and most exciting arts festivals, performances are at Sarasota's Pioneer Park historic site venue, Crocker Memorial Church, 1260 12th Street, Sarasota FL 34236 and The Starlite Room, popular cabaret and live music restaurant at 1001 Cocoanut Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236.

The popular "Betwixt Week" events will return for 4 weekday evenings between performance weekends (1/30- 2/2) offering workshops and performances held at The Reserve, Coffee House/Wine/Craft Beer Bookstore at 1322 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236. Workshops include:

Broadway actress/singer Ann Morrison's Vocal Performance Master Class; Actor/Director Blake Walton's Solo Playwriting Workshop, "That's My Story and I'm Sticking With it", and new "Storytelling for Adults" workshop by St. Petersburg's Master Storyteller Robert S. Smith.

They will be joined by three "Flying Solo" artists, who worked on their pieces with SaraSolo workshop leaders--Carole Kleinberg, Peg Harvey and Kathryn Chesley- presenting excerpts of works-in-progress performances worked on Friday, February 2, at 7:00pm at The Starlite Room.

Artistic Director Ann Morrison said, "We are proud to present SaraSolo's fourth season. We have expanded beautifully, with more out of town performers and new local opportunities and explorations for Sarasota's young performers who want to craft individual work through the "Flying Solo Jrs "program and Elders through their development of monologues about their lives in an "Elder Voices" program. Also 2018 SaraSolo artists continue to give back and connect with local service organizations such as Easter Seals."

Ten SaraSolo Festival performers new to Sarasota audiences include:

Dancer, Instructor and Choreographer Elizabeth Bergmann finds an expression of discovery and celebration through her Poetry with Dance in "Coming To Myself".

Willi Carlisle and his "There Ain't No More!", an award-winning tour-de-folk operetta based on legends of American folk music. Carlisle was recently honored with "Best Show of the Fringe" at the 2017 Orlando Fringe Festival.

Cody Clark, a full-time professional magician from Louisville, KY, who is on the Autism spectrum wows with honesty and charm in his magic show, "Cody Clark: A Different Way of Thinking".

Lucas DeBard performing his cabaret "I'll Take Romance", was named winner of The American Songbook Foundation's 2015 Songbook Academy competition and has sung at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall and with Michael Feinstein at Feinstein's/54 Below in New York.

Canadian and Hermitage Artist Retreat artist Nisha Coleman performs "Self-Exile", a rich and generous portrayal of misfits and weirdos and the rhythms of urban life. This is a moving story of a young woman who went to Paris for love and found her life.

New Yorker Walker Vreeland, recently premiered his humorous and moving autobiographical play with music, "From Ship To Shape" about losing your mind while chasing your dreams, the journey in pursuit of healing, and how a cruise ship can push you over the edge.

Daniel Leary hails from the mountains of Virginia with a background primarily in Appalachian Theater - storytelling and song in a series of vignettes, the style out of which his play "The Sleeping Child", has grown.

Accomplished Tampa Bay Storyteller Robert S. King brings his family friendly magical storytelling adventure" Silly and Sassy and So Much More", World Folktales, Mythology and Original Stories".

Orlando Actor/Costumer Timothy Beltley relates funny tales from small to extra-large of his second career in "The Sewing Shop Show".

New York comedian and former Sarasota resident Ashley Strand brings his comedic over-analysis, life affirming celebration--"Glorified Disasters/3 Sad Stories/1 Funny Guy". Ashley Strand is the winner of the

2009 Hong Kong International Comedy Competition

*Suggested for Mature Audiences

Local area artists include:

-- Dancer, Instructor and Choreographer Elizabeth Bergmann intertwines original modern dances with her sophisticated poetry in a profound and touching exploration of honesty and awakening self-discovery. A celebration through her Poetry with Dance in "Coming To Myself". A World Premiere.

--Jazz chanteuse Diana Vytell brings her new cabaret show, "It's About Time!", musing about the role time plays in all our loves and lives in songs from the Broadway, Jazz, Pop and Classical songbooks. A World Premiere.

--Director/seminar coach Hedda Matza-Haughton steps out, presents several diverse funny and touching characters in her new original play set at a Healthy Aging Retreat, in "Inner Voices, Sex, Intimacy and Aging." A World Premiere.

--Singer Brenda Watty brings her unique Motown singing and storytelling talent in a new take on her 15-year life as a girl-group singing veteran of The Marvelettes, ("Don't Mess With Bill", "Mr. Postman") in "My Life As A Marvelette."

--Actor/Singer Steve McAllister, last year's "Cowboy Cabaret" Flying Solo artist, returns after discovering American humorist and singer Will Rogers in a recent theater production. Steve brings his talents (including roping tricks) in a new play on Rogers in "Will Rogers Revived". A World Premiere.

--Author and actress Gabrielle Lennon, brings a full production of her play "Touch Me Real" based on her short story returns to SaraSolo in full performances after developing their pieces through workshops at prior SaraSolo Festivals.

-- Karle Murdock collaborates in "Within the Light of Consciousness" mixing the Poetry with Fine Art (some of which is created onstage) of Gretchen Lum. A World Premiere

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