Friday, February 6, 2009

Locals gaining prominence

I don't know if longtime Bradenton residents will remember Jennifer O'Connor, a former Bradenton resident and Manatee High School alumnus. When she was at Manatee High about 18 years ago, she was one of the top players on the girls varsity basketball team.

Now the former high school basketball star is a rising indie singer/song writer. We are told she is touring the country, performing shows with Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls and Wiko and Lucinda Williams. She also has an album out under Matador Records.

For those interested in getting a look at the blossoming musician, O'Connor will be performing 8 p.m. Saturday at the New World Brewery 1313 E. 8th Ave. in Tampa.

You can check out her music by visiting http://www.myspace.com/jenniferoconnor.

In other news, Asolo Repertory Theatre costume designer Clint Ramos will be one of several people honored at the Theatre Development Fund 2009 Irene Sharaff Awards in New York on March 27. Ramos worked on last season's "Equus" and the current production of "Winter's Tale."

Ramos will receive the Young Master Award, which is presented to an designer who has exhibited talent beyond the norm for a beginner in the field. For more information on the award recipients, visit http://www.tdf.org/TDF_SupportPage.aspx?id=35.

- January Holmes

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