Vocal coach offers voiceover workshop in Sarasota

   It can be hard to break into the entertainment industry, but a Sarasota voice coach says the need for voiceover talent is rapidly expanding.
   So John Burr, the founder of John Burr Voice Dynamics, is offering a one-day Voiceover Basics Workshop. It's scheduled for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 15 at 7825 Kavanagh Court, Sarasota.
   It costs $100 and enrollment is limited to 10 students.
   Burr, according to his press materials, has more than 30 years experience as a professional voice coach, recording engineer and audio/video producer. His recording studio  offers state-of-the-art post-production equipment and over 100,000 music and sound effects cuts for producing professional-quality voiceover demos.  

John Burr

   Burr said demand ranges from the traditionally smooth announcer’s voice, to the rough and gravelly, to the sensual. New technology is spurring a need for more voiceover artists all the time, he said.
   The workshop will feature an overview of the 21st-century voiceover industry, the basics of vocal technique, and critique sessions in commercial and narration techniques. 
   “By the end of the session, you’ll know if this is a field you want to pursue,” Burr said.  
    You can sign up for the workshop online by visiting www.johnburrvoice.com/signup. For more information about John Burr Voice Dynamics, call 941-378-0021 or visit www.johnburrvoice.com.

Allman Brothers' "Brothers and Sisters" is reissued

   It's been 40 years since the Allman Brothers Band released "Brothers and Sisters," its first album after the death of Duane Allman.
  No one was sure how well the album, or the band, would fare without one of its two acclaimed guitarists, but with Dickey Betts, now a Sarasota resident, at the guitar helm "Brothers and Sisters" went platinum and became the most successful album the band had released up to that time.
   Now Universal Music Enterprises is reissuing the classic album -- which includes Allman standards "Ramblin' Man," "Jessica" and "Wasted Words" -- in several formats. There's the remastered album on CD and vinyl, plus two-CD and four-CD box sets that include rehearsals, jams, outtakes and (on the four-CD set) a live performance from September 1973.
   The live recording -- which takes up two discs -- includes previously unavailable versions of “Done Somebody Wrong,” “Stormy Monday,” “Midnight Rider,” “Statesboro Blues,” “You Don’t Love Me,” “Les Brers in A Minor,” “Blue Sky,” “Trouble No More” and “Whipping Post.” 
   All versions of the reissue will be available June 25.
  

"Pulse" at Sarasota's Asolo is great entertainment

Racey (center) in "Pulse"

   The idea behind "Pulse," which is having its world-premiere run at the Asolo Repertory Theatre, is to put a modern face on traditional American song and dance.
   It could be a bit of tightrope walk, but "Pulse" keeps itself grounded safely in tradition.
   The show, created by Broadway singer-tap dancer Noah Racey, a corps of six performers (including Racey) who sing and dance to songs written by everyone from Irving Berlin to Regina Spektor, with a great on-stage band backing them up (and occasionally joining in the dance). Except for a couple of very cool raps by Racey and some interesting percussion segments, it mostly feels like stuff you've seen before.
   But that doesn't mean the show doesn't work. The numbers are loads of fun, the singing is solid and the dancing is sometimes astounding. 
   If you're looking for something daring, or something that will turn your non-traditionalist friends onto tap dancing, this isn't it. But if you're a fan of the genre, if you love watching Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly on AMC, then this show is heaven.
   Through June 16 a Asolo Rep's Mertz Theatre in The FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $55-$69. 941-351-8000, www.asolorep.org.
  

Manatee Players offers classes in aerial dance

   Manatee Players are offering young people a chance to learn to fly this summer. 
   But that means fly like Peter Pan, not fly like a pilot.
   An Illinois company called Hall Associates Flying Effects will conduct workshops in dance, aerial work and wire flying in two five-day workshops at the Manatee Performing Arts Center.
   The first camp, for kids from 7 to 12 years old, is set for July 22-26. Enrollment is limited to 25.
   The second camp, from July 29-Aug. 2, is for ages 13-18. That one's limited to 35 campers.
   The fee for each camp is $300. Sessions run from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. every day, and there's a performance at the end of each camp.
   Hall Associates Flying Effects is a nationally recognized company that has created theatrical flying effects for everything from high school productions to major Broadway shows.
   To enroll, call the Manatee Players ticket office at 941-748-5875. Questions about the camp should be directed to Rick Kerby at 941-748-0111.
   The Manatee Performing Arts Center isat 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton.

Alton Brown comes to Sarasota's Van Wezel

   Alton Brown, television's most entertaining foodie, is coming to Sarasota.

Alton Brown

   He'll bring his engaging combination of silly humor and instructive culinary science to Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall with a show called "Alton Brown Live! The Edible Inevitable Tour.”
   It's not until 7 p.m. March 2, 2014 -- that's a Sunday -- but tickets go on sale June 7. You can get them for as little as $10, but the best seats are $125. Call 941-953-3368 or visit www.VanWezel.org.
   Brown is best-known as the host of "Good Eats" and "Iron Chef America." He recently won "Munchie," a people's choice food award, as best food TV personality.
   Press materials say his show combines stand-up comedy, talk show antics, multimedia lecture, live music and food experimentation. Some audience members will have the opportunity to serve as Brown’s assistants on stage. 
   By the way, if for some reason you can't make that Sarasota show, Brown will also be at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa the previous evening (Saturday, March 1, 2014). Call 813-229-7827 or visit www.strazcenter.org for tickets to that one.

Toni Braxton comes to St. Petersburg's Mahaffey

   Apparently Toni Braxton is still a singer.

Toni Braxton

   The six-time Grammy winner, who created such smoky early-'90s R&B hits as "You're Making Me High" and "Unbreak My Heart" is best-known these days for her hit reality show "Braxton Family Values." But she'll be focusing on music once again when she comes to the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg. The recently announced concert is set for Aug. 28 .
   Tickets are $45.50, $55.50, $69.50, $75.50 and $99.50. They go on sale May 31. Call 727-893-7832 or visit www.themahaffey.com.

Watch Wallenda's canyon cross at a Sarasota soiree

   People all around the world will be watching on June 23 as Nik Wallenda traverses the Grand Canyon on a tightrope.
   It'll be a bigger celebration in Bradenton and Sarasota than almost anywhere else, as the area watches its local hero make history once again.
   One great place watch will be on Lemon Avenue in Sarasota at the second annual "Wallenda - Beyond Belief Viewing and Street Party" sponsored by Mattison's City Grille and Circus Sarasota.
   Wallenda is preparing to walk about 1,500 feet -- more than a quarter-mile -- across the canyon. He'll be about 1,500 feet off the ground. (For reference, the Empire State Building is 1,434 feet tall.)

Wallenda walks the wire

   Last year, Wallenda walked across Niagara Falls at a height of 200 feet. He was wearing a safety harness then, at the insistence of the network that aired the event. This time he won't be.
   The party's free and open to the public. It's set for 7-11 p.m. Sunday, June 23,  on Lemon Avenue between Main Street and First Avenue, in front of Mattison's.
   Besides a Jumbotron video screen that will show live coverage of the walk, the party will feature circus activities, street vendors, a raffle and a live auction.
   A VIP area offers reserved seating and a three-course menu from Mattison's. VIP tickets are $100 per person or $1000 for a table of eight. For VIP tickets, contact the Circus Sarasota Development Office at 941-355-9335 or mark@circussarasota.org. More details are online at www.mattisons.com or www.circussarasota.org.