Listen to the Earth Project Partners• Manatee County Parks & Natural Resources Department

• Mote Marine • Suncoast Water Keepers • Science and Environmental Council • Selby Gardens

• Arlington Park Neighborhood Association • The Jericho Project FL • Transition Sarasota

• Sarasota Holistic Chamber of Commerce • SILL • Venice Area Audubon Society • Historic Spanish Point

• City of Sarasota, Office of Sustainability • The Hermitage • Save Our Seabirds

Dr Joseph Holt, Artistic Director

ChoralArtistsSarasota.org • 941.387.6046

Dr Joseph Holt, Artistic Director

Featured GuestsJane AlexanderAn Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress, she was appointed by President Clinton to chair the National Endowment for the Arts and brought strong leadership to that organization during her four-year tenure. She is a lifelong environmental activist, passionately concerned about wildlife conservation. She is author of Wild Things, Wild Place, Adventurous Tales of Wildlife and Conservation on Planet Earth. Jane has traveled to some of the world’s most remote and forbidding places with scientists – the prophets of the wilderness – focused on helping endangered species to stay alive and thrive.

Terry Root, PhD A Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment, Emerita, Stanford University. Dr. Root’s research focused on how wild animals and plants are changing with climate change. She actively works at making scientific information accessible to decision makers and the public. Terry was a Lead Author, on the third and fourth assessment reports of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change, the latter of which shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 with Vice President Gore.

Jon Thaxton Recognized throughout Florida as a leading advocate for protecting the natural environment, he is a fifth-generation Floridian. Jon began his environmental advocacy at Venice High School in 1974 as a founding member of the Ecology Club, and in 1996 he was featured in National Geographic for his efforts to protect endangered species. He served as a Sarasota County Commissioner for twelve years and is now Senior Vice President for Community Investment at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

Stevie Freeman-MontesCity of Sarasota Sustainability Manager since 2015, she has led a major study of the vulnerability of city infrastructure, worked to expand recycling and compost programs, and ban the use of plastic and polystyrene on public property. Degrees in zoology and sustainable development, and Peace Corp experience prepared her to lead the City’s Ready for 100 project.

Invited SpeakersMargaret Good • Emily Hall • Dave Raney • Tim Rumage III

Events

Friday, April 17 Documentary Screenings

Jewish Federation of Sarasota/Manatee Beatrice Friedman Theater

10:30am Chasing Ice Lunch

12:45pm Chasing Coral Q&A following each screening led by Dr. Terry Root and local experts $5 - $12

Friday, April 17 Celebration Reception

aLoft Hotel 6-7:30pm

Meet featured guests Jane Alexander, composer James Grant, Dr. Terry Root,

Artistic Director Joseph Holt, soloist Marcus DeLoachWine and light bites $50

Saturday, April 18 State of the Earth

Sarasota Opera House 3-5:30pm

Keynote Speaker, Jane AlexanderPanel Discussion

Dr. Terry Root, Jon Thaxton, Stevie Freeman-Montes, Emily Hall

Exhibits: Clyde Butcher photographyHigh School Ecology Studies, Listen to the Earth Partners $15

Sunday, April 19Listen to the Earth Concert and world premiere

Sarasota Opera House7pm

Champagne reception following in the courtyard $5 - $60

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Listen to the Earth Project Choral Artists of Sarasota celebrates the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, using the power of music to highlight our role as caretakers for our planet Earth. Twenty regional partners have joined this project, using their platform and unique programs to raise environmental awareness and further community involvement. This project has been designated a sister related activity by the Smithsonian to the Earth Optimism Summit in DC and is recognized by the Earth Day organization.

The capstone of the project is the world premiere of James Grant’s Listen to the Earth cantata at the Sarasota Opera House on Sunday, April 19, 2020.

TicketsIndividual event and combo tickets available

941.387.6046 ChoralArtistsSarasota.org