Member News

NEWS FROM
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS
FLORIDA GULF COAST LOCAL 427-721
5175 Ulmerton Road • Clearwater, FL • 33760
Phone: 727-572-7977

Southwest Florida Symphony Musicians have ratified a
two-year agreement.
Musicians have agreed to a 1% increase in wages per year and slight increases in the travel stipend, but some issues remain.
(Ft. Myers, FL) Musicians of the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra have agreed to a two-year contract as of March 23, 2024.

The musicians had been working without a ratified contract since 2019. While the management had claimed to be at an impasse, the musicians continued to play to ensure the survival of the orchestra.

The musicians of SWFSO are paid on a per-service basis: a service is a single rehearsal or concert. The agreement provides for an increase of $1.50 per-service from $142 for the remainder of this season. Prior to this, musicians’ pay has essentially remained stagnant for the last five years. Next season, the musicians’ per-service rate increases to $145, which still makes the Symphony one of the lowest paid professional orchestras in the state. The current per-service rate for the Sarasota Orchestra is $162, Naples Philharmonic is $168, The Florida Orchestra: $161, Orlando Philharmonic: $154.

The agreement improves some of the working conditions that were imposed on the musicians in 2020, although the musicians still aspire to see a more complete restoration of their previous agreement.

“While we are pleased to be finally working under an agreement for the first time in 4 years, we are still concerned about the future of the Symphony,” said Jeanie Phelan, Assistant Principal Viola, and chair of the Orchestra Committee. “Our wages are still far lower than what other orchestras are paying, and we still don’t feel that the organization is being transparent about its finances. More concerning is that we have yet to see a vision for the future. We hope to work collaboratively with the management and Board of Directors to solve these outstanding issues.”

Principal Tuba Tom Kracmer and owner of Cadence Music said, “We believe great things are possible for the orchestra. We look forward to continuing to work with our new Music Director to grow the orchestra artistically, expand our concert season, and develop more robust educational and community engagement programs that will ensure the future of the Southwest Florida Symphony for generations to come.”
For more information, visit the Musician’s website at www.swfsomusicians.org .

Punta Gorda, Florida – April 10, 2024 – SVN Commercial Partners (“SVNCP”), the exclusive leasing agent at Fishermen’s Village Retail, announced that a new restaurant concept called Leroy’s Fish Shack will be opening in late 2024 in Fishermen’s Village.  This restaurant will be the second local concept in addition to the already successful Downtown location, Leroy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar. The new location will replace the former Village Fish Market which closed in April of 2023.

Both Leroy’s concepts are led by co-owners Lee Richardson and Mike Wright, along with their families – Jamie, Miguel & Rylee Richardson, Kylee, and Finn Wright. The group envisions the restaurant will pay tribute to the area’s history, creating an atmosphere that resonates with locals and visitors. This waterfront coastal-themed venture promises to carry forward the same spirit of excellence and hospitality that has made its predecessor a beloved culinary destination.

“We’re thrilled to bring Leroy’s to Fishermen’s Village,” said Lee Richardson, co-owner of Leroy’s Fish Shack. “Our families are growing up in Charlotte County, and we’re excited to open a restaurant that reflects the spirit of our community. Leroy’s Fish Shack will be a place where families, friends, and neighbors can come together to enjoy delicious seafood on the water and create lasting memories.”

SVNCP assembled a diverse team to market the available restaurant space including Ashley Bloom, Margeaux McCarthy, Corrie Gates, and Bryan Myers. “Our team is proud to bring the Leroy’s concept to Fishermen’s Village”, stated Managing Partner, Ashley Bloom. “Margeaux McCarthy was brought into the assignment due to her deep local knowledge of the Punta Gorda Market and delivered a highly complementary tenant to the Fishermen’s Village community.”

This announcement comes on the heels of the closing of The Pier Restaurant. SVNCP will launch a marketing campaign to fill the space along with contacting the interested parties who had previously looked at the former Village Fish Market space. SVNCP intends to have the space tenanted in the near future based on the demand for the entire project.

About SVN Commercial Partners:

SVN Commercial Partners with six offices in Southeast and Southwest Florida, is a commercial real estate services firm. It provides a full menu of services to clients in the Southeast and Southwest Florida regions in addition to serving a national client base. All SVN offices are Independently owned and operated. To learn more about SVN Commercial Partners, go to svncp.com.

APRIL 10, 2024- Fort Myers, FL-  The Alliance for the Arts is thrilled to welcome back the mesmerizing performance of “Flamencodanza” on Friday, May 10th, at 7:30 p.m. in the Foulds Theater. Don’t miss this inspired and elegant fusion of Flamenco dance and guitar, featuring the dynamic duo, dancer Aylin Bayaz and guitarist Raúl Mannola. The Alliance for the Arts is located at 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33919.

“Flamencodanza” takes audiences on a journey through the rich traditions of Flamenco while infusing elements of Brazilian music and jazz, creating a vibrant tapestry of sound and movement. UNESCO recognized Flamenco as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010, and Bayaz and Mannola embody its passion and artistry in every performance.

Full of energy, beauty and inspiration, “Flamencodanza” made its Fort Myers debut last year at the 2023 Fringe Fort Myers. This special performance features a duo collaboration of Flamenco dance and guitar, fusing different elements together producing an award-winning show of beauty and inspiration.

Witness dancer Aylin Bayaz’s breathtaking interpretation of the music as she whirls and twirls with grace and precision, perfectly complemented by Raú Mannola’s rhythmic guitar playing. Their collaboration is a testament to their extraordinary talent and dedication to their craft. This is one beautiful showcase of international talent you won’t want to miss!

Tickets for this unforgettable performance are only $20, with discounts available for Alliance members. Don’t miss your chance to experience the beauty and power of Flamenco at the Alliance for the Arts. Purchase your tickets today! Performance will be held in the Foulds Theatre-Alliance for the Arts. For more information, call 239-939-2787, visit us at www.ArtInLee.org, or find us on Facebook and  Instagram.

Flamencodanza

Friday, May 10th, 2024  

Doors 7:00 pm • Show 7:30 p.m.  •  Price: $20 | Alliance members $18

Foulds Theater, Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33919

Run Time: 60 minutes

For ticket purchases and more information, visit www.artinlee.org or call 239-939-2787.

About Alliance for the Arts

The Alliance for the Arts is a nonprofit community visual and performing arts center located in the heart of Fort Myers, Florida. Since 1975, the Alliance has been committed to transforming lives and improving community through the arts. The Alliance campus and galleries are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Located at 10091 McGregor Boulevard just south of Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers. For more information, please call 239-939-2787, visit us at www.ArtInLee.org, find us on Facebook or Instagram.

The Southwest Florida Symphony awarded $7,500 grant from Suncoast Credit Union for youth concert

FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 10, 2024) – The Southwest Florida Symphony, Lee County’s only professional orchestra and the fourth oldest in the state, has been awarded a $7,500 grant from Suncoast Credit Union for the second consecutive year. The funds were used to support a free interactive performance by the symphony for over 1,600 elementary school students on Feb. 21 called “Compose Yourself.” Performances were held at 10 and 11:15 a.m. at Fort Myers Senior High School for students from 15 different schools throughout the community. Supremely crafted and well-paced, “Compose Yourself!” educates, engages and entertains students with bottle music, hosaphones, snake-charming oboes, powerful trumpets and more.

“We are extremely grateful for the continued support from Suncoast Credit Union to help us achieve our mission of bringing world-class music to all ages and inspiring the next generation of talent,” said Amy Ginsburg, executive director of the Southwest Florida Symphony. “These concerts help us provide once-in-a-lifetime educational experiences that spark appreciation of music and performance arts for youth in our community.”

“At Suncoast, we understand the arts add dimension to our lives and provide a creative outlet for those with talent or skill that deserved to be recognized,” said Kourtney Berry, Executive Director, Suncoast Credit Union Foundation. “Witnessing over 1,600 students unite to deliver a remarkable performance was both a sight to see and a sound to remember.”

For more information about the Southwest Florida Symphony, upcoming season performances and subscription and ticketing information, visit swflso.org or call 239-418-1500.

About Suncoast Credit Union

Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida, the 8th largest in the United States based on membership, and the 11th largest in the United States based on its $17.7 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 78 full-service branches and serves more than 1.2 million members across Florida. As a community credit union, anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Suncoast Credit Union’s service area is eligible for membership. In 2021, Suncoast Credit Union’s field of membership was expanded to include public K-12 teachers, college educators, and educational support staff from all of Florida’s 67 counties. Suncoast is passionate about community support. Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $44 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education, and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit suncoastcreditunion.com or follow us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Southwest Florida Symphony

The Southwest Florida Symphony made its debut as a community orchestra on April 15, 1961, playing in schools and community centers, with a roster of only 24 volunteer musicians. Today, the symphony boasts a roster of 70 world-class professional musicians and is Lee County’s only fully professional orchestra and fourth oldest in the state. The Southwest Florida Symphony’s 63rd year continues the orchestra’s tradition of artistic excellence and innovation as Music Director Maestro Radu Paponiu leads another season of spectacular performances. Maestro Paponiu, the sixth music director in the organization’s history, also serves as the associate conductor and youth orchestra director for the Naples Philharmonic in addition to guest-conducting with orchestras throughout the United States and Europe. To learn more, visit swflso.org or call 239-418-1500.