Culture/Education - The Center of Anna Maria Island

The Center is interested in bringing new art, educational, and cultural classes to our community. If you are looking to enrich your mind or lives, learn about a new subject or art form, or just want to be creative, join in one of our many offered classes. For more information please contact The Center (941) 778-1908 or culture@centerami.org. Interested in teaching a class? Request for Proposals

Creating the Florida Landscaping You Love

Creating the Florida Landscaping You Love with Plants to Withstand Extreme Weather and Tropical Storms presented by Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)

Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Cost: $20 (Members) | $25 (Non-Members)

Transform your Florida yard into a stunning, resilient oasis! Learn how to design landscapes that thrive in Florida’s unique climate while withstanding extreme conditions like hurricanes, heavy rains, and intense heat. This engaging lecture will guide you in selecting the best plants for a low-maintenance, environmentally sustainable garden that enhances your outdoor space.

Meet the Instructor:
Tenille Dixon Pawlus is a passionate plant collector, butterfly enthusiast, and advocate for green spaces. As a garden consultant and certified landscape designer from Emory University, she brings expertise in container gardening, sustainable landscaping, and Florida-native plants. She holds a registered Florida nursery license and multiple certifications, including:
✔️ Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program Certified Professional
✔️ GI-BMP Certified
✔️ FNGLA Certified Horticulture Professional

For more information or to register, contact us:
culture@centerami.org | (941) 778-1908

Cinco De Mayo Specialty Cooking Class with Chef Leticia

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo with Authentic Mexican Cuisine!

Saturday, May 3rd
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Cost: Members: $30/Non-Members: $40

Join us at The Center of Anna Maria for a festive and flavorful Cinco De Mayo Specialty Cooking Class with Chef Leticia! With her deep-rooted expertise in Mexican cuisine, Chef Leticia will guide you through the preparation of a classic dish—Flautas!

Learn how to craft these crispy, golden, rolled tacos filled with savory chicken, perfectly paired with her signature toppings and authentic orange rice. But the deliciousness doesn’t stop there! Chef Leticia will also teach you how to make a fun and indulgent dessert—Fried Ice Cream! A delightful treat with a crispy cinnamon-sugar shell and a creamy, rich center, perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Why You Should Join:

✔ Hands-on experience with traditional Mexican cooking
✔ Learn tips & tricks from an expert chef
✔ Perfect for all skill levels—beginners welcome!
✔ A fun and delicious way to celebrate Cinco De Mayo

Special Instructions:

Spaces are limited, so don’t wait! Register now to secure your spot. And most importantly, bring your appetite—because you won’t want to miss out on these amazing flavors!

For more information: culture@centerami.org or (941) 778-1908

Making Sense of Medicare 101

Medicare Educational Discussion & Q&A

📅 Class Date: Thursday, April 24^th
📍 Location: Learning Center
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
💲 Cost: Free!

☎ Phone: 941-778-1908
📧 Email: Culture@centerami.org

Join us for an informative session on Understanding Medicare and get all your questions answered!

Licensed Medicare broker Christopher Alesevich will break down the components of Medicare, its enrollment process, and key details you need to know. Based in Sarasota and licensed in multiple states, Christopher is dedicated to helping individuals navigate Medicare with clarity and confidence.

This educational discussion includes an interactive Q&A, so bring your questions!

Line Dancing

Join instructor Crystal Krause for fun and engaging Line Dance classes! Whether you’re a beginner or looking to step up your skills, these classes are perfect for all levels.

📅 Dates: March 6 – April 24, 2025
📍 Day: Thursdays

Beginning Line Dance

🕑 Time: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
💲 Cost: Free for Members | $10 for Non-Members
🔹 Learn the basics of the international dance craze known as Line Dancing! This class is designed for beginners looking to have fun while picking up easy-to-follow dance steps.

Intermediate Line Dance

🕒 Time: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
💲 Cost: Free for Members | $10 for Non-Members
🔹 You asked for it—here it is! This class is for those who already have some line dance experience and are ready to take it up a notch.

Come dance, have fun, and enjoy the music!

Painting with a Twist (Kids & Adults)

📅 Class Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
📍 Location: Gymnasium
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
💲 Cost:

$40 for Members
$50 for Non-Members

☎ Phone: 941-778-1908
📧 Email: Culture@centerami.org

Join us for a fun-filled night of creativity and laughter at Painting with a Twist! Whether you’re a kid, adult, or family looking for a great time, this class is perfect for all skill levels.

Enjoy step-by-step painting instruction, while making unforgettable memories with friends and loved ones.

Van Wezel Dance Class

Instructor: Justin Gomlak
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM

Cost of Class:

Non-Member: $30 per class | 4 or more classes: $25 per class
Member: $20 per class | 4 or more classes: $15 per class

Class Description and Schedule:

Beetlejuice – April 16, 2025

Join us for a unique and engaging opportunity to experience the magic of Broadway! Led by Justin Gomlak Greer—an opera singer by training, a veteran Broadway dancer and actor, and a dedicated arts educator and educational leader—this class is perfect for theatre lovers of all experience levels.

Participants will begin with a fun and accessible warm-up, followed by learning movement techniques. Each class builds toward a short piece of choreography inspired by one of the Broadway shows coming to the Van Wezel stage. This interactive experience will give you a peek behind the curtain into the creative process of putting together these iconic musicals.

Senior Outings

Mazzaro’s Italian Market: Friday, April 4th

Dali Museum: Friday, April 25^th

Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Meet at The Center at 8:45am)

Cost: $5 for the van ride per outing (additional fees apply for activities).

Important Details:

Limited seats.
Reserve now! Call (941) 778-1908 or email Culture@centerami.orgto secure your spot.

Schedule:

8:45 AM: Arrive at The Center.
9:00 AM: Departure.
2:00 – 2:30 PM: Return to The Center

Island Center Piano Lessons

Class Day: Tuesday
Session Dates:

Session 1: March/April – 4, 11, 25, 1
Session 2: April – 8, 15, 22, 29

Class Times: 30-minute or 1-hour sessions available from 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM

Cost (4 Classes):

30-Minute Lessons: Members: $80 | Non-Members: $90
60-Minute Lessons: Members: $160 | Non-Members: $180

About the Lessons:
Personalized, one-on-one piano lessons for all ages and skill levels. Led by Brandon Kouri, a professional pianist with 15+ years of experience. Lessons focus on skill development, creativity, and the joy of music.

Instructor Bio:
Brandon holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and is the Associate Director of Music Ministries at Roser Memorial Community Church. He has extensive experience accompanying choirs, musical productions, and soloists.

DBTB Juice Bar & Bakery

DBTB Juice Bar & Bakery is open every Wednesday – Friday, 7am-2pm, in The Center Cafe!

Scratch-made with organic flour and produce, they offer a delicious selection of breads, pastries, desserts, juices, coffee, and smoothies. Our mission is to nourish our community with real, unprocessed food, free of preservatives and seed oils.

Dev's Bevs Ice Baths

Ice Baths with Dev’s Bevs

Wednesdays

2 pm to 3 pm (5 minute interval, must pre-register)

Cost: $20 Members | $25 Non-Members

Drop in and experience the benefits of ice baths at The Center with Devinne Whittaker of Devs Bevs. Take a few minutes out for yourself at Devs Bevs Ice Bath Wednesday! Ice baths can reduce inflammation and swelling, relieve sore muscles, improve exercise recovery, improve mental health, and support immunity. Please per-register.

For more info: email hello@centerami.org or call us at (941) 778-1908.

Center Book Club

Normally the 3rd Monday of the Month at 1pm. All are welcomed, books are chosen for the next month at the monthly meetings.

For April: Monday, April 21st

April’s book: The Three Lives of Cate Key by Kate Fagan

Farmers Market

Page Turners Book Club

Each month many of our Page Turners @ CAMI book members meet to talk books. Our unique m.o. is to share our thoughts about any of the books that we individually have read or listened to. We could be hearing reviews of 20 different books! In the process, some of us are inspired to read/listen to a certain reviewed book and come back next month with our own thoughts to share. It can be wild.

Page Turners meet on the first Monday of each month at 4pm at The Center

For more information: dssneddon@gmail.com

March 24 Page Turners

February 24 Page Turners

January 24 Page Turners

SeptOct 23 Page Turners

June.July 23 Page Turners

May 23 Page Turners

April 23 Page Turners

March 23 Page Turners

February 23 Page Turners

January 23 Page Turners