v Let there be Pilates!
Zoom meetings took the island by storm, with no exception to fi tness.
Banyan Tree Pilates & Yoga owner Jan Waters gave the people what
they wanted. By March, yoga, Pilates, meditation and personal training
were offered in the form of virtual classes. What’s even better is that 10
percent of each payment for the April classes went to Meals of Hope,
an organization to help feed the hungry. They raised more than $1,000
for that cause. They also donated 10 percent of the income from May’s
online revenue to Suncoast Humane Society.
Jan believes in the power of freeing your mind of worry. So, what
better way than to continue that 30-day workout challenge from home
or perfecting the warrior pose in your pjs?
v Entertainment over the airwaves
Not only did fi tness commence through internet classes, but “Grande Glee” in Boca Grande
produced an online singing soirée that brought the music back to the islanders. Their Brady
Bunch conferences shed light on the joy of singing together again, even with their members
scattered across the country.
Quarantine time was interspersed with impromptu readings, songs and some duets,
performed by Grande Glee members from their homes. Some were poignant, some were
funny, but all were truly indicative of Boca Grande, and the spirit of those who live here.
Members of the group, as well as directors Sharon Ponte, Elaine Skypala and Erica Ress
Martin, all came together in a most delightful mix, and decided not to let the health crisis get in
the way of their fun.
Spark Boca Grande TV, a YouTube channel made specifi cally for performances, was also
created by Martin to allow islanders to express themselves through skits and song. The
infamous YouTube channel has brought actors from the stage to their own home. Locals have
enjoyed the entertainment provided by their friends and neighbors, acting as someone theyve
never met before. Views have been on the rise with offerings such as “Home with Heidi,” where
Elaine Skypala cooks up her best recipes and accent in her kitchen while wearing a braided
wig; “Hip-Hop Granny,” starring Karen Snyder, and her musical journey from Bruno Mars to
Footloose”; and Mary Hancur starring as Carmen Miranda portraying Madame LaZonga from
the early 1940s.
Jan and Ron Waters from
Banyan Tree Pilates & Yoga.
Their livestream play in
May, “His Second Act,” takes
the cake. The Ed Gross
original was broadcast live
as the island actors put on a
reading in their best
sit-down performance.
Between Erica’s visions and
the unique talents of our
Boca Grande thespians,
locals have had a lot of fun
watching their very own
quirky brand of island
entertainment.
July/August • 2020 • GASPARILLA MAGAZINE 29
Above, the cast from “His Second Act” that included James Martin,
Erica Ress Martin, Sally Johnson, Meryl Schaffer, Kris Doubles, Linda
Rollyson, Maggie Bush, Elaine Skypala and Ed Gross.