APRIL 9, 2017

Passover begins Monday at Sundown and lasts until next Tuesday.  If  you haven't made those Easter brunch and dinner reservations...one week to go.

 

Broadway 2017-18

Over the past few weeks, Sarasota's  many performing arts companies began announcing their 2017-18 schedules.  Add the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall to that list with Monday's announcement of their Broadway, Classical and Dance schedule for next season.
  
As always, the line-up is impressive, highlighted by national tours of several big-name Broadway shows along with three of the finest classical  musicians in the world.  More performances will be added in the coming months.

Renee Fleming, Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell

Renee Fleming returns January 16.  Joshua Bell appears March 24; while Yo-Yo Ma's date is April 19.  They are joined by" MOTOWN The Musical", centerpiece of the Broadway season.  Telling the story of the record label that gave us among others Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and The Supremes, it opens March27 and runs through April 1.  Cabaret, Jersey Boys, A Chorus Line are on the list as well.

Subscriptions are available at their box-office or by calling 941-953-3368.

Florida Studio Theatre's main stage concludes its season with the regional premier of Rich Girl.  Running through May 26, this romantic comedy tells the story of a wealthy woman who falls in love with a penniless man and the attempt by her mother to change the dialogue.  This is a modern update of a Henry James novel Washington Square, published originally as a short story in an 1880 edition of Harper's New Monthly Magazine. 

Performances are in the Gompertz Theatre 1241 Palm Avenue.  You can purchase tickets by calling 941-366-9000.  Or click here to purchase tickets on line. Also be one of the first to subscribe to the 2017-18 season here as well. 


If you're looking for a casual restaurant, now is the time of year to head to Longboat.  Traffic is lighter, the days are longer, and the parking easier. 

It's  been several months since we've been to DRY DOCK, but met friends there a few Fridays ago, and am happy to report, nothing has changed including the menu.   From hamburger, to pasta, to soup and all sorts of sea food, there is something for everyone.  Love their chili and salmon BLT.

Open Monday to Sunday 11am-9 pm.  Dry Dock does not take reservations, but allows preferred seating when available.  You should plan to call a few days ahead for that feature;  however in a few weeks the degree of difficulty diminishes.  Located at 412 Gulf of Mexico Drive,  941-383-1012.  Just a few miles down the road....

Taomina Talk/Marjorie Sayer

The annual WCA(Women Contemporary Artists)  Spring Exhibit is on now and will be through May 11.  Located at Longboat Key Center for the Arts, 6860 Longboat Key Drive South.  Hours for Exhibit are Tuesday-Saturday 9:30-4:00pm.

This Exhibit showcases the work of WCA whose membership includes painters, sculptors, print makers, collage artists, fabric artists and more.  If going, you are sure to enjoy the variety and quality that this exhibition will present.

Congratulations to friend and neighbor Marjorie Sayer for earning 1st place two years running; and  to another friend, Janet Mishner, who won a Merit Award.

JessicaChastain

The countdown is on for spring/summer movie releases.  Several look promising this year.  One that opened in recent weeks, comes from a best-selling book.  Starring  Jessica Chastain,  The Zookeeper's Wife, tells the story of an amazing woman who along with her husband, saved hundreds of people and animals at Warsaw's zoo during  World War 11.  If you wait a few weeks, I'm sure this will land at the $2.00 Parkway.


An eagerly awaited juried showcase, 2017 Best Of Ringling began Saturday and will run through April 22.  Exhibitions are open  to the public free of charge, Monday-Saturday 10-4pm.  There are twelve exhibits including Advertising Design, Computer Animation, Interior Design, Motion Design and photography. Call 941-359-7563 click here for list of exhibit buildings along with their address.






JIM'S RANT.....Hats off to Florida Department of Traffic for its efforts to educate many on the traversing of soon to open Diverging Diamond.  At presentations in Lakewood Ranch and University Park they are putting a light-hearted spin on a very serious issue. Opening well ahead of schedule in a few months, the Diamond at University and I75 should be easy to travel for those of us who pay attention......


Thanks again for reading.  Enjoy the week, and I'll see you sometime next Saturday.....JIM

A few more hours for this one!!!