HAPPY THANKSGIVING.....
JIM KNOWS SARASOTA returns early December.
For those of you who did not receive last week's blog you can go to archive to retrieve. Thanks for you reading and have a great holiday and start to the Holiday season!!!!
JIM............
BROADWAY COMES TO SARASOTA......
Broadway favorite, ONCE, kicked off Florida StudioTheatre's 2017-18 Winter Stage season this week. Winner of 8 Tonys in 2012 as well an Oscar for best song in an earlier 2007 movie; this one promises to be must-see until closing in January. And positive reviews only add to the demand.
A charming tale of an Irish street musician who is about to give up his dreams when an unlikely connection forces him to reconsider. A minimalist set including a bar center stage where you can come up to buy a drink before and at intermission.
Season tickets are still available for 4 shows at $59. To get on line access please click here. You can also call 941-366-9000.
A few miles north on The Trail you can attend still another Broadway Classic, as EVITA opens the Asolo Rep season this Saturday. Winner of 8 Tony Awards in 1979, this one is ageless. Evita has been called the ultimate Webber and Rice musical.
Eva Peron used her charisma and beauty to rise from poverty to become first lady of Argentina at the age of 27. That she died at so young an age makes her story and this musical adaption of it, that much more dynamic.
Who can forget Madonna in the movie version, along with Jonathan Pryce and Antonio Banderas as Che. You can still catch this On Demand, as I did last week. It's ageless!!!! Tickets are reasonably priced for most performances. Their box office is now open but you can be your own box office at home by clicking here.
Those of you who are wondering about the Wallenda Family's whereabouts; they are alive and well in New York. Appearing in Big Apple Circus, now through January 7, Nick and family close the second act with their seven-person-high-wire-pyramid.
The Wallenda fall during a performance at Circus Sarasota this February is still fresh in my mind, as is Nik's performance a few days later. According to the NY Times review "...too nerve racking to watch, even with an air mattress that could sleep 90 inflated below."
If you're planning a trip to NY soon then you can call 212-257-2300 or click here for tickets.
Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away, and I know many of you have already
started preparing for that holiday and the ones that follow. What better way to get an early jump on Christmas/Chanukah shopping than visiting a Craft Show these next 2 weekends.
If you're reading this on Sunday, then you have a few more hours for the 29th annual St. Armands Art Craft Festival.
And if you missed this one, this coming weekend will provide another opportunity. The 5th annual Sarasota Fine Art Festival runs November 18-19 at the corner of Gulf Stream Ave, and Main St. If you go Saturday before 1:00pm, you can take in the Farmer's Market as well.
Debbie and Mark return this week with a review of recently opened Speaks Clam House in Lakewood Ranch. They write..."Only open a few weeks they are already on wait at 7:30. Food is Italian style with heavy emphasis on seafood. Also available are meat and pasta dishes. Entrees are served with two side, and along with salad , plenty to eat.
We ordered Fish N' Chips and grilled swordfish. Both were reasonably priced and delicious! Their happy hour features name vodka for $5. We will be back to this very good addition to the neighborhood."
For those of you reading on Longboat or west of 75, SPEAKS plans to open its second location on Presidents Blvd. next month.
As Speaks opens, two University corridor favorites have closed. Square One Burgers and Daily Eats are no longer.
For those of you who do not subscribe to Herald Tribune anymore, you have missed this news: their Hurricane Recovery Expo is Saturday Nov18, 10-3. Located at Sarasota Main Plaza, adjacent to Hollywood 20. Panel discussions, builders, preparation vendors, storm recovery experts and more. Admission is free!!!!
JIM'S RANT.......Am I the only one who feels this way, or is Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Kotter always sad? Even when winning, which is rare this season, he NEVER smiles. No wonder a team that showed so much promise in 2016, stinks up the place in 2017.....and what about my woeful Bears? Go Ravens....How many days to Spring Training???....JIM....see you next week, then its off for a few........
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO FORGOT.......
Waited a few weeks before sampling the store that has Sarasota buzzing: LUCKY'S MARKET!!!
Located Tamiami Trail and Siesta Drive at the foot of Westfield-Siesta it is well worth the trip.
Though similar to better known Whole Foods and Fresh Market, Lucky's brings a new approach to warehouse shopping.
Sure Sprouts or Publix has comparable items available as do the aforementioned, but simply stated, Lucky's is more fun. What better way to shop than with a draft beer in one hand and cart in other. Only in America.
Their produce is organic and the meats are smoked while the sushi is rolled right before your eyes. If you like chicken or tuna salad, they prepare it while you watch. And their turkey is real, not processed, as sold by most competitors. Well worth the price!! NOW, if they could only get all those shoppers to visit the Mall!!!
Had lunch this past week with Marlene Meyer at recently opened ACROPOLIS on Cattleman in Benderson shopping center. She writes, " The restaurant has a Greek feel with white and blue interior. It is large, sleek, and open; however, we took advantage of a beautiful day and ate outside.
To begin, the bread (although not pita as described) with tzatzki sauce was delicious. Our Lentil soup was well prepared, as was their Horiatki Salad. For those of you unfamiliar with this salad, it is Greek without the lettuce." Go ahead and click here to view their entire menu.
We had few complaints about meal, but both pick Appolonia and Blu Kouzina for Greek food over this place.
A word of caution, most evenings there is belly dancing, plate breaking, napkin throwing, and loud live music.
By now, most of you have heard about the Ringling Library Association TOWN HALL lecture series. The 2018 edition will be their 38th year of presenting outstanding speakers to the community.
This year's list reads like a who's who of news and decision makers. Leading off on Monday January 22 is former Presidential advisor and CIA director, John Brennan. I am not privy to his lecture, but I will be eagerly awaiting the Q and A session. John Meecham, who appears regularly on NBC is the second speaker, and he too should have a lively Q and A.
Immediately following the lecture, lunch is available with speaker in the Grand Foyer of the Van Wezel. Best to order by phone at 941-309-5100. Hope to see you there in January.
For those of you who have been to CUBA, or are planning a trip there in the near future you will find Nelson DeMille's new thriller, THE CUBAN AFFAIR a quick and entertaining read.
The tale begins in Key West and involves a charter boat owner with his cranky partner captain, a Cuban-American female friend, and a lawyer up to no good. They head to a fishing tournament in Cuba, and while there search for a hidden cache of money. If you're looking for fast paced entertainment and an escape from the recent headlines you've come to the right place.
It was not a surprise, but disappointment, when Anu Tali announced she is stepping down as Music Director of Sarasota Orchestra at conclusion of 2018/19 season. She has brought an international spotlight to our community, and for that we're grateful.
Tali returns the weekend of 11/10-12 with this season's first Masterworks concert.
This opening concert features works of two great masters, Gustav Mahler and Antonin Dvorak. Included in the program is Mahler's always stirring Fifth Symphony, and guest soloist Adolfo Arenas performing during Dvorak's beautiful and expressive Cello Concerto.
Tickets for these performances at Van Wezel are available. for both evenings as well as Sunday afternoon. To order tickets on line, you can click here.
Tickets start at $33; an exceptional value for this program. You can also call 941-953-3434.
We have a Federal Holiday at the end of this week. Since 1938, our official holiday honoring persons who served in the military is celebrated on November 11. Since that day is Saturday, we are observing on Friday. We are already being bombarded with SALES!!!
JIM'S RANT.....For years, I've been an avid viewer of local news; especially during hurricane season when they scare me to death!! But lately, Ive grown weary of the endless commercial breaks. When I was in broadcasting, breaks were limited to 3, maybe 4 products AND product protection. No more. The other night Toyota was a sponsor of newscast, and after a break of 4 different auto manufactures, not one spot for Toyota. I know commercials are what drive profits, but does anyone have empathy for the viewer???..........Once again, thanks for reading. See you next week......JIM
A charming tale of an Irish street musician who is about to give up his dreams when an unlikely connection forces him to reconsider. A minimalist set including a bar center stage where you can come up to buy a drink before and at intermission. 
Eva Peron used her charisma and beauty to rise from poverty to become first lady of Argentina at the age of 27. That she died at so young an age makes her story and this musical adaption of it, that much more dynamic. 
started preparing for that holiday and the ones that follow. What better way to get an early jump on Christmas/Chanukah shopping than visiting a Craft Show these next 2 weekends. 
Though similar to better known Whole Foods and Fresh Market, Lucky's brings a new approach to warehouse shopping. 
By now, most of you have heard about the Ringling Library Association TOWN HALL lecture series. The 2018 edition will be their 38th year of presenting outstanding speakers to the community. 
For those of you who have been to CUBA, or are planning a trip there in the near future you will find Nelson DeMille's new thriller, THE CUBAN AFFAIR a quick and entertaining read. 
It was not a surprise, but disappointment, when Anu Tali announced she is stepping down as Music Director of Sarasota Orchestra at conclusion of 2018/19 season. She has brought an international spotlight to our community, and for that we're grateful. 
