JANUARY 27, 2019

EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES.....an outdoor experience

One of 45 Works of Art on Display

The beautiful  Bayfront Park is again the place to see Embracing Our Differences, an outdoor art exhibit celebrating diversity.  For the 16th annual event, students from 239 schools around the world submitted artwork  to the juried exhibit that includes 45 billboard-sized works of art, each accompanied by an inspirational quote.

Open daily through March 15, with plenty of parking along the water.  On weekends, if hungry, there are several vendors throughout the exhibit.

 The long wait is over.....after months of construction and permit delays, ROSEMARY & THYME opened its doors Thursday.  Serving dinner only with a familiar, but enlarged menu, you can sit at the bar enjoying your favorite cocktail while waiting for a table.  Yes, ROSEMARY&THYME has a liquor license at their new and upscale location.  Dinner awaits daily 4:30-10:00 PM.

THE ROSEMARY remains open, serving breakfast and lunch from 8-2:30 daily.  In addition, the restaurant is now available in the evening  for large parties, meetings or banquets with a complete catering menu; off-site catering is also offered.    Located on Orange between 4th and Blvd. of the Arts.  Reservations are gladly taken at 941-955-7600.  

SET YOUR RECORDER...Antiques Roadshow-Ca'd'Zan  airs Monday, January 28 at 8p.m. on WEDU.


Lots of laughter coming from Players Center for Performing Arts these days with their production of HAIRSPRAY.  I saw this one on Broadway in 2002, in a movie theatre in 2007, and at Manatee Players in 2011, and again in a live television performance a few years ago.

 Have not seen this production yet; though Jay Handelman's review in the Herald almost makes me want to see this a fifth time.  The lead character,  Tracy Turnbald,  is played by Klye Ann Lacertosa, who reprises the role 8 years after Manatee.  Handelman writes glowingly of her performance.

Playing now through February 3, but if demand warrants, could be extended.  You can get tickets now by calling 941-365-2494 or www.theplayers.org.

Comey Testifying before Congress

I wrote last week of RCLA/ TOWN HALL with Shaquille O'Neal and how much I enjoyed the program.  In a few weeks, the second lecture with a name you should recognize, James Comey, promises the same.   Comey is bringing his book, speaking talents, and observations of several Presidents to Sarasota Monday February 4.  The evening lecture is sold out, but single tickets remain for the 10:30 morning session.  Call 941-309-5100 or www.RCLAssociation.com for tickets.

Florida Studio Theatre never ceases to amaze me.   Each season one or more of their Cabaret shows are extended for several months.  Remember 2016-17's Piano Man or last season's Mack the Knife?  Both were extremely popular.  Now comes Guitar Girls,  extended through April 14.  The Hopkins duo knows how to blend music of yesterday and making it relevant today.  For tickets call 941-366-9000 or www.floridastudiotheatre.org.

On Monday February 11 at 5:30 pm, Herald Tribune will be holding a Hot Topics community forum on The State of the Arts.  Hosted by Jay Handelman and Thomas Tryon,  the discussion will focus on the value and impact on arts in this area, and the challenges of funding in our current economy and culture.  Admission is free, but the seating is limited in Holley Hall venue.  To secure a seat to this event go to HotTopics.HeraldTribune.com and click on Current Events.

JIM'S RANT......Seems like a week doesn't go by when I read or hear of a survey placing Florida and Sarasota among worst or best depending on the category.  This past week was no exception as we learned  Florida was the most dangerous state for walkers and Sarasota 4th most dangerous city.  Last week it was bikers who face the most risk here.  Have not seen a poll on traffic accidents, but my bet is we are close to number 1.  Easy to give up biking, but walking, driving???......Thanks for reading.  See you next week........JIM 

Anna Wright Johnson Middle School Bradenton at Embracing Our Differences

JANUARY 20, 2019

I HAVE A DREAM...................

As we remember Dr. Martin Luther King this weekend..."Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

One of our great leaders who left us too soon.  Take time this week to reflect on the man and his messages.


January kicks off the season of craft shows with one of the year's biggest and BEST, the 16th Annual St. Armands  Art Festival.  Blocks and blocks of art, crafts, paintings, jewelry, and food.   Lots of food on the street as well as inside the many Circle restaurants.   Open this weekend 1/26-27 from 10 am-5pm.  

Parking is at a premium so I suggest you carpool from Van Wezel parking lot.  There will be shuttle trolley and bus service throughout both days. 

If you have the time and don't mind travelling to Venice, their 14th Annual Craft Festival is running 1/26-27 in their Downtown area.  That both major shows are on the same weekend tells you the depth of talent in our area.

Conductor Chung Park

Sarasota Orchestra presents its 3rd Great Escapes program January 23-27, and if you don't have tickets yet you better do it now!!  The Wednesday and Friday 5:30 programs are sold out.  Tickets remain for Thursday and Saturday.  Guest conductor Chung Park will ask  the audience to take control of part of the concert as music is picked from a menu of options.

The audience will pick from a menu of options.  From Broadway to the movies, jazz to light classical and more, it's up for grabs as the audience members surprise the orchestra with their picks.  Titled Shuffle with good reason.


The box office is open daily at 709 N. Tamiami Trail.  You can call 941-953-3434.  Or go on-line at www.sarasotaOrchestra.org for tickets to the remaining tickets 1/24,26,27.



If you attend the Art Festival next weekend and want to make a day and evening of it, there are many restaurants to choose from.  Though some distance from the Circle, Euphemia Haye at 5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive continues to thrive as one of that area's better restaurants.  If you're lucky enough to get a table with garden view, it makes for a romantic way to spend an evening.

To be honest, our meals were good, not great.  Maybe we're spoiled with all the new Sarasota dining choices; with several more to open in the next few months.  However, their duck, which I did not have, is served crisp, partially boned, filled with bread stuffing, served with fruit sauce, and was given a positive review by those who ordered it.

Serving dinner only, reservations are a must.  Located at 5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive and open daily call 941-383-3633 to reserve your table for next weekend.  
Their more casual restaurant The Haye Loft does not take reservations, but is a popular for casual dining serving pizza, hamburgers, upscale bar foods, and to die for desserts.




Looking for a complete change of pace this week?  Food, fun and entertainment return to the Palmetto Fairgrounds for the 103 rd annual Manatee County Fair.  Running through 1/27 in the Manatee County Fairgrounds, `1402 14th Ave. W. Palmetto. 

 Lots of country and bluegrass entertainment along with rides including a Ferris wheel like the one shown here.   The livestock exhibits have over 600 exhibitors registered so far.  

 For more information call 941-722-1639 or visit their web site www.manateecountyfair.com.  For a map and updated information pick up a copy of this week's Ticket at any Herald news box.

View of Art Ovation Lobby

We had a visit from good friends this week, and recommended they stay at The Art Ovation.  This Marriott Autograph hotel is barely a year old, but is quickly gaining traction among tourists and locals for over-night stay, galas, and dining.   The rooms are ample and come equipped with the standard stuff along with an IPad for personal use.  Door service, garage parking,state-of-the-art phone usage, art all over the place, and a breakfast worthy of a local visit.  our friends would gladly stay again.

A Marriott member can take advantage of their points at Art Ovation.




JIM'S RANT.......A day doesn't go by when we don't take advantage of the many activities made available to us through the generous support of our  community.   How could we attend the RCLA Shaquille O'Neal lecture,  Ballet, 
Symphony, Asolo, FST, or West Coast without the generous contributions of you and others?   On behalf of Sarasota...THANK YOU......SEE YOU NEXT WEEK......JIM

JANUARY 13, 2019

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW...........

The very popular PBS program, "Antiques Roadshow", which filmed at the Ca'd'Zan of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art will air January 28, February 4 and 11.  The Ringling will host a pre-screening on January 15.  Unless you already have a ticket this event is  SOLD OUT!

Anu Tali is in her last months as Music Director of SARASOTA ORCHESTRA.  I know she has her detractors, but I feel she has brought a renewed  energy and enthusiasm to the orchestra during her tenure.  This week you have three chances (4 if you want to travel to Neel) to see her and hear the orchestra in Masterworks 4, AX Plays Beethoven, Friday-Sunday at Van Wezel.  

Pianist Emanuel Ax, an International super-star, brings his piano to Sarasota, for a performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 1.  Tickets are available for all remaining concerts, but are going fast.  To order visit www.sarasotaorchestra.com or call 941-953-3434.





If you are a regular reader of Blog, you know by now we love eating out; especially at what we consider Sarasota's better restaurants.   That is why we're excited at the long anticipated opening of Rosemary and Thyme.  And now comes news that one of the area's better restaurants, Beach Bistro is expanding beyond its Anna Maria Island location to under construction condo tower BLVD at the corner of Tamiami Trail and Blvd. of the Arts.  They will occupy two floors for dining and drinking.  Opening (hopefully) early 2020.

Following the highly successful revival of The Music man, Asolo Rep is getting serious with Arthur Miller's The Crucible.  First staged on Broadway in 1953, this was meant to be Arthur Miller's take and condemnation of so-called Communist "witch hunt" of that era.  As I write this, The Crucible is in previews with opening last Friday.  Quite a departure from family musical, but Asolo seems to get drama right most of the time. 

 Playing until March 10, you can purchase tickets at box office or call 941-351-8000 or www.asolorep.org.  



As I write today after finishing this week's Ticket insert from Sarasota

Herald Tribune, I know many of you no longer subscribe to their print edition.  Here's a tip for those who don't; Ticket is available weekly free of charge at anyone of the Herald's on-street boxes located up and down Main St. and several locations in retail areas.  I cheat from Ticket weekly.

Its rare to have a festival beginning on a Friday and running in the evening as well throughout the weekend.  The 4th annual Sarasota Seafood & Music Festival is an exception!  Beginning this coming Friday and running through 6 pm Sunday, you can feast on a variety of seafood items, cooked fresh on site.

 Meat and vegetarian items will also be available as will desserts, drinks.  All along with fine arts, crafts and wall to wall entertainment.  Starts 4 pm Friday on Gulf Stream near JD Hamel Park.

When it comes to special occasions no one does it better than Hyde Park.  The only thing lacking from this fine restaurant is the noise associated with most others.  From salad to entree and even dessert the service is impeccable, the food irresistible, the noise tolerable.

You don't have to break the bank to eat at Hyde Park.  Their menu has salads along with one of the best, if not  THE best burger in town.  The big enough for 2 burger comes with ample fries for the table.  Add cheese, bacon, tomato, and you are in for quite a treat.

The bar menu includes the above burger and fries for $5.00  I'm eager to go back!!!!

If you don't have any plans for Wednesday morning, tickets are STILL available for the RCLA lecture featuring Shaquille O'Neal.  Much more than a sports figure, Shaq has gone from playing to broadcasting to business.  I watch him during NBA games on TNT, and enjoy him; sometimes more than the game.  Tickets for the 10:30 lecture at Van Wezel are available by calling 941-309-5100.  The evening lecture is sold out!

JIM'S RANT.....A sad rant this week as I continue my recovery from last Sundays Bears, Ravens losses and try to move on to this weekend's games.  Though a year in Philadelphia at WIP, home of the Eagles radio broadcast gives me some rooting interest; I cannot get excited for them today.  And Chargers, last week's  conqueror of Ravens continue to be nomads as their new home in LA is still being debated.   Wishing for a new Bear's kicker, a less predictable Ravens offense in 2019 and a competitive Super Bowl..........Thanks for reading this week.......JIM

JANUARY 6, 2019

READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL...............

JUSTIN TUCKER

MIKE DITKA

HOW LUCKY I AM TO HAVE TWO TEAMS PLAYING TODAY..........GO BEARS....GO RAVENS

Some of you will read this when results are final, but as I write this on Thursday, the weekend won't be here soon enough.  Hopefully, I'll be as happy then as I am today.

Because of Sunday games, had to change our tickets for FST'S well reviewed Guitar Girls to a February date.  I've told you many times, this venue is user friendly.  Walked up to box office Monday morning, and successfully changed tickets to February; though finding a date was not easy, as this show as well as Unchained Melodies are sold out!!  Several of you have seen Girls to generally enthusiastic recommendation.  Telling the story in song of female singer-song writers, much of the music will be recognizable from our youth.

Rudolph's

Best way to hunt for tickets is to visit their friendly box office which opens at 9 or call 941-366-9000.  Playing in the Goldstein Cabaret, that's also where you will find box office.

I wrote last week about newly opended Rudolph's in Modern Hotel, and asked for an opinion, since I have not been there.  Here's what an anonymous reader wrote...."No Parking.  You MUST use valet.  Generally disorganized.  Service real bad.  Breakfast tasted good-but not easy to eat poached eggs out of flat saucer. Ambiance in the bar is attractive.  Main restaurant is stark, plain, not very interesting.  Suggest waiting awhile to try it again...maybe they will have their act together."

Drove by again several times this week, only to find Rudolph's empty at most dining hours.

You still have a few days to purchase single tickets to RCLA lecture series beginning a week from Wednesday  on 1/16.  Shaquille O'Neal, former NBA star, TNT color announcer and entrepreneur is up first.  Call 941-309-5100 to reserve your seat for what promises to be a lively presentation of sports and business.  

We did something very different New Year's Eve.  Along with Buddy and Linda Kaufman, 

Delicious Complimentary Key Lime Pie

we  drove to Venice to dine and theatre.  Arriving under 45 minutes and finding a parking space in front of CAFE VENICE, we were seated quickly in a quiet rear booth.  This is a family owned restaurant, as most are in Venice.  Service, attention from staff, wine, food all better than many here.  Reminds me of Michael's, Bijou or Rosemary, to name a few here in Sarasota.

CAFE VENICE is changing locations, but only across to the other side of Venice Avenue at 101.  If you plan on a trip to this friendly city, I suggest calling Cafe Venice for a reservation at 942-484-1855.  There are several more  family owned restaurants in Venice, including the excellent Cassariano Italian Eatery,  which recently opened a branch in UTC area.  I have a complete list.

After dinner

we walked around the block to see Capitol Steps at their 8 o'clock performance of Make America Grin Again.  Not only grin, we laughed out loud for the almost 2 hours in the theatre.  If you've never been, VENICE THEATRE  is compact without a bad seat in the house.  Their next show is Always Patsy Cline Jan 11-Feb 3.  Call 941-488-1115 or visit them at VeniceStage.com for their year-round schedule. Well worth the ride.

Made an interesting discovery while doing research for this week's blog.

The real Neal Diamond

  Jay White and his Sweet Caroline show, which played New Year's Eve at Van Wezel will be at Venice Theatre next Sunday at 8pm.  Tickets for $42 less than 1/2 the price of Van Wezel.  When you're able to see a performer's hard work up close, in my estimation, it makes for a more meaningful performance.

VENICE THEATRE continues to add to their calendar.  You can go on-line to keep tabs, or keep it here and I will up date 

I enjoy rediscovering restaurants not visited in months.  Took a walk to CARAGIULOS on a balmy Sarasota evening and had a terrific meal.   Had a superb glass

of house merlot along with their warm bread.  Followed by their famous Chopped 1989 salad which can easily be shared.  The main course was one of their signature pizzas topped with caramelized  onions, sausage, mushrooms and broccoli.  Coffee and donuts served as dessert.  Though crowded inside and out, the noise was tolerable and service swift.

Caragiulos accepts reservations for parties of 6 or more at 941-951-0866.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR....Sarasota Art Festival kicks off the art/craft show season next weekend, January 12-13, 10AM-5PM Downtown Sarasota on Gulfstream!!!

JIM'S RANT......The saga called Tampa Bay Bucs continues.  Yes, I know, Dirk Koetter was fired Sunday before his shower, but he wasn't their only problem.  What about a GM who after 5 years has zero playoff games and one 2nd place finish.....has never been able to draft a capable place kicker....who made Jameis Winston the franchise quarterback only to have him under-achieve and be hit with 3 game suspensions for off-field antics....and has seen attendance fall to an all-time low in 2018.......Hope I'm wrong, but don't expect much in 2019....Thanks for making 2018 memorable.  Here's to more in 2019..........JIM

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RESTAURANT OPENING ALERT.......The wait is almost over......ROSEMARY  & THYME after many delays is opening in the next few weeks.  I am sworn to secrecy, but George is about to create the most talked about new restaurant/bar  in years! More next week.