DECEMBER 1, 2019

HOLIDAY FAVORITES RETURN TO SARASOTA..................

Kicking off the season is A Motown Christmas.  The Westcoast Theatre troupe revives its hit revue, first performed in 2015 December 4-6 and 18-20 at the Sarasota Opera House.  Featuring all your seasonal favorites along with popular music
from many of Motown's original group of artists.

Nate Jacobs has put together songs by several  Motown favorites as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, The Jackson Five with Michael Jackson, and adds to it your favorite Christmas Carols.  A huge cast has been assembled for these performances, and along with a full orchestra, makes this a must see for Christmas and Pop Music fans.

Tickets are selling fast at Sarasota Opera House box office 61 N. Pineapple; 941-366-1505; www.westcoastblacktheatre.org.

A must-see this year is The Nutcracker performed by the acclaimed Sarasota Cuban Ballet School.  Joined by the Venice Symphony.  This Tchaikovsky classic is popular throughout the year, but especially this time of year.  Performances are 2 and 7 p.m. December 14, and 2 p.m. December 15 at Venice Performing Arts Center 1 Indian Ave. Venice.  Tickets can be purchased at 941-218-3779 or www.veniceperformingartscenter.com.

One final Blog Christmas recommendation for this week,   Sounds of the Season, the annual Great Escapes program featuring  Christmas and Hanukkah music.  Guest conductor Michelle Merrill leads our Sarasota Orchestra through her renditions of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, a Christmas sing-a-long, a melody of Christmas standards and familiar and not so familiar traditional Hanukkah music.  Tickets start at $42 and can be purchased by calling 941-953-3434 or www.SarasotaOrchestra.org.


The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years brings many new movies to your favorite cinema.  However,  why leave the comforts of your couch when Netflix, Amazon and Disney are streaming their new releases on their services.  For instance, one of the best reviewed movies this year is THE IRISHMAN.  Playing in New York, it is now available on Netflix whenever you want to watch it.

From Director Martin Scorsese and starring Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci in a mob story reminiscent of past gangster movies.  Many familiar Hollywood actors have a cameo in what has been called Scorsese's next Academy Award for director and picture.

The Marriage Story from Noah Bombach and featuring Adam Driver and  Scarlett Johanson begins streaming December 6.  If you can't wait, now streaming is The King with Timothee Chalamet or Laundromat from Steven Soderbergh with Meryl Streep. And the Cine World closing film The Two Popes streams just in time for Christmas December 20.

BOOKERVPA.COM

If you're looking for a different entertainment venue for next weekend, I encourage you to consider UNDER THE STARS December 6-7.   Booker VPA is presenting its annual outdoor concert at Eye of the Tornado inside their campus.  This showcase willfeature  music from contemporary to classics to seasonal performed by talented Booker students.  The musicians range from rock to jazz to contemporary.  The program begins at 7p.m.  Tickets are $15 adults and $5 students.

Plenty of parking at 3201 N. Orange.   See you there.  Hopefully the weather will be as beautiful as this week has been.

Looks Good Enough to Eat

The weekend ACTION  takes place December 6-8 on Siesta Beach for their annual SEAFOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL.  This will be the best outdoor last minute Christmas shopping experience before the big day.  Crafts, arts, jewelry and more; by now you know the drill.  Along with all the shopping comes day-long entertainment and some of the best seafood available along the way.  

Festival times are Friday 12-9pm, Saturday 11-9pm and Sunday 11-6.  Parking on the Island is limited, so I suggest arriving early, take Uber or Lyft or grab bus at Westfield/Siesta  Mall.

JIM'S RANT....After so many seasons of awful performances by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, one forgets the good seasons.  I was reminded of the good times this morning when the NFL announced its Hall of Fame semifinalists.  Former Bucs John Lynch, Ronde Barber and Simeon Rice-teammates on the 2002 Championship are among the 25 semifinalists chosen for this prestigious honor. Unless there are drastic changes,  it will be a long time before anything like this happens again.....JIM.....Thanks for reading....see you next week.....

Long Lines at UTC....BLACK FRIDAY

NOVEMBER 24, 2019

WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL START OF CHRISTMAS SHOPPING..............

BUT FIRST....HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Thursday with its football, turkey, stuffing and  apple pie should give you a nice head start to compiling a list of gifts for family, friends and service people as we head towards Christmas.  Six less shopping days should make the shopping even more frantic this year.

When shopping the first place I head is UTC, inside the Mall as well as stores along Cattleman Rd. and University Park, where nearly everything on your list is available for instant gratification.  So many places to eat, even drink and party.  And plan a trip after sunset, as the HOLIDAY displays have gotten more elaborate this year.  And. if you have a young one, don't forget Santa is holding court in center court.




The Sound of Music has kicked off the ASOLO 19/20 season with a show for all ages.  Running through December 28, good seats remain for most performances.  Friend Merrill Wynne writes..."Always enjoy.  Saw opening of Sound of Music. "An absolute must to see". Merrill.

  The box office is open daily at 10am and closes at 5pm Monday, 7:30pm Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-8pm Fri/Sat and 10am-2pm Sunday.  Online ticketing is available 24/7 at www.asolorep.org/ticketing.  Single tickets range from $35-$97.

Be on the lookout for discounts as this past weekend Asolo sent an email offering 16% discount on all ticket pricing.  Might not be a bad idea to get on their email list!

There's always a lively debate about "season" and when it actually begins.  For those of us who call Sarasota home  we can judge by traffic congestion. 

 While shopping  at Total Wine this week I discovered another sign of seasonal arrivals.  When looking for house wine Radius throughout the store, none could be found.  The reason given from manager Ricardo, " The Canadians arrived this week and bought him out!

Went back a few days later and stocked up for the winter.

If you like Mexican food, EL MELVIN, 1335 Main St is now open, and it's a winner.   We had dinner there Wednesday night, and you would have thought they've been open years, not days.  The food is as authentic Mexican I've had in a long time; maybe best in Sarasota.

Many of you will recognize address of  now shuttered Two Senoritas, a so-so Mexican restaurant whose location kept them in business longer than warranted.  EL Melvin management completely renovated the interior for a more comfortable setting,  and if that wasn't enough, added Mexican chefs who know how to create all your favorites.  Our group did lots of sampling from Mexican beer to Tacos, Burritos, to Quesadilla.  And to fully satisfy our hunger shared two desserts.

This is a restaurant for sharing either before or after theater or a night out for dinner with friends.  EL Melvin is open daily 10AM-9PM, and take reservations at 941-366-1618.


Venice Theatre continues to bring back classic Broadway/Hollywood productions.  Now playing through December 1 is the never grows old Mamma Mia!  Yes, I know the recent movie with Cher and Meryl Streep among others still lingers, but there's nothing that beats seeing this show live.  

Michele Walker, writing in a recent Herald Tribune review states "....almost stealing

Venice Theater Mama Mia Cast

the show is the ensemble cast, the true star of this production.  What makes Mama Mia works are the production numbers.  Every time the ensemble enters the stage,the energy explodes.  I could have watched them all night."

There's only a few weeks left before MM closes Sunday December 1.  To order tickets call 941-488-1115 or www.venicetheatre.org.  You'll thank me for recommending this one.

 JIM'S RANT.......If you haven't been on Main or Lemon or Orange Streets or the bus station in the past few weeks, you've missed a growing Sarasota crisis.  The homeless population has grown to an alarming number.  One bastion of hope continues to be the Salvation Army which feeds, bathes and affords cots for sleeping.  The Salvation Army is all over the city with bells and kettles collecting money for these efforts.  They need our help...loose change, dollar bills into those kettles will go a long way to making life easier for our homeless population...JIM......thanks for reading...see you next week.

HAPPY TURKEY DAY

November 17, 2019

CELEBRATE 20 YEARS OF WBBT

Nate Jacobs and WBBT Company

Tomorrow (Monday) join the celebration, as West Coast Black Theatre Troupe celebrates 20 years of live entertainment.  The place to be is the Van Wezel Monday November 18, as Nate Jacobs and performers past and present sing and dance the songs that makes this theatre one of the best attended in Sarasota.

Good seats remain starting at $35 to $200 which includes performance and after party.  Call 941-366-1505 or WBBT box office 1012 N.Orange.

Tickets are going fast for the 46th annual Singing Christmas Tree.  First Sarasota Baptist Church and its member choir perform all your favorites in this Sarasota tradition.  First date is December 4 at 7:00pm, with matinee and evening performances ending December 11.

Adult tickets are $15.00, while children

under 12 are priced at $10.00. They are available at the church lobby ticket office 1670 Main Street  10:00AM-1:00PM, or by phone at 888-884-5272 from 9:00AM-5:00PM Monday thru Friday.  For those of you who love Christmas music, this is an event not to be missed.

An article in

Sarasota Singles Enjoying Sarasota

Wednesday's Herald caught my eye...Five Florida Cities make list for singles....Guess what?  Sarasota was not one of them, to no one's surprise.  Our neighbor to the north, Tampa, was one of the winners, along with Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tallahassee.  Since Sarasota is not a singles paradise, we'll take our Best Place To Live #1 ranking and move on.


Continuing two more weeks is this year's Sarasota Medieval Fair.  Running weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) 10am-5pm.  Conveniently located at Ringling Woods behind the Fairgrounds with ample parking at Fairgrounds.   There are several ticket packages available online at www.Sarasota MedievalFair.com , and by purchasing online and using Discount Code JOANSRQ you get a $3 discount off each ticket. Be prepared for continuous entertainment, pub food, beer and exhibits with a Medieval theme.

There's a reason we keep going back to some of Sarasota's older restaurants.....good food, good service, and fair pricing.  This past week we visited one for brunch and the other dinner.

 Since opening in 2011, Toasted Mango, 430 N. Tamiami Trail has been serving breakfast and lunch 7 days a week 7:00 am-3:00pm.  The menu has not changed much in their 8 years, nor has the service; in fact, based on our meal this past week, they are even better than remembered.  The scrambled egg-white omelette was perfect as were the fries, fruit and home-made biscuit.  Writing this, I have the urge to go again this weekend.

Mango Egg Before Scramble

Tables turn over quickly, so even on most busy days, the wait is not long; and if you can call ahead at 941-388-7728 most days you can walk right in to a table.  One word of caution; Mango's parking lot is small, and street parking can be difficult during the week, but walking a block is a small price to pay for a reasonably priced meal.

For dinner with two other couples we chose Mediterraneo 1970 Main St.  Since opening in 1996, Mediterraneo  has been serving contemporary Northern Italian style cuisine, and though others have attempted to do the same, and still do, Mediterraneo does it consistently better!  From pasta to pizza to seafood, you won't go away hungry.  The meal starts with bread and bread stick basket and ends with their homemade biscotti.

Open for lunch and dinner for casual or special dinning there is no better location than Mediterraneo. To make your experience even better, sit in their back room with Amy as your server.

This year's recently concluded Cine World Film Festival showcased several movies being released in the next few weeks.   The Two Popes, starring Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce is a true story taken from 2012 headlines when Pope Benedict retired.  The Report, which has had no advance publicity until Thursday's NY Times insert stars Annette Bening, Adam Driver and John Hamm.  Both films should be in Academy Award conversation early next year.

Good news for those of you who have Amazon Prime and Netflix!  Report will be streaming on Prime later this month, and Pope debuts on Netflix in December.
 

Now in its 30th year, Cine World sadly has now grown but regressed, as attendance, except for Popes, was abysmal for most of the screenings I saw.  With little promotion, and less word of mouth, it didn't surprise me.



JIM'S RANT....For many years I have driven by Booker High School and wondered what was inside all those impressive buildings.   This week I had a chance to see for myself, as Roberta and I were treated to a tour.  Booker could easily pass as a college with building after building of classrooms, labs, gymnasium and athletic fields far surpassing any high school I've ever been to.  And everyone we met from students to teachers to principals were first rate.  One more "attraction" that makes me fortunate to live here.....JIM.....thanks for reading....see you next week.

 Library

Entrance to Booker

Gymnasium

NOVEMBER 10, 2019

VETERANS DAY 2019...........

Take a moment tomorrow (Monday) to reflect and remember those veterans who fought and lost their lives to protect our freedom.  It is important to them and to you!

Several tributes are planned tomorrow, but the biggest and best attended is the annual Veterans Day Parade.  Kicking off at 10:00 a.m. on the corner of Main St and Osprey and wrapping up on corner of Main and Gulfstream.   Among the participants are the Sarasota Jazz Club Band and guest speaker and retired U.S. Army Col. Michael P. Ryan who served 10 years as senior Army Instructor at Sarasota Military Academy. Wear something patriotic!!  

This weekend is a great time to get a head start on Holiday shopping; and what better place than the last day of The 31st Annual St. Armands Circle Art Festival.   This one features most of the artisans you've followed and bought from over the years; in fact more than 200 artists are on site to sell and discuss their product.  And plan to attend next weekend's big art festival downtown.  See below****

If a smaller show is your thing, next weekend 5 Women 1 Show returns to Rane Studio.  For sale will be jewelry, clothes, table decor, small paintings and ceramics.  And while you're shopping wine and refreshments will be served.  What better way to spend an hour next Sunday.



Florida Studio Theatre's season opener, Bright Star, is generating positive reviews, but even more important, great word of mouth.  This Americana musical by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, though not a smash on Broadway a few years ago, has been streamlined for community theatre, and has become one of the most produced new shows at regional theatres around the country.

Richard Hopkins, FST's producing artistic director, said he chose the musical to open the 2019-20 season because of its "big heart." Meridith Jones, who played country singer Patsy Kline in last year's successful Always Patsy Kline, returns to star.   Her supporting cast is stellar, and as always the sets and production are first class.

Playing through January 3, with nightly and matinee performances throughout the week in FST's Gompertz Theatre, 1247 First St.  Box office is open daily from 10 am or you can call 941-366-9000.  Additional information can be had at www.floridastudiotheatre.org.


The adventurous among you should consider a day/evening trip South to Venice where the Venice Theatre awaits with their own full slate of entertainment.  Along with its own slate of theatrical events is their concert and special events schedule.

Today may be too late for their Florida Bee Gees tribute to the multi-platinum

kings of disco, but not too late for their November 25 production, All About Soul, A Tribute to Billy Joel.  If you've never been to one of their productions you're in for a treat.  Talented singers and musicians from Florida and beyond put on quite a show.

Bee Gees performances are today at 2 and 8 with all tickets $35.  Joel plays November 25 at 8 with tickets priced at $30.  Call their box office at 941-488-1115 or purchase tickets on line at VeniceTheatre.org. 

November 25 at 8 with tickets at $30.  Call box office at 941-488-1115 or buy tickets online at VeniceTheatre.org.  I purchased tickets online a few years ago and had no trouble when visiting theatre.

Hard to believe Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, but it is, and Urbanite Theatre is celebrating the day with its presentation of appropriately titled Thanksgiving Play!  Straight from off-Broadway, the play tackles the intersection and collision of Native American and white experiences.

There are no bad seats at intimate Urbanite.   Running through December 15 with tickets available for most performances.  For tickets call 941-321-1397 or visit urbanitetheatre.org.

JIM'S RANT........I did not plan on any Duffy's mention this week, especially after last week's favorable review.  However, my Tuesday lunch changed all that.  No, the food was as always, plentiful and delicious.  It was the service, or lack of , which was atrocious.  Granted parts of the restaurant were near capacity, but that was no excuse for a surly server and clueless manager.  Drinks from the bar were slow to arrive and food order lagged behind near-by tables.  It will be awhile before visiting this Jekyll-Hyde restaurant.....Thanks for reading.  See you next week....JIM


*****Next weekend, November 16-17 also features the Sarasota Fall Fine Art Festival.  Located at JD Hamel Park at Gulfstream and Main St.  Most of the fine artists from this weekend's Circle show will be here as well along with several new to the area.  Running Saturday and Sunday 10-5.