NOVEMBER 9, 2014

ON TUESDAY WE HONOR OUR VETERANS OF PAST AND PRESENT WARS, MANY OF WHOM GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR OUR COUNTRY WHILE SERVING....PLEASE PAUSE AND GIVE THANKS

  

THAT EVENING at 7 on HBO is THE CONCERT FOR VALOR  featuring Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood, Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, Oprah,  and many more of your favorites.  Starbucks is the corporate sponsor and if you are not an HBO subscriber, this one is on them.  The cable network channel will be opened to free viewership.

Today is your last chance to visit ST. ARMANDS CIRCLE for their 26th annual craft show.  Over 100 artists of all stripes are on display.  This event is the real kick-off to the SARASOTA craft show season.  In December the Sarasota Craft Show returns to Robarts Arena.  You can mark the dates 12/5-7 on your calendar, but I will have more on that show next month.  As you know, parking is limited on Circle so get there early or search for a space on the grass.

It has been awhile since movie reviews.  The last one, Gone Girl, is still around, but soon will be replaced by seasonal movies leading to Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. I saw a movie this week which is under radar,  but is a MUST-SEE if you appreciate a small  intelligent  one with over the top acting.  ST. VINCENT features Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts, Terrence Howard and a wonderful young actor Jason Lieberher. It is a story filled with warmth, humor and tears.  At least tears for me, as I cried three times while watching.

If Murray is not at least mentioned at Academy Award time it will be a travesty of justice.  Naomi Watts has never been better and Melissa McCarthy makes you forget about her weight in a truly remarkable totally different performance you are used to from her. 

After not one but two meals at BRIO it is safe to say UTC has another winner among its growing lists of restaurants.    A friendly atmosphere, outside dining, a lively bar scene, tons of people, BRIO is the place for you if you like casual Tuscan style Italian.  Soups, salads, pasta, pork chop, fish all cooked a special way.  Located near Capital Grill, Cheesecake Factory and Season's 52 and with access from the parking lot it gives you another choice for quality dining at reasonable prices. 

A few more restaurants to open in the coming weeks, but from the early sampling of the above and Kona Grill the Mall will be a major competitor to the other restaurants  on University and Lakewood Ranch.

 

The Perlman Music Program 2014-2015 SEASON, including a new series HERE&NOW starts Thursday, December 4 at 7pm with two graduates of PMP:  Rachel Lee Priday, violin and David Kaplan, piano appearing at the SARASOTA  Opera House, followed by an optional Meet the Artists reception.  Tickets begin at $30 for the concert and $40 including reception.  You can learn more by calling the Opera House 941-366-8450 ext.1.

I will alert you when tickets become available for the Perlman rehearsals at FSU.

NOW OPEN.....An exhibit worthy of a trip to the DALI in  St. Petersburg.  Along with Dali's paintings, the popular museum is featuring the art of PICASSO with over 80 of his paintings  as well.  This landmark exhibition highlights rarely loaned works from 20 international art museums and private collections worldwide pairing these two legendary artists.

The exhibit runs through February 16, 2015.  Advanced timed tickets are available now. Weekend hours through the exhibit have been extended until 8pm on Friday and 5:30pm on Sunday.  For more information and purchase of tickets, timed or otherwise click here.

This is one more advantage of living or visiting SARASOTA....our easy accessibility to either Tampa or St. Pete for even more culture.  The Dali offers trolley service to downtown St. Pete for other museums and restaurants while leaving your car right where it sits in their parking lot.

Last year, all 1,500 tickets for The Grand Tasting event at the annual FORKS&CORKS Food and Wine Festival (Jan 23-26 2015) sold out in under 8 minutes!!! Tickets go on sale TOMORROW at 7pm. But you don't have to be left out in the cold!!!  General admission tickets are $95.  Get on line before 7 tomorrow and wait your turn.




We saw a truly memorable MASTERWORKS performance last night.  The orchestra has never played so brilliantly or seemed so enthusiastic as they were with ANU TALI conducting.  If the weather has played havoc with your schedule today (Sunday) there are still tickets available at box office for the 2pm performance.  SARASOTA is extremely blessed to have a conductor of Tali's caliber in residence.

  Tonight  at 9(Sunday) on HBO begins the final season of Newsroom starring Jeff Daniels among others.  If you appreciate great television drama and are interested in how cable news really works Newsroom  is for you.  Daniels is far better in this one than  his new movie with Jim Carrey Dumb and Dumber To due in theatres next week.


JIM'S RANT....with the election behind us, the negative ads history for two years, the country divided, isn't it time for both parties to stop the bickering and come together for once.  Won't happen with a broken system....BUT, I can dream can't I?  There is one piece of good news from Tuesday...Independent Senator Bernie Sanders is considering a run for President.  Look him up.  Many of you from both sides just might be on his side!!!


Thank you as always,  Tracy and until next week....JIM signing off.....