MAY 3, 2015

SARASOTA'S WONDERFUL CULTURAL SEASON NEVER ENDS!! 

The World Premier of LUCK BE A LADY, featuring the music of Frank Loesser, premiered Friday to rave reviews and continues through May 24th.  Featuring a cast of New York stage veterans, a director who is among the best in his field, this will surely be a most sought after ticket during its run.   If you love standards, go to Cabaret, support the Pops concerts, you are sure to enjoy this one..... I will give my review in the May 17th edition.  Stay tuned.......

You still have one more week to see one of FST'S most popular and well attended show in years, AMERICAN PIE.  You are probably tired of my writing about this one, so I'll be brief.  If you have not seen it...GO!!!! 

Continuing on the main stage of FST  is CHAPPATI, a two person play with no intermission.  This one got off to an inauspicious start when the male lead had trouble memorizing his lines and actually used his script for most of the previews.  However, those who have seen this tell me it is worthwhile as both actors have gained momentum with each performance.

  This is season's last show before summer series kicks in June 5 with the first of three shows.  If you have not subscribed there is ample time.  I will have information next week on the summer schedule.

The AJC Global Jewish Advocacy is again sponsoring a summer lunch and learn series. This year's line up will not disappoint.The Lunch and Learn begin promptly at 11:30am with a delicious lunch at Michael's On East and ending at 1:30pm.  You can go to one or all three.  The cost for each is $28.  Reservations are required.  Call 941-365-4955 or email sarasota@ajc.org.  
This year's dates and speakers:

• May 28:  Shira Lowewnberg, AJC's Director of The Asia Pacific Institute
• June 30: Aaron Jacob, AJC's Associate Director of International Affairs; and
• July 28:  Dina Siegel Vann, AJC's Director of the Belfer Institute for Latino &Latin American Affairs. 

RINGLING COLLEGE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION recently announced its TOWN HALL speakers series for 2016, and I am happy to say the lineup is the strongest in years.  The series kicks off with Israel  President Shimon Peres, a month later there's a debate between Jim Messina and Karl Rove moderated by former CBS correspondent Sheryl Attkisson.

Other highlights include Robin Roberts of ABC's Good Morning America, former General David Petreaus and Sir Ken Robinson an International Expert on Creativity and Innovation, finally, novelist Amy Tan who is speaking at the Platinum Dinner.  Tickets for both morning and evening sessions are on sale now.  Click here to become a member and order tickets.

Now playing at Burns Court Cinema, Clouds of Sils Maria comes well reviewed and highly recommended.  Starring Juilette Binoche and Kristen Stewart, this film is easily misunderstood without first reading a synopsis before going into theatre.  Unfortunately, we did not, and therefore had difficulty with storyline until later when reading the aforementioned review.  Stewart has become quite an actress away from her Twilight series and Binoche has never met a role she doesn't chew up.  See the movie, BUT read a review first.

A few weeks ago I wrote extensively about happy hour at various SARASOTA restaurants, and made several recommendations.  Here is one to stay away from!!  Those of you who don't think I am critical about our dining establishments; guess again!!  STONEWOOD GRILL, which was once the best for happy hour is no longer in that category.  Expensive, very limited menu and even smaller portions, I will never go back.  Their regular menu has not changed much since last visit,  but their bar is no longer competitive with what is now being offered all over SARASOTA.

We recently revisited SOCIAL after a long absence.  I am happy to report the menu, service and attention to detail has not changed.  In fact, eating outside on a beautiful spring night made everything taste that much better.

This is the perfect spot for those of you who have FST tickets.  Get there early enough and the FST parking lot next door will have plenty of spaces. Arrive later and you can use SOCIAL valet or  Palm Ave. Garage.  This is one of our better downtown casual restaurants; especially if your in a sharing mood.

Saturday is STAMP OUT HUNGER food drive.  Your mailman will be collecting non-perishable food with mail delivery on May 9.  Be sure to hang a bag of food items or place one next to your box.  The food will be delivered to either Manatee Food Bank or All Faiths.  This is one of most successful food drives of year.  Please do your part and contribute.

JIM'S RANT....Thursday's SARASOTA Herald-Tribune had two disturbing front page articles.
"Get Used To It!" and "Finishing What Work They Can."  The first deals with the on-going traffic problems year round, and the city's unwillingness to tackle the issue. The latter has to do with our State Legislature which is in chaos with no budget and several funding issues  unattended to including but not limited to  Rowing park funding, Medicaid,  and the BUDGET!!!  Traffic will not be improving soon if ever; especially with all the downtown building.  AND Tallahassee will continue to be dysfunctional until we get together and demand more out of our Representatives and Governor.

UNIVERSITY PARK NEIGHBORS AND THEIR DOGS


Thanks as always to Tracy for her attention to detail.  Have a great week see you soon........JIM