FEBRUARY 28, 2016

IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TONIGHT'S TELEVISION HIGHLIGHT IS YOU'VE BEEN LIVING IN A VACUUM THESE PAST FEW WEEKS.....

There is much controversy surrounding tonight's presentation for total lack  of African-American nominees when so many deserved one.  Chris Rock, who is the emcee, will surely address the slight as will many presenters and winners.  True, Will Smith and wife are boycotting, but Whoppi  Goldberg and John Legend are not.  Here are a few predictions....(I'm always wrong)

Best Picture....Spotlight/ Big Short....one or the other

Tonight's host Chris Rock

Best Director...George Miller(Mad Max)
Best Supporting Actor....Sylvester Stallone....a sure thing!!!
Best Actor...Leonard DiCaprio....hated The Revenant, but he is deserving more for past slights than this awful movie
Best Actress....Saoirse Ronan....an upset, but she was great in Brooklyn
Best Supporting Actress....Kate Winslett....I owe the Steve Jobs movie at least one award   
Best Foreign Film....Son of Saul...now playing exclusively at Burns Court Cinema

The AWARD PROGRAM starts at 7 on ABC and lasts forever!!!  A DVR never looked so good! 

Once every season comes a show that meets the test of true entertainment.  Although I recommended YESTERDAY without seeing it,  I can now confirm that I was correct.

On Sunday we saw the afternoon performance of YESTERDAY at Goldstein Cabaret of FST.  If you have fond memories of the 60's and the music of that era, then you should get to this one before it closes May 15.  In the intimacy of this theater you are so close to the musicians you can make out every word of  the songs that will bring to your youth as well as the good and bad times of those days.  Do not miss it.

This week marks the WORLD PREMIERE of THE SAM COOKE STORY at Westcoast Black Theatre.  Written and directed by Nate Jacobs, it is the story of a musical icon who became the first African-American singer to control the rights to his own music.  Some of those, I'm sure you remember.......You Send Me, Saturday Night, A Change Is Gonna Come and Twistin The Night Away.  Cooke died tragically way too young at 33, but his music and influence in the music world lives on today.  Opening on Wednesday,  it runs through April 9. To order tickets click here.

I am moving my PEDAL FOR PUPS/DOGGY BONES RIDE AND RUN information into the blog, as this is the last week to become a part of this big event.  How can you miss it??  You contribute to the well-being of so many rescue animals and for entering are treated to a free breakfast courtesy of FIRST WATCH, a free lunch courtesy of THE POLO GRILLE, and free beer courtesy of  GOLD COAST distributors of BUDWEISER.

The date is next Sunday March 6, kicking off at 7am and ending after the last runner or biker has his or her fill of meal and beer.  So join us at NATHAN BENDERSON PARK at Cattleman Rd/DeSoto Rd by clicking her to enter or make a donation. SEE YOU THERE!!!

Next Sunday marks the first day of SARASOTA'S 36th Annual JAZZ FESTIVAL.  Presented by our Jazz Club  and running through the 12th, it features performances at Phillipi Estate Park and several locations throughout the market.  For VIP Patron Package & Trolly Pub Crawl Tickets call 941-366-1552. Or call 800-838-3006 for further information.  For schedule of events click here.

Looking for a good fast paced read?  Look no further than the newest James Patterson mystery NYPDRED4.  Written by Marshall Karp (I'm sure you must know by now that Patterson isn't writing any of his books.  He's got a team of writers that turns them out monthly or bi-monthly releases).  Recommended by Mark Freed, I decided to read this one after avoiding Patterson's books for years.  Red4 is a fast paced mystery (what else) large print, small chapters and easy to read on the treadmill while at Crunch or whatever gym you choose.

Debbie Yonker returns with a review of an oldie but goodie on Main St.  I am talking about CAFE AMICI, one of the true originals.  She writes "If one is attending a performance at FST or Opera House CAFE AMICI is a good choice for a reasonably priced dinner.  With quite a bit of competition for their product, AMICI more than holds its own.  Portions are generous.  Our dinners of Chicken Milanese, Pasta Bolognese and Lasagna were all good, if not better than some of pricey Italian restaurants in the area.  There is a full bar with a wine list mostly Italian.  Our service was exceptional and delivered well in time for our theatre performance."

Another Main St. eatery has undergone several positive changes form our last visit a few years ago. Once a book store with food and coffee,  CLASSICO at the corner of Main and Palm is now a trendy location with great menus for bar and regular dining  as well as exceptional service.  AND,  they offer outside seating which is a popular alternative to the inside noise of the restaurant. Their hamburgers, salads and entrees are all delicious.  Most evenings  music begins  after 8:30, so if you want to avoid it,  go early.  Their happy hour menu offers more variety than their downtown competition with pricing  also comparable to other neighborhood competition.

JIM'S RANT....I am following with great interest plans for a new Van Wezel and home for Sarasota symphony.  The INITIAL funding of a planning committee will be $1 million.  Just  8 years ago, Nate Benderson offered the symphony board a gift of land adjacent to the now functioning UTC and $1 million in seed money to build a new symphony hall.  The board with exception of one, turned this down!!!! Too far from Longboat!!!  The planning will cost millions and it will be years before new facilities can be built.  Benderson's would up and running today......

Welcome back Tracy from her BOSS concert.  She and Cathi tell me, Bruce still puts on a great show.  Speaking of shows, hope to see you at Pedal for Pups on the 6th.  It will be a fun party with lots of bikers, runners, walkers and dogs.  Thanks for reading.  Until next week.....JIM