APRIL 3, 2017

LET THE GAMES BEGIN....TODAY ESPN KICKS OFF THEIR DAY LONG COVERAGE WITH ST LOUIS AT PITTSBURGH...FOLLOWED BY TORONTO AT TAMPA BAY AND ENDING THIS EVENING WITH METS AT KANSAS CITY.....ARE YOU READY FOR SOME BASEBALL!!!!!

GO CUBS!!!!

This  Monday and every Monday is a free day at RINGLING MUSEUM !!!  Free admission does not allow access to  Circus Museum or Ca d'Zan Mansion, but lets you  visit the  grounds and all the wonderful paintings and exhibits in the main building.  It also includes a brief slide presentation in the visitor's center.  And while there check out the MUSE restaurant for lunch or dinner.

Spring Break is NOT over!!!  Looking for a different attraction for your visitors under the age of 18?.... The Sailor Circus is playing all week through Saturday April 9th. 

This is their 67th edition and features students of the circus arts ages 8-18 performing skills learned in The Sailor Circus Academy.  The academy is an after-school training program that began in 1949 as a high school gymnastics class, that grew to include high wire and high flying trapeze.  Over 100 students are participating in the current program. Sailor Circus is located 2075 Bahai Vista St.  To purchase tickets call 941-355-9805 or click here to see schedule of performances and purchase tickets at the same time.

After a few years of resistance, I went back to ROAST restaurant and bar at 1296 1st Street adjacent to the Opera House.  They offer two levels of inside dining and a delightful courtyard for outside dining.  Although somewhat  improved from my last visit, not enough to rush back.   You're on your own on this one.

I had a sampling of hamburger, local green salad, roast pork sliders, Duck fat fries and fish n chips.  All served hot and quickly.  Though noisy on the first floor (what Sarasota restaurant isn't), we were able to carry on our table conversation without yelling at each other.  Convenient to Opera, FST, and Main St. shopping Roast is open  daily for lunch and dinner through. On Sunday, they are open for dinner service only.  Call 941-953-1971 Click here for menu or open table reservation.

Nathan Lane and Robin Williams

One of our all-time classic musicals is currently wowing audiences at PLAYERS THEATRE. La Cage aux Folles, written for Broadway several years ago by Jerry Herman, is still wonderfully entertaining in this current revival. 

If you've ever been to a Drag Queen Bingo show then you will easily recognize Berry Ayers as Albin/Zaza,  the role made famous in the 1996  Bird Cage by Nathan Lane.  As an aside, saw the movie this week ON DEMAND, and it's still entertaining twenty years later!!

If you've never been to a Players production, this would be a good introduction.  The cast is more professional than amateur, and the story is still relevant today.  But you better hurry.  The show runs through next Sunday April 10. Call 941-365-2494 or click here for tickets. Prices are reasonable and available for all remaining performances.

A few weeks ago our many performing arts companies and others began announcing their 2016-17 schedules.  You can add the Van Wezel's Broadway, Classical and Dance to that list.  And as in past years, a recent Broadway production will fill their stage with a full week of performances.  Kinky Boots written by Cyndi Lauper and  still playing on Broadway and more recently in Tampa will be here April 20-25. 

Throw in Pippin, which was recently revived on Broadway, Tony Winner Once, Annie and more to make this their best season of Broadway ever!!!  It wasn't too many years ago when we had to travel to Tampa for our theater.  Now it's right off 10th St. and US41.  For full schedules and subscriptions call 941-953-3368 or click here.  Their subscription brochure is available at box office with several discount categories.

There is still room at  this Saturday's Temple Emanu-EL Brotherhood program, L'Chaim Las Vegas.  The event includes a Slot Tournament offering great prizes including two nights  at Hard Rock Hotel/Tampa, TV set, and HD Fire Tablet, plus a "Fabulous" buffet (quoting Brotherhood) and amazing entertainment.  It takes place in the Benderson Family Hall with a $50 per person participation price which includes all of the above.

Doors open at 5:30 with appetizers, wine and soft drinks.  Lounge acts will be performing while you socialize before the buffet dinner at 7pm.  Immediately following dinner the show begins!!  For reservations or more information contact Don Malawsky dmalawsky@msn.com.

all faiths food bank SUMMER HUNGER campaign began last week,  and the race is on to raise $600,000.00 to feed 30,000 children from May to their return to the classroom.  This amounts to 2.000,000 nutritious meals over the summer months.  And for every dollar raised an additional dollar will match it!!  To make a donation click here or call 941-371-0582

 JIM'S RANT...Isn't it time for those of you who do not know what a YIELD sign means to self-educate yourselves????...with more and more roundabouts flooding the market for some it seems YIELD means just keep going....NO...it means to stop and YIELD to oncoming traffic...then when clear move forward.....this has nothing to do with visitors, foreigners, residents...just common courtesy.....

Tracy has once again edited this gem!!!  Have a great week......JIM