DECEMBER 4. 2016

LOOKING FOR THE UNUSUAL  CHRISTMAS/ HANUKKAH  GIFT???

Tickets are now on sale for CIRCUS SARASOTA'S  Winter 
performances, under the big-top again at Nathan Benderson Park.  Next year's 20th edition  features  the legendary Nik Wallenda and his troupe of high-flying acrobats.  Wallenda is just one of several international circus artists appearing from Friday February 10- Sunday March 5, 2017. 

This show sold-out last year without Wallenda!  Prices range from $15-$55, and are available by clicking here.  

Sailor Circus has several shows later this month at Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahai Vista Street.  For those of you unfamiliar with these performances, this is an annual production featuring over 100 students ages 8-18 as they flip, fly and soar in their popular venue.  Tickets are Adults $20, Children $15 and are available at above site or by calling 941-355-9805. 

The television event of the year is happening Wednesday 8pm as NBC presents a 3 hour LIVE performance of HAIRSPRAY.  Most of us have seen one or more versions of this John Waters classic;  first as a movie in 1988, then on Broadway in 2003 where it won 8 Tony Awards,  including best musical, then on several Royal Caribbean Cruise ships, where it is sill playing.

Harvey Firestein is back as Edna Turnbald, the mother of daughter Tracy who is at the center of this show.  Firestein won a Tony for best actor in a musical, and has been away from the theatre  for too long.  He's got this one down pat.  He is joined by Jennifer Hudson, Kristin Chenoweth, Derek Hough and newcomer Maddie Baillio as Tracy.  Set in the 60's in Baltimore when teen-age dance shows on television were the craze.

If you're going to any of the shows at Florida Studio Theatre this season,  and are looking for a bite before or after the show, you should consider Social 1219 First Street.  Within easy walking from both venues.

  That's what Debbie Yonker and Mark Freed did a few weeks ago.  "Arrived early and had their pizza special which includes a glass of wine all for $15, and easily shared with another couple.  This is available from 5-7pm.  We met friends several nights later and ordered the meat and cheese platter, a dish of classic meatballs, a house salad and dish of polenta and mushroom sauce.

The platter was more than enough for the four of us.  The five meatballs were in a very good tomato sauce with mozzarella cheese melted on top.  This is definitely a place we will dine again pre-FST shows." For reservations call 941-321-2344.

Debbie and Mark also report that Fast n Fresh in the Cooper Creek shopping center is changing its menu and name.  When re-opening in January it now will  be PLATED modern
 KITCHEN.  Their new menu with feature house made plates chopped, sliced, roasted, grilled and simmered daily, then plated to satisfy your craving for wholesome, nutritional foods.  For a sneak peek at their menu click here.


And just in from the amazing duo, C'est La Vie's downtown location has joined their Cooper Creek
location by serving dinner Wednesday-Saturday from 4pm-9:30pm. 

While continuing the very successful run of Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves, FST's CABARET,  last week began it's second show of the season Piano Man.  Who comes to mind immediately?  Billy Joel, of course.  But there is so much more to this show than Joel.  How about Sir Elton, Manilow, Wonder and Charles.  This is music we can all relate to, sing along with, or just kick back  and enjoy the show.  There is still time to purchase a season subscription with the opening show extended through February 5.  Click here and you'll be on FST's website. Or if calling is easier dial 941-3667-9017.


While we eagerly await end-of-year movie releases, there are two playing now that I highly recommend.

Allied is a World War 11 romantic thriller directed by Robert Zemeckis of Back to Future and Forrest Gump.  It stars Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard as an intelligence officer and resistance fighter, respectively, who fall in love during a mission to kill a German official.  Too stylized for some, but pure Casablanca escapism.

A Man Called Ove is adapted from book of same name.  A drama comedy about unexpected friendship, love and the importance of surrounding yourself with the proper tools.  This exceptional film is currently at Burns, where you must have a sweat shirt and long pants, but should be at Parkway Cinemas momentarily.  If you don't cry at the end of this one, you have no heart!!





JIM'S RANT....Since closing in the summer, Reverly Restaurant's location on University has been vacant.  No longer.  It was announced a few weeks ago, a new tenant will be taking over soon and they are not local (shame on us for not showing more support to Reverly), but a national chain of Sports Themed Restaurants, Duffy's.  Just what we needed; another sports bar serving burgers, pizza, salad and soups. As if we didn't have enough on the University corridor.........

 


Thanks for reading.  See you next week when it will be 3 more until....................................................................................................