MARCH 26, 2017

CAN YOU THINK OF ANYTHING MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN A SARASOTA SUNSET

With its mission of using the transformative power of the Arts to "educate and inspire to create a better world," so begins their 14th annual Embracing our Differences art exhibit.  Located at the beautiful Island Park along Sarasota's Bay Front and showcasing  45 billboard size images.  Opens Saturday 4/1.

BAY FRONT 2016

Created  by local, national and international artists, writers and students reflecting their interpretations of this year's Embracing  theme "everything lives through diversity."

With the Immigration debate raging throughout the world, this organization is at the forefront  stating "our goal is to ensure that everyone is respected, included and valued for their individuality."  What a timely exhibit.

There's a recently opened Sports Grill  in Sarasota at 3005 University Parkway.  I know we don't need another one of these, but when it's as good as it gets;  why not???  From the minute you walk into Duffy's you realize you are in a special place.  

Sure  the noise is hard to take at times, and dozens of television
sets playing different sporting events are a distraction, but the food is every bit as good as advertised.  Their menu is all encompassing.   For instance, how many competitors have mouth watering mussels or sesame-crushed ahi tuna in this setting?   And the ever popular burger in many variations, is one of the best in town.  Add nightly specials, 2-1 drinks,  reasonable prices, and it's easy to see why DUFFY's  is packed daily.

You can Call Ahead 941-777-2100.  Not advertised, but did this last week and with long line at door, we were seated in less than 10 minutes.  Their app is available, and with it you get cash back, free appetizers, and non-advertised specials.  Open 11am-11:00 with an additional hour on weekends. 
 

No sooner do we finish a Fall/Winter season, then the next one is being announced.  Such is the case with Asolo Rep.  After what has been a successful five year run of exploring The American Character, they are embarking on a new adventure for the 2017-18 season "Staging our World".  Defined as "looking at the world culturally, politically and economically."  

Asolo is  starting its new era in a big way with an Andrew Lloyd Webber/ Tim Rice classic Evita opening November 15 and playing  through December.  Winner of several Tonys, , including best musical, book, and revival, Evita is the pop opera telling the story of Eva Peron.  An actress and wife of President Juan Peron of Argentina,  Eva rose to power before suffering a tragic death.

Mounting this production is Josh Rhodes.   He was the force behind 2016-17 season's critically acclaimed and audience favorite, Guys and Dolls.  His work is cut out for him, as Evita has a cast of 29 along, with children and a bigger than normal orchestra.  

Among the other choices for next year are Shakespeare In Love and Ragtime.  More on the entire schedule in the coming months.  For information on the continuing season or 2017-18 click here.

David Ross and Lindsay Arnold

Resisted watching Dancing With The Stars for several years.  However, I was drawn  back Monday night by the appearance of CUBS retired catcher,  David Ross.  What a surprise.  He not only looked comfortable doing the quick step, but came away with  one of the highest scores of the night. 

 Dancing to "Go CUBS Go",  Ross became the first baseball player to compete.   What made  viewing more memorable, was the appearance from Mesa, Arizona via skype of  teammates Tony Rizzo and Jake Arrieta.

I'll be watching  until his inevitable elimination.  The competition if fierce.  You can catch Stars Monday at 8:00 pm on ABC.

 

Han-Na Chang

Nationally acclaimed conductor Han-Na Chang joins the Sarasota Orchestra next weekend for Masterworks: Magnificent Seven.  She is joined by pianist Bertrand Chanayau.

Chang's professional career started at the age of 11, when she won an International Competition.  She went on from there to perform with many of our great orchestras such as New York Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra and Philadelphia Orchestra. 

Featured will be Beethoven's Symphony Number 7,  used in movie, The King's Speech, and Mendolossohn's Piano concerto No.1. performed by Chamayu.  Sounds like an interesting evening or afternoon.  To purchase tickets for next weekend's concerts please click here.

If you're reading this over the weekend and are looking for an hour of entertainment on Monday March 27, you're in luck.  June Lebell and her Musical Mondays  is hosting The Calloway sisters.  Saw Liz with June a few years back at Holley Hall.  Quite a performer, who along with her sister is appearing in concert Sunday at Church of the Palms, where she'll be Monday.   Doors open at 9:50; interview/performance begins 10:30.  Tickets are $10 and can be purchased  at the door.  Self-parking available in  Church lot,  3224 Bee Ridge Rd.

JIM'S RANT...This week, I am in total agreement with Chris Anderson when he writes "Bradenton Has Become What it Feared" in Wednesday's Sarasota Herald Tribune.  Once a city with  mainly locals, zero hamburger chains, minimal shopping and few motels, Bradenton  now has them all, and is as populated as most Florida cities.  Lured by its proximity to Sarasota, easy access to Gulf Coast beaches, "Bradenton, at some point became Fort Lauderdale, the very thing it used to be afraid of."  

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK...AND AS ALWAYS THANKS FOR READING.....JIM

BE CAREFUL SATURDAY