JULY 2, 2017

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY....ENJOY THE SHOW...DRIVE SAFELY........



Leave it to WBTT to come up with the perfect summer attraction.  Their Broadway In Black presentation is drawing rave reviews from critics and audiences alike.

This new production featuring award winning Broadway musicals that helped launch the careers of Melba Moore in Purlie, Ben Vereen in Pippin, Jennifer Holliday in Dreamgirls, and Nell Carter in Ain't Misbehaven.  The Benjamins write:  The singing and dancing are fabulous.  It is a very entertaining show; do not miss it!"

Be prepared for an entertaining show, but a long one, as their presentation, with an intermission, runs nearly two and a half hours.  Playing through July 23 you can reserve your seats now by clicking here.

Took an excursion south on the Trail last week, and made first, and probably last visit to SPROUTS. I say last, since with two Whole Foods Markets and Fresh Market a few miles from home there is no reason to travel that far for a similar product.  Plus throw in Detwiler's for their meat, seafood, produce and specialty items.

However, Sprouts is a great addition to the market; especially those of you who live south of Main St. The store is wide open, with easy to navigate aisles.  Prices are less than above mentioned stores, but not by much.   Located 8330 S. Tamiami Trail and open daily 7am to 10 pm daily.

Simon's Daily Special Board

While in that part of town,  had lunch at an oldie but goodie, Simon's Coffee House 5900 S. Tamiami Trail.  Open for breakfast and lunch Mon-Sat 8am-3pm;  they are always busy, but with swift service, and not too long a wait.  

Simon's totally wholesome menu offers a wide variety of food options, including vegan and gluten-free.   Their many sandwiches are prepared with daily baked bread by The Bavarian Bakery,  which is also in their strip-mall location.  Outside dining is available as well.

Many of us have been underwhelmed by this summer's movie releases.  Lots of special effects, transformers, mummies, zombies, etc.  Finally, this past week a movie opened for and about humans.  Baby Driver comes zooming into theaters with a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 92% user score.

Starring Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, John Hamm and Ansel Elgort as the driver, Baby sounds like the perfect movie to see this holiday weekend.    The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly and Washington Post are just few of the publications to praise this one.  You can see it before or after the fireworks.

Speaking of Fireworks, the place to be Tuesday evening is Bayfront Sarasota.  The display starts after 9, but there is plenty to do before then.  Several restaurants are offering carry-out dinners to take to the show.  You can always try a reservation of one of the many Main St. eateries, but I doubt if anything is available before 7:30


Those of us still smarting from FST's recently closed Burt & Me, take heart.  The Cabaret has come to the rescue with an outstanding Jersey Tenors.  The four tenors met while performing in Les Mis and the rest is history. Along with Frankie Valli's greatest hits, this group is as easily at home with Queen, Elton John, Frank Sinatra, and opera!! 

 
 Entertaining from start to finish no wonder the run is nearly sold-out.  However, performances are being added daily.  My advice is to call 941-366-9000 click here for a schedule of performances and purchase tickets on-line.   

Several of us saw Thursday night's performance. For most, if not all, it ranks right up there as the best FST/Cabaret show ever.

Last week's Rant generated many comments.  More than one of you wanted to know why I didn't take down name of person at call-ahead.  Simple answer; the system is automated, and serves more than one restaurant. I did save text to phone to no avail.   Now for this week.......



JIM'S RANT....After several trips on University Parkway's new divergent diamond, I am able to report some good news.  The Diamond is only confusing if you watch the video and read the FDOT materials.    I've had no issues east-west or north-south.  If you stay in your designated lanes, as one normally should, the trip is a breeze.  And this is happening even before project completion in a few months......


As always, thanks for reading.  See you next week.....JIM