APRIL 29, 2018

24 HOURS OF GIVING STARTS WEDNESDAY AT NOON

 
More than 630 nonprofit organizations from the area counties are participating in the 2018 Giving Challange, presented by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.  

Starting on May 1 at noon, this online 24-hour giving day allows you to support your favorite nonprofits and have your donations matched dollar for dollar, up to $100 per donor for each organization through the Patterson Foundation.

Last year, over $13 million was raised, and with Patterson placing no limits to the number of matches a nonprofit can receive.  There is no cost, user name or password required to use The Giving Partner.


ASOLO REP'S  next show could be its BEST of season.  RAGTIME opens with previews 5/1 and continues right up to Memorial Day.   When first staged on Broadway in 1998, RAGTIME was nominated for 13 Tony Awards and won several, including Best Score.  LION KING was best musical that season.  Familiar name Frank Galati was RAGTIME'S first director

This totally revamped production originated in Minneapolis in 2016, on to Seattle in 2017 and now here!  On its way it won all major awards in each city and played to sold-out audiences night after night.

With its glorious music and compelling love story at its core, Terrence McNally's adaptation of E.L. Doctorow's novel begins at the dawn of the 20th Century in New York.  A time for enormous change, of new ideas, and the world is moving to the music of RAGTIME.

With new staging, lighting and a direction by Peter Rothstein this one should sell-out!!!  To order tickets NOW call 941-351-8000 or click here for schedule of performances and to view available seating. 



SARASOTA ORCHESTRA will not only say goodbye to Music Director, Anu Tali during their 2018-2019 season, but will be celebrating 70 years of fine music for this community.  Their brochure is available at their Holley Hall box office 709 N. Tamiami Trail, or by clicking here to view their many series offerings.

In the coming weeks, I will feature them all, but this week is a personal favorite GREAT ESCAPES.  "The programming is similar to that of the Boston Pops Orchestra, a mixture of familiar and light classical selections, spiced up with music from the movies and stage. 

There is always a Holiday program with fresh arrangements of old favorites.  New this year is an Escape devoted to dance music.  Valentine's Day is celebrated with romantic favorites and there will be a program devoted to Broadway.   The series kicks off in October and runs until early May.

One final program remains for this season, and it is SPECIAL.  The Orchestra will be on stage at Sarasota Opera House with CITY SOUNDS this coming Saturday May 5.  Music from some of the world's great cities including New York, Chicago, Athens and Madrid.   Several Orchestra solos join guest conductor Aram Demirjian starting at 7:30.  Tickets are priced $25-65 and can be purchased at 941-953-3434.

 
The 15th annual EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES, celebrates Diversity, Acceptance and Inclusion.  On display at Sarasota's Bayfront Park are 45 billboard works of art accompanied by quotes from artists and writers from around the world.  The setting is picturesque and free!!! Open daily through June1.  For more information before or after visiting exhibit click here.

One of the many billboards at Bayfront Park

Carpaccio di Manzo

Several of you have been to SPACCO ITALIAN GRILL, and based on your recommendations, along with Harry and Gayle we went the other evening.  Located in a strip mall (aren't most) near Parkway cinema, SPACCO is very casual, but authentic Southern Italian.  Meals come with hot rolls, salad or soup and can be easily shared due to over-sized portions.  From pizza to pasta to steaks, chops and even table side preparation, SPACCO has become a neighborhood favorite.


Their kitchen is open making bar seating an experience.  Best of all, their happy hour which includes many of their menu specialties along with small plates is served THROUGHOUT the restaurant.  Open for lunch Monday-Friday with dinner through Sunday.  Call 941-312-4452 for reservations.


JIM'S RANT.....Two organizations worthy of GIVING CHALLENGE support are spotlighted here this week...Sarasota Orchestra and Asolo Rep.  There are dozens more from All Fatihs Food Bank to Nate's Animal Rescue to Resurrection House to Selby Library.  Supporting your favorite nonprofit organization will help them maintain their visibility and good work in the coming months....Thanks for reading....Until next week...JIM