NOVEMBER 10, 2019

VETERANS DAY 2019...........

Take a moment tomorrow (Monday) to reflect and remember those veterans who fought and lost their lives to protect our freedom.  It is important to them and to you!

Several tributes are planned tomorrow, but the biggest and best attended is the annual Veterans Day Parade.  Kicking off at 10:00 a.m. on the corner of Main St and Osprey and wrapping up on corner of Main and Gulfstream.   Among the participants are the Sarasota Jazz Club Band and guest speaker and retired U.S. Army Col. Michael P. Ryan who served 10 years as senior Army Instructor at Sarasota Military Academy. Wear something patriotic!!  

This weekend is a great time to get a head start on Holiday shopping; and what better place than the last day of The 31st Annual St. Armands Circle Art Festival.   This one features most of the artisans you've followed and bought from over the years; in fact more than 200 artists are on site to sell and discuss their product.  And plan to attend next weekend's big art festival downtown.  See below****

If a smaller show is your thing, next weekend 5 Women 1 Show returns to Rane Studio.  For sale will be jewelry, clothes, table decor, small paintings and ceramics.  And while you're shopping wine and refreshments will be served.  What better way to spend an hour next Sunday.



Florida Studio Theatre's season opener, Bright Star, is generating positive reviews, but even more important, great word of mouth.  This Americana musical by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, though not a smash on Broadway a few years ago, has been streamlined for community theatre, and has become one of the most produced new shows at regional theatres around the country.

Richard Hopkins, FST's producing artistic director, said he chose the musical to open the 2019-20 season because of its "big heart." Meridith Jones, who played country singer Patsy Kline in last year's successful Always Patsy Kline, returns to star.   Her supporting cast is stellar, and as always the sets and production are first class.

Playing through January 3, with nightly and matinee performances throughout the week in FST's Gompertz Theatre, 1247 First St.  Box office is open daily from 10 am or you can call 941-366-9000.  Additional information can be had at www.floridastudiotheatre.org.


The adventurous among you should consider a day/evening trip South to Venice where the Venice Theatre awaits with their own full slate of entertainment.  Along with its own slate of theatrical events is their concert and special events schedule.

Today may be too late for their Florida Bee Gees tribute to the multi-platinum

kings of disco, but not too late for their November 25 production, All About Soul, A Tribute to Billy Joel.  If you've never been to one of their productions you're in for a treat.  Talented singers and musicians from Florida and beyond put on quite a show.

Bee Gees performances are today at 2 and 8 with all tickets $35.  Joel plays November 25 at 8 with tickets priced at $30.  Call their box office at 941-488-1115 or purchase tickets on line at VeniceTheatre.org. 

November 25 at 8 with tickets at $30.  Call box office at 941-488-1115 or buy tickets online at VeniceTheatre.org.  I purchased tickets online a few years ago and had no trouble when visiting theatre.

Hard to believe Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, but it is, and Urbanite Theatre is celebrating the day with its presentation of appropriately titled Thanksgiving Play!  Straight from off-Broadway, the play tackles the intersection and collision of Native American and white experiences.

There are no bad seats at intimate Urbanite.   Running through December 15 with tickets available for most performances.  For tickets call 941-321-1397 or visit urbanitetheatre.org.

JIM'S RANT........I did not plan on any Duffy's mention this week, especially after last week's favorable review.  However, my Tuesday lunch changed all that.  No, the food was as always, plentiful and delicious.  It was the service, or lack of , which was atrocious.  Granted parts of the restaurant were near capacity, but that was no excuse for a surly server and clueless manager.  Drinks from the bar were slow to arrive and food order lagged behind near-by tables.  It will be awhile before visiting this Jekyll-Hyde restaurant.....Thanks for reading.  See you next week....JIM


*****Next weekend, November 16-17 also features the Sarasota Fall Fine Art Festival.  Located at JD Hamel Park at Gulfstream and Main St.  Most of the fine artists from this weekend's Circle show will be here as well along with several new to the area.  Running Saturday and Sunday 10-5.