FEBRUARY, 9, 2020

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON.........VALENTINE'S DAY IS FRIDAY.....

Cards are at a premium, but your favorite locations like Publix or CVS continue to have a wide selection of  Valentine's cards

Oh Oh!

 If you're now starting to look for a dinner reservation, I suggest you do it today, as most favorable time slots are almost gone.  Whatever you do, have a great Day.

Scene From Market

If you haven't been to the Saturday Downtown Farmer's Market since their return to original location, you will be impressed with the increase in produce and other market items in their expanded Main St. location.  

Open rain or shine between the hours of 7:00 am and 1:00 pm and offering products and services provided by local farmers, downtown businesses and Sarasota artisans.  You'll find fresh fruits and vegetables as well as handmade soaps, seafood, coffee and baked goods, bulk spices, orchids and flowers, and much more.

Award Statues 

By the time you read this, the 2020 Academy Awards could be history.  I am writing this on Friday, a few days before the telecast, and am offering my annual predictions for a few Awards. Check back next week and see how I did.

 Picture.....Once Upon A Time in Hollywood
 Foreign....Parasite
 Director...Quentin Tarantino
Actor.......Joaquin Phoenix
 Actress....Renee Zellweger



Manatee Community Concert Band has 2 FREE concerts this week. 

Celebrating 125 years of performances, their first concert, A Musical Journey to Remember, is Tuesday 7:00 pm at Colony Cove in Ellenton.  Following on February 15 will be one closer to home, 2:00 pm at Neal Performing Arts Center 5840 26th St. West, building 11, Bradenton.  Remember these are FREE concerts and capacity is limited, so get there early!



The Band performs a wide variety of music, from standard marches, Broadway and movie hits, swing classics, pop, classical and much more.  The musicians are all volunteers; in fact, you might know some of them.    See you at one of these concerts this week.

  

Circus Sarasota has once again set up its tent in the field across UTC/Dillards.  Performances run through March 1,, with shows at 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday with 2p.m. matinees 
Wednesdays and Saturdays; and 1 and 5pm performances onSundays and Presidents Day (February 17).

The show starts off with a gallop, with the three woman Alanian Riders trick riding at a full gallop around the ring.  Following are circus acts from around the world; including many recent participants in America's Got Talent and Cirque Du Soleil.  Nik Wallenda will not be with Circus this year, as he prepares for his walk across a volcano in Nicaragua in March.

Ticket pricing begins at $15 to $55.  For tickets or information call 941-355-9805; circusarts.org, or on-site box office opening later this week.

American Son rolled into FST a few weeks ago to kick off their 2020 Main Stage season.   In the few years writing this blog, I don't recall a show generating so much buzz from readers and friends


At least a half dozen of you have sent email encouraging me not to miss.  Larry Coleman writes...An extremely well done performance and very intense.  I don't think I've seen a show so emotional.  Not for the faint of heart."  Buddy and Linda Kaufman told me not to miss, and Max Kelly says this is most powerful play he's ever seen at FST.  This show closes 3/22, but due to high demand could be extended. 

Call 941-366-9000 or floridastudiotheatre.org for tickets.

JIM'S RANT....An article in Wednesday's Herald says all you need to know about our increasing year-round population.  Lorraine Road, once a dirt road, with nothing much beyond, is expanding to offer an alternate to rapidly over-crowded I-75.  In addition, it would also connect to a series of sub-divisions from Clark Rd. south to Venice.  I can remember when Lakewood Ranch came into existence with a few apartments and condos; now it is one of Sarasota's most desirable living options...Jim....thanks for reading...see you next week......