» FANCY NIGHT OUT:
Asolo Repertory Theatre
(asolorep.org). Usually start
with a cocktail either downtown
Sarasota or right there at
Muse at the Ringling.
» FOR A LAUGH:
Florida Studio Theatre Improv
(floridastudiotheatre.org) every
weekend (even when I’m not
in it!). If you haven’t gone to
the annual Sarasota Improv
Festival, you’re missing out.
Dozens of troupes from all
over the country. Some of the
greatest improv artists—these
mad geniuses are all here for
one great weekend of comedy.
It’s one of my favorite events.
» COMMUNITY THEATRE:
That’s tough—we are
lucky to have three really
unique community theaters
here: Players Centre of
Sarasota (theplayers.org),
Manatee Players (tickets.
manateeplayers.com) and Venice
Theatre (venicestage.com).
I have close relationships with
all three, and I admire the hard
work they put into each show.
» SATURDAY AFTERNOON
CULTURE ACTIVITY: Walking
the grounds of Ringling Museum
(ringling.org ) on a Saturday is
an afternoon well spent, even if
you don’t go into the galleries.
The grounds are beautiful. Plus,
you can buy a glass of wine at the
cafe. Selby Gardens (selby.org)
is pretty great too. The grounds
are beautiful and they’ve really
expanded their exhibits to make
it a dynamic afternoon. I’m not
all that into plants and I love it.
» OUTDOOR
ENTERTAINMENT:
American Stage in the Park
(americanstage.org). I look
forward to it every spring.
Go with a group of friends. Bring
a picnic and wine. Nothing better.
Arts and
Entertainment
Ask the Locals: Joey Panek
AARON DRAKE
Joey Panek, senior producer and host for ABC7’s "Suncoast
View," fi rst came to work in Sarasota 18 years ago from
Syracuse, New York. He became a permanent resident in 2006.
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/(asolorep.org
/(floridastudiotheatre.org
/(theplayers.org
/manateeplayers.com
/(venicestage.com
/(ringling.org
/(selby.org
/(americanstage.org