» FAVORITE FANCY NIGHT OUT:
Florida Studio Theater has a great variety
of offerings through their Mainstage,
Cabaret and Improv series offerings, as
well as their more obscure works presented
in the Keating Theatre as their Stage
III series. Whenever my husband and I get
a chance to see a show there it turns into
a fancy night supported by the location.
We love meeting up with friends before or
afterwards at great local spots like Social
Eatery & Bar and Sage SRQ, both within
walking distance—and of course, it’s
always great to have an excuse to dust off
the vintage bow ties and head downtown!
1241 N. Palm Ave., 941-366-9000,
FloridaStudioTheatre.org
» FAVORITE PLACE FOR A LAUGH:
I’m a huge fan of McCurdy’s Comedy
Theatre! I love entertainer Beneva
Fruitville’s Bingo, which I frequently forget
is bingo because the production numbers
are always jaw-dropping, to seeing top
artists on tour like The Skivvies. McCurdy’s
is always a good time and they never
disappoint with their top notch acts.
1923 Ringling Blvd., 941-925-3869,
McCurdysComedy.com
» FAVORITE COMMUNITY THEATER:
With the work and the variety of
programming that Manatee Performing
Arts Center, Venice Theatre and The
Players Centre for Performing Arts
are consistently producing, a favorite is
almost impossible choose. One thing that
I learned while I was Director of Marketing
and Outreach for the Manatee Performing
Arts Center that I thought was a complete
win-win—and is almost unheard of in
other theaters that I›ve worked—is how
open the communication is between
the three theaters. They share stock
pieces such as costumes and set pieces
to lift each other up, which enhances the
caliber of work all three are producing.
Manatee Performing Arts Center:
502 3rd Ave., 941-748-5875,
ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com;
Venice Theatre:
140 Tampa Ave. W., 941-488-1115,
VeniceTheatre.org;
The Players Centre for Performing Arts:
838 N. Tamiami Trl., 941-365-2494,
ThePlayers.org
» FAVORITE SATURDAY
AFTERNOON CULTURAL ACTIVITY:
The Bazaar on Lime & Apricot always
has something going on, from live music
to engaging events. At their core is an
eclectic group of skilled local artisans and
vendors that offer wonderful work at great
prices. I always find something fun that
inevitability becomes the conversation
piece of the evening when my husband and
I have guests over. They offer everything
from reclaimed treasures and up-cycled
goodies to scrumptious candles, stunning
succulents and whimsical birdcages.
821 Apricot Ave., 941-343-2712,
BazaarOnApricotAndLime.com
» FAVORITE OUTDOOR
ENTERTAINMENT:
One of my favorite spots is Oleary’s Tiki
Bar & Grill, a Sarasota staple. I once found
myself downtown with my pups in tow and
remembered that they are pet friendly and
have live music. They will not soon forget
their day in the sun enjoying the live music
and their beautiful view of the water.
5 Bayfront Dr., 941-953-7505,
OlearysTikiBar.com
» FAVORITE VENUE FOR A MOVIE:
When CinéBistro came to Sarasota it was
a complete game changer. If you add some
cucumber slices over your eyes during
ABOVE TOP LEFT
GARDEN VIEW:
Selby Gardens
offers lucious
landscapes for
your viewing
pleasure.
PHOTO COURTESY
SELBY GARDENS'
FACEBOOK PAGE
ABOVE TOP RIGHT
OPERA NIGHT:
The Sarasota
Opera 's historic
signage.
PHOTO COURTESY OF
SARASOTA OPERA'S
FACEBOOK PAGE
ABOVE BOTTOM
MANATEE
MEN:
Performers
dazzle in "West
Side Story" at
the Manatee
Performing Arts
Center.
PHOTO COURTESY
MANATEE PERFORMING
ARTS' FACEBOOK PAGE
CONTINUED ON PG. 22 | |
2 1
/FloridaStudioTheatre.org
/McCurdysComedy.com
/ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com
/VeniceTheatre.org
/ThePlayers.org
/BazaarOnApricotAndLime.com
/OlearysTikiBar.com