The Season of Zen
The Sarasota Film Festival is over. Easter has come and gone. “Season” is slowing waa-aay down. As much as I love the hubbub between November and April, I’m ready to breathe deep and exhale. In other words, time to get back to yoga…
To read more, check out my Sense and the City column in this week’s Sarasota Herald Tribune Ticket by clicking the link below:
Sarasota Magazine’s smashing soiree at Selby
Last night’s Sarasota Magazine Best of 2011 party on the great lawn of Selby Gardens was a smashing success. I’m not a big one for the social or party circuit, but this was the perfect party for me — en plein air, fun music, and a very relaxed and happy vibe. Even the 550-person crowd didn’t bother me because the event was spread out across the great stretch of lush greenery, banyan trees, and waterfront setting, and it was fun to people-watch the oodles of people dressed in everything from shorts to suits and colorful, hot-trending maxi dresses. (more…)
Acclaimed Pianist, Dr. Joseph Holt, Performs Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata!
Nationally acclaimed pianist, Dr. Joseph Holt, will be playing Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” on Sunday, May 1, at 4 p.m., in a fundraising concert to benefit the people of Haiti. Of course, I’ve GOT TO GO. Unbelievably, I’ve never heard this sonata performed live. It is one of my favorite pieces of all time — I’ve written about it before — just click here to read more about the sonata and why I wish Beethoven was my lover! But I digress.
The concert takes place at Faith Lutheran Church, 7750 Beneva Road in Sarasota, and will include a formal dedication of the church’s new Steinway Concert Grand piano.
Dr. Joseph Holt in front of new Steinway Concert Grand piano at Faith Lutheran Church.
During the concert, Dr. Holt, an award-winning performer, conductor and arranger, who is the current Artistic Director for Gloria Musicae, as well as Artist-in-Residence for Faith Lutheran, will perform a varied piano program on the new Steinway. He will be joined by musicians from the Sarasota Orchestra for select chamber works. The program also includes favorite pieces by Chopin, a quartet for piano and strings by Mozart, and character pieces by Russian Composer Dmitri Kabalevsky and French Composer Darius Milhaud.
Dr. Holt served as principal pianist for the U.S. Army Chorus for 20 years, based in Washington, D.C., and it was there that he made the acquaintance of James Grant, a prolific American composer known for his commissioned choral, orchestral and jazz compositions, which have been performed around the world. In 2002, Grant was honored with the national Aaron Copland award, and in 2009, he released the jazz CD, “Chocolates: Music for Viola and Piano” to critical acclaim. Grant is a part-time resident of Siesta Key, and will be making a special appearance at the May 1st concert.
The suggested donation is $15, available in advance at the Faith Lutheran church office, or at the door the day of the event, pending availability of tickets. For more information, call 941.926.8031.
“Radio-Free Carmela welcomes Noise Ordinance 2” from yesterday’s Sarasota Herald Tribune
If you are interested in the live music scene this weekend, check out the piece that I wrote that appeared in yesterday’s Sarasota Herald Tribune. 
Radio-Free Carmela welcomes Noise Ordinance 2
Don’t miss “Best of Sarasota” Magazine party — next Tuesday
If you read my blog you know I’m not a big one for the party circuit here in Sarasota. But there’s one party I’m not missing this season and that’s next Tuesday’s (April 26) relaxed, reggae-infused, Sarasota Magazine “Best of Sarasota” blow-out by the bay … at beautiful, lush, Selby Gardens (one of my fave places in town). (more…)
Paige’s insurance page-turner picks up Pulitzer for paper!
Holy moly! Local Sarasota Herald Tribune reporter Paige St. John (sheesh, even her NAME sounds Pulitzer-worthy!) picked up a Pulitzer (well, it goes to the newspaper technically) for her serious series investigating insurance industry ingrates. (Yes, I’m thinking of that scene in Broadcast News where Al Brooks references alliteration.) (more…)
Truth Goes Missing in Sarasota
In the category of I-can’t-believe-this-is-happening …
Read my Sense and the City column in today’s Sarasota Herald Tribune
The gravy train of selling sex
(This essay ran in my Sense and the City column in today’s Sarasota Herald Tribune TICKET, but for some reason they didn’t post it online — so I’m posting the piece below. All rights reserved by the Sarasota Herald Tribune.)
I just can’t get into the whole pole-dancing and burlesque scene that, by all accounts, is sizzling up the sexy quotient in Sarasota.
Go ahead, call me a prude. But before you get your knickers in a twist, let me assure you – I could care less who likes taking their clothes off and who likes paying for the pleasure of watching them do it. I have no personal objection or moral disagreement with it. But I do have a question or two. (more…)
“Uncivil liberties” — my op/ed in today’s Sarasota Herald Tribune
If you have the time, I hope you’ll take a moment to click on the link for this opinion piece that I wrote that appears in today’s Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Main Street youths take uncivil liberties.
It’s about what happened to me and a date recently when we went out for dinner on Main Street in Sarasota. Well, it’s about a lot more than that … . (more…)
Gotta Vote for Geckos!
I love Sarasota’s hometown, locally-owned all-round great meet-up/sports bar Gecko’s Grill and Pub! I love their nachos — veggie style.
If you’re a fan like me, you can cast a vote — do it before April 4 — for Gecko’s in the Sarasota Herald Tribune’s “Best Sports Bar Showdown — at www.ticketsarasota.com.