Looking for a special way to celebrate life? Try this on for size: Annie’s Celtic Kitchen is an evening of special Celtic recipes prepared and served by Broadway performer Annie Morrison. Food, folklore and song in the privacy of your home. For booking information call the Backlot at 941-363-9300.

The much anticipated Tale of Two Cities hits the boards at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. Call 941-351-8000 for information or buy tickets right here online. 

Be sure to visit Uptown Framers (1058 N. Tamiami Trail) from 3:00 - 7:00 pm to experience the latest creations of Lowell Gilbertson. Lowell, we call him Murray, is a renaissance man; painter, jazz musician, writer, part-time astronaut and stand-up comic. Check out his site here. 

It is hard to believe that there is anyone out there that has not seen Super Charge Me after it’s numerous local screenings. If you have missed it, here’s your chance at the Neel Performing Arts Center on the MCC Campus in Bradenton. Read about this raw food movie here. For information on the 7:00 pm screening call 941-752-5252.

Alligators, by Sarasota playwright Sylvia Reed, was a new play when it was chosen to launch Venice Little Theatre’s annual PlayBirth Series in the 2006-07 season. Now, the theatre will be taking a 60-minute festival version to the Southeast Theatre Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee. But prior to that, the show will be presented in Venice for one performance only. Sir Jay Handelman is quoted as saying, "Alligators tells the haunting story of a woman coming to terms with her past. Her memories of the mother who abandoned her, the mysterious one-armed woman who helped to raise her, and the father she never knew provide an often humorous and always moving exploration of the nature of survival and understanding." Get your tickets here.

At Florida Studio Theatre’s Cabaret, Harry Who? “a vivacious musical revue featuring the songs of Harry Warren. America's greatest unknown songwriter, Harry Warren was one of the most prolific composers during the golden era of the Hollywood musical. This show swings with its hummable hits, including 'Jeepers Creepers,' 'Forty Second Street,' 'That's Amore' and 'We're in the Money.'

Jekyll & Hyde, the timeless story of an experiment gone bad, opens soon at The Players Theatre. This production will bring back many Players favorites such as Chris Caswell, Robert Mansell, Craig Weiskerger, Tom Yowarski, Randy Garmer, Jack Eddleman, Robert Kantrowitz, Matt Orr, Shelly Whiteside, Lori Incardona, Nancy Brinning,along with talented new comers Howard Jackson, Mike Kent, Michael Morris, TomMcGuirk, Jeanne Larranaga, Stephanie Costello, Karen La Losh and StephanieHarmon. No room to write anything else after all those credits! Go here for tickets and information. 

Self-development through the Fourth Way – Short film on ancient ideas of inner development as taught by G. I. Gurdjieff and P. D. Ouspensky. The free screening is from 2:30 – 4:00 pm at the South Manatee Public Library 6081 26th St W. Bradenton. For more information 941-539-5300.

The Frankenstein Ball featuring Sarasota’s own Mistress of the Night…Annie Morrison at 7:00 pm at The Players Theatre. “This is the night to dance up a frenzy with DJ “Night Train Lane” and dress to impress for The Players Costume Contest for a chance to win $100 gift certificate to the Bijou Café. For tickets and information call 365-2494 between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. Monday through Saturday, or visit the web. 

The Metro Café is having a party featuring The Drum Studio called “not just Jazz-O-Ween.” The no-cover party starts at 7:00 pm, costume or not, and will feature lively music, a full menu and choice apps for just five bucks.

The Sarasota Opera continues its tradition of the free Lunchtime Concert Series at 12:15 pm on the dates above. This year, due to renovations, the concerts are being held in the Peterson Great Room in the Dean Carroll Allyn Pavilion. Call 941-366-8450, ext 1, for more information.

The Sarasota Reading Festival returns to Downtown Sarasota’s Five Points Park from 9:30-4:30 pm with an all-star line up. Visit the web for details on all of the authors, speakers and events. It’s a day not to be missed. Meanwhile the following authors are but a few of those scheduled to be there.

It is not too late to register to participate in this event (regardless of what the application says)…hurry!

Celebrating a 400 year old type of performance art, the Burns Square area is holding the First Annual Avenida de Colores Chalk Festival, November 10 & 11 from 10:00 - 6:00 pm. During the two-day festival, over 50 large temporary artworks will come to life on the street surface of Pineapple Avenue where the public can be a part of the art process. The Festival is inspired by the Italian Artist (knows as I Madonnari or Street Painters) who used chalk as their medium and the surface of the cathedral streets as their canvas, and would replicate paintings of the Madonna. Click here (pdf) for an artist application. See examples of this fascinating art from other festivals here.

Three weeks of class with sculptor Sean Coulson at the Englewood Art Center. The next class begins October 23 but others are scheduled through April. Call 941-951-2545 for more information

Florida Studio Theatre’s Fall classes begin October 29 with dozens to select including improvisation, acting, writing, dance, taxidermy (just seeing if you are paying attention). Call Pam Smith for details at 941-366-1350. (hey Tim, you should take one!)

Information about show times, places and dates is assumed accurate but not guaranteed. Please contact the presenting organization directly, by the link or phone number provided, to confirm information.

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