Seven days a week
[ live at 5 ]

5 o'clock club, that is. Live music fills the air every night and December includes performances by Big Kahuna and American Supermodel . See you there.

Rogers & Hammerstein's "Cinderella" runs just through this weekend at The Manatee Players and with special holiday pricing. Need we say more?

Yes, Dickens at the Crosley is a theatrical presentation at the Crosley Mansion. Wander from room to room meeting historical and literary characters and enjoy caroling and wassailing in the courtyard facing Sarasota Bay. and to all a good time. 722-3244

Time for the Art Walk again in Towles Court; get thee there. It is always special but even more so with the Christmas decorations. Did I say Christmas? Okay, holiday decorations. Oh, which is it this week? How about "non-specific illuminations for celebratory purposes by those of all religious and non-religious belief systems." Anyway, lights, decorations and music abound.

That made me say, "uummm." Join best-selling author, speaker and concert violinist Marilyn Gibson for "channeled and free from meditation with violin." The class is in the Green Room at Rosemary Court and I hear it is relaxing and enlightening. 921-5936

Metro has a huge line up this weekend with Los Rumberos serving up lively Flamenco on Friday night. We saw them on Palm Avenue last First Friday and they are great.  Roberta Guiland makes her Metro debut on Saturday night and, if you dare, open mic on Sunday.

December 17 - 18
[ family concerts ]

The Florida West Coast Symphony and Circus Sarasota combine to bring you an unforgettable afternoon of clowns, jugglers and mesmerizing music from "Peter and the Wolf." You have two venues from which to select: the North Port Performing Arts Center on Saturday and the Sarasota Opera House on Sunday.  The ticket hotline is 953-3434. Florida West Coast Symphony also presents a Salon Evening with "Winter Fest" on Friday the 16 at Holley Hall.

December 17 - 18
[ ballet ]

The West Coast Civic Ballet presents "Coppelia- the girl with enamel eyes" at Booker High School. Call 358-8349 for ticket information.

So, I don't quote it exactly. Be sure to catch "Oliver" at The Players Theatre before it is too late. Click through right now! Go ahead. Click it, click it.

Art Center Sarasota is hosting a juried exhibition, "Holiday Show-Small Wonders," in the Main and Middle Galleries for the rest of the year.  The juror is Patrick Lindhardt of the Ringling School of Art and Design. Also of interest, shoppers will find a grand selection of handmade artisan gifts in the Front Gallery.

Not the guy with the ukulele, the other Tiny Tim is at the Venice Little Theatre with "A Christmas Carol" through the weekend. The performance includes original music by Scott Keys and E. Susan Ott. Also, VLT presents "A Very Diva Christmas" on December 20. Catch them both and catch the spirit.

Selby Garden's "Selby Light in Bloom" is a holiday wonder. The popular gardens and mansion are decorated and illuminated for your enjoyment. Music and special displays are on hand, as well. Only 12 nights to enjoy it. 366-5731

New Year's Concert at the Van Wezel with "Salute to Vienna." The crowd pleasing concert features the best of Strauss and his contemporaries and hosts some of Europe's top concert and stage performers. Plan ahead.

Online
[ in search of bob ]
The Downtown Partnership of Sarasota recently held their 2005 Annual Dinner. One of the major highlights of the evening was the presentation of the first annual Paul Thorpe Award to Bob Richardson of The Richardson Group for his outstanding commitment and contributions to The Downtown Partnership. However, Bob happened to be of the country in Antarctica on a new exploration! Dorian Beach of CRE8 Film produced the comedic short film, "In Search of Bob" based upon the search for Bob ending in the presentation of the award actually in Antarctica. Check it out here.

December 20
[ e-news, blogs and vlogs... oh my! ]
This month, the FPRA invites Kendall Jones -- award-winning business journalist, attorney, and editor/co-founder of the brilliant S2 Report – to talk about the new world of electronic news, blogs and more. Learn about these tools and how you can use them to maximize PR for your business. Both FPRA members and non-members are invited to the lunch meeting on Tuesday, December 20 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at Marina Jack’s . For reservations, call 941-953-FPRA.

Deadline - December 31
[ sarasota music festival poster competition call for entries ]
The deadline is fast approaching -December 31-- for local artists to submit their designs for the 2006 Sarasota Music Festival, the teaching and performing festival presented by The Florida West Coast Symphony each June. Artwork should incorporate a reference to classical music as well as a "Florida" feel.  Final art will be used in the official poster, T-shirts, and note cards. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the original art will benefit the Festival, which attracts 85 top-notch students from around the world for three weeks of study under the guidance of leading faculty.  For further information, contact the Symphony at 941-953-4252, or submit art, concept sketch and bio to marketinglinda@fwcs.org.

January 8 - 9
[ audition ]  
The Manatee Players are holding auditions for "The Elephant Man" on January 8 & 9. If you are "not an animal", go for it.

January 10
[ make the ‘A’ list ]  
It's time again for the annual ADDY Awards, the nation’s most comprehensive creative competition. Collect your best work and prepare to win local, regional or even national recognition. The ADDYs are open to any professional who creates promotional materials in any one of over 90 categories. Don't miss your chance to make the ‘A’ List - the roster of advertising’s best creatives. Entry day is Tuesday, January 10, 2006. Click here for details, or call Bob Leonard at 941-366-9704.

January 14
[ workshop ] 
Sarasota Actors Workshop is conducting a "Monologue and Audition Skills" workshop on Saturday, January 14 from 2-5 pm. Participants of any skill level are encouraged to participate and are asked to come with a 1-2 minute monologue memorized. American Academy of Dramatic Arts grad, Amanda Schlachter, will conduct the workshop, which will include individual instruction/feedback on your monologue. Space is limited to first 15 actors and the cost is $15. Click here for information.

December 17, 2005 9:00pm - 1:00am @ The Backlot
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