SRQ DAILY Jan 3, 2023
Tuesday Dining and Food Edition
"We have had a brilliant start and we are so grateful that we had such a lovely following from the truck that have been so patient and loyal."
When Florence and the Spice Boys opened its first brick-and-mortar location last month after a successful run with its long-line inducing food truck, it was met with plenty of foodie buzz. Turns out, the buzz around their Israeli-inspired cuisine is fully warranted and sure to grow to full-on infatuation.
“The reception has been great,” co-owner Florence Schmitt says. “We've had a brilliant start and we're so grateful that we had such a lovely following from the truck that have been so patient and loyal.”
My family and I stopped by for lunch this past weekend, and Sarasota clearly has a new breakout star with Florence and the Spice Boys’ chicken shawarma. They’re billed as tacos, and the shells are fresh, robust pita that engulf a high pile of chicken thigh. Schmitt tells SRQ that the chicken is marinated in her team’s signature spice blend. It’s served with a crispy pickled slaw, some mild banana peppers, and a spicy Middle Eastern sauce called zhug. There’s also tahini and an Israeli sauce called amba. Topping it all is a quarter of an expertly boiled egg.
It’s one of those dishes that’s at once so simple and yet the flavors tend to bounce from the fascinating to the complex. Each bite can take on a change in flavor profile. My wife’s turmeric fried chicken sandwich — based on the bites I stole — could be a contender for the area’s best fried chicken sandwich. And the chicken nuggets my six-year-old daughter ordered earned the coveted Summer Allen stamp of approval.
We finished our meal with a house-made chocolate chip cookie made with goldfish crackers. It’s such an interesting choice. You can definitely taste the subtle cheese flavor of the goldfish, and it works really well to complement the cookie’s sweetness.
The Florence and the Spice Boys team did an amazing job creating a sense of space at its new Landings location. They’ve opened up the front entirely with accordion doors and they offer some outdoor seating. The decor is at once familiar Floridian with a global appeal, and their kiosk ordering system was quick and easy.
There’s a reason their food truck inspired those long lines, and the new Florence and the Spice Boys location proves that it’s only the beginning of something beautiful.
Florence and the Spice Boys, 4990 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-405-3890, facebook.com/spiceboyskitchen/ 
SILL’s popular Music Mondays series entitled “Musical Conversations with Great Performers” features informal performances and lively conversations with renowned performers of all disciplines. The 2023 Music Mondays, hosted by Dr. Joseph Holt, run January 9 through March 27. The morning sessions are at 10:30 a.m. at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge
Road. Afternoon sessions are at 3 p.m. at Venice Presbyterian Church, 825 The Rialto. Season subscriptions for the Music Mondays series are now available for purchase for $85 for 12 sessions. A Flex Pass for 12 tickets to be used at any SILL event throughout the season is $115. Single-day tickets are available at the door and are $10. A new “Invite a Friend” initiative offers a free ticket to all series subscribers. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit SillSarasota.org or call 941-365-6404.
M A R A Art Studio + Gallery opens the new year with “Lisa DiFranza,” featuring acrylic paintings and gouache works on paper. The exhibit runs January 11-25, with an opening reception on Friday, January 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The gallery is at 1421 5th Street, Rosemary District, Sarasota. For more information, call (941) 914-8110 or visit MaraStudioGallery.com.
In 2021, the artist’s solo exhibit at the MARA Art Studio + Gallery featured 365 paintings created and posted daily during the first year of the pandemic. “As I continue to be inspired by the shapes and colors of boats, water and the enormous Florida sky, the big surprise is that humans have begun to populate my paintings, as if joining the world again,” says Di Franza. “The paintings in this new show are born of a new time, as we emerge after the crisis and isolation of the pandemic. We are face to face with each other again. Our re-entry into the world has propelled us all to reimagine our lives and reimagine the future. Where do we belong? What are we waiting for? How do we reconnect? Are we finding our way back to the familiar or blazing new pathways? What happens next?”
Pictured: Marseilles by Lisa DiFranza. Photo courtesy of Marseilles by Lisa DiFranza.
The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce will hold their Annual Dinner on Wednesday, February 8th at TradeWinds Island Grand Resort (5500 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach, FL). This year’s theme is Rising to Resilience. Attendees will have extensive opportunities to network with business professionals from every industry and hear from experts about how Tampa Bay Beaches can create more resilient communities and businesses. The event kicks off with a Business Expo at 5:00 pm. Network and explore what services and products your local beach businesses have to offer. Program and Awards will follow. Cost to attend the dinner is $75 per person. You can purchase your tickets at www.tampabaybeaches.com/annualevents. Sponsorships and Business Expo tables are still available! For more information, please contact Robin Miller at info@tampabaybeaches.com or visit TampaBayBeaches.com.
2023 marks the 52nd season of Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning’s (SILL) “Global Issues” series. This hard-hitting series, which runs January 10-March 31, features 25 internationally renowned experts discussing a vast range of domestic and global issues. This month’s lectures feature front-page issues examined by leading speakers, including the former United States Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun discussing foreign policy two years into the Biden Administration; renowned Iran expert, Mohsen Milani, exploring US-Iranian tensions as Iran’s populace continues to challenge the regime on individual rights; Lee Schneider, an expert on cyber currency, conducts a wide-ranging discussion about the history of cryptocurrencies and the current market, which is being shaken by bankruptcies and volatility; and the acclaimed former judge and prosecutor, Charles Schudson, who looks at street crime, white collar crime—and presidential crime.
Pictured: Rormer United States Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun. Photo courtesy of SILL.
Bring your four legged family members to Hamlet’s Eatery every Friday in January for Hound Happy Hour. The award-winning permanently located food truck is now staying open Fridays from 10am to 8pm.This Friday, Jan 6 Tender Heart Charities are bringing puppies looking for fur-ever homes. Jsanti will be playing live music from 5-8pm.Hamlet’s offers traditional and vegan options. Plus, they now have local craft beer, wine, and Prosecco on tap. Located outdoors with plenty of room under a covered patio this is a great way to start your weekend. 821 Apricot Ave in Sarasota. For more information visit www.hamletseatery.com or call 941-445-1938.
Pictured: These Tender Heart Charities puppies are looking for fur-ever homes.
Geckos Grill & Pub’s Award-winning Trivia-Think While You Drink! If you love Trivia, join the fun at Geckos all year round. All Trivia starts at 7:30pm. We will have prizes, giveaways and specials plus the Geckos made-to-order fare, signature cocktails and hospitality you love. Monday trivia will be held at the Clark Road location in Palmer Crossing and on Tuesdays at the SR 64 location in Braden River Plaza. The SR 64 location will be taking a break from Trivia in October, but will start back up in April. On Wednesdays, trivia will take place at the Hillview Street location in Southside Village. www.GeckosGrill.com.
The hilarious new play CHICKEN & BISCUITS introduces us to the Jenkins family, as they gather to celebrate the life of their beloved and recently deceased father and grandfather, the Revered Bernard Jenkins. When an unexpected guest reveals a secret, they all discover that nothing brings a family together like a big side of drama. This side-splitting new Broadway comedy explores the tenderness of family, the joy of reconciliation, and the nourishing power of love. Written by Broadway newcomer Douglas Lyons and directed by the talented Bianca LaVerne Jones, who was associate director of the 2021 Broadway production, CHICKEN & BISCUITS proves that while family may drive us crazy, we’re lucky to have each other.
Asolo Repertory Theatre
BACKWARDS FORWARDS BACK by Jacqueline Goldfinger. A World Premiere. March 24 - April 23, 2023. Urbanite Theatre. When a soldier returns from war carrying the ghosts of his tour, he’s faced with a sobering decision: address his alarming PTSD with Virtual Reality therapy, or risk losing access to his family forever. Can this new technology recalibrate the brains and bodies of wounded soldiers? This electric, vivid, one-man drama studies the power of healing and finding strength in vulnerability. For tickets and info contact phone (941) 321-1397, email info@urbanitetheatre.com, website www.urbanitetheatre.com
Urbanite Theatre , 1487 2nd Street Sarasota FL, 34236
THAT MUST BE THE ENTRANCE TO HEAVEN by Franky D. Gonzalez. A World Premiere. June 9 - July 9, 2023. Urbanite Theatre. Glory. Survival. Legacy. Citizenship. Four Latino boxers all chase a world title to achieve their personal versions of heaven. But to get there, they must battle each other, their own battered bodies, and the universe itself. All four men walk the line between life and death in this poignant, poetic collision of combat and cosmos. For tickets and info contact - phone (941) 321-1397, email info@urbanitetheatre.com, website www.urbanitetheatre.com.
Urbanite Theatre , 1487 2nd Street Sarasota FL, 34236
This walking tour led by volunteer guides will introduce you to interesting botanical specimens on the estate while providing a historic overview of the development of the estate. The Ringling Arboretum has been accredited at Level II through ArbNet and there are over 2350 trees within the arboretum representing native, exotic, historical, and culturally significant trees. Garden Tours are available Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays and take place entirely outdoors. It is 90 minutes in length and covers approximately 1 mile. We encourage visitors to bring bottled water, and wear appropriate footwear, preferably closed-toe, sunblock, and hats. There will be a maximum of 10 participants per tour. Tours are subject to weather conditions. Please check it at the Visitors Pavilion prior to your tour. Tickets will be available 30 days prior to each tour.
"Birds of North America" runs January 6th-February 12th, 2023 at Urbanite Theatre. As birders, John and his daughter Caitlyn adore spending tender autumn days attempting to catch glimpses of elusive birds. But as seasons, the climate, and global politics change, the two find their connection as rare as a red-headed Woodpecker. In a lyrical and endearing family portrait, Birds of North America unfolds in delicate, detailed layers like the scattered leaves of each passing year. For tickets and information contact Ph. (941) 321-1397, Email info@urbanitetheatre.com, Website www.urbanitetheatre.com
Urbanite Theatre , 1487 2nd Street Sarasota FL, 34236
The Sarasota Ballet is excited to announce the Company’s 2022 – 2023 Season. Over seven programs, The Sarasota Ballet will perform 15 works by some of the most celebrated and prestigious choreographers and composers of the ballet world. Program 5 - Dance Theatre of Harlem. February 24-27, 2023 at FSU Center for the Performing Arts. The Sarasota Ballet Presents: Dance Theatre of Harlem. For more information visit www.sarasotaballet.org, Box office 941.359.0099
The Sarasota Ballet is excited to announce the Company’s 2022 – 2023 Season. Over seven programs, The Sarasota Ballet will perform 15 works by some of the most celebrated and prestigious choreographers and composers of the ballet world. Program 7 - Tribute to Balanchine. April 28-29, 2023 at the Sarasota Opera House. Featuring: Divertimento No. 15 - Choreography by George Balanchine, Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The Four Temperaments - Choreography by George Balanchine, Music by Paul Hindemith. Western Symphony - Choreography by George Balanchine, Music – American folk tunes arranged by Hershy Kay. For more information visit www.sarasotaballet.org, Box office 941.359.0099
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Join us on January 7th to kick off the new year with the "New Year, New You" Health and Wellness Expo, presented by Lakewood Ranch Medical Center! Visit vendors from Sarasota and Manatee counties and enjoy the speaker series at center court, complete with various doctors and wellness professionals from a wide range of specialties, kicking off every hour from 10am-3pm. This event is free to the public!
Adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas. Directed by Peter Amster. Harrowing adventure, bravery, and friendship take center stage in Ken Ludwig's THE THREE MUSKETEERS, a thrilling adaptation of the popular novel by Alexandre Dumas. One of the world’s most enduring comedies, this classic tells the tale of a daring young man who finds himself in the company of the world’s greatest swordsmen, as well as some of the world’s most dangerous men and women. Directed by Peter Amster, who most recently directed Asolo Rep’s smash hit Murder on the Orient Express in 2020, this play promises to be a fast-paced, witty, swashbuckling good time. All for one, and one for all!
Asolo Repertory Theatre
Jazz Thursdays at Sarasota Art Museum will runs through January 12, 2023 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. FREE for Members, $20 for Not-Yet Members. Sarasota Art Museum invites you to be our guest at our first Jazz Thursday at SAM, featuring Hot Club of SRQ. Sarasota Art Museum is partnering with the Jazz Club of Sarasota for Jazz Thursdays. Join us for our special late-night performances on the Marcy & Michael Klein Plaza. Jazz Thursdays will occur on the second Thursday of each month until January 12, 2023. Galleries + Bistro + Shop will be open.
A Place in the Sun – A Tribute to Stevie Wonder, will begin playing in FST’s Goldstein Cabaret on November 16, 2022. The new music revue celebrates the legendary musician whose catalogue spans six decades and multiple musical genres, taking audiences through the beloved songbook of musical pioneer, Stevie Wonder. Created by Jason Cannon, Richard Hopkins, and Sarah Durham, this all-new Cabaret features such timeless hits as “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” “Isn’t She Lovely?,” and “Superstition.” Tickets are now on sale at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or at 941.366.9000.
Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) is hosting its annual golf tournament, Scramble for SPARCC, at the Laurel Oak Country Club on Monday, January 16, 2023. With the support of sponsors, community donations and golfers, this tournament raises funds to help provide life-saving, free and confidential programs and services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Entry fee is $185.00 per person and includes green fees, individual carts, happy hour light bites, beverages (cash bar available) and player awards. Registration opens at 11:00 AM with a shotgun start at 12:30 PM to kick off the 18-hole scramble. In addition to the golf tournament, there is also a closet to the pin contest, closest to the line contest, golf ball launcher, 50/50 chance drawing, and awards celebration. Co-Chairs for this event are Sandy Fulkerson and Bonnie VanOverbeke.
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