the 941

Top o’ the Tuesday to you, sports fans… A couple of late breaking options that didn’t make print.

25th Annual National Night Out Against Crime
Tues., Aug. 5, 6-9 p.m. at Payne Park, 2050 Adams Lane, Sarasota
954-2612 or scgov.com

What better way to heighten crime prevention awareness in the community than to offer food, entertainment, giveaways and, “of course, fun”? Uh huh. There’s a “bounce house” for the kiddies, too.

Kayak/Snorkel with the American Littoral Society, Southeast Region
Wed., Aug. 6, 8:30-11:30 a.m. from Turtle Beach County Park to Point of Rocks, Sarasota
966-7308

Those water-loving littoral folk are at it again, inviting you along for a Gulf of Mexico jaunt. Kayak equipment is provided; bring your own snorkel gear and sunscreen. Cost is $20 for ALS members, $25 nonmembers. Call for deets.

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Happy Saturday, all. A couple of entertainment options and what not for your weekend…

Mitch Clark Band CD Release Party
Cork’s Cigar Bar, 425 Old Main St. (12th St. W.), Bradenton, 744-2589
Sat., Aug. 2, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Clark drops his live disc, a mix of originals and covers engineered/produced by resident Sarasota music guru Bud Snyder (Allman Brothers, Gov’t Mule).

Kayaking with the American Littoral Society, Southeast Region
Little Sarasota Bay to Palmer Point Beach, 966-7308
Sun., Aug. 3, 8:30-11:30 a.m.

All equipment and a short training session will be provided for this ALS-presented trip, with John Sarkozy. Cost is $20 for ALS members, $25 nonmembers. Call for deets.

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A couple of things to do on this, your Hump Day…

Blues Jam w/special guest JW-Jones
Wed., July 23, beginning at 8 p.m.
Ace’s Lounge, 4343 Palma Sola Blvd., Bradenton, 795-3886
4aceslounge.com
No cover

You know what they say about the slim chances of swinging a dead cat in this town and not hitting a blues musician? Uh, huh. And so, all blues players are welcome, and tonight’s installment features a special appearance by acclaimed Canadian guitarist JW-Jones. Per a press release, “Hollywood celebrity and fan Dan Akroyd (Elwood Blues) said, ‘This is an amazing blues band, and I’ve played with the best!’”

Whatever you say, Danny boy. Whatever you say.

Lazy Fairy Improv Troupe
Wed., July 23, 7:30 p.m.
Players Theatre, 838 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 365-2494
theplayers.org or anythingarts.com/lazyfairy.htm
$12

The evolving local improv troupe — featuring Christine Alexander, Catey Brannan, Chris Friday, Angel Parker and former CL Townie Zan — brings its PG-13 rated shtick to the Players’ stage tonight. The title refers to their way of saying “laissez faire” (too hard to spell, they claim).

Whatever you say, Danny boy. Whatever you say.

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Tonight, at Digital Three Studios, a bunch of kids are going to eat acid, paint their skin and watch Alice in Wonderland at half-speed while they rub each other’s nude bodies under a liquid-light show.

That’s not exactly what it says on the bill. Officially, it’s a psychedelic music and art party, Alice in Wonderland-themed, with no drugs. But there will be a light show, ass-kicking bands and possibly trippy video projections. Local up-and-comer Villanova Junction is headlining. Dress up in your interpretation of the ’60s, psychedelia, or Alice in Wonderland.

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Just a little friendly reminder to all you happenin’ kids out there in Squara– oops, we mean Sorryscrot — jeez, what are we saying. Ahem.

Don’t anybody forget to go to Burns Court tomorrow night for Cinema Sounds. Here’s the see and do that CL arts writer Amanda, currently on “vacay” in Portland, wrote for the event.

Burns Court is taking the edge off a muggy July eve with the second installment of its Cinema Sounds series. Saturday’s lineup features a handful of bands providing live musical accompaniment to film excerpts of their choosing. Among the acts: Miami’s Rat Bastard and Curious Hair, and locals Resi Noth, Syd and I and HoverKraft. The latter band, a minimalist/prog rock trio, will furnish the score to Dutch filmmaker Peter Delpeut’s 1991 silent era collage, Lyrical Nitrate. It’s a compilation of found footage shot between 1905 and 1915, the title a nod to the rotting, potentially explosive chemical stock discovered in storage at an Amsterdam cinema. This sort of ephemeral edit job, complete with an in-the-flesh, avant-garde soundtrack, sounds right up our trippy alley. Hell, it’s gotta beat The Love Guru. Sat., July 12, doors at 10 p.m., Burns Court Cinema, 506 Burns Lane, Sarasota, $5, 955-3456 or filmsociety.org

All the cool kids will be there, and so will we.

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TGIF… A few late-breaking options for your weekend.

Second Chance-Last Opportunity Benefit
Fri., June 27, 6-8 p.m.
Foley’s Fine Art, 1540A Main Street, Sarasota, 330-6135 or 366-0525

Foley’s Fine Art is closing its Main Street location, and helping Newtown in the process. During tonight’s silent auction, 40% of glass sales and 25% of painting sales will go to Second Chance-Last Opportunity. The entire inventory is up for auction — including works by Picasso, Dali and Calder, refreshments will be served and local chanteuse Sharon Scott will perform.

Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Island Music Festival
Fri., June 27, 5-10 pm.
Pine Ave. and Bay Blvd., Anna Maria Island, 761-4766 or 779-9412

Sample libations and food from area restaurants and get your groove on to local band, Kettle of Fish.

24th Annual Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix Festival Kickoff Party
Sat., June 28, 7 p.m.-1 a.m.
Sarasota Bradenton International Convention Center, 8005 15th St. E., Sarasota, 650-6595

It’s a hundred bucks a pop, but well worth if you’re jonesin’ for the opportunity to bid on items donated by Mike Rowe of TV’s Dirty Jobs and the captains of Deadliest Catch. (The latter’s Keith Colburn will throw out the first pitch at the Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox game on July 2 at Tropicana Field.) Proceeds benefit the Suncoast Foundation of the Handicapped and the Florida Center for Child and Family Development. The event includes food, an open bar and entertainment by Chameleon.

Mattison’s Road Trip Dinner
Sun., June 29, 6-9 p.m.
Starting at Mattison’s Forty One, 7275 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 921-3400

Foodies with an urge to road trip, dip and what not can do the progressive thing on wheels, moving from Mattison’s Forty One for drinks and apps to the Steakhouse at the Plaza for the main courses and then back again for dessert, live music and after-dinner shenanigans. Price is $75 plus tax and tip.

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This just in: Old record night at Canvas Cafe has been canceled for the rest of the summer. Bummer. It was just two weeks ago we were grooving on their front porch to Ravi Shankar, The Count Five, and other forgotten goodies.

They tell us that the Wednesday-night routine will start up again in September. Until then, Canvas DJ Miranda Zimmer will be spinning the oldies at Sarasota Olive Oil Company every Thursday night. Tomorrow night’s in question since Miranda’s out of town, but next week fo’ sho’.

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Every summer, local restaurants unveil incredibly inexpensive prix fixe specials designed to drag locals in and fill up seats during the slow months. It’s a great opportunity to experience some of Sarasota’s best restaurants at a discount, all while helping servers, bartenders, cooks, managers and restaurateurs make it through some especially lean times. Here’s a short list of some of the current specials, courtesy of the Herald. (They beat me to it, darn it.)

Know about some deals that aren’t on the list? Let us know.

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Happy Friday, sports fans,
A few late-breaking options for your weekend…

First Annual Taste of Newtown
Sat., June 21, 2-8 p.m.
Fredd “Glossie” Atkins Park and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way from Links Ave. to Washington Court, Sarasota
Free admission
373-7764

Just thing: Six whole hours of cuisine from over 20 local eateries and neighborhood chefs, plus the usual assortment of arts and crafters, live jazz, R&B, gospel and hip-hop. There’s also an Open Air Market from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and a “Play With Your Food Artstravaganza” with Ringling College of Art and Design students. We’d go but, as we’ve mentioned before, we’re on a cleanse/fast and all of that Southern-style cooking would prove far too tempting. Can we live vicariously through you? Thanks.

Z-Edge One-Year Anniversary Celebration
Sun., June 22, noon-midnight
Z-Edge Tattoo & Body Piercing, 2095 Siesta Drive, Unit B., Sarasota
951-1399 or zedgepiercing.com

Free food, free health screenings, live music courtesy of local rawkers Warfield, Faceplant, Odium, BarrelHead, Burn the Kingdom, plus $5 tee-shirts. And ink and piercings — lots of those. $10 piercings, $30 tattoos. Makes us wanna get another one.

Kass Cause Benefit
Sun., June 22, 1-4 p.m.
The Backyard Getaway Store, 5004 15th St. E., Bradenton
$5 donation
321-6181 or kasscause.com

Kassondra Cotton was recently stricken with her second brain tumor. Help out this single, uninsured mom to an infant son by forking over five bucks. There will be a “bouncy house,” face-painting and games for the kiddies; for the adults, live music by the Git R Dunz, Vin Lamar and Rafferty, plus raffles, silent auctions and a bake sale.

Have a good one, folks.

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As you kick off your work week, here are a few things To Do that didn’t quite make print…

Tonight, Mon., June 16, 7 p.m.
Auditions for parts reading The Play’s The Thing contest winners
The Players Theatre, 838 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 365-2494

Get your thesp on. Roles require actors from teenagers to seniors. Come prepared with a one-minute monologue, either memorized or read. RSVPs are appreciated.

Tomorrow, Tues., June 17, 6-7:30 p.m.
“Organic Foods: A Consumer’s Guide”
Fruitville Library, 100 Coburn Road, Sarasota, 861-5000

Join Robert Kluson, Ph.D. and Agriculture/Natural Resources Extension Agent, for this free discussion and film presentation. Topics include “The True Cost of Food” and “Good Food, Good Business.”

Wed., June 18, 5 p.m.-?
Gecko’s Grill & Pub’s 16th Anniversary Party
Gecko’s original location at the Landings, 4870 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 923-8896
The Two Mikes are good guys. Celebrate their long-standing midtown watering hole and eatery with a free barbecue, drink specials, a DJ and more.

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