ADVENT CONCERTS TO BE PERFORMED AT CHURCH
During Advent, which began Nov. 29, the Church of the Redeemer, 222 S. Palm Ave., in downtown Sarasota, will offer its traditional mid-day Advent Organ Recitals each Wednesday, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m.
The recitals are traditionally performed by guest organists, and this year will feature local organists Neil Page on Dec. 9, Barbara Roth Donaldson on Dec. 16, and Richard Benedum and Julane Rodgers playing together on Dec. 23. The recitals are free and the public is invited.
The Church of the Redeemer is located at 222 South Palm Ave. in downtown Sarasota. Visit www.redeemersarasota.org or call 955.4263 (9-5; M-F) for more information.
FIRST CHURCH TO HOST 'JAZZ IN THE CHAPEL'
The next concert of First United Methodist Church’s (104 S. Pineapple Ave) "Jazz in the Chapel" is Dec. 6 and will feature the Jazz Trio: Johnny Moore on drums, Dominic Mancini on bass and Charlie Prawdzik on piano accompanying special guest Bob Switzer on trumpet.
There will be two identical concerts – (please note the new concert times) 4-5 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m. A free will offering will be taken. For additional information call the church office, 955-0935.
VAN WEZEL ADDS MOODY BLUES TO ROSTER
A concert by The Moody Blues – whose inspiring anthems include "Nights in White Satin," "Tuesday Afternoon" and "I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock And Roll Band)" – has been added to the roster of events at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall this season. Tickets to the concert, on March 11 are on sale now.
Tickets are $60-$80 (with a limited number of "Smart Seats" available for $30).
Since the ‘60s, as a part of the historic original British invasion of super-groups, The Moody Blues have performed music that expresses universal themes of love, compassion and peace. The group – Justin Hayward, John Lodge and Graeme Edge – makes a stop at the Van Wezel as part of its 2010 tour.
With a legacy that spans the late ‘60s to the present, and worldwide album sales of over 70 million, the group is known for creating some of the most ground-breaking and innovative music of our time. Their many single hits, gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums have made The Moody Blues one of the top-grossing bands in existence.
For more information and to buy tickets, contact the Van Wezel Box Office at 953-3368 or log onto www.vanwezel.org. Dinner is available prior to most shows by Michael’s on East at the Van Wezel by calling 366-0007 or www.bestfood.com.
A VERY SLAMBOVIAN CHRISTMAS
In 1998 the Slambovian Circus of Dreams with Gandalf Murphy emerged from the misty hills of Sleepy Hollow, NY, and exploded upon the Hudson Valley music scene with their stunning self-produced debut release, "A Good Thief Tips His Hat." The quirky quartet then began touring throughout the northeast and rapidly developed a fiercely loyal, all-ages following.
On Friday, Dec. 4, at 8:30 p.m., Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams will perform their first Christmas show of the season in benefit for WSLR-LP 96.5, Sarasota’s Community Radio Station, at Holley Hall in the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center. Tickets are $20. Tickets are available at Fogt’s Music, Rocketman, Sarasota Emporium or online at www.wslr.org.
"Imagine a band that has mixed 25 years of rock and roll with a dash of folk and a pinch of Americana into an enormous caldron over a blazing fire. Stir it all with creativity and season with talent. The result is the sound of a yesterday long forgotten, and a refreshing revival of what made you listen to music in the first place." - Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Review
For more information: www.slambovia.com.