Leno, "Once" added to Straz Center season

   The Straz Center in Tampa has announced a bunch of additions to its 2014-15 season.
   By far the biggest of newly announced acts are the return of "Once," (Sept, 22-27, 2015), the wonderful musical that was a hit at the Straz earlier this year, and Jay Leno, who brings his standup comedy to the Straz on March 29

Jay Leno

   Leno headlined the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall gala last season, but he's not scheduled to come back to the Bradenton-Sarasota area in 2014-15. But several of the new shows on the Straz Center  season schedule will also be at Van Wezel, including The Piano Guys (at the Straz Feb. 4, at Van Wezel Feb. 7), Celtic Woman (Straz April 25, Van Wezel April 24) and "Menopause: The Musical" (Straz June 2-7, Van Wezel Jan. 5). So the Straz shows give Bradenton-area residents some alternate dates.
  Most of the recently announced acts aren't slated to come any closer than Tampa, though. You might have make the drive up to the Straz if you want to see comedians Demitri Martin (Dec. 12), Russell Peters (Jan. 18) and musicians Gaby Moreno (Nov. 7), the Celts (March 19), Kissy Simmons (Nov. 1), Will and Anthony (Dec. 6), Karen Mason (Feb. 14) and Natalie Prass (May 11). A lot of the concerts, including "Lion King" star Simmons, are in a cabaret setting in the intimate Jaeb Theater.
  Theatrical shows that have been added include "Dixie's Tupperware Party" (Oct. 15-19), "50 Shades! The Musical Parody" (Jan. 25), the one-man musical "My Sinatra" (Feb. 28) and "Late Nite Catechism With Sister Mary Z."
   Dance performances includes the Youth America Grand Prix (Jan. 10) and Next Generation Ballet's "Coppelia" (May 1-2).
   Tickets for most shows go on sale Saturday, Aug. 30. Call 813--229-7827 or go to strazcenter.org. The entire season, most of which was announced in June. is on the website. more shows will almost certainly be added later.

Pilobolus performs in Sarasota this evening

   It was a shot at the big time that most artists and entertainers can only dream of. And Pilobolus blew it.          
   In the early 1970s, Frank Zappa was performing at Dartmouth College, and a group of students from a dance class opened the concert with a weird performance piece called "Pilobolus," after a fungus that grows in cow manure. Zappa loved the piece and invited the group, which didn't

even have a name yet, to go on tour with him.
   "We said, "What? We can't do that, we have midterms coming up,' " recalled Pilobolus co-founder Moses Pendleton.
    The people from Pilobolus obviously had no intention of making their careers as dancers, but they went on to change the face of American modern dance through their unusual approach to movement, narrative and illusion.

   They’ll be at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota at 8 p.m. tonight, (Wednesday, Feb. 12).
   They’ve lasted much longer than most dance companies, and in recent years they've shown signs of being past their creative prime. (Pendleton left the company to found the equally innovative Momix and Pilobolus hasn’t been as wonderfully weird since.) And because they’ve been so influential, the rest of the dance world has caught up with them and Pilobolus no longer seem so revolutionary.
   But their concerts are still full of beauty and intellect, and anyone who cares about dance still wants to see them anytime they come through town.

   Tickets are $40-$60. Call 941-953-3368 or go to www.vanwezel.org.

  
  

Tim Conway announces retirement, cancels Sarasota show

   It was only last month that the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall announced that Tim Conway had been added to its season schedule.
   Now comes the announcement that Conway has decided to retire from concert performance, and that he's canceled all his Florida appearances. Obviously, that includes his March 22 date in Sarasota.

Tim Conway

   Here's what the statement from the people at Van Wezel (apparently quoting from Conway's representatives) said:
   "After completing an exhausting and extensive national book tour promoting his autobiography, 'So You Think That's Funny,' Tim Conway, in consultation with his family, has decided that it's time to retire from performing live in concert on the road. Tim will truly miss this part of his performing career and will look back upon it with only very fond memories. He sincerely apologies for any inconveniences and disappointments this has caused to his fans and to the venues but believes that this is in his and his family's best interest going forward."
   Conway, of course, is best known from his stint on "The Carol Burnett Show." He'll be 80 years old in a couple of weeks.
   If you have tickets, call 941-953-3368 and you can get a refund or credit toward tickets for another Van Wezel show.
  

Tim Conway coming to Sarasota's Van Wezel

  Tim Conway, the comic actor who’s best remembered as a member of the “Carol Burnett Show” crew, is coming to Sarasota.

Tim Conway

   He’ll be at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall at 8 p.m. March 22. He’ll do a 90-minute show of stand-up and sketches. 
   Opening is impressionist Louise DuArt.
   Besides his 11 years on the Burnett show, for which he won five Emmys, Conway has starred in movies and appeared in countless sitcoms. He also created he popular “Dorf” series of videos and DVDs.The word is that some of his iconic character creations will make appearances during his Van Wezel show.
   Tickets are $35-$70. You can buy tickets or get more information by visiting the Van Wezel box office (777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota) or by calling at 941-953-3368 or going to www.vanwezel.org. 

Jerry Seinfeld adds a second Sarasota show

    Jerry Seinfeld's show in Sarasota is still five months away, but so many people are clamoring for tickets that he's already added a second show.

Seinfeld

   The additional performance is slated for 9:30 p.m. March 7 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. The first show, which is already sold out, is at 7 p.m. that same evening. 
   Tickets for the added show go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 24. They'll run you $86 to $97. Call 941-953-3368 or go to www.vanwezel.org.

.

Itzhak Perlman performs in Sarasota Nov. 6

   Itzhak Perlman, one of the world's greatest and best-known violinists, will perform in concert at Sarasota's Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Nov. 6.

Itzhak Perlman

   He'll perform a chamber concert with alumni from the Perlman Music Program, a seven-week summer program in Shelter Island, NY. The summer program is augmented by a two-week intensive winter residency  in Sarasota, called the Perlman Music Program/Suncoast, in partnership with University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee.
    Tickets fro the concert are $30-$120. There's a "Meet the Artists" reception following the concert; Tickets for that are $50. Call 941-953-3368 or visit www.vanwezel.org.
   For more information about the Perlman Music Program/Suncoast, call 941-955-4942 or visit www.pmpsuncoast.org.

Alton Brown comes to Sarasota's Van Wezel

   Alton Brown, television's most entertaining foodie, is coming to Sarasota.

Alton Brown

   He'll bring his engaging combination of silly humor and instructive culinary science to Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall with a show called "Alton Brown Live! The Edible Inevitable Tour.”
   It's not until 7 p.m. March 2, 2014 -- that's a Sunday -- but tickets go on sale June 7. You can get them for as little as $10, but the best seats are $125. Call 941-953-3368 or visit www.VanWezel.org.
   Brown is best-known as the host of "Good Eats" and "Iron Chef America." He recently won "Munchie," a people's choice food award, as best food TV personality.
   Press materials say his show combines stand-up comedy, talk show antics, multimedia lecture, live music and food experimentation. Some audience members will have the opportunity to serve as Brown’s assistants on stage. 
   By the way, if for some reason you can't make that Sarasota show, Brown will also be at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa the previous evening (Saturday, March 1, 2014). Call 813-229-7827 or visit www.strazcenter.org for tickets to that one.

Sarasota Film Festival opens Friday with "Blackfish"

  A new documentary by a little-known director has landed the prestigious opening-night slot for this year's Sarasota Film Festival.

Tilikum at SeaWorld

  Gabriela Cowperthwaite's "Blackfish," which premiered at Sundance in January, explores the life of Tilikum, a captive orca who has been involved with the deaths of three people, including one of his trainers at SeaWorld in Orlando. The film traces Tilikum's treatment from the time he was captured near Iceland and explores the question of whether intelligent creatures ought to be be held captive for people's amusement.
  Critics have called it powerful and persuasive; SeaWorld officials have called it misleading.
   It's set to be screened at 7 p.m. Friday, April 5 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Cowperthwaite will be there.
Call (941) 364-9514 or go to www.sarasotafilmfestival.com for information on this film or any other films or events in the festival.

"Chicago" at Van Wezel in Sarasota postponed

   If you've been getting excited about seeing "Chicago: The Musical" at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in a couple of weeks... sorry.

   The show, which was scheduled for April 9-10, has been postponed. In fact, it's not going to be here for almost a full year -- not until March 4-5, 2014.

   If you have tickets, you should be getting new ones from Van Wezel within a month. You'll have the same seats. If you already have other plans for March 4 and 5 of next year, you have to return your tickets to the box office. 

   The officially stated reason for the postponement is that the tour route has been rescheduled.

    Call  941-953-3368 for more details.  

   

Parsons Dance gives peek at Sarasota show

  Modern dance fans who have tickets to tonight’s Parsons Dance performance at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall are in for a profound treat.

   The company, arguably the finest modern dance company in the world right now, performed at the Palladium in St. Petersburg Tuesday, with much the same program audiences will see this evening (Wednesday, March 20) in Sarasota.

   Included in tonight’s program are “Caught,” Parsons’ trademark work of dance magic that has a solo dancer appearing to float above the stage for several minutes, and “Hand Dance,” a highly clever and amusing older work with only the dancers’ hands visible.

   Both were wonderful on Tuesday; “Caught” never gets old, no matter how many times you see it. But the newest  piece on tonight’s program, the multi-part “Round My World” from 2012 is just as enthralling.

  The concept is simple – it's just an artistic exploration of the circle – but it’s a joyous celebration of dance, music, geometry and the human form. The fact that all the dancers in the company are just about perfect-looking helps a lot.

   The Palladium is a treasure in St. Petersburg, but it isn’t a great theater for dance. Lighting is integral to Parsons – lighting designer Howell Binkley co-founded the company – and the Palladium has some technical limitations.

  Still, Tuesday’s concert was fulfilling and invigorating. Wednesday's show in Van Wezel, where the company can control the stage environment more fully, promises be even better.

   It starts at 8 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets are $10-$45.For information, call 941-953-3368 or go to vanwezel.org.

Bryan Adams comes to Bradenton-Sarasota area

Bryan Adams

  It's kind of hard to imagine '80s rocker Bryan Adams doing a solo acoustic tour. But that's what he's doing, and from all reports fans around the country are responding enthusiastically to stripped-down versions of "Cuts Like a Knife" and "Summer of '69."

   You can check the show out for yourself when Adams comes to Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on May 16. Tickets for the just-announced concert go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, March 8 at vanwezel.org or at the box office, 941-953-3368. No word on ticket prices yet.

UPDATED 1/11: Crosby Still & Nash have Sarasota tour date at Van Wezel

UPDATED 1/11: Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Jan 18 for Van Wezel show.
 
Folk-rock greats Crosby, Stills & Nash will tour again this year starting with eight dates in Florida including May 8 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the Sarasota venue confirmed today.

The tour begins May 5 at the Hard Rock Live in Orlando and also includes a May 7 date at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater.

The same players who accompanied Crosby, Stills & Nash in 2012 will be on the road with them in 2013: Todd Caldwell (organ), Shane Fontayne (guitar), Steve DiStanislao (drums), Kevin McCormick (bass), and James Raymond (keyboards).

"CSN 2012," a 25-song set presenting CSN's first live performance film in more than 20 years, was released last summer in Blu-ray and DVD/2CD versions. It features complete concert footage and bonus content—including a conversation with David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash plus on-the-road interviews with the group's band and crew. 


—Publicity photo (from left): David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash

Hard rock crooner Paul Anka returns to Van Wezel, Sarasota, Jan. 9

A teen idol in the late 1950s, the writer of Frank Sinatra's "My Way" and Tom Jones' "She's A Lady," Paul Anka made fresh headlines a few years back covering Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (this is a must-hear live performance) and similar fare for his album "Rock Swings."

The album features Anka giving the smooth vocal and big band treatment to 1980s and 1990s pop and rock favorites that also include Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun," R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts" and Van Halen's "Jump."

"Rock Swings" was Anka's first disc to crack the Billboard 200 in more than 20 years, reaching No. 2 on the trade publication's jazz chart and prompting the singer to record the equally successful 2007 collection "Classic Songs: My Way."

Anka returned to more predictable material with his 2011 holiday album "Songs of December."

Details: 8 p.m. Jan. 9, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets: $30-$125. Information: 941-953-3366 or www.vanwezel.org.

—Publicity photo

Sarasota Ballet re-imagines 'Nutcracker' with fresh Ringling Circus twist at Van Wezel

The Sarasota Ballet's "John Ringling's Circus Nutcracker" will have its world premiere Dec. 14-15 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

One of Florida's greatest performing arts legacies will come to life in a fresh incarnation when the Sarasota Ballet presents the world premiere of "John Ringling's Circus Nutcracker."

The performance, Friday and Saturday at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, is inspired by the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The entertainment giant that had its Winter Quarters in Sarasota from 1927 to 1959.

The Greatest Show on Earth remains closely associated with the city thanks to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art as well as current celebrity circus residents such as record-holding sky-walker Nik Wallenda.

Englishman Iain Webb, director of The Sarasota Ballet, has been enamored by the city's circus legacy since he arrived six years ago.

For years, he also maintained a long-term goal to do something fresh with the holiday warhorse that while beloved by the masses, is considered a deathless pest by many dancers, directors and serious ballet enthusiasts.

"I was always looking for something to do with the connection to the circus," Webb said. "I also really wanted to do a new 'Nutcracker,' something magical that had a whole new life."

Read more.

Blues-rock man Mike Zito, country singer Josh Thompson and more in Weekend.
  
—PHOTO PROVIDED

UPDATED 10/14: Greed is why The Beach Boys are performing without Brian Wilson at the Van Wezel in Sarasota

UPDATED 10/14: The Beach Boys show in Sarasota should feature Brian Wilson, but probably won't: commentary

The Van Wezel has known since before announcing its season back in August.

The Beach Boys show on Feb. 17 would not feature creative leader Brian Wilson.

The website for the Sarasota venue says "Beach Boys Feat. Mike Love & Bruce Johnston."

This, however, is apparently news to Wilson.

Here's what happened.

The reunited Beach Boys elated fans with a global 50th anniversary tour earlier this year that brought  the band to the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa in May.

The previously feuding chief songwriter/pianist/singer Wilson and his cousin, lead singer Mike Love, plus Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks, played together for the first time in more than two decades.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/05/03/4023124/the-beach-boys-bring-50th-anniversary.html#storylink=cpy

The tour was going great, with reviewers largely focusing on the reemergence of Wilson.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/08/26/4170779/van-wezel-performing-arts-hall.html#storylink=cpy

Near the end of the tour, though, in London, Love announced that he and Johnston would continue touring under the Beach Boys’ name in his pre-anniversary edition of the band. Founding/longtime members Wilson, Jardine and Marks would no longer be part of the group.

It's been a war of the words ever since with Love responding to the harsh media reaction by publishing a letter exclusively in the L.A. Times on Saturday that states, among other things, that he never fired Wilson and does not have the authority to do so, adding that even if he did have the authority, he wouldn't fire the group's mastermind.

Now, Wilson and Jardine have submitted a response to Love’s letter. Wilson's letter is running today on the L.A. Times' Pop & Hiss music blog.

"The negativity surrounding all the comments bummed me out," Wilson's statement reads. "What's confusing is that by Mike not wanting or letting Al, David and me tour with the band, it sort of feels like we're being fired."

Wilson goes on to state that he and Jardinewould like to be included in the promotion of the Beach Boys' new, favorably reviewed album "That's Why God Made The Radio."

"While I appreciate the nice cool things Mike said about me in his letter, and I do and always will love him as my cousin and bandmate, at the same time I'm still left wondering why he doesn't want to continue this great trip we're on," Wilson writes. "Al and I want to keep going because we believe we owe it to the music."

Read Wilson's complete response over at LATimes.com.

My thoughts?

Love is greedy.

He can make much more money by using the name "Beach Boys" with nameless hired guns rather than sharing profits with Wilson, Jardine and Marks. And that's sad for everybody. Well, I guess everybody except Love and his agent/accountant.

Tickets for the Van Wezel show are $30-$70.

—Publicity photo of the reunited Beach Boys featuring Brian Wilson (seated, center) and Mike Love (wearing the "Love" hat).

John Legend postpones Van Wezel show in Sarasota

John Legend, originally scheduled to open the Van Wezel's 43rd season Oct. 19, has postponed his upcoming tour in order to finish work on his new studio album.

The Sarasota venue stated this morning that the neo-soul singer, pianist and songwriter took to social media Tuesday to inform fans  that his fall 2012 tour will be postponed until 2013 to coincide with his forthcoming album "Love In The Future."

Here's the statement:

Hey beautiful people,

I'm writing with a change of plans to share with you. As you all know, I've been working on my new album, Love in the Future, with Kanye and the rest of my creative team for a while now. I planned to release the album this Fall and go on tour to perform new songs from the album. We announced the dates before we'd finished the album because we were sure we'd finish the album in time. But, unfortunately, while the creative process has been exciting and I'm pretty certain we're going to deliver the best album of my career so far, the timing hasn't adhered to the schedule I originally envisioned. In other words, we're not done with the album. And my team and I have made the agonizing decision to put off the tour until 2013* when we know we will have the new music done and will be ready to fully unveil the creative vision through the album and the live experience.

I've never postponed a tour or done anything like this before. I've only missed a show due to illness a couple times in my eight-year career. I don't like letting my fans down, and I sincerely regret disappointing the thousands of you who have already spent your hard-earned money and gotten excited to see the show. Please know that we will try our best to make the music and the 2013 tour well worth the wait. In the meantime, ticket holders can get a refund on your ticket purchases now.

Thanks for your patience. I sincerely apologize if I've let any of you down. I'm going to get back to work and make sure we make this album the "best you've ever had."

Sincerely,

John

Anyone who has purchased tickets can call the Van Wezel Box Office at (941) 953-3368 for information regarding a credit to another performance or refund.

The Van Wezel, through no fault of its own, has had a rough start to the 2012-13 season. In August, just days after announcing the show, Anita Baker canceled.  

—Publicity photo of John Legend.

Lily Tomlin on '9 to 5' sequel

The charming, witty and adorably humble Lily Tomlin told me today that she still keeps in touch with her "9 to 5" co-stars Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton.

"We were just lucky to be in it," Tomlin said by phone from her home in Los Angeles. "Jane is like that. She just believes in serendipity. She came to see me (perform) live one night and that’s where she got the idea to cast me — and on the way home she heard Dolly on the radio and that was it (laugh)."

Tomlin, Fonda and Parton knew each other before filming began and became even better friends on set — and hoped for a dream re-teaming to follow the 1980 hit comedy.

"We tried for a long time for a sequel," Tomlin said. "There were two or three scripts but they weren't what we wanted."

She added, "I think Jada Pinkett Smith owns the rights now and wants to do African-American remake."

"Will Smith preps '9 to 5' remake"

Would Tomlin be interested in making a cameo appearance in the new version?

"Oh, yeah," she said. "I would love to."

I spoke to Tomlin today for an upcoming story to advance her March 1 performance at the Van Wezel.


—Publicity photo of Lily Tomlin by Greg Gorman.

UPDATED 12/8: City-owned Van Wezel breaking ties with Sarasota?

UPDATED 12/8: Mark Famiglio, the Van Wezel Foundation chairman of the board who also serves as the president of the executive committee of the board of directors at the Sarasota Film Festival; Robert Bartolotta, city manager of Sarasota; and Van Wezel Executive Director Mary Bensel opine on the four options concerning...

Van Wezel parting ways with Sarasota?

Big changes could be underway regarding the leadership of the top concert venue in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

The City of Sarasota-owned Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall's separate Van Wezel Foundation has entered into a series of exploratory discussions regarding the future operations of the  1,726-seat venue. 

The initial discussions with the Van Wezel Foundation, which began earlier this year, have centered on consolidating the operation of the Van Wezel Hall with the Van Wezel Foundation under a long term lease arrangement whereby the non-profit entity would carry the authority and responsibility for governance, operations, all expenses and fundraising.

Here's the what was issued by the city early this afternoon:

The city commission has directed the city staff to explore organizational alternatives for the future. Among the alternatives being considered are:

1. Continue to operate the Van Wezel as a City Department. Over the last two years, under the leadership of Mary Bensel, revenues have exceeded expenditures. The current budget continues this success with no budgeted subsidy from the general fund

2. Explore a private management contract for operation similar to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Ft Myers and the Mahaffey Theatre in St. Petersburg. Under this alternative a private company manages the operation with a management fee paid by the city.

3. Create a new 501 3(c) non-profit organization to manage both the day to day operations and the long term fund raising.

4. Consolidate the operation of the Van Wezel Hall with the Van Wezel Foundation under a long term lease arrangement whereby the non-profit entity would carry the authority and responsibility for governance, operations, all expenses and fundraising.

The initial discussions with the Van Wezel Foundation, which began earlier this year, have centered on the fourth alternative which has the potential of combining the excellent current operating staff with the foundation’s ability to secure major new funding in the future.

These discussions, regardless of outcome will not affect the excellent cooperative working relationship between the city and the foundation which have been partners for more than 25 years.

The discussions will have no impact on the Van Wezel's ability to continue to book quality programs in the future.

Bensel will head up the proposed new structure as president and CEO and will supervise all staff (current and future).

The discussion will focus on the following mission/objectives:

Mission: The mission of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is:

1. To present a broad spectrum of the world’s finest performing artists in order to meet the diverse cultural needs of all of Southwest Florida’s residents and visitors.

2. To bring visiting artists into the community for meaningful education and outreach programs that help develop new audiences.

3. To provide a quality facility for other local cultural organizations.

Objectives:

1. To assure the retention of and expansion of quality arts in the community

2. To develop a more efficient and effective model for fund raising and provide for . broad and expanded philanthropic support

3. To ensure that no subsidies will be necessary from the City

4 To enhance the support provided for other arts entities in the community and encourage collaboration

5. To expand audiences, communal utilization of facilities and provide affordable programming to all segments of our community

Timeline: If this alternative is implemented, it is anticipated this process will take a period of time to ensure a strong win-win arrangement. The estimated time frame for any implementation will be approximately January 1, 2013. Any agreement reached would need to be approved by the City Commission and the Foundation Board of Directors.

Stay tuned for more info/comments from the key players.

—Photo of Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall provided

Willie Nelson returns to Sarasota to play Van Wezel; info on new album

Willie Nelson is returning to Sarasota.

After last season's quick sell-out, American music icon Willie Nelson and Family return to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall for another evening of brilliant country influenced by blues, jazz, folk and classic pop.

Tickets for the Feb. 3 show go on sale at 10 a.m. Sat., Nov. 12.

Nelson is scheduled to release the covers album "Remember Me, Vol. 1" on Nov. 21. Here's the track list, courtesy of TheBoot.com:

1. "Remember Me" (Ernest Tubb)
2. "Sixteen Tons'"(Tennessee Ernie Ford)
3. "Why Baby Why" (George Jones)
4. "Today I Started Loving You Again" (Merle Haggard)
5. "I'm Movin' On" (Hank Snow)
6. "That Just About Does It" (Vern Gosdin)
7. "This Old House" (Rosemary Clooney)
8. "Sunday Morning Coming Down" (Kris Kristofferson)
9. "Smoke That Cigarette" (Tex Williams)
10. "Slowly" (Webb Pierce)
11. "A Satisfied Mind" (Porter Wagoner)
12. "Roly Poly" (Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys)
13. "Release Me" (Ray Price)
14. "Ramblin' Fever'"(Merle Haggard)
15. "More and More" (Webb Pierce) *iTunes exclusive

Earlier this year I interviewed Willie's son/band mate, singer/songwriter/guitarist Lukas Nelson:

Willie’s son Lukas keeping it ‘real’

Details: 8 p.m. Feb. 3, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets (on sale 10 a.m. Nov. 12): $30-$75. Info: (941) 953-3368 or log onto www.vanwezel.org.





—Photo at top provided by Van Wezel

INTERVIEW: Brian Henson, chairman of The Jim Henson Company, on his naughty new creation 'Stuffed and Unstrung'

L-R: Michael Oosterom, Brian Henson and Tyler Bunch Photo: Carol Rosegg

My earliest, most cherished memories are watching "Sesame Street," "The Muppet Show," "The Muppet Movie" and everything else produced by The Jim Henson Company.

So it was wonderful interviewing current company chairman Brian Henson, who fondly recalled hours spent backstage during taping of the Muppet productions and discussed how those memories shaped his cool, adult-only production "Stuffed and Unstrung," which is playing the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Oct. 5.

"Brian Henson on becoming ‘unstrung’"