Blog No. 41 of 2025
Seems like I can’t stay off the road and my brother Mario reminded me this weekend that our love of road trips comes from our Dad. We took plenty of family road trips so he thinks all of us (me and my five siblings) get that from him.
I say that because Friday my sister Mari and I hit the road up to Bradenton, FL to watch my nephew Chris, my brother Mario’s son, coach his St. Stephen’s Episcopal Falcons football team to victory. It was a nailbiter, a come-from-behind win with an explosive second half. They were victorious, winning 28-26.
DeSoto Historic Site trail
Cute heron on the trail
Saturday after relaxing at my brother’s house, we visited to DeSoto Historic Site where we took to the nature trail, a lovely one-mile loop that goes along the water. Technically the park was closed due to the government shutdown but we, like all the others there simply parked just outside the entrance and squeezed by the sign to enter.
After the park visit, we had an early dinner at Sandbar Restaurant on Anna Maria Island whre followed by a great drive around Anna Maria Island where we drove by Brandenton Beach, Coquina Beach and the Cortez neighborhood. It’s a completely different vibe on the West Coast of Florida and I welcomed it.
Waiting in anticipation for the show to begin.
The Wiz cast takes a final bow after a thrilling, heart pounding show.
Tuesday night was opening night of “The Wiz” at the Arsht Center. I enjoyed the play with my sister Susy. It was a colorful and beautifully acted and sung production and that is the best way to describe it. The costumes and sets were equally vibrant and the musical numbers were heart pounding, goosebump inducing, mouth drop open, how did they hit those notes good. Memorable is an understatement. Plus I love that there were a few homegrown talents featured in the show, click here to read about them.
Wednesday I finally made it over to The Copper/Copperbridge Foundation complex just five minutes from my house. I had a great conversation with founder Geo Darder and am hoping to be working closely with him in the future to keep that space growing. I have already pitched the story to the Biscayne Times Editor. I plan to attend his latest exhibit opening “Brooms Caress the Earth,” happening tonight because I love the space and got to meet the artist when I was there and her work is fabulous.
The banner says it all about the mood Jon Batiste and his band set during his “Big Money” Tour.
Jon Batiste, front and center on guitar surrounded by his amazing band.
Thursday I kicked off the day doing a food rescue and that night went to the Jon Batiste concert at the Broward Center. I sat next to a woman who was also attending solo and we had a lovely chat. I absolutely loved the show, it was everything I expected. Batiste played the piano like the Juilliard graduate that he is and also picked up the guitar and saxophone. He and his band, swayed, sashayed, swaggered, jumped and congregated around every edge of the stage. They even spilled down into the audience for the final number, made their way down the aisle, parade up to the mezzanine level and finished off the night in the lobby. The positive vibe he and his band kept going all night was pure joy. He’s a New Orleans native so the evening was a blend of jazz, zydeco, throwback Motown and classical piano (he played a few Beethoven classics). It was a romp that had us all clapping and dancing number after number.
Things to do this weekend:
Adventure-Leggers at Bookleggers in the Bakehouse Art Complex
If the weather permits, go Stargazing in Palmetto Bay on Saturday night
Catch a late night movie with discounted admission at Coral Gables Art Cinema on Saturday
Take a free tour of the public art in the Miami Design District on Sunday
Catch a show at the Miami Beach Bandshell
That’s all for this week and here’s a parting shot of the peacocks that hang out/live in the same grassy area that I walk by. They again trekked on the sidewalk right alongside me.
