Cliff Roles' Newsletter Week December 8, 2008

[Cliff Roles]

Cliff Roles' Talk of the Sun Coast: News, Previews, Reviews and The Best Guests on Radio!
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In this week's newsletter:
- You can't miss Jim Leaming - it's like watching James Stewart on a skateboard playing the whole cast of "It's A Wonderful Life" to perfection!
- Listen to "hotter than Potter" author G.P. Taylor on the radio this afternoon and win his new book!
- Hollywood in Sarasota - catch Audrey, Daniel and Ruth Landers LIVE in the studio for my LANDERS' CHRISTMAS SPECIAL on Tuesday!
- My theatre tips for December;
- High School Idol - it's the FINAL next Monday!
- SCENE Magazine - November issue out now!
- My schedule
- Listen to last week's shows,
And of course ... The best guests on radio!
For latest guest lists and news updates, go to CliffRoles.com every day!


Saturday's
Downtown Holiday Parade
What a pleasure it was to stand on the 1220 WSRQ float (and it nearly did!) this past Saturday evening and wave and broadcast live to the hundreds of well-wishers and partygoers who braved the downpour to watch the Sarasota Downtown Holiday Parade!
I've never been so wet in all my life, but "Misery Loves Company"! and I was proud to be in the company of fellow 1220 stalwarts Jake Jacobson, Rochelle Herman, Kristie Fletcher, Steve Huggins, Dr. Linda Ballou, Jason Champion and Lisa Murphy - Hats Off to you, colleagues!
We were so relieved to learn that SNN 6 reporters Antwan Smith and Bruce Asbury survived a potentially dangerous breeze up on the balcony of the Herald Tribune building! But - not one hair was blown out of place!
Well done to Parade organizer Kim Davis and her team (but can we be at the front next year?)
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A Must-See:
James Leaming, "This Wonderful Life"
Historic Asolo, thru Dec 28

Do 100 push-ups and eat a power bar before you see this one: you'll be exhausted but soooo exhillarated when you've marveled at "This Wonderful Life", James Leaming's brilliant one-man show at the Historic Asolo Theatre.
James plays ALL 31 characters and does ALL the effects himself in this perfect adaptation of the classic Christmas story we love so much - and with George Bailey's Buildings and Loan in such dire straits, it couldn't be more topical. But never fear - love and decency triumph, and you'll go out of the theatre wiping a tear from your eye, captivated at James' moving and comedic performance, and of course listening for the bell that will tell you that another angel has just got their wings.

5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243 - Thru Dec. 28, for tickets tel.
[phone], or online at asolo.org

Listen to James Leaming and Asolo Rep's Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards chatting with me this Monday afternoon at 2 pm on Talk of the Sun Coast!

(Attention, listener giveaways: tickets to "This Wonderful Life" - call in during the show at [phone] to win a pair of tickets to the performance of your choice!)
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LIVE this afternoon at 3 pm on Talk of the Sun Coast:
G.P. Taylor
The Doppel Ganger Chronicles
G. P. TAYLOR is the author of the best-selling novels Shadowmancer (a #1 New York Times bestseller that has been translated into twenty languages) and Wormwood. Before taking up writing full-time, he was an Anglican minister in the village of Cloughton, North Yorkshire. His books have sold over three million copies worldwide.
Motorcyclist and former rock band "roadie" turned Anglican minister in Cloughton, North Yorkshire, Taylor has been hailed as "hotter than Potter" and "the new C.S. Lewis" in the UK.
After initially self-publishing, his success brought him a multi-million dollar contract for Shadowmancer and six additional novels. Shadowmancer reached the top spot on the New York Times' bestsellers list in 2004 and was eventually translated into 48 different languages and optioned for a movie. Wormwood, a subsequent novel in the series, was nominated for a Quill book award.
Now Graham Taylor has signed a worldwide, multiple-book deal to publish The Doppel Ganger Chronicles, a new series of "illustronovellas." Best defined as illustrated novels blending the genres of fiction and graphic novels, the illustronovellas are part of a worldwide campaign to connect a young, visually-oriented generation with the joy and satisfaction of reading good books.
Listen to Graham Taylor chatting LIVE with me this Monday afternoon at 3 pm on Talk of the Sun Coast!
(Attention: listener giveaways: Copies of the Doppel Ganger Chronicles' "The First Escape"- call in during the show at [phone] to win one!)
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1220 AM WSRQ - Call in!
We have some fabulous local shows for you every day of the week - just go to www.newstalk 1220.com to check out our daily show schedule!
And if you want to call in to any show - our studio call-in number is
[phone]
Tune us into your radio and computer - we're worth it!
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High School Idol 5 - THE FINAL!
Mark it in your calendars and bring your banners and whistles - come to the Players Theatre next Monday, Dec. 15 at 7 pm to watch the very last High School Idol Final presented live on-stage by the Education Channel.
The 5 Finalists will each sing 2 songs to compete for fabulous prizes. Judges are Sharon Scott, Jeffery Kin, Twinkle and myself, and your host is the Ed Channel's Leanne McIntire. You can then watch the Final regularly broadcast through the New Year on TV Channel 20 (Comcast) or 33 (Verizon).
Tickets at the door - Players Theatre, 838 N. Tamiami Trail - or phone [phone]!
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Hollywood in Sarasota
The Landers' Family Christmas Special
on Talk of the Sun Coast
Tune in tomorrow, Tuesday Dec. 9, at 2 pm on 1220 AM or online at www.newstalk1220.com to listen to Audrey, Daniel and Ruth Landers talk about their favorite holiday stories. We'll play lots of Audrey and Daniel's songs, including loads of Christmas carols!
You can also phone in and chat with the Audrey, Daniel and Ruth and win a signed Audrey Landers CD - [phone]!
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SCENE Magazine
From stories that will melt your heart, to holiday events, recipes and more, this Holiday issue is sure to get you in the spirit.
My story in the new December issue, which comes out this week, deals with the troubling topic of what happens to young people in the state's foster-care system who are forced to leave it due to age and need our help to deal with the problems of everyday life.
Read how Tish FitzGerald, Mary B. King and the other J.O.Y. mentors are taking these youngsters under their wing.
J.O.Y. to the World - in the next issue of SCENE Magazine!

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My theatre tips "for your viewing pleasure":
ASOLO Repertory Theatre:
"Barnum" (thru Dec. 20)
"This Wonderful Life" (Historic Asolo, thru Dec 28)
941 351-8000 or asolo.org

Golden Apple Dinner Theatre:
"Cages Aux Folles" (thru Jan 18)
941 366-5454 or goldenapple.com

Manatee Players:
"Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (thru Dec 21)
941 748-5875 or manateeplayers.com

Venice Theatre Cabaret:
"Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings" (thru Dec. 21)
Venice Theatre Mainstage:
"A Christmas Carol" (Dec. 12 - 14)
941 488-1115 or venicestage.com

Players of Sarasota:
"Little Women - The Musical" (opens this Thursday thru Dec. 21)
941 365-2494 or theplayers.org

... and don't forget that there are auditions at the Players Theatre this coming Saturday, December 13 for the musicals "Titanic" (director Bob Trisolini) and "Smile" (director Michael Newton-Brown).
For more info and to reserve your audition time, call [phone] or go online to
www.theplayers.org!
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and finally ...

A "Feaste" for the Eyes and Ears - Riverview High School's Renaissance
I don't get out enough.
I know I can't be everywhere at the same time, no matter how much I try. Of course I'm addicted to our Arts life here in Sarasota, and I adore the actors and the singers, the dancers and the artists, the musicians and directors; but tonight I realized that there's a wonderful world outside our theatres, our concert halls and our art galleries - I realized I don't get out enough into our schools.

When I chatted with Riverview High's Principal Linda Nook and Assistant Principal Paul Gallagher (above) on the show a couple of weeks ago, they very kindly invited me to come to Riverview's annual "Renaissance Feaste" at St. John's United Methodist Church on Proctor. Now, not being one to be found often either in Sarasota schools or in its churches, I had no idea what the "Renaissance" was, but was hooked the minute I took my seat in the pew this evening.

It began in the early 90's as a Madrigal Dinner in Riverview's North Cafeteria with less than 40 students, then increased quickly in popularity and moved to the much larger St John's in 2001. The "Castle", the venue for the subsequent concert portion of the "Feaste", was created by the choir parents and students, who designed and painted specialized wall fabric and supports that could be put up and taken down every year in the Church's gymnasium to create the medieval setting. Today, the Feaste boasts over 150 students and volunteers and has become an integral part of Riverview's choral department.

We were first treated to the enchanting voices of the "Mini Minstrels" from Sarasota Middle School. I was seated next to Riverview's Assistant Principal Melanie Dunham, and her anticipation was infectious: I wanted more, and when the lights went down and the Renaissance cast entered in procession, you could have heard a pin drop. The fact that this was Choir Director Betty Mullett's final concert after 19 years only added to the emotion, especially when she spoke a moving vote of thanks and goodbye to her students and audience, and handed over the baton to her successor David Verdoni.
Beautifully accompanied by pianist Shari Munger, the "Riverview Players" - King and Queen, Lords and Ladies, Serfs and Wenches - then proceeded to captivate the packed house with their fabulous costumes and wonderful harmonies. "Annua Gaudia", "Al Shlosha D'Varim", "I saw three ships", "Joy To the World" and five other pieces perfectly performed, demonstrating again and again the time and effort invested by the students.

Our appreciation and respect for the Riverview choir heightened in the "Castle". We were served a hearty meal, while at the same time the cast entertained us by acting, singing and dancing the story of King Shane and Queen Amber's ascent to the throne.
And suddenly Christmas had arrived for me - hammered home by the decorations, the ambiance, the harmonies, and the boundless enthusiasm of these young students. Their final superb rendition of my favorite Traditional, "Carol of the Bells", brought a tear to my eye.

Yes, I really should get out more ... and discover our community's schools, where parents and teachers beam with pride at the achievements of their children and students, who are unquestionably our stars of tomorrow.

What: Riverview High School's 2008 Yuletide Renaissance Concert and Feaste, directed by Betty Mullett and David Verdoni, accompanied by Shari Munger and starring Amber Suleskey, Shane Blouin, Earl Jurado, Lisa Termine and a charismatic cast of over 60 Lords and Ladies and Serfs and Wenches; plus the Sarasota , Brookside and Booker Middle School "Mini Minstrels";
When: December 4, 5 and 6, 2008
Where: St. John's United Methodist Church

http://www.sarasota.k12.fl.us/rhs/home_page.htm
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Here are my dates of where I'll be appearing / emceeing / auctioning / acting etc. during the season - I hope to see you out and about!

Dec 15 7:00P Education Channel, High School Idol 5 Finals @ Players Theatre
Dec 21 10:00A CPL 27th Annual Holiday Service @ Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center
Jan 7 7:00P Tribute Dinner for Marjorie North @ Michael's on East
Jan 9 6.30P Circus Sarasota, An Evening of Ageless Delight @ Under the Big Top
Jan 10 6.30P Catholic Charities Ball @ Ritz Carlton, Sarasota
Jan 14 6:00P Sarasota British Car Club @ Red Lobster
Jan 30 6:00P Boca Grande Woman's Club Gala & Auction @ Boca Grande
Feb 3 6:00P Artist Series of Sarasota, First Friends Gala, Court-A-Fare @ Meadows CC
Feb 20 7:00P SCB, Three Divas and a Harp @ St. John's Methodist Church
Mar 14 11:00P Hermitage Artist Retreat, 2nd Annual Beach Brunch And Bidding @ Hermitage Artist Retreat, Englewood
Apr 14 11.30A Romancing The Tartans, JOY @ Ritz Carlton

To hear the best guests on radio,

join me, Cliff Roles, for

Talk of the Sun Coast

Monday thru Friday,

from 3 to 4 pm on 1220 AM WSRQ


(or listen on the LIVESTREAM at www.newstalk1220.com)

Join me live every weekday afternoon!

LIVE
from the 1220 AM studio on Ringling Blvd
(note special show times this month!)

Monday, December 8:
2 - 3 pm: Michael Edwards, James Leaming, Asolo Repertory Theatre, This Wonderful Life
3 - 4 pm: G.P. Taylor, author Doppelganger Chronicles, The First Escape

Tuesday, December 9:
2 - 4 pm: The Landers' Family Christmas Special: Ruth, Audrey & Daniel Landers

Wednesday, December 10:
3 - 4 pm: Andy Mandell, Mr Diabetes / Carole Kleinberg & Nancy Apatow, Little Women - The Musical

Thursday, December 11:
2 - 3 pm: Spike Carlsen, author A Splintered History Of Wood / Michelle Giglio, soprano
3 - 4 pm: Beverly and Rilla Fleming, artists / Daniel Everett, author Don't sleep, there are snakes: life and language in the Amazonian jungle

Friday, December 12:
2 - 3 pm: Philip Carlo, author Gaspipe: Confessions of a Mafia Boss / Diane Williams, author True To Me
3 - 4 pm: Tere Greenwald, astrologer (Emma, Sue, Lisa)

If you'd like to view my guest list for the whole month, go to CliffRoles.com!
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Listen to last week's shows!

December 5, 2008: Russell Crumley, Executive Director Sarasota County Arts Council
December 5, 2008: Karna Small Bodman, author, Checkmate
December 5, 2008: Leif Bjaland, Principal Conductor and Artistic Director, Sarasota Orchestra
December 5, 2008: Patsy Rowe, etiquette maven
December 4, 2008: Patrick Taylor, author An Irish Country Christmas
December 4, 2008: Jared Walker, director Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory
December 4, 2008: Kelly Regan, Frommers Top 10 destinations for 2009
December 4, 2008: Heidi Godman & Dr. Dean Sutherland, Neuro Challenge Foundation
December 3, 2008: Sally Faron, La Musica
December 3, 2008: Eleonora Lvov, Gundula Coleman, Sarasota Sister Cities Association, Vladimir, Russia
December 2, 2008: Bob Turoff & DeWayne Barrett, Golden Apple Dinner Theatre, La Cage Aux Folles
December 2, 2008: Bri Saba and Tracy Eisnaugle, Junior League Tour of Homes
December 2, 2008: Bruce Rodgers & Bob Greenfield, The Greenfield Prize

December 1, 2008: Kathy Kolbe, Sherry Watts, Pam Morris, The Kolbe Index
December 1, 2008: Bernadette Boyle, American Craft Council

There's an extensive selection under "Past Guests" at www.CliffRoles.com!

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Station Contact
Here's the official map with the address and contact numbers of
1220 AM WSRQ:

2127 Ringling Blvd,
Sarasota, FL 34237
(next to the Checkers)
Cross Streets: between S East Ave and S School Ave.
Office tel. no.: [phone]
Studio phone-in number: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

I am the recipient of the Sarasota County Arts Council 2007 Arts Leadership Award for Media, and I was voted one of the top three in the category Best Local Actor 2008 by the readers of Sarasota Magazine as well as Best Supporting Actor, Play by the readers of Sarasota Herald Tribune.

Talk of the Suncoast on 1220 AM (or listen on the LIVESTREAM)
Contact: tel. [phone]
http://www.cliffroles.com
http://www.myspace.com/english456
Check out my pages at AnythingArts.com and SarasotaLocal.com!