Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix 2012

This weekend is the Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Fesitval. It’s my first summer here, but I’ve heard it’s kind of a big deal. We all know that Sarasota is a sleepy coastal town in the summer so take this advantage to have fun while you can.

Events You Can’t Miss This Weekend:

1. Festival Parade of Boats

All competing boats will be making their way down Main Street starting at 7. Music, racers, and if it’s anything like usual parades, tons of freebies.

2. Block Party

After the parade stick around to party into the night. Vendors and food carts will take over Main Street starting at 5pm. Local darlings The Garbage Men and Chameleon will be providing live music in J.D. Hammel Park.

3. Powerboats by the Bay

Sounds just like a block party only this one will be at Centennial Park. All of the festival food and fun for free from 10 am to 9 pm. A perfect price for this economy.

 

4. Miss Super Boat Bikini Contest

If you happen to be at Powerboats by the Bay on Saturday stop by for the fine American tradition of objectifying women in the Grand Prix Bikini Contest from 3-4:30. Hey, no hatin’ here. If you’ve got it, flaunt it.

 

5. Super Boat Grand Prix

After all the fuss, head to Lido Beach to see the boats in action. There are two heats starting at 11am and 1pm. Bring your spf and settle in for a day by the waves. 

50% Off Blowout Sale!

Almost everything in the store is 50% off! (Excludes Putumayo, Devi Jewelry and Bouncies).

Here's just a sample of some deals you can find:

Little Odd Forest now $13-$30

Portuguese Pottery now $6-$21

Jacquard Tea Towel now $8.50

Oilcloth Bags now $7-13.50

We'll be open until 8pm on Friday and Saturday. Stop by and see us in person or visit us at www.efvillageshop.com!

Sarasota Movie Review: First Position

I am in love with Burn's Court Cinemas.

The theater is quaint and old fashioned looking without feeling old. I don't get serenaded by models on jet skis trying to sell me Fanta while I wait for the movie to begin. The small theater, with it's stage light in the far corner and mere two rows of seating creates a cozy atmosphere. I feel like I'm stepping back to a time when movies weren't available on demand. You went to the theater not because you were bored but because you want to experience art. 

This week I felt extra "artsy" as I took in First Position, a documentary about the Youth America Grand Prix ballet competition. Each year 5000 ballet students world wide will compete for only 300 spots in the final competition. The film follows six of them to see what it really takes to make a career in ballet. 

Ballet has fascinated me ever since the very twisted film Black Swan, but I appreciated this film's positive outlook on this very competitive art. While it does show the strenuous schedule required of the young performers it also shows that they each have a true passion to pursue dance. Joan Sebastian, a teen from Colombia, was put in training by his mother to keep him off the streets. Another film subject, 14-year-old Michaela, was inspired by a photo of a ballerina during her time in a Sierra Leone orphanage and vowed to one day become as beautiful and graceful as the woman she saw on a magazine cover. 

The Youth America Grand Prix awards ballet contracts and scholarships to the best performers. Rebecca, a high school senior featured in the film, is banking on the competition to bring her a career instead of going to college. It's a life changing moment for all of the featured competitors. It was inspiring to watch each of their journey's from very different backgrounds to one prestigious competition. 

Burn's Court frequently swaps out it's films, so don't miss your chance to see this wonderful documentary. You can find showtimes here. 

A History of Provencale Fabrics

I was going to write a post on the history of tablecloths in France, but Jenean isn't here to spellcheck my French. Instead I thought this video provided a good summary. Enjoy!

PS: Wanting a handcrafted tablecloth from Provence of your own? Visit our store to our selection of Provencale fabrics.