Road Scholar : Home
Beaches and Marine Life, Music of Broadway and Harlem, Theatre History

Program Number: 20829RJ
Start and End Dates:
1/20/2013 - 1/25/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Sarasota, Florida
Price starting at: $1,044.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Multi-Topic; Theater; Science & Nature Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 14; 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles.



Coordinated by Senior Friendship Centers, Inc.



Florida Beaches, Shells, Marine Life and Shark Research

Stroll sandy Gulf of Mexico beaches exploring with a biologist as you identify various forms of marine life washed ashore. Take a field trip to Mote Marine Aquarium and Laboratory for a look at current cancer research using sharks and other species.



Musical Echoes of Broadway and Harlem

Manhattan’s theatre district and upper west side were primary contributors to our nation’s rich musical heritage. Listen with a critical ear to many of the composers and performers who created and interpreted the songs we love.



Theatre, Thespians, and Tickets: Oh My!

What are a thespian’s greatest challenges? Study theater through the eyes of a skilled actress and director as you expand your knowledge and attend a live performance. Learn the art of performance with the use of mirrors, mics, props, and more.




Sarasota

Situated on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico on Florida's west coast, Sarasota is rich in cultural treasures and recreational attractions within a short driving distance, including the outstanding John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Ringling Museum of the Circus, art galleries, golf courses and beaches.
Accommodations
Hotel on the beach of the Gulf of Mexico .Two pools, three Jacuzzis, exercise room, private beach.
Meals and Lodgings
   Lido Beach Resort
  Sarasota, FL 5 nights
 Lido Beach Resort
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: Hotel is located directly on the beach of the Gulf of Mexico. Take in breathtaking sunsets, enchanting tropical views and see dolphin making their daily trek through the Gulf. Walking distance to the renowned St. Armands Circle featuring dazzling dining, unforgettable entertainment and some of the finest boutique shopping in the world. Hotel has a Shuttle to drive guests to the Circle if they choose not to walk.
  Contact info: 700 Ben Franklin Dr.
Sarasota, FL 34236 USA
phone: 941-388-2161
web: www.LidoBeachResort.com
  Room amenities: Category #2 Standard Room: Enjoy a room close to the beach in a four story building, a free daily newspaper, ample closet space, plush top bedding, a refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker, free Hi-speed Wireless Internet access, free self parking, voice mail, 25" TV, clock radio, electronic safe, and a hair dryer. Plus bottled water and microwave popcorn in your guest room. Category #1 Gulf View Jr. Suite: Must upgrade at time of registration with Road Scholar. This room features a private balcony overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, more upgrades and is located in the 13 story tower.
  Facility amenities: Enjoy two beachfront free-form pools, three poolside Jacuzzis with a tropical landscaped sundeck. Private beach so you can splash around in the surf. A 900 sq ft exercise room is available to guests if you desire more exercise than long walks on the beach. Services include; a business center, two restaurants, lounge, beachside tiki bar and a garden area with waterfalls. When registering with Road Scholar there is an option to upgrade to a Gulf View Jr. Suite which is classified as Category #1.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: $174-$224+$20 per night fee A green form is mailed to participants in their first welcome letter mailed within two weeks of enrollment date. Please make reservations directly with the Senior Friendship Centers by mailing us the form or by calling 941.556.3269, for a discounted rate for additional nights stay. You will be charged by the hotel upon arrival for the additional nights, plus a $20 per night resort fee, plus taxes. These rates are for 5 nights before and 5 nights after this program date. No deposit required!
  Check in time: 4:00 PM
  Additional nights after: $174-$224+$20 per night fee A green form is mailed to participants in their first welcome letter mailed within two weeks of enrollment date. Please make reservations directly with the Senior Friendship Centers by mailing us the form or by calling 941.556.3269, for a discounted rate for additional nights stay. You will be charged by the hotel upon arrival for the additional nights, plus a $20 per night resort fee, plus taxes. These rates are for 5 nights before and 5 nights after this program date. No deposit required!
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
3:30-4:45pm at the Road Scholar registration area at hotel. (read information board for location). You will be staying at Lido Beach Resort that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends at 11:30am followed by a box lunch. You will be staying at Lido Beach Resort the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Free
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Sarasota, FL
  Nearest city or town:  Sarasota and Longboat Key
  Nearest highway: I-75 and U.S. 41
  Nearest airport:  Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: Sarasota, FL
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Diplomat Taxi
phone: 941-365-8294

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approx $30
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

30 min. 
 

Distance:

 

7.5 miles
   

Taxis are readily available 24hrs a day at the SRQ Airport.
 

Tampa International Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Sarasota Tampa Express
phone: 800-326-2800 x9413558400
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$35 to SRQ Airport or office of Sarasota Tampa Express
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1 hr 30 min 
 

Distance:

 

65 miles
   

Please call in advance for reservations. You will then need to call a taxi to transport yourself to the hotel. They can tell you who to call.
 

Tampa International Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Starlight Limousine
phone: 941-957-6761
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approx $85 to hotel
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1 hr 30 min 
 

Distance:

 

65 miles
   

They use executive town cars and SUVs, please ask for Rick.
 
Driving Directions
  I-75 From I-75 exit #210 (Fruitville Rd) go west six miles until the road ends at Tamiami Trail, also known as U.S. 41. Turn left and continue south three blocks to Gulfstream Avenue. Make a right onto the Causeway, John Ringling Bridge and continue to St. Armands Circle. Continue halfway around the circle and follow the signs to Lido Beach and make a left at the beach onto Ben Franklin Drive. The Lido Beach Resort will be on your right just past the public beach and is approx. 7.5 miles from the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival & Check-in Registration & Orientation, Getting to know you
(Sunday, January 20)

Note: Everything occurs in the hotel meeting room.
   
 Arrive To: PROGRAM REGISTRATION: Please take the elevator to the 8th floor to visit the Road Scholar registration table between 3:30 - 4:55pm. <> HOTEL CHECK-In: 4:00pm, room may be ready earlier.
 Afternoon: ORIENTATION: Begins at 5:00pm in our private meeting room. We'll have an overview of the program ahead and review the up-to-date schedule, responsibilities, safety, guidelines, emergency procedures, and any other administrative issues. Please be aware that local circumstances may require adjusting program elements. In the event of changes we will notify you as quickly as possible. We appreciate your understanding.
 Dinner: The dinner will be served at the hotel in the private meeting room at approx. 6:00pm. (There will be a vegetarian option available if you noted a vegetarian preference on your Health & Safety form.)
 Evening: GETTING TO KNOW YOU: After dinner we'll spend some time becoming better acquainted with participants and program staff. Find out what you have in common beyond a love of learning! The rest of the evening is yours to continue making new friends or just to relax and prepare for the full day of activity ahead.
   
Accommodations: Lido Beach Resort
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Preview of Mote Marine visit, Field trip to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, two customized lectures, evening Game Night!
(Monday, January 21)

Note: In order to see all of the exhibits at Mote there will be walking up to one mile.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be served in the private meeting room and includes; a large assortment of fresh fruit, oatmeal, yogurt, bagels with cream cheese, pancakes or French Toast with warm maple syrup, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and freshly brewed coffee, decaffeinated coffee, herbal teas, orange and prune juice.
 Morning: Morning preview of Mote Marine Day by group leader.

PRESENTATION: Arrive at Mote for a presentation of Shark Secrets and a Shark Training session. Mote staff continue their shark obsession with the Shark Habitat - after all, it is the nation's only congressional designated Center for Shark Research.

 Lunch: Lunch at the Deep Sea Diner a retro '50s-style diner offers a fun atmosphere at Mote Marine or short walk to other restaurant on the Intercoastal Waterway of New Pass.
 Afternoon: PRESENTATION: Scheduled customized presentation by Dr. Nick Whitney a Mote Marine Staff Biologist. Learn about shark research and other facts to satisfy your curiosity about this creature most of us fear in the water.

FIELD TRIP: At Mote, you can explore the secrets of the sea through touch pools, viewable-working labs and high-tech interactive exhibits that showcase the world-renown research of Mote Marine Laboratory. See sharks, dolphins, manatees and sea turtles, along with more than 100 other species of marine life. Florida has nurse sharks, bull sharks, blacktips and sandbar sharks - among others - and you can get closer than you'd like at Mote's 135,000-gallon shark habitat. This exhibit is also home to the world's largest group species, the Goliath grouper (yes, he's a cousin to Florida's favorite seafood dish) and some of the world's most sporting fish: tarpon, snook and redfish. That's nearly a grand slam, by local angling lore.

 Dinner: Enjoy dinner at the hotel in our private meeting room.
 Evening: HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE: Game Night!
   
Accommodations: Lido Beach Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Manhattan's theatre district and its music, art of performance, preview of play, walk on the beach with Shelling Expert. Evening musical entertainment.
(Tuesday, January 22)

Note: Walking on the beach involves uneven terrain. Comfortable walking or water shoes is recommened.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be served in the private meeting room and is a continental breakfast on the 2nd and 4th breakfast.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Learn about Manhattan's Theatre District and its music. Break

PRESENTATION: Preview of the play "Glengarry Glen Ross," participants will see this week to cap off your theatre learning adventure.

 Lunch: Lunch will be catered by the hotel restaurant in our private meeting room.
 Afternoon: PRESENTATION: Take part in the art of performance with the use of mics, mirrors, props and more.

FIELD TRIP: Meet with a nature expert on the beach right outside your hotel room. There are over 50,000 different kinds of shells (ie, seashells and landsnails and fresh water shell-bearing Molluscs), many with dozens or even hundreds of color and pattern combination. Learn the various types of shells you will encounter as you walk on the field trip on Lido Beach. What is rare and what is common? A nature expert will help you identify your finds.

Shelling guide hand-out will be provided for your use during the field trip.

 Dinner: Dinner at hotel in our private meeting room.
 Evening: Musical entertainment.
   
Accommodations: Lido Beach Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Music history, theatre history, field trip to park on the key to identify coastal plant life and marine life, free night with Dinner on your own at Historic St. Armands Circle.
(Wednesday, January 23)

Note: Walking up to 3/4 of a mile round trip around wetlands and forested area on uneven sometimes wet terrain. Hotel shuttle will shuttle you back and forth for dinner at St. Armands Circle.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be served in the private meeting room and includes; a large assortment of fresh fruit, oatmeal, yogurt, bagels with cream cheese, pancakes or French Toast with warm maple syrup, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and freshly brewed coffee, decaffeinated coffee, herbal teas, orange and prune juice.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: From the upper west side learn about its rich musical contribution to history.

Break

PRESENTATION: Theatre history from the early days to its current trends and plays.

 Lunch: Lunch in our private room catered by the hotel restaurant.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: To park on the Key with nature expert to identify coastal native plants and various forms of marine life washed upon its shores. Make sure you have your watershoes or sneakers that can get wet.
 Dinner: FREE EVENING TO EXPLORE ON YOUR OWN: Walk or hotel shuttle will take you to St. Armands Circle, renowned as a continental marketplace. The Circle is a charming and graceful synthesis of past and present. Relax and enjoy a meal from a plethora of award winning restaurants, from gourmet snacks to candlelit feasts, you'll find it all on St. Armands Circle.
 Evening: Continue to explore St. Armands Circle.
   
Accommodations: Lido Beach Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Musical Presentation, History of Theatre Part Two, FREE AFTERNOON and evening performance of "Glengarry Glen Ross," at the Asolo Theatre.
(Thursday, January 24)

Note: When attending the theatre this evening, the bus will drop participants off in front of theatre and will pick up in front of the theatre.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be served in the private meeting room and is a continental breakfast on the 2nd and 4th breakfast.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Listen with a critical ear to the many composers of this time period.

Break

PRESENTATION: History of Theatre Part Two.

 Lunch: Lunch at the hotel in our private meeting room.
 Afternoon: FREE TIME TO EXPLORE ON YOUR OWN.
 Dinner: Dinner is at the hotel in our private meeting room.
 Evening: PERFORMANCE: See the play "Glengarry Glen Ross," at the Asolo Theatre to cap off your week of theatre. David Mamet’s scalding comedy/drama tackles one of the most elusive topics in all of American literature: the pursuit of the American dream. A contemporary classic that became a celebrated film, this 1984 Pulitzer Prize-winner examines a group of cutthroat Chicago real estate agents who will do anything to close the deal. With a gift for natural dialogue and a realistic portrayal of these men’s struggles, Mamet creates “crackling tension...ferocious comedy and drama” (New York Times). Contains strong/mature language.
   
Accommodations: Lido Beach Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Enjoy music and film clips to wrap up the music program, Critique and talkback on the play "Glengarry Glen Ross," viewed last night. Box lunch to go or stay and enjoy with other participants.
(Friday, January 25)

Note: Morning classes and meals in private meeting room.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be served in the private meeting room and includes; a large assortment of fresh fruit, oatmeal, yogurt, bagels with cream cheese, pancakes or French Toast with warm maple syrup, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and freshly brewed coffee, decaffeinated coffee, herbal teas, orange and prune juice.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Listen to more composers and view film clips to wrap up the music program.

Break

Critique and talkback on "Glengarry Glen Ross viewed last night.

Wrap up of week and pass out souvenir photos.

 Lunch: A box lunch is offered on Fridays to allow students who need to catch an early flight to take their lunch with them. Students who do not need to leave can enjoy their lunch in the meeting room or on the patio by the pool. Programs ends after lunch.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Sarasota, FL Sarasota attractions
Sarasota is known as the cultural arts center of Florida. The area has a plethora of activities: Selby Botanical Gardens, Ringling Museum of Art, Mote Marine Aquarium, Historic Spanish Point, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Florida WestCoast Symphony, Sarasota Opera House, Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, Sarasota Ballet Co., Asolo Theatre Co., Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. The area also offers several high quality beaches, boat rentals, water skiing, canoeing and kayaking. Hiking in two local state parks. For additional information, visit www.sarasotafl.org/
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Act One: An Autobiography


Author: Hart, Moss


Acting; the First Six Lessons


Author: Richard Boleslavsky


Description: The original idea of method/Stanislavsky style acting.



America's Songs


Author: M. Lasser & Philip Furia


American Music Is


Author: Nat Hentoff


Collectible Florida Shells


Author: R Tucker Abbott Abbott, Ph.D.


Easy to Remember


Author: William Zinsser


History of Jazz


Author: Ted Gioia


Priceless Florida


Author: Noss, el al


The Gershwin Years


Author: Jablonski and Stewart


The Season: A Candid Look at Broadway


Author: Goldman, William


Description: A critique of critics.



The Shark Handbook: The Essential Guide for Understanding the Sharks of the World


Author: Skomal, Dr. Greg




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