FST's playwrights festival brings humor
Florida Studio Theatre's Young Playwrights Festival has turned Bradenton and Sarasota into a fertile breeding ground for future playwrights.
at the HOPE Black and White Ball See if your photo made it online.
Bradenton.com E-newsletters

Presidential Election Coverage
Florida Studio Theatre's Young Playwrights Festival has turned Bradenton and Sarasota into a fertile breeding ground for future playwrights.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Send arts news to accent@bradenton.com. Art classes are listing in Friday's Neighbors section.
"Playing With the Grown-ups," by Sophie Dahl; Doubleday, $24
How wonderful would it be if children never had to deal with major adversity? Though parents want nothing more than to protect their offspring, the reality is that youth provides no immunity from misfortune. Still, there are some young people who have demonstrated an incredible degree of bravery and spirit when up against some truly terrible circumstances. Come to the Manatee County Library to learn how the following children and teens were able to summon uncommon courage.

Unless you've been living under Pride Rock for the last 14 years, you'll know of the little Disney story that roared. The one that began as a blockbuster animated film featuring a lion cub named Simba that was later turned into a multi-million dollar Broadway spectacle, roaring to fame all over the world.
There's nothing like a long weekend out in the country - until the Nashes and the Truemans get together to mess things up in the Island Players' last comedy of the season, "The Long Weekend."
"I love putting records out," says Filter founder and singer Richard Patrick. "This is the fun time - you pick artwork, you take photos, you go out and play some shows."
The Manatee Players' production of "Ragtime" is a history lesson filled with toe-tapping music.
I was shredded from another crazed day in the news business.
The GAP School's collection of student masterpieces will be available for viewing at 6 p.m. Saturday at The Players Theatre, 838 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.
Festive reunion Join the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe as members present their last show of the season - "Aunt Rudele's Family Reunion" - beginning 8 p.m. Friday at the Historic Asolo Theater.
In "Redbelt," acclaimed playwright/filmmaker David Mamet attempts a thinking-man's martial arts movie.
Fans of Chinese director Wong Kar Wai's dreamy, romantic films will find "My Blueberry Nights" a luscious treat, although newcomers to his world of sensuous longing will no doubt wonder what all the fuss is about. For those in the know it will be a slice of heaven; others will find it tough to swallow.
"What Happens in Vegas" follows the standard romcom design, giving us two funny, neurotic people who are in love with each other but don't know it. But by being a smidge smarter than the average date movie, it makes the first-time meeting, the battle of the sexes and the bumpy course of true love entertaining despite overfamiliarity.
"Speed Racer" runs for a gluteus-deadening 2 hours and 9 minutes.
Hats Off NOT REVIEWED. As an actress, Mimi Weddell has appeared only in bit parts alongside Sarah Jessica Parker and Will Smith. But even in her nineties, Weddell is determined to live her dream at a time when most people have long called it quits. This documentary offers an endearing portrait of an unstoppable and vivacious woman. (84 min.) Not rated.
I'm Not There HHH ½ (The Weinstein Co., '07) $29.99. 135 min.
1. "Iron Man," Paramount, $98,618,668. 2. "Made of Honor," Sony, $14,756,850.
Tell me, do you remember what you did with your Friday nights last fall? Go on some hot dates? Meet friends at a bar?
1. (1) "American Idol" (Tuesday), Fox, 25.09 million viewers.

LOS ANGELES - "CSI" co-star Gary Dourdan was arrested Monday for possession of narcotics and dangerous drugs, police said.