+ Sweethearts release new CD
If the Ditchfield Family Singers’ change in Christmas venue is getting you down (see this week’s Highlights feature on page 5), perhaps this news will cheer you up: Newlyweds Michael and Taylor Ditchfield have recorded a new CD. And, remember: Puppy love makes for good music.

The youngest Ditchfield couple, who were married last February, in Sarasota, plan to release their first album, “Just The Two of Us,” at the family’s Dec. 11 and Dec. 12 Christmas concerts, at Faith Baptist Church.

The album is a compilation of lovey-dovey duets and solos, including covers of The Beatles’ lullaby “Blackbird,” the schmaltzy “Lollipops and Roses” and the Nat King Cole classic “Unforgettable.”
Wondering how the talented lovebirds met?

When Regina Ditchfield (wife of Nathanael Ditchfield) was on maternity leave three years ago, Taylor filled in for a few months. The family (and especially Michael) was so smitten with the singer they asked her if she’d like to be a permanent member of the troupe — and eventually a permanent member of the family.

+ FST breaks subscription record
It’s a good year for Sarasota theater. Apparently when times get tough, people want to be entertained.

Florida Studio Theatre recently reported that it broke an all-time subscription sales record. So far, the company has sold 10,000 mainstage subscriptions this season, outperforming its previous record by nearly 500 subscriptions.

This year, the company extended the run of each cabaret and mainstage show by one week in anticipation of high ticket sales.

Talk about forward thinking.

+ Holiday Bazaar offers hot items
The Sarasota Municipal Auditorium is the place to be next weekend. After all the clamor over whether Ringling College would turn the historic auditorium into a film studio, organizer Adrien Lucas is sitting pretty in the marketing materials for her fifth Atomic Holiday Bazaar.

The coolest indie craft show in Sarasota runs from 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Dec. 11 and from noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12.

Catch live performances by The Kenneth Brian Band, Tokyo Belle Burlesque, Blind Buddy Moody, Black Diamond Burlesque, The Equines, Vudu Doll and a fashion show produced by Joanna Coblentz, whose eye for sexy couture had tongues wagging at last year’s bazaar.

+ Sarasota ice skaters keep it real
Harried holiday shoppers can now blow off steam by skating in circles on a synthetic ice rink at Westfield Sarasota Square Mall.

The rink, which was manufactured by Clearwater-based Global Synthetic Ice, is one of seven Super-Glide Holiday Rinks being installed around the state this holiday season.

The rink will be open during mall hours, and rental skates will be available.

+ Jungle Gardens goes wild for 70th birthday
Sarasota Jungle Gardens kicked off its ninth annual Holiday Lights event Dec. 3 with an evening of magic shows, sing-alongs, cookie decorating and s’mores around the fire pit.

The festivities carry even more weight this year, as the 10-acre jungle celebrates its 70th anniversary.

Families are in for a rare treat this year: The $6 Jungle Buffet is back. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3 to 12. Children under 2 are free.

For more information, visit www.sarasotajunglegardens.com.

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