(Edit) Looks like this is it, folks!

I met with Joe earlier today to have a look around the JCC in Sarasota. I was surprised, actually, at how accomodating it is. It offers solutions to all the questions I was asking about "Where can X be conveniently placed in Y Venue?".

Let me cover some quick info for you:

Jewish Community Center (Located on McIntosh Rd. in Sarasota)
Seating: ~300
Cost: Free! (Thanks to Joe being AWESOME.)
Pros: It has space for everything, is comfortable, and is right next to a school. It's also cheap, but clean and appealing.
Cons: If we sell all our tickets, we'll need the risers set up in the back for people to see.

As you can see, I brought my camera with me. Let's have a look:

Click here for an assembled pan of the front of the building. It opens up into a spaceous lobby, pictured below.



The tables can be taken out for walk-around magic if we want.



Here's a shot of the long counter area in the lobby. This would be perfect for lining up glass jars to fill with raffle tickets.



To the right of the counter is an area that can work as a snack bar.



There's a nice lounge adjoining the lobby. Dig the piano!



This would be a great room for the performers to chill between shows and have dinner. There's actually a hot plate on that counter.



Finally, the thing that matters most: our stage and seating area! The chairs are comfortable, and you can't see them, but I'm standing right in front of risers that can be set up to accomodate a larger audience. I don't know about you, but I'm always cursed with someone with big hair who likes to sit right in front of me. Or they're wearing some hat they refuse to take off. x_x


Let me know what you think! Personally, I think it's spiffy.