Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for March 28 to April 3


  • By
  • | 10:00 a.m. March 26, 2024
Asolo Rep's "Dial M For Murder," the musical based on the classic Alfred Hitchcock film, runs through April 25 at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
Asolo Rep's "Dial M For Murder," the musical based on the classic Alfred Hitchcock film, runs through April 25 at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine
  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
  • Share

Thursday, March 28

‘The White Chip’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St., Sarasota
$25-$46
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Follow a theater manager whose life threatens to spin out of control as he closes in on his dream job. He takes an unusual journey to sobriety in Sean Daniels’ “The White Chip,” part of Florida State Theatre’s edgier Stage III fare. Runs through April 12.


Catara Brae plays a woman accused of murdering a doctor in Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's original musical "Ruby," which runs through April 7.
Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine

‘Ruby’
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota
$20-$50
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.

WBTT’s homegrown musical “Ruby” tells what happened when the black-owned Pittsburgh Courier sent Nora Zeale Hurston to Live Oak, Florida, to report on a prosperous Black woman accused of murder in the 1950s. “Ruby” is directed by WBTT founder Nate Jacobs, who wrote the book with his brother, Michael Jacobs, who wrote lyrics. Runs through April 7. 


‘Dial M for Murder’
8 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$43-$95
Visit AsoloRep.org.

A stylish update of the Hitchcock thriller, “Dial M for Murder” follows a man plotting to kill his wealthy wife. The plot’s twists and turns will leave you on the edge of your seat in this play set in 1950s England, with all the fashionable trappings. You’ll think twice about where you hide your key after watching Céline Rosenthal’s masterful production. Runs through April 25.


‘Born with Teeth’
8 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$29-$75
Visit AsoloRep.org.

A tale of rival playwrights Shakespeare and Marlowe, “Born with Teeth” offers an alternative to the conventional wisdom with plenty of court intrigue thrown in for good measure. Runs through Friday.


Conrad Tao: ‘Piano Classics Remade’
7 p.m. at Marie Selby Gardens, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota
$5
Visit HermitageArtistRetreat.org.

Known for his energetic style, Hermitage Fellow Conrad Tao plays everything from Gershwin and Rachmoninoff to his own contemporary compositions. He has appeared at concert halls around the world, from the New York Philharmonic to Germany Klavierfestival.

'Anything Goes'
7:30 p.m. at SCF Recital Hall, 5840 26th St. West, Building 11A, Bradenton
$15
Visit SCF.edu/Neel.

The SCF Guitar Ensemble takes the stage with alumni and guitarists from local schools to create an unforgettable guitar performance. 


‘Finding Nemo Kids’
7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W, Bradenton
$20
Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com

This new stage musical is a 30-minute adaptation of the beloved 2003 film, “Finding Nemo,” with new music. The show is presented by The Penguin Players, whose members include adults 23 and older with disabilities in all roles. The artists receive help from on-stage mentors. 


Friday, March 29

Egg-Stravaganza
Noon to 2 p.m. at The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota
Free
Visit MallAtUTC.com.

The Mall at University Town Center hosts Eggstravaganza, which includes an egg hunt for 40,000 eggs throughout the mall at participating stores. The event also includes bounce houses near the east main entrance near Kona Grill. A kids safety expo will be held at the Dillard's Court. Entertainment includes face painting and balloon twisting inside the Grand Court. The first 500 kids 12 and under receive a free egg hunt tote bag. Check in at the Customer Service Desk to receive an egg scavenger hunt map and tote bag.


Pianist Bruce Liu
7:30 p.m. at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota
$30-$85
Visit SCASarasota.org

Sarasota Concert Association presents Bruce Liu, the first prize winner in the 2021 Chopin International Piano Competition performing the music of Rameau, Ravel, Chopin and Liszt.


Americana musician Caleb Claudle.
Image courtesy of Joseph Cash

Caleb Claudle
8 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota
$22
Visit WSLR.org.

Caleb Caudle and his band will perform music from his latest album, "Forsythia," which was recorded at the legendary Cash Cabin in Tennessee. “Forsythia” is influenced by country musicians whose presence can be felt in the cabin and Caudle’s knowledge of traditional Appalachian folk music.


‘Up on the Roof’
8 p.m. at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota
$37-$44
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

The rapturous ode to the songs created in and around New York City’s legendary Brill Building has had its run extended once again, but time is running out to see “Up on the Roof.” Created by Rebecca Hopkins and Richard Hopkins with musical arrangements by Jim Prosser, "Up on the Roof” pays tribute to songwriting duos such as Carole King and Gerry Goffin; Burt Bacharach and Hal David; Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and others. Runs through April 7.


Saturday, March 30

2-year-old Christopher Geisel finds the egg jackpot at the 2023 Siesta Key Easter Egg Hunt.
Photo by Ian Swaby

Easter Egg Hunt
9 a.m. at Siesta Key Chapel, 4615 Gleason Ave., Siesta Key
Free
Visit SiestaKeyChamber.com.

Children ages 1-6 are invited to the annual Siesta Key Easter Egg Hunt. The Easter Bunny will be available for photos, and all registered children will receive a goody bag.


Twinkle will rock My Hometown Fest.

My Hometown Fest
Noon to 5 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota
$30-$40; kids 12 and under free
Visit MyHometownFest.com.

My Hometown Fest was founded in 2016 by the Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota to support the club’s charitable activities for children and adults. These include Sertoma Kids Speech and Language Center, which serves families regardless of their ability to pay. Each year, My Hometown Fest features samples from some of the area's leading restaurants. Regional craft brewers and distilleries have beverages available. The event also features live music and kids activities. Music includes Evan Taylor Jones from noon to 1:15 p.m.; Twinkle and Rock Soul Radio from 1:45-3:15 p.m.; and Hot Tonic from 3:45-5 p.m. Parking is $10.


'The Goldtones'
2 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W, Bradenton
$30-$38
Call 941-748-5875.

Join Florida’s favorite doowop group as they perform your favorite songs from the 1950s and the 1960s. Maybe you’ll find out the answer to the eternal question: Who put the bomp in the bomp bah bomp bah bomp?


SaraSolo Presents Jackson Carney
3 and 7 p.m. at Sarasota Contemporary Dance, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Suite 300, Sarasota
$20
Call 941-260-8485.

The performance, “Encyclopedia,” explores the human experience through the lens of three animals depicted in a childhood animal encyclopedia. 


Savor the Sounds Concert Series
5:30 p.m. at the Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
$25 in advance; $35 at the door
Call 383-2466.

SoulRcoaster will be performing in the Savor the Sounds concert series. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Mike Sales will be performing from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. VIP tickets for a table of eight are available for $250 for advance purchase only. Otherwise, people are welcome to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets. Tickets are available at the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce, 5390 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 102.


Monday, April 1

Treorchy Male Choir of Wales
7 p.m. at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key
Free
Visit BonifaceChurch.org.

From humble beginnings in a hometown pub back in 1883, the Treorchy Male Choir has evolved into one of the great choral ensembles of all time. The group brings a taste of the rich cultural heritage of Wales as it extends the hand of friendship across the ocean. 


Wednesday, April 3

Josh Sneed
7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
$26
Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

One of the most played comedians on Sirius/XM Radio, Josh Sneed has performed at the prestigious “Just For Laughs” Comedy Festival in Montreal and the Aspen Comedy Festival. He was chosen by Comedy Central to perform in their inaugural South Beach Comedy Festival. Runs through April 6. 


‘My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy’
7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W, Bradenton
$51.50-$71.50
Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com.

Brad Zimmerman moved to New York to chase his dream and decided to wait tables while pursuing a career as an actor. He never dreamed his restaurant run would last 29 years. He eventually landed a role on “The Sopranos” and worked as an opener for Joan Rivers. He’s turned his life story into a hilarious show. Runs through April 7. 


‘The Secret Garden’
7:30 p.m. at The Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$30
Visit ThePlayers.org.

The Sarasota Players presents a musical adaptation of the children’s classic about an orphaned goal who goes to live in Yorkshire, England, on her uncle’s estate and finds solace in a magic garden .Runs through April 21. 


"Troubadour" plays at Florida Studio Theatre's Gompertz Theatre from April 3 to May 19.
Image courtesy of John Jones

‘Troubadour’
8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St., Sarasota
$39-$56
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Featuring music by Sugarland’s Kristian Bush, “Troubadour’ tells the story of a country music legend’s son in the 1950s who is trying to carry on his father’s legacy. When he joins forces with unlikely allies, the world of country music is changed forever. Runs through May 19.

 

Latest News