The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for April 9-15

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

The Broadway revival of Meredith Wilson's "The Music Man" comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall April 10-11.
Students in Kirsten Hazelton's 2nd-grade class at Southside Elementary School used their magnifying glasses to watch their freshly released ladybugs get to work patrolling their vegetable garden at the school.
  • April 8, 2026
Support your passion project through Giving Challenge 2026
Angelina Goesch and her mom, Ana Goesch, founder of Dogs of Lakewood Ranch, pose with Ana's 4-year-old Golden retriever, Maple.
  • April 8, 2026
The Dogs of Lakewood Ranch club allows canine lovers to network
Amy Bott, executive director of Bernie's Book Bank's Florida Suncoast branch, connects with J. McLaughlin manager Melanie Dale at the boutique's recent Sip and Shop event supporting the incoming nonprofit.
  • April 8, 2026
Longboat boutique boosts new literacy nonprofit branch
Pysanky expert Roksolana Tymiak-Lonchyna shows some examples of the traditional egg decoration patterns.
  • April 7, 2026
This Longboat artist keeps tradition alive with Ukrainian egg decorating

Arts + Culture

This year the Sarasota Opera House is turning 100. To celebrate, the Sarasota Opera is holding a special concert and dinner on April 11.
  • April 8, 2026
Sarasota Opera fetes Opera House on its centennial
From left to right, Maya Carpentiere, Amanda Gonzalez, Christiana Allison, Grayson Buchanan, Sheila Wallis and Ryan Duga star in Florida Studio Theatre's children's production, "The Pirate Ship and the Sea Monster and Other Winning Plays."
  • April 7, 2026
Three Sarasota theaters jump on the trolley
The cast of Asolo Rep's "Fiddler on the Roof" poses with instruments.
  • April 7, 2026
Asolo Rep's production of 'Fiddler on the Roof' plays a timeless tune
Sarasota Art Museum Senior Curator Rangsook Yoon poses in front of an unnamed piece in Judy Pfaff's exhibition, "Picking Up the Pieces."
  • April 6, 2026
Sarasota Art Museum senior curator heading to Seattle
Pysanky expert Roksolana Tymiak-Lonchyna shows some examples of the traditional egg decoration patterns.
  • April 7, 2026
This Longboat artist keeps tradition alive with Ukrainian egg decorating
Emi Frydman checks out the basket of Easter eggs her family members found at the April 4 egg hunt at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church. The Easter activities, open to the public, made their return for the first time since the early 2020s through the efforts of church members.
  • April 6, 2026
Back from pre-COVID hiatus, St. Armands hosts Easter bash
Lydia Lardner, 3, makes an impressive start filling up her Easter basket with Kelly Lardner and family at the April 3 Sand Cay Condominiums Beach Resort's Easter egg hunt, a beloved tradition at the resort for more than a decade.
  • April 6, 2026
Families return for Easter egg hunt tradition at Sand Cay
Sarasota's Harlyn Voyles, 7, holds on for dear life during the mutton busting at Dakin Dairy Farms' Bull Bash April 4.
  • April 5, 2026
Dakin Dairy Farms' Bull Bash attracts 2,000 fans on Easter weekend
Eggs are droped from the helicopter.
  • April 5, 2026
Good Friday at the Sarasota Fairgrounds draws thousands
Jack Dudonis, 3, and Maxwell Dudonis, 9 meet the Easter Bunny.
  • April 4, 2026
Easter Bunny brings seasonal cheer to Siesta Key Village
Lakewood Ranch's Jerry and Marilyn Schneider, who have been married for 63 years, enjoy the live music at Music on Main April 3.
  • April 4, 2026
Dancers show off their moves at Music on Main in Lakewood Ranch
Rev. Mason Waldhauser, associate rector for adult formation at Church of the Redeemer, leads the walk.
  • April 3, 2026
Stations of the Cross draws 1,000 in worship down Main Street
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance President and CEO Brittany Lamont and Board Chair Wayne Parrish are eager for members to hit the course for the Ranch Scramble.
  • March 30, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance takes a swing at networking
Jeff Smith, president of the Landings Management Association, and Judi Smith, display two tanks into which they dumped phytoplankton, one with oysters and one without, to show the work the oysters do in keeping the water clean.
  • March 30, 2026
The Landings neighborhood showcases its natural landscapes
Kellen Dorsch and his wife Alanna Giuliani sit with Velly.
  • March 29, 2026
6th annual Get Your Mutt Movin' helps get support moving for rescue animals
Pam Yulke, modeling an outfit by J. McLaughlin at the "Lights, Camera, Legacy" fashion show, is a past president and has been in the University Park Women's Club for 23 years.
  • March 29, 2026
A fashionable event for the University Park Women's Club
Roland Nyarfadi, 7, finds an egg.
  • March 28, 2026
Kids make a splash for Easter egg hunt at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex
Lakewood Ranch sisters Jade Lowrey, 5, and Hazel Lowrey, 3, had fun collecting eggs and getting their faces painted at Eggstravaganza.
  • March 28, 2026
It's no yoke! 600 children scoop 10,000 eggs at Eggstravaganza
Sue Wertman and Ann Quackenbush join their sister-in-law, Molly Quackenbush, in enjoying a pancake breakfast fundraiser hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key. Chris Sachs and fellow Kiwanians volunteers to raise support for Family Promise of Sarasota-Manatee.
  • March 28, 2026
Kiwanians support Family Promise chapter at pancake breakfast
Tennis pros Robert Jendelund and Tomasz Borucki face off in a doubles match against Jhonathan Gonzalez and David Pfister at the Longboat Key Tennis Center's end-of-season party March 25.
  • March 28, 2026
Tennis pros face off at end-of-season bash
Together, John and Shannon Barton make the "Roaring '20s" at the Great Gatsby-themed annual dinner for members of the Friars Club. Attendees shared their favorite memories from the season and gave out awards at the March 24 celebration at the Harbourside Ballroom.
  • March 27, 2026
Friars golfers throw back to Roaring '20s
Theo Chien and Peter Ginsburg test out their fire helmets at the Longboat Key Fire Rescue open house on March 25 at Station 92. The pair picked out some fire station-themed toys while meeting first responder staff at the annual event.
  • March 27, 2026
Longboat families connect with first responders
Five youth sailing teams raced against one another in the first Next Tack regatta on March 21 at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron headquarters. The program is a more advanced offshoot of the partnership between Spectrum Sailing and the Sarasota Youth Sailing Squadron that fosters inclusive, peer-based sailing instruction.
  • March 25, 2026
New inclusive sailing program brings big smiles
Glenn and Linda Courtney and their daughter Chelsea Courtney look at seashells.
  • March 24, 2026
Sarasota Farmers Market continues to create community
Deborah DiCarlo and approximately 150 fellow celebrants raise a glass to toast Longboat Island Chapel's 70th anniversary. Attendees shared memories and cake at the festivities March 22 at Shook Hall.
  • March 23, 2026
Longboat Island Chapel celebrates 70 years
Tasha Robinson has played the harp for 35 years. On St. Patrick's Day, she performed with two of her instruments at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church before attendees enjoyed an Irish-themed holiday dinner.
  • March 23, 2026
Tunes of the highlands come to Longboat Key
Mike and Julie Paige, and Amber and Lenny Larson, pose by an "SRQ Wine" sign.
  • March 22, 2026
Festival pours wines from around the world, all at Selby Five Points Park
Sarasota's Tracy Tutton and Tania Cook, sisters from Canada, enjoy drinks while listening to Sweet Fleet at My Hometown Fest on March 21.
  • March 21, 2026
My Hometown Fest event raises funds for kids with speech needs
Lakewood Ranch's Kathleen Flesch, Sonia Levy, Jane Imperiale and Peri Ann Aptaker dress for the Palm Royale-themed Divas and Dogs fundraiser that will benefit The Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.
  • March 21, 2026
Divas and Dogs brings together fashion and animal lovers
Mary Schultz shows off the latest Lilly Pulitzer style on the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Women's Guild spring fashion show March 16 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
  • March 20, 2026
Spring fashion comes to life on Women's Guild runway
Sarasota's Tony Mullet, Dianne Gardner, Annelle Mullet, Dave Gardner and Denise Miller get their green on to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Lakewood Main Street on March 17.
  • March 18, 2026
A green day on Lakewood Main Street to celebrate St. Patrick's Day
Cathy and Dennis Kennedy
  • March 17, 2026
Revelers head to Shamrock Pub to uphold their St. Patrick's Day tradition