Sarasota calendar 3.10.16

Community 

Friday, March 11 
Divas and Desserts
Starts at 7 p.m. at Campus Center at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road. Sarasota Young Voices, a community youth choir presents a cabaret-style fundraising concert featuring solo and group performances enjoyed over dessert service. Tickets are $75; $650 for a table of eight.  Call 780-1233.  

Saturday, March 12  
Cat Leash-walking class
Starts at 1 p.m. at Cat Depot, 2542 17th St. Learn the basic skills to introduce cats and kittens to walking on a harness. Participation is free. Visit catdepot.org.

Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13
40th annual Pineapple Antique Show
Runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail. Presented by the Rotary Club of Sarasota Sunrise, the fundraiser features American and English antiques, fine art and jewelry, Asian art, crystal, china, pottery and porcelain. Admission is $6. Visit pineappleantiqueshow.com.

Sarasota Spring Fine Arts Festival
Runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, on Gulfstream Avenue and Main Street. The show features painting, sculpture, photography, glass and ceramic artwork, handmade jewelry and more. Admission is free. Visit paragonartevents.com.

Sunday, March 13
First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon
Starts at 7 a.m. at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail. Put on your running shoes. The First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon & 2 Person Relay Race runs from downtown Sarasota, St. Armands Circle and the north Trail. The course will remain open for four hours. Visit sarasotahalfmarathon.com. 

Sunday, March 13
UCP Chocolate Sundae & Food Festival
Runs from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Michael’s On East, 1212 S. East Ave. Local chefs will present their signature chocolate specialties to benefit United Cerebral Palsy of Sarasota. Tickets are $35 for VIP (only available in advance); $25 in advance; $30 at the door; and $10 for children. Visit ucpsarasota.org.

Tuesday, March 15 
Household Chemical Collection Event
Runs from 9 to 11 a.m. at Siesta Key Hardware, 215 Canal Road. Drop off old and outdated household chemicals to be disposed of safely at side of the store. Accepted items include aerosol cans; paint thinner and solvents, automotive products, vehicle batteries, oil filters, paint, pool chemicals and fertilizers. Call 349-0332.

Thursday, March 17
Challenges to U.S. Leadership in Asia
Runs from 2 to 4 p.m. at The First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave. Ambassador Christopher Hill will present this seminar on behalf of Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning. Seminar tickets cost $35. Visit sillsarasota.org.

Saturday, March 19 
Adult Easter Egg Hunt
Starts at 5 p.m. at the Sarasota Children’s Garden, 1670 10th Way. The Easter egg hunt starts with drinks and appetizers before attendees search for eggs with prizes that include trips and sculptures. Tickets are $45 for members and $50 for nonmembers. Visit sarasotachildrensgarden.com. 

Entertainment 

Thursday, March 10 
Brown Bag Concert Series 
From noon to 1 p.m. at Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 S. Tamiami Trail. Bring your lunch and a chair or blanket and enjoy a wide variety of musical performances. The series is every Thursday through March 31. Admission and parking are free. Call 316-1309.

Saturday, March 12 
Irish Celebration
Starts at 6 p.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 5394 Midnight Pass Road. Enjoy a Celtic celebration including music, song and dancers from the Drake School of Irish Dance and a catered dinner from TooJay’s deli. Tickets are $20. Call 346-0229.

Thursday, March 17 
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration 
Starts at 11 a.m. at Lynches Pub & Grub, 19 B Boulevard of the Presidents, St. Armands Circle. The 29th Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration at Lynches Pub & Grub will feature entertainment featuring Irish stepdancers, bagpipers and music by the Jacobites. There will be food, green beer, hats and free beads. Call 388-5550.

Thursday, March 17 through Saturday, March 20 
Florida Wine Fest & Auction 
Times and locations vary by event. The 26th annual Florida Wine Fest & Auction with boutique wines showcased from across the USA. The four-day festival will include events featuring wine, food, live music, dinners, tasting, brunch and auction. Tickets start at $25. Visit floridawinefest.