The best things to do around Sarasota for July 21-27

Thursday

Art Talk with the Petticoat Painters
11 a.m. at Arts Advocates Gallery, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail at Siesta Drive, Suite 119
$10 members, $12 nonmembers
Visit ArtsAdvocates.org.

This arts group was formed all the way back in 1953 to showcase the work of talented female artists, and five current members of the group will chat about their inspirations and their artistic process. Lucy Barber, Susan J. Klein, Judy Lyons Schneider, Jana Millstone and Diane Schmidt will all be on hand to chat about their art, and what it means to be part of the collective.

'The Fantasticks'
7:30 p.m. at Venice Theatre's Jervey Theatre, 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice
$24 adult, $15 college, $12 youth
Visit VeniceTheatre.org.

Talk about a show with staying power. "The Fantasticks" opened Off Broadway in 1960 and maintained a presence for 42 years and more than 17,000 shows, making it one of the longest-running musicals in recorded history. The book and lyrics were written by American lyricist Tom Jones, and the show has been steadily making fans in New York and beyond for decades. There will be six showings of this play in Venice, with matinee and evening performances on both Saturday and Sunday.

Beyond Van Gogh
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Starry Night Pavilion, 195 University Town Center Drive
$29-$84
Visit VanGoghSarasota.com

Does it feel like Beyond Van Gogh has been here forever? The master's immersive exhibit arrived in March, but it's been extended twice due to rabid interest and is finally entering its final days at University Town Center. The last day of the exhibit will be July 24, which means that you have a couple days left to stand amongst the sunflowers and see the swirling brushstrokes create images taller than you. Van Gogh while you can or you absolutely might wind up regretting it at some point down the line.

Friday

Classic Movies at the Opera House: 'To Kill a Mockingbird'
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$12
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.

They just don't make them like this anymore. This 1962 adaptation of Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and it won an Oscar for Best Actor for Gregory Peck. Peck's portrayal of Atticus Finch was named by the American Film Institute as the greatest hero in all American cinema in 2003.

ArtCenter Manatee: 'My Happy Place'
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at ArtCenter Manatee, 209 Ninth St. W., Bradenton
Free
Visit ArtCenterManatee.org.

Where does art take you? At ArtCenter Manatee, they hope it takes you to a happy place. Come by and see this exhibition, which will be on display through Aug. 12, of art from local artists. Matteo Caloiaro, an alumnus of Ringling College of Art and Design, served as juror, and Jacqueline Clark's "Pinka Dinka Do" won first place.

Citizen Arts: Music, Theater and Dance
6:30 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail
$5, registration required
Visit 

Have you ever wondered how an artist perceives the way their work interacts with the public? Composer Marcos Balter, theatre-maker Sam Max and dancer Amanda Cantrell Roche will discuss their work and what they'd like people to take from it at this event.

Play Reading: 'Master of the Revels'
3 p.m. at Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave.
$10
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

It's a work in progress by playwright Jeffrey Couchman that is based on the true story of William Henry Ireland, a youngster who hoped to gain fame by forging notes and letters and even whole plays in William Shakespeare's name. Couchman has previously written plays, screenplays and literary criticism, and he spent 10 years teaching screenwriting at the College of Staten Island.

'Maytag Virgin'
8 p.m. at Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave.
$39
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

They're getting comfortable with each other. But can they get comfortable with themselves? This is the story of two teachers who live next door to each other in Alabama, and the open question is whether the past will allow them to build a future together.

Saturday

Sarasota Mystic Faire
10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail
One day $7; two days $10; kids 12 and under free
Visit MysticFaires.com.

Psychics, mediums, readers and holistic vendors of all stripes returns to the Municipal Auditorium for the Mystic Faire's 11th year of lectures, sales and psychic possibilities. Continues from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

'The Jersey Tenors Part II'

6 and 9 p.m. at Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave.
$37-$39
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

They're not afraid to sing or Walk Like a Man. This show, created by Brian Noonan, will bring the Jersey Tenors' original arrangements of songs from such disparate artists as Frank Sinatra, Frankie Valli, Queen and Elton John. And since they're from The Garden State, you're not getting out without hearing Bon Jovi.

Lauren Henderson
8 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$20 members, $22 non-members
Visit WSLR.org/Fogartyville.

Jazz and R&B vocalist Lauren Henderson plays Fogartyville for one night only. Henderson sings songs in both English and Spanish, and her songs frequently contrast her Caribbean roots and her North American upbringing. Henderson has performed all over Europe and also in Mexico and South Africa, and she's hoping to win new fans in her lone night in Sarasota.

Christmas in July
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Creative Liberties, 901-B Apricot Ave.
Free
Visit CreativeLiberties.net.

It's your chance to add to your home decor while also supporting local artists and artisans. The Creative Liberties team will open their studio to the public for an event with handmade gifts, food, and an interactive ornament-creation activity. The neighboring Bazaar at Apricot and Lime will be holding a similar event, turning the area into an all-day arts market.

Laser Light Nights: AC/DC vs Guns N' Roses
7 p.m. at Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 Tenth St. W., Bradenton
$15
Visit BishopScience.org.

It's a Highway to Hell all the way to Paradise City. This laser light mash-up will bring you through the hard rock canon of AC/DC and Guns N' Roses, bringing you dazzling light displays timed to the cacophonous wailing of Bon Scott and Axl Rose. If those groups don't do it for you, you can also wait for the 9 p.m. showing of guitar heroes Van Halen.

Sunday

HD at the Opera House: ‘Swan Lake’
1:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$22
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.

It's a famous work by Tchaikovsky brought to you from all the way across the Atlantic. This performance of "Swan Lake" was recorded at the Royal Opera House in London, and it features the Royal Ballet and Royal Orchestra. The late Liam Scarlett and Frederick Ashton provided some of the additional choreography layered on top of the original work by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. 

Monday

Little Groovers and Intermediate Movers
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sarasota Contemporary Dance, 1400 Blvd. of the Arts
$150-$200
Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance.org.

Are you living with a tiny dancer? Then you might want to enroll them in Sarasota Contemporary Dance's Kids Summer Program, which will teach a variety of dance styles including creative movement, jazz, afro-modern, acro and hip-hop. The five-day camp is broken into two age groups; Little Groovers (for dancers age 5 through 8) and Intermediate Movers (dancers age 8 to 12).

Tuesday

Open Bar Comedy
7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.
$25
Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

Comedy history will be made here at McCurdy's. Three comedians —Jeff Jena, Bear Webb and Daryl Felsberg — will be filming specials at McCurdy's for OpenBarComedy.com, and you have a chance to be part of the laughs before they're released.