- October 8, 2024
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Sarasota Jazz Festival: Allen Carman Project with Gumbi Ortiz and Marcus Miller Band
6 p.m. at Circus Arts Big Top Tent at Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle
From $48
Visit SarasotaJazzFestival.com.
Friends since the mid-1980s, Allen Carman and Gumbi Ortiz began their formal collaboration in 2015, bringing together the sounds of the noted bass player Carman and the percussionist Ortiz, the longtime right-hand man of jazz great Al DiMeola. Marcus Miller is a multifaceted artist best known for his work as a bassist. The jazz festival, which runs through March 18, includes other concerts as well as a selection of films and outdoor open jams.
Sofía Rocha: Making Musical Waves
6:30 p.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 900 S. Palm Ave.
$5
Visit HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
Sofia Rocha is the winner of the 2022 Hermitage Prize in Composition. A native of Boulder, Colorado, who grew up in Naples, Rocha is an avid trombonist and conductor.
‘Ernani’
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
From $25
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
The latest presentation in the Opera’s long-running Verdi Cycle, “Ernani” features a stirring score that follows a bandit who loses everything as he faces competing suitors — including the king — for his true love. Continues at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday and 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Ireland with Michael Live
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N.Tamiami Trail
$22-$62
Visit VanWezel.org.
Starring Michael Londra of Broadway’s “Riverdance,” the multimedia performance combines the music, dance and stories of the Emerald Isle.
Masterworks: ‘Emperor’
7:30 p.m. at SFC Neel PAC, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton
$37-$99
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Uzbek pianist Behzod Abduraimov makes his Sarasota Orchestra debut with guest conductor Sascha Goetzel. The evening also includes selections from Prokofiev’s suite for “Romeo and Juliet.” Continues at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Clancy’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Bash
11 a.m. to midnight at 6218 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
Free
Visit ClancysIrishSportsPub.com.
The Eric Von Band, Jezabelle and the Irish Dance Academy of Sarasota are among the performers who will present continuous entertainment under the tent. Traditional Irish fare such as corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie and beer will be for sale.
St. Patrick’s Day at Main Street
1-9 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Main Street
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.
McGrath’s Irish Ale House and Ed’s Tavern go green with a St. Patty's block party. Enjoy Irish food and beer, dance performances and kids activities. Coddle Stew, Celt-ish and Fresh Air will perform live music throughout the day.
St. Patrick's Day Block Party
6 p.m. at The Gator Club, 1490 Main St.
Free
Call 366-5969.
Celebrate the land of all things green by throwing back some brews and BBQ and enjoying live music by 22N outside on Lemon Avenue and Johnny Diamond inside The Gator Club.
Ann Morrison and Blake Walton: ‘Sarasolo’
7 p.m. at Sarasota Contemporary Dance, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts
$20
Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance.org.
“Oh, My Achin’ Feet” follows a 64-year-old on a 36-day quest through France and Spain that combines spirituality, humor and pathos. Continues Saturday.
‘Thérèse’
7:30 p.m. at 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
From $25
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
This rarely heard work by Jules Massenet about a love triangle during the French Revolution makes its Sarasota Opera debut. Continues at 1:30 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Lucky Leprechaun 5K
8 a.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle
Registration fees vary by division
Visit NathanBendersonPark.org.
The Lucky Leprechaun's 5K race is flanked by a pet-friendly "furry friends" division and a "swift stroller" division for participants with young children, as well as a "rainbow dash" for kids 12 and under. All adult participants in the 5K will receive a finisher's medal, a race T-shirt and a green beer. The race benefits the Big Bill Foundation that provides scholarships to youth who have endured cancer or other life-threatening conditions.
Creative Arts Spring Show
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.
Free
Visit CAALR.com.
The Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch hosts its annual Spring Show and Sale. The show features original works of art by local artists and artisans in painting, jewelry, pottery, ceramics, woodworking, mixed media and more.
Spring Author’s Showcase
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Longboat Library, 555 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
Free
Call 383-2011.
Get books signed and chat with seven local authors: Carolyn Angiolillo, Jane Hughes, Ralph Hughes, Michael Jordan, Susan Krause, Helaine Mario and Jean Tarsy. The Maine Line food truck will be in the parking lot. The rain date is March 19.
'Sinatra! The Musical’
2 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton
$26.50
Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com.
Tony Sands treats audiences to more than 20 hits in this musical journey that follows Sinatra’s career from his Big Band Days to his triumphant return to Madison Square Garden. A 20-year veteran of the stage, Sands has appeared at the Tropicana Casino and Resort Hotel in Atlantic City and in the Rat Pack tribute at Harrah’s.
‘Balance & Imbalance and Judo’ by Bereishit Dance Co.
7:30 p.m. at Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bayshore Road
$10-$35
Visit Ringling.org.
Founded in 2011 by choreographer Park Soonho, Bereishit Dance Co. explores the relationship between nature’s physical laws and the human body. In “Balance & Imbalance,” traditional Korean music is supplemented by powerful drums accompanying the dancers. Continues at 5 p.m. Sunday.
‘Don Giovanni’
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
From $25
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
Set in 17th century Spain, Mozart’s most famous opera focuses on the infamous heartbreaker Don Juan, telling a story of obsession, betrayal, crime and retribution.
FST Improv Presents ‘Life’s A Beach’
8:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Bowne’s Lab Theatre, 265 First St.
$15
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
In this crowd-pleasing favorite, the cast of FST Improv draws upon audience suggestions and uses sketches, music and games to poke fun at “this beautiful spot in paradise we hold dear.”
'What a Night: Jersey Boys Meets Mamma Mia'
3 p.m. at Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave. Building 5, Venice
$36-$100
Visit VenicePerformingArtsCenter.com.
Promising the “most sensational musical finale you’ll ever see,” “What A Night” honors chart-topping hits from Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons and Abba culminating in a 20-minute climax. This event is sold out, but call the box office at 941-218-0627 to join the waiting list.
Sarasota Opera House Tour
10:30 a.m. at 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
Free
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
Learn about the historic opera house’s past and present and get the scoop on the opera’s productions in this hour-and-a-half tour. Private tours for groups of 20 or more cost $12 per person and can be arranged by contacting the box office.
Benefit Concert for Hermitage Artist Retreat
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
From $25
Visit HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
The 90-minute concert of Broadway songs celebrates the Hermitage Artist Retreat’s 20th anniversary and is a fundraiser for ongoing repairs due to Hurricane Ian. The show features such stars of the Great White Way as Jeannette Bayardelle, Laura Bell Bundy, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer and Jay Armstrong Johnson as well as Sarasota’s own Ann Morrison and Andy Sandberg, Hermitage artistic director and CEO, who returns to his musical roots.
Robert Gibson, Classical Guitarist
7:30 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2256 Bahia Vista St.
Free
Visit GuitarSarasota.org.
A native of Montgomery, Alabama, Gibson has toured as both a soloist and chamber musician around the U.S. Mexico, Spain and Italy. Beyond the classical style Gibson is well-versed in multiple genres, including jazz, rock, country, contemporary Christian, Broadway and folk.
‘Madama Butterfly’
1:30 p.m. at 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
From $25
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
Since its 1904 premiere in Milan, “Madama Butterfly” has become one of the most popular operas in the world. Over the years, the tragic tale of a Japanese geisha who commits suicide after being jilted by a U.S. naval officer has sparked controversy, first during World War II, for its portrayal of deceptive Americans, and later, for its stereotypical depictions of Asian women. It’s an audience favorite nonetheless.
Gordon Lightfoot: The Legend in Concert
8 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$41-$85
Visit VanWezel.org.
The Canadian troubadour known for such 1970s hits as “If You Could Read My Mind” and “Sundown” has recorded 21 albums and garnered five Grammy nominations. Lightfoot was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012 for defining the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and ‘70s.
Lenten Noontime Recital: Cynthia Roberts-Greene
Noon at Church of the Redeemer, 222 S. Palm Ave.
Free
Visit RedeemerSarasota.org.
The latest in an ongoing Wednesday organ series that continues through Lent on March 29 and April 5.
‘Family Secrets’
1:30 p.m. at The Players Centre, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130
$36
Visit ThePlayers.org.
This award-winning multigenerational comedy by Sherry Glaser was first produced in 1998. It explores milestones such as pregnancy and birth, parenting and aging as well as issues of mental health, eating disorders and sexual identity. Runs through March 26.
Understanding Opera: ‘Viva la Révolution!’
5:30 p.m. at Kamlet Library, Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$15
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
Sarasota Opera Director of Education Martha Collins explores how the drama and upheaval associated with political change inform such operas as this season’s “Thérèse.”