The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Sept. 7-13

Thursday, Sept. 7

John Pirman: 'Diving Into Nature'
10 a.m. at Selby Gardens, 1534 Mound St.
$26
Visit Selby.org.

The retrospective of the Sarasota-based designer and illustrator John Pirman will present his works both inside and outside at Selby Gardens. The show will include Pirman's signature Sarasota views as well as his earlier work from three decades as a freelance illustrator in New York. Runs through Sept. 17.

Artist Talk: Lauren Mann, 'The Ephemerality of Being'
5:30-7:30 p.m. Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail
$5
Visit ArtSarasota.org.

Based in Clearwater, Lauren Mann is a portrait artist whose detailed and colorful pencil drawings have been exhibited in shows including "Fresh Squeezed" at the Morean Arts Center, “Intimate Interiors: Figures in Space” at the Gainesville Fine Arts Association Gallery, as well as “The Nonseniors” and “Realize” at the 4Most Gallery in Gainesville.

Divas Three
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St.
$18 and up
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Created by Nancy Allen Productions, three female vocalists present four decades of songs made famous by Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and other women who have won the coveted title of “Diva.” Runs through Sept. 17.

'Creedence Clearwater Remixed!'
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave.
$18 and up
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

“The Jersey Tenors” and “The Surfer Boys” veteran Vaden Thurgood has created his own musical revue for FST’s summer cabaret series. The show, which features a rotating cast (including Thurgood for at least a month), follows the life of Creedence Clearwater Revival founder John Fogerty through hit songs such as “Proud Mary” and “Bad Moon Rising.” Runs through Oct. 22. 

Friday, Sept. 8

Robert Garcia
7 p.m. at Centennial Park, 200 W. Venice Ave., Venice
Free
Visit VisitVeniceFL.org.

Gather near the gazebo in Centennial Park for this free concert hosted by Venice MainStreet and sponsored by Neal Communities. Bring your own chairs or picnic blankets. No alcohol is permitted in Centennial Park.

Saturday, Sept. 9

Second Saturday
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Creative Liberties, 927 N. Lime Ave. and 901B Apricot Ave.
Free
Visit CreativeLiberties.net.

Creative Liberties' Lime Avenue gallery includes the work of artists Jan Kravec, Carey “Mike” Carlson, Benjamin Saucier, Mayte Martinez, Luther Rosebaro and Lynn Coppinger. Its Apricot Avenue gallery, located around the corner, features the work of artists Jon Egan, Honey Silvas, Linda Eader and Krystal Braza.

Local art galleries open their studios to the public on the second Saturday of each month. A map of participating galleries can be found at SRQArtists.com. Please call the studio ahead of time during off season.

Mike McCarthy
7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.
Run through Sept. 17
Tickets $25
Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

Dubbed the "Comedy Barbarian," Mike McCarthy has been seen on Showtime and Comedy Central. His high-energy style of humor will leave the audience bouncing off the walls and gasping for breath.

Courtesy photo

The Jalen Baker Quartet
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theater Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
$27
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and Modern Marimba team up to present an evening of jazz featuring the Jalen Baker Quartet, with Jalen Baker on vibraphone, Paul Cornish on the piano, Gavin Moolchan on the drums and Gabriel Godoy on bass.