The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Feb. 8-14


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  • | 10:00 a.m. February 6, 2024
Andrew and Luz Hereth celebrated 15 years of marriage at the 2022 Valentine’s Day vow renewal on Siesta Beach.
Andrew and Luz Hereth celebrated 15 years of marriage at the 2022 Valentine’s Day vow renewal on Siesta Beach.
Photo by Harry Sayer
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Thursday, Feb. 8

Jazz Thursday at SAM
5:30 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$20
Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.

In partnership with Jazz Club of Sarasota, the contemporary Sarasota Art Museum features a different style of jazz each second Thursday of the month on the Marcy & Michael Klein Plaza. This program features the Simon Lasky Quartet with vocalist Alexis Cole, as well as extended hours in the galleries, bistro and the shop.


Blues rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd appears Feb. 8 at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
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Kenny Wayne Shepherd: Dirt on My Diamonds Tour
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$35-$82
Visit VanWezel.org.

During his 20 years in the business, Kenny Wayne Shepherd has become the poster boy for the phrase “young blues rock guitarist." He’s always in demand for live appearances and has been credited with helping to fuel the worldwide resurgence of the blues. 


'Smoke and Fire'
7:30 p.m. at SCF Neel Performing Arts Center, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton
From $35
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org

Norwegian conductor Rune Bergmann makes his Sarasota Orchestra debut in a program that begins with the overture to Danish composer Carl Nielsen’s opera “Maskarade” and features Rachmaninoff’s symphony No. 2. Philippe Quint will perform Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto. Continues Feb. 9-11 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. 


‘The Amish Project’
7:30 p.m. at Tree Fort Productions, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$40
Visit TreeFortProductionsProjects.com.

Jessica Dickey’s 2009 play about a real-life shooting at an Amish girls school explores a rare response to gun violence: forgiveness. This acclaimed one-woman show stars Katherine Michelle Tanner, Tree Fort’s producing artistic director. Runs through Sunday. 


‘Judith’ 
7:30 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St., Sarasota
$5-$42
Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.

When the world’s most famous playwright skips town, Shakespeare’s sister Judith dons male clothing and steps in for her brother. Livy Scanlon plays Judith in a world premiere written by Katie Bender in consultation with Scanlon, and directed by Brendon Fox. Runs through Feb. 18.


Friday, Feb. 9

Jazz @ 2 with Pete Carney Quartet
2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road, Sarasota
$15-$20
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

Jazz Club of Sarasota presents Pete Carney, a saxophonist who is director of Jazz Studies at State College of Florida, in a program that features a tribute to the music of Dave Brubeck.


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Movie in the Park: 'Frozen II'
6 p.m. at Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit WatersidePlace.com.

Waterside Place presents its free monthly Movie in the Park series with a showing of "Frozen II." The event is sponsored by Grace Community Church, which gives the first 300 attendees a Chick Fil A sandwich or nuggets. The movie begins at sunset. Characters Anna and Elsa will meet kids from 6-8 p.m. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees are urged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Concessions are available from We B’ Poppin Popcorn and Kettle Corn. Inflatables for the kids will be available from 6-7:30 p.m.


"Poetry of Remembered Landscapes no. 2" by Janice Newman, a member of Women Contemporary Artists.
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Women Contemporary Artists Exhibit
6-8 p.m. at Art & Frame of Sarasota, 1055 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Free
Visit WomenContemporaryArtists.com.

Women Contemporary Artists hosts an opening reception for its annual exhibition. WCA supports women engaged in visual arts in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Exhibit runs through March 21.


Hooray for Hollywood with Michael Feinstein
7:30 p.m. at Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave. Building 5, Venice
$50-$100
Visit TheVeniceSymphony.org.

Great American Songbook champion Michael Feinstein performs with the Venice Symphony under the direction of Troy Quinn. The program includes “Singing in the Rain,” “New York, New York” and other great film music. Performances continue at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday.


House of Hamill
8 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota
$18-$22
Visit WSLR.org.

A fixture on folk festival stages across the country, Pennsylvania-based House of Hamill is in Sarasota to promote their latest release, “Folk Hero.” A rousing collection of original instrumentals, folk ballads and new songs, “Folk Hero” is the third House of Hamill album to be funded entirely by the trio’s fans. 


Saturday, Feb. 10

CariAnn Evans finished as Elastigirl at the 2021 Superhero Fun Run/5K.
Photo by Harry Sayer

Superhero Fun Run/5K
9 a.m. at the Finish Tower at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota
5K $25; fun run $10
Visit BridgeALife.com.

Bridge a Life’s 13th annual Superhero Fun Run and 5K supports children in the local community. The kids’ fun run begins at 8:30 a.m., and the 5K begins at 9 a.m. Superhero costumes are encouraged. 


Run for the Beads
9 a.m. at Waterside Place of Lakewood Ranch
$45
Visit RunForTheBeads.com.

The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation presents the second annual Run for the Beads, a Mardi Gras-themed event that is comprised of a 5K run/walk and includes a costume contest. Proceeds from the event go to area nonprofits through the LWRCF. Food and beverages will be available on site. Registration includes a finisher's medal, a T-shirt and a beverage ticket. 


Christ Church Book Sale
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Christ Church of Longboat Key, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key
Free
Call 941-383-8833.

Christ Church is having a book sale for its second year.  There will be hundreds of bargain-priced, lightly used books, jigsaw puzzles and other media for all ages. Genres span include: fiction, nonfiction, travel, biblical, and audio books.


Young Entrepreneur Market 
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bazaar on Apricot & Lime, 821 Apricot Ave., Sarasota
Free
Visit BazaaronApricotAndLime.com.

Young entrepreneurs 17 years old and under showcase creations including jewelry, fashion accessories, homemade treats and artwork. Get to know the entrepreneurs and hear their stories.


Michael Vistia, a vendor at the 2022 Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts, created multicolored animal pieces.
Photo by Harry Sayer

Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sarasota Main Street, from Orange Avenue to Links Avenue
Free
Visit ArtsFestival.com.

Browse life-size sculptures, paintings, jewelry, photography, ceramics and more at this festival covering more than five city blocks and featuring over 200 national and regional artisans. Continues Sunday.


A Neil Diamond Tribute
2 and 8 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton
$30-$38
Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com.

Good times will never seem so good as they will during this Neil Diamond tribute featuring Keith Allyn, which combines comedy and romance. The show follows Allyn’s transition from a top Elvis impersonator to a performer paying homage to Diamond with such hits as “Sweet Caroline,” “Song Sung Blue” and “Hello Again.”


Boo's Valentine's Day Celebration
2-5 p.m. at Boo's Ice House & Dog Bar, 1314 10th St., Sarasota
Free
Visit EventBrite.com.

Dogs and their owners can experience Valentine's Day together by taking a photo in the "kissing booth," enjoying gourmet dog treats, shopping and meeting the Animal Rescue Coalition. Bites to eat and live music will be on offer. 

FST Improv Presents ‘Life’s A Beach’
8:30 p.m. at FST’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St., Sarasota
$15
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Whether you’re a snowbird or a Suncoast longtimer, you’ll get a kick out of FST Improv’s show poking fun at the rituals of life in Sarasota. Leave your surfboards and fishing rods at home, but dress the part of Florida Man (or Woman) to liven up the evening. Runs Saturdays through March 23. 


Sunday, Feb.  11

Dancing Delight
3 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St., Sarasota
$5
Visit SuncoastConcertBand.org.

Now in their 91st year, Suncoast Concert Band presents a program of dance music featuring saxophonist Scott Kettering. It is advisable to call the telephone number listed on the website to reserve your ticket in advance because of the popularity of this series.


Monday, Feb. 12

Market on the Key
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
Free
Call 941-289-4141.

The Market on Longboat Key is back for the 2023-24 season. The Market String Band will be strolling the market. Follow The Market on Longboat Key or Markets by Nancy on Facebook and Instagram to see who will be there and what they will be bringing. Some food vendors let you pre-order order pies, cakes and breads to be ready upon your arrival.


Wednesday, Feb. 14

Sarasota Music Archive present Russian Duo.
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Concert: Russian Duo, Balalaika and Piano
10:30 a.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St., Sarasota
Free
Visit SarasotaMusicArchive.org.

Sarasota Music Archive presents Oleg on balalaika and Terry on piano for a performance of passionate music that includes stirring vocals. 


Vow Renewal
4:30 p.m. at the Karon Family Pavilion, 600 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
Free
Visit LongboatKey.org.

The town of Longboat Key is inviting couples to say “I do” again. The vow renewal event celebrated Valentine's Day at Town Center Green. The ceremony will be officiated by Senior Federal Judge Jay Plager, who serves on the town’s advisory boards. Call 941-316-1999 to register by Feb. 9.


Say ‘I Do’ Again
5 p.m. at Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key
$15
Visit SarasotaCountyParks.com.

The annual tradition of love returns to Siesta Beach for couples looking to renew their vows of love. The event includes a certificate, a gift, a flower, music and refreshments. Check-in begins at 4:30 p.m., activities begin at 5 p.m., and the nondenominational service begins at 6 p.m.


Marina Elaine and other members of Hard Heart Burlesque perform at McCurdy's Comedy Theatre on Valentine's Day.
Courtesy image

Hard Heart Burlesque
8 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
$37
Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

Celebrate Valentine's Day with Hard Heart Burlesque in a show they promise will appeal to everyone from heart-breakers to the broken-hearted. Presented by Marina Elaine and Karma Kandlewick, this show celebrates Hard Heart's second anniversary with a lineup featuring scantily clad showgirls, vampy vocalists and vaudevillian tricks. 

 

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