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The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Feb. 15-21


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  • | 10:00 a.m. February 13, 2024
The Bello Sisters will perform acrobatic hand balancing during Circus Sarasota 2024, which runs Feb. 16 through March 10 at Nathan Benderson Park.
The Bello Sisters will perform acrobatic hand balancing during Circus Sarasota 2024, which runs Feb. 16 through March 10 at Nathan Benderson Park.
Courtesy image
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Thursday, Feb. 15

‘Inherit The Wind’
1:30 p.m. at Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
From $35
Visit AsoloRep.org.

Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Peter Rothstein brings the classic American drama “Inherit the Wind” to the stage. Based on the famous 1925 Scopes "monkey" trial, “Inherit” also inspired an Oscar-winning film of the same name about a high-school teacher convicted for teaching evolution. Runs through Feb. 24. 


The Budweiser Clydesdales arrived at the Sarasota Polo Club late in the evening Feb. 14, 2022, after an 18-hour drive over two days from Houston.
Photo by Jay Heater

Clydesdales on Main
5 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.

The world-famous Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales visit Main Street at Lakewood Ranch during their "Boys are Back in Town" tour of the region. Those who want to get up close to the horses are invited to line Lakewood Main Street for the event.


‘The Flip Side’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St., Sarasota
$37-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

With songs like “The Ballad of Sigmund Freud” and “Killed by a Coconut,” the latest cabaret creation of Richard and Rebecca Hopkins tips its musical hat to comic songwriters. The show features arrangements by Jim Prosser. Runs through June 16.


Trinidad-born jazz trumpeter Etienne Charles performs Creole soul Feb. 15-16 at the Historic Asolo Theater.
Courtesy image

Etienne Charles: Creole Soul
7:30 p.m. at Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bayshore Road, Sarasota
$30-$40
Visit Ringling.org.

Trinidad-born trumpeter Etienne Charles is a 2015 Guggenheim Fellow and has performed widely and recorded with artists such as Somi, Roberta Flack and Count Basie Orchestra. A second performance is Friday. 


‘A Soldier’s Play’
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota
$20-$50
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.

The year is 1944; the place is Louisiana, deep in the segregated South. A Black sergeant is shot to death. Capt. Richard Davenport arrives to find out who did it and why. 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 Sunday.


The Abbey Theatre's production of "Born With Teeth" runs through March 29 at Asolo Repertory Theatre.
Image courtesy of Lynn Lane

‘Born with Teeth’
7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 7777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$29-$75
Visit AsoloRep.org.

Is there such a thing as too much Shakespeare in one town? Methinks not. After you’ve seen “Judith,” Urbanite’s riff on the Bard’s sister, you’ll be ready for “Born With Teeth,” a tale of rival playwrights Shakespeare and Marlowe. Like “Judith,” “Born with Teeth” offers an alternative to the conventional wisdom. Runs through March 29.


Friday, Feb. 16

Gem, Jewelry & Bead Show
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$5
Visit FrankCoxProductions.com.

View what is promoted as some of the finest gem, jewelry and bead collections for sale in the U.S. Continues Saturday and Sunday.


Eric Guimond and Paulina Whyte offer dance with the St. Barbara Hellenic Dancers in 2023.
File photo

Greek Glendi   
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 7671 N. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota
Three-day pass $5; children 12 and under free
Visit StBarbaraFestival.org.

Enjoy Greek food, domestic and imported beverages, pastries, live Greek music and performances by the St. Barbara Hellenic Dancers, as well as tours of St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church. The event also features large cash prizes and the chance to win a 2024 Mercedes’ Benz GLA250W or CLA250C. Continues 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.


Jazz @ 2 Danny Sinoff Trio
2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road, Sarasota
$15-$20
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

Jazz Club of Sarasota presents pianist/vocalist Danny Sinoff, who performs music from the Great American Songbook.


Randy Ervin and Susan Bilotti ride their custom bikes through Thunder By The Bay on Feb. 20, 2022.
Photo by Harry Sayer

Thunder by the Bay Music and Motorcycle Fest
5-10 p.m. at Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
$10 in advance; $15 at the gate; 12 and under free
Visit ThunderbytheBay.org.

Held in support of Suncoast Charities for Children, this festival, now its 26th year, features live music, vendors, daredevil acts, a charity motorcycle ride, a bike show, a motorcycle “sound off” competition, biker games and more. Headlining acts by are Molly Hatchet (Friday, Feb. 16), Grand Funk Railroad (Saturday, Feb. 17) and Creed Fisher (Sunday, Feb. 18). On-site camping is available. Continues 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.


Circus Sarasota 2024
7 p.m. at the Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota
$30-$80
Visit CircusArts.org.

Now in its 26th season, Circus Sarasota returns to Nathan Benderson Park with a brand new big top and a fresh lineup of thrilling performers presided over by ringmaster Joseph Bauer Jr., a 15th-generation circus family member. Runs through March 10. 


Saturday, Feb. 17

Cars and Coffee
8-10 a.m. at Lynches Pub & Grub, 19 N Boulevard of Presidents, St. Armands Key
Free
Call 388-5550.

All makes and models are welcome to Cars and Coffee on St. Armands Circle. Enjoy free coffee from Lynches Pub. Continues the third Saturday every month.


Chorus of the Keys, a men's a cappella group, has been performing in Sarasota for more than 70 years.
Courtesy image

Chorus of the Keys Annual Show
2:30 and 7 p.m. at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota
$30-$35
Visit ChorusOfTheKeys.org.

Chorus of the Keys will present the program, “Your Dreams Will Come True” in honor of its 75th anniversary. The chorus will be joined by a special guest quartet, My Three Sons, who are also members of the Ditchfield Family Singers. 


Classical Piano Concert with Live Painting
3:45 p.m. at Midge Johnson Fine Art, 3983 Destination Drive, Osprey
$25
Visit MidgeJohnsonFineArt.com.

Take a drive down to Osprey to watch Midge Johnson paint while Alan Wasserman plays piano.


Grant Peeples w/ Liana Gabel
8 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota
$15
Visit WLSR.org.

A regular on the folk festival circuit, Grant Peeples returns to Fogartyville with a mix of political tunes and heartfelt ballads, including selections from his 2023 album, “A Murder of Songs.” Peeples will be accompanied by TC Carr on harmonica. Liana Gabel, a multitalented artist from New York Hudson’s Valley will open. 


Temps, Tops, Supremes & Gladys: A Motown Revue
8p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton
$30-$55
Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com.

This Motown revue featuring the Soul Sensations brings to life the musical discoveries of Detroit record producer Berry Gordy, who cultivated young Black artists and fashioned them into mainstream superstars with help from the songwriting team of Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian and Eddie Holland. 

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. Runs Saturdays through March 23. 


Sunday, Feb. 18

‘New York State of Mind’
3 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St., Sarasota
$5
Visit SuncoastConcertBand.org.

Sarasota’s own Suncoast Jazz Ambassadors are in a “New York State of Mind.” Please visit the website and reserve your ticket in advance for this concert. The group attracts a devoted following due to the excellence of its musicians, the creativity of its programming and its affordable ticket prices. 


‘The Man I Love: The Story of George Gershwin’
3 p.m. at The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
$30; members $25
Visit TBIEducationCenter.org.

The Education Center hosts a concert of popular George Gershwin tunes intertwined with the story of his life. In the perspective of Gershwin’s muse, musician and public speaker Sarah Moulin tells the story of their 10-year love affair. 


Monday, Feb. 19

Jean Pierre Castillo, Classical Guitarist
7:30 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2256 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota
Free
Visit GuitarSarasota.org.

Guitar Sarasota presents Jean Pierre Castillo, a pioneering Afro-Colombian musician who specializes in cross-genre performances. He will perform a program of the music of Spain and Latin America.


World-renowned cellist Alisa Weilerstein joins the Detroit Symphony Monday, Feb. 19 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
Image courtesy of Paul Stuart

Detroit Symphony Orchestra with Cellist Alisa Weilerstein
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$35-$125
Visit SCASarasota.org.

World-renowned cellist Alisa Weilerstein joins the Detroit Symphony in Elgar’s popular Cello Concerto. Music Director Jader Bignamini leads the orchestra in Michael Abels’ “Emerge” as well as Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade.”


Tuesday, Feb. 20

Tomorrow’s Voices Today High School Choral Festival 
7:30 p.m. at Riverview High Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota
$10
Visit KeyChorale.org.

This intergenerational choral festival brings together the very best of the season from the Booker, Riverview, and Sarasota high school choirs performing separately and alongside Key Chorale.


Wednesday, Feb. 21

Joy McIntyre Opera Seminar
10:30 a.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St., Sarasota
Free
Visit SarasotaMusicArchive.org.

Opera expert and retired soprano Joy McIntyre delivers a lecture called
“La Forza del Destino – Caught between Heaven and Earth.” 


Duo Beaux Arts
7:30 p.m. at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key
$25 at door; $20 online
Visit BonifaceChurch.org.

Catherine Lan and Tao Lin, the husband-and-wife team of renowned pianists Duo Beaux Arts, play “four hands" with two pianos. 


‘Misery’
7:30 p.m. at The Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130, Sarasota
$30; students $13
Visit ThePlayers.org.

Directed by Kelly Woodland, “Misery” is based on the Stephen King novel about a best-selling romance novelist imprisoned in the home of his No. 1 fan. Runs through March 10.

 

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