- November 2, 2024
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‘Something Old, Something New’
4:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$30-$42
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
The Sarasota Music Festival begins its program with Maurice Duruflé‘s Trio, written for flute, violin and piano. Two festival faculty members — Tessa Lark and Mike Block — join Music Director Jeffrey Kahane for an improvisational take on Dvorak’s “New World Symphony.”
Jazz Thursday at SAM
5:30 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Free to $20
Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.
Jazz Club of Sarasota presents the Tampa-based trio La Lucha, made up of three friends from different parts of the world: Alejandro Arenas (Colombia), John O’Leary (Mexico) and Mark Feinman (United States). Their versatility and varied influences produce engaging performances with lots of audience interaction.
Jimmy Shubert
7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
$28
Visit McCurdysComedy.com.
Texas-born Jimmy Shubert is a practitioner of “clean” comedy. His standup album, “Force of Nurture,” debuted at No. 1 on iTunes and he has headlined multiple tours for U.S. troops around the world. Runs through June 9.
Royal James Theater Presents ‘Murder by the Book’
7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton
$29
Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com.
Agatha Christie loved to keep readers of her murder mysteries guessing, but none of her plots could prepare them for a real-life event that made headlines around the world. That startling news is the basis of B.J. Mohr’s new play, "Murder by the Book." Runs through June 23.
‘Happy Dale’: A Comedy by Dan Landon
7:30 p.m. at The Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130, Sarasota
$30; students $13
Visit ThePlayers.org.
If you Google directions to The Sarasota Players production of “Happy Dale,” make sure you’re paying attention. You might end up in Estero, Florida, where there's a Happy Dale Lane. In Dan Landon’s “Happy Dale,” a retired English teacher (Lee Gundersheimer) is sent to an assisted living facility after he begins acting strangely following his wife's death. Happy Dale’s newest resident quickly turns the facility’s routines upside down. Runs through June 23.
‘Rhinestone Cowgirls’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota
$18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Created by Nancy Allen Productions, this musical tribute to some of the first ladies of country stars Samantha Duval, Charity Farrell and Gianna Maria. The revue features such country classics as Patsy Cline’s “Crazy,” Tammy Wynette’s “Stand by Your Man” and Carrie Underwood’s “Last Name.” Runs through July 28.
‘Oak’
7:30 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St., Sarasota
$7-$44
Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.
Urbanite Theatre wraps its 10th anniversary season with the Southern Gothic horror-infused “Oak.” Written by Terry Guest and directed by Mikael Burke, “Oak” is a National New Play Network rolling premiere. Runs through June 30,
‘Coconut Cake’
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota
$5-$50
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
In Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s last show of its 2023-24 season, “Coconut Cake,” the daily routine of four chess-playing and coffee-drinking retirees is disrupted when a mysterious woman moves to town, bringing her recipe for a mouthwatering coconut cake. Runs through June 23.
‘The World Goes ‘Round’
8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St., Sarasota
$39-$59
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Florida Studio Theatre kicks off its Summer Mainstage Series with “The World Goes ‘Round,” a musical revue celebrating the works of John Kander and Fred Ebb. The show features memorable songs from hit Broadway shows such as “Chicago,” “Cabaret” and more. Runs through June 30.
Sights & Sounds at Waterside Place: Ring Sarasota
6 p.m. at Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch, 7500 Island Cove Terrace
Free
Visit RingSarasota.org.
No matter which Sirius XM or radio station you listen to, the Ring Sarasota handbell ensemble will play something that you enjoy. Under the direction of Rick Holdsworth, Ring Sarasota’s repertoire crosses genres, including country, Latin and 80s pop. Seating is limited so feel free to bring a chair. No outside food or drinks permitted.
In The Round Performance
7 p.m. at Sarasota Contemporary Dance, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Suite 300, Sarasota
$22
Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance.org.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance Artistic Director Leymis Bolaños Wilmott leads an interactive session that allows rising choreographers to receive audience feedback during this In The Round performance.
Movie in the Park: 'A Bug's Life'
8 p.m. at Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.
The family-friendly movie night, which runs the second Friday of each month at Waterside Park, features "A Bug's Life." The movie will begin approximately at 8 p.m. and is sponsored by Grace Community Church, which will provide a free popsicle from Siesta Pops to the first 300 attendees. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Concessions will be available from We B'Poppin Popcorn and Kettle Corn. Face painting and inflatables will be available for the kids.
‘Disney’s Winnie the Pooh’
7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton
$20
Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com.
Based on the characters of A.A. Milne and the 2011 Disney animated feature film, “Disney’s Winnie the Pooh” features songs from the film and new hits.
Dad's Day Block Party
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota
Free
Visit MallAtUTC.com.
The mall hosts the annual Dad's Dad Block Park that will feature 40-plus Father's Day Vendors, live entertainment, craft beer sampling, mini golf, the Tampa Bay Bucs RV and activities, pro athlete meet and greets and autograph signings, raffles, giveaways and more.
ReptiDay
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sahib Shrine Center, 600 N. Beneva Road, Sarasota
$10; children ages 5-12 $5; ages 4 and under free
Visit Repticon.com.
Discover the world of reptiles, including those rarely seen in local pet stores, at this event that packs everything from Repticon's two-day events into one day. Shop for a family pet, find products for owners and get advice from experts.
Summer Circus Spectacular
2 p.m. at Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota
$20; kids $15
Visit Ringling.org.
If you’ve never seen a performance in The Ringling’s jewelbox venue, the Historic Asolo Theater, here’s your chance. Presided over by Ringmaster Jared Walker, the Summer Circus Spectacular includes contortionist Uranbileg Angarag, acrobatic hand balancers The Bello Sisters, hair hang artist Camille Langlois, slack wire performer Antino Pansa and clown Renaldo, a veteran of the Big Apple Circus. Runs through Aug. 17.
‘American Soundscapes’
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
$30-$70
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
If you can only attend one of the more than a dozen concerts at the Sarasota Music Festival, this is the one. Fiddler/violinist Tessa Lark, cellist Mike Block and SMF Diector Jeffrey Kahane improvise on beloved American songs. And that’s only part of the bill, which will include Block leading festival fellows in a rousing jam. Leave all your preconceptions about classical music at the door.
Juneteenth Arts Festival
Noon at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012. N. Orange Ave., Sarasota
Free
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe hosts its second annual Juneteeth Arts Festival on Father’s Day with food vendors, live music and dance on an outdoor stage and indoor film screenings in the Donelly Theatre.The festival, which lasts until 6 p.m., includes Monessa Salley from Sarasota Contemporary Dance and musical numbers by WBTT’s Stage of Discovery students. There will be free seats to a 7:30 performance of WBTT’s summer production, “Coconut Cake.” The feature film is “Into The Storm,” a documentary about Booker High School’s 1966-67 state championship basketball team. There will be free haircuts for dads and a children’s show, Toni Kennedy’s “What’s Poppin’ Penny.”
Levin Lecture
1 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$15-$25
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Former Sarasota Music Festival Director Robert Levin, an expert on classical music improvisation, delivers his annual lecture at the festival and takes requests. Who said classical music is stodgy?