- December 1, 2024
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Black Friday Block Party
2-9 p.m. at 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop, 1445 2nd St.
Free
Visit 99Bottles.net.
Celebrate with live music, performances by Kettle of Fish Duo (2-4 p.m.), Dirty Byrd (4-6 p.m.) and Al Donadi & Friends (6-9 p.m.), as well as corn hole tournaments at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., a draft beer truck, a wine tent and bites from Clean Plate Club SRQ and Vesuvius Wood Fired Pizza.
Sarasota Seafood and Music Festival
4-10 p.m. at Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd.
Free
Visit ParagonFestivals.com.
Enjoy entrees from various vendors, as well as side dishes, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and desserts, listen to live musical performances and browse a marketplace of arts and crafts. Continues 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Nik Wallenda's Wonderland Circus: ‘Illuminate’
2 and 7 p.m. at the Big Top at UTC, 195 University Town Center Drive
$30-$100
Visit CircusArts.org.
Nothing says the holidays like the circus, especially when the star is Sarasota’s hometown hero, Nik Wallenda. For the second year in a row, Wallenda teams up with the Circus Arts Conservatory to present a new circus show for the whole family that’s got all the holidays covered. This year’s theme is “Illuminate.” Runs through Jan. 5, 2025.
'A Motown Christmas'
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
$22-$57
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
You don’t have to be old enough to remember the Jackson Five singing its version of “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” to appreciate “Motown Christmas.” Take time out from decorating the metallic tree and head over to this energetic program of Hitsville holiday favorites guaranteed to warm the heart of any Grinch. Runs through Jan. 5, 2025.
‘59th Street Bridge’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave.
$18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Florida Studio Theatre presents a tribute to early folk-rock artists such as John Denver, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. Continues through March 30, 2025.
‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’
7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$35-$98
Visit AsoloRep.org.
Not just a another jukebox musical, Asolo Repertory Theatre's production of "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" tells the story of King's life, from her early days churning out songs for other artists with then-husband Gerry Goffin to her rise as the voice of her generation. Runs through Jan. 5, 2025.
‘Deck the Halls’
10 a.m. at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave.
$12
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Since it was first produced as part of Florida Studio Theatre’s Children’s Series in 2016, “Deck the Halls” has become a tradition for Sarasota families. Celebrate the holidays in Florida style with palm trees decorated with twinkling lights, sand snowmen and Santa on a surfboard. This year, the interactive show returns with new sketches and songs. Runs weekends through Dec. 24.
Breakfast with Santa
10-11 a.m. at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime, 821 Apricot Ave.
Free
Visit BazaaronApricotAndLime.com.
Have breakfast with Santa at The Bazaar on Small Business Saturday. Kids receive a free book and can color with Bazaar artists. Hamlet’s Eatery will be offering food, and visitors can browse the selection of gift items available at The Bazaar.
Siesta Key Holiday Parade
5:30 p.m. at Siesta Key Village
Free
Visit SiestaKeyChamber.com.
Celebrate the season in Siesta Key with the annual holiday parade held by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce. The parade begins at Avenida del Mare and Beach Road and travels onto Ocean Boulevard to Siesta Key Village. Free photos with Santa are from 2-4 p.m. at Chamber office, 5223 Avenida Navarra.
‘Jennifer, Who is Leaving’
7:30 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St.
$5-$33
Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.
Directed by Asolo Repertory Theatre Associate Artistic Director Celine Rosenthal, “Jennifer Who is Leaving” is a comedy set in a Massachusetts donut shop about three overworked women. If you’ve ever dreamed about escaping housekeeping or caretaking duties (even just for an hour or so), this show is for you. Runs through Sunday.
Rev. Billy C. Wirtz with Steve Arvey
8 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$12-$24
Visit WSLR.org.
Take a time-out from Thanksgiving leftovers and football to visit Sarasota’s favorite community listening room. Join Rev. Billy C. Wirtz and Steve Arvey, along with special guests Anne Van Atta and Sandy Grecco, for an evening billed as a meetup between Boogie Woogie piano and cigar box guitar.
Patti Smith: A Book of Days
10 a.m. at Selby Gardens Historic Spanish Point, 401 N Tamiami Trail, Osprey
Included with $20 admission
Visit Selby.org.
Selby Gardens collaborates with poet and musician Patti Smith, its artist-in-residence, on an outdoor exhibition of large prints taken from her newly published bestseller, “A Book of Days.” By displaying her photographs outdoors, Selby brings them into a conversation with nature. Runs through Aug. 31, 2025.
Suncoast Concert Band
3 p.m. Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St.
$5
Visit SuncoastConcertBand.org.
The theme of this week’s performance by the popular Suncoast Concert Band, now in its 92nd season, is “The Band Plays On.” Call 941-907-4123 to check on ticket availability and please be sure to dial the right number.
'Winter's Glow'
4 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$20-$55
Visit KeyChorale.org.
Key Chorale has collaborated with the Sarasota Ballet Studio Company since 2018 to present what has become a holiday tradition. This year’s program includes “Dreamweaver,” a performance choreographed by Sarasota Ballet principal dancer Maximiliano Iglesias that will feature Lithuanian soprano Lina Dambrauskaite. Also on the bill is “When Icicles Hang,” choreographed by Maria Konrad.
Monday Film Club: Enjoy Two Great Hidden Gems
1:30 p.m. at The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
$45; members $40
Visit TBIEducationCenter.org.
View two full-length movies followed by stimulating discussions with popular movie critic Gus Mollasis. Enjoy fresh popcorn.
Music Monday at McCurdy’s
7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.
$44
Visit McCurdysComedy.com.
Back in 1976, Martin Scorsese directed what many consider to be the greatest concert film of all time, “The Last Waltz” starring The Band and friends such as Joni Mitchell. White Leaf Private Concert Club is partnering with McCurdy’s to bring a “Last Waltz” tribute show to Sarasota created by Josh Daniel of Charlotte, N.C. Daniel has attracted quite a following, both in his hometown and online, where he was one of Pollstar’s top 10 most live streamed artists in 2021.
Monday Night Jazz at the Cabaret
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St.
$34-$39
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
“What good is sitting alone in your room? Come hear the music play,” Liza Minelli famously sang in “Cabaret.” She knew what she was talking about and so does Jazz Club of Sarasota, which teams up with Florida Studio Theatre to present Monday Night Jazz at the Cabaret. This week’s show features Mauricio Rodriguez and the MJR Latin Project. Doors open at 6:30 for food and drink service.
Chanticleer Holiday Concert
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$35-$85
Visit SCASarasota.org.
What pray tell is a "chanticleer"? If you're from farming stock, you know it's a rooster. If you're a fan of literature, you'll recognize the reference to Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales." It's also the name of a Grammy Award-winning male vocal ensemble that has received global acclaim. They're back by popular demand, thanks to the Sarasota Concert Association, with a new holiday-themed program of Renaissance, classical and yuletide favorites.
‘Little Women The Musical’
7:30 p.m. at 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130
$15-$34
Visit ThePlayers.org.
The Broadway hit "Little Women the Musical" propelled Foster Sutton to stardom when she played Jo, one of four March sisters. An aspiring writer, Jo doesn’t want to settle for an ordinary life; she wants to be “Astonishing.” The Sarasota Players has found itself a pretty astonishing Jo in the form of Lexi Lowther. See director Amanda Heisey’s interpretation of the heartwarming musical based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel. Runs through Dec. 15.