The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for July 17-23

Thursday, July 17

Summer Circus Spectacular
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road
$20 adult, $13 child
Visit CircusArts.org.

Pack up the car with Grandpa and the kids and head for the Circus Arts Conservatory’s annual Summer Circus Spectacular at The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater, a jewelbox venue that elevates any show. This thrilling, 60-minute circus of fresh new acts is perfect for people of all ages with short attention spans. There’s room for walkers, strollers, wheelchairs, you name it — but please arrive early so ushers can store them. Make it a circus day by adding a ticket to The Ringling’s famed Circus Museum for just $5 on the day of the show. Runs through Aug. 9.

Circle the Date

All day at St. Armands Circle, 300 Madison Drive. Every third Thursday of the month, participating shops and restaurants on St. Armands Circle will be hosting sales and giveaways. Visit the St. Armands Circle page on Facebook for updates.

Image courtesy of Adrian Van Stee

‘A Year With Frog and Toad’
7 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$15-$19
Visit AsoloRep.org.

Asolo Repertory Theatre rolls out a fun, family-oriented production that’s priced right. Adapted from Arnold Lobel’s beloved children’s stories, Robert and Willie Reale’s musical is structured as a series of vignettes that follows the friendship of Frog and Toad through the seasons. Scott Keys directs. Runs through Aug. 3.

‘Too Darn Hot: Songs for a Summer Night’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St.
$39 and up
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Carole J. Bufford easily skips eras and genres in this showcase of stories and songs featuring the months June, July, August and September. Whether she’s singing songs made famous by Janis Joplin or Randy Newman, she leaves the audience with something they never knew before. What’s more, her cool costumes evoke everything from flappers of the 1920s to the neo-swing era of the 1990s. Runs through Sept. 14. 

‘The Titan and the Muse: Love Deluxe’
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
$35-$98
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatreTroupe.org.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe stars Raleigh Mosely II and Jazzmin Carson join forces for a sexy concert featuring duets made famous by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, and other iconic duos. After its debut at The Bay Sarasota, “The Titan & The Muse: Love Deluxe” makes its WBTT premiere for three performances as part of the company’s Sizzlin’ Summer Cabaret series. Continues July 19 and 20.

Image courtesy of Emiliano Mejias

‘How Sweet It Is’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave.
$18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

As the mercury rises, locals know how to escape the heat with Florida Studio Theatre’s Summer Cabaret. The series kicks off with a Motown tribute called “How Sweet It is.” Led by dynamic vocalist and songwriter Luke McMaster, an energetic trio demonstrates the enduring appeal of hits like “Tracks of My Tears,” “You Can’t Hurry Love” and “Stop! In the Name of Love.” Runs through Aug. 3. 

‘Dorothy’s Dictionary’
8 p.m. at FST's Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave.
$42 and up
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Alice M. Gatling stars as Dorothy, who introduces a troubled teen played by Ethan Jack Haberfield to the healing power of books. Directed by Kate Alexander, the tale explores memory, identity and how relationships can transform our lives. Runs through Aug. 10. 

Friday, July 18

Image courtesy of FST

Sarasota Improv Festival
6 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre, 1265 First St.
$10 each show; $75 festival pass
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org. 

Now in its 15th year, the Sarasota Improv Festival returns to the Florida Studio Theatre campus with 16 companies performing over two days. Troupes making their festival debut include The Sounds Funny Players (New York City), Forgotten Broadway (Orlando) and Ivories Guy (Naples). Returning troupes include North Coast (New York City), Available Cupholders (Austin, Texas) and Dad’s Garage (Atlanta) as well as FST Improv, Florida Studio Theatre’s resident company. Continues Saturday, July 19. 

Music at the Plaza

Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Singer Mylon Shamble takes center stage to entertain the Waterside Place crowd Friday in the free music series while singer-songwriter Doug Burns entertains the crowd the same time on Saturday. For information, go to WatersidePlace.com.

Saturday, July 19

'The High Life: Contemporary Photography and the Birds'
10 a.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St.
$23 if purchased online
Visit Selby.org.

Organized by the Foundation for the Exhibition of Photography and curated by photography experts William Ewing and Danaé Panchaud, "The High Life" features some 70 works of birds by more than 50 photographers from around the world. The works will be displayed in the Museum of Botany & the Arts and outside throughout the gardens. Runs through Sept. 14.

Sarasota Contemporary Dance In Studio: Sea Lee
3 and 7 p.m. at SCD Home Studio, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Suite 300
$20
Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance.org. 

A former member of Sarasota Contemporary Dance company, Sea Lee is a choreographer whose work has been presented by SCD, Moving Current Dance Collective, Co-motion Dance Theatre and who has performed at such venues as the American Dance Festival and Ramallah Contemporary Dance Festival. Continues July 21. 

Live music at Jiggs Landing

Runs from 5-8 p.m. at Jiggs Landing, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. The live music lineup at Jiggs Landing will feature the Blue Grass Pirates. Continues 5-8 p.m. on Sunday with Donnie Bostic. All the music this week is free. For information, go to JiggsLanding.com.

Sunday, July 20

Courtesy image

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 conversation with nature. Runs through Aug. 31. 

Monday, July 21

Rauschenberg: A Centennial Celebration
The John and Mable Ringling Art Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Road
Free with $25 admission; Mondays free
Visit Ringling.org.

The Ringling joins museums around the world in honoring the centenary of maverick artist Robert Rauschenberg, who burst onto the art scene in the mid-20th century with collages he called “combines.” The exhibition includes works that The Ringling has in its collection, including pieces Rauschenberg created during his time on Captiva Island on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Runs through Aug. 3.

Tuesday, July 22

Image courtesy of Ryan Gamma

 'Lillian Blades: Through the Veil’
10 a.m.. at the Sarasota Art Museum campus of Ringling College,1001 S. Tamiami Trail
Free for museum members; $20
Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.

Award-winning artist Lillian Blades invites visitors to get lost in her first solo museum exhibition at Sarasota Art Museum. Her installation of “veils” combine handcrafted and found objects to create a mesmerizing display. Blades attributes her use of dazzling color to her childhood in The Bahamas and her process of creating large-scale assemblages to her late mother, an accomplished seamstress. Runs through Oct. 26.