- June 12, 2025
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Sarasota Music Festival: Tessa Lark Returns
4:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail
$30-$43
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
This concert brings Sarasota Music Festival Director Jeffrey Kahane, violinist/fiddler Tessa Lark and cellist Mike Block together again to recreate some improv magic. The trio will perform Improvisation on an Old English Folk Song and on Clarke’s Piano Trio. The program also includes “The Jet Whistle” by Villa-Lobos featuring Alex Sopp on flute and Karen Ouzounian, another favorite from the 2024 festival, on cello. Festival continues through June 21.
Leanne Morgan: Just Getting Started
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$56-$137
Visit VanWezel.org.
Comedian Leanne Morgan rose to fame with her Netflix special "I'm Every Woman," combining Southern charm with relatable humor. Her “Just Getting Started” tour is an ironic milestone on a 25-year career and has recently taken her to premier venues such as the Chicago Theatre and Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Runs through June 6.
Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival: 'Worthy Souls’
7 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$12.62 plus fees
Visit SqueakyWheelTheatre.org.
A new folk-rock musical by Rex Willis, “Worthy Souls” follows a day in the life of a homeless man named Skye in a show that alternates humor and sorrow. Repeats June 7.
‘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 songs like “Tracks of My Tears,” “You Can’t Hurry Love” and “Stop! In the Name of Love.” Runs through Aug. 3.
'Jesus Christ Superstar'
7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$35-$95
Visit AsoloRep.org.
This is it — the one we've been waiting all season for! Broadway director Josh Rhodes ("Spamalot") returns to Sarasota to direct and choreograph Asolo Rep's production of "Jesus Christ Superstar," the granddaddy of rock musicals. The show is Biblical in more ways than one. Look for Sarasota's own Ann Morrison, Mary in the original Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's "Merrily We Roll Along," as King Herod. Runs through June 28.
‘Divas: Time After Time’
8 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St.
$37-$39
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
New to Sarasota? We’ve got two words for you: Jannie Jones. When Jones is performing at Florida Studio Theatre, run — don’t walk — to the Court Cabaret. She is one-third of the trio performing in FST’s new cabaret show, “Divas: Time After Time.” The other talented singers are Aja Goes and Dakota Mackey-McGee. First-timers to FST’s cabaret shows leave the show amazed that there is such talent here in our laid-back beach town. Runs through June 22.
Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival: 'The Paradox of the Mirror’
8:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$14.70
Visit SqueakyWheelTheatre.org.
The "Paradox of the Mirror," choreographed by Tania Vergara Perez for Endedans Contemporary Ballet, combines dance, video and painting to explore the themes of time, identity and memory. The work draws inspiration from Cuban artist Guillermo López González’s depiction of the mangrove. Runs through June 6.
Music on Main
6-9 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch’s Main Street
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.
Enjoy a free concert, food vendors, beer trucks and kids activities. Dean Johanesen will perform circus swing and American roots music, and the event benefits The Florida West Coast Avian Society.
In the Round: A Summer Intensive
7 p.m. at Sarasota Contemporary Dance, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Suite 300
$20
Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance.org.
In the Round gives rising choreographers from across the country the chance to set a work in progress during Sarasota Contemporary Dance’s Summer Intensive. The choreographers are given feedback during the performance from audience members led by SCD Artistic Director, Leymis Bolaños Wilmott.
Jim Lauderdale
7 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$32
Visit WSLR.org.
Jim Lauderdale’s the real deal. He’s been part of the country music scene since he released his debut album in 1991. Over the years, the North Carolina native has worked with artists such as Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Emmylou Harris and Elvis Costello. He has also won two Grammys and released 34 albums. His latest LP, “Game Changer,” was recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville and includes a mix of songs he’s written over the years.
‘From 145th to 98th Street’
7:30 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St.
$30-$44
Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.
Urbanite Theatre wraps its season with Nia Akilah Robinson’s world premiere, “From 145th to 98th Street,” which follows a Black family’s move to a better neighborhood. The American Dream proves elusive when the family’s son is wrongfully accused of a crime committed by someone with the same name. But the power of family prevails in this realistic tale of New York City life sure to resonate with all audiences. Runs through June 29.
Sarasota Music Festival: From Bach to Block
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$29-$53
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
From Bach to Block includes Shostakovich’s 1944 composition Piano Trio No. 2, which he dedicated to a friend who recently died. But the program doesn’t dwell entirely on sorrow. Also on the bill are Bach’s joyful Brandenburg Concerto No. 4, and cellist Mike Block’s Global Music Collaboration, giving audiences another taste of the spontaneity that was such a hit at last year’s Sarasota Music Festival. SMF runs through June 21.
Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival: ‘Mamá Mala’
10 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$12.62 plus fees
Visit SqueakyWheelTheatre.org.
Dancer Ivonne Batanero brings a meditation on motherhood that she premiered in January at The Ringling’s Art of Performance Micro WIP (Works In Progress) series to the Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival. The bilingual piece crosses genres by incorporating standup comedy and dance with a soundtrack of music and noise. Repeats June 7.
St. Armands Circle Craft Festival
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Armands Circle Park, 1 St. Armands Circle
Free
Visit ArtFestival.com.
The 22nd annual Craft Festival returns to St. Armands Circle. Browse jewelry, pottery and more crafts from artists from across the U.S. Continues Sunday.
SRQ Con
10:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St.
Free
Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket.com.
Selby Library hosts its annual pop culture convention. Activities will include a scavenger hunt, button making, a shadow puppet show and VR exploration. Vendors will be selling products including art, comics, toys and merchandise, and the Mr. Bulgogi food truck outside will offer meat and vegan meals.
Silver Pride
Noon to 5 p.m. at Senior Friendship Centers, 1888 Brother Geenen Way
Free
Visit PPSRQ.org.
This event celebrating LGBTQ+ individuals aged 50 and up is hosted by Project Pride SRQ, Senior Friendship Centers and Golden Girls Solutions, and will feature live music, vendors, community resources, food trucks and other offerings.
Sarasota Music Festival: Beethoven and Shostakovich
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$29-$72
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Conductor Stephanie Childress returns with a captivating program featuring Armenian American composer Mary Kouyoumdjian’s Tagh (Diary) of an Immigrant, Shostakovich’s popular Second Piano Concerto and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2, the last symphony he composed in the style of Mozart.
Puccini’s ‘Madama Butterfly’
1:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$20
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
It’s not that often that you get to watch a high-definition film of an opera in a real opera house. Sarasota Opera kicks off its summer HD at the Opera House series with Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The heartbreaking tale of an ill-fated romance between a Japanese geisha and an American naval officer features Kevin John Edusei conducting the Royal Opera House orchestra and chorus.
Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival: 'Did You Not Know?’
7 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$14.70 plus fees
Visit SqueakyWheelTheatre.org.
“Did You Not Know?” is a one-man show starring Asolo Repertory Theatre Director of Education Terrance Jackson, a Sarasota native and Booker VPA alum who recently returned to his hometown after a stint as director of outreach at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia. Cat Brindisi directs.
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 first American to win the grand prize at the Venice Biennale, Rauschenberg set the stage for the Pop Art movement. The exhibition includes works The Ringling has in its collection, including pieces Rauschenberg created during his time on Captiva Island on Florida’s Gulf Coast, where he moved in 1968 and remained until his death 40 years later. Runs through Aug. 3.
‘George Harrison: A Gardener's Life’
10 a.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens,1534 Mound St.
$28
Visit Selby.org.
"George Harrison: A Gardener's Life" is the ninth installment of the annual Jean and Alfred Goldstein Exhibition Series. Walking around the 15-acre sanctuary on the Sarasota bayfront where gardens and botanical displays have been erected to mirror those in Harrison's estate, Friar Park, you can't help feeling the late Beatle would approve of this living tribute. Runs through June 29.
Sarasota Music Festival: Levin Lecture
1 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N.Tamiami Trail
$15-$25
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Former Sarasota Music Festival director Robert Levin, a renowned expert on improvisation in classical music, delivers his annual lecture at the festival. The topic of Levin’s lecture hasn’t been announced, but it’s a safe bet that he will challenge SMF Fellows and audiences alike with his knowledge of music history and theory. Festival continues through June 21.
