- July 8, 2025
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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 that plays there. 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.
'Key Change: A Return to the Beach'
6:30 p.m. at Hermitage Beach, 6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood
$5 with registration
Visit HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
Daniel and Patrick Lazour, finalists for the 2024 Hermitage Greenfield Prize, and returning Hermitage Fellow Michael Sonnenblick are the headliners of the first beach concert at the Hermitage Artist Retreat since the Englewood arts incubator was struck by back-to-back hurricanes in 2024. The Lazour Brothers received several nominations for their recent New York production of “We Live in Cairo" while Sonnenblick recently collaborated with Elton John on the West End production “The Devil Wears Prada.”
Monty Franklin
7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.
$26
Visit McCurdysComedy.com.
Born in Australia and now based in LA, Monty Franklin toured the U.S. with Rob Schneider on his stand-up comedy tours and appeared in Schneider’s Netflix show, “Real Bob.” His other credits include Fox ‘s “New Girl,” Foxtel’s “Stand Up Australia” and Hulu’s “Hollywood Darlings.” Runs through June 29.
‘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 — at Florida Studio Theatre’s Summer Cabaret. "How Sweet It Is," a Motown tribute led by dynamic vocalist and songwriter Luke McMaster, demonstrates the enduring appeal of hits like “Tracks of My Tears" and “You Can’t Hurry Love," which were later covered by Linda Ronstadt and Phil Collins, respectively. Runs through Aug. 3.
‘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 in search of a better life for their children. 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.
'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
‘Dames at Sea’
8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St.
$42 and up
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Fresh from his success with Florida Studio Theatre’s “Jersey Boys,” Ben Liebert directs and choreographs “Dames at Sea.” A parody of 1930s musicals, “Dames at Sea” first debuted Off-Off Broadway in 1966. With the help of sailor/songwriter Dick, Utah chorus girl Ruby lands a role in a musical that’s trying to find its footing. FST’s Ruby is Emily Ann Brooks, making her FST debut. Runs through July 13.
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.
Kristina Koller
8 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$13-$22
Visit WSLR.org.
For her latest album, “Walk on By,” New York-based singer/songwriter Kristina Koller incorporates elements of R&B and funk into her contemporary jazz arrangements of Burt Bacharach’s timeless songs, some of which were made famous by Dionne Warwick.
‘George Harrison: A Gardener's Life’
10 a.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens,1534 Mound St.
$28
Visit Selby.org.
It's last call for "George Harrison: A Gardener's Life," the ninth installment of the annual Jean and Alfred Goldstein Exhibition Series. Walking around the 15-acre sanctuary where gardens and botanical displays have been erected to mirror those in Harrison’s estate, Friar Park, you can't help feeling that the late Beatle would approve of this living tribute. Runs through June 29.
Wild Bird Rescue Training
10 a.m. to noon at Save Our Seabirds, 1708 Ken Thompson Parkway, City Island
Free
Visit SaveOurSeabirds.org.
Learn from bird rescue efforts about how to help a bird in need at Save Our Seabirds' latest training session, open to everyone with an interest. Get safety tips on how to handle an injured feathered friend and transport it to the medical team on City Island.
'Conjuring the Spirit World: Art, Magic and Mediums'
10 a.m. at the John and Mable Ringling Art Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Road
Free with $25 admission; Mondays free
Visit Ringling.org.
Go on the trail of things that go bump in the night with this fascinating interactive exhibition, which follows the growth of Spiritualism in the mid-19th century from its roots in dining room seances to traveling shows featuring magicians and mediums. Along the way, you’ll see an assortment of memorabilia and tools used both to contact spirits and trick audiences. Runs through July 13.
'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. Her installations 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 from a hodgepodge of materials to her late mother, an accomplished seamstress. Runs through Oct. 26.
