- March 24, 2025
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Horns of Plenty
11 a.m. at Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd.
$70
Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.
Artists Series Concerts presents Sarasota Orchestra’s co-principal horn, Hugo Bliss, and Milwaukee Symphony hornist Scott Sanders, whose career began in Sarasota. Together with Choral Artists of Sarasota Artistic Director Joseph Holt on piano, they pay tribute to the horn with a program that includes Beethoven’s sextet for two horns and string quartet. Plus there’s lunch!
'Dance Makers'
7 p.m. at Jane B. Cook Theater, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$20-$50
Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance.org.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance presents “Dance Makers,” a program including “Hope Horizon,” by Kristin O’Neal and Gregory Catellier. It’s followed by “Raze” by Rosanna Tavarez and “Labyrinth” by Bliss Kohlmyer. The program ends with “Te-Time,” by Tania Vergara Perez. Runs through March 16.
Great Escapes: A Musical Comedy
7:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail
$47-$63
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Directed by Tamara Dworetz, this Great Escapes program by the Sarasota Orchestra hits a high note with humor. Leroy Anderson’s “The Typewriter” recasts the 20th-century office staple as a solo instrument. Also on the bill are the Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra from the Indiana Jones film franchise and music from “La Cage aux Folles” and “The Producers.” It’s time to stop scrolling on your mobile device and start laughing out loud.
Jazz Thursday at SAM: Simon Lasky Group
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail
Free to $25
Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.
Need to get warmed up for the Sarasota Jazz Festival? This concert concert on the Marcy & Michael Klein Plaza at the Sarasota Art Museum is just the ticket. In addition to a performance by the Simon Lasky Group, the evening features extended hours in the galleries, Bistro and museum shop.
‘Bad Books’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St.
$25-$46
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Directed by Kate Alexander, "Bad Books” offers a nuanced take on America’s 21st-century culture wars. Both sides claim to be fighting for “the children," but what are the unspoken, ulterior motives behind the fight? Runs through March 28.
‘Fun Home’
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 1130
$34
Visit ThePlayers.org.
The Sarasota Players presents the Tony Award-winning musical “Fun Home,” based on Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel with music by Janine Tesori. The coming-of-age tale gets its title from a shortened version of the Bechdel Funeral Home, the family business that is the setting for the tale. Runs through March 16.
Purim Masquerade Party
8 p.m. at the Chabad House, 5712 Lorraine Road, Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit ChabadOfBradenton.com.
Celebrate Purim with Chabad of Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch at a masquerade party. Enjoy Megillah readings, drinks, music and a masquerade.
‘The Baby Laurence Legacy Project’
11 a.m. at Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road
$30-$40
Visit Ringling.org.
The Ringling Art of Performance presents a program that celebrates Donald “Baby” Laurence, a Baltimore artist whose influence on tap and jazz has been largely overlooked by modern audiences. Runs through March 17.
Sarasota County Fair
5-11 p.m. at Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd.
$12; ages 6-12, seniors, military $6; ages 5 and under free
Visit SarasotaFair.com.
The Sarasota County Fair offers rides, food, and livestock exhibits, with live entertainment included in the price of admission every day. Runs through March 23.
Sights and Sounds: Ring Sarasota
6 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.
The Sights and Sounds series returns with a musical journey by Ring Sarasota, Come enjoy a vibrant selection of handbell arrangements, with each piece capturing the essence of a different month. Ring Sarasota is the area's premier handbell ensemble. Limited seating is available so please bring a lawn chair.
Movie in the Park: 'Moana'
7 p.m. at Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.
The family-friendly free movie night runs the second Friday of each month at Waterside Park. This month's feature in the free movie series is "Moana." 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.
‘These Shining Lives’
7:30 p.m. at The Crossings at Siesta Key Mall, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail
$40
Visit TreeFortProductions.com.
Tree Fort Productions presents Melanie Marnich’s “These Shining Lives,” the true story of Catherine Donohue, a worker at the Radium Dial Company in Ottawa, Illinois, in the 1920s. Donohue took her case against the watch company, whose employees were being poisoned by radium, all the way to the Supreme Court. Runs through March 16.
Roy Book Binder
8 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$30
Visit WSLR.org.
When blues guitarist Roy Book Binder comes to town, a one-man blues festival arrives with him. Binder's street cred is unparalleled: He’s toured with Hot Tuna, JJ Cale and Bonnie Raitt, he teaches at Fur Peace Ranch along with Jorma Kaukonen and has been featured on a PBS special. Don’t miss this blues legend.
Jay Leno with Special Guest Arsenio Hall
8 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$85-$130
Visit VanWezel.org.
Two superstars of late-night TV come together on the same stage at Sarasota’s beloved Purple Palace, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. After two decades hosting “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” Leno is now the star of “Jay Leno’s Garage” on CNBC. Hall won an Emmy for his eponymous talk show and recently reprised his role in the hit comedy film “Coming to America” in “Coming 2 America” on Amazon Prime.
Irish Celtic Festival
11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Greenbrook Adventure Park, 13010 Adventure PIace, Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.
The annual Irish Celtic Festival returns with its full schedule of live entertainment, along with food vendors, and, of course, beer vendors. Included in the festivities is the presentation of the first Irish Culture Award. Among the live music on stage will be Bill Mullen, the Drake Irish Dance group, and Blue Skye Pipes and Drums. Other entertainment includes the Lucky Dog parade (12:55 p.m.) and a 21+ relay race that will include beer drinking. Among kids entertainment will be face painting and a 30-foot rock climbing wall sponsored by Up In The Air Fun.
Savor the Sounds
5:30-8 p.m. Town Center Green Karon Family Pavilion, 600 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
$25
Visit LongboatKeyChamber.com.
Dr. Dave Band performs in the second of a three-part concert series organized by the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., with musician Tim Michael McCaig opening. Tickets are available online, at 941-383-2466 or in person at the chamber office.
Los Angeles Guitar Quartet
7:30 p.m. at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way
$48-$68
Visit GuitarSarasota.org.
Guitar Sarasota presents the Grammy Award-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. Made up of John Dearman, Douglas Lora, Bill Kanengiser and Matt Greif, LAGQ plays programs ranging from bluegrass to Bach.
‘Stiffelio’
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$34-$157
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
The Sarasota Opera keeps its Verdi mojo going with one of the composer’s lesser-known operas. “Stiffelio” tells the tale of a Protestant minister torn between the Christian forgiveness he preaches and his desire for revenge after he discovers his wife’s infidelity. Runs through March 30.
‘Life’s a Beach’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Bowne’s Lab Theatre, 1265 First St.
$15-$18
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Florida Studio Theatre’s Improv Troupe performances are a surefire way to have fun without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a snowbird or are a local mystified by Sarasota’s roundabouts, arrive with a good sense of humor as this indefatigable troupe uses audience suggestions to poke fun at the folks and byways the paradise we call home. Weekends through March 22.
Tribute to Sinatra and Basie
3 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St.
$5
Visit SuncoastConcertBand.org.
The Suncoast Jazz Ambassadors perform a musical ode to Ole Blue Eyes and the Count. Call 941-907-4123 to check on ticket availability and please be sure to dial the right number.
Itzhak Perlman in Recital
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$70-$125
Visit VanWezel.org.
Is there a more beloved violin virtuoso than Itzhak Perlman? Not in Sarasota. Perlman is well-known to local audiences because through the Perlman Music Program Suncoast, which brings young musicians and free music performances to town each January. In this performance, classical music’s most prominent advocate is joined by his longtime recital partner Rohan De Silva for an unforgettable night of music.
St. Patty's Celebration
3:30 p.m. at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, 563 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
Concert $25; concert and dinner $40
Call 941-383-8161.
Enjoy a holiday dinner and a concert featuring vocalist Johanna Davis, harpist Tasha Robinson and flutist Linda Bento-Rei. The concert begins at 3:30 p.m. and dinner is at 5 p.m. The celebration is open to the public, but reservations are required.
‘Critical Moments’
7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave.
$30
Visit ENSRQ.org.
Contemporary classical music group ensembleNewSRQ presents “Critical Moments,” a program highlighting George Perle’s sextet of the same name along with string and wind compositions of Carolyn Chen and Kenji Bunch. The evening also features the world premiere of "Rota Fortunae," a newly commissioned work by Paul Mortilla for enSRQ, whose co-founder Samantha Bennett takes center stage in Marcos Balter’s beguiling "Violin Concerto."
‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$50-$185
Visit VanWezel.org.
Not every theatrical adaptation of a hit film is a success, but “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” swept audiences off their feet — and the Tony Awards. The story told by the eye-popping Baz Luhrmann film set in Belle Epoque Paris remains the same — boy meets wrong girl. Can love bloom between a chorine at the world-famous nightclub in Montmartre and a bohemian poet? Yes, it can-can. But like flowers, some romances can only last a season. Runs through March 23.
‘Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci'
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$39-$162
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
The Sarasota Opera's 2025 Winter Festival features the double bill of "Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci," an adulterous duo staged so often together that they are known as "Cav" and "Pag," for short. "Cav" takes place on an Easter Morning in a small village in Italy while "Pag" is a play within a play and is the mother of all sad clown stories. Runs through March 29.
‘Lost in Yonkers’
7:30 p.m. at The Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 1130
$30-$42
Visit SarasotaJewishTheatre.com.
Neil Simon’s heartwarming play about family dynamics and the healing power of love is directed by Sarasota Jewish Theatre Artistic Director Carole Kleinberg. The cast features several of Sarasota’s favorite actors, including Carolyn Michel as Grandma Kurnitz, Michael Raver as Louie Kurnitz, Scott Ehrenpreis as Eddie and Jill Schroder as Gert, to name just a few. Runs through March 30.
