- May 18, 2025
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Jazz Thursdays at SAM: Darcie Allen and the Five Points Quintet
5:30 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail
$25
Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.
Darcie Allen and the Five Points Quintet perform on the Marcy & Michael Klein Plaza at Sarasota Art Museum in a program sponsored by Jazz Club of Sarasota. The evening features extended hours in the galleries, Bistro and museum shop.
Great Escapes: GOATs
5:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail
$47
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Who is the Greatest of All Time in the music world? Guest conductor Christopher Confessore leads the Sarasota Orchestra in a concert showcasing his favorite music spanning genres and time periods. The program runs the gamut from Beethoven to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music” to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” It doesn’t get any better, er greater, than this, folks. Continues through May 10.
Bermuda Mavericks
7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.
$26
Visit McCurdysComedyTheatre.com.
It’s not so often that McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre co-founder Les McCurdy takes the stage. This time, he’s one half of the Bermuda Mavericks. The other half is Ken Sons. Together these brothers from different mothers deliver the right amount of stand-up comedy and improv. Runs through May 10.
‘Evita’
7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W, Bradenton
$37
Visit ManateePerforming ArtsCenter.com.
Don’t cry for the Manatee Players! They’ve enjoyed the talents of Rick Kerby as their producing artistic director for over two decades. For their last production of the season, the community theater presents the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical “Evita,” about the former first lady of Argentina. Runs through May 11.
‘Bad Jews’
7:30 p.m. at The Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130
$30-$42
Visit SarasotaJewishTheatre.com.
To members of the Jewish faith who try to live by a moral code, the title of Sarasota Jewish Theatre’s latest production, “Bad Jews,” might sound offensive. But under the artistic direction of Carole Kleinberg, the company doesn’t shy from controversy. Written by Joshua Harmon, this often humorous drama follows three adult cousins as they compete to own an heirloom hidden by their grandfather during the Holocaust. Runs through May 11.
‘Jersey Boys’
8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St.
$49-$69
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
There are countless imitations, but there is only one “Jersey Boys.” Winner of both the Tony and Olivier awards, the musical tells the true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, from their humble beginnings in the Garden State to their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This isn’t a musical revue; it’s a full-fledged musical directed by Ben Liebert. Runs through May 25.
‘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.
Pinky's Players
7:30 p.m. at Venice Theatre's Raymond Center, 140 Tampa Ave. W.
$26
Visit VeniceTheatre.org.
In its 75th season, Venice Theatre once again demonstrates its commitment to keeping community theater accessible. This year’s production by Pinky’s Players, the theater’s program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is “(Welcome to) Hotel Pink Flamingo.” Runs through May 11.
Siesta Con
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd.
$10
Visit SiestaCon.com.
This comic con event locally operated by The Dark Side features activities, trading card tournaments, cosplaying and costume contests, comic book artists, Q&A panels, vendor booths and food trucks and The Batmobile and other vehicles. This year's celebrity guests include Walter E. Jones, the original Black Power Ranger and Michele Knotz, the voice of Misty, May, Nurse Joy and Jessie in the Pokémon franchise, in addition to numerous Pokémon creatures.
Petals & Poses Mother's Day Fashion Show
Noon to 3 p.m. at 1560 Lakefront Drive, Waterside Place
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.
Waterside Place is presenting a Petals and Poses Mother's Day celebration with fashion as the centerpiece. Be dazzled by the event where local boutiques hit the runway in the fashion portion of the event, which begins at 2 p.m. The latest trends will be showcased. Explore a Mother’s Day gift market filled with handmade treasures. Treat yourself to the Pamper Zone that will feature a mini-HydraFacial Lip Perk, a braid bar, a photo booth and more. The Little Sprouts Kids’ Zone will keep the little ones entertained.
Student Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival
2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Jane B. Cook Theatre, FSU Center for the Performing Arts
$30
Visit TheatreOdyssey.org.
Theatre Odyssey’s Thirteenth Annual Student Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival presents the eight plays selected by professional readers and written by area high school students. The winner of the best play award will receive the Verna Safran Prize — a $1,000 cash scholarship. The author of the Runner-up Play will receive a $500 cash scholarship and the remaining authors will receive $100 cash scholarships. Continues May 11.
Tree Fort Productions Clubhouse Concert
2 p.m. at Tree Fort Productions, 3501 S Tamiami Trail
$25
Visit TreeFortProductionsProjects.com.
The gang’s sure to all be here for this clubhouse concert from Katherine Michelle Tanner’s Tree Fort Productions. In this program, members of Tree Fort’s Advanced Acting Class will demonstrate their stage chops with monologues, a play reading and Broadway songs.
Be Fabulous Music & Arts Pride Fest
3-10 p.m. at Selby Five Points Park, 1 Central Ave.
Free
Visit FabAF.org.
The Fabulous Arts Foundation celebrates 15 years as a nonprofit organization fostering the arts while advocating for the LGBTQ+ community, with uplifting art and music. This year's band lineup includes headliners Berra and GeeXella, with Meteoreyes, Hovercar, Ending Apathy, Merge Eleven and Diversity: Voices of Sarasota.
‘Ode to Joy’
4 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$20-$55; college students $10; students under 18 free
Visit KeyChorale.org.
Led by artistic director Joseph Caulkins, Key Chorale closes its Ruby 40th anniversary season with a gift to young people who love music. This all-Beethoven performance by the symphonic chorus is free for students under 18 and only $10 for college students. The program features the finale to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, his Choral Fantasy and the rarely performed “Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage." The concert will be followed by a Joyful Jubilee party to mark the anniversary. Tickets for that event are $125.
Vic & Caro
7:30 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$25 nonmembers; $20 members; $13 students
Visit WSLR.org.
Hear what the voice of young country sounds like when Nashville 20-somethings Victor Furtado and Carolina Schott return to Sarasota and take the stage at Fogartyville. Their duo, Vic & Caro, brings together Furtado’s clawhammer banjo with Schott’s singer/songwriter talents. A graduate of the Berklee School of Music, Furtado is a winner of the prestigious Steve Martin Banjo Prize. Also a Berklee grad, Schott gained visibility as a teen when she made it to the Top 24 on Univision’s La Banda contest.
Comedy Roulette
8:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St.
$15-$18
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Looking to have fun on a Saturday night in Sarasota without breaking the bank? Look no further than Florida Studio Theatre Improv Troupe. A team of four experienced improvisers deliver a mix of short form, long form and musical improv in a mashup of styles and techniques. Weekends through May 30.
‘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 Friar Park, you can't help feeling the late Beatle would approve of this living tribute. Runs through June 29.
'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 learn about the opposing views of Houdini and Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle about the existence of spirits and see an assortment of memorabilia and tools used both to contact spirits and trick audiences.
Songs from the Sand: An Evening of Hermitage Music
6 p.m. at Waterside Place Pavilion, 7500 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood Ranch
Free with $5 registration fee
Visit HermitageArtistRetreat.org
Hermitage Artist Retreat Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg will host an evening of songs featuring music from Hermitage Fellows who have gone on to become Tony Award-winning Broadway musical writers like Jeanine Tesori, Michael R. Jackson and Doug Wright as well artists and composers revolutionizing the form like Adam Gwon, Zoe Sarnak, Rona Siddiqui and more.
'Jagden und Formen'
7:30 p.m. at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$30.
Visit ENSRQ.org.
George Nickson and Samantha Bennett's contemporary classical music group ensembleNew SRQ closes its ninth season with Wolfgang Rihm's ambitious "Jagden und Formen," which brings 25 musicians to the stage. Nickson and Bennett will take advantage of their return to the Sarasota Opera House to hold a post-concert reception in the venue's courtyard where concertgoers can meet the musicians and learn about ensembleNewSRQ's 10th anniversary lineup.
An Evening with James T. Lane
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
$37
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatreTroupe.org.
James T. Lane, who has just come from Broadway to star in Westcoast Black Theatre’s Troupe’s world premiere tap musical, “Syncopated Avenue,” will discuss his creative journey during this intimate evening at WBTT. Known as a “triple threat” because of his talents as a singer, dancer and actor, Lane will talk about his roots in Philadelphia, where he began studying tap at the age of 6, and the twists and turns of a career path that took him to his recent run in “A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical,” on the Great White Way.
