- December 5, 2025
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‘A Band Called Honalee’
7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre's Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 Palm Ave.
$39 and up
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
The subtitle to Florida Studio Theatre’s last cabaret show of the season is “A Tribute to Peter, Paul Mary… and Friends,” but any self-respecting folk rock fan can spot the play on words in the name “A Band Called Honalee.” ICYMI, it refers to the mythical land made famous by the children’s song “Puff the Magic Dragon.” The incarnation of the Band Called Honalee appearing in Sarasota includes Brian Ott, a veteran of FST’s “59th Street Bridge,” who has been touring with the group since 2019. Also on stage are Michael Grieve, Geoffrey Neuman and Sigrid Wise. Runs through Oct. 26.
‘Feeling Good’
7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre's Court Cabaret, 1265 First St.
$18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
The latest musical revue created by Rebecca Hopkins and Richard Hopkins, “Feeling Good” pays tribute to singers some call contemporary crooners, artists like Michael Bublé and Bette Midler. A dynamic trio — Haley K. Clay, Andrew Leggieri and Russell Mernagh — makes its Florida Studio Theatre debut. By performing swingin’ hits like “Come Fly With Me,” “It Had to Be You” and “Me and Mrs. Jones,” “Feeling Good” reminds us that seduction works best with a little savoir faire. With musical arrangements by Jim Prosser, the singers are joined by Christian “CC” Allen on drums and Prosser on piano. Runs through Feb. 8.
‘Nunsense’
7:30 p.m. at Venice Theatre’s Raymond Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice
$40
Visit VeniceTheatre.org.
Join Mother Superior Sister Mary Regina and the rest of the nuns as they stage a madcap variety show to help defray the cost of funerals after a culinary disaster. With book, music and lyrics by Don Goggin, “Nunsense” began as a line of greeting cards before becoming an Off-Broadway musical in 1985 that has since morphed into a global comedy phenomenon. Murray Chase directs Venice Theatre’s production, which features choreography by Vanessa Russo and music direction by Donna Smith. Runs through Oct. 5.
Family Fest
10 a.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
Free
Visit VanWezel.org.
Inspired by its popular Friday Fests (currently on hiatus), the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall hosts its first Family Fest with “Alice in Wonderland” as the theme. Two performances of Asolo Rep on Tour’s production of “Alice in Wonderland” will take place at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. During the Family Fest, which ends at 2 p.m., attendees can participate in themed activities with local community groups, purchase snacks from food trucks and shop at the Children’s Entrepreneur Market. Teaching artist Mr. Stevey will lead interactive mindfulness and literacy activity.
Sarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival
1 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$75 in advance; $85 at the door; $150 VIP
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
Support the Sarasota Opera Youth Opera with an afternoon of food, music and dancing. Local restaurants, wineries and artisans will help deliver a festive experience. Among the local eateries represented are Fork and Hen, Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar, Michael’s on East, Rose & Ivy, Selva Grill and Tzeva at Art Ovation. Libations provided by 99 Bottles, Beauty Booze, Gold Coast Eagle Distributors and more.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance In-Studio: MaKayla Lane
3 and 7 p.m. at Sarasota Contemporary Dance Home Studio, 1400 Blvd. of the Arts, Suite 300
$20
Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance.org.
Company member MaKayla Lane has expanded her work “It Takes Nothing to Have Something,” first presented in 2024, into an full-length piece as part of Sarasota Contemporary Dance’s commitment to highlighting voices from within its ranks. Continues Sept. 29.
'Coronation: Music Inspired by Royalty'
4 p.m. at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road
$45
Visit KeyChorale.org.
It’s time to paint the town gold as Key Chorale kicks off its 41st season with a majestic concert. On the bill are Mozart’s Coronation Mass, and "The King Shall Rejoice," which has been played at every investiture of Britain's monarch from King George II in 1727 to King Charles III in 2023. Netflix viewers will recognize selections from “The Crown” while movie buffs may remember music from “The King’s Speech” and “Henry V.” Soprano Mary Wilson joins Key Chorale’s symphonic chorus and a full orchestra.
Fab and Fit
9:45 a.m. at The Mall at University Town Center (Lower Level, Macy's Court)
Free
Visit MallAtUTC.com.
Join the free Fab and Fit with Fabletics' pilates class. Get ready for a full body pilates workout designed to increase mobility, flexibility, balance and strength. The class will be led by Crunch Fitness and is open to everyone. Bring a towel, water bottle and workout or yoga mat. Light refreshments will be available. The class is hosted by the Mall at UTC and sponsored by Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.
HD at the Opera House: Verdi’s ‘Otello’
1:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$20
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
Jonas Kaufman, Marco Vratagno and Maria Agresta star in the Royal Opera’s 2017 production of Verdi’s “Otello,” based on the Shakespeare tragedy about the titular military officer who begins to suspect his wife Desdemona of being unfaithful at the cruel suggestion of his ensign Iago. Verdi’s final tragedy, “Otello” was an overnight sensation at its 1887 premiere and has been a standard of international opera repertory ever since.
Chamber Soirées: Serenades and Symphony
4 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail
$48 and up
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Sarasota Orchestra members kick off the season with a concert featuring a full chamber orchestra without conductor. The program begins with Richard Strauss’ “Serenade for Winds” and moves along to Dvorak’s “Serenade for Strings.” The entire chamber orchestra comes together to play Mozart’s Symphony No. 25.
Young Artists Showcase: Astrid Victoria
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
$27
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
Astrid Victoria is one of the young artists who have grown up on the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe stage. She starred in her first Young Artist Showcase in 2021, when she was just out of high school and ready to attend college. Now that she has earned her degree in commercial music from Southern University in Lakeland, she returns to the stage full of gratitude for all that has taken place in her life and anticipation for the journey ahead.
'Ancestral Edge: Abstraction and Symbolism in the Works of Nine Native American Women Artists'
10 a.m. at The John and Mable Ringling Art Museum, 5401 Bayshore Road
Free with $30 admission; Mondays free
Visit Ringling.org.
Aficionados of Native American art often have to travel to places such as Washington, D.C., Phoenix and Santa Fe to see contemporary work. The Ringling has recently been bringing more visibility to contemporary Native American art, first with its 2023 show, "Reclaiming Home" showcasing members of Florida tribes, and now with "Ancestral Edge" featuring nine female artists from across the U.S. Their bold multimedia works occupy the Keith D. Monda Gallery for Contemporary Art through April 2026.
Art Deco: The Golden Age of Illustration
10 a.m. at the Sarasota Art Museum campus of Ringling College, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail
Free for museum members; $20
Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.
The Sarasota Art Museum celebrates the 100th anniversary of the exposition that kicked off the Art Deco movement. More than 100 eye-catching posters from the Crouse Collection as well as industrial furniture, home furnishings and other objects loaned by the Wilsonian-Florida International University are on display. In addition to consumer products, there are posters for automobiles, train and ocean travel, as well as sports competitions that reflect a growing love of speed and luxury in spite of the Great Depression. Through March 29, 2026.
Salsa & Sunsets Community Celebration
6:30-8:30 p.m. at The Nest, 1055 Blvd. of the Arts
Free
Visit TheBaySarasota.org.
This Latino-inspired sunset dance party will feature Grammy Award–winning singer and Latin percussionist Millie Puente, the niece of renowned musician Tito Puente. All skill levels are welcome. This event is part of Hispanic Heritage Month at The Bay, held from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
