- April 7, 2026
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Jazz Thursdays at SAM
5:30 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail
$25
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
This month’s edition of Jazz Thursdays at SAM features the Suncoast Jazz Ambassadors, led by director David DeWitt. Their repertoire ranges from Big Band favorites by Duke Ellington and Count Basie, the influences of Stan Kenton and Woody Herman to today’s sounds of Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Join them for al fresco jazz on the Marcy & Michael Klein Plaza with extended hours in the galleries, Bistro and the gift shop.
Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Hollywood
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$41-$81
Visit VanWezel.org.
Here’s looking at you, kid, as Broadway veterans performs songs from such classic films as “Casablanca,” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Goldfinger,” “Titanic” and many more in honor of Hollywood’s centennial. When it comes to Broadway and Hollywood tribute shows, Neil Berg’s troupe is the gold standard.
Abba Nova Band Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
7:30 p.m. at Tree Fort Productions, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail
$40
Visit TreeFortProductionsProjects.com.
Katherine Michelle Tanner’s Tree Fort Productions presents the Abba Nova Band Tribute to Fleetwood Mac. You can go your own way, but just make sure it leads to this performance in The Crossings at Siesta Key mall.
‘Hadestown’ Teen Edition
7:30 p.m. at Rise Above Performing Arts, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail
$25-$35
Visit RiseAboveArts.com.
Weaving together two mythical love stories, “Hadestown” takes the audience on a journey of the underworld to an infectious soundtrack that marries American folk music and New Orleans jazz. Runs through April 19.
2 Carnivals
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$70-$85
Visit LaMusica.org.
This La Musica chamber concert pairs Saint-Saens’ “Carnival of the Animals” with “A Carnival of Endangered Wonders,” a new work by pianist and composer Michael Stephen Brown. Described by Brown as a “zoological fantasy,” the composition will premiere at the Sarasota Opera before moving to Mote Science Education and Aquarium on April 10.
'A Night With Janis Joplin'
7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave.
$59
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Francesca Ferrari gets top billing as Janis Joplin, a member of the “27 Club” (stars who died at age 27), in Randy Johnson’s show at Florida Studio Theatre. But the Black singers who helped inform her singing style (Odetta, Bessie Smith, Aretha Franklin, Etta James and others) are more than just background singers in this knockout production directed by Ben Liebert. Runs through April 26.
‘One Hit Wonders’
2 and 6 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s John C. Court Cabaret, 1265 First St.
$37-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Is it better to have had just one song top the charts than to have none at all? You’ll have time to think about that question as you listen to such hit songs as Don McLean’s “American Pie,” a runaway hit that eclipsed other success in the troubadour’s career, and “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” from Bobby McFerrin. Runs through June 21.
Sarasota Bay Chamber Orchestra Concert
7 p.m. at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, 40 N. Adams Drive
$33.85
Visit Eventbrite.com.
The Sarasota Bay Chamber Orchestra is closing out the season with a program with the masters of classical music, including Handel, Haydn, Bach and Mozart. Featuring chamber performers, trumpet soloist Ricky Chinchilla and conductor Glen Olsen. Reception with refreshments to follow.
Sarasota Film Festival Opening Night Film: 'Deep Water'
6 p.m. at New College of Florida/Sainer Pavilion, 5315 Bay Shore Road
$40 opening night film, $20 regular screenings, $1,500 festival pass
Visit SarasotaFilmFestival.org.
Producer Gene Simmons, co-founder of the rock band KISS, and director Renny Harlin will be in attendance for “Deep Water,” the opening night film of the 28th annual Sarasota Film Festival. Based on this year’s surrealist poster of a manatee with a bowler hat ascending over Sarasota Bay, the 2026 SFF is ready to fly high. This year’s lineup includes 47 features, with four world premieres, 17 Florida premieres and 39 short films.
Block Party
6-9 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit MyLWR.com.
Everyone is invited to celebrate life on the Ranch at the annual Block Party in partnership with Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance. The event features live music, beer and wine trucks, activities for kids, and a chance to meet with representatives from local businesses, clubs, groups and builders.
‘10 Ways To Survive a Zombie Apocalypse’
7 p.m. at The Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail
$25, Student $15
Visit ThePlayers.org.
If you’re looking for some comic relief from dystopian headlines, you’ll find it at “10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse,” a production from The Players Studio. Actors aged 11-18 star in Don Zolidis’ satiric play that pokes fun at preppers and others who think they can outwit the end of the world. Directed by Addison Riesen and Thayer Greenberg. Runs through April 12.
‘The Music Man’
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$56-$111
Visit VanWezel.org.
One of the most beloved Broadway musicals comes to the Van Wezel in a revival that swept audiences off its feet. The touring show stars Nicholas Carroll as Professor Harold Hill, a musical instrument salesman of dubious ethics, and Elizabeth D’Aiuto as Marian the Librarian, whose virtue makes Hill question his way of life. The rousing soundtrack includes such standards as “Til There Was You," “Trouble” and “The Wells Fargo Wagon.” Americana never sounded so good. Runs through April 11.
Outdoor Pops: Parrots & Palms
7:30 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St.
$25 and up
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
This Sarasota Orchestra Outdoor Pops concert doesn’t start until 7:30 p.m. but it will be 5 o’clock somewhere for this celebration of parrots, palms and “good vibes only on island time.” On the playlist are such laid-back favorites as “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” “Under the Boardwalk” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” as well as hits by tropical troubadours like Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley and the Beach Boys. The show’s finale is a spectacular fireworks display. Runs through April 11.
Run for the Turtles
8 a.m. at Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key
$40
Visit Mote.org.
Support Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium's turtle research and educational outreach at this annual fundraiser run. The event features a 1-mile fun run or walk, a 5K run and a virtual race.
Artists in the Garden
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key
Free
Visit LongboatKey.org.
See the works of 11 professional artists while walking through the chapel gardens. Live music, beverages and food trucks available. Continues 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 12.
In-Studio with Sarasolo
3 and 7 p.m. at Sarasota Contemporary Dance Home Studio, 1400 Blvd. of the Arts, Suite 300
$15-$30
Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance.org.
In this performance produced by Blake Walton and Ann Morrison’s artist incubator Sarasolo, three Booker High VPA students (Tyler Ashlock, Robert Heath and Selena Leyva) perform plays they have written. Walton is the mentor for this “O Solo Me O” program highlighting autism and neurodiversity.
Centennial Concert: 100 years of the Sarasota Opera House
1:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$25.75-$103
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
It's a weekend of festivities to celebrate the Sarasota Opera House's centennial. On Saturday, April 11, there is a concert at the Opera House followed by a gala at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. On Sunday, April 12, there will be a free screening of a documentary about the Opera House's history and a presentation by Architecture Sarasota President Morris "Marty" Hylton III.
James Austin Smith: Hearing Memory
7 p.m. at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road
$45
Visit SoundboxVentures.org.
In this concert presented by Max Tan’s Soundbox Ventures, oboist James Austin Smith explores a chapter overlooked by history, that of the East German avant-garde. Through documentary interviews, storytelling and music, Smith and pianist Cory Smythe look back on the bold classical music scene of 1970s East Germany.
‘Fiddler On The Roof’
7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$37-$99
Visit AsoloRep.org.
At Asolo Repertory Theatre, what’s old is new again as Producing Artistic Director Peter Rothstein breathes new life into “Fiddler on the Roof,” the feelgood musical set in a Russian village circa 1900. Famous from both stage and screen, “Fiddler” follows Tevye’s efforts to find husbands for his daughters as he balances the traditions of the past and the opportunities of the present. The show’s most memorable song, “If I Were a Rich Man,” still resonates today. Runs through May 24.
An Tran, Classical Guitar
7:30 p.m. at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way
$40-$44
Visit GuitarSarasota.org.
Many people associate classical guitar with the Spanish tradition, and for good reason. But An Tran has introduced a Vietnamese flavor into the genre to great effect. Often described as a Vietnamese Guitar Virtuoso, An’s 2020 debut album, “Stay, My Beloved,” virtually created a genre overnight.
Spring Is Here
3 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St.
$5
Visit SuncoastConcertBand.org.
Now in its 93rd year, Suncoast Concert Band has evolved from its trailer park roots to a concert band of seasoned musicians led by conductor Robert Stoll. This week’s theme is “Spring is Here.” Call 941-907-4123 to reserve your ticket in advance and please be sure to dial the right number.
DragonBoot Quartet
4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak St.
$50, $10 students
Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.
Artist Series Concerts presents DragonBoot Quartet, whose four members are students in the Honors Chamber Music Program at the Juilliard School. Made up of Cate Carson and Katya Moeller on violin, Sydney Whipple on viola, and Lila Holyoke on cello, DragonBoot are the Grand Prize winners of the Coltman Chamber Music Competition. Among the pieces they will perform are Sarasota composer Roger Zare's "Gamma."
Behind the Curtain: Exploring the Van Wezel from the Art to the Stage
1:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$15
Visit ArtsAdvocates.org.
In this Arts Advocates tour, a docent educates participants about the paintings and sculptures in the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Participants then step onto the stage where a Van Wezel guide shares stories and anecdotes. Proceeds from the tour benefit the education/outreach programs of Arts Advocates and the Van Wezel.
‘Mrs. Doubtfire’
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$56-$121
Visit VanWezel.org
For many, Robin Williams will forever be Mrs. Doubtfire because of his starring role in the film of the same name. But a new generation has discovered this delightful tale through the hit Broadway show about an out-of-work actor who will do anything for his kids. Runs through April 15.
Giving Challenge Event and Concert
6 p.m. at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, 40 N. Adams Drive
Free
Visit StringsConBrio.org.
Founded by Monica Sirocchi in 2015, Strings Con Brio has endeared itself to the community by turning up when it’s most needed. Conducted by Kenneth Bowermeister, former artistic director of The Venice Symphony, Strings Con Brio will perform a free concert to highlight the 2026 Giving Challenge, a bi-annual event where local nonprofits take advantage of matching grants as they raise funds for their operations.
