- April 14, 2026
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Arts Advocates Luncheon: Joseph McKenna
11 a.m. at Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 Ringling Blvd.
$50
Visit Arts Advocates.org.
Joseph McKenna is celebrating 25 years as president of Sarasota Orchestra, but he’s not coming to the Arts Advocates luncheon to toot his own horn. McKenna will be there to talk about the $400 million Music Center that the Orchestra is building near the intersection of Fruitville Road and Interstate 75. No doubt he’ll also discuss Giancarlo Guerrero’s first season as music director and the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Comedy Night
4:30 p.m. at the Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
$30
Visit LBKGardenClub.org/Events.
Laugh along with spirited comedians Cliff Hornsby, Al Earnest and Greg Schwartz at this event, part of Arts in April. Social hour with music and food trucks begins at 4:30 p.m., and the show starts at 5:30 p.m.
‘The Apiary’
7:30 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St.
$5-$44
Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.
Urbanite Theatre’s “The Apiary” unfolds in the not-too-distant future. What's an apiary? It's an area for beekeeping. This one's a black comedy — and incandescent science-fiction. Kate Douglas' play zeroes in on two lab assistants, Zora and Pilar, who struggle to save the last surviving honeybee hive. Runs through April 19.
'Birthday Candles'
8 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St.
$46
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
“Birthday Candles” stars Sarasota favorite Rachel Moulton as Ernestine Ashworth, whose 17th birthday celebration does a time warp and moves ahead to her 41st, 70th and 107th birthdays, all with the same cake. This Southeastern premiere is directed by Kate Alexander. Runs through May 17.
Jazz at Two: Thomas Carabasi Quartet
2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalists of SRQ, 3975 Fruitville Road
$20
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
There’s no better way to roll into the weekend than with Jazz Club of Sarasota’s Jazz at Two. This week’s featured performer is Thomas Carabasi, who returns with an all-new program. Carabasi will play a mix of classic jazz, popular standards and some Samba and bossa nova from Brazil.
Movie in the Park: ‘Coco’
8 p.m. at Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.
The April showing of Waterside Park's monthly family-friendly movie night will be “Coco.” The movie will begin approximately at 8 p.m. and is sponsored by Grace Community Church, which will provide a free quesadilla (cheese or chicken) from El Indio Tacos y Snacks to the first 216 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. Inflatables will be available for the kids.
Masterworks 7: 'Bernstein and Mahler'
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$39 and up
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Sarasota Orchestra Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero returns to the podium for the final Masterworks concert of the season, “Bernstein and Mahler.” Violinist Chee-Yun will join the Orchestra on Bernstein’s “Serenade,” one of the composer’s most lyrical works. Mahler’s emotional Fifth Symphony is a fitting climax to the maestro’s first season as music director and showcases the Orchestra’s formidable talents. Runs through April 19.
‘Lies, Spells & Old Wives’ Tales’
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
$50
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatreTroupe.org.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs is teaming up with his brother, retired attorney Michael Jacobs, again for a new production. Their last outing was the 2024 drama “Ruby,” about a wealthy Black woman who murdered her white physician in 1950s Florida. This Jacobs Brothers production is more lighthearted. “Lies, Spells & Old Wives’ Tales” is a musical comedy inspired by sayings, stories and beliefs that are passed from one generation to the next. Runs through May 17.
Faith 250 Community Cleanup
8:30 a.m. at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
Free
The Keys are bringing together community members for an interfaith effort to clean up the coast on the anniversary of Paul Revere's ride, in recognition of the country's 250th birthday. The day begins with volunteer groups picking up debris along Gulf of Mexico Drive. Sections will be assigned at Temple Beth Israel. Attendees can then join a 9:30 a.m. breakfast and fellowship gathering at the temple, followed by an interfaith morning service. Wear comfortable, casual clothing to protect from the sun, and bring sunscreen and water. Organizers request those joining the breakfast register at [email protected] or 941-383-3428.
World Circus Day
10 a.m. at The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road
Free
Visit Ringling.org.
Locals and tourists who take advantage of The Ringling’s free admission on Monday are often disappointed to learn that it doesn’t apply to the Circus Museum, only the Art Museum. If you’ve ever wanted to see The Ringling’s unparalleled collection of circus posters, costumes, wagons, interactive exhibits as well as Howard Tibbals’ miniature circus model with 42,000 pieces, this is your chance. There will be activities throughout the day to celebrate World Circus Day. Come one, come all!
'The Pirate Ship and the Sea Monster & Other Winning Plays’
10 a.m. and 12 p.m. at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave.
$12
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Don’t let the kids spend weekends glued to digital devices. Bring them out to Florida Studio Theatre for family-oriented fare. A 50-minute program of short plays written by grade-schoolers from around the world features professional actors bringing heroes of all kinds to life.
Embracing Our Differences Tour
10 a.m. at Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Drive
Free
Visit EmbracingOurDifferences.org.
It’s last call for this year’s Embracing Our Differences’ annual exhibition of 50 pieces of billboard-size art from around the world celebrating kindness, inclusion and respect at Sarasota’s Bayfront Park. During its 23 years in existence, EOD has welcomed 5.2 million visitors.
In-Studio with Sarasolo: 'The Locket'
3 and 7 p.m. at Sarasota Contemporary Dance Home Studio, 1400 Blvd. of the Arts, Suite 300
$15-$30
Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance.org.
Blake Walton and Ann Morrison’s Sarasolo is an incubator for artists, helping performers to find their voice and bring their creative vision to fruition. Written and performed by Jan Wallace, “The Locket” follows an actor’s journey from sorrow to joy as seen through the eyes of a mature single woman. Directed by Yinoelle Colon-Cordoves.
Woofstock
4-8 p.m. on Lakewood Main Street
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.
Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosts a groovy, pup-themed event on Lakewood Main Street with live music, contests, treats and vendors. Live shows featuring Puppy Pals Live! as seen on "America’s Got Talent" will be at 5, 6 and 7 p.m.
Sarasota Film Festival Closing Night Film: 'The Hand of Dante'
6 p.m. at New College of Florida/Sainer Pavilion, 5315 Bay Shore Road
$50
Visit SarasotaFilmFestival.org.
SFF’s closing night film will be Julian Schnabel’s “In the Hand of Dante,” featuring an all-star cast including Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Al Pacino and Martin Scorsese. The film follows the journey of a handwritten manuscript from a priest to a mob boss to novelist Nick Tosches, who’s asked to prove its authenticity. Schnabel will attend the screening, where he will be honored with the Achievement in Directing Award.
Nashville Brass Band
7 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail
$50 and up
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
The Jazz Club of Sarasota presents the Nashville Brass Band, a favorite for decades. Now led by trombonist Herb Bruce, the Nashville Brass carries on the legacy of founder Danny Davis, a legendary musician some will remember from the TV show “Hee Haw.” The band also features drummer Larry Hendrixson and trumpeter Ed Gaston. If you’ve ever yearned to hear “Jolene” played by brass instruments, this is the show for you.
Radiance – A Concert in Candlelight
8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave.
$45
Visit KeyChorale.org.
Hundreds of candles will illuminate the stage as the Key Chorale Chamber Singers are joined by violin and cello soloists for a sublime concert featuring ethereal music by Fauré, Paulus, Gjeilo. and Ešenvalds. Helping the audience maintain the celestial vibe throughout the performance is an intermission-free program of 80 minutes.
‘The Magic of Music’
2 p.m. at Peace Presbyterian Church, 12705 E. S.R. 64., Lakewood Ranch
$15; $5
Visit LWRWindEnsemble.org.
The Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble presents “The Magic of Music.” The concert features clarinetist John Fullam in Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Clarinet Concerto.”
Jazz Ambassadors
3 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St.
$5
Visit SuncoastConcertBand.org.
Now in its 39th season, this volunteer band of seasoned musicians is led by David DeWitt and is known for their renditions of Big Band favorites made famous by Count Basie and Duke Ellington. This program is called “History of the Big Band, Part 1.” Call 941-907-4123 to check on ticket availability and please be sure to dial the right number.
‘Queen Nation’ - A Tribute to the Music of Queen
7 p.m. at Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave, Building 5, Venice
$39-$99
Visit VenicePerforming-ArtsCenter.com.
Not everyone wants to make the drive 18 miles south to Venice, but some events just demand it. ‘Queen Nation,’ a tribute to the music of Freddie Mercury and Queen, is one of them. The West Coast-based band features frontman vocalist Gregory Finsley, who stands in for Mercury, right down to his signature white T-shirt. But fear not, there’ll be plenty of period costumes in this romp through Glam Rock.
Monday Night Jazz at the Cabaret
7:30 p.m. at John C. Court Cabaret at FST, 1265 First St.
$40
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
In the theater world, Monday is a “dark night” so performers can get some R&R. Not so at Florida Studio Theatre’s Court Cabaret, which the Jazz Club of Sarasota takes over nearly every Monday. This week’s headliner is Brandon Robertson, director of Jazz Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University. An Emmy-nominated music director and bassist originally from Tampa, Robertson has performed at Dizzy’s Coca Cola Club in New York City. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for food and beverage service.
Earth Day with Turtle Watch
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at G.T. Bray Park Recreation Center, 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W., Bradenton
Free
Visit MyManatee.org.
Join Longboat Key Turtle Watch members for a collaborative celebration of Earth Day with Manatee County, Oyster River Ecology, Rotary Club of Longboat Key, Florida Eco Films and Suncoast Waterkeepers. Visitors can join the park cleanup at 10 a.m. then learn all about the fascinating environmental projects taking place throughout the county. Pick-up tools, gloves and bags will be provided. Contact Natalie Block at [email protected] or 941-742-5923 ext. 6032 with questions.
The Naked Magicians
7 p.m. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$46-$116
Visit VanWezel.org.
It’s adults night out for a cheeky performance by the R-rated Australian magic duo Mike Tyler and Chris Wayne. Known for their “sleeves up, pants down” style of magic for audiences 18 and and older, “The Naked Magicians” have shocked and amazed audiences during their Las Vegas residency and on TV, where their performances are toned down, but just a bit.
