- February 3, 2026
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Nigel Wearne
7 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$25
Visit WSLR.org.
Originally from southern Australia, Nigel Wearne’s been on a musical walkabout for most of his career. The guitarist and multi-instrumentalist blends blues, jazz and what is billed as Americana-noir, and has played music festivals around the world, including the Philadelphia Folk Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival (U.K.) and the Adelaide Guitar Festival (Australia).
‘MJ the Musical’
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$68-$178
Visit VanWezel.org.
Sometimes you want to wear sequin socks and sometimes you want to get your socks knocked off. You’ll get the chance to do both when the Broadway hit “MJ” comes to the Van Wezel. Created by Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, “MJ” tells the backstory of Michael Jackson’s 1992 “Dangerous” world tour. Runs through Feb. 8.
‘The Mirror Crack’d’
7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$31-$77
Visit AsoloRep.org.
Former Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards directs Rachel Wagstaff’s adaptation of the classic spy novel, “The Mirror Crack’d," a period drama set in a quiet English village. When the gentry fete a Hollywood siren and her entourage, a murder occurs that only Miss Marple can solve. Runs through March 14.
‘Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski’
7:30 p.m. at The Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail
$40
Visit SarasotaJewishTheatre.com.
Sarasota Jewish Theatre powerhouse Michael Raver stars as the Polish World War II hero whose efforts to bring the horrors of the Holocaust to the attention of the Allies was met with skepticism. The cautionary tale about the dangers of complacency written by Clark Young and Derek Goldman is directed by another SJT stalwart, Gus Kaikkonen. Runs through Feb. 15.
Love Notes
7:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail
$48-$64
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Kick off Valentine’s Day celebrations early this year with Sarasota Orchestra’s Great Escapes concert, “Love Notes.” Held in Holley Hall, these casual concerts start at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays so you and your Valentine can dine after the show. Featuring guest conductor Matthew Troy, “Love Notes” features a selection of popular standards and classical masterpieces designed to sweep you off your feet. Runs through Feb. 7.
‘Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk’
7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St.
$25-$59
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Catherine Bush’s “Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk” explores one woman’s path of endurance, memory and self-reinvention. The play, directed by Nancy Rominger, is inspired by the real-life story of Emma Gatewood, the first woman to hike the Appalachian Trail solo. Adding to the level of difficulty, she did it at age 67 — and went through seven pairs of Keds. Runs through Feb. 27.
‘Primary Trust’
7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$31-$77
Visit AsoloRep.org.
Asolo Repertory Theatre presents “Primary Trust,” winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Eboni Booth’s play follows a middle-aged man whose quotidian routines are disrupted when he loses his job. The upheaval forces him to explore the possibility of intimacy that he’s previously shunned. Runs through Feb. 11.
‘Paradise Blue’
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
$20-$40
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
Set in 1949 in Detroit’s Black Bottom neighborhood, Dominique Morisseau’s drama “Paradise Blue” follows a trumpet player who is pondering the sale of his once-vibrant jazz club to pursue a better life. But will he leave his soul behind in the process? Runs through Feb. 8.
Jazz at Two: Anne and Mark Burnell
2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalists SRQ, 3975 Fruitville Road
$20
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
There’s no better way to roll into the weekend than Jazz Club of Sarasota’s weekly Jazz at 2 series, which features two full hours of jazz. This week’s featured artists are Windy City natives Anne and Mark Burnell, whose new album is “This Could be the Start of Something Big.” Founding members of ChicagoCabaret.org, they have toured Amsterdam, Paris, New York and Panama performing music from the great composers of the American Songbook.
‘Exit, Pursued by a Bear’
7 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$30
Visit AsoloRep.org/FSU-Asolo-Conservatory.
Written by Lauren Gunderson, one of the most produced playwrights in the U.S. today, “Exit, Pursued by a Bear” tells the story of a woman who takes revenge on her husband after years of abuse. Presented by MFA students at FSU/Asolo Conservatory, the dark comedy contains mature material. FSU/Asolo Conservatory Runs through March 8.
Sarasota Shell & Marine Life Festival
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Potter Building, Sarasota Fairgrounds, 2896 Ringling Blvd.
$5; students ages 12-18 $3
Visit SarasotaShellClub.com.
At Sarasota's signature event celebrating shells, explore shell art, scientific and artistic exhibits, exotic and rare shells, and educational programs, with raffles and prizes available. Continues Sunday.
Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1718 Main St., starting at Orange Avenue and heading east to Links Avenue
Free
Visit ArtFestival.com.
This major Sarasota arts show features more than 200 national and regional artists, and has been ranked among the top 100 art festivals in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine. Continues Sunday.
Embracing Our Differences Tour
10 a.m. at Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Drive
Free
Visit EmbracingOurDifferences.org.
Embracing Our Differences’ annual exhibition of 50 pieces of billboard-sized art from around the world celebrating kindness, inclusion and respect comes to Sarasota’s Bayfront Park. During its 23 years in existence, EOD has welcomed 5.2 million visitors. The exhibition features artwork and artists from 125 countries and 48 states. Runs through April 19 with weekly tours each Saturday at 10 a.m.
Annual Juried Art Show
10 a.m. at Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail
Free
Visit ArtSarasota.org.
Art Center Sarasota is marking its centennial and the landscaping around its buildings in The Bay is finished, so there's much to celebrate at this gallery and education center. The juror for this show is Willem van Osnabrugge, an artist who grew up outside Amsterdam and moved to the U.S. in 1985 and later retired to Sarasota. The works on display at Art Center Sarasota are for sale and admission is free. This show runs through Feb. 21 at the gallery, which is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
‘Life’s a Beach’
7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 Main St.
$17-$20
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Talented FST Improv performers poke fun at Sarasota rituals and customs including the annual snowbird migration, confusion about who has the right of way in a roundabout and dogs in strollers. Did somebody mention never-ending construction? It’s all grist for the tropical mill in “Life’s a Beach.” Runs weekends through March 23.
Mendelssohn’s Elijah
4 p.m. at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road
$45
Visit KeyChorale.org.
No one can accuse Key Chorale of staging lightweight works. Under artistic director Joseph Caulkins, the 100-member symphonic chorus has been leaning into ambitious choral masterpieces in recent seasons in addition to its traditional collaborations with other Sarasota arts groups. Based on the life of the prophet Elijah, the performance will feature Jamal Sarikoki in the title role.
Caleb Teicher & Conrad Tao: Counterpoint
7:30 p.m. at The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road
$40-$50
Visit Ringling.org.
Under Currie-Kohlman Curator of Performance Elizabeth Doud, The Ringling hosts an array of eclectic, international artists in its jewelbox Historic Asolo Theatre. The latest arrivals are choreographer/dancer Caleb Teicher and pianist and composer Conrad Tao, whose collaboration, “Counterpoint,” links disparate traditions.
Gabriel Bianco, Classical Guitar
7:30 at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way
$40-$44
Visit GuitarSarasota.org.
Guitar Sarasota presents France’s Gabriel Bianco, who has won first prize in some of the world’s most prestigious classical guitar competitions. In solo recitals, Bianco spans genres from Baroque to contemporary with an emphasis on music from the Romantic period and from Spain.
Bernstein and Williams
3 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St.
$5
Visit SuncoastConcertBand.org.
Calling all movie music fans. Led by Robert Stoll, the Suncoast Concert Band will showcase the work of two composers known for their film scores: Leonard Bernstein (“West Side Story”) and John Williams (“Star Wars,” “Jurassic Park”). Call 941-907-4123 to reserve your ticket in advance and please be sure to dial the right number.
Banshee Tree
7 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$27
Visit WSLR.org.
Want to escape from the Super Bowl? Here’s your chance: Denver-based Banshee Tree is coming to town and will grace the Fogartyville stage with their trance-like grooves that cross the genres of jazz, indierock and electroswing. They’ve been raising their profile with national tours and by opening for bands such as Balkan Bump, Twiddle and Leftover Salmon.
‘The Americans: Gershwin and then Some’
7:30 p.m. at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way
$65-$80
Visit LaMusica.org.
Under the leadership of pianist Wu Han, who is co-artistic director of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center along with her husband, cellist David Finckel, Sarasota’s La Musica Chamber Music ensemble is reaching new heights in its 40th season. In honor of America’s 250th birthday, La Musica will present “The Americans: Gershwin and Then Some” featuring pianist Orion Weiss.
The Creation of ‘Wicked’
3 p.m. at The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
$30; members $25
Visit TBIEducationCenter.org.
With a multimedia presentation, acclaimed dramatic musical theater historian Charles Troy examines the inspiration behind “Wicked,” the longest-running Broadway musical of the 21st century.
James Ehnes and Friends
7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave.
$50
Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.
Artist Series Concerts presents virtuoso violinist James Ehnes together pianist Andrew Armstrong. The pair will play Elgar’s Violin Sonata and other violin pieces. After an intermission, Ehnes will be joined by violinists Daniel Jordan, Philip Payton and Shawn Weil, violists Stephanie Block and Nathan Frantz, and cellists Natalie Helm and Bjorn Ranheim in Felix Mendelssohn’s Octet in E-flat Major, Op. 20.
Karlus Trapp
7 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$8
Visit WSLR.org.
Teacher and troubadour Karlus Trapp uses song and story to trace the evolution of Black music from blues and jazz in the 1920s-1940s, rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s and soul music in the '70s. You won’t want to miss this Love Train.
The Choir of Man
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$46-$86
Visit VanWezel.org.
Imagine sitting in the world’s best pub and being entertained by a group of performers serving up everything from Queen and Guns N’ Roses to Luther Vandross and Adele. With “Choir of Man,” your vision becomes a reality on the Van Wezel stage, in a nonstop show powered by singers, dancers, musicians and a poet. Come raise a glass to live entertainment!
