- February 24, 2026
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Circus Sarasota: Epic
1 p.m. at The Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle
$40-$100
Visit CircusArts.org.
The Circus Arts Conservatory, a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of circus arts and educating the next generation of performers, presents its annual spectacle under the Big Top in Nathan Benderson Park. Ringmaster Joseph Dominic Bauer Jr. presides over a circus of performers that collectively hold 18 world records. Among them are “America’s Got Talent” veterans Sirca Marea-Le Cadre, comic Chris Allison and The Olate Family Dogs featuring rescue pups. Runs through March 8.
‘The Unfriend’
1:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$31-$77
Visit AsoloRep.org.
Asolo Repertory Theatre stages the U.S. premiere of “The Unfriend,” a dark comedy from Steven Moffat, the writer of TV’s “Dr. Who,” “Sherlock” and “Dracula.” Directed by Peter Rothstein, “Unfriend” follows an English couple who meet a friendly American named Elsa on a cruise. A casual invitation leads to Elsa taking up residence in their home and disrupting family routines. Runs through March 22.
‘Speak the Word and Lift Every Voice’
5:30 p.m. on Hermitage Beach, 6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood
$5 with registration
Visit HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
The Hermitage Artist Retreat partners with Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe for a program featuring Hermitage Fellows jessica Care moore and James Jackson Jr. Moore has recorded poetry with hip-hop legends Common, Nas and Jeezy and is currently Detroit Poet Laureate. Jackson is a seasoned Broadway, Off-Broadway and cabaret performer known for his roles in Michael R. Jackson’s “A Strange Loop” and “White Girl in Danger.”
The Everly Set
7 p.m. at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way
$27-$59
Visit SunEvents.com.
Sam Altman and Jack Sculler, two New York City-based performers with an age difference of three decades between them, pay tribute to the Everly Brothers, with such hits as “Bye Bye Love,” “Wake Up Little Susie” and “All I Have to Do is Dream.”
'Les Misérables' School Edition
7 p.m. at The Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130
$25, students $15
Visit ThePlayers.org.
The Players Studio, the youth education arm of The Sarasota Players community theater, presents an abbreviated version of the beloved musical about life on the barricades in Paris. Runs through March 1.
‘The Merry Widow’
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$35-$200
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
Set in 1905 Parisian aristocracy, Franz Lehár ‘s opera “The Merry Widow” tells the story of a wealthy widow whose life is upended when a former flame returns. One of four operas running in the Sarasota Opera Winter Festival, it is a crowd pleaser because it marries music, dance and comedy. Runs through March 27.
‘Exit, Pursued by a Bear’
7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$30
Visit AsoloRep.org.
Written by Lauren Gunderson, one of the most produced playwrights in the U.S. today, “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. Runs through March 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.
‘Three Pianos’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1265 First St.
$18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Under Producing Artistic Director Richard Hopkins, Florida Studio Theatre has grown into a downtown entertainment campus with something for everyone. FST’s winter cabaret show “Three Pianos” is an ode to superstars of the keyboard such as Ray Charles, Elton John and Alicia Keys. These mavericks didn’t tinkle the ivories; they tore up the rulebook. Runs through April 5.
Jazz at Two with Kitt Moran
2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalists SRQ, 3975 Fruitville Road
$15-$20
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
Roll into the weekend with a two-hour concert presented by Jazz Club of Sarasota featuring multitalented singer, artist and playwright Kitt Moran. Before moving to Florida, Moran performed in top jazz clubs in New York and New Jersey, including Michael’s Pub, the Village Vanguard and the Blue Note. Moran will perform jazz standards and songs from the Great American Songbook.
‘Any Way the Wind Blows’
7 p.m. at Sarasota Contemporary Dance Home Studio, 1400 Blvd. of the Arts, Suite 300
$20
Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance.org.
An expanded work by Sarasota Contemporary Dance Ensemble founding member Sabine Dimante, “Any Way the Wind Blows” brings the music of Queen to life in a boundary-pushing performance. Continues Feb. 28.
Martha Graham Dance Company
7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$35 and up
Visit SarasotaBallet.org.
Each year, Sarasota Ballet hosts a visiting dance company as part of its season. This year, the Ballet welcomes the Martha Graham Dance Company, which is touring in honor of its 100th anniversary. Founded in 1926 by the legendary dancer, the eponymous company has been the springboard for many other dancers and choreographers who went on to form their own companies, including Merce Cunningham, Pearl Lang and Paul Taylor. Runs through March 2.
Masterworks: Rite of Spring
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$39-$109
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
You saw him on TV during Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Half Time show. Now watch Sarasota Orchestra Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero conduct a program inspired by the wonders of spring. The program opens with Joan Tower's "1920/2019," celebrating the passage of the 19th amendment. The centerpiece is Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring," which created a sensation when it premiered in 1913. Guest violinist Benjamin Beilman performs Mozart's final violin concerto. Runs through March 1.
Exotic Car Show
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit MyLWR.com.
The Exotic Car Show will present a display of more than 100 exotic cars on Lakewood Main Street. The cars will include Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Bentleys, Lotuses, Rolls Royces and McLarens. All proceeds from the event benefit "Flight to the North Pole,” a local charity dedicated to supporting terminally ill children.
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 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.
Magic of Manatee Sweet Adelines
2 p.m. at Neel Performing Arts Center, 5840 26th Street West, Bradenton
$20, $25
Visit MagicOfManatee.com.
Part of the Sarasota/Bradenton community for decades, Magic of Manatee is a Sweet Adelines all-female a capella chorus that performs in four-part harmony. This year’s show includes a special appearance by the barbershop quartet Tribute, which earned the title of Sunshine District Quartet Champions in 2025.
‘One Hit Wonders’
6 and 9 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 everything else in the singer's career, and “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” from Bobby McFerrin. Created by Richard and Rebecca Hopkins, “One Hit Wonders” is directed by FST Associate Producer Catherine Randazzo with arrangements by Jim Prosser. Runs through June 21.
Ahamefule J. Oluo: The Things Around Us
7:30 p.m. at The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road
$40-$50
Visit Ringling.org.
Storyteller and trumpet player Ahamefule J. Oluo presents “The Things Around Us,” the third installment of a trilogy that includes “Now I’m Fine” and “Susan.” Runs through March 6.
‘Life’s a Beach’
8:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 Main St.
$17-$20
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Watch as talented FST Improv performers poke fun at Sarasota rituals 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.
'Anything Goes: The Cole Porter Story'
3 p.m. at The Education Center, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
$45; members $40
Visit TBIEducationCenter.org.
This Sunday Performing Arts Program, led by musician Sandra Moulin, celebrates the story of famed musical composer Cole Porter through the lens of his wife.
Tomorrow’s Voices Tonight, Student Scholar Soirée
5:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
$30
Visit KeyChorale.org.
Come support Key Chorale’s student scholars as they perform classical and musical theater selections demonstrating the culmination of their lessons with voice teachers and masterclasses with guest artists. The concert includes cocktails and light bites.
Rare Air: Woodwinds That Soar
7:30 p.m. at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way
$60-$85
Visit LaMusica.org.
La Musica's concert “Rare Air: Woodwinds That Soar” features works by Vivaldi, Strauss and Mozart played by Tara Helen O’Connor on flute, Juri Vallentin on oboe, David Shifrin on clarinet, Peter Kolkay on bassoon, David Byrd-Marrow on horn and Michael Stephen Brown on piano.
Organ Dedication Concert
7 p.m. at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, 40 N. Adams Drive
$30-$100
Visit SAKLC.com/Organ-Tickets.
In celebration of the installation of a new pipe organ, the church is hosting a musical celebration with musician Olivier Latry, principal organist at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris.
‘Susannah,’ A Multimedia Presentation by Joy McIntyre
10:30 a.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St.
Free with registration
Visit SarasotaMusicArchive.org.
If you’re an opera fan and you haven’t discovered Joy McIntyre, it’s time you did. McIntyre is a retired opera singer and educator who has made service to Sarasota arts groups her third career. Don’t miss her take on “Susannah,” Carlisle Floyd’s American opera that is part of the Sarasota Opera’s 2026 winter season.
