- January 11, 2026
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Luncheon: Heroes of the Silver Screen with Gus Mollasis
11 a.m. at Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd.
$50
Visit ArtsAdvocates.org.
In a world where arts criticism is being edged out by algorithms and AI, it’s reassuring to know that Sarasota’s own film detective, Gus Mollasis, is still on the case. Locals know Mollasis, a who is originally from Detroit, from his film education franchise “At the Movies With Gus Molassis,” at Temple Beth Israel on Longboat Key and elsewhere.
Manatee County Fair
5-10 p.m. at Manatee County Fairgrounds, 1402 14th Ave. W., Palmetto
$10; military and children 6-12 $6; children 5 and under free
Visit ManateeCountyFair.com.
The Manatee County offers rides, games, livestock shows, musical entertainment and more at the Manatee County Fairgrounds. Runs through Jan. 25. Hours vary by day. Parking is $10.
Revisiting Creedence
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$46-$81
Visit VanWezel.org.
You didn’t have to be born on a bayou to understand the enduring appeal of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s unique rock-roots sound that still resonates with those who understand that life isn’t always easy if you ain’t no senator’s son.
‘A Tailor Near Me’
7 p.m. at FST's Keating Theatre, 1241 Palm Ave.
$39-$59
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
What begins as a trip to a neighborhood tailor for alterations turns into a journey of self-discovery and friendship in this Florida Studio Theatre mainstage play starring David Cantor and J. Paul Nicholas. Kate Alexander directs the Southeastern premiere of David Tucker’s “A Tailor Near Me,” which runs through Feb. 15.
‘Footloose the Musical’
7:30 p.m. at Rise Above Theater, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1105
$25-$35
Visit RiseAboveArts.com.
A musical about high school kids who just wanna dance is perfect material for a theater company made up of kids. That’s why we’re sure Rise Above Theater’s production of “Footloose the Musical” will get the joint jumpin’. Rise Above is a community theater focused on making the performing arts accessible to any child at no cost to their families. Runs through Feb. 8.
‘Jehanne’
7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$20-$80
Visit Sarasota Contemporary Dance.org.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance first staged “Jehanne,” a dance piece inspired by Joan of Arc, the patron saint of France, back in 2018. SCD founder and artistic director Leymis Bolaños Wilmott has revived the story of the heroine’s journey for the company’s 20th season. Accompanied by live music and with an original composition by Mark Dancigers, “Jehane” will be led by Melissa Rummel. Runs through Jan. 18.
‘Feeling Good’
7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St.
$18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
“Feeling Good” pays tribute to contemporary crooners like Michael Bublé and Bette Midler. A dynamic trio — Haley K. Clay, Andrew Leggieri and Russell Mernagh — makes its Florida Studio Theatre debut with such swingin’ hits as “Come Fly With Me,” “It Had to Be You” and “Me and Mrs. Jones.” Runs through Feb. 8.
‘Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground'
7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St.
$31-$48
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Robert Zukerman stars as Dwight D. Eisenhower in Richard Hellesen’s play in Florida Studio Theatre’s edgy Stage III series. After helping to win World War II as supreme commander of the Allied Forces in Europe, the popular conception is that Eisenhower spent his time in the White House playing golf and presiding over an Ozzie and Harriet America. The reality was more complex, as Ike had to deal with Cold War tensions, an atomic arms race and the Red Scare, to name just a few of the hot buttons of the 1950s. Runs through Jan. 30.
‘Annie’
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130
$35, $15 students
Visit ThePlayers.org.
It’s a hard knock life and don’t we know it. But somehow the unsinkable orphan “Annie” manages to escape poverty and foil her enemies to create a new life for herself in the midst of the Great Depression. Based on the comic strip by Harold Gray, this Tony Award winner became a global sensation with the help of songs like “Tomorrow.” Runs through Jan. 18.
‘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 Morriseau's drama “Paradise Blue” follows a trumpet player pondering the sale of his once-vibrant jazz club to pursue a better life. But will he be leaving his soul behind in the process? Runs through Feb. 8.
Florida Arbor Day at The Bay
Noon at The Bay, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota
Free
Visit TheBaySarasota.org
Learn all about high-performance microforests of Manatee and Sarasota County from ecologist Charles Reith for Arbor Day.
Jazz at Two: Barbara King Quartet
2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalists SRQ, 3975 Fruitville Road
$15-$20
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
TGIF! This weekly series by Jazz Club of Sarasota features the Barbara King Quartet, which will play selections from the Great American Songbook as well as jazz classics.
Kansas
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$68-$362
Visit VanWezel.org.
The rock band Kansas once sang that “all we are is dust in the wind,” and those of us still blowin’ around this earthly plane may be glad to hear that Kansas is back on the road again. During its five-decade career, the band has sold over 30 million albums, and their songs like “Dust in the Wind” and “Carry On Wayward Son” continue to find new audiences.
Masterworks: Pictures at an Exhibition
7:30 p.m. at Neel Performing Arts Center, 5840 26th St. West, Bldg. 11 East, Bradenton
$53-$85
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Guest conductor Peter Oundjian leads the Sarasota Orchestra in Ravel’s orchestration of Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition,” musical depictions of Viktor Hartmann’s paintings. Musical prodigy Himari, a 14-year-old violinist from Japan will perform Bruch’s Romantic Violin Concerto No. 1. The program also includes “Amplify,” a work co-commissioned by Sarasota Orchestra from Pulitzer Prize-winner Michael Abels, best known for his genre-crossing scores for Jordan Peele films. Runs Jan. 17-18 at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
'Mark Twain Tells All'
7:30 p.m. at Historical Society of Sarasota, Crocker Memorial Church, 1260 12th St.
$30
Visit MarkTwainEducation.org.
Alan Kitty has spent more than four decades stepping into the white suit, wild hair and razor-sharp wit of Mark Twain — not as an impersonator, but as a living conduit to America’s greatest humorist. Runs through Jan. 25.
Appalachian Road Show
8 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$30
Visit WSLR.org.
Nestled in Sarasota’s Rosemary District, Fogartyville and its radio affiliate WSLR.org are known for hosting American roots, jazz, blues, world music and cross-genre performers in its listening room and patio. Outdoor seating is still available for Appalachian Road Show, an acoustic ensemble of first-rate musicians putting their own stamp on traditional Americana, bluegrass and folk sings as well as playing original music.
A Century of Cars
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Armands Circle, 300 Madison Drive
Free
Visit StArmandsCircleAssoc.com.
The Sarasota Yacht Club and St. Armands Circle celebrate their centennial with this parade and car show. The YachtRodders are conducting a parade down Sarasota's Main Street to St. Armands Circle.
Main Street Market
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakewood Ranch Main Street
Free
Visit MainStreetMarketLWR.com.
More than 70 vendors will be out with food, beverages, retail and more at the boutique market, hosted by Main Street Market LWR.
‘Snow White’
10 a.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave.
$13-$26
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
This cunning adaptation of the children’s fairy tale by Greg Banks brings the entire world of “Snow White” to the Florida Studio Theatre with two fast-changing actors. This 50-minute play with no intermission is perfect for children of all ages. Runs Saturdays through Feb. 1.
‘Life’s a Beach’
7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 Main St.
$17-$20
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
It’s baaack! “Life’s a Beach” is an FST Improv show that uses audience suggestions to create sketches, musical numbers and improv games to spoof the place in paradise we call home. Watch as talented 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 through March 23.
'New Year, New Beginnings'
2 p.m. at Peace Presbyterian Church, 12705 S.R. 64 E., Lakewood Ranch
$15; students $5
Visit LWRWindEnsemble.org.
The Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble makes its 2026 debut with the "New Year, New Beginnings" concert. The performance will include "Sunrise at Angel’s Gate" by Philip Sparke, "Chorale and Alleluia" by Howard Hanson, "Children’s March: Over the Hills and Far Away" and "Phantom of the Opera" by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
An Afternoon with the Rat Pack with Frank Torchio
3 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St.
$5
Visit SuncoastConcertBand.org.
Who doesn’t miss Frank, Dino, Joey, Sammy and their sidekicks like Ann-Margret? Relive their glory days without heading to Vegas with this concert by the Suncoast Jazz Ambassadors. Call 941-907-4123 to check on ticket availability and please be sure to dial the right number.
Local Honey Performs
3 p.m. at The Education Center, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
$45; members $40
Visit TBIEducationCenter.org.
As part of the Sunday Performing Arts Program, Local Honey is putting on a musical performance. The group blends the tunes of classic movie musicals from the '40s and '50s, Brazilian bossa nova, the Latin bolero and the timeless Disney songbook.
Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Opera House
$25-$36
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in word and song. Led by WBTT founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs, this tribute features Rev. Charles McKenzie, who recites Dr. King’s most eloquent words. WBTT’s company members, guest artists and Stage of Discovery students perform gospel, soul and popular songs of the civil rights era.
Tribute To Elvis
7:30 p.m. at Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave. Building 5, Venice
$66
Visit VeniceTheatre.org.
To many of his fans, Elvis never left the building. He certainly hasn’t left the stage, as Venice Theatre’s “Tribute to Elvis” starring Dwight Icenhower demonstrates. Icenhower is considered the leading Elvis tribute performer on the circuit today. Given the number of Elvis wannabes out there, that’s really saying something.
Goldbeater’s Skin
7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave.
$30
Visit EnSRQ.org.
What’s a “Goldbeater’s Skin” you might ask. No, it’s not a heavy metal tribute band. It’s the name of Chris Cerrone’s composition that gives this program by contemporary classical music group ensembleNewSRQ its name. Performing “Goldbeater’s Skin” will be mezzo-soprano Thea Lobo (who moonlights as a deejay on classical radio station WSMR) and a percussion quartet led by enSRQ co-founder and co-artistic director George Nickson. Also on the bill are Nina C. Young’s “Sun Propeller,” which blends solo violin and live electronics and Claude Vivier’s “Learning,” which creates a sonic scene with violin, percussion and tape.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$40-$140
Visit SCASarasota.org.
Now in its 81st season, Sarasota Concert Association has made its name for bringing world-class classical music to Sarasota. This SCA presentation features the prestigious Royal Philharmonic led by Vasily Petrenko. The setpiece of the program is Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2. Pianist Boris Giltburg joins the Royal Phil on Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1, the first piece performed publicly by the composer himself.
Beethoven Journey
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$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 anniversary season. This all-Beethoven concert features Kristin Lee on violin, Arnaud Sussman on violin and viola, Finckel on cello and Juho Pohjonen on piano.
‘Some Like It Hot’
1:30 and 7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$56-$146
Visit VanWezel.org.
Once upon a time, the Broadway show gave birth to the Hollywood movie. These days, it’s increasingly the other way around. Those who loved Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe in the classic comedy, “Some Like It Hot,” will warm up to this touring production of the Broadway show, winner of four Tony Awards, including Best Choreography and Best Costumes. Runs through Jan. 25.
