The best things to do this week in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat

Thursday, July 9

Summer Circus Spectacular
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Historic Asolo Theatre, 5401 Bay Shore Road
$15-$20
Visit Ringling.org.

The Ringling and the Circus Arts Conservatory join forces for their annual Summer Circus Spectacular in the Historic Asolo Theater. Ringmaster Ashley Vargas, a veteran of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and circuses around the world, presides over a showcase of jugglers, roller skaters, hand balancers and a clown she happens to be married to: Davis Vassallo. Runs through Aug. 8.

Jazz Thursday at SAM
5:30 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail
Free-$30
Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.

The Panama Drive Quartet featuring Art Siegel plays straight-ahead jazz, bebop and R&B on the Marcy and Michael Klein Plaza. The Thursday series is co-sponsored by the Jazz Club of Sarasota. The evening features extended hours in the shop, Bistro and galleries. 

‘The Spongebob Musical’
7:30 p.m. at The Players Centre, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail
$25
Visit ThePlayers.org.

This hourlong musical based on the friendly cartoon character from under the sea is the culmination of a kids theater camp run by The Players Studio, the youth education arm of The Sarasota Players. Runs through July 12. 

Photo by Sorcha Augustine

‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’
7 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave.
$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Created by Aaron Gundy, “Leaving on a Jet Plane” features an acoustic trio who take you on a flight to the feel-good era of folk music in the late 1960s and 1970s. Among the singer/songwriters whose works are featured in this upbeat show are Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, Crosby, Stills & Nash and the Lovin’ Spoonful. Runs through July 26.

'Dog Mom'
7 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre's Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave.
$25-$46
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

A New Play National Rolling Network premiere by playwright Tate Elizabeth Hanyak, "Dog Mom" is being produced by regional theaters in Portland, Oregon, Sunnyvale and Sacramento, California and Sarasota's own Florida Studio Theatre. Directed by Nancy Rominger, "Dog Mom" follows a hardnosed New Yorker whose heart begins to melt after she fosters a stray dog. Runs through Aug. 2.

Friday, July 10 

‘Shared Light: Lynn Goldsmith’
10 a.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St.
$28
Visit Selby.org.

During the past half century, Lynn Goldsmith’s photographs of celebrities and nature have been featured in magazines like Time, Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone and have been the subject of 17 books, including “Patti Smith: Before Easter After.” Now, her photos are featured in an indoor and outdoor exhibition at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Runs through Sept. 8.

Sights + Sounds: Pops Orchestra Jazz Combo
6 p.m. at Waterside Park, 1560 Lakefront Drive, Sarasota
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.

This five-piece jazz combo brings an evening of dynamic, soulful jazz melodies and timeless American Songbook classics. Seating is limited.

Courtesy image

Classic Movies at the Opera House: ‘Dead Again’ 
7 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$12
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.

Directed by Kenneth Branagh, this 1991 neo-noir thriller features a star-studded cast including Branagh, Emma Thompson, Andy Garcia, Robin Williams and Derek Jacobi. Branagh stars as a detective (Branagh) who recruits a hypnotist to help him interview a woman (Thompson) suffering from amnesia. It turns out it is not the first time that fate has brought the two together. The film features double roles for its actors as they move between the 1940s and the 1990s.

Movie in the Park: 'Tangled'
8 p.m. at Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit WatersidePlace.com.

The family-friendly movie night runs the second Friday of each month at Waterside Park. “Tangled” will begin approximately at 8 p.m. and is sponsored by Grace Community Church, which will serve one free popsicle from Florida Pops to the first 260 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 beginning at 7 p.m. 

Saturday, July 11

Comedy Lottery
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St.
$15-$18
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Florida Studio Theatre’s own improv troupe takes over Bowne’s Lab with “Comedy Lottery,” giving the audience the chance to select the night’s games. If FST Improv isn’t on your radar, it’s time for a new machine. Runs through July 25. 

Sunday, July 12

Remi Goode with Emily Frost
7 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$25
Visit WSLR.org. 

Come see the newly remodeled Fogartyville when Remi Goode plays the listening room with opener Emily Frost. The upgraded space features new tables and chairs plus more unisex bathrooms. Goode is on tour to support her debut album, “Things We Said Before.” An indie-folk artist who crosses genres, Goode grew up in Arizona listening to Suzanne Vega, Kathleen Edwards and Sarah Harmer before moving to her adopted hometown of Nashville.

Wednesday, July 15

Thinking Out Loud
Noon at The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key
Visit TheParadiseCenter.org.

Join in engaging, thought-provoking, nonpartisan discussions on domestic and international events. Open to all. Register by emailing [email protected] or calling 941-383-6493. 

‘The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition’
1 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$15-$19
Visit AsoloRep.org.

“The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition.” Follow the yellow brick road along with Dorothy, Toto, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion to family entertainment with a running time (one hour) during which everyone can sit still and stay off their electronic devices. Runs through Aug. 8.

‘Marvin: A Marvin Gaye Revue’
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
$54 adults; $24 students and active military
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.

This is a sneak peek of the show that Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is taking to the 2026 International Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C. Sheldon Rhoden, who has played Marvin Gaye in four runs of “Prince of Soul,” returns for the musical revue, along with other WBTT artists. Like the man he plays, Rhoden attracts a legion of besotted, mostly female fans. Runs through July 24.