- May 5, 2026
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‘Marie and Rosetta’
7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$65-$71
Visit AsoloRep.org.
Students of popular music know that Sister Rosetta Tharpe earned the nickname “the godmother of rock ’n’ roll” for transforming gospel music with her spirited guitar playing. She also influenced the music of Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash and Jimi Hendrix. Asolo Repertory Theatre’s new production captures the first rehearsal between Tharpe (Maiesha McQueen) and her acolyte, Marie Knight (Alexis J. Roston), as they prepare for a world tour. Directed by E. Faye Butler. Runs through May 31.
‘Assassins’
7:30 p.m. at The Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail
$35, $15 students
Visit ThePlayers.org.
Scott Keys directs “Assassins,” Stephen Sondheim and James Weidman’s tragicomic musical about the dark side of the American dream. If you’ve ever wanted to learn who Leon Czolgosz was, here’s your chance. Runs through May 10.
‘Tuck Everlasting’
7:30 p.m. at Rise Above Performing Arts, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail
$25-$35
Visit RiseAboveArts.com.
When young Winnie Foster’s life becomes entangled with the mysterious Tuck family, who have discovered the secret to eternal life, she’s faced with an existential decision: to live forever or to make every minute count in a truncated life. Rise Above is a community theater focused on making the performing arts accessible to any child at no cost to their families. Runs through May 17.
‘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 teams up with his brother, retired attorney Michael Jacobs, for “Lies, Spells & Old Wives’ Tales.” The musical comedy plays off the sayings, stories and beliefs passed down from one generation to the next. Runs through May 17.
‘Fiddler On The Roof’
7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$37-$99
Visit AsoloRep.org.
At Asolo Repertory Theatre, director Peter Rothstein breathes new life into “Fiddler on the Roof,” the feelgood musical set in a Russian village circa 1900 by bringing the music onstage and casting actor/musicians. Famous from both stage and screen, “Fiddler” follows the milkman Tevye’s efforts to find husbands for his daughters as he balances the traditions of the past and the opportunities of the present. Runs through May 24.
‘Birthday Candles’
7 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St.
$46
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
“Birthday Candles” stars Sarasota Rachel Moulton as Ernestine Ashworth, whose 17th birthday celebration does a time warp and moves ahead to her 18th, 41st, 70th and 107th birthdays, all with the same cake. This Southeastern premiere is directed by Kate Alexander. Runs through May 17.
Sarasota Cars and Coffee
8-10 a.m. at the West District at UTC, 125 N. Cattlemen Road, Sarasota
Free
Visit SarasotaCarsAndCoffee.com.
Join fellow car enthusiasts every second Saturday of the month at the West District at UTC. Parking for show cars is $10 and for motorcycles is $5; spectator parking lots are free.
Something Borrowed, Something New
10 a.m. at the Sarasota Art Museum campus of Ringling College, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail
$20
Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.
“Something Borrowed, Something New” features major modern artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Chuck Close, David Hockney, Yoko Ono, Kara Walker and Ai Weiwei. Their works have been loaned by private collectors in Southwest Florida to SAM for the show, which runs from April 19 through Sept. 27.
‘Great Escapes 6: ‘Starry Night’
5:30 p.m. at Holley Hall. 709 N. Tamiami Trail
$48 and up
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Love classical music but don’t feel like getting dressed up for a formal concert? Then Sarasota Orchestra’s Great Escapes series is just the ticket for you. Held in Holley Hall, these concerts start at 5:30 on Wednesdays and Fridays so you can dine after the show. They run between 60-75 minutes and usually have no intermission. “Starry Night” features guest conductor Christopher Confessore, who will wield the baton as the orchestra plays selections such as “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Stardust” and Joseph Straus’ “Music of the Spheres” in what is sure to be a celestial evening. Runs through May 9.
Movie in the Park: ‘Zootopia 2’
7 p.m. at Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.
The family-friendly movie night runs the second Friday of each month. The May showing will be “Zootopia 2.” The movie will begin at sunset and is sponsored by Grace Community Church. 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.
In-Studio: Voices of Sarasota Contemporary Dance
7 p.m. at SCD Home Studio, 1400 Blvd. of the Arts, Suite 300
$15-$30
Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance.org.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance, celebrating its 20th season this year, presents an in-studio performance that shines a light on the next generation of choreographers with this initiative conceived by Artistic Director Leymis Bolaños-Wilmot. Runs through May 9.
Petals & Poses Mother's Day Fashion Show
Noon to 3 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Drive
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.
Waterside Place unites fashion, fun and family for a Mother's Day celebration. Enjoy a gift market, a pamper zone with a complimentary hand treatment and a kids' zone. Local boutiques will showcase the latest trends at the 2 p.m. fashion show. The first 250 guests will receive free goodie-filled tote bags.
Herbie Hancock
7 p.m. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$61-$126
Visit VanWezel.org.
Now in his seventh decade in show business, Herbie Hancock continues to push the envelope in culture, technology and music. The winner of 14 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for “River: The Joni Letters,” Hancock continues his bold exploration of crossing genres, bringing audiences around the world with him like a jazz Pied Piper.
Baroque Treasures
4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak St.
$50
Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.
Enjoy a musical interlude on Mother’s Day with the Artist Series Concerts program, “Baroque Treasures.” The concert kicks off with harpsichordist Paulo Bordignon performing music by Barch and Couperin. Several Sarasota Orchestra musicians, including principal oboe Bobby Nunes and principal harp Phoebe Powell, will perform works by Handel and Debussy. The concert also includes special guests Katherine Baloff and Leah Latorraca on violin, Stephanie Block on viola, David Bender on cello and John Miller on bass.
Ranch Nite Wednesdays
6-9 p.m. at 1560 Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place
Free
Visit MyLWR.com.
Join the crowd at Waterside Place enjoying the food trucks and live music or playing in the cornhole league during Ranch Nite Wednesdays. Weekly programming is offered each week in Gateway Park. No outside food or beverage are allowed.
