A&E Picks and Highlights

VISUAL ARTS

‘The Great American Graphic Novel’
Selby Gallery, Ringling College of Art & Design
Runs through Feb. 18.
Call 351-5100.

‘Friends and Family:’ Paintings by Lynn Davison
Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art Gallery
Runs through Feb. 28.
Call 366-2454.

‘Fresh’
Art Center Sarasota
Runs through March 6.
Call 365-2032.

ArtCenter Manatee ‘Aqueous Watercolor Show’
ArtCenter Manatee
Feb. 15 through March 20
Call 792-0608.

PERFORMING ARTS

‘Belle of Amherst’ Live Performance
Fruitville Public Library
1:30 to 3 p.m. Feb. 12
Free event. Call 861-2518.

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
Booker High School Visual & Performing Arts Program
7 p.m. Feb. 12, 13 and 14
Tickets $5 to $15.
Call 355-2967, Ext. 65215.

‘Violet’ 
The Players Theatre
7 p.m. Feb. 12, 13, 14
and 15; 2 p.m. Feb. 15
Runs through March 1.
Tickets $25 to $30. Call 365-2494.

‘Fly’
Florida Studio Theatre, Gompertz Theatre
8 p.m. Feb 12, 13, 14, 15, 17 and 18; 3 p.m. Feb. 14 and 15
Tickets $18 to $39. Call 366-9000.

‘Tosca’
Sarasota Opera
1:30 p.m. Feb 14; 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17
Runs through March 28.
Tickets $90 to $135. Call 366-8450.

‘Marriage of Figaro’
Sarasota Opera
7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 and 18
Runs through March 28.
Tickets $90 to $135. Call 366-8450.

MUSIC

‘Best of the Great American Songbook’ with Jennifer Sheehan and James Followell
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota
Michael’s On East
11 a.m. Feb. 12
Tickets: $45. Call 306-1202.

‘Art of Blues’/ Bill Buchman and Steve Harvey
Longboat Key Center for the Arts
7 p.m. Feb. 12
Tickets: $30 to $45. Call 383-2345.

Great Escapes Series: ‘Be Mine’
Sarasota Orchestra
Holley Hall
7:30 p.m. Feb. 12; 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 13; 8 p.m. Feb. 14
Tickets: $35 to $55. Call 953-3434.

Michael Brown, classical pianist
The Glenridge Performing Arts Center
8 p.m. Feb. 13
Tickets: $15 to $20. Call 552-5325.

‘Fella Sings Ella with Scott Coulter’
The Glenridge Performing Arts Center
8 p.m. Feb. 18
Tickets: $22.50 to $27.50. Call 552-5325

NICK'S PICKS

‘Title of Show’
Forego the typical Valentine’s Day weekend romantic fare with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training’s production of the meta-musical “Title of Show.” Created by Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell in 2004, this one-act musical depicts four friends creating a musical for the New York Musical Theatre Festival in just three weeks. This behind-the-curtain musical’s note of grace was that the very musical the characters are creating is the musical the audience will see. Inventive and full of adoration for Broadway musical culture, “Title of Show” is a respite for those in need of musical love this February.

When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17; 8 p.m. Feb. 18. Runs through March 8.
Where: Cook Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
Tickets: $27 to $29
Info: Call 351-8000


‘A Legacy Inscribed: The Schoenberg Collection of Manuscripts’ and ‘The Great American Graphic Novel’
Though it may seem to be an odd combination at first, the placing of “A Legacy Inscribed: The Schoenberg Collection of Manuscripts” and “The Great American Graphic Novel” is an inspired display of curatorial ambition. Centuries-old manuscripts from around the globe dominate the entrance space of the Selby Gallery on the campus of the Ringling College of Art and Design. The pure artistry and craftsmanship in these manuscripts’ creation and preservation is something to behold. Further in the gallery, the collection of more recent works by American artists and comic book writers in the graphic novel form is a stunning contrast to the manuscripts. Combined, this exhibit is a testament to humanity’s love of the written image and word.

When: Runs through Feb. 18.
Where: Selby Gallery, Ringling College of Art and Design, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail
Tickets: Free
Info: Call 351-5100