- December 23, 2024
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‘A Tuna Christmas’
7:30 p.m. at The Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130
$30
Visit ThePlayers.org.
The Sarasota Players presents a holiday tale set in the third-smallest town in the Lone Star State. Tuna, Texas, is a place where the radio covers the annual lawn-display contest and the local production of “A Christmas Carol” is threatened by unpaid electric bills. Directed by Kathy Junkins. Runs through Sunday.
‘Joyful! Joyful!’
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
$50; students and active military $25
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
Created, adapted and directed by WBTT founder/artistic director Nate Jacobs in 2021, “Joyful, Joyful” features twists on traditional holiday songs, gospel-infused classics and pop favorites. Runs through Dec. 30.
‘Pictures From Home’
8 p.m. at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave.
$25-$39
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Sharr White draws inspiration from Larry Sultan’s acclaimed photo memoir, “Pictures From Home,” in a play that explores the changing nature of family ties. Runs through Feb. 18, 2024.
‘Crazy for You’
8 p.m. at Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$35-$98
Visit AsoloRep.org.
Chorus girls meet cowboys in this crowd-pleasing musical comedy directed and choreographed by Denis Jones. Set in the Roaring Twenties, the Tony Award winner features iconic Gershwin songs “As Someone to Watch Over Me,” “I Got Rhythm” and “Embraceable You.” Who could ask for anything more? Runs through Jan. 4, 2024.
‘Little Shop of Horrors’
8 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St.
$39
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
An unsuspecting flower shop assistant is manipulated by an out-of-this-world plant he dubs “Audrey II” after his co-worker crush. He soon falls prey to its plans for world domination and its appetite for human blood. Runs through Jan. 14, 2024.
Jazz @ Two: SRQ Jazz Project
2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road
$15-$20
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
The Sarasota Jazz Project presents a concert of Big Band favorites.
'A Brave New Wonderland' featuring Nik Wallenda
2:30, 4:30, 7 and 9 p.m. under the Big Top at UTC
From $30
Visit WonderlandCircus.com.
Sarasota hometown hero Nik Wallenda and the Circus Arts Conservatory present "A Brave New Wonderland,” an immersive holiday spectacular of circus acts, aerial performances and holiday storytelling. Runs Thursdays through Saturdays through Dec. 31.
Daniel O’Donnell
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$35-$80
Visit VanWezel.org.
Based in Donegal, Daniel O’Donnell has the distinction of being the only artist in the world to score a hit in the UK album charts every year since 1988, besting the records of such superstars as Michael Jackson, Madonna, U2 and the Rolling Stones.
'Moments of Meaning'
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$35-$125
Visit SarasotaBallet.org.
The Sarasota Ballet’s Program 3, "Moments of Meaning," includes George Balanchine’s “Theme and Variations” and Twyla Tharp’s “In the Upper Room.” The program marks the debut of principal dancer Jessica Assef, who recently joined the company from the Atlanta Ballet. Performances continue at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
‘A Christmas Carol’
7:30 p.m. at Venice Theatre's Raymond Center, 1 Indian Ave. Building 5, Venice
$26
Visit VeniceTheatre.org.
Venice Theatre presents its production of the musical based on Charles Dickens’ classic tale of Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim and how nocturnal visits by ghosts transform a miserly misanthrope into a kind-hearted philanthropist. Runs through Wednesday.
Cars and Coffee
8 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Lynches Pub, 19 N. Boulevard of Presidents, St. Armands Key
Free
Visit Lynches.pub.
Join Lynches Pub for free coffee for Cars & Coffee on St. Armands Circle. No need to register. All makes and models are welcome.
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.
‘Deck the Halls’
10 a.m. at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave.
$5-$10
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Celebrate the holidays with everything that makes Christmas and Hanukkah in Sarasota special. With new songs and sketches, “Deck the Halls” gets audiences excited for palm trees with decorations, sand snowmen and more. Runs weekends through Dec. 24.
Christmas Glow Run 5K
6 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle
$49 in advance; $55 on race day
Visit RunEliteEvents.com.
Nathan Benderson Park will be decked out in holiday spirit for this glow-in-the-dark run. Participants receive a tank or tech tee and a finish medal with entry. Parking costs $10.
Nighty/Nice Christmas Party
7 p.m. to midnight at Forked at Waterside, 7600 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit ForkedEats.com.
Forked at Waterside hosts a fundraiser for Toys for Toys with a full bar, bottle service, a DJ, food and an appearance from Santa. Bring an unwrapped toy get a free drink ticket. Must be 21 or older. The party is sponsored by Body Bar Pilates, Bay Area Aesthetics, 3 Form Fitness, ManCave, Modish Salon, Kore and Forked at Waterside.
'Listen Hear' Salon Concert
7 p.m. at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key
Free
Visit SoundboxVentures.org.
Soundbox Ventures opens its season of the “Listen Hear” Salon Concerts at St. Boniface Episcopal Church with “Preludes with Marisa.” The program features the world premiere of the young Catalan composer Marc Migó’s “L’illa deserta,” a collection of 12 preludes for solo piano performed by the Paris-based American pianist Marisa Gupta.
Ocean’s Eleven Big Band
8 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$20
Visit WSLR.org.
Led by renowned drummer Bryan Post and featuring jazz vocalist John Rinell, Ocean’s Eleven Big Band plays authentic swing.
The Queen’s Six
2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak St.
$40
Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.
Artist Series Concerts presents The Queen’s Six, a unique vocal sextet from Windsor Castle, where they work and live. In addition to performing royal duties, members of the Queen’s Six present concerts featuring everything from risque madrigals to elaborate Renaissance polyphony. The program will also include holiday favorites.
Christmas Festival
3 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St.
$5
Visit SuncoastConcertBand.org.
Now in its 91st season, the Suncoast Concert Band has attracted a loyal following due to a combination of longevity, excellence and affordability. This is their holiday concert.
Santa Visits South Siesta Key
3-5 p.m. at Daiquiri Deck, 1250 Stickney Point Road, Siesta Key
Free
Visit SiestaKeyChamber.com.
Santa Claus will be at Daiquiri Deck on Siesta Key to visit and take pictures. Each child will receive a small gift.
Strings Con Brio
5:30 p.m. at the West District at UTC, 125 N. Cattlemen Road
Free
Visit UTCSarasota.com.
Enjoy a special outdoor holiday concert by community orchestra Strings Con Brio.
‘The Nutcracker’
6:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$35-$75
Visit SarasotaBallet.org.
The Sarasota Ballet presents the timeless story of Clara’s adventures with an animated nutcracker who battles the Mouse King on Christmas Eve as the tree grows bigger and bigger. A second performance is Monday.
‘Wheel of Fortune’ Live
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$52-$72
Visit VanWezel.org.
One of America’s most popular game shows of all time has been adapted for the stage to give more fans access and more chances to win. Guests can feel like they stepped into the game show itself by spinning a full-sized replica of the famous wheel.
Hard Heart Burlesque
8 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Club, 1923 Ringling Blvd.
$30
Visit McurdysComedy.com.
Go under the mistletoe with burlesque troupe Hard Heart Burlesque, led by local favorites Marina Elaine and Karma Kandlewick. They’re bringing in several special guests to prove that it is indeed the most wonderful time of the year.
Cheers to the Music of Dance
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$35 and up
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Sarasota Orchestra presents a program inspired by dance, including Gluck’s “Dance of the Blessed Spirits,” Poulenc’s “Sinfonietta” and the waltzes of Johann Strauss Jr., led by Yue Bao, assistant conductor of the Houston Symphony.
Il Divo: A New Day Holiday Tour
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$69-$150
Visit VanWezel.org.
Multiplatinum classical crossover group Il Divo will perform such holiday classics as “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas,” “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” in addition to songs from their catalog.
