The best things to do around Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Feb. 2-8

Get in the romantic mood for Valentine's Day with some of these sweet performances.


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  • | 10:00 a.m. January 31, 2023
EnsembleNewSRQ welcomes the Verdigris Ensemble for a collaborative performance Monday, Feb. 6.
EnsembleNewSRQ welcomes the Verdigris Ensemble for a collaborative performance Monday, Feb. 6.
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Thursday, Feb. 2

The 2023 “Visions in Black” poster art was created by Jesse Clark.
Courtesy image

‘Visions in Black’
5:30 p.m. at Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, 1226 N. Tamiami Trail
Free
Visit SuncoastBlackArtsCollaborative.org.

Come celebrate work from artists of color in the Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative’s cross-town exhibition that will feature work in three locations. This is the first gallery opening of the three, and the exhibit will run through Feb. 25. 


‘Always...Patsy Cline’
7:30 p.m. at Studio 1130, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130
$30
Visit ThePlayers.org.

Enjoy a memorable tribute to the legendary singer told through the eyes of her biggest fan at The Players Centre for Performing Arts. Weaving together Patsy Cline’s stories with her legendary tunes, this performance is a perennial favorite of audiences. Runs through Feb. 12 .


Masterworks: A Romantic Affair
7:30 p.m. at Neel Performing Arts Center, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton
$37-$99
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

The soaring melodies of Brahms and Rachmaninoff — what could be more romantic than that? Conductor Peter Oundjian leads the Sarasota Orchestra in performing Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto, one of the composer’s most beloved works. Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, blind since birth, will perform this well-known masterpiece. Continues at the Van Wezel Feb. 3-5.


Friday, Feb. 3

First Friday ‘Sip & Shop’ 
5-8 p.m. in downtown Sarasota, 1440 Main St.
Free
Visit DestinationDowntownSarasota.com.

Come downtown to stroll through the shops’ twinkling lights and Valentine decor at the Sarasota Downtown Merchants’ monthly event.


Music on Main
6-9 p.m. at 8100 Lakewood Main St.
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.

Enjoy food and drink vendors and the live music in this celebration on the first Friday of the month. Band Ten-76 will entertain the crowd with classic and modern rock music. The event benefits Easterseals Happiness House.


In-Studio Performance featuring DeAnna Wright & Imani Williams 
7 p.m. at SCD Home Studio, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Suite 300
$10-$20
Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance.org.

Actor DeAnna Wright graces the Sarasota Contemporary Dance’s home studio with a performance that explores the authentic self through spoken word, rhythmic movement and song. Runs through Feb. 4.


The February Fresh Friday event in 2022 focused on love and dancing.
Courtesy photo

Fresh Fridays
7-10 p.m. in downtown Sarasota on State Street
Free
Visit FreshFridaysSarasota.com.

The  Fresh Friday series announces a celebration of love and dance. This nighttime event will feature music from South Florida-based cover band Resonance.


Cinematic Romance featuring violinist Sandy Cameron
7:30 p.m. at Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Venice
$33-$61
Visit TheVeniceSymphony.org.

This is a night made for sweethearts as Troy Quinn and the Venice Symphony perform music from the greatest love stories of our time, including “Casablanca,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “Gone with the Wind.” Runs through Saturday, Feb. 4.


‘Network’
8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave
$39
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Anchorman Howard Beale’s ratings are dropping, and he faces his last broadcast after being let go. But rather than go quietly, he loses it on air, causing his popularity to soar. This regional premiere dives into what happens when we get caught up in the illusion of TV … as well as what’s the real truth behind it. Runs through March 19.


‘Birds of North America’
8 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St.
$25-$39
Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.

This play by Anna Ouyang Moench might start as a father-daughter duo of birders exploring the wild world around them to catch glimpses of elusive birds. But just as the seasons, climate and global politics change, so too have the relationships in this endearing family portrait. Runs through Feb. 19.


Saturday, Feb. 4

Piano Concert & Artist Talk: Elements of Music and Art
4 p.m. at Midge Johnson Fine Art, 3983 Destination Drive, Suite 104, Osprey
$25
Visit MidgeJohnsonFineArt.com.

Pianist Alan Wasserman and artist Midge Johnson compare commonalities between art and music in this piano concert and artist talk.


Savor the Sounds
5:30-7 p.m. at the Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
$25; at the door $35; VIP table of eight $250
Call 383-2466.

Bring a picnic basket and blanket to the first concert of the three-part series. Yesterdayze will be playing 1960s music on the lawn.


Zoran Dukic, Classical Guitarist
7:30 p.m. at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way
$37-$41
Visit GuitarSarasota.org.

Guitar Sarasota welcomes Zoran Dukic, a Croatian guitarist who is one of the great classical virtuosos of our time. Whether as part of an orchestra or as a soloist, Dukic has been wowing audiences for years. 


Ten-Minute Play Festival
7:30 p.m. at FSU/Asolo Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$29
Visit TheatreOdyssey.org.

At the 11th annual 10-minute play festival, high school students from around the region will stage their plays. From 40 entries submitted by area students, eight scripts have been chosen for full production. Runs through Sunday, Feb. 5.


‘Flyin’ West’
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
$20-$48
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.

A group of Black women leave the South in the 1890s in search of a better life, and end up in the all-Black town of Nicodemus, Kansas. This story follows them in their journey to build a new life in a harsh region out west, with humor and heart-touching moments alike. 


Sunday, Feb. 5

Suicide Prevention Walk
9 a.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle
Free registration
Visit Supporting.AFSP.org.

The Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk benefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers walk side-by-side in memory of those lost. TThe event encourages participants to set a fundraising goal of $150. 


Winter Concert
2 p.m. at Peace Presbyterian Church, 12705 S.R. 64 E., Lakewood Ranch
$10
Visit LWRWindEnsemble.org.

The Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble, a community musical group featuring the talent of local musicians, presents its winter concert.


Hallelujah! Leonard Cohen and Friends
3-4:30 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
$50; members $40
Call 388-8222.

Jay O'Brien, Susan Benjamin and Robert Hanson have prepared a multi-media presentation to share the music and stories of Leonard Cohen.


Monday, Feb. 6

Music Mondays: Leymis Bolaños Wilmott 
10:30 a.m. at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road
$10
Visit SillSarasota.org.

As part of its Music Mondays series, the Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning welcomes Leymis Bolaños Wilmott, choreographer and artistic director of Sarasota Contemporary Dance, to discuss her organization and craft.


Vespers for a New Dark Age 
7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave.
$25
Visit EnSRQ.org.

Explore new music in this collaboration between ensembleNEWSRQ and Verdigris Ensemble, a contemporary chamber choir visiting from Dallas. 


Tuesday, Feb. 7

Jazzlinks 'Civil Rights: Bridging The Movement'
5-6:15 p.m. at Common Ground, 1055 Blvd of the Arts
Free
Visit TheBaysarasota.org.

Enjoy a live performance by the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s “Jazzlinks” group showcasing the popular music of 1940s to the 1960s. This is a free event, but registration is required. For information, visit TheBaysarasota.org.


Get Happy: Michael Feinstein Celebrates the Judy Garland Centennial
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$37-$77
Visit VanWezel.org.

To celebrate Judy Garland’s 100th birthday, singer Michael Feinstein leads audiences through a nostalgic and touching musical journey of Garland’s career. Executive produced by Liza Minnelli, this performance promises will feature uplifting and surprising moments that only Garland’s spirit could inspire.


Wednesday, Feb. 8

The Sarasota Orchestra hosts a Great Escapes concert perfect for a date night Wednesday, Feb. 8.

Great Escapes: Date Night
5:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail
$45-$108
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

What better prelude to Valentine’s Day than enjoying an evening of romantic music? As part of its Great Escapes series, the Sarasota Orchestra will invite audiences on a journey through heartfelt stories paired with music that will make you swoon.


Momix takes viewers down the rabbit hole Wednesday, Feb. 8 at the Van Wezel.

Momix - Alice
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$27-$77
Visit VanWezel.org.

In their one-of-a-kind brand of dance illusions, Momix will conjure the magical world of the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts in this breathtaking reimagining of Lewis Carroll’s novel. 

 

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