The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for April 4-10


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  • | 10:00 a.m. April 2, 2024
Guitar virtuoso Stephane Wrembel plays Fogartyville Saturday, April 6.
Guitar virtuoso Stephane Wrembel plays Fogartyville Saturday, April 6.
Image courtesy of Casey Vock
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Thursday, April 4

Boyd Meets Girl
11 a.m. at Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
$68
Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.

Artist Series Concerts presents the husband and wife team of Australian classical guitarist Rupert Boyd and American cellist Laura Metcalf. The duo arranges their repertoire themselves, ranging from Debussy to Radiohead. 


Asolo Rep's "Dial M for Murder" plays at FSU Center for the Performing Arts through April 25.
Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine

‘Dial M for Murder’
1:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$43-$95
Visit AsoloRep.org.

Asolo Rep's stylish update of the Hitchcock thriller, “Dial M for Murder” follows a man plotting to kill his wealthy wife. You’ll think twice about where you hide your key after watching Céline Rosenthal’s masterful production, set in 1950s England. Runs through April 25.  


‘American Dream’
7 p.m. at The Ora, 578 McIntosh Road, Sarasota
$40
Visit PMPSuncoast.org.

The Perlman Music Program Suncoast presents the Ariel Quartet's new program, “American Dream,” Formed more than 25 years ago in Jerusalem, the Ariel Quartet includes Gershon Gerchikov and Alexandra Kazovsky on violin, Jan Grüning on viola and Amit Even-Tov on cello. The concert doesn’t have a predetermined program; each piece, by a composer who has achieved their American dream, will be announced from the stage. 


Josh Sneed
7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
$26
Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

One of the most popular comedians on Sirius/XM Radio, Josh Sneed has performed at the prestigious “Just For Laughs” Comedy Festival in Montreal and the Aspen Comedy Festival. Runs through Saturday.


‘My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy’
7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton
$51.50-$71.50
Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com.

Brad Zimmerman moved to New York and decided to wait tables while pursuing a career as an actor. He never dreamed his restaurant run would last 29 years. He’s turned his life story into a hilarious show. Runs through Sunday. 


‘Ruby’
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota
$20-$50
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.

WBTT’s homegrown musical “Ruby” tells what happened when the black-owned Pittsburgh Courier sent Nora Zeale Hurston to Live Oak, Florida, to report on a prosperous Black woman accused of murder in the 1950s. “Ruby” is directed by WBTT founder Nate Jacobs, who wrote the book with his brother, Michael Jacobs, who wrote lyrics. Runs through Sunday. 


"The Flip Side" plays at Florida Studio Theatre's Court Cabaret through June 16.
Courtesy image

‘The Flip Side’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St., Sarasota
$37-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

With songs like “The Ballad of Sigmund Freud” and “Killed by a Coconut,” the latest cabaret creation of Richard and Rebecca Hopkins tips its musical hat to comic songwriters. The show features arrangements by Jim Prosser. Runs through June 16.


‘The Spitfire Grill’
7:30 p.m. at Venice Theatre’s Raymond Center, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice
$15-$37
Visit VeniceTheatre.org.

Based on the film by David Lee Zlotoff, “The Spitfire Grill” is described as a folk musical in the tradition of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Brad Wages is director and Michelle Kasanofsky is music director. Runs through April 21.


‘Intimate Apparel’
8 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$29-$75
Visit AsoloRep.org.

Written by Hermitage Fellow and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, “Intimate Apparel” tells the story of a Black seamstress in the early 20th century. Her correspondence leads to a marriage proposal from a foreign stranger while she pines for a Jewish shop owner who’s bound to another. Runs through April 18.


Friday, April 5

Jazz @ 2 - Luca Stine and Friends
2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road, Sarasota
$15-$20
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

Headlining at Jazz @ Two for the first time is former Sarasota Jazz Club scholarship winner Luca Stine, who has performed at the Newport Jazz Festival.  


Music on Main
6-9 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.

The monthly concert and block party returns as Mojo Filter will play favorite hits from the 1990s. Proceeds from the event benefit Suncoast Charities for Children. The event will feature food vendors, beer trucks, sponsor booths, and activities for kids presented by Grace Community Church. 


"Bull Street" opens the 26th annual Sarasota Film Festival, which runs from April 5-14.
Courtesy image

Opening Night of the 26th Sarasota Film Festival
6 p.m. at Regal Hollywood, 1993 Main St., Sarasota
$50
Visit SarasotaFilmFestival.com.

Lynn Dow’s “Bull Street,” starring Loretta Devine and Amy Madigan, will open the 26th Sarasota Film Festival. After the screening, Dow, Madigan and other cast members will hold a talkback with the audience. An opening night party follows at 8 p.m. at the Sarasota Modern for an additional $50. The festival will showcase 64 features and 81 short films, with ticket prices beginning at $18 for regular screenings. Various passes granting access to multiple screenings and parties are available. Runs through April 14.  


Opening Reception for 'Intuitive Visions' and 'Playgrounds'
5:30 p.m. at Mara Art Studio + Gallery, 76 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota
Free
Visit MaraSudioGallery.com.

Mara Art Studio + Gallery is one of several galleries on Palm Avenue that stays open late on First Fridays. Owned by Mara Torres González, the gallery will unveil two shows – the solo exhibition “Playgrounds” by Lori Childers and “Intuitive Visions,” which includes the work of several artists.


The Sarasota Ballet performs "Las Hermanas" in its "Portraits of Expression" program April 5-6 at Sarasota Opera House.
Image courtesy of Frank Atura

‘Portraits of Expression’
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
$35
Visit SarasotaBallet.org.

Program Six of the Sarasota Ballet’s season includes two works choreographed by George Balanchine — “Emeralds” and “Who Cares?” Also on the bill is Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s “Las Hermanas,” a ballet based on Federico Garcia Lorca’s “The House of Bernarda Alba,” about the consequences of expressing sensuality in a repressed environment. A second performance is Saturday. 


Saturday, April 6

Run for the Turtles
7:30 a.m. at Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key
$40; kids 13 and under $30
Visit Mote.org.

Run or traverse the sands in whatever way suits you to help raise funds for turtle conservation. The 1-Mile Fun Run begins at 7:30 a.m., and the 5K Manasota Track Club Sanctioned Run begins at 8 a.m. 


Spirit Fest 
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
$12 per day; $18 both days; kids 12 and under free
Visit SpiritFestUSA.com.

At this holistic, metaphysical and wellness expo, guests can find speakers, holistic health practitioners and more. Continues 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. 


Un Poyo Rojo
7:30 p.m. at Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota
$30-$40
Visit TheRingling.org.

Argentinian dance duo Luciano Rosso and Alfonso Barón explore the expectations of masculinity with a comedic, athletic show set in an empty locker room. Runs through Monday.


Stephane Wrembel
8 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota
$17-$35
Visit WSLR.org.

Django Reinhardt-style guitar virtuoso Stephane Wrembel got his breakthrough when his composition “Bistro Fada” was selected as the theme for Woody Allen’s 2011 Oscar-winning film, “Midnight in Paris.” He has headlined Jazz at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and The Lyon Opera House in France.


Sunday, April 7

Delayed April Fools
3 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St., Sarasota
$5
Visit SuncoastConcertBand.org.

The Suncoast Concert Band, now in its 91st season, presents its “Delayed April Fools” concert.


'Clowns Like Me'
4 p.m. at Regal Hollywood, 1993 Main St., Sarasota
$18
Visit SarasotaFilmFestival.com.

The film version of Sarasota actor Scott Ehrenpreis’ one-man show hits the big screen at the Sarasota Film Festival. Following the humorous look at his struggles with OCD, bipolar disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, social anxiety and depression, Ehrenpreis will hold a Q&A session with the audience.


Beyond Broadway: Music of Stage and Film
4 p.m. at Temple Beth Sholom, 1050 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota
$20
Visit SarasotaJewishChorale.org.

Sarasota Jewish Chorale presents an evening of music mainly Jewish composers of Broadway and film productions. 


‘Light & Gold’
5 p.m. at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key
$35-$45
Visit KeyChorale.org.

Key Chorale presents a program by Eric Whitacre and Morten Lauridsen, two popular choral composers. Hear the Key Chorale Chamber Singers and Modern Marimba perform haunting harmonies, including the Florida premiere of Whitacre’s “All Seems Beautiful to Me.”


Monday, April 8

Scotty Wright
Courtesy image

Monday Night Jazz with Scotty Wright and Friends
7:30 p.m. at John C. Court Cabaret, 1265 First St., Sarasota
$34-$39
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

The Jazz Club of Sarasota presents veteran vocalist Scotty Wright and his friends Judi Glover on Piano, Mark Neuenschwander on bass, Stephen Bucholtz on drums and Fil Lorenz on Sax. Full bar and dinner menu available. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for dinner.


Tuesday, April 9

The Giving Challenge at The Bay
Noon at The Nest, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota
Free
Visit TheBaySarasota.org.

Discover a range of events showcasing local organizations and the impact they make in the community, in this celebration presented by Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Participating organizations span the areas of recreation, the environment, arts, health and wellness and include Minorities in Shark Sciences, Operation Warrior Resolution, Suncoast Waterkeeper and others. A Pop-Up Giving Station is noon to 2 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. Tuesday. Runs through noon Wednesday.


Wednesday, April 10

Mendelssohn, Brahms & Haydn
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
$63
Visit LaMusicaFestival.org.

La Musica Chamber Music will perform Haydn’s Piano Trio, Mendelssohn’s Piano Quartet and Brahms’ String Sextet in an uplifting program. 

 

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