- December 18, 2024
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Do you feel a disturbance in the Force? Fear not — the energy you feel is musical and it’s coming from the light side. Sarasota Orchestra is presenting “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” on Oct. 25 and 26. John Williams’ stellar compositions will be synchronized in real-time with a screening of the second “Star Wars” movie. Dust off your light saber and bring your favorite robot. It’s happening at the Van Wezel — and not in a galaxy far, far away. Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
EnsembleNEWSRQ (enSRQ) is rolling up for a musical mystery tour on Jan. 13. “Visions and Miracles” will take listeners on a sonic trek through the lands of dreams and visions. The program features recent compositions for strings, flute and clarinet. These include: Anna Clyne’s contemplative “Rest These Hands” for solo violin; Chris Theofanidis’ “Visions and Miracles,” an ethereal exploration of inner and outer space for string quartet; Gabriela Lena Frank’s “Milagros,” a haunting work for string quartet; and Dai Wei’s cosmic “How the Stars Vanish” for clarinet, violin and cello. These compositions speak of things seen and unseen, of transient beauty and transcendental possibility. Get ready to blast off. Visit EnSRQ.org.
“The Florida Highwaymen: Interstate Connections” takes viewers on a fascinating road at Selby Gardens. Where it leads is a bold chapter in Black history. In the mid-20th century, an enterprising group of African American landscape painters created a legacy in Southeast Florida. They cleverly got around the “whites-only” gatekeepers in the galleries and museums of the segregated Sunshine State — and sold their lush subtropical landscapes by the side of the road. A critic named them “The Highwaymen,” and it stuck. But forget the name — and remember the talented artists. This exhibition celebrates their achievements and connects their game-changing artistry to the struggles of Sarasota’s African-American community during that time. Through Sept. 15. Visit Selby.org.
“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” sings the praises of the legendary singer/songwriter in this Asolo Rep production, Nov. 13 to Jan. 5. Along with King’s chart-toppers, this Broadway smash offers cool liner notes on her life story. You discover that King had wanted to be a songwriter in high school. Her mother told her, “It’s not practical! Girls don’t write music.” (We’re lucky she didn’t take her mother’s advice.) By the age of 18, she’d written hits for Aretha Franklin and The Drifters. At the ripe old age of 29, King became the voice of a generation. With anthems like “You’ve Got a Friend,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and “I Feel the Earth Move,” King’s voice has moved several generations in the decades that followed. In this soaring musical, it rings out loud and clear. How beautiful is that? Visit AsoloRep.org.
“Flesh and Bone” tells a tale of art, love, inspiration and obsession at Sarasota Museum of Art, Nov. 17-April 13. The late photographer Larry Fink and sculptor Martha Posner are the protagonists. They were romantic partners and artistic co-conspirators for more than 30 years. This exhibition explores the creative interplay in the couple’s work. It’s a study in contrasts — and common obsessions. They shared a fascination with desire, vulnerability and brutality. Posner’s sculpture re-imagines heroines from assorted myths and legends; Fink’s photos capture fleeting moments of bravado in everyday life. The couple’s creations also reflect their lives on a Pennsylvania farm — a place where the boundaries of man and beast blur. Fink began photographing that patch of green in the 1970s. Posner didn’t arrive until the 1990s — and instantly found magic in the idyllic surroundings. Here, you see their work side by side. The air seems thick with artistic dialog. Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.
Bugs Bunny provided a swell introduction to Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville.” (Great animation, but there’s more to it than that.) This Sarasota Opera production makes one thing clear: Elmer Fudd makes no appearance whatsoever. Even so, Rossini’s actual opera is pretty darn funny and one of the most beloved comedic works in the operatic repertory. The plot itself is delightfully contrived. Count Almaviva is determined to win the heart of the beautiful Rosina. He needs to spirit her away from Dr. Bartolo, her wicked guardian. He seeks the help of — you guessed it — Figaro, the eponymous barber of Seville. Side-splitting complications ensue, all set to the tune of Rossini’s scintillating, sprightly music. (Even better? This opera actually has a happy ending!) This production features Lisa Marie Rogali as Rosina in her company debut. Filippo Fontana (an audience favorite) will return as Figaro. Feb. 22-March 29. Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance is known for its syncretistic collaborations between different artists, art forms and attitudes. Its 19th season is no exception. “The Barker Project,” Dec. 5-8, kicks it off — with a kick. This kinetic concert is bassist Johnnie Barker’s dazzling, improvisational collaboration with a cohort of talented musicians and the SCD dancers. Do they color outside genre lines? Absolutely. Barker’s song-and-dance gumbo will be rooted in jazz, and seasoned with a blend of funk, rock, blues and gospel. The dancers will be equally fluid in their genre-busting moves. Don’t be surprised when this show surprises you. Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance.org.
