The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Jan. 2-8


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  • | 10:00 a.m. December 31, 2024
The Whitney Houston tribute show, "The Greatest Love of All," comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Jan. 3.
The Whitney Houston tribute show, "The Greatest Love of All," comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Jan. 3.
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Thursday, Jan. 2

Perlman Music Program: Classical For Kids
11 a.m. at USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail
Free
Visit PerlmanMusicProgramSuncoast.org.

It’s the most wonderful time of year — when the Perlman Music Program comes to town for its winter residency. Founded 20 years ago by virtuoso violinist Itzhak Perlman and his wife Toby, PMP Suncoast brings together 32 gifted young musicians to receive mentoring and performance experience. For music lovers, that means free admission to rehearsals, master classes and works in progress in a heated tent with great accessibility for those with wheelchairs and walkers. The residency runs through Jan. 10.


Wonderland Circus: ‘Illuminate’
2 and 6 p.m. at the Big Top at UTC, 195 University Town Center Drive
$30-$100
Visit CircusArts.org.

Nothing says the holidays like the circus, especially when the star is Sarasota’s hometown hero, Nik Wallenda. For the second year in a row, superstar aerialist Wallenda teams up with the Circus Arts Conservatory to present “Illuminate,” a fresh show for the whole family that’s got all the holidays covered. Runs through Sunday.


Asolo Repertory Theatre's "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" runs through Jan. 5.
Image courtesy of Adrian Van Stee


‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’
7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$35-$98
Visit AsoloRep.org.

Not just another jukebox musical, Asolo Repertory Theatre's production of "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" tells the story of King's life, from her early days churning out songs with then-husband Gerry Goffin for other artists to her rise as the voice of her generation. Runs through Sunday.


‘Off the Charts’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St.
$18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

The creative team behind Florida Studio Theatre’s popular cabaret series is at again with “Off the Charts.” Richard and Rebecca Hopkins and Sarah Durham take the audience on a tour of 20th-century pop music with arrangements by Jim Prosser. Runs through Feb. 9. 


'59th Street Bridge’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave.
$18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Feelin' groovy? Simon & Garfunkel fans know that expression in the hit song that gives this cabaret show its title. Florida Studio Theatre pays tribute to early folk-rock artists such as John Denver, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. Continues through March 30.


Michelle Heera Kim and Rona Figueroa star in "The Heart Sellers," which runs through Feb. 16 at FST's Keating Theatre.
Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine


‘The Heart Sellers’
8 p.m. at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave.
$25-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Take a time trip back to Thanksgiving 1973 when a chance meeting between two recent Asian immigrants develops into an unexpected friendship. Kate Alexander directs this heartwarming tale about the search for acceptance by newcomers to America. Runs through Feb. 16. 


‘Waitress’
8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St.
$39-$59
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

For fans of Sara Bareilles, Florida Studio Theatre’s production of “Waitress” needs no introduction. The Grammy-winning singer/songwriter wrote the music and lyrics for this hit Broadway musical. Spoiler alert: Pie is always the answer! Runs through Jan. 12. 


Friday, Jan. 3

BrickUniverse LEGO Fan Expo 
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30-5 p.m. at Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd.
$12.99
Visit EventBrite.com.

Explore creations by major Lego artists including Paul Hetherington of Canada, Lia Chan of Dallas, Texas, and Ethen Teeters of Orlando; make your own creations in a building zone, and view rare minifigures, discontinued sets, custom accessories, and more. Continues 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30-4 p.m. Saturday.


Shinique Smith's "Parade" is on exhibition at The Ringling Art Museum through Jan. 5.
Courtesy image


‘Shinique Smith: Parade’
10 a.m. at The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road
Free with admission; Mondays free
Visit Ringling.org.

The yearlong, groundbreaking exhibition of Shinique Smith’s colorful fabric sculptures in dialogue with The Ringling’s Renaissance masterpieces is coming to a close. The cross-cultural conversation embodies the universality of the human experience while incorporating voices of the African American diaspora and circus. The end result is nothing short of monumental. Runs through Sunday.


‘The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston’
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$30-$75
Visit VanWezel.org.

“The Great Love of All” was the name of one of the late Whitney Houston’s hit songs, but it could also describe the way her fans feel about her more than a decade after her death. The daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston and the niece of pop singer Dionne Warwick, Houston remains one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with sales of over 220 million records worldwide.


‘Spaceman’
7:30 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St.
$5-$44
Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.

Leegrid Stevens’ play follows a female astronaut (Terri Weagant) who travels to Mars after her husband’s failed attempt to reach the Red Planet. Be prepared for a “sense-surround” experience in Urbanite’s black-box theater. Runs through Feb. 16. 


Saturday, Jan. 4

Orchid Delirium: Sarasota Orchid Society Annual Show and Sale
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail
$5
Visit SarasotaOrchidSociety.org.

Over 20 vendors will fill the auditorium with thousands of blooming orchid plants and displays, judged by accredited American Orchid Society judges. Also, enjoy educational orchid culture classes, accessories, growing supplies for sale, raffles, and experts on-site to answer questions. Continues 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.


‘Aesop’s Fables’
10 a.m. and noon at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave.
$12
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

During the school break, there’s the eternal problem of what to do with the kids. Turn off their electronic devices and bring them down to Florida Studio Theatre for a fun, affordable show of “Aesop’s Fables.” They’ll learn that donkeys and asses (animals that turns up frequently in the fables) have been with us for a ong time. Runs weekends through Feb. 2.


Valerie Fagan, Adrianne Hick, Kimberly Ann Harris and Teri Adams were in the South Carolina cast of "Menopause The Musical 2 - Cruising Through the Change," which plays the Van Wezel Jan. 4.
Image courtesy of Scott Smalin


‘Menopause the Musical 2’
2 and 7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$35-$75
Visit VanWezel.org.

The sequel to “Menopause the Musical” has a tagline of “Cruising Through the Change” and is set on a cruise ship. Bring your friends for a trip on the S.S. Menopause with frank talk and fun performances by a four-woman crew that includes local favorite Melanie Souza. Who knew hot flashes could be so much fun? 

 

Sunday, Jan. 5

'Joe Fig’s Contemplating Vermeer'
10 a.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail
Free with admission
Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.

“Joe Fig: Contemplating Vermeer” brings the concept of meta (the thing inside the thing) to the museum world. Before or after a tour of the museum’s galleries, grab a bite or a freshly brewed cappuccino at the Bistro. To riff on street artist Banksy, exit through the gift shop, where you'll find “Contemplating Vermeer” mugs for sale. Runs through April 13. 


The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit MyLWR.com.

The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch, which was voted as the top farmers market in Florida for the second year in a row, will run year-round every Sunday. Vendors will be offering seafood, eggs, meats, dairy products, pastas, bakery goods, jams and pickles, among other items. Other features are children’s activities and live music.


Discoveries: 'Mozart on the Road'
4 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$25 and up
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

Sarasota Orchestra presents a program by guest conductor David Alan Miller dedicated to Mozart’s peripatetic youth, when he traveled to the capitals of Europe to perform. The focus on musical prodigies continues with 15-year-old Anwen Deng, who performs a movement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20, as well as the world premiere of a Mozart-inspired work by 13-year-old composer Isaac Thomas.


Monday, Jan. 6

The Market on Longboat Key
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
Free
Visit Facebook.com.

Join the fun every first and third Monday, December through April. Try the many food trucks while you do your local shopping. You will find artists, apparel, sandals, fresh flowers, plants and more. Follow The Market on Longboat Key or Markets by Nancy on Facebook and Instagram to see who will be there and what they will be bringing. You can also preorder pies, cakes and breads to be ready and waiting upon your arrival.


Uptown
7:30 p.m. at Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave. Building 5, Venice
$56
Visit VeniceTheatre.org.

Venice Theatre presents Uptown, a group of guys from New York City who combine the smooth stylings of R&B with the music of today. Producers are promising ‘a perfect mix of Bruno Mars-caliber stage presence with the vocals of Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye.” Let’s see if they deliver.


Tuesday, Jan. 7

America and the World in 2025 
3 p.m. at The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
$25; members $20
Visit TBIEducationCenter.org.

What will be the biggest challenges for America and the world in 2025, given the results and impact of the presidential election? Students will be encouraged to give their input and feedback to lecturer Michael Gibson, a foreign affairs consultant specializing in relations with China and East Asia.


The Aznavroorian Sisters perform Monday, Jan. 7, at First Congregational Church.
Courtesy image


Aznavoorian Sisters
7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Christ, 1031 S. Euclid Ave.
$43
Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.

Ani and Marta Aznavoorian made their first appearance on the cello and piano, respectively, when they were just 4 and 8. The sisters have since racked up a slew of awards and performed at the White House, Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. This Artist Series Concerts program includes Robert Schumann’s Piano Quintet with Sarasota Orchestra concert master Daniel Jordan and Shawn Weil on violin and Philip Payton on viola. 


Wednesday, Jan. 8

Pianist Wu Han and Cellist David Finckel
10:30 a.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St.
Free with registration
Visit SarasotaMusicArchive.org.

Sarasota Music Archive presents Wu Han, acclaimed pianist and artistic director of La Musica Chamber Music, and her husband, world-renowned cellist David Finckel, for a musical preview of La Musica’s upcoming season.

 

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