The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Aug. 1-7


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  • | 10:00 a.m. July 30, 2024
Take a break from hurricane troubles with FST Improv's "Out of Bounds,"  Saturday, Oct. 11 at FST's Bowne's Lab.
Take a break from hurricane troubles with FST Improv's "Out of Bounds," Saturday, Oct. 11 at FST's Bowne's Lab.
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Thursday, Aug. 1

Summer Circus Spectacular
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota
$20 adults; $15 kids
Visit Ringling.org.

If you’ve never seen a performance in The Ringling’s jewelbox venue, the Historic Asolo Theater, here’s your chance. Presided over by Ringmaster Jared Walker, the Summer Circus Spectacular includes contortionist Uranbileg Angarag, acrobatic hand balancers The Bello Sisters, hair hang artist Camille Langlois, slack wire performer Antino Pansa and clown Renaldo, a veteran of the Big Apple Circus. Runs through Aug. 17.


The Music of Laurel Canyon’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret,1265 First St., Sarasota
$18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

If you know, you know. But not everyone knows about Laurel Canyon, the neighborhood above West Hollywood's Sunset Strip that became home to folk musicians such as Joni Mitchell, Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young and The Mamas and the Papas. Runs through Sept. 1. 


‘The Outsider’
8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St., Sarasota
$29-$46
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

After the last few weeks in politics, we could all use some laughs. Florida Studio Theatre serves up a comedy about the world’s least likely candidate for governor who just might be exactly what the voters want. Let’s hear it for democracy! Runs through Aug. 18.


‘Dear Jack, Dear Louise’
8 p.m. at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota
$29-$46
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Acclaimed playwright Ken Ludwig tells the story of his parents’ courtship during World War II. The play follows U.S. Army Capt. Jack Ludwig, a military doctor stationed in Oregon, who begins a life-changing pen-pal relationship with Louise Rabiner, an aspiring actress living in the Big Apple. Runs through Aug. 11.


Friday, Aug. 2

Opening reception for 'Metallic Mirage'
6 p.m. at Define Art Gallery + Studio, 68 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota
Free
Visit DefineGallery.com.

Define Art Gallery and other downtown Sarasota galleries are keeping alive the tradition of the First Friday Artwalk. Define’s opening showcases metallic artwork in a variety of mediums, from gold and silver leaf to iridescent paints and metal. The gallery recently added three new artists to its roster: Eddie McClure of Parrish, Robert Davis of Orlando and Odilia Iaccarino of Dallas. On view through Sept. 27.


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

Country singer Jesse Daniels, who also performs rock and soul, is the featured artist at the Music on Main, the monthly free concert and block party series that is presented by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities. The event also features food vendors, beer and wine trucks, sponsor booths, and games and activities for the kids presented by Grace Community Church. Proceeds from the event benefit the MVP Feel Good Fund.


Judy Garland stars in "A Star is Born," which plays Aug. 2 in the Sarasota Opera's series, Classic Movies at the Opera House.
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Classic Movies at the Opera House: ‘A Star is Born’
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
$12
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.

There have been several big-screen versions of “A Star is Born,” but this 1954 film is the one on the American Film Institute’s list of the Greatest Movie Musicals (No. 7) as well as the U.S. National Film Registry. Starring Judy Garland and James Mason, this musical drama follows a romance between a movie star whose career is waning and a showgirl whose star is on the rise.


Saturday, Aug. 3

Public Turtle Walks
6:45 a.m. at 4795 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key
Free
Visit LBKTurtleWatch.com.

Learn about protecting sea turtles. Participants will learn about turtle tracks and how volunteers scout the beaches for signs of turtle nesting. The walk will also provide information about keeping beaches safe for sea turtles. Arrive by 6:45 a.m. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes and bring water and sunscreen. No unattended children. In the event of severe weather, the walk may be canceled.


Olympic Rowing Watch Party
1-4 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota
Free
Visit NathanBendersonPark.org.

The park hosts an Olympic rowing watch party with the feature race featuring the U.S. Men's Eight race on a Jumbotron. The race from the Paris Olympics features Sarasota rower Clark Dean. The event is presented by Realtor Jimmy Dean, NBP Board Member Louis Kosiba, and Michael Saunders and Company. Sarasota Crew will offer learn-to-row demonstrations. Food trucks, beer and wine sales by Oak & Stone, s steel drummer and inflatable kids games also will be featured.


‘Fast Times at John Hughes High’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St., Sarasota
$15-$18
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Inspired by 1980s classic teen movies such as “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” “The Breakfast Club” and “Risky Business,” FST Improv will create its own story of teenage angst and big hair in “Fast Times at John Hughes High.” (The high school’s name is a nod to the director who gave “Brat Pack” actors such as Molly Ringwold, Rob Lowe and Emilio Estevez their start.)


Canadian jazz singer Emilie-Claire Barlow plays Fogartyville on Aug. 3.
Image courtesy of Emilie-Claire Barlow

Emilie-Claire Barlow
8 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota
$14-$34
Visit WSLR.org.

Canadian jazz singer Emilie-Claire Barlow has released 12 self-produced albums and has picked up two Juno awards (Canada's answer to the Grammy) along the way. She brings her considerable talents to Fogartyville to support her new album, “Spark Bird.”


Sunday, Aug. 4

The Metropolitan Opera's performance of "Il trovatore" plays at HD at the Opera House on Aug. 4 at the Sarasota Opera House.
Courtesy image

HD at the Opera House: ‘Il trovatore’
1:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
$12-$20
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.

In this film from the Metropolitan Opera’s 2015-16 season, Anna Netreboko plays Leonora, a young noblewoman in love with the titular troubadour (tenor Yonghoon Lee), but who is the object of desire of Count di Luna, sung by Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Rounding out the cast is Dolora Zajick in her signature role of Azucena, a gypsy woman.


Monday, Aug. 5

Monday Night Jazz at the Cabaret
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St., Sarasota
$34-$39
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

The Jazz Club of Sarasota keeps the music going during the sizzling days of summer with the MJR Latin Project featuring Pablo Arencibia, Zach Bornheimer, Andy Fornet, Carlos Javier Navarro and Mauricio Rodriguez. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for dinner and bar service.

 

Tuesday, Aug. 6

Pop-up Library
10-11:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
Free
Call 941-861-5475.

On the first and third Tuesday of each month in the back parking lot of Town Hall, the Library Pop-Up will be at Longboat Key with books for all ages. Swing by to sign up for a library card and read a book by the beach. 

The Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons tribute show, "The Four C Notes," plays at FST's Goldstein Cabaret through Oct. 13.
Courtesy image

‘The Four C Notes’
8 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota
$18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

For fans of Frank Valli and the Four Seasons, the doo-wop sound never goes out of style. With “The Four C Notes,” Florida Studio Theatre continues the tradition of presenting summer cabaret shows inspired by “Jersey Boys” and starring performers from the Broadway smash hit’s touring production. Runs through Oct. 13.


Wednesday, Aug. 7

Synia Carroll performs at Sarasota Music Archive's Jazz Happy Hour at Selby Library on Aug. 7.
Courtesy image

Sarasota Music Archive Jazz Happy Hour
6 p.m. at Geldbart Auditorium, Selby Library, 1331 First St., Sarasota
Free
Visit JazzHappyHour.org.

Sarasota Music Archive presents Synia Carroll, a local favorite who lit up the lobby at the Art Ovation Hotel during the Sarasota Jazz Festival, singing “Water Is My Song: A Jazz Journey” with Mauricio Rodriguez on bass and Chuck Stevens on guitar


Green Day’s ‘American Idiot’
7:30 p.m. at The Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130, Sarasota
$30; students $13
Visit ThePlayers.org.

Broadway director and playwright Michael Mayer ("Spring Awakening," "Hedwig and the Angry Inch") collaborated with Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong and distilled this Grammy Award-winning album into a rock opera. "American Idiot," directed by Brian Finnerty, is just the cure for the summertime blues. Runs through Aug. 18.

 

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