The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Nov. 7-13


  • By
  • | 10:00 a.m. November 5, 2024
Sarasota Youth Opera will perform "The Hobbit" from Nov. 9-10 at Sarasota Opera House featuring a cast of 74 performers.
Sarasota Youth Opera will perform "The Hobbit" from Nov. 9-10 at Sarasota Opera House featuring a cast of 74 performers.
Image courtesy of Rod Millington
  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
  • Share

Thursday, Nov. 7

Sights and Sounds: 'A Salute To Veterans'
7 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.

The Sights and Sounds arts series continues with Strings Con Brio presenting "A Salute To Veterans" concert. Strings Con Brio Conductor Kenneth Bowermeister leads a concert of American music throughout history in honor of veterans. Patrons will hear music they know and love including titles from the American Civil War and the 1940s dance music of the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Strings Con Brio will perform all of the familiar armed forces signature songs as well as God Bless America and Stars and Stripes Forever. Limited seating is available, so please bring a lawn chair. No outside food or drinks permitted.


‘9 to 5: The Musical’
7:30 p.m. at the Raymond Center, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice
$15-$37
Visit VeniceTheatre.org.

This toe-tapping musical is based on “9 to 5,” a 1980 film about sexism in the office that featured the hit song of the same name written and recorded by Dolly Parton. Runs through Nov. 24. 


‘Merrily We Roll Along’
7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton
$40
Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com

Stephen Sondheim’s semi-autobiographical musical, “Merrily We Roll Along” explores the tumultuous relationship between composer Franklin Shepard and his two lifelong friends. Runs through Nov. 10.


Carson Collins and Katelyn Bowman star in Florida Studio Theatre's "Off the Charts," which runs through Feb. 9 at FST's Court Cabaret.
Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine

‘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. 


‘Soul Crooners: Solid Gold Edition’
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave. $22-$52
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.

Created and directed by Nate Jacobs, “The Soul Crooners” returns to Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s main stage for the first time since its 2009 premiere. The opening show of WBTT’s 25th anniversary season celebrates the soul music of the 1970s. Runs through Nov. 17.


Trezure B.Coles and Suzanne Grodner star in Urbanite Theatre's "Jennifer, Who is Leaving," which runs through Dec. 1.
Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine

‘Jennifer, Who is Leaving’
7:30 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St.
$5-$33
Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.

Directed by Celine Rosenthal, “Jennifer, Who is Leaving” is a comedy set in a Massachusetts donut shop about three overworked women. Urbanite Artistic Director Summer Dawn Wallace takes the stage as Jennifer, a caretaker doing her best to ignore her patient, Joey, played by Ned Averill-Snell. Working the night shift are Lili (Trezure B. Coles), whose mind is on her upcoming SAT, and Nan (Suzanne Grodner), whose husband keeps interrupting her shift with annoying calls. Runs through Dec. 1.


‘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 based on a 2007 film of the same name. Spoiler alert: Pie is always the answer! Runs through Dec. 29. 


Friday, Nov. 8

Movie in the Park: 'Inside Out'
6-9 p.m. at Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.

The family-friendly movie series continues with a showing of "Inside Out." The movie begins approximately at sunset. The event is sponsored by Grace Community Church, which will hand out one Chick-Fil-A sandwich to the first 300 attendees. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring a blanket and/or lawn chairs. Concessions available from We B’ Poppin Popcorn and Kettle Corn. Inflatables for the kids will be available from 6-7:30 pm.


Sarasota Rising Living Arts Festival Opening Party
7 p.m. at Art Ovation Hotel, 1255 N. Palm Ave.
Free
Visit SarasotaRising.org.

The first Living Arts Festival officially kicks off with a free opening night party in the lobby of the Art Ovation Hotel. Sample “A World of Entertainment” with performances by Sarasota Jewish Theater, Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota, Tania Vergara’s Endedans Contemporary Ballet and more. Festival runs through Nov. 17.


‘The Good Doctor’
7 p.m. at the Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130
$15-$25
Visit ThePlayers.org.

Sarasota Players presents its teen acting performers in “The Good Doctor,” a composite of Neil Simon and Anton Chekhov that is made up of six comic vignettes narrated by “The Writer.” Runs through Nov. 10. 


SCD In-Studio: Fall Performance
7 p.m. at Sarasota Contemporary Dance, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Suite 300
$20-$25
Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance.org.

Come see the Sarasota Contemporary Dance Ensemble, a training company for aspiring dancers under the direction of Xiao-Xuan Dancigers and Melissa Rummel, with the guidance of Sarasota Contemporary Dance Artistic Director Leymis Bolanos Wilmott. Runs through Nov. 9. 


Amor Towles, bestselling author of "A Gentleman in Moscow," will deliver a free lecture at the Venice Performing Arts Center Friday, Nov. 8, sponsored by Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources.
Courtesy image

Off the Page: Amor Towles
7 p.m. at Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave. Building 5, Venice
Free
Visit OffThePageFL.org.

How can you not love a writer named “Amor”? It’s destiny. Come see Amor Towles, author of bestsellers “Rules of Civility,” “A Gentleman in Moscow” and “The Lincoln Highway” talk about his craft and why he walked away from a finance career to become a man of letters. In retrospect, it looks like a smart move since his books have sold more than 8 million copies and won numerous awards. 


Masterworks 1: Going Places
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$29-$105
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

Welcome Giancarlo Guerrero as he conducts his first Masterworks concert since being named music director designate by the Sarasota Orchestra. The program includes Vadim Gluzman performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, and two Dvořák works: the "New World" Symphony and Carnival Overture. Runs through Nov. 10. 


International singer/songer Halie Loren plays Fogartyville on Friday, Nov. 8.

Halie Loren
8 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$34
Visit WSLR.org.

Singer/songwriter Halie Loren burst onto the music scene as a teenager in 2009 with her debut CD, “They Oughta Write a Song.” Since then, she has consistently crossed genres and languages to win fans and top charts all over the globe with 11 albums to date. 


Ringling Underground
8 p.m. at The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road
$15; Students free
Visit Ringling.org.

If you’re a student with an ID, you’ve got a place to get your groove on for free: Ringling Underground. But if you don’t like adult content, loud noise, flashing lights and uneven terrain, this isn’t the party for you. November’s lineup includes headliner HuDost, Divine AF’s and Gabe Hernandez.


Saturday, Nov. 9

Sarasota Medieval Fair
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Woods of Mallaranny, 29847 S.R. 70, Myakka City
$24.95; seniors, students and military $21.95; children $14.95
Visit SarasotaMedievalFair.com.

The Sarasota Medieval Fair continues its 2024 run, which continues every Saturday and Sunday in November, along with Veterans Day. A wide range of family-friendly activities include jousting and human chess performances, fun food (including the classic turkey legs), a children's realm area, local artesans and craft demonstrations, rides and games, and vendors. 


‘The Hobbit’
5 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$15-$30
Visit SarasotaOpera.org

Sarasota Youth Opera presents Dean Burry’s “The Hobbit,” with all 74 members of its company on stage. Sarasota Youth Opera commissioned Burry to write orchestrations for the prelude to J.R. Tolkien’s classic “The Lord of the Rings” because the original “Hobbit” was written for piano only. Runs through Nov. 10.


Sunday, Nov. 10

Great Balls of Fire and Patriotic Salute
3 and 7 p.m. Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Building 5, Venice
$35- $65
Visit ThePopsOrchestra.org.

Jason Cohen pays tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis as Robyn Bell leads The Pops Orchestra in a double-barreled concert honoring the virtuoso pianist who was rock ‘n’ roll’s first wild man as well as those who have served their country. The show continues at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 11 at SCF Neel Performing Arts Center, 5840 26th St., W., Bradenton.


Monday, Nov. 11

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

Jazz Club of Sarasota presents Brandon Robertson, an Emmy-nominated music director and bassist originally from Tampa. Currently the director of Jazz Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University, Robertson is also the music director of the Artis-Naples jazz youth orchestra. He has performed in festivals and concerts through the U.S. and Europe. Doors open at 6:30 for food and beverage service.


Tuesday, Nov. 12

The Zota Quartet, presented by Perlman Music Suncoast, perform at The Ringling on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Zota Quartet
Noon at The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road
Free with admission
Visit Ringling.org.

Perlman Music Suncoast presents the Zota Quartet, whose members met in 2023 at the Perlman Music Program Chamber Music Workshop. All four members — Clara Neubauer and Tong Chen on violin, Cassia Drake on viola and Connor Kim on cello — are passionate about chamber music. The program features Debussy’s String Quartet in G minor, Op. 10 and Felix Mendelssohn’s String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 13. 

 

Latest News

Sponsored Content