- December 23, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
Arts Advocates Luncheon: 55th Anniversary Celebration
11 a.m. at Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd.
$45-$55
Visit ArtsAdvocates.org.
The arts are a driving force of Sarasota’s economy and the group Arts Advocates has been a major source of support to the cultural community for 55 years. Kathryn Chesley will portray artist Martha Hartman, who founded the Sarasota Petticoat Painters in 1953 and co-founded the Hartman School of Arts with her husband in 1951. There will be an auction for one of Hartman’s original paintings.
‘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 Jan. 5, 2025.
‘Syncopation’
7:30 at Venice Theatre’s Pinkerton Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice
$15-$37
Visit VeniceTheatre.org.
Starring Megan Hendrick and Jared Inman, “Syncopation” is set in 1911 and tells the story of a meatpacker’s efforts to find a suitable partner to help him launch a career as a ballroom dancer. Runs through Sunday.
‘Jennifer, Who is Leaving’
7:30 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St.
$5-$33
Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.
Directed by Asolo Repertory Theatre Associate Artistic Director Celine Rosenthal, “Jennifer Who is Leaving” is a comedy set in a Massachusetts donut shop about three overworked women. If you’ve ever dreamed about escaping housekeeping or caretaking duties (even just for an hour or so), this is the show for you. Runs through Dec. 1.
‘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, 2025.
‘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. Spoiler alert: Pie is always the answer! Runs through Jan. 5, 2025.
Purple! The 2024 Orchid Show
10 a.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St.
$28
Visit Selby.org.
It’s the most wonderful time of year — when Marie Selby Botanical Gardens presents its annual orchid show. The theme of this year’s show, presented by Better Gro, is “Purple!” Don’t be a shrinking violet; come see an astonishing display of purple orchids in the Tropical Conservatory along with an exhibition of books, prints, photographs and other materials in the Museum of Botany & The Arts. Stop by the Green Orchid, the world’s first net-positive energy restaurant, for a tasty lunch presented by Michael's on East. Runs through Dec. 5.
‘Parade: A Performance by Shinique Smith’
11 a.m. at The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road
$5-$25
Visit Ringling.org.
What’s better than the juxtaposition of Shinique Smith’s colorful fabric sculptures and The Ringling’s Renaissance masterpieces? The artist herself leading her own “Parade." In this live event, performers will move through The Ringling’s galleries and interact with each other and Smith’s sculptural works as attendees watch from seats on the side. After the “Parade” has passed, audience members will gather in the Museum of Art’s courtyard for the grand finale.
Wonderland Circus: ‘Illuminate’
7 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 hometown hero Nik Wallenda. For the second year in a row, Wallenda teams up with the Circus Arts Conservatory to present a fresh circus show that’s got all the December holidays covered. The theme of this year’s Wonderland circus is “Illuminate.” Runs through Jan. 5, 2025.
'Giselle'
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$35-$115
Visit SarasotaBallet.org.
Sarasota Ballet's production of Sir Peter Wright's "Giselle" will feature three different couples as the peasant girl and her beloved Count Albrecht — Jennifer Hackbarth and Ricardo Rhodes, Jessica Assef and Luke Schaufuss, and Macarena Giminez and Maximiliano Iglesias. Led by guest conductor Ormsby Wilkins, Sarasota Orchestra will play Adolph Adam's score for the ballet. Continues Saturday.
Ferraris on the Circle
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Armands Circle Park,1 St. Armands Circle
Free
Visit StArmandsCircleAssoc.com.
Stroll through St. Armands Circle Park while enjoying Ferraris of all ages during this fun, free event. A minimum donation of $50 is requested to show your car. All proceeds benefit Flight to the North Pole, a charity that provides financial and emotional support to terminally ill children and their families in Sarasota/Manatee Counties. For more information or to register, call Joe Gliksman at 863-860-1053.
Sailor Circus Gold Troupe: Zodiac
1 and 5 p.m. at Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St.
$10-$30
Visit CircusArts.org.
Where do tomorrow’s circus stars come from? From far-flung places like Mongolia, Russia and Argentina. But many come from right here in Sarasota, where they train at the Circus Arts Conservatory. See the next generation of aerialists, jugglers and clowns in the Sailor Circus Troupe.
Light Up Longboat
5:30-7:30 p.m. at Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
Free
Call 383-2466.
Join the town of Longboat Key at the Karon Family Pavilion for the 6th annual Light Up Longboat event. Join Santa, Minnie and Mickey Mouse to celebrate the start of the season with a special tree-lighting ceremony. There will be food, treats, shopping, raffle giveaways and live music by Big Z and Tim Michael McCaig. The Rotary Club of Longboat Key will be collecting unwrapped children's gifts for Hope Family Services in Bradenton.
'Voices of Azara'
7 p.m. at Ovation Black Box Theater, 4602 E. State Road 64, Bradenton
$28-$30
Visit AzaraBallet.org.
The contemporary dance company Azara Ballet led by Kate Flowers kicks off its second season with four unique works created by its professional dancers, including “Dance Party,” choreographed by company co-founder Martin Roosaare. Continues Sunday.
Patti Smith: A Book of Days
10 a.m. at Selby Gardens Historic Spanish Point, 401 N Tamiami Trail, Osprey
Included with $20 admission
Visit Selby.org.
Selby Gardens collaborates with poet and musician Patti Smith, its artist-in-residence, on an outdoor exhibition of large prints taken from her newly published bestseller, “A Book of Days.” By displaying her photographs outdoors, Selby brings them into a conversation with nature. Runs through Aug. 31, 2025.
Excelsis Percussion Quartet
4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak St.
$43-$63
Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.
Artist Series Concerts presents the winner of the 2024 Chamber Music America Artistic Projects Grant. Excelsis Percussion Quartet is made up of four women — Marcelina Suchocka, Aya Kaminaguchi, Britton-Renee Collins and Mariana Ramirez.
'Skyway' art exhibition
10 a.m. at The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bayshore Road
Included with $30 admission (free Mondays)
Visit SkywayTampaBay.com.
The triennial contemporary Florida art exhibition “Skyway” encompassed five museums in the Tampa Bay area this year. Some of the shows have closed, but there’s still time to see the one at The Ringling Museum of Art. It features the multimedia works of 13 artists, running the gamut from Caitlin Albritton's whimsical jewelry to Kiko Kotani's breathtaking crocheted installations. Runs through Jan. 25, 2025.
Ives and Schoenberg at 150
7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 1031 Euclid Ave.
$10-$30
Visit EnSRQ.org.
Not sure if you like contemporary classical music? There’s one way to find out: Attend a concert by ensembleNewSRQ, the group founded by former Sarasota Orchestra members Samantha Bennett (violin) and George Nickson (percussion). Now in its ninth season, ensembleNewSRQ brings its fresh, innovative approach to the works of Ives and Schoenberg, who were born a month apart in 1874. Stephen Drury will make his ensembleNewSRQ debut with a performance of Ives’ “Piano Sonata No. 2” while local vocalist Thea Lobo will perform Schoenberg’s “Pierrot lunaire.” Meet the artists at the reception after the concert.
Monday Night Jazz at the Cabaret
7:30 p.m. at FST's Court Cabaret, 1265 First St.
$34-$39
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
In the theater world, Mondays are traditionally a “dark” night. Not so in Sarasota’s jazz community, where Jazz Club of Sarasota hosts Monday Night Jazz at the Cabaret in partnership with Florida Studio Theatre. This week's show features Hot Club SRQ, which plays Gypsy jazz. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for food and beverage service.
'A Motown Christmas'
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
$22-$57
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
You don’t have to be old enough to remember the Jackson Five singing its version of “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” to appreciate Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s “Motown Christmas." Take time out from decorating the metallic Mid Century Modern tree and head over to this energetic program of Hitsville holiday favorites guaranteed to warm the hearts of any Grinch. Runs through Jan. 5, 2025.
