- December 23, 2024
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Photographer E.A. Kahane’s “Come Join the Parade!” documents 25 years of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade at Art Center Sarasota. Kahane’s photo series captures the mercurial magic from a unique vantage point — her third-floor window. Prancing ponies, dazzling floats and balloon incarnations of Underdog, Superman, and Snoopy — all the usual (and unusual) suspects are here. It’s an intimate glimpse of this beloved New York City tradition. Kahane’s work can be found in prestigious collections, international exhibitions — and Art Center Sarasota, for a brief time only. Don’t let her photographic parade pass you by. December 5-January 18. Visit ArtSarasota.org.
August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “Fences” explores themes of family, racial identity and personal achievement. The protagonist, Troy Maxson, is a former Negro League baseball player, whose dreams were dashed when he became too old to play professionally in the years after Jackie Robinson integrated baseball. Now a garbage collector, Troy tries to protect his son, Cory, from similar disappointment — but he crushes his son’s dreams of football glory instead. Troy’s bottled-up bitterness ultimately drives a wedge between himself and his family but, for all his flaws, he’s still an epic hero. Director Jim Weaver will reveal the tragic missteps of Troy’s journey as he brings Wilson’s words to life. January 5- February 23 at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
Talk about creating memorable experiences. Sarasota Concert Association’s “An Evening with Yo-Yo Ma” features the legendary cellist enthralling area audiences with an evening of music and conversation. The program includes selections of Ma’s favorite works, including Dvorák’s Cello Concerto and Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 in G Minor. Between performances, Ma will reflect on his life in music and explore how this art form shapes our understanding of art, humanity and life. Known for fostering human connections, Ma will share insights on the power of music to foster hope and strengthen communities. February 27, 7:30 p.m., at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Visit SCASarasota.org.
“Waitress: The Musical” serves up pie, love and magic at Florida Studio Theatre. Based on Adrienne Shelly’s beloved 2007 film, the musical features compositions and lyrics by Grammy-winner Sara Bareilles and a script by Jessie Nelson. The show’s story follows Jenna, a waitress trapped in a loveless marriage. An expert pie maker, Jenna seizes the chance to reclaim her life through a baking contest, finding friendship, romance and the courage to pursue her dreams. It’s not all sweetness and light. The musical balances humor and relatable relationships with darker notes of domestic abuse and infidelity. But, in the end, love conquers all. That’s baked into the story — and Bareilles and Nelson don’t mess with the recipe. Through Dec. 29. Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Sarasota Orchestra’s “TV Tunes and Treasures” tunes into the music of the boob tube. And, yes, you’ve probably heard it before. Most of us were imprinted with the TV show theme songs of our childhood. For those with Boomer birthdays, the tunes could be the themes from “Popeye,” “The Flintstones” or “Gilligan’s Island.” Most Gen-Xers could sing the “Animaniacs” manic musical mantra in their sleep. Whatever your age, instrumentals like the “Downton Abbey” theme burn themselves into your brain as well. Once the tune starts playing in your brain, there’s no stopping it. So why fight it? Sarasota Orchestra invites audiences to dig into this big bowl of ear candy and enjoy the sugar rush of pure nostalgia that comes with it. January 15-19. Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
