The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Oct. 24-30


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  • | 10:00 a.m. October 22, 2024
The Headless Horseman haunts the Sarasota Polo Club grounds.
The Headless Horseman haunts the Sarasota Polo Club grounds.
Photo by Liz Ramos
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Thursday, Oct. 24

‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’
6 p.m. at Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane
$10-$25
Visit ThePlayers.org.

It wouldn’t be the spooky season without the Sarasota Players’ annual production of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” based on the Washington Irving story that follows schoolmaster Ichabod Crane as he battles his rival Brom Bones for the heart of Katrina. A costume contest will take place each night before the show. Bring your own chairs or blankets for seating. Runs through Oct. 26.


‘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. Stroll down Memory Lane with hits that ruled the Billboard Top 100 ranking, which debuted in 1958. Runs through Feb. 9. 


Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's "Soul Crooners: Solid Gold Edition" runs through Nov. 17.
Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine

‘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 show’s “Solid Gold Edition” was a hit at this summer’s International Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Runs through Nov. 17.


‘Nineteen’
7:30 p.m. at Tree Fort Productions, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail
$40
Visit TreeFortProductionsProjects.com.

Move over, “Suffs.” Sarasota’s got its own musical about the struggle for women’s suffrage. With her musical “Nineteen,” the multitalented Katherine Michelle Tanner celebrates the sacrifices and victories of suffragists on their long road to winning passage of the 19th amendment, ratified in 1920. Runs through Oct. 27.


Trezure B.Coles and Susanne 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 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. Runs through Dec. 1.

’The Lightning Thief’ 
7:30 p.m. at 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1105
$25-$35
Visit RiseAboveArts.com.

Rise Above Performing Arts presents the tale of a half-blood son of a Greek god who is accused of stealing Zeus’s master lightning bolt. Adapted from the best-selling book of the same name, “The Lightning Thief” stars local students and features a pulsating rock score. Runs through Oct. 27. 


Friday, Oct. 25

Boo! At The Bay will be held Oct. 25.

Boo! at The Bay | Family Halloween Celebration
6-8:30 p.m. at The Bay, Common Ground, 1055 Boulevardof the Arts
Free
Visit TheBaySarasota.org.

Join The Bay for trick-or-treating, free pumpkin pickings, yard games, a haunted decorated trail, a showing of "Despicable Me 4" and more. This event includes a sensory-friendly experience.


‘9 to 5: The Musical’
7:30. p.m. at the Venice Theatre's 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 by Dolly Parton, who also starred in the film with Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Dabney Coleman. The Venice Theatre production is one of the community theater’s many revivals during its 75th anniversary season. Runs through Nov. 24. 


Ricardo Graziano's "Amorosa" returns to the stage at Sarasota Ballet from Oct. 25-27 in the first program of the season.
Courtesy image

Program One: ‘Relative Works’
7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$35-$125
Visit SarasotaBallet.org.

Sarasota Ballet's Program One: “Relative Works" opens with Johan Kobborg’s production of “Napoli Act III,” which continues the legacy of Danish choreographer August Bournonville. It’s followed by Ricardo Graziano’s “Amorosa,” featuring striking red cosets for the women and black high-collared costumes for the men. The program closes with the world premiere of Jessica Lang’s “A Time of Beauty,” set to the music of George Frideric Handel. Runs through Sunday.


Saturday, Oct. 26

Ghoulfest Poker Run
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Must arrive by 12:30 p.m.) at 7177 Bee Ridge Road
$20 per vehicle driver (up to three passengers);$15 per passenger
Visit Zeffy.com.

Visit a variety of locations to try your hand at poker, with proceeds going to SRQVets. Each location will have two games for $1 a chance.


A scarecrow family appears to be having a great time at the Pumpkin Festival.
Photo by Ian Swaby

Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hunsader Farms, 5500 C.R. 675, Bradenton
$15; kids 10 and under free

The final two days of the 33rd annual Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festive is held. The festival features craft shows, live music, pumpkins, hayrides, pony rides, scarecrows, food and drinks, jugglers, and fresh produce. Parking is $5. Continues Sunday.


Sarasota Dog-a-Ween Costume Contest 
9-11 a.m. at Sarasota Farmer's Market, 1490 Main St.
Free
Visit Facebook.com.

Dogs can don Halloween costumes for a costume contest and parade at the Sarasota Farmer's Market Halloween Festival.


New College Art Professor Kim Anderson's paintings, which have a photo-like appearance, are part of the "Skyway" exhibition at the Sarasota Art Museum.
Courtesy image

'Skyway' art exhibition
10 a.m. at The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bayshore Road, and Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail
$30 at The Ringling (free Mondays); $15 at Sarasota Art Museum
Visit SkywayTampaBay.com.

The triennial contemporary Florida art exhibition encompasses five museums in the Tampa Bay area this year. Even if you don’t have time to visit all five “Skyway" museums, check out The Ringling Museum of Art and the Sarasota Art Museum. The Ringling features the multimedia works of 13 artists, running the gamut from Caitlin Albritton's whimsical jewelry to Kiko Kotani's breathtaking crocheted installations. SAM's juxtapositions of multimedia works speak to the important contributions of Florida immigrants including Havana native Tatiana Mesa Paján, Sue Havens, originally from Rochester, New York, and Kirk Ke Wong, who was born in Shanghai. Runs through Jan. 25 at The Ringling and Oct. 27 at SAM.


Boo! at the Bazaar
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime, 821 Apricot Ave.
Free
Visit HamletsEatery.com.

Celebrate Halloween with treats, live music and surprises throughout the Bazaar. Belle's Princess Parties brings favorite Disney princesses and villains.


‘Junie B. Jones: The Musical’
Noon at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave.
$12
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Who says musical theater is just for old folks? There’s plenty of song and dance on stage for kids at Florida Studio Theatre. FST’s new production, “Junie B. Jones: The Musical,” was adapted from the young adult books by Barbara Park. Join the heroine as she embarks upon a new school year, recording all her adventures in her Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal.


Halloween Bar Crawl 
3-11:30 p.m. at 1525 Fourth St., Unit B
$20-$25
Visit EventBrite.com.

The Downtown Crawlers host Sarasota's premier Halloween bar crawl, taking attendees through popular bars and restaurants in town.


Sunday, Oct. 27

Although some damage to glass panels from Hurricane Milton was seen in the Tropical Conservatory, the orchid show was still able to return on Oct. 17.
Photo by Ian Swaby

‘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 unveils its latest 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.


Selby Spooktacular 
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Selby Gardens Downtown Sarasota Campus, 1534 Mound St.
Free
Visit Selby.org.

This family-friendly Halloween event includes trick-or-treating, arts and crafts, fun and educational activities, and frightening-but-not-too-scary options for older children.


Tuesday, Oct. 29

Trick Or Treat on the Lake
5:30-8 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota
Free
Visit NathanBendersonPark.org.

Sponsored by Oak and Stone, Trick or Treat on the Lake offers trick-or-treating fun for the entire family. Come dressed in your spookiest, silliest, costumes to enjoy the themed booths and a candy trail that will include interactive play, storytelling, live music and a Halloween movie. Parking is $10.


Wednesday, Oct. 30

Forbidden Music in Pre-Nazi Germany
10:30 a.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St.
Free
Visit SarasotaMusicArchive.org.

Sarasota Music Archive presents a lecture by Robert Vodnoy, music director of the Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota, exploring the evolution of German music in the early 20th century from the creativity of the Weimar Republic to the repression and censorship of Nazi Germany.

 

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