The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Sept. 5-11


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  • | 10:00 a.m. September 3, 2024
Harold Newton's 1960 painting, "Clouds over the Coast," is part of the "The Florida Highwaymen: Interstate Connections," which runs through Sept. 15 at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
Harold Newton's 1960 painting, "Clouds over the Coast," is part of the "The Florida Highwaymen: Interstate Connections," which runs through Sept. 15 at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
Photo by Monica Roman Gagnier
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Thursday, Sept. 5

Modern Works Festival
2 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St., Sarasota
Festival pass $45-$57
Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.

This fifth annual installment of Urbanite Theatre’s Modern Works Festival features the new works of emerging female playwrights. The three finalists are Lia Romeo’s “A Nice Motherly Person,” Baylee Schlichtman’s “In the Mouth of the Beast" and Sarah Elizabeth Grace’s “I’m Saving You a Seat." At the end, panelists, attendees and guest adjudicators will vote for their favorite new work and the winner will take home a prize of $3,200. Award-winning playwright Lauren Gunderson is the keynote speaker. Runs through Sept. 8.


‘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 Four Seasons tribute shows inspired by “Jersey Boys” and starring performers from the Broadway smash hit’s touring production. Runs through Oct. 13.


Friday, Sept. 6

New exhibitions: Precious Darling, Tanner Simon and Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County
10 a.m. at Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Free
Visit ArtCenterSarasota.org.

Art Center Sarasota’s latest round of exhibitions features artists Precious Darling, Tanner Simon and teens from the Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County. Darling’s show, “How He Sees Me,” uses black-and-white photography and sculpture to focus on the way women are viewed while Simon’s “Big Soup, Big Responsibility” explores the intersection of humor, seriousness and the absurd with large-scale paintings. All three exhibitions run through Sept. 28.


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

Cassie Jean and The Fireflies entertain the crowd with folk, rock and Americana during the monthly free concert and block party. The September event benefits the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation. Also featured are local food vendors, beer and wine trucks, sponsors booths and games and activities for the kids presented by Grace Community Church. 


‘The Mousetrap’
7:30 p.m. at the Pinkerton Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice
$35
Visit VeniceTheatre.org.

Scott Keys directs the Venice Theatre’s production of Agatha Christie’s murder mystery, which has been playing in London’s West End since November 1952. Runs through Sept. 15.


Saturday, Sept. 7

Exotic Cars on the Circle
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on St. Armands Circle Park, 1 St. Armands Circle
Free
Visit StArmandsCircleAssoc.com.

Exotic Cars on the Circle comes back to St. Armands with a display of exotic supercars for all to enjoy. Sponsored by Ferrari Drivers SRQ, the event benefits Flight to the North Pole, which provides financial and emotional support to local terminally ill children.


FST Improv plays "Comedy Lottery" Saturdays through Sept. 28 at FST's Bowne's Lab.
Courtesy image


Comedy Lottery
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St., Sarasota
$15-$18
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Everyone’s a winner in this FST Improv show where audience members select the night’s lineup of games replete with scenes, sketches and songs designed to provoke laughter. Runs Saturdays through Sept. 28.


Monday, Sept. 9

Ballet and Theater Open House
10 a.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Free
Visit AsoloRep.org.

The three arts organizations of the FSU Center for the Performing Arts — Sarasota Ballet, Asolo Repertory Theatre and FSU/Asolo Conservatory — welcome the community to the building and show what they have to offer. The schedule includes a ‘Meet the Leadership’ panel with Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Peter Rothstein, Sarasota Ballet Director Iain Webb and Interim Conservatory Director Marcus Denard Johnson. The panel will be moderated by ABC 7’s Mike Modrick. There will also be presentations throughout the day by each arts organization. Food will be available for purchase from Empanada Girl food truck. 


Akiko Kotani's 2023 work of crocheted crepe satin, "Neon Forest," is on display at The Ringling Museum's "Skyway" exhibition through Jan. 26.
Courtesy image


'Skyway' art exhibition
10 a.m. at The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bayshore Road, and the Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Free with admission
Visit SkywayTampaBay.com.

The triennial contemporary Florida art exhibition “Skyway” encompasses five museums in the Tampa Bay area. Even if you don’t have time to visit all five, 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.


Tuesday, Sept. 10

Decades Rewind: ‘All That Music’
2 and 7 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton
$32-$40
Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com.

Jukebox Revolution’s live eight-piece band follows the history of the golden years of rock ‘n’ roll — the ‘60s ‘70s and 80s.


Wednesday, Sept. 11

Members of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office perform the 21-gun salute on Sept. 11, 2023.
Photo by Ian Swaby

Remembrance Ceremony of September 11th, 2001
8:30 a.m. at USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus, 8360 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Free
Visit VisitSarasota.com.

USF Sarasota-Manatee and the Office of Veteran Success invite the public to attend this remembrance ceremony for Sept. 11, 2001.


‘The Florida Highwaymen: Interstate Connections’
10 a.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota
$28
Visit Selby.org.

As the title of Selby Gardens’ latest exhibition, “The Florida Highwaymen: Interstate Connections,” indicates, the show links the pioneering work done by Black artists on Florida’s East Coast with simultaneous efforts to desegregate Lido Beach in Sarasota. Runs through Sept. 15. 

 

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