The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Sept. 26-Oct. 2

Thursday, Sept. 26

‘The Torch Bearers’ 
Venice Theatre’s Raymond Center, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice
$15-$35
Visit VeniceTheatre.org. 

The Venice Theatre celebrates its 75th anniversary by reviving its first show. Written by George Kelly in 1922, “The Torch Bearers” is a play within a play about a community theater. The Venice Theatre’s “origin story” features an ensemble cast including Kevin Fewell, Paul Hutchison, Tan Selby, Nancy Denton, Colette Wheeler and other local thespians. Runs through Oct. 13. 

Jamie Lissow
7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
$37
Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

Jamie Lissow is a regular on Fox’s late-night talk show, “Gutfeld!” and starred for two seasons on Netflix’s “Real Rob” alongside such “Saturday Night Live" veterans Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler and Norm MacDonald. Runs through Sept. 28.

‘The Fantasticks’
7 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton
$29
Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com.

You don’t have to try and remember “the kind of September when life was slow and oh so mellow.” You can experience firsthand the magic of “The Fantasticks,” the world’s longest running musical, at the Manatee Performing Arts Center. The musical about a boy, a girl and two fathers who try to keep them apart is making its Manatee Players premiere. Runs through Sept. 29

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‘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 its 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. 27

Lecture by Dr. Ashby
1:30 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
Free
Call 941-383-6493.

Dr. Coeurlida Ashby will be leading a interactive discussion on how to lower your blood pressure naturally. She provides lifestyle medicine consultations at the Medical Suite at the Paradise Center. This will also be available via Zoom. 

Sights & Sounds at Waterside Place
6-7 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Drive, Sarasota
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.

The Choral Artists of Sarasota and the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble will perform "Autumn Serenade," which is a celebration of the arrival of fall. Bring a lawn chair. Outside food and drinks are not permitted. 

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'Struttin' with the Stiletto Brass' 
7:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$35 and up
Visit ThePopsOrchestra.org.

The all-female Stiletto Brass quintet will be joined by Bradenton virtuoso trumpeter Vince DiMartino for a program featuring “Struttin’ with Some BBQ” by composer Kenneth Abeling and George Gershwin’s “Summertime” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.” 

Saturday, Sept. 28

Life;Story 5K/10K Run and Walk for Suicide Prevention
8 a.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota
$50; ages 5-18 $25
Visit NathanBendersonPark.org.

Centerstone's 22nd annual Life;Story 5K/10K Run and Walk for Suicide Prevention follows a scenic route around the lake and back. Help spread the message that every life is valued and suicide might be prevented.

'Palette of Sounds'
6 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota
Free
Visit MosaicMovements.org.

The Creative Nexus series showcasing BIPOC and LGBTQ artists kicks off with "Palette of Sounds," featuring indigenous musician and performance poet Lyla June, guitarist David Muñoz and reggae band Jah Movement. Also on the bill are an exhibition and talk with painter Alfredo Garcia (in conversation with Jess Pope) and poetry by IAM.

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

It's last call for this FST Improv show where audience members select the night’s lineup of games replete with scenes, sketches and songs designed to provoke laughter.

Sunday, Sept. 29

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'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 contributions of Florida immigrants. Runs through Jan. 25 at The Ringling and Oct. 27 at SAM.

Chamber Soirée: Baroque Banquet
4 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$42-$52
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org. 

Sarasota Orchestra opens its Chamber Soirée season with Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 for strings, Philidor’s March for Two Pairs of Timpani, first performed for Louis XIV in 1683, and Stravinsky's Neo-Baroque "Pulcinella." Among the performers will be the orchestra's principal timpani player Yoko Kita. 

Monday, Sept. 30

'Enduring Light': Photographs by Roy DeCarava and Danny Lyon
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota
Free with admission
Visit Ringling.org.

This exhibition in The Ringling’s Ulla R. and Arthur F. Searing Wing showcases works from two complementary portfolios of the U.S. civil rights movement. The photographs by Roy DeCarava and Danny Lyon are part of a collection recently donated to The Ringling by Richard and Ellen Sandor. Runs through Feb. 9. 

Monday Night Jazz at the Cabaret
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota
$35
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org. 

Jazz Club of Sarasota brings the Danny Sinoff Trio to Monday Night Jazz at the Cabaret, but be sure to read the fine print. The show takes place at the Goldstein Cabaret, not the normal venue of the Court Cabaret. As per usual, doors open at 6:30 p.m. and a full bar and dinner menu is available.

Tuesday, Oct. 1

Pop-up Library
10-11:30 a.m. at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
Free
Call 941-861-5475.

On the first and third Tuesday of each month in the back parking lot of Town Hall, the Pop-up Library will be at Longboat Key with books for all ages. Swing by to sign up for a library card and read a book by the beach.