- May 24, 2025
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Sarasota Contemporary Dance: Rising Choreographers
7 p.m. at Jane B. Cook Theater, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$20-$50
Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance.org.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance presents works by the next generation of choreographers selected by SCD Artist Director Leymis Bolaños Wilmott from dances created during the company’s 2024 summer intensives. Runs through May 4.
‘Evita’
7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton
$37
Visit ManateePerforming ArtsCenter.com.
Don’t cry for the Manatee Players! They’ve enjoyed the talents of Rick Kerby as their producing artistic director for over two decades. For their last production of the season, the community theater presents the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical “Evita,” about the former first lady of Argentina. Runs through May 11.
Molière’s ‘The Learned Ladies’
7:30 p.m. at Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave. West, Venice
$35
Visit VeniceTheatre.org.
The French playwright known as Molière was a social critic of his era. In this play, he takes on the pretensions of the female salon where individuals who gave the play its title sought to educate themselves, sometimes engaging in a little hanky-panky on the side. Think Oscar Wilde with a French accent. Runs through May 4.
‘Syncopated Avenue’
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
$22-$52
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
With “Syncopated Avenue,” created, adapted and directed by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs, the company is producing its first tap dance revue, which explores the history of the art form. Runs through May 25.
‘Jersey Boys’
8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St.
$49-$69
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
There are countless imitations, but there is only one “Jersey Boys.” Winner of both the Tony (Broadway) and Olivier (London’s West End) awards, the musical tells the true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, from the humble beginnings in the Garden State to induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This isn’t a musical revue; it’s a full-fledged musical directed by Ben Liebert. Runs through May 31.
Music on Main
6-9 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.
The block party and concert series returns with Bluestar providing authentic blues. The event will benefit Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation. Come enjoy the music, food vendors, beer and wine trucks, sponsor booths, and games and activities for the kids (provided by Grace Community Church).
Illusionist Rick Thomas - Mansion of Dreams
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$30-$70
Visit VanWezel.org.
Think you’ve seen it all? Think again. Illusionist Rick Thomas weaves magic, comedy, dance and a compelling story into his “Mansion of Dreams” show. Among the many honors received by Rick Thomas are “Magician of the Year” by the Academy of Magical Arts and “Illusionist of the World” by the World Magic Awards. His network and cable appearances are too numerous to mention.
Fresh Fridays: American Routes
7-10 p.m. at Palm Avenue in downtown Sarasota
Free
Visit DowntownSarasotaDID.com.
Fresh Fridays hosts a "high-energy celebration of music, community, and coastal charm." The event features Sarasota's Derek Lersch, a nationally touring country-rock performer, and will include complimentary light bites and free giveaways.
Sarasota Orchestra Pops: Songs from Nashville
8 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St.
$20 and up
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Come get your country on with this Sarasota Orchestra Pops outdoor concert at the Ed Smith Stadium. Guest conductor William Waldrop leads the orchestra as it plays country classics from Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” to Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance,” with some Dolly Parton thrown in for good measure. The program will feature vocal performances by Grace Leer and Rick Brantley and conclude with fireworks.
SUP & Run 5K
8 a.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle
$50; ages 14 and younger $28
Visit PaddleSignup.com.
Dine and drink rum in a libation lounge after this SUP and Run 5K event benefiting veterans group Operation Second Chance and RUCK9. Paddleboards are available for a $55 rental fee. The handcycle and wheelchair division is free admission.
Corvettes on the Circle
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Armands Circle Park
Free admission
Visit StArmandsCircleAssoc.com.
View more than 100 classic American cars at Skyway Corvette Club’s annual Corvettes on the Circle. Registration is $50 in advance or $60 day-of to show a car.
Downtown Sarasota Spring Craft Fair
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Selby Five Points Park, Central Avenue and First Street
Free
Visit ArtFestival.com.
Browse arts and crafts in forms that include jewelry, pottery, ceramics, photography, painting and clothing, all of them handmade in America and ranging from $15 to $3,000. The event also includes a green market with plants, orchids, exotic flora, handmade soaps, gourmet spices and freshly popped kettle corn.
Hungarian Festival
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Sarasota County Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd.
$15; ages 12-18 $10; kids under 12 free
Visit SarasotaMagyarFesztival.com.
Some of the offerings at this festival celebrating Hungarian culture include archery and falcon shows and folk music and dance. Continues noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Cinco de Mayo Block Party
Noon at El Melvin Cocina Mexicana, 1355 Main St.
Free
Visit SarasotaFL.gov.
El Melvin offers this three-day celebration of Cinco de Mayo featuring live music, outdoor bars and street food, LED robots and other entertainment, VIP tables and "the best margarita in Sarasota." The party is through 10 p.m. Sunday.
Leslie Mendelson
8 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$13-$26
Visit WSLR.org.
Singer-songwriter Leslie Mendelson has won audiences and a Grammy nomination for her distinctive flavor of folk rock.
Comedy Roulette
8:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St.
$15-$18
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Looking to have fun on a Saturday night in Sarasota without breaking the bank? Look no further than Florida Studio Theatre Improv Troupe. A team of four experienced improvisers deliver a mix of short form, long form and musical improv in the mashup of styles and techniques. Weekends through May 30.
‘George Harrison: A Gardener's Life’
10 a.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens,1534 Mound St.
$28
Visit Selby.org.
"George Harrison: A Gardener's Life" is the ninth installment of the annual Jean and Alfred Goldstein Exhibition Series. Walking around the 15-acre sanctuary on the Sarasota bayfront where gardens and botanical displays have been erected to mirror those in Harrison's Friar Park estate, you can't help feeling the late Beatle would approve of this living tribute. After all, he dedicated his 1980 memoir to "gardeners everywhere." Runs through June 29.
'Personal to Political: Celebrating the African American Artists of Paulson Fontaine Press'
11 a.m. at the Sarasota Art Museum campus of Ringling College,1001 S. Tamiami Trail
$20
Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.
"Personal to Political" is a nationally traveling exhibition featuring 17 African American artists whose work embodies personal narratives, while engaging in discussions about race and identity. Drawing from Paulson Fontaine Press’s collection, the exhibition includes renowned figures like Martin Puryear, self-taught artists like Lonnie Holley and artists of the Gee’s Bend Quilt Collective in Alabama. Runs through Aug. 10.
Scintillating Saxophones
4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak St.
$43-$63
Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.
Before young men realized that guitars were chick magnets, the saxophone was the instrument of choice for the troubadour. Before Elvis and the Beatles, there were Stan Getz and Charlie Parker. Fortunately for sax fans, the instrument still beckons aspiring musicians. Come see why in this program called Scintillating Saxophones presented by Artist Concert Series. Featuring the Sinta Quartet, the program mixes classics spanning the centuries with commissions by modern-day composers.
‘Air Supply - The Lost in Love Experience’
7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$41-$138
Visit VanWezel.org.
The principals of Air Supply, Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock, met 50 years ago during rehearsals for “Jesus Christ Superstar” in Sydney. It wasn’t long before they recorded "Lost in Love," which hit No. 1 on the Australian charts, launching Air Supply on a trajectory that includes 20 million albums sold.
WBTT Young Artist Program: Maicy Powell
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe,1012 N. Orange Ave.
$37-$100
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe presents Sarasota native and Booker High School grad Maicy Powell performing a program she calls “Growing Pains of a Young Lady.” The musical journey through young adulthood includes the music of jazz artists Sarah Vaughan and Nina Simone to Eighties pop hits by Deniece Williams and Cyndi Lauper. Powell will be accompanied by WBTT Resident Music Director Matthew McKinnon and choreographer Charlotte Corporan, an alumna of WBTT’s Stage of Discovery Program. Continues May 5.
Rauschenberg: A Centennial Celebration
The John and Mable Ringling Art Museum, 5401 Bayshore Road
Free with $25 admission; Mondays free
Visit Ringling.org.
The Ringling joins other museums around the world in celebrating the centenary of maverick artist Robert Rauschenberg, who burst onto the art scene in the mid-20th century with collages he called “combines.” The first American to win the grand prize at the Venice Biennale, Rauschenberg set the stage for the Pop Art movement popularized by Andy Warhol. The exhibition includes works that The Ringling had in its collection, including pieces Rauschenberg created during his time on Captiva Island on Florida’s Gulf Coast, where he moved in 1968 and remained until his death 40 years later. Runs through Aug. 3.
Jazz Jam SRQ
5:30 p.m. at Selby Library, 1331First St.
Free
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
Jazz Club of Sarasota presents an open mic jam session for professionals and amateurs alike sure to be enjoyed by the listening audience.
Great Escapes: GOATs
5:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail
$47
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Who is the Greatest of All Time in the music world? Guest conductor Christopher Confessore leads the Sarasota Orchestra in a concert showcasing his favorite music spanning genres and time periods. The program runs the gamut from Beethoven to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music” to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” It doesn’t get any better, er greater, than this, folks. Continues through May 10.
