- January 8, 2025
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Jazz Thursdays at SAM: Hot Club SRQ
5:30 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail
$25
Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.
Hot Club SRQ performs on the Marcy & Michael Klein Plaza at Sarasota Art Museum. The evening features extended hours in the galleries, Bistro and museum shop. This event is sold out online, but here’s an insider’s tip: Go to the museum in late afternoon, pay for an admission or membership and stay for the show.
‘Spaceman’
7:30 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St.
$5-$44
Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.
Leegrid Stevens’ play follows a female astronaut (Terri Weagant) who travels to Mars after her late husband’s failed attempt to reach the Red Planet. Be prepared for a “sense-surround” experience as Summer Dawn Wallace bravely goes where no director of a black-box theater has gone before. (Apologies, “Star Trek” fans!) Runs through Feb. 16.
‘59th Street Bridge’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave.
$18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Feelin' groovy? Simon & Garfunkel fans know that expression in the hit song that gives this cabaret show its title. Florida Studio Theatre pays tribute to early folk-rock artists such as John Denver, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. Continues through March 30.
Ringling Underground
8 p.m. at The Ringling Museum of Art Courtyard
$15; students and members free
Visit Ringling.org.
Locals and visitors in the know don’t miss Ringling Underground, an arts jamboree in the museum courtyard that is free for students and members. The event mixes music, art and ambience and presents up-and-coming local and regional musicians.
‘The Heart Sellers’
8 p.m. at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave.
$25-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Take a time trip back to Thanksgiving 1973 when a chance meeting between two recent Asian immigrants develops into an unexpected friendship. Kate Alexander directs this heartwarming tale about the search for acceptance by newcomers to America. Spoiler: Just because the holiday has passed, it’s not too late to talk turkey about assimilation, identity and female bonds. Runs through Feb. 16.
Jazz @ Two: James Suggs Quartet
2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road
$15-$20
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
Jazz Club of Sarasota presents James Suggs, a trumpeter who hails from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Suggs, who began playing professionally at age 16, has toured with the Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey orchestras and has performed in tribute shows to Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis. His CD, “You’re Gonna Hear From Me,” was acclaimed by critics.
Sarasota Bay Seafood & Music Festival
4:30-10 p.m. at Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd.
Free
Visit ParagonFestivals.com.
This event offers dishes including fresh seafood, meats and vegetarian options, all cooked on site, with a variety of side dishes and beverages. Attendees can also enjoy live music that spans genres including R&B, jazz, rock and soul, with performers that include Kara Nally Band, Kettle of Fish, Twinkle Rock Soul Radio and many others, as well as browse an arts and crafts marketplace. Continues 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Movie in the Park: 'Inside Out 2'
6-9 p.m. at Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit MyLWR.com.
This month's free movie feature for Movie in the Park is "Inside Out 2." The free movie series is sponsored by Grace Community Church, which will give one free Chick Fil A sandwich to the first 300 attendees. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis but those who attend are asked to bring a blanket or a lawn chair. Concessions are available from We B’ Poppin Popcorn and Kettle Corn. Inflatables for the kids will be available from 6-7:30 p.m.
Masterworks: Ravel’s Bolero
7:30 p.m. at SCF Neel Auditorium, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton
$39 and up
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Sarasota Orchestra’s Masterworks series returns to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall from Jan. 11-12. Before it gets there, it will perform the program “Ravel’s Bolero” at SCF Neel Auditorium in Bradenton. Directed by Shiyeon Sung, the concert honors the 150th anniversary of Maurice Ravel’s birth and features pianist Natasha Paremski on Ravel’s jazz-infused Piano Concert.
Jaguar Festival d'Elegance
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Armands Circle Park, 1 St. Armands Circle
Free
Visit SuncoastJaguarClub.com.
The annual Jaguar Festival d’Elegance attracts the finest Jaguar automobiles, including antiques, current classics and modified prototypes. All Jaguar owners are encouraged to register. Participating vehicles are awarded in a variety of classes. Special recognition and club winners are scheduled to be announced in the park after 3 p.m.
Ball Hockey and Lightning Watch Party
3-9 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit MyLWR.com.
The Tampa Bay Lightning will host a Youth Ball Hockey Tournament that runs from 3-6 p.m. followed by a live broadcast of the Tampa Bay Lightning's game against the New Jersey Devils. The game begins at 7 p.m. Guests are welcome to bring chairs, but no coolers.
The Perlman Music Program Suncoast Celebration Concert
5 p.m. at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$40-$80
Visit PerlmanMusicProgramSuncoast.org.
After nearly two weeks of rehearsals, master classes and works in progress in a heated tent on the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, the Perlman Music Program’s 21st winter residency culminates in a celebration concert at the Sarasota Opera House. This is the moment that everyone, from program founders Itzhak Perlman and his wife Toby to the six fellows and 32 students, have been working toward. The festivities continue with a dinner at Michael’s On East that costs $250 a ticket.
Jazz Club of Sarasota Celebrates 45 Years
7 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail
$35-$55; students $15
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
The Jazz Club of Sarasota’s 45th anniversary program features La Lucha with vocalist Alison Nash performing the music of the ‘80s, the Michael Ross Quartet playing hits of Motown and beyond, Jeremy Carter Quintet with Theo Valentin performing the music of Cannonball ,and Nat Adderley and Nancy Wilson. The performance wraps with a grand finale featuring all the players.
Marko Topchii, Classical Guitar
7:30 p.m. at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way
$40-$44
Visit GuitarSarasota.org.
Guitar Sarasota kicks off its 17th season with Marko Topchii, the most recent winner of the Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition. Born into a family of musicians in Kiev, Ukraine, Topchii began studying guitar at the age of 4. Just 26 years old, Topchii has won more than 90 awards worldwide. He is currently pursuing a doctorate at the Tchaikovsky National Academy of Music in Kiev.
Payadora
8 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$26-$30
Visit WSLR.org.
An award-winning ensemble made up of superstar musicians, Payadora performs a repertoire of music drawn from Argentinian/Uruguayan traditions — tangos, milongas, waltz and chacareras — as well as its own original songs.
‘Aesop’s Fables’
10 a.m. and noon at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave.
$12
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
On the weekends, there’s the eternal problem of what to do with the kids. Turn off their electronic devices and bring them down to Florida Studio Theatre for a fun, affordable show of “Aesop’s Fables.” They’ll learn that donkeys and asses (animals that turn up frequently in the fables) have been with us for a very long time. Runs weekends through Feb. 2.
Windjammers Concert Band featuring Sailor Circus
1:30 p.m. at Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St.
Free
Visit CircusArts.org.
If you’re a student of circus history, you’ll know that Windjammers Unlimited is the Circus Music Historical Society. The grand finale of the Windjammers’ annual weeklong convention in Sarasota is a free performance featuring nearly 100 musicians from around the country. After intermission, about 30 members of their group will return to back up 10 different acts by Sailor Circus students, all brought to you by the Circus Arts Conservatory.
'Anderson and Galante'
3 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St.
$5
Visit SuncoastConcertBand.org.
The theme of this week’s performance by the popular Suncoast Concert Band, now in its 92nd season, is “Anderson and Galante.” Call 941-907-4123 to check on ticket availability and please be sure to dial the right number.
Behind the Curtain: Exploring the Van Wezel from the Art to the Stage
1:30 p.m. at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$15
Visit VanWezel.org.
Arts Advocates’ tour of the Van Wezel returns after a hurricane-related hiatus. A docent leads a tour of the paintings and sculptures. Participants then step onto the stage where a Van Wezel guide shares stories and anecdotes. Presented in partnership with the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, proceeds from the tour benefit the education/outreach programs of Arts Advocates and the Van Wezel.
‘Visions & Miracles’
7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave.
$30
Visit ENSRQ.org.
Founded by Samantha Bennett and George Nickson, contemporary classical music group ensembleNewSRQ presents five works for strings, flute and clarinet, from Han Lash, Dai Wei, Gabriela Lena Frank and Hermitage Fellows Anna Clyne and Christopher Theofanidis.
Violinist Caroline Campbell
5:30 p.m. at Plantation Golf and Country Club, 500 Rockley Blvd., Venice
$78
Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.
Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents Caroline Campbell, dubbed “violinist to the stars” because she has performed with everyone from Barbra Streisand to Beyonce. She tours regularly with jazz trumpeter Chris Botti and has appeared with The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Boston Pops. Joining her on stage will be Joseph Holt on piano.
‘Funny Girl’
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$50-$140
Visit VanWezel.org.
Even if you’re not old enough to remember the first “Funny Girl” in 1964, you’ve no doubt heard of the musical based on the life of singer Fanny Brice. The production coming to the Van Wezel retains the original score by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill and features an updated book from Harvey Fierstein. This revival was a big hit when it bowed on Broadway in 2022. See for yourself whether “people who need people” are really the luckiest people in the world. Runs through Jan. 19.
Great Escapes: TV Tunes and Treasures
5:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail
$47-$63
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Want to see your show before dinner? Sarasota Orchestra’s Great Escapes series at Holley Hall is just the ticket for you, with shows at 5:30 on Wednesday and Friday. This program showcases some memorable music from the small screen, including soundtracks made popular by cartoons such as Looney Tunes, Popeye, The Flintstones and the scores to “Star Trek” and “Downton Abbey.” Continues through Jan. 19
Pianist Jean-Yves Thibodeau
7:30 p.m. at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way
$34-$99
Visit SCASarasota.org.
French pianist Jean-Yves Thibodeau makes his Sarasota Concert Association debut in the opening concert of its Great Performers series. Thibodeau, who has been lauded for his dynamic range and vivid portrayal, will perform Debussy’s “Preludes.”
‘Fences’
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
$22-$52
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe presents “Fences,” the sixth play of playwright August Wilson’s 10-part Pittsburgh Cycle. Set in 1957, it follows Troy Maxson, a garbage collector whose baseball dreams were derailed by bigotry. His unresolved anger creates trouble with his son, Cory, who’s got his own big league ambitions. Directed by Jim Weaver, the play stars Patric Robinson as Maxson. Runs through Feb. 23.
