- January 14, 2025
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Winter Carnival
5-10 p.m. at Parking Lot 4, east side of the Mall at UTC, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota
Free
Visit MallAtUTC.com.
The Sarasota Winter Carnival returns to the Mall at University Town Center. Carnival rides will be provided by Dreamland Amusements along with more than 50 food vendors. Live entertainment and activities will be provided. Continues 5-11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and noon to 9 p.m. Monday.
Manatee County Fair
5-10 p.m. at the Manatee County Fairgrounds, 1402 14th Ave. W., Palmetto
$10; military and children 6-12 $6; children under 6 free
Visit ManateeCountyFair.com.
The Manatee County offers rides, games, livestock shows, musical entertainment and more. Parking is $10. Runs through Jan. 26; hours vary by day.
Sights + Sounds: The Lubben Brothers
6 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.
The Lubben Brothers offer a special night of music at Waterside Place, combining with the Key Chorale Chamber singers. The Lubben Brothers are musicians/singers who perform vocal harmonies featuring the American folk tradition. Limited seating is available.
Donald Harrison
7 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$35-$40
Visit WSLR.org.
New Orleans-born saxophonist Donald Harrison has been dubbed a “one-man music festival” because of his mastery of jazz, soul, funk and classical music. The winner of the 2022 NEA Jazz Master Big Chief award, Harrison appeared in nine episodes of the HBO series "Treme."
SCD + Natalie Helm & Bluegrass Band
7 p.m. at Jane B. Cook Theater, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$20-$50
Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance.org.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance joins forces with Sarasota Orchestra cellist Natalie Helm, who has her own bluegrass band of star musicians. The program showcases the beauty of the Midwest in this with movement and music. Runs through Sunday.
‘Tootsie’
7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton
$19-$43
Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com.
Unemployed actor Michael Dorsey is willing to do anything to get a part of a lifetime in this Manatee Players production of the award-winning musical based on the hit film starring Dustin Hoffman as an actor who transforms himself into actress Dorothy Michaels.
Great Escapes: TV Tunes and Treasures
7:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail
$47-$63
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Sarasota Orchestra plays 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 Sunday.
Jazz @ Two: Synia Carroll Jazz Quartet
2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road
$15-$20
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
Jazz Club of Sarasota presents Synia Carroll, a jazz vocalist who won rave reviews for her Nina Simone tribute at Florida Studio Theatre. Carroll's latest CD is "Water is My Song," which was recorded in New York City with Houston Person and NYC jazz musicians.
Ken Ludwig’s 'Lady Molly of Scotland Yard’
7:30 p.m. at the FSU Center for Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$35 -$99
Visit AsoloRep.org.
Prolific playwright Ken Ludwig Ludwig's world premiere at Asolo Repertory Theatre is a theatrical adaptation of Baroness Orczy’s“Lady Molly” stories. Ludwig’s “Lady Molly of Scotland Yard” transports Baroness Orczy’s female sleuth to World War II, where Britain is under attack by the Nazis, and code-breaking, murder and espionage are the order of the day. Previews run for a week before the official premiere Jan. 24. Runs through Feb. 8.
‘Mann’s Last Dance’
7:30 p.m. at Tree Fort Productions, The Crossings at Siesta Key, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail
$40
Visit TreeFortProductions.com.
Sarasota multi-hyphenate Katherine Michelle Tanner presents a one-woman show that tells the true story of Polish Jewish ballerina Franceska Mann, who used her gift of dance to distract Nazi soldiers. Runs through Feb. 2.
‘Don’t Touch That Dial’
7:30 p.m. at Pinkerton Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice
$37
Visit VeniceTheatre.org.
Venice Theatre presents a world premiere created by Roger Bean, known for “The Marvelous Wonderettes.” This tribute to TV show tunes is a game show within a game show. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself humming along and playing from your seat in the audience. Runs through Feb. 9.
‘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 touring production of the Broadway revival retains the original score by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill and features an updated book from Harvey Fierstein. Runs through Sunday.
Main Street Market
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakewood Ranch Main Street
Free
Visit MainStreetMarketLWR.com.
More than 70 vendors will be out with food, beverages, retail and more at the boutique market, hosted by Main Street Market LWR.
American Roots: The Lubben Brothers and Key Chorale
4 p.m. at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road
$45
Visit KeyChorale.org.
The Lubben Brothers have moved to Nashville, but you can’t blame Floridians for wanting to hang on to them. Michael, Tom and Joshua feel like family, thanks to their collaborations with Key Chorale. This year’s show features the songs of Gordon Lightfoot, Simon and Garfunkel and others performed by the Key Chorale Chamber Singers and the talented triplets. The show continues Jan. 19 at 5 p.m. at Grace Community Church, 4080 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.
Sharktoberfest
7 p.m. at Mote Marine Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, City Island
$55; VIP $125
Visit Mote.org.
Raise a glass with Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium during Sharktoberfest, a craft beer festival in the Aquarium after hours.
King Margo
8 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$24; members $20; students $12
Visit WSLR.org.
Nashville-based Americana duo King Margo — Lucciana Costa and Rachel Coats — return to Fogartyville on the heels of their new single, “Crashing,” produced by Seth Glier, who’s coming to town Feb. 16. Local singer-songwriter Lesa Silvermore opens the show.
Embracing Our Differences Outdoor Art Exhibition and Kickoff Party
Noon at Bayfront Park, downtown Sarasota
Free
Visit EmbracingOurDifferences.org.
Now in its 22nd year, Embracing Our Differences’ annual outdoor display of 50 billboard-sized works of art and inspirational quotes from students is designed to inspire inclusion, kindness and respect. This year’s competition drew 10,000 entries from student artists and writers in 122 countries and 46 states. Since its inception, the exhibition has attracted 4.8 million visitors in total. Runs through April 13.
Cynthia Sayer
2 p.m. at Glenridge Performing Arts Center, 7333 Scotland Way
$35
Visit GPACTix.com.
Winner of the Steve Martin Banjo Prize, Cynthia Sayer comes to her second home of Sarasota to perform at the Glenridge Performing Arts Center. A frequent headliner at jazz festivals in New Orleans, Newport and Dresden, Sayer is considered the leading four-string banjo player in the world today. Sayer crosses genres, but her primary metier is jazz, not bluegrass. She also is an accomplished singer and a band leader.
‘Einstein’s Compass’
2 p.m. at The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
$35; members $30
Visit TBIEducationCenter.org.
The Education Center at TBI hosts a theater showcase. Created and directed by Betty Mohr, “Einstein’s Compass” dives into the early life of Albert Einstein. The staged play reading will feature Temple Beth Israel Rabbit Stephen Sniderman reading the role of Einstein.
‘In Your Own Backyard’
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 Jazz Ambassadors Band is “In Your Own Backyard.” Call 941-907-4123 to check on ticket availability and please be sure to dial the right number.
Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$15-$35
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s MLK tribute honors the pacifist civil rights leader with performances of word and song featuring WBTT members. Rev. Charles McKenzie returns to deliver speeches written by Dr. King.
The Market on Longboat Key
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
Free
Visit Facebook.com.
Join the fun every first and third Monday, December through April. Try the many food trucks while you do your local shopping. You will find artists, apparel, sandals, fresh flowers, plants and more. Follow The Market on Longboat Key or Markets by Nancy on Facebook and Instagram to see who will be there and what they will be bringing. You can also preorder pies, cakes and breads to be ready and waiting upon your arrival.
Music Monday at McCurdy’s: John Kadlecik
7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.
$55
Visit McCurdysComedy.com.
Best known as a sideman to Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh and Bob Weir in the band Furthur, John Kadlecik is an original co-founder of the Dark Star Orchestra. Based in Washington, D.C., Kadlecik is performing in Sarasota by a partnership between McCurdy’s and Barry Weisblatt’s WhiteLeaf Private Music Club.
Robert Gibson, Classical Guitar
7:30 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2256 Bahia Vista St.
Free
Visit GuitarSarasota.org.
A prize-winning guitarist, Robert Gibson performs works from his classical repertoire as well as modern original compositions in this performance presented by Guitar Sarasota.
Celebrating Mendelssohn
7 p.m. at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way
$64
Visit LaMusicaFestival.org.
Is there such a thing as too much Mendelssohn? For fans of the German composer, the answer is “no.” La Musica Chamber Music Festival presents Herr M’s Violin Sonata in F major, Cello Sonata No. 2 in D major, and his Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor played by pianist and artistic director Wu Han, cellist David Finckel and violinist Julian Rhee.
Frankie Avalon
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$35-$85
Visit VanWezel.org.
Back in 1965, it didn’t get much better than bringing together crooner Frankie Avalon and Mickey Mouse Club sweetheart Annette Funicello in the romantic romp “Beach Blanket Bingo.” For Avalon, the party never stopped for the next 60 years, with hits like “Why” and “Venus,” and 20 film appearances.
New Orleans Jazz Night
8 p.m. at The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
$30; members $25
Visit TBIEducationCenter.org.
Kid Dutch returns to The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel with guest jazz artists. Advance registration is recommended.
