- January 30, 2025
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Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock & Roll
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami
$27-$85
Visit VanWezel.org.
What if you got the stars from Broadway’s greatest rock musicals as well as veteran rock ‘n’ roll singers to perform the history of rock, from its predecessors in the 1940s to the MTV era of the 1980s? Then you would have the recipe for Neil Berg’s wildly successful 50 Years of Rock & Roll show. This tribute show brings audiences back year after year. Long live rock!
Masterworks: Heroic Spirit
7:30 p.m. at SCF Neel Auditorium, Bradenton
$38 and up
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org
Giancarlo Guerrero’s debut conducting a Masterworks concert as Sarasota Orchestra’s music director designate was originally scheduled for the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in early November. But the aptly named "Going Places" got moved to the Sarasota Opera House in the wake of Hurricane Milton. After a performance at SCF Neel in Bradenton, Guerrero makes his Van Wezel debut in his new role on Jan. 31 in a program celebrating heroism that kicks off with Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture. Runs through Feb. 2.
‘59th Street Bridge’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave.
$18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Feelin' groovy? Simon and Garfunkel fans know that expression from 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 and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. Continues through March 30.
‘Tootsie’
7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W, Bradenton
$19-$43
Visit ManateePerforming-ArtsCenter.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. Runs through Feb. 2.
‘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 American Century 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.
'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. Runs through Feb. 8.
‘The Cancellation of Lauren Fein’
8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St.
$25-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Written by Miami lawyer Christopher Demos-Brown, "The Cancellation of Lauren Fein" tells the story of a "woke" professor who is forced to defend herself against charges of racism and that she sexually molested a graduate student. Leave your assumptions at the theater door. Runs through March 9.
‘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. Spoiler: Even though the holiday has passed, it’s not too late to talk turkey about assimilation, identity and female bonds. Runs through Feb. 23.
Jazz @ Two: Trace Zacur Quartet
2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road
$15-$20
Visit JazzClubsarasota.org.
Get the weekend started early with the Trace Zacur Quartet at Jazz Club of Sarasota’s weekly Jazz @ Two concert. Zacur cites as his heroes Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker and James Carter. He will be joined by Joel Freisenger, Alejandro Arenas and Mark Feinman.
Mr. Swindle’s Traveling Peculiarium
5:30 p.m. at Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd.
$47-$82
Visit SarasotaFair.com.
Sarasota is no stranger to circuses, but this one is definitely not family fare. Mr. Swindle’s Traveling Peculiarium isn’t your grandfather’s circus, folks, and he might not be happy to hear you’ve got a ticket. Mr. Swindle’s features a Drink-Ory Garden serving up alcoholic potions and snacks that opens an hour before the show so circusgoers can pregame. Hey, what happens in the big top stays in the big top, right? Through Feb. 2.
Tammy Pescatelli
6:30 and 8:50 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.
$31
Visit McCurdysComedy.com.
Tammy Pescatelli is billed as a comedian that nearly everyone wishes was “their best friend or sister.” High praise, indeed. Currently a regular on the “Sherri” syndicated talk show, Pescatelli’s “Way After School Special” is the followup to her award-winning special “Finding the Funny,” both on Amazon Prime. She will soon appear in the upcoming movie “Nonna’s” starring Vince Vaughn and Susan Sarandon. Runs through Feb. 1.
NocheUnidos @ The Ringling
7 p.m. at The Ringling Museum of Art Courtyard, 5401 Bay Shore Road
$45-$150; students $10
Visit Ringling.org.
The partnership between UnidosNow and The Ringling will showcase cultures that have influenced Florida, including Africa, Indigenous America and Europe. Guests are asked to wear white as they party to Puerto Rican rhythms from Bomba Yemayá and Mardi Gras standards from the New Orleans-based 79rs Gang.
Sarasota Ballet: 'Quintessential'
7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$35-$115
Visit SarasotaBallet.org.
Sarasota Ballet’s Program Four has something for fans of both the old and the new. The triple bill marks the return of Paroni’s classical “Rococo Variations,” set to the music of Tchaikovsky, as well as a world premiere by choreographer Gemma Bond whose title hasn’t been announced. Rounding out the program is “Brandenburgs,” choreographed by Paul Taylor, one of the pioneers of American modern dance. Runs through Feb. 2.
‘Mann’s Last Dance’
7:30 p.m. at Tree Fort Productions, The Crossings at Siesta Key mall, 3501 South Tamiami Trail
$40
Visit TreeFortProductions.com.
Sarasota multi-hyphenate Katherine Michelle Tanner presents a one-woman show that she created 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 his show, “The Marvelous Wonderettes.” This tribute to TV show tunes is presented as 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.
‘Aesop’s Fables’
10 a.m. and noon at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave.
$12
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
On the weekend, 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.
Conversations with an Astronaut: Nicole Stott
5 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St.
$44
Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.
Get ready to blast off with this special event with real-life astronaut Nicole Stott, who will share her stellar experiences. The conversation takes place before Urbanite’s nightly performance of “Spaceman,” the one-woman play about a female astronaut’s voyage to Mars. The is a one-night only event; “Spaceman” runs through Feb. 16.
Mary Gauthier
7 p.m. at Forgartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$35
Visit WSLR.org.
Twenty-five years ago, chef Mary Gauthier recorded her debut album “Drag Queens in Limousines.” Less than two years later, Gauthier moved to Nashville and put away her chef’s toque for good as her authentic material struck a chord with people from all walks of life. She will be joined by special guest Jaimee Harris. Runs through Feb. 2.
Joni Mitchell
2:30 p.m.at The Education Center, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
$35; members $30
Visit TBIEducationCenter.org.
Musician Joni Adno and company offer a look at Joni Mitchell's early folk roots to her jazzical masterpieces.
Music Monday at McCurdy’s: Bill Evans
7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.
$55
Visit McCurdysComedy.com.
The latest in McCurdy’s Music Monday series curated by Barry Weisblatt's White Leaf Events features legendary saxophone player Bill Evans backed by McCurdy’s house band, The Ramblin’ Rockers, featuring RJ Howson, Mike Kach, Garrett Dawson and Barry Oakley Jr.
La Musica Chamber Music Festival: Spanish Journey
7 p.m. at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way
$64
Visit LaMusicaFestival.org.
Join the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center on a musical trip to Spain with a flamboyant program that features soprano Vanessa Becerra, Jason Vieaux on guitar, Kristin Lee on violin, Clive Greensmith on cello and Soyeon Kate Lee on piano.
‘Here Comes the Sun’ Beatles Tribute
7:30 p.m. at Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave. Building 5, Venice
$61
Visit VeniceTheatre.org.
The Beatles never go out of a style, but the Fab Four and its moptop members are getting a lot of attention this season as Marie Selby Botanical Gardens gets ready to open its exhibition based on George Harrison’s gardening mojo. Meanwhile, Venice Theatre presents the Beatles tribute show, “Here Comes the Sun,” which gets its name from a song penned by Harrison at the country house of his friend Eric Clapton.
Evil Woman: The American ELO
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 7777 N. Tamiami Trail
$25-$65
Visit VanWezel.org.
In case you forgot, this 12-musician tribute band will remind you that Electric Light Orchestra had 20 chart-topping hits, including the titular song, as well as “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Livin’ Thing” and “Roll Over Beethoven,” to name a few. The distinctive combination of powerful vocals, classical strings and electric guitars that made ELO the soundtrack of the ‘70s still resonates with audiences today.
The Art and Joys of Collaborative Performance
10:30 a.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St.
Free
Visit SarasotaMusicArchive.org.
Sarasota Music Archive presents Gail Berenson and Sylvia Eckes on piano and Jeff Sebeika on flute with a program that explores spontaneous interplay between performers.
