- March 19, 2025
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Barbara Ramsay, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
11 a.m. at Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd.
$45-$50
Visit ArtsAdvocates.org.
Arts Advocates presents a lecture by Barbara A. Ramsay, chief conservator of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Ramsay will bring to life the behind-the-scenes efforts to restore hundreds of old paintings to their original glory. Lunch will be served.
Hermitage Sunsets @ Nathan Benderson Park
6:30 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Park Circle, Sarasota
$5
Visit HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
Hermitage Artist Retreat gives audiences a sneak peek at works, such as plays and operas, that often eventually appear on renowned stages with its Hermitage Sunsets program. The final event of the program’s debut season begins at 6:30 p.m. Folding chairs are put out, but guests are welcome to bring their own chairs and blankets.
UTC Night Market
6:30-9:30 p.m. in the West District at UTC, 125 N. Cattlemen Road, Sarasota
Free
Visit UTCSarasota.com.
University Town Center’s monthly night market is 6:30-9:30 p.m. in the West District at UTC. Enjoy live music and more than 35 local vendors selling gifts, jewelry, art, handmade goods and more.
Emmet Cohen Trio plus Gabrielle Cavassa and Terell Stafford
7 p.m. at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail
$60 and up
Visit SarasotaJazzFestival.com.
The Emmet Cohen Trio kicks off the first mainstage concert at the 45th annual Sarasota Jazz Festival. One of the brightest lights on the jazz circuit today, Cohen has studied, performed and recorded with jazz masters including Jimmy Cobb, Ron Carter and Benny Golson. Also on the bill is trumpeter Terell Stafford, who programmed this year’s jazz fest. Rounding out the program is vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa, a California native who has relocated to New Orleans and immersed herself in the Crescent City Music scene.
‘Anne Frank’s Tree’
7:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota, 2050 Oak St.
$42; students $5
Visit ChamberOrchestraSarasota.org.
Readers of “The Diary of Anne Frank” will know how her chestnut tree kept her hopes alive while she and her family hid from the Nazis in an Amsterdam warehouse. Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota presents the Florida premiere of Victoria Bond’s “Anne Frank’s Tree,” a 2023 work of words and music. Also on the program are pieces by Erich Korngold and Felix Mendelssohn, both banned by the Nazis. Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor will feature violin virtuoso George Maxman.
‘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.
‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$50-$185
Visit VanWezel.org.
Not every theatrical adaptation of a hit film is a success, but “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” swept Broadway audiences off their feet — and the Tony Awards. The story of the eye-popping Baz Luhrmann film set in Belle Epoque Paris remains the same — boy meets wrong girl. Can love bloom between a chorus girl at the world-famous nightclub in Montmartre and a bohemian poet? Yes, it can-can. But like flowers, some romances can only last a season. Runs through March 23.
‘Five Guys Named Moe’
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
$22-$52
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
"Five Guys" tells the story of Nomax, who is down on his luck because his girlfriend has left and he's broke. Suddenly, five guys step out of a 1930s-style radio to give him encouragement. Last presented by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe in 2011, this musical tribute to R&B pioneer Louis Jordan promises to delight audiences not only with Jordan's music, but with lively dance numbers. Runs through April 6.
Cirque des Voix
7 p.m. at The Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle
$50-$100
Visit KeyChorale.org.
Key Chorale teams up with the Circus Arts Conservatory for its annual Cirque des Voix (Circus of the Voices.) The sci-fi-themed extravaganza will feature internationally acclaimed circus artists, the 40-piece Cirque Orchestra and the 100 voices of Key Chorale. The performances will include music from films such as “Star Wars,” “Star Trek,” “The Mandalorian,” “2001: A Space Odyssey” and more. Calling all cosplay fans for the opening night Sci-Fi Costume Contest. Runs through March 22.
‘Dancing at Lughnasa’
7:30 p.m. at Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$35-$95
Visit AsoloRep.org.
Joe Dowling, the former artistic director of both the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis and the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, directs Brian Friel’s Tony Award-winning play about the five Mundy sisters living in rural Ireland in the 1930s. The play gets its name from the Gaelic word for August, which is the month agrarian folk celebrate after bringing in the crops. Runs through April 19.
Tony Monaco and Eric Alexander
7 p.m. at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail
$60 and up
Visit SarasotaJazzFestival.com.
Come see why Tony Monaco is called the “wild man” of the keyboards for the second night of mainstage concerts at the Municipal Auditorium during the 45th annual Sarasota Jazz Festival. Monaco has attracted a following for his instructional videos for the Hammond HB 3 organ.
‘No One is Forgotten’
7:30 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St.
$5-$44
Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.
Written by Winter Miller and directed by Urbanite Artistic Director Summer Dawn Wallace, “No One is Forgotten” tells the story of two U.S. citizens imprisoned in a foreign land as they ponder such existential questions as “Does anyone know we’re here?” The moving tale of female solidarity is based on real-life accounts of American journalists and aid workers. Runs through April 27.
‘The Barber of Seville’
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$32-$155
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” is one of two operas in the Sarasota Opera’s 2025 Winter Festival that follow Figaro, the clever servant of Count Almaviva, who uses disguise and trickery to help his master woo his beloved Rosina. “Barber” is considered the prequel to Mozart’s masterpiece, “The Marriage of Figaro,” even though it was written later. Spoiler: No one dies in “Barber” and there are a lot of laughs in this light-hearted opera. Runs through March 29.
Spring Art Show and Sale
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.
Free
Visit CAALR.com.
The Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch hosts its annual Spring Art Show and Sale, featuring watercolors, jewelry, pottery, ceramics, wood turning, pastels, acrylics, mixed media, and more.
Dag Fest
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Center Ring Ranch, 30915 Singletary Road, Myakka City
$25; online $20
Visit Dagfest.Ticketspice.com/dag-fest-2025.
The second annual Dag Fest is a musical festival to honor entertainer Dagmar Beavers. The bands at the festival are John Santiago (10 a.m.), Mystical Visions Band (11 a.m.), Cassie Jean and the Fireflies (noon), Tim Dodge and Friends (1 p.m.), Southern Pride Band (2 p.m.), Mumbo Jumbo Band (3 p.m.), Old Glory Band (4 p.m.). Other features include a petting zoo, pony ride, vendors, and food and drink.
Main Street Market
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakewood Ranch Main Street
Free
Visit MainStreetMarketLWR.com.
More than 70 small and local businesses will be out with gifts, candles, baked goods, hand-crafted jewelry and more at the boutique market, hosted by Main Street Market LWR.
‘The Marriage of Figaro’
1:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$34-$157
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
Which is the better opera about Figaro — Rossini’s mirthful “The Barber of Seville” or Mozart’s masterpiece,“The Marriage of Figaro”? Decide for yourself during the Sarasota Opera’s 2025 Winter Festival, which features both. In “Barber,” Figaro helps his master, Count Almaviva, win the hand of Rosina through disguise and trickery. In “Marriage,” the Count begins to covet Figaro’s betrothed. But when he tries to bed her ahead of Figaro, he makes a surprising discovery. Runs through March 28.
Sarasota Wine Festival
5-10 p.m. at Selby Five Points Park, 1 Central Ave.
Free; tastings $62.50-$250
Visit SarasotaWineFestival.com.
Sample wines from around the world, taste fine spirits, listen to live music, enjoy from local food trucks, shop lifestyle vendors, attend expert-led tasting seminars and more. The festival partners with the Women's Resource Center, a nonprofit that provides critical programming in Manatee and Sarasota Counties. This year, the event will highlight local women entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses. Tastings are from 6-9 p.m.
Magicians Talent Show
6:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 4150 S. Shade Ave.
$10; children under 12 free
Call 941-924-7756.
Ring 81 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the world's largest organization dedicated to the art of magic, presents this "magical evening" for all ages. All funds raised will benefit Trinity United Methodist Church.
Marcus Miller
7 p.m. at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail
$60 and up
Visit SarasotaJazzFestival.com.
Bassist, band leader and producer Marcus Miller, who played the 2023 edition of the Sarasota Jazz Festival, is back this year by popular demand. Earlier in his career, Miller was a producer for the late R&B crossover singer Luther Vandross. Miller’s also worked with Wayne Shorter and David Sanborn.
‘Peter and the Wolf’
1 p.m. and 4 p.m. (Spanish) at Holley Hall, 709 Tamiami Trail
$5-$7
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Classical music isn’t just for people who are rich, old and speak English; it’s for everybody. That’s the message the Sarasota Orchestra is sending with this affordable family concert whose centerpiece is Sergey Prokofiev’s “symphonic fairy tale for children.” Alexander Jiménez is the guest conductor and Victor Fernandez is the featured narrator.
Spring Selections
3 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St.
$5
Visit SuncoastConcertBand.org.
Get into the swing of spring with a program by the Suncoast Concert Band, now in its 92nd season. Call 941-907-4123 to check on ticket availability and please be sure to dial the right number.
Groove to the Music
7:30 p.m. at The Education Center, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
$35; members $30
Visit TBIEducationCenter.org.
The Education Center’s own technical director Carl Kurtyka presents a musical evening of soul, funk, blues, R&B, and rock and roll.
Paloma Chaprnka, Classical Guitar
7:30 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2256 Bahia Vista St.
Free
Visit GuitarSarasota.org.
Guitar Sarasota presents Naples native Paloma Chaprnka playing a repertoire that ranges from the Baroque to modern periods. Now 15 years old and a freshman at Interlochen Arts Academy, Chaprnka has won first prizes at the Houston International Classical Guitar Competition, at the University of Florida and Florida State University.
Salute to the Stars
11:30 a.m. at Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd.
$85
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
In case you missed it, we’re in the final days of the Sarasota Opera’s 2025 Winter Festival. Opera lovers will gather at the Sarasota Yacht Club to enjoy lunch and performances by those being honored as this season’s outstanding artists. Awards are presented through the legacy left by benefactors as well as the Sarasota and Manatee Opera Guilds.
Renaissance Quartet
7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W, Bradenton
$32-$42
Visit PMPSuncoast.org.
Perlman Music Program Suncoast presents the Renaissance Quartet, a New York City-based group featuring four PMP alumni —violinists Randall Goosby and Jeremiah Blacklow, violist Jameel Martin and Daniel Hass. All graduates of the Julliard School, members of the quartet have been performing together for over a decade.
