2025-26 SRQ ARTS | Guide to Florida's Cultural Coast, Published by SRQ Magazine

SRQ MAGAZINE’S ANNUAL GUIDE TO THE DYNAMIC REGIONAL ARTS AND CULTURE SEASON

Florida’s Cultural Coast

LIVING ARTS FESTIVAL PROGRAM GUIDE

GUIDE TO THE ARTS

Sarasota Art Museum presents Janet Echelman’s Radical Softness exhibit exploring her drawings, paintings, textiles and monumental netted sculptures redefining public spaces around the world.

ARTS IDENTITY

The leaders of

and their joint efforts to further cement Sarasota County as Florida’s Cultural Coast.

Opposite page, left to right: Brian Hersh, Jeffery Kin and Erin Duggan, photographed at 502 Gallery, 502 S. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota.

THERE IS AN UNSPOKEN DUTY AMONGST THE ARTS AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS OF SARASOTA, one that is inherent to operating within the area that is known as Florida’s Cultural Coast. That duty is to uphold a legacy of artistic excellence, first forged upon John Ringling’s arrival in the early 20th century, later permeated by the city’s reputation as an “artist colony” after World War II and now propagated by the area’s vibrant and eclectic arts offerings. That duty is why last fall—even in the aftermath of unprecedented natural disasters—Sarasota Rising put on the very first Living Arts Festival, a week-long celebration geared toward uniting the area’s arts organizations like never before. From November 2-9, the Living Arts Festival will return with a renewed perspective and a particular focus on the education and support of Sarasota’s next generation of artists. Jeffery Kin, the Executive Director of Sarasota Rising; Erin Duggan, CEO and President of Visit Sarasota County (VSC) and Brian Hersh, CEO of The Arts and Culture Alliance of Sarasota County, all sat down with SRQARTS to talk about what they learned from last year’s festival, the impact of arts on tourism and what it means to uphold Sarasota’s legacy of artistic excellence.

INTERVIEW BY DYLAN CAMPBELL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY WES ROBERTS

JEFFERY, WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THE LIVING ARTS FESTIVAL’S DEBUT LAST FALL? JEFFERY KIN, SARASOTA RISING We learned how resilient our community is. We worked for three years on a project, and then three weeks before, had two major hurricanes. We lost our venues and everyone in our community was affected. We lost groups that were set to participate in certain performances, like Rise and Shine Saturday, but for the most part, everyone pivoted. Everyone took the initiative to work on some things on their own, come together and create something kind of magical. With every event we had, nothing came off exactly as we intended it to, but the things that we were able to accomplish went off exceedingly well. It was due to the heart and soul of our arts community.

BRIAN, HOW DID THE FESTIVAL FOSTER CONNECTION THROUGHOUT THE AREA’S ARTS AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS? BRIAN HERSH, CEO OF THE ARTS AND CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF SARASOTA COUNTY What Jeffery has tapped into is that there’s a great need for this collective force and energy. I think that’s something that is still present and needed and that our organizations still see that. When there is a festival, it’s an opportunity to increase and amplify the banner here in Sarasota as Florida’s Cultural Coast. Since the Covid era, the cultural sector has been very resilient and there’s a lot of data that shows the bounce in Sarasota specifically and how loyal our community has been to continue to invest in the arts. There are many different pathways that people can pick in

difficult time and the arts community, in the difficult time of Covid, was picked to be in more of a collaborative, collective space together. That trend is continuing to grow—I’m entering my third year in this role and I know that there was a collective effort before my time here. There is a much better spirit of collaboration across our cultural community and I’m optimistic of where that will lead.

ERIN, WHAT DID YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL FROM A TOURISM PERSPECTIVE?

ERIN DUGGAN, CEO AND PRESIDENT OF VISIT SARASOTA COUNTY (VSC) I went to the opening event, which had been switched around because of the storms, in the lobby of Art Ovation Hotel, and it was electric. Everybody was so excited to be there—I hate to keep using the word resilient—but that’s the best word there was for the festival last year. I love to tell the arts and cultural story, because not only does it give me a platform to speak about the different personalities within our arts organizations, but it also helps put heads in beds. If you want to come to the festival and you don’t live here or if you want to be in the festival and don’t live here, you’re going to impact tourism. Just as important as those two things, however, is that the festival reminds residents that we’re Florida’s Cultural Coast and by igniting that pride in residents, they’re more keen to tell their friends and families that they live on Florida’s Cultural Coast. If you build a place that people want to visit, then you’ve built a place that people want to work. If you’ve built a place where people want to work, then you’ve built a place where people want to invest. The arts has its own little cycle as well, where if you have quality arts events, then you will have people that want to be in the arts events

and even more people that want to watch the arts events.

CAN EACH OF YOU TELL ME ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO LIVE IN AN AREA THAT HAS ROOTED ITS IDENTITY IN THE ARTS? DUGGAN It’s something that a lot of us took for granted up until these past few years. I’ve been in Sarasota County for over 40 years, so I know it to be true, but for someone who moved here a few months ago, they won’t have a clue. It goes back to education, we can’t rest on our laurels. There’s a reason why VSC has an element of our plan that covers resident sentiment and resident engagement—a couple of years ago, that would

and there were organizations that came forth that I’d never heard of, groups and people who had incredible energy and tenacity. There is something wonderful about building a bigger table so that there is space for the big guys, but also the smaller organizations as well. It’s very important to me that no organization is left behind. HERSH Sarasota has a legacy and a rooted identity in culture. John Ringling’s shadow looms large in his moving creatives and artisans here to help launch a circus, but then at the same time, Sarasota has been an artist colony where artists come to practice their work and be inspired by each other. It’s also the home of an entire architectural aesthetic.

“If you’re a visitor during something like Sarasota Rising, where you get a piece of all of these different arts organizations, not only is it going to instill in you that ‘wow, this is Florida’s Cultural Coast,’ but it’s going to motivate you to come back and be a repeat visitor.”

—Erin Duggan, Visit Sarasota County

have been unheard of for a tourism agency to spend any time, energy or effort on resident sentiment. We’ve learned, however, that if we don’t stay in front of the narrative of why tourism is important to our residents, they are going to take tourism for granted. That’s why it’s important for Jeffery to be bringing all these arts groups together. Another difficult thing he does, but is also ridiculously important, is making sure that these arts events are accessible—in terms of price, age and proximity for audiences all over Sarasota County. KIN We had a choice to make about who the festival included and came away with the very sincere and honest decision that everyone that wants to be involved is allowed to be involved. We welcome the big guys, we welcome the little guys. I learned a lot about our community—I’ve lived here for 30 years

It is home to all of these different cultural and artistic identities and has always been a place that fosters and nurtures creativity. I’m sure Erin, with her marketing prowess, can speak to that when someone comes to a community, they’re going to know about the big draws. People have heard about our amazing beaches, great weather and probably The Ringling Museum, which attracts an unbelievable amount of visitors. But then there are these smaller organizations, these hidden gems where visitors can find something unexpected. It’s about the breadth and depth of the cultural organizations here.

JEFFERY AND ERIN, WHAT DO YOU HOPE THE FESTIVAL WILL GROW TO BE IN FIVE YEARS? KIN There is so much potential. There were moments last year, with the storms and everything

else going on, that I had a board member suggest that we cancel. I said ‘no, that’s the worst thing we can do.’ We have to follow through, we have to start somewhere and then you learn and grow off of that in five years time. I kept saying, wouldn’t it be great if we had some sort of central ticketing system, where we could combine tickets to different arts organizations’ events and sell them together. There are all these things that would allow us to work better together so that we start getting the day-trippers from Naples, Tampa Bay and Orlando. DUGGAN For VSC, a win is a head in a bed anytime of year and it’s about quality, not quantity. I love the arts and cultural enthusiasts—research tells us they tend to be educated, they tend to be wealthy, they often spend a lot of money and are philanthropic too. These things are important,

because visitation usually leads to relocation. The Living Arts Festival is similar to restaurant week. We started restaurant week—Savor Sarasota—20 years ago to not just drive up business after Memorial Day weekend, but to have a platform to tell the stories of Sarasota County’s restaurant scene. The Living Arts Festival is an event, it’s communicating to residents all that there is to see and do and inspiring pride, but it also plants a seed in potential visitors. Because whether that visitor comes during the festival or at another point in the year, they’re still going to engage with our arts and cultural scene, keep that circle of tourism going and further cement Sarasota County as Florida’s Cultural Coast.

BRIAN, AS YOU’RE GEARING UP FOR PEAK SEASON, HOW IS THE ARTS AND CULTURAL ATMOSPHERE IN SARASOTA DIFFERENT FROM 5-10 YEARS AGO? HERSH Before I came to Sarasota, I lived in New York City, which is obviously a strong cultural capital. I remember when Erin and I were in London a year ago with the Sarasota Ballet, one of the journalists said that everyone expects to be busy in a place like New York. What they don’t expect, however, is it to be the same way in Sarasota. You’re going to need to rest up if you want to fully engage in art and culture during our peak season time, because truly, you won’t be able to get to everything. When people want to talk about something new and innovative, that comes naturally to arts and cultural organizations, because they’re always trying to better themselves artistically. They’re always trying to present something new, with a new energy and perspective. That’s by nature. You can see what’s on the artistic edge of the world right here in Sarasota. There is always something at our fingertips, for people from

throughout Sarasota County, and the excellence over the last decade continues to grow.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FAVORITE MEMORIES OF LAST YEAR’S LIVING ARTS FESTIVAL? KIN We had a huge closing event at the Circus Arts Conservatory with over 300 performers from the education wings of around 11 different arts groups. We had two different ballet companies, both performing pieces from The Nutcracker and, since I was sitting in front of one of the groups, I thought I’d hear the usual titter tatter of, “Oh, look at that plié” or “Those tights are nice,” but it was just the opposite. They were the loudest supporters of the other company. We realized that by accident, we had exposed 11 different education wings to each other and they all became the biggest cheerleaders of each other. My favorite moment was just hearing the joy, applause and support from all of the different arts organizations to one another—it was special, it was something that we didn’t plan and I’m super proud of it. HERSH I spent a few hours at the Rise and Shine Saturday event last year. My favorite exchanges were with the parents who’d come to see their children perform, the pride they had in their kids, but also the warmth they offered and gratitude they had to have had that experience was incredibly meaningful. You can see the parents beaming and to have those conversations with them about how proud they were and grateful to have that opportunity for their children meant a lot.

SRQARTS

502 Gallery

Sarasota’s newest art gallery located in the Historic Burns Court District invites art enthusiasts and community members to experience the best of regional and local talent in its vibrant gallery space. The gallery stands as a premier art destination, fostering a welcoming environment for exploring and appreciating the works of local Southwest Florida artists as well as established figures with ties to the Sarasota art community. 502 Gallery is co-owned by accomplished director and curator, Tim Jaeger, Cassia Kite Jaeger, artist and art educator and Dr. Richard Mones. The gallery’s mission is to showcase work by early, mid, and established artists at fair prices with honesty and integrity, representing their artists with these values at the forefront. 502.gallery

Shopliftable: Part III + IV

Sept - Oct A bold group exhibition featuring local and emerging artists challenging norms of value, labor, and authorship.

Keith Crowley: Interloper November Meditative watercolor works exploring memory, decay, and the tension between stillness and noise.

Anthony Rice: Like a Deer December A continuation of Rice’s visual investigations into identity, legacy, and mythic transformation.

Art Center Sarasota

Located off Tamiami Trail, Art Center Sarasota has made a name for itself as the community gallery for the city and county. Between bringing artists from across the state and beyond for solo and collaborative exhibitions, and the Center’s many open and juried competitions seeing submissions from hundreds of local artists across the region, Art

Center Sarasota keeps all four of its galleries filled as much as possible, with multiple shows each Cycle, free and open to all visitors. artsarasota.org

SARTQ Collective

Oct 9 - Nov 15 A dynamic group exhibition that explores and honors the rich, evolving history of Art Center Sarasota. Members of SARTQ will engage in a creative dialogue with the past, crafting contemporary responses to the legacy of the Sarasota Art Association and the original artists who shaped the foundation of ACS. Through a wide range of styles, mediums, and conceptual approaches, the exhibit showcases the ways in which today’s artists interpret, challenge, and build upon a century of artistic innovation.

Juan Alonso-Rodríguez: Earthly Glyphs Oct 9 - Nov 15 Juan Alonso-Rodríguez’s upcoming exhibition, Earthly Glyphs, takes fictional, deep microscopic views into the core of the Earth’s strata. Juan Alonso-Rodríguez is a Cuban-born, self-taught artist with a career spanning over three decades in the Pacific Northwest, now residing in St. Petersburg, FL.

Njeri Kinuthia: Reconstruction: Mwacha Mila NiSi Mtumwa

Oct 9 - Nov 15 Reconstruction: Mwacha Mila NiSi Mtumwa explores reconstruction as a symbol of hope. Using various construction methods such as weaving and sewing, and expressive mark-making techniques such as hatching, cross-hatching, and hand embroidery, Njeri Kinuthia creates portraits inspired by bold textiles and stained glass. This body of work questions how culture shapes our identity and who we are beyond the confines of our traditions.

Juried Show: Small Works Oct 9 - Nov 15 A celebration of art on an intimate scale, this exhibition highlights the impact of pieces that may be small in size but powerful in presence.

From intricate details to bold statements, small works proves that great art doesn’t have to be large to leave a lasting impression.

Inaugural Authors + Illustrators Book Fair

Dec 6, 12-4pm, Free Join us for a vibrant celebration of storytelling, print, and creativity at our first-ever Author & Illustrator Book Fair. This special event celebrates the power of words and images, showcasing the talents of local and regional authors, illustrators, and bookmakers.

Delsy Rubio | The Collective Lens | Russ Noto | Juried Show: Paradise Dec 4 – Jan 10 A juried exhibition selected by Robyn Holl that invites artists to envision personal and collective interpretations of utopia, escape, and idealized worlds. Accompanying this theme are two compelling solo exhibitions: Echoes: Movement and Permanence by Delsy Rubio, whose large-scale works explore resonance and transformation through line and material, and new paintings by Russ Noto, which merge figurative symbolism and mythological overtones within lush, surreal environments. In The Collective Lens, the ACS Photo Critique Group presents a vibrant group exhibition celebrating the diverse photographic practices cultivated through two years of creative exchange and peer support.

Annual Juried Members

Show Jan 22 - Feb 21 This inclusive, unthemed exhibition showcases the diverse talents of our member artists across a wide range of styles and mediums—from bold abstractions to detailed realism. With guaranteed inclusion for all who submit, the show reflects our commitment to accessibility, creativity, and the vibrant spirit that has defined our community for 100 years.

Herion Park | Newtown Artists, Across Generations | Kendra Frorup | Juried Show:

Art of the Spectacle Mar 5 - Apr 18 Art Center Sarasota continues its Centennial Season with a powerful lineup of exhibitions that celebrate storytelling, performance, and community. Art of the Spectacle, juried by Maria Schaedler-Luera, invites bold and theatrical works inspired by fashion, circus, and stagecraft. In the solo exhibition At Home Anywhere, Bahamian artist Kendra Frorup explores themes of belonging, transformation, and cultural memory through sculptural forms rich in narrative and material symbolism. Herion Park’s deeply personal installation pays tribute to her mother’s unconditional love, using textiles, organic materials, and cast forms to reflect universal emotions of connection and healing. In

Across Generations: Rooted in Community, co-curated by Paul Toliver, Newtown and Overtown artists come together in a group exhibition that honors the enduring impact of Sarasota’s historically Black neighborhoods on the city’s creative identity.

North Sarasota County Schools Spring Art Show

Apr 28 - May 9 Featuring artwork from over 1,500 K–12 students in Sarasota’s public and charter schools. Organized by Angela Hartvigsen and Debra Markley, this annual tradition showcases the creativity of young artists, many exhibiting in a gallery for the first time. The exhibition includes special award ceremonies for both elementary and high school students, with over $20,000 in scholarships and prizes.

502 Gallery Tim Jaeger’s REWRITE no. 1: Sunbathers of Sarasota, 2023, 40” x 60”, acrylic + oil on canvas

Anja Palombo | Architects

Who Art: Designing the Cultural Coast | Cat Tesla | Juried Show: Medium Mutiny

May 21 - Aug 1 A juried exhibition selected by Ed Swan Jr. that celebrates boundary-pushing works challenging tradition through bold experimentation in form, material, and concept. Solo exhibitions include Living by the Water by Cat Tesla, whose serene, abstract paintings reflect a journey of healing and transformation inspired by Florida’s landscapes. A new body of work by Anja Palombo, blending her deep love of nature and art history into expressive visual narratives. In Architects Who Art, co-curated by Morris Hylton III, Sarasota-based architects including Carl Abbott, Jerry Sparkman, and Javi Suárez present multidisciplinary works that blur the line between design and fine art.

Architecture Sarasota

Transforming places and inspiring lives. Architecture Sarasota stewards the legacy of the Sarasota School of Architecture while providing a forum for the education, advocacy and celebration of good design in the global built environment. Join us in advancing our mission through dynamic public programs, captivating exhibitions, and strategic collaborations. Dive into educational experiences and groundbreaking scholarly projects that inspire and connect communities—locally, nationally and globally. architecturesarasota.org

MOD Weekend 2025Moderns That Matter Nov 14 – 16 This year, we shine a spotlight on Moderns That Matter, a curated collection of iconic landmarks and everyday spaces that define Sarasota’s unique architectural identity and vibrant sense of place. This thoughtful inventory showcases 100 years of architectural excellence and

celebrates Sarasota’s role as a global epicenter of design innovation. Throughout MOD Weekend, many of these standout locations will welcome visitors with tours and special programming, offering a rare opportunity to experience Sarasota’s built heritage up close.

Modern Masterpiece

Uncovered Starting Nov 14 The Galloway’s Furniture Showroom of Sarasota opened in 1959. The building was designed by Victor Lundy, an architectural innovator and central figure of the Sarasota School of Architecture. A two-story, glass cylinder with an exposed “morning glory” laminated wood structure and suspended mezzanine, Galloway’s became an instant local landmark. A 1980s renovation concealed, but did not destroy much of the original architecture. This exhibition uncovers the modernist masterpiece by first exploring the building’s cultural and architectural significance in the context of the postwar period, the Sarasota School of Architecture, the pioneering work of Victory Lundy, and the vision of Ralph Galloway. Historical documentation is augmented with building and site analysis undertaken by architecture students and faculty from Hampton University. The exhibition concludes with a proposal for restoring and reimagining the “Lundy Pavilion” as a multipurpose venue.

Artist Series Concerts

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota offers a diverse range of intimate musical experiences featuring emerging and accomplished classical, chamber, jazz and pops artists from around the globe. The season includes 26 concerts— one of which is a special rock and roll oratorio—presented at eight venues throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. artistseriesconcerts.org

Contrasts

Oct 12 Violinist Nicholas Eanet was senior concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra for almost two decades and has been the first violinist of the Juilliard and Mendelssohn string quartets. Pianist Jungeun Kim is director of instrumental accompaniment at the Curtis Institute and has performed worldwide with numerous distinguished artists. They collaborate with Sarasota Orchestra principal cellist Natalie Helm in piano trios by Schubert and Dvořák, and principal clarinetist Bharat Chandra in Bela Bartok’s Contrasts.

Legacy Oct 19 – 20

Celebrate the dedication of Dr. Joseph Holt as a star of Sarasota’s music scene for the past 16 years. In this performance, he joins Sarasota Orchestra concertmaster Daniel Jordan and assistant principal cellist Christopher Schnell in an all-Russian program of Rachmaninoff, Kabalevsky and Shostakovich.

The Queen’s Six Oct 28

By popular demand, The Queen’s Six returns to Sarasota for an encore to their sold-out 2023 ASC performance. As

members of the lay clerks of St. George’s Chapel of Windsor Castle, The Queen’s Six performs at weekly services and special events for the royal family—including the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. From austere early chant, florid Renaissance polyphony, lewd madrigals, and haunting folk songs, to upbeat jazz and pop arrangements.

How Low Can You Go? Nov 13

Two of classical music’s most “under the radar” instruments step into the spotlight for a delightful program of unusual duets. Bassoonist Eleni Katz has established herself as a prominent soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. Double bassist Nina Bernat is a recipient of a 2023 Avery Fisher Career Grant, and recently made her concerto debut with the Minnesota Orchestra and Osmo Vänskä to great acclaim. They come together for music by Bach, Mozart and Piazzolla.

Astral Mixtape Nov 20

Astral Mixtape creates groundbreaking original music with classical instruments and electronics. By combining their wide-ranging listening interests with a lifetime of classical training, they have

created a personal musical language all their own. Their live performances synthesize the spectacle of pop, the spontaneity of jazz, and the experimentation of contemporary music. This program includes original works that combine music by Rimsky-Korsakov, VaughanWilliams, Astor Piazzolla, and Andrew Lloyd Webber with contemporary electronics.

Fry Street Quartet Nov 23

Praised as “a triumph of ensemble playing” by The New York Times, Fry Street Quartet’s program begins with Claude Debussy’s only string quartet and concludes with Beethoven’s powerful Opus 130 quartet. In between is Source Code by Grammy Awardwinning composer Jessie Montgomery.

Young Concert Artists Dec 9

YCA on Tour is an extraordinary chamber music touring ensemble that is made up of the incredible talent of current Young Concert Artists and esteemed alumni from the YCA family. Their program features Franz Schubert’s final chamber work, his poignant String Quintet in C major for two cellos.

Morning Song Dec 18

Spend the morning surrounded by the glorious sounds of two outstanding Young Concert Artists mezzo soprano Erin Wagner and Tenor Daniel McGrew. Accompanied by Sarasota Opera pianist Jesse Martins, their program includes music from opera and Broadway along with some holiday favorites.

Mike Block Trio Jan 6

Mike Block is a cellist, singer, composer and member of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble, who has been hailed by Gramophone Magazine as “one of the bravest, most intriguing musicians on the American fusion scene.” Block is teamed with equally virtuosic partners Joe K. Walsh, a bluegrass mandolin player, and bassist Zachariah Hickman. The trio fertilizes American roots and Appalachian folk music with contemporary and international influences, bringing an exciting and personal perspective to the acoustic music scene.

Erinys Quartet Jan 13

With roots in Estonia, Lithuania, Greece, the U.S., and Finland, the Erinys Quartet is named for the Erinyes (a.k.a. the Furies) from the Greek tragedy Oresteia by Aeschylus. Erinys Quartet

Artist Series ArcoStrum and The Queen’s Six, images courtesy of the artists.

has been the Maltzahn String Quartet in Residence at the Curtis Institute for the past two years. Their program includes music by Schubert, Bartok and Brahms.

Trumpet Talk Jan 22 Canadian trumpeter William Leathers is the principal trumpet of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and the Santa Fe Opera. Joined by Joseph Holt on piano, Leathers’ program includes trumpet music by film composer John Williams. A multi-talented artist, the program also features Chopin’s Ballade #1.

Follow the Lieder Feb 1 - Feb 2 Violinist Blake Pouliot has performed with orchestras throughout North and South America and Europe. His decade-long collaborator is pianist Henry Kramer. Together, they present a program devoted to the influence of art song on instrumental music, including selections by Schumann and Chausson, Pouliot’s own arrangement of Dvořák’s Zigeunerlieder, and music from the opera Carmen

James Ehnes and Friends Feb 10 Ehnes returns for an encore performance. Joined by long-time recital partner pianist Andrew Armstrong, the pair will play Elgar’s expansive Violin Sonata and assorted violin showpieces. After intermission Ehnes will be joined by violinist Daniel Jordan, violists Stephanie Block and Nathan Frantz, and cellists Natalie Helm and Bjorn Ranheim in Arnold Schoenberg’s harmonically lush string sextet, Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night).

ArcoStrum Mar 5

Committed to redefining the 21st century violin-guitar art form, ArcoStrum presents innovative chamber music that blends multiple genres, eras, and cultures. The duo champions unique concert programming through original transcriptions of beloved classical repertoire, progressive rock, and traditional Chinese instrumental music featuring the erhu and dizi.

Invoke Mar 17 The multiinstrumental quartet encompasses traditions from across America, including classical, bluegrass, Appalachian fiddle tunes, jazz, and minimalism. Fueled by their passion for storytelling, Invoke

are particularly interested in performing works by women composers to highlight their contributions to the repertoire and to share with diverse audiences. Their program includes Haydn’s String Quartet Op. 33, No. 1.

weaves together all these styles to form a unique contemporary repertoire featuring original works composed by and for the group. Their creative performances are designed to sharpen your ears, stretch your imagination, and broaden your perception of music.

Lasting Impressions

Apr 5 – 6 The delicate beauty of impressionist music forms the heart of this captivating program. Michael Turkell, principal second violin of Sarasota Orchestra, joins forces with Florida Orchestra assistant principal cello Victor Minke Huls and Lincoln Center Stage Quintet pianist Maria Parrini in a program that includes violin and piano sonatas by Enescu and Fauré, and Ravel’s duo for violin and cello.

DragonBoot Quartet

April 12 The members of the DragonBoot Quartet are current students in the Honors Chamber Music Program at the Juilliard School. As an all-women group, they

Voice of the Cello April 21

Canadian cellist Cameron Crozman and fellow Canadian pianist Meagan Milatz return for a much-anticipated encore. For this program, the pair will perform music by Debussy and Gershwin, and a piece written for them by composer Graham Campbell. Following intermission, they will be joined by violinist Daniel Jordan and violist Margaret Dyer Harris in a performance of Robert Schumann’s groundbreaking Piano Quartet in E-flat Major.

Saxophone Splendoro April 30 Hailing from Siberia, classical saxophonist Valentin Kovalev is an ebullient and highly eclectic performer whose unique style was developed after studying in Russia, France and the United States. Valentin gave a sold-out debut recital at Carnegie Hall during the 2023- 24 season. Joined by Joseph Holt on piano, Kovalev’s program includes music by Bach, Rachmaninoff, Bizet, and Piazzolla.

Baroque Treasures May 10 Two of Sarasota’s finest step into the spotlight with a program that basks in the magical sounds of their ancient instruments. Accompanied by strings and harpsichord, Sarasota Orchestra principal oboe Bobby Nunes and principal harp Phoebe Powell each perform a concerto for their instrument by baroque master G.F. Handel. The two also join forces for Debussy’s enchanting Album of Five Pieces for Oboe and Harp

Asolo Repertory Theatre

A leading artistic force on the creative coast, Asolo’s theatrical scene is a major contributor to Sarasota’s rich cultural atmosphere and is well known for its diverse spread of yearly productions. With inspiring and engaging performances, the theater never fails to envelop its audience in a vibrant and entertaining environment. Every season, Asolo Rep revives old classics and brings brand new production. asolorep.org

Come From Away Nov 12Dec 28 Come From Away tells the inspiring true story of 7,000 airline passengers stranded in the remote town of Gander, Newfoundland in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. As fear and uncertainty gripped the world, the people of Gander responded with open arms. Through music, humor, and heart this hit Broadway musical celebrates the power of human connection, reminds us that kindness can bring people together in the unlikeliest of times.

All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 Dec 3 – 19 The Western Front Christmas. A German soldier sets down his rifle and steps in No Man’s Land, singing “Silent Night.” Thus begins an extraordinary night of fellowship, music, and peace, told in the words and the songs of the men who lived it. Peter Rothstein’s salute to unsung heroes of The Great War returns.

Primary Trust Jan 7 – Feb 11

One of the most awarded offBroadway premieres of 2024, Eboni Booth’s absorbing, funny, and ultimately profound new play is about a middle-aged man scraping by in small town America. Kenneth spends

his days working in a quiet bookstore and his evenings sipping Mai Tais at the local tiki bar, but when he loses his job, he’s forced to confront a world he’s long avoided.

Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d Jan 21 - Mar 14 A Hollywood film star and her entourage descend upon a quaint English village to film an epic period drama. But when the glamorous opening reception ends in a chilling murder, everyone becomes a suspect, leaving Agatha Christie’s beloved sleuth, Miss Marple to untangle a web of ambition, deceit, and stage fright. One of the Queen of Mystery’s most celebrated novels finally makes it to the stage in this new adaptation by Rachel Wagstaff.

The Unfriend Feb 18 - Mar 22

From the writer of television’s Dr. Who, Sherlock, and Dracula comes a hilarious new play about an unwanted house guest. A er twenty years of marriage, Peter and Debbie are enjoying a cruise and a break

from their annoying teenagers, when they meet an eagerly friendly, but perhaps dangerous, fellow passenger named Elsa. Before you know it, she’s taken up residence in their suburban home. Asolo Rep stages the US premiere of this hugely

entertaining and satirical look at the terrifying lengths we go just to be nice.

Fiddler on the Roof

Apr 11 - May 24 This beloved classic has delighted audiences across the globe for over six decades. Tevye, the village milkman, is trying to provide his wife and their five daughters with a life filled with prosperity, faith, and tradition. But a revolution is on the horizon and everything they have come to cherish hangs in the balance.

Marie and Rose a May 6 - May 31 A huge influence of Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash and Jimi Hendrix, Sister Rose a Tharpe was a legend in her time, adding fierce guitar and swing to traditional gospel music, becoming the Mother of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Marie and Rose a chronicle her first rehearsal with a young protégée, Marie Knight, as they prepare to embark on a tour that would establish them as one of the great duos in music history.

Lady Disdain June 6 - June 27 There’s much ado about something in this whipsmart, laugh-out-loud new romantic comedy from Lauren Gunderson. Lady Disdain is a fast-paced, razor-sharp riff on the deliciously dramatic world of fantasy romance novels. Beatrice and Benedict, rival audiobook narrators with voices made for swooning and tempers made for sparring, are locked in a ba le of wits, words, and wildly inconvenient a raction.

Azara Ballet

Azara Ballet is a captivating force in the realm of dance, passionately crafting contemporary ballet masterpieces that ignite the souls of the Sarasota/Manatee community. As a non-profit professional dance company, we are fervently dedicated to revitalizing ballet culture, infusing it with a profound emphasis on the mental and emotional well-being of the dancers. Azara Ballet wholeheartedly embraces the celebration of body positivity and the kaleidoscope of individuality. Within the ballet world they are radiating a resolute commitment to breaking new ground as trailblazers for representation and inclusivity. azaraballet.org

Encore Nov 14 - 15 Back by popular demand, Encore is a compelling evening of audience favorites that have defined Azara Ballet’s artistic voice. This richly woven program features two poignant works by Martin Flowers—Kodumaa and Lost & Found—alongside Joshua Stayton’s striking Symphony, Leiland Charles’ ethereal Divine Serenity, and Olivia Huseonica’s heartfelt Is This What Love Is. Together, these pieces offer a dynamic and emotionally resonant journey through themes of identity, connection, and transformation.

PARTNER ORGANIZATION

PORTFOLIO

ARTIST SERIES CONCERTS OF SARASOTA

ARTIST SERIES CONCERTS OF SARASOTA: 30 YEARS OF MUSIC THAT CONNECTS. This season, Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota celebrates its 30th anniversary—three decades of bringing world-class musicians to Sarasota in intimate settings. Our performances place you just steps away from the artists, close enough to see every nuance, hear the stories behind the music, and feel the emotion shaped by their journeys. You might even learn the history of the instruments that have traveled the world with them. ROOTED IN CLASSICAL MUSIC, our programming also surprises audiences with genre-bending infl uences—bluegrass, jazz, electronic, and more—creating performances that are as fresh and relevant as they are timeless. In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, WE INVITE YOU TO EXPERIENCE THE “SLOW ARTS”—the cultural equivalent of the slow food movement. It’s not about less energy, but about more intention: savoring every note, every pause, every shared breath between artist and audience. In these moments, the distractions of life fade, replaced by music that nourishes the mind and soul. THESE AREN’T JUST CONCERTS— they are immersive, human experiences that lower stress, spark joy, and foster genuine connection. Unplug from the noise, plug into the music, and discover the transformative power of live performance—up close, personal, and unforgettable.

“while i grew up playing the flute, and have always enjoyed classical music, i’m not a professional musician or expert by any stretch of the imagination. every concert, however, i’m moved to hear each artist’s unique sound and to be transported to a zen-like headspace and allow my imagination to roam free. i love to hear the artists’ stories and how they got to where they are. this 30th season, i’m excited to dive into mike block trio’s appalachian fusion, william leathers’ ‘trumpet talk,’ and arcostrum’s innovative work with traditional chinese instruments like the dizi and erhu. we have an incredible season lined up.”

—keren shani-lifrak, artist series concerts’ executive director

ARTIST SERIES CONCERTS OF SARASOTA 1226 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Fl 34236 941.306.1200 info@artistseriesconcerts.org

2025-26 SEASON

THE QUEEN’S SIX

October 28, 2025

ASTRAL MIXTAPE

November 20, 2025

YCA ON TOUR December 9, 2025

MORNING SONG

December 18, 2025

MIKE BLOCK TRIO

January 6, 2026

ERINYS QUARTET

January 13, 2026

FOLLOW THE LIEDER February 1 & 2, 2026

INVOKE

March 17, 2026

VOICE OF THE CELLO April 21, 2026

BAROQUE TREASURES May 10, 2026

For more event and ticket information, please see listings starting on page 10.

Short&Suite Dec 19 - 20 A cherished holiday tradition. Now in its third season, Short & Suite delights with a sparkling blend of classical elegance and contemporary charm, featuring whimsical excerpts from The Nutcracker Suite and more.

Seasons Mar 20 - 21 Our season finale. This evocative evening includes two world premiers. The premier of Artistic Director’s Joshua Stayton’s brand new piece, Four Seasons and of a deeply personal new work by Martin Flowers, exploring autism through the powerful language of dance.

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is the largest natural and cultural history museum on the Gulf Coast and puts the world, both past and present, in context for its visitors through permanent collections, traveling exhibitions, a state-of-the-art planetarium and numerous community activities and educational outreach programs. Explore fossil evidence of Florida’s oldest animal inhabitants and peruse the Montague Tallant collection of prehistoric and post-contact artifacts. Other permanent exhibits showcase maritime history and the history of Spanish colonization. bishopscience.org

Bishop After Hours Presents

Asolo Rep On Tour’s Alice in Wonderland Nov 4 Adapted from Lewis Caroll by Asolo Rep’s Cat Brindisi and David Darrow. This adaptation brings the beloved story to life in a fastpaced play, inviting students and families to embark on a brave adventure of imagination.

Asolo Rep On Tour’s Shakespeare Nov 13 Adapted from William Shakespeare and created by Asolo Rep’s Director of Education & Engagement, Terrance

Jackson, this Shakespearean revue will showcase a selection of scenes, sonnets, and soliloquies, all interwoven with insights into Shakespeare’s life, plays, and lasting legacy.

Sidewalk Astronomy

Ongoing The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature has partnered with the Local Group of Deep Sky Observers (LGDSO) to bring Sidewalk Astronomy to the Museum. At these free events, you’ll have a chance to see seasonal celestial bodies and much more through powerful telescopes.

Backyard Science

Ongoing Saturdays Make your Saturday mornings even more fun! Check out the Backyard Science program for elementary-aged learners at The Bishop’s incredible indoor Mosaic Backyard Universe.

Circus Arts Conservatory

The Circus Arts Conservatory is the nation’s only nonprofit organization that combines professional circus performances, youth circus training, education and outreach programming. Showcased in a one-ring, European-style Big Top, Circus Sarasota features circus acts, acclaimed for their incredible artistry, from around the globe. Sailor Circus Academy, the nation’s longest-running youth circus, provides rigorous athletic training as well as helps students learn life management skills, gain self-discipline, bolster confidence and make a commitment to achievement. The CAC also runs in-school magnet programs at two area schools, Booker Middle and Sarasota High. Circusarts.org

Sailor Circus Holiday Show

Dec 26 - Dec 29 Celebrate over 75 years of Sarasota circus tradition with the beloved Sailor Circus Holiday Show. It’s a festive holiday showcase of local student performers (ages 6 - 18), featuring everything from heart-stopping hand balancing to the soaring thrills of the flying trapeze.

Windjammers Unlimited

Circus Band Jan 11 Step into a world where music and circus arts come together as the nationally acclaimed Windjammers circus band fills the Sailor Circus Arena with traditional circus music. Sailor Circus students join the show, matching every note with impressive circus skills and unforgettable performances.

The Marvelous Miraculous Circus Machine Jan 14

This is a one-of-a-kind circus event you’ll only find in Sarasota. Thousands of fifth grade students rave about this program, and now it’s your turn to experience this circus science spectacle. Explore the world of science through lifesize cause-and-effect circus machines.

Circus Sarasota 2026

Feb 14 - Mar 8 The Big Top returns to Nathan Benderson Park with an all-new international circus cast. From edge-of-your-seat stunts to timeless circus classics, Circus Sarasota brings the world’s best right to your backyard.

Cirque des Voix: Circus of the Voices Mar 13 - Mar 15 Cirque Des Voix is a Sarasota original and a one-of-a-kind experience. A collaboration between The Circus Arts Conservatory and Key Chorale that’s as ambitious as it is breathtaking. For three days only, get ready for a spectacular presentation of music, circus artistry, and aweinspiring moments.

Next Gen SRQ Mar 29

Sarasota’s brightest young stars from across the student performing arts community come together for Next Gen SRQ. This special collaborative showcase features top youth talent all sharing the spotlight.

Sailor Circus Spring Show

Apr 17 - Apr 19 The red carpet rolls out and the arena lights up for a blockbuster weekend as Sailor Circus presents its annual spring production. Experience heart-pounding acrobatics, breathtaking aerials, and showstopping skills, all performed by our talented students.

DIVERSITY: THE VOICES OF SARASOTA

DIVERSITY: THE VOICES OF SARASOTA IS SARASOTA’S ALL-WELCOMING LGBTQ+ MIXED CHORUS, WHERE VOICES OF EVERY BACKGROUND, AGE, AND IDENTITY COME TOGETHER TO CREATE SOMETHING BIGGER THAN OURSELVES. Since 1997, we’ve been more than a chorus - we’re a chosen family, united by music, laughter, and the joy of making harmony. OUR 27-YEAR LEGACY HAS TAKEN US FROM LOCAL STAGES TO NATIONAL SPOTLIGHTS, including representing Sarasota at the 2024 GALA Festival in Minneapolis. Along the way, we’ve sung for sold-out houses, uplifted underserved communities, and proudly received the 2025 Sarasota Magazine Unity Award for our commitment to inclusion. Every mainstage concert features a professional American Sign Language interpreter, ensuring performances are accessible and welcoming to diverse audiences. Season 28 celebrates dreams - daring to imagine, to hope, and to create a future where everyone belongs. With repertoire spanning pop, Broadway, and contemporary works, our performances weave artistry and emotion into experiences that stay with you long after the final note. LOOKING AHEAD, we’re building toward the GALA Festival 2028, carrying Sarasota’s voice onto the world stage again. Whether you join us as a singer, audience member, or supporter, you’ll fi nd a place where your presence matters - and your voice is always welcome.

“season 28 is your invitation to step into our world of dreams — to see love, life, the future, happiness, and acceptance through the eyes (and voices) of the singers of diversity. we open with the best of diversity, a high-energy celebration of the songs our audiences have loved most, then journey through imagine and aspire, concerts that spark hope, joy, and connection. every performance is more than music — it’s a shared moment, a heartbeat, a story told in harmony. we welcome you into our all-welcoming audience, where your presence adds to the music, your energy lifts every note, and together we create a shared dream that lingers long after the final chord fades.” — bernadette cattanach, president of the board of directors

DIVERSITY: THE

OF

PO Box 2453 | Sarasota, FL 34230 diversitysarasota.org contact@diversitysarasota.org

For more event and ticket information, please see listings starting on page 18.

Creative Liberties

It was in 2018 that Barbara Gerdeman and Elizabeth Goodwill knew they wanted to have a business together, but were continually brainstorming as to what that business would look like. Over the years to follow, Creative Liberties morphed and evolved into a multitude of forms. Then the brightest light bulb went on. They both have a passion for helping others and realized that would be the perfect direction for Creative Liberties - Artists Helping Artists. A business dedicated to helping artists of all levels with a plethora of needs including things like organizing work, selling work and entering shows. creativeliberties.net

Taste of Art at Chaz 51

Ongoing Enjoy award-winning food, exceptional wines and cocktails and observe remarkable local visual artists at work while you dine.

Art Immersion with Lina Rincon Ongoing Wednesdays, 4-7pm Art immersion class for children ages 6-18. Small classes with fine arts materials. Visit linarinconart.com for more information and to register. 927 N. Lime Avenue, Sarasota.

Artists in Residence at 340 Central Avenue Gallery in ARCOS Apartments Sept 1Oct 31 Meet artists in residence Jake and Kayla Webster.

Discover Sarasota Tours

Discover Sarasota Tours (DST) is an award-winning locally owned trolley tour company. We offer 17 different entertaining and informative tours in our air-conditioned trolley named Dolly. Our daytime tours focus on fascinating people, interesting stories and intriguing places that have shaped Sarasota’s rich cultural history. DiscoverSarasotaTours.com

Amish Experience:

Bridges To Understanding Thursdays, 10am Discover with our expert guide, Kendra Cross, why Sarasota is the only place in the world that the Amish and Mennonite communities come to vacation en masse. In Pinecraft, enjoy the tour stops at Alma Sue’s Quilt Shop, The Carlisle Inn and Der Dutchman Amish Kitchen Cooking Restaurant for shopping and a pie shooter sample of their delicious pie!

Public Art Tour Mondays, 1pm Join Jerome Chesley as you explore more than 60 pieces of public art located in downtown and St. Armands.

Architecture Tour Wednesdays, 10:30am Explore Art Deco, MidCentury Modern (the Sarasota School of Architecture) and Mediterranean Revival Architecture buildings, homes and structures of Sarasota on this 90-minute mainland tour.

Art Crawl Trolley Second Friday, 3pm, March– April Explore Sarasota’s vibrant public art downtown and neighborhood gallery locations. Hop on, hop off at the art gallery and studio locations. Enjoy free beer/wine before boarding, and at galleries while you browse.

Circus Secrets of Sarasota Saturdays, 1pm This tour led by circus historian Bob Collins explores the fascinating legacy of the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Leading Ladies of Sarasota Wednesdays, 10am Go back in time to the 1920’s in Sarasota to hear from three leading ladies (Bertha Palmer, Marie Selby and Mable Ringling) as portrayed by Kathryn Chesley, who shaped Sarasota into a cultural icon.

Murder Mystery Trolley Thursdays and Saturdays, 7:30pm Step right up to solve the murder of Dahlia the Queen of the High Wire on this interactive murder mystery who-dunnit.

Psychic Sundays Sundays, 1pm Join psychic and tarot reader, Deni Dreazen on a metaphysical exploration trolley tour of Sarasota. Visit Pixie Dust gift shop, experience a sound bath at the Crocker Memorial Church with sound healer, Kaylene McCaw, and then walk the labyrinth.

Diversity: Voices of Sarasota

With a mission to bring people together through music Diversity: Voices of Sarasota welcomes all singers to sing together and to share the power and beauty of the community alongside LGBTQ members and allies committed to growing the chorus. diversitysarasota.org

The Best of Diversity Concert Nov 7 Celebrating 28 years as Sarasota’s LGBTQ+ and all-welcoming chorus, Diversity shares a one-hour concert of audience favorites, Pride anthems, and heartfelt choral selections from recent seasons. With a blend of theatrical flair, harmonic beauty, and unshakable joy, this free/paywhat-you-can event is a chance to experience the music that defines the group’s mission of inclusion and community.

“Imagine”, 1st Concert of Dreams Series Dec 7 As the crisp autumn air gives way to the enchantment of winter, our December concert, “Imagine” will serve as a festive celebration of the season’s magic. The concert promises to be a rich tapestry of seasonal music, skillfully blended with themes of winter wonder and imagination. Each piece will invite the audience to reflect on the joy of the winter season.

St. Mark’s Friends of Music Concert Series Jan 14 These concerts not only provide the congregation opportunities to enjoy fine music, but also an opportunity for others in the community to visit and appreciate the wonderful place that is St. Mark’s Church.

PARTNER ORGANIZATION

PORTFOLIO

ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE

2025-26 SEASON

COME FROM AWAY

November 12December 28, 2025

ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914

December 3 - 19, 2025

PRIMARY TRUST

January 7February 11, 2026

THE MIRROR CRACK’D

January 21March 14, 2026

THE UNFRIEND

February 18March 22, 2026

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

April 11 - May 24, 2026

MARIE & ROSETTA

May 6 - May 31, 2026

LADY DISDAIN

June 6 - June 27, 2026

For more event and ticket information please see listings starting on page 12.

ASOLO REP’S 25/26 SEASON IS HERE, AND IT PROMISES TO BE ONE TO REMEMBER! Musicals, comedies, thrillers, classics, and world premieres all come together to create a season overflowing with HOPE, HEART, and ROCK ’N’ ROLL. THIS YEAR, ASOLO REP CONTINUES GROWING AND EVOLVING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. By expanding community partnerships, introducing bold new initiatives, and sharing fresh perspectives, Asolo Rep pushes the boundaries of what’s possible both on stage and beyond. ASOLO REP IS MORE THAN A PLACE FOR GREAT PERFORMANCES. It is an artistic home for the Gulf Coast and beyond, offering a seat for every neighbor, partner, and visitor. Right here in Sarasota, you’ll find world-class theatre created just for you. We are thrilled to welcome you to another extraordinary season.

since 1959, asolo repertory theatre has been recognized as one of the premier professional theatres in america and one of the largest in the southeastern united states. asolo rep presents up to 8 productions each season, including classics, contemporary drama, musicals, and world premieres. a theatre district in and of itself, asolo rep is committed to expanding its reach into the community, furthering its collaboration with the best theatre makers working in the industry today, and cultivating the next generation of artists through its affiliation with the fsu/asolo conservatory for actor training. under the leadership of producing artistic director peter rothstein and managing director ross egan, asolo rep’s ambitious theatrical offerings, commitment to new work, and ground-breaking education and engagement programs, ensure the company’s lasting legacy for future generations.

THE ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE 5555 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34243 800.361.8388 asolorep.org

Aspire, 2nd Concert of Dreams Series Apr 12 As winter melts into spring, our spirits will rise with the blooming blossoms in anticipation of our Spring concert, “Aspire.” This performance is a heartfelt tribute to resilience, showcasing the strength of the human spirit as we passionately pursue our destinies.

Florida Studio Theatre

Located in the heart of downtown, Florida Studio Theatre is one of Sarasota’s oldest and funkiest professional theaters, filling its veritable village of theaters—the historic Keating and Gompertz Theaters, the Parisian-style Goldstein, the John C. Court Cabaret stage and the Bowne’s Lab Theatre— with productions both original and classic. With an ongoing dedication to the improvisational and cabaret arts, audiences can find everything from the traditional straight play to a night of impossible-topredict shenanigans. floridastudiotheatre.org

Peter Pan Sept 20 - Oct 19

Take flight with Peter, Wendy, and Tinker Bell on a journey to Neverland—where pirates roam, fairies sparkle, and kids never grow up! With all the magic, mischief, and heart of the original story, this lively new adaptation brings Peter Pan’s world to life on stage like never before.

Feeling Good Sept 24Feb 8 Swing into an evening of style, swagger, and timeless charm with Feeling Good, a high-energy celebration of modern crooners. From the timeless elegance of Sinatra and the smooth sophistication of Michael Bublé to the sparkle of Bette Midler and Lady Gaga, this show delivers silky vocals, irresistible rhythms, and captivating personality.

We’re Doomed! Oct 4 - Oct 25

FST Improv dives headfirst into cinematic chaos, creating an original movie-style adventure

right before your eyes. From pulse-pounding action to spine-tingling suspense, each performance brings a fresh twist, new laughs, and plenty of over-the-top drama.

Out of Bounds Nov 1 - Nov 22

Two teams of improvisers go head-to-head in this no-holdsbarred comedy showdown. In competitive rounds of fastpaced games, spontaneous scenes, and off-the-cuff songs, experienced improvisers duke it out to win over the audience.

Lucky Stiff Nov 5 - Dec 28

A comedic murder mystery, complete with mistaken identities, six million bucks in diamonds, and a corpse in a wheelchair. An unassuming English shoe salesman who is forced to take the embalmed body of his recently murdered uncle on a vacation to Monte Carlo. Should he succeed in passing his uncle off as alive, Harry Witherspoon stands to inherit six million dollars. If not, the money goes to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn.

Three Pianos Nov 19 - Mar 29 From Billy Joel to Alicia Keys, from Ray Charles to Freddie Mercury, Three Pianos celebrates the piano legends who refused to play by the rules. These aren’t your cookiecutter rock stars: they’re the rebels, romantics, and risk-takers who turned 88 keys into pure magic.

Deck the Halls Nov 29Dec 24 Celebrate the holidays – Sarasota style! With palm trees wrapped in lights, sand snowmen, and festive tunes, this all-new edition of Deck the Halls captures the magic of Christmas and Hanukkah in the Sunshine State.

It’s a Blunderful Life Nov 29Dec 20 With no script, no plan, and no clue that’s coming next, our quick-witted cast spins an entire Hallmark movie on the spot. From tropey meet-cutes to Christmas tree farm drama, get ready for a holiday movie gone wildly off the rails.

A Tailor Near Me Dec 10 - Feb 15 In this heartwarming tale, a man visits a tailor to have his suit pants let out after realizing he’s gained some weight since he last wore them. What starts as a simple alteration turns into a transformative journey. Through their deepening conversations both their lives are altered. A Tailor Near Me is a story of self-discovery, friendship, and the magic of a perfectly tailored suit.

Resolution Rewind Dec 27 and Dec 31 Join FST Improv for the best games, sketches, and more of 2025! Our cast has put together a lineup of the audience’s favorite games of the year to provide you with a comedic retrospective.

Snow White Jan 3 - Feb 1 You’ve never seen Snow White like this before! Two quickchanging actors bring an entire fairy tale world to life in this inventive retelling of the classic

story. From the evil queen and the magic mirror to the seven dwarfs and a brave princess, this fast-paced adventure delights audiences of all ages with creativity, heart and humor.

Life’s a Beach Jan 3 - Mar 28 Drawing inspiration from audience suggestions, the cast of FST Improv weaves sketches, musical numbers, and classic improv games that pay special tribute to this beautiful spot in paradise we hold dear. From the epic annual snowbird migration and abundant roundabout confusion to dogs in strollers and seemingly never-ending construction, nothing is safe from a good-spirited tease.

The Blue-Sky Boys Jan 21 - Mar 28 When President Kennedy vowed to put a man on the moon, the task landed in the hands of a band of maverick engineers – once the misfits of American science. With no

rulebook, they embraced “blueskying,” drawing inspiration from Buck Rogers, Greek myths, Louis Leakey, and even Snoopy and the Red Baron.

One Hit Wonders Feb 11Jun 21 Step into the spotlight with One Hit Wonders, a toe-tapping celebration of those unforgettable songs that lit up the charts and became part of our lives. From the epic storytelling of “American Pie” to the carefree whistle of “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” this show celebrates the artists who gave us a single great hit.

Treble in Paradise Feb 14 Make your Valentine’s plans truly one-of-a-kind! For one night only, FST Improv brings you Treble in Paradise, their annual Valentine’s Day show. Inspired by one location and three random notes on the keyboard, the cast weaves a fully-improvised musical love story.

The Pirate Ship and the Sea Monster & Other Winning Plays Mar 22 - Apr 19 Set sail on a journey of imagination in this cherished annual production featuring winning plays written by elementary students from around the world. From a pirate ship facing off with a sea monster to a forest full of unlikely heroes, these short plays are brought to life by professional actors.

Birthday Candles Apr 1 - May 17 Ernestine Ashworth spends her 17th birthday agonizing over her insignificance in the universe. Soon enough, it’s her 18th birthday. Even sooner, her 41st. Her 70th. Her 101st. Five generations, an infinity of dreams, and one cake baked over a century.

FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training

The FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training is a competitive, three-year Master of Fine Arts (MFA) graduate program. Ranked as one of the top 25 MFA programs worldwide, the Conservatory consists of classroom training, guest artist workshops and professional productions. asolorep.org/ education-engagement/fsu-asoloconservatory

Emma Nov 4 - Nov 23

Kate Hamill’s bold adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel brings fresh energy and wit to the stage. Emma Woodhouse prides herself on being a matchmaker with a flawless record—but when love takes unexpected turns, rivals emerge, and emotions run high, Emma is forced to realize that true love may have been right in front of her all along. This sharp, heartwarming comedy explores women’s social standing and the tangled themes of love, friendship, and personal growth.

Wolf at the Door Feb 5 - Mar 7

Rooted in Latino folklore and mythology, Wolf at the Door is a haunting fairy tale about power, survival, and resistance. Isadora finds the courage to defy her abusive husband Septimo when he imprisons the very pregnant Yolot against her will. Through poetic storytelling and rich symbolism, the play dives into the darkness that can reside in domestic spaces—and the fierce strength needed to escape it.

Exit, Pursued by a Bear Feb 6 - Mar 8 This smart, dark, revenge comedy by Lauren Gunderson takes a Shakespearean stage direction and runs with it. Hilarious, poignant, and wickedly empowering, the play follows a woman taking control of her story—with duct tape, a frozen steak, and a wild plan.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Apr 7 - Apr 26 Set in ancient Athens, A Midsummer Night’s Dream weaves a mesmerizing tapestry of intertwining worlds—courtly, rustic, and magical. Love turns dark, identities blur, and the lines between reality and illusion dissolve in this heady, dreamlike comedy exploring desire, transformation and the delirium of bliss.

Halo Arts Project

Halo Arts Project, founded in 2018, core values are to embrace diversity, support a diverse range of visual artists and their social concerns, applaud innovation and challenges, and strive to work with artists as they establish their roles as part of a larger community of artists, deriving a sense of purpose, aesthetic or social. Halo Arts Project’s community events help support the Halo Fellowship Program available to visual artists. The Angels for Artists Art Auctions are benefits designed to encourage artists to participate and donate and for the public to purchase. haloartsproject.com

Hermitage Artist Retreat

The Hermitage Artist Retreat is a leading national arts incubator and multidisciplinary artist retreat located on Manasota Key in Sarasota County, hosting accomplished artists across all disciplines and presenting more than 50 free programs featuring world-class artists. These year-round events are held on the Hermitage’s beachfront campus and at partner venues throughout Sarasota and the greater Gulf Coast region. hermitageartistretreat.org

Weekly Sunset Artist Programs Sept 2025Aug 2026 Award-winning Hermitage Fellows offer a unique glimpse into their creative process, sharing original works in process with our Gulf Coast audiences. These free hour-long programs take the shape of musical performances, playreadings, concerts, visual art demonstrations, panel discussions, master classes, exhibitions and open studio.

“Hermitage Sunsets @ Selby Gardens” Series Oct 23, Nov 20, Jan 29, Feb 19, Mar 5, May 7 Enjoy music, theater, literature, dance, and more as part of the Hermitage Sunsets @ Selby Gardens series. Each hour-long program features selections of work as well as candid and engaging conversations with the worldclass artists who come to the Hermitage to create art in an inspirational environment.

“Hermitage Sunsets @ Benderson Park” Series Dec 3, Feb 5 Enjoy music, theater, literature, and more as part of the “Hermitage Sunsets @Benderson Park” series. Each hour-long program features selections of work, as well as candid and engaging conversations. The first event in this series will be the “2025 Hermitage Cross Arts Collaborative,” featuring Shawn Allison (ensembleNew SRQ) and Tom Lubben (Key Chorale).

Spring Gala – 2026 Hermitage Greenfield Prize Dinner: A Celebration of Visual Art Apr 12 This popular gala evening will take place at Michael’s On East in Sarasota, as a part of a weekend of events and programs surrounding this distinguished national prize. This elegant dinner heralds the jury-selected recipient of this prestigious recognition, which will be awarded in the discipline of visual art. The Hermitage Greenfield Prize (HGP) is a nationally renowned commission awarded by the Hermitage Artist Retreat in partnership with the Greenfield Foundation; the $35,000 award rotates annually between visual art, theater, and music. The 2026 HGP winner’s newly commissioned work will have its first public exhibition in Sarasota in the spring of 2028.

Herrig Center for the Arts

Previously Art Center Manatee Founded in 1937, Herrig Center for the Arts is located in downtown Bradenton at the intersection of arts and culture. Herrig Center for the Arts is the premier center for art, art education and unique gifts in Manatee County. The nearly 10,000 sq. ft. building in downtown Bradenton features three galleries with exhibits that change monthly, five classrooms that hold over 3,000 students every year, a LiveArtFully gift shop, and an art library featuring over 3,000 art volumes. herrigcenter.org

Create 2025

Sept 2 - Oct 10 An all media open juried show, featuring the Herrig Center for the Art’s annual season opening exhibition.

Jazz Club of Sarasota

The Jazz Club of Sarasota is one of the largest and most active jazz organizations in the United States. Its membership more than doubled in the past year and it continues to add new events

and philanthropic activities that encourage the future of jazz . . . the original American musical art form. jazzclubsarasota.org

SRQ Jazz Jammers at Selby Library Mondays, Bi-monthly

A bi-monthly open jam session for professional & non professional musicians in the Geldbart Auditorium at the downtown Selby Library. The jam begins at 5:30 pm ‘til 7:30 pm. Piano, bass and drum are on site. A fun, social and entertaining event. Come sign up to play or sing or just come out to watch and enjoy.

Monday Night Jazz at Florida Studio Theatre Mondays, Bi-monthly This promises to be a memorable evening of music that speaks to the heart, the mind and maybe even your feet! Joining Carabasi are Patrick Bettison-harmonica, John O’Leary-keys, Alejandro Arenas-bass and maybe a special guest.

Jazz Thursdays at the Sarasota Art Museum

Second Thursdays, monthly The Sarasota Art Museum partners with the Jazz Club of Sarasota to present live jazz on the second Thursday of every month on the Marcy and Michael Klein Plaza. Enjoy a beverage or food in the Bistro and extended hours in the galleries and shops.

Jazz at Two Fridays, weekly Enjoy live jazz weekly on Fridays with many of the area’s best musicians and some visiting or touring artists. We present various genres of jazz; straight ahead jazz, music from the American Songbook, swing, dixieland, blues, bossa and cabaret jazz.

Key Chorale

Key Chorale, Suncoast’s premier symphonic chorus, is dedicated to transforming lives through innovative programming, artistic excellence, educational outreach, and service to the community. Led by Joseph Caulkins, Key Chorale produces high-quality

collaborative musical events that engage and enrich our community. Through dynamic collaborations with The Sarasota Ballet, The Venice Symphony, The Circus Arts Conservatory, Westcoast Black TheatreTroupe and more, Key Chorale can create unforgettable programs that continue to push the boundaries of choral music. keychorale.org

Perfect Pitch Annual Luncheon Nov 3 Join us as we champion conservation of our blue planet and the ocean that sustains us all as Key Chorale bestows its 2025 Perfect Pitch Award to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s visionary President & CEO, Dr. Michael P. Crosby. Enjoy performances by Key Chorale’s Chamber Singers and Student Scholars, and learn more about our award-winning, impactful, community and educational outreach programs.

Joy & Wonder Nov 30 Festive sounds of brass and Lithuanian soprano Lina Dambrauskaite combine with Key Chorale for two Medieval inspired compositions. Experience the world premiere dance of Missa Carolae by English

composer James Whitbourn and Ola Gjeilo’s lush and moving Dreamweaver inspired by a Norwegian tale of transformation.

Sounds of the Season Dec 19 - Dec 21 A collaboration with The Venice Symphony. Experience the most wonderful time of the year with family and friends at Venice Symphony’s annual celebration of music and togetherness. Key Chorale, and guest vocalist Christal Rheams, will sing you into the holiday spirit.

Opus 1700 — Handel

Jan 23 Enjoy Handel’s iconic Hallelujah Chorus, The Trumpet Shall Sound, and the monumental finale Worthy is the Lamb sung expertly by our Chamber Singers and a cast of world-class soloists. Hear the Rest of the Story. While Part 1, the Christmas Portion of Handel’s immortal Messiah, has become a holiday tradition, rarely can one experience the breathtaking music in Parts 2 and 3.

Opus 1700 — Bach

Jan 24 Johann S. Bach’s most towering achievement, the great Mass in B Minor, a work of sublime vocal and orchestral mastery. Written across two decades, and completed in

Bach’s final years, the Mass in B Minor is the glorious summation of an extraordinary musical life demonstrating his skill, ingenuity, and symbolism into a work full of dramatic impact. Conducted by Joseph Caulkins.

Mendelssohn’s Elijah

Feb 7 Mendelssohn’s powerful choral masterpiece brings to life some of the most dramatic moments in the Old Testament. Fire comes from the heavens, storms gather, and the people cry for vengeance. From the prophet’s curse of drought, to confronting an evil queen, to an ascent into heaven on a fiery chariot, Elijah is an extraordinary musical experience. Key Chorale will retell the story of a man’s devotion in one of the greatest oratorios ever written.

Tomorrow’s Voices

Tonight Mar 2 Cheer on our talented Student Scholars as they perform classical and musical theater selections demonstrating the culmination of their studies with their voice teachers and masterclasses with guest artists.

Cirque des Voix

Mar 13 – 15 Dust off your cape and connect with your inner superhero as we take you on a thrilling journey into the world of heroes, villains and extraordinary feats. Witness an unforgettable fusion of the musical and circus arts, featuring music from your favorite characters —all under the Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park. The 100+ voices of Key Chorale, and The Venice Symphony, combine with an all-star cast of circus artists that will captivate with stunning acrobatics.

GenSRQ — A Youth Celebration Mar 29

Experience the impact the arts and cultural organizations have on over 300 talented student performers, in a collaboration between the Circus Arts Conservatory and Key Chorale. More than 200 young voices plus Sailor Circus students will share the CAC arena.

La Musica

Specializing in chamber music presentation and production, La Musica has carved a place in its decades-long tenure as a musical meeting of the minds, bringing esteemed performers from Europe and the US together for collaborative performances. La Musica continues to explore this season. They produce an annual La Musica Chamber Festival every April. lamusicafestival.org

Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos: Complete Dec 3 Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, Nos. 1-6. A rare opportunity to hear all six of Bach’s magnificent and beloved Brandenburg Concertos in one concert performed by artists of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

Beethoven Journey Jan 20 Beethoven’s Sonata in E-flat major for Violin and Piano, Op. 12, No. 3. String Trio in D major, Op. 9, No. 2. Piano Trio in B-flat major, Op. 97, “The Archduke.”

American Celebration Feb 9 Gottschalk L’Union, Op. 48, Antheil Violin Sonata No. 2 Schoenfield Four Souvenirs for Violin and Piano; Gershwin Selections from Porgy and Bess for Violin and Piano (arr. Heifetz); Sousa Stars and Stripes (in the style of Wieniawsk) for Violin Duet (arr. Dukov); Beach Romance for Violin and Piano; Adams Road Movies for Violin and Piano; and Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue for Piano, Four Hands

Wind Fest Mar 2 Vivaldi

Concerto in G minor for Flute, Oboe and Bassoon; Mozart Sonata in C major for Flute and Piano, K. 14; Strauss Andante for Horn and Piano; Klughardt Quintet in C major; Emmanuel Sonata for Flute, Clarinet and Piano, Op. 11; Mozart Quintet for Piano and Winds, K. 452

La Musica Surprises Apr 6 Mozart Flute Quartet in D major, K. 285; Haydn Symphony in G major, Hob. I:94 “Surprise”;

Brahms Selections from Hungarian Dances for Piano, Four Hands; Mendelssohn Sextet in D major, Op. 110.

A Carnival of Endangered Wonders Apr 9 Vivaldi

Concerto in D major for Flute, Strings and Continuo, RV 428, “Il gardellino”; Saint-Saëns Tarantella for Flute, Clarinet and Piano; Golijov Mariel for Cello and Marimba; WORLD PREMIERE Saint-Saëns Carnival of the Animals for Two Pianos and Chamber Ensemble. Michael Stephen Brown’s A Carnival of Endangered Wonders: A Zoological Fantasy for Two Pianos, Flute, Clarinet, Percussion, and Strings;

Manatee Players –Manatee Performing Arts Center

Housed in the Manatee Performing Arts Center, the Manatee Players reign as Bradenton’s most prominent theater and performing arts troupe. The Manatee Players showcases the area’s extensive talent pool through comedies, dramas and musicals. manatee performingartscenter.com

Misery

Oct 16 - Nov 2 From the masterful mind of Stephen King comes a chilling stage adaptation that will have you on the edge of your seat. Misery, based on King’s iconic novel and adapted by William Goldman, delivers a dark and gripping psychological thriller that explores obsession, captivity, and survival.

Hello, Dolly! Oct 23 - Nov 9 This iconic musical sparkles with wit, romance, and showstopping numbers that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. Join the unforgettable Dolly Gallagher Levi, the quick-witted matchmaker with a heart as grand as her plans, as she sets off to stir up love, laughter, and a little chaos in 1890s New York.

A Jimmy Buffett Tribute by the Caribbean Chillers

Oct 28 The Caribbean Chillers are more than a tribute band— they’re a full-blown island party! Florida’s #1 Jimmy Buffett experience brings the energy, the vibe, and all the sun-soaked hits that make you want to kick off your flip-flops and sing along.

Hotel Alabama: Tributes to the Eagles and Alabama Nov 11 What if The Eagles and Alabama shared the same stage? With Hotel Alabama, you don’t have to wonder—you get the best of both worlds in one unforgettable concert experience! This powerhouse tribute band brings together top-tier musicians to deliver spot-on renditions of your favorite classics from both legendary groups.

Frozen: The Hit Broadway Musical Dec 4 - Dec 21

The story that warmed hearts around the world is coming to life in a dazzling live production—and you won’t want to miss a moment of the magic! Frozen: The Musical is an unforgettable theatrical adventure. Perfect for audiences of all ages.

DraMature Holiday Follies

Dec 9 - Dec 10 Step into the spirit of the season with Holiday Follies, a cabaret-style performance by our inspiring DraMature troupe. This heartwarming, 90-minute show is packed with holiday classics, humorous sketches, and feelgood moments that will leave you smiling long after the final bow.

A Calyp-Soul Christmas Dec 17 This performance kick starts your holiday seasos, Island style with exciting new takes on some favorite Christmas classics. Steel pan artist John Patti combines the unmistakable sounds of the islands with jazz and soul music, creating unforgettable versions of your Christmas favorites.

Fleetwood Max: The Definitive Fleetwood Mac Tribute Jan 6 Relive the timeless music and electrifying energy of one of rock’s most iconic bands with Fleetwood Max: The Definitive Fleetwood Mac Tribute. This nationally acclaimed tribute act captures the look, feel, and legendary sound of Fleetwood Mac at their peak.

Terms of Endearment Jan 8 - Jan 25 Experience a story that speaks to the heart. Terms of Endearment is a deeply moving, beautifully human play that explores the complex, unbreakable bond between a mother and daughter. Follow the journey of Aurora, a fiercely independent mother, and Emma, her equally spirited daughter, as they navigate the highs and lows of life—love, heartbreak, laughter, and loss —together.

Once Upon A Mattress Jan 22 - Feb 8 Once Upon a Mattress flips the classic fairy tale upside down in this hilarious, highenergy musical that’s bursting with charm, cleverness, and contagious fun for all ages. With toe-tapping tunes, outrageous characters, and non-stop laughs, this is a royal romp that will have you grinning from start to finish.

Temps, Tops, Supremes & Smokey: A Motown Revue with the Soul Sensations Feb 10 - Feb 12 The Motown Sound is now over 60 years old but it remains current and brings excitement and unforgettable memories for several generations of music lovers. The unique style of these groups composed of golden voices, extraordinary musicians and memorable choreography represent the very best of Hitsville and Detroit, MI.

A Neil Diamond Tribute Feb 17 Feel the passion, the power, and the unforgettable music of Neil Diamond come alive as award-winning tribute artist Keith Allynn takes you on a heartwarming, toe-tapping journey through the life and

music of a legend. From the iconic hits of the ’60s to today’s classics, Allynn doesn’t just sing Neil—he shares his story.

The Cemetery Club Feb 19Mar 8 Heartfelt, humorous, and deeply human, The Cemetery Club invites you into the lives of three lifelong friends navigating love, loss and life after saying goodbye. Ida, Lucille, and Doris meet once a month at the cemetery to visit their late husbands—a cherished ritual of remembrance and friendship. But when Ida unexpectedly begins dating again, their quiet routine is shaken, stirring up jealousy, vulnerability, and honest reflection.

Bright Star Mar 5 - Mar 22 From Grammy Award winners Steve Martin and Edie Brickell comes Bright Star—a sweeping, bluegrass-infused musical filled with heart, healing, and the beauty of second chances.

Paddy O’Furniture Mar 10

This high-energy Irish band from Tampa Bay blends traditional Irish folk tunes with pub-style singalongs and crowd favorites that will have you clapping, dancing, and singing all night long. Paddy O’Furniture delivers a familyfriendly, feel-good show that captures the heart and soul of Ireland.

The Elvis Presley Experience Apr 7 The Elvis Presley Experience is more than a concert—it’s a time-traveling journey through the iconic music, style, and charisma that made Elvis a global sensation.

And Then There Were None Apr 9 - 26 Prepare for a night of edge-of-your-seat suspense with Agatha Christie’s most chilling and masterfully crafted mystery. Ten strangers are summoned to a secluded island under mysterious circumstances. As a storm cuts them off from the outside world, one by one, they begin to die. With no way to escape and no one to trust, fear and paranoia mount as the survivors scramble to uncover the truth.

Big Fish Apr 23 - May 10

A magical and deeply moving musical that celebrates the power of storytelling, the love between father and son, and the extraordinary hidden in the everyday. As Edward Bloom’s fantastical life unfolds— featuring witches, giants, mermaids, and more—his skeptical son embarks on a journey to separate myth from memory. What he discovers is a story far richer than he ever expected. Based on the beloved novel and Tim Burton film, Big Fish is a whimsical, emotionally rich production filled with humor, heart, and unforgettable stagecraft.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Originally the home of William and Marie Selby, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens today is an urban, bayfront oasis showcasing a living collection of rare and beautiful tropical plants. The Gardens is also a respected world leader in the study and conservation of plants, particularly epiphytes–plants adapted to live in the tree canopy, including orchids, bromeliads, gesneriads and ferns. selby.org

Lynn Goldsmith and Patti Smith: Flowers and Friendship Jun 20 - Sept 13, 2026 The summer 2026 exhibition at Selby Gardens will celebrate the creative collaboration between two legendary figures and longtime friends, photographer Lynn Goldsmith and singersongwriter Patti Smith, who is Selby Gardens’ artist in residence. The exhibition will feature Goldsmith’s photographs of Smith, past and present, in the Museum of Botany & the Arts. The images will offer an intimate portrait of an iconic artist over the course of her remarkable career.

Lights at Spooky Point Oct 3 - Nov 1 Don’t miss the chance to see our Historic Spanish Point campus transformed into “Spooky Point” where you can follow an eerily lit path and encounter fantastic creations and bootanically-themed decorations along the way. Equal parts creepy, campy, and cute, this walk-through show is fun for all ages.

The Orchid Show 2025: Rebecca Louise Law Oct 11Dec 7 Selby Gardens is excited to collaborate with British contemporary artist, Rebecca Louise Law, on The Orchid

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Jean & Alfred Golstein Exhibition Series, Alexander Calder: The Nature of Movement

Show 2025 at the Downtown Sarasota campus. Exploring the theme of survival, the exhibition will feature an immersive art installation of dried flowers by Law in The Richard and Ellen Sandor Museum of Botany & the Arts. Accompanying Law’s installation will be a striking presentation of living orchids and other plants in the Display Conservatory.

Jean & Alfred Goldstein

Exhibition Series | Alexander Calder: The Nature of Movement, Feb 8 - May 31 Calder’s work is a great source of interest to the team at Selby Gardens. His fascination with energy and motion, coupled with his exploration of suspension and equilibrium, provides creative inspiration for the dynamic display of epiphytes, or air plants. Selby Gardens is a leading center for the study of air plants and is home to the best scientifically documented collections of living epiphytic orchids and bromeliads in the world. The Calder exhibition at Selby Gardens will highlight the artist’s use of abstract forms rooted in nature and emphasize his interest in science and engineering. The exhibition will also explore Calder’s enchantment with the circus, stemming from his studies of performers and animals at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1925.

Lights in Bloom Dec 5 – Jan 1 Lights in Bloom® will feature more than two million lights illuminating the gardens and walkways of our Downtown Sarasota campus and is a fun holiday tradition that offers photo opportunities, activities, and entertainment.

Mote Marine Aquarium

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is an independent, nonprofit, 501(c)3 research institution founded in 1955. Mote began and flourished through the passion of a single researcher, Dr. Eugenie Clark, her partnership with the community

and philanthropic support, first of the Vanderbilt family and later of the William R. Mote family. Today, Mote is based in Sarasota, Florida, with eight locations stretching from Sarasota to the Florida Keys. Mote has more than 20 world-class research programs studying oceans locally to internationally, with an emphasis on conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. Mote’s vision includes positively impacting public policy through science-based outreach and education. Mote.org

Off the Page Literary Celebration

Off the Page is a literary celebration hosted by Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources throughout the month of November. Events include author talks and book signings by bestselling authors, writing workshops, and more. sarasotacountylibraries.org

Amy Tan Nov 7 Amy Tan is the author of seven New York Times bestselling books, including The Joy Luck Club, The Kitchen God’s Wife and her latest, The Backyard Bird Chronicles, which debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times and Indie bestseller lists. Her work spans adult and children’s fiction, essays, and memoir, and has been translated into 35 languages. Known for exploring family, identity and the immigrant experience, Tan brings humor, insight and a lifelong passion for creativity to the stage. Her newest book pairs her love of science and art in nature journal sketches and personal reflections on birdwatching.

Lucy H. Hedrick Nov 3 Hedrick transports us to 1930s Reno inside an intriguing divorce colony and explains the complex history behind her novel, Six Weeks in Reno

Jack E. Davis Nov 6 Pulitzer Prize-winning environmental historian Jack E. Davis writes acclaimed nonfiction such as The Gulf and The Bald Eagle

Family Day with Author/ illustrator Ben Clanton! Nov 8 Enjoy Family Day fun with New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award-winning author/ illustrator, creator of the popular Narwhal and Jelly series.

Sam Kean Nov 10 Discover ancient civilizations with Sam Kean, bestselling author of The Disappearing Spoon as he reveals secrets from his new book, Dinner with King Tut.

Lisa Daily Nov 11 Join USA Today bestselling author Lisa Daily for a fast, funny crash course in crafting love stories that leave hearts racing and pages turning.

Robert K. Wittman Nov 12

Join Robert Wittman, a famed FBI art crime detective who recovered over $300 million in stolen art, as he reveals thrilling stories behind major art theft recoveries as told in his bestslling book Priceless.

G.L. Pedersen and J.M. Naughton Nov 13

Award-winning authors G.L. Pedersen and J.M. Naughton write about real women often overlooked by history. Together they created the Historic Moonlight Cemetery Tours of Woodlawn Cemetery and Weekend History Stroll series to places of historic interest across Palm Beach County.

Isaac Eger Nov 13

Celebrate Florida’s ranching legacy with Isaac Eger’s vibrant storytelling and photography in The Great Florida Cattle Drive

WELCOME

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE this week (and beyond!) to explore our amazing arts region and support the artists and organizations that make our Cultural Coast glow. This second year of your Living Arts Festival is exciting in the fact that it offers you the opportunity to step outside of your ‘usual’ creative spots and try something new. Think of it as the remote control for your TV, but instead you are flipping to catch a new channel filled with creativity and excitement all in your backyard. The very definition of a festival is to ‘celebrate your community.’ I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than an immersion into the arts! While entertaining, the arts are also an incredible catalyst for education and expanding imaginations. The arts just might help you see the world from a different perspective. The arts just might help you see we all have much more in common than we think. So, join me, for just one week, to use that Cultural Coast remote control and take a chance. See a new type of dance, grab seats to that concert or browse a gallery. Your heart, your eyes, your ears and your senses will say thank you! (And so will your community!)

JEFFERY KIN

Your Founder and CEO of Sarasota Rising and The Living Arts Festival

FESTIVAL SPONSORS

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

PARTICIPATING ARTS ORGANIZATIONS

Art Center Sarasota

Arts Advocates

Artists Series Concerts

Asolo Repertory Theatre

Azara Ballet

Belles Princess Parties

Choral Artists of Sarasota

Circus Arts Conservatory

CreArte Latino

Creative Liberties, Artist Studios, Galleries and Creative Academy

Creative Kids SRQ

Diversity Choir

Embracing Our Differences

Endedans Contemporary Ballet

Fabulous Arts Foundation

Florida Studio Theatre

Geezer Theater

The Hermitage Artist Retreat

Indictus Project

Indigenous Enterprise

Jazz Club of Sarasota

Key Chorale and Student Scholars

Living Statues - Joe Platia

Manatee Performing Arts Center

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Modern Marimba

Musica Sacra of Sarasota

Nailed It DIY

North Port Art Center

Origami Air

The Perlman Music Program Suncoast

The Ringling Museum of Art

Rise Above Performing Arts

Ringling College of Art & Design

SaraSolo

Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design

The Sarasota Ballet

Sarasota Ballet Studio

Company and Trainees

Sarasota Contemporary Dance

Sarasota Cuban Ballet School

Sarasota Int’l Chalk Festival

Sarasota Jewish Theater

Sarasota Music Conservatory

Sarasota Opera Association, Inc.

Sarasota Orchestra

The Sarasota Players

Sarasota Pops Orchestra

Sarasota Young Voices

Sarasota Youth Opera

Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative

Strings Con Brio

Theatre Odyssey

Towles Court Art Center

Tree Fort Productions Studio Theatre

Unidos Now

Urbanite Theatre

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

Venice Symphony Orchestra

Riverview High School

Rowlett Elementary Academy

School of Rock

Stage Door Studios

Venice High School

Woodland Fine Arts Academy

Venice Theatre

Westcoast Black Theater Troupe

Women’s Club of Sarasota

WSLR

World of Masks

PARTICIPATING FOUNDATIONS AND FUNDS

Community Foundation of Sarasota

IamYes! Foundation

BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS

99 Bottles

ABC Channel 7

American Business Solutions

Art Ovation

Arts and Cultural Alliance

Band, Gates, Dramis Attorneys

Bank of America

Bavaro’s Sarasota

Beauty Booze and Beauty Gourmet

CCAV Event Production and Rentals

Gulf Coast Community Foundation

Joan Armour Mendell Foundation

The Patterson Foundation

Platkin Family Foundation

Watts Family Fund

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS AND STUDIOS

Arts Troupe for the Differently-Abled

Booker Middle School

City of Sarasota

Development on Demand

Dick & Deborah Miller Team RE/MAX

Eventeny

The Exchange

Fast Signs

Florida Festival & Events Associaton

Insightful PR

Knock Out Productions

McCurdys Comedy Club

Cat5 - Booker High School Band

Daughtry Elementary

Dynasty Dance Clubs

Manatee School of the Arts

Music Compound

Ovation School of Musical Theater

The Players Studio

Rise Above Performing Arts

The Media Roundtable

Next-Mark LLC

Natherson and Company PA

The Observer Group

Red Property Management

Rough & Ready Media

Sarasota Chamber of Commerce

Sarasota Herald Tribune

Sarasota Magazine

The Sarasota Modern

Scene Magazine

Seacoast Bank

Senior Friendship Center

Sights and Sounds

SRQ Media | SRQ Magazine

Target

Visit Sarasota County

Weber Scenic

WSMR and WUSF

FESTIVAL EVENTS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2 2 PM

UP, UP AND AWAY | OPENING FESTIVAL PARTY

Art Ovation Hotel 1255 N.Palm Avenue, Sarasota | FREE

Join the Arts Party that everyone will be talking about. Enjoy live performances from many of your favorite artists and arts organizations, as well as help create art of your own. Breathtaking art, vibrant music, dazzling theater and lively dancing is just the beginning for this matinee of the arts! Free to all as we celebrate the opening of our Living Arts Festival 2025.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8

9AM - 5PM

Sarasota Municipal Auditorium

801 N. Tamiami Trail

LIVING ARTS FESTIVAL |

Sarasota | FREE

NOVEMBER 2-9, 2025

RISE AND SHINE SATURDAY CELEBRATING CREATIVITY & COMMUNITY

Bring the entire family to the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium for an entire day of arts fun and creativity. This family-focused FREE arts exposition at the civic green near The Municipal Auditorium brings all of our cultural and creative families together with the explicit goal of fostering arts engagement among our area youth. Witness amazing performances by talented kids, teens and local school organizations all the while immersing yourself in crafting and creativity. Area dance schools, performing arts schools, and our area public and private schools will be working, playing and growing together. The performing arts aren’t the only shining star. Hands-on mask making, creative drawing, Improv workshops and acting classes set the stage for interactive fun for kids. Be inspired by both professional and community groups showcasing and sharing their unique skills. It’s a day of arts fun and it’s totally free to all! Don’t miss out on the fun!

YOU RAISE ME UP!

Join us as we support area teachers by shining a spotlight on them . . . and some of their students. Prepare to be moved and inspired at our unforgettable closing event—a celebration that goes beyond the magic of art, music, and performance. This is a performance where the spotlight shines not only on the young rising stars but also on the unsung heroes who guide them—their mentors. For the first time, you’ll witness an extraordinary collaboration as these talented young artists take the stage alongside the very teachers who have shaped their journeys. Prepare to be moved by a celebration that goes beyond the magic of art, music, and performance. It’s more than a performance; it’s a tribute to passion, dedication, and the power of mentorship. Come intrigued, leave uplifted—and be part of a moment that will stay with you long after the final bow.

Tickets online at: givebutter.com/c/YRMU25

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Performances Taking Places

During the Living Arts Festival

PRE-FESTIVAL EVENTS

THE RINGLING MUSEUM, ART OF PERFORMANCE Ancestral Edge, Exhibit Open Through April 12, 2026 This exhibition highlights contemporary Native design, craftwork, and art that employ the formal and aesthetic elements of abstraction as meaningful motifs and coded tools of Indigenous expression to communicate tribal cultures and histories, ancestral knowledge, and the lived experiences of the artists and their communities. 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, 941-360-7399, ringling.org/ event/ancestral-edge

SARASOTA BALLET Program

One – Intrinsic, October 24 - 26

Described by Michel Fokine as “the personification of a poetic vision,” the Season opens with Dame Alicia Markova’s production of Les Sylphides, a Romantic ballet that emphasizes music and movement over plot. Chopin’s score echoes through a moonlit forest as ethereal sylphs dance around a young male poet, a role originally created for Vaslav Nijinsky. This production honors the 100th anniversary of Markova joining The Ballets Russes.

November 2-9, 2025

Continuing the Program is a World Premiere by Jessica Lang, part of the Jacob’s Pillow 2025 performances. The Program concludes with Will Tuckett’s Changing Light, inspired by Sarasota’s sunsets, whose fluid movements, lighting, and costumes have received standing ovations, making it a perfect finale to ignite excitement for the Season. 5555 N. Tamiami Trail,Sarasota, 941-359-0099, sarasotaballet.org

FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE

A Band Called Honalee: A Tribute to Peter, Paul and Mary... and Friends, October 26, 7:30pm Relive the timeless magic of Peter, Paul and Mary with the

captivating sounds of A Band Called Honalee. This modern-day folk trio brings to life classics such as “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” “Blowing in the Wind,” and “Puff the Magic Dragon”. Featuring stirring vocal harmonies and musicianship, this show also pays tribute to legends like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, The Mamas & the Papas, and more. 1239 North Palm Ave, Sarasota, 941-3669000, FloridaStudioTheatre.org

ARTIST SERIES CONCERTS OF SARASOTA The Queen’s Six, October 28, 7:30pm By popular demand, The Queen’s Six returns to Sarasota for an encore to their sold-out 2023 ASC performance.

LIVING ARTS FESTIVAL | NOVEMBER 2-9, 2025

PARTNER ARTS ORGANIZATION EVENTS

As members of the lay clerks of St. George’s Chapel of Windsor Castle, The Queen’s Six performs at weekly services and special events for the royal family—including the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Now they bring their unique style of entertainment to a much wider audience with diverse repertoire extending far beyond the reach of the choir stalls. From austere early chant, florid Renaissance polyphony, lewd madrigals, and haunting folk songs, to upbeat jazz and pop arrangements, The Queen’s Six promises a memorable evening of positively royal fun. ArtistSeriesConcerts.org

SARASOTA ORCHESTRA Chamber Soiree 2 - Mendelssohn and Maslanka, Oct 30 5:30pm Eric Ewazen Frostfire for Brass Quintet, David Maslanka Wind Quintet No. 4, Mendelssohn String Quartet No. 6. 709 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, 941-953-3434, sarasotaorchestra.org

THE POPS ORCHESTRA Hocus

Pocus Pops, Oct 30, 7:30pm Kickoff your Halloween weekend with The Pops Orchestra in this fun, family-friendly presentation of popular Halloween themed selections including Thriller, Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice, Black Magic Woman, Superstition and so much more! The Pops Orchestra will be dressed in their favored Halloween attire, will you? 5840 26th St. W, Bradenton, 941-926-7677, ThePopsOrchestra.org

his late husband’s straight, white teenage son. The two forge a strong bond around a shared love of classic American monster movies, but when Remy discovers Pup has been tormenting a gay classmate, their relationship begins to fracture, and the real horrors surface. Beneath the flickering glow of the drive-in screen, Monsters of the American Cinema becomes a haunting, funny, and unexpectedly tender tale of fatherhood and loss 1487 2nd Street Sarasota, 941321-1397, urbanitetheatre.com

THE RINGLING MUSEUM, ART OF PERFORMANCE

URBANITE THEATRE

Monsters of The American Cinema by Christian St. Croix, Oct 30, 7:30pm Remy Washington, a Black man and widower, has inherited both a drive-in movie theater and the responsibility of raising Pup,

Rafael Ramírez: Chronicle of a time that was, October 30 and 31, 7:30pm Rafael Ramírez brings his latest work Chronicle of a time that was (Crónica de un suceso), a flamenco dance performance with live music in tribute to renown flamenco dance and film phenomena Antonio Gades on the 20th anniversary of his death. Far from being a biographical production, this artistic project uses key moments in Gades’ life as a compass to explore his essence, his audacity, and his innovative vision. With flamenco as its central theme, the performance crosses contemporary and avant-garde lines, making it clear that his stagecraft remains relevant and powerful. 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, 941-360-7399, ringling.org/ event/rafael-ramirez

wakes up in a secluded home after a near-fatal car crash, he’s in the care of his “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes. But admiration quickly spirals into terrifying control, and Paul soon realizes that Annie never intends to let him go. This spine-tingling production is performed by dedicated volunteer actors, giving their time, passion, and talent to bring this intense story to life with raw emotion and razor-sharp suspense. 502 Third Avenue Bradenton, 941-748-5875, ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com

MANATEE PERFORMING ARTS

CENTER Misery, October 30, 7:30pm From the masterful mind of Stephen King comes a chilling stage adaptation that will have you on the edge of your seat. Misery, based on King’s iconic novel and adapted by William Goldman, delivers a dark and gripping psychological thriller that explores obsession, captivity, and survival. When celebrated author Paul Sheldon

SARASOTA CUBAN BALLET Dracula, Oct 31, 7pm Journey to Transylvania and experience the legend of Dracula and all who share his world—the village folk and the spirits who haunt his castle—if you dare! Presented by the Gulfcoast Studio Company of the Sarasota Cuban Ballet 4740 Cattlemen Road Sarasota, weblink.donorperfect.com/dracula2025

SARASOTA OPERA Così fan tutte, Oct 31, 7:30pm Duplicity, disguises, and delightful deception in 18th century Naples. Così fan

tutte, or The School for Lovers, follows the story of two naive young soldiers who prank their brides-tobe to test their faithfulness. But the sisters to whom they are betrothed have plans of their own. Find out who ends up schooling whom in Mozart’s delightful comedy with a masterful score. 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, 941-328-1300, tickets. sarasotaopera.org/overview/7597

a conductor subtly guiding an orchestra or more simply expressed as a conversational environment where your internal states are heard, even when they aren’t voiced. 1400 Blvd of the Arts, Ste 300, Sarasota, 941-260-8485, sarasotacontemporarydance.org

dynamic visual language. 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota,941-359-7563, https://www.ringlingcollege.gallery

FESTIVAL WEEK NOVEMBER 2

GALLERIES + EXHIBITIONS AT RINGLING COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN Spencer Pettit: A Continuing Act of Discovery, 10am This posthumous exhibition celebrates the deeply personal and evolving artistic journey of Ringling College alumnus, Spencer Pettit. 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-359-7563, https://www. ringlingcollege.gallery

GALLERIES + EXHIBITIONS AT RINGLING COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN Roots and Resilience: Art for Change, November 1, 10am Presented by Ringling College’s Exhibition Design and Management course, is a dynamic group exhibition that explores the enduring power of African American artistic expression as a force for cultural preservation, resistance and transformation. Anthony Rice: Like a Deer, November 1, 10am This solo exhibition by the Sarasota-based artist and Ringling College faculty member who is known for his multidisciplinary approach and

ARTS ADVOCATES The Landings Artists Collaborative Exhibit, November 1, 2pm A show by a vibrant group of artists working in many different disciplines. Saturdays in November, 2-4 pm, in the Arts Advocates Gallery, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail (inside the mall). Also view the Arts Advocates collection of works by Sarasota Colony artists and the Highwaymen. Free admission. ArtsAdvocates.org

SARASOTA CONTEMPORARY DANCE Beyond the Syntax, Nov 1, 3pm Going Beyond the Syntax refers to a deeper kind of understanding—one that transcends structured language (words, grammar, symbols) and taps directly into the thought, emotion, and intention behind those words. Eye contact, gesture, micro-expressions, tone shifts, and even silences carry meaning. They enable real-time alignment—like

MANATEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Hello Dolly, 2pm Get ready to be swept off your feet! Hello, Dolly! is back—and it’s bigger, bolder, and bursting with Broadway charm. This iconic musical sparkles with wit, romance, and show-stopping numbers that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. Join the unforgettable Dolly Gallagher Levi, the quick-witted matchmaker with a heart as grand as her plans, as she sets off to stir up love, laughter, and a little chaos in 1890s New York. With beloved songs like “Put On Your Sunday Clothes” and “Before the Parade Passes By,” this production is a heartwarming celebration of love, second chances, and living life out loud. 502 Third Avenue Bradenton, 941-748-5875, ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com

LIVING ARTS FESTIVAL | NOVEMBER 2-9, 2025 PARTNER ARTS ORGANIZATION EVENTS

THE SARASOTA PLAYERS Metamorphoses, 7pm Performed by the talented upperclassmen of The Players Studio, timeless myths come to life in a visually stunning journey through love, loss, and transformation. Set around a pool of water, this lyrical, moving play weaves ancient tales into a modern reflection on what it means to be human. 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-365-2494, theplayers.org

inheritance, save his community church and free the oppressed workers. The problem is that Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee, the domineering plantation owner, is unfairly holding Purlie’s inheritance. With the help of Ol’ Cap’n’s son, Charlie, Purlie manages to outsmart the whitehaired old-timer to win a victory for freedom. The play is known for its humor, wit, and commentary on race and inequality in the American South. 1012 N. Orange Ave Sarasota, 941-366-1505, westcoastblacktheatre.org

tors alike to “dip their toes in” and discover emerging and established local talent. The C-Note Show offers a rare opportunity to collect meaningful, original work at an affordable price. These are the artists on their way up and ready to be discovered. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of the journey. Free and open to the public. 901B Apricot Avenue & 927 N. Lime Avenue in Sarasota, 941-799-6634, creativeliberties.net

SARASOTA OPERA Così fan tutte, Oct 31, 7:30pm Duplicity, disguises, and delightful deception in 18th century Naples. Così fan tutte, or The School for Lovers, follows the story of two naive young soldiers who prank their brides-tobe to test their faithfulness. But the sisters to whom they are betrothed have plans of their own. Find out who ends up schooling whom in Mozart’s delightful comedy with a masterful score. 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, 941-328-1300, tickets. sarasotaopera.org/overview/7597

NOVEMBER 4

SARASOTA CUBAN BALLET

Watch Morning Class at the Sarasota Cuban Ballet, 9:30am Watch morning class with the Gulfcoast Studio Company of the Sarasota Cuban Ballet on November 4 and November 6, 2025 at 9:30 am. Tickets are free but you must register in advance. 4740 Cattlemen Road Sarasota, 941-365-8400 weblink. donorperfect.com/nov2025class

WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE

TROUPE Purlie, 7:30pm In the Tony-Award winning comedic Broadway play, Purlie, a charismatic and resourceful self-taught Black preacher returns to his home in the Jim Crow South to reclaim his

NOVEMBER 5

SARASOTA CONTEMPORARY DANCE Dancing in the MOMENT in the Park, 5pm Experience the beauty of the moment as Marsi Burn’s improvisational dance group brings spontaneous movement to life in the park. With grace, creativity, and raw expression, this group invites you to witness their unique improv skills—and even dance alongside them. Let the unexpected unfold and be part of a one-of-a-kind, inthe-moment performance where anything can happen. Free event to the community. 1386 Blvd of the Arts, Ste 300, Sarasota, 941-260-8485, sarasotacontemporarydance.org

NOVEMBER 6

CREATIVE LIBERTIES ARTIST STUDIOS & GALLERY

SARASOTA CONTEMPORARY DANCE Dancing in the Park with SCDE, 5pm Come join Xiao-Xuan Dancingers for a 15-minute contemporary dance class—an energizing opportunity to move outdoors with breath, control, and freedom. Then, stay to experience a special performance by the Sarasota Contemporary Dance Ensemble, a dynamic performance and training company. Let the power of movement inspire you as art comes alive in the heart of the park. Free event to the community. 1386 Blvd of the Arts, Ste 300, Sarasota, 941-260-8485, sarasotacontemporarydance.org

NOVEMBER 7

CREATIVE LIBERTIES ARTIST STUDIOS & GALLERY

The C-Note Show, 10am-3pm Creative Liberties presents The C-Note Show, a unique exhibition featuring original works of art priced at just $100. On view during November and December at both Creative Liberties locations (901B Apricot Avenue and 927 N. Lime Avenue in Sarasota), this showcase invites new and seasoned collec-

The C-Note Show, November 6 -8, 10am-3pm Creative Liberties presents The C-Note Show, a unique exhibition featuring original works of art priced at just $100. On view during November and December at both Creative Liberties locations (901B Apricot Avenue and 927 N. Lime Avenue in Sarasota), this showcase invites new and seasoned collectors alike to “dip their toes in” and discover emerging and established local talent. FreightSans MediumItalic offers a rare opportunity to collect

meaningful, original work at an affordable price. These are the artists on their way up and ready to be discovered. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of the journey. Free and open to the public. 901B Apricot Avenue & 927 N. Lime Avenue in Sarasota, 941-799-6634, creativeliberties.net

LIVING ARTS FESTIVAL | NOVEMBER 2-9, 2025

PARTNER ARTS ORGANIZATION EVENTS

beloved arias and ensembles, you will indulge in a gourmet meal inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Naples, Italy. 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, 941-366-8450, event.sarasotaopera.org/moonlight-melodies-fall

THE RINGLING MUSEUM, ART OF PERFORMANCE Viewpoint Lecture with Amy Rosenblum-Martín, 11am Join guest curator Amy Rosenblum-Martín in an engaging conversation with national experts who live and work in Florida museums as they discuss the exhibition Nuestro Vaivén in the context of regional, national, and global Latinx contemporary art discourse. Rosenblum-Martín will provide an introduction to the groundbreaking exhibition, Nuestro Vaivén, then facilitate a lively discussion on the complex landscape of Latinx artists working in Florida. She is joined by art historian and independent curator Aldeide Delgado, MFA St. Petersburg Executive Director and CEO Klaudio Rodriguez, Pérez Art Museum Miami Senior Director of Education and independent curator Marie Vickles, and writer and University of South Florida Contemporary Art Museum Curator-at-Large Christian Viveros-Fauné. 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, 941-360-7399, ringling.org/event/viewpoint-with-amyrosenblum-martin/

DIVERSITY THE VOICES OF SARASOTA The Best of Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota, 7pm Celebrating 28 years as Sarasota’s LGBTQ+ and all-welcoming chorus, Diversity shares a one-hour concert of audience favorites, Pride anthems, and heartfelt choral selections from recent seasons. With a blend of theatrical flair, harmonic beauty, and unshakable joy, this free/pay-what-you-can event is a chance to experience the music that defines the group’s mission of inclusion and community. Whether it’s your first time hearing us or you’ve been singing along for years, this concert is our love letter to Sarasota—and to you. A light reception will follow the performance. Faith Lutheran Church 7750 Beneva Rd., Sarasota, diversitysarasota. org/events-1

NOVEMBER 8

THEATRE ODYSSEY, INC.

Stay Wild, Moon Child, 10am Theatre Odyssey’s 13th Annual Student Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival this past May, featured Stay Wild Moon Child in a full performance at the FSU Cook Theatre/ Asolo, along with 7 other high school student’s plays as finalists from the 48 scripts received, from 9 schools in five area counties, as well as one homeschooled high school student. This fun play was written by Delaney Lockwood who was a sophomore at Venice High School at the time. This is a free event for Rise & Shine Saturday as part of the Living Arts Festival at the Municipal Auditorium, 1101 Grosvenor Rd.

CREATIVE LIBERTIES ARTIST STUDIOS & GALLERY

SARASOTA OPERA Moonlight & Melodies #1 of 2 Under the Stars with Mozart, 6:30pm Enjoy an enchanting evening under the stars, where the timeless music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart will set the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. Following live performances of some of Mozart’s

VIA NOVA CHORALE Future

Present Past - Arriving at this Moment in Time, 7pm Shape the future, live in the present, and celebrate the past with Via Nova Chorale. ViaNovaChorale.org

SARASOTA ORCHESTRA

Masterworks 1 - Symphonic Dances, 7:30pm Jennifer Higdon blue cathedral, Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1, Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances 709 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, 941-953-3434, sarasotaorchestra.org

The C-Note Show, 10am-3pm Creative Liberties presents The C-Note Show, a unique exhibition featuring original works of art priced at just $100. On view during November and December at both Creative Liberties locations (901B Apricot Avenue and 927 N. Lime Avenue in Sarasota), this showcase invites new and seasoned collectors alike to “dip their toes in” and discover emerging and established local talent. The C-Note Show offers a rare opportunity to collect meaningful, original work at an affordable price. These are the artists on their way up and ready to be discovered. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of the journey. Free and open to the public. 901B Apricot Avenue & 927 N. Lime Avenue in Sarasota, 941-799-6634, creativeliberties.net

LIVING ARTS FESTIVAL | NOVEMBER 2-9, 2025 PARTNER ARTS ORGANIZATION EVENTS

ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE

Alice in Wonderland, 1pm Enjoy a one-of-a-kind journey where art, imagination, and literature come to life! In Asolo Rep on Tour’s vibrant adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, the classic story begins in a very unexpected place—a school field trip to a local museum. As Alice and her classmates explore the exhibits, she stumbles upon a mysterious painting and quite literally falls in. What follows is a whimsical, fastpaced adventure through the world of Wonderland, with all the beloved characters—Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, Queen of Hearts, and more— portrayed by a dynamic, multi-role cast. 5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 800-361-8388, asolorep.org

stars such as George Jones, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, George Strait, Lee Greenwood and many more for this exceptional musical tribute to cowboys and heroes. 5840 26th St. W, Bradenton, 941-926-7677, ThePopsOrchestra.org

SARASOTA OPERA Brundibár, 12pm Resilience, friendship and justice in this 1930s tale. Written in the 1930s by Jewish Czech composer Hans Krása and originally performed by children at the Theresienstadt concentration camp during WWII, Brundibár is a tale about a sparrow, a cat and a wise dog who help Annette and Little Joe raise money to save their ailing mother, despite the evil plans of the wicked organ grinder Brundibár

age of country music and a patriotic salute to our Nation’s veterans. Enjoy the music of Grand Ol’ Opry stars such as George Jones, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, George Strait, Lee Greenwood and many more for this exceptional musical tribute to cowboys and heroes. 5840 26th St. W, Bradenton, 941-926-7677, ThePopsOrchestra.org

ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE

Shakespeare 45 , 1pm Adapted from the works of William Shakespeare and created by Asolo Rep’s Director of Education & Engagement, Terrance Jackson, Shakespeare 45 is a lively and engaging revue featuring scenes, sonnets, and soliloquies from William Shakespeare’s most iconic plays. Woven together with fascinating insights into Shakespeare’s life, language, and lasting legacy, this 45-minute performance brings the world’s greatest playwright to life for a new generation. Best of all, the show fits neatly within the time frame of a single class period and includes a post-show talkback with the actors. 5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 800-3618388, asolorep.org

A story of resilience, this opera has a history as moving as its story. 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, 941328-1300, tickets.sarasotaopera.org/ overview/7706

NOVEMBER 9

THE POPS ORCHESTRA Rhinestone Cowboys and National Heroes, 3pm Join Nashville country singer Ralph Curtis and The Pops as we bring you the golden age of country music and a patriotic salute to our Nation’s veterans. Enjoy the music of Grand Ol’ Opry

POST-FESTIVAL EVENTS

VENICE CONCERT BAND

Venice Concert Band Presents Red, White, and Blue, Nov 10, 7pm Join the Venice Concert Band, under the direction of Bob Miller, as they open the 2025-2026 season with music that celebrates America. This concert will honor the men and women in our military services and in addition, you will hear selections paying tribute to our great country. Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Avenue, Venice, 941-218-3779, veniceconcertband.com.

SARASOTA OPERA Brundibár, 12pm Resilience, friendship and justice in this 1930s tale. Written in the 1930s by Jewish Czech composer Hans Krása and originally performed by children at the Theresienstadt concentration camp during WWII, Brundibár is a tale about a sparrow, a cat and a wise dog who help Annette and Little Joe raise money to save their ailing mother, despite the evil plans of the wicked organ grinder Brundibár. A story of resilience, this opera has a history as moving as its story. 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, 941-328-1300, tickets.sarasotaopera.org/overview/7706

THE POPS ORCHESTRA

THE POPS ORCHESTRA

Rhinestone Cowboys and National Heroes, 3pm Join Nashville country singer Ralph Curtis and The Pops as we bring you the golden

Rhinestone Cowboys and National Heroes, Nov 10, 3pm Join Nashville country singer Ralph Curtis and The Pops as we bring you the golden age of country music and a patriotic salute to our Nation’s veterans. Enjoy the music of Grand Ol’ Opry stars such as George Jones, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, George Strait, Lee Greenwood and many more for this exceptional musical tribute to cowboys and heroes. 5840 26th St. W, Bradenton, 941-926-7677, ThePopsOrchestra.org

SARASOTA OPERA Così fan tutte, Nov 11 and 13, 7:30pm and Nov 15, 1:30pm Duplicity, disguises, and delightful deception in 18th century Naples. Così fan tutte, or The School for Lovers,

follows the story of two naive young soldiers who prank their brides-tobe to test their faithfulness. But the sisters to whom they are betrothed have plans of their own. Find out who ends up schooling whom in Mozart’s delightful comedy with a masterful score. 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, 941-328-1300, tickets. sarasotaopera.org/overview/7597

ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE

of unusual duets. Bassoonist Eleni Katz has established herself as a prominent soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player. Double bassist Nina Bernat is a recipient of a 2023 Avery Fisher Career Grant. They come together for a program titled “Basso Vox” that includes music by Bach, Mozart and Piazzolla. ArtistSeriesConcerts.org

evening of audience favorites that have defined Azara Ballet’s artistic voice. This richly woven program features two poignant works by Martin Flowers—Kodumaa and Lost & Found—alongside Joshua Stayton’s striking Symphony, Leiland Charles’ ethereal Divine Serenity, and Olivia Huseonica’s heartfelt Is This What Love Is. Riverview Performing Arts Center 1 Ram Way, Sarasota, 941-909-8839, azaraballet. org/performances

WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE

Come From Away, November 12, 7:30pm Come From Away tells the inspiring true story of 7,000 airline passengers stranded in the remote town of Gander, Newfoundland in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. As fear and uncertainty gripped the world, the people of Gander responded with open arms. Through music, humor, and heart this hit Broadway musical celebrates the power of human connection, and reminds us all that kindness can bring people together in the unlikeliest of times. 5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 800-361-8388, asolorep.org

ARTIST SERIES CONCERTS OF SARASOTA How Low Can You Go? November 13, 11am Two of classical music’s most “under the radar” instruments step into the spotlight for a delightful program

THE PERLMAN MUSIC PROGRAM SUNCOAST

Razuma String Quartet, Nov 13, 7:30pm The Razuma String Quartet formed in 2025 at the Perlman Music Program Chamber Music Workshop, under the tutelage of Merry Peckham and Kim Kashkashian. This young, energetic ensemble is currently studying at the Juilliard School in NYC and the New England Conservatory in Boston. First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak Street, Sarasota 941-955-4942, PMPSuncoast.org

TROUPE WBTT’s 2025 Gala, Nov 15, 6pm Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe invites you to celebrate Motown during their 2025 Gala, “Hitsville USA, Celebrating Motown!” on Saturday, November 15 at The Ora. Join us as we jump, jive, spin and boogie to all your beloved Motown hits performed by your WBTT favorites. Enjoy a delectable meal created especially for us by Michaels’ Catering. It wouldn’t be a WBTT event without a dance party to finish off the evening so be prepared to spend time with friends, singing along to songs that you love and shaking your booty to all the hit songs that you love from Motown. The ORA 578 Mcintosh Rd, Sarasota, 941366-1505, westcoastblacktheatre.org

SARASOTA BALLET Program

AZARA BALLET

Encore by Azara Ballet, November 14 and 15, 7pm To kick off Azara Ballet’s 3rd Season we welcome you to join us for this season’s debut performance in Sarasota at the Riverview Performing Arts Center. Featuring works of art that are by popular demand, Encore is a compelling

Two – Written Motion, Nov 21 -22 A World Premiere by Ashley Page opens the evening, followed by Sir Frederick Ashton’s Valse nobles et sentimentales and Mark Morris’ The Letter V. Performed with live orchestral accompaniment, this program celebrates musicality, innovation, and tribute, while highlighting the Season’s overarching theme of anniversaries and honoring dance history. 5555 North Tamiami Trail Sarasota, 941.359.0099, sarasotaballet.org

LIVING ARTS FESTIVAL | NOVEMBER 2-9, 2025 PARTNER ARTS ORGANIZATION EVENTS

OUR FESTIVAL MISSION

The centerpiece of Sarasota Rising’s initiatives is an interdisciplinary arts festival like no other, staged in our beautiful, eclectic, semi-tropical region. From November 2-9, 2025, our festival will broaden our region’s audience for the arts in all its “flavors,” emphasizing performing arts while offering visual arts exhibitions, family-friendly events, live music and more. Whether you’re an artist, business, prospective volunteer or potential donor, we encourage you to connect and RISE WITH US for an opportunity to help build a special legacy for our special initiative.

Participating Arts Organizations

The Downtown Improvement District Leaders and Members

Dr Mark and Irene Kauffman

Jonathan and Michelle Mitchell

The Startup Team Members

The Sarasota Rising Board of Directors

The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County

Visit Sarasota County

JOIN US | SUPPORT OUR ARTS COMMUNITY

Bill Greaves

Morgan Gerhart and Development on Demand

Rough & Ready Media

The Sarasota Rising Production Team

The Living Arts Festival Team Leaders and Volunteers

Our Incredible Investors, Sponsors and Donors

Participating Area Foundations and Businesses

Our Living Arts Festival Patrons!

Look at all the ways you can help us and your entire community. Your Festival needs your support, so reach out to see how you can get involved. INFO@SARASOTARISING.COM Created in 2021 with the goal of unifying the region’s arts and cultural assets into a powerful beacon, Sarasota Rising is a nonprofit organization whose primary initiative is the creation and sustainment of a weeklong inter-disciplinary arts festival centered on the performing arts that celebrates Sarasota’s rich arts assets while leveraging those assets into a catalyst for tourism and economic activation during a “shoulder” season. Visit sarasotarising.org to learn more.

Stan Tekiela Nov 14 Over the past four decades Stan Tekiela has authored more than 200 field guides, nature appreciation books and wildlife audio CDs.

Chris Bohjalian Nov 15

Bestselling author Chris Bohjalian discusses his acclaimed novels, including Midwives and The Flight Attendant, a book that became the hit HBO Max series.

Horror Author Panel with the Horror Writers Association Nov 17 Join members of the Horror Writers Association for a spine-tingling panel on writing dark fiction.

Annabelle Tometich Nov 18

Join Annabelle Tometich as she discusses her book, The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony, called “sweet, sharp” by The New York Times, and named among the best books of 2024 by The Washington Post and NPR.

Janet and Alex Evanovich Nov 19 Bestselling author Janet Evanovich (The King’s Ransom) and her daughter, YA writer Alex Evanovich (Evil Villains International League), team up to share stories, laughs and writing tips.

Fiona Davis Nov 20 Fiona Davis is the New York Times bestselling author of eight historical fiction novels, each set in an iconic New York City building. Her compelling titles include The Magnolia Palace, The Address, and The Lions of Fifth Avenue.

Perlman Music Program Suncoast

For 22 years, the Perlman Music Program Suncoast (PMP Suncoast) has brought the celebrated Perlman Music Program (PMP) Winter Residency to Sarasota, making it a cornerstone of the region’s cultural season. Under the guidance of renowned violinist and conductor Itzhak Perlman and his wife, Toby Perlman, this two-week program has delighted

local audiences while providing world-class training to gifted young string musicians from around the globe. This year, the PMP Winter Residency shifts its home from USF SarasotaManatee to downtown Sarasota, bringing music, mentorship, and community events into the city’s vibrant cultural core. perlmanmusicprogramsuncoast.org

Razuma String Quartet

Nov 13 The Razuma String Quartet formed in 2025 at The Perlman Music Program Chamber Music Workshop, under the tutelage of Merry Peckham and Kim Kashkashian. Their name is derived from the piece that first brought them together, Beethoven’s String Quartet Op. 59 No. 2, which was dedicated to Count Andrey Razumovsky. This concert features Haydn’s Quartet in F major, Op 77 No. 2; Reena Esmail’s Zeher; and Beethoven’s Quartet in E minor Op 59 No. 2.

21st Annual PMP Winter Residency Dec 30 - Jan 10 PMP Suncoast hosts the PMP Winter Residency for young musical prodigies ages 14-20+ who play the violin, viola, cello and bass. The program provides valuable mentoring and performance opportunities for young, promising musicians from all over the world. PMP’s world-class faculty, led by acclaimed violinist and conductor Itzhak Perlman, oversee a curriculum of solo, chamber music, and orchestral repertoire at the highest level.

Ariel String Quartet: “Beethoven!”Feb 22 The world-renowned Ariel String Quartet returns with a program filled with music from their new albums of Beethoven Quartets as well as exhilarating works that highlight their virtuosity, probing musical insight, and impassioned, fiery performances.

Trio Gaia: “Mythic Visions” Mar 12 Trio Gaia immerses audiences in colorfully engrossing works that explore the interplay between

impressionistic sound worlds and mythological imagery performing Szymanowski’s Mythes, Charlotte Sohy’s Piano Trio and Ravel’s Piano Trio in A minor, a defining example of French Impressionism.

Zota Quartet: “The Art of Music” Early May The Zota Quartet returns with a new, exciting program and a unique special collaboration. This ensemble, comprised of award-winning Perlman Music Program alumni, hail from around the world and Florida. They are committed to sharing their music with the next generation and celebrating the beauty and art of great music.

POPS Orchestra

The Pops Orchestra is the community orchestra for the greater Bradenton/Sarasota community. With more than 65 instrumentalists, including some of the finest professional, amateur and student musicians and led by Dr. Robyn Bell, the Pops presents high quality musical entertainment at affordable prices. thepopsorchestra.org

Hocus Pocus

Oct 30 Kick off your Halloween weekend with the Pops Orchestra in this fun, family-friendly presentation of popular Halloween themed selections including Thriller, Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice, Black Magic Woman, Superstition, and so much more! The Pops Orchestra will be dressed in their favored Halloween attire.

Rhinestone Cowboys & National Heroes

Nov 8 - 10 Join Nashville country singer Ralph Curtis and the Pops as we bring you the golden age of country music and a patriotic salute to our veterans. Enjoy the music of Grand Ol’ Opry stars such as George Jones, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, George Strait, Lee Greenwood, and many more for this exceptional music salute to cowboys and heroes.

A Christmas Carol, the Concert Dec 13 - 15 The Pops is proud to team with the Manatee Players and the Manatee High School Chorus Program to bring you our third production of Bob Christianson’s epic setting of A Christmas Carol, the Concert. It’s the timeless story of Ebenezer Scrooge told with all new songs and dances.

Rocket Man Mar 21 - 23 Greg Bickley, as Elton John, and the Pops Orchestra combine for a fantastical grand finale to our 50th season. Enjoy all your favorite Rocket Man tunes and the outlandish costumes Elton John was so famous for.

Organ-ized Pipes & Pops

May 2 The Elizabeth M. Eaton Memorial Pipe Organ, installed

All You Need Is Love Jan 11 - 12 The Pops Orchestra welcomes the Liverpool Legends back to our stage! This internationally acclaimed Beatles tribute band was handpicked by Louise Harrison (George’s sister and former Sarasota resident) and have performed all over the world including the Rose Bowl, Carnegie Hall, and Mexico City, being nominated for a Grammy Award along the way.

Let’s Hang On Feb 14 - 16

For your Valentine’s Day entertainment, the Pops Orchestra presents Let’s Hang On!, the ultimate Jersey Boys orchestra show. Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’s tunes will light up the stage with memorable songs.

in the SCF Neel Performing Arts Center, will be on full display for this special performance of orchestra and organ music. Featuring local acclaimed organists and the Pops Orchestra, this concert will delight all who have asked to hear this amazing instrument.

Galleries of Ringling College of Art and Design

The Galleries program of Ringling College of Art and Design includes exhibitions and activities that celebrate the work and production of students, faculty and alumni. Our six on-campus galleries also host one person, group and thematic exhibitions that include locally, nationally and internationally known individuals. You will always find an exciting new

exhibition, artist talk, lecture, or event to attend. Discover awe-inspiring work and thoughtprovoking insights from the art world. ringling.edu/galleries

Art Walk Oct 10, Nov 14, Jan 30, Feb 13 Join us for the first of five family-friendly and Free Art Walks this Academic Year. Compelling exhibitions, food trucks and live music.

2025 Annual Faculty Exhibition Through Oct 11

The Annual Faculty Exhibition features a vibrant celebration of artistic talent and creativity within our esteemed academic community.

Spencer Pettit: A Continuing Act of Discovery Sept 5 - Nov 21 This posthumous exhibition celebrates the deeply personal and evolving artistic journey of Ringling alumnus Spencer Pettit (Class of 1978), whose textured, figurative works blur the lines between realism, abstraction, and expressionism. Pettit described himself as a “process artist,” focused not only on visual impact but on the layered journey of creation. His work invites viewers to look beyond surface aesthetics and engage with the underlying techniques, decisions, and emotional narratives that unfold across his canvases. Like chapters in a book, each piece builds upon the last, forming a cohesive and evolving body of work that speaks to a lifelong pursuit of meaning and connection.

Peter Mohrbacher: Angelarium Sept 5 - Oct 18 The Selby Foundation Gallery in coordination with the Illustration Department is pleased to present a solo exhibition featuring the visionary work of artist Peter Mohrbacher. Best known for his ongoing Angelarium series, Mohrbacher creates surreal, ethereal beings that exist at the intersection of mythology, symbolism, and the human psyche. His richly atmospheric digital paintings invite viewers into a dreamlike realm where each celestial figure embodies abstract concepts.

2025-26 SEASON

HOCUS POCUS POPS

Thursday, October 30, 2025

RHINESTONE COWBOYS AND NATIONAL HEROES

Saturday, November 8, 2025

Sunday, November 9, 2025

Monday, November 10, 2025

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE CONCERT

Saturday, December 13-15, 2025

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Monday, January 12, 2026

LET’S HANG ON!

Saturday, February 14, 2026

Sunday, February 15, 2026

Monday, February 16, 2026

ROCKET MAN

Saturday, March 21, 2026

Sunday, March 22, 2026

Monday, March 23, 2026

ORGAN-IZED PIPES & POPS

Saturday, May 2, 2026

For more event and ticket information, please see listings starting on page 29.

PARTNER ORGANIZATION PORTFOLIO

THE POPS ORCHESTRA

SINCE 1975, THE POPS ORCHESTRA OF BRADENTON AND SARASOTA HAS BEEN BRINGING AUDIENCES MUSIC YOU LOVE, BY MUSICIANS YOU KNOW THROUGH DYNAMIC, CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED PERFORMANCES THAT CELEBRATE A WIDE RANGE OF GENRES— from Broadway and Hollywood favorites to jazz, big band, Motown, patriotic tributes, and holiday classics. Under the baton of the dynamic Dr. Robyn Bell, the 65-piece orchestra brings together the region’s finest professional musicians, community performers, educators, and talented student musicians, reflecting the vibrancy and diversity of its audience. A CULTURAL CORNERSTONE OF THE REGION, The Pops Orchestra not only presents a robust concert season but also connects with the community through special performances honoring veterans, welcoming international events, and mentoring young musicians through its annual summer camp. Frequent collaborations with both local and nationally acclaimed guest artists add to the excitement, ensuring that every performance is a unique celebration of popular music and a reminder of why The Pops has been treasured for fi ve decades.

for its milestone 50th season, the pops orchestra of bradenton and sarasota has designed a series of celebratory concerts guaranteed to entertain audiences, lift spirits, and spark fond memories of turning up the radio and letting music wash the worries away. in honor of this golden anniversary, the orchestra has expanded its offerings, giving audiences even more opportunities to enjoy the pops’ signature blend of energy, nostalgia, and joy. in addition to the four main season concerts, the pops has added three additional shows including a saturday matinee option, making performances more accessible than ever. from october through may, the pops invites the community to celebrate 50 years of music together.

THE POPS ORCHESTRA

502 3rd Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205 941.926.POPS (7677) info@ThePopsOrchestra.org

3rd Annual Creatures, Characters, + Curious Places Juried Exhibition

Sept 5 - Oct 10 This juried exhibition showcases artworks inspired by Ringling College’s 3-D Design course, where students conceptualize and handcraft immersive threedimensional worlds.

Through the Lens: The Art of Thomas Carabasi Sept 5 - Oct 18 A retrospective exhibition celebrating the remarkable career of Thomas Carabasi, who retired from Ringling College of Art and Design in 2024 after more than three decades of dedicated service. This exhibition offers a comprehensive look at his artistic journey, showcasing works that span his early explorations in photography through to his more recent interdisciplinary projects. Carabasi’s work—rooted in a nuanced understanding of light, form, and the human condition—reflects a life devoted to visual inquiry and creative dialogue.

Roots and Resilience: Art for Change Oct 24 - Dec 19

A dynamic group exhibition that centers the work of African American artists as vital agents of cultural preservation, resistance, and transformation. Curated and designed by Ringling College’s Exhibition Design and Management course led by Director and Chief Curator Tim Jaeger, the exhibition explores how creative expression becomes a powerful tool for storytelling, activism, and imagining new futures. The exhibition features influential artists such as Faith Ringgold, Amina Robinson, Jacob Lawrence, and Romare Bearden—visionaries whose work reshaped American art through narratives grounded in the Black experience. Alongside them, contemporary artists including Kandy G. Lopez and Eme Omeh contribute fresh perspectives that deepen ongoing conversations about identity,

The Galleries at Ringling College of Art and Design: The Maestro of Murano, Lino Tagliapietra

representation, and resilience.

7th Annual Portraits of Courage: Vietnam Remembered Nov 3 - Dec 5 A powerful exhibition paying tribute to the valor, resilience, and humanity of American veterans. This year, the exhibition focuses on the Vietnam War, spotlighting the experiences and sacrifices of the men and women who served during one of the most complex and contested chapters in U.S. military history. Through evocative painted portraits created by Ringling College students and faculty, viewers are invited to witness the deeply personal stories of local Vietnam veterans.

Illest of Ill: Fairy Garden Oct 18 - Dec 5 Organized by the student-led Illest of Ill club, this

much-anticipated showcase highlights the exceptional talent and imaginative vision of our illustration students. This year’s theme, Fairy Garden, transforms the gallery into a realm of wonder and enchantment, where lush flora, mythical beings, and fantastical narratives unfold through a wide range of media and styles. From intricate traditional renderings to ethereal digital compositions, each work offers a portal into a distinct and immersive world crafted by the artist’s hand.

Anthony Rice: Like a Deer Nov 3 - Dec 12 Known for his multidisciplinary approach and dynamic visual language, Rice’s work explores the intersection of identity, culture, and materiality through a diverse range of media including

painting, sculpture, and mixed media installation. Drawing upon personal narrative, historical references, and formal experimentation, Rice invites viewers into layered compositions that challenge perception while offering space for reflection and discovery. This exhibition highlights Rice’s commitment to both conceptual depth and technical rigor, showcasing new and recent works that reflect his evolving practice as both artist and educator.

Origins: Sarasota Artist Colony, 1945–1965 Jan 20Apr 11 This historical group exhibition revisits the creative legacy of the Sarasota Artist Colony—a vibrant and visionary community of artists who helped shape the region’s postwar cultural identity and laid the groundwork for Sarasota’s emergence as a thriving arts destination. Drawn to the Gulf Coast for its climate, light and Ringling School of Art, these painters, printmakers, and educators established studios, taught classes, and exhibited widely, fostering a collaborative spirit that flourished between 1945 and 1965. Origins is a visual tribute to this remarkable era—highlighting the innovation, camaraderie, and enduring influence of the colony’s members.

Tom Stephens: Echoes in Color Jan 20 – Apr 11 An exhibition showcasing the recent work of Sarasota-based artist and Ringling College alumnus Tom Stephens (Class of 1996). Known for his expressive use of color, gestural brushwork, and emotionally charged compositions, Stephens’ paintings explore the tension between abstraction and representation. His dynamic surfaces reveal a deep engagement with process and intuition, resulting in works that resonate with both personal introspection and universal human experience.

Lego Brick Health: A Mindful Play Experience Jan 20 – Feb 21 An interactive exhibition exploring mental health, storytelling, and imagination through LEGO.

Ligature XVI Mar 6 – Apr 11 Now in its 16th year, Ligature, an exhibition of Typographic Excellence from Ringling College of Art & Design, in the annual student-led juried exhibition. The show will feature works from students in all majors, using type in various categories such as Drop Caps, Type in Motion, Hand Lettering, and Original Typefaces.

The Maestro of Murano: Lino Tagliapietra Jan 12 – Mar 28 Celebrate the legendary artistry of Lino Tagliapietra— widely regarded as the world’s foremost living glass artist. With a career spanning over seven decades, Tagliapietra has transformed the centuriesold traditions of Venetian glassblowing into a dynamic and expressive contemporary art form. Renowned for his unparalleled technique, vibrant color palettes, and sculptural finesse, Tagliapietra’s work bridges history and innovation. This landmark exhibition features over 40 exquisite works by Tagliapietra, offering a rare opportunity to experience the full breadth of his mastery.

Tradition Reimagined

Jan 23 – Feb 28 Tradition Reimagined brings together a diverse group of Illustration Department faculty whose practices are rooted in traditional painting techniques while actively challenging and expanding their boundaries. This group exhibition celebrates the enduring power of representational art while highlighting each artist’s unique approach to storytelling, process and visual interpretation.

Best of Ringling & Senior Thesis Exhibitions Apr 24 –May 9 Annual juried show and graduating seniors’ capstone exhibitions in all media and disciplines.

Ringling Museum

Situated along 66 acres on the bay, The Ringling boasts an impressive array of classics and works from the Old Masters, with a Rubens collection of note, as well as regularly hosting traveling exhibitions on the forefront of contemporary art in the United States and abroad. The on-site Circus Conservatory houses the area’s local circus history, in addition to exploring the form’s greater reach. The historic Ca’ d’Zan mansion stands freshly renovated by the water, with tours available. Rich in history, the museum’s roots date back to 1924, and the establishment serves as a legacy of the original owners, John and Mable Ringling. ringling.org

Embodied Through Oct 12

The figure is one of the oldest records of our existence as a species capable of storytelling; depictions of the human body constitute some of the oldest subjects in art. Embodied expands on the definition of the human figure by bringing together diverse representations in painting, sculpture, fiber, video, and mixed media by some of the most exciting artists working in the twentieth and twentyfirst centuries.

Nature and Architecture: Postwar Creative Prints of Japan Apr 12 - Nov 16, 2025 The Ringling Museum of Art hosts a significant collection of Creative Prints (Sōsaku hanga) produced by Japanese artists who believed in the practice of self-designing, self-carving, and self-printing their own work. The Creative Print movement was inspired by early 20th-century European prints that called attention to self-expression and artistic exploration through the

medium of woodblock prints. Seventeenth-Century Dutch Paintings from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Apr 24 - Nov 1, 2026 This long-term installation in Gallery 10 of the Museum of Art showcases five outstanding examples of 17thcentury Dutch painting on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Featuring a dramatic seascape, an expansive landscape, and captivating portraits set in detailed

(1829–1905) and Ferdinand Roybet (1840–1920). Romani quickly earned both critical praise and significant fame for her deftly painted, richly colorful depictions of strong, sensual women adorned in lavish textiles.

Yoshida Hiroshi: Journeys through Light Jun 21 - Jan 11, 2026 Renowned for his evocative renderings of light, mist, and glowing colour,

interiors, this exhibition offers a window into the vibrant artistic production of the Netherlands as the small nation rose to global prominence in the 17th century. The five exceptional paintings from the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, complement The Ringling’s holdings of Dutch art and provide additional perspective on the artistry, historical significance, and continuing appeal of Dutch painting from this period.

Juana Romani: Forgotten

No More May 10 - May 31

Juana Romani (1867–1924) was one of the most fascinating and successful painters in late-nineteenth-century Paris. Born in Italy, Juana—whose given name was Giovanna Carlesimo—moved to Paris with her mother and stepfather at the age of ten. She took up painting, studying under the well-known painters Jean-Jacques Henner

visionary artist Yoshida Hiroshi (Japanese, 1876–1950) gathered his subject matter from his travels across the Americas, Europe, north Africa, and Asia. Back in his studio, he translated his sketches into the medium of polychrome woodblock printing—an artform perfected over 200 years of Japanese history.

Ancient Art from Cyprus and the Mediterranean Opening Summer 2025

Ancient Art from Cyprus and the Mediterranean, opening in the summer of 2025, is the latest phase of The Ringling’s multi-year project to reinstall all 21 permanent collection galleries of the Museum of Art. This new installation in Gallery 12 highlights art from the island of Cyprus with a selection of 201 works from The Ringling’s permanent collection of ancient Mediterranean art—nearly all

of which was purchased by John Ringling at auctions in 1928—including sculptures in limestone and terracotta as well as ceramic vessels, glass, and gold and silver jewelry.

Ancestral Edge Sept 13 - April 12 This exhibition highlights contemporary Native design, craftwork, and art that employ the formal and aesthetic elements of abstraction as meaningful motifs and coded tools of Indigenous expression to communicate tribal cultures and histories, ancestral knowledge, and the lived experiences of the artists and their communities. Explored in a variety of media, including basket weaving, beadwork, collage, clay, textiles, photography, metalwork, and printmaking rooted in ancestral technologies, their work shares similar stylistic and social concerns, such as vibrant color, hard-edged geometries, curvilinear patterns, and bold mark-making, all infused with personal stories and those of their kin.

Ringling Museum Art of Performance

The Art of Performance @ the HAT (Historic Asolo Theatre) has become the most global, unexpected and vibrant performing arts series in Sarasota. No matter if you are a loyal fan or brave newbie to our programming, we have performance and engagement options for you! Choose from the wide range of shows activities this season with single events or packages to suit your schedule and appetite for live arts. Hang on to your HAT because this season is going to be wild and wonderous inside and out of the Historic Asolo Theater. ringling. org/explore/art-of-performance

Bijayini Satpathy: Dohā Oct 18 - 19 Contemporary Classical Indian Dance Dohā, or couplet, is the culmination of Bijayini Satpathy’s year-long residency at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Building on a series of

movement explorations at The Met Cloisters, the Modern and Contemporary Art wing, the Islamic Art Wing and the Astor Chinese Garden Court, this evening-length work navigates the relationship between prayer and play. The idea of prayer is central to the Odissi dance form and much of the traditional repertoire addresses or praises a deity. In her choreography, however, Bijayini abandons theistic depictions to emphasize the bhāva—the emotional experience—of prayer as an embodied human act. Through intricately patterned choreography, she constructs her own solitary rituals, oscillating between precision and spontaneity.

Rafael Ramírez: Chronicle of a time that was Oct 30 - 31 Rafael Ramírez brings his latest work Chronicle of a time that was (Crónica de un suceso), a flamenco dance performance with live music in tribute to renown flamenco dance and film phenomena Antonio Gades on the 20th anniversary of his death.

Kavita Shah Quintet Jan 23 - 24 The critically-acclaimed Kavita Shah Quintet explores Kavita’s original music and her arrangements of jazz standards and music from around the world. Incorporating themes of diaspora into her work, Kavita uses her background in ethnomusicology, linguistic fluency (she speaks 9 languages), and in-depth knowledge of various cultural traditions to place seemingly eclectic and diverse music elements in dialogue with one another.

Caleb Teicher & Conrad Tao: Counterpoint Feb 7 - 8 Counterpoint is a collaboration between pianist and composer Conrad Tao and choreographer and dancer Caleb Teicher. The duo explores the dichotomy of their different perspectives and artistic practices, expanding their individual expressive capacity through a collective experience. Harmonic, rhythmic, and theatrical counterpoint between the artists seeks to map out constellations linking

their disparate traditions. Ahamefule J. Oluo: The Things Around Us

Feb 28 - Mar 6 The Things Around Us is a dazzling new work from acclaimed multidisciplinary artist, Ahamefule J. Oluo, that layers live music and narrative exploration to create an introspective evening about the things that connect us all. It is the third in a trilogy of shows from Oluo, following Now I’m Fine and Susan.

Jake Blount Mar 14 Jake Blount is an award-winning musician and scholar based in Providence, RI. He is half of the internationally touring duo Tui, a 2020 recipient of the Steve Martin Banjo Prize, and a twotime winner of the Appalachian String Band Music Festival (better known as Clifftop). A specialist in the early folk music of Black Americans, Blount is a skilled performer of spirituals, blues and string band repertoire. His most recent album, The New Faith, is the latest installment of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings’ African American Legacy Series.

Le Cirque Kikasse

Mar 27-29 Le Cirque Kikasse is a breathtaking mobile acrobatic show that celebrates the undying innovation of the live Circus Arts. Circus acrobatics meet food truck fun where trampolines, balancing and juggling are the daily special. The Cirque Kikasse “truck” transforms into a beer garden, offering food, refreshments and circus entertainment.

MicroWIP @ theHAT May 8

Catch the first glimpse of the newest performances being made in the Sarasota-Manatee area. Now in its third year, the HAT’s MicroWIP (Micro Worksin-Progress) presentations provide local creatives with a platform to advance new work. This evening features ten-minute max excerpts of freshly made performances and represents the museum’s commitment to supporting local artists. By presenting works-in-progress, we offer a semiformal way for artists to

experiment with new ideas.

Realize Bradenton

A nonprofit organization dedicated to invigorating Bradenton’s cultural scene, this community-focused organization seeks to create a more active and culturally connected downtown for Bradenton, regularly organizing large-scale events

in conjunction with private businesses, public resources and local artists, celebrating the city’s heritage and place within the cultural fabric of the Suncoast. realizebradenton.com

Winter Wonderland Dec 6

A magical seasonal celebration on Bradenton’s Old Main Street with fun for the entire family. Enjoy performances from local students, local vendors and Santa Claus.

BAM!Fest (Bradenton Art & Music Festival)

Mar 28 BAM!Fest transforms the Riverwalk into a dynamic, diverse, immersive art and music experience from bridge to bridge.

Rise Above Performing Arts Centre

Rise Above Performing Arts (Rise Above) was formed from a dream and the need to provide students in this local area with unique, advanced opportunities and instruction in the performing arts. The idea was to create an environment where students

Something Rotten Oct 16 - Oct 19 & Oct 23 - Oct 26 Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel

had a safe place to come learn and share their gifts and talents. After several years of working with elementary age students, this organization’s original board of directors realized that there were limited options for students outside of school. Moreover, the opportunities that did exist, did not provide students with recurring, advanced level production experiences. Our program now spans from kindergarten through college. Rise Above believes in these students; they are capable of producing productions of superior quality if given the opportunity and support. To this effort, Rise Above Performing Arts was born. riseabovearts.com

set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self and all that jazz.

Be More Chill Jan 2 - 4 Jeremy Heere is just an average teenager. That is, until he finds out about “The Squip,” a tiny supercomputer that promises to bring him everything he desires most: a date with Christine, an invite to the raddest party of the year and a chance to survive life in his suburban New Jersey high school. But is being the most popular guy in school worth the risk?

Footloose Jan 15 - Jan 18 & Jan 22 - Jan 25 When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, he is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. But he’s not prepared for the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, who is determined to exercise control over the town’s youth. When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation. The heartfelt story that emerges pins a father longing for the son he lost against a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people while guiding them with a warm heart and open mind.

Alice By Heart Feb 26 - Mar 1; Mar 5 - Mar 8 In the rubble of the London Blitz of World War II, Alice Spencer’s budding teen life is turned upside down, and she and her dear friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. When the ailing Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and journey down the rabbit hole to Wonderland. Alice by Heart explores the poignancy of first love, coming to terms with loss, and finding the courage to move forward.

Hadestown: Teen Edition

Apr 16 - 19 This intriguing and beautiful folk opera delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience. Following two intertwining love stories–that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of immortal King Hades and lady Persephone–Hadestown invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back.

Tuck Everlasting May 7May 9 & May 14 - May 17

Eleven-year-old Winnie Foster yearns for a life of adventure beyond her white picket fence, but not until she becomes unexpectedly entwined with the Tuck Family does she get

more than she could have imagined. When Winnie learns of the magic behind the Tuck’s unending youth, she must fight to protect their secret from those who would do anything for a chance at eternal life.

variety of historical ceramics from around the globe.

Sarasota Art Museum

Sarasota Art Museum is a catalyst for appreciation and understanding of the art of our time. As a platform for education, exposure and experimentation, the Museum inspires new ideas and new ways of being through an endless rotation of transformative, relevant, and pioneering exhibitions and programs designed to elevate and empower all by cultivating discerning visual thinkers and ethical citizens. sarasotaartmuseum.org

Molly Hatch: Amalgam

Through Apr 26, 2026 Hatch’s newly commissioned “plate painting,” Amalgam (2023), was created specifically for Sarasota Art Museum. Consisting of more than 450 earthenware plates hand-painted in white, blue, and gold luster, the abstract lines and shapes in Amalgam are drawn from a

Lillian Blades: Through the Veil Through Oct 26 Blades invites visitors to enter, wander through, and lose themselves within an immersive maze of mixed-media “veils.” These radiant tapestries suspended from the ceiling shimmer with reflective surfaces, activating the space with bouncing light and color.

Jillian Mayer: Slumpies Through Aug 2026 Mayer explores the impact of technology on the human body through this interactive sculpture series. Slumpies invites viewers to sit and slump on these sculptures, much like furniture, and find a place of comfort while using their technological devices.

Selina Román: Abstract Corpulence Aug 31 - Mar 29, 2026 Selina Román blends photography, abstraction, and self-portraiture to explore themes of beauty and the politics of size. Roman’s photographs transform the gallery into a space of quiet resistance, subverting traditional ideas of feminine beauty.

Art Deco: The Golden Age of Illustration Aug 31 - Mar 29, 2026 Showcasing 100 rare posters along with sculptures, cocktail shakers, and furniture pieces, this exciting exhibition celebrates the centennial anniversary of Art Deco and the artistic significance it brought to the early 20th-century.

Janet Echelman: Radical Softness Nov 16- Apr 26, 2026 Experience an intimate look at award-winning and internationally recognized artist Janet Echelman’s artistic evolution, from early explorations in drawing, painting, and textiles to the monumental netted sculptures that have redefined public spaces around the world.

Something Borrowed,

Something New Apr 19 - Sept 27, 2026 Featuring works by such acclaimed modern and contemporary artists as Louise Bourgeois, Chuck Close, Yoko Ono, David Hockney, Ai Weiwei, and more, this neverbefore-seen exhibition offers a rare glimpse into private collections held throughout Southwest Florida.

Maria A. Guzmán Capron: New Works Apr 19 - Sept 27, 2026 Maria A. Guzmán Capron explores the complexities of identity through vibrant figurative textiles. Drawing inspiration from her own multicultural heritage, the artist creates layered portraits of exuberant, multi-faceted characters.

Beautiful Ideas: The Prints of Sol LeWitt May 17 - Oct 25, 2026 Sol LeWitt is regarded as one of the founders of both minimalism and conceptual art. Beautiful Ideas explores the artist’s extensive body of prints, beginning with his earliest works and extending through his mature expressions in abstraction.

PARTNER

ORGANIZATION

PORTFOLIO FROM

THE SARASOTA BALLET

SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1990, THE SARASOTA BALLET HAS GROWN FROM A REGIONAL COMPANY INTO AN INTERNATIONALLY CELEBRATED FORCE IN THE DANCE WORLD. Under the leadership of Director Iain Webb since 2007, the Company has received widespread critical praise for its distinctive repertoire—balancing rarely seen historic masterworks with exciting world premieres—and has toured to prominent stages across the United States and in England. IN 2024, THE SARASOTA BALLET RECEIVED AN UNPARALLELED HONOR— an invitation from The Royal Ballet to join them in the launch of Ashton Worldwide. The Company performed 7 of Ashton’s ballets at the Linbury Theatre and appeared alongside The Royal Ballet on the Main Stage of the Royal Opera House. This engagement opened the fi ve-year global festival and reaffirmed the Company’s standing as one of the foremost interpreters of Sir Frederick Ashton’s repertoire. PRAISED BY THE NEW YORK TIMES AND THE GUARDIAN (U.S. EDITION) for its artistry and vision, The Sarasota Ballet is celebrated for preserving and advancing the legacies that have shaped dance history while fostering the creation of new work. This Season, the Company performs in three local venues: the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, the Sarasota Opera House, and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall—allowing audiences across Sarasota to experience the Company in a variety of distinctive venues. EMBODYING THE COMPANY’S COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE in training and education are the Margaret Barbieri Conservatory and The Sarasota Ballet School, which are the next generation of dancers. In addition, the Company’s community engagement programs provide broad access to ballet and are an integral part of the Sarasota community.

“this season is a tribute to the many dance legacies of the ballet world that have gone on to shape the sarasota ballet and reflects our dedication to preserving the history of ballet,” says director iain webb. “this seasons’ program balances celebrated masterworks with innovative new creations, honoring anniversaries and milestones that connect the past to the present. it also underscores our commitment to education and nurturing future artists, ensuring that the traditions and artistry of ballet will continue to thrive. we are deeply grateful to the sarasota community for its enduring support and enthusiasm, which allows the company to continue to provide dance at the highest level.” — director iain webb

THE SARASOTA BALLET

5555 North Tamiami Trail

Sarasota FL 34243

941.359.0099 sarasotaballet.org

2025-26 SEASON

PROGRAM ONE –INTRINSIC

October 24 – 26, 2025

PROGRAM TWO –WRITTEN MOTION

November 21 – 22, 2025

PROGRAM THREE –MASTERS OF MOVEMENT

December 19 – 20, 2025

PROGRAM FOUR –

NOTES UNSPOKEN

January 30 – February 2, 2026

PROGRAM FIVE –MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY

February 27 – March 2, 2026

PROGRAM SIX –LIFE & LIBERTY

March 27 – 28, 2026

PROGRAM SEVEN –FOUNDATIONS OF ROYALTY

May 1 – 2, 2026

More more event and ticket information, please see listings starting on page 40.

Sarasota Ballet

In 1987, The Sarasota Ballet was founded by Jean Weidner Goldstein as a presenting organization with the goal of becoming a full resident ballet company. In January 2007, that

Announced. Illuminations, Choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton, Music by Benjamin Britten, Designs by Cecil Beaton. The Letter V, Choreography by Mark Morris, Music by Joseph Hayd, Designs by Maile Okamura.

Music by Ernest Chausson. Valsinhas, Choreography by Ricardo Graziano, Music by Franz Schubert.

Program Five

Feb 27 - Mar 2 The Sarasota Ballet Presents Martha Graham Dance Company.

dream was fully realized when The Sarasota Ballet announced the appointment of the new Director, Iain Webb. Mr. Webb’s background, experience, and close personal relationships with some of the biggest names in the dance world have taken The Sarasota Ballet to a higher level of national and international recognition. sarasotaballet.org

Program One | Intrinsic Oct 24 - 26 Les Sylphides, Choreography by Michel Fokine, Music by Frédéric Chopin, Designs by Alexandre Benois; World Premiere, Choreography by Jessica Lang, Music to be Announced, Designs by Jillian Lewis. Changing Light, Choreography by Will Tuckett, Music by Jeremy Holland-Smith.

Program Two | Written Motion Nov 21 - 22 World Premiere: Choreography by Ashley Page, Music to be

Dance Extra | The Nutcracker Dec 12 - 13, Dec 21 - 23

The Nutcracker features The Sarasota Ballet Studio Company, plus students from The Sarasota Ballet School and The Sarasota Ballet’s Margaret Barbieri Conservatory.

Program Three | Masters of Movement Dec 1920 Divertimento No. 15, Choreography by George Balanchine, Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Designs by Peter Farmer Mozartiana. Company Premiere, Choreography by George Balanchine, Music by Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky. Jazz Calendar, Choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton, Music by Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, Designs by Derek Jarman.

Program Four | Notes

Unspoken Jan 20 - Feb 2 World Premiere, Choreography by Gemma Bond. Lilac Garden, Choreography by Antony Tudor,

Program Six | Life & Liberty Mar 27 - 28 Stars & Stripes, Choreography by George Balanchine, Music by John Philip Sousa, Designs by Karinska ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café, Choreography by Sir David Bintley, Music by Simon Jeffes, Designs by Hayden Griffin.

Program Seven | Foundations of Royalty May 1 - 2 Birthday Offering, Choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton, Music by Alexander Glazunov, Designs by Andre Levasseur. Checkmate, Choreography by Dame Ninette de Valois, Music by Arthur Bliss, Designs by E. Mcknight Kauffer. Summertide, Choreography by Sir Peter Wright, Music by Felix Mendelssohn, Designs by Dick Bird.

Dance Extra | Images of Dance May 5 The Images of Dance showcase features dancers from The Sarasota Ballet Studio Company and the Margaret Barbieri Conservatory.

Sarasota Concert Association

The Sarasota Concert Association (SCA) is a nonprofit organization that fosters greater appreciation for world-class classical music by offering the community two engaging concert series. In its 79th season, the Great Performers Series brings world-renowned orchestras, recitalists and chamber groups to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and the Riverview Performing Arts Center. Music Matinees feature outstanding regional artists in free community concerts at First Presbyterian Church, and Special Events are presented in other venues throughout the region. Scasarasota.org

Director Vasily Petrenko, performs Sibelius’ poignant and dramatic Symphony No. 2. British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor has an acclaimed international career and performs regularly with the great orchestras of Europe and the U.S.

The Philadelphia Orchestra Feb 16 The world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra returns to Sarasota with an All-Brahms program, including the composer’s Symphony No. 2 and No. 4, led by its charismatic Music Director Yannick

Nézet-Séguin. Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera as well, Nezet-Seguin is in demand conducting orchestras around the world, and has established himself as one of the most exciting talents of his generation.

in a program of virtuosic piano works, from Grieg to Prokofiev, Sibelius and Stravinsky. The young “Russian Genius” (Corriere della Sera) came to international prominence when he won the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians at age 13.

Joshua Bell and The Academy of St Martin in the Fields Mar 15 Grammy Award-winning superstar violinist Joshua Bell leads the internationally-renowned Academy of St Martin in the Fields in Dvořák’s soulful Symphony No. 8, and he also performs as soloist in SaintSaëns’ dramatic Violin Concerto No. 3.

Sarasota Contemporary Dance

Canadian Brass Holiday Concert Dec 2 Canadian Brass never fails to delight with their winning combination of fabulous sound, engaging wit, popular programming, and topnotch showmanship.

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Jan 19 Recognized as the U.K.’s most indemand orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic, led by Music

Danish String Quartet Feb 24 Direct from Copenhagen, the acclaimed Danish Quartet makes its Sarasota debut performing Beethoven’s masterful String Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 130 as well as Beethoven’s Grosse Fuge, Op. 133.

Pianist Alexander Malofeeva Mar 10 The phenomenal 23-year old Russian pianist Alexander Malofeev has been selling out concerts around the world and he makes his Sarasota debut

Bringing the best in contemporary dance to the region and creating new works right here, Sarasota Contemporary Dance is recognized in the area for its collaborative performances and eclectic choreography, which fuses various dance styles— traditional, modern, Middle Eastern, aerial, Afro-modern and even technologically-infused work. In addition to a variety of community collaborations and performances at local venues, the Sarasota Contemporary Dance Company has also been presented at the Alabama Ballet Center for Dance, John F. Kennedy Center, Merce Cunningham Studio Theatre and the Aily Citygroup Theatre. sarasotacontemporarydance.org

In Studio With Jessica Obiedzinski Nov 1 Going

‘Beyond the Syntax’ refers to a deeper kind of understanding— one that transcends structured language (words, grammar, symbols) and taps directly into the thought, emotion, and intention behind those words. Eye contact, gesture, micro-expressions, tone shifts, and even silences carry meaning. They enable real-time

alignment—like a conductor subtly guiding an orchestra or more simply expressed as a conversational environment where your internal states are heard, even when they aren’t voiced.

Main Stage Collaboration

With Yaya Diamond & the Dream Chasers Dec 4 - 7 To open our season of affection and joyful reunions, Artistic Director Leymis Bolaños Wilmott rekindles a dynamic collaboration with members of the former Reverend Barry & The Funk band. This electrifying restaging led by Yaya Diamond & The Dream Chasers celebrates the powerful interplay between live music and contemporary dance.

SCDE Fall Show Dec 12 - 13

An intimate and inspiring instudio performance featuring original choreography set to the evocative poetry from Scyllastrangefire by Scylla Liscombe — a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans poetry, dance, and visual art. This special program showcases a powerful collaboration between movement and words, with works choreographed by Associate Directors XiaoXuan Dancingers and Melissa Rummel.

Main Stage Collaboration

With Mark Dancingers

Jan 15 – 18 We enter 2026 with SCD’s acclaimed striking work of Jehanne returning to the stage. Accompanied by live music and original compositions by Mark Dancingers. Filled with grit and untamed choreography by Leymis Bolaños Wilmott, led by Melissa Rummel along a cast of fearless women, this performance reflects Joan of Arc’s strength and faith that carried her through trials and tribulations.

The After Time

Jan 16 - 25 Alan Brasington’s childhood memories seen through the wisdom, wit, and whimsy of Alice in Wonderland Alan Brasington is a graduate of the NY State University at New Paltz and, through a Rotary

Club International Fellowship to England, The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Alan’s career spans many years on Broadway and regional stages. He taught Shakespeare and Restoration Comedy at Syracuse University and writes and records on the internet for Steinbeck Now.

Any Way the Wind Blows by Sabine Dimante featuring SCDE Dancers Feb 27 - 28 Get ready for a bold, sensoryfilled ride with Any Way the Wind Blows — an expanded work by Sabine Dimante, Rehearsal Assistant and Founding Company Member of Sarasota Contemporary Dance Ensemble. Inspired by the iconic music of Queen, Sabine’s choreography brings the band’s legendary sound to life through a quirky, dynamic, and joyfully theatrical lens.

SCD + Piazzolla 2026

Mar 19 - 22 Argentine Tango composer Astor Pantaleon Piazzolla, renowned harpist Ann Hobson Pilot and choreographer Leymis Bolaños Wilmott collaborate for the third time for this milestone season. SCD brings visual and emotional accompaniment to Pilot’s inspired arrangement by the music of Piazzolla for harp, violin and bandoneon, reflecting the composer’s melodies, a contemporary mix of tango music with jazz and classical influences.

Sarasota Cuban Ballet

The Sarasota Cuban Ballet is a premier destination for Cuban training in the United States. Now in its 14th year, the Sarasota Cuban Ballet is the only US training center where Dr. Ramona de Saa, Director and Professor at the National Ballet School of Cuba, adapted the Cuban method ballet curriculum created by founder Fernando Alonso specifically for the Sarasota school. Dancers from the Sarasota Cuban Ballet have joined The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Hamburg Ballet, Miami City

Ballet, Houston Ballet, the Dance Theatre of Harlem, San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, and many other national and international professional companies. srqcubanballet.com

Classical+Contemporary Oct 3- 5 A celebration of past and present.

Dracula Oct 31 - Nov 2

Journey to Transylvania and experience the legend of Dracula.

The Nutcracker Dec 5

The holiday favorite featuring the beloved classic choreography and the beauty of Tchaikovsky’s score.

Romantic Night Feb 13 – 15

Celebrating love through classical and contemporary works.

La Primavera Apr 10 - 12

A showcase of classical and contemporary repertoire celebrating spring.

On Stage 2025 Jul 18

A gala performance by Summer Intensive dancers from around the world.

Sarasota Film Festival

April Founded in 1998, the Sarasota Film Festival an international film festival hosted in Sarasota, Florida and viewable from around the world. The festival is typically held each April, in support of its mission: to celebrate the art of filmmaking and the contribution of filmmakers by hosting an international film festival and developing year-long programs for the economic, educational, and cultural benefit of our community. sarasotafilmfestival.com

Sarasota Jewish Theatre

Jewish theater has a long history of universal appeal—delighting and enlightening theater lovers of all backgrounds with its humanitarian values and humor. Sarasota Jewish Theatre brings to life plays that express the

uniqueness and universality of Jewish heritage and cultural life—but you don’t have to be Jewish to love Jewish theatre. sarasotajewishtheatre.com

We’ve Got Short Shorts Oct 10 - 12 Two short contemporary comedies by Bruce J. Bloom. In The Last Request of Eddie Carmichael/ Cohen: On his deathbed Eddie Carmichael announces he’s Jewish, not Catholic, and that his real name is Cohen. As his dying wish he asks a Rabbi to marry him and Esther Goldman, a Jewish woman he met in the nursing home. Daniel Ortega and the Yom Kippur Blues: Arthur Kleinman is looking for his lost faith in a Latino saloon, where he finds it’s easier to sin than he ever expected.

I Never Saw Another Butterfly Oct 17 - 19 A one-hour adaptation of the powerful play based on a book of artwork created by the children at the Terezin Concentration Camp during WWII. One of the survivors, Raja, tells the true story of giving the children hope when there was little reason for hope, creating a world of laughter, flowers and butterflies behind the barbed wire.

Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski Feb 4 - 15 In a virtuoso performance, SJT favorite Michael Raver portrays the Polish World War II hero and Holocaust witness Jan Karski, who risked his life to carry his report of the Warsaw ghetto from war-torn Poland to the Allied Nations and the Oval Office, only to be met with inaction and disbelief.

The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife Mar 4 - Ma 15 An uproarious, intelligently funny and satirically relevant comedy which ran for 777 performances on Broadway. When Marcia Taub, a middle-aged Upper West Side doctor’s wife who is devoted to mornings at the Whitney, afternoons at MOMA, and evenings at BAM, plunges into a mid-life crisis, the only thing that shakes her out of her lethargy is the reappearance

of a fabulous, fascinating and somewhat mysterious childhood friend.

Cherry Docs Apr 8 - 19 SJT is repeating a play that was presented over Zoom in our first season in the midst of the pandemic. We believe that this play is so timely and important that it should be presented to a wider audience. When a white supremacist brutally attacks an immigrant and is assigned a Jewish public defender, both men’s lives are changed forever.

Sarasota Opera

The world-renowned Sarasota Opera produces impassioned opera performances true to the vision of the composer, to entertain, enrich, educate, and inspire a life-long love of opera in our diverse and growing communities. The season will feature a production of the sarasotaopera.org

Così Fan Tutte Oct 31 - Nov 15 Duplicity, disguises, and delightful deception in 18th century Naples. Così Fan Tutte, follows the story of two naive young soldiers who prank their brides-to-be to test their faithfulness. But the sisters to whom they are betrothed have plans of their own. Find out who ends up schooling whom in Mozart’s delightful comedy with a masterful score.

Brundibár Nov 8, 9 Written in the 1930s by Jewish Czech composer Hans Krása and originally performed by children at the Theresienstadt concentration camp during WWII, Brundibár is a tale about a sparrow, a cat and a wise dog who help Annette and Little Joe raise money to save their ailing mother, despite the evil plans of the wicked organ grinder Brundibár . A story of resilience, this opera has a history as moving as its story.

La Bohème Feb 14 - Mar 28 Poetry, poverty, and passion in 1830s Bohemian Paris. Puccini’s most beloved opera and one of the most performed in the repertoire, La Bohème

takes us through the streets of the Latin Quarter in 19th century Paris when the poor embroideress Mimì has a fateful chance encounter with the poet Rodolfo. Laugh and cry as a group of friends struggle and celebrate through the Bohemian lifestyle and experience the heartbreak of a lover’s impending demise.

The Merry Widow Feb 21 - Mar 27 Money, mischief and matchmaking in 1905 Parisian aristocracy. Wealthy widow Hanna Glawari is descended upon by an array of willing suitors from Parisian society. But plans go awry when Hanna’s past paramour enters the ballroom. The Merry Widow is the perfect blend of comedy, dance and unforgettable music.

Il Trovatore Mar 7 - Mar 29 Serenades, sieges, and family secrets in 15th century Spain. One of Verdi’s most popular works, Il trovatore unfolds with the telling of a fiery execution that takes place during Count de Luna’s childhood, an event that sets him in vengeful pursuit of the gypsy woman, Azucena. Unrequited love for the noblewoman Leonora and hatred for her lover, the troubadour Manrico, drive him to murderous passions.

Susannah Mar 14 - Mar 28 Sin, a loss of innocence, and repentance in the 1950s rural Tennessee. A re-telling of the Book of Susannah, the story follows a pretty, innocent young woman as she falls under the jealous scrutiny of her rural Appalachian community. When the Reverend Blitch appears at her door offering redemption, tragic events unfold that force Susannah to take a stand for her dignity. Susannah is a timeless, gripping tale and one of the most popular American operas.

Sarasota Orchestra

When the music begins, our senses take flight. The Sarasota Orchestra celebrates its 76th anniversary with a season of

performances that will move, delight, and inspire. Since 1949, Sarasota Orchestra has touched the lives of music lovers across the region and visitors from around the world. Each year the 76-member Orchestra performs more than 100 classical, pops, chamber music and outreach concerts. Sarasota Orchestra’s mission is to engage, educate and enrich the community extends through its acclaimed Sarasota Youth Orchestras program and the world-renowned Sarasota Music Festival. sarasotaorchestra.org

Symphonic Dances Nov 7 - 9

Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances was the master’s final orchestral composition. A virtuoso showpiece for the orchestra, it bursts with the fierce energy and Romantic melodies that are Rachmaninoff’s trademarks. Alessio Bax, “among the most remarkable young pianists now before the public” (Gramophone), performs Tchaikovsky’s glorious Piano Concerto No. 1, perhaps the most beloved piano concerto of all time. Jennifer Higdon’s ethereal blue cathedral opens this vibrant program.

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Oct 24, 25 It’s time to dust off those Darth Vader helmets as Sarasota Orchestra presents Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back live in concert, with the Orchestra playing John Williams’ extraordinary music and the iconic film on the big screen.

Close Encounters

Dec 6 - 7 Magic is in the air as Sarasota Orchestra journeys to locales both real and imagined. Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice brings to life Goethe’s tale of magic gone awry and was featured in Disney’s original Fantasia The virtuosic Suite from Close Encounters of the Third Kind reminds us why film composer John Williams is revered as one of the most gifted orchestral

composers of our time. Spanish guitar virtuoso Pablo SáinzVillegas takes us to the Royal Palace of Aranjuez in Rodrigo’s popular guitar concerto.

Pictures at an Exhibition

Jan 17 - 18 The program showcases Ravel’s orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. The vibrant musical depictions of Viktor Hartmann’s paintings, including the majestic Great Gate of Kiev, have been inspiring audiences for generations. Fourteen-year-old Japanese violinist Himari has been described as a once-in-ageneration talent. The prodigy will perform Bruch’s richly Romantic Violin Concerto No. 1. Pulitzer Prize-winner Michael Abels is best known for his genre-defying scores for the Jordan Peele films Get Out, Us, and Nope

Variations on America

Feb 13 - 15 Adolphus Hailstork’s An American Port of Call captures the relentless energy of the port of Norfolk, Virginia. Pianist Clayton Stephenson performs Gershwin’s jazz and bluesinfused Concerto in F. Charles Ives composed his delightful and quirky Variations on “America” when he was only 17. Audiences at the 1934 premiere of Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony were so moved that they erupted in applause at the end of each movement.

Rite of Spring Feb 27 - Mar 1 Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring was so novel and unprecedented that a riot broke out at its premiere. A tour de force for the orchestra musicians and conductor, its live performance is a not-to-be-missed event. Violinist Benjamin Beilman brings his trademark flair to Mozart’s final and most virtuosic violin concerto. The program opens with Joan Tower’s 1920/2019, composed in 2019 to honor the 1920 passage of the 19th amendment granting women suffrage.

Sarasota Players

The Sarasota Players is community theatre, dedicated to delivering quality productions and keeping the community engaged with the arts. The Sarasota Players seeks to provide an artistic outlet for locals and visitors alike to experience live theater and live theater training. This location gives us an incredible talent pool to work with. From our Artistic Director to our stagehands, half of the volunteers working on a production have at one time been professionally paid performers. players.org

The Wedding Singer Sept 24 - Oct 5 The Wedding Singer kicks off the season with a high-energy celebration of love and second chances, proving that sometimes, the biggest dreamers come from the unlikeliest places. This is a Sarasota premiere.

Rent Dec 3 - 14 Rent takes us to the heart of New York City’s bohemian underground, where artists, outcasts, and lovers fight for survival, selfexpression, and the right to live without fear.

Annie Jan 7 - 18 “A curly-haired orphan that remains optimistic despite dealing with the Great Depression.” This musical reminds us that optimism can change the world, as a fearless young girl holds onto hope and defies the odds.

The Crucible Mar 25 - Apr 5 Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is a gripping, cautionary tale of mass hysteria and the power of speaking truth to fear—proving that some voices, no matter how persecuted, cannot be silenced.

Assassins Apr 29 - May 10 Assassins closes the season with a haunting, darkly satirical look at those who sought infamy instead of glory— challenging the idea of the American Dream and who gets to define it.

SPAACES

SPAACES is a unique artistic microcosm in Sarasota that exists to advance contemporary visual art and professional artists while enhancing a vibrant arts community. SPAACES’ vision is to see Sarasota recognized as a cutting edge, visual arts town, a place where contemporary art and artists thrive. SPAACES is centrally located just a few blocks northeast of downtown Sarasota in an air-conditioned industrial space with an exhibition space that promotes a variety of contemporary art projects.

SPAACES’ professional artists open their studios to the public during exhibition opening nights, to show and discuss their diverse contemporary art practices. Spaaces.art

Traces of Change: Mark Making, Text, and (Social) Progress? Oct 3 - Nov 15 This exhibition brings together the work of Elizabeth Sher, Eszter Sziksz, and Jill HoffmanKowal in a dynamic mixed media exhibition that explores how visual language can reflect and challenge the complexities of contemporary life. Through painting, printmaking, installation, and film, each artist uses text and gesture to engage with themes of environmental fragility, cultural memory, political commentary, and personal narrative.

Narrative Constructs: Contemporary Representation and the Politics of Perception Nov 21 - Jan 17

SPAACES is pleased to present this two-person exhibition featuring Sarasota-based artists Alicia Lisa Brown and Aaron Board. Both alumni of the New York Academy of Figurative Art, Brown and Board use richly detailed figurative painting to examine the power of narrative as a means of expressing personal and political truths.

Ringling

Fine Art Student

Pop-Up Jan 30 - Feb 7

SPAACES is pleased to host a group exhibition featuring the Ringling College of Art and Design fine art graduating Class of 2026. This showcase highlights the culmination of each artist’s academic and creative journey, presenting a range of works that reflect their technical skill, conceptual growth, and individual voice.

Subterranean Voices: The Ground Beneath Feb 13 - Mar 21 SPAACES is pleased to present Subterranean Voices, a five-week artist residency and exhibition by Sabrina Small that transforms the gallery into an immersive, hybrid space—part living studio, part evolving installation. Visitors are invited to engage with Small’s completed works and her active creative process, encountering an environment rich with personal objects, vinyl records, and works-inprogress. Subterranean Voices explores the tension between outward persona and inner consciousness through handstitched and drawn works that celebrate slowness, tactility, and imperfection.

Object/Subject: The Body, Space, and Acts of Transformation Mar 28 - May 16 A multimedia exhibition featuring painting, drawing, video, sound, and immersive installations. Developed in collaboration with the SPAACES curatorial team, and artist LaMichael Leonard Jr., the exhibition builds on Leonard’s Movement Research Residency and his performance piece BLUR. The featured works explore the dynamic relationship between body, space, and identity.

Squeeze Apr 15 A collaborative effort between SPAACES, artist LaMichael Leonard Jr., and the nonprofit Art 4 Change, Squeeze brings together musicians, dancers, and visual artists to present socially engaged, experimental work in a vibrant, welcoming, and unconventional space.

Through Women’s Eyes: Reel Equals International Film Festival

March 5-10, 2026 We are a mission-driven festival, dedicated to supporting women filmmakers and films by anyone that address issues inadequately represented in the mainstream media. We are an international festival, and every year we host significant numbers of films from all over the world. throughwomenseyes.org

Urbanite Theatre

Founders Summer Dawn Wallace and Brendan Ragan make a statement each season with sold-out, cutting-edge shows performed in the black box style, shifting effortlessly from heavy drama to heady comedy. Intimate, independent and unexpected. urbanitetheatre.com

Monsters of the American Cinema Oct 31 - Dec 7 Remy Washington, a Black man and widower, has inherited both a drive-in movie theater and the responsibility of raising Pup, his late husband’s straight, white teenage son. The two forge a strong bond around a shared love of classic American monster movies, but when Remy discovers that Pup has been tormenting a gay classmate, their relationship begins to fracture, and the real horrors surface.

Job Jan 9 - Feb 15 It’s January 2020. Jane has been placed on leave from her Big Tech job after a viral workplace incident. She’s hell-bent on returning, but first, her assigned therapist, Loyd, needs to authorize it. A tightly wound psychological thriller, Job zooms in on two careerists of different generations, genders, and paradigms to examine what it means to be a citizen of the internet.

The Apiary Mar 20 - Apr 19 It’s 22 years into the future, and honeybees are nearly extinct, except for those kept alive in labs.

URBANITE THEATRE

URBANITE THEATRE IS AN AWARD-WINNING PROFESSIONAL THEATRE COMPANY LOCATED IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN SARASOTA, CELEBRATED FOR ITS BOLD, CONTEMPORARY STORYTELLING AND COMMITMENT TO NEW WORK. Since opening its doors in 2015, Urbanite has become a cultural mainstay in Southwest Florida, producing thought-provoking, emotionally resonant plays in a uniquely intimate black box setting. With a focus on innovation and inclusion, Urbanite presents cutting-edge new plays by emerging and established playwrights from across the country, often bringing regional and world premieres to Sarasota audiences. URBANITE PRODUCTIONS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR IMMERSIVE STAGING, fearless subject matter, and high artistic standards, creating a visceral experience that brings audiences within arm’s reach of the action.

“for season 12, we’re charting new territory with an expanded modern works festival, a new musical, and a lineup that pushes the boundaries of both our space and our imaginations” says summer wallace, producing artistic director. “this season, we’re diving into the monsters we face: those within us and around us, shaped by the forces of fame, power, and survival. it’s a season of transformation for our artists, our audiences, and the urbanite space itself. whether you’re a longtime theatre lover or a curious newcomer, urbanite invites you to experience a season that’s raw, real, and unforgettable.”

By Christian St. Croix October 30-December 7, 2025

By Max Wolf Friedlich January 8-February 15, 2026

19-April 19, 2026

When a shocking event leads to an even more shocking boost in bee populations, an overqualified new lab assistant, Zora, and her talkative coworker, Pilar, must decide just how far they’ll go to keep the population growing . . . and the whole thing under wraps from their overstressed, budgetconscious supervisor, Gwen.

Who is Eartha Mae? May 29 - Jun 21 The sharp-witted, glamorous, incomparable Eartha Kitt commands the spotlight. But backstage in her dressing room, in the quiet between songs, she peels back the glitz to reveal Eartha Mae: a girl from the South Carolina cotton fields, orphaned by her mother until an audience adopted her. Told through both story and song, Urbanite Theatre’s first-ever musical production unearths the complex truth behind the icon.

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

Playfully dubbed “The Purple Cow” by locals, this distinctive Frank Lloyd Wright creation abuts the Sarasota Bayfront, where it serves as Sarasota’s primary connection to the world of national and international touring performance, bringing storied performers and productions to the local stage as a regular stop on the regional, national and international touring circuits. vanwezel.org

The Book of Mormon

Dec 9 - 14 This outrageous musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. With standing room only productions in London, on Broadway, and across North America, The Book of Mormon has truly become an international sensation

MJ Feb 3 - Feb 8 He is one of the most influential entertainers in history. Now, Michael Jackson’s unparalleled artistry comes to Sarasota in MJ, the multiple Tony Award-winning

musical about the creation of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour. Created by Tony Award-winning Director and Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ goes beyond the iconic moves and music to explore his creative process.

The Music Man Apr 10 - 11 There’s trouble in River City when a fast-talking salesman gets his heart stolen by the town librarian. The Music Man follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize—this, despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain’s fall.

Venice Symphony

Following last year’s concert season, The Venice Symphony is celebrating its 51st year in the community with more performances and its biggest concert season ever. Music Director Troy Quinn leads an orchestra of more than 80 musicians in a season of masterworks, music from film and Broadway and contemporary classics at the state-of-the-art Venice Performing Arts Center. thevenicesymphony.org

A Symphonic Spooktacular

Oct 10 – 11 A ‘not-so-scary’ Spooktacular returns to Venice featuring a harmonious collaboration of symphonic sounds and storytelling. Become entranced by Bernard Herrmann’s Psycho: A Short Suite for String Orchestra and travel to otherworldly dimensions with music from The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and other mystical medleys

Classical Rockstars

Nov 14 - 15 Experience the energy, beauty, and intensity of classical music that meets rockstar status!

Hear masterpieces including Mozart’s Overture to The Marriage of Figaro, Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C Major featuring a stunning solo by Principal Cellist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Robert DeMaine, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7.

TV Classics! Jan 9 - 10

Tune in for a binge worthy concert covering TV’s greatest theme songs. Hear game show classics like Merv Griffin’s Jeopardy Theme, to thrilling detective dramas Magnum P.I. and Hawaii Five-O or hum along to Danny Elfman’s Main Title from The Simpsons. Grab your remote, sit back, and let the music take you on a nostalgic ride.

Viva Venice!

Feb 6 - 7 A vibrant celebration of Spanish and Latin music that will transport you to the heart of culture and rhythm. Experience the fiery passion of Chabrier’s España, the sultry elegance of Márquez’s Danzón No. 2, and the soulful Concierto de Aranjuez with Grammy-award winning guest artist Sharon Isbin on guitar.

Lights, Camera, Music!

Feb 27 - 28 Experience the music that made the movies with a selection of Hollywood classics. This cinematic journey includes music from Fiddler on the Roof, The Avengers, My Fair Lady, The Greatest Showman, and more. Our guest artist for this concert is famed Hollywood violinist Roger Wilkie.

Fountains, Tides & Tempests

Mar 20 - 21 Embark on a musical voyage with selections inspired by the sea! Experience Korngold’s The Sea Hawk Overture, Han Zimmer’s Drink Up Me Hearties from Pirates of the Caribbean, and the haunting Fountains of Rome by Respighi. Set sail on a symphonic adventure where the only thing more thrilling than the waves is the music.

The American Music Story

Apr 12 Our inaugural Venice Community Center chamber music series concludes with a

grand culmination of American music and culture for the country’s 250th anniversary. Listen to the cross-genre celebration of American music making, with American classical music, popular and jazz music with The Venice Symphony Brass Quintet.

Ode to America Apr 24Apr 25 Celebrate the vibrant sounds of the nation with our last concert of the season. This concert features John Williams’ The Cowboys Overture, Leonard Bernstein’s Times Square: 1944, and Copland’s iconic Appalachian Spring along with much more. Our guest vocalist for this concert is Andrea Ross. an evening you won’t forget.

Venice Theatre

Charming, wowing and moving audiences since 1950, Venice Theatre stands as, per capita, the largest community theater in the United States. From classics and musical favorites on the main stage to the daring and raucous productions populating the theater’s Stage II, Venice Theatre pulls out all the stops for a theater-going population always looking for something new. The cabaret festival brings countless productions to the stage for weeks of musical and dramatic entertainment. venicestage.com

Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show Oct 3 - 25 Caught in a storm, a young couple seeks help at Dr. Frank ’N’ Furter’s castle, leading to wild misadventures. With rock ‘n’ roll, humor, and bold experimentation, The Rocky Horror Show explores love, identity, and lust.

The Sound of Music Oct 24 - Nov 23 Winner of five Tony Awards, The Sound of Music is a timeless tale of hope and family, featuring iconic songs like “Do Re Mi,” “Edelweiss,” and “Climb Every Mountain.” A beloved classic for all generations.

The Amish Project Nov 14 - Dec 7 The New York Times called this powerful play “Extraordinary . . . compelling . . . [and] a remarkable piece of writing.”

A Christmas Carol Dec 4Dec 21 We are counting our blessings as Venice Theatre’s musical version of A Christmas Carol returns with the joyous spirit of the year-end holidays. Intergenerational veterans from past productions (including Brad Wages as Scrooge) join with new cast members to tell Charles Dickens’ story of redemption and rebirth.

Honky Tonk Laundry Jan 9 - Feb 1 In this fun, countryflavored musical, laundromat owner Lana Mae and her new hire Katie turn the Wishy Washy Washateria into a honky-tonk, serving up suds, revenge, and classic hits by country legends while bringing justice to cheatin’ hearts.

The Rainmaker Jan 16Feb 8 A charming con man promises rain and stirs hearts in a drought-stricken Depressionera town. The Rainmaker is a heartfelt tale of hope, love, and self-discovery, as independent Lizzie dares to dream of something more.

The Cake Feb 20 - Mar 8 When a beloved family friend asks for a wedding cake—only it’s for a same-sex marriage— Della, a devout Southern baker, must examine her long-held beliefs. The Cake is a heartfelt, humorous look at faith, love, and acceptance.

Annie Feb 27 - Apr 4 Winner of seven Tony Awards, Annie follows a spirited orphan’s journey to find her family. With heart, humor and hope, she outwits Miss Hannigan and finds happiness with billionaire Oliver Warbucks.

The Silver Foxes

Mar 17 - 22 The “youngest” cast in town will once again regale you with song, dance, and ribald humor in their new variety show. Being “mature” never looked and sounded so good.

How I Learned To Drive

Mar 20 - Apr 4 Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and multiple Tony and Drama Desk Awards, I Learned to Drive is a powerful, darkly funny memory play exploring trauma, manipulation, and survival with emotional depth, empathy and haunting theatricality.

Winnie-the-Pooh Apr 17 - May 3 In this charming adaptation, Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends—Piglet, Eeyore, and Rabbit—navigate misadventures fueled by honey, friendship, and laughs. A heartwarming tale filled with wit.

Emma Apr 24 - May 10

Austen’s Emma gets a witty, high-energy makeover in this screwball comedy. Confident matchmaker Emma meddles in love lives—until she discovers her own heart may be the one most in need of guidance.

Pinky’s Players May 20 - 24

Delight once again in the inspiring performances of Pinky’s Players, Venice Theatre’s Community Engagement Program that partners with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to develop and share their artistic talents.

Via Nova Chorale

Via Nova Chorale was founded in 2008 by Dr. Robert Parish as a semi-professional choir under the name Musica Sacra Cantorum. The group cultivated a distinguished repertoire of sacred classics and served as guest choir-in-residence for three seasons in England—at Lichfield, Winchester, and Exeter Cathedrals. In 2023, at the start of its 14th season, Steven Phillips was appointed artistic director to bring a wider focus, ranging from classics to world music to jazz and new commissions. vianovachorale.org

Future Present Past — A Celebration of

Time

This evocative program explores the nature of time and

our relationship to it, offering an eclectic, immersive journey with music by G. F. Handel, Ola Gjeilo, Jerome Kern, Bob Dylan, and many more. It is a moving call to honor the past, embrace the present, and imagine a hopeful, compassionate future.

The 10th Anniversary of A Celtic Christmas Dec 12 - 13 Now in its 10th year, this beloved event, presented jointly with First Presbyterian Church Choir & The Lubben Brothers Band, celebrates the season with the sounds of the Celtic nations. The concert features a 70-voice choir, piper Kevin Wiegand, and the acclaimed folk band, The Lubben Brothers.

ELEVATE! Mar 7 A celebration of joy as a force for change, with music by F. J. Haydn, Morten Lauridsen, John Legend, and more. When events in the world seem disheartening, this uplifting concert takes an inspiring stand—joy is the way forward.

Jazz Mass for a New Humanity May 1 Back by popular demand, Jazz Mass for a New Humanity, a groundbreaking work by Via Nova’s artistic director, Steven Phillips, sets the traditional texts of the mass in conversation with sacred writings from many traditions, along with poetry by Maya Angelou, Wendell Berry, and others. Performed with a first-rate jazz ensemble and acclaimed vocalist Maicy Powell, this stirring program entertains, uplifts, and inspires.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

Founded in December 1999, by performer, director and playwright Nate Jacobs, this nonprofit theater is the only professional black theater company on Florida’s west coast. Through musicals—both Broadway and Jacobs’ originals— as well as comedies and thoughtprovoking dramas from notable playwrights, WBTT explores the African-American experience onstage every year in a five-show

season. Since its inception, WBTT has mentored and inspired many African-American youth and young adults through participation in the company’s productions. Many aspiring professional artists who trained with WBTT have gone on to work with regional theaters and national touring companies, on Broadway and on national television and with major record companies.

westcoastblacktheatre.org

Purlie Oct 8 - Nov 9

Opening the season is the Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning show, Purlie. In this fun-loving musical, a dynamic traveling preacher, Purlie Victorious Judson, returns to his small Georgia town—still enmeshed in Jim Crow times—to shake things up and change lives. The self-taught preacher plans to open an abandoned church and ring the bell of freedom. However, he has a problem: Ol’ Cap’n is holding Purlie’s inheritance due to the discovery of a long-lost cousin. With the help of Ol’ Cap’n’s son, Charlie, Purlie manages to outsmart the white-haired old-timer to win a victory for freedom.

Black Nativity Nov 19 - Dec 21 An inspirational gospel musical originally penned by poet/playwright Langston Hughes that retells the biblical Nativity story. The music is an exuberant mash-up of gospel, blues, spiritual and Christmas music, paired with the poetry of Hughes and the creativity and heart of WBTT. Nate Jacobs adapted and is directing the show; WBTT’s Resident Choreographer, Donald Frison, will be assistant director.

Paradise Blue Jan 7 - Feb 8

The season’s dramatic offering is Paradise Blue, written by renowned American playwright and actress, Dominique Morisseau. In a strip of Detroit known as Paradise Valley, a man named Blue struggles to keep his father’s business, Paradise Club, afloat during a push towards gentrification. The city wants to kick African-

Americans in the community of Black Bottom out by buying properties up and down the strip. Blue, who is haunted by the memory of his father, teeters on the edge of madness as he decides whether selling the club is selling his soul. The people who occupy Paradise Club begin to turn on each other and change as the city changes around them. Morisseau illuminates the effects of gentrification and the erasure of Black history on the African-American community with her first play.

How I Got Over: A Gospel

Revue Feb 18 - Mar 29

Performed at WBTT in 2016 and then featured at the National (now International) Black Theater Festival in 2017, this high-spirited show raises the rafters and celebrates the music of renowned singers like Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Mighty Clouds of Joy, The Staple Singers, James Cleveland, and other gospel greats. It features traditional songs like “Travelin’ Shoes,” “Amazing Grace” and “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” combined with more upbeat, popular tunes such as “Elijah Rock,” “Oh Happy Day,” and “When The Saints Go Marching In.”

Lies, Spells and Old Wives’ Tales Apr 8 - May 17 Closing the season is Lies, Spells and Old Wives’ Tales. This new, original musical comedy, adapted and created by Nate Jacobs and his writing partner (and brother), Michael Jacobs, celebrates the spirit, identity, and cultural essence of a people. The show spotlights and celebrates the sayings, beliefs, values, fables, stories, and traditions that are passed down from generation to generation and become the fiber and foundation that establishes the conventions and traditions of a people. The show features original, unique and fun music. It guarantees to be an experience filled with reminiscent and festive joy.

SRQARTS

—Compiled by Cecilia Mould and Dylan Campbell