FRIDAY FEBRUARY 12TH Palm Grove Mennonite Church Quilt & Craft Sale - 8:00 am | no food provided but there are restaurants close by. Quilt & Craft Sale 1087 Beneva Road Sarasota, FL 34232 Quilt & Craft Sale to benefit our Haiti Mission. Sale days: Feb 10-12, each day open from 8am-5pm and Feb 13 8am-12noon $2 donation at the door, handicap accessible Wings of Freedom Tour - Venice Municipal Airport - 9:00 am | $6-$12 Venice Municipal Airport 120 Airport Ave E Venice, FL 34285 Each year, the Collings Foundation take their Wings of Freedom Tour through Florida with their Boeing B17 Fortress, Consolidated B24 Liberator and two-seater North American TP51C Mustang fighter. Their North American B25 Mitchell also joined the tour at selected venues though from 2014 onwards it has not visited Florida. They fly into a number of regional airports and at most venues you can take a walk through tour of one of the bombers for $12 for adults and $6 for children. World War II veterans get free access. You can also get some idea of what it was like to fly in these amazing aircraft on a 30 minute air experience flight. Prices are $400 for the B25 and $450 for the B17 and B24. A minimum of six passengers is required for each flight (four for the B25) and it is recommended you wear foam ear-plugs as inside the aircraft can be very noisy! It can also be quite draughty so a sweatshirt is also useful. For the TP51C, prices range from $2,200 to $3,200 for a half hour or one hour flight respectively. Wings of Freedom 2016 Tour Schedule (Florida Locations) For the 2016 tour, the B17, B24 and TP51C will take part in the Florida portion of the tour 1927 Train Depot Tour - 10:00 am | Free 1927 Train Depot 303 E Venice Avenue Venice, FL 34285 Free docent-led tours of 1927 Train Depot. Displays and information about Venice history and the role of the train depot. Red caboose open Wednesday and Saturday. Statue of Gunther Gebel-Williams on the grounds. For reservations for groups of 10 or more, call 941-412-0151. 303 E. Venice Ave., Venice FL. M-W-F 10-3, Sat. 10-1. Info 941-412-0151. Paul Rudolph: The Florida Houses - 10:00 am | Free Historical Exhibits and Education Center 701 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 Visit and learn about famed architect Paul Rudolph and his Florida houses. Exhibit features photographs and architect models previously seen at the Sarasota School of Architecture. Exhibit runs through the end of March. Sarasota Garden Club Annual Fashion Show, Tutta Bella! - 11:00 am | $45 Hyatt Regency Sarasota 1000 Boulevard of the Arts Sarasota, FL 34236 Sarasota Garden Club Luncheon and Fashion Show, Tutta Bella! A Day in Italy. Fashions by Dillard's UTC, Luncheon and Show. Opportunity drawings, surprise guest speaker! The SGC supports area scholarships, helps to maintain many area public gardens and supports its mission. Individual and Groups welcome! Art Gallery Exhibition Michael Taylor - 11:00 am | Free Alfstad& Contemporary 1419 5th Street Sarasota, FL 34236 ART GALLERY EXHIBITION Michael Taylor: Particles: Something Out of Nothing, Jan 29 Feb 26, Tues-Sat, 11-5pm, Open to the public Acclaimed glass artist Michael Taylors exhibition kicks off the 2nd Annual Art Glass Weekend in Sarasota. Recognized by his peers as one of the most innovative glass artists and educators today, his distinctive work in this exhibition features 10 new cold-cut pieces, along with 5 formerly displayed works, and 10 digital prints created in collaboration with Alfstad& Contemporary. His sculptural pieces distribute rays of light to create colorful plays and subtle nuances of refractions and reflections. Alfstad& Contemporary, 1419 5th Street, Sarasota, 34236. Ah, Wilderness! - 11:00 am | Free Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art 1288 N. Palm Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236 Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art gallery presents Ah, Wilderness!, an exhibition celebrating nature with works by landscape painter Susan Klein, painter, printmaker, photographer and naturalist Jean Blackburn and sculptor Joe Segal, February 5March 1. The gallery is at 1288 N. Palm Ave., in Sarasota. Gallery hours are Mon. Sat., 11 a.m. 5 p.m. Call for Monday hours. For more information about this exhibit, call 941-366-2454 or visit www.allyngallup.com. 7th Annual Tidewell Hospice Signature Luncheon - 11:30 am | $100-$150 The Ritz Carlton 1111 Ritz Carlton Drive Sarasota, FL 34236 The 7th Annual Signature Luncheon is Tidewell’s signature fundraising event and this year, Joan Lunden, former host of Good Morning America, entrepreneur, and health and wellness advocate, will be the keynote speaker. The luncheon gets under way at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota. A book-signing with Joan Lunden immediately follows the program. Sponsorship opportunities for the luncheon begin at $1,250, and also include invitations to a private VIP Meet and Greet Reception preceding the luncheon. In its six-year history, the luncheon has raised more than $645,000 to help fund the services Tidewell provides to more than 8,000 patients annually, regardless of the ability to pay. Sushi and Live Music - 4:30 pm | Free Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi Grill 100 Central Ave No 1022 Sarasota, FL 34240 Come enjoy sushi that is bar none while being soothed by the sultry sounds of the live background jazz music at Tsunami Sushi and Hibachi! Every Friday night Tsunami hosts an acoustic guitar player that has forty years of experience being a professional performer. Make your Friday date night extra special by coming and enjoying our alluring atmosphere, and exceptional sushi. Tour De SRQ - 5:00 pm | $105 Downtown Sarasota Main Street Sarasota, FL 34230 Wine, food, and dessert will be seasonal and incorporate chocolate. Each restaurant will be provide wine, specialty dish, and chocolate dessert. Art galleries will provide wine and dinner dishes or chocolate. . Tour will feature restaurants at Siesta Key, St. Armands, & Downtown, signature sites in Sarasota and transportation aboard SRQ Trolley. Grab your friends for an exciting ride through Sarasota. Following us on facebook and twitter @tourdesrq. Purchase tickets now for Wine and Chocolate Edition. Seating is limited to 100. Tickets are $105. Must be 21 years of age or older. www.tourdesrq.com Sarasota Orchestra presents A Song In My Heart - 5:30 pm | $36-$48. 941-953-3434 Holley Hall In The Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center 709 N Tamiami Trail The Valentine's week concert features Ray Charles standards such as Ain't that Love and Georgia on My Mind, as well as I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables, a celebration of Marvin Hamlisch favorites, La Vie en Rose, and the Overture from The Barber of Seville. Enjoy Beethoven's Violin Romance No. 2 performed by concertmaster Daniel Jordan. Live From Downtown - It's Friday Night! - 6:00 pm | Free Downtown Sarasota 'Shop, dine and enjoy everything downtown Sarasota has to offer. Live performances by musicians, entertainers and performing arts organizations. Featuring a different downtown neighborhood every Friday. 1st Friday: Main Street at Five Points Park and Palm Avenue. 2nd Friday: Burns Square 3rd Friday: Towles Court 4th Friday: Rosemary District and Historic Downtown Village' Yesterday - 6:00 pm & 9:00 pm| $20-$50. See website for pricing. Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins, and Jim Prosser. In the mid-1960s, groups such as The Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones were topping the charts. While trying to replicate the rebellious tone of American Rock N Roll, a new sound emerged. By 1964 The Beatles alone had 31 hits on the Top 100. Journey back to a time of peace, love, and everything in between with songs such as Let It Be, Satisfaction, and I’m Into Something Good. Yesterday will play in the Goldstein Cabaret from January 6 through May 1. The Future of Christianity: Change or Die! - 6:00 pm | $50-$60. Controversial Bishop To Address Future of Christianity Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota 3975 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL 34232 The Unitarian Universality Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Rd, will host internationally renowned Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong, Feb 12 and 13. Recently named 'Person of the Year' by Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, Spong is an outspoken advocate for a 'kinder, more gentle, more inclusive' form of Christianity - one that he claims is necessary for the survival of the religion. 941-371-4974. The event is open to the public. Tickets and advance reservations are required as seating is limited. Details, fee and registration information are available at: www.uucsarasota.com/spong.html Music Compound Open House - 6:00 pm | Free Music Compound 1747 Cattlemen road Sarasota, FL 34232 OPEN HOUSE NIGHT AT MUSIC COMPOUND FRIDAY, FEB. 12TH FROM 6-9PM LIVE PERFORMANCES BY RISING STARS Complimentary food and drinks. Families welcome. Tours and chances to win the Music Compound Experience RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/open-house-at-music-compound-tickets-20627693988 Mumbo Jumbo Band - 6:00 pm | Free The Five O'clock Club 1930 Hillview St. Sarasota, FL 34239 Happy Hour with Mumbo Jumbo Show Jumping Under the Stars $25,000 Equestrian Grand Prix - 6:00 pm | $5 Fox Lea Farm 800 North Auburn Road Venice, FL 34292 Grand Prix Horse Show Jumping is an Olympic Sport requiring extraordinary athleticism from both horse and rider, with jumps approaching 5 feet in height. Come join us at Fox Lea Farm Friday night for Show Jumping Under the Stars, a $25,000 Grand Prix event. Food and Beverage available for purchase, family-friendly event, admission $5 (proceeds benefit InStride Therapy) and free parking. Go to our website for full details www.foxleafarm.com Eddie Tobin - 6:30 pm | Free Amore By Andrea Restaurant 555 Bay Isles Parkway, Longboat Key, FL 34228 Would you like to have a relaxing evening in a romantic and cozy ambient? Then you should join us every Wednesday and Friday and enjoy the wonderful musician and singer Eddie Tobin. Call for reservations: (941)383-1111 Friday Night Concert - 7:00 pm | Free Centennial Park-Venice 200 W. Venice Ave. Venice , FL 34285 Join us in Downtown Venice for our Free Friday Night Concert series at the Gazebo In Centennial Park. 7-9pm Circus Sarasota Winter Performance - 7:00 pm | $15-$55. Seating is in the round: VIP Seating= $55, Premium= $42-47, Select= $20-37, Value= $15. Big Top Tent 140 University Center Drive, SE of UTC Mall Sarasota, FL 34243 Under the Big Top for over 18 seasons we have presented an international, all-star lineup of circus artists with an unparalleled array of thrilling acts. The Circus Sarasota Winter Production will once again amaze audiences celebrating the unique circus heritage of our community for only two weeks! Last year’s shows all sold out, so get your tickets early! For more information, call 941-355-9805. Kate Weare Company: UNSTRUCK - 7:30 pm | $25-$30 Historic Asolo Theater 5401 Bay Shore Rd. Sarasota, FL 34243 Kate Weares choreography reflects her fascination with what connects us as we navigate our particular period in human history. Drawing on the body’s power to speak with a clarity that transcends the spoken word, Weare decodes a language of movement that illuminates the shifting emotions that keep our relations falling in and out of balance. For her third New Stages engagement, Weare delves deeper into her exploration of spontaneous movement with UNSTRUCK a work created in collaboration with composer Curtis Macdonald. In an intimate trio of unceasing contact and energetic exchange, an evermorphing sculpture of dance emerges wherein the dancer’s relation to their own bodies and the surrounding space is a sensual one; every gesture is alive to the environment and to all others who inhabit it. "Grease"- Sing-a-long "Fun" Raiser - 7:30 pm | $25 The Players Theatre FL 838 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 Join The Players and sing along to this iconic movie you know and love. come dressed as your favorite character and help support The Players Endowment fund. "The Sound of Music" - Sing-A-Long "Fun"raiser - 7:30 pm | $25 The Players Theatre FL 838 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 Join The Players and sing along to the iconic movie you know and love. Come dressed as your favorite character and help support The Players Endowment Fund. Chess - 8:00 pm | $27-$37. $27-$37 Prices may vary by seat Manatee Performing Arts Center 502 3rd Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34282 This complex rock opera tells the story of a conflicting love triangle between an American Grandmaster, a Russian Champion, and a Hungarian-American female chess second. Engage in this captivating story while the music leads you through each players struggle to get the upper hand. The Book of Mormon - 8:00 pm | $80-$140. Pricing: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 777 N Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 The New York Times calls it the best musical of this century. The Washington Post says, It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals. Entertainment Weekly declares, Grade A: the funniest musical of all time. Jon Stewart of The Daily Show calls it a crowning achievement. So good it makes me angry. It’s THE BOOK OF MORMON, the nine-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical from the creators of South Park. Contains explicit language. Butler - 8:00 pm | $20-$50. See site for pricing details Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Strand. The Civil War, 1861. An escaped slave seeks sanctuary, but the laws of the land are unrelenting. With sharp wit and tongue-in- cheek humor, Butler takes us on a journey through legal loopholes to find the true meaning of freedom. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Butler by Richard Strand plays from December 9 through February 20 in the Keating Theatre. Outside Mullingar - 8:00 pm | $25-$36. Pricing varies per seat; check website Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 From the author of Doubt and Moonstruck comes a delightful gritty comedy set in rural Ireland. Between fading families, a bitter land feud, and familial rivalries, two misfit neighbors will have to overcome their own fears to find happiness. Full of surprising humor and poetic prose, this tender-hearted portrait reminds us that what we’re looking for is sometimes right in front of us. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - 8:00 pm | $22-$36. Adult: $36.00 | Student/Active Military*: $22.00 *with valid ID Westcoast Black Theatre 1646 10th Way Sarasota, FL 34236 Its 1927 in Chicago, and the fiery Blues legend Gertrude Ma Rainey is ready to record her signature songs. Inside the cramped studio, she squares off against a battling quartet of musicians and a tight-fisted, white producer. This gripping play with music highlights a time in American history when even the most renowned black singer of her day had to fight against racism for the respect she deserved. In Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, the Jazz Age is in full swing and it’s a moment as full of possibility as it is risk for those striving to achieve the American side of being African American. Living on Love - 8:00 pm | $20-$80. See website for actual pricing details Asolo Repertory Theatre5555 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 There’s only one person with a worse temperament, bigger ego and more flamboyant sense of self-importance than opera diva Raquel and that’s her husband, the Italian maestro Vito De Angelis. When Raquel discovers that Vito has become enamored with a young lady hired to ghostwrite his largely fictional autobiography, she retaliates by hiring her own handsome young scribe to chronicle her life as an opera star. Sparks fly, silverware is thrown and romance blossoms in the most unexpected ways in this glamorous romp through the world of music, marriage and celebrity. With a highly anticipated Broadway run starting this April starring Renee Fleming, Asolo Rep is thrilled to receive the rights to present the regional premiere of this sparkling new comedy. Sweeney Todd - 8:00 pm | $13-$29. $29 Adult | $15 College | $13 Child Venice Theatre 140 W Tampa Ave Venice, FL 34285 Venice Theatre's next Stage II production is Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's musical thriller Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The production is generously sponsored by Eric Styren. Sweeney Todd is an eight-time Tony winner that tells the story of a barber who was unjustly imprisoned for decades. He returns to England bent on revenge - a revenge that turns murderous - leading his accomplice, Mrs. Lovett, to bake his victims into 'the worst pies in London.' Jah Movement Reggae Band - 9:30 pm | $5 Five O' Clock Club 1930 Hillview St Sarasota, FL 34239 Reggae music with a touch of R & B and Soul. www.facebook.com/pages/Jah-Movement-Reggae-Band/1422762028029428 Glittering Grandeur: Spectacles Under the Big Top - All Day | $5-$25. $25.00 Adults; $23.00 Seniors; $5.00 Child and Students with ID The Ringling 5401 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, FL 34243 While the classic circus performance is a rich spectacle in itself, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries show owners including P.T. Barnum and the Ringling’s recognized that they had the ability to increase attendance by including a different kind of spectacle in their traveling shows. Circuses would frequently open with a large scale theatrical performance that included hundreds of performers engaged in scenes of battle and festivals of dance and song. These spec displays were created on such a grand scale that they frequently rated several different poster designs each season. See the illustrated extravagance of the spec in print. Samurai: The Way of the Warrior - All Day | $0-$25. Free with admission. Pricing: http://www.ringling.org/hoursadmissions The Ringling 5401 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, FL 34243 Drawing from the rich and varied Japanese collection of the Stibbert Museum in Florence Italy, this evocative exhibition features some 70 exquisite objects related to the legendary Samurai warriors - full suits of armor, helmets, swords, swordhilts, and saddles, as well as exquisite objects intended for more personal use such as lacquered writing boxes, incense trays and foldable chairs that all characterize the period in which Japan was ruled by the Samurai military class. This Exhibition is organized by Contemporanea Progetti, Florence, Italy in collaboration with the Museo Stibbert. Ink, Silk and Gold - All Day | $0-$25. Free with admission. Pricing here: http://www.ringling.org/hours-admissions The Ringling 5401 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, FL 34243 Ink, Silk and Gold: Islamic Art from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, features approximately one hundred great works of Islamic art from the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Never before presented in a dedicated exhibition, this collection covers virtually all aspects of Islamic art in almost all media, ranging from the eighth to the twenty-first century and from Spain to Indonesia. Through silver inlaid metalwork, Quran pages inscribed with gold, brocaded velvets, lusterpainted ceramics and more, it offers a window into many different facets of the dynamic and complex artistic traditions of the Islamic world. More than 130 years after the MFA began collecting Islamic art, the objects presented in Ink, Silk and Gold are being comprehensively studied, restored and presented to the public for the first time. The exhibition, which is accompanied by a catalogue, is arranged chronologically and regionally to introduce viewers to the rich world of Islamic art. Within this framework the exhibition emphasizes the material aspects of the objects, proceeding from the notion that meaning in Islamic art is rooted in the substance of an object its color, shape and texture. Drawing upon the results of state- of-the-art scientific analyses and conservation treatments currently in progress at the MFA, the exhibition encourages visitors to explore the unique and expressive material presence of Islamic art. Happy Valentine's Day from 5Petal!! - All Day | $199 Five Petal Holistic Healing Center 830 Central Ave Sarasota, FL 34236 Love is in the air!!! 5Petal Holistic Healing Center invites you and your special someone to celebrate Valentine's Day with us. Book a couple's massage side by side in a romantically misted room diffused with essential oils. 5Petal Valentine’s Day Special $199.00 Per Couple Couples Massage includes: 60 minutes Hot Stone or Swedish/Deep Tissue Massage Essential Oil Foot Massage One Bottle of Essential Oil Blend to take home One Organic Chocolate Per Person Call/text 941.315.6858 to schedule or go to www.five-petal.com and book online!! Stop by and schedule in person at 830 Central Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236 ***5Petal Valentine’s Day Special promotion is available from February 1st-29th, 2016. SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13TH Sarasota Farmers Market - 7:00 am | Free Lemon Ave to Selby Five Points Park in Downtown Sarasota 1592 Main St. Sarasota, FL 34236 The Sarasota Farmers Market was established in 1979. The market continues its tradition of serving the community with local produce, plants, prepared foods, and artisans. We currently have a full market that includes 55 vendors and 5,000 square feet of produce and plants. Hours: The market is held every Saturday (rain or shine) 7am to Noon (May through October) 7am to 1pm (November through April) Venice Farmers Market - 8:00 am | Free Tampa Avenue West Every Saturday Morning, local Farmers, Fisherman, Craftsmen, Bakers, Artists and others gather at the Venice Farmer's Market located in the heart of historic downtown Venice, Florida. It's a weekly celebration of the best of Venice were you can get fresh seasonal Florida fruits and vegetables direct from the Venice area farms. You can't find any fresher shrimp or seafood. There's incredible tasty homemade baked goods, trinkets, crafts, soaps, flowers, plants, locally roasted coffee, and more. Palm Grove Mennonite Church Quilt & Craft Sale - 8:00 am | no food provided but there are restaurants close by. Quilt & Craft Sale 1087 Beneva Road Sarasota, FL 34232 Quilt & Craft Sale to benefit our Haiti Mission. Sale days: Feb 10-12, each day open from 8am-5pm and Feb 13 8am-12noon $2 donation at the door, handicap accessible Learn Bridge in a Day (including materials) - ACE - 8:30 am | $53 Adult & Community Enrichment @ STC4748 Beneva Rd. Sarasota, FL 34233 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. Learn Bridge in a Day? FUN - FAST FUNDAMENTAL. This course offers a new approach to learning the basics of bridge. In just five to six hours, students become confident with basic bidding, scoring, and the mechanics of play. The seminar design ensures all information is delivered in a quick, stress-free yet comprehensive manner. Exercises throughout the day and free play at the end of the course allows student to practice what they are learning. The manual ensures they take home written material covering what they learned. Participants are typically those who have never played bridge or taken lessons, players from college days who have never had formal instruction, and those who have taken beginning bridge classes but have never pursued further education and feel they need a refresher. Format: A one-day class of 5-6 hours. Requires students purchase the Student Manual ($10). Presentation is via PowerPoint slides. Room arrangement requires tables for 4, round or square. This class can be taught to a large number of students at once time, as existing bridge players will act as table facilitators at each table. Cards and other materials are provided by the instructor. Bring a lunch - 1/2 hour break for lunch. You may register anytime online at www.ace-sarasota.com. Or you may stop in the ACE office or call (941-361-6590) to register during office hours! Office Hours: M thru Thurs: 8am-5:30pm F: 8am-3pm 28th Annual Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts - 9:00 am | Free Main Street at Orange Sarasota, FL 34236 Ranked one of the TOP 100 Fine Art Shows in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine, and celebrated as one of the area’s biggest and best art shows, The 28th Annual Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts is one South Florida event you do not want to miss. Join our all-star lineup of artists in the nation ranging from spectacular painters, sculptors, jewelers, and more! "Beautiful Blooms: Winter Roses for February: - 9:00 am | $100 Lucy Barber Studio 1330 Central Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 Just in time for Valentine's Day! Learn how to paint flowers in 'Beautiful Blooms: Winter Roses for February,' a painting workshop with Lucy Barber, February 13 and 14, 9 a.m.-noon, at the Lucy Barber Studio, 1330 Central Avenue, Sarasota; 941-487-7811; www.lucybarber.com. Each workshop is six hours and students will take home at least one painting per workshop. The fee for each workshop is $100. To register for the workshops, call 941-487-7811 or visit www.lucybarber.com. Wings of Freedom Tour - 9:00 am | $6-$12 Venice Municipal Airport 120 Airport Ave E Venice, FL 34285 Each year, the Collings Foundation take their Wings of Freedom Tour through Florida with their Boeing B17 Fortress, Consolidated B24 Liberator and two-seater North American TP51C Mustang fighter. Their North American B25 Mitchell also joined the tour at selected venues though from 2014 onwards it has not visited Florida. They fly into a number of regional airports and at most venues you can take a walk through tour of one of the bombers for $12 for adults and $6 for children. World War II veterans get free access. You can also get some idea of what it was like to fly in these amazing aircraft on a 30 minute air experience flight. Prices are $400 for the B25 and $450 for the B17 and B24. A minimum of six passengers is required for each flight (four for the B25) and it is recommended you wear foam ear-plugs as inside the aircraft can be very noisy! It can also be quite draughty so a sweatshirt is also useful. For the TP51C, prices range from $2,200 to $3,200 for a half hour or one hour flight respectively. Wings of Freedom 2016 Tour Schedule (Florida Locations) For the 2016 tour, the B17, B24 and TP51C will take part in the Florida portion of the tour Bay Life Safari - 9:30 am | Free Lemon Bay Preserve 5472 Kenisco Rd Venice, FL 34289 Explore the sea life near our beaches with American Littoral Society biologists. We'll be searching shallow shorelines and sea grass beds; observing, collecting, and learning about the many interesting fish and other animals that inhabit Sarasota Bay. Wading shoes, sunscreen and drinking water are suggested. Call Chuck at (941) 488-8998 for info. and reservations. Kayak Paddle -- Deer Prairie Creek Preserve - 10:00 am | $25 Deer Prairie Creek 7001 Forbes Trail Venice, FL 34289 Join John Sarkozy on our newest American Littoral Society kayak expedition. Get outside and enjoy the natural beauty of this area. All kayak equipment will be provided to you and it is included in the cost of the trip, which is $25.00 per person. Call John at (941) 966-7308 for exact launch location and required reservations. Pet Cpr And First Aid Certification Class - 10:00 am | $59.90 Cat Depot 2542 17th St. Sarasota, FL 34234 The class is a nationally recognized Pet CPR Training Program presented by Pet Emergency Education, LLC for animal and veterinary professionals, as well as animal lovers. Participants will earn certification in Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid. The instructor is a certified veterinary technician who served on two veterinary disaster teams and has extensive emergency medical experience. Class fee is $59.95. Register at http://www.petemergencyeducation.com or call 1-844-PET-CPR9 for more information. Fused Glass Jewelry - 10:00 am | $69 Adult & Community Enrichment @ STC 4748 Beneva Rd. Sarasota, FL 34233 2/13 thru 2/27 on Saturdays, 10 am to 12 pm. Need a special piece of jewelry to go with your outfit? Now you can create one by cutting and reassembling glass using frits, stringers, micas, silver, dichroic glass, paints and decals. Techniques covered include cutting, grinding, layering, making holes to make earrings, pendants, bracelets, and cabochons. This class can be repeated to create even more dazzling pieces. Please wear closed toed shoes, bring safety glasses, and black and silver Sharpie markers. To see Liana Martin's art go to www.LianaMartin.com and www.FirebugDesigns.com. You may register anytime online at www.ace-sarasota.com. Or you may stop in the ACE office or call (941-361-6590) to register during office hours! Office Hours: M thru Thurs: 8am-5:30pm F: 8am-3pm Gluten and Dairy Free Valentine Chocolate Cake (ACE) - 10:00 am | $35 Adult & Community Enrichment @ STC 4748 Beneva Rd. Sarasota, FL 34233 10 am to 12 pm. Learn how to make a nutritious gluten-free chocolate cake for Valentine's Day or for any occasion. Surprise your loved ones with the ability to make a cake from scratch using whole food ingredients. In this class you will learn how to make a gluten-free batter, bake it, and create a naturally sweetened nutrient-dense frosting to top it off. Then you get eat it! Moist and Heavenly! You may register anytime online at www.ace-sarasota.com. Or you may stop in the ACE office or call (941-361-6590) to register during office hours! Office Hours: M thru Thurs: 8am-5:30pm F: 8am-3pm Secession to Surrender: Florida in the Civil War - 10:00 am | Free Selby Library's Geldbart Auditorium 1331 First Street Sarasota, FL 34236 Noted troubadour Bill Schustik and author Gene Jones will engage us in a discussion of Florida's history during the Civil War with musical reflections and readings. Come prepared to be informed and entertained! Free Make Your Own Heart Purse - 10:00 am | Free Children's World 4525 Bee Ridge Road Sarasota, FL 34233 Make something special this Valentine’s Day with us! From the Orb Factory, stick and style a heart-shaped purse. Keep it for yourself or give to a loved one! The play day is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free for everyone and the featured project is 20 percent off. Art Gallery Exhibition Michael Taylor: Particles: Something Out Of Nothing - 11:00 am | Free Alfstad& Contemporary 1419 5th Street Sarasota, FL 34236 ART GALLERY EXHIBITION Michael Taylor: Particles: Something Out of Nothing, Jan 29 Feb 26, Tues-Sat, 11-5pm, Open to the public Acclaimed glass artist Michael Taylors exhibition kicks off the 2nd Annual Art Glass Weekend in Sarasota. Recognized by his peers as one of the most innovative glass artists and educators today, his distinctive work in this exhibition features 10 new cold-cut pieces, along with 5 formerly displayed works, and 10 digital prints created in collaboration with Alfstad& Contemporary. His sculptural pieces distribute rays of light to create colorful plays and subtle nuances of refractions and reflections. Alfstad& Contemporary, 1419 5th Street, Sarasota, 34236. Ah, Wilderness! - 11:00 am | Free Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art 1288 N. Palm Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236 Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art gallery presents Ah, Wilderness!, an exhibition celebrating nature with works by landscape painter Susan Klein, painter, printmaker, photographer and naturalist Jean Blackburn and sculptor Joe Segal, February 5March 1. The gallery is at 1288 N. Palm Ave., in Sarasota. Gallery hours are Mon. Sat., 11 a.m. 5 p.m. Call for Monday hours. For more information about this exhibit, call 941-366-2454 or visit www.allyngallup.com. Valentine Concert Featuring Famous Svetlana Strezeva - 12:00 pm | Free Allegro Music Academy 241 Whitfield Avenue Sarasota, FL 34243 Valentine Concert featuring famous Russian singer Svetlana Strezeva. She has sung in numerous opera houses throughout the world. In the program will be romances and songs of love. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free. Lawn Bowling For Women - 1:30 pm | $10 Sarasota Lawn Bowling Club 809 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34240 lunch and lawn bowling lessons for women. $10 Circus Sarasota Winter Performance - 2:00 pm | $15-$55. Seating is in the round: VIP Seating= $55, Premium= $42-47, Select= $20-37, Value= $15. Big Top Tent 140 University Center Drive, SE of UTC Mall Sarasota, FL 34243 Under the Big Top for over 18 seasons we have presented an international, all-star lineup of circus artists with an unparalleled array of thrilling acts. The Circus Sarasota Winter Production will once again amaze audiences celebrating the unique circus heritage of our community for only two weeks! Last year’s shows all sold out, so get your tickets early! For more information, call 941-355-9805. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm | $22-$36. Adult: $36.00 | Student/Active Military*: $22.00 *with valid ID Westcoast Black Theatre 1646 10th Way Sarasota, FL 34236 Its 1927 in Chicago, and the fiery Blues legend Gertrude Ma Rainey is ready to record her signature songs. Inside the cramped studio, she squares off against a battling quartet of musicians and a tight-fisted, white producer. This gripping play with music highlights a time in American history when even the most renowned black singer of her day had to fight against racism for the respect she deserved. In Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, the Jazz Age is in full swing and it’s a moment as full of possibility as it is risk for those striving to achieve the American side of being African American. Living on Love - 2:00 pm | $20-$80. See website for actual pricing details Asolo Repertory Theatre 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 There’s only one person with a worse temperament, bigger ego and more flamboyant sense of self-importance than opera diva Raquel and that’s her husband, the Italian maestro Vito De Angelis. When Raquel discovers that Vito has become enamored with a young lady hired to ghostwrite his largely fictional autobiography, she retaliates by hiring her own handsome young scribe to chronicle her life as an opera star. Sparks fly, silverware is thrown and romance blossoms in the most unexpected ways in this glamorous romp through the world of music, marriage and celebrity. With a highly anticipated Broadway run starting this April starring Renee Fleming, Asolo Rep is thrilled to receive the rights to present the regional premiere of this sparkling new comedy. Butler - 3:00 pm & 8:00 pm | $20-$50. See site for pricing details Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Strand. The Civil War, 1861. An escaped slave seeks sanctuary, but the laws of the land are unrelenting. With sharp wit and tongue-in- cheek humor, Butler takes us on a journey through legal loopholes to find the true meaning of freedom. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Butler by Richard Strand plays from December 9 through February 20 in the Keating Theatre. Outside Mullingar - 3:00 pm | $25-$36. Pricing varies per seat; check website Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 From the author of Doubt and Moonstruck comes a delightful gritty comedy set in rural Ireland. Between fading families, a bitter land feud, and familial rivalries, two misfit neighbors will have to overcome their own fears to find happiness. Full of surprising humor and poetic prose, this tender-hearted portrait reminds us that what we’re looking for is sometimes right in front of us. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Key Chorale Presents Bach And Beethoven - 4:00 pm | $25-$35 First United Methodist Church 104 S. Pineapple Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 Key Chorale, Sarasota's Symphonic Chorus will present 'Bach & Beethoven' featuring Key Chorale, four professional soloists, and members of the Sarasota Orchestra, conducted by Artistic Director Joseph Caulkin’s, Saturday, February 13, at 4 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, 104 S. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota. Bach's jubilant 'Magnificat' and Beethoven's dramatic and powerful 'Mass in C Major' will be performed. Joining Key Chorale will be Angela Mortellaro, Carol Sparrow, Blake Freidman and Todd Donovan an acclaimed quartet of soloists that have concertized throughout the country and abroad. For tickets and info visit www.keychorale.org or the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center Box Office, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota or call 941-953-3368. Casey Key: Nokomis Beach Drum Circle - 6:00 pm | Free 201 South Casey Key Road Nokomis, FL 34275 The Drum Circle is one of Casey Key's most unique and celebrated events. On any given Saturday and Wednesday evening one will encounter the rhythmic beats, amateur belly dancing, children playing, and the most amazing sunsets anywhere. Yesterday - 6:00 pm | $20-$50. See website for pricing. Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins, and Jim Prosser. In the mid-1960s, groups such as The Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones were topping the charts. While trying to replicate the rebellious tone of American Rock N Roll, a new sound emerged. By 1964 The Beatles alone had 31 hits on the Top 100. Journey back to a time of peace, love, and everything in between with songs such as Let It Be, Satisfaction, and I’m Into Something Good. Yesterday will play in the Goldstein Cabaret from January 6 through May 1. Art of the Heart Dinner - 6:30 pm | $125 Mattison's Forty-One 7275 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34238 Join us for a celebration of your heart with its capacity for love, kindness and generosity. Discover the art of wine and the art of food at this Art of the Heart dinner on Saturday, February 13, 2015 at 6:30PM. Sam Williamson of Williamson Wines is attending to personally guide guests through this amazing multi-course wine-pairing dinner especially created by Chef Paul Mattison. Seating is limited to 40 reservations for this heart-filled event. Saturday nights with Peter Solomon - 6:30 pm | Free Amore By Andrea Restaurant 555 Bay Isles Parkway, Longboat Key, FL 34228 Join us at the lounge for a wonderful evening with Peter Solomon... Call for reservations: (941) 383-1111 Oldies Doo Wop Dances - 7:00 pm | $15 Venice Community Center 326 Nokomis Ave. South Venice, FL 34293 Oldies Doo Wop Dance. 3 hrs. of continuous live entertainment. Bring your own refreshments, snacks. Tickets are $15 pp. and must be purchased online at www.perfectchordproductions.com. Seats/tables are reserved. Cal (941)497-2480 for info. DooWop Denny Rockin Oldies Show - 7:00 pm | Free Saltwater Café 1071 N. Tamiami Trail Nokomis, FL 34274 Music to bring out the Rock & Roll kid in you! Circus Sarasota Winter Performance - 7:00 pm | $15-$55. Seating is in the round: VIP Seating= $55, Premium= $42-47, Select= $20-37, Value= $15. Big Top Tent 140 University Center Drive, SE of UTC Mall Sarasota, FL 34243 Under the Big Top for over 18 seasons we have presented an international, all-star lineup of circus artists with an unparalleled array of thrilling acts. The Circus Sarasota Winter Production will once again amaze audiences celebrating the unique circus heritage of our community for only two weeks! Last year’s shows all sold out, so get your tickets early! For more information, call 941-355-9805. Fidelio by Ludwig van Beethoven - 7:30 pm | $19-$125. Tickets at (941) 328-1300 or www.sarasotaopera.org Sarasota Opera House 61 N Pineapple Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 Sub-titled The Triumph of Married Love, Beethoven’s only opera tells the story of Leonora faithful wife who disguises herself as a young man and adopts the name Fidelio to save her beloved husband, Florestan, from prison by a ruthless tyrant. Her undying love and perseverance saves him from certain death. Opera; Fidelio; Beethoven; Sarasota Opera; Arts; DeRenzi; Sarasota Opera House; German Kate Weare Company: UNSTRUCK - 7:30 pm | $25-$30 Historic Asolo Theater 5401 Bay Shore Rd. Sarasota, FL 34243 Kate Weares choreography reflects her fascination with what connects us as we navigate our particular period in human history. Drawing on the body’s power to speak with a clarity that transcends the spoken word, Weare decodes a language of movement that illuminates the shifting emotions that keep our relations falling in and out of balance. For her third New Stages engagement, Weare delves deeper into her exploration of spontaneous movement with UNSTRUCK a work created in collaboration with composer Curtis Macdonald. In an intimate trio of unceasing contact and energetic exchange, an evermorphing sculpture of dance emerges wherein the dancer’s relation to their own bodies and the surrounding space is a sensual one; every gesture is alive to the environment and to all others who inhabit it. Sarasota Orchestra presents A Song In My Heart - 8:00 pm | $57 Holley Hall In The Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center 709 N Tamiami Trail this Valentine's week concert features Ray Charles standards such as Ain't that Love and Georgia on My Mind, as well as I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables, a celebration of Marvin Hamlisch favorites, La Vie en Rose, and the Overture from the Barber of Seville. Enjoy Beethoven's Violin Romance No. 2 performed by Concertmaster Daniel Jordan. 941-953-3434 Chess - 8:00 pm | $27-$37. $27-$37 Prices may vary by seat Manatee Performing Arts Center 502 3rd Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34282 This complex rock opera tells the story of a conflicting love triangle between an American Grandmaster, a Russian Champion, and a Hungarian-American female chess second. Engage in this captivating story while the music leads you through each players struggle to get the upper hand. The Book of Mormon - 8:00 pm | $80-$140. Pricing: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 777 N Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 The New York Times calls it the best musical of this century. The Washington Post says, It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals. Entertainment Weekly declares, Grade A: the funniest musical of all time. Jon Stewart of The Daily Show calls it a crowning achievement. So good it makes me angry. It’s THE BOOK OF MORMON, the nine-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical from the creators of South Park. Contains explicit language. All The Way - 8:00 pm | $10-$70. See website for actual pricing Asolo Repertory Theatre 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 One man. One year. One chance to change America. 1964 was a pivotal year in American history and Lyndon Baines Johnson sat at the center of it all. A master politician with towering ambition and ruthless tactics, the conflicted Texan will do whatever it takes to get the Civil Rights bill passed and secure his re-election. Meanwhile, in faraway Vietnam, a troublesome conflict looms. The winner of the 2014 Tony Award for Best Play, this gripping drama captures the critical moment that marked the end of an era and the shift to the political climate of today. Go all the way with LBJ, Martin Luther King, Jr., J. Edgar Hoover, Hubert Humphrey and more in this action-packed, electrifying portrayal of one of the most tumultuous times in our country’s history. Sweeney Todd - 8:00 pm | $13-$29. $29 Adult | $15 College | $13 Child Venice Theatre 140 W Tampa Ave Venice, FL 34285 Venice Theatre's next Stage II production is Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's musical thriller Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The production is generously sponsored by Eric Styren. Sweeney Todd is an eight-time Tony winner that tells the story of a barber who was unjustly imprisoned for decades. He returns to England bent on revenge - a revenge that turns murderous - leading his accomplice, Mrs. Lovett, to bake his victims into 'the worst pies in London.' 'True Love Never Dies' - 8:00 pm | $20 Backstage at The Players Players Theatre Sarasota, FL 34236 Meet one of the country’s top psychic mediums, Victoria Ackerman, to connect with loved ones in spirit and receive live readings at 'True Love Never Dies: An Evening of Spirit Messages,' hosted by The Spirit University. The event is Saturday, February 13, 2016, at Players Backstage Theatre, 838 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida 34236, from 8:00 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person, and seating is limited. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.thespirituniversity.com. Ackerman will bring to the audience messages from loved ones on the other side providing a rare opportunity to experience the phenomenon of mediumship. She delivers messages with a distinctive style of intensity, validation, compassion, and humor. Attendees will learn the different forms of communication and signs that loved ones are sending to them, as well as how to integrate their messages for happiness and success in all areas of life. Ackerman will dedicate part of the evening to delivering live readings and messages for many audience members. Under the Willow - 8:00 pm | $10-$12. $10 in advance/ $12 at the door Forgartyville Media and Arts Center 525 Kumquat Sarasota, FL 34236 This Newgrass band blends socially conscious lyrics with intricate compositions to evoke a sound that will have your feet stomping along with the rhythm. Sharing a love of acoustic music Hayley, Patrick, Joe and Erin at times will trade their instruments amongst each other, each equally proficient on guitar, mandolin or banjo. Each bringing their own style and approach to whichever instrument they are playing at any given time. Yesterday - 9:00 pm | $20-$50. See website for pricing. Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins, and Jim Prosser. In the mid-1960s, groups such as The Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones were topping the charts. While trying to replicate the rebellious tone of American Rock N Roll, a new sound emerged. By 1964 The Beatles alone had 31 hits on the Top 100. Journey back to a time of peace, love, and everything in between with songs such as Let It Be, Satisfaction, and I’m Into Something Good. Yesterday will play in the Goldstein Cabaret from January 6 through May 1. Schascle 'Twinkle' & Rock Soul Radio - 9:30 pm | $5 The Five O'clock Club 1930 Hillview St. Sarasota, FL 34239 Rock and Soul , Funk and Blues, Roots and Southern Rock www.twinklerocksoulradio.com Outside Mullingar - All Day | $25-$36. Pricing varies per seat; check website Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 From the author of Doubt and Moonstruck comes a delightful gritty comedy set in rural Ireland. Between fading families, a bitter land feud, and familial rivalries, two misfit neighbors will have to overcome their own fears to find happiness. Full of surprising humor and poetic prose, this tender-hearted portrait reminds us that what were looking for is sometimes right in front of us. REGIONAL PREMIERE! SUNDAY FEBRUARY 14TH 28th Annual Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts - 9:00 am | Free Main Street at Orange Sarasota, FL 34236 Ranked one of the TOP 100 Fine Art Shows in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine, and celebrated as one of the area’s biggest and best art shows, The 28th Annual Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts is one South Florida event you do not want to miss. Join our all-star lineup of artists in the nation ranging from spectacular painters, sculptors, jewelers, and more! "Beautiful Blooms: Winter Roses for February: - 9:00 am | $100 Lucy Barber Studio 1330 Central Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 Just in time for Valentine's Day! Learn how to paint flowers in 'Beautiful Blooms: Winter Roses for February,' a painting workshop with Lucy Barber, February 13 and 14, 9 a.m.-noon, at the Lucy Barber Studio, 1330 Central Avenue, Sarasota; 941-487-7811; www.lucybarber.com. Each workshop is six hours and students will take home at least one painting per workshop. The fee for each workshop is $100. To register for the workshops, call 941-487-7811 or visit www.lucybarber.com. Wings of Freedom Tour - Venice Municipal Airport - 9:00 am | $6-$12 Venice Municipal Airport 120 Airport Ave E Venice, FL 34285 Each year, the Collings Foundation take their Wings of Freedom Tour through Florida with their Boeing B17 Fortress, Consolidated B24 Liberator and two-seater North American TP51C Mustang fighter. Their North American B25 Mitchell also joined the tour at selected venues though from 2014 onwards it has not visited Florida. They fly into a number of regional airports and at most venues you can take a walk through tour of one of the bombers for $12 for adults and $6 for children. World War II veterans get free access. You can also get some idea of what it was like to fly in these amazing aircraft on a 30 minute air experience flight. Prices are $400 for the B25 and $450 for the B17 and B24. A minimum of six passengers is required for each flight (four for the B25) and it is recommended you wear foam ear-plugs as inside the aircraft can be very noisy! It can also be quite draughty so a sweatshirt is also useful. For the TP51C, prices range from $2,200 to $3,200 for a half hour or one hour flight respectively. Wings of Freedom 2016 Tour Schedule (Florida Locations) For the 2016 tour, the B17, B24 and TP51C will take part in the Florida portion of the tour The Orchid Show: Celebrating 40 Years - 10:00 am | $6-$19. Admission to this show is included in regular admission: $19 Adults, $6 Children, 4-11 Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 811 South Palm Avenue Sarasota, FL 34240 More than 1,000 orchids from the sub-tropics and tropics of the Americas will be on display Feb. 14 March 27, 2016 in the Selby Gardens conservatory. The stunning display will be a spectacle of this vibrant plant that has impacted history. Kayak Trip -- Little Sarasota Bay to Palmer Point Beach - 10:00 am | $25 Vamo Boat Ramp Vamo Dr Sarasota, FL 34238 Join John Sarkozy , as he shows you the natural beauty of Little Sarasota Bay by kayak. All kayak equipment will be provided to you and it is included in the cost of the trip, which is $25.00 per person. Take a break on the 'crown jewel' of our local beaches and take a walk, a swim, or do some birding, before we paddle back to the mainland. Call John at (941) 9667308 for exact launch location and required reservations. Circus Sarasota Winter Performance - 1:00 pm | $15-$55. Seating is in the round: VIP Seating= $55, Premium= $42-47, Select= $20-37, Value= $15. Big Top Tent 140 University Center Drive, SE of UTC Mall Sarasota, FL 34243 Under the Big Top for over 18 seasons we have presented an international, all-star lineup of circus artists with an unparalleled array of thrilling acts. The Circus Sarasota Winter Production will once again amaze audiences celebrating the unique circus heritage of our community for only two weeks! Last year’s shows all sold out, so get your tickets early! For more information, call 941-355-9805. Cos Fan Tutte - 1:30 pm | $19-$125. Tickets at (941) 328-1300 or www.sarasotaopera.org Sarasota Opera House 61 N Pineapple Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 Cos fan tutte literally means All women do this. Two young soldiers are convinced to pull a prank on their brides-to-be, and put the women’s faithfulness to the test. Mozart’s enthralling comedy and masterful score will lighten your heart and make for an evening of great fun. Opera, Cosi fan tutte, Mozart, Sarasota Opera, Arts, DeRenzi, Sarasota Opera House Chess - 2:00 pm | $27-$37. $27-$37 Prices may vary by seat Manatee Performing Arts Center 502 3rd Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34282 This complex rock opera tells the story of a conflicting love triangle between an American Grandmaster, a Russian Champion, and a Hungarian-American female chess second. Engage in this captivating story while the music leads you through each players struggle to get the upper hand. Yesterday - 2:00 pm | $20-$50. See website for pricing. Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins, and Jim Prosser. In the mid-1960s, groups such as The Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones were topping the charts. While trying to replicate the rebellious tone of American Rock N Roll, a new sound emerged. By 1964 The Beatles alone had 31 hits on the Top 100. Journey back to a time of peace, love, and everything in between with songs such as Let It Be, Satisfaction, and I’m Into Something Good. Yesterday will play in the Goldstein Cabaret from January 6 through May 1. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - 2:00 pm | $22-$36. Adult: $36.00 | Student/Active Military*: $22.00 *with valid ID Westcoast Black Theatre 1646 10th Way Sarasota, FL 34236 Its 1927 in Chicago, and the fiery Blues legend Gertrude Ma Rainey is ready to record her signature songs. Inside the cramped studio, she squares off against a battling quartet of musicians and a tight-fisted, white producer. This gripping play with music highlights a time in American history when even the most renowned black singer of her day had to fight against racism for the respect she deserved. In Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, the Jazz Age is in full swing and it’s a moment as full of possibility as it is risk for those striving to achieve the American side of being African American. Living on Love - 2:00 pm | $20-$80. See website for actual pricing details Asolo Repertory Theatre 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 There’s only one person with a worse temperament, bigger ego and more flamboyant sense of self-importance than opera diva Raquel and that’s her husband, the Italian maestro Vito De Angelis. When Raquel discovers that Vito has become enamored with a young lady hired to ghostwrite his largely fictional autobiography, she retaliates by hiring her own handsome young scribe to chronicle her life as an opera star. Sparks fly, silverware is thrown and romance blossoms in the most unexpected ways in this glamorous romp through the world of music, marriage and celebrity. With a highly anticipated Broadway run starting this April starring Renee Fleming, Asolo Rep is thrilled to receive the rights to present the regional premiere of this sparkling new comedy. Sweeney Todd - 2:00 pm | $13-$29. $29 Adult | $15 College | $13 Child Venice Theatre 140 W Tampa Ave Venice, FL 34285 Venice Theatre's next Stage II production is Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's musical thriller Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The production is generously sponsored by Eric Styren. Sweeney Todd is an eight-time Tony winner that tells the story of a barber who was unjustly imprisoned for decades. He returns to England bent on revenge - a revenge that turns murderous - leading his accomplice, Mrs. Lovett, to bake his victims into 'the worst pies in London.' Ski-A-Rees - Sunday Shows - 2:00 pm | Free Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Stadium 1602 Ken Thompson Parkway Sarasota, FL 34236 Come Join The Fun! For almost 60 years the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees have brought excitement and fun to Sarasota Bay. We are a diverse group that spans several decades and several generations. We're especially proud of our members, some of whom have grown up being a Ski-A-Ree and plan on passing on the tradition of performing one of the best amateur water ski shows in the Nation. One thing we all have in common is our love of waterskiing, family and great friends. Butler - 3:00 pm | $20-$50. See site for pricing details Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Strand. The Civil War, 1861. An escaped slave seeks sanctuary, but the laws of the land are unrelenting. With sharp wit and tongue-in- cheek humor, Butler takes us on a journey through legal loopholes to find the true meaning of freedom. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Butler by Richard Strand plays from December 9 through February 20 in the Keating Theatre. Outside Mullingar - 3:00 pm | $25-$36. Pricing varies per seat; check website Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 From the author of Doubt and Moonstruck comes a delightful gritty comedy set in rural Ireland. Between fading families, a bitter land feud, and familial rivalries, two misfit neighbors will have to overcome their own fears to find happiness. Full of surprising humor and poetic prose, this tender-hearted portrait reminds us that what we’re looking for is sometimes right in front of us. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Join Pier 22 for a Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner - 4:00 pm | $9-$38. Special Menu Pier 22 1200 1st Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205 Pier 22 Restaurant, Patio and Ballroom features a special Valentine’s Day menu on Sunday, February 14, 2016 beginning at 4pm. The menu offers Prosciutto Scallop Blankets, Crab Cake, Mussels & Bleu, Lamb Lollipops, Escargot, Asian Lettuce Wraps, Lobster Bisque, Baked Onion Soup, Spinach & Apple Salad, Pier 22 House Salad and a Traditional Caesar Salad. Entrees for the evening are Grouper Oscar, Prime Rib, Chicken Chevre, Pork Osso Bucco, Lobster Tails, Wasabi Crusted Ahi Tuna, Surf & Turf, Stuffed Lobster, New Zealand Rack of Lamb, Roast Duckling, and Filet Oscar. Sushi and dessert menus are also available. Full dinner menu will not be offered on Sunday, February 14, 2016. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling 941.748.8087. Pier 22 is located at 1200 First Avenue West, in Downtown Bradenton on the Manatee River. Paraguayan Harpist - 4:00 pm | free will offering Siesta Key Chapel 4615 Gleason Ave Sarasota, FL 34242 Siesta Key Chapel Arts Series will present a concert on February 14 at 4:00 p.m. by Paraguayan harpist Eduard Klassen and keyboardist Christine Klassen. Mr. Klassen was raised in Paraguay, South America. He has concertized in 29 countries and has performed over 4,000 concerts. The Klassens currently reside in Ontario, Canada. Siesta Key Chapel (siestakeychapel.org) is located at 4615 Gleason Avenue, Sarasota, 941-349-1166. A free-will offering will be collected. Say "I Do" All Over Again - 4:30 pm | $10 Siesta Beach 948 Beach Rd Sarasota, FL 34242 Sarasota County's popular 'Say I Do Again' wedding vow-renewal event returns Feb. 14 to Siesta and Venice beaches. Sponsored by Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, the 'Say I Do' event is a non-denomination service performed by local officiates. The event draws hundreds of couples from around the area, according to Jonathan Poyner, program coordinator for Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, who gather to celebrate love on the most romantic day of the year. 'It's the perfect way to spend Valentine's Day, sharing a gorgeous sunset on our award-winning beaches with the most special person in your life,' Poyner added. Both events begin promptly at 6 p.m., but couples are encouraged to arrive as early as 4:30 p.m. to check in and to enjoy music on the beach starting at 5 p.m. Pre-registration is required by Feb. 10. The $10 per couple cost includes a certificate, event gift, flower and light refreshments. Newly renovated Siesta Beach is located at 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key; and Venice Beach is located at 101 The Esplanade, Venice. To register for the event, or to learn more information, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000. Circus Sarasota Winter Performance - 5:00 pm | $15-$55. Seating is in the round: VIP Seating= $55, Premium= $42-47, Select= $20-37, Value= $15. Big Top Tent 140 University Center Drive, SE of UTC Mall Sarasota, FL 34243 Under the Big Top for over 18 seasons we have presented an international, all-star lineup of circus artists with an unparalleled array of thrilling acts. The Circus Sarasota Winter Production will once again amaze audiences celebrating the unique circus heritage of our community for only two weeks! Last year’s shows all sold out, so get your tickets early! For more information, call 941-355-9805. Sophisticated Swing - 5:00 pm | $5 White Buffalo Saloon 5377 McIntosh Rd Sarasota, FL 34233 Come celebrate Valentine's Day in Big Band Style. Listen and dance to Sarasota's hottest dance band Valentine Stroll - Everyone Gets A Kiss! - 5:00 pm | Free Siesta Key Village Ocean Blvd. and Beach Road Sarasota, FL 34242 Stroll February 14th 2016 - Everyone gets a Kiss! Valentine Stroll 2016Siesta Key Village Association Presents The Siesta Key Village Valentine Stroll 'Everyone gets a Kiss' - Sunday 14, 2016 The Siesta Key Village Association is hosting the annual Siesta Key Village Association Valentine Stroll on Sunday, February 14th, 2016 from 5 - 8 PM. Residents and visitors are invited to stroll through Siesta Village which will be adorned with Valentine cheer. There will be something for everyone including live music throughout the Village and candy kisses which will be distributed by the merchants. Participating merchants will be displaying red and pink balloons outside of their businesses. Siesta Key Village offers romantic destinations for you and your sweetheart and lots of fun for the whole family. If parking is a concern, there will be pedicab and golf cart cab services from the Siesta Public Beach parking lot to the Village. For more information visit the website at www.siestakeyvillage.org or call Helene Hyland at 941 685-2274 or e mail at helenehyland@comcast.net. Siesta Key Village Association's mission is to promote a pedestrian friendly atmosphere of casual elegance with a diversity of shopping, dining and professional experiences for residents and visitors. WBTT Voices: Personal Reflections of August Wilson - 6:00 pm | Free Westcoast Black Theatre 1646 10th Way Sarasota, FL 34236 The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) announces its 2016 WBTT Voices program, which is presented in honor of Black History Month. On Sunday, February 14, 6-7pm, two professionals will share their personal experiences with the late, renowned playwright August Wilson: Dr. Chris Rawson, Pittsburgh Post Gazatte theater critic, University of Pittsburgh professor, and co-author of August Wilson: Pittsburgh Places in His Life and Plays, and Chuck Smith, director of WBTTs current production of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, who worked with Wilson on the same play at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. Moderator will be Jay Handelman, the Sarasota Herald-Tribunes theater critic. August Wilson was most well-known for 'The Pittsburgh Cycle, a series of 10 plays for which he received two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama. Takes place at the WBTT Theatre (1646 Nate Jacobs Way, Sarasota). Free and open to the public but space is limited; RSVP by calling (941) 366-1505. Community Contra Dance - 6:00 pm | $8-$10. $8 adv/ $10 door Fogartyville Media and Arts Center 525 Kumquat Court Sarasota, FL 34240 On Sunday this month! A Community Valentine's Dance at 6 pm. Everyone is welcome from experienced dancers to dance newbies. There will be instructional walkthroughs starting at 6pm with regular dancing at 6:30pm. Students are half price and kids 12 and under are free. Contra dancing is social interaction, meeting people, and making new friends, set to music. A caller, usually working with a group of live musicians, guides new and experienced dancers alike through a variety of dances. A dancer and his or her partner dance a series of figures, or moves, with each other and with another couple for a short time. They then repeat the same figures with another couple, and so on. The Jerry Eckert Trio Valentine's Jazz Concert - 6:00 pm | Free St. Boniface Episcopal Church 5615 Midnight Pass Road Siesta Key (Sarasota), FL A 'jazzy' celebration of Valentine's Day with the wonderful Jerry Eckert Jazz Trio! 'Love music' from the classics to the Great American Songbook - The good, the bad and the beautiful ! All are welcome to this FREE concert (free-will offering) Sunday with Shari Morningstar & Regis Moreira - 6:30 pm | Free Amore by Andrea 555 Bay Isles Pkwy Longboat Key, FL 34228 Would you like to have a relaxing evening in a romantic and cozy ambient? Then, you should join us every Sunday and enjoy the wonderful singer Shari Morningstar & Regis Moreira and enjoy hits from Ella to Jobim, Streisand to Sinatra.... Call for reservations: (941)383-1111 Butler - 7:00 pm | $20-$50. See site for pricing details Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Strand. The Civil War, 1861. An escaped slave seeks sanctuary, but the laws of the land are unrelenting. With sharp wit and tongue-in- cheek humor, Butler takes us on a journey through legal loopholes to find the true meaning of freedom. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Butler by Richard Strand plays from December 9 through February 20 in the Keating Theatre. Outside Mullingar - 7:00 pm | $25-$36. Pricing varies per seat; check website Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 From the author of Doubt and Moonstruck comes a delightful gritty comedy set in rural Ireland. Between fading families, a bitter land feud, and familial rivalries, two misfit neighbors will have to overcome their own fears to find happiness. Full of surprising humor and poetic prose, this tender-hearted portrait reminds us that what we’re looking for is sometimes right in front of us. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Yesterday - 7:30 pm | $20-$50. See website for pricing. Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins, and Jim Prosser. In the mid-1960s, groups such as The Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones were topping the charts. While trying to replicate the rebellious tone of American Rock N Roll, a new sound emerged. By 1964 The Beatles alone had 31 hits on the Top 100. Journey back to a time of peace, love, and everything in between with songs such as Let It Be, Satisfaction, and I’m Into Something Good. Yesterday will play in the Goldstein Cabaret from January 6 through May 1. The Book of Mormon - 8:00 pm | $80-$140. Pricing: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 777 N Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 The New York Times calls it the best musical of this century. The Washington Post says, It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals. Entertainment Weekly declares, Grade A: the funniest musical of all time. Jon Stewart of The Daily Show calls it a crowning achievement. So good it makes me angry. It’s THE BOOK OF MORMON, the nine-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical from the creators of South Park. Contains explicit language. Live Music = FREE Show = Growlers Pub - 9:00 pm | Free Growlers Pub Sarasota 2831 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34234 PLEASURES are coming off their spring 2016 tour and will be hitting Sarasota at Growlers Pub! PLEASURES http://www.pleasuresis.cool/ Pleasuresbandcamp.bandcamp.com MUST BE THE HOLY GHOST (Winston-Salem, NC) https://www.facebook.com/MustBeTheHolyGhost/timeline Br'er (DC) brerbrerbrer.bandcamp.com Teach Me Equals Teachmeequals.bandcamp.com FREE Show 21+ only Glittering Grandeur: Spectacles Under the Big Top - All Day | $5-$25. $25.00 Adults; $23.00 Seniors; $5.00 Child and Students with ID The Ringling 5401 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, FL 34243 While the classic circus performance is a rich spectacle in itself, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries show owners including P.T. Barnum and the Ringling’s recognized that they had the ability to increase attendance by including a different kind of spectacle in their traveling shows. Circuses would frequently open with a large scale theatrical performance that included hundreds of performers engaged in scenes of battle and festivals of dance and song. These spec displays were created on such a grand scale that they frequently rated several different poster designs each season. See the illustrated extravagance of the spec in print. Happy Valentine's Day from 5Petal!! - All Day | $199 Five Petal Holistic Healing Center 830 Central Ave Sarasota, FL 34236 Love is in the air!!! 5Petal Holistic Healing Center invites you and your special someone to celebrate Valentine's Day with us. Book a couple's massage side by side in a romantically misted room diffused with essential oils. 5Petal Valentine’s Day Special $199.00 Per Couple Couples Massage includes: 60 minutes Hot Stone or Swedish/Deep Tissue Massage Essential Oil Foot Massage One Bottle of Essential Oil Blend to take home One Organic Chocolate Per Person Call/text 941.315.6858 to schedule or go to www.five-petal.com and book online!! Stop by and schedule in person at 830 Central Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236 ***5Petal Valentine’s Day Special promotion is available from February 1st-29th, 2016. MONDAY FEBRUARY 15TH USRowing Referee College - 8:00 am | Free Nathan Benderson Park 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle Sarasota, FL 34235 US Rowing Referee College January 7-11 February 11-15 Daring Color with Anne Abgott - 10:00 am | $90-$110 Art Center Sarasota 707 N. Tamiami Trail Afraid to paint with Anne? All levels welcome! Learn the simple techniques of catching light, water, shadows, birds and more. Work from Anne's photo or bring a similar photo of your own. This season Anne will be teaching a wonderful workshop on a lovely image of a magnola flower and a teleflora vase. Very beautiful. Anne's work is always a feast for the eyes. So join us for this special treat! 1927 Train Depot Tour - 10:00 am | Free 1927 Train Depot 303 E Venice Avenue Venice, FL 34285 Free docent-led tours of 1927 Train Depot. Displays and information about Venice history and the role of the train depot. Red caboose open Wednesday and Saturday. Statue of Gunther Gebel-Williams on the grounds. For reservations for groups of 10 or more, call 941-412-0151. 303 E. Venice Ave., Venice FL. M-W-F 10-3, Sat. 10-1. Info 941-412-0151. Sill Music Monday - 10:30 am | $10 Church of the Palms 3224 Bee Ridge Rd. Sarasota, FL 34239 June LeBell hosts Joseph Volpe, former General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera, for a musical conversation. Better Together - 11:30 am | $60 The Ritz Carlton 1111 Ritz Carlton Drive Sarasota, FL 34236 Creativity and innovative thinking are defining characteristics of successful entrepreneurs. Now more than ever, however, corporate leaders are recognizing that entrepreneurial thinking isn’t just for entrepreneurs. Creativity, resourcefulness, and the ability to think outside the proverbial box are skills that are just as valuable in large corporations seeking to gain, or keep, a competitive edge as they are in start-ups. Thus, many of Americas leading companies are turning to entrepreneurs for their insight. In this keynote, Daymond John one of the most notable entrepreneurs in the country today uses personal examples from his phenomenally successful rags-to-riches journey to explain how he honed his entrepreneurial mindset. More important, John teaches audience members how they too can apply this mindset, which includes what he calls the Power of Broke thinking, to achieve goals and objectives inside or outside a corporation. Beginning Basket Weaving - 12:00 pm | $55 The Artful Giraffe 1861 Fruitville Rd. Sarasota, FL 34236 Learn basket weaving, combining the functional with the beautiful. In one afternoon you will complete a basket you can use every day. Classes are small so reserve your spot today. Cost includes all materials & use of tools. Classes are small so reserve your spot today. Circus Sarasota Winter Performance - 1:00 pm | $15-$55. Seating is in the round: VIP Seating= $55, Premium= $42-47, Select= $20-37, Value= $15. Big Top Tent 140 University Center Drive, SE of UTC Mall Sarasota, FL 34243 Under the Big Top for over 18 seasons we have presented an international, all-star lineup of circus artists with an unparalleled array of thrilling acts. The Circus Sarasota Winter Production will once again amaze audiences celebrating the unique circus heritage of our community for only two weeks! Last year’s shows all sold out, so get your tickets early! For more information, call 941-355-9805. Oil Painting in the Studio with Ralph Garafola! - 1:30 pm | $115-$145 Art Center Sarasota 707 N. Tamiami Trail In this class students will work from their own reference materials emphasizing accurate drawing, painting form, value observation (light and shade), composition, perspective, atmosphere and the treatment of edges. It will also include hands-on teaching of color theory and precise color mixing. These topics are what form the basics of a successful painting in any medium. Student will learn the vocabulary and language of art enabling them to communicate their vision and opinions intelligently. These classes are for artists interested in contemporary realism pertaining to land- and seascapes, still-life’s and figures. Open to all skill levels and all mediums. Beginners welcome. Ringling by the Bay - 5:00 pm | Free The Ringling 5401 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, FL 34243 Join us on the Bolger Campiello for live music and dancing. Food and beverage are available for purchase on the Bayfront. Limited seating is available. *This event is Free for Members.* Circus Sarasota Winter Performance - 5:00 pm | $15-$55. Seating is in the round: VIP Seating= $55, Premium= $42-47, Select= $20-37, Value= $15. Big Top Tent 140 University Center Drive, SE of UTC Mall Sarasota, FL 34243 Under the Big Top for over 18 seasons we have presented an international, all-star lineup of circus artists with an unparalleled array of thrilling acts. The Circus Sarasota Winter Production will once again amaze audiences celebrating the unique circus heritage of our community for only two weeks! Last year’s shows all sold out, so get your tickets early! For more information, call 941-355-9805. Learning to Play Melodies on the Uke - 6:00 pm | $100 The Rhythm Inlet 2301 Tamiami Trail North Nokomis, FL 34275 5 Mondays, February 15 thru March 14; 6-8pm. Mike has been a teacher for over 25 years both in the U.S. & overseas. He started playing the uke 4 1/2 years ago & has been teaching ukulele classes for the past 3 years. His newest class, LEARNING TO PLAY MELODIES ON THE UKE is a 10-hour class, over 5 weeks, that will teach students how to play melodies & incorporate them into song arrangements. The class begins with learning melodies via tablature (a simple numerical system that tells you where to fret & which string to pick), & then will lead to the students playing melodies from the sheet music in 'The Daily Ukulele: 365 Songs for Better Living' by Jim Beloff. Although this is not a beginner-oriented class, you don't need to play by ear or read music (not much) to begin playing single-note melodies. Price is $100 pre-paid. FMI & to register: The Rhythm Inlet, 941-966-5800. Monday night with Matt Coates - 6:30 pm | Free Amore By Andrea Restaurant 555 Bay Isles Parkway, Longboat Key, FL 34228 Have a romantic dinner in a wonderful and cozy ambience listening to the great performer Matt Coates! Call for reservations: (941)383-1111 Sarasota Camera Club - 7:00 pm | Free Dickens Activity Center in the Meadows 3400 Longmeadow Drive Sarasota, FL Intraclub Competition Judge: Chuck Neubauer We welcome new members of all skill levels. For more info, please visit our website at http://www.sarasotacameraclub.com. The Mir String Quartet - 7:30 pm | $30-$65 Van Wezel 777 North Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 The Sarasota Concert Association (SCA) continues its 71st 'Great Performers Series' season with the Mir String Quartet, Monday, February 15, 7:30 p.m., at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Known for its dynamic performances, technical finesse, and eclectic programming, this critically acclaimed and award-winning quartet will perform Haydns Quartet in D Major, Op. 20, No. 4. Argentinian composer Alberto Ginasteras Quartet No. 2 and Beethovens Razumovsky Quartet in C Major, Op. 59, No. 3. Tickets for the concert are $30, $40, $50 and $65. Tickets and information for the Great Performers Series are available by calling 941-225-6500 or online at www.scasarasota.org. Al Fuller's Legendary Blues Jam - 8:00 pm | Free The Five O'clock Club 1930 Hillview St. Sarasota, FL 34239 Al Fullers Blues Jam at 8pm. Al and his band start out the night with some original tunes and then host an open stage blues jam with many local musicians. Bring your instruments and join in! www.alfuller.net Samurai: The Way of the Warrior - All Day | $0-$25. Free with admission. Pricing: http://www.ringling.org/hoursadmissions The Ringling 5401 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, FL 34243 Drawing from the rich and varied Japanese collection of the Stibbert Museum in Florence Italy, this evocative exhibition features some 70 exquisite objects related to the legendary Samurai warriors - full suits of armor, helmets, swords, swordhilts, and saddles, as well as exquisite objects intended for more personal use such as lacquered writing boxes, incense trays and foldable chairs that all characterize the period in which Japan was ruled by the Samurai military class. This Exhibition is organized by Contemporanea Progetti, Florence, Italy in collaboration with the Museo Stibbert. John Nolen, Innovative City Planner, Exhibit - All Day | Free Venice Museum and Archives 351 Nassau St. S Venice, FL 34285 The Venice Museum & Archives (VMA) honors the innovative city planner, John Nolen, and his 1926 plan for Venice in its newest exhibit Design for Living: John Nolen and the Renaissance of New Urbanism. The exhibit is a collaborative effort between the VMA and Rollins College, located in Winter Park, Florida The exhibit explores the inspirations for Nolens plan for Venice and how his planning principles connect with the New Urbanism movement today. Original plats and plans from the VMAs collection and current examples of New Urbanism projects in Venice and Sarasota County are also highlighted. Build your own ideal city with a hands-on activity and share your viewpoints about what makes a city beautiful and livable. Design for Living was made possible through generous funding from Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Venice Heritage, Inc. A speaker series in connection with the exhibit will begin in January 2016. Design for Living is on exhibit through February 24, 2016. The Venice Museum & Archives is free (donations appreciated) and open to the public yearround on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional days are offered during October through April, on the first and third Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. . TUESDAY FEBRUARY 16TH All Subjects Painting with Fernando Madridejos! - 9:30 am | $115-$145 Art Center Sarasota 707 N. Tamiami Trail The class is designed to develop ways of saying things and translating the drawn or verbal image into the language of abstraction, thus achieving the student's artistic potential. Students will be encouraged to find their own style through experimentation. Learn the technique of using acrylic paints with other mediums for special effects on different surfaces. Approach to different styles of abstract paintings and use of color, line, forms and collages will be covered. There will be demos, creative exercises and one-on-one instruction for each student followed by critiques. Beginners welcome. Social and Singers - 9:45 am | Free David Cohen Hall at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center 709 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 Join us for a social gathering with coffee, tea, and pastries; learn the latest news from the Opera and the Guild; and hear some wonderful singers. All for free. SILL Global Issues - 10:30 am | $10 First Church 104 S Pineapple Ave Sarasota, Fl 34236 Ambassador Donald Gregg will discuss the topic 'The Dangers of Demonization'. Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art presents Ah, Wilderness! - 11:00 am | Free Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art 1288 N. Palm Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236 Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art gallery presents Ah, Wilderness!, an exhibition celebrating nature with works by landscape painter Susan Klein, painter, printmaker, photographer and naturalist Jean Blackburn and sculptor Joe Segal, February 5March 1. The gallery is at 1288 N. Palm Ave., in Sarasota. Gallery hours are Mon. Sat., 11 a.m. 5 p.m. Call for Monday hours. For more information about this exhibit, call 941-366-2454 or visit www.allyngallup.com. SWAT Networking - 11:45 am | $14-$19. $14 members, $19 guests Primo! Ristorante 8076 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 SWAT Networking is a wonderful organization that provides a venue for business women to gather and support each other. Successful Women Aligning Together - SWAT Networking holds lunchtime meetings in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Manasota, Anna Maria Island, Parrish, Brandon and Venice. More information can be found by going to www.swatnetworking.com Bring business cards, brochures, flyers. Make friends and promote your business, service or product. THIS EVENT RECURS EVERY THIRD TUESDAY MONTHLY Everybody Must Get Sconed! Royal Tea Service - 2:00 pm | $32 Powel Crosley Estate 8374 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 Simply Gourmet is taking afternoon tea to a whole new level. In February, the Sarasota-based catering firm features a traditional Royal English Tea Service on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons ~ February 2/3, 9/10, 16/17 and 23/24 at 2 p.m., at the Powel Crosley Estate, 8374 N. Tamiami Trail, in Sarasota. Tea will be served in the exclusive upstairs living area of the mansion overlooking the bay. Our menu features savory and sweet specialties, says Larry Barrett, owner of Simply Gourmet. Expect such delicacies as Cassis Marinated Strawberry Parfait, Vanilla Cream Fruit Tartlets, Currant Scones/Devonshire Cream, Double Chocolate Triangles, Turkey/Sundried Tomato Pinwheels, Royal Tea Sandwich Medley. And don’t forget the tea, Barrett laughs. Guests will savor properly brewed cups of flavorful English tea. Tickets are $32. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Crosley Foundation. To reserve, call 941-225-9122 or visit www.simplygourmetcaterers.com. Holocaust Speakers Bureau - 2:00 pm | Free Gulf Gate Library 7112 Curtiss Avenue Sarasota, FL 34231 Holocaust Survivor, Paul Molner shares his story Venice Stamp Club - 5:30 pm | Free Venice Presbyterian Church 825 The Rialto Venice, FL 34285 Doors open 5:30 pm at Venice Presbyterian Church, 825 The Rialto, Venice. All welcome, call for more info 807-2702. Yesterday - 6:00 pm | $20-$50. See website for pricing. Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins, and Jim Prosser. In the mid-1960s, groups such as The Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones were topping the charts. While trying to replicate the rebellious tone of American Rock N Roll, a new sound emerged. By 1964 The Beatles alone had 31 hits on the Top 100. Journey back to a time of peace, love, and everything in between with songs such as Let It Be, Satisfaction, and I’m Into Something Good. Yesterday will play in the Goldstein Cabaret from January 6 through May 1. Life Sessions - 6:00 pm | $12 Art Center Sarasota 707 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 3 hours of studio time with a model and your fellow artists. Undraped life models vary each week in age, sex and body type. This is a self-guided class no instructor is present. Easels are available for use. Learn to Play the Djembe Hand-drum - 6:00 pm | $120 The Rhythm Inlet 2301 Tamiami Trail North Nokomis, FL 34275 Beginner Djembe Hand-drumming: Learn to Play the W. African Drum! With Barbara Gail, at The Rhythm Inlet, Tamiami Trail, north end Nokomis. An 8-Week Series on Tuesdays: February 9 thru March 29; 6-7:30pm. Intro Playshop on the first evening, followed by 7 weeks. Learn to play the most popular hand-drum! We focus on hand technique, learning rhythm patterns, how to find your place in the beat, & playing as a polyrhythmic ensemble. Perfect for the raw beginner, as well as folks with some exposure to drumming who seek professional instruction with a solid foundation. Welcome all adults, motivated teens, & youth ages 10 & up with instructor permission. No musical experience needed, a positive experience for all! Barbara has been perfecting this course since she began teaching it in 1996. Cost is $120 for 2 months: includes the Intro Playshop, Class Series, a 2-month Unlimited Monthly Membership to The Rhythm Inlet's Programs, & play-along 2-CD set. Bring $3 each week for your in-class drum rental, or BYO appropriate drum. FMI: The Rhythm Inlet, 941-966-5800. Registration: RhythmInlet.com, click on 'Registration'. Wonderful World of Wire - Jewelry Art (Including Materials) - 6:00 pm | $59 Adult & Community Enrichment @ STC 4748 Beneva Rd. Sarasota, FL 34233 2/16 thru 3/8 on Tuesdays, 6pm to 8pm. This 2-hour class is a fun 4 part series in beginning wire techniques. I teach by demonstrating the technique to the student. Each week I will be showing you how to handle the wire to make it do what you want. This series will teach you to make simple loops, wrapped loops, incorporate beads, and make ear wires. A kit will be offered for each week’s project. Week 1 is the B3 (Beautiful Blingy Bangle) Bracelet, week 2 is Simply headpins earrings, week 3 is Cool adjustable rings and week 4 is the Tiny Treasure pendant. Each student will create a finished piece of jewelry at each class. You may register anytime online at www.ace-sarasota.com. Or you may stop in the ACE office or call (941361-6590) to register during office hours! Office Hours: M thru Thurs: 8am-5:30pm F: 8am-3pm Tuesday nights with Mark Moultrup - 6:30 pm | Free Amore by Andrea 555 Bay Isles Pkwy Longboat Key, FL 34228 'Mark Moultrup knows no boundaries when it comes to making music. He displays the best of his writing, performing and arranging...' Join us for an incredible evening!!! Call for reservations: (941) 383-1111 Astrology Discussions with Catherine Rosenbaum - 7:00 pm | $25 Elysian Fields 1273 Tamiami Trail South Sarasota, FL 34239 This class delves into the 2-year period of Saturn that is transiting Sagittarius. Explore the areas of life that Saturn - the Master Teacher/Guide - is activating for you. Ah, Wilderness! - 7:30 pm | $20-$80. See website for actual pricing Asolo Repertory Theatre 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 By Eugene O Neill Directed by Greg Leaming 'A breath of fresh air... a miracle of sense and sensibility... vividly alive.' The New York Post A comedy...by Eugene O'Neill? Yes! One of the pillars of 20th-century drama who created some of the most tragic stories for the stage, O'Neill also penned the wonderfully romantic and sweetly funny, Ah Wilderness! Set in New England in the days of America’s innocence, the play looks back to an idyllic age when goodness and honesty were the norm and family life was picnics and Sunday drives in the family Buick. On July 4, 1906, while the Miller family is planning their traditional holiday festivities, dreamy-eyed middle child Richard is spurned by his first love and sets out on a rebellious adventure into the adult world. Family life and all its foibles were never so beautifully portrayed as in O’Neill’s comingofage love letter to a simpler time in America. Butler - 8:00 pm | $20-$50. See site for pricing details Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Strand. The Civil War, 1861. An escaped slave seeks sanctuary, but the laws of the land are unrelenting. With sharp wit and tongue-in- cheek humor, Butler takes us on a journey through legal loopholes to find the true meaning of freedom. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Butler by Richard Strand plays from December 9 through February 20 in the Keating Theatre. Outside Mullingar - 8:00 pm | $25-$36. Pricing varies per seat; check website Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 From the author of Doubt and Moonstruck comes a delightful gritty comedy set in rural Ireland. Between fading families, a bitter land feud, and familial rivalries, two misfit neighbors will have to overcome their own fears to find happiness. Full of surprising humor and poetic prose, this tender-hearted portrait reminds us that what we’re looking for is sometimes right in front of us. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - 8:00 pm | $22-$36. Adult: $36.00 | Student/Active Military*: $22.00 *with valid ID Westcoast Black Theatre 1646 10th Way Sarasota, FL 34236 Its 1927 in Chicago, and the fiery Blues legend Gertrude Ma Rainey is ready to record her signature songs. Inside the cramped studio, she squares off against a battling quartet of musicians and a tight-fisted, white producer. This gripping play with music highlights a time in American history when even the most renowned black singer of her day had to fight against racism for the respect she deserved. In Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, the Jazz Age is in full swing and it’s a moment as full of possibility as it is risk for those striving to achieve the American side of being African American. Ragtime - 8:00 pm | $13-$29. $29 Adult | $15 College | $13 Child Venice Theatre 140 W Tampa Ave Venice, FL 34285 Set in the Scott Joplin era, this soaring musical is our biggest hit from 2010 and a winner of multiple Tony Awards. Intertwining the lives of three extraordinary families from different walks of life, this epic tale celebrates the great tapestry of American life and the sometimes cruel quilt that we weave. Justin Layman - 9:30 pm | Free The Five O'clock Club 1930 Hillview St. Sarasota, FL 34239 Solo artist playing original folk, rock and blues! https://www.facebook.com/jwlayman https://www.periscope.tv/jwlayman Ink, Silk and Gold - All Day | $0-$25. Free with admission. Pricing here: http://www.ringling.org/hours-admissions The Ringling 5401 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, FL 34243 Ink, Silk and Gold: Islamic Art from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, features approximately one hundred great works of Islamic art from the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Never before presented in a dedicated exhibition, this collection covers virtually all aspects of Islamic art in almost all media, ranging from the eighth to the twenty-first century and from Spain to Indonesia. Through silver inlaid metalwork, Quran pages inscribed with gold, brocaded velvets, lusterpainted ceramics and more, it offers a window into many different facets of the dynamic and complex artistic traditions of the Islamic world. More than 130 years after the MFA began collecting Islamic art, the objects presented in Ink, Silk and Gold are being comprehensively studied, restored and presented to the public for the first time. The exhibition, which is accompanied by a catalogue, is arranged chronologically and regionally to introduce viewers to the rich world of Islamic art. Within this framework the exhibition emphasizes the material aspects of the objects, proceeding from the notion that meaning in Islamic art is rooted in the substance of an object its color, shape and texture. Drawing upon the results of stateof-the-art scientific analyses and conservation treatments currently in progress at the MFA, the exhibition encourages visitors to explore the unique and expressive material presence of Islamic art. John Nolen, Innovative City Planner, Exhibit - All Day | Free Venice Museum and Archives 351 Nassau St. S Venice, FL 34285 The Venice Museum & Archives (VMA) honors the innovative city planner, John Nolen, and his 1926 plan for Venice in its newest exhibit Design for Living: John Nolen and the Renaissance of New Urbanism. The exhibit is a collaborative effort between the VMA and Rollins College, located in Winter Park, Florida The exhibit explores the inspirations for Nolens plan for Venice and how his planning principles connect with the New Urbanism movement today. Original plats and plans from the VMAs collection and current examples of New Urbanism projects in Venice and Sarasota County are also highlighted. Build your own ideal city with a hands-on activity and share your viewpoints about what makes a city beautiful and livable. Design for Living was made possible through generous funding from Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Venice Heritage, Inc. A speaker series in connection with the exhibit will begin in January 2016. Design for Living is on exhibit through February 24, 2016. The Venice Museum & Archives is free (donations appreciated) and open to the public yearround on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional days are offered during October through April, on the first and third Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 17TH SRQPAP Outdoor Painters Meeting - 9:00 am | Free Renaissance School of Art 4063 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34231 SRQPAP (SRQ Plein Air Painters) is a group for anyone interested in outdoor painting. All skills levels are welcome. En plein air is a French expression which means 'in the open air' and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors. Painting en plein air reproduces the actual visual conditions seen at the time of the painting. The group will meet weekly on Wednesdays September - May at the different locations around SRQ area: Sarasota - Venice - Bradenton, Florida. There is NO fee to attend and NO instructions. We meet, paint and make new friends. Collectors are welcome! If you need a memory painting or a gift from Sarasota, that is the place to contact artists directly. Send us a message if you would like to be included in our emailing list to receive weekly updates and locations or for purchasing locally painted art. The level of artists range from professional to beginners. We will be glad to assist artists new to the area and collector. Visit our webpage at http://yeliseyevstudio.com/school/srq-plein-air/ for more details. Our Facebook page is also updated regularly: https://www.facebook.com/pleinairsrq Painting in Full Color with Julie Hanson! - 9:00 am | $115-$145 Art Center Sarasota 707 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota Why limit your painting to value and color only? Learn how to paint the 'temperature' of color. This approach is used in 'Plein Air' painting. It's what enables the artist to capture so much of the feeling of the moment. It's also what makes the difference between a good and a GREAT painting. This class is for those wanting to use color in a powerful and expressive way. Mediums in order of preference are oil, water-soluble oil, pastel and acrylic. Although watercolor is not the best medium for this approach, you can very easily apply this new knowledge to your watercolor painting. We will work from photographs in the studio. You will never see color the same way again! 1927 Train Depot Tour - 10:00 am | Free 1927 Train Depot 303 E Venice Avenue Venice, FL 34285 Free docent-led tours of 1927 Train Depot. Displays and information about Venice history and the role of the train depot. Red caboose open Wednesday and Saturday. Statue of Gunther Gebel-Williams on the grounds. For reservations for groups of 10 or more, call 941-412-0151. 303 E. Venice Ave., Venice FL. M-W-F 10-3, Sat. 10-1. Info 941-412-0151. SILL Global Issues - 10:30 am | $10 First Church 104 S Pineapple Ave Sarasota Ambassador Donald Gregg will discuss the topic 'U.S. Intelligence and the War on Terror'. 13th Annual Caring Hearts Luncheon - 11:00 am | $60 Michael's On East 1212 S East Ave Sarasota, FL 34239 The Caring Hearts Luncheon is a celebration of the work done by First Step of Sarasota's Mothers & Infants program. Mothers & Infants provides substance abuse counseling to pregnant and post- partum in the community. Women enter the program while pregnant and begin the treatment regimen and generally stay 2-3 months after the birth of their babies. Since the program began 20 years ago, Mothers & Infants has celebrated the births of more than 370 healthy, drug-free babies. The event includes testimonials from current/past clients, lunch, silent auction & raffle. In addition, each year, the Caring Heart of the Year award is presented an individual or organization who has made a positive impact on the community. Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art presents Ah, Wilderness! - 11:00 am | Free Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art 1288 N. Palm Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236 Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art gallery presents Ah, Wilderness!, an exhibition celebrating nature with works by landscape painter Susan Klein, painter, printmaker, photographer and naturalist Jean Blackburn and sculptor Joe Segal, February 5March 1. The gallery is at 1288 N. Palm Ave., in Sarasota. Gallery hours are Mon. Sat., 11 a.m. 5 p.m. Call for Monday hours. For more information about this exhibit, call 941-366-2454 or visit www.allyngallup.com. Italian Lake District & Northern Italy Travelogue Luncheon - 11:30 am | $39 Adult & Community Enrichment @ STC 4748 Beneva Rd. Sarasota, FL 34233 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at Mattison's 41 Dining Room. Witness the 'bella vistas' of northern Italy and experience the various lakes of Northern Italy, Lago Maggiore, Lake Como and Lake Garda. Learn about navigating the waterways of this region by ferries and the land by trains. Learn how to spend the day in Switzerland while staying in Italy! Discover through photography the breathtaking beauty of the Swiss Alps and the calm blue waters of the lakes. We will discuss the best places to stay on each lake, day trips from each location, how to travel from one lake to the next, foods of this region, and some hotel and restaurant suggestions! Northern Italy was made for is the best of Italian beauty and scenery! This class fee is nonrefundable. You may register anytime online at www.ace-sarasota.com. Or you may stop in the ACE office or call (941-3616590) to register during office hours! Office Hours: M thru Thurs: 8am-5:30pm F: 8am-3pm Munchtime Musicales: The Duo-Piano Team of Cynthia Lawing and Gloria Cook - 12:00 pm | Free David Cohen Hall at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center 709 N. Tamiami Trail The Sarasota Concert Association's free Munchtime Musicales series continues its 2015-2016 season with concert pianists Cynthia Lawing and Gloria Cook, in a program for one piano, four hands, February 17, noon, in David Cohen Hall at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. The program includes Brahms Four Hungarian Dances, Bizets Jeux dEnfants, Two Slavic Dances, Op. 72 by Dvok, Aram Khachaturians Waltz from Masquerade and impromptu variations on Gershwins I Got Rhythm. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information about Munchtime Musicales, call 941-351-7467, or visit www.scasarasota.org. All The Way - 1:30 pm | $10-$70. See website for actual pricing Asolo Repertory Theatre 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 One man. One year. One chance to change America. 1964 was a pivotal year in American history and Lyndon Baines Johnson sat at the center of it all. A master politician with towering ambition and ruthless tactics, the conflicted Texan will do whatever it takes to get the Civil Rights bill passed and secure his re-election. Meanwhile, in faraway Vietnam, a troublesome conflict looms. The winner of the 2014 Tony Award for Best Play, this gripping drama captures the critical moment that marked the end of an era and the shift to the political climate of today. Go all the way with LBJ, Martin Luther King, Jr., J. Edgar Hoover, Hubert Humphrey and more in this action-packed, electrifying portrayal of one of the most tumultuous times in our country’s history. Circus Sarasota Winter Performance - 2:00 pm | $15-$55. Seating is in the round: VIP Seating= $55, Premium= $42-47, Select= $20-37, Value= $15. Big Top Tent 140 University Center Drive, SE of UTC Mall Sarasota, FL 34243 Under the Big Top for over 18 seasons we have presented an international, all-star lineup of circus artists with an unparalleled array of thrilling acts. The Circus Sarasota Winter Production will once again amaze audiences celebrating the unique circus heritage of our community for only two weeks! Last year’s shows all sold out, so get your tickets early! For more information, call 941-355-9805. Everybody Must Get Sconed! Royal Tea Service - 2:00 pm | $32 Powel Crosley Estate 8374 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 Simply Gourmet is taking afternoon tea to a whole new level. In February, the Sarasota-based catering firm features a traditional Royal English Tea Service on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons ~ February 2/3, 9/10, 16/17 and 23/24 at 2 p.m., at the Powel Crosley Estate, 8374 N. Tamiami Trail, in Sarasota. Tea will be served in the exclusive upstairs living area of the mansion overlooking the bay. Our menu features savory and sweet specialties, says Larry Barrett, owner of Simply Gourmet. Expect such delicacies as Cassis Marinated Strawberry Parfait, Vanilla Cream Fruit Tartlets, Currant Scones/Devonshire Cream, Double Chocolate Triangles, Turkey/Sundried Tomato Pinwheels, Royal Tea Sandwich Medley. And don’t forget the tea, Barrett laughs. Guests will savor properly brewed cups of flavorful English tea. Tickets are $32. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Crosley Foundation. To reserve, call 941-225-9122 or visit www.simplygourmetcaterers.com. Book-signing And Talk With Ruth Fishel - 3:00 pm | Free Elysian Fields 1273 Tamiami Trail South Sarasota, FL 34239 Book-signing and talk with Ruth Fishel, internationally acclaimed author of Time for Me: Daily Readings for a Joyful, Peaceful, Purposeful Life. Create your best life one day at a time. Einsteins Circle: The Dolphins Of Sarasota Bay - 3:00 pm | $5-$6 University of South Florida - -Selby Auditorium 8350 Tamiami Trail, D 105 Sarasota, FL 34243 Lifelong Learning Academy (LLA) continues its winter 2016 session of Einsteins Circle forums with The Dolphins Of Sarasota Bay: Lessons From Four Decades And Five Generations moderated by Dr. Randall Wells, February 17, 3-4 p.m., in Selby Auditorium at the University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Dr. Randall Wells started studying bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay in 1970 as a high school volunteer at Mote Marine Laboratory. He now directs the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program where he has aptly earned the title The Dolphin Man. Dr. Wells will speak about resident dolphins whose life history, ecology, behavior, and communication have been studied over the past 45 years. Participants will learn about their human and environmental threats and how our local research is benefiting dolphins elsewhere. Cost is $5 per session for LLA paid members and $6 for general admission. Seating is limited to 180 participants. Registration is recommended online at www.lla-sm.org or by calling 941-359-4296. For additional information on the Lifelong Learning Academy, including weekly updates of Einsteins Circle, visit www.lla-sm.org or call 941-359-4296. Spring ART: Sunset Photo Walk: Architecture, Light & Exposure - 5:00 pm | $110 Ringling College of Art and Design 2700 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34234 Learn how to take successful photos in low-light situations. Capture the rich colors of sunset, and the sparkling lights and dramatic shadows of the city’s architecture at night. ISO speed, timed exposures and metering low-light areas are covered. Creative options will be discussed. We will shoot on locations in session one, and address special enhancements and other unique night shoot opportunities working Photoshop in the digital lab in session two. All skill levels welcome. Basic computer skills required. Conversation with Harold Bubil - 5:30 pm | $10 Sarasota Herald-Tribune 1741 Main St Sarasota, FL 34243 Join the journalist in his 'atelier' the striking modern headquarters of the Herald Tribune designed by Miami's Arquitectonica. Hear about his life as a writer/editor/photographer on architecture, green building and local development history and his 2015 AIA Bob Graham Architectural Awareness Award. Casey Key: Nokomis Beach Drum Circle - 6:00 pm | Free Nokomis Public Beach201 South Casey Key Road The Drum Circle is one of Casey Key's most unique and celebrated events. On any given Saturday and Wednesday evening one will encounter the rhythmic beats, amateur belly dancing, children playing, and the most amazing sunsets anywhere. Yesterday - 6:00 pm | $20-$50. See website for pricing. Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins, and Jim Prosser. In the mid-1960s, groups such as The Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones were topping the charts. While trying to replicate the rebellious tone of American Rock N Roll, a new sound emerged. By 1964 The Beatles alone had 31 hits on the Top 100. Journey back to a time of peace, love, and everything in between with songs such as Let It Be, Satisfaction, and I’m Into Something Good. Yesterday will play in the Goldstein Cabaret from January 6 through May 1. Orchid Evenings - 6:00 pm | $25-$35. $25 Members, $35 Guests Marie Selby Botanical Gardens811 South Palm Avenue Sarasota, FL 34240 Enjoy an after-hours reception in the Selby Gardens conservatory every Wednesday evening Feb. 17- March 24 during The Orchid Show. The intimate evenings include entertainment, passed hors doeuvres and a complimentary craft cocktail. Eddie Tobin - 6:30 pm | Free Amore By Andrea Restaurant 555 Bay Isles Parkway, Longboat Key, FL 34228 Would you like to have a relaxing evening in a romantic and cozy ambient? Then you should join us every Wednesday and Friday and enjoy the wonderful musician and singer Eddie Tobin. Call for reservations: (941)383-1111 International Folk Dances - 7:00 pm | $6 John Chidsey Bayfront Community Center 803 N. Tamiami Trail International Folk Dances, Bayfront Community Center: Recurs every week on Wednesday, ends on Sep 28, 2016. Admission: $6.00 Circus Sarasota Winter Performance - 7:00 pm | $15-$55. Seating is in the round: VIP Seating= $55, Premium= $42-47, Select= $20-37, Value= $15. Big Top Tent 140 University Center Drive, SE of UTC Mall Sarasota, FL 34243 Under the Big Top for over 18 seasons we have presented an international, all-star lineup of circus artists with an unparalleled array of thrilling acts. The Circus Sarasota Winter Production will once again amaze audiences celebrating the unique circus heritage of our community for only two weeks! Last year’s shows all sold out, so get your tickets early! For more information, call 941-355-9805. "A Cultural Evening of Dance and Music" with NOOA Dancers of Israel and Perlman Music Program - 7:00 pm | $10 Riverview High School Auditorium 1 Ram Way Sarasota, FL 34231 The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, in partnership with Sarasota Sister Cities Association, The Perlman Program/Suncoast, and Tel Mond, Israel, present 'A Cultural Evening of Dance and Music' featuring the NOOA Dancers from the dance school at the Tel Mond Sheldon Cultural Center in Tel Mond, Israel, (Sarasota’s sister city), and three acclaimed alumni from The Perlman Music Program playing musical selections by Johannes Brahms, Astor Piazzolla, Camille Saint-Sans, and Robert Schumann, February 17, 7 p.m., at Riverview High School Auditorium, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota. Tickets are $10; students with a valid student I.D. are free. Purchase tickets online at jfedsrq.org/events. A limited amount of tickets will be available at the door. For more information, contact Andrea Eiffert at: 941-552-6308 or aeiffert@jfedsrq.org Cos Fan Tutte - 7:30 pm | $19-$125. Tickets at (941) 328-1300 or www.sarasotaopera.org Sarasota Opera House 61 N Pineapple Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 Cos fan tutte literally means All women do this. Two young soldiers are convinced to pull a prank on their brides-to-be, and put the women’s faithfulness to the test. Mozart’s enthralling comedy and masterful score will lighten your heart and make for an evening of great fun. Opera, Cosi fan tutte, Mozart, Sarasota Opera, Arts, DeRenzi, Sarasota Opera House Chess - 7:30 pm | $27-$37. $27-$37 Prices may vary by seat Manatee Performing Arts Center 502 3rd Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34282 This complex rock opera tells the story of a conflicting love triangle between an American Grandmaster, a Russian Champion, and a Hungarian-American female chess second. Engage in this captivating story while the music leads you through each players struggle to get the upper hand. Hands On A Hard Body - 7:30 pm | $25-$30. show: 7:30 p.m.; Sundays 2 pm The Players Theatre of Sarasota 838 N Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 For 10 hard-luck Texans, a new lease on life is so close they can touch it. Under a scorching sun for days on end, armed with nothing but hope, humor and ambition, they'll fight to keep at least one hand on a brand new truck in order to win it. Inspired by true events, and infused with a 'fresh roots-rock vibe', this is the hilarious hard-fought contest where only one winner can drive away with the American Dream. 10 contestants, 4 days, 1 truck. Runs till March 6th. Living on Love - 7:30 pm | $20-$80. See website for actual pricing details Asolo Repertory Theatre 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 There’s only one person with a worse temperament, bigger ego and more flamboyant sense of self-importance than opera diva Raquel and that’s her husband, the Italian maestro Vito De Angelis. When Raquel discovers that Vito has become enamored with a young lady hired to ghostwrite his largely fictional autobiography, she retaliates by hiring her own handsome young scribe to chronicle her life as an opera star. Sparks fly, silverware is thrown and romance blossoms in the most unexpected ways in this glamorous romp through the world of music, marriage and celebrity. With a highly anticipated Broadway run starting this April starring Renee Fleming, Asolo Rep is thrilled to receive the rights to present the regional premiere of this sparkling new comedy. 106 Years of Broadway - 8:00 pm | $15-$60. Pricing: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 777 N Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 Back for its annual celebration of Broadways greatest songs this dazzling all-new features five of Broadways finest stars performing songs from the best and most-beloved Broadway musicals of the past! Direct from New York, 107 YEARS OF BROADWAY recreates the finest moments from hit shows such as Jersey Boys, Wicked, Mamma Mia! and classics from Broadway composers. Last year this perennial favorite sold out quickly! Butler - 8:00 pm | $20-$50. See site for pricing details Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Strand. The Civil War, 1861. An escaped slave seeks sanctuary, but the laws of the land are unrelenting. With sharp wit and tongue-in- cheek humor, Butler takes us on a journey through legal loopholes to find the true meaning of freedom. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Butler by Richard Strand plays from December 9 through February 20 in the Keating Theatre. Outside Mullingar - 8:00 pm | $25-$36. Pricing varies per seat; check website Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 From the author of Doubt and Moonstruck comes a delightful gritty comedy set in rural Ireland. Between fading families, a bitter land feud, and familial rivalries, two misfit neighbors will have to overcome their own fears to find happiness. Full of surprising humor and poetic prose, this tender-hearted portrait reminds us that what we’re looking for is sometimes right in front of us. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - 8:00 pm | $22-$36. Adult: $36.00 | Student/Active Military*: $22.00 *with valid ID Westcoast Black Theatre 1646 10th Way Sarasota, FL 34236 Its 1927 in Chicago, and the fiery Blues legend Gertrude Ma Rainey is ready to record her signature songs. Inside the cramped studio, she squares off against a battling quartet of musicians and a tight-fisted, white producer. This gripping play with music highlights a time in American history when even the most renowned black singer of her day had to fight against racism for the respect she deserved. In Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, the Jazz Age is in full swing and it’s a moment as full of possibility as it is risk for those striving to achieve the American side of being African American. Ragtime - 8:00 pm | $13-$29. $29 Adult | $15 College | $13 Child Venice Theatre 140 W Tampa Ave Venice, FL 34285 Set in the Scott Joplin era, this soaring musical is our biggest hit from 2010 and a winner of multiple Tony Awards. Intertwining the lives of three extraordinary families from different walks of life, this epic tale celebrates the great tapestry of American life and the sometimes cruel quilt that we weave. Yesterday - 9:00 pm | $20-$50. See website for pricing. Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins, and Jim Prosser. In the mid-1960s, groups such as The Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones were topping the charts. While trying to replicate the rebellious tone of American Rock N Roll, a new sound emerged. By 1964 The Beatles alone had 31 hits on the Top 100. Journey back to a time of peace, love, and everything in between with songs such as Let It Be, Satisfaction, and I’m Into Something Good. Yesterday will play in the Goldstein Cabaret from January 6 through May 1. Smartphone Trivia Game Show - 9:00 pm | Free Applebee's 5490 Clark Rd. Sarasota, FL 34233 Come join the neighborhood as you play the Smartphone Trivia Game Show produced by Game Show Trivolution and powered by Speedquizzing. It is Southwest Florida's most unique trivia experience. Forget those boring pen and paper games that seem to go on forever and ever. This is a fast paced game for people of all ages. Have a well charged smartphone or tablet with you to play the game. Come Back Alice - 9:30 pm | Free The Five O'clock Club 1930 Hillview St. Sarasota, FL 34239 Come Back Alice. Southern Gypsy Funk band, soulful vocals, melodic guitars, baroque style violin, funky bass & drums! www.comebackalice.com Glittering Grandeur: Spectacles Under the Big Top - All Day | $5-$25. $25.00 Adults; $23.00 Seniors; $5.00 Child and Students with ID The Ringling 5401 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, FL 34243 While the classic circus performance is a rich spectacle in itself, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries show owners including P.T. Barnum and the Ringling’s recognized that they had the ability to increase attendance by including a different kind of spectacle in their traveling shows. Circuses would frequently open with a large scale theatrical performance that included hundreds of performers engaged in scenes of battle and festivals of dance and song. These spec displays were created on such a grand scale that they frequently rated several different poster designs each season. See the illustrated extravagance of the spec in print. John Nolen, Innovative City Planner, Exhibit - All Day | Free Venice Museum and Archives 351 Nassau St. S Venice, FL 34285 The Venice Museum & Archives (VMA) honors the innovative city planner, John Nolen, and his 1926 plan for Venice in its newest exhibit Design for Living: John Nolen and the Renaissance of New Urbanism. The exhibit is a collaborative effort between the VMA and Rollins College, located in Winter Park, Florida The exhibit explores the inspirations for Nolens plan for Venice and how his planning principles connect with the New Urbanism movement today. Original plats and plans from the VMAs collection and current examples of New Urbanism projects in Venice and Sarasota County are also highlighted. Build your own ideal city with a hands-on activity and share your viewpoints about what makes a city beautiful and livable. Design for Living was made possible through generous funding from Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Venice Heritage, Inc. A speaker series in connection with the exhibit will begin in January 2016. Design for Living is on exhibit through February 24, 2016. The Venice Museum & Archives is free (donations appreciated) and open to the public yearround on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional days are offered during October through April, on the first and third Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. THURSDAY FEBRUARY Jump In and Make Art - 9:30 am | $115-$145 Art Center Sarasota 707 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 Where do you get your inspiration from? In this class, students will learn how to tap into endless resources so they never have to fear that blank canvas again! They will explore a myriad of ways to combine acrylics, watercolors, collage materials, colored pencils, inks, gesso, crayons, graphite, chalk powders and/or pastels, mediums & gels to create exciting abstracts. Discover how these materials and more interact and lead to unique ways to express your visions. "Light Chasers" Plein Air Painter and Phillippi Estate Park - Art in the Park - 10:00 am | Free Phillippi Estate Park 5500 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34231 The LIGHT CHASERS PLEIN AIR PAINTERS of the SUN COAST & PHILLIPPI ESTATE PARK present ART in the PARK! The Light Chasers: Plein Air Painters of the Sun Coast will be making an artful splash in February 2016 at Phillippi Estate Park with several events to be held in the historic Edson Keith Mansion and in the surrounding 60-acre park. Artists who once lived in the Keith Farmhouse held art shows and picnics here on Sunday afternoons. History continues at Phillippi with the arrival of the Light Chasers. The Light Chasers Paint Sarasota! Paint Out kicks off the celebration with a week-long Plein Air Paint Out from Feb. 18 - 24, 2016. Plein Air is the French term for: painting outside. The Light Chasers Paint Sarasota! Paint Out is the largest in Florida, drawing nearly 100 artists from around the country. The Light Chasers Quick Draw Painting Contest will be held at the Phillippi Estate Park from 10:00 a.m. to noon, on Wed. Feb. 17, coinciding with the weekly Farmhouse Farmers Market. Prizes will be awarded at Noon, to the top painters by Master Artist, Bill Farnsworth. The public is invited to come, paint, watch and buy off the easel right at the Farmers Market. www.farmhousemarket.org The following weekend begins with a Friday night Gala from 5:00 8:00 pm on Feb. 26, 2016, in the historic Edson Keith Mansion, with the extraordinary showing of the Sun Coast Master Artists and the Light Chasers 5th Annual Show. Master artists are nationally known artists. Come mingle and buy from these artists, all weekend! Refreshments will be served. On Saturday, Feb. 27th, the Paint Sarasota! Paint Out artworks will be added to the other shows with the Gala beginning at 5:00 pm till 8:00 pm. Sunday, Feb. 28th, the show continues from noon to 5:00 p.m. Although all events are Free and Open to the Public, donations will be gratefully accepted at the door. A portion of painting sales all week goes toward the restoration of the Keith Farmhouse, in time for its 100th Anniversary in November 2016. For more information visit the Light Chasers website at: www.lightchasersinc.com SILL Global Issues - 10:30 am | $10 First Church 104 S Pineapple Ave Sarasota, Fl 34236 Dr. Sean McFate will discuss the topic 'Modern Mercenaries: How For-Profit Warriors are Changing Global Affairs'. Black Angus Burger Day - 11:00 am | Free Hillview Grill 1920 Hillview St Sarasota. , FL 34239 Celebrate every Thursday at Hillview Grill!! It's your choice of any Burger and Beer for just 10$!! Served all day from 11 am to 10 pm. Come in and see us for Burger Thursday, your friends are waiting for you Kayak Trip -- Paddling the Waterways of Nokomis - 11:00 am | $25 Nokomis Beach 901 Casey Key Road Nokomis, FL 34274 John Sarkozy will lead this kayak trip, exploring the bays and canals around Nokomis. Check out the small islands , the birds, and the marine life in this area. All kayak equipment will be provided to you and it is included in the cost of the trip, which is $25.00 per person. Call John at (941) 966-7308 for exact launch location and required reservations. Romance Is In The Aire - 11:00 am | Free Venice Presbyterian Church 825 The Rialto Venice, FL 34289 Musical selections with theme of love and romance. Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art presents Ah, Wilderness! - 11:00 am | Free Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art 1288 N. Palm Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236 Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art gallery presents Ah, Wilderness!, an exhibition celebrating nature with works by landscape painter Susan Klein, painter, printmaker, photographer and naturalist Jean Blackburn and sculptor Joe Segal, February 5March 1. The gallery is at 1288 N. Palm Ave., in Sarasota. Gallery hours are Mon. Sat., 11 a.m. 5 p.m. Call for Monday hours. For more information about this exhibit, call 941-366-2454 or visit www.allyngallup.com. Singing to a Musical: Oklahoma - 11:30 am | $15 Adult & Community Enrichment @ STC 4748 Beneva Rd. Sarasota, FL 34233 11:30 am to 2 pm. Join in with songstress Jeanette LaVoy as she leads you through the favorite tunes of the musical, Oklahoma. You'll feel joy in your heart as you sing 'Oh What a Beautiful Morning'! You may register anytime online at www.ace-sarasota.com. Or you may stop in the ACE office or call (941-361-6590) to register during office hours! Office Hours: M thru Thurs: 8am-5:30pm F: 8am-3pm Brown Bag Concert Series - Phillippi Estate Park - 12:00 pm | Free Phillippi Estate Park 5500 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34231 Free concerts every Thursday in February and March, at noon, at the park Gazebo. Please bring lunch and lawn chair. For more information call 941-316-1309 Kitt Moran with Mike Moranss Jazz Trio Living on Love - 1:30 pm | $20-$80. See website for actual pricing details Asolo Repertory Theatre 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 Theres only one person with a worse temperament, bigger ego and more flamboyant sense of self-importance than opera diva Raquel and that’s her husband, the Italian maestro Vito De Angelis. When Raquel discovers that Vito has become enamored with a young lady hired to ghostwrite his largely fictional autobiography, she retaliates by hiring her own handsome young scribe to chronicle her life as an opera star. Sparks fly, silverware is thrown and romance blossoms in the most unexpected ways in this glamorous romp through the world of music, marriage and celebrity. With a highly anticipated Broadway run starting this April starring Renee Fleming, Asolo Rep is thrilled to receive the rights to present the regional premiere of this sparkling new comedy. Taste Magazine's Walking Food & History Tour - 1:30 pm | $55 South Florida Museum 201 10th St. W. Bradenton, FL 34205 Join Taste Dining & Travel for a 3-hour walking tour of historic downtown Bradenton neighborhoods, combined with visits to restaurants that are some of Bradenton’s most unique and popular. Tour #1 on TUESDAY: Explore the Village of the Arts, a charming mix of art galleries and shops in houses built from 1920 to 1930 that are now brimming with creativity. At 'meet & greets' you'll enjoy cuisine samplings at Arts & Eats Restaurant, Ortygia, and Sugar Cubed. Meet at Motorworks Brewing under the oak tree in the beer garden (includes brewery tour here and a beer). Cost is $45. Tour #2 on THURSDAY: Discover Old Main Street in a rivertown with a dynamic history, a 1926 shopping arcade, Carnegie Library and classic buildings that endured over a century of growth. Sample the chef's specialties at SOMA Creekside and Izakaya Nazuka. Meet at the South Florida Museum for a tour ($19 value) and finish here with desserts served by Sugar Cubed artisan bakery. Cost is $55. Guests will receive food from each restaurant, and price includes all food and non-alcoholic beverage (except at Motorworks where a beer is provided). Menu items vary, so come hungry! We apologize, but we cannot accommodate vegan or gluten free dietary restrictions at this time. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing and dress for rain or shine! This is a 1.5 mile max. historical walking tour. Tours start promptly with Tour #1 (2:00pm) meeting at Motorworks Brewing at 1014 9th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205 and Tour #2 (1:30pm) at the South Florida Museum at 201 10th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205. Reservations are a must and are paid prior by calling Taste Dining & Travel at 941-366-7950. Visit www.tasteweb.net. for more details. Price: $45 Nureyev: Personal Memories of a Genius - 3:30 pm | $50-$75 University of South Florida - -Selby Auditorium 8350 Tamiami Trail, D 105 Sarasota, FL 34243 Lifelong Learning Academy (LLA) and the Sarasota International Dance Festival (SIDF) conclude their workshop series Nureyev: Personal Memories of a Genius, February 18, at the Selby Auditorium at the University of South Florida, SarasotaManatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. At this final session, dancer, director and choreographer Robert de Warren relays the memories that he and his wife Jacqueline shared with Rudolf Nureyev over the course of their 25-year friendship with a focus on the choreography of Nureyev. De Warren, who is also the former artistic director of the Sarasota Ballet, will be also presented with an award from the commissioners of the City of Sarasota and Sarasota County for his outstanding and vital contributions to the local and international arts communities. The workshop and award ceremony runs 3:30-5 p.m., followed by a cocktail reception, 5-7 p.m., catered by Michaels on East. Tickets are $75 for the final workshop, awards ceremony and reception; $50 for the reception only. Proceeds from the series will benefit Lifelong Learning Academy and Sarasota International Dance Festival. To register and for more information, visit www.LLA-SM.org or call 941-359-4296. Art After 5 - 5:00 pm | $5-$10. Adults $10; Children (6-17) $5; Children 5 & under free The Ringling 5401 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, FL 34243 'Slow your pace and explore the art in the Museum of Art and Circus Museum or catch a romantic sunset on Sarasota Bay by Ca dZan. Art After 5 special events include music and insights into the collection through gallery discussions. For more information call 941.359.5700 or visit www.ringling.org' Thursday Nights with John Rinell - 6:30 pm | Free Amore By Andrea Restaurant 555 Bay Isles Parkway, Longboat Key, FL 34228 'The voice of solid gold' A frequent comment of enthused audiences was his remarkable ability to sing like their favorite singers most notably Frank Sinatra... Call for reservations: (941) 383-1111 Mattison's & Sweetgrass Farm to Fork Dinner Benefiting Girls Inc. - 6:30 pm | $115 Sweetgrass Farms 8350 Carolina Street Sarasota, FL 34243 Sweetgrass Farm-to-Fork Wine Dinner Hosted by Marmalade Salon and Boutique - Benefitting Girls Inc Sarasota Marmalade Salon and Boutique announces a locally collaborated farm-to-fork wine dinner at Sweetgrass Farms in Sarasota, Florida. The four course Farm to Fork dinner will pair locally sourced products with farm fresh produce, creating a menu guests will absolutely love! Each course will be paired with delicious wines hand selected by Chef Paul. Guests will be greeted with an Orange Marmalade Mint Martini and will have the opportunity to tour this incredible hydroponic farm that opened in early 2015. Guests will enjoy pot roast stuffed baby redskin potatoes and goat cheese bruschetta as they stroll through the lush rows of strawberries and pristine produce. By investing in their programs you are giving the girls of Sarasota County the chance for a sustainable future. For more information on their mission and programs, visit www.girlsincsrq.org. Our community has really come together to support local producers throughout the year and for special events like this. When approached Marmalade to partner for the dinner, I knew it would be the perfect opportunity to not only share this beautiful farm with the public, but really highlight our commitment to producing unique and sustainable events, adds Nikki Logan Curran. 'We are excited to share our commitment to our community and our dedication to empower young girls. Sponsor for the event include Mattisons Catering, Hitched and Honey LLC, Marmalade Salon and Boutique, Sweetgrass Farms, Republic National and more. For sponsor information and media inquiries contact Nikki Logan Curran at hitchedandhoney@gmail.com or call 941-780-0907. Circus Sarasota Winter Performance - 7:00 pm | $15-$55. Seating is in the round: VIP Seating= $55, Premium= $42-47, Select= $20-37, Value= $15. Big Top Tent 140 University Center Drive, SE of UTC Mall Sarasota, FL 34243 Under the Big Top for over 18 seasons we have presented an international, all-star lineup of circus artists with an unparalleled array of thrilling acts. The Circus Sarasota Winter Production will once again amaze audiences celebrating the unique circus heritage of our community for only two weeks! Last year’s shows all sold out, so get your tickets early! For more information, call 941-355-9805. Interiorology: Mind, Body & Spirit of Home Series Class with Laurel James - 7:00 pm | $20 Elysian Fields 1273 Tamiami Trail South Sarasota, FL 34239 Interiorology: Mind, Body & Spirit of Home Series class with Laurel James. Awaken the possibilities, positive aspects, and expressions of your True Self within your home. Acoustic Bluesman Doug MacLeod - 7:00 pm | $12-$15. $12 adv/ $15 door Fogartyville Media and Arts Center 525 Kumquat Court Sarasota, FL 34240 Doug MacLeod, winner of the 2014 Blues Music Awards for Acoustic Artist Of The Year and Acoustic Album Of The Year (There's A Time), the 2013 Blues Blast Music Award for Male Artist Of The Year, and perennial Blues Music Award nominee, is a prolific singer, songwriter, engaging storyteller, and masterful guitarist born in the blues and rooted in the American tradition. Chess - 7:30 pm | $27-$37. $27-$37 Prices may vary by seat Manatee Performing Arts Center 502 3rd Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34282 This complex rock opera tells the story of a conflicting love triangle between an American Grandmaster, a Russian Champion, and a Hungarian-American female chess second. Engage in this captivating story while the music leads you through each players struggle to get the upper hand. Yesterday - 7:30 pm | $20-$50. See website for pricing. Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins, and Jim Prosser. In the mid-1960s, groups such as The Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones were topping the charts. While trying to replicate the rebellious tone of American Rock N Roll, a new sound emerged. By 1964 The Beatles alone had 31 hits on the Top 100. Journey back to a time of peace, love, and everything in between with songs such as Let It Be, Satisfaction, and I’m Into Something Good. Yesterday will play in the Goldstein Cabaret from January 6 through May 1. Ah, Wilderness! - 7:30 pm | $20-$80. See website for actual pricing Asolo Repertory Theatre 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 By Eugene O Neill Directed by Greg Leaming 'A breath of fresh air... a miracle of sense and sensibility... vividly alive.' The New York Post A comedy...by Eugene O'Neill? Yes! One of the pillars of 20th-century drama who created some of the most tragic stories for the stage, O'Neill also penned the wonderfully romantic and sweetly funny, Ah Wilderness! Set in New England in the days of America’s innocence, the play looks back to an idyllic age when goodness and honesty were the norm and family life was picnics and Sunday drives in the family Buick. On July 4, 1906, while the Miller family is planning their traditional holiday festivities, dreamy-eyed middle child Richard is spurned by his first love and sets out on a rebellious adventure into the adult world. Family life and all its foibles were never so beautifully portrayed as in O Neall’s comingofage love letter to a simpler time in America. Hands On A Hardbody - 7:30 pm | $25-$30. Regular: $25Premium: $30 (Rows A-E)Students: $12 The Players Theatre FL 838 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 For 10 hard-luck Texans, a new lease on life is so close they can touch it. Under a scorching sun for days on end, armed with nothing but hope, humor and ambition, they’ll fight to keep at least one hand on a brand new truck in order to win it. Inspired by true events, and infused with a fresh roots-rock vibe, this is the hilarious hard-fought contest where only one winner can drive away with The American Dream. 10 contestants. 4 days. 1 truck. Michael Feinstein and His 17-Piece Band - 8:00 pm | $35-$75. Pricing: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 777 N Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 Welcome back Michael Feinstein, the multi-platinum-selling, two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy Award-nominated entertainer! His 200-plus shows a year have included performances at Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, the White House and Buckingham Palace and, of course, here at the Van Wezel! Enjoy romantic classics by Gershwin, Porter, Berlin, Johnny Mercer and friends, all in swing tempo, including Night And Day, I Wanna Be Around, The Song Is You and many others. Butler - 8:00 pm | $20-$50. See site for pricing details Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Strand. The Civil War, 1861. An escaped slave seeks sanctuary, but the laws of the land are unrelenting. With sharp wit and tongue-in- cheek humor, Butler takes us on a journey through legal loopholes to find the true meaning of freedom. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Butler by Richard Strand plays from December 9 through February 20 in the Keating Theatre. Outside Mullingar - 8:00 pm | $25-$36. Pricing varies per seat; check website Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 From the author of Doubt and Moonstruck comes a delightful gritty comedy set in rural Ireland. Between fading families, a bitter land feud, and familial rivalries, two misfit neighbors will have to overcome their own fears to find happiness. Full of surprising humor and poetic prose, this tender-hearted portrait reminds us that what we’re looking for is sometimes right in front of us. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - 8:00 pm | $22-$36. Adult: $36.00 | Student/Active Military*: $22.00 *with valid ID Westcoast Black Theatre 1646 10th Way Sarasota, FL 34236 Its 1927 in Chicago, and the fiery Blues legend Gertrude Ma Rainey is ready to record her signature songs. Inside the cramped studio, she squares off against a battling quartet of musicians and a tight-fisted, white producer. This gripping play with music highlights a time in American history when even the most renowned black singer of her day had to fight against racism for the respect she deserved. In Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, the Jazz Age is in full swing and it’s a moment as full of possibility as it is risk for those striving to achieve the American side of being African American. Ragtime - 8:00 pm | $13-$29. $29 Adult | $15 College | $13 Child Venice Theatre 140 W Tampa Ave Venice, FL 34285 Set in the Scott Joplin era, this soaring musical is our biggest hit from 2010 and a winner of multiple Tony Awards. Intertwining the lives of three extraordinary families from different walks of life, this epic tale celebrates the great tapestry of American life and the sometimes cruel quilt that we weave. Democracy Reggae Band - 9:30 pm | $2 The Five O'clock Club 1930 Hillview St. Sarasota, FL 34239 Democracy has been in the area for over twenty years performing a blend of Caribbean & American styles, from Reggae, Soca, Calypso to Top 40 & beyond! One of the finest Caribbean-American crossover bands on the circuit! www.facebook.com/DemocracyReggaeBand Samurai: The Way of the Warrior - All Day | $0-$25. Free with admission. Pricing: http://www.ringling.org/hoursadmissions The Ringling 5401 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, FL 34243 Drawing from the rich and varied Japanese collection of the Stibbert Museum in Florence Italy, this evocative exhibition features some 70 exquisite objects related to the legendary Samurai warriors - full suits of armor, helmets, swords, swordhilts, and saddles, as well as exquisite objects intended for more personal use such as lacquered writing boxes, incense trays and foldable chairs that all characterize the period in which Japan was ruled by the Samurai military class. This Exhibition is organized by Contemporanea Progetti, Florence, Italy in collaboration with the Museo Stibbert. FRIDAY FEBRUARY 19TH 1927 Train Depot Tour - 10:00 am | Free 1927 Train Depot 303 E Venice Avenue Venice, FL 34285 Free docent-led tours of 1927 Train Depot. Displays and information about Venice history and the role of the train depot. Red caboose open Wednesday and Saturday. Statue of Gunther Gebel-Williams on the grounds. For reservations for groups of 10 or more, call 941-412-0151. 303 E. Venice Ave., Venice FL. M-W-F 10-3, Sat. 10-1. Info 941-412-0151. The 27th Annual Venice Italian Feast & Carnival - 11:00 am | Free Downtown Venice W. Venice Avenue Venice The 27th Annual Venice Italian Feast & Carnival Sponsored by the Italian American Club of Venice Visit our 27th Feast & Carnival between Feb 19 thru the 22nd. Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art presents Ah, Wilderness! - 11:00 am | Free Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art 1288 N. Palm Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236 Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art gallery presents Ah, Wilderness!, an exhibition celebrating nature with works by landscape painter Susan Klein, painter, printmaker, photographer and naturalist Jean Blackburn and sculptor Joe Segal, February 5March 1. The gallery is at 1288 N. Palm Ave., in Sarasota. Gallery hours are Mon. Sat., 11 a.m. 5 p.m. Call for Monday hours. For more information about this exhibit, call 941-366-2454 or visit www.allyngallup.com. Concert at Noon: Studio and Apprentice Artists - 12:00 pm | $5 Sarasota Opera House 61 N Pineapple Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 Sarasota Opera Studio and Apprentice Artists present an hour long program of arias and scenes from Sarasota Operas 20152016 season. The concert is presented in the Harold and Kay Ronson Grand Atrium at the Sarasota Opera House. National Theatre Live, Skylight - 1:00 pm | $20 Historic Asolo Theater 5401 Bay Shore Rd. Sarasota, FL 34243 An Encore screening by popular demand! Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan feature in the highly anticipated production of David Hares 'Skylight,' directed by Stephen Daldry (The Audience). Sushi and Live Music - 4:30 pm | Free Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi Grill 100 Central Ave No 1022 Sarasota, FL 34240 Come enjoy sushi that is bar none while being soothed by the sultry sounds of the live background jazz music at Tsunami Sushi and Hibachi! Every Friday night Tsunami hosts an acoustic guitar player that has forty years of experience being a professional performer. Make your Friday date night extra special by coming and enjoying our alluring atmosphere, and exceptional sushi. Towles Court Art Walk - 5:00 pm | Free Towles Court Adams Lane Sarasota, FL 34236 All galleries, restaurants and businesses are open for the Towles Court Art Walk every third Friday from 5-9pm. You will find various styles and mediums of art in a unique and beautiful setting. For directions and details visit our website (www.towlescourt.com). Next art walk is February 19, 2016. Parking is available. Yesterday - 6:00 pm | $20-$50. See website for pricing. Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins, and Jim Prosser. In the mid-1960s, groups such as The Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones were topping the charts. While trying to replicate the rebellious tone of American Rock N Roll, a new sound emerged. By 1964 The Beatles alone had 31 hits on the Top 100. Journey back to a time of peace, love, and everything in between with songs such as Let It Be, Satisfaction, and I’m Into Something Good. Yesterday will play in the Goldstein Cabaret from January 6 through May 1. Show Jumping Under the Stars $25,000 Equestrian Grand Prix - 6:00 pm | $5 Fox Lea Farm 800 North Auburn Road Venice, FL 34292 Grand Prix Horse Show Jumping is an Olympic Sport requiring extraordinary athleticism from both horse and rider, with jumps approaching 5 feet in height. Come join us at Fox Lea Farm Friday night for Show Jumping Under the Stars, a $25,000 Grand Prix event. Food and Beverage available for purchase, family-friendly event, admission $5 (proceeds benefit InStride Therapy) and free parking. Go to our website for full details www.foxleafarm.com Eddie Tobin - 6:30 pm | Free Amore By Andrea Restaurant 555 Bay Isles Parkway, Longboat Key, FL 34228 Would you like to have a relaxing evening in a romantic and cozy ambient? Then you should join us every Wednesday and Friday and enjoy the wonderful musician and singer Eddie Tobin. Call for reservations: (941)383-1111 Concert for Good - 6:30 pm | $15 First United Methodist Church 104 S. Pineapple Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 On Friday, February 19 at 6:30pm, Goodwill Manasota and Sarasota Musica Viva will present the Concert for Good, a musical performance. The concert, featuring Linda Bento-Rei on the flute/piccolo and Vytas J. Baksys on the piano, will offer The Two Sides of Peter Schickele. Traditionally, classical music has a more serious tone but this concert is based on the work of Peter Schickele, a composer and parodist who is known for his comedic stylings of more traditional music. While an accomplished musician and composer of traditional classical works and folk music, Schickele is best-known for comedy albums featuring music that he has composed but that are presented as being composed by the fictional P.D.Q. Bach, the youngest and oddest of the twenty-odd children of Johann Sebastian Bach. There is a $15 suggested donation for entry; proceeds support Goodwill's mission of changing lives through the power of work. Tickets are available at experiencegoodwill.org, or by calling Morgan Gerhart at (941) 355-2721, ext. 107. Exotic Car Fest - Jet Port Party - 6:30 pm | $155 Rectrix at Sarasota-Bradenton Airport 8250 15th St E Sarasota, FL 34243 Enjoy great drinks, food, music and live entertainment from soulRcoaster and renowned Susan Gabriel. Join the Jet Port Party and have a night full of exotic cars, new luxury cars, sophisticated jets, motorcycles, and a silent auction. http://sarasotaexoticcarfest.com Circus Sarasota Winter Performance - 7:00 pm | $15-$55. Seating is in the round: VIP Seating= $55, Premium= $42-47, Select= $20-37, Value= $15. Big Top Tent 140 University Center Drive, SE of UTC Mall Sarasota, FL 34243 Under the Big Top for over 18 seasons we have presented an international, all-star lineup of circus artists with an unparalleled array of thrilling acts. The Circus Sarasota Winter Production will once again amaze audiences celebrating the unique circus heritage of our community for only two weeks! Last year’s shows all sold out, so get your tickets early! For more information, call 941-355-9805. Sarasota Orchestra presents Maestro - 8:00 pm | $30-$89 Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 777 N Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 Conducting legend Neeme Jarvi leads our Orchestra in three epic pieces. From the onset of the majestic opening crescendo of Also sprach Zarathustra, you'll experience the power of the piece made more famous by its use in 2001 A Space Odyssey. Stenhammar's melodic concerto was thought lost until 1983. Recently featured in the hit film The Soloist, our guest pianist Per Tengstrand will display this work's virtuosity and power. the concert opens with romantic emotion in Brahms' Tragic Overture. Chess - 8:00 pm | $27-$37. $27-$37 Prices may vary by seat Manatee Performing Arts Center 502 3rd Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34282 This complex rock opera tells the story of a conflicting love triangle between an American Grandmaster, a Russian Champion, and a Hungarian-American female chess second. Engage in this captivating story while the music leads you through each players struggle to get the upper hand. Butler - 8:00 pm | $20-$50. See site for pricing details Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Strand. The Civil War, 1861. An escaped slave seeks sanctuary, but the laws of the land are unrelenting. With sharp wit and tongue-in- cheek humor, Butler takes us on a journey through legal loopholes to find the true meaning of freedom. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Butler by Richard Strand plays from December 9 through February 20 in the Keating Theatre. Outside Mullingar - 8:00 pm | $25-$36. Pricing varies per seat; check website Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 From the author of Doubt and Moonstruck comes a delightful gritty comedy set in rural Ireland. Between fading families, a bitter land feud, and familial rivalries, two misfit neighbors will have to overcome their own fears to find happiness. Full of surprising humor and poetic prose, this tender-hearted portrait reminds us that what we’re looking for is sometimes right in front of us. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - 8:00 pm | $22-$36. Adult: $36.00 | Student/Active Military*: $22.00 *with valid ID Westcoast Black Theatre 1646 10th Way Sarasota, FL 34236 Its 1927 in Chicago, and the fiery Blues legend Gertrude Ma Rainey is ready to record her signature songs. Inside the cramped studio, she squares off against a battling quartet of musicians and a tight-fisted, white producer. This gripping play with music highlights a time in American history when even the most renowned black singer of her day had to fight against racism for the respect she deserved. In Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, the Jazz Age is in full swing and it’s a moment as full of possibility as it is risk for those striving to achieve the American side of being African American. Living on Love - 8:00 pm | $20-$80. See website for actual pricing details Asolo Repertory Theatre 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 There’s only one person with a worse temperament, bigger ego and more flamboyant sense of self-importance than opera diva Raquel and that’s her husband, the Italian maestro Vito De Angelis. When Raquel discovers that Vito has become enamored with a young lady hired to ghostwrite his largely fictional autobiography, she retaliates by hiring her own handsome young scribe to chronicle her life as an opera star. Sparks fly, silverware is thrown and romance blossoms in the most unexpected ways in this glamorous romp through the world of music, marriage and celebrity. With a highly anticipated Broadway run starting this April starring Renee Fleming, Asolo Rep is thrilled to receive the rights to present the regional premiere of this sparkling new comedy. Ragtime - 8:00 pm | $13-$29. $29 Adult | $15 College | $13 Child Venice Theatre 140 W Tampa Ave Venice, FL 34285 Set in the Scott Joplin era, this soaring musical is our biggest hit from 2010 and a winner of multiple Tony Awards. Intertwining the lives of three extraordinary families from different walks of life, this epic tale celebrates the great tapestry of American life and the sometimes cruel quilt that we weave. Aztec Two Step PEACenter Benefit - 8:00 pm | $22-$25. $22 in adv/ $25 door Fogartyville Media and Arts Center 525 Kumquat Court Sarasota, FL 34240 Rex Fowler and Neal Shulman have spent a lifetime of making music together as the folk/rock duo, Aztec Two-Step. After taking their name from a poem by beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and with four plus decades as staples of progressive FM radio, major record deals and non-stop touring, Rex and Neal continue to impress audiences with intelligent songwriting, dazzling acoustic lead guitar and soaring two-part harmonies. The duo has performed worldwide, been critically acclaimed in major U.S. newspapers, reviewed in Rolling Stone Magazine and appeared on numerous radio and TV shows, including The King Biscuit Flour Hour and David Letterman. Pedro Arevalo & Friends - 9:30 pm | $5 The Five O'clock Club 1930 Hillview St. Sarasota, FL 34239 Vox/Slide Guitar at Brethren of the Coast, Bassist/Vocalist at Dickey Betts and Great Southern and Bass/Vox at Dickey Betts & Great Southern Past: Devon Allman's HoneyTribe Ink, Silk and Gold - All Day | $0-$25. Free with admission. Pricing here: http://www.ringling.org/hours-admissions The Ringling 5401 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, FL 34243 Ink, Silk and Gold: Islamic Art from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, features approximately one hundred great works of Islamic art from the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Never before presented in a dedicated exhibition, this collection covers virtually all aspects of Islamic art in almost all media, ranging from the eighth to the twenty-first century and from Spain to Indonesia. Through silver inlaid metalwork, Quran pages inscribed with gold, brocaded velvets, lusterpainted ceramics and more, it offers a window into many different facets of the dynamic and complex artistic traditions of the Islamic world. More than 130 years after the MFA began collecting Islamic art, the objects presented in Ink, Silk and Gold are being comprehensively studied, restored and presented to the public for the first time. The exhibition, which is accompanied by a catalogue, is arranged chronologically and regionally to introduce viewers to the rich world of Islamic art. Within this framework the exhibition emphasizes the material aspects of the objects, proceeding from the notion that meaning in Islamic art is rooted in the substance of an object its color, shape and texture. Drawing upon the results of stateof-the-art scientific analyses and conservation treatments currently in progress at the MFA, the exhibition encourages visitors to explore the unique and expressive material presence of Islamic art. SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20TH Sarasota Farmers Market - 7:00 am | Free Lemon Ave to Selby Five Points Park in Downtown Sarasota The Sarasota Farmers Market was established in 1979. The market continues its tradition of serving the community with local produce, plants, prepared foods, and artisans. We currently have a full market that includes 55 vendors and 5,000 square feet of produce and plants. Hours: The market is held every Saturday (rain or shine) 7am to Noon (May through October) 7am to 1pm (November through April) Sarasota Christian School's 57th Annual Auction and Festival - 7:30 am | Free Sarasota Christian School 5415 Bahia Vista St Sarasota, FL 34232 Sarasota Christian School's 57th Annual Auction & Festival is Saturday, February 20, 2016 from 7:30a.m. 3:30 p.m. The day starts off right with a delicious pancake breakfast! Soon after, begins the silent auction, live auction, children’s games and inflatables, homemade bakery and delicious food booths! Make sure you stop by to sample the famous BBQ chicken and ribs lunch, apple dumplings and strawberry pie! The SCS Auction & Festival offers something for all ages and is a day the whole family will enjoy. The community is welcome and admission to the event and parking is free. More information can be found at www.sarasotachristian.org or by calling us at 941-371-6481, ext. 201. Venice Farmers Market - 8:00 am | Free Tampa Avenue West Every Saturday Morning, local Farmers, Fisherman, Craftsmen, Bakers, Artists and others gather at the Venice Farmer's Market located in the heart of historic downtown Venice, Florida. It's a weekly celebration of the best of Venice were you can get fresh seasonal Florida fruits and vegetables direct from the Venice area farms. You can't find any fresher shrimp or seafood. There's incredible tasty homemade baked goods, trinkets, crafts, soaps, flowers, plants, locally roasted coffee, and more. American Youth Cup I - 8:00 am | Free Nathan Benderson Park 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle Sarasota, FL 34235 The American Youth Cup (AYC) is an annual series of three not-for-profit regattas that act as a lead-up to the USRowing Youth National Championships (YNC) and the Saratoga Jr B/C National Championships (SNC). AYC I and AYC II are currently held as one day events. AYC III is held over two days. All three events have a racing progression system from heats through to finals. Racing at the American Youth Cup includes the eighteen YNC boat classes, ten SNC boat classes and a selection of supporting development boat classes. Each YNC and SNC boat class earns points based on the finishing order. The highest placing boat from a team is awarded the following points: 1st = 8 points, 2nd = 6 points, 3rd = 5 points, 4th = 4 points, 5th = 3 points, 6th = 2 points, 7th = 1 point If a team has more than one crew in a boat class points will be awarded only to the first crew. The crew with the most points in each boat class is declared the American Youth Cup leader. After the third American Youth Cup regatta, the crew with the most points in each boat class is declared the American Youth Cup winner and receives the American Youth Cup for that boat class. At the end of each American Youth Cup the country with the most points will be declared winner of that American Youth Cup regatta and will receive the leading team cup. After the third American Youth Cup regatta the country with the most points overall from all boat classes is declared overall winner of the American Youth Cup. Walk-A-Thon And Health fair - 8:00 am | Free Centennial Park 200 W. Venice Ave. Venice, FL 34289 Come walk for your cause to the beach and back. Also come and learn about healthy lifestyles and get simple health screenings for free. Siesta Beach Grand Opening Celebration - 9:00 am | Free Siesta Beach 948 Beach Rd Sarasota, FL 34242 Join Sarasota County in celebrating the completion of the Siesta Beach improvements project. The community is invited to see what's new at the #1 beach in the nation! This family-friendly celebration includes: -Entertainment -Refreshments Recreational Activities -Beach sports -Arts & Crafts -Special guests -Walking tours of the new amenities and improvements Color Vibe 5K Run - 9:00 am | $26-$70. Teams of 4 or more people can receive 10% OFF per registration. Nathan Benderson Park 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle Sarasota, FL 34235 The Color Vibe, a vibrantly colorful 5K fun run company, is hosting the Sarasota Color Vibe 5K full of bright colors, epic beats, and tons of fun on Saturday February 20th, 2016 at 9am. The event will be held at Nathan Benderson Park. Kayak Trip - 9:30 am | $25 Myakka River State Park 13208 State Road 72 Sarasota, FL 34241 Explore the wild and scenic Myakka River by kayak, guided by John Sarkozy and learn about natural Florida. All kayak equipment will be provided to you and it is included in the cost of the trip, which is $25.00 per person. Call John at (941) 966-7308 for exact launch location and required reservations. Historical Trolley Tour - 10:00 am | $25 Historical Society of Sarasota County 1260 12th St Sarasota, FL 34234 Historic Trolley Tour narrated by local historian Sue Blue takes you to historical sites in and around the downtown area. Two hour tour begins and returns to the Crocker Memorial Church on Saturday morning from 10a to Noon. Reservations are requires and seats are $25 each. Funds raised on these tours help the Historical Society of Sarasota County provide maintenance and upkeep for the two oldest buildings in the city - the Bidwell-Wood House (1882) and the Crocker Memorial Church (1901) located in Pioneer Park on 12th Street between US41 and Cocoanut Avenue. Please call the office Monday Friday from 10a - 2p to make your reservations. 941-364-9076 Exotic Car Fest - Downtown Concours - 10:00 am | Free Downtown Sarasota Enjoy all that downtown has to offer as owners and enthusiasts of Ferraris, Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, Alfa Romeos, and other exotics gather for a wonderful day. Donations accepted by United Cerebral Palsy of Southwest Florida. Event details & to register your car: http://sarasotaexoticcarfest.com/ Ah, Wilderness! - 11:00 am | Free Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art 1288 N. Palm Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236 Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art gallery presents Ah, Wilderness!, an exhibition celebrating nature with works by landscape painter Susan Klein, painter, printmaker, photographer and naturalist Jean Blackburn and sculptor Joe Segal, February 5March 1. The gallery is at 1288 N. Palm Ave., in Sarasota. Gallery hours are Mon. Sat., 11 a.m. 5 p.m. Call for Monday hours. For more information about this exhibit, call 941-366-2454 or visit www.allyngallup.com. Circus Sarasota Winter Performance - 2:00 pm | $15-$55. Seating is in the round: VIP Seating= $55, Premium= $42-47, Select= $20-37, Value= $15. Big Top Tent 140 University Center Drive, SE of UTC Mall Sarasota, FL 34243 Under the Big Top for over 18 seasons we have presented an international, all-star lineup of circus artists with an unparalleled array of thrilling acts. The Circus Sarasota Winter Production will once again amaze audiences celebrating the unique circus heritage of our community for only two weeks! Last year’s shows all sold out, so get your tickets early! For more information, call 941-355-9805. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - 2:00 pm | $22-$36. Adult: $36.00 | Student/Active Military*: $22.00 *with valid ID Westcoast Black Theatre 1646 10th Way Sarasota, FL 34236 Its 1927 in Chicago, and the fiery Blues legend Gertrude Ma Rainey is ready to record her signature songs. Inside the cramped studio, she squares off against a battling quartet of musicians and a tight-fisted, white producer. This gripping play with music highlights a time in American history when even the most renowned black singer of her day had to fight against racism for the respect she deserved. In Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, the Jazz Age is in full swing and it’s a moment as full of possibility as it is risk for those striving to achieve the American side of being African American. Ah, Wilderness! - 2:00 pm | $20-$80. See website for actual pricing Asolo Repertory Theatre 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 By Eugene O’Neill Directed by Greg Leaming 'A breath of fresh air... a miracle of sense and sensibility... vividly alive.' The New York Post A comedy...by Eugene O'Neill? Yes! One of the pillars of 20th-century drama who created some of the most tragic stories for the stage, O'Neill also penned the wonderfully romantic and sweetly funny, Ah Wilderness! Set in New England in the days of America’s innocence, the play looks back to an idyllic age when goodness and honesty were the norm and family life was picnics and Sunday drives in the family Buick. On July 4, 1906, while the Miller family is planning their traditional holiday festivities, dreamy-eyed middle child Richard is spurned by his first love and sets out on a rebellious adventure into the adult world. Family life and all its foibles were never so beautifully portrayed as in O’Neill’s comingofage love letter to a simpler time in America. Butler - 3:00 pm | $20-$50. See site for pricing details Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Strand. The Civil War, 1861. An escaped slave seeks sanctuary, but the laws of the land are unrelenting. With sharp wit and tongue-in- cheek humor, Butler takes us on a journey through legal loopholes to find the true meaning of freedom. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Butler by Richard Strand plays from December 9 through February 20 in the Keating Theatre. Outside Mullingar - 3:00 pm | $25-$36. Pricing varies per seat; check website Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 From the author of Doubt and Moonstruck comes a delightful gritty comedy set in rural Ireland. Between fading families, a bitter land feud, and familial rivalries, two misfit neighbors will have to overcome their own fears to find happiness. Full of surprising humor and poetic prose, this tender-hearted portrait reminds us that what we’re looking for is sometimes right in front of us. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Showtime for Hospice - 3:00 pm | $18 Venice Theatre 140 W Tampa Ave Venice, FL 34285 Singing and Dancing for the whole family while raising funds for Tidewell Hospice. Avenues des Artistes - 5:00 pm | $125 State College of Florida 5840 26th St. W. Bradenton, FL 34207 Avenues des Artistes is a street fair atmosphere, with the center of campus transformed to 3 'city streets' lined with artwork from the faculty and staff. Street musicians and wonderful food complete the theme. Dinner is on the pergola patio. The SCF renowned Jazz Band complete the evening. Savor the Sounds Musical Jazz Series - 5:00 pm | $5-$25. Advance VIP tickets-$25 per personGeneral Admission at the door-$5 Bayfront Park Recreation Center 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce and the Longboat Observer are pleased to announce the launch of a new outdoor jazz series that will kick-off on February 20, 2016. Attendees are invited to sit back and relax to the tunes and enjoy an evening of picnic style dining and live jazz music by the Bay. The February 20th event will also feature a grand finale of fireworks by Sky King. The event takes place from 5-7pm. Fireworks are scheduled for 7pm and gates open at 4pm. VIP tickets can be purchased in advance at a cost of $25 per person, which includes table seating in the center stage area along the Bay. General Admission tickets can be purchased at the door for $5 per person. Tickets are available at the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce, 5390 Gulf of Mexico Dr. Ste. 102, Longboat Key, FL; online www.longboatkeychamber.com; by phone 941-383-2466. This event offers a casual picnic setting where attendees can spread out their picnic baskets and blankets. Additional series dates are March 19, 2016 and April 16, 2016. Featured bands for those dates will be announced shortly. Casey Key: Nokomis Beach Drum Circle - 6:00 pm | Free Nokomis Public Beach 201 South Casey Key Road Nokomis, FL 34275 The Drum Circle is one of Casey Key's most unique and celebrated events. On any given Saturday and Wednesday evening one will encounter the rhythmic beats, amateur belly dancing, children playing, and the most amazing sunsets anywhere. Yesterday - 6:00 pm | $20-$50. See website for pricing. Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins, and Jim Prosser. In the mid-1960s, groups such as The Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones were topping the charts. While trying to replicate the rebellious tone of American Rock N Roll, a new sound emerged. By 1964 The Beatles alone had 31 hits on the Top 100. Journey back to a time of peace, love, and everything in between with songs such as Let It Be, Satisfaction, and I’m Into Something Good. Yesterday will play in the Goldstein Cabaret from January 6 through May 1. Saturday nights with Peter Solomon - 6:30 pm | Free Amore By Andrea Restaurant 555 Bay Isles Parkway, Longboat Key, FL 34228 Join us at the lounge for a wonderful evening with Peter Solomon... Call for reservations: (941) 383-1111 DooWop Denny Rockin Oldies Show - 7:00 pm | Free Saltwater Café 1071 N. Tamiami Trail Nokomis, FL 34274 Music to bring out the Rock & Roll kid in you! Circus Sarasota Winter Performance - 7:00 pm | $15-$55. Seating is in the round: VIP Seating= $55, Premium= $42-47, Select= $20-37, Value= $15. Big Top Tent 140 University Center Drive, SE of UTC Mall Sarasota, FL 34243 Under the Big Top for over 18 seasons we have presented an international, all-star lineup of circus artists with an unparalleled array of thrilling acts. The Circus Sarasota Winter Production will once again amaze audiences celebrating the unique circus heritage of our community for only two weeks! Last year’s shows all sold out, so get your tickets early! For more information, call 941-355-9805. Akropolis Reed Quintet - 7:30 pm | $25-$45 Historic Asolo Theater 5401 Bay Shore Rd. Sarasota, FL 34243 Akropolis Reed Quintet Tim Gocklin, oboe Kari Dion, clarinet Matt Landry, saxophone Ryan Reynolds, bassoon Andre Koeppe, bass clarinet DEBUSSY Children’s Corner Suite RAMEAU Suite La Triomphante PUCKETT Owl Moon All of the music is remarkable for the sheer joy that it elicits... the quintet plays with imagination, infallible musicality, and huge vitality.' - Ron Grames, Fanfare Magazine, May, 2014 Hands On A Hardbody - 7:30 pm | $25-$30. Regular: $25Premium: $30 (Rows A-E)Students: $12 The Players Theatre FL 838 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 For 10 hard-luck Texans, a new lease on life is so close they can touch it. Under a scorching sun for days on end, armed with nothing but hope, humor and ambition, they’ll fight to keep at least one hand on a brand new truck in order to win it. Inspired by true events, and infused with a fresh roots-rock vibe, this is the hilarious hard-fought contest where only one winner can drive away with The American Dream. 10 contestants. 4 days. 1 truck. Sarasota Orchestra presents Maestro - 8:00 pm | $30-$89. 941-953-3434 Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 777 N Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 Tragic Overture in D Minor, Op. 81, BRHAMS, Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, OP. 1, STEMHAMMAR, Also sprach Zarathustra, OP. 30. Conductor, Neeme Jarvii. Soloist, Per Tengstrand, piano. Chess - 8:00 pm | $27-$37. $27-$37 Prices may vary by seat Manatee Performing Arts Center 502 3rd Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34282 This complex rock opera tells the story of a conflicting love triangle between an American Grandmaster, a Russian Champion, and a Hungarian-American female chess second. Engage in this captivating story while the music leads you through each players struggle to get the upper hand. Butler - 8:00 pm | $20-$50. See site for pricing details Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Strand. The Civil War, 1861. An escaped slave seeks sanctuary, but the laws of the land are unrelenting. With sharp wit and tongue-in- cheek humor, Butler takes us on a journey through legal loopholes to find the true meaning of freedom. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Butler by Richard Strand plays from December 9 through February 20 in the Keating Theatre. Outside Mullingar - 8:00 pm | $25-$36. Pricing varies per seat; check website Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 From the author of Doubt and Moonstruck comes a delightful gritty comedy set in rural Ireland. Between fading families, a bitter land feud, and familial rivalries, two misfit neighbors will have to overcome their own fears to find happiness. Full of surprising humor and poetic prose, this tender-hearted portrait reminds us that what we’re looking for is sometimes right in front of us. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - 8:00 pm | $22-$36. Adult: $36.00 | Student/Active Military*: $22.00 *with valid ID Westcoast Black Theatre 1646 10th Way Sarasota, FL 34236 Its 1927 in Chicago, and the fiery Blues legend Gertrude Ma Rainey is ready to record her signature songs. Inside the cramped studio, she squares off against a battling quartet of musicians and a tight-fisted, white producer. This gripping play with music highlights a time in American history when even the most renowned black singer of her day had to fight against racism for the respect she deserved. In Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, the Jazz Age is in full swing and it’s a moment as full of possibility as it is risk for those striving to achieve the American side of being African American. Living on Love - 8:00 pm | $20-$80. See website for actual pricing details Asolo Repertory Theatre 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 There’s only one person with a worse temperament, bigger ego and more flamboyant sense of self-importance than opera diva Raquel and that’s her husband, the Italian maestro Vito De Angelis. When Raquel discovers that Vito has become enamored with a young lady hired to ghostwrite his largely fictional autobiography, she retaliates by hiring her own handsome young scribe to chronicle her life as an opera star. Sparks fly, silverware is thrown and romance blossoms in the most unexpected ways in this glamorous romp through the world of music, marriage and celebrity. With a highly anticipated Broadway run starting this April starring Renee Fleming, Asolo Rep is thrilled to receive the rights to present the regional premiere of this sparkling new comedy. Live Music = Free Show = Growlers Pub - 9:00 pm | Free Growlers Pub Sarasota 2831 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34234 FREE show.....Bird Tribe returns to one of the best original music venues in Sarasota with special guest Emily Ross performing music from her recent album (emilyrossmusic.bandcamp.com) . Reverend Barry & Funktastic Soul - 9:30 pm | $5 The Five O'clock Club 1930 Hillview St. Sarasota, FL 34239 Sarasota’s Premier Funk & Soul Party Band. http://revbfunktasticsoul.com Aida - All Day | $19-$125. Tickets at (941) 328-1300 or www.sarasotaopera.org Sarasota Opera House 61 N Pineapple Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 One of operas most beloved tales of the mythic love triangle between a slave, a vengeful princess, and a great warrior will make its Sarasota Opera debut opening the season on January 30th. Conducted by Victor DeRenzi, staged by Stephanie Sundine and with new sets by David P. Gordon, this opera features arias such as Celeste Aida and O patria mia. This is truly grand opera at its grandest! Opera, Aida, Verdi, Sarasota Opera, Arts, DeRenzi, Sundine, Sarasota Opera House John Nolen, Innovative City Planner, Exhibit - All Day | Free Venice Museum and Archives 351 Nassau St. S Venice, FL 34285 The Venice Museum & Archives (VMA) honors the innovative city planner, John Nolen, and his 1926 plan for Venice in its newest exhibit Design for Living: John Nolen and the Renaissance of New Urbanism. The exhibit is a collaborative effort between the VMA and Rollins College, located in Winter Park, Florida The exhibit explores the inspirations for Nolens plan for Venice and how his planning principles connect with the New Urbanism movement today. Original plats and plans from the VMAs collection and current examples of New Urbanism projects in Venice and Sarasota County are also highlighted. Build your own ideal city with a hands-on activity and share your viewpoints about what makes a city beautiful and livable. Design for Living was made possible through generous funding from Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Venice Heritage, Inc. A speaker series in connection with the exhibit will begin in January 2016. Design for Living is on exhibit through February 24, 2016. The Venice Museum & Archives is free (donations appreciated) and open to the public yearround on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional days are offered during October through April, on the first and third Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ragtime - All Day | $13-$29. $29 Adult | $15 College | $13 Child Venice Theatre 140 W Tampa Ave Venice, FL 34285 Set in the Scott Joplin era, this soaring musical is our biggest hit from 2010 and a winner of multiple Tony Awards. Intertwining the lives of three extraordinary families from different walks of life, this epic tale celebrates the great tapestry of American life and the sometimes cruel quilt that we weave. SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21ST Kayak Trip - 10:00 am | $25 Vamo Boat Ramp Vamo Dr Sarasota, FL 34238 Join John Sarkozy , as he shows you the natural beauty of Little Sarasota Bay by kayak. All kayak equipment will be provided to you and it is included in the cost of the trip, which is $25.00 per person. Take a break on the 'crown jewel' of our local beaches and take a walk, a swim, or do some birding, before we paddle back to the mainland. Call John at (941) 9667308 for exact launch location and required reservations. Circus Sarasota Winter Performance - 1:00 pm | $15-$55. Seating is in the round: VIP Seating= $55, Premium= $42-47, Select= $20-37, Value= $15. Big Top Tent 140 University Center Drive, SE of UTC Mall Sarasota, FL 34243 Under the Big Top for over 18 seasons we have presented an international, all-star lineup of circus artists with an unparalleled array of thrilling acts. The Circus Sarasota Winter Production will once again amaze audiences celebrating the unique circus heritage of our community for only two weeks! Last year’s shows all sold out, so get your tickets early! For more information, call 941-355-9805. Demo with Karln Holman - 1:00 pm | $20 Art Center Sarasota 707 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, Fl 34236 Karlyn encourages exploration and experimentation as well as a cultivation of a loose free style of painting. Through ample hands on lessons, individual help, demonstrations and critiques, Karlyn offers a broad-based experience aimed at assisting each student to discover their own skill level. Cos Fan Tutte - 1:30 pm | $19-$125. Tickets at (941) 328-1300 or www.sarasotaopera.org Sarasota Opera House 61 N Pineapple Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 Cos fan tutte literally means All women do this. Two young soldiers are convinced to pull a prank on their brides-to-be, and put the women’s faithfulness to the test. Mozart’s enthralling comedy and masterful score will lighten your heart and make for an evening of great fun. Opera, Cosi fan tutte, Mozart, Sarasota Opera, Arts, DeRenzi, Sarasota Opera House Chess - 2:00 pm | $27-$37. $27-$37 Prices may vary by seat Manatee Performing Arts Center 502 3rd Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34282 This complex rock opera tells the story of a conflicting love triangle between an American Grandmaster, a Russian Champion, and a Hungarian-American female chess second. Engage in this captivating story while the music leads you through each players struggle to get the upper hand. Yesterday - 2:00 pm | $20-$50. See website for pricing. Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins, and Jim Prosser. In the mid-1960s, groups such as The Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones were topping the charts. While trying to replicate the rebellious tone of American Rock N Roll, a new sound emerged. By 1964 The Beatles alone had 31 hits on the Top 100. Journey back to a time of peace, love, and everything in between with songs such as Let It Be, Satisfaction, and I’m Into Something Good. Yesterday will play in the Goldstein Cabaret from January 6 through May 1. Living on Love - 2:00 pm | $20-$80. See website for actual pricing details Asolo Repertory Theatre 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 There’s only one person with a worse temperament, bigger ego and more flamboyant sense of self-importance than opera diva Raquel and that’s her husband, the Italian maestro Vito De Angelis. When Raquel discovers that Vito has become enamored with a young lady hired to ghostwrite his largely fictional autobiography, she retaliates by hiring her own handsome young scribe to chronicle her life as an opera star. Sparks fly, silverware is thrown and romance blossoms in the most unexpected ways in this glamorous romp through the world of music, marriage and celebrity. With a highly anticipated Broadway run starting this April starring Renee Fleming, Asolo Rep is thrilled to receive the rights to present the regional premiere of this sparkling new comedy. Ragtime - 2:00 pm | $13-$29. $29 Adult | $15 College | $13 Child Venice Theatre 140 W Tampa Ave Venice, FL 34285 Set in the Scott Joplin era, this soaring musical is our biggest hit from 2010 and a winner of multiple Tony Awards. Intertwining the lives of three extraordinary families from different walks of life, this epic tale celebrates the great tapestry of American life and the sometimes cruel quilt that we weave. Ski-A-Rees - Sunday Shows - 2:00 pm | Free Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Stadium 1602 Ken Thompson Parkway Come Join The Fun! For almost 60 years the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees have brought excitement and fun to Sarasota Bay. We are a diverse group that spans several decades and several generations. We're especially proud of our members, some of whom have grown up being a Ski-A-Ree and plan on passing on the tradition of performing one of the best amateur water ski shows in the Nation. One thing we all have in common is our love of waterskiing, family and great friends. Hands On A Hardbody - 2:00 pm | $25-$30. Regular: $25Premium: $30 (Rows A-E)Students: $12 The Players Theatre FL 838 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 For 10 hard-luck Texans, a new lease on life is so close they can touch it. Under a scorching sun for days on end, armed with nothing but hope, humor and ambition, they’ll fight to keep at least one hand on a brand new truck in order to win it. Inspired by true events, and infused with a fresh roots-rock vibe, this is the hilarious hard-fought contest where only one winner can drive away with The American Dream. 10 contestants. 4 days. 1 truck. Sarasota Orchestra presents Maestro - 2:30 pm | $30-$86. 941-953-3434 Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 777 N Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 Tragic Overture in D Minor, Op. 81 BRAHMS, Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 1, STENHAMMAR, Also Sprach Zarathustra, OP. 30, STRAUSS. Conductor: Neeme Jarvi. Soloist: Per Tengstrand, piano. Butler - 3:00 pm | $20-$50. See site for pricing details Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Strand. The Civil War, 1861. An escaped slave seeks sanctuary, but the laws of the land are unrelenting. With sharp wit and tongue-in- cheek humor, Butler takes us on a journey through legal loopholes to find the true meaning of freedom. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Butler by Richard Strand plays from December 9 through February 20 in the Keating Theatre. Outside Mullingar - 3:00 pm | $25-$36. Pricing varies per seat; check website Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 From the author of Doubt and Moonstruck comes a delightful gritty comedy set in rural Ireland. Between fading families, a bitter land feud, and familial rivalries, two misfit neighbors will have to overcome their own fears to find happiness. Full of surprising humor and poetic prose, this tender-hearted portrait reminds us that what we’re looking for is sometimes right in front of us. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Happy Hour - 4:30 pm | $6 Amore By Andrea Restaurant 555 Bay Isles Parkway, Longboat Key, FL 34228 Enjoy our selected drink and food Happy Hour items for just $6 every day of the week except holidays and special dates. Every day may not be good but there is something good in every day.... Happy Hour at Amore By Andrea Restaurant couldn`t get any better!!!! Circus Sarasota Winter Performance - 5:00 pm | $15-$55. Seating is in the round: VIP Seating= $55, Premium= $42-47, Select= $20-37, Value= $15. Big Top Tent 140 University Center Drive, SE of UTC Mall Sarasota, FL 34243 Under the Big Top for over 18 seasons we have presented an international, all-star lineup of circus artists with an unparalleled array of thrilling acts. The Circus Sarasota Winter Production will once again amaze audiences celebrating the unique circus heritage of our community for only two weeks! Last year’s shows all sold out, so get your tickets early! For more information, call 941-355-9805. The Technion Gala - 6:00 pm | $200 Micheal's on East 1212 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34239 Based in New York City, the American Technion Society (ATS) provides critical support to the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, ranked among the world’s leading science and technology universities. ATS Donors have provided more than $2 billion since its inception in 1940. The ATS and its network of chapters across the U.S. provide funds for scholarships, fellowships, faculty recruitment and chairs, research, buildings, laboratories, classrooms and dormitories, and more. Our mission is to enable the Technion to be among the world’s leading institutions improving the well-being of Israel and all humanity through leadership in science and technology. Sunday with Shari Morningstar & Regis Moreira - 6:30 pm | Free Amore by Andrea 555 Bay Isles Pkwy Longboat Key, FL 34228 Would you like to have a relaxing evening in a romantic and cozy ambient? Then, you should join us every Sunday and enjoy the wonderful singer Shari Morningstar & Regis Moreira and enjoy hits from Ella to Jobim, Streisand to Sinatra.... Call for reservations: (941)383-1111 Rotary Club of Bradenton Comedy Night - 6:30 pm | $50 Pier 22 1200 1st Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205 The Rotary Club of Bradenton presents Comedy Night featuring Comedian Aaron Wilburn, on Sunday, February 21, 2016 from 6:30pm at the Ballroom of Pier 22 Restaurant. As a touring Comedian, Songwriter and Inspirational Speaker, Wilburn has endeared himself to thousands of laughter-loving fans with his own down-home brand of humor. He has received Dove Awards, Grammy nominations and a spot in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. This fundraiser will help support Turning Points, a non-profit organization fighting homelessness in Manatee County. Doors open at 6:30pm and the show starts at 7:15pm. Tickets are $50 per person and include a ticket to the show, a full dessert bar presented by Pier 22 offered prior to the performance and a free Pier 22 Dining Club membership. There will be a cash bar available. Tickets can be purchased in advance by contacting the Rotary Club 941-748-3378 or Turning Points 941-747-1509, or at the door. Dinner reservations prior to the show are recommended and can be made by calling Pier 22 at 941-748-8087. Pier 22 offers a 10% discount on dinner for ticket holders the evening of the event. Pier 22 is located on the Historic Memorial Pier at 1200 1st Avenue West, Downtown Bradenton. A casual fine dining waterfront restaurant on the beautiful Manatee River surrounded by Twin Dolphin Marina. Sponsored by: Rotary Club of Bradenton Pier 22 Restaurant, Patio, Ballroom & Catering Greene, Hamrick, Quinlan & Schermer, P.A. Fawley Bryant Architects Bradenton Insurance Bradenton Herald Outside Mullingar - 7:00 pm | $25-$36. Pricing varies per seat; check website Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 From the author of Doubt and Moonstruck comes a delightful gritty comedy set in rural Ireland. Between fading families, a bitter land feud, and familial rivalries, two misfit neighbors will have to overcome their own fears to find happiness. Full of surprising humor and poetic prose, this tender-hearted portrait reminds us that what we’re looking for is sometimes right in front of us. REGIONAL PREMIERE! John Two-Hawks Sacred Earth Concert - The Sacred Earth Tour - 7:00 pm | $15-$20. Tickets are $20, $15 in advanceGet tickets online at www.johntwohawks.comor at 479-253-1732 Unity of Sarasota 3023 Proctor Rd Sarasota, FL 34231 Experience once again the ancient mysteries of our Sacred Earth through the portal of the enchanting music and profound wisdom of Grammy nominated recording artist John Two-Hawks. With an evocative tapestry of mystical sound and moving oratory, Two-Hawks welcomes all to reawaken the awareness of our living connection to the earth and universe. In this pivotal time of environmental change, this musical message imparts ancient indigenous insight into our deep need for global and universal consciousness. Akropolis Reed Quintet - 7:30 pm | $25-$45 Historic Asolo Theater 5401 Bay Shore Rd. Sarasota, FL 34243 Akropolis Reed Quintet Tim Gocklin, oboe Kari Dion, clarinet Matt Landry, saxophone Ryan Reynolds, bassoon Andre Koeppe, bass clarinet DEBUSSY Childrens Corner Suite RAMEAU Suite La Triomphante PUCKETT Owl Moon All of the music is remarkable for the sheer joy that it elicits... the quintet plays with imagination, infallible musicality, and huge vitality.' - Ron Grames, Fanfare Magazine, May, 2014 Yesterday - 7:30 pm | $20-$50. See website for pricing. Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Hopkins, and Jim Prosser. In the mid-1960s, groups such as The Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones were topping the charts. While trying to replicate the rebellious tone of American Rock N Roll, a new sound emerged. By 1964 The Beatles alone had 31 hits on the Top 100. Journey back to a time of peace, love, and everything in between with songs such as Let It Be, Satisfaction, and I’m Into Something Good. Yesterday will play in the Goldstein Cabaret from January 6 through May 1. Butler - 8:00 pm | $20-$50. See site for pricing details Florida Studio Theatre 1241 North Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 By Richard Strand. The Civil War, 1861. An escaped slave seeks sanctuary, but the laws of the land are unrelenting. With sharp wit and tongue-in- cheek humor, Butler takes us on a journey through legal loopholes to find the true meaning of freedom. REGIONAL PREMIERE! Butler by Richard Strand plays from December 9 through February 20 in the Keating Theatre. Let's Hang On: A Tribute to Frankie Valli - 8:00 pm | $39 Venice Theatre-Florida 140 West Tampa Ave. Venice, FL 34285 Dance and sing along to some of the most memorable songs of the 60s: Sherry, Bigs Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like a Man, and more. A cast of 10 seasoned performers takes you back to days gone by with great harmonies, lively choreography and some of the biggest hits of the era. Back by popular demand! Glittering Grandeur: Spectacles Under the Big Top - All Day | $5-$25. $25.00 Adults; $23.00 Seniors; $5.00 Child and Students with ID The Ringling 5401 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, FL 34243 While the classic circus performance is a rich spectacle in itself, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries show owners including P.T. Barnum and the Ringling’s recognized that they had the ability to increase attendance by including a different kind of spectacle in their traveling shows. Circuses would frequently open with a large scale theatrical performance that included hundreds of performers engaged in scenes of battle and festivals of dance and song. These spec displays were created on such a grand scale that they frequently rated several different poster designs each season. See the illustrated extravagance of the spec in print. Samurai: The Way of the Warrior - All Day | $0-$25. Free with admission. Pricing: http://www.ringling.org/hoursadmissions The Ringling 5401 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, FL 34243 Drawing from the rich and varied Japanese collection of the Stibbert Museum in Florence Italy, this evocative exhibition features some 70 exquisite objects related to the legendary Samurai warriors - full suits of armor, helmets, swords, swordhilts, and saddles, as well as exquisite objects intended for more personal use such as lacquered writing boxes, incense trays and foldable chairs that all characterize the period in which Japan was ruled by the Samurai military class. This Exhibition is organized by Contemporanea Progetti, Florence, Italy in collaboration with the Museo Stibbert. Ink, Silk and Gold - All Day | $0-$25. Free with admission. Pricing here: http://www.ringling.org/hours-admissions The Ringling 5401 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, FL 34243 Ink, Silk and Gold: Islamic Art from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, features approximately one hundred great works of Islamic art from the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Never before presented in a dedicated exhibition, this collection covers virtually all aspects of Islamic art in almost all media, ranging from the eighth to the twenty-first century and from Spain to Indonesia. Through silver inlaid metalwork, Quran pages inscribed with gold, brocaded velvets, lusterpainted ceramics and more, it offers a window into many different facets of the dynamic and complex artistic traditions of the Islamic world. More than 130 years after the MFA began collecting Islamic art, the objects presented in Ink, Silk and Gold are being comprehensively studied, restored and presented to the public for the first time. The exhibition, which is accompanied by a catalogue, is arranged chronologically and regionally to introduce viewers to the rich world of Islamic art. Within this framework the exhibition emphasizes the material aspects of the objects, proceeding from the notion that meaning in Islamic art is rooted in the substance of an object its color, shape and texture. Drawing upon the results of stateof-the-art scientific analyses and conservation treatments currently in progress at the MFA, the exhibition encourages visitors to explore the unique and expressive material presence of Islamic art.