Thursday, Feb. 22
‘Rave Lucid’ by Mazelfreten
11 a.m. at The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bayshore Road, Sarasota
$30-$40
Visit Ringling.org.
“Rave Lucid” is an electrifying tribute to the French style of electro dance that developed in clubs of the 2000s before bursting out into the streets. Presented by Mazelfreten, the collaboration of Brandon Masele and Laura Defretin, “Rave Lucid” brings together 10 dancers in a synchronized performance that still leaves room for individuality. Runs through Saturday.
‘Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations’
2 and 7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$75-$125
Visit VanWezel.org.
Nominated for 12 Tony Awards, “Ain’t Too Proud” follows Motown quartet The Temptations on their personal and political journey. Hear the superstar group’s hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.” Runs through Feb. 25.
Circus Sarasota 2024
7 p.m. at the Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota
$30-$80
Visit CircusArts.org.
Now in its 26th season, Circus Sarasota returns to Nathan Benderson Park with a brand new big top and a fresh lineup of thrilling performers, including Quick Change Duo Elena and Victor Minasov and the Flying Tabares, a mostly female trapeze troupe. Ringmaster Joseph Bauer Jr., a 15th-generation circus family member, presides over the action. Runs through March 10.
‘The Lehman Trilogy’
7 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St., Sarasota
$39-$59
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Stefano Massini’s three-act play follows the Lehman family’s rise and fall over 163 years in America. The Tony Award winner, adapted by Ben Power, is making its Sunshine State premiere in a production running three hours and 20 minutes with two intermissions. Runs through March 24.
Jasmyn Ackah and Omotowa Montrellous star in FSU/Asolo Conservatory’s production of “Clyde’s,” which runs through March 9 at the Jane B. Cook Theatre.
‘Clyde’s’
7:30 p.m. at Jane B. Cook Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$24-$32
Visit AsoloRep.org.
Lynn Nottage’s “Clyde’s” comes to Asolo Rep in this student production by FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Think of “Clyde’s” as an appetizer for Nottage’s “Intimate Apparel,” which opens Feb. 28 at Asolo Rep. The tempting tale takes place in a chaotic kitchen filled with ex-convicts on a quest to create the perfect sandwich. Runs through March 9.
‘Carmen’
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
$32-$155
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
Georges Bizet’s tale of a seductive gypsy is considered one of the most accessible operas, thanks to its unforgettable tunes. Don’t be surprised if you hum along as you watch Carmen (Chelsea Laggan) conquer Corporal Don José (Victor Starsky) and then cast him aside for the dashing bullfighter Escamillo (Andrew Manea). No one can resist the charms of Carmen. Runs through March 22.
‘Pictures From Home’
8 p.m. at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota
$25-$39
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Sharr White draws inspiration from Larry Sultan’s acclaimed photo memoir, “Pictures From Home,” in this play that explores the changing nature of family ties. Runs through Sunday.
Friday, Feb. 23
Jazz @ 2 with Thomas Carabasi Quintet
2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road, Sarasota
$15-$20
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
Jazz Club of Sarasota presents Thomas Carabasi and his quintet playing a mix of jazz classics, songbook favorites, popular standards and some bossa nova. Joining Carabasi are Patrick Bettison, Mauricio Rodriguez, Zach Bornheimer and LaRue Nickelson.
Alexander Markov Recital
6 p.m. at Art Avenue Gallery, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$50
Call 440-227-4592
Internationally renowned violinist Alexander Markov, pianist Heike Doerr and violinist/ artist Natasha Turovsky will perform “Carmen Fantasy” and other works. Meet the musicians at a cocktail reception to follow the recital. Proceeds benefit Sarasota Opera.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance presents a tribute to musician Michael Rutherford.
In-Studio: Tribute to Michael Rutherford
7 p.m. at Sarasota Contemporary Dance, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota
$22-$25
Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance.org.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance joins forces with Julian Douglas, Michael Rutherford’s longtime collaborator, to honor his memory through movement and music. The tribute features Melissa Rummel’s choreography, Eduardo Cosla’s melodies and a solo by Xiao-Xuan Dancigers. Performances continue at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday.
Magical Maestro: A Tribute to Alan Menken
7:30 p.m. at Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave. Building 5, Venice
$38-$70
Visit TheVeniceSymphony.org.
Guest artist Key Chorale joins the Venice Symphony for a tribute to Alan Menken, the award-winning composer of the music from Disney’s “Aladdin,” “The Little Mermaid” “Beauty and the Beast,” and other family favorites. Continues through Feb. 24.
‘Misery’
7:30 p.m. at The Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130, Sarasota
$30; students $13
Visit ThePlayers.org.
Directed by Kelly Woodland, “Misery” is based on the Stephen King novel about a best-selling romance novelist imprisoned in the home of his No. 1 fan. Runs through March 10.
‘Miss Julie’
8 p.m. at Jane B. Cook Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$24-$32
Visit AsoloRep.org.
FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training performs Swedish playwright August Strindberg’s classic, “Miss Julie,” which explores the forbidden love affair between a nobleman’s daughter and a family servant. Runs through March 10.
Saturday, Feb. 24
Longboat Key Festival of the Arts
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
Free
Visit ArtFestival.com.
Get ready to experience the vibrant and exciting Longboat Key Town Center Green. Stroll through the complex and see life-size sculptures, paintings, jewels, photography and ceramics. Plus, meet and chat with both local and national artists about their creative inspirations and works. Patron parking is on Bay Isles Road in front of the show. Continues Sunday.
Bradenton’s Joe Presley tells kids about fossils before leading them on a nature walk at the 2023 Community Campout.
Community Campout
3 p.m. at Greenbrook Adventure Park, 13010 Adventure Place, Lakewood Ranch
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.
Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosts its annual Community Campout. The event is sponsored by Tommy’s Express Car Wash and Grace Community Church. The sixth annual event includes a campfire, a family-friendly movie, live music by Justin Layman, food trucks, a guided nature walk, star gazing and more. Continues until 9 a.m. Sunday.
Classical Piano Concert with Live Painting
3:45 p.m. at Midge Johnson Fine Art, 3983 Destination Drive, Osprey
$25
Visit MidgeJohnsonFineArt.com.
Take a drive down to Osprey to watch Midge Johnson paint, while Alan Wasserman plays piano.
Lin Ye, piano
4 p.m. at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota
$40-$60
Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.
Lin Ye performs his first recital since his sold-out Sarasota appearances in 2019. The Artist Series Concerts Prize winner will be joined by principal musicians of the Sarasota Orchestra as he performs a program by Rachmaninoff and a chamber version of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1.
The Sarasota Opera presents “Lucia di Lammermoor.”
‘Lucia di Lammermoor’
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
$32-$155
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.
Prepare for an evening of music, madness and murder as the Sarasota Opera performs Donizetti’s masterpiece “Lucia di Lammermoor.” Last seen at the Sarasota Opera in 2012, “Lucia” stars soprano Ashley Milanese, making her company debut in the title role. Christopher Oglesby plays Lucia’s star-crossed lover Edgardo and Jean Carlos Rodriguez is Enrico, Lucia’s brother. Runs through March 23.
FST Improv Presents ‘Life’s A Beach’
8:30 p.m. at FST’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St., Sarasota
$15
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Whether you’re a snowbird or a Suncoast longtimer, you’ll get a kick out of FST Improv’s show poking fun at the rituals of life in Sarasota. Leave your surfboards and fishing rods at home, but dress the part of Florida Man (or Woman) to liven up the evening. Runs Saturdays through March 23.
Sunday, Feb. 25
‘Broadway and Hollywood’
3 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St., Sarasota
$5
Visit SuncoastConcertBand.org.
Suncoast Concert Band, now in its 91st season, performs favorites from the Great White Way and Tinseltown. Visit the website and reserve your ticket in advance for this concert. The group attracts a devoted following due to the excellence of its musicians, the creativity of its programming and its affordable ticket prices.
‘Heavenly Harmony’
4 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$42 and up
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
The Sarasota Orchestra opens with Massanet’s “Méditation” from his opera “Thaïs” in an arrangement for four cellos. Also on the bill are Albert Roussel’s “Sérénade” for flute and harp and Mozart’s” Wind Serenade.”
Tuesday, Feb. 27
Kosher Hits with David Milberg
3 p.m at The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
$25; members $20
Call 383-8222.
David Milberg (aka “Radio Dave”), a popular broadcaster since 1965, will spotlight Jewish versions of popular music from the past 70 years at The Education Center’s lecture series. Featured artists will include Johnny Mathis, Connie Francis, Pat Boone and Allan Sherman.
Jazz Under the Stars
6 p.m. at Waterside Park, 1560 Lakefront Drive, Sarasota
Free
Visit LakewoodRanch.com.
The February event of the new Sights and Sounds cultural series at Waterside Place features The Out-of-Door Academy students. Seating is limited.
“Jagged Little Pill,” based on the life and music of Canadian rocker Alanis Morisette, comes to the Van Wezel Tuesday, Feb. 27.
‘Jagged Little Pill’
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$80-$110
Visit VanWezel.org.
In the 1990s, Canadian songwriter/musician Alanis Morissette was a leading practitioner of angry girl rock, baring her soul about being dumped by a lover and being preyed upon by an older man who could make or break her musical career. Morisette’s brutal honesty and enduring music is front and center in the musical, “Jagged LIttle Pill.”
New Orleans Jazz Night
8 p.m. at The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key
$25; members $20
Visit TBIEducationCenter.org.
Kid Dutch returns to The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel with guest jazz artists.. Advance registration is recommended.
Wednesday, Feb. 28
Chamber Music, Matthew Graybil, Chopin and His World
10:30 a.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St., Sarasota
Free with registration
Visit SarasotaMusicArchive.org.
There’s a whole lot of Chopin goin’ on in Sarasota this week as Sarasota Music Archive presents Matthew Graybil’s chamber music program of the great composer days after Lin Ye’s Artist Series Concerts performance of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1.
Sasha Andreev and Aneisa J. Hicks star in Lynn Nottage’s “Intimate Apparel,” which runs from Feb. 28 to April 18 at Asolo Rep.
‘Intimate Apparel’
8 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
$29-$75
Visit AsoloRep.org.
Written by Hermitage Fellow and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, “Intimate Apparel” tells the story of Black seamstress in the early 20th century.. Her correspondence leads to a marriage proposal from a foreign stranger while she pines for a Jewish shop owner who’s bound to another. Runs through April 18.