Calendar

Art

Venice Art Center. An exhibition featuring abstract work closes here Nov.1; it’s followed by an exhibition of photographer Clyde Butcher’s work, Nov. 6 through Dec. 20. (He’ll also give a lecture Nov. 20.) And a Christmas sale runs for the same dates. 485-7136.

Galleria Silecchia. Remaining on view through Nov. 6 is Paul Tamanian’s Fabulous Grind, offering mixed media, abstract painting and sculpture on aluminum by the artist. Next up, Nov. 7 through Dec. 4, is The Whimsey of Sainthood, featuring Joe McFadden’s original oils on canvas of classical and whimsical saints. 365-7414.

Selby Gallery. Continuing here through Nov. 8 is Part II of the Ringling College annual faculty exhibition, highlighting works by digital film, illustration, graphics, photography and digital imaging and liberal arts instructors. Opening with a reception at 5 p.m. Nov. 14: Traces: Contemporary Romanian Art, offering a look at pieces by artists who grew up under the regime of Ceausescu and are now creating cutting-edge work. Through Dec. 16. 359-7563.

Dabbert Gallery. Realism, Classical and Contemporary continues here through Nov. 29, offering works by Yugi Wang, William Suys and Ben F. Stahl, among others. 955-1315.

State of the Arts Gallery. Eye Candy, an exhibit spotlighting works of color and texture, continues on view throughout November. 955-2787.

Ringling Museum of Art. Continuing on view through Jan 4: Modern Masters of the Japanese Print: Tradition and Transformation, displaying shin hanga and sosaku hanga prints. Also on view, To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum, through Jan.11; and, opening Nov. 15 to run through Feb. 8, Fashioning Kimono: Art Deco and Modernism in Japan, featuring both kimono and vintage photographs placing the kimono in context. 359-5700.

Museum of Fine Arts. When Gold Blossoms: Indian Jewelry from the Susan L. Beningson Collection features rings, anklets, hair pendants, ivory combs and more, through Dec. 28 at the St. Petersburg museum. Also on view, through Nov. 30, the photo exhibit Ansel Adams and the American West. (727) 896-2667.

Art School, Gift and Framing Gallery of Colleen Cassidy-Berns. An exhibition of pet portraits on painted furniture and watercolor paintings continues here through Dec. 31. 924-1200.

Art Center Sarasota. The show Politics: Sex, Lies and Power? continues here through Jan. 3. 365-2032.

Salvador Dali Museum. Wilfredo Lam in North America, a retrospective of more than 60 works by the Cuban-born artist, continues through Jan. 10 at the St. Petersburg museum, as does a show concentrating on Myth in Dali’s Art. (727) 823-3767.

Downtown Venice Art Festival. More than 150 artists display their work in a variety of media, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 1 and 2 along West Venice Avenue

Art Uptown. The paintings of Palmetto artist Michael Dowd, who works in abstracts as well as sea and land scapes, are featured here Nov. 1-14, with a reception at 6 p.m. Nov. 7. 955-5409. 

Children

The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley. After young Stanley finds himself flattened by a bulletin board, he travels the world looking for a solution to his two-dimensional dilemma. Onstage at 1 and 4 p.m. Nov. 15 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Comedy

McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre. A full lineup of comics this month includes Walt Willey, Nov. 1; Chris Bliss, Nov. 5-9; James Gregory, Nov. 10; John “Hippieman” Novosad, Nov. 12-16; Taylor Mason, Nov. 23; and Andy Campbell, Nov. 28-30. 925-3869.

Dance

Compania Flamenco Jose Porcel. This company of dancers, singers and musicians arrives from Spain to perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 24 at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. 953-3368.

Sarasota Ballet. Checkmate, choreographed by Dame Ninette de Valois, Pineapple Poll, created by John Cranko to the music of Gilbert and Sullivan, and Balanchine’s Divertimento No. 15 are the company’s featured pieces this month, Nov. 28, 29 and 30 at the Sarasota Opera House. 351-8000.

Film

Monday Night Movies at the Ringling. In partnership with the Sarasota Film Festival, the series this month examines Franco-American relations with the movies A Little Romance, Nov. 3; French Cancan, Nov. 10; Charade, Nov. 17; and The Lovers, Nov. 24; all at 7 p.m. in the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

Cine-World Festival. This year’s run of top films from the Cannes, Tribeca and Toronto film fests commences with an opening night gala Nov. 7 at the Chelsea Center and continues through Nov. 13; screenings at downtown’s Burns Court Cinemas. 364-8662.

Miscellaneous

International Invitational Auto Show. St. Armands Circle

plays host to this Concours d’Elegance show, featuring antiques, classics and more from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 1 and 2. 388-1554.

Old Miakka Fall Festival. Get ready for an old-fashioned hootenanny complete with barbecue, cake, local bands and activities for kids, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 2 on the Old Miakka Schoolhouse grounds. No charge to attend, but it’s a fund raiser for renovations to the historic 1914 schoolhouse, and there will be a silent auction, vendors, etc. 322-8852.

Rose Day. The Bradenton-Sarasota Rose Society celebrates its 50th anniversary with a show Nov. 8 at the Ringling Museum of Art (home to Mable Ringling’s Rose Garden) that includes free classes, guided tours and roses for purchase. For more details, call 373-6454.

Bowls of Hope. Show up at Phillippi Estate Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 9, taste a variety of delicious soups, and help benefit All Faiths Food Bank. 379-6333.

Efest Green Living Music & Arts Festival. A two-day environmentally themed event, Nov. 15 and 16 at the Sarasota Polo Club at Lakewood Ranch, that features exhibitors, music and dance performances, kids’ activities, food, panel discussions, an eco-art show and much more. For full details go to efest.us.

Great Teddy Bear Run. The 11th annual event, sponsored by the Sarasota Florida HOG (Harley Owners Group) Chapter, roars into the Shoppes at University Center parking lot starting the morning of Nov. 16; from there the parade heads to the Sarasota Fairgrounds, where a bike rodeo, live music, barbecue food and vendors greet the crowds. All to benefit KIDS by the SEA, serving children with cancer in our area; for more info call 749-1778 or visit rossiterharleydavidson.com.

Heritage Holidays at Historic Spanish Point. The buildings at the historic site will be deck out for the holidays beginning Nov. 22 and continuing through Jan. 2; there will also be living history dramas, boat rides, a family day Dec. 13, “Holiday Pups and the Point” Dec. 20, and a musical Sunset Stroll Dec. 17. 966-5214.

Music

Sarasota Bluesfest. The annual fest returns to Ed Smith Stadium on Nov. 1, with Bobby Rush, JJ Grey & Mofro, Bob Margolin and Diunna Greenleaf, Jason Ricci and New Blood and more. Gates open at 11 a.m. and the music begins at noon. For more info go to sarasotabluesfest.com.

Sarasota Orchestra Masterworks. Pianist Stewart Goodyear performs Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, at 8 p.m. Nov. 1 and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at Van Wezel. 953-3434.

Kirov Orchestra. Valery Gergiev leads the orchestra and pianist Alexei Volodin in a concert featuring Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 and works by Prokofiev, at 8 p.m. Nov. 7 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

The Barber of Seville. For the first time ever, the Sarasota Opera mounts a fully staged opera in the fall season, and it’s this perennial favorite by Rossini, with performances Nov. 7, 9, 12, 14 and 16. 366-8450.

Ditchfield Family Singers. The troupe presents “Songs of America” Nov. 7, 8 and 9 at the Players Theatre. 365-2494.

Shelly Berg. Pianist-composer-arranger Berg brings his trio to the Jazz Club of Sarasota’s Nov. 8 concert; 7:30 p.m. at Holley Hall. 366-1552.

New Music New College. Hear experimental music performed by New College students, at 8 p.m. Nov. 8 at College Hall. 487-4155.

Sarasota Pops: An American Songbook. Soprano Deborah Ann Polkingham and baritone Daniel Cartlidge join the orchestra for works ranging from Porgy and Bess to Annie Get Your Gun, at 3 p.m. Nov. 9 at Church of the Palms. 926-7677.

Rain: The Beatles Experience. A multimedia production, featuring musicians channeling John, Paul, George and Ringo at various stages of their Beatles career, at 8 p.m. Nov. 12 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Mannheim Steamroller. Get in the mood for the holidays a little early with this popular group and its brand of “18th-century classical rock,” at 8 p.m. Nov. 16 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Artist Series of Sarasota. Join soprano Hein Jung and pianist Grigorios Zamparas for performances of works by Debussy and Strauss, along with Mozart’s Queen of the Night. At 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 and 18 at the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

Cocktails at the Ca d’Zan. Live music and refreshments from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 20, featuring the Boneshakers. 359-5700.

Key Chorale. The choral ensemble, with the Sarasota Film Society and the Sarasota Opera, presents Voices of Light, an oratorio by Richard Einhorn that will be sung to Carl Dreyer’s classic silent film, The Passion of Joan of Arc. At 2:30 p.m. Nov. 23 at the Sarasota Opera House. Also this month, the ensemble celebrates American music in France with a concert at 4 p.m. Nov. 2 at Church of the Palms. 921-4845.

Lumiri Tubo: A Tribute to Nat King Cole. The actress and cabaret singer interprets the works of the late, great Cole, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23 and 25 in the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

Big Band Bash. A Jazz Club of Sarasota event from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 29 at Phillippi Estate Park, featuring music from the Ken Loomer Band and the Bay Band, with food and drink available. 366-1552.

Sarasota Choral Society: Messiah. The ensemble presents its 64^th annual production of Handel’s masterwork, Nov. 30 at Church of the Palms. 343-9894.

Dave Koz. The popular smooth jazz sax man returns to the Van Wezel at 7 p.m. Nov. 30. 953-3368.

Sports

2008 Invitational Regatta. More than 60 boats are expected to participate in this 12-mile race in the Gulf of Mexico, to benefit the Wellness Community of Southwest Florida. The Sarasota Yacht Club hosts the event, which begins Nov. 7 with a party, followed by the race and an awards ceremony the next day. For more information go to sarasotayachtclub.org.

Sarasota Opera Second Annual Golf Tournament. Hit the high notes as you hit the golf balls at the Founders Club, Nov. 10; for more information call 366-8450.

Ringling College of Art and Design Annual Golf Tournament. Another chance to play 18 holes for a cause, this one takes place Nov. 11 at The Concession Golf Club. 351-5100.

All-Star Children’s Foundation Celebrity Gala & Golf Tournament. Among the attractions at this weekend event: a golf clinic by PGA Champions tour pro Jim Thorpe, prior to celebs teeing off at the Longboat Key Club Harborourside Golf course. There’s much more going on Nov. 21 and 22 at the Longboat Key Club and Resort; call 312-9049.

Talks

Stewart O’Nan. Writer O’Nan discusses his new book Songs for the Missing in the Ringling Museum’s guest author series, at 7 p.m. Nov. 12 in the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

Ringling Spotlight Series. The museum also presents this series, which examines the music of art and the genius of Dame Ninette de Valois at 7 p.m. Nov. 13; Art and Opera: No One Expects the Spanish Inquisition, 9:30 a.m. Nov. 14; and Fashioning Kimonos, 9:30 a.m. Nov. 21. 358-3180.

Theater

Bye Bye Birdie. The musical comedy hit featuring songs like Put on a Happy Face and Kids ends its run Nov. 2 at the Players Theatre. 365-2494.

The Giver. An adaptation of Lois Lowry’s young adult book about one special boy who’s chosen to retain a town’s memories, through Nov. 8 in an Asolo Rep production in the Historic Asolo Theater. 351-8000.

Barnum. Run away to the circus with this musical retelling of P.T. Barnum’s life as a showman, playing Nov. 15 through Dec. 20 to open the Asolo Rep season. 351-8000.

Hank Williams: Lost Highway. The ups and downs of the late great country songwriter’s life are portrayed in this hit-filled show, onstage through Nov. 16 at the Manatee Players Riverfront Theatre. 748-5875.

Golddiggers of 1633. This musical retelling of a classic Moliere comedy involving dirty old men, conniving golddiggers and young lovers continues through Nov. 22 at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. 366-5454.

A Murder, A Mystery and A Marriage. A musical adaptation of a Mark Twain short story involving a greedy farmer, his marriageable daughter, and a mysterious Frenchman. Continuing on Florida Studio Theatre’s mainstage through Nov. 26 (or thereabouts, as Twain might say). 366-9000.

Steppin’ Out. FST also offers this month a celebration of Irving Berlin hits, including Puttin’ On the Ritz, Cheek to Cheek and more. In FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, throughout November. 366-9000.

Wilder! Wilder! Wilder! Playwright Thornton Wilder gets his due with this presentation of five of his one-act plays, opening Nov. 5 in an FSU/Asolo Conservatory production in the Cook Theatre; runs through Nov. 23. 351-8000.

Nickel and Dimed. A stage version of Barbara Ehrenreich’s book, which took the writer to the world of minimum wage work—and the difficulty of surviving in it. Playing Nov. 6-23 at Venice Theatre’s Stage II. 488-1115.

The Producers. The Mel Brooks megahit brings Leo and Max and, of course, Springtime for Hitler to the Venice Theatre stage in its Florida regional company premiere, Nov. 11 through Dec. 7. 488-1115.

House of Blue Leaves. John Guare’s acclaimed play about a man’s unlikely dream of becoming a songwriter takes the stage Nov. 18-23 at the Players Theatre, part of the company’s SNAP (Something New At Players) program. 365-2494.

La Cage aux Folles. The best of times is now for lovers of this Jerry Herman hit about two longtime gay partners who attempt to pull off a version of the straight life when the son of one of them becomes engaged to a narrow-minded politician. Onstage Nov. 25 through Jan. 18 at the Golden Apple. 366-5454.

Nunsense. Sally Struthers heads the cast of this ever popular romp through parochial school days with the Little Sisters of Hoboken, onstage at 8 p.m. Nov. 28, 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 29 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.