Hot Tickets

Music

Harmonies in Time and Space: Music and Architecture is the theme for this year's La Musica. The chamber music fest offers works by Bach (Goldberg Variations), Mozart (Quintet for Strings in C minor), Prokofiev (Quintet for Oboe, Clarinet, Violin, Viola and Double Bass) and Schubert (Quintet for Strings in C Major), among other composers, in concerts set for April 9, 12, 15, 21 and 23 at the Opera House. There are also lectures and panel discussions (April 10 and 11, respectively) on the festival's subject; for complete ticket and schedule info call 366-8450.

Talks

If you're new to Sarasota and curious about the city's visual arts tradition, there's no better place to find out more than the Sarasota County Arts Council's next smARTtalk, at 11 a.m. April 8 at Michael's on East. Co-authors and longtime arts observers Pat Buck, Marcia Corbino and Kevin Dean will team to discuss their new book, A History of Visual Art in Sarasota; the council's Su Byron will moderate. Luncheon, too; call 365-5118.

Art

Hodgell Gallery. On view through April 3: glass sculpture by Martin Rosol. Information: 366-1146.

L'Attitude Gallery. Paintings by Mary Cameron through April 3. Opening April 4 to run through May 1: a ceramic invitational featuring artists from around the world. Information: 373-0767.

Palm Avenue Gallery. On view this month: acrylics by Kurt Larisch, along with glass, sculpture and prints by other artists. Information: 953-5757.

Art Center Sarasota. Continuing through April 12: A Soul's Quest, digital symbolist paintings by Serge Polakoff, as well as works by Richard Oxley and Kathleen Piunti. Opening April 16 to run through May 3: the North County Public Schools Exhibition. Information: 365-2032.

Tampa Museum of Art. Magna Grecia: The Greeks in Italy, offering Greek vase painting and sculpture, continues through April 20. Information: (813) 274-8130.

Longboat Key Center for the Arts. On view this month is a student exhibition, through April 26. Jazz concerts are also set for 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. April 8. Information: 383-2345.

Ringling Museum of Art. Of Hands and Fire: Masterpieces of Chinese Ceramics from the Koger Collection continues through April 27 in the West Galleries. Information: 359-5700.

Museum of Fine Arts. Continuing at the St. Petersburg Museum through April 27 is Little Luxuries: Baby Rattles and Teethers from the 18th to the 20th Century. Opening April 6 to run through June 15: The Power and Passion of Dance: The Carol Halsted Dance Photography Collection, which includes works by Stieglitz, Steichen, Weston and Annie Liebowitz. Information: (727) 896-2667.

Venice Art Center. The Spring Members' Show ends April 23 and is followed by an exhibition of art from South Sarasota County's public school students, April 20-May 16. Information: 485-7136.

Salvador Dali Museum. The Shape of Color: Joan Miro's Painted Sculpture continues through May 4 at the St. Petersburg museum. Information: (727) 823-3767.

Orlando Museum of Art. Constructed Realities: Contemporary Photography features cutting-edge work by top shutterbugs including Cindy Sherman, Laurie Simmons and David Levinthal. Through May 18. Information: (407) 896-4231.

Sarasota Season of Sculpture. Large-scale sculpture remain on view along Sarasota's downtown bayfront, through May 31. Information: 331-2008.

Apple & Carpenter Galleries. The galleries' spring exhibition offers American and European Paintings from 1850-1950, through April 30. Information: 951-2314.

Sarasota County History Center. Legacy, an exhibit of fine art photographs by Arnold Berns highlighting the county's architectural history, continues through May 17. Information: 861-1180.

Selby Gallery. The Best of Ringling Annual Ringling School Student Exhibition fills the gallery beginning with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. April 4 and continuing through May 2. Information: 359-7563.

Missing Link Gallery. Objects from Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, as well as contemporary photography. Information: 366-6600.

Robert Wilson Galleries. Figurative works, still lifes, landscapes and marine scenes are specialties of this Main Street gallery. Information: 955-7709.

Santa Fe Trails Gallery. Works by wood turner Franck Johannessen are on view this month. Information: 954-1972.

Palm Avenue First Friday Walk. From 6 to 9 p.m. April 4. Information: 366-1146.

Burns Square First Friday Walk. Also from 6 to 9 p.m. April 4. Information: 954-0533.

Towles Court Third Friday Walk. From 6 to 10 p.m. April 18 in the artists' colony. Information: 955-0050.

Children

Kidsfair. Entertainment, martial arts demonstrations, face painting, games, snacks and more, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 6 at Robarts Arena. Sponsored by the Flanzer Jewish Community Center. Information: 378-5568, ext. 224.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Entertainment Series. The Manatee Community College Foundation and The Patchwork Players team to present Wind in the Willows, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. April 26 at Neel Auditorium. Information: 752-5390.

Comedy

McCurdy's Comedy Theater. Performers this month include Jimmy Walker (April 2-6); Jay Scott Holman (April 9-13); Ron Feingold (April 16-20); and Brad Sherwood (April 23-27). Information: 925-FUNY.

Carrot Top. The redhead returns to town, at 7 p.m. April 12 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Dance

Limon Dance Company. The acclaimed company whirls its way into the Van Wezel. at 8 p.m. April 17. Information: 953-3368.

Sarasota Ballet of Florida. Robert de Warren's choreography, set to music by David Goldstein, highlights Gigabyte, at 8 p.m. April 25, and 2 and 8 p.m. April 26, 27 and 28 at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. Information: 351-8000.

Miscellaneous

Sarasota Sailor Circus. The youth circus continues performances through April 5 at its arena on Bahia Vista. Information: 361-6350.

South Florida Museum. Treasures: Silver and the Age of Opulence continues on view through April 27. Included are 100 pieces of decorative silver from flatware and spoons to boxes, cups and more. Information: 746-4131.

Florida Heritage Festival. The annual celebration in Manatee County offers a seafood festival, April 4-6; the DeSoto Bottle Boat Regatta, April12; a children's parade, April 18; the musical and fashion show and Easter egg hunt, both April 19; and the grand parade, April 27. Information: 747-1998.

Sunset Stroll on the Circle. Entertainment, food and wine tastings and more, from 6 to 9 p.m. April 11 on St. Armands Circle. Information: 388-1554.

Sarasota Bromeliad Society Show and Sale. Exhibits, sales, food, and a rare plant auction, April 11-13 at Selby Gardens. Information: 955-7531 or 358-4953.

Music

Apprentice Artists in Opera Scenes. The Sarasota Opera's Apprentice Artists get a chance to shine, at 8 p.m. April 1 at the Opera House. Information: 366-8450.

Macbeth. The Sarasota Opera concludes its season with a presentation of the original version of the Verdi opera, at 7:30 p.m. April 2. Information: 366-8450.

Sarasota Concert Association. The Atlanta Symphony and pianist Andre Watts perform at 8 p.m. April 3 at the Van Wezel. Part of a subscription series, but return tickets are usually available the night of the performance. Information: 955-0040.

Florida West Coast Symphony Masterworks Concerts. Pianist Christopher Riley joins the orchestra, at 8 p.m. April 4 at Neel Auditorium and 2:30 and 8 p.m. April 5 at the Van Wezel. On the program: Ravel's Piano Concerto in G and Mussorgky/Ravel's Pictures at an Exhibition. Information: 953-3434.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Pianist Watts again performs with the orchestra, at 8 p.m. April 4 at the Van Wezel. On the program: Brahms' Symphony No. 1. Information: 953-3368.

Sandy Duncan Celebrates Broadway. Songs from great shows like Singin' in the Rain and Gypsy, performed by Duncan and company, at 8 p.m. April 6 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Selby Gardens Sunday Afternoon Outdoor Garden Music Series. Live outdoor music featuring professional local musicians, at 1 p.m. April 6, 13, 20 and 27 at the gardens. Information: 366-5731.

Paul Anka. Anka's back, at 8 p.m. April 7 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Casual Classics/Concert Lite/Enchanted Evening. Duke, King and Count: Jazz Aristocrats is the theme for this month's Florida West Coast Symphony concerts, with selections (naturally) from Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Nat "King" Cole. At 7:30 p.m. April 10, 5:30 p.m. April 11, and 8 p.m. April 12, at Holley Hall. Information: 953-3434.

Gloria Musicae. The choral ensemble performs with the Venice High Choir, at 7:30 p.m. April 12 at the Venice-Nokomis Methodist Church. Information: 954-4223.

Evening Under the Stars. The Venice Symphony sets up their instruments outdoors for this event, at 8 p.m. April 12 at Manatee Community College's South Campus. Information: 752-5398 or 408-1418.

Florida Orchestra with Roger Williams. The orchestra makes its Van Wezel debut with pianist Williams, at 8 p.m. April 13. Information: 953-3368.

Jazz Club of Sarasota Members' Concert. Vocalist Judy Roberts and saxophonist Greg Fishman team up, at 8 p.m. April 13 at the Opera House. Information: 366-1552.

Sarasota Folk Club. The club offers an Old Time Folk Jam at 7:30 p.m. April 17 at 1625 Vereda Verde Way and its monthly Sailing Squadron Concert at 8:30 p.m. April 28 with Carla Ulbrich (open mike at 7:15 p.m.). Information: 377-9256.

Smooth Jazz on St. Armands. A "Fourth Friday with Style" event on the circle, with the Eric Darius Quartet performing. From 6 to 9 p.m. April 25. Information: 388-1554.

Sarasota Concert Band. The band again joins with the city to Celebrate Sarasota, this time with a salute to the 1950s. At 8 p.m. April 25 at Holley Hall. Information: 365-BAND.

Venice Symphony. The symphony closes out its seasons with pops concerts set for 8 p.m. April 25 and 4 and 8 p.m. April 26 at the Church of the Nazarene. Information: 488-1010.

Jose Feliciano and Arturo Sandoval. Latin rhythms and more from the guitar virtuoso and the master trumpeter, at 8 p.m. April 27 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Sports

Sarasota Clay Court Classic. Top female tennis pros compete for $140,000 in prize money through April 6 at The Meadows Country Club, while raising funds for charity as well. Information: 894-0040.

Sarasota Ski-A-Rees. Free water skiing shows at 2 p.m. April 6 and 13, near Ken Thompson Park on City Island. Information: 388-1666.

Sarasota Red Sox. Get ready for Florida State League baseball at Ed Smith Stadium starting this month. Information: 365-4460.

Talks

Ringling School Town Hall Today Series. Best-selling author and cultural observer Gail Sheehy (Passages, Hillary's Choice) finishes off the Town Hall season, appearing at 10:30 a.m. April 2 at the Van Wezel. Information: 925-1343.

Books & Coffee. Ian McEwan's book Atonement is reviewed by Dr. John Mellon, at 10:30 a.m. April 8 at Selby Public Library. For information call the Friends of Selby, 365-5228.

Art & Wine. New wines accompany new art by Ringling School students, at 6 p.m. April 10 at Selby Gallery. Information: 359-7652.

Tuesdays in the Tropics Fedder Science Lecture Series. Belize Zoo executive director Sharon Matola discusses Conservation in Belize with Regional and Global Importance, at 7 p.m. April 15 in Selby Gardens' Activities Center. Information: 366-5731.

Ringling School Library Association Art Lecture. Longtime arts writer Marcia Corbino discusses An Artist's Myths and Memories, at 10:30 a.m. April 21 in the school's lecture hall. Information: 925-1343.

Lettuce & Lectures. The Friends of Selby Library's other series this month offers The Dinner Party, with Pine View students depicting different international authors interacting. At 7 p.m. April 24 at Selby Public Library. Information: 365-5228.

Theater

Brighton Beach Memoirs. Neil Simon's affectionate look back at his youth ends its run on the Asolo mainstage April 5. Information: 351-8000.

A Streetcar Named Desire. Continuing through April 6 at Theatre Works. Information: 952-9170.

Dirty Blonde. Claudia Shear's piece about two Mae West fans who come together continues through April 12 at Florida Studio Theatre. Information: 366-9000.

Nunsense II. Find out what Dan Goggin's singing, dancing nuns are up to now, through April 13 at the Venice Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. Information: 484-7711.

Kiss Me, Kate. Cole Porter's perennial about love and the theater runs through May 4 at the Sarasota Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. Information: 366-5454.

The Corn is Green. A determined woman sets out to change life for one young man in a small Welsh mining town, through May 24 at the Asolo. Information: 351-8000.

Filumena. A crafty woman sets out to snare her longtime lover in marriage in this comedy-drama set in Naples-Italy, that is. Through May 24 at the Asolo. Information: 351-8000.

The Philadelphia Story. The sparkler about Tracy Lord's wedding day problems continues through May 25 at the Asolo. Information: 351-8000.

Who's on First? A cabaret revue highlighting songs and comedy from those good old vaudeville days. Through May 31 at Florida Studio Theatre's Goldstein Cabaret. Information: 366-9000.

The Taffetas. It's back to the '50s with a girl group from Indiana in this revue conceived by Rick Lewis. Onstage at Venice Little Theatre April 1-19. Information: 488-1115.

Little Shop of Horrors. Seymour, Audrey and that villainous plant are all onstage, April 3-13 at the Players of Sarasota. Information: 365-2494.

Camelot. The Lerner-Loewe musical that preserves the Arthurian legend runs April 3-20 at the Manatee Players Riverfront Theatre. Information: 748-5875.

How the Other Half Loves. The Alan Ayckbourn comedy set in two couples' living rooms, April 16 through May 18 at the Venice Golden Apple. Information: 484-7711.

The Heiress. Henry James' story of an unloved, wealthy young woman, her cold father, and her untrustworthy suitor, April 9-27 in the Asolo's Cook Theatre, in an FSU/Asolo Conservatory production. Information: 351-8000.

Saturday Night Fever. Stayin' alive, stayin' alive..still struttin' and singin', at 8 p.m. April 10 and 11 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Denial. How far would you go to defend the right of free speech? That's one of the questions raised in this drama about a man who denies the Holocaust ever happened. April 10-19 at Venice Little Theatre's Stage II. Information: 488-1115.

Sea Marks. V. Craig Heidenreich and Tessie Hogan star in this love story by Gardner McKay, set on a remote Irish island. April 11-27 at Theatre Works, in a Banyan Theatre Company production. Information: 952-9170.

The Next Marilyn. Playwright Lynne Kaufman's latest work premieres at Florida Studio Theatre, which has earlier presented her Shooting Simone and Fakes. This one's about a young film star poised to be the next screen sex goddess. It's onstage April 15-June 7. Information: 366-9000.

Barrage. Fun with fiddles and feet in this stage spectacular, at 3 and 8 p.m. April 26 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

42nd Street. They're tapping away in this classic musical, April 29-May 3 at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Information: (800) 955-1045.

Over the River and Through the Woods. This very popular heartwarmer about a young Italian man and his clinging grandparents runs April 30-May 18 at the Lemon Bay Playhouse. Information: 475-6756.