Art

ArtCenter Sarasota. Continuing on view through Oct. 11: the Sarasota Centennial Celebration, offering a juried photography competition on City Life & Its Buildings and oil and watercolor paintings of 1940s' and '50s' Sarasota scenes. Opening Oct. 21 to continue through Nov. 15: a national invitational honoring the legacy of Hilton Leech and a Fall Members Show. Reception 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 23. Information: 365-2032.

Katharine Butler Gallery. On view through Oct. 11 at the Towles Court gallery: works by Butler, Richard Hora, Howard Cowdrick, Ronn T. Mattia, Patrick Farrow, Frederic Murphy, Larry Forgard, Marina Preston, David Gonya, David Zapata, Jill Hoffman and Noreen Zapata. Opening Oct. 14 to run through Nov. 15: an exhibition highlighting works by Hora and Mattia. A reception is set for 6 p.m. Oct. 17. And by the way, in cooperation with the Sarasota County Arts Council, the gallery presents Herald-Tribune music critic Richard Storm, Oct. 1, and arts columnist Charlie Huisking, Oct. 8, as speakers. For more info call 955-4546.

Tampa Museum of Art. Voices from Our Communities: Highlights from El Museo del Barrio's Permanent Collection continues through Oct. 19 here, featuring 100 works of art from pre-Columbian to contemporary Latino. Information: (813) 274-8130.

Museum of Asian Art. Continuing through Oct. 24: Focus: Asia-An Exhibition of Important 19th-Century Photographs. Information: 952-0666.

Selby Gallery. Continuing through Nov. 1: the annual Ringling School faculty show. Information: 359-7563.

Salvador Dali Museum. Continuing through Nov. 9: Galuchka, a selection of images of Dali's Russian wife Gala plus prints and oils by the artist celebrating his wife. Also on view: Imaginary Gardens: Fontcuberta Mapping Dali, an installation show up through Jan. 4. Information: (727) 823-3767.

Palm Avenue Gallery. Potter Don Michael Williams' fall harvest series is highlighted Oct. 1-31. Information: 953-5757.

Galleria Silecchia. A season preview show offers Impressionist landscapes by William Berra, Surrealistic oils by Homero Aguilar and bronze sculpture by Glenna Goodacre. Information: 365-7414.

Longboat Key Center for the Arts. Opening with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 3 is the Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society Exhibition, running through Oct. 31 in the Durante Gallery. A Members' Gallery exhibition is also on view Oct. 1-Nov. 23, while Fast Moving Creatures by Kay Curtis fill the Glen Gallery Oct. 1-30. Information: 383-2345.

Palm Avenue First Friday Walk. Live entertainment and gallery browsing, from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 3 along the artsy avenue. Information: 373-9660.

Venice Art Center. An exhibition of digital art is set to run Oct. 6-28 (reception Oct. 3). Also on view: acrylic paintings by Linda Larisch. Information: 485-7136.

Towles Court Third Friday Gallery Walk. Stroll the artists' colony from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 17. Information: 362-0960.

Ringling Museum of Art. Margaret Bourke-White: The Photography of Design, 1927-1936, explores the work of acclaimed photographer Bourke-White in the years before she was hired by Life magazine. On view Oct. 25-Jan. 4, in the West Galleries. Information: 359-5700.

Children

Cinderella. Another retelling of the classic tale about the downtrodden girl who marries up, Oct. 17-Nov. 2, in a Theatre for Young People presentation at Venice Little Theatre. Information: 488-1115.

Saturday Mornings for Kids. The Florida West Coast Symphony and the Van Wezel present a special "spooktacular" post-Halloween performance aimed at the younger set, at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 1 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Comedy

McCurdy's Comedy Theatre. Turning on the laughs this month are master hypnotist Gary Conrad (Oct. 1-5), McCurdy's Comedy Players' Improv (Oct. 8 and 9, as well as Oct. 15 and 16), Richard Lewis (Oct. 10-12), Raphie May (Oct. 17-19), Brad Reeder (Oct. 22-26) and Uncle Dow Thomas (Oct. 29-Nov. 2). Information: 925-3869.

Dance

Sarasota Ballet of Florida. Miami's Maximum Dance Company, just back from Europe, performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 10 and at 2 and 8 p.m. Oct. 11 and 12 at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. Information: 351-8000.

Miscellaneous

St. Armands Circle. The circle presents several events this month, including the seventh annual Classic Antique Car Show, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 4 and the annual Fall Sidewalk and 15th annual St. Armands Art Festival, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 11 and 12. Information: 388-1554.

Hands of Heritage Multicultural Festival. The final event in the yearlong celebration of Sarasota's centennial, Oct. 17 and 18 at Robarts Arena. For more info call 366-6646.

Light the Night. A fund-raiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, featuring a walk along Sarasota's Bayfront Park Oct. 25. Information: (813) 963-6461.

Wildlife Safari-Fest. There'll be boat rides, kid stuff, animals and artists among the attractions for this event at the Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary, Oct. 25 and 26. For complete info call 388-4444.

We Are Family. Forty Carrots Family Center celebrates 10 years with a free two-day event, Oct. 26 and 27, that offers entertainment, kids' games, arts and crafts, and more. Educator, parenting expert and author Mary Sheedy Kurcinka will present Challenging Behaviors: Helping Your Child be Successful at evening workshops Oct. 27 at Sudakoff Hall; on Oct. 26 a reunion for all Forty Carrots participants from 1993 to 2003 will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Center on Tuttle Avenue. For more info call 365-7716.

Music

Casual Classics/Concert Lite/Enchanted Evening. The Florida West Coast Symphony kicks off this series of Great Escapes concerts with Under the Big Top, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 3 and 8 p.m. Oct. 4, at Holley Hall. Expect Baby Elephant Walk, Carnival of the Animals, and more circus-related selections. Information: 953-3434.

Sarasota Folk Music Festival. The Crowley Museum and Nature Center and folk and acoustic artists from the Sarasota Folk Club team for this first-ever event, set for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 4 on the museum grounds in Old Miakka. Strummers, singers and storytellers will perform; bring your own chairs or blankets. For ticket info call 322-1000.

Friday Fest. The last of the season at Van Wezel features Fred Johnson, as well as food, a bayfront setting and arts and crafts vendors. From 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 10. Information: 953-3368.

Florida Brass Quintet. The quintet entertains with pieces by Turner, De Falla and Mussorgsky, among others, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at Holley Hall. Information: 953-3434.

New Artists Piano Quartet. In concert at 4 p.m. Oct. 12 at Holley Hall with works by Mozart and Strauss. Information: 953-3434.

Sarasota Folk Club. The club offers an Old Time Folk Jam at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at 1625 Vereda Verde and the monthly concert at the Sailing Squadron, featuring Tom and Chris Kastle, at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 27(open mike at 7:15 p.m.). Information: 377-9256.

Florida Wind Quintet. An evening of music by Szervansky, Maslanka and Agay, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at Holley Hall. Information: 953-3434.

Florida String Quartet and Friends. Settle in for an afternoon of Beethoven, Puccini and Walton, at 4 p.m. Oct. 19 at Holley Hall. Information: 953-3434.

Sing-Along Wizard of Oz. Here's my chance to prove I really do know all the words to every song! Audiences are invited to dress up as their favorite Oz characters and get into the spirit in this interactive tribute to the 1939 MGM classic, at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Composer's Series: Heroic Beethoven. This Florida West Coast Symphony offering presents pianist Brian Ganz at 8 p.m. Oct. 23 (Piano Concerto No. 3, Symphony No. 3, Eroica) and Oct. 25 (Egmont Overture, Piano Concerto No. 5, Emperor). Both concerts are at the Sarasota Opera House. Information: 953-3434.

Average White Band and Tower of Power. AWB is back, with contemporary band Tower of Power, forming a group the Hollywood Reporter recently called "tighter than a clenched fist." At 8 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Gloria Musicae. The choral ensemble begins a celebration of its 25th anniversary with A Silver Songfest, at 4 p.m. Oct. 26 at Holley Hall. WUSF's Mary Diana narrates this musical retrospective. Information: 954-4223.

An Evening with Randy Travis. Multi-award-winning country star Travis brings his twang to the Van Wezel at 7 p.m. Oct. 26. Information: 953-3368.

George Benson. Smooth singer Benson returns to the Van Wezel, at 8 p.m. Oct. 29. Information: 953-3368.

The Moody Blues. Will there be Nights in White Satin when the Moodies bring their sound to the Van Wezel? Find out at 8 p.m. Oct. 30. Information: 953-3368.

Vienna Symphony Orchestra. Music director Vladimir Fedoseyev and guest violinist Nikolaj Znaider bring Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 3 to the Van Wezel, at 8 p.m. Oct. 31. Also on the bill: Schubert's Symphony No. 3 in D Major and Beethoven's Eroica. Information: 953-3368.

Sarasota Bluesfest. Dig the blues at this year's fest, Nov. 1 at the fairgrounds. On the bill are John Mayall, Coco Montoya, Delta Moon and Solomon Burke; tickets are available at Ticketmaster locations, the fairgrounds, the Five O'Clock Club and Rossiter's Harley-Davidson in Sarasota and Bradenton.

Get Back! The Cast of Beatlemania. Forty years after the Beatles burst onto the American scene, the fans are still screaming. This re-creation of their hit sound takes to the Van Wezel stage at 8 p.m. Nov. 1. Information: 953-3368.

Mary Chapin Carpenter. Get primed to hear Carpenter perform with Patty Griffin, Dar Williams and Shawn Colvin, at 7 p.m. Nov. 2. Information: 953-3368.

Sports

Camp Florida Fish Tales Golf Tournament. At press time, tentatively set for this month; call 921-9182 for the latest.

Memory Walk. To benefit the Alzheimer's Association; set for Oct. 18 at the Lido Beach Pavilion. To participate call 365-8883.

American Heart Walk. It's the month for health walks; this one, at Siesta Key Beach and at G.T. Bray Park in Bradenton, takes place Oct. 25. Call 927-4997 for more details.

The Legends Golf Tournament. Along with the golf, there'll be a dinner, auctions and live music to aid the Greater Sarasota Junior Golf Association, Oct. 25 at Laurel Oak Country Club. For more information call 366-0445.

Gettel Mitsubishi Charity Golf Classic. Coming up Nov. 2 at Laurel Oak; call 952-5836 to learn more.

Talks

Lettuce & Lectures. Linda McKee of the Ringling Museum and colleague David Turner present Collectible Books: Finding Gold in Your Library, at noon Oct. 29 at Selby Public Library. Information: 365-5228.

Theater

Nunsense II. The sequel to Dan Goggin's perpetual hit about those Hoboken nuns continues through Nov. 9 at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. Information: 366-5454.

H.M.S. Pinafore. Gilbert and Sullivan's merry mixup involving Ralph, Josephine and Little Buttercup sets sails at the Players of Sarasota, Oct. 2-12. Information: 365-2494.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. A new Broadway musical centering on Twain's ingenious hero, Oct. 2-19 at the Manatee Players Riverfront Theatre. Information: 748-5875.

The Nerd. Larry Shue's comedy about Willum, who's eternally grateful to Rick for saving his life in Vietnam-until he meets him. Onstage at the Island Players Oct. 2-12. Information: 778-5755.

Arsenic and Old Lace. Aunts Abby and Martha are still mixing up that lethal elderberry wine in this comedy classic, this time down at Venice Little Theatre, Oct. 7-25. Information: 488-1115.

Stomp. The international percussion sensation with the unusual rhythm makers returns to the Van Wezel, at 8 p.m. Oct. 14, 15 and 16. Information: 953-3368.

Starlight Express. A "reinvented" production of the roller-skating Andrew Lloyd Webber musical hit, onstage Oct. 28-Nov. 2 at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Information: (800) 955-1045.

A Shot in the Dark. You may remember this one as a Peter Sellers/Inspector Clouseau movie: a maid with a lover or two is accused of murder but declares she's innocent-so the investigation begins. Onstage Oct. 29-Nov. 16 at Lemon Bay Playhouse. Information: 475-6756.

Hello, Dolly! Jerry Herman's salute to the irrepressible Dolly Levi becomes a Players of Sarasota production, Oct. 30-Nov. 9. Information: 365-2494.

The Crucible. Arthur Miller's ever-timely classic about a witch hunt opens the Asolo Theatre's mainstage season-fittingly, perhaps, on Halloween. Continuing through Feb. 21. Information: 351-8000.