Art

Art Uptown: Continuing on view through March 5: wood vessels by Gordon Cook and watercolors and still life compositions by Jacquie Clark. Information: 955-5409.

Katharine Butler Gallery. Continuing through March 13: Vanishing Florida, featuring paintings and photographs of Florida landscapes and endangered ecosystems by David and Norine Zapata. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Sierra Club, and Sierra Club rep Ginger Perlman and gallery owner Katharine Butler will present a talk on Art and the Environment at 6 p.m. March 3. Information: 955-4546.

Art Center Sarasota. Continuing through March 14: the Winter Members' Show. Running March 8-13: Artists Helping Artists. And coming up March 19-April 15: Jack Dowd & Friends, featuring sculpture by the Sarasota artist, and the American Pen Women exhibition. Information: 365-2032.

Plum Door Art Studios and Gallery. On view through March 16: A Month in Bali, paintings and monotypes by Patricia Gawle. Information: 362-0960.

Selby Gallery. Ronald Bladen: From Expressionism to Minimalism continues through March 27. Information: 359-7563.

Galleria Silecchia. Continuing through March 31: limited edition bronzes by William Morris. Opening March 1 to continue through April 15: the Art Glass Invitational, featuring works by Hiroshi Yamano, Flo Perkins, Nick Mount, Duncan McClellan, Debra May, Joseph Rossano, Barry Sautner and others. Also: an introduction to the works of American Realist and Impressionist oil painter William Whittaker. Information: 365-7414.

Tampa Museum of Art. Selections from the Neuberger Berman Corporate collection remain on view through April 11. Information: (813) 274-8130.

Ringling Museum of Art. Continuing through April 25: Renaissance to Rococo: Masterpieces from the Collection of the Wadsworth Atheneum of Art. Information: 359-5700.

Museum of Fine Arts. Chihuly Across Florida: Masterworks in Glass, continues to present Dale Chihuly's glass sculptures at the St. Petersburg museum, through May 30. Information: (727) 896-2667.

Salvador Dali Museum. Dali Centennial: The American Collection continues with a retrospective of the museum's permanent collection, through Sept. 19. Information: (727) 823-3767.

Museum of Asian Art. Between Heaven and Earth: A Reflection of Family Life in China, continues through Sept. 24. Also, Dr. Joseph Chang discusses contemporary Chinese art at 5:30 p.m. March 4 at Selby Library. Information: 952-0666.

Mira Mar Gallery. New works by Leslie Lerner (paintings and drawings) are on view this month. Information: 366-2093.

Missing Link Gallery. On view this month: pieces from the African collection of ritual and traditional sculptures, pre-Columbian ceramics from Latin America, historic African storage vessels, and Chinese antiquities. Information: 366-6600.

Sonnet Gallery. Passion features still life paintings by Margarita Deleuze this month at the Main Street Gallery. Information: 955-6443.

Longboat Key Center for the Arts. Jazz concerts enliven the center at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. March 2. Also this month: the Annual Student Exhibition, March 7-28 (reception 5 to 7 p.m. March 7), and Trilogy in Glass, featuring works by Len Vincenti, Laura Vincenti and Jacqueline Colley in the Glen Gallery (reception 5 to 7 p.m. March 19, to run through April 7). Coming March 31: the Members' Gallery Exhibition. Information: 383-2345.

Palm Avenue First Friday Walk. From 6 to 9 p.m. March 5. Information: 373-9660.

Venice Art Center. A Face & Figure Exhibition, with works in all media, runs March 8-30, while the pottery, oil paintings and monotypes of Kathleen McDonald are highlighted in the Salon Show. The art center also plans a fashion show/luncheon March 25 at Plantation Golf & Country Club; for more info call 485-7136.

Towles Court Third Friday Gallery Walk. From 6 to 10 p.m. March 19. Information: 362-0690.

Children

Comedy Pet Theatre. A Vegas-style cat-and-dog act entertains kids and their parents, at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. March 27 at Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Comedy

Mark Russell. There's always plenty of material for political satirist Russell to work with; he'll offer his latest thoughts at 8 p.m. March 8 at Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Sarasota Comedy Festival. Along with headliner Joan Rivers, this year's festival offers its usual contingent of cartoonists at the Cartoon Classic Gala March 18, plus the Funnybones Luncheon March 15 at Michael's On East, and more, all to benefit the Child Protection Center. For complete info 365-1277, ext. 118.

Stars of Saturday Night Live. Joe Piscopo, Kevin Nealon and Victoria Jackson revive those Saturday night memories, at 8 p.m. March 28 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Dance

Moscow Festival Ballet. The dance company presents Prokofiev's Cinderella, at 8 p.m. March 5 at the Van Wezel. A Curtain Call discussion precedes the performance. Information: 953-3368.

Sarasota Ballet of Florida. The company presents its production of Camille, at 8 p.m. March 19, and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. March 20 and 21 at the Van Wezel. Information: 351-8000.

Film

Chinese Film Festival. Screenings from the Orient, at 5 and 7:30 p.m. March 19 at the Players Theatre. Information: 365-2494.

Miscellaneous

South Florida Museum. Lewis & Clark Botanical Discoveries: Illustrations by Charlotte Staub Thomas ends March 7 in the Bradenton Museum's South Gallery. Information: 746-4131.

Sarasota County Fair. The 68th annual fair promises "More to Explore in 2004," and we're guessing that means more than just those yummy elephant ears. On tap March 12-21 at the fairgrounds. Information: 365-0818.

Festival of Jewish Food. Sample the matzohs and more, from 7 to 10 p.m. March 13 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 14 on the Kobernick-Anchin campus. Original works of art, live entertainment, and a kid's corner, too. Information: 371-4546.

Florida West Coast Symphony Association Designer Showcase. Seagrove, on Siesta Key, continues on view through March 21; call 953-4252 for ticket information.

Creators and Collectors Studio Home Tour. The Fine Arts Society's annual glimpse into artists' homes, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 19 and 20. Tickets are available at the Van Wezel box office, all Davidson drugstores, the Venice Art Center, all DG Hardware stores, Joan Michlin Gallery and the Paper Pad in Sarasota and Venice.

Selby Gardens Spring Plant Fair. Start planning your garden, March 20-22 at Selby. Information: 366-5731.

Sarasota Architectural Foundation Living Legends Tour. The foundation celebrates the award-winning public and residential projects of architect Carl Abbott with an all-day tour March 21. For more details call 365-4723 or e-mail [email protected].

Ashley Avery's Collectables. The gift and collectable store welcomes back Tatiana Fabergé, last member of the famed jewelry-making family, March 21; for complete details call 366-3444.

Sarasota Sailor Circus. Watch those talented young circus performers, March 24-April 3 under the big blue tent on Bahia Vista. Information: 361-6350.

Music

Dukes of Dixieland. Enjoy that good old Dixieland music at 2 p.m. March 1 at the Players Theatre. Information: 953-3368.

Chopin's Birthday Celebration. Pianist Joyce Valentine and cellist Sasha von Dassow celebrate the master's birth with a concert at 8 p.m. March 1 at the Players Theatre. Information: 365-2494.

Werther. Massenet's haunting work based on Goethe's novel of doomed love. Onstage at 8 p.m. March 2, 4, 10, 13, and at 1:30 p.m. March 7 and 20 at the Opera House. Information: 366-8450.

The Magic Flute. Follow the trials of Tamino, Pamina and Papageno in Mozart's mix of music and comedy, at 8 p.m. March 3, 7, 19 and 26 and at 1:30 p.m. March 13 at the Opera House. Information: 366-8450.

Willie Nelson. Country legend Nelson entertains at 8 p.m. March 4 at Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Tosca. Stephanie Sundine directs, Victor DeRenzi conducts Puccini's masterpiece, at 8 p.m. March 5, 12, 18, 24 and 27 at the Opera House. Information: 366-8450.

Il Corsaro. The Sarasota Opera continues its Verdi Cycle with the composer's 1848 opera based on the poem by Lord Byron about a swashbuckling pirate, a pasha, and a beautiful woman. At 8 p.m. March 6, 9, 11 and 17, and 1:30 p.m. March 14, 21 and 27 at the Opera House. Information: 366-8450.

Epiphany Cathedral Concert Series. The series presents the Susquehanna University Choir, at 3 p.m. March 7, and Chorus Angelicus, at 3 p.m. March 28, at the cathedral in Venice. Information: 484-3505.

An Evening with Kenny Rogers. The Gambler returns to the Van Wezel, at 8 p.m. March 7. Information: 953-3368.

Daesan No/Sooyun Chung. Ravel, Mahler and more will be sung by baritone No and mezzo soprano Chung, at 8 p.m. March 7 in the Artists Series of Sarasota, at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center. Information: 388-1188.

An Afternoon with John Davidson. The eternally youthful-looking singer performs at 2 p.m. March 9 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Czech Philharmonic. Andrey Boreyko leads the orchestra, which welcomes guest violinist Akiko Suwanai, at 8 p.m. March 9 at Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Florida West Coast Symphony Masterworks. Cellist Andres Diaz joins the orchestra in works by Saint-Saens (Cello Concerto No. 1), Schumann (Symphony No. 2) and Griffes (Pleasure Dome of Kubla Khan), at 8 p.m. March 11 at Van Wezel, 8 p.m. March 12 at Neel Auditorium, 8 p.m. March 13 and 2:30 p.m. March 14 at Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Jazz Jams. Courtesy the Jazz Club of Sarasota, at 2 p.m. March 13 and 20 at the Bayfront Community Center. Information: 366-1552.

Teatro Lirico D'Europa. La Traviata is presented with full orchestra, at 8 p.m. March 15 at Van Wezel. A pre-show Opera Talk is led by Mary Diana. Information: 953-3368.

Concertino International Chamber Ensemble. The Russians Are Coming is the last of the ensemble's concerts this season, offering works by Glinka, Tchaikovsky and others performed by Russian musicians. At 7:30 p.m. March 18 at Venice's Church of the Nazarene; 7:30 p.m. March 19 at South Biscayne Baptist Church in Nort Port. Information: 955-6229.

Salon Evening. The Florida Brass Quintet and String Orchestra entertain with works from Vivaldi, Grieg and Tchaikovsky, at 7:30 p.m. March 19 at Holley Hall. Information: 953-3368.

Verdi Concerts. At 8 p.m. March 20 and 25 at the Sarasota Opera House. Information: 366-8450.

Elizabeth Joy Roe. Pianist Roe offers up Ravel's La Valse along with works by Chopin and Brahms, at 8 p.m. March 21 in the Artists Series of Sarasota concert at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center. Information: 388-1188.

Sarasota Jazz Festival. The 24th annual festival runs March 21-27, and includes Jazz in the Park at Philippi Estate, Jazz on the Bayfront at the Van Wezel, the Jazz Caravan by Trolley, and lots more (see sidebar). For more details call 366-1552.

Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg/Anne-Marie McDermott. Violinist Nadja and pianist McDermott, at 8 p.m. March 23 in a Sarasota Concert Association event at the Van Wezel. Call 955-0040 to see if tickets remain.

An Evening with Linda Eder. Songstress Eder returns to the Van Wezel, at 8 p.m. March 24. Information: 953-3368.

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Guest soloists the Eroica Trio join the orchestra and conductor Paavo Jarvi at 8 p.m. March 25 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Casual Classic/Concert Lite/Enchanted Evening. Travel Into the Woods in a salute to childhood fantasy that includes music from Goldilocks, Hansel and Gretel and other classics. At 7:30 p.m. March 25, 5:30 p.m. March 26, and 8 p.m. March 27, all at Holley Hall. Information: 953-3434.

Sarasota Folk Club. On the schedule this month, a House Concert featuring William Florian, March 26, and the monthly concert at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron, featuring North Carolina guitarist-singer Chuck Brodsky, March 29. For more info call 377-9256.

Smooth Jazz on St. Armands-Fourth Friday with Style. This is ladies' month, with Suzette Jennings and Moodwsingz, Da' Rel Campbell and Amanda Finch performing on the Circle from 6 to 9 p.m. March 26. Information: 388-1554.

Venice Symphony. The symphony presents Masterworks concerts at 8 p.m. March 26 and at 4 and 8 p.m. March 27 at Church of the Nazarene...By the way, the symphony also offers Honey, I Shrunk the Orchestra in its Music Outside the Box series, at 7 p.m. March 21 at Aston Gardens. Information: 488-1010.

Sarasota Pops. Guest clarinetist Patricia Kostek joins the orchestra in performance, at 3 p.m. March 28 at Neel Auditorium, and also at 3 p.m. March 21 in the North Port High Performing Arts Hall. Information: 795-POPS (7677).

Sports

Sarasota Ski-A-Rees. Free water skiing shows, at 2 p.m. each Sunday through April 25 on City Island. Information: 388-1666.

Baseball Spring Training. Bloopers and base hits, homers and strikes-it's all on tap once more during spring training this month. Look for the Cincinnati Reds' games at Ed Smith Stadium (954-4464); the Pittsburgh Pirates' at McKechnie Field in Bradenton (748-4610.)

Talks

Education Center on Longboat Key Lecture Series. Up this month: Oratorios Through the Ages with June LeBell (March 2), Cuba Today with Cynthia Lane (March 9), Capitalism and the Environment: Unlikely Partners? with Matt Walsh and Gillian Busard (March 16), and Sardinia in the Mediterranean with Robert Tykot (March 23). All talks are at 3 p.m. Information: 383-8811.

Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning. On tap this month in the lecture series: Contemporary Public Issues, March 2, 9, 16 and 23 (10:30 a.m. at the Players Theatre); Arts and Humanities, March 3, 10, 17 and 24 (also at 10:30 a.m. at the Players); International Challenges, March 4, 11, 18 and 25 (same time, same place); and Critical Issues in Today's World, March 3, 10, 17 and 24; International Issues, March 5, 12, 19 and 26 (both at 2 p.m. at Venice Community Center). SILL also offers advanced seminars on major U.S. foreign policy concerns March 12, 19 and 26; for more info go to www.sillsarasota.org.

Palm Literary Society. Pulitzer Prize winner Ellen Goodman turns up in this luncheon-lecture series, with her new book Paper Trail: Common Sense in Uncommon Times. At 11:30 a.m. March 3 at Michael's On East. Also this month: Thomas Mallon, author of works of historical fiction and nonfiction, whose new book is titled Bandbox, at 11:30 a.m. March 30 at Michael's; for ticket info call 957-3660.

Lettuce & Lectures. Sarasota Herald-Tribune columnists David Grimes and Tom Becnel entertain with excerpts from their recent collaboration, Florida Curiosities, at noon March 3 at Selby Library. Information: 365-5228.

Books & Coffee. The Rev. Dr. Bennett Barnes reviews Arthur Herman's How the Scots Invented the Modern World, at 10:30 a.m. March 9 at Selby Library. Information: 365-5228.

Ringling School Town Hall Today Series. The series offers two talks this month, the first from New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, March 10; and the second from author Frank McCourt (Angela's Ashes), March 31. Both are at 10:30 a.m. at the Van Wezel; call 925-1343 to see if any tickets remain.

Theater

Singing in the Rain. Onstage through March 7 at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. Information: 366-5454.

South Pacific. The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic continues through March 7 at the Players Theatre. Information: 365-2494.

The Women. Watch the fur fly when some pre-feminist society matrons get together, through March 7 at the Manatee Players Riverfront Theatre. Information: 748-5875.

Guys and Dolls. Frank Loesser's homage to Damon Runyon's New York continues through March 14 at Venice Little Theatre. Information: 488-1115.

The Angels of Lemnos. Jim Henry's piece about a young homeless man and a foundling baby, through March 14 at Venice Little Theatre's Stage II. Information: 488-1115.

On the Road. Hits from folksingers old and new, through March 20 at Florida Studio Theatre's Goldstein Cabaret. Information: 366-9000.

The Millionairess. Shaw's later comedy focuses on a woman whose life skill is making money, even if it doesn't necessarily bring her happiness. Through April 3 at the Asolo. Information: 351-800.

The Bully Pulpit. Michael O. Smith conceived and stars in this one-man show about the late, great Teddy Roosevelt, onstage through April 10 at Florida Studio Theatre. Information: 366-9000.

I'm Not Rappaport. Herb Gardner's play looks fondly at two aging park benchers in Manhattan, through May 22 at the Asolo. Information: 351-8000.

42nd Street. Those tapping feet are all over at the Van Wezel, at 8 p.m. March 2 and at 2 and 8 p.m. March 3. Information: 953-3368.

The Taming of the Shrew. The classic battle of the sexes ensues, March 3-21 in a FSU/Asolo Conservatory production in the Asolo's Cook Theatre. Information: 351-8000.

Veronica's Room. This Ira Levin thriller about a young college student and a lawyer who are enticed to the mansion of an elderly couple has been turning up in regional productions lately; it's onstage at the Lemon Bay Playhouse March 3-21. Information: 475-6756.

Johan Padan and the Discovery of the Americas (Joan Padan e le Scoperta Delle Americhe). Here's a chance for Sarasota audiences to view the work of Italy's Nobel Prize Laureate, Dario Fo, as part of the Sarasota Italian Cultural Events calendar. The play, about a stowaway on Columbus' fourth journey to the New World, is filled with bawdy adventure; one performance only, 7:30 p.m. March 8 at Florida Studio Theatre's Goldstein Cabaret. Information; 924-3237.

Bells Are Ringing. Remember the Judy Holliday musical hit about an answering service operator who gets involved in her clients' lives? The Golden Apple revives it, March 9-May 2. Information: 366-5454.

Over the River and Through the Woods. You don't have to be Italian to appreciate this warm comedy-drama about a young Italian male and his grandparents, onstage March 11-28 at the Island Players. Information: 778-5755.

HMS Pinafore. New York's Gilbert & Sullivan Players bring the duo's first musical comedy hit to the Van Wezel, at 8 p.m. March 12. Information: 953-3368.

The Diary of Anne Frank. The true drama taking place inside the Secret Annexe, March 12-May 22 at the Asolo. Information: 351-8000.

Hay Fever. Noel Coward's weekend in the country with the veddy theatrical Bliss family, March 19-May 23 at the Asolo. Information: 351-8000.

Urinetown. The unlikely comedy hit about-well, you know, toilet matters-comes to the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, March 23-28. Information: (800) 955-1045.

One-Hit Wonders. The title pretty much explains the concept of this musical revue, onstage March 23-May 29 at Florida Studio Theatre's Goldstein Cabaret. Information: 366-9000.

The Comedy of Errors. Shakespeare's early play about identical twins, March 25-April 10 at Venice Little Theatre's Stage II. Information: 488-1115.

Dirty Blonde. Claudia Shear's two-hander about obsessive Mae West fans who meet, onstage March 30-April 18 at Venice Little Theatre. Information: 488-1115.