Art

Galleria Silecchia. Continuing through Jan. 6: an exhibition highlighting glass artist and sculptor William Morris and Russian-born painter Yuri Gorbachev. Opening Jan. 7 to run through Feb. 23: a show featuring works by Native American clay and bronze sculptor Roxanne Swentzell, British Columbian wood and bronze sculptor Richard Hunt, and new bronzes by Glenna Goodacre. Information: 365-7414.

Ringling Museum of Art. On view through Jan. 9: Surrealism and Modernism: Selections from the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. Then Ansel Adams: Celebration of Genius runs Jan. 20-April 10 in the West Galleries. Information: 359-5700.

Selby Gallery. Continuing through Jan. 12: Constructing Realities, Part II, featuring works by Jin Soo Kim, Jane Hammond and Chris Piazza. Opening Jan. 21 to run through Feb. 18: Constructing Realities, Part III, which presents work by installation artists Virginia Beth Shield, Dread Scott, Ray Azcuy and Davis Estis, along with Neo-Expressionist Sandy Winters. Information: 359-7564.

South Florida Museum. Continuing on view through Jan. 16: Herbie Rose: Twenty Years in Florida, featuring the Bradenton artist's paintings. Information: 746-4131.

Salvador Dali Museum. Dali and Mass Culture continues through Jan. 30. Information: (727) 823-3767.

Longboat Key Center for the Arts. On view here this month: Portraits, Pictures and Sculptures by Lloyd Singer, Ann Terhardt and Richard Pollack, along with the Town of Longboat Key Exhibition (both Jan. 7-30). A jazz concert is offered at 7 p.m. Jan. 20, and a Members' Gallery Exhibition runs Jan. 28-March 28. Information: 383-2345.

Palm Avenue Gallery. Paintings by Kurt Larisch are on view Jan. 1-31. Information: 953-5757.

Maui Art by David Miller. On view this month at the gallery of marine artist Miller: bronze sculptures by Geoffrey C. Smith, including Florida marine life and waterfowl. Information: 388-5305.

Sonnet Gallery. Unforgettable Journey features the oil paintings of Cuban-born Ramon Carulla, Jan. 7-31. Information: 955-6443.

Tampa Museum of Art. An African-American quilt show is on exhibit Jan. 9-April 23. You can also view New York Yankees and the American Dream, Jan. 23-April 3. Information: (813) 274-8130.

Art Center Sarasota. A Circus Show fills both the front and main galleries, Jan. 11-Feb. 5. Information: 365-2032.

Museum of Fine Art. Monet's London: Artists' Reflections on the Thames, 1859-1914, celebrates the St. Petersburg Museum's 40th anniversary by displaying more than 100 works by Claude Monet, Jan. 16-April 24. Information: (727) 896-2667.

Towles Court Third Friday Gallery Walk. From 6 to 10 p.m. Jan. 21. Information: 362-0690.

Comedy

McCurdy's Comedy Theatre. A full slate of comics this month, including "Crazy Canadian" Leo DuFour (Jan. 5-9); Jackie Mason (Jan. 12-15); Paula Poundstone (Jan. 21-23); Michael Mack (Jan. 26-30); and "Dr. Dirty" John Valby, Jan. 27. Information: 925-FUNY.

The Comedians. Dick Cavett hosts this evening, which welcomes Shelley Berman, Professor Irwin Corey, Bill Dana, Dick Gregory and Mort Sahl to the Van Wezel stage. At 8 p.m. Jan. 13. Information: 953-3368.

Tim Conway and Harvey Korman: Together Again. Yuk it up with these two skit masters, at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Van Wezel. With special guest Louise DuArt. Information: 953-3368.

Dance

Moiseyev Dance Company. The Russian folk dance company returns to the Van Wezel, at 8 p.m. Jan. 23. Information: 953-3368.

Film

Sarasota Film Festival. The seventh annual fest runs from Jan. 28-Feb. 6, with a host of events including films, parties, kids' fest screenings and a family fair, the World Cinema Celebration and more. Here's a partial look: Opening Night Film and Party, Jan. 28; a new Saturday event TBA Jan. 29; Women and Wine Jan. 30, An Evening With.TBA, Jan. 31; luncheon at Fleming's Feb. 1, Luncheon Under the Banyans, Feb. 3, Night of a Thousand Stars Feb. 4, and the Filmmaker's Tribute Dinner Feb. 5. For complete details, call 364-9514 or head to the festival's Web site, sarasotafilmfest.com.

Miscellaneous

Thunder by the Bay. This weekend to benefit the Florida Center for Child and Family Development offers a kick off party Jan. 7; a concert featuring Leon Russell and special guests Diamond Gray and the Bobby Friss Band, Jan. 8 at Robarts Arena; the 2005 Poker Run Jan. 9 and a downtown festival and bike show, also Jan. 9. For complete details, call 371-8820, ext. 1800.

St. Armands Circle. This month on the Circle: Second Friday offers entertainment and tastings, starting at 6 p.m. Jan. 14; Ferraris on the Circle draws car enthusiasts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 15; Smooth Jazz on St. Armands: Fourth Friday with Style, from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 28 features the sounds of Les Sabler and City Heat; and the St. Armands Winter Art Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 29. Information: 388-1554.

Arts Day. Sample what Sarasota has to offer in the visual arts, along with music, theater and dance performances, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 16 downtown. For more details, call the Sarasota County Arts Council, 365-5118.

Circus Ring of Fame. New members will be inducted at this year's ceremony, set for 1:30 to 3 p.m. Jan. 22 at St. Armands Circle Park. Information: 388-1554.

Plantation Community Foundation Tour of Homes. Six homes will be on display Jan. 28 and 29 at the Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, including three with art collections, two that have been remodeled, and one decorated in Florida colors. For ticket info, call 497-7873.

Circus Spectacular Saturday Family Festival. Circus music and performers fill the Ringling Museum grounds from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 29. Information: 358-3180.

Cocktails at Cà d'Zan. Enjoy sunset, music and more, from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Ringlings' bayfront mansion. Information: 359-5700.

Music

Florida West Coast Symphony Masterworks. Violinist Vadim Gluzman joins the orchestra, which performs Bernstein's Serenade after Plato's Symposium and excerpts from Wagner's The Ring, at 8 p.m. Jan. 7, 8 and 9 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3434.

Venice Symphony. Music Outside the Box opens the symphony's concerts this month, at 4 p.m. Jan. 9 at Jacaranda Trace. Also scheduled: pops concerts at 8 p.m. Jan. 20 and 21 and at 4 and 8 p.m. Jan. 22 at Church of the Nazarene. Information: 488-1010.

Artist Series of Sarasota. Leading off the series this month: soprano Indra Thomas, Jan. 9, and pianist Barbara Nissman, Jan. 23. Both at 7:30 p.m. at Holley Hall; call 388-1188.

An Evening with Michael Feinstein/Barbara Cook. Feinstein and Cook demonstrate the musical gifts that have kept them in show business for decades, at 8 p.m. Jan. 9 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Opera Verdi Europa. The company of 50 singers and 35 musicians presents La Boheme, at 8 p.m. Jan. 10 at the Van Wezel. In Italian; English super titles. Information: 953-3368.

Larry Elgart. Bandleader Elgart swings into the Van Wezel for a Marvelous Matinee, at 2 p.m. Jan. 11. Information: 953-3368.

Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio. The Sarasota Concert Association presents this chamber music concert, at 8 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Van Wezel. For ticket availability info, call 955-0040.

Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra. Yuri Simonov leads the orchestra in works by Schubert, Brahms and Rachmaninoff, at 8 p.m. Jan. 12 at Van Wezel. Violin soloist is Cho-Liang Lin. Information: 953-3368.

Great Escapes. The Florida West Coast Symphony invites you to "Face the Music and Dance" with selections ranging from salsa to Strauss, at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13, 11 a.m. Jan. 14, 5:30 p.m. Jan. 14 and 8 p.m. Jan. 15, all at Holley Hall; and at 3 p.m. Jan. 16 at North Port High. Information: 953-3434.

Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve. A free concert, but tickets required. At 2 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Van Wezel; call 953-3368 for more info.

Prague Symphony Orchestra. Dvorak's Carnival Overture and Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 are on the program when pianist Martin Kasik joins the orchestra, conducted by Petr Altrichter. At 8 p.m. Jan. 17 at Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

New Artists Piano Quartet and Friends. They bring Beautiful Beethoven to a Salon Coffee event, 10 a.m. Jan. 19 at Holley Hall. Information: 953-3434.

An Evening with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Valli has ventured into acting lately, with stints on The Sopranos, but he'll never give up those high notes. He's onstage at 8 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Ed Polcer and the Magic of Swing Street. Cornetist Polcer and his jazz all-stars play a Jazz Club of Sarasota concert, at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at Holley Hall. Information: 366-1552.

Cine Symphony! A musical event to lead into the Sarasota Film Festival, with a program that was still TBA at press time. At 8 p.m. Jan. 21 at Van Wezel. Information: 364-9514.

Gloria Musicae. The choral ensemble performs at 3 p.m. Jan. 23 at Venice's Epiphany Cathedral. Information: 954-4223.

Florida String Quartet and Friends. The musicians look back over three centuries with works by Mozart, Dvorak and Copland, at 4 p.m. Jan. 23 at Holley Hall. Information: 953-3434.

Florida West Coast Symphony Masterworks. Guest conductor Kenneth Schermerhorn leads the musicians in Rossini's William Tell Overture, Brahms' Haydn Variations and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5, at 8 p.m. Jan. 28 at Neel Performing Arts Center and 8 p.m. Jan. 29 and 30 at Van Wezel. Information: 953-3434.

Sarasota Pops. In concert at 3 p.m. Jan. 29 at Neel Performing Arts Center. Information: 351-8000 (tickets) or 795-7677.

Don Giovanni. The Sarasota Opera opens its season Jan. 29 with this Mozart treasure and continues into February and March at the Opera House. Information: 366-8450.

Vienna Choir Boys. In concert at 8 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Johnny Mathis. Mathis brings his smooth stylings once more to the Van Wezel, at 8 p.m. Jan. 31. Information: 953-3368.

Talks

Ringling School Library Association Town Hall Today/Tonight. Commentator Tim Russert kicks off this season's series with appearances at 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at Sarasota High and 10:30 a.m. Jan. 6 at the Van Wezel. Also this month: author Homer Hickam, 7 p.m. Jan. 18 at Sarasota High and 10:30 a.m. Jan. 19 at the Van Wezel. Information: 925-1343.

Museum of Asian Art Lecture Series. Dr. Charles Mason, curator of Asian Art at the Harn Museum in Gainesville, will discuss Daily Life in Qing China, at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at Selby Library. Information: 954-7117.

Books & Coffee. Dr. Emanuel Tanay reviews Jon Krakauer's Under the Banner of Heaven, at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 11 at Selby Library. Information: 365-5228.

Education Center Lecture Series. On tap at the Longboat Key Center this month: Can Happiness Be Measured with Sissela Bok, Jan. 11; W.B. Yeats: A Life in Poetry with Richard L. Goldfarb, Jan. 18; and the Human Question: Where Did We Come From?" with Hervey Peeples, Jan. 25. All are at 3 p.m. Information: 383-8811.

Byron Katie. The woman Time magazine calls "a visionary for the new millennium" will appear at a free event at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Sarasota High, followed by a weekend intensive at Selby Gardens. The subject: the process she calls "The Work," a tool for transforming yourself and your relationships. For more info, go to thework.org.

Ringling ViewPoints. Miami Herald architecture critic Beth Dunlop discusses Mediterranean to Modern at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 22 at the Cook Theater. Information: 358-3180.

Big Ten Alumni Luncheon. Sarasota's own, mystery novelist Stuart Kaminsky, headlines this year's luncheon, which begins at 11 am. Jan. 22 at Michael's On East. And SARASOTA Magazine's own Jimmy Dean emcees. For information, call 366-0560.

Theater

Evita. Another look at Argentina's fabled First Lady, at 2 and 8 p.m. Jan. 1, and at 2 and 8 p.m. Jan. 2 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

G.I. Jive. This musical revue is billed as "a sentimental journey of the music for the troops," so expect some wartime nostalgia. Through Jan. 8 at Florida Studio Theatre's Goldstein Cabaret. Information: 366-9000.

Chicago. They're still razzle-dazzling them over at the Golden Apple in this musical about murderesses, onstage through Jan. 9. Information: 366-5454.

Sherlock Holmes and the West End Horror. A "new" Sherlock Holmes mystery takes us on a journey through London's theater district, circa 1895. Onstage through March 3 at the Asolo. Information: 351-8000.

Broadway Bound. The third in Neil Simon's autobiographical trilogy about Brooklyn's Jerome family, onstage through March 31 at the Asolo. Information: 351-8000.

Boston Marriage. David Mamet offers females a chance to spout some of his pithy dialogue in this play, about a longtime attachment between two women that's suddenly threatened. Onstage Jan. 5-23 in an FSU/Asolo Conservatory production in the Cook Theatre. Information: 351-8000.

All Night Strut. In the Mood for Fascinatin' Rhythm? Those and other hits of the '30s and '40s will be heard once more, Jan. 6-15 in a Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe production at the Gompertz Theatre. Information: 954-9651.

42nd Street. They're tapping their feet and polishing their smiles, Jan. 6-23 at the Manatee Players Riverfront Theatre. Information: 748-5875.

No Sex, Please, We're British. Scandinavian porn, a bank inspector, a police superintendent-the elements of farce are all there in this frantic comedy. Onstage at Venice Little Theatre Jan. 11-30. Information: 488-1115.

Wonderful Town. The musical version of My Sister Eileen, about two gals who hit the city of Manhattan with big plans. Onstage Jan. 11-March 6 at the Golden Apple. Information: 366-5454.

The Rise and Fall of Western Civilization According to Tom Lehrer. Florida Studio Theatre has had success with revues featuring the work of mathematician-satirist Lehrer before, so they tap his wit once more for this show, Jan. 11-March 19 at FST's Goldstein Cabaret. Information: 366-9000.

Movin' Out. The Billy Joel-Twyla Tharp collaboration, onstage Jan. 11-16 at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Information: (800) 955-1045.

Foxfire. A stage adaptation of the Foxfire stories set in the Appalachian Mountains, this one centers on widow Annie Nations and her husband's ghost. Onstage Jan. 12-30 at the Lemon Bay Playhouse. Information: 475-6756.

Zorba. The Players of Sarasota stage the local premiere of this musical about that lusty Greek, Jan. 13-23. Information: 365-2494.

Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk. Get down with this mix of tap, hip-hop the blues and more, at 8 p.m. Jan. 14, and at 2 and 8 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Smokey Joe's Café. An evening of Lieber-Stoller tunes, including Hound Dog and Stand By Me. At 2 and 8 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

The Full Monty. The big Broadway hit about six buddies willing to do just about anything to earn a little money and self-respect. Performances at 8 p.m. Jan. 18, and at 2 and 8 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Over the Tavern. Tom Dudzick's popular comedy-drama about a Catholic family with issues, onstage Jan. 20-Feb. 6 at the Island Players. Information: 778-5755.

Tapestry: The Music of Carole King. Onstage Jan. 21-30 in an American Stage production at St. Pete's Palladium. Information: (727) 823-PLAY.

The Smell of the Kill. Three suburban housewives reconsider their lives at the same time their husbands discover they're locked in a basement freezer in Michele Lowe's black comedy. Onstage Jan 21-May 5 at the Asolo. Information: 351-8000.

Thoroughly Modern Millie. The light-as-a-feather musical about the Roaring 20s, onstage at 8 p.m. Jan. 25 and at 2 and 8 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

The Goat or Who is Sylvia? This new play by Edward Albee centers on a successful, 50-ish man with a seemingly great life-until he develops a questionable affection for a goat. Opens Jan. 25 to run for several weeks at Florida Studio Theatre's Stage III (Gompertz Theatre). Information: 366-9000.

Anton in Show Business. Playwright Jane Martin's often funny backstage look at a struggling production of Chekhov's Three Sisters, Jan. 27-Feb. 13 at Venice Little Theatre's Stage II. Information: 488-1115.

The Front Page. The Hecht-MacArthur classic about the wild world of Chicago newspapers 75 years ago. Onstage Jan. 28-May 3 at the Asolo. Information: 351-8000.

On Exhibit

Either choosing people sitting in cafes or libraries as subjects or inviting those he finds inspiring to pose, Florida native Richard Thomas quickly captures the essence of the posture and body language of a person. Later, in the studio, he adds other elements, detail and color. His sitters appear comfortable in their bodies, self-composed without being remote.

Here he's sketched a man on white paper he has toned with a raw sienna wash. Graphite and watercolor mark the furrow of his brow and the intensity of dark eyes. With a few deft strokes of graphite Thomas identifies wisps of hair high above his forehead, then isolates the head from the body with a stroke of dark color to indicate an undershirt. His use of colored pencil outlines the loose-fitting shirt that disguises the corpulence of this man, and rolled-up sleeves reveal strong forearms.

With economy of color and line, he defines this man. This tremendously prolific artist has extended the vocabulary of Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt, Edvard Munch and Henri Matisse, among others. His drawings engage us not only with his subjects but also with the nuances of being human.

Richard Thomas maintains his studio on Anna Maria Island and is showing new work this month at Blue House Gallery at Burns Court Sarasota.-Mark Ormond