Art

Katharine Butler Gallery. Works by painters Bernard Oulié continue on view through March 12. Information: 955-4546.

The Gallery of Colleen Cassidy-Berns. On view through March 31: Sea Escapes, original watercolors and painted furniture by Cassidy-Berns. Information: 924-1200.

Tampa Museum of Art. An exhibition examining the history of the New York Yankees and the American Dream remains on view through April 3. Information: (813) 274-8130.

Art Center Sarasota. A joint show with the Venice Art Center, Abstract Artworks, continues in the Main Gallery through March 12, with art from Ringling School students in the Front Gallery. Opening March 22 to run through April 9: a fiber art show in the Main Gallery and an exhibition of hip-hop art in the Front Gallery. Information: 365-2032.

Longboat Key Center for the Arts. Continuing through March 24: Friendly Divergence, featuring the works of Cheryl Jorgenson and Sue Allen. Opening March 5 (reception at 5 p.m. March 6): the Longboat Key Club Exhibition. There's also a jazz concert set for 7 p.m. March 8 in the Durante Gallery, plus a Members' Gallery Exhibition opening March 21 and the Anne Gunderman Exhibition in the Glen Gallery March 26-April 21. Information: 383-2345.

Women's Resource Center. The 2005 Women Contemporary Artists Juried Winter Exhibition continues through March 31. Information: 366-1700.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. On view through April 3: The Flowering Amazon: Margaret Mee Paintings from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Information: 366-5731.

Ringling Museum of Art. In the West Galleries through April 10: Ansel Adams: Celebration of Genius. Information: 359-5700.

Museum of Fine Arts. Monet's London: Artists' Reflections on the Thames, 1859-1914, continues through April 24. Information: (727) 896-2667.

Salvador Dali Museum. On view through October: Dali Revealed: Land, Myth, Perception and God. Also continuing in the New Commissions Gallery: Traces, a site-specific video installation by Catalan artist Jori Colomer; through May. Information: (727) 823-3767.

Sonnet Gallery. At the gallery this month, Nature, featuring still life paintings by Margarita Deleuze. Information: 955-6443.

Palm Avenue Gallery. Works by American Watercolor Society artist Patricia Reeve Mead are on view March 1-31. Information: 953-5757.

Selby Gallery. American Illustration from the Collection of Charles Martignetti opens March 3 to run through April 2, and contains works by such artists as Charles Dana Gibson, Lorraine Fox, Norman Rockwell and many others. Information: 359-7563.

Galleria Silecchia. An International Glass Artists Showcase, featuring the works of Nick Mount, Hiroshi Yamano, Duncan McClellan and Flo Perkins, runs March 4-30. Information: 366-7414.

Clyde Butcher Gallery. An open house at Butcher's Venice gallery and studio, set for March 12 and 13, offers a first-time view of his black and white photographic landscapes of Cuba, as well as tours of his darkroom and a lecture. For more information, call 486-0811.

Comedy

Mccurdy's Comedy Theatre. Entertaining at the North Trail destination this month are Diane Ford (March 2-6), Ralphie May (March 11-13), Jim Brick (March 16-20) and Costaki Economopoulos (March 23-27). Information: 925-FUNY (3869).

Sarasota Comedy Festival. A Funnybones Luncheon March 7 and the Cartoon Classic Gala, March 12, are highlights; call 362-3972.

Dance

St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre: Romeo and Juliet. The Russian company presents Prokofiev's masterpiece of the Shakespearean love story, at 8 p.m. March 4 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Sarasota Ballet of Florida. The ballet's re-imagining of the life and home of John and Mable Ringling, Cà d'Zan: A Fantasy, is reprised at 8 p.m. March 17 and 18, 2 and 8 p.m. March 19 and 20, at the Van Wezel. Information: 552-1032.

Miscellaneous

South Florida Museum. Running through May 8: Shells: Gems of the Sea, showcases the museum's collection of shells from Florida and around the world. Information: 746-4131.

ASID Showhouse. The 2005 Showhouse opens with a gala March 5 and continues to be open for visitors March 6-April 4, at 1352 Harbor Drive. Tickets are $20; for more info call 926-7794.

Cirque Eloize: Rain. The Quebec-based company presents its latest blend of music, theater and amazing physical prowess, at 8 p.m. March 2 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Parade of Homes. A look at the latest in home designs and amenities from the Home Builders Association of Sarasota, continuing through March 13. Information: 379-3306.

Downtown After 5. A new monthly event created to raised funds for the revitalization of downtown Sarasota, this is an outdoor street fest with music and refreshments set to run from 5 to 9 p.m. March 11. Information: 955-8187.

Sarasota County Fair. Hobby, science and agricultural displays, live entertainment, a petting zoo, midway rides and games and Rosaire's Racing Pigs-that's the fair this year, from March 18-27 at the fairgrounds. Information: 365-0818.

PAL Sailor Circus. See the talented teens of Sarasota County perform circus wonders, March 23-April 2 in the big blue tent on Bahia Vista. Information: 361-6350.

Creators & Collectors Studio/Home Tour. A tour from the Fine Arts Society of Sarasota that offers a chance to visit 10 artists in their homes and studios to discuss their work and view their art, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 11 and 12. Participants include Vicki Chelf, Ken Clark, Denise Kowal, Peppi Elona, Robert Gelinas, Jeanne Keckler, Bill Kelley, Terry Schank, Ranger Smyth and Lynn Zoe. For information on where to purchase tickets, call 330-0680.

Music

Glen Campbell. Country boy Campbell is still pickin' and singin', at 8 p.m. March 1 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Lakmé. The Delibes work about the ill-fated love between the daughter of a Brahmin priest and a British officer. Onstage March 1, 3, 6, 9, 13, 17 and 19 at the Sarasota Opera House. Information: 366-8450.

Stiffelio. A lesser-heard Verdi opera, focused on a Protestant minister and his unfaithful but penitent wife. Onstage March 2, 5 and 12 at the Sarasota Opera House. Information: 366-8450.

Don Giovanni. The classic tale of the seducer repaid, told to Mozart's music. Onstage March 4, 10, 12, 16 and 19 at the Sarasota Opera House. Information: 366-8450.

Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci. Small-town passions, a tormented clown, and Vesti la giubba combine in this operatic double bill. March 5, 11, 13 and 18 at the Sarasota Opera House. Information: 366-8450.

Venice Symphony. The symphony presents a free outdoor pops concert at 4 p.m. March 5 at Blalock Park. Also this month: Music Outside the Box, 4 p.m. March 13 at Jacaranda Trace; and classical concerts at 8 p.m. March 18 and 4 and 8 p.m. March 19 at Church of the Nazarene. Information: 488-1010.

Orchestre National de France. Kurt Masur leads the orchestra and guest piano soloist Jean-Yves Thibaudet in works by Debussy, Ravel and Rimsky-Korsakov. At 8 p.m. March 5 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

The Ten Tenors. The lads from Down Under mingle sounds from the Bee Gees, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Verdi and Cole Porter in performance, at 8 p.m. March 6 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

This Land Is Your Land: American Song Book. Glenn Yarbrough leads this folksy trip back in time that also features the Kingston Trio, The Folk Reunion and The Brothers Four. At 2 and 8 p.m. March 7 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

The Four Freshmen. Harmonies you'll remember, at 8 p.m. March 7 at the Players of Sarasota. Information: 365-2494.

Apprentice Artists/Opera Scenes. Performed at 8 p.m. March 8 and 15 at the Opera House. Information: 366-8450.

Florida West Coast Symphony Masterworks. Pianist Bruno Ganz joins the orchestra for performances of Grieg's Concerto for Piano in A Minor at 8 p.m. March 10 and 12 at the Van Wezel, 2:30 p.m. March 19 at the Van Wezel, and 8 p.m. March 11 at Neel Performing Arts Center. Also on the program: Copland's Symphony No. 3. Then pianist Joaquin Achucarro guests when the orchestra presents Stravinsky's Suite from The Firebird and works by Tchaikovsky, at 8 p.m. March 31 and April 2 at the Van Wezel, with performances also set for 8 p.m. April 1 at Neel and 2:30 p.m. April 3 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3434.

Boots Randolph. That Yakety Sax man returns to the Van Wezel, at 2 p.m. March 11. Information: 953-3368.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra appears at 8 p.m. March 11 at the Van Wezel, in a Sarasota Concert Association presentation. To see if tickets are available, call 955-0040.

Sarasota Pops. The Pop-sters perform with soprano Grace Gibbs at 3 p.m. March 12 at Neel Performing Arts Center. Information: 351-8000 or 795-7677.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Another performance by the Pittsburgh company, at 2 p.m. March 12, with Charles Dutoit conducting the orchestra in works by Prokofiev and Brahms. Information: 953-3368.

Sarasota Concert Band. Remember Our Past features 50 years of music from the band, welcoming soloist Anne Swain and guest conductor Tony Swain. At 3 p.m. March 13 at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church. Information: 364-BAND.

Artist Series of Sarasota. Violinist Boris Kucharsky and pianist Melissa Mares play Brahms and Kreisler, at 7:30 p.m. March 13 at Holley Hall. Information: 388-1188.

Italian American Music Festival. This year's celebration of all things Italian welcomes tenor Michael Amante with the Warren Bills Orchestra, plus singer Deana Martin (offspring of Dean) and comedian Sandy Hackett (offspring of Buddy). At 8 p.m. March 14 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Beethoven Bash. Pianist Joyce Valentine and cellist Sasha von Dassow celebrate the masterworks of the great Ludwig van, at 8 p.m. March 14 at the Players of Sarasota. Information: 365-2494.

Third Thursday: Cocktails at Cà d'Zan. Live entertainment and refreshments, from 6 to 9 p.m. March 17. Information: 359-5700.

Sarasota Jazz Festival. Running March 20-26; call 366-1552.

Willie & Lobo. The duo performs at 8 p.m. March 20 at the Players of Sarasota. Information: 365-2494.

Juilliard String Quartet. The quartet presents works by Schubert, Wolf and Mozart in a Van Wezel offering presented at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, at 8 p.m. March 21. Information: 953-3368.

The Beach Boys. Pick up those Good Vibrations at 8 p.m. March 21 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Paul Anka. The ever-prolific Anka returns to the Van Wezel at 8 p.m. March 22. Information: 953-3368.

Kenny Rogers. The Gambler rolls into town at 8 p.m. March 23 for a Van Wezel concert. Information: 953-3368.

Smooth Jazz on St. Armands: Fourth Friday with Style. The Mike MacArthur Group is featured this month, starting at 6 p.m. March 25 on the circle. Information: 388-1554.

The Kirov Orchestra. It's an evening of great Russian music, as music director Valery Gergiev conducts pieces by Balakirev, Borodin and Mussorgsky. At 8 p.m. March 30 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Sports

Baseball Spring Training. Our long, hard winter is over (well, OK, here it lasted a week) and the boys are back in town. That means the Cincinnati Reds will be swinging their bats over at Ed Smith Stadium against the Devil Rays, Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees and other MLB teams, starting March 1 and continuing all month long. Call 954-4464 for ticket info. In Bradenton, the Pittsburgh Pirates face off against the Yankees, Twins, Reds, Blue Jays, Braves, Red Sox and more, March 4-April 1 at McKechnie Field. Call 748-4610 for tickets. And play ball!

Sarasota Ski-A-Rees. Free water skiing shows each Sunday at 2 p.m. at the City Island location through Easter. Information: 388-1666.

Run for the Turtles. A one-mile fun run/walk or 5K beach run benefiting Mote Marine's sea turtle conservation and research program, March 5. Events day registration starts at 6:30 a.m. at Siesta Key Public Beach; call 388-4331 for more info.

Talks

Education Center Lecture Series. WEDU president Dick Lobo kicks off this month's talks with Who Owns the Media and Where Does Public Broadcasting Fit In?, March 1. Also scheduled: Sharon Burde on Women Waging Peace in the Middle East, March 8; Tom Carabasi on Photography Today, March 15; Bill Buchman on Inside Abstract Art, March 22: and Stuart Kaminsky with The Current State of the Mystery: Who's Hot, Who's Not, March 29. All talks are at 3 p.m. at the center on Longboat Key. Information: 383-8811.

Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning (SILL). This month's lecture include Robert Sherman on The Great American Folk Tradition: Woody's Children, 10:30 a.m. March 7 at Holley Hall. In the Arts and Humanities series, topics include King Arthur, March 1; the Ottoman Empire, March 8; Paths of Transmission: From the Greeks and Muslims to Modern Science, Institutional Inertia and Innovation, March 15; and Passionate Nomad: The Life of the Traveler and Explorer Dame Freya Stark, March 22, all at the Players Theatre. Contemporary Public Issues takes a look at The Future of Medicare, March 2, Transformation of the Military, March 9, Relations Between a New Congress and a New Administration, March 16; and Debate: The Constitutionality of Same Sex Marriage, March 23 (again at the Players). International Challenges presents Blood and Oil, March 3; Cultural Diplomacy, March 10; Can Iraq Become a Democracy?, March 17; and Vladimir Putin: Where Is He Taking Russia and Why? March 24, at 10:30 a.m. at the Players and again at 2 p.m. March 2, 9, 16 and 23 at the Venice Church of the Nazarene. Also in Venice, at 10:30 a.m.: Resource Wars March 4, UNESCO, March 11: Is Europe Becoming the Enemy, March 18, and Moscow: Contrasting Old and New, March 25. Information: 365-6404.

Looking for Angola. A series of lectures dealing with the significance of the early black community in Manatee County known as Angola continues through March 29 in a variety of locations; for up-to-date details call 355-2447.

Palm Literary Society. The society welcomes to lunch former White House spokesman Art Fleischer March 14 and Pulitzer Prize winner James Stewart (whose latest is Disneywar: The Battle for the Magic Kingdom) March 29. At Michael's On East; call 329-2685 for ticket info.

Museum of Asian Art Lecture Series. Dr. Julia Clark discusses Shunzi Porcelain: Ceramics of an Unknown Reign March 3 at Selby Library. Information: 954-7117.

Books & Coffee. Dr. Martin Tucker reviews Henry James' The Ambassadors, at 10:30 a.m. March 8 at Selby Library. Information: 365-5228.

Ringling School Library Association Town Hall Series. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto speaks at 10:30 a.m. March 8 at the Van Wezel, 7 p.m. March 9 at Sarasota High. Information: 925-1343.

Theater

Wonderful Town. The one about two sisters taking Manhattan by storm, a few nostalgic decades ago. Onstage through March 6 at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. Information: 366-5454.

Showboat. Still rolling down the Mississippi with a boatload of great Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein II songs, through March 6 at the Players of Sarasota. Information: 365-2494.

Fiddler on the Roof. The Tradition of this great musical is upheld through March 13 at Venice Little Theatre. Information: 488-1115.

In the Lap of the Gods. This premiere of a comedy by local playwright/actor Ronald Krine Myroup continues through March 13 at Venice Little Theatre's Stage II. Information: 488-1115.

The Rise and Fall of Western Civilization According to Tom Lehrer. Music and satire from Lehrer (That Was the Week That Was), through March 19 at Florida Studio Theatre's Goldstein Cabaret. Information: 366-9000.

Broadway Bound. Neil Simon's closer to his familial trilogy set in Brooklyn continues through March 31 at the Asolo. Information: 351-8000.

Golf with Alan Shepard. Carter W. Lewis' play about "birdies, bogies and grumpy old men." I sense a demographic at work here. Onstage through April 3 at American Stage in St. Pete. Information: (727) 823-PLAY.

The Last Schwartz. A comedy by Deborah Zoe Laufer centering around a family reunited at their father's memorial service. Through April 9 at Florida Studio Theatre. Information: 366-9000.

The Front Page. Fast-paced fun about love, executions and deadlines, onstage through May 3 at the Asolo. Information: 351-8000.

The Smell of the Kill. Three unhappy wives plot to deal with their fortuitously trapped husbands in this Michele Lowe comedy, onstage through May 5 at the Asolo. Information: 351-8000.

A Midsummer Night's Dream. Puck, Titania and a host of star-crossed lovers lost in the forest entertain through May 8 at the Asolo. Information: 351-8000.

The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron? Writer-actor Robert Dubac's tour de force about a confused guy looking for answers to the mysteries of women. Onstage March 1 through a date TBA at Florida Studio Theatre's Stage III. Information: 366-9000.

Love's Fire. Seven playwrights turn their talents to writing short plays based on Shakespearean sonnets, and the results are onstage March 2-20 at the Cook Theatre in an FSU/Asolo Conservatory production. Information: 351-8000.

Contact. The award-winning dance musical, featuring music by Rodgers and Hart, Robert Palmer, and Dean Martin, among others. At 8 p.m. March 8 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Cats. Will this production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber meghit makes Memories for you? Find out March 8 through May 8 at the Golden Apple. Information: 366-5454.

The God of Isaac. James Sherman's comedy about a young man, his search for identity, and his mother, who's in the audience. Onstage March 9-27 at the Lemon Bay Playhouse in Englewood. Information: 475-6756.

Side Show. The musical telling the mostly true story of Siamese twins who became stars during the Depression. Onstage March 10-27 at the Manatee Players Riverfront Theatre. Information: 748-5875.

Beau Jest. Another James Sherman comedy, this one about a young single woman trying to present her family with the proper sort of successful Jewish boyfriend, onstage March 17-April 3 at the Island Players. Information: 778-5755.

Three Friends, Two Guitars and a Broken Tambourine. Music from the likes of Simon and Garfunkel, Peter, Paul and Mary and Pete Seeger in this new musical revue, March 22-May 28 at Florida Studio Theatre's Goldstein Cabaret. Information: 366-9000.

The Wiz. Get on down the road to Booker High's VPA Auditorium March 24-April 3 for this Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe production of the urban version of The Wizard of Oz. Information: 954-9651.

Extremities. William Mastrisimone's drama about a woman who turns the tables on her attacker, performed March 24-April 10 at Venice Little Theatre's Stage II. Information: 488-1115.

Crazy for You. Cowboys, chorus girls and great Gershwin tunes like I Got Rhythm, Someone to Watch Over Me and Embraceable You-who could ask for anything more? Onstage at 2 and 8 p.m. March 28 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Neighbors. A new musical from Players artistic director Burton Wolfe and composer Scott Gehman, about the friendly relationship between two grandfathers, one Israeli and one Palestinian. Onstage March 31-April 10 at the Players of Sarasota. Information: 365-2494.