Art

Art Center Sarasota. Continuing through the month of November: Secrets of the Sea, a collaboration with Mote Marine in the Main Gallery, and Architects' Art in the Front Gallery. 365-2032.

Manatee Community College Fine Art Gallery. Continuing through Nov. 17: George M. Prout: An American Illustrator. 752-5252.

Museum of Botany & Art. Continuing through Dec. 5 at the Selby Gardens Museum: a juried exhibition of Women Contemporary Artists. A Meet the Artists reception is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 10. 366-5731.

Museum of Fine Arts. Continuing at the St. Petersburg museum through Dec. 11 is The Nude in Photography. Opening Nov. 5 to run through Jan. 22: Weegee: The Village, shots of Greenwich Village in the 1960s by famed shutterburg Weegee; The Sixties Show, featuring works from the permanent collection from this period of art; and a show of works by Peter Max. (727) 896-2667.

Tampa Museum of Art. From Myth to Life: Images of Women from the Classical World continues through Dec. 31. On view through Jan. 8: Who Am I? (Exploring Identity) , featuring works from the permanent collection; and Georgia O'Keeffe and Her Time: Modern Masters from the Lane Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. (813) 274-8130.

Salvador Dali Museum. Tilting at Windmills: Dali Illustrates Cervantes' Don Quixote, continues through January, in celebration of the 400th anniversary of the publication of the first volume of the literary classic. (727) 823-3767.

Galleria Silecchia. Hotshop Heroes, featuring sculpted glass and metal by Hiroshi Yamano, Flo Perkins, Nick Mount, Duncan McClellan, Debra May and Richard Hunt, with bronzes by William Morris, opens Nov. 4 and continues throughout the month. 365-7414.

Apple & Carpenter Galleries. La Belle Epoque, featuring American and European paintings from 1850 to 1950, is on view all month. 951-2314.

Selby Gallery. Showing this month: an exhibition called History by David Bierk in Gallery I, consisting of re-creations of old masters' paintings coupled with words, images or metal plates; and Arnold Mesches: The FBI Files in Gallery II, collage-paintings by the artist based on the 760-page FBI dossier put together on his activities between 1947 and 1973. Both open at a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 4 and continue through Dec. 12; there's also an artist slide lecture at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 in Selby Lecture Hall. 359-7563.

Hodgell Gallery. Cape Coral wood sculptor Dennis Elliott's turned wood pieces-sculptures, vessels and interactive works-take center stage Nov. 4-28. 366-1146.

Venice Art Center. The Members Fall Exhibition opens Nov. 4 and continues through Nov. 22. 485-7136.

Fiber Arts Boutique. The Manasota Weavers Guild presents works for sale by more than 50 local artists working in a variety of fiber media, Nov. 17-19 at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church. 378-8855.

Ringling Museum of Art. Picturing What Matters: An Offering of Photographs opens Nov. 19 and showcases 128 works from the George Eastman House collection, tracing the history of American photography from the 1840s to today. On view through Jan. 8. 359-5700.

Painted Lady Celebration Outdoor Art Show. More than 20 Florida artists will display their work from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 26 on the grounds of the Art, Framing and Gift Gallery of Colleen Cassidy-Berns. 924-1200.

American Craft Council Show. One-of-a-kind contemporary craft works by more than 200 artists are showcased in this event at the Sarasota Bradenton International Convention Center, Dec. 2-4. (800) 836-3470.

Children

Sleeping Beauty. The classic fairy tale is revived (as is the princess herself) in this adaptation by the American Family Theater, at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 12 at the Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Comedy

McCurdy's Comedy Theatre. On the circuit this month: prop comedian Bruce Baum, Nov. 2-6; Last Comic Standing star Tammy Pescatelli, Nov. 9-13; Tennessee Tramp Nov. 16-20; and Dale Jones and Valarie Storm, Nov. 30. 925-FUNY.

Gallagher. The wild watermelon man returns to the Van Wezel, at 8 p.m. Nov. 4. 953-3368.

Dance

Sarasota Ballet of Florida. The company presents the Tchaikovsky classic Swan Lake, at 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 25 and 26 at the Sarasota Opera House. 552-1032.

Film

Cine-World Film Festival. The Sarasota Film Society's annual orgy of movies from around the world transforms Burns Court Cinema, with a full complement of films, discussions, directors and more, Nov. 4-13. For the complete schedule, call 955-3456 or go to www.filmsociety.org.

Miscellaneous

Sarasota County History Center. Continuing on view here through Dec. 30: Bases, Beaches and Bond Drives, an exploration of Sarasota during World War II. 861-5000.

Sarasota Reading Festival. This year's event for the literary set takes place Nov. 5 in downtown Sarasota, with authors including Bruce Feiler, Andrea Mitchell, Bob Morris, Denise Nicholas, Mirta Ojito and others; there's always a lot going on from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. around Five Points Park. 906-1733.

St. Armands Antique & Classic Car Show. Revisit the hot rods of yesterday Nov. 5, and celebrate Rolls-Royce's 100th anniversary by viewing some classic cars Nov. 6, in St. Armands Circle Park. 388-1554.

Heritage Holidays at Historic Spanish Point. Festive decorations, historic vignettes and special holiday celebrations begin Nov. 26 and continue Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 11. 966-5214.

Music

Great Escapes: Animal House. Florida West Coast Symphony musicians take a visit to the animal world with works including Flight of the Bumble Bee, Waltzing Cat and The Birds in performances at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 4 and 8 p.m. Nov. 5, all at Holley Hall. Oscar Bustillo conducts. 953-3434.

Manatee Community College Concert. Leo Welch, guitar, and Eva Amsler, flute, play at 8 p.m. Nov. 4 at Neel Performing Arts Center. 752-5252.

Venice Symphony. The symphony offers Music Outside the Box, at 4 p.m. Nov. 6 at Jacaranda Trace; and presents the Eric Watters Show at 8 p.m. Nov. 20 and 21 at Venice Little Theatre. 488-1010.

Florida West Coast Symphony Masterworks. Pianist Angela Hewitt joins conductor Leif Bjaland and the orchestra on Schumann's Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54. Also on the program: pieces by R. Strauss and Mendelssohn. At 8 p.m. Nov. 10, 11 and 12, 2:30 p.m. Nov. 13, all at the Van Wezel. 953-3434.

Up Close, Informal On Stage. Soloists from the Sarasota Opera's Opera & Overtures concert perform their own musical favorites, with piano accompaniment, followed by a reception. At 8 p.m. Nov. 11 on the Opera House stage. 366-8450.

Artist Series of Sarasota. Pianist Yoonah Oh performs in a private home, Nov. 13 and 15. For more details call 388-1188.

MCC College Orchestra. Conducted by Sasha von Dassow, at 8 p.m. Nov. 15 at Neel Performing Arts Center. 752-5252.

Cocktails at the Cà d'Zan. Live entertainment on the terrace, cash bar and food vendors, from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 17. 359-5700.

Opera & Overtures. Some of opera's greatest arias, duets, ensembles and overture, conducted by Sarasota Opera's Victor de Renzi with the Florida West Coast Symphony Orchestra, at 8 p.m. Nov. 17 and 19 at the Opera House. 366-8450.

The Bacon Brothers. As in Kevin and Michael, who write and play songs together and may even get a bit Footloose. At 8 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Van Wezel. 953-3368.

An Evening with Eartha Kitt. The electric Eartha is joined by special guest Dick Hyman in her Van Wezel debut, at 8 p.m. Nov. 20. 953-3368.

Smooth Jazz on St. Armands: Fourth Friday with Style. Live jazz and more from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 25 on the Circle. 388-1554.

Sarasota Folk Club. This month's concert at the Sailing Squadron features Tammerlin, at 8:30 p.m. Nov. 28. Open mic at 7:15 p.m. 377-9256 or 320-4774.

Czech Opera Prague. The company, with the Sofia Symphony Orchestra and dancers from Bulgaria's Ballet Arabesk, presents Strauss' Die Fledermaus, at 8 p.m. Nov. 28 at the Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Great Escapes: Belles and Whistles. Memorable melodies inspired by beautiful ladies, on tap at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at Holley Hall. Leif Bjaland leads the Florida West Coast Symphony. 953-3434.

Sports

Operation Serving Children Golf Tournament. Set for Nov. 12 at Serenoa Golf Club; for more information call 379-9755 or (941) 809-7780.

Cystic Fibrosis Celebrity Golf Classic. The fifth annual to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Nov. 15 at Laurel Oak Country Club. 952-5836.

Talks

Pierian Spring Fall Lecture Series. Up this month in the lecture series at G.WIZ: retired Washington correspondent James McCartney on Five Things You Need to Know to Understand Washington, Nov. 7; literature professor John Mellon on Mark Twain and Morality: The Meaning of Huck's Decision, Nov. 14; Jungian scholar Michelle Christides and psychiatrist Joan Enoch on Consciousness and Culture: An Interrelationship, Nov. 21; and music scholar Henry Ettman on The Sarasota Area Jazz Scene, Nov. 28. All at 2 p.m. (941) 716-2471.

Friends of Selby Library Books & Coffee Series. Dr. Florence Hesler reviews Julio Cortazar's Blow-up: And Other Stories, at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 8. 365-5228.

Forum 2005. Journalist-commentator Hodding Carter III speaks on The Fight for the Future of Public Broadcasting, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Hyatt Sarasota. Also this month: Barbara Ehrenreich on Bait & Switch: The Futile Pursuit of the American Dream, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29, also at the Hyatt. 349-8350.

smARTtalk. No topic at press time, but the Sarasota County Arts Council hosts this luncheon event at 11:45 a.m. Nov. 29 at the Venetian Golf and River Club. 365-5118.

Theater

The Pirates of Penzance. Swashbuckling their way across the Players of Sarasota stage, through Nov. 6. 365-2494.

I e NY. A revue saluting the isle of Manhattan, continuing through Nov. 13 at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. 366-5454.

His Eye Is on the Sparrow. Florida Studio Theatre continues its run of Larry Parr's look at the life of actress Ethel Waters, through Dec. 3. 366-9000.

My Way. Time to pay tribute to the late great Francis Albert Sinatra once more in this musical revue, onstage at Florida Studio Theatre's Goldstein Cabaret through Jan. 7. 366-9000.

The Full Monty. Back by popular demand, the show about six guys and their unique approach to improving their lives, at 3 and 8 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Break! The Urban Funk Spectacular. Learn the history of hip-hop dancing in this high-energy tribute, at 8 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Cops. Three cops play tricks in a late-night Chicago diner; a hostage situation results in this Terry Curtis Fox drama, Nov. 3-20 at Venice Little Theatre's Stage II. 488-1115.

Drum. The first national tour of this production celebrates the four founding cultures of Nova Scotia (aboriginal, black, Celtic and Acadian) through music, dance, rhythm and costume. At 8 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Evita. The musical about that controversial Eva runs Nov. 8-13 at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. (800) 955-1045.

Mirandolina. Carlo Goldoni's 18th-century comedy about the strong-willed mistress of an inn and the very different men who all pursue her, onstage Nov. 9-27, an FSU/Asolo Conservatory production at the Jane B. Cook Theatre, FSU Center. 351-8000.

The Legend of Yin & Yang. The Players of Sarasota present a world premiere music spectacular featuring Chinese acrobats, singers, dancers and more, along with local performers, Nov. 10-13 at the PAL Sailor Circus Arena. 365-2494.

Nobody: The Bert Williams Story-A Play with Music. The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe presents a look at the famed black entertainer of vaudeville days, Nov. 10-13 at the Glenridge Performing Arts Center and Nov. 17-20 at the Backlot Theatre. 363-9300.

Harvey. The six-foot-tall pookah and his friend, Elwood P. Dowd, reunite Nov. 10-27 at the Manatee Players Riverfront Theatre. 748-5875.

Laughing Stock. A farce by Charles Morey set in the backstage world of summer stock kicks off the Asolo's mainstage season, Nov. 11 to Feb. 2. 351-8000.

London Suite. A production of the Neil Simon play by Manatee Community College, in the John W. James Studio Theatre, Bradenton campus, Nov. 12-19. 752-5252.

Sweet Charity. The amorous adventures of hapless Charity Hope Valentine return in this Big Spender musical, onstage Nov. 15 to Jan. 15 at the Golden Apple. 366-5454.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast. The Broadway adaptation of the fairy tale, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, makes its Florida premiere (aside from touring productions) Nov. 15 to Dec. 4 at Venice Little Theatre. 488-1115.

Enchanted April. You may recall the film version of this 1921 Elizabeth von Arnim novel, centered on four desperate Englishwomen whose lives change for the better after a sun-soaked holiday in Tuscany. (Whose wouldn't?) Onstage Nov. 18 through Feb. 26 at the Asolo. 351-8000.

Stomp. Catch the eight-member percussion troupe as they make noise with matchboxes, poles, brooms, garbage cans and hubcaps in this always unique show, at 8 p.m. Nov. 25, 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 26, and 7 p.m. Nov. 27 at the Van Wezel. 953-3368.

A Christmas Carol. The Asolo reprises its version of Dickens' holiday classic, by Barbara Redmond and Eberle Thomas, Nov. 25 to Dec. 29. 351-8000.

On the Waterfront

Huge elephants posed along the bay, a larger-than-life-size sailor sweeping a nurse off her feet-it must be time once more for the Sarasota Season of Sculpture outdoor sculpture exhibition.

Those are only a sampling of the large-scale sculptures drivers and pedestrians will take in as they pass the bayfront park along U.S. 41, between the Ringling Causeway and Selby Gardens from Nov. 13 to May 31. The third exhibition of its kind will feature 22 to 28 works in all, from artists around the country and around the world.

Of course organizer Jill Kaplan hopes most of those viewers will take the time to park their cars and stroll the shores to appreciate the size and scope of the sculptures. The last SOS exhibition, in 2002, "drew favorable comparisons to the famous Pier Walk exhibition in Chicago from Sculpture Magazine," she says.

Newly installed permanent lighting along the three-quarter-mile stretch makes nighttime viewing spectacular. And a number of programs are planned around the SOS exhibition: kids' education programs, docent-guided tours, a patrons' party Nov. 12 at Selby Gardens and a brunch on the bay Nov. 13, and, later during the run, an international sculpture symposium in February that brings together cultural institutions including the Ringling School of Art and Design, New College of Florida and the Ringling Museum of Art.

Some of the artists (who include such locals as Vicky Randall, Dennis Kowal, Jorge Blanco and Bruce White along with Cuban artist Manuel Carbonell) will also be on hand at various times to meet the public and discuss their work. And that can prove profitable for both the artists and the viewers; Kaplan says writer Stephen King was one of four admirers who purchased sculpture from the last show.

For complete information on this year's exhibit, call 331-2008 or go online at www.seasonofsculpture.com.-Kay Kipling

IN TOWN

Michael Bacon

When the Van Wezel officially opens its season Nov. 18, it will do so to the sounds of the Bacon Brothers-Kevin and Michael-performing their own special brand of rock 'n' roll. No novelty act, the Bacons have been serious about their music for years; we spoke to Michael, who's certainly within one degree of younger brother Kevin.

Q. How much of your time is spent being the Bacon Brothers? In terms of life effort, it's about half and half. We play 40 dates a year and have made five CDs now. When we're not working together, I'm free-lancing, scoring and composing. About 80 percent of my work is TV, a lot of it for public television. I just finished a documentary about Marie Antoinette, so the music for that is sort of elegant and classical. Overall, I get to use a wide range of techniques.

Q. In the beginning you were the brother with the musical background. Yes, when we first started we co-wrote a lot of songs, because Kevin was learning. But he's grown so much that way, and it's fun to watch. On our latest CD, White Knuckles, he did his songs and I did mine. Whoever sings lead is the one who wrote the song. His tend to be more rock 'n' roll and mine more folky, though not always.

Q. I was going to ask how you'd define your style. When we put the band together, we decided we've got to be ourselves. It's not about writing a commercial song for someone else; it's more confessional songwriting-stuff about our own lives that we hope people will relate to.

Q. What kind of venues do you play? Everything from rowdy bars with mechanical bulls and steel fencing-Kevin favors those-to elegant halls.

Q. Did you get along well growing up, nine years apart? We've always been close, and we didn't punch each other as kids. If we hadn't put the band together, though, we wouldn't be as close now, what with families, careers etc. But we have this project that has been around now for 11 years with no sign of ending, so we talk almost every day because decisions have to be made. When you're in business with family, there's a sort of trust that's rewarding. When the wagons get circled, we're the two guys in the middle.

Q. No downside to playing together? I don't think so. Sure, we've had creative differences, but there's never been anything disruptive to our relationship. My brother is extremely motivated, his songs are very important to him, and he's a prolific and fantastic writer. The difference between us is I do it all the time; for him it's an escape. Sometimes there are odd situations because he's a huge celebrity-people interrupting because they want to talk to him-but on the other hand, we don't have to wait in line at restaurants. I'm lucky to have him as a partner, whether he's a movie star or not. -Kay Kipling

ON EXHIBIT

Captain's Canvas

Photographer Justin Freed is in love with nature, whether it's the Gulf of Mexico, sometimes pictured near his home on Lido Shores, or the coastline of his summer retreat, Cape Cod. In this image Freed captures the beast that supports the beauty of our beaches. An enormous red buoy and huge lengths of rusty iron pipe contrast in scale and color with the green-blue of the sea. When he first encountered the pipes used to dredge sand from the pass between Lido and Longboat Key, Freed was upset because they were so big and such an obstacle to getting into the water; but later, encouraged by his wife, he made them a subject of a series of photographs.

An artist who works in the darkroom, Freed is a skilled printer. His colors have a crispness and saturation that seduce the eye to explore his entire image. His camera crops the view to make the buoy and pipes confrontational to our access of the water. The rows of giant steel tubes before us look formidable and insurmountable, and yet we are attracted to them. We have to come to terms with them as obstacle, and a read of the rich texture of the iron is our reward.-Mark Ormond