ART

Venice Art Center. The Plein Air Paint-Out in Paradise exhibition closes March 3, to be followed by the Members Spring Exhibition, March 9-24. Also this month: the Suncoast Watercolor Society exhibition, opening March 30 to run through April 19. 485-7136.

Selby Gallery. Solos: 20th Anniversary Exhibition Part II, showcasing some of the major artists shown here over the past two decades, closes March 7. Opening with a reception at 5 p.m. March 16: Mark English & The Faculty of the Illustration Academy, which runs through April 18. 359-7563.

Art Center Sarasota. Continuing through March 10: Abstracts, a juried members exhibition in the Main Gallery; and Artistic Couples, in the Front Gallery. Opening March 20 to run through April 14: a Selby Gardens juried members show in the Main Gallery; and a show of works by Ringling students in the Front Gallery. 365-2032.

Museum of Fine Arts. Continuing through March 18 at the St. Petersburg museum: Natura Morta: Still-Life Painting and the Medici Collections, offering 43 works from the great museums of Florence. Also on view, through April 22, is Untamed Beauty: Prints by Jean Dubuffet, featuring “assembled” lithographs and the Hourloupe series by the late artist. (727) 896-2667.

Art School, Gift and Framing Gallery of Colleen Cassidy-Berns. A gallery exhibition featuring the artists of the Painted Lady Gift Gallery continues through March 31. 924-1200.

Tampa Museum of Art. On view through April 1: Frederic Church, Winslow Homer and Thomas Moran: Tourism and the American Landscape. Also at the museum, through April 15: The Art Guys: Seeing Double, a survey of Michael Galbreth’s and Jack Massing’s collaborative career. (813) 274-8130.

Ringling Museum of Art. On view in the museum’s new  Ulla R. and Arthur F. Searing Wing through April 29: Encouraging American Genius: Master Paintings from the Corcoran Gallery of Art and Bedazzled: 4,500 Years of Jewelry from the Walters Art Museum. 358-3180 or 359-5700.

Salvador Dali Museum. Continuing on view through June 24 at this museum in St. Petersburg is Dali and the Spanish Baroque, presenting Spanish master paintings alongside works by Dali from the museum’s collection. (727) 823-3767.

Galleria Silecchia. The gallery presents mixed media, abstract paintings and sculpture on aluminum by Paul Tamanian, oils by Joe McFadden, and new works by sculptor Glenna Goodacre, March 1-30. 365-7414.

Palm Avenue Gallery Walk. Art to view, music to hear and more, from 6 to 9 p.m. March 2. 955-1315.

Dabbert Gallery. A Couple of Visions features the paintings of Barbara Krupp and hand-painted photographs by Allan Teger, starting with a reception at 5:30 p.m. March 2 and running through March 31. 955-1315.

State of the Arts Gallery. Rock/Paper/Scissors offers organic sculpture, collage and assemblage on view throughout the month and into April. 955-2787.

The Art Work of John Lennon. To be displayed on St. Armands Circle March 2-4; call 388-1554 for more information.

Longboat Key Center for the Arts. In the center’s Durante Gallery, the Northern Trust sponsored exhibit opens with a reception at 5 p.m. March 2 and continues through March 25; in the Glen Gallery, you can see works by Moshe Horowitz March 1-26. Sculpture, pottery prints and more are on view March 14 through Sept. 28 in the Members Exhibit and Gift Gallery. And the Al Hixon Jazz All Stars perform here at 7:30 p.m. March 13. 383-2345.

The Gallery at Towles Court. A Splash of Color, paintings by David Peterson, and A Sampling of Art: 2000-2006, works by Marilyn Helfenbein, are on view here starting with a reception at 6 p.m. March 16 and continuing through April 30. All sales benefit NARSAD. 308-1986.

Sharp-Stevens Gallery. A reception is set for watercolor and acrylic artist Marge Bennett, from 6 to 10 p.m. March 16. 365-4222.

Art Uptown. A reception for wildlife artist Brendan Coudal takes place here at 6 p.m. March 16; the show will also feature vintage-style paintings honoring Southwest Florida’s past. 955-5409.

Longboat Key Fine Arts & Crafts Festival. A juried show and festival of arts and crafts, with demonstrations, kids’ events, music, food and more, March 24 and 25 on the campus of the Longboat Key Center for the Arts. 383-2345.

CHILDREN

Keep the Beat! Robbi Kumalo and a six-member band present songs and stories in seven languages, including Swahili, at 10:30 a.m. March 3 at the Van Wezel. 953-3368.

COMEDY

McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre. Providing the laughs at the North Tamiami Trail club this month: Mitch Fatel, March 1-4; Rich Guzzi, March 14-18; and Josh Blue, March 22-25. 925-3869.

Sarasota Comedy Festival. This year’s fest offers two “New Faces in Stand-Up Nites”: one March 5 at Pelican Point Country Club in Venice, the other March 7 at Bird Key Yacht Club. Then “An Evening of Comedy” stars Sebastian Maniscalco and John Caparaulo of the “Vince Vaughn Wild West Comedy Show,” March 10 at the Girl Scout Conference Center. Proceeds benefit the Child Protection Center; for ticket info call 371-6798.

DANCE

Sarasota Ballet of Florida. The company presents Coppelia, with artistic director Robert de Warren in a farewell performance as Dr. Coppelius, March 23 and 24 at the Van Wezel. 351-8000.

*UPDATED* Fuzion Dance. Sarasota's first contemporary dance company will hold its premiere performances March 30 and 31 at 8 p.m. at the Historic Asolo Theater. Tickets $25 for adults and $15 for students; www.fuziondance.com.

FILM

Monday Night Movies at the Ringling. See art films and documentaries each Monday through March 26 at the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

MISCELLANEOUS

Build for the Cure. The Florida Suncoast Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure presents a brand-new luxury home on St. Armands, named Villa Milagros, available for tours March 2-18. (Hours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.) Tickets are $20 at outlets prior to the opening, $25 at the house, and proceeds benefit Komen’s cancer research and education. A “Pink Party” unwraps the house March 1 (tickets $125). Call (877) 506-6927 for more details.

Longboat Key Garden Club Home and Garden Tour. This tour peeks into some lovely Longboat homes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 3. Proceeds benefit scholarships, beautification projects and horticulture camps. Tickets $15 at designated sites; $20 at the homes. Call 383-8030 to learn more.

Sarasota Orchid Society Auction. One hundred-fifty blooming orchids, art and related items are available at this event, March 5 at Selby Gardens. 918-4414.

Creator and Collector Tour. The Fine Arts Society of Sarasota presents this artistically themed tour, March 16 and 17, visiting the home studios of photographer Steve Katzman, painters Olivia Marie Braida-Chiusano and Julie Trigg, sculptor Frank Colson, potter Ann Darling and collector Carolyn Michel. Tickets, $20, can be purchased at Van Wezel, Ace Hardware or Davidson Drugs. 330-0680.

Sarasota County Fair. The midway rides and games, the entertainment, the food…it’s all back again, March 16-25 at the fairgrounds. 365-0818.

PAL Sailor Circus. “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Circus Factory” is the theme for this spring’s circus event at the arena on Bahia Vista Street, with performances March 21-24 and 28-31. For tickets and more info, call 361-6350.

MUSIC

Atlanta Symphony. The symphony performs in a Sarasota Concert Association subscription series concert, at 8 p.m. March 1 at the Van Wezel. 955-0040.

Madama Butterfly. Puccini’s beloved opera of love betrayed continues in a Sarasota Opera production, March 1 and 3 at the Opera House. 366-8450.

Venice Symphony. The symphony offers classical concerts March 2 and 3 at the Church of the Nazarene, with a Music Outside the Box event March 11 at Jacaranda Trace, a free Pops in the Park event March 17, and more Classical Concerts March 23 and 24. 488-1010.

Attila. Enjoy early-period Verdi with this operatic tale of “the scourge of God,” aka Attila the Hun, having its final Sarasota Opera performances March 2 and 4 at the Opera House. 366-8450.

Jerome DuCharme. Canadian guitarist Ducharme performs as part of the Guitar Sarasota series, at 7:30 p.m. March 3 at St. Paul Lutheran Church. 362-2991.

Halka. The Sarasota Opera’s production of this Polish national opera has one more performance, March 3 at the Opera House. 366-8450.

Andre Watts. Pianist Watts returns to the Van Wezel in recital, at 2 p.m. March 4. 953-3368.

POPS Extras! Take a bite out of Joe Bruno’s Dixieland Hot Dogs, at 4 p.m. March 4 at the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

Sarasota Opera Spring Gala Concert. Maestro Victor DeRenzi conducts soloists, orchestra, chorus and the Sarasota Youth Opera in important moments in the life of the Sarasota Opera House, at 8 p.m. March 4. 366-8450.

Doc Severinsen and His Big Band. They’re making musical memories over at the Van Wezel,  at 8 p.m. March 4. 953-3368.

Red, Hot &…Blue. A cast from Branson, Mo., takes a musical journey through ragtime, jazz, the big bands and beyond, March 4 and 5 at Venice Little Theatre. 488-1115.

Jazz Artist Spotlight Series. The Ellingtonians—Buster Cooper and John Lamb—perform at 8 p.m. March 6 at the Backlot. 363-9300.

New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. Irvin Mayfield leads this 16-piece band playing the Big Easy’s brand of jazz, blues, swing and gospel, at 2 p.m. March 8 at the Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Florida West Coast Symphony Masterworks. Pianist Jorge Federico Osorio joins the orchestra in concerts that include Franck’s Symphonic Variations, Liszt’s Dance of Death, and Ravel’s Suite No. 2 from Daphnis et Chloe. At 8 p.m. March 8 and 10, 2:30 p.m. March 11 at the Van Wezel, with another performance at 8 p.m. March 9 at Neel Performing Arts Center. Also this month: the Masterworks series concludes with performances featuring Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, played by Tzimon Barto, and Strauss’ Alpine Symphony, Op. 64. At 8 p.m. March 29 and 31 at Van Wezel, 2:30 p.m. April 1 at Van Wezel, and 8 p.m. March 30 at Neel. 953-3434.

The Beach Boys. Surf into spring with the perennial purveyors of the California sound, at 8 p.m. March 9 at the Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway. Five Broadway singers perform works by Jerome Kern, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter and more, at 2 p.m. March 10 at the Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Sarasota Jazz Festival. The 27th annual fest swings into action this month, presenting 11 events March 11-18. Included in that week: Jazz in the Park, March 11 at Phillippi Estate Park; Jazz Lectures March 12 and 13 at Burns Court Cinema; Jazz on the Bayfront (free), from 3 to 5 p.m. March 14 outside the Van Wezel; a Jazz Caravan by Trolley March 14; and concerts with stars including Eartha Kitt (March 16), the Four Freshmen and Dick Hyman & Friends (both March 17), the John Pizzarelli Swing 7 and the Count Basie Orchestra (both March 18), all at the Van Wezel. A performer for March 15 was not yet announced at press time. For more info call 366-1552; for the Van Wezel events, call 953-3368 for tickets.

The Sounds of Harry James and the Andrews Sisters. Charly Raymond and the harmonies of the Apple Blossoms entertain March 11 at Venice Little Theatre. 488-1115.

Itzhak Perlman. The violin virtuoso returns to the Van Wezel, at 8 p.m. March 11. 953-3368.

Artist Series of Sarasota. The series presents soprano Jennifer Black March 11 and 13, while pianist Jie Chen stars March 25 and 27. All recitals are at the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

Paul Anka. Which of the staggering 900 songs or so that he’s written will Anka perform March 12 at the Van Wezel? Guess you’ll have to show up at 8 p.m. to find out. 953-3368.

Willie and Lobo. The musical duo performs at 8 p.m. March 12 at the Players Theatre. 365-2494.

Munchtime Musicale. Featuring the Riverview High Chamber choir, at noon March 14 at David Cohen Hall. Free. 925-7811.

Great Escapes. Florida West Coast Symphony musicians provide a Moonlight Serenade courtesy of the music of Glenn Miller and others, March 14, 15, 16 and 17 at  Holley Hall. 953-3434.

Third Thursdays: Cocktails at the Ca d’Zan. Music and refreshment from 6 to 9 p.m. March 15. 359-5700.

Pops Orchestra. The group features the Manatee High orchestra along with performances of their own selections, at 3 p.m. March 18 at Neel Performing Arts Center. 351-8000.

Tengstrand-Sun Piano Duo. The duo performs at 8 p.m. March 19 in a Sarasota Concert Association offering at the Van Wezel. 955-0040.

Musicians from La Musica. Pianist Derek Han performs March 20 at the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

Octagala. A Salon Soiree from Florida West Coast Symphony musicians, offering octets by Beethoven and Mendelssohn at 5:30 p.m. March 21 at Holley Hall. 953-3434.

Smooth Jazz on St. Armands: Fourth Friday with Style. Johnny Magsax & the Groove are the featured musicians for this month’s jazz event, starting at 6 p.m. March 23 on the Circle. 388-1554.

Giving Hunger the Blues. Live bands on two stages, dance demos, kids’ activities and food and refreshments are on the schedule for this daylong event to benefit the All Faiths Food Bank and the Child Protection Center, from noon to 8 p.m. April 1 on Hillview Street, Southside Village. For ticket info, go to www.givinghungertheblues.org.

*UPDATED* The Jacobites. Comprised of a group of business professionals, students and retirees, this group will perform at the Van Wezel on March 31 along with the Drake School of Irish Dance and the Sarasota Scottish Fiddle Orchestra. For ticket information, visit www.jacobitesband.com.

SPORTS

Major League Baseball Spring Training. Get ready to cheer on the Cincinnati Reds (at Ed Smith Stadium) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (at Bradenton’s McKechnie Field), starting March 1 with the two teams facing each other at McKechnie. Games continue throughout the month of March; call 954-4464 for ticket info for the Reds; 747-3245 for the Pirates.

Albritton Fruit Sarasota Marathon. The “Grouper Run,” as it’s called, takes place March 4 along a course running through the Ringling Museum neighborhood to the Ringling Bridge and back; it’s expected to draw 3,000 or more runners. Charities are the beneficiaries; for more information go to www.sarasotamarathon.com.

Sarasota Ski-A-Rees. Free water skiing shows at 2 p.m. March 4, 11, 18 and 25 on City Island. 388-1666.

TALKS

smARTalk. The Sarasota County Arts Council luncheon event examines Sarasota: What Will It Look Like?, at 11:45 a.m. March 1 at Michael’s On East. Tickets $30 for members; $35 for guests. 365-5118 ext. 306.

Ringling School Library Association Town Hall Series. This month’s speakers: business guru Daniel Pink March 5 and primatologist Jane Goodall March 27, both at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Van Wezel. 925-1343.

Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning (SILL). On the SILL schedule this month: Behind the Musical Scenes with Bob Sherman (March 5) and Leif Bjaland (March 12), both at Holley Hall; Contemporary Issues, March 6, 13, 20 and 27, at the Players Theatre; International Issues I, March 7, 14, and 21, also at the Players; International Issues II, March 1, 8, 15 and 22, again at the Players; and Arts and Humanities, March 2, 9, 16 and 23, at the Bayfront Community Center. There are also Contemporary Issues begin discussed March 6, 13, 20 and 27, along with international ones March 2, 9, 16 and 23, at the Venice Community Center. For a complete schedule call 365-6404 or go to www.sillsarasota.org.

Mote Special Lecture Series. Guest speakers this month at the marine lab are Michael Cottman, author of Spirit Dive (March 5), and Richard H. Pierce, director of Mote’s center for ecotoxicology, who will speak on red tide research March 12. Both at 7 p.m. 388-4441 ext. 691.

Education Center Lecture Series. On tap this month at the Longboat Key center are Anne Albritton with Women Artists of the Paris Avant-Garde, March 6; Emanuel Tanay with I Am Because I Remember, March 13; Arden Fowler with Italy—My Beautiful Obsession, March 20; and Terri Wonder with The Revolutionary Conduct of the Muslim Brotherhood, March 27. All are at 3 p.m. 383-8811.

Friends of Selby Book & Author Luncheon. SARASOTA Magazine’s very own “Social Detective” columnist, Leslie Glass (who happens to be a prolific novelist and screenwriter as well), is guest speaker at this event, starting at 11:30 a.m. March 7 at Michael’s On East. Tickets are $40 for Friends, $45 for nonmembers. 365-5228.

Books & Coffee. Professor Martin Tucker reviews Conrad’s Nostromo, at 10:30 a.m. March 13 at Selby Library. 365-5228.

An Evening With…a speaker TBA, March 14 at the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

Palm Literary Society. Speakers at this month’s luncheon series include Thomas Cahill (Mysteries of the Middle Ages), March 15; and Doro Bush Koch (My Father, My President: An Intimate Account of the Life of George H.W. Bush), March 26. Both at 11:30 a.m. at Michael’s On East. Tickets are $75; call 329-2604.

A Renaissance Man. That would be car maker, poet and businessman Piero Rivolta, who speaks at a luncheon for Sarasota’s Italian community (and others) March 25 at Prestancia Golf and Country Club. For reservations call 753-1197.

Forum: Truth for a Change. Journalist-commentator Gloria Borger (U.S. News & World Report) is guest speaker in this series March 25 at the Chelsea Center. For ticket info, call 349-8350 or go to www.forum2004america.org.

*UPDATED* Named one of Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People of 2005," Ali will discuss her new book, Infidel, at the Historic Asolo Theater March 23 at 3 p.m. Tickets $15; call 360-7399 to purchase and for more information.

THEATER

The Robber Bridegroom. The Southern fairy tale musical ends its run March 4 at the Players Theatre. 365-2494.

Big River. Roger Miller’s musical version of the Huck Finn tale continues through March 4 at the Manatee Players Riverfront Theatre, in a production designed for both hearing and hearing-impaired audiences. 748-5875.

Amadeus. Peter Shaffer’s “what if” play about composers Mozart and Salieri ends its run March 7 at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. 351-8000.

Men of Tortuga. Also coming to a close at the Asolo Rep on March 8 is this Jason Wells satire about ruthless men and their desperate plans. 351-8000.

Golf: The Musical. The fun and frustration of hitting that little white ball, dealt with musically through March 11 on Venice Little Theatre’s second stage. 488-1115.

Wicked. The Broadway hit about life in Oz before Dorothy hit town continues through March 11 at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. (800) 955-1045.

The Full Monty. Months of unemployment and low self-esteem convince some steelworkers to pursue an alternative source of income—stripping. Continues through March 18 at Venice Little Theatre. 488-1115.

The Bacchae. A staging of Euripides’ ancient play about the god Dionysus’s return to earth, continuing through March 18 in a FSU/Asolo Conservatory production at the Cook Theatre. 351-8000.

The Fula from America. Follow Carlyle Brown on his journey into the African culture and what it means to be African-American, onstage through March 23 at FST’s Stage III. 366-9000.

The British Invasion. Looking back at that early ‘60s musical invastion, through March 24 on Florida Studio Theatre’s cabaret stage. 366-9000.

One on One. Actor Robert Mansell continues his one-man show on Mondays through March 26 at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. 366-5454.

Permanent Collection. Thomas Gibbons’ play about an art museum at the center of a controversy continues through April 6 on Florida Studio Theatre’s mainstage. 366-9000.

Carnival. At press time, we still didn’t know if the curtain would be coming down on the country’s longest-running dinner theater operation, downtown’s Golden Apple. But the actors are still working in this musical about a naïve young girl’s effect on a traveling carnival troupe. Through April 22 at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. 366-5454.

Expecting Isabel. Lisa Loomer’s pregnancy play continues through April 25 at the Asolo Rep. 351-8000.

A Few Good Men. Continuing through May 5 at the Asolo Rep, Aaron Sorkin’s courtroom drama focuses on issues of honor, duty and right and wrong. 351-8000.

Bowfire. If you’re feeling fit as a fiddle, you’ll love this production showcasing the strings, onstage at 8 p.m. March 6 at the Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Dreamgirls. If you didn’t catch the recent film version, or even if you did, the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s production of this musical about a girl group headed for glory—and pain—might pique your interest. Onstage March 8-24 at the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

Drinking Alone. A family reunion is played for both laughs and tears in this Norm Foster play, onstage at the Island Players March 15 through April 1. 778-5755.

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. A romp through the world of dating and relationships by Joe DiPietro and Jimmy Roberts, running March 22 through April 7 at the Manatee Players. 748-5875.

The Oldest Profession. Playwright Paula Vogel’s seriocomic look at five elderly ladies of the evening still plying their trade in New York after decades of  dallying, March 22 through April 7 at Venice Little Theatre’s Stage II. 488-1115.

Pride and Prejudice. A new adaptation of the Jane Austen classic, onstage March 23 through May 6 at the Asolo Rep. 351-8000.

Pirates of Penzance. Bathing beauties, bungling bobbies, dashing pirates…who could ask for more than this Gilbert and Sullivan classic? Playing at 8 p.m. March 26 at the Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Laughing Matters…Too. An evening of song and comedy poking fun at both political and pop culture, March 27 through June 9 on the FST cabaret stage. 366-9000.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Six adolescent outsiders vie for the spelling bee title in this Tony-winning musical, playing March 27 through April 1 at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. (800) 955-1045.

Nine. The Broadway musical adaptation of Fellini’s famous film, 8 ½, follows the travails of director Guido, who’s beset by creative and romantic troubles. March 29 through April 8 at the Players Theatre. 365-2494.

Les Folies Russes. It’s Las Vegas, Moscow-style, as the dancers, the costumes and the choreography come together in this revue. Onstage at 8 p.m. March 30 at the Van Wezel. 953-3368.