On Exhibit

Solitary Sojourn

Melissa Meyer is an extraordinarily facile painter. Although this square looks like a watercolor, she has created it completely with oil paint. With her fluid gestures in bold colors, she reveals her interest in light. The translucency of her forms shows her interest in the ground or canvas as well.

Your first impression is that Meyer’s strokes are completely abstract; however, looking closely, you detect a structural grid beneath the veils of paint. There are layers and levels to her work. Sometimes colors below bleed through; at other times one color floats above another. Meyer revels in exploring color’s power and potential as well as what will happen if one color tries to dominate another.

She keeps everything in balance in her composition. The square format keeps our eyes uniformly focused, while the aqueous nature of her paintings invites us to float in them, suspended in the sensuous shades she selects She designs solitary sojourns for herself and presents images where our own minds can wander. Her paintings and works on paper, 1975-2005, are on view this month at the Selby Gallery of Ringling College of Art and Design. —Mark Ormond

Art

Galleria Silecchia. On view through March 6, mixed media works by Paul Tamanian, followed by an exhibition of oils on canvas by Glenn Harrington and limited-edition bronze casts from glass master William Morris, opening March 7 to run through April 3. 365-7414.

Serrano Contemporary Sonnet Gallery. Continuing on view at the Towles Court gallery through March 14: The Voyager, original paintings and sculptures by Ivan Rojas. Opening March 21 is a show of works by artist Margarita Deleuze. 928-6490.

Longboat Key Center for the Arts. On tap at the center this month: photography by Dean Lucko, through March 14; the annual student exhibit, March 14-30; Serendipity, featuring works by Judy Kramer and Melody Oxarart, March 16 through April 15; and a Jazz in the Gallery event featuring Al Hixon’s Jazz All Stars, at 7:30 p.m. March 19. Plus the Longboat Key Fine Arts and Craft Festival takes place on the grounds March 29 and 30, with 90-some juried fine artisans, food, music and more. 383-2345

Selby Gallery. On view here through March 19: Interiors/Exteriors, featuring paintings and works on paper by Melissa Meyer and an installation by Brenda Brown. Opening March 28 to run through April 12: Part I of the annual Ringling College Juried Student Exhibitions. 359-7563.

The Studio at Gulf and Pine. Continuing through March 28 at this new Anna Maria Island gallery is Myakka Series Continued, featuring paintings and photography related to the Myakka River by Jean Blackburn. 778-1906.

Ringling Museum of Art. Grandma Moses: Grandmother to the Nation, continues here through April 20, while Jacob Lawrence: Three Series of Prints continues through May 4. Asian Art in Focus: Guanyin Personified, featuring 16 figures from the life of the Buddha, continues through June 15. 359-5700. A Conversation with Karal Ann Marling on Grandma Moses and the American Past: Illustrating Autobiography, takes place at 5:30 p.m. March 18 at the Historic Asolo Theater; call 360-7399 for info on that.

Salvador Dali Museum. Continuing at the St. Petersburg museum through June 1 is Dali & Film, examining the relationships between the paintings and films of the artist. (727) 823-3767.

Venice Art Center. The Plein Air Paint Out In Paradise Invitational runs March 1-7; it’s followed by the Members’ Spring Exhibition, March 14 through April 3. 485-7136.

Greene Contemporary. Photographer Steven Katzman exhibits new work at the Pineapple Avenue gallery starting with a reception at 6 p.m. March 7 and continuing through March 29. 365-9406.

Dabbert Gallery. A one-man show highlighting the paintings of Robert Baxter opens with a reception at 5:30 p.m. March 7 and continues through March 31. 955-1315.

Selby Gardens. The gardens host the fourth annual exhibit and sale of hand-carved and hand-painted wooden masks created by the Borucan Indians of Costa Rica, starting March 7 and continuing through April 24. Special lectures and demonstrations are planned; for more information call 366-4731 ext. 221 or visit selby.org.

Art Center Sarasota. Hidden Cultures, a multimedia juried members’ exhibition, opens March 11 and continues through April 26 in the Main Gallery. Also on view for those dates: Tattoo and Graffiti, a curated exhibition in the Front Gallery, and Kim Litch’s I Know Nothing, in the Center Gallery. 365-2032.

State of the Arts Gallery. This month the State Street gallery presents Urban Archeology, an exhibition featuring sculpture, collage and assemblage, opening March 14 and running through May 1. 955-2787.

Museum of Fine Arts. The St. Petersburg museum celebrates its expansion with the new Hazel Hough Wing with free admission March 22 and 23, and two special exhibitions: Unveiled: Rarely Seen Art from the Collection and Mrs. Stuart’s Legacy, showcasing works not seen in years for lack of space. An Art Parade is also set to begin at noon March 22, and a concert by the Cleveland Orchestra on March 24 at the Progress Energy Center for the Arts—Mahaffey Theater, with soloist Midori, will benefit the museum as well. For exhibition information, call (727) 896-2667; for concert tickets, call (727) 551-9598.

Comedy

McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre. Headlining at the North Trail comedy club this month: Ralph Harris, March 1 and 2; Tom Simmons, March 5-9; Carolina Rhea, March 14-16; Jeff Caldwell, March 19-23; Amy Schumer, March 26-29; and Randy Lubas, March 30. 925-FUNY.

Dance

The Best of Momix. Momix, under the direction of choreographer Moses Pendleton, has enthralled dance audiences with its magical moves for three decades; now Van Wezel patrons have the chance to witness this collection of some of the innovative company’s best works, at 8 p.m. March 5. 953-3368.

Fuzion Dance Artists. The contemporary dance company returns to the Historic Asolo Theater to premiere a new work by co-founder Rachael Inman, along with pieces by Leymis Bolanos Wilmott, Jennifer Meacker and Gerri Houlihan. At 8 p.m. March 7,2 and 8 p.m. March 8; call 360-7399.

Sarasota Ballet of Florida. This month’s performances feature Sir Kenneth McMillan’s Elite Syncopations, Hans van Manen’s Grosse Fuge and Andre Prokovsky’s Vespri, at 8 p.m. March 21 and at 2 and 8 p.m. March 22 at Van Wezel. 351-8000.

Simply Ballroom. A live look at the ballroom dancing craze, with guest host Debbie Reynolds and American Idol finalists Kimberley Locke and Vonzell Solomon joining 10 international competitive couples in the world of dance, from the cha cha to the waltz to the paso doble. At 8 p.m. March 27, 2 and 8 p.m. March 28, at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Film

Monday Night Movies at the Ringling. This month’s classic film offerings include Agnes Varda’s Cleo, March 3; Fellini’s Amarcord, March 10; Tati’s Mon Oncle, March 17; Yasujiro Ozu’s Early Summer, March 24; and Renoir’s Boudu Saved from Drowning, March 31. Presented with the Sarasota Film Festival; for ticket info call 360-7399.

Miscellaneous

Parade of Homes. A look into a host of new area homes, with opportunities galore for improving your home. Continuing through March 9. 412-9696.

Sarasota Magazine/Robb & Stucky Style Event. Travel “The World of Design” in this event at Robby & Stucky Interiors, starting at 7 p.m. March 13. 922-2274 ext. 178.

Creators & Collectors Tour. The Fine Arts Society of Sarasota presents its annual tour March 14 and 15, with stops at the home studios of potter Judy Pirkey, painters Betty Carmell Savenor, Jeffrey Schwartz and Florence Putterman and watercolorists Sherren Baughman and Douglas Teller. A Galleria also takes place in the Crossley Gallery at the Ringling College. Tickets $20 and available at Van Wezel or at the homes of the artists on tour days. 330-0680.

Sarasota County Fair. All the familiar sights, sounds and thrills of the fair, on tap again this year March 14-23 at the fairgrounds. 365-0818.

PAL Sailor Circus. Sarasota’s high-flying youth perform again, the 59th year of spring shows at the circus arena on Bahia Vista. Show dates are March 26-29 and April 2-5; call 361-6350 for more details and ticket info.

Sarasota Highland Games. Celebrating our city’s Scottish heritage, the games take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 29 on the Venice Airport grounds. 342-0509.

Bodies Revealed. Expected to continue running throughout March is this exhibition of real human bodies, providing an up-close look inside the body’s many systems. If you’re up to it, it’s on at G.WIZ; call 309-4949.

Music

Rigoletto. Verdi’s masterpiece about a hunchbacked jester, his daughter and a licentious duke is the opera that reopens the restored Sarasota Opera House, with a gala evening on March 1, continuing with performances March 4, 9, 12, 15, 20 and 26 this month and into April as well. 366-8450.

Smokey Robinson. The Motown master, creator of such standards as Tracks of My Tears and I Second That Emotion, sings up a Quiet Storm, at 8 p.m. March 2 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Spirit of the Gulf & Jackpot. Spirit of the Gulf, the largest women’s chorus in Florida, and Jackpot, a female quartet, perform at 4 p.m. March 2 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. For tickets call 923-1691.

Sarasota Jazz Festival. The festival swings from March 2 to 9. Among the highlights: a free Jazz on the Bayfront Concert at 3 p.m. March 5; trumpeter Chuck Mangione at 8 p.m. March 6; Marcus Belgrave’s Louis Armstrong Tradition at 2 p.m. March 7; the Billy Taylor Trio at 8 p.m. March 7; the Chenille Sisters in a kids’ show at 10:30 a.m. March 8 (they also team with James Dapogny’s Chicago Jazz Band at 2 p.m. that day); Branford Marsalis at 8 p.m. March 8 and Jon Faddis at 2 p.m. March 9. All the above take place at Van Wezel; other festival events, co-sponsored by the Jazz Club of Sarasota, include Jazz in the Park at noon March 2 at Phillippi Estate Park, jazz lectures and concerts featuring Dick Hyman and Peter Appleyard. For Van Wezel concert tickets call 953-3368; for general information call the Jazz Club at 366-1552.

Florida West Coast Symphony Great Escapes. A Fiesta of Latin Music includes works such as Capriccio Espagnol, Tico Tico and the Girl from Ipanema, March 5-8 at Holley Hall. 953-3434.

Courtyard Concert. The Alan Zahn orchestra provides Big Band swing music and dancing from 6 to 9 p.m. March 6 in the Ringling Museum’s courtyard. 360-7375.

Foreigner. The rock group (Cold as Ice, Feels Like the First Time) returns to the Pal Sailor Circus Arena for a fund-raising concert for arena renovations, on March 7. For tickets call 361-6350, 951-6103 or 366-5555.

Sarasota Choral Society Julia W. Rohr Tribute. The society plans a tribute concert in honor of longtime music director Rohr and her 90th birthday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. March 7 with cocktails and continuing with a documentary on Rohr’s life followed by the concert itself. All at the Glenridge at Palmer Ranch Performing Arts Center. 552-5298.

Venice Symphony. This month the symphony presents classical concerts March 7 and 8 at Church of the Nazarene, along with a Music Outside the Box event March 30 at Jacaranda Trace and a free Pops in the Park concert at Blalock Park March 29 (rain date March 30). 488-1010.

La rondine. Second in the Sarasota Opera’s season lineup is this “rediscovered” Puccini gem, centering on a Parisian courtesan’s last change for true love. In performances March 8, 11,13, 16, 19 and 28 this month. 366-8450.

The Canadian Brass. The quintet appears in a Sarasota Concert Association performance March 9 at Van Wezel; call 955-0040 for ticket availability.

Music of Tin Pan Alley. Soprano Jennifer Aylmer, baritone Randall Scarlata and pianist Laura Ward combine talents to salute this era of American music, in Artist Series of Sarasota concerts March 9 and 11 at the Historic Asolo Theater. Call 388-1188 for info; 360-7399 for tickets.

The Kingston Trio. Performing folk songs from yesterday, March 9 and 10 at Venice Little Theatre. 488-1115.

Brass Band of Battle Creek. Love the sound of a big brass band? This 31-member ensemble is for you. Onstage at 8 p.m. March 10 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Tony Kenny’s Ireland. Entertainer Kenny is joined by comedian Richie Hayes, the Dublin City Dancers, and his own daughter, singer-dancer Victoria, for an evening of Irish sounds and songs, at 8 p.m. March 11 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Florida West Coast Symphony Masterworks. Pianist Vladimir Feltsman interprets Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83, when the symphony performs March 13, 15, and 16 (at the Van Wezel) and March 14 (Neel Performing Arts Center). Also on the program: Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, From the New World. 953-3434.

The Musicians from Marlboro. Performers from the famed Marlboro Music Festival play at 7:30 p.m. March 14, at the Historic Asolo Theater, in an Artist Series of Sarasota offering. 388-1188; 360-7399.

Dick Fox’s Golden Boys. Hark back to the late ‘50s and early ‘60s with popsters Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Bobby Rydell. At 8 p.m. March 14 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

The Great Learning, Paragraph 7: Music of Cornelius Cardew. Presented as part of the New Music New College series, composer Cardew’s setting of his work’s seventh paragraph for a large vocal ensemble will be performed by New College students at 8 p.m. March 15 at mack b. 487-4154.

Gloria Musicae: An American Songbook. The choral ensemble ranges from Copland’s Old American Songs to works by Bernstein, Gershwin and Sondheim in this concert, at 4 p.m. March 16 at the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

The Mills Brothers. Musical memories from the ‘40s or so, onstage March 17 at Venice Little Theatre. 488-1115.

Natalie MacMaster. Fiddler MacMaster cajoles the audience with her mix of folk and Celtic music, at 8 p.m. March 17 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Silver Foxes 16th Annual Follies. The Foxes perform their mainstage variety show, March 19-24 at Venice Little Theatre. 488-1115.

Cocktails at the Ca d’Zan. Live entertainment on the Cà d’Zan Terrace, from 6 to 9 p.m. March 20. 359-5700.

I due Foscari. The Sarasota Opera’s Masterworks Revival Series offers this little-seen Verdi opera, about a Venetian doge torn between his duty and his love of his son, who’s accused of treason. On the Opera House stage March 22, 25, 27 and 30, with more performances in April. 366-8450.

Israel Extravaganza. The Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Federation continues its year-long Israel@60 celebration with performances by Jewish recording artist Debbie Friedman and Israeli pop star Din Din Aviv, March 23 at the Van Wezel. For tickets call 953-3368; for more information call 371-4546.

State Symphony Orchestra of Russia. Conductor Mark Gorenstein leads the orchestra in an evening of Russian music, including excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s Snow Maiden, Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 (with pianist Denis Matsuev) and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No; 2. At 8 p.m. March 26 at Van Wezel. Call 953-3368 for tickets. The orchestra also performs in a Sarasota Concert Association offering March 24; for ticket info on that concert, call 955-0040.

La Musica International Chamber Music Festival. The 2008 festival commences with open rehearsals beginning March 28 at Sainer Pavilion at New College of Florida and continues daily through April 14; the festival concerts themselves are March 31, April 4, April 7, April 10 and April 14 at St. Thomas More Church. A highlight of the event: the regional premiere of a string quartet by Dick Hyman. For tickets call 954-0355.

Smooth Jazz on St. Armands: Fourth Friday with Style. From 6 to 9 p.m. March 28 on the circle, with musicians TBA. 388-1554.

Cosi fan tutte. Mozart’s delightful comic opera about two soldiers who test their fiancées loyalty, with intriguing results. On the Sarasota Opera House stage March 29 with more performances in April. 366-8450.

The Moody Blues. The Blues bring those Nights in White Satin to the Van Wezel, at 8 p.m. March 29. 953-3368.

Giving Hunger the Blues. A day of entertainment featuring local musicians and bands, area restaurants, kids’ games and dance demos, from noon to 8 p.m. March 30 along Hillview Street in Southside Village. All proceeds benefit the All Faiths Food Bank and the Child Protection Center. 366-5555.

Sarasota Pops. The Pops celebrates America with jazz pianist, vocalist and composer George Carroll and his side men, at 3 p.m. March 30 at Church of the Palms. 926-POPS.

Florida Wind Quintet. In concert with the world premiere of David Maslanka’s Wind Quintet No. 4, at 4 p.m. March 30 at Holley Hall. 953-3434.

The Beach Boys. The good vibrations never stop with the California sounds of the Beach Boys, performing at 7:30 p.m. March 30 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Thomas Meglioranza/Reiko Uchida. Baritone Meglioranza and pianist Uchida team on Haydn’s Sailor’s Song and music by Debussy and Charles Ives, March 30 and April 1 in Artist Series of Sarasota concerts at the Historic Asolo Theater. Call 388-1188 for info; 360-7399 for tickets.

An Evening with Jennifer Holliday. Broadway and concert star Holliday guests at a special gala at 8 p.m. March 31 at the Asolo’s Mertz Theatre, to benefit the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. 358-9228.

La Musica International Chamber Music Festival. The 22nd annual fest brings sweet music to our ears, starting with a concert of Beethoven, Ravel and Dvorak at 8 p.m. March 31 at St. Thomas More Church, followed by four more concerts to come in April (plus open rehearsals and lectures, etc). For ticket information call 954-0355 ext. 304.

Sports

Spring Training. Get your crackerjack right here…at either Ed Smith Stadium, spring home of the Cincinnati Reds, or Bradenton’s McKechnie Field, home to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Reds begin their home exhibition season by taking on the Minnesota Twins Feb. 28; the Pirates play the Phillies Feb. 29. Then there’s a full month of games involving the Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, and Tampa Bay Rays—a baseball lover’s dream. For Pirates tickets call 748-4610; for the Reds, try 954-4464.

Sarasota Marathon. Actually, the marathon and a half marathon both take place March 2, so it depends on your stamina which one you run. Both begin at 6 a.m.; for course details and registration info, go to sarasotamarathon.com.

All-Star Children’s Foundation Serving Up a Grand Slam Celebrity Tennis Classic. This weekend consists of a kickoff party March 14, the tennis tournament March 15 (including a celebrity pro exhibition featuring Jim Courier and Petr Korda), and an awards celebration March 16, all at the Longboat Key Club and Resort. 312-9049.

2008 Tournament Fore Dreams. This golf tourney benefiting the Foundation for Dreams & Dream Oaks Camp begins with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. March 28 at River Strand Golf Club in Bradenton. For more info call 907-1111 ext. 305.

Talks

Ringling College Library Association Town Hall Series. Dr. Paul Krugman, an economist and op-ed columnist for the New York Times, speaks March 2 and 3 at Van Wezel; he’s followed by Sen. Bob Dole and Gov. Mario Cuomo on March 25. Call 925-1343 to see if any tickets remain.

Longboat Key Education Center. The center closes out its spring lecture series with Global Contemporary Women Artists by Ann Albritton, March 4; You Don’t Have to Be Crazy But It Helps with chef Ray Arpke, March 11; Exploring the World of Glass Art with Timothy Close, March 18; and Wagner and the Jews with John Goodman, March 25. All talks at 3 p.m. 383-8811.

Season of Sculpture Symposium. “The Heart of Public Art” is the topic for this symposium associated with downtown’s bayfront exhibition, with arts writers, educators and artists themselves coming together for talks, programs and more, March 7, 8 and 9. For complete schedule information call 366-7767.

International Women’s Day Luncheon. Author and women’s rights advocate Joanna Kerr speaks on “Violence Against Women and HIV/AIDS: A Call for Outrage and Hope” at this luncheon event, sponsored by the Gulf Coast Chapter of the U.S. Committee for UNIFEM. At 11:30 a.m. March 8 at Michael’s On East; tickets $55 ($60 if after March 2). 906-9857.

A Conversation with Marilyn Horne: The Song Continues. Mezzo-soprano Horne talks about her life in the arts and more at 5:30 p.m. March 12 at the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

The Power of Women in Media, Communications and Entertainment. Biz941 editor Susan Burns moderates this panel, which also features cartoonist Cathy Guisewite, at New College’s Sainer Pavilion. At 4 p.m. March 18. 487-4800.

Forum 2007-2008: Washington Week in Review. Pulitzer Prize winning reporter Jack Nelson, White House correspondent Alexis Simendinger and Washington bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times Doyle McManus take a no-holds-barred look at the 2008 Presidential election, at 7:30 p.m. March 18 at the Sudakoff Center on the New College campus. For ticket info go to forumtruth.org or call 349-8350 or 365-6332.

Palm Literary Society. Author Jodi Picoult, whose new book Change of Heart tells the tale of a mother’s loss and a criminal’s last chance for salvation, is guest speaker at 11:30 a.m. March 19 at Michael’s on East. Tickets $75; call 329-2604.

Theater

Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash. Thirty-eight songs from the late, great Cash form the basis of this Broadway musical, seen at 2 and 8 p.m. March 1 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Candide. The Leonard Bernstein musical of the Voltaire classic ends its run March 2 at the Players Theatre. 365-2494.

The Constant Wife. Dana Green sparkles as an upper-middle-class wife who’s more than understanding of her husband’s infidelities in this 1927 W. Somerset Maugham comedy of manners, onstage through March 12 at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. 351-8000.

The Play’s the Thing. A fun confection from P.G. Wodehouse and Ferenc Molnar, as a playwright attempts to rescue his latest work and an imperiled romance at the same time. Continues through March 13 at the Asolo Rep. 351-8000.

Jersey Boys. This Tony-winning show tells the story of street-corner singers who turn into the Four Season of pop fame, through March 15 at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. (800) 955-1045.

The Duchess of Malfi. John Webster’s 17th-century look at lust, passion and political intrigue gets a contemporary spin in this FSU/Asolo Conservatory production, onstage through March 16 in the Cook Theatre. 351-8000.

Evita. The Lloyd Webber-Rice pop op about Eva Peron continues through March 16 at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. 366-5454.

My Fair Lady. It’s still raining on the Spanish plain over at Venice Little Theatre, in this classic musical adaptation of Shaw’s Pygmalion. Through March 16. 488-1115.

Best Seller. This new musical by area playwright Don Crabb offers the tale of romance in New York City, through March 16 at the Manatee Players Riverfront Theatre. 748-5875.

European Cabaret. A musical look back the heyday of sophisticated cabarets abroad, circa the 1930s, through March 22 at FST’s cabaret stage. 366-9000.

Jewtopia. A comedy by Bryan Fogel and Sam Wolfson that finds two young men, one Jewish, one not, on the hunt for the perfect Jewish wife. Continues through March 28 at Florida Studio Theatre. 366-9000.

Destination SRQ. A musical comedy revue about cabaret entertainers featuring Las Vegas and Paris style production numbers by the Tony Bartok Dancers, along with supper club dining, through March 29 at Mote Marine Aquarium. 955-7469.

Doubt. John Patrick Shanley’s prize winner about the confrontation between a nun and a priest she suspects of inappropriate behavior continues through May 1 at the Asolo Rep. 351-8000.

Smash. George Bernard Shaw’s novel An Unsocial Socialist gets a stage adaptation by Jeffrey Hatcher that examines how a millionaire dreams of overthrowing the government. Onstage through May 3 at the Asolo Rep. 351-8000.

Underneath the Lintel. The life of a small-town Dutch librarian is turned upside down by the return of an overdue book—overdue by more than 100 years—in this one-man play by Glen Berger, opening March 5 to run through March 23 at Florida Studio Theatre’s Stage III. 366-9000.

The Pillowman. Martin McDonagh’s Tony-nominated play centers on an investigation into a series of child murders that bear an uncanny resemblance to the short stories of a small-time writer. Playing March 13-30 at Venice Little Theatre’s Stage II; not recommended for children. 488-1115.

Born Yesterday. Garson Kanin’s post-World War II look at a political education, Billie Dawn style, is onstage March 13-30 at the Island Players. 778-5755.

Funny Girl. Fanny Brice makes it big on stage, suffers heartbreak in her private life in this musical full of Jule Styne-Bob Merrill tunes, onstage March 18 through May 11 at the Golden Apple. 366-5454.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The Powel Crosley Theatre presents Shakespeare’s comedy of true love and its complications in an enchanted wood, March 19-29. 722-3244.

Outlaws and Angels. A celebration of songs by the “outlaws” of Western music, including Hank Williams, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, and the “angels” who love them, Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton. Onstage at FST’s cabaret space March 25 through June 7. 366-9000.

Hair. The Age of Aquarius dawns once more, 40 years after the Broadway debut of this “tribal musical” about love, war, friendship and rebellion. Playing March 27 through April 6 at the Players Theatre. 365-2494.

Equus. FSU/Asolo Conservatory MFA student Juan Javier Cardenas plays a troubled youth who blinds a horse; Paul Whitworth is his empathetic therapist, in this Peter Shaffer drama onstage March 28 through May 4 at the Asolo Rep. 351-8000.

The Hot Mikado. A swing version of the operetta told with an all-black cast, opening March 28 to run through April 5 in a Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe production at the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

The Mikado. The Carl Rosa Opera Company presents the original Gilbert and Sullivan comic masterpiece about Nanki-Poo, Ko-Ko, Yum Yum and the great Mikado himself, at 8 p.m. March 31 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.