Art

Venice Art Center. A show of Landscapes and Seascapes closes here Oct. 4; it’s followed by an exhibition of abstract art, Oct. 10 through Nov. 1, accompanied by a solo show featuring acrylic/abstract artist Linda Larisch. 485-7136.

Selby Gallery. On view here through Oct. 11: the annual Ringling College Faculty Exhibition Part I, highlighting fine arts, computer animation, interior design and the CORE program. Opening with a reception at 5 p.m. Oct. 17: Part II of the exhibition, focusing on works by faculty in digital film, illustration, graphic and interactive communication, photography and liberal arts, to run through Nov. 8. 359-7563.

Art Center Sarasota. Almost Too Precious to Sell, a juried members’ exhibition, continues through Oct. 21 here. Also on view through Oct. 25: NFS (Not for Sale) Collection of the Artist; Connection to Objects—Diversity Everywhere; and works by member artists. Opening Oct. 28 and continuing through Jan. 3: Politics: Sex, Lies and Power?, with a reception at 5 p.m. Oct. 30. 365-2032.

Ringling Museum of Art. Ringling Retro: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Permanent Collection, continues here through Oct. 26. Also on view, through Jan. 4: Modern Masters of the Japanese Prints: Tradition and Transformation, selected works from the museum’s collection of Japanese shin hanga and sosaku hanga prints. Opening Oct. 18 to run through Jan. 11, To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum, presenting more than 100 objects from Brooklyn’s store of mummies, coffins, stone sculpture, gold jewelry and more. Curator Dr. Edward Bleiberg presents a talk on Living Forever in Ancient Egypt Oct. 17, and Dr. Robert Steven Bianchi offers an introduction to the Egyptian belief in the afterlife Oct. 31; call 359-5700 for more info.

Museum of Fine Arts. When Gold Blossoms: Indian Jewelry from the Susan L. Beningson Collection, presents more than 150 objects, mostly from the 17th to 19th centuries, at the St. Petersburg museum, through Dec. 28. Also on view, through Nov. 30: Ansel Adams and the American West. (727) 896-2667.

Salvador Dali Museum. On view at the St. Petersburg museum: Wilfredo Lam in North America, showing works by the Cuban-born artist, Oct. 3 through Jan. 10; and Myth in Dali’s Art, Oct. 2 through Jan. 10. (727) 823-3767.

Galleria Silecchia. Opening Oct. 3 to run through Nov. 6 is Paul Tamanian’s Fabulous Grind, featuring mixed media, abstract paintings and sculpture on aluminum by the Florida artist. 365-7414.

Tampa Museum of Art. Regional and national artists respond to the design for the new TMA building by proposing site-specific artworks for its public spaces; you can see their ideas Oct. 3 through Jan. 4 at the museum’s temporary site, 2306 N. Howard Ave. in Tampa. (813) 274-8130.

St. Armands Art Festival. The 20th annual festival presents works by more than 175 artists and craftsmen on the Circle, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 11 and 12. 388-1554.

Clyde Butcher Exhibit. Works by the nature photographer go on view at Phillippi Estate Park Oct. 25 through Nov. 23, with a preview party Oct. 24 to benefit the Friends of Sarasota County Parks. For more information, call 486-2706

State of the Arts Gallery. Eye Candy, an exhibit revolving around color and texture, opens Oct. 24 to run through November. 955-2787.

Children

 The Princess and the Pea. Venice Theatre’s Generations Theatre offers this classic fairy tale about a princess who’s up all night Oct. 2-19 in the Pinkerton Theatre. 488-1115.

Comedy

McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre. Headliners this month at the comedy club: Dale Jones, Oct. 1-5; Robert Mac, Oct. 8-12; Judy Tenuta, Oct. 17-19; and Karen Rontowski, Oct. 22-26. There’s also a Family Night Oct. 6; for more details call 925-3869.

Dance

Sarasota Ballet. The ballet commences its second season under the artistic direction of Iain Webb with performances of Sir Antony Tudor’s Lilac Garden, Robert North’s Troy Game and Renato Paroni’s Rococo Variations, Oct. 24-26 at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. 351-8000.

Song & Dance Ensemble of West Africa. Sights and sounds of Africa from this acclaimed ensemble, at 8 p.m. Oct. 26 at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. 953-3368.

Film

Monday Night at the Movies. This Sarasota Film Festival/Ringling Museum series continues with French-themed showings at the Historic Asolo Theater, including An American in Paris, Oct. 6; Lovers on the Bridge, Oct. 13; The Day of the Jackal, Oct. 20; and Under the Roofs of Paris, Oct. 27. 360-7399.

Family Film Festival. The first event of its kind presented by the Sarasota Film Society, with family-oriented movies being screened at both Burns Court Cinemas and the Lakewood Ranch Cinemas Oct. 10-16. 364-8662.

Miscellaneous

G.WIZ. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition opens here Oct. 4; it offers visitors the chance to take a chronological journey about the doomed ship through room re-creations and authentic artifacts. Run through Feb. 8. 309-4949.

Tinsel and Treasures Gift Mart. The Junior League of Sarasota presents this annual opportunity to find all sorts of goodies for sale, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 17 at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. Admission $5; call 953-5600.

Sarasota International Design Summit. The third annual event, presented by the Ringling College of Art and Target, brings together designers, technology professionals, entrepreneurs and more to explore issues in design in various industries, Oct. 27-29 in several locations. To learn more about speakers and registration rates, go to sarasotadesignsummit.com.

Music

Mentors of Music. The newly renamed Sarasota Orchestra (formerly the Florida West Coast Symphony) pays tribute to local music educators with a concert of four solo performances by principal musicians of the orchestra, at 8 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Sarasota Opera House. 953-3434.

Sarasota Orchestra Family Concert. Beethoven Lives Upstairs in this musical play about the arrival of an eccentric boarder in a young boy’s home: It’s Ludwig van himself. More than 30 excerpts from the composer’s works are included, at 3 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Opera House. 953-3434.

Sarasota Orchestra Great Escapes. The orchestra’s pops series kicks off the season with the theme, It’s Magic, performed Oct. 8-11 in Holley Hall at the symphony center and including sounds from Mary Poppins, ET and the Harry Potter movies. 953-3434.

Artist Series of Sarasota. Singer Gary Briggle and friends presents Let’s Misbehave: A Celebration of Cole Porter, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 and 11, 2 p.m. Oct. 12, at the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

Cocktails at the Cà d’Zan. The Venturas perform in this month’s Third Thursday event on the Ringling Museum grounds; starting at 6 p.m. Oct. 16. 359-5700.

Carlos Barbosa-Lima. This jazz guitarist, mentored by Andres Segovia and at one time paired with Charlie Byrd, kicks off the Jazz Club of Sarasota’s fall/winter concert series with a performance at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at Holley Hall. 366-1552.

Sarasota Orchestra: Journeys to Genius. The orchestra focuses on “Beethoven: The Angry Revolutionary” in an event that explores the composer’s life and work and concludes with a performance of his Fifth Symphony, at 8 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Sarasota Opera House. 953-3434.

Up Close, Informal, On Stage. An intimate concert experience with artists from the Sarasota Opera’s The Barber of Seville, who’ll perform selections and chat with the audience. At 8 p.m. Oct. 25 on the opera house stage. 366-8450 ext. 1.

Sarasota Orchestra Masterworks. Pianist Stewart Goodyear joins the orchestra to perform Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Oct. 30-Nov. 2. For times, tickets and locations, call 953-3434.

Sarasota Bluesfest. Coming up Nov. 1, the 18th annual fest (at Ed Smith Stadium) offers up the blues from Hall of Famer Bobby Rush, JJ Grey & Mofro, Bob Margolin and Diunna Greenleaf and other performers, starting at around noon. For ticket info, call 964-4101 ext. 5454.

Sports

Boys & Girls Clubs Golf Classic. This tourney to benefit the clubs of both Sarasota and Manatee takes place Oct. 3 at the Ritz-Carlton Members Club course; for more information call 761-2582, ext. 108.

United Way of South Sarasota County Golf Tournament. They’re teeing off at Pelican Poine Golf & Country Club on Oct. 18; it costs $75 to participate. Call 408-0595 to learn more.

Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Pretty in Pink Show. While the Ski-A-Rees perform free shows at Ken Thompson Park on City Island each Sunday at 2 p.m. in October, a special show on Oct. 26 benefits the Susan G. Komen Foundation and features all female skiers, boat drivers, etc. In fact, Mayor Lou Ann Palmer is slated to be featured, too. For complete info call 356-3482.

 Theater

Company. Stephen Sondheim’s hit about a bachelor and his very married friends is onstage at the Players Theatre through Oct. 5. 365-2494.

Steel Magnolias. The Manatee Players present Robert Harling’s Southern tearjerker set in a beauty shop through Oct. 12; bring the hankies. 748-5875.

Steel Magnolias. Or you can see this very popular show at the newly renamed Venice Theatre through Oct. 19, if once is not enough. 488-1115.

Golddiggers of 1633. The Golden Apple Dinner Theatre’s production of this musical version of a Moliere classic continues through Nov. 22. 366-5454.

A Murder, A Mystery and A Marriage. A musical based on a short story by Mark Twain, set in the town of Deer Lick, Mo. Opens Oct. 1 on Florida Studio Theatre’s mainstage and runs throughout November. 366-9000.

The Cocktail Hour. A.R. Gurney’s play about, of all things, a playwright looking for this family’s approval of his newest work—which happens to be all about them—takes to the Island Players stage Oct. 9-19. 778-5755.

The Giver. Eric Coble adapted this well-known Lois Lowry book for the stage; it’s presented by Asolo Rep in the Historic Asolo Theater Oct. 21 through Nov. 8, with most shows for elementary and middle school students but some open to the general public. For more information, call 351-8000.

Steppin’ Out. A tribute to the hits of songwriter Irving Berlin, opening Oct. 21 on FST’s cabaret stage and running through November. 366-9000.

Bye Bye Birdie. What’s the story, morning glory? The Players bring back this tuneful show about the hysteria that ensues when a 1950s rock idol is drafted, Oct. 23 through Nov. 2. 365-2494.

Hank Williams: Lost Highway. More than 20 Williams tunes propel this bio of the late, great country star, Oct. 30 through Nov. 16 at the Manatee Players Riverfront Theatre. 748-5875.