Art

Venice Art Center. The Black & White Plus One Color exhibition remains through Jan. 7; it’s followed by a three-dimensional show open to all (any media), Jan. 15-28. 485-7136.

Art Center Sarasota. The sixth annual Florida Open Juried Photography Exhibition continues here through Jan. 9, as do a show of paintings by Dean Mitchell and an exhibition of works by Richard Brownbill, Jimmy Peters and Arieh Aizenberg. Coming up Jan. 21 through March 6: Red Hot! Love, Romance & Humor, with a reception at 5 p.m. Jan. 21. Also this month: Artists@Work III, a fund raiser featuring well-known artists working in teams to create masterpieces in just three hours. From 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 15. 365-2032.

Ringling Museum of Art. Continuing through Jan. 10: Venice in the Age of Canaletto. On view through April 4 is Gothic Art in the Gilded Age: Medieval Treasures in the Gavet, Vanderbilt and Ringling Collections, which includes paintings, sculpture, furniture, miniatures and more from that opulent era. 359-5700.

Dabbert Gallery. A Golden Age of Sarasota Masters, exhibiting works by Ben Stahl, Syd Solomon, Jon Corbino, Julio de Diego and other Sarasota artists of our past, continues here through Jan. 28. 955-1315.

Galleria Silecchia. A show featuring works by sculptor Casey Downing Jr., oil painter Joe McFadden and glass master William Morris continues at this Palm Avenue gallery through Jan. 30. 365-7414.

State of the Arts Gallery. Continuing here throughout February is Renewal 2010: interpretations of what’s new by the gallery artists. 955-2787.

Sarasota Season of Sculpture. The exhibition of large-scale sculpture continues through May 31 along downtown’s bayfront. 366-7767.

M Gallery of Fine Art. Touch Points presents rural landscapes by Marc Hanson, starting with a reception at 6 p.m. Jan. 1. Hanson will also offer a week-long landscape workshop that will run from Jan. 4-8. For more information call 954-8774.

Island Gallery West. The Anna Maria gallery hosts featured artist photographer Joe Fletcher this month, with a reception at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 8. 778-6648.

Artists Guild Gallery. Also featured on Anna Maria Island this month: a show highlighting the works of watercolorist JoAnne Curran (a reception is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 8). 778-6694.

Museum of Fine  Arts. The St. Petersburg museum presents The Baroque World of Fernando Botero, a first for such a large exhibition of the artist’s work in the Tampa Bay area, Jan. 9 through April 4. (727) 896-2667.

Selby Gallery. REAL (ists) takes a look at how artists play with the term or genre of realism and what it means nowadays. On view Jan. 15 through Feb. 16. 359-7563.

Lomgboat Key Center for the Arts. Sculptor Malcolm Robertson installs his stainless steel sculpture Wave 2 Me in the LBKCA courtyard during the week of Jan. 11, with other works displayed in the center’s Durante Gallery, Jan. 15 through Feb. 11. Other events this month: an artist lecture by Robertson, Jan. 27, and jazz from Pepper & Fine Thyme, Jan. 12. 383-2345.

St.  Armands Winter Art Festival. More than 175 craftspeople are expected to participate in the seventh annual event, starting at 10 a.m. both Jan. 30 and 31 at St. Armands Circle Park. 388-1554.

Comedy

McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre. On the schedule at the North Tamiami Trail club for this month: Dale Jones, Jan. 1-3; Dennis Blair, Jan. 6-11; Rich Guzzi, Jan. 13; Sean Morey, Jan. 15-16; Julie Scoggins, Jan.20-24; and Dwight Slade, Jan. 27-31. 955-3869.

Jackie Mason. Veteran comic Mason returns to the Van Wezel with some new material, at 8 p.m. Jan.14. 953-3368.

Capitol Steps. What political insiders or issues are the Steps skewering this season? Find out at 8 p.m. Jan. 26 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Dance

Sarasota Ballet. The company presents a triple bill of works new to its repertoire. Included: Sir Frederick Ashton’s Les Rendezvous, Peter Darrell’s Othello (set to music by Liszt) and the American premiere of choreographer Matthew Bourne’s Boutique, set in London’s Carnaby Street back in the swinging ’60s. Performances are Jan. 29-31 at the FSU Center; call 351-8000.

Film

Monday Night Movies. This film series at the Historic Asolo Theater focuses on award-winning film scores this month, with Chariots of Fire Jan. 11, Sunset Boulevard Jan. 18, and The Red Violin, Jan. 25. All showings at 7 p.m. 360-7399.

Miscellaneous

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Yes, it’s time for the circus again, with this all-new production called Illuscination, continuing through Jan. 3 at Robarts Arena. Expect lions, elephants, aerialists, clowns and seemingly impossible feats of wonder. For tickets call 355-1515 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

Southwest Florida Heritage Festival. Crowley Museum and Nature Center invites you to step back in time to the days of the Florida pioneers, with craft and trade demonstrations, storytellers and re-enactors, working cowboys, traditional food and folk music and more. Set for Jan. 9; call 322-1000.

Celebrating Wellness 2010. The second annual festival presents experts in both traditional and progressive healing, along with more education, infor-mation and entertainment. It takes place Jan. 9 at the Phillippi Estate Park. Go to celebratingwellnessfest.com for more details.

Circus Ring of Fame. The 23rd annual event, this St. Armands-based celebration inducts new members into the ring for 2010, including Tino Wallenda Zupe, Rudi and Sue Lenz, Manuel “Junior” Ruffin, Tony Steele and the Dime Wilson family. At 1 p.m. Jan. 17; call 388-1554.

A Celebration of Circus Family Festival. While we’re on the subject of circus, the Ringling Circus Museum presents a day of model builders and workshops, musicians, circus stars and more from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 23. 359-5700.

Boys & Girls Clubs Showhouse. Two homes on Longboat Key (991 Longboat Club Road and 756 Dream Island Road) get a designer makeover for this showhouse to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Manatee counties, Jan. 24 through Feb. 21. Tickets are $20 at the door, and the houses are open seven days a week. For more information, call 926-7794 or go to designershowhousesarasota.com.

Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival. The Sarasota-Manatee Originals move their third annual food and wine celebration into the busy winter months, with winemaker and brewmaster events Jan. 29 and 30 at participating restaurants and homes, the popular Forks & Corks University Jan. 30 on the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, and a Grand Tasting Jan. 31 in the courtyard of the Ringling Museum of Art. For complete info, head to freshoriginals.com.

Music

Salute to Vienna. It’s time for another New Year’s Eve concert with Viennese flair from a cast of European singers, dancers and musicians. At 8 p.m. Jan. 1 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Perlman Music Program Suncoast Celebration Concert. The winter resi-dency of the acclaimed program comes to an end with this celebratory concert and gala dinner, beginning at 5 p.m. Jan. 2 at the Sarasota Opera House. For complete details, call 955-4942.

An Evening with Bernadette Peters. Songstress Peters returns to the Van Wezel with a mix of show tunes, standards and more, at 7 p.m. Jan. 3. 953-3368.

Amernet String Quartet. Special guest James Tocco joins the quartet on piano in this Artist Series of Sarasota concert, featuring works by Turina, Tchaikovsky and Franck. At 7:30 p.m. Jan. 3 and 5 at the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

Tony Bennett. The generation-spanning Bennett headlines at the Van Wezel at 8 p.m. Jan. 5—which just happens to be the 40th anniversary of the hall’s opening. To celebrate, there’ll be wine, cake and fireworks (for ticket holders) after the show. 953-3368.

Bobby Vee Family and Friends. The 1960s pop singer is joined by Brian Hyland and Shirley Alston Reeves (the original lead singer for the Shirelles) at 8 p.m. Jan. 6 at Van Wezel in a concert of old faves. 953-3368.

Sarasota Orchestra Masterworks.

Concert-master-violinist Daniel Jordan plays along with the orchestra Jan. 8, 9 and 10; on the program are Gershwin’s Cuban Overture, along with works by Max Bruch, Dvorak and Respighi. At Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. 953-3434.

Chee-Yun. Violinist Chee-Yun replaces the previously announced Peng Peng to kick off this year’s Sarasota Concert Association series on Jan. 12 at the Van Wezel with a program including works by Beethoven, Brahms and others. At 8 p.m. And, by the way, the association also presents a Munchtime Musicale with the Sarasota Orchestra Brass Quintet at noon on Jan. 20, at David Cohen Hall inside the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center. For information on this call 351-7467; for possible tickets for Peng Peng, call 955-0040.

Sarasota Orchestra Chamber Soiree. Dirk Meyer conducts the chamber orchestra on a tour of Canada, London and America with works by Calvert, Jim Parker and Haydn, at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Holley Hall. 953-3434.

Venice Symphony. The symphony presents a pops concerts featuring “The Best of Broadway,” Jan. 14, 15 and 16 at Church of the Nazarene. 488-1010.

Three Men…and a Baby Grand. A tribute to Sammy, Dean and Frank, those Rat Pack boys, from Lee Lessack, Brian Lane Green and John Boswell, at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 and 16 at Holley Hall. An Artist Series of Sarasota offering. 360-7399.

The Ultimate Doo-Wop Show. The glory days of doo-wop are recalled with this show, at 8 p.m. Jan. 16 at Van Wezel. Among the performers: Jimmy Beaumont and the Skyliners, The Flamingos, The Clovers, Barbara Lewis, The Mystics, The Edsels and the Blue Suede Orchestra. 953-3368.

New Music New College:  JACK Quartet. The up-and-coming string quartet plays music by Elliott Sharp, Zack Browning and medieval master Guillaume de Machaut at 8 p.m. Jan. 16 in the Sainer Pavilion at New College of Florida. 487-4888.

The Temptations and The Four Tops. For many baby boomers, these guys sang the soundtracks of our lives; recapture the moments with this concert at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

The Sounds of Harry James and the Andrews Sisters. More musical nostalgia on tap with this concert, Jan. 17 and Jan. 18 at Venice Theatre. 488-1115.

The Glenn Miller Orchestra. And yet more nostalgia with this eternally popular big band, at 7 p.m. Jan. 19 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Chita Rivera: My Broadway. Broadway megastar Rivera looks back at some of her favorite songs and shows at 8 p.m. Jan. 20 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Natalie MacMaster and Donelly Leahy: Masters of the Fiddle. You can expect foot-tapping fiddle-driven sounds from this musically (and personally) married couple, at 8 p.m. Jan. 21 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

The Ahn Trio. Siblings Angella, Maria and Lucia bring their talents to Sarasota once more with a concert mixing old and new classical at 8 p.m. Jan. 22 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

GuitarSarasota. Up this month in the guitar concert series: Frenchman Gabriel Bianco, performing at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at St. Paul Lutheran Church. 362-2991.

Sarasota Orchestra Pixel Pops: Rodgers and Hammerstein at the Movies. Celebrate the R&H songbook with this event, which also screens scenes from their film musicals. At 8 p.m. Jan. 23 at Van Wezel. 953-3434.

Key Chorale: Unboxed Series. Uncommon Music in Uncommon Spaces is promised in this Key Chorale event, titled Luminous. Jan. 24 at Payne Park Auditorium. 921-4845.

The Legends of Doo Wop. Go back to those days of street corner harmonizing with this show, onstage Jan. 24 and 25 at Venice Theatre. 488-1115.

Elizabeth Pitcairn/Toby Blumenthal Phillips. Violinist Pitcairn and pianist Phillips join forces on an Artist Series of Sarasota concert that highlights works by Mozart, Prokofiev, Schubert and Ravel. At 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 and 26 at the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

Moscow State Radio Symphony Orchestra. Alexei Kornienko leads the orchestra, which performs works from the Russian repertoire with pianist Alexander Sinchuk and violinist Nadezda Tokareva. At 8 p.m. Jan. 27 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Roy Book Binder. The blues singer, guitarist and storyteller kicks off this year’s Moon Over Myakka concert series at Myakka River State Park, at 7 p.m. Jan. 29. Info 361-6511 or 373-7839.

Vince Gill. Country star Gill makes a stop at the Van Wezel, with a concert at 8 p.m. Jan. 29. 953-3368.

Sarasota Orchestra Masterworks. “In Nature” is the theme for this offering from the orchestra, which presents both Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony (No. 6) and Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring. Jan. 29, 30 and 31. 953-3434.

Sarasota Pops. Days of Glory: The Music of World War II welcomes guest artists the Manatee High School Jazz Band, at 3 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Neel Performing Arts Center. 926-7677.

Talks

Forum Truth. Longtime Time Magazine reporter Mark Thompson speaks at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at Holley Hall. For tickets call 359-8350 or go to forumtruth.org.

Ringling College Library Association Town Hall. Fareed Zakaria, editor of Newsweek International and host of CNN’s GPS Show, speaks on international topics at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Van Wezel. He’s followed by writer Peggy Noonan, speaking on Jan. 25. And Sunday morning political affairs host George Stephanopoulos is the guest at the Town Hall’s Platinum dinner, Jan. 18. For ticket information call 925-1343.

Books & Coffee. This month in the Friends of Selby Public Library Series, Dr. Florence Hesler talks about Carlos Fuentes’ The Eagle’s Throne, at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 12 at the library. 861-1140.

Longboat Key Education Center Lecture Series. This month’s offerings in the Longboat Key series are “Honest Reporting” with Gary Kenzer, Jan. 12; “Dostoyevsky and His Heirs” with Martin Tucker, Jan. 19; and “The Right to Trial by Jury” with trial lawyer Paul A. Rosen, Jan. 26. All at 3 p.m. 383-8811.

Traces of Our Past: Florida’s History through  Archaeology. University of South Florida professor Brent Weisman discusses “Archaeology of the Unconquered People” (that’s Florida’s Seminole and Miccosukee Indians) in this month’s issue of the series, at 6 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Sainer Pavilion on the New College of Florida campus. 487-4888.

Invitation to the Dance. Choreographer Margaret Barbieri and artistic director Iain Webb discuss Matthew Bourne’s Boutique, at 7 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

Theater

That’s Life. This show summoning up memories of the Rat Pack era ends its run at Florida Studio Theatre’s Goldstein Cabaret Jan. 2. 366-9000.

Wonderland. A new look at the Alice in Wonderland story from composer Frank Wildhorn continues through Jan. 3 at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center’s Ferguson Hall. For more information, call (800) 955-1045.

The Musical Magic of Hayes & Hyman. Pianist Dick Hyman and singer Bill Hayes team up for this evening of musical memories, through Jan. 10 at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. 366-5454.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The hit Broadway musical about six young people competing continues through Jan. 15 on Florida Studio Theatre’s mainstage. 366-9000.

Bridge & Tunnel. Sarah Jones’ award-winning one-woman show about immigrants colliding in New York’s melting pot runs through Feb. 13 in FST’s Gompertz Theatre. 366-9000.

The Life of Galileo. Brecht’s masterwork about the crucial astronomer Galileo Galilei continues through Feb. 17 at the Asolo Rep. 351-8000.

Searching for Eden. Playwright James Still takes a comic look at the diaries of Adam and Eve to comment about love and relationships then and now. Playing through Feb. 25 at the Asolo Rep. 351-8000.

Reflections. A world premiere musical revue treating the soul-pop sounds of songs like Heat Wave, Proud Mary and others performed by African-American stars of the 1960s and ’70s. Onstage Jan. 5 through March 20 at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret. 366-9000.

The Perfume Shop. Miklos Laszlo’s Budapest-set heart-warmer about two pen pals who fall in love was the basis for both The Shop Around the Corner and She Loves Me; see the original through April 1 at the Asolo Rep. 351-8000.

Liberace. No, not the sequined pianist himself, but actor-singer Martin Preston, bringing him back to life for one show only Jan. 5 at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. 366-5454.

Blue/Orange. An award-winning play by Joe Penhall dealing with mental illness, race and life in 21st-century Britain. Did I mention it’s a comedy? Onstage Jan. 6-24 in an FSU/Asolo Conservatory production at the Cook Theatre. 351-8000.

I Am My Own Wife. Jeremy Heideman plays all the roles in this Doug Wright play telling the tale of a real-life German transvestite and his survival of both the Nazi and the East German regimes. Jan. 7-24 at Venice Theatre’s Stage II. 488-1115.

Sugar Babies. Go back to those bawdy days of burlesque and vaudeville with this retro musical comedy, playing Jan. 7-24 at the Manatee Players Riverfront Theatre. 748-5875.

The Marvelous Wonderettes. Here’s a show about four girls with big dreams and big voices, meeting up at the high school prom circa 1958. Onstage Jan. 12 through Feb. 21 at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. 366-5454.

Sly Fox. Writer Larry Gelbart’s adaptation of Ben Jonson’s Volpone centers on a rapacious miser who pretends to be on his deathbed in order to dupe a trio of greedy wannabe heirs. Onstage Jan. 12-31 at Venice Theatre. 488-1115.

South Pacific. The touring production of Bartlett Sher’s acclaimed revival of the classic musical takes to the stage Jan. 12-17 at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. (800) 955-1045.

Some Enchanted Evening. Rodgers and Hammerstein fans will be in their element at this revue of some of their best-loved melodies, onstage Jan. 14-24 at the Players Theatre. 365-2494.

Defending the Caveman. Rob Becker’s comedic one-man show looking at the eternal war between the sexes takes to the Van Wezel stage at 8 p.m. Jan. 15. 953-3368.

The Last Five Years. Jason Robert Brown has won praise for this two-person musical that traces the life—and death—of a relationship in a time-teasing way. Onstage Jan. 21 through Feb. 28 at the Historic Asolo Theater in an Asolo Rep production. 351-8000.

Self Help. A comedy by Norm Foster about two actors who reinvent themselves as self-help gurus. Onstage Jan. 21 through Feb. 7 at the Island Players. 778-5755.

Hearts. A friendly game of cards is the ostensible reason for a group of World War II veterans to get together, but there’s more under the surface in this Willy Holtzman play. Onstage Jan. 22 through April 11 at  Asolo Rep. 351-8000.

Mid-Life!: The Crisis Musical. Venice Theatre says this show about two married couples will take you “from Niagara to Viagra.” Oh, boy, can’t wait. Onstage Jan. 29 through Feb. 28 in a cabaret season offering. 488-1115.