Art

Longboat Key Center for the Arts. Continuing here through Feb. 11 is Making Waves, featuring the sculpture of Malcolm Robertson. Also this month: Jazz at the Center Feb. 9 with the Foot Note Jazz Band, and the Annual Members’ Exhibition, running Feb. 19 through March 19 (opening reception at 5 p.m. Feb. 18) 383-2345.

Selby Gallery. Remaining on view through Feb. 16 is REAL(ists), a show examining what the word “realism” really means in today’s art. Opening with a reception at 5 p.m. Feb. 26: Perestroika (n) Restructuring: The Glass Sculpture of Kathleen Mulcahy, Ron Desmett and Martin Prekop. That show continues through March 31. 359-7563.

State of the Arts Gallery. On view this month: a show called “locally grown and certified organic,” organic works by local artists. 955-2787.

Art Center Sarasota. Red Hot! Love, Romance & Humor continues here through March 6. 365-2032.

Ringling Museum of Art. Gothic Art in the Gilded Age: Medieval Treasures in the Gavet, Vanderbilt and Ringling Collections continues through April 4 in the Searing galleries. Opening Feb. 13 to run through April 25: In Search of Norman Rockwell’s America, which pairs the work of that iconic American artist with images by photojournalist Kevin Rivoli inspired by Rockwell originals. 359-5700.

Museum of Fine Arts. The exhibition The Baroque World of Fernando Botero continues at the St. Petersburg museum through April 4. (727) 896-2667.

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

Dabbert Gallery. A one-man show of recent works by longtime Sarasota artist Craig Rubadoux opens with a reception at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 5 and continues through Feb. 28. 955-1315.

Venice Art Center. Artists Julia Hyman, Nat Krate and Fred Nagel are featured in this month’s exhibition, opening Feb. 5 to run through Feb. 24. A fine arts show and sale also takes place here Feb. 27 and 28; for more info call 485-7136.

M Gallery of Fine Art. Catch The Color of Mood with new paintings by Deborah Paris, opening Feb. 5 during the Palm Avenue First Friday Walk. 954-8774.

Galleria Silecchia. On view here Feb. 5-28 are oils by Yuri Gorbachev and Homero Aguilar. BTW, Sarasota Opera artists perform from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 5 during Palm Avenue’s First Friday Walk. 365-7414.

Siesta Key Craft Fair. It’s the month for crafts fairs; this one takes place Feb. 6 and 7 in Siesta Key Village. (954) 472-3755.

FAB (Fabulous Arts Boutique). Four area art guilds—Manasota Weaver’s Guild, Florida West Coast Bead Society, Venetian Basket Weavers and the Surface Design Guild—team for this show/sale, Feb. 11-14 at Art Center Sarasota. 927-2250.

Island Gallery West. Acrylics by Nancy Law take the spotlight at this Anna Maria Island gallery starting with a reception at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 12. 778-6648.

Artists Guild Gallery. The works of oil and watercolor painter Marie Garafano are featured beginning with a reception at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 12. 778-6694.

Downtown Bradenton Craft Festival. This new addition to the crafts fair scene takes over Bradenton’s Barcarrota Boulevard and the Mattison’s Pier with a juried fest Feb. 13 and 14. (954) 472-3755.

Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts. The downtown arts and crafts fest returns for its 22nd year, Feb. 20 and 21 along Main Street. (954) 472-3755.

Comedy

McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre. This month’s comedians: Al Romero, Feb. 3-6; John DiCrosta, Feb. 17-21 (Family Night Feb. 22); and Ron Shock, Feb. 24-28. 925-3869.

Tim Conway and Friends. Comedians Chuck McCann and Louise DuArt team up with Conway for laughs, at 8 p.m. Feb. 5 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Joan Rivers/James Naughton. Outspoken comic Rivers is joined by song-and-dance man Naughton in performance at 8 p.m. Feb. 16 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Dance

The Aluminum Show. A dance company from Israel that works with intertwined coils to produce images of snakes, centipedes, dinosaurs and more magical stuff. At 8 p.m. Feb. 2 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Martha Graham Dance Company. The esteemed company founded by late legend Graham returns to the Van Wezel at 8 p.m. Feb. 3. 953-3368.

Second Annual Sarasota Open Ballroom Dance Competition. Dancers from around the world (and emcee Nick Kosovich from TV’s Dancing with the Stars) are expected to attend this competition Feb. 6-8 at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Come to cheer on your faves. 704-7613.

Israel Ballet. This company, with a repertoire including works by Balanchine, Lar Lubovich and founder Berta Yampolsky, performs at 8 p.m. Feb. 11 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Sarasota Ballet. The ballet company presents a triple bill with an encore of Andre Prokovsky’s Vespri, select pas de deux and solos (including Pavlova’s The Dragonfly) and Dominic Walsh’s I Napoletani. Feb. 19-21 at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. 351-8000.

Film

Monday Night Movies. The series continues this month with Summer of ’42, Feb. 1; The Heiress, Feb. 8; Tom Jones, Feb. 15; and Annie Hall, Feb. 22. All at 7 p.m. in the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

Miscellaneous

Ringling College International Design Summit. Such design luminaries as David Bromstad and Sir Ken Robinson are among speakers set to appear Feb. 5-6 on the Ringling College of Art and Design campus. 351-5100 or sarasotadesignsummit.com.

Boys & Girls Clubs Showhouse. Take a look at designers’ work in two Longboat Key homes, through Feb. 21. 926-7794.

Circus Sarasota. Time for more treats under the Big Top with this year’s production, which offers high-wire artists Nik Wallenda and his troupe, one-armed juggler Casey Boehmer and more. Performances Feb. 12-28 at Tuttle and 12th Street; call 355-9335.

Sarasota Exotic Car Fest. Head to St. Armands Circle Park Feb. 13 to see more than 80 exotic cars, including Ferraris, all part of a weekend to benefit the Child Protection Center. 388-1554.

Sarasota Orchestra Association Designer Showcase. The 35th annual showcase takes place Feb. 13 through March 7 at the home of pro golfer Paula Creamer in Legends Bay, west Bradenton.Opening party Feb. 12 at the Legends Bay Clubhouse. Proceeds benefit the Sarasota Youth Orchestra program. 953-3434.

An Afternoon at Eagle Point. This tea from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 14 takes place at the Eagle Point Clubhouse in honor of Bertha Palmer, who established the site in 1916. A tour of the grounds and a lecture are planned along with tea. BTW, there’s another afternoon tea Feb. 18 at Myakka River State Park, where Palmer also had considerable holdings. For more info on that, call 361-6512; for details on the Eagle Point event, call 412-0151.

Masquerade Mardi Gras, St. Armands Style. Our very own Bob Plunket is Mardi Gras King at this event, where you can expect to see well-dressed cats and dogs parade around St. Armands Circle to be judged. Starts at 6 p.m. Feb. 16; call 388-1554.

Pug Parade. Those dolled-up pugs (plus a lot of other handsome dogs) return for this event Feb. 20 at Adventure Park in Lakewood Ranch, to benefit the Humane Society of Sarasota County. The parade starts at noon, with judging in various categories to follow. 955-4131 ext. 114 or 487-1110.

Parade of Homes. The Home Builders Association Manatee-Sarasota presents another look at what’s up-and-coming in home design, Feb. 20 through March 7. For more details visit hbamanatee-sarasota.org.

Founders Garden Club of Sarasota Gardeners’ Fair. The club will offer a marketplace of vendors proffering home and garden accessories, live plants, flowers and design fashions at this fair Feb. 25 at the Chelsea Center. Shoppers will also have the first opportunity to browse at the opening night preview cocktail party Feb. 24, also at the Chelsea Center. For ticket information, call 256-1457.

Music

Sarasota Orchestra: Great Escapes. “I’ll Be Seeing You” is the theme for this month’s Great Escapes concerts Feb. 3-6 at Holley Hall, with familiar love music from Frank Sinatra as well as Haydn’s Farewell Symphony and more. 953-3434.

Courtyard Concert. The Jerry White Band offers Big Band swing in this Ringling Museum concert, set for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 4. 358-3180.

Diane Schuur/Bobby Caldwell. Get ready for more Big Band sounds from these two singers, performing with orchestra at 8 p.m. Feb. 4 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Venice Symphony. For the symphony’s

first classical concert of the season, the orchestra offers the Prelude to Die Meistersinger, False Triste and Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3 in A minor. Feb. 5 and 6 at the Church of the Nazarene. 488-1010.

Blue Suede Shoes: The Ultimate Elvis Bash. Are you lonesome tonight? You won’t be if you show up for this tribute to the King, starring Scot Bruce and Mike Albert (each portraying Presley at various times in his life), at 8 p.m. Feb. 6 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Cavalleria rusticana/Pagliacci. The Sarasota Opera commences its 51st season with this double bill of passion-filled pieces conducted by Victor DeRenzi on Feb. 6, with additional performances Feb. 9, 14, 17, 25 and 28 and more to come in March. 366-8450.

Rain:  A Tribute to the Beatles. It seems we can never get enough of the once and forever Fab Four; this show covers all the bases from Liverpool days to Let It Be. Enjoy. At 8 p.m. Feb. 10 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Walk Like a Man to get to this concert by Valli and his cohorts, at 8 p.m. Feb. 12 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Conductor Leonard Slatkin leads the orchestra and guest cellist Sol Gabetta in concert at 8 p.m. Feb. 13 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

The Magic Flute. Mozart’s perennial pleasure featuring Prince Tamino, his beloved Pamino, the Queen of the Night and that scamp Papageno bows at the Sarasota Opera House Feb. 13, with additional performances Feb. 16, 18, 21 and 26 and more to come in March. 366-8450.

Gladys Knight. Songstress Knight performs arrangements of her hits, both those with Pips and without, at 8 p.m. Feb. 14 at Van Wezel. The Van Wezel Foundation Gala precedes the concert at 5 p.m. as well. 953-3368.

Hanan Alattar. Soprano Alattar and pianist Grigorio Zamparas offer a concert of works by Handel, Donizetti, Debussy and more, Feb. 14 and 16 at the Historic Asolo Theater, in an Artist Series of Sarasota presentation. 360-7399.

Jazz Club of Sarasota Concert. Banjoist-vocalist Cynthia Sayer performs at 8 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Players. 365-2494.

Eroica Trio. The acclaimed female trio appears in a Sarasota Concert Association performance, Feb. 15 at Van Wezel. On the program: Brahms’ B Major Piano Trio, Joan Tower’s For Daniel and Beethoven’s Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 13. 955-0040.

Third Thursday Cocktails at Cà d’Zan. Sheri and the Vision perform from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 18 on the Ringling mansion’s terrace. 359-5700.

The Irish Rovers. It’s not even March yet, but the Rovers bring us that Eire-y feeling at 8 p.m. Feb. 18 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Patti Lupone: Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda! Broadway megastar Lupone pulls together a show of works she triumphed in, along with some she didn’t get a shot at and those she still may. At 8 p.m. Feb. 19 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Sarasota Orchestra Masterworks: In

Youth. Violinist Elena Urioste joins the orchestra to perform Barber’s Violin Concerto, Feb. 19-21. Also on the program: Bernstein’s Three Dance Episodes from On the Town and Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No. 3. 953-3434.

Jacobites: Siesta Highlands. A concert by this ensemble of bagpipers, dancers, fiddlers and more, at 4 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Siesta Key Chapel. 350-0271.

The Kingston Trio. The venerable folk trio returns to Venice Theatre for concerts Feb. 21 and 22. 488-1115.

Amelia Trio. “Famous Voices, Hidden Classics” is the theme for concerts from violinist Anthea Kreston, cellist Jason Duckles and pianist Reiko Aizawa, Feb. 21 and 23 at the Historic Asolo Theater, an Artist Series of Sarasota offering. 360-7399.

Sarasota Orchestra Chamber Soiree: In Forests and Meadows. On tap in this concert: Dvorak’s the Czech Suite, Jan Bach’s Foliations, Bartok’s String Quartet No. 2 and more. At 5:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at Holley Hall. 953-3434.

Ben Prestage. Savor the black water bayou blues of musician Prestage in the Moon Over Myakka Concert Series, at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at Myakka River State Park. 361-9511.

New Music New College: Crossroads 2. Bassist John Miller, tubist Jay Hunsberger, New College of Florida prof Stephen Miles and New College music students team up for a program of rock, experimental and electronic music, at 8 p.m. Feb. 26 at the PepsiCo Arcade (Caples Fine Arts Complex) at New College. 487-4888.

Hansel and Gretel. Engelbert Humper-dinck’s operatic vision of the classic Brothers Grimm tale comes to life starting Feb. 27 at the Sarasota Opera House; more performances take place in March. 366-8450.

GuitarSarasota. Guitar duo Pablo Gonzales Jazey and Thomas Koch perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at St. Paul Lutheran Church. 362-2991.

Sarasota Jazz Festival. The 30th annual fest kicks off Feb. 28 with its Jazz in the Park event from noon to 5 p.m. at Phillippi Estate Park. Coming up in March are concerts featuring Dick Hyman and Peter Appleyard, the Four Freshmen, violinist Doug Cameron and more. 366-1552.

Sports

Golf Outing/Wine Tasting. Combining two of the finer things in life, this event teams the Concession Golf Club with Grapes for Humanity U.S. (which it benefits) on Feb. 2. There’s a noon shotgun start, followed by the tasting featuring Marchese Piero Antinori of Tuscan Antinori Winery at 5:30 p.m. at the new Concession Clubhouse. For complete information call (800) 218-1422.

Argus Foundation Golf Tournament. Set for 11:30 a.m. Feb. 8 at Sara Bay Country Club; call 365-4886 for more details.

Plantation Community Foundation Celebrity Golf Classic. Foundation supporters and some famous names TBA tee off Feb. 11 at the Plantation Golf and Country Club. 497-4826.

Talks

Longboat Key Education Center Lecture Series. On tap this month: Squeak, Squawk with Jerry Bilik (about musical instruments, Feb. 2); Seabirds of Longboat Key, with David Williamson (Feb. 9); Oriental Rugs in Venetian Renaissance Paintings with Eileen Hampshire (Feb. 16); and The Timeless Soul with Danielle Green (Feb. 23). All at 3 p.m. 383-8811.

Forum Truth. Pulitzer Prize-winning former New York Times correspondent and PBS host Hedrick Smith addresses current issues at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Hyatt Regency.

359-8350.

Ringling Town Hall Series. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will discuss international affairs in this series at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Van Wezel. 925-1343.

Books & Coffee. Dr. Emanuel Tanay reviews Daniel Goleman’s Social Intelligence, discussing the revolutionary science of human relationships, at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 9 at Selby Public Library. 861-1140.

New Topics New College. Consider the topic Out of Print? The Future of the American Newspaper with panelists David Lipsey of FTI Consulting, Andrew Barnes, former CEO of the St. Petersburg Times, and Mike Connelly, the Herald-Tribune’s executive editor. At 7 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Sainer Pavilion on the New College campus. 487-4888.

An Invitation to the Dance. Sarasota Ballet artistic director Iain Webb discourses on the art of the pas de deux, at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

Theater

The Motown ’60s Revue. Flash back to that hit-making decade (you know, the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, the Jackson 5) in this musical continuing through Feb. 7 in a Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe presentation at Art Center Sarasota. 366-1505.

Self Help. This comedy by Norm Foster centers on a married couple who set themselves up as self-help gurus. Continues through Feb. 7 at the Island Players. 778-5755.

Bridge & Tunnel. Sarah Jones’ award-winning play tells the story of 14 New York City immigrants, all portrayed by one actress. Continuing through Feb. 13 in a Florida Studio Theatre production at the Gompertz Theatre. 366-9000.

Life of Galileo. Bertolt Brecht’s dramatic examination of the times and travails of the great scientist continues through Feb. 17 at the Asolo Rep. 351-8000.

The Marvelous Wonderettes. Four girls with big voices and big dreams sing their hearts out on Prom Night in this show continuing through Feb. 21 at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. 366-5454.

Searching for Eden: The Diaries of Adam and Eve. Kris Danford and Sam Osheroff play that primal pair in James Still’s comic piece inspired by Mark Twain, through Feb. 25 at Asolo Rep. 351-8000.

The Last Five Years. Jason Robert Brown’s musical hit about a couple’s relationship from start to finish—not necessarily in that order—continues through Feb. 28 in an Asolo Rep production at the Historic Asolo Theater. 351-8000.

Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical. The title seems to tell all, doesn’t it? Running through Feb. 28 in a Venice Theatre cabaret production. 488-1115.

Reflections. Hark back to songs like Proud Mary, Stop! In the Name of Love and other memorable hits in this show conceived by Richard Hopkins, Rebecca Langford and Jim Prosser, continuing through March 20 on FST’s cabaret stage. 366-9000.

The Perfume Shop. The original Miklos Laszlo play from which Little Shop Around the Corner derived makes for a charming, happy production on the Asolo Rep mainstage, through April 1. 351-8000.

Hearts. A play by Willy Holtzman centered on a card-playing group of World War II veterans, continuing through April 11 at the Asolo Rep. 351-8000.

Girls Night: The Musical. This show looking at five gal pals out at karaoke night is not for women only, but it’s bound to have that feminine appeal, especially with tunes like It’s Raining Men and Girls Just Want to Have Fun. At 8 p.m. Feb. 1 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Ruined. Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize winner tells the tale of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo, traumatized by rape and civil war, who nevertheless find the strength to carry on. Feb. 3 through April 3 on FST’s mainstage. 366-9000.

Wicked. The Stephen Schwartz megahit about those denizens of Oz returns Feb. 3-28 at the newly renamed David A. Straz Jr. Performing Arts Center, formerly the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. (800) 955-1045.

Hairspray. The upbeat Tony winner based on John Waters’ Baltimore tale of Tracy Turnblad and her ambition to be on the Corny Collins Show returns to the Van Wezel at 8 p.m. Feb. 9. 953-3368.

Through the Looking Glass. In this version of the classic Alice in Wonderland tale, Alice journeys from being a child to an adult survivor in a world fraught with struggles and challenges. Onstage Feb. 10-13 at Booker High’s VPA Theater. 355-2967.

Lend Me a Tenor. Ken Ludwig’s farce about a tenor who goes missing at a crucial moment takes to the stage Feb. 11-21 at the Players Theatre. 365-2494.

Annie. That indomitable orphan teaches us all about Tomorrow once more, Feb. 16 through March 14 at Venice Theatre. 488-1115.

Shear Madness. Now in its 29th year of playing somewhere in the universe, Madness is a whodunit set in a salon, leaning heavily on improvisation and audience participation. Running Feb. 18 through March 1 in an FST production at the Gompertz Theatre.

366-9000.

Curtains. The Broadway hit by Kander and Ebb, with a little help from book writer Rupert Holmes, about murder during the pre-Broadway tryout of a new musical, circa 1959. Onstage Feb. 18 through March 7 at the Manatee Players Riverfront Theatre. 748-5875.

Mamma Mia! ABBA-maniacs, your task is clear: Return to the Van Wezel for at least one of the five shows scheduled to fill the hall with Dancing Queen and Take A Chance On Me, Feb. 23-28. 953-3368.

L’il Abner. The Dogpatch musical centered on Abner, Daisy Mae, Jubilation T. Cornpone and other Al Capp characters runs Feb. 24 through April 4 at the Golden Apple.

366-5454.

Late Nite Catechism 2: Sister Strikes Back. More fun for Catholics and non-Catholics alike with that strict yet loving sister, Feb. 28 and March 1 at Venice Theatre. 488-1115.