Art

Venice Art Center. Paint Paradise, Paint Venice, an all-media show centered on the town of Venice, continues through Feb. 18. Also this month: a fine arts show and sale, Feb. 26 and 27. 485-7136.

Selby Gallery. Continuing through Feb. 19: Being Human, featuring portraits by photographers Emmet Gowan and Tina Barney and self-portraits by painter Harvey Dinnerstein. Coming next: Rhythm and Structure: Mathematics, Art and Poetic Reflections, a compilation of nine two-person exhibitions exploring the connections between math-based art, music, poetry and society. Opens with a reception at 5 p.m. Feb. 25 and continues through April 2; there’s also a curator talk and preview with John Sims at 7 p.m. Feb. 24. 359-7563.

Longboat Key Center for the Arts. On view through Feb. 24: The Human Figure: Revered and Revealed, featuring works by David Leffel and Bill Buchman. 383-2345.

Art Center Sarasota. Continuing on view here through March 28 is Feed the Soul. Among the exhibitions in the show: Navel Gazing: Fresh-Squeezed Visions of Florida; Inspired by Food (works by Vicki Chelf and Jeff Schwartz); The Black Muse 2011 (Artists of the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History): photography by Mary Lou Johnson; and an open, all-media exhibition. 365-2032.

Ringling Museum of Art. Gardens in Perpetual Bloom: Botanical Illustration from 1600-1850 continues through April 24. 359-5700.

William Wolk: Emperors and Scavengers. Artist Wolk, who attended Ringling School of Art in the 1960s, returns to Sarasota for an exhibition of his paintings of shore birds of the Gulf; the event is also a sale to benefit the Ringling College Scholarship Fund. It takes place Feb. 4-18 at the Willis Smith Galleries on campus; call 351-5100 to learn more.

 

Comedy

The Passing Zone. Comedy juggling team Joe and Owen fight gravity in this show set for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Bob Newhart with Deana Martin. That man with the button-down mind returns to the Van Wezel, with guest singer Martin, at 8 p.m. Feb. 24 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

 

Dance

Sarasota Ballet. “A Right Royal Affair” features Sir Frederick Ashton’s Les Rendezvous and Dame Ninette de Valois’ The Rake’s Progress, Feb. 4-6 at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. 359-0099 ext. 101.

Savion Glover. Innovative dance master Glover brings live flamenco vibes and his newest dance band, Bare Soundz, to an exploration of the

percussive in hoofing, at 8 p.m. Feb. 22 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Russian National Ballet: Romeo and Juliet. Savor the romance of the classic love story to Prokofiev’s score with this Moscow-based ballet company, at 8 p.m. Feb. 25 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

 

Miscellaneous

Ringling in Bloom. In conjunction with its botanical illustration show, the Ringling Museum of Art presents this four-day event, Feb. 3-6, that showcases fresh floral arrangements from area designers, the bouquets of internationally known floral designer René van Rems, and spring fashions from Lilly Pulitzer. Van Rems offers a floral grand tour Feb. 4, talking about the latest arranging trends; an “Art of Food” banquet is served that evening. Then the Lilly Pulitzer fashion show Feb. 5 turns the museum’s loggia into a catwalk (and also features a luncheon). Van Rems also presents workshops Feb. 6, and Key Chorale Chamber Chorus performs madrigals on that date, too. For complete info and tickets call 360-7399.

Circus Sarasota. It’s circus time again! Head to the Big Top at Tuttle and 12th for the annual extravaganza, this year titled “The Edge” and featuring ringmaster Joe Bauer Jr. performing the Wheel of Death, also with the Jose Michel Clowns, Erik Niemen’s tightrope act, the hand balancing Azzario Sisters, the Fornasari dog act, and more. Feb. 3-21; call 355-9805.

Peking Acrobats. Those amazing acrobats blend 21st-century technology and age-old arts in performance at 8 p.m. Feb. 11 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

 

Music

Sarasota Jazz Festival. The 31st annual continues with performances by the Tierney Sutton Band Feb. 1, Katt and Stan Hefner Feb. 2, an anniversary celebration of the Stan Kenton Legacy Feb. 3, Dick Hyman with Nicki Parrott and Cynthia Sayer Feb. 4, and guitarist-vocalist John Pizzarelli’s take on The American Songbook (a Sarasota Orchestra co-presentation) Feb. 5 at Van Wezel. For complete info call 366-1552.

Patti LaBelle. The ever-engaging LaBelle is back at the Van Wezel with her mix of R&B, pop, blues and more, at 8 p.m. Feb. 1. 953-3368.

Venice Symphony. The symphony offers classical works by prodigies including Mendelssohn, Mozart and Saint-Saёns, Feb. 4 and 5 at the Church of the Nazarene. 488-1010.

La bohème. The Sarasota Opera opens its 52nd season with this Puccini standby about a group of poor but spirited artists living and loving in Paris. Performances at the Opera House, under the baton of maestro Victor DeRenzi, Feb. 5, 8, 13, 16, 19, 24 and 27, with more to come in March. 366-8450.

Glenridge Performing Arts Center. This month the center offers all-female vocal ensemble Belle Canto, Feb. 5; the Sarasota Concert Band, Feb. 12; Jazz at the Glenridge, Feb. 13; and a spring show TBA, Feb. 22-26. 552-5325.

Sarasota Pops Orchestra. The orchestra presents “Music from the Heart,” with oboist Michelle Nicolette, at 3 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Church of the Palms. 926-POPS(7677).

German State Philharmonic. The Sarasota Concert Association brings the Philharmonic to the Van Wezel, headed by Philippe Entremont with guest pianist Sebastian Knauer. On the program: works by Mozart, Brahms and R. Strauss. At 8 p.m. Feb. 6. 955-0040.

Sarasota Orchestra Chamber Soiree. The Sarasota Wind Quintet and orchestra chamber players team for “By the Numbers,” works by Poulenc, Saint-Saёns and Mendelssohn, at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at Holley Hall. 953-3434.

Celebration on the Bay Concert. New College celebrates its 50th anniversary with a free concert on its bayfront, with Leif Bjaland and Paul Wolfe taking turns leading the Sarasota Orchestra in works old and new, including a premiere by New College alum Silas Durocher. At 7 p.m. Feb. 12. The anniversary celebration also includes open houses, panel discussions, student art exhibits and more, all free. Go to 50th.ncf.edu/anniversary-weekend-schedule or call 487-4888.

Clay Aiken. Former American Idol phenom Aiken guests at the Van Wezel, where he’ll sing standards from his latest album. At 8 p.m. Feb. 12. 953-3368.

Don Giovanni. Mozart’s masterpiece about the legendary seducer and his awful fate is the second work of the Sarasota Opera season, bowing Feb. 12 and continuing Feb. 15, 17, 20, 23 and 25, with more in March. 366-8450.

Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor Martin Panteleev leads the orchestra and guest violinist Philippe Quint in a program including works by Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov, at 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

The Nunziata Twins. Identical twins and cabaret artists Will and Anthony bring their mix of show tunes and originals to the Historic Asolo Theater, Feb. 13 and 15. An Artist Series of Sarasota offering. 360-7399.

Mandy Patinkin. Patinkin returns to the Van Wezel with his “Dress Casual” concert, accompanied by longtime musical pal Paul Ford on piano. At 8 p.m. Feb. 14. 953-3368.

Best of Broadway: A Concert with Barbra Russell and Ron Sharpe. Broadway performers (and married couple) Russell and Sharpe—and their children—bring hits from West Side Story to A Tale of Two Cities to life at 8 p.m. Feb. 14 in an Asolo Rep Extra at the Mertz Theatre. 351-8000.

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. The Sarasota Concert Association presents the ensemble, with conductor Manfred Honeck and pianist Gabriela Montero, at 8 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Van Wezel. For ticket availability, call 955-0040.

Willie Nelson. A recent addition to the Van Wezel’s season, Nelson and his band roll into town at 8 p.m. Feb. 17. 953-3368.

Daniel O’Donnell with Mary Duff. It’s St. Paddy’s Day a month early with this Irish-accented concert, 7 p.m. Feb. 18 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Sarasota Orchestra Masterworks. This month (Feb. 18-20) the orchestra journeys to “Finlandia,” with guest conductor Anu Tali and violinist Jennifer Frautschi. On the program: Sibelius, Bruch and Tchaikovsky. 953-3434.

Sarasota Orchestra Great Escapes. This month’s pops concerts focus on “All That Jazz,” with a range from Chicago to Rhapsody in Blue, Feb. 23-26 at Holley Hall. 953-3434.

Key Chorale: Cirque des Voix. Aerialist Dolly Jacobs and other stars of Circus Sarasota join the 100-voice choral ensemble to perform Feb. 25 and 26 at the circus Big Top. 355-9805.

Paul Anka. Singer-songwriter Anka returns to the Van Wezel with a bagful of his greatest hits, at 8 p.m. Feb. 26. 953-3368.

I Lombardi. Part of the Sarasota Opera’s Verdi Cycle, this Sarasota premiere set against the backdrop of the First Crusade debuts Feb. 26 at the Opera House, with additional performances next month. 366-8450.

Florian Larousse. The 22-year-old, French-born guitarist plays classical in a Guitar Sarasota concert at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at St. Paul Lutheran Church. 360-7399.

’So Wonderful. Can’t get enough Gershwin? Drop by the Van Wezel at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 and you’ll enjoy an evening filled with songs by George and Ira, in what’s billed as an “all-singing, all-dancing” revue. 953-3368.

Janice Weber. Pianist Weber performs works by Paderewski, Liszt and Rachmaninoff in Artist Series of Sarasota concerts set for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 and March 1 at the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. The Big Band sounds of the Dorsey Orchestra, under the baton of Bill Tole, fill the Van Wezel at 7 p.m. Feb. 28. 953-3368.

 

Talks

Ringling Town Hall Series. Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist George F. Will visits the series Feb. 2, at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Next up: Human rights lawyer Cherie Blair is the special guest speaker at the Town Hall’s Platinum Dinner, Feb. 22. And her husband, former Prime Minister Tony Blair, discusses politics and his career at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23, also at the Van Wezel. 925-1343.

Forum Truth. On tap in this speaker series this month: author and foreign policy expert Mort Halperin, Feb. 7, and The Cook Political Report publisher Charlie Cook, Feb. 21. Both at 7:30 p.m. in the ballroom of the Sarasota Hyatt Regency; call 349-8350 for tickets.

Shirley MacLaine. Academy Award winner and frequent author MacLaine looks back at her life, both onstage and onscreen and off, in an evening filled with film clips, at 8 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Van Wezel. 953-3368.

 

Theater

Moonlight and Magnolias. Playwright Ron Hutchinson’s comic look at the writing of the screenplay for Gone with the Wind continues through Feb. 6 at the Island Players. 778-5755.

I Do! I Do! The Harvey Schmidt-Tom Jones musical about a long-married couple ends its run at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre Feb. 13. 366-5454.

La Bête. David Hirson’s comic romp about an acting troupe faced with an unbearable new member continues through Feb. 20 at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. 351-8000.

Marvin Gaye: The Man and His Music. The late, great Gaye receives his due in this musical look at his life, onstage through Feb. 20 at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s new home at Orange Avenue and 10th Street. 366-1505.

Brassy Broads: The Next Generation. Look for hits from the likes of Sophie Tucker, Ethel Merman and Bette Midler in this revue running through March 19 at Florida Studio’s cabaret. 366-9000.

Race. David Mamet’s recent play about a wealthy white man charged with a crime against a young black woman runs through March 20 at Florida Studio Theatre. 366-9000.

Twelve Angry Men. The Reginald Rose drama, which is set in the tense confines of a jury room, runs through March 26 in rotating rep on the Asolo’s mainstage. 351-8000.

Boeing, Boeing. Marc Camoletti’s farce centers on a playboy juggling three flight attendants in his love life, through April 23 at the Asolo Rep. 351-8000.

Girl Talk: The Musical. Hits from Aretha, the Pointer Sisters and Jennifer Lopez are a part of this girl power show, onstage at 8 p.m. Feb. 4 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

The Great American Trailer Park Musical. The spoofy musical about some “other side of the tracks” characters returns to Venice Theatre Feb. 4 through March 6. 488-1115.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. That “song as old as time” is heard once more in the classic tale of love conquering all, with shows at 7 p.m. Feb. 7-9 at Van Wezel. 953-3368.

Bad Seed. Booker High’s talented VPA theater students tackle this work about a killer kid, Feb. 9-12 at the school’s VPA Auditorium. 355-2967.

The King and I. Welcome to Siam with this popular Rodgers and Hammerstein musical about a governess, a king and a major culture clash. Onstage Feb. 15 through March 13 at Venice Theatre. 488-1115.

Avenue Q. The naughty Tony Award winner centered on young people struggling to make it in New York, complete with puppets and songs, plays Feb. 15 through April 10 at the Golden Apple. 366-5454.

Rumors. Neil Simon’s comedy about a disastrous dinner party takes to the Players stage, Feb. 17-27. 365-2494.

Guys and Dolls. Damon Runyon + Frank Loesser= a hit in this classic about New York gamblers and a Salvation Army missionary, running Feb. 17 through March 6 at the Manatee Players Riverfront Theatre. 748-5875.

The Lady from the Sea. The FSU/Asolo Conservatory MFA students tackle Ibsen’s play about a woman struggling to choose between her husband and a mysterious stranger. Onstage Feb. 22 through March 13 at the Cook Theatre. 351-8000.

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