Venus in Fur The Asolo Rep takes a walk on the wild side with this erotically charged show, a hit for playwright David Ives and stars Nina Arianda and Hugh Dancy on Broadway. It's about a playwright auditioning an actress for his adaptation of the book that inspired the term "masochism." Onstage April 5-28 in the Historic Asolo Theater; 351-8000 or asolorep.org.

Sarasota Film Festival The 15th annual celebration of movies and those who make them takes place April 5-14, with screenings at downtown's Hollywood 20, plus parties at various venues and a Conversations Series with visiting stars. For a complete schedule, go to sarasotafilmfestival.com; you can buy tickets there, by calling 362-6200 or at the box office in the theater lobby.

La Musica The international chamber music festival returns with "Celebration" as its theme (that's because artistic director Bruno Giuranna turns 80 this year). Among the works you'll hear during the festival (April 6-19) are Dvorak's Trio in E minor, Brahms' Clarinet Quintet and Ravel's String Quartet in F major (concerts at the Opera House). 366-8450, ext. 3 or lamusicafestival.org

Ringling Town Hall Veteran newsman Tom Brokaw, with nearly 50 years of TV reporting under his belt, shares some of his wisdom and wit in the final lecture of the series season, at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. April 8 at the Van Wezel. To see if any tickets remain for the popular series, call 925-1343. (You can read our interviews with Town Hall alum Walter Isaacson here and astronaut Mark Kelly here.)

Florida Wine & Balloon Festival Intoxicating wines aren't the only way to get that floaty feeling at this year's festival, which also offers guests the chance to soar in hot air balloons above Lakewood Ranch's Premier Sports Campus. Plus, plenty of yummy food and drink, via winemaker dinners, a showcase lunch, grand tasting brunch and more. April 4-7; floridawinefest.org or 952-1109.

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