Your Top 8 Things to Do: Nov. 10-16
Image: Rick Crootof
Nov. 11-14
Chalk Festival
“Love & Peace” is the theme for this year’s big Chalk Festival, and who can argue with that? Besides dozens of international chalk artists showing up at the Venice Airport Grounds to create amazing works, the festival also delights the crowds with a pavement music festival, an open fun zone where the young and young at heart can make their own masterpieces, a 5K fun run and a performance by Cirque Ma’Ceo, an equestrian show with a gypsy bent. chalkfestival.org
Nov. 11-15
Siesta Key Crystal Classic
This big, big international sand-sculpting competition draws top master sand sculptors to Siesta Beach to fashion “how did they do that” constructions from the soft, silky sand. Take a sandsculpting lesson from the pros, enjoy live music and cheer on competitors in a “quick sand” lightning round, too. New this year: The Learning Curve, with creative, hands-on arts and crafts and science activities for youngsters. Your $10 admission benefits Mote Marine Laboratory’s sea turtle conservation and research program. siestakeycrystalclassic.com
Image: Courtesy Sarasota Opera
Nov. 12
The Secret World of Og
Don’t dismiss the Sarasota Youth Opera’s annual productions as kiddie fare; these are beautifully mounted and beautifully sung productions from the same creative team as the acclaimed Sarasota Opera. This year’s is a Sarasota premiere for The Secret World of Og by Canadian composer Dean Burry. Based on the popular Canadian children’s book, it’s about siblings who venture into the strange world of the Ogs to rescue their baby brother and cat.
Image: Jenny Acheson
Nov. 11-13
Sarasota MOD Weekend
This year, the midcentury modern architecture festival honors Victor Lundy, who designed some of Sarasota’s most innovative and beautiful buildings. Now 93, he will be at the opening night party at the Blue Pagoda building on Tamiami Trail, perhaps his most famous design. Get details on the entire weekend’s offerings at sarasotamod.com.
Image: Shutterstock
Nov. 12
Suncoast Food & Wine Fest
Many of the area’s finest restaurants pull out the stops at this annual charity event, held at the beautiful, expansive Sarasota Polo Grounds. Come hungry! Presented by the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch. suncoastfoodandwinefest.com/2016
Image: John Pirman
Opening Nov. 11
Urbanite Theatre presents My Barking Dog
The much-acclaimed Urbanite Theatre continues its tradition of thought-provoking contemporary fare with My Barking Dog, the tale of two urban apartment dwellers whose lives take a turn on the wild side when a hungry coyote starts appearing on their fire escape. Through Dec.18. urbanitetheatre.com
Image: Courtesy Sybarite 5
Nov. 10
Sybarite 5 presents “Outliers”
This widely acclaimed New York-based string quintet with Sarasota roots has traveled the world with its special brand of contemporary music. Now they return home to perform works from their latest album, “Outliers,” at Florida Studio Theatre’s Goldstein Cabaret. sybarite5.org
Image: Courtesy Elizabeth Siegfried
Nov. 12-13
CIRCUS! photo exhibition at Phillippi Estate Park
New Sarasota resident Elizabeth Siegfried discovered a treasure trove of 16 mm film of the Ringling Brothers Circus that her grandmother had shot between 1927 and 1945, and she’s turned many of the images into photographs that will be on display at Phillippi Estate Park’s Edson Keith Mansion. It’s part of the 100th anniversary celebration of the circa-1916 mansion and park, with circus acts, live music, food trucks and more. Shown here, “Polka Dot Clown.”
