Your Top 8 Things to Do: March 23-29
Pilobolus in "Shadowland"
Image: Ian Douglas
Pilobolus and Momix at the Van Wezel
March 23 and March 28
A double treat for people who love modern dance with a dash of humor and stage magic: Both of these acclaimed modern dance companies are coming to the Van Wezel. Pilobolus arrives first, with Shadowland, a collaboration with Steven Banks (lead animator of Spongebob Squarepants), on March 23; Momix follows with Opus Cactus, transforming the stage into the American Southwest replete with lizards, fire dancers and yes, cacti, March 28.
Cirque des Voix
March 24-26
The thrills of Circus Sarasota set to the sounds of the 100-plus voices of Key Chorale and a 30-piece orchestra—that’s Cirque des Voix, coming to Circus Sarasota’s Big Top at Benderson Park for three shows Friday-Sunday. Among the performers will be fire twirler Matuni Vaiaoga Jr., shown here, ringmaster Joseph Bauer on the Wheel of Thrills, and Queen of the Air Dolly Jacobs.
Van Wezel presents Chicago
March 24-26
The legendary Kander and Ebb musical about fame, fortune and all that jazz comes to the Van Wezel for five performances Friday-Sunday. It's the winner of six Tony Awards and the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. Everybody, now: “Give ’em the old razzle-dazzle, razzle-dazzle ’em…”
Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway in "Sibling Revelry"
March 26
Twice the fun when Broadway headliners and Tony nominees Ann Hampton Calloway and her younger sis, Liz Calloway, perform their acclaimed cabaret show for Artist Series Concerts. The New York Times says, "The sisters lift these songs to expressive heights rarely attained by any singer.” While its home at the Historic Asolo Theater is closed for renovations, Artist Series Concerts is presenting this at the Church of the Palms.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at the Van Wezel
March 27
The one and only Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (“Mr. Bojangles,” “Will the Circle Be Unbroken”)—two of whose members, John McEuen and Jimmie Fadden, live in our area—brings its 50th anniversary tour to the Van Wezel Monday night. If you saw their Emmy Award-winning PBS concert special last year, you know you’re in for a good time.
Sinbad
March 24-25
McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre brings back the affable comic storyteller, hailed by Comedy Central as one of the “100 Greatest Standups of All Time,” for five weekend shows.
Joy of Jazz
March 26
The weather outside’s delightful, so why don’t you head to downtown Venice’s Centennial Park Sunday afternoon for the Jazz Club of Sarasota’s free Joy of Jazz concert? The Jim Wellen Quintet will be performing tunes from the Great American Songbook, with Wellen on tenor sax, Billy Marcus on keys, Dick Hamilton on trombone, John Lamb on bass and Al Hixon on drums. It’s a bring-your-own-chair affair.
