Longboat Key Center for the Arts. The Town of Longboat Key Exhibit opens with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 10 and continues through Feb. 5. Works by Bill Buchman are also on view, Jan. 5-25. Also this month: a jazz concert at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21; a fashion show and luncheon Jan. 24, a Jazz Concert in the Park at 2 p.m. Jan. 26; and lectures by Bill Buchman and Linda Molto Jan. 29 and Fred Nagel Jan. 30. Information: 383-2345.

Towles Court Third Friday Walk. From 6 to 10 p.m. Jan. 17 in the artists' colony. Information: 955-4546.

Sarasota National Fine Arts Festival. ArtCenter Sarasota presents this arts show and sale as a fund-raiser, Jan. 25 and 26 at Phillippi Creek Estate. Information: 365-2032.

Children

Circus Sarasota. Performers from the troupe performs in the Saturday Morning for Kids series, at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 18 at Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Comedy

Jackie Mason: Prune Danish. What's Mason kvetching about this time? Find out at 8 p.m. Jan. 23 at Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Dance

Tango Buenos Aires. Fall under the spell of the Latin dance with this acclaimed Argentinian company, at 8 p.m. Jan. 30 at Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Sarasota Ballet of Florida. A new piece from Jim Buckley, Anne Frank (based on the young girl's diary). Onstage Jan. 31-Feb. 3 at the FSU/Asolo Center for the Performing Arts. Information: 351-8000.

Film

Fourth Annual Women's International Video-Film Festival. Presented by the Gulf Coast Chapter of UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women), this festival offers both local women filmmakers presenting and discussing their films (Jan. 10 at Selby Public Library) and films from women around the world, including Hanoi, South Africa and Canada (Jan. 11 at the Sainer Pavilion at New College). A fund-raiser reception is also set for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at Sainer; for complete details call 922-5303 or 954-0237.

Sarasota Film Festival. Offering a host of films, educational programs and parties, Jan. 24-Feb. 2. Information: 364-9514.

Miscellaneous

Ferraris at St. Armands Circle. More than 55 "racing machines" from all over Florida will take over St. Armands Circle Park, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 11. Information: 388-1554.

Thunder by the Bay Motorcycle Poker Run & Downtown Festival. Set for Jan. 12 to benefit United Way and the Smith Center; the Poker Run is in the morning and a festival on Main Street follows. A kickoff party is also planned for Jan. 10 at Michael's on East, from 8 p.m. to midnight, with "leather and fringe" the suggested wear. For complete info call 366-2686.

Circus Ring of Fame. Another St. Armands event, this one honoring inductees into the Circus Ring on St. Armands. New names include four members of the aerialist-animal trainer Bale family, low-wire specialist Lola Dobritch, choreographer Richard Barstow, and clown Pat Valdo. The Sarasota Circus Concert Band leads off the ceremonies at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 18; the induction follows. Information: 388-1554.

Arts Day. The annual celebration of what Sarasota has to offer in music, dance, theater and the visual arts, downtown from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 19. Information: 365-5118.

ASID Showhouse. A 1930s beauty on St. Armands is the choice for this year's showhouse, which will feature the work of more than 20 designers out to dazzle. Open Jan. 19-Feb. 16; call 926-7794.

The New Shanghai Circus. Be dazzled by feats of acrobatic expertise, at 2 p.m. Jan. 21 at Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Circus Sarasota. While we're on the subject of circus, The Art of Circus is the latest production from our very own circus company, Jan. 31-March 2 under the big tent near the Sarasota Fairgrounds. Information: 355-9335.

Music

Salute to Vienna. The Strauss Symphony of America and dancers from the Sarasota Ballet team for his New Year's concert, at 8 p.m. Jan. 1 at Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Ringling Museum Concerts. Celtic harpist Deluna performs Jan. 2 in the museum's Rubens Gallery; she's followed by soprano Erin Windle, Jan. 9; the Florida String Quartet, Jan. 21; and the Earlye Musicke Consort, Jan. 30. Information: 359-5700.

Michael Feinstein. At the keyboard with his interpretations of the American songbook, at 8 p.m. Jan. 2 at Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Florida West Coast Symphony Salon Series. "Four on the Fourth" features the Florida Brass Quintet, Florida Wind Quintet, New Artists Piano Quartet and Florida String Quartet ringing in the New Year, at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4 at Holley Hall. Information: 953-3434.

A Tribute to Benny Goodman. From the Terry Myers Orchestra, with Peter Appleyard and Lynn Roberts. At 8 p.m. Jan. 5 at Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.