Music

Florida West Coast Symphony Masterworks Concerts. On the program: Beethoven's Leonore Overture No. 3, Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 1 and Tchaikovsky Suite No. 3, with guest artist Stephen Hough at the piano, at 8 p.m. April 1, 8 p.m. April 3, and 2:30 p.m. April 4 at Van Wezel, with another performance at 8 p.m. April 2 at Neel Performing Arts Center. Information: 953-3434.

Manatee Community College Chamber Orchestra. In concert at 8 p.m. April 1 at Neel Performing Arts Center. Information: 752-5252.

Ringling Museum Concert. The Bob Zimmerman Orchestra performs starting at 7 p.m. April 2 in the museum courtyard. Information: 359-5700.

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Bluegrass music from Fleck and his group, at 8 p.m. April 2 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Selby Gardens Garden Music Concerts. Performing at the gardens are the Trio Viola (April 4), Irish harpist Olivia Swaan (April 11), the Florida Wind Quintet (April 18) and Dulce (April 25). All from 1 to 3 p.m.; call 366-5731 for more details.

Jazz Club of Sarasota Member Concert. Vocalist Tierney Sutton (Something Cool) and her band perform at 7 p.m. April 4 at the Sarasota Opera House. Information: 366-1552.

Gloria Musicae Silver Jubilee Concert. The ensemble marks its 25th anniversary with a concert featuring major choral works with orchestra, at 7:30 p.m. April 6 at the Sarasota Opera House. Included: Bach's Gloria in Excelsis Deo, Vivaldi's Gloria, and a new piece by Dick Hyman composed for the occasion. Information: 954-4223.

Melissa Manchester and Paul Williams. Pop songwriters Manchester and Williams entertain at 8 p.m. April 7 at the Van Wezel, and follow up the performance with a post-show Curtain Call discussion. Information: 953-3368.

Composer's Series: Heroic Beethoven. The great Ludwig van is paid tribute by soprano Twyla Robinson and Florida West Coast Symphony musicians with Leonore Overture No. 1, Fidelio Overture and more, at 8 p.m. April 8 at the Sarasota Opera House. Also, violinist Corey Cerovsek plays more Beethoven works, at 8 p.m. April 10, also at the Opera House. Information: 953-3434.

Concord Jazz Festival. Jazz interpreters Diane Schuur, Karrin Allyson, Oleta Adams and Sara Gazarek perform at 8 p.m. April 10 at Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

An Evening with Kenny Rogers. The Gambler rolls into town once more, at 8 p.m. April 13 at the Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Venice Symphony. The symphony offers Masterworks concerts at 8 p.m. April 16 and 17 and also at 4 p.m. April 17 at the Church of the Nazarene. Information: 488-1010.

Key Chorale. The chamber ensemble presents Mendelssohn's oratorio Elijah for chorus, orchestra and soloists, at 4 p.m. April 18 at the North Port Performing Arts Center and at 8 p.m. April 20 at the Sarasota Opera House. Information: 921-4845.

An Evening under the Stars. Music from the Venice Symphony graces Manatee Community College's Venice campus at this outdoor concert. For ticket info call 752-5390 or 408-1418.

George Benson. The ever-smooth Mr. Benson performs at 8 p.m. April 18 at Van Wezel. Information: 953-3368.

Smooth Jazz on St. Armands: Fourth Friday with Style. This month's event offers the Mike Macarthur Group, from 6 to 9 p.m. April 23 on the circle. Information: 388-1554.

Florida Voices. The Voices, a chamber ensemble, are joined by the combined choruses of Riverview and Sarasota Christian high schools to perform Mozart's Requiem with orchestra; other works are on the program as well. At 4 p.m. April 25 at the First United Methodist Church. Information: 907-8257.

Sarasota Folk Club. The monthly Sailing Squadron concert features St. Augustine steel-string guitarist Sam Pacetti at 8:30 p.m. April 26. Information: 377-9256.

Manatee Community College Spring Fling Concert. Featuring the MCC choirs and ensembles, at 8 p.m. April 29 at Neel Performing Arts Center. Information: 752-5252.

Venice Symphony. Time for the symphony's Spring Pops Concert, at 8 p.m. April 30 and May 1 and also at 4 p.m. May 1 at the Church of the Nazarene. Information: 488-1010.

Sports

Sarasota Ski-A-Rees. Free water skiing shows, at 2 p.m. each Sunday through April 25 on City Island. Information: 388-1666.

Talks

Lettuce & Lectures. A Look at Retirement from educator-author Dr. Nancy Schlossberg and Sarasota Herald-Tribune columnist Marjorie North, both of whom have written on the subject. At noon April 7 at Selby Library. Information: 365-5228.

Books & Coffee. New College prof Dr. Lee Snyder discusses Jarrel Diamond's Pulitzer Prize winner Germs, Guns and Steel, at 10:30 a.m. April 13 at Selby Library. Information: 365-5228.

SmARTalk. The Sarasota County Arts Council's focus this month is the theater, with luncheon at Michael's On East included along with the discussion. Set for April 20; call 365-5118.