Galleria Silecchia. Continuing on view at the Palm Avenue space through June 5 are works by Native American sculptor Roxanne Swentzell, totems by Richard Hunt, and ceramics by Yasuko Nakamura. Sculptures by Glenna Goodacre and mixed media paintings by Cary Henrie take center stage through July 30. 365-7414.

Ringling Museum of Art. Focus on Asian Art: Guanyin Personified continues here through June 15. Also on view, through Aug. 10, is Phantasmagoria: Specters of Absence, featuring works dwelling in an otherworldly space of fog, smoke and dreams.  In addition, the Historic Asolo Theater presents Backstage Onstage, featuring the local artists of Soulspeak/Soulmoves, who will reveal the methods used to elicit the “speaking” of the soul in voice, dance, visual art and more, at 11 a.m. June 3. 359-5700 for exhibition info; 360-7399 for Historic Asolo tickets.

Art Center Sarasota. Remaining on view here through July 26 are three shows: Humanity in Black and White, a juried photography exhibition; A New Town: Photographs by Steven Katzman; and Elizabeth Stevens: Etchings and Aquatints. 365-2032.

Museum of Fine Arts. The recently expanded St. Petersburg museum continues its exhibition Revelations: Works by Self-Taught African-American Artists through July 27, along with Unveiled: Rarely Seen Art from the Collection and Mrs. Stuart’s Legacy, through Aug. 26. Opening this month: Ansel Adams and the West, June 21 through Oct. 5, and Art, Friendships and the New York School: The Benjamin Gollay Collection, June 28 through Sept. 28. (727) 896-2667.

Dabbert Gallery. A Summer Showcase exhibit features the works of artists Yuqi Wang, Craig Rubadoux, Ben Stahl, Barbara Krupp, Robert Baxter, Eric Boyer, Daniel Bilodeau and William Suys, June 1 through Sept. 30. 955-1315.

St. Armands Craft Festival. More than 175 artisans are slated to participate in this event, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. June 14 and 15 at St. Armands Circle Park. 388-1554.

Selby Gallery. Threads, a fiber show held in conjunction with the international Convergence fiber art conference in Tampa, features the work of artists Alice Schlein, Monika Auch, Monica Naugle, Jan-Ru Wan and Ringling instructors Sheryl Haler and Dee Hood, June 20 through July 25. 359-7563.

Venice Art Center. Works by John and Suzie Seerey Lester, Jack and Mary Jo Perkins, Maureen and Chuck Snyder and Dr. Robert Woefel go on view with a reception at 5 p.m. June 27; continuing through Aug. 15. 485-7136.

 Benefits

Starry, Starry Night Prom. The fifth annual Prom to benefit STAR Leadership Training for high school students takes place at 7 p.m. June 7 at the Bari Brooks Center on the campus of the Sarasota Family YMCA. Tickets $75, and youth “chaperones” will select a Prom King and Queen, of course. 922-5126.

Cattle Barons Ball. The barons in this case are Manatee Countians raising funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society, with a dinner event June 21 at the Bradenton Auditorium. 745-1214.

Speaking of Women’s Health. This conference, hosted by WEDU, moves to the Manatee Convention Center this year (from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 21) and offers tips and advice on being the best possible “Everyday Super Hero” to your friends and family.  (813) 254-9338 ext. 2241.

 Comedy

McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre. On the North Trail club’s schedule this month: Diane Ford, June 1; the “Ladies Only” Chippendales with host Les McCurdy, June 2; Mike Rivera, June 4 and 5; Josh Blue, June 6-8; Scott Novotny, June 11-15; a Family Night June 16; Ryan Belleville June 18-22; Stephen J. Moore June 25 and 26; and Jon Reep, June 27 and 28. That’s a lot of laughs. 925-3869.

 Miscellaneous

Book Signing with N.M. Kelby. Sometime Sarasota Magazine contributor Kelby’s Murder at the Bad Girl’s Bar and Grill hits bookstores this month, and Kelby will be at the Sarasota Borders at 1 p.m. June 3 to sign copies; she’ll also turn up at 1 p.m. June 7 at St. Armands Circle Books.

Mystery Florida: A Conference to Die For. Speaking of writers, this annual conference for mystery writers and readers takes place June 6 and 7 at Lido Beach Resort, and guest of honor is New York Times bestselling author Michael Connelly, of Harry Bosch fame. But many other mystery masters will be in attendance as well; for complete info on how to participate, go to mysteryflorida.com.

Forks and Corks! Celebrate the spirit of Sarasota-Manatee Originals dining with this food and wine fest showcasing cuisine from independent local restaurants, June 5-8. There will be interactive tastings and seminars, vintner dinners, food competitions and a grand sendoff with music, kids’ activities and a charity auction. For more details call 268-5133 or go to freshoriginals.com.

 Music

Sarasota Music Festival. The festival’s 44th season takes place June 2-21 with concerts at the newly renovated Sarasota Opera House and at Holley Hall (the latter presents Artist Showcases at 4:30 p.m. June 5, 12 and 19). The Opera House concerts, June 6 and 7, 13 and 14, and 20 and 21, offer works by, among others, Brahms, Beethoven, Mozart, Wagner, Dvorak, Webern, Puccini and Bizet. Highlights of the teaching fest also include free student concerts June 8, 12, 14, 19 and 20; plus conductor Dante Anzolini leads the finale performance June 21, New York Times music columnist Robert Sherman narrates the June 5 Artist Showcase featuring Fauré’s Three Songs, and composer Richard Sortomme joins the musicians for the regional premiere of his viola concerto, Rhapsody. For full details visit sarasotamusicfestival.org or call 953-3434 for ticket info. 

Artist Series of Sarasota. Cellist Robert deMaine and pianist Andrew Armstrong team for a concert including works by Schubert and Rachmaninoff at 7:30 p.m. June 8 and 10 in the Historic Asolo Theater. 360-7399.

Cocktails at the Cà d’Zan. The Dr. Dave Band provides the entertainment for this month’s event on the terrace, from 6 to 9 p.m. June 19. 359-5700.

    Sports

Sarasota Reds. The minor-league Reds continue their baseball season at Ed Smith Stadium with games against Clearwater, Jupiter, Lakeland and Vero Beach this month; for a complete schedule go to sarasotareds.com.

Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix. The running of the summer’s really big boat race does not itself take place until July 6, but the festival kicks off this month with a charity tournament June 28 at Heritage Oaks Golf & Country Club, prior to more events in July, including a parade of boats, bike show and downtown block party. Proceeds benefit the Florida Center for Child and Family Development. For complete info call 371-8820 ext. 1800 or go to suncoastoffshore.org.

 Theater

Outlaws and Angels. A revue featuring the songs of country stars such as Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and Tammy Wynette, ending its run at Florida Studio Theatre’s cabaret June 7. 366-9000.

Working: A Musical. A revised version of the Stephen Schwartz-Nina Faso adaptation of Studs Terkel’s book about working stiffs continues through June 8 at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. 351-8000.

The Rocky Horror Show. Venice Little Theatre reprises its hit version of the rock musical spoof, through June 14. And yes, Janet, there is a midnight show. 488-1115.

TBA. A play not yet announced at press time begins Florida Studio Theatre’s summer season, with performances through June 14. 366-9000.

Disney’s The Lion King. The Broadway hit adaptation of the tale of Simba and his friends continues through June 22 at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. (800) 955-1045.

Chicago. Those merry murderesses of the Bob Fosse musical continue their wicked ways through July 6 at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. 366-5454.

The Tempest. It’s not your granddaddy’s Shakespeare, I guess, as the Players of Sarasota promise “the hippest Shakespeare show you’ve ever seen.” We’ll see….anyway, it’s onstage June 12-15 at the Players; for tickets call 365-2494.

Menopause The Musical. They’re ba-a-a-ck! Yes, those ladies with the hot flashes and mood swings return to the Asolo Rep stage, in a production running June 13 through July 13. A hot ticket, indeed, as an earlier Menopause at the Asolo ran on…and on…and on. 351-8000.

Swing! The Manatee Players bring back this 2007-08 season hit offering an evening of swing music, with performances June 19-22 and 26-29 at the Riverfront Theatre. 748-5875.
The Narrow Gate. Venice Little Theatre’s Stage II presents a summer production of a new play by Scott Kopischke, one exploring the life of philosopher-astronomer Galileo after he’s jailed in a tower for heresy. Running June 19-29. 488-1115.

TBA. FST’s summer season continues with a show not yet known at press time, running June 25 through July 12. 366-9000.

The Good Body. An area premiere of a newer work by playwright Eve Ensler (The Vagina Monologues), debuting on the Players stage June 26-29. 365-2494.

A Moon for the Misbegotten. Eugene O’Neill’s often wistful play about a hard-drinking man and the rough-edged woman who could be his soulmate opens the Banyan Theater Company’s season, with performances June 26 through July 13 at the Cook Theatre. 358-5330.