Opening Sept. 17

Dinosaur Discoveries at South Florida Museum

A bunch of big-boned behemoths from New York’s American Museum of Natural History are visiting the South Florida Museum this fall. That’s right, it’s your chance to marvel at scale models of some really impressive dinosaurs. Mark your calendar for Oct. 1, when the museum’s Family Night series celebrates National Fossil Day. southfloridamuseum.org

Sept. 20-21

The Giving Challenge

In case you’ve been ignoring that avalanche of emails from our area’s nonprofits, the 2016 Giving Challenge is nearly upon us. From noon Tuesday to noon Wednesday you can donate online to hundreds of worthy causes by going to givingpartnerchallenge.org. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County produces the Giving Challenge, and The Patterson Foundation will provide matching dollars under certain parameters.

Several groups are hosting special events around the Giving Challenge. From 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, for example, the Suncoast Science Center has a Fab Lab Festival in its Fab Lab, with hands-on science fun for families. And the Asolo Rep and FSU/Asolo Conservatory Tuesday morning have backstage tours and a free screening of the Judy Holliday film, Born Yesterday. (The Asolo Rep will present the stage play next winter.)  

Last year, more than $7 million was raised online during the Giving Challenge for 449 organizations in just 24 hours. Can we beat that?

Sept. 19

FST Improv presents “Comedy Lottery”

Catch those wacky FST Improv actors Saturday night performing their popular “Comedy Lottery” show; 12 members of the audience will select 12 games out of the 50 in the notorious FST Improv bucket, setting the stage for all the improv fun to come. See them now before their season ends Sept. 23. In Bowne’s Lab Theatre. floridastudiotheatre.org

Sept. 15

Sunset/Moonlight Kayaking

Tonight, the American Littoral Society invites you on a sunset/moonlight kayak trip on Little Sarasota Bay with trusty guide John Sarkozy. Reservations are a must; call John at (941) 966-7308.Lots more interesting paddles planned, too; visit littoralsociety.org/index.php/trips-a-events/sarasota for the complete schedule. And Mote Laboratory and Aquarium hosts a full moon paddle Friday night. Register online at mote.org/experiences/details/kayaking-with-mote.

Sept. 17

Historical trolley tour

The Historical Society of Sarasota’s first downtown historical trolley tour of the season is Saturday, with narrator Sue Blue giving you the scoop on our area’s fascinating past. Get all the details on booking your tour at hsosc.com/trolley.