Oct. 1

Beer, Bands & BBQ

Ten beers on tap, seven restaurants serving up samples of their finest barbecue-inspired dishes (think BBQ pork sliders, Baja tacos and a corn on the cob bar), six local bands—it all adds up to the second annual Beer, Bands & BBQ  Saturday afternoon at the Sarasota Polo Club grounds at Lakewood Ranch. Sponsored by the Music Compound, proceeds benefit United Way Suncoast and Tackling Child Hunger.

Oct. 2

Old Miakka Schoolhouse Hootenanny

Even if you’re just a little bit country, you’ll find something to enjoy at this annual fund raiser that helps preserve the 102-year-old Old Miakka Schoolhouse—live bands, a performance by the Clogging Clovers, a Civil War re-enactment, arts and crafts, a wheel of cake and a whole lot more. Free admission; barbecue dinners and goodies like homemade butter for purchase. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the schoolhouse, 15800 Wilson Road in Old Miakka. 

Oct. 1

New Music New College

This acclaimed contemporary music series opens its season with a special New Music Cabaret; pianist Kathleen Supove, violinist Jennifer Choi and guitarist James Moore will perform works by Vijay Iyer, John Zorn and more contemporary composers at “Club Sudakoff”—aka New College’s Sudakoff Center. newmusicnewcollege.org

Oct. 3-9

Eat Like a Local Restaurant Week

“Dine to the Nines” at dozens of Sarasota-Manatee Originals restaurants, as they offer up special breakfast, lunch and dinner prix-fixe menus ranging from $9 to $49. Visit eatlikealocal.com to plan your week.

Sept. 30

The Tragedy of Hamlet

This fall, the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training will tour throughout Florida with its up-to-the-minute production of The Tragedy of Hamlet. You can see it first in a special performance for teachers, the press and the public Friday night in the Cook Theatre at the FSU Center. Tickets on sale at asolorep.org.

Sept. 30-Oct. 2

Fabulous Independent Film Festival

Seven films centered around the LGBTQ experience around the world comprise this sixth annual Fabulous Independent Film Festival, produced by the Harvey Milk Festival and presented at Burns Court Cinema, with an opening night party at MADE. A complete screening schedule and tickets at fabulousiff.com.    

Sept. 30-Oct. 28

Michael Wyshock at Alfstad& Contemporary

Ringling College of Art & Design teacher Michael Wyshock opens the fourth art season at Alfstad& Contemporary Friday night with Between Zero and One, a solo exhibition of paintings, seriograph prints and a video animation featuring his hand-drawn images alfstadand.com