🎤 Soul Revival with Alex Harris and Syesha Mercado

Thursday, Sept. 24, 7-8 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m., Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road, Sarasota

Gospel-rooted soul singer Alex Harris, who has shared stages with artists including Al Green, Aretha Franklin and John Legend, joins Sarasota-raised singer and actor Syesha Mercado, a third-place finalist on “American Idol” who later starred in the national tour of Dreamgirls. The one-night-only concert revisits hits by Aretha Franklin, Etta James and Otis Redding. This event is free. Advance registration is requested. For more information, click here.

🎤 Johnny Pemberton with Josh Fadem and Matt Fernandez

Thursday, Sept. 24, 8 p.m., Oscura, 816 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton

Best known as Bo on “Superstore” and Thaddeus on “Fallout,” Johnny Pemberton brings his unpredictable stand-up to Bradenton with Josh Fadem and Matt Fernandez. His credits also include Son of Zorn, 21 Jump Street, Ant-Man, “Bob’s Burgers” and more than 300 episodes of his podcast “Live to Tape.” Doors open at 7 p.m. The show is for ages 18 and older and requires a two-item minimum; guests younger than 21 pay an additional $5 cash at the door. General admission is $35.76 and premium seating is $48.16. For tickets or more information, click here. 

👵 Four Old Broads

Thursday, Sept. 24, 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Venice Theatre’s Raymond Center; 140 Tampa Ave. W.; Venice

Four spirited retirement-home residents hatch an escape plan in a comic mystery involving an overbearing nurse, a beauty pageant, a drug ring and a retired Elvis impersonator. Tickets are $40 for adults and seniors, $30 for college students and educators and $19 for youth through high school. For tickets or more information, click here.

🎭 Family Fest

Saturday, Sept. 26; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall; 777 N. Tamiami Trail; Sarasota

Families can catch performances of Asolo Rep on Tour’s Beanstalk: The Adventures of Jack and the Giant at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., join improvisational games with FST Improv at 11:30 a.m. and explore activities, food trucks and a market of goods created by young entrepreneurs. This event is free. For more information, click here.

🎸 Cassie Jean and the Fireflies

Friday, Sept. 25; 8 p.m.; Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center; 525 Kumquat Court; Sarasota

The Florida Americana and roots-rock band celebrates its newest record with soulful vocals, story-driven originals and a full-band performance. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers and $13 for students ages 13 and older. For tickets or more information, click here.

🏺 The Weight of My Heart

Saturday, Sept. 26, 1 and 4 p.m., Tree Fort Productions Studio Theatre, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 136, Sarasota

Lee Gundersheimer’s play reading follows the remarkable life of Dorothy Eady, who became an authority on an ancient Egyptian temple without formal training and claimed she could locate its forgotten sections because the site had once been her home. Tickets are $25. For tickets or more information, click here. 

🕯️ Eagles vs. Billy Joel by Candlelight

Saturday, Sept. 26, 7-8 p.m., Pine Shores Presbyterian Church, 6116 Crestwood Ave., Sarasota

A string quartet performs candlelit interpretations of hits including “Hotel California,” “Piano Man,” “Take It Easy,” “Vienna” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” Doors open at 6:30 p.m., seating is unreserved and all ages are welcome. Tickets range from $20 to $65. For tickets or more information, click here. 

📚 Serial Readers Book Club: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 1

Friday, Sept. 25, 5-6 p.m., Bookstore1Sarasota, 117 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota

A new book club devoted to this long-running series begins with Beth Brower’s witty journal-style tale of a young woman navigating eccentric neighbors, family schemes and Victorian London. Readers can join for any volume without committing to every meeting. Admission starts at $10.69. For tickets or more information, click here. 

🍷 Sarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival

Saturday, Sept. 26; 1-4 p.m.; Sarasota Opera House; 61 N. Pineapple Ave.; Sarasota

Sample food from area restaurants alongside wine tastings inside the historic opera house. General admission is $75 in advance or $85 at the door. A $150 VIP ticket includes early admission at 12:30 p.m. and special seating. For tickets or more information, click here.

🏖️ Venice Beach Party

Saturday, Sept. 26; 1-6 p.m.; Venice Beach; 101 The Esplanade S.; Venice

Live music, food trucks, beer, wine and specialty drinks turn the shoreline into an afternoon party, with a free trolley running between Centennial Park and Venice Beach. The rain-or-shine event doesn’t permit coolers or pets. This event is free. For more information, click here.

🩰 Classical + Contemporary

Saturday, Sept. 26; 2 and 7 p.m.; Sarasota Cuban Ballet Auditorium; 4740 Cattlemen Road; Sarasota

Sarasota Cuban Ballet moves between tradition and experimentation with “Grand Pas de Quatre,” selections from Le Corsaire, Azari Plisetski’s Canto Vital and Tania Vergara’s Fractales. Tickets are $50. An additional performance takes place Sunday, Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. For tickets or more information, click here.

🎙️ Suzanne Lucas: From My Heart to Yours

Saturday, Sept. 26, 7:30-9 p.m., Jane B. Cook Theatre at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

After stepping away from music to spend more than four decades in the automotive industry, Sarasota jazz vocalist and guitarist Suzanne Lucas returns to her original calling for her first full headlining concert. The evening pairs jazz and personal storytelling with music connected to her late mother, including “As Tears Go By” and one of her mother’s original songs. Tickets are $50. For tickets or more information, click here. 

🤠 Chas Collins at Woody’s River Roo

Friday, Sept. 25, 7-11 p.m., Woody’s River Roo, 5717 18th St. E., Ellenton

Country performer Chas Collins brings a lively waterfront set spanning country, rock and songs heard on CMT and The Country Network. No admission charge is listed. For more information, click here. 

💞 Sarasota Speed Dating for Florida Singles

Thursday, Sept. 24, 6-8 p.m. for ages 35-52 and 8-10 p.m. for ages 23-39, Good Liquid Brewing Co. at Waterside Place, 1570 Lakefront Drive, Sarasota

Trade swiping for face-to-face conversation during a series of six-minute mini-dates with as many as 12 potential matches. Separate sessions accommodate the two age groups. Ticket prices weren’t publicly displayed, and men’s tickets for the ages 23-39 session were sold out when checked. For tickets or more information, click here. 

🍺 Oktoberfest at Calusa Brewing

Friday, Sept. 25, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Calusa Brewing, 5377 McIntosh Road, Sarasota

Raise a stein with German beer, Oktoberfest food specials from PigFish and live German music by Petra and Teresa. Lederhosen are encouraged but entirely optional. This event is free. For more information, click here. 

🐛 Garden Bugs

Thursday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m.-noon, UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th St. W., Palmetto

Learn how to distinguish vegetable-garden pests from the beneficial insects working in your favor, recognize the damage troublesome bugs cause and manage infestations using practical integrated pest-management strategies. Admission is $5, plus fees. For tickets or more information, click here. 

⛳ 51st Annual Sarasota City Championship

Saturday, Sept. 26-Sunday, Sept. 27, 8 a.m. double-tee start both days, Bobby Jones Golf Club, 1000 Circus Blvd., Sarasota

Golfers compete in 36 holes of stroke play across men’s regular, senior and super-senior divisions and a women’s division. The $250 registration fee includes both rounds, tee gifts, prizes and lunch during Sunday’s awards ceremony. Verified City of Sarasota residents pay $210 when registering in the golf shop. For tickets or more information, click here.