Your Top 8 Things to Do: June 9-15
June 10
Friday Fest, the Van Wezel’s popular free summertime outdoor concert series, kicks off Friday evening with Koko Ray & The Keepers and their eclectic blend of blues, bluegrass, jazz and rock ‘n’ roll—something for everybody. Bring your lawn chair. No worries if it rains; they bring the music indoors. vanwezel.org
June 9-25
Sarasota Music Festival
Sixty talented students, 40 top faculty artists, more than 50 years of providing classical concerts to Sarasota audiences each summer. The annual festival is back, opening its schedule of concerts with a tribute to the late, longtime faculty member Joseph Silverstein, shown here, June 9 at Holley Hall. Concerts continue there and at the Sarasota Opera House; for tickets and schedule, sarasotaorchestra.org or 953-3434.
Image: Chad Spencer
June 11
Splashin’ Saturdays
Selby Gardens’ Splashin’ Saturdays return for the summer Saturday morning, with water-themed activities for the kids in the Children’s Rainforest Garden and a giant water slide. Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon through July 16. selby.org
June 11
Art and a Movie at The Ringling
In honor of the opening of its Asian Art Center, The Ringling’s Art and a Movie series this summer explores the complex historical relationship between America and Asia through pop culture. This Saturday afternoon’s matinee is Charlie Chan at the Circus, natch. ringling.org
June 11-12
St. Armands Sidewalk Sale and Craft Festival
Two big events for shoppers this weekend: The annual sidewalk sale, with summertime bargains from your favorite retailers; and the 14th annual St. Armands Craft Festival, with 175 artisans displaying their wares.
June 12
Flag Day at Patriot Plaza
“You’re a Grand Old Flag,” a free concert of patriotic music and formal flag retirement ceremony, commemorates Flag Day at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Sarasota National Cemetery’s Patriot Plaza. Sponsored by the Military Officers Association of Sarasota and the Pops Orchestra. Concrete bench seating for 1,000 people is available on a first-come, first serve basis; attendees are invited to bring lawn chairs and seat cushions. starsandstripescelebration.com/
June 14-July 17
Come Fly with Me at FST Cabaret
The classic songs of Sammy Cahn take center stage in this new FST Cabaret production, with songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and more. Everybody now: Three coins in a fountain…
Through June 14
Savor Sarasota
And, foodies, don’t forget that Savor Sarasota continues through Tuesday with a whopping 65 local restaurants showing off their culinary talents with $15 prix fixe lunches and $29 prix fixe dinners, many of them with wine pairings for an additional cost. Sarasota Magazine is a proud sponsor. Participating restaurants and menus are online at savorsarasota.com.
