Oct. 13-16

Ringling International Arts Festival

Tonight, the always entertaining and highly creative Ringling International Arts Festival kicks off with opening performances by some of today’s brightest contemporary dance and music troupes and a giant “Night in Brazil” party in the Ringling Museum courtyard. Brush up your samba moves; the Afro-beat troupe, Dende & Band will be rocking the house. Shown here, the Australian circus troupe, Gravity & Other Myths, will perform, appropriately, in the Circus Museum. Plan your festival here.

Oct. 15

Howl-A-Ween Movie Night Spooktacular at Ed Smith Stadium

Treats, not tricks, for families Saturday night when the Baltimore Orioles open up Ed Smith Stadium for a free screening of the animated film, Hotel Transylvania, on the giant scoreboard. Halloween themed games and a costume parade around the bases, too, led by the Orioles Bird himself. More info here.

Through Nov. 19

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe presents The Wiz

Time to “ease on down the road” when WBTT kicks off its season with The Wiz, the contemporary urban version of L. Frank Baum’s classic tale of Dorothy, Toto, the Wicked Witch and all the rest of the familiar Oz characters. WBTT favorite Michael Mendez plays the title role. 

Oct. 13-15

Sarasota Contemporary Dance

Jazz trumpeter Shane Chalke and his B.E. Jazz Quartet join Sarasota Contemporary Dance for its season opening performances, Jazz + SCD. Four performances at the FSU Center’s Cook Theatre. 

Oct. 14

Selby’s Secret Gardens Tropical Conservatory Show Opens

Selby Gardens’ Tropical Conservatory is transformed into a Victorian greenhouse for Part 2 of its big fall show, “Selby’s Secret Gardens,” which is putting the focus on the Gardens’ spectacular collection of rare, historic botanical illustrations, many that date back to that era. Lots of special events are planned around it; for details, visit selby.org. 

Oct. 15

Celtic Thunder at the Van Wezel

You don’t have to be Irish to enjoy the lilting sounds of these five lively vocalists, who present a tribute to the Irish and Celtic music that’s traveled around the world. Backed by the eight-piece Celtic Thunder Band. vanwezel.org

Oct. 13 and 16

PMP Alum in Concert

Two chances to enjoy classical music-making by four talented alumni of the prestigious Perlman Music Program Suncoast: tonight at the Sarasota Classic Car Museum and Sunday afternoon at the Selby Gardens Fall Garden Music Series.