Nov. 27

Melissa Etheridge's Holiday Trio

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody, and get ready for a rollicking weekend at the Van Wezel, highlighted Sunday night by rock ‘n’ roller Melissa Etheridge performing songs from her 2008 holiday album, A New Thought for Christmas. vanwezel.org 

Nov. 25

Dave Koz Christmas Tour

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Van Wezel, when the multi-Grammy-nominated saxophonist Dave Koz brings his Christmas Tour to Sarasota with special guests guitarist/singer Jonathan Butler, singer/songwriter Kenny Lattimore and vocalist Valerie Simpson. vanwezel.org 

Nov. 26

Daniel Tosh

Comedy Central star Daniel Tosh brings his "Tosh Saves the World Tour" to the Van Wezel for two shows Saturday night. All ticket sales go to charity. vanwezel.org 

Nov. 26

Cigar Box Guitar Fest at Fogartyville

Bet you didn’t know there’s a cigar box guitar movement in the U.S., with festivals celebrating the handmade instrument in Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Pennsylvania and in Sarasota, too.  Noted cigar box guitarist Justin Johnson visits Fogartyville Saturday night to share his mastery of the instrument. Cigar box guitar-making workshops during the day, too. sarasotapeacenter.org 

Nov. 26

Venice Holiday Parade 

The big, big Venice Holiday Parade is Saturday night with more than 3,000 participants marching down Venice Avenue; it's so popular that folks start staking out their lawn chairs along the street days in advance. veniceholidayparade.com 

Now - Dec. 4

Eddie Herr International Junior Tennis Tourney at IMG

Some 2,000 rising young stars of the tennis world from 90 countries, ages 18 and under, will converge on IMG Academy for two weeks of competition, and you can cheer them on. Over many years, the tournament has been a springboard to the professional tennis tour for such luminaries as Roger Federer and Andy Roddick. Info here.