Your Top 7 Things to Do: Nov. 17-23
Image: Courtesy Asolo Rep
Opening Nov. 18
Guys and Dolls
The Asolo Rep continues its tradition of opening its season with a blockbuster musical, and what better choice this year than the laugh-a-minute Frank Loesser classic set in Damon Runyon-land. It stars Cole Burden and Chris Hoch as gamblers Sky Masterson and Nathan Detroit, Audrey Cardwell as Salvation Army doll Sarah Brown, and Veronica Kuehn as the sniffles-plagued Miss Adelaide. Everybody now, “I’ve got a horse right here, the name is Paul Revere…” Through Jan. 1. asolorep.org
Nov. 19
Lindy on the Lawn at Historic Spanish Point
The good folks at Historic Spanish Point took a cue from the hugely popular Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governor’s Island in New York and are bringing its founder, Michael Aranella, and his Dreamland Orchestra to the Point Saturday afternoon for Lindy on the Lawn. Don your best ’20s attire and your dance shoes (dance instructors will be on hand), play badminton or croquet on the beautiful Historic Spanish Point grounds, eat, drink and take a boat tour on the Magic. Fun. historicspanishpoint.org
Image: Courtesy Sarasota Ballet
Nov. 18-20
Sarasota Ballet presents Balanchine, Ashton & Tudor
The Sarasota Orchestra joins the Sarasota Ballet for its weekend performances at the Opera House, featuring works by choreographic giants George Balanchine, Sir Frederick Ashton and Antony Tudor. Live music at the ballet, how wonderful; and wonderful, too, that a Sunday matinee has been added due to popular demand. sarasotaballet.org
Nov. 19
Venice Blues Festival
This blues fest at Maxine Barritt Park keeps getting better and bluesier every year. The headliner is Louisiana-born Lazy Lester, whose songs have been covered by everyone from The Kinks to Dwight Yoakam to The Fabulous Thunderbirds; and, at 83, he remains as versatile as ever on guitar, harmonica and bass. Also performing are Chris Thomas King, Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones, Lisa Ridings and Robert Sampson. The fest gets under way at 11 a.m. and continues until 6 p.m.; a Venice Blues Crawl takes place downtown Friday night, sponsored by Venice Main Street. www.veniceblues.com
Nov. 19
Rosemary Indie Market
If you haven’t ventured north of Fruitville Road into the Rosemary District lately, boy, are you in for a surprise. The neighborhood’s jumping with new construction. This Saturday, and the third Saturday of each month, local artists, farmers, entertainers, food purveyors and vintage clothiers and furniture sellers gather for the Rosemary Indie Market on Cohen Way. Take a look. rosemaryindiemarket.com
Nov. 19 and 26
FST presents The Velveteen Rabbit
Florida Studio Theatre has a new Children’s Theatre Series, and it kicks off this weekend with The Velveteen Rabbit, based on Margery Williams’ timeless tale of a bunny that longs to be real. floridastudiotheatre.org
Thanksgiving Weekend at the Van Wezel
No A&E Insider e-newsletter next week, but we couldn’t not mention several big shows Thanksgiving weekend at the Van Wezel: jazzman Dave Koz Nov. 25, comedian Daniel Tosh Nov. 26 and Melissa Etheridge Nov. 27 vanwezel.org
