Your Top 12 Things to Do: April 6-12
A Midsummer Night’s Dream outdoors at Selby Gardens
April 11-29
Shakespeare’s fanciful world of Tatiana, Oberon, Bottom and those confused young lovers Hermia, Helena, Demetrius and Lysander finds a perfect outdoor setting at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, where the entire company of second-year grad students at the FSU/Asolo Conservatory brings the romantic tale to life. Tickets available through the Asolo Rep box office.
Asolo Rep Presents The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity
April 7-30
Kristoffer Diaz's electrifying comedy about the politics of pro wrestling was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2010 and winner of the 2011 Obie Award for Best New American Play. The New York Times says it “has the delicious crackle and pop of a galloping, honest-to-God, all-American satire.” In the intimate Cook Theatre at the FSU Center.
Image: Rick Purdue
Sailor Circus presents “Once Upon a Circus”
April 11-15
Those talented 100-plus youngsters of “The Greatest Little Show on Earth” will astound you with new acts, and some acts that haven’t been performed in years, in their spring show. It’s the longest-running youth circus in the country. In the Sailor Circus Arena at Bahia Vista Street and Tamiami Trail.
Image: Matthew Holler
Rich Girl at FST
April 5-May 27
What’s in store when a wealthy plain Jane with a famous but bitter mother is courted by a handsome young man in need of money? If you’ve seen the movie The Heiress, with Olivia De Havilland and Montgomery Clift, you might have some idea of what to expect in this modern take on the story, at Florida Studio Theatre’s Gompertz.
An Intimate Evening with Kristin Chenoweth
April 6
The Tony Award-winning, pint-sized singer with huge talent returns to the Van Wezel for an evening of song. Her Sarasota debut last year was a highlight of the Van Wezel season. This concert is rescheduled from last month.
Rain - A Tribute to The Beatles at the Van Wezel
April 8
Can it really be 50 years since the release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, arguably the greatest Beatles album of all time? The Beatles tribute band, Rain, performs every last note of it in its Van Wezel show Saturday night. Everybody now: “What would you do if I sang out of tune…”
Image: Shutterstock
Sharks Tooth Festival
April 7-9
A gigantic celebration of the little fossils that made Venice the Shark’s Tooth Capital of the World. Live music, original art, great food and the chance to purchase shark’s teeth from vendors from across Florida. At the Venice Airport Festival Grounds.
Image: Courtesy TheRingling
The Ringling New Stages: “Captive” by Motionhouse
April 7-8
This provocative, athletic British dance troupe presents an homage to Rainer Maria Rilke’s poem, The Panther, in a specially designed cage meant to evoke the feeling of being captured in this season-closing set of Ringling New Stages performances. It’s set outdoors along the beautiful Ringling bayfront.
Beach 'N Food Truck & Music Festival on Coquina Beach
April 8
Music, food, arts and crafts, a special kids zone and more at Anna Maria’s Coquina Beach. Free admission.
Moon Over Myakka: Oak Hay
April 7
The last Moon Over Myakka concert of the season is Friday night, headlined by the folk and bluegrass string band Oak Hay. Expect a great night out under the stars at Myakka River State Park.
The Bradenton Marauders Open their Season
Starting April 8
Spring training may be over, but you can still get your baseball fix at LECOM Park, as the Bradenton Marauders, the High-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, open their 2017 Florida State League season against the Charlotte Stone Crabs Saturday night. Will they repeat their 2016 Florida State League championship season?
Best of Ringling Annual Juried Exhibition
April 7-22
The Ringling College school year is drawing to a close. Time to showcase the top art and design projects from its mega-talented students in every major at galleries across the campus. Free and open to the public Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
