Editor’s note: In-person events are subject to change. Please check before venturing out.

Bookstore1Sarasota: Meg Lowman

Aug. 10

Longtime botanist and conservationist Lowman (also known as “Canopy Meg”) launches her most recent book, The Arbornaut: A Life Discovering the Eighth Continent in the Trees Above Us with a Zoom talk at 7 p.m. Tuesday. One of the world’s first tree-top scientists, Lowman will take viewers along on her journey high above the ground. There is no charge, but an optional fee of $7 will help defray the cost to the bookstore. Find out more at sarasotabooks.com/events or by calling (941) 365-7900. And read more here.

The Players Centre New Play Festival

Aug. 9-13

Take in five different readings, of five different plays, from the comfort of your home via Zoom during this year's virtual fest. On tap: new works The Mantle, O.U.T., Spiritual Bliss, Locked Inside and Just Like Stealing. You can watch each play for $10, but you can also get 3 for $24 and all five for $35. Learn more at theplayers.org or by calling (941) 365-2494.

Identity in Art

Aug. 6

Three visual artists—textile artist Diedrick Brackens, interdisciplinary artist Autumn Knight and figurative artist Robert Pruitt—talk about their creative process in this program at 6:30 p.m. at the Hermitage Artist Retreat. It’s the first event this season in a collaboration between the retreat and Art Center Sarasota, and it’s free with a $5 per person registration fee at hermitageartistretreat.org.

Venice Summer Cabaret Festival

Aug. 5 and 6; Aug. 7 and 8

The festival winds up with performances of My Favorite Things, starring singer Alana Opie (Thursday and Friday) and Distinctive Divas, a Tribute to the Ladies (Saturday and Sunday), with Michelle Kasanofsky and friends paying homage to the likes of Cher, Adele and Ella Fitzgerald. Get your tickets by calling (941) 488-1115 or visiting venicetheatre.org.

AMI Privateers: Return to Tortuga

Aug. 5-8

Pirates are invading up on Anna Maria Island, but with the best of intentions: to raise money for the Privateers’ scholarship programs and other children-focused activities. On the schedule of mayhem: A Bilge Rat Derby, island pub crawl, scavenger hunt and much more. To get all the schedule and ticket details, set your sails for amiprivateers.org.

Sarasota Opera House Summer Movies

Aug. 7 and 8

Get two very different filmgoing experiences with this weekend’s offerings. First, there’s the Rock Hudson-Doris Day comedy Pillow Talk, on Saturday; then, there’s Milan’s Teatro alla Scala’s production of Orphee et Eurydice on the screen Sunday. Check online at sarasotaopera.org or call (941) 328-1300.

CoolToday Park Summer Movies

Aug. 11

And while we’re on the subject, how about taking the kids to a fun summer movie Wednesday night? The animated Tom and Jerry is next up on the schedule at 6 p.m., and tickets are free for those 3 and under, $3 for ages 4-9, and $7 for 10 and above. Call (941) 413-5004 for info or stop by the box office.