9/11 Memorial Events

🎼 Summon the Heroes

Thursday, Sept. 10, 7 p.m., Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, Barber’s Adagio for Strings and John Williams’ title composition anchor this hourlong concert marking the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11. Tickets are $25-$50, including fees. For more information, click here.

🚒 Manatee Fire Chiefs Tribute to Heroes

Friday, Sept. 11, 9:30 a.m., Rossi Park, 452 Third Ave. W., Bradenton

The community can remember the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, and honor the service and sacrifice of first responders with an honor guard, flag ceremony, 21-gun salute and dove release. For more information, click here. 

🕯️ 25th Anniversary 9/11 Commemoration

Friday, Sept. 11, 5-6:15 p.m., Patriot Plaza at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota

Mark 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks during a public remembrance at Patriot Plaza, the national cemetery’s open-air ceremonial amphitheater. This event is free. For more information, click here.

🇺🇸 25th Anniversary 9/11 Commemoration

Friday, Sept. 11, 8:30-10 a.m., Greenbrook Adventure Park Pavilion, 13010 Adventure Place, Lakewood Ranch, Manatee County

The community gathers on the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks for a morning of remembrance honoring those who died and the first responders who answered the call. This event is free. For more information, click here.

🎖️ State College of Florida 9/11 Memorial Ceremonies

Friday, Sept. 11, 8:30-9:15 a.m., SCF Venice, 8000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice; 9-9:45 a.m., SCF Bradenton, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota will host its 9/11 Memorial Ceremonies on Friday, Sept. 11, in remembrance of the lives lost during the attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001. Events will be held from 8:30-9:15 a.m. at SCF Venice and from 9-9:45 a.m. at SCF Bradenton. SCF’s veteran services office and Student Veterans of America Club will present the events; SCF Bradenton’s ceremony will include remarks from guest speaker John “Captain” Phillips, a retired U.S. Coast Guard chief warrant officer 4 with more than 31 years of service. A live broadcast of the Bradenton ceremony can be streamed on the SCF YouTube page.

🧗 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

Friday, Sept. 11, 8 a.m.-noon, Nathan Benderson Park Finish Tower, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota

Climb the Benderson Park Finish Tower stairs in remembrance of the firefighters and other first responders who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. Participants can ascend at their own pace during the free, four-hour memorial event. For more information, click here.

😂 Ron White

Sunday, Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m., Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

The cigar-wielding “Tater Salad” comedian brings his dry delivery, long-form storytelling and gleefully inappropriate observations back to Sarasota. The show is for audiences 18 and older. Tickets are $43 to $246. For more information, click here.

🩰 Thalhe Festival Gala

Sunday, Sept. 13, 4 p.m., Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota

Adult dancers of all ages and experience levels take the stage for an inclusive showcase spanning ballet, contemporary dance, ballroom, belly dance, hip-hop and TikTok-inspired movement. A public cocktail reception follows at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $13.39 each. For tickets or more information, click here.

☄️ Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812

Friday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m., Dingbat Theatre Project, 7288 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

A scandalous slice of War and Peace becomes an immersive electro-pop opera filled with romance, betrayal and a daring contemporary score. The production is rated PG-13. Tickets are $18.54 to $61.80. For tickets or more information, click here.

🎨 Art After Five and Joseph’s Coat

Thursday, Sept. 10, 5 p.m., The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota

Begin with discounted evening access to The Ringling Museum of Art and bayfront gardens, then watch the sky shift in color and depth through the 24-foot ceiling aperture of James Turrell’s Joseph’s Coat. The hourlong light program begins at sunset, with doors opening about 20 minutes beforehand. Yoga mats and outdoor attire are encouraged. Art After Five admission is $15 for adults, $5 for ages 6-17 and free for children younger than 6 and Ringling members. The Skyspace requires a separate advance reservation. For tickets or more information, click here.

🤼 Midget Mayhem/Little Mania Mini-Wrestling

Sunday, Sept. 13, 7-9 p.m., Scotty’s Pub, 14530 S. Tamiami Trail, North Port

Professional wrestlers bring body slams, comedy and ringside theatrics to an adults-only night. General admission and VIP packages with preferred seating and wrestler photos are available. Tickets start at $30.44. Guests must be 21 or older. For tickets or more information, click here.

 🏃 Bennett Park at Dark

Sunday, Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m., Tom Bennett Park, 400 Cypress Creek Blvd., Bradenton

Grab a headlamp and choose between a four-mile cross-country course or a family-friendly two-mile run through neon-lit trails after dark. Prizes will recognize the fastest runners and the brightest costumes. The four-mile race begins at 7:30 p.m. and costs $50, while the two-mile race starts at 7:45 p.m. and costs $40. For tickets or more information, click here.

🎧 DJ Shambala at Vinyl Vault

Thursday, Sept. 10, 6-10 p.m., Vinyl Vault Records, 400 S. Washington Blvd., Sarasota

DJ Shambala takes over the neighborhood record shop for a four-hour vinyl set, giving crate diggers a soundtrack while they browse jazz, soul, funk, reggae, hip-hop and other finds. This event is free. For more information, click here

🎺 Fernando Ferrarone Quartet

Friday, Sept. 11, 8 p.m., Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota

Trumpeter, saxophonist and composer Fernando Ferrarone brings a versatile quartet to Fogartyville for an intimate evening of contemporary jazz. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 for members, $30 for nonmembers and $15 for students ages 13 and older. For more information, click here.

🐴 Horse 101

Saturday, Sept. 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Sunflower Stables, 2215 57th St. E., Bradenton

Horse-loving adults with little or no experience can get acquainted with barn life through hands-on lessons in grooming, feeding, leading, handling and reading equine body language. Admission is $71.21, including fees, with an optional 15-minute introductory ride available for an additional $25, weather permitting. Guests must be 18 or older. For tickets or more information, click here.

🎸 Cruise Control

Saturday, Sept. 12, 6-10 p.m., Mattison’s City Grille Bradenton Riverwalk, 101 Riverfront Blvd., Suite 120, Bradenton

Four-part harmonies meet six decades of rock, pop, Motown, funk, country and blues during a waterfront set built for dancing. There is no cover charge. For more information, click here.

🎤 Legacy: Motown & More

Thursday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12 at 2 and 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m., Goldstein Cabaret at Florida Studio Theatre, 1239 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota

This 90-minute revue travels from the smooth soul of Motown to later pop and R&B hits, with music associated with Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Jackson 5 and Earth, Wind & Fire. Tickets range from $37 to $42 each. For tickets or more information, click here.

 🪩 Gimme Gimme Disco Dance Party

Saturday, Sept. 12, 8 p.m., Oscura, 816 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton

ABBA’s biggest songs lead a glittery dance party stocked with ’70s and ’80s disco favorites. Costumes aren’t required, but platform shoes, sequins and a willingness to become a dancing queen won’t hurt. Tickets are $23. For tickets or more information, click here.

🍷 Uncorked Wine Tasting

Tuesday, Sept. 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

Trade the ordinary happy hour for an evening of wine tasting inside Sarasota’s contemporary art museum. It’s a relaxed chance to sample different pours and spend time in an art-filled setting after work. Tickets are $58 for members and $68 for non-members. For tickets or more information, click here.