The Ultimate Billy Joel & Elton John Tribute — Billy and the Jets

Thursday, July 9, 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m., Encore Live, 8341 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota.

It’s a night for the piano men, the rocket men, the uptown girls and the tiny dancers. Billy and the Jets brings the hits of Billy Joel and Elton John to the stage, from “Piano Man” and “Movin’ Out” to “Rocket Man” and “Crocodile Rock.” Tickets are at $22.76 each. For more information, click here.

Cozy Writing Club

Thursday, July 9, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Foxtail Coffee, 315 North Cattlemen Road, Sarasota.

Bring a novel, poem, screenplay, fanfiction or any other creative project to this low-pressure writing meetup. Writers can use the hour for quiet work, conversation, prompts or feedback, then stick around afterward for dinner at Ford’s Garage. This meetup is free. For more information, click here.

Doobie Bros/Steve Miller Tribute Venice at The Community Center 

Saturday, July 11, 7 p.m., Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Ave. S., Venice.

Two tribute bands share one stage for a night of classic rock. China Grove pays tribute to the Doobie Brothers, while Midnight Joker brings the music of Steve Miller Band. General admission is $30 in advance or $35 plus fees at the show. For more information, click here.

Adult Hand-Building Pottery Clay Class

Thursday, July 9, 7-9 p.m., The Makery SRQ, 821 N. Lime Ave., Sarasota.

Get your hands dirty at this beginner-friendly clay class, where students learn foundational hand-building techniques including pinch, coil and slab construction. Materials, firing and glazing are included, and finished pieces will be ready for pickup after completion. Tickets are $55 each. For more information, click here.

World Cup Watch Parties at The Bay 

Friday, July 10, 3 p.m.; Saturday, July 11, 5 and 9 p.m., The Bay, 1055 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota.

Catch the quarterfinal matches on The Bay’s stadium-quality LED screen under a large tent with cooling fans. Friday’s game is Spain vs. Belgium at 3 p.m.; Saturday’s lineup includes Norway vs. England at 5 p.m. and Argentina vs. Switzerland at 9 p.m. The schedule is weather pending and subject to change. For more information, click here.

Night Market Palmetto | Corporate Ladder Brewing x The June Collective 

Friday, July 10, 5-9 p.m., Corporate Ladder Brewing Company, 4935 96th St. E., Palmetto.

Shop local makers, handmade goods, gifts, treats and rotating vendor finds at this evening market. Admission is free; beer, wine, non-alcoholic drinks, food and vendor purchases are sold separately. For more information, click here.

The Art of Hoop Dance Class 

Friday, July 10, 9 p.m., La Dolce Vita Venice, 204 Harbor Dr. S., Venice.

This after-dark garden class starts with a warmup, moves into belly dance-inspired abdominal isolation work, then rolls into hoop dance instruction and a cool down. The drop-in class is $20, with class cards also available. For more information, click here.

Park and Recreation Month Field Day 

Friday, July 10, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 34th St., Sarasota.

Celebrate Park and Recreation Month with a free, family-friendly drop-in field day featuring sports and activity stations. This event is free. For more information, click here.

Tea4T Drag Open Stage

Friday, July 10, 9 p.m., 925 Maddox Gallery Studios + Center, 925 N. Lime Ave., Sarasota.

Sip, slay and celebrate at this drag open stage at 925 Maddox Gallery Studios + Center. For more information, click here.

America 250 Celebration: Sarasota County Through Time 

Saturday, July 11, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Selby Library, 1331 1st St., Sarasota.

Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources marks the nation’s 250th anniversary with live music, a Sarasota and U.S. history exhibit, a community art project, cultural displays, interactive activities and refreshments. Florida author Doug Alderson presents “Iconic Images of Florida” at 2 p.m. and “Florida Dance” at 3:30 p.m. This event is free. For more information, click here.

Hot Sands Oasis 4th Anniversary Luau Party 

Saturday, July 11, 2 p.m., Hot Sands Oasis Tiki Bar and Grill, 600 N. Beneva Road, Sarasota.

Hot Sands Oasis celebrates four years with a luau party featuring outdoor tiki festivities, margarita specials, a pig roast, parrot-head attire, a costume contest and complimentary leis while supplies last. The Caribbean Chillers, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band, perform at 7 p.m. General admission is $30. For more information, click here.

Saturday Star Stories 

Saturday, July 11, 11:45 a.m.-12:05 p.m., The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton.

Young astronomers can settle in under the Planetarium dome for a cozy space-themed story. This week’s program features Teddy’s Space Adventure, followed by a live look at the night sky. Admission is included with museum admission. General admission is $25 for adults (ages 18–64) and $23 for seniors (65+). Student tickets (with ID) are $19, and youth tickets (ages 5–17) are $16. Children 4 and under receive free admission. For more information, click here.

Latin Dancing Night With Big Night Out at The Jungle Hideaway! 

Saturday, July 11, 7-10 p.m., Jungle Hideaway Sarasota, 2525 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

Big Night Out brings a no-cover Latin dancing night to The Jungle Hideaway, with tango, rumba and plenty of Saturday-night energy. For more information, click here.

Pop Up in the Park–Vendor Market 

Saturday, July 11, 9 a.m.-noon, Parrish Community Park, 7550 Fort Hamer Road, Parrish.

The Enchanted Tome Books & More hosts its first vendor market, with summer browsing and bookish finds for your TBR pile. For more information, click here.

Beach Soccer Sarasota

Saturday, July 11-Sunday, July 12, 8 a.m., Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Sarasota.

Siesta Beach turns into a soccer pitch for this weekend tournament on the sand, with boys, girls and adult divisions. Hosted by The Soccer Resort LLC, the event is billed as Florida’s largest beach soccer tournament, bringing together teams of all ages and skill levels. For more information, click here. 

Abstract Horizons

Friday, July 10, 5-8 p.m., Milan Art Gallery, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

Milan Art Gallery opens Abstract Horizons, a juried exhibition exploring the space between stillness and movement. The show features abstract works and an in-person vote during the opening reception. This event is free. For more information, click here. 

Classic Movies at the Opera House: Dead Again

Friday, July 10, 7 p.m., Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.

Sarasota Opera’s summer movie series brings Kenneth Branagh’s 1991 thriller Dead Again to the big screen inside the historic Opera House. Come for the noir-ish mystery, stay for the old-Sarasota atmosphere. Tickets are $12 each. For more information, click here. 

Sights + Sounds at Waterside Place: Pops Orchestra Jazz Combo

Friday, July 10, 6-7 p.m., Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Dr., Sarasota.

Ease into the weekend with an hour of live jazz at Waterside Place, where the Pops Orchestra Jazz Combo performs as part of the Sights + Sounds series celebrating local visual, musical and performing arts. Enjoy this performance for free. For more information, click here.

Summer Women’s Clothing Swap at Star Academy 

Saturday, July 11, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Star Academy of the Performing Arts, 308 7th St. W., Palmetto.

Bring gently used women’s clothing on hangers and go home with something new to you. Donors can start bringing clothes at 9 a.m., and browsing opens at 11 a.m. This event is free. For more information, click here.

Beat The Heat: Free Family Water Fun

Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Coastline Christian Church, 4111 Webber St., Sarasota.

Families can cool off with giant water slides, water games, activities, lunch and snow cones. Two time slots are available: 10-11:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. This event is free. For more information, click here.

50 Years at The Village 

Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Manatee Village Historical Park, 1404 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton.

Manatee Village Historical Park celebrates 50 years of historic preservation with food trucks, entertainment, crafts, hands-on activities, historical highlights, face painting, cupcakes and more. Guests can also take part in a quilt contest or renew their vows in the historic 1887 church. This event is free. For more information, click here.

Unique Abilities Awareness Walk 2026 

Sunday, July 12, 9-11 a.m., 99 Bottles, 1445 Second St., Sarasota.

Walk through downtown Sarasota for a morning celebrating inclusion, accessibility and belonging. Hosted by Behavioral Teaching Solutions through Spectrum Speaks, with partners including 99 Bottles, Art Avenue, Inclusion Revolution and The Haven, the event welcomes all ages and all abilities. Complimentary refreshments and cool towels will be available after the walk. For more information, click here.

After Dark Debut Finale at 88Live Piano Bar 

Sunday, July 12, 6 p.m., 88Live Piano Bar, 6624 Cortez Road W., Bradenton.

After Dark wraps its debut weekend at 88Live Piano Bar with rock, pop, dance and sing-along hits. Grab a drink, bring friends and help close out the weekend. Cover is $10. For more information, click here.

Bobby Jones Nature Park Phase 1 Completion Ceremony

Monday, July 13, 9 a.m., Bobby Jones Golf Club clubhouse, 1000 Circus Blvd., Sarasota.

The city celebrates the completion of Phase 1 of Bobby Jones Nature Park with a ribbon-cutting followed by tours. Improvements include more than 200 native trees and palms and more than 18,000 native shrubs and grasses. Attendees should plan to walk or bike from the clubhouse to the Nature Park entrance; limited golf cart transportation will be available. For more information, click here.

Historical Briefing: Historic Photographers of the Sarasota Region

Wednesday, July 15, 11 a.m.-noon, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Downtown Sarasota campus, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota.

John McCarthy, vice president for regional history at Selby Gardens, presents historic photographs of Sarasota from 1885 to 1940, inspired by Selby’s Shared Light: Lynn Goldsmith exhibition. The program is free with paid admission and free for members. Downtown Sarasota campus admission: members free; member guests $12; adults $28; ages 5-17 $12; ages 4 and under free. For more information, click here.

Mysteries to Die For Book Club: Snowblind by Ragnar Jónasson

Thursday, July 16, 2 p.m., Bookstore1Sarasota, 117 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.

Mystery lovers can gather for a discussion of Ragnar Jónasson’s chilling Nordic noir novel Snowblind. Eventbrite lists the event at Bookstore1Sarasota on Thursday, July 16. Tickets are $14.54 each. For more information, click here.