What to Do in Sarasota: June 10-16
Jason Cohen as bad boy rocker Jerry Lee Lewis in Florida Studio Theatre's Great Balls of Fire.
Editor’s note: In-person events are subject to change. Please check before venturing out.
Florida Studio Theatre: Great Balls of Fire
Starting June 15
Yeah, you got it: It’s a salute to the music of Jerry Lee Lewis, created by Michael Schiralli and Jason Cohen, who played Lewis in the national tour of Million Dollar Quartet and returns to the original bad boy of rock ’n’ roll with this show in the Court Cabaret. He’s backed by fellow musicians Luke Darnell, Nathan Yates Douglass, Justin Brown and Jon Rossi. Tickets: (941) 366-9000 or floridastudiotheatre.org.
Sarasota Music Festival
June 12-19
While the annual summer fest can’t go on quite as usual, the Sarasota Orchestra is still presenting four classical concerts and a lecture while showcasing faculty artists and former fellows. It begins June 12 with “Voices of the Violin” and includes Brahms cello sonatas June 16, works by Clara Schumann and Chopin June 18, and the Calidore String Quartet on June 19. Registration at sarasotaorchestra.org/festival; seats are limited, so a lottery system will be used to contact patrons for in-person attendance.
Sarasota Art Museum: Unraveling
June 12-Sept. 26
Up next on view at the Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College is this collaboration between design studio Aranda/Lasch and Tohono O’oodham basket weaver Terrol Dew Johnson. The resulting sculptures blend traditional Native American techniques with digital fabrication methods in intriguing ways. Find out more at sarasotaartmuseum.org.
Van Wezel Artist Olmeca
June 12
Latinx hip-hop artist Olmeca, a Kennedy Center Citizen and Scholar, has been doing a “virtual” residency with the Van Wezel Hall and Foundation all season; now he presents a free, in-person live performance at 11 a.m. outdoors on the hall’s lawn. He’ll be backed by a live band, and you can expect that you will be up and dancing. For more info, visit vanwezel.org.
Bay Music Live! at the Van Wezel
June 12
BTW, there’s more live music set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Van Wezel with reggae band Jah Movement. It’s an outdoor, socially distanced show on a first-come, first-served basis, and food will be available for purchase. Find out more at vanwezel.org.
McCurdy's Comedy Theatre
Reopening June 11
At long last, let the laughter reign again at this downtown comedy venue, shuttered for most of the past year or so due to the pandemic. Now, audiences can return to the club (1923 Ringling Blvd.) to enjoy some comic relief, starting with Flip Schultz, who entertains with shows at 6:30 and 8:50 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Check it out at mccurdyscomedy.com, or call (941) 925-3869.
Put Your Hands Together
June 11-13
Chances are you’ve heard The Soul Sensations perform its mix of R&B and pop somewhere, sometime around town. Now the ensemble is joined by some singing, dancing friends and choreographer Donald Frison on Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s outdoor stage to benefit WBTT and celebrate its emergence from pandemic challenges. Shows each night at 8 p.m.; tickets $50 each. Call (941) 366-1505 or go to westcoastblacktheatre.org.
Unscripted
June 10
Next up in this collaboration between the Van Wezel Foundation and the Hermitage Artist Retreat: an off-script innovative encounter with Hermitage Fellow and Kennedy Center Artist Reggie Harris, a longtime songwriter, storyteller, educator and performer. At 7 p.m. Virtual seats are limited, so reserve now at hermitageartistretreat.org.
Bookstore1Sarasota: In the Heights: Finding Home
June 15
Tune in for this virtual book launch with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Quiara Alegria Hudes and Jeremy McCarter, as they tell the story of the Broadway show’s humble beginnings to becoming a smash hit and now a feature film. Ticket price is $48 and includes a copy of the book; ticket purchase required to get the Zoom link. Check it out at sarasotabooks.com/events or call (941) 365-7900.
St. Armands Craft Festival
June 12 and 13
The 20th annual fest once more welcomes dozens of artisans to the Circle, along with browsers and buyers of their wares. Free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day; call (813) 962-0388 for more information.
Friday Night Concert Series
June 11
Venice MainStreet hosts another in its series of free Friday concerts in the gazebo at Centennial Park, this time featuring the North Jetty AllStars, at 7 p.m. Bring your own chairs or blankets; schedule is subject to change. Keep up to date at visitvenicefl.org.
