Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota recently opened its 31st season with great acclaim for the kick-off concert featuring Trio Sinfonia at the Fischer/Weisenborne Residence. The season holds 26 programs of brilliant artists and unexpected experiences. To see what’s lined up for the 2026-2027 season, visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.

This month, Artist Series Concerts (ASC) welcomes back the extraordinary cellist Mike Block, performing this time as part of the uniquely joyful trio Biribá Union. This concert kicks off the Lighter Fare series November 17, 5:30 pm at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. The musicians of Biribá Union – Block, cello and vocals; Christylez Bacon, beatbox, guitar, rhymes; Patricia Ligia, electric bass and vocals – met through Silkroad’s Global Musician Workshop, initially bonding over their shared love of Brazilian music. Their original compositions draw on the freestyle theatrics of hip-hop and Go-go music, the effortless beauty of Brazilian forró and choro, the earthiness of American roots music, and the improvisational spontaneity of jazz. 

What’s better than the 47 strings of a gorgeous concert grand harp? The 94 strings of two of them! 94 Strings, November 22 at 4:00 pm, brings together Cheryl Losey Feder, former principal harpist of Sarasota Orchestra and now principal harpist of the Minnesota Orchestra, and Phoebe Powell, Sarasota Orchestra’s current principal harpist, for a heavenly program of music for the grandest of instruments. Their program at First Presbyterian Church includes Debussy’s Dances for Harp and Strings; Caplet’s Conte Fantastique for harp and string quartet (Michael Turkell and Leah Latorraca, violins; Nathan Frantz, viola; David Bender, cello); and Edgar Allen Poe’s Masque of the Red Death narrated by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s Nate Jacobs. Stay for the post-concert reception with the artists. 

Looking ahead to January, ASC is pleased to present Schmaltz & Pepper, a special event at The Ora on January 5 at 7:30 p.m. Putting a new spin on classic klezmer, Schmaltz & Pepper combines chamber music with jazz and infuses it all with a bit of schmaltz! A uniquely virtuosic and entertaining chamber ensemble, the quintet performs original music inspired by klezmer, Yiddish swing, jazz, and classical music. The groundbreaking ensemble is redefining the traditional boundaries of Yiddish music, blending classical mastery with innovative compositions and soulful arrangements. Join us for this special evening at The Ora presented in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

Another special event in January is Piano Grand VI. An impressive four grand pianos and four grand pianists will grace the stage at Church of the Palms on January 30, 4:30 p.m., as ASC reprises the enormously popular Piano Grand concerts! Begun in 2016, these programs offer a mélange of classical and popular repertoire ranging from Mozart to John Philip Sousa. Piano Grand VI features the Cann Duo – sisters Kimberly and Michelle Cann – whose performances across the United States have earned rave reviews. Sarasota’s own Joseph Holt and Thomas Purviance will join the Canns for the latest edition of this ASC tradition. Don’t miss the fun as these four “keyboard accomplices” bring their own brand of artistry and levity to a program you won’t soon forget. 

To learn more about Artist Series Concerts – where brilliant music feels personal – visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.