Arts scene gets hot in August in Sarasota, Bradenton
August is often a slow month in the local arts scene, but there are a surprising number of new events getting started, with new art exhibits at galleries and museums, a few musicals getting a jump on the more traditional start to the season, a traveling circus and much more. Here is a look at what is happening in the arts in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties in August.
From Sarasota to Lahaina
It has been a year since fire devastated parts of Maui, and a Sarasota art gallery is doing something to help those still recovering. The Milan Art Gallery is hosting an exhibition of work by artists who have deep roots in Hawaii, including bronze artist Angela Mia, who had several sculptures recovered from the ashes of the Lahaina fires. The gallery is donating 25 percent of sales to the Hua Momona Foundation to provide food to those in the area. It’s a personal situation for Jock Armour, who runs the Milan gallery. He ran Lahaina’s oldest art gallery for seven years before it was lost to the fires. Through August. Milan Art Gallery, 72 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota. 941-362-7023; milanartgallery.com
Loomis Bros. Circus
A 27-year tradition continues with the return of the Loomis Bros. Circus to Sarasota, Arcadia and Port Charlotte this month. Described as a traditional-style circus, the production features juggling, dogs, Rolla Bolla, unicycles, motorcycle daredevils, aerialists and elephants. Justin Loomis serves the singing ringmaster. The show is presented Aug. 2-4 at Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota; Aug. 6-7 at Turner Agri-Civic Center, 2250 N.E. Roan St., Arcadia; and Aug. 9-11 at Charlotte County Fairgrounds, 2333 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte. $30, $8 for children ages 2-12 and free for those 2 and younger. Seating is general admission. loomiscircus.com
‘Il Trovatore’
The HD at the Opera House series features a screening of Verdi’s story of passion, fire and vengeance from The Royal Opera House. Lianna Haroutounian stars as Leonora, with Gregory Kunde as Manrico, Vitaly Bilyy as Count di Luna and Anita Rachvelishvili as Azucena. The production is directed by David B?sch and conducted by Richard Farnes. 1:30 p.m. Aug. 4, Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. $20, $18 for Sarasota Opera subscribers and $12 for students. 941-328-1300; sarasotaopera.org
502 Gallery opens
You’ll want to look closely at the artwork on display in the new 502 Gallery in downtown Sarasota. The new gallery is dedicated to small works that are six inches by six inches or less. Sarasota artist Tim Jaeger, one of three people launching the new venture, said small art can have a big impact. The gallery’s first show “Shopliftable” will feature work by 50 local artists, representing painting, sculptures, photographs, drawings and more. Aug. 5 through November. 502 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. 502.gallery
‘The Four C Notes’
This Chicago-based singing group celebrates the music and doo-wop sounds of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons in a summer run at Florida Studio Theatre. The show was created by John Michael Coppola, who starred in the Chicago production of “Jersey Boys.” In this cabaret production, the group sings such hits as “Sherry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” “Let’s Hang On” and more. Aug. 6-Oct. 13, Goldstein Cabaret, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota. $18-42. 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org
‘American Idiot’
Green Day’s hit concept album about three disaffected young men feeling trapped in their suburban lives takes the stage in a Sarasota Players Studio production. Jason Ellis as Johnny, Benjamin Eisenhour as Tunny and Judah Woomert as Will play the three men, two of whom escape their town, while the other stays home with his pregnant girlfriend. Vera Samuels plays the role of Johnny’s drug-dealer alter ego St. Jimmy. Brian F. Finnerty directs the production. Aug. 7-18, Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Studio 1130. $28-$30, $13 for students. 941-365-2494; theplayers.org
‘Anything Goes’
Cole Porter’s classic songs fuel this musical set aboard an ocean liner traveling from New York to London. A businessman’s assistant stows away and falls for a wealthy heiress, who is reluctantly engaged to an English lord. Suzanne Mattes plays the nightclub singer-turned-evangelist Reno Sweeney, and the passenger list includes some conmen and a criminal who becomes a hero. Producing Artistic Director Rick Kerby directs and choreographs the production, which features such hit songs as “You’re the Top,” “I Get a Kick Out of You” and “Blow, Gabriel, Blow.” Aug. 8-18, Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. $40. 941-748-5875; manateeperformingartscenter.com
‘Translation – Traducción’
The Hermitage Artist Retreat hosts a program dealing with the relationship of author and translator, how they work together or separately to combine their skills and create new works. It features author Mónica Lavín and her translator-collaborator D.P. Snyder, discussing their Spanish-English literary dynamic. 6:30 p.m. Aug. 9, Bookstore1Sarasota, 117 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. $5 registration fee. hermitageartistretreat.org
‘My Way’
Audiences get to hear more than 50 hits that were recorded or made famous by Ol’ Blue Eyes Frank Sinatra in this revue by David Grapes and Todd Olson, which returns to Venice Theatre to kick off its 75th season. Steven Butler, Richard Mutkoski, Natalia Mock and Charlotte Crowley (with Kim Kollar as an understudy) get to sing everything from “Let’s Face the Music and Dance” and “It’s All Right with Me” to “Chicago,” “My Kind of Town,” “Summer Wind,” ‘The Lady is a Tramp” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” Aug. 9-Sept. 1. Venice Theatre Raymond Center, 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice. $37, $22 for college students and educators and $15 for youth. 941-488-1115; venicetheatre.org
Poetry Book Club
Jeff Grieneisen, president of the Imagist Society, professor of literature and creative writing at State College of Florida and a part-time instructor at Ringling College, is the author of “Language of Phosphoresence: Poems.” He takes part in a special Bookstore1 Poetry Book Club conversation with club leader and poet Doug Knowlton. 2 p.m. Aug. 14, 117 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. $20 (includes copy of book). 941-365-7900; sarasotabooks.com
‘Beauty and the Beast’
The Disney animated and live-action hit returns to the stage in a new production featuring the young performers in the Rise Above Performing Arts program. The musical, with a score by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, tells the story of a young woman named Belle who falls in love with a beast, who turns out to be a prince caught in a witch’s spell. Aug. 15-26. Rise Above, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1105, Sarasota. $25-$35. 941-702-4747; riseabovearts.com
Art Center Sarasota
The community art gallery features four different shows for August and September, including 2023 New College graduate Precious Darling, who explores the complexity of femininities and their relation to objectification in photos and sculpture. Tanner Simon is featured in “Big Soup, Big Responsibility,” an installation of large-scale paintings that mix humor and seriousness; young artists involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County have their work showcased; and there’s a juried show “Flora & Fauna” with guest juror David Berry, vice president for visitor engagement and chief museum curator at Selby Botanical Gardens. Aug. 15-Sept. 28. Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 941-365-2032; artsarasota.org
‘I want you to know my story’
St. Louis-based artist Jess T. Dugan explores identity with photography, video and writing. A queer, non-binary artist, Dugan seeks to address the universal need to express oneself and connect with others through the work. Aug. 17-Feb. 22. Ringling Museum Monda Gallery, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Included with admission. 941-359-5700; ringling.org
‘Coppélia’
The Royal Ballet performs this beloved favorite as part of the Sarasota Opera’s HD at the Opera House series. Featuring the choreography of Ninette de Valois, set to music by Delibes, it is a story of love, comedy and mechanical dolls. The cast includes Marinela Nu?ez as Swanilda and Vadim Muntagirov as Franz. Barry Wordsworth conducts the Orchestra of The Royal Opera House. 1:30 p.m. Aug. 18. Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. $20, $18 for Sarasota Opera subscribers and $12 for students. 941-328-1300; sarasotaopera.org
The Lazour Brothers
Brothers Daniel and Patrick Lazour are creating their own path as collaborators in musical theater. Their musical “We Live in Cairo” had its premiere at American Repertory Theatre in 2019. Finalists for the 2024 Hermitage Greenfield Prize, they also have won a Jonathan Larson grant and a Richard Rodgers Award. In their work, they blend cultures and weave stories with new musical styles. In this Hermitage Artist Retreat program, they will perform selections of past and upcoming work. Hermitage Artist Retreat, 6660 Manasota Key Rd., Englewood. $5 registration. hermitageartistretreat.org
‘The Mousetrap’
The world’s longest-running play, Agatha Christie’s mystery “The Mousetrap” comes to Venice Theatre. The play has been running in London since 1952 (aside from a break caused by the pandemic.) The play began life as a short radio play written as a birthday present for Queen Mary and King George V. It begins with a murder and then moves to Monkswell Manor, a guesthouse run by a young couple who are waiting their new guests, one of whom may be a killer. Aug. 23-Sept. 15. Venice Theatre, Pinkerton Theatre, 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice. $35, $22 college students/educators, $15 youth. 941-488-1115; venicetheatre.org
Continuing
Florida Highwaymen at Selby Gardens
With the heat of summer, Selby Botanical Gardens uses its indoor Museum of Botany and the Arts for the exhibit “The Florida Highwaymen: Interstate Connections.” The largely self-taught Highwaymen were Black artists who emerged in rural Florida in the 1950s and sold their artwork from their cars. Through Sept. 15. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota. 941-366-5731; selby.org
Florida Studio Theatre
Ken Ludwig’s tender and personal romantic comedy “Dear Jack, Dear Louise” tells the story of how his parents met and fell in love by exchanging letters over three years during World War II before they ever met in person. Through Aug. 11. Florida Studio Theatre, Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota. Paul Slade Smith’s comedy “The Outsider” pokes fun at politics in a story about a guy who seems to be the worst possible candidate to ever run for office, but he may be the best person citizens want or need. Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St., Sarasota. $25-$46. Through Aug. 18. “Rhinestone Cowgirls,” a musical salute to some of the queens of country music, is extended through Aug. 4 in the Goldstein Cabaret, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota. $18-$42. “The Music of Laurel Canyon,” a cabaret revue featuring hits by such stars as Joni Mitchell, Buffalo Springfield, The Eagles, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and more, is extended through Sept. 1. Court Cabaret, 1265 First St., Sarasota. $18-$42. 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org
The Ringling
The Ringling features more than a dozen artists from the Tampa Bay area in its portion of “Skyway 2024: A Contemporary Collaboration,” which is running at five different museums. Through Jan. 26. skywaytampabay.com. “On the Road,” a showcase of work by photographers Jill Freedman and Randal Levenson, who captured the lives of carnival and circus performers in the 1970s, continues through Aug. 25 in the Searing Galleries. “Embodied,” highlighting the human figure with pieces from the museum’s collection of modern and contemporary art, continues through Sept. 21, 2025. “Shinique Smith: Parade,” focused on European artistic tradition, continues through Jan. 5, 2025; “Radical Clay,” an exhibition of 41 ceramic sculptures by contemporary women artists from Japan, continues through May 11; “Shared Vision: Art and Empathy,” a project with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County, is on display through Aug. 8 in the Community Gallery. 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. 941-359-5700; ringling.org
Ringling College
In 2001, Sarasota artist Jack Dowd unveiled a massive installation he called “Last Call” featuring a 22-foot mahogany bar with 13 life-size characters hanging around it. It was meant to evoke the spirit of the kinds of bars he used to manage earlier in his career. The installation was first seen at the Ringling Museum of Art, but this summer, you can see it in the Stulberg Gallery at Ringling College of Art and Design through Aug. 16. 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 941-359-7563; ringling.edu/galleries
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Sarasota Art Museum
There are several shows ongoing at the former Sarasota High School building, including “Modern Masterpiece Uncovered: Galloway’s Furniture Showroom by Victor Lundy.” This showcase of a treasure of the Sarasota School of Architecture that was covered up by cement looks at its origins and the potential for restoring it to its original design. Through Oct. 27. “The Truth of the Night Sky,” a collaboration between multimedia artist Anne Patterson and composer and sound artist Patrick Harlin that takes visitors into the stars, continues through Sept. 29. Molly Hatch’s “Amalgam,” a display of ceramics that covers walls on two floors, continues through April 26, 2026. The museum is also part of the regional Skyway 2024 exhibition, for the first time, showcasing work by 15 artists from the Tampa Bay region. Through Oct. 27. 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 941-309-4300; sarasotaartmuseum.org
Summer Circus Spectacular
Circus Sarasota and The Ringling join together for this annual summer tradition in the Historic Asolo Theater featuring contortionist Uranbileg Angarag, the Bello Sisters acrobatic hand balancing, a hair hang act by Camille Langlois; slack wire by Antino Pansa and clowning by the returning Renaldo. Jared Walker serves as master of ceremonies. Through Aug. 17, Historic Asolo Theater, The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. $20, $15 for children ages 12 and younger. 941-360-7399; ringling.org/event/fy25-summer-circus-3
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota, Bradenton arts scene heats up in August with 15+ new events
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