50+ fun things to do in August in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties
We may be entering what's typically the slowest time of year in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties, but there are still plenty of fun things to do locally, whether it's knocking a few items off our bucket list of year-round attractions or the lengthy lineup of events taking place in our area in August.
As students return to classes this month, there'll be numerous back-to-school bashes as well as festivals celebrating tiki culture, local craft beer and spirits and shark teeth, and the latest installments of free monthly outdoor block parties featuring live music. There'll be plenty of other concerts, too, along with stage productions, art exhibitions, comedy shows and more.
Here are more than 50 fun things to do in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte in August. Event details are subject to change.
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Diego Figueiredo
The Brazilian jazz guitarist earned a Grammy nomination for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals in 2020. 6:30 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. show Aug. 1; Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota; $28, $25 members, $14 students ages 13 and up; 941-894-6469; fogartyville.org
Artist talk and tour at Ringling Museum
Curator Ola Wlusek talks with artists Alyssa Osceola, Corinne Zepeda and Wilson Bowers about their artistic practices and work, some of which is featured in the current Ringling Museum show “Reclaiming Home: Contemporary Seminole Art.” Conversation at 11 a.m. Aug. 1. One-hour gallery talk at 6 p.m. Aug. 3; The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota; 941-360-7399; ringling.org
Laser Light Nights
After pop and rock music laser light shows returned to The Bishop Museum's planetarium last year after a two-decade absence, they come back again this year, with August's lineup including AC/DC, Rush, NSYNC/Britney Spears, Lizzo, Elton John, The Doors, Pink Floyd ("The Dark Side of the Moon" and "The Wall"), Van Halen, Aerosmith, U2, Nirvana, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Beastie Boys, Metallica, Queen, Prince, Taylor Swift and The Beatles, as well as 2000s pop, Motown and "Summer Rewind" medleys. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays Aug. 1-31; The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton; $15; 941-746-4131; bishopscience.org
'Beau with the Wind'
Burns Court Cinemas will screen two Oscar-winning and nominated films from 1939: "Beau Geste" and "Gone with the Wind." Before, between and after the films, attendees can head over to the nearby Sarasota Estate Auction for snacks, drinks and previews of art at Aug. 5-6 auctions that will include costumes worn by "Beau Geste" stars. 2 p.m. "Beau Geste," 5 p.m. "Gone with the Wind," noon-9 p.m. auction preview Aug. 2; Burns Court Cinemas, 506 Burns Court, Sarasota and Sarasota Estate Auction, 522 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota; $10; filmsociety.org
Suncoast's Food Truck Rally
The weekly food truck rally features Florida businesses including Smokin Momma Lora's BBQ Mobile, Killik’s Kitchen, Rainbow Icee Blast, Brazilian Fun Foods and The Dawg Pound. 5-8 p.m. Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30; Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota
‘A Comedy of Tenors’
Florida Studio Theatre brings its mainstage summer season to an end with Ken Ludwig’s comedy “A Comedy of Tenors,” a sort of sequel to his first hit “Lend Me a Tenor.” But you don’t need to have seen that comedy to get caught up in the story of a promoter struggling to get three tenors on stage for a major stadium concert in Paris in 1936. New FST Associate Director Sean Daniels stages the production. Aug. 2-20; Florida Studio Theatre Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St., Sarasota; $25-$39; 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org
‘Clowns Like Me’
Scott Ehrenpreis returns to the stage with an encore run of the one-man play “Clowns Like Me,” a dramatic and funny look at how he lives with a range of mental health and developmental issues. The play, which was first performed in May, was written by director Jason Cannon based on hours of interviews with Ehrenpreis about his experiences, and how he comes alive on stage. Aug. 3-6. Cook Theatre, FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $30. $500 for an exclusive donor performance and reception at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 3. lifelineproductionsinc.com/clowns-like-me.
Music on Main
The free monthly concert series and block party on Lakewood Ranch's Main Street features Silverback Rock N’ Roll Band in August, along with food vendors, beer trucks and kids' games and activities. 6-9 p.m. Aug. 4; 8100 Lakewood Main St., Lakewood Ranch; free; 941-907-9243; lakewoodranch.com
‘Poetry Today: Undeniable Storytelling’
John Murillo, author of “Contemporary Amerikan Poetry” and the director of creative writing at Wesleyan University, joins Nicole Sealey, a recipient of the Rome Prize and a frequent contributor to “Best American Poetry,” for this Hermitage Artist Retreat program in which they will read from and discuss their work. 6:30 p.m. Aug. 4; Hermitage Artist Retreat Palm Studio, 6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood; $5 registration; hermitageartistretreat.org
Tim Cappello
The musician famous for playing saxophone shirtless during the opening of the 1987 film "The Lost Boys" performs at this show also featuring a screening of the movie and DJ NightRaven. 7 p.m. Aug. 4; Oscura, 816 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton; $15 advance, $20 day of; 941-201-4950; oscura.live
Jeff Dye
The stand-up comedian's credits include "Last Comic Standing," "Girl Code," "Better Late Than Never" and his own "Comedy Central Presents" special. 6:30 and 8:50 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5; McCurdy's Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota; $26; 941-925-3869; mccurdyscomedy.com
Dyer Davis
The musician charted on Billboard's blues album chart and earned a New Artist Debut Album Blues Blast Music Award nomination for this year's "Dog Bites Back." 7 p.m. Aug. 4; Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen, 1114 12th St. W., Bradenton; $5 advance, $10 day of; 941-243-3735; facebook.com/cottonmouthsoul; 7 p.m. Aug. 5; Downtown Kava, 1009 Taylor St., Punta Gorda; two-drink minimum; 941-505-0562; facebook.com/downtownkava2
Back to School Bash
The event will feature 250 backpacks being given away, more than 50 services onsite passing out school supplies, stage performances, face painting, free child crafts, raffles and more. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 5; The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota; 727-674-1464; floridapenguinproductions.com
TikiFest
The seventh annual festival at Fishermen's Village features live island music, steel drums, artists, Hawaiian dance and more. Noon-6 p.m. Aug. 5; Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda; free admission and parking; 941-639-8721; fishermensvillage.com
Back to School Night
Minor League Baseball teams the Bradenton Marauders and Tampa Tarpons square off in this game featuring post-game fireworks and a backpack giveaway for the first 500 kids ages 12 and under. 5 p.m. gates, 6:30 p.m. first pitch Aug. 5; LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton; $8-$12; milb.com/bradenton
Eric Johanson
The blues guitarist and singer-songwriter's releases include the Tab Benoit-produced "Burn It Down" and "Covered Tracks: Vol. 1," featuring a rendition of the Allman Brothers Band's "Midnight Rider." 7 p.m. Aug. 5; Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen, 1114 12th St. W., Bradenton; $10; 941-243-3735; facebook.com/cottonmouthsoul
‘Mountains of the Mind’
The Ringling opens a new exhibit in the Chao Center for Asian Art featuring unusual rocks known as “gonshi” (spirit stones) or “scholars' rocks” in English because of their connection with literati in East Asia. The exhibit runs Aug. 6-June 23. Rhiannon Paget, curator of Asian Art, leads a gallery talk through the exhibit at 11 a.m. Aug. 15 and 6 p.m. Aug. 17; The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota; 941-360-7399; ringling.org
Igor & Red Elvises
Growing up in the former Soviet Union, Igor Yuzov later moved to America and started this band, whose sound has been described as "Siberian surf rock." 6:30 p.m. Aug. 8; Birdrock Taco Shack, 1213 13th Ave. W., Bradenton; free; 941-545-9966; facebook.com/birdrocktaco
Tammy Pescatelli
The comedian appeared on season two and three of "Last Comic Standing" and has released stand-up specials including 2013's "Finding the Funny." 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9, 8 p.m. Aug. 10-11, 6 and 9:30 p.m. Aug. 12; Visani Italian Steakhouse and Comedy Theater, 2400 Kings Highway, Port Charlotte; $10-$18; 941-629-9191; visani.net
‘Something Rotten’
The Manatee Players opens its 75th season with the musical “Something Rotten” about the Bottom brothers (played by Alex Zickafoose and Dylan Savaadra), playwrights competing with William Shakespeare (Dylan Lack) in Elizabethan England, who create the world’s first musical comedy. Producing Artistic Director Rick Kerby stages the production. Aug. 10-20; Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave., West, Bradenton; $38-$40; 941-748-5875; manateepeformingartscenter.com
Summer New Play Festival
Florida Studio Theatre launches a series of three staged readings of new works with “The Secret Wisdom of Trees” by Christine Toy Johnson, an actor, playwright, director and advocate for inclusion. It is about a woman preparing herself and her family for the beginnings of Alzheimer’s by planting trees at the locations of her biggest memories. 3 p.m. Aug. 11. “The God Committee” by Mark St. Germain will be presented Aug. 18 and Bernardo Cubría’s “The Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latine Vote” will be presented Aug. 25. $10 for single tickets, $15-$25 for all three readings. Keating Theatre, Aug. 25. 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota. 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org
Friday Fest
The free outdoor summertime concert series held on Van Wezel's lawn continues in August with TEN-76, as well as food and beverages from local vendors. Bringing blankets or lawn chairs is encouraged, but bringing in outside food, drinks or coolers is prohibited. 5-9 p.m. Aug. 11; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; free; 941-263-6799; vanwezel.org
'Vertigo'
Sarasota Opera's Movies at the Opera House series screens Alfred Hitchcock's 1958 classic "Vertigo," recently named the second greatest film of all time by Sight and Sound (and No. 1 in the previous decade's poll.) 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11; Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota; $12; 941-328-1300; sarasotaopera.org
SarasotaCon
The pop-culture event will feature vendors, a cosplay contest, "Super Smash Bros." tournament and celebrity guests including former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Jim Shooter and comics artist Greg LaRocque. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 12; Carlisle Inn & Conference Center, 3727 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota; $20, free kids under age 11; thesarasotacon.com
The Lee Boys
The Miami-based group is one of the foremost artists in the sacred steel genre, originating from church services featuring steel guitar. 7 p.m. Aug. 12; Big Top Brewing Company, 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; 941-371-2939; bigtopbrewing.com
Albert Castiglia
The South Florida guitarist, singer-songwriter and Blues Music Award winner, most recently for Blues Rock Album and Blues Rock Artist this year, plays Bradenton on his 54th birthday. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 12; Birdrock Taco Shack, 1213 13th Ave. W., Bradenton; $20 advance, $25 day of; 941-545-9966; facebook.com/birdrocktaco
Big Al and the Heavyweights
The Louisiana blues band frequently pays tribute to their home state with songs such as "Cajun Roux" and "Hey, Hey Mardi Gras." 3 p.m. Aug. 13; Big Top Brewing Company, 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; 941-371-2939; bigtopbrewing.com
Rebecca Richardson and Dan Heck Trio
Jazz Club of Sarasota's Monday Night Jazz Cabaret Series continues with these two musicians who previously lived in Seattle and New York City before moving to Naples. 6:30 p.m. doors, dinner/drinks, 7:30 p.m. show Aug. 14; John C. Court Cabaret, 1265 First St., Sarasota; $34-$39; 941-260-9951; jazzclubsarasota.org
‘Portraits from a Stolen Past’
Bradenton artist Gary LaParl is artist in residence Aug. 15-21 at Art Ovation Hotel with an exhibit of oil paintings and mixed-media oil collage works based on vintage portraits. LaParl will be in the hotel’s lobby studio 4-8 p.m. daily to meet people and talk about his work. Featured in the exhibition are portraits of local performing artists, including Sarasota Rising Executive Director Jeffery Kin, Sarasota Contemporary Dance Artistic Director Leymis Bolaños Wilmott and FSU/Asolo Conservatory graduate Alex Pelletier. An opening reception is 5-7 p.m. Aug. 18. Art Ovation Hotel, 1255 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota; garylaparl.com
MindTravel
Pianist, composer and tech pioneer Murray Hidary presents a silent piano concert at Siesta Beach. Participants will use wireless headphones to allow the music to flow directly into their ears to create a more intimate and personal connection to the music. Rain or shine (except for lightning storms), 6-8 p.m. Aug. 17, Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Sarasota, Yellow Lifeguard Tower. $35-$65 for adults, $15 for 12 and younger. For more information: https://bit.ly/44Wpa7I
Kountry Wayne
The comedian and social media star (7.8 million followers on Facebook) tours following the release of his book "Help is on the Way: Stay Up and Live Your Truth" earlier this year. 8 p.m. Aug. 17, 7 and 10 p.m. Aug. 18, 6 and 9:30 p.m. Aug. 19; Visani Italian Steakhouse and Comedy Theater, 2400 Kings Highway, Port Charlotte; $35 general admission, $45 VIP, plus 20% auto server gratuity; 941-629-9191; visani.net
‘The SpongeBob Musical’
The Broadway musical inspired by the hit animated series takes audiences down to Bikini Bottom where the residents, including SpongeBob SquarePants and his friends, face annihilation unless an unlikely hero can save them. The score features original songs by Steven Tyler, Yolanda Adams, Sara Bareilles, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend and more. Aug. 17-27; Rise Above Arts, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1005; $17-$32; 941-702-4747; riseabovearts.com
‘From the Heart of Philly’
Playwright and poet Dave Harris, one of the first fellows in a new partnership between the Hermitage Artist Retreat and the Roundabout Theatre Company in New York, reads from and talks about his work in a Hermitage program. 6:30 p.m. Aug. 18; Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota; $5 registration fee; hermitageartistretreat.org
The Gothic Library
The return of live radio theater features live retellings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Lot No. 249” and Richard Connell’s “The Most Dangerous Game.” Ren Pearson is the writer and director for the performances featuring local actors who will be announced later. 8 p.m. Aug. 18 and 19; Bookstore1Sarasota, 117 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota; $15; 941-365-7902; sarasotabooks.com
FST New Play Reading
Florida Studio Theatre presents a staged reading of a new play by Mark St. Germain, who is the most-produced playwright in the theater’s history. He is the author of such plays as “Dancing Lessons,” “Best of Enemies” and “Becoming Dr. Ruth.” His new work, “The God Committee,” about a hospital heart transplant committee that has only minutes to decide which of three patients will receive a heart, is described as a cross between “12 Angry Men” and “E.R.” 3 p.m. Aug. 18, Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota. 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org
Gem, Jewelry and Bead Show
Sarasota Municipal Auditorium hosts this three-day event featuring gem, jewelry and bead collections for sale. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 18-20; Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $4-$5; srqauditorium.com
Toast Local
The inaugural event features a craft beer and spirit tasting, a car show and live music by Kettle of Fish. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. car show, 1-5 p.m. tasting Aug. 19; Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota; $50 general admission, sponsorships also available (21-and-up only); rotaryclubofsarasota.com/toast-local
Back to School Bash at Music Compound
Music Compound opens its doors to the community for this event featuring live music, bounce house, food truck and more. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 19; Music Compound, 1751 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota and 4740 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton; free admission; 941-379-9100; musiccompound.com
Sarasota Opera Family Day
Sarasota Youth Opera is looking for some new singers and introducing the community to the program with a free Family Day. The Youth Opera will perform and participants can attend a “Find your Own Opera Voice” singing session and take part in acting games, backstage tours, wig and makeup demonstrations and stand on the Opera House stage. Auditions will be held Aug. 22 and 24. Family Day is noon to 2 p.m. Aug. 19 in the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. sarasotaopera.org/familyday
Hard Heart Burlesque
Marina Elaine and Karma Kandlewick present this Burlesque Time Machine show paying "tribute to the past, present, and future in a thrilling and titillating evening of song, dance, striptease, and variety through the decades." 8 p.m. Aug. 20; McCurdy's Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota; $37; 941-925-3869; mccurdyscomedy.com
Banned Book Club
Bryn Durgin leads Bookstore1Sarasota’s Banned Book Club, a group that focuses on the most threatened books of our generation. The August discussion is on Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” which has been controversial since shortly after it was published in 1884. 11 a.m. Aug. 22; Bookstore1Sarasota, 117 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota; $11 (including a copy of the book); 941-365-7902; sarasotabooks.com
‘Creedence Clearwater Remixed’
A group of four friends take audiences on a musical journey through the songbook of hits by Creedence Clearwater Revival, in this revue with such hits as “Proud Mary,” “Bad Moon Rising” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” Aug. 22-Oct. 22; Florida Studio Theatre Goldstein Cabaret, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota; $18-$39; 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org
‘Secret Song: Unraveling the Mystery of Berg’s Lyric Suite’
Musician, filmmaker and Hermitage Artist Retreat fellow Hilan Warshaw returns to Sarasota to discuss his 2020 documentary film “Secret Song,” about the creation of Austrian composer Alban Berg’s chamber piece Lyric Suite for string quartet. The film features footage of Renée Fleming and the Emerson String Quartet. 6 p.m. Aug. 23; Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota; $5 registration fee; hermitageartistretreat.org
Three solo exhibitions and juried show
Art Center Sarasota closes its season with three solo shows and a juried show with an Abstract View theme. It features work by Lauren Mann, a portrait artist based in Clearwater; Iren Tete, originally from Sofia, Bulgaria and now based in Gainesville; and Ry McCullough, an artist and educator working in Tampa. The juried show encompasses all forms of non-representational art from Abstract Expressionism to Cubism and Minimalism. Aug. 24-Sept. 30. Opening reception 6-8 p.m. Aug. 24; Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-365-2032; artsarasota.org
FST New Play Reading
Florida Studio Theatre concludes its 2023 Summer New Play Festival with a staged reading of Bernardo Cubría’s “The Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latine Vote.” Cubría is a Mexican playwright and winner of the 2021 Smith Prize for Political Theatre. His play is about a university professor who reluctantly takes a job helping a political party understand the Hispanic/Latin vote before a presidential election. 3 p.m. Aug. 25. Keating Theatre,. 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota. $10. 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org
‘The Great Escape'
Sarasota Opera's Movies at the Opera House series continues with this 1963 Steve McQueen-starring World War II film, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 25; Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota; $12; 941-328-1300; sarasotaopera.org
'Golf With Alan Shepard’
Carter W. Lewis’ comic drama is about a group of grumpy old men playing golf, discussing their problems, loves and fears about life as they have an out-of-this-world encounter with the astronaut who hit the longest golf shot in history. Aug. 25-Sept. 10; Venice Theatre Raymond Center, 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice; $35, $22 college students and educators, $15 youth; 941-488-1115; venicetheatre.org
Sarasota Shark Tooth Festival
The inaugural festival held inside Robarts Arena will feature vendors, activities and education displays. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 26; Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota; $12 ages 13 and up, $8 ages 6-12, free ages 5 and under; 941-365-0818; sarasotafair.com
Casino Night
Part of Suncoast Summer Fest, the event includes $1,000 in free chips, light bites and two drink tickets, with prizes for the top three winners, 50/50 raffle, music and dancing, benefiting the Ron Foxworthy Memorial Children’s Therapy Scholarship Fund. 6-10 p.m. Aug. 26; Sarasota Event Center, 600 N. Beneva Road, Sarasota; $75 per person, $125 couple (21-and-up only); suncoastsummerfest.org
'Working Conditions'
The exhibition explores how photography has communicated impressions about human labor since the 19th century through examples from The Ringling’s photography permanent collection. Curated by Christopher Jones, the Stanton B. and Nancy W. Kaplan Curator of Photography and Media Art at The Ringling. Aug. 26-March 3; The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota; 941-360-7399; ringling.org
Drag Queen Bingo Extravaganza
Tamiami Trails and special guest stars perform at this variety show that also includes three games of bingo called throughout the show. 8 p.m. Aug. 27; McCurdy's Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota; $25; 941-925-3869; mccurdyscomedy.com
Ben Prestage
The Florida-raised "Deep South Swamp Music" performer is known for his inventive approach to instrumentation, simultaneously playing multiple instruments, including the diddley bow, which earned him a Blues Music Award nomination for Instrumentalist — Other. 7 p.m. Aug. 31; Celtic Ray Public House, 145 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda; 941-916-9115; celticray.net
Continuing
ArtCenter Manatee
ArtCenter Manatee closes its 2022-23 exhibition season with “We Are All One,” an open, all-media, juried exhibit through Aug. 4; ArtCenter Manatee, 209 Ninth St. W., Bradenton; 941-746-2862; artcentermanatee.org
‘Chicago’
The Dingbat Theatre Project’s production of the John Kander-Fred Ebb musical “Chicago” continues through Aug. 5, directed by co-founders Brian F. Finnerty and Luke Manual McFatrich. Loveland Center, 157 Havana Road, Venice; $25, $2.25 service fee; dingbattheatre.org
Summer Circus Spectacular
The annual summer circus collaboration between the Circus Arts Conservatory and The Ringling returns for another summer of family entertainment, featuring hand balancing, juggling, clowns, an aerial rope act and more. Through Aug. 12; Historic Asolo Theater, The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota; $20, $13 children 12 and younger; 941-360-7399; ringling.org
‘The Cemetery Club’
Ivan Menchell’s touching comedy about three Jewish widows who get together for chats once a month before they visit their husbands’ graves, returns after ; hit winter run at Venice Theatre with the same cast and director Brad Wages. Through Aug. 13; Raymond Center, 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice; $35, $22 college students and educators, $15 youth; 941-488-1115; venicetheatre.org
‘Diving Into Nature’
Sarasota designer and illustrator John Pirman is highlighted in a career retrospective exhibit “Diving Into Nature,” which has a summer run at Selby Botanical Gardens. Through Sept. 17; Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota Campus, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota; 941-366-5731; selby.org
Florida Studio Theatre
The terrific drama “Black Pearl Sings,” which brings actress Alice M. Gatling back to Sarasota after a long absence, returns to Florida Studio Theatre for the first time since 2009, in a fine production that also features FST regular Rachel Moulton. It is about an imprisoned Black woman in Texas in the 1930s and the white musicologist who wants to record the slave songs she knows. Through Aug. 6; Keating Theatre; $25-$39. In the Court Cabaret, the touring “Divas Three,” a salute to some of the most influential women over four decades of pop music history, continues through Sept. 10; $25-$39. And in the Goldstein Cabaret, “The Surfer Boys” continues through Aug. 13 with the hits of The Beach Boys. Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota; 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org
Sarasota Art Museum
At the Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College, work by multimedia artist Chakaia Booker, who manipulates unconventional materials into new compositions, is on display in “Surface Pressure” through Oct. 29. The installation “Reassembling Spilt Light” by multimedia artist Carlos Bunga runs through Oct. 29. “The New Black Vanguard: Photography Between Art and Fashion” is on display through Sept. 17. Multimedia artist Stephanie J. Woods’ “my papa used to play checkers” continues through Sept. 17. She works primarily in photography, fiber, video and sculpture. "Sara Berman’s Closet" looks at the impact of order and organization of one woman’s closet as recreated by her daughter and grandson, through Sept. 17. Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-309-4300; sarasotaartmuseum.org
Ringling Museum
Continuing Ringling exhibits include “From the Chambers: Honoring John Sims,” focused on the life and work of the late Sarasota artist and activist, through Aug. 6 in the Searing East Wing; “Lorna Bieber: Natural World,” featuring work built on the principles of appropriating, recycling and manipulating imagery, through Oct. 15 in the Monda Gallery; “Reclaiming Home: Contemporary Seminole Art,” the museum’s first presentation of contemporary art by Native American artists with historic ties to Florida, through Sept. 4 in the Searing West Wing Galleries; “Art Deco Lacquer and Textiles from Japan” through Oct. 22 in the Chao Gallery; “As long as there is sun, as long as there is light. Selections from the Bring Gift and The Ringling Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art” through Jan. 7 in the Searing Wing; and “Fabulous Arts Foundation: Drag Culture Timeline,” featuring costumes and photos from Stonewall National Museum and Archives, through Aug. 8 in the Community Gallery. The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota; 941-360-7399; ringling.org
Farmers markets for Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties
Sarasota Farmers Market
The year-round market in downtown Sarasota features vendors selling produce, plants, artisan goods, and food and drink, also featuring live music and other entertainment. 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays; 1 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota; sarasotafarmersmarket.org
Venice Farmers Market
The year-round market features farm, food-related, artisan and greenery vendors. 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays April-September, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays October-March; 401 W. Venice Ave., Venice; thevenicefarmersmarket.org
Newtown Farmers Market
The market offers fresh local produce, including seasonal fruits and vegetables, and other goods. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and first and third Fridays; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 2523 Cocoanut Ave., Sarasota; newtownnation.com
Siesta Key Farmers Market
The market located in Siesta Village features fresh produce, art, clothing and more. 8 a.m.-noon Sundays; 5124 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key; siestakeyfarmersmarket.org
Fresh Harvest Farmers Market
The Downtown Wellen farmers market features nearly 40 different vendor booths offering locally grown and produced food including herbs, spices, cut flowers, teas, canned and preserved fruits and vegetables, syrups, baked goods, pickled foods, fresh seafood, meats, poultry, eggs, milk and prepared food and beverages, as well as a limited selection of craft vendors. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays; Downtown Wellen, 19745 Wellen Park Blvd., Venice; wellenpark.com/events/fresh-harvest-farmers-market
Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch
The year-round market features more than 100 local vendors offering organic produce, flowers, specialty spices/rubs, honey, bread and other baked goods, prepared foods, pet products, jewelry and more. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays; 1561 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch; themarketlwr.com
Downtown Bradenton Public Market
The market on downtown Bradenton's Old Main Street features fresh produce, local art, music, local chef demonstrations and free family activities. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 26; Old Main Street, 400 12th St. W., Bradenton; realizebradenton.com/public-market
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Follow Jay Handelman on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Contact him at jay.handelman@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Fun Sarasota Bradenton Venice Charlotte things to do, events in August
