Summer circus, new plays, Sarasota Music Festival fill June arts calendar
Ann Hood book chat
Ann Hood, the best-selling author of more than a dozen books, including “The Book That Matters Most” and “The Knitting Circle,” will talk about her new novel, “The Stolen Child” and sign copies. 11 a.m. June 1, Bookstore1Sarasota, 117 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. Free. sarasotabooks.com
Michael Ruhlman book signing
Michael Ruhlman, author of chef Thomas Keller’s “The French Laundry Cookbook,” puts a focus on drinks with “The Book of Cocktail Ratios: The Surprising Simplicity of Classic Cocktails.” Ruhlman will talk about those drinks and sign copies of his book at 12:30 p.m. June 1, Bookstore1Sarasota, 117 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. Free. sarasotabooks.com
‘Director’s Cut’
FST Improv gives the audience the chance to sit in the director’s seat, deciding which stories that the performers are telling will continue and which ones end up on the cutting room floor. 7:30 p.m. Saturdays June 1-28, Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St., Sarasota. $15-$18. 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org
Sarasota Music Festival New Beginnings
The summer chamber music festival, which brings 60 young musicians to study with professionals over three weeks, launches its 60th season with a concert that features Francois Couperin’s “Le Rossignol en amour,” which was performed in the festival’s first program in 1964. It also features works by Bohuslav Martinu, Jane Antonia Cornish and Anton Arensky. Festival director Jeffrey Kahane performs on harpsichord. 4 p.m. June 2, Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $30-$42. 941-953-3434; sarasotaorchestra.org
Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival
This weekend festival of varied performances returns for its second season with nine different programs over four days. It features five shows created by Sarasota area artists, including Moving Ethos Dance, Scott Keys, Gabriele Keusch and more, and four more from Florida, New York and Vancouver. June 4-9, Cook Theatre, FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. squeakywheelfringe.org
‘Doubt: A Parable’
Lemon Bay Playhouse closes its 2023-24 season with John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play about a rigid nun who serves as principal at a Catholic school in the Bronx and suspects that the progressive parish priest has gotten too close with one of her students. Stacy Katz directs. June 5-23, Lemon Bay Playhouse, 96 Dearborn St., Englewood. $25, $20 for students. 941-475-6756; lemonbayplayhouse.com
‘The World Goes ‘Round’
Florida Studio Theatre celebrates the music of John Kander and Fred Ebb with its third production of this off-Broadway hit revue that features songs from such shows as “Cabaret,” “Chicago,” “70 Girls 70,” “The Act,” “Woman of the Year” and more. June 5-30, Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St., Sarasota. $39-$59. 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org
‘Two, Three, Four’
The first Artist Showcase of the 2024 Sarasota Music Festival features Maurice Ravel’s Violin Sonata No. 2 and works by Jean Francaix, Erwin Schulhoff and Grazyna Bacewicz. The program includes a performance by the Borromeo String Quartet. 4:30 p.m. June 6, Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $30-$42. 941-953-3434; sarasotaorchestra.org
‘Wonder: Human Experience and the Arts’
The Ringling presents a four-day symposium about “wonder as a source of creative inspiration, artistic medium and physical and social well-being.” It will feature keynote talks from Kaywin Feldman, director of the National Gallery of Art (6 p.m. June 6); artist Shinique Smith, whose exhibition “Parade” is on display through Jan. 5 (6 p.m. June 7); and Erin Clabough, a neuroscientist (6 p.m. June 8). There will be a Ringling WONDERground party 8-11 p.m. June 7, and Family Art Making Wonder Walk 10 a.m.-noon June 8. June 6-9, $289 for full symposium, $45 individual keynotes, other events free, but tickets are required. ringling.org/wonder-symposium
‘Standing at the Beach’s Edge: London to Sarasota’
Playwright Chris Bush, the Olivier Award-winning writer behind the British hit musical “Standing at the Sky’s Edge,” talks about her work as a playwright and as the 2024 winner of the Hermitage Major Theater Award. She will share the stage with Hermitage CEO and Artistic Director Andy Sandberg. 6:30 p.m. June 7, Hermitage Beach, 6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood. $5 registration. hermitageartistretreat.org
‘Bach and Beyond’
The first Festival Fridays concert of the Sarasota Music Festival features faculty members, fellows and the Borromeo String Quartet. It includes movements from faculty member Jeff Scott’s “Passion for Bach and Coltrane,” along with Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 and Prelude and Fugue in E-flat Minor/D-sharp Minor from “The Well-Tempered Clavier” and Mozart’s String Quintet No. 4. 7:30 p.m. June 7, Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. $29-$50. 941-953-3434; sarasotaorchestra.org
‘Beyond the Grave’
The Gothic Library marks its first anniversary with its latest live radio theater production. “Beyond the Grave” features adaptations of W.W. Jacobs’ “The Monkey’s Paw,” Robert Louis Stevenson’s “The Body Snatcher” and Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” by Vincent Pearson and direction by Ren Pearson. 7 p.m. June 7-8, Bookstore1Sarasota, 117 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. $25. sarasotabooks.com
‘Spring Awakening’
The young performers in the Rise Above Performing Arts program present the Tony Award-winning musical by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, based on a 19th century German play by Frank Wedekind. It’s a coming-of-age rock musical about teenagers discovering the challenges they face as adolescence arrives and the decisions parents make that will impact their children for years. June 7-15. Crossings at Siesta Key, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Must be at least 16 years old unless accompanied by an adult. $25-$35. 941-702-4747; riseabovearts.com
Jack Dowd: Last Call
Ringling College Galleries presents Jack Dowd’s installation, with its 22-foot mahogany bar and 13 life-sized characters conversing, drinking and working. It was designed to evoke people gathering at a New York City tavern. The bar is made up of 26 pieces with cutting-edge lighting and sound systems. Noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays June 7-Aug. 16 (opening reception 5-7 p.m. June 7), Stulberg Gallery, Ringling College, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 941-359-7563; ringling.edu/galleries
‘Festival Firsts’
First-time performances highlight this Sarasota Music Festival program, including conductor Stephanie Childress leading music by Indian-American composer Reena Esmail. Festival alumna Rachel Breen makes her festival solo debut with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1. The program closes with Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 1. 7:30 p.m. June 8, Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. $30-$70. 941-953-3434; sarasotaorchestra.org
‘Rising Stars’
The first of the Sarasota Music Festival programs that puts a focus on the fellows who are studying with master musicians will include music by Brahms, Mozart, Tchaikovsky and more. 2:30 p.m. June 9, Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $15-$25. 941-953-3434; sarasotaorchestra.org
‘Coconut Cake’
Melda Beaty’s comedy about four retirees who spend their days debating the mysteries of life over coffee and chess games at McDonald’s was named the winner of the Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin Rolling World Premiere Award at the 2022 National Black Theatre Festival. Westcoast Black Theatre is one of five theaters across the country presenting the play this year. June 12-23, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota. $35. 941-366-1505; westcoastblacktheatre.org
‘Something Old, Something New’
This year’s Sarasota Music Festival puts a focus on improvisation in classical music. For this Artist Showcase, faculty members Tessa Lark and Mike Block offer different takes on a theme from Antonin Dvořák’s “New World” symphony. The concert also includes Dvořák’s Piano Trio No. 4 and works by Maurice Duruflé and Beethoven. 4:30 p.m. June 13, Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $30-$42. 941-953-3434; sarasotaorchestra.org
‘Happy Dale’
The Sarasota Players presents the winner of the 2023 New Play Festival, a comedy by Sarasota writer Dan Landon. “Happy Dale” is about a retired English teacher who has been angry and despondent since his wife’s death. He is sent to live at an assisted living facility, where he works with his roommate to break out. June 13-23, Sarasota Players, Crossings at Siesta Key, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130, Sarasota. $28-$30, $13 for students 24 and younger. 941-365-2494; theplayers.org
‘Murder by the Book’
The Royal James Theater makes its local debut with this mystery about a real event in the life of mystery writer Agatha Christie that made front-page headlines around the world. The play is by Chicago writer and critic B.J. Mohr, who also created the theater company performing it. June 13-23, Manatee Performing Arts Center, Bradenton Kiwanis Theater, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. $29. 941-748-5875; manateeperformingartscenter.com
‘In the Round’
Sarasota Contemporary Dance continues its series of live performances during its Summer Intensive Programs, which gives choreographers a chance to start developing new work on dancers. Audience members get a chance to provide feedback following each performance during a discussion with Artistic Director Leymis Bolaños Wilmott. 7 p.m. June 14, SCD Studio, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, Suite 300. $20, $10 student rush, $10 for virtual streaming. sarasotacontemporarydance.org
‘Tales and Tributes’
This Sarasota Music Festival program offers stories and tributes, including Jeff Scott’s “Trail of Tears,” which tells the story of his great-great-grandfather, who was among 60,000 Native Americans ejected from their homes in the 19th century. The program also includes Antonin Dvořák’s String Quintet in G Major, Op. 77, which was written in 1876 and dedicated “For My Nation.” Richard Strauss’ Serenade and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “The Lark Ascending” round out the program. 7:30 p.m. June 14, Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. $29-$50. 941-953-3434; sarasotaorchestra.org
Summer Circus Spectacular
Circus Sarasota and The Ringling join together for what has become an annual summer tradition in the Historic Asolo Theater. This intimate circus production features 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. June 14-Aug. 17, Historic Asolo Theater, The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. $20, $15 for children age 12 and younger. $75 for opening night. 941-360-7399; ringling.org/event/fy25-summer-circus-3
‘American Soundscapes’
Sarasota Music Festival Director Jeffrey Kahane says this Festival Saturday concert epitomizes the spirit of this year’s event, with work highlighting improvisation and new interpretations. It includes Aaron Copland’s Clarinet Concerto, which was written for Benny Goodman. Tessa Lark and Mike Block duet with traditional fiddle tunes. Block’s “Iniche Cosebe,” a partially improvised work, and Bill Monroe’s “Blue Moon of Kentucky” are also on the program. 7:30 p.m. June 15, Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. $30-$70. 941-953-3434; sarasotaorchestra.org
WBTT Juneteenth Arts Festival
The Westcoast Black Theatre Festival presents its second Juneteenth Arts Festival, featuring numerous business, organizations and food vendors, short film screenings by Ringling College students, along with dance and live music on an outdoor stage. An art display also will be featured and the theater will offer free seats to a 7:30 p.m. performance of its summer production of “Coconut Cake” Noon to 6:30 p.m. June 16, Westcoast Black Theatre, 1202 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota. Free. 941-366-1505; westcoastblacktheatre.org
‘Rising Stars’
This Sarasota Music Festival concert highlights the fellows with a program of chamber works by Beethoven, Dvořák, Schubert and more. 2:30 p.m. June 16, Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $15-$25. 941-953-3434; sarasotaorchestra.org
‘The Music of Laurel Canyon’
A cabaret revue saluting some of the great music that emerged in the 1960s and early 1970s from such rising stars as Joni Mitchell, Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, the Mamas and the Papas and more. June 18-Aug. 25, Florida Studio Theatre Court Cabaret, 1265 First St., Sarasota. $18-$42. 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org
Levin Lecture
During each Sarasota Music Festival, pianist and former festival director Robert Levin takes time to talk about aspects of music featured in that year’s program. This time, he’ll be talking about the art of improvisation, and he’ll be demonstrating by taking audience suggestions. 1 p.m. June 19, Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $15-$25. 941-953-3434; sarasotaorchestra.org
‘Lustrous Sounds’
In this final Artist Showcase of the 2024 Sarasota Music Festival, faculty members are highlighted. Violinist Benjamin Beilman performs Bach’s Violin Partita No. 3 with improvised ornamentation. The program also includes Francis Poulenc’s jazzy 1932 Sextet, Ilari Kaila’s “Hum and Drum” and Ernst von Dohnanyi’s Serenade. 4:30 p.m. June 20, Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $30-$42. 941-953-3434; sarasotaorchestra.org
‘Rising Stars’
This final Rising Stars concert of Sarasota Music Festival season, featuring fellows performing favorite chamber pieces, features compositions by Mendelssohn, Francaix, Brahms and more. 2:30 p.m. June 21, Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $15-$25. 941-953-3434; sarasotaorchestra.org
‘Romantic Reveries’
Sarasota Music Festival fellows perform with faculty members in this program that highlights music of 19th century Romanticism and includes faculty members Sheryl Staples, Brinton Smith and Robert Levin. The concert features Beethoven’s Octet, Tchaikovsky’s “Souvenir de Florence” and César Franck’s Piano Quintet. 7:30 p.m. June 21, Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. $29-$50. 941-953-3434; sarasotaorchestra.org
‘Passion and Pride’
The 2024 Sarasota Music Festival comes to a close with director Jeffrey Kahane conducting and playing piano on Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major. Cellist Karen Ouzounian is featured in the Sarasota premiere of Anna Clyne’s “Shorthand,” which had its world premiere in 2022. The festival concludes with Brahms’ Symphony No. 1. 7:30 p.m. June 22, Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. $30-$70. 941-953-3434; sarasotaorchestra.org
‘Stealing the Show: Broadway, Beach and Beyond’
Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, who was nominated for a Tony Award this season for her role as Lady of the Lake in a revival of “Spamalot,” is also a writer, composer and lyricist who has been developing projects at the Hermitage Artist Retreat. She talks about and performs songs you know and things yet to be heard. 6:30 p.m. June 26, Hermitage Beach, 6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood. $5 registration. hermitageartistretreat.org
‘We Were the Universe’ book chat
Author Kimberly King Parsons, author of the short story collection “Black Light,” talks about her latest work, her forthcoming debut novel “We Were the Universe,” in this program with the Hermitage Artist Retreat. 6 p.m. June 28, Bookstore1Sarasota, 117 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. $5 registration. sarasotabooks.com
Continuing
Asolo Repertory Theatre
Reginald Rose’s classic drama “Twelve Angry Men,” about jury deliberations in the case of a teenager accused of killing his father, is now a musical with a jazzy score by Michael Holland and a book by David Simpatico. Producing Artistic Director Peter Rothstein stages the show. Through June 9. Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $35-$98. 941-351-8000; asolorep.org
Florida Studio Theatre
The cabaret show “The Flip Side,” a revue of songs that take a humorous look at life, runs through June 16 in the Court Cabaret, 1265 First St., Sarasota. $37-$46. 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org
The Ringling
“Skyway 2024: A Contemporary Collaboration,” with exhibitions at five museums on both sides of the Skyway Bridge, begins at The Ringling and will include the Sarasota Art Museum for the first time. 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. The newly restored “Michele Oka Doner: The True Story of Eve” continues through June 2 in the Monda Gallery. “Mountains of the Mind: Scholars’ Rocks from China and Beyond” continues through June 23 in the Chao Center for Asian Art. “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; “Shared Vision: Art and Empathy,” a project with the Boys and 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
Sarasota Art Museum
“Impact: Contemporary Artists at the Hermitage Artist Retreat” continues through July 7, highlighting work by 10 artists who have been fellows at the artist retreat on Manasota Key. “The Truth of the Night Sky,” a collaboration between multimedia artist Anne Patterson and composer and sound artist Patrick Harlin, who also have ties to the Hermitage, continues through Sept. 29. Molly Hatch’s “Amalgam,” a display of ceramics that covers walls on two floors, continues through April 26, 2026. 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 941-309-4300; sarasotaartmuseum.org
Urbanite Theatre
Urbanite Theatre presents the world premiere of “OAK” by Terry Guest, who had a hit at the theater with his play “At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen.” This new work is set in a small town where residents are warned about the red-eyed monster who is snatching up people looking to enjoy the freedoms he promises. Through June 30. 1487 Second St., Sarasota. $42 adults, $28 under age 40, $5 students. 941-321-1397; urbanitetheatre.com
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
Sheldon Rhoden returns as soul singer Marvin Gaye in the fourth staging of Nate Jacobs’ biographical revue “Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul.” Extended through June 2. 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota. $50, $20 students age 25 and younger/active military. 941-366-1505; westcoastblacktheatre.org
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 40+ arts events in June in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte counties
