Hurry
[ time is running out ]

The nearly famous, almost infamous, FST Improv Troupe has been cracking people up all season and there are only a few shows left. If you haven’t been: the FST cabaret is an intimate setting on Palm Avenue and the Troupe performs classic improv with a little long-form, a little music (very little depending on who is singing, now that is funny) and skits like you’d see on Drew Carey’s “Whose Line Is It Anyway.” It is a lot of fun. As a special for anythingarts.com readers, see the 2-4-1 ticket coupon in this issue and remember, you have to tell them anythingarts.com sent you! Reservations required. Call 941-366-9000 for tickets.

Closing April 20
[ importance ]

The Powel Crosley Theatre presents Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Ernest. Since first being produced in London in 1895, the play has been in continuous run around the globe and even spawned a movie or two. Call 941-722-3244 for tickets and information.

April 18 – May 6
[ blue window ]

The FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training presents Blue Window, by Craig Lucas. The Off-Broadway hit is the last production for the season and is directed by Conservatory Director Greg Leaming in the Cook Theatre. “This is a gorgeous, moving play that is both deceptively simple and wildly theatrical,” says Leaming. “It requires a very tight ensemble of actors. It's a perfect final project for our second-year students." Tickets are available now at 941-351-8000. [photo: (from left to right) Jessi Blue Gormezao, Matt Brown, Julie LaChance and Karis Danish]

April 20
[ gallo ]

The Sonnet Gallery is featuring the work of Mexican painter Oscar Alarcon and Venezuelan artist Ivan Rojas. The exhibit is called “Memories from Trujillo” and runs through May 16 at the Towles Court location. On April 20, during the artwalk from 6:00 – 9:00 pm, the public is invited to a special cocktail exhibit reception. (photo: “El Gallo” oil on canvas by Alarcon)

April 20
[ a ]

Anita Wexler's "Commotion" exhibit is coming up at Madonna Stella Studio at 1900 Main St., Sarasota with an opening reception from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Call 941-706-2119 for details.

Through April 29
[ not my wife ]

The Venice Little Theatre presents Moliere’s The School for Wives  in the Pinkerton Theatre. From the original master of stage comedy, this is the classic farce, beautifully translated by Richard Wilbur, with all the laughs and silliness intact. Moliere delighted in holding the human ego up to ridicule and he’s never done it better than in The School for Wives. Call 941-488-1115 for tickets or click here.

April 21
[ mcc ]

As copied and pasted directly from the submitted press release: Manatee Community College (MCC) invites area residents, MCC alumni and staff, and future students to the college’s free celebration of its 50th anniversary from 11:00 – 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 21, at MCC Bradenton, 5840 26th St. West. The community celebration will feature free picnic food and drinks, scholarship drawings, campus tours, entertainment and educational activities. There will be plenty of free parking.

April 21
[ jazz time ]

The Players Theatre presents Jazz Craze at the PAL Sailor Circus at 7:00 pm. The show features the George W. Carroll 17 piece Jazz Big Band. The Players special event is funded, in part, by the Sarasota County Board of Commissioners through the Sarasota Arts Council. Tickets are available via the box office at 941-365-2494 or on-line.

April 21
[ free class day ]

That’s right, FREE Class Day at Rosemary Court where you can experience 8 different yoga styles, meditation, organic nutrition class and Tai Chi (which, I learned, is different than Chai Tea). You can also have a vegan lunch provided for Chachi Vejutopis for just $10. Advance registration for the free class and lunch are required at 941-952-5280.

April 21
[ art sale ]

Art Center Sarasota is having a sidewalk sale with out a sidewalk!  The Sans Sidewalk Art Sale is from 10:00 – 4:00 pm in the Art Center’s sculpture garden. Over 35 member artists will have their work available. Call 941-365-2032 for more information.

April 22
[ pops ]

Hey, when in a hurry this cut-and-paste stuff is fun: The Florida West Coast Symphony is pleased to welcome Tony Award nominee Liz Callaway as the guest vocalist at And the Beat Goes On, on Sunday, April 22, at 8 p.m. at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota.  The orchestra and pops conductor Andrew Lane will join Callaway in a nostalgic look at one of the most dynamic and diverse decades in recent history, when society was hooked on Sonny & Cher, the Beatles and Peter, Paul and Mary. Concert tickets cost $32-$48. For more information or to buy tickets online.

Every Tuesday
[ anything arts ]

Conversations On Art at the Metro at 5:30 pm: Visual artists are invited to talk about technique, style, hopes and dreams. Writers as critics and curators are asked to discuss how the art market works and the importance of critical review as well as their personal take on current visual trends.  Dealers and collectors will to share their experiences regarding the buying and selling of art. Gale Fulton Ross leads the discussions for this FREE weekly event.

April 23
[ listen and call ]

Christine and Rick will be guests of Cliff Role’s Talk of the Suncoast on Monday from 2:00 -3:00 pm on WSLR. What the heck are we going to talk about for an hour; we are so shy and quiet?? Call us during the show at 941-355-4540 and let’s talk on the air. Listen in your call at 96.5 AM or on-line right here. And (as if they could follow us), Cliff’s guests for the near future include Judy and Audrey Landers, Marjorie North, Silke Rible and more. (photo by Luca Guarneri/Mary McCulley Studio)

Tuesdays
[ act out ]

Act Your Way Into Being, an on-going improv class for those looking for fun and adventure. The class is $10 per session and held at Unity of Sarasota. Contact the instructor, Zan Benham, by email or call 941-922-7839.

Opening April 26
[ a chorus line ]

The longest running American musical, A CHORUS LINE, runs through May 13 at the Manatee Players.  Tickets are available at 941-748-5875.

April 27 – May 11
[ best of ringling ]

The Selby Gallery showcases work by Ringling School students from the departments of Computer Animation, Fine Art, Graphic and Interactive Communication, Illustration, Interior Design, and Photography & Digital Imaging. Location: Selby Gallery on the Ringling School of Art and Design campus, one-half block east of 2700 N. Tamiami Trail on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way in Sarasota .This exhibition is free and open to the public.

April 28
[ here’s betty ]

Entertainer Betty Comora will present "Speakeasy Jazz Babies", a tribute to famous performers of the "Roaring 20's", for the Sarasota Opera Guild 'Indoor Picnic' at the Bayfront Community Center.  For details call 941-366-0560.

May
[ lolly lolly ]

The Dancing Crane Gallery in Bradenton’s Village of the Arts is featuring the works of many artists and having a month-long sale in May. The piece at right is by Lolly Owens and is titled Out of My Head.

Opens May 3
[ calypso play ]

WBTT presents its last production of the season with Once On The Island. The highly energetic, romantic musical is set in the Caribbean and features a great score. Staged at the Historic Asolo Theatre, it is directed and choreographed by Reggie Kelly, who directed the popular WBTT production of DREAMGIRLS. The large cast includes members of the Troupe including Porter Anderson III, Stacey Copeland, Nate Jacobs, Whitney Reshard, Nisi Weaver. Dean Wilson and Jnana Wilson. Tickets are on sale now at the box office.  (see special event poster at the bottom of this page)

May 4 & 5
[ hubba hubba ]

The Players Kids present Hubba Hubba. The cast of 7 - 16 year olds are part of The Players Performing Arts Studio performance troupe. Hubba Hubba, directed by Steven Vincent, is a blast from the past with music, comedy and a satirical look at life in the 1940’s. Tickets are available at 941-365-2494 and on-line.

Through May 16
[ free art lectures ]

Peter Paul Gallery is introducing a new lecture series titled CREATIVE THINKERS. Experienced guest lecturers will give six 45 Minute talks on topics from propaganda art to the value of collecting art & antiques. Every Wednesday at 5:30 - 6:15 pm. Call 941-365-5200 to RSVP.

Venice Little Theatre is auditioning teens for a Summer Stock  class that will produce “Footloose.” The audition is April 23 at 7:30 pm at the theatre. The Class will run June 25 through August 1 and the production will be August 2 - 4. VLT’s Sandy Davisson says "This is the real thing; summer stock as it was meant to be. Students will work in all areas, from building sets to performance and they will be working to full professional standards." Call Sandy at 941-488-1115 for details.