As stolen from the Florida Studio Theatre website: “An exploration of the true meaning of freedom set in the gritty, high-stakes world of Civil War-era horse racing. Both Simon Cato, a smart, cocky 'colored' jockey, and his horse, Pure Confidence, are owned by Colonel Wiley Johnson. Cato wants to buy his freedom, but the Civil War changes everything. An emotional and comedic look at the complexity of race, humanity, love and dignity.” Call 941-366-9000 for tickets and information. 

The Manatee Players are performing The Wizard of Oz with a talented cast of lions, tigers and actors. Call 941-748-5875 for tickets and information. Runs though December 30 only. 

The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe presents Black Nativity for a couple of weeks at the Historic Asolo. The annual production is under the direction of Nate Jacobs and choreography by Leymis J. Bolanos Wilmott and features Tsadok Porter as The Angel. Call 941-360-7399.

The Studio at Gulf and Pine at 10101 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria Island, presents ‘Beneath the Surface,’ a series of vividly colorful nature-oriented prints by artist Nikitas Kavoukles. Rhea Chiles, owner of The Studio, reflects, “Each of the pieces in the Beneath the Surface exhibit is intended to engage your senses—to elicit an emotion, evoke a faint memory of other worlds, or subtly shift your consciousness. For this reason they are supremely pleasurable to contemplate for extended periods of time.” In his artist’s statement Kavoukles declares, “I believe that art has the ability to help us to transcend the mundane—and that even brief moments of transcendence can forever elevate the human being. Thus I approach my work as both an offering and an invitation.”

Floridaballet Arts Academy presents The Nutcracker for one show at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Click here for more. (photo by ArtZimages)

The 5 O’Clock Club is rockin’ straight through the holidays with an eclectic line-up for your many musical appetites, including Dr. Feelgood, The Delrays, Chameleon, Democracy, Al Fuller and Men From Mars. Check the full calendar by clicking here and then get out and shake you groove thing, yeah, yeah.

Art Center Manatee is hosting the 54th annual exhibition by the Petticoat Painters with a show entitled ‘20/20 Petticoat Painters Vision.’ The Petticoat Painters began in an era when women had trouble exhibiting their work in the male dominated art world of the time. Since its first exhibit, the group has flourished and continues to present fascinating work by a variety of artists. The public is invited to an opening reception from 5:00 - 7:00 pm on December 14. The show runs through January 4 and there is never a charge for admission. (image: Backtracking Time by Susan Morris McGee)  

At Venice Little Theatre, “The classic Dickens tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, A Christmas Carol, is retold in a musical format. It moves through the past, present and possible futures of the life of this man who has rejected human warmth and love. As he is visited in turn on Christmas Eve by each of three ghosts, we revisit his lonely childhood, his brief period of happiness as a young man and then his increasing alienation from the world. Told alongside his story is that of Scrooge’s underpaid and underappreciated employee, Bob Cratchit, and the close-knit and loving Cratchit family. When the ghosts finish their work, Scrooge sees the world with new eyes and the Cratchit’s young and sickly son, Tiny Tim, recovers to become a loving companion to the newly loving Scrooge.” Call 941-488-1115.

Every Friday and Saturday night It’s A Grind has live entertainment. On the 14th catch C. C. Cart; the 15th is Bud Buckley and then on the 21st The Skullduggery Band and Phil the Hat on the 22nd. It’s A Grind is located in the Beneva Village Shops at 3482 Clark Road. Call 941-924-7305 from your cell if you are driving around looking for it.  

Portland Taiko will be presenting a holiday concert on the Van Wezel Bayfront, Saturday from 10:30 to noon. “Authentic drumming, storytelling, ancient traditions and contemporary compositions are all blended together for a cultural spectacular that is sure to have everyone dancing to the beat of the taiko! Bring your drums and join Portland Taiko in a variety of interactive activities that will entertain and inform. Learn about the oral tradition (kuchi shoga) of Japanese drumming – the method through which Taiko songs are taught; raise your voice in Kiai – a loud shout used to gather the energy of the performers and add to the music; and hold on to your bachi (drumsticks) as we join together to send the music, sounds and spirit of the taiko across the waters of Sarasota Bay.” No charge. Call 941-953-3368.  

Janet Metzger, accompanied by Michael Royal, presents Reel Jazz: Songs & Stories from Hollywood at the East Village Cabaret. 

The Velvet Hammer Band appears at the Metro Saturday night at 9:00 pm as a Suncoast Blues Society Spotlight Concert. So says the press release: Velvet Hammer incorporates rhythm and blues, a sprinkle of rock and roll and original tunes. Band members include Carolyn Davis, vocals and rhythm guitar; Jerry Shell, keyboards and vocals; Beth Hammer, bass and vocals; Sting Ray Alan, drums and vocals; and Miles Ferris, lead guitar. Velvet Hammer is rooted in styles such as early Motown, Etta James and Koko Taylor, Willie Dixon and Howlin Wolf - with ventures into the likes of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Santana. The mix is four pronounced voices and diverse musical styles that bring an exciting show to the stage. 

Polish off your candelabra and put on your apron, all you Liberace fans. At Sarasota News & Books authors Michael and Karan Feder present their book Joy of Liberace: Retro Recipes from America’s Kitschiest Kitchen. During the free event, which starts at 7:00 pm, you will learn how to cook with Bling and the style of Liberace.  

Every month Film Society (A.K.A. Burns Court) has a Film Forum on the first Monday of the month. This month is special because there is a second forum being held at the Lakewood Ranch Cinemas at 8:30 pm. No cost, just have fun and meet the filmmakers. On Monday they are screening Moonies by local filmmaker Josh Henson, a senior film student at UCF. Moonies was shot in and around Lakewood Ranch.

Dr. Will Tuttle wrote a book called World Peace Diet: Eating for Spiritual Health and Social Harmony. The World Peace Diet presents the outlines of a more empowering understanding of our world, based on a comprehension of the far-reaching implications of our food choices and the worldview those choices reflect and mandate. The author offers a set of universal principles for all people of conscience, from any religious tradition, that they can follow to reconnect with what we are eating, what was required to get it on our plate, and what happens after it leaves our plates. Join Dr. Tuttle at the Peace Education and Action Center. Vegan appetizers, socializing and music at 7:00 pm followed by Dr. Tuttle at 8:00 pm. Call 941-400-2758.  

The Holiday Season is really visible under the lighted trees of Towles Court during the Gallery Walk. Go, relax from shopping, enjoy.

Sarasota Green Marketplace is sponsoring a special screening of the film The 11th Hour to benefit WSLR 96.5 and the Sierra Club. Stephen McGuire, a producer of the film, will be on-hand following the 10:00 am screening at the Lakewood Ranch Cinemas for lunch and conversation. Call 941-953-9553 for more information. Click here to watch the trailer.  

We usually don’t run items so far in advance, but because the first concert has already sold out, a second has been added and we thought we’d give you a heads-up on James Barbour- Broadway in Concert. The star of A Tale of Two Cities graces the Asolo Mainstage for this benefit performance. Barbour will perform some of Broadway’s greatest music. Tickets are available at the Asolo website or at 941-351-8000. (* at the time of this writing not many seats were left. Check availability on this seating chart link)

Group Motion Dance Company is facilitating a week-long dance retreat at Zero Gravity Dance Studio in Sarasota. The fee for the entire week of instruction is $350; admission to individual sessions is available. The workshops are open to dancers and non-dancers and offer “highly refined structures of improvisation which incorporate the principles of Yoga, contact dance, conscious breathing and voice. Its game-like forms guide participants into spontaneous exchange and heightened awareness that create dreamlike landscapes, and evoke and access archetypal images.” For more information or for registration details, please call 215-387-9895 or email.

Information about show times, places and dates is assumed accurate but not guaranteed. Please contact the presenting organization directly, by the link or phone number provided, to confirm information.

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