Didn’t you mean to see this with your kids? Then call now! The Suncoast Youth Theatre presents Godspell Junior at the Backlot. The performances are at 7:30 pm and more information is available about this show and all of the great things for young aspiring actors at 941-228-4521. Tickets available via SRQ Box Office.

The Banyan Theater presents Enigma Variations by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt as translated by Jeremy Sams. Story: “Nobel Prize-winning author Abel Znorko lives as a recluse on a remote island in the Norwegian Sea. Journalist Erik Larsen arrives to interview Abel about his latest book – a collection of letters between two lovers. Is the interview only a pretext? Lies and evasions eventually unravel the mysteries of intimacy as the layers of a triangular relationship are revealed.” The Banyan Theater presents Faith Healer, by Brian Friel, beginning August 9.

Just 3 more days to see Greetings at The Players!! Here’s what it’s about: “Andy has a sweet Catholic mother, a sour Catholic father and a severely retarded younger brother named Mickey. When he brings his Jewish atheist fiance to meet the folks on Christmas Eve, his worst fears about family blow ups are realized. But Mickey, whose entire vocabulary is "oh boy" and "wow," suddenly says, "Greetings!" An ancient, wise and witty spirit who is set upon healing the family has borrowed Mickey's body. Though a play for all seasons, Greetings! is ideal for groups wanting something special to put on at Christmas/Hanukkah time.” Order tickets here or call 941-365-2494. (no show June 27)

The furniture showroom of Home Resource will be transformed into a stage for the presentation of two Tennessee Williams one-act plays and two monologues. Created and directed by Louise Stinespring, the plays star four Theatre Odyssey veteran performers: Tom Aposporos, Cael Barkman, Ted Mase, and Margret Taylor. Tickets are free but must be reserved by clicking here.

ArtCenter Manatee presents Uplifting Revelations in the Kellogg & Searle galleries. The unique exhibit is based on women’s undergarments. That’s right; artists based their mixed media work on underwear and created whimsical pieces of art. Curator: Laura Avery, assistant director of the Selby Gallery at the Ringling College of Art. The exhibit has received much acclaim and runs only two more weeks. (photo of work by Karla Lynch)

The FIVE O’Clock Club is hot this weekend with Chameleon, one of Florida’s top dance bands.

Grab your cooler and a chair and head to the Sarasota Farm Bureau grounds this Saturday for Teddy Bear’s Picnic from 2:00 – 9:00 pm. The family-friendly picnic is BYOE (bring your own everything) under the large pavilion and includes croquet, volleyball, bocci and the debut of Not Tuna with live music from 5:00 – 9:00 pm. It’s all free and promises to be a good time. Call 941-720-3084 for more information. Map.

Live music at the Metro includes The Bruno Connection every Tuesday at 7:30 pm firing up swing-style jazz. On July 27 it’s Radio Free Carmela and the Transmitters; August 3 it’s Latin Rendezvous and August 4 The Human Condition. Something for everyone!

The Church of the Trinity MCC hosts a Summer Café Series on Wednesday nights, after dinner, from 7:00 – 8:00 pm in the Pierce Hall Café. All are welcome. On August 1, artists will display and discuss their work. Then on August 8, musicians will entertain. Interested in going to watch, entertain, exhibit or otherwise participate, call 941-355-0847 or email here for more information.

ASSEMBLAGE, a group show of the artists represented by Greene Contemporary in Sarasota, will be on view Saturday, August 4 through Saturday September 1. A preview will be held from 6:00 – 9:00 on Friday August 3. The list of artists in the show, each of whom will be showing in New York, includes: Joseph Arnegger, Aaron Board, Omar Chacon, Brian Haverlock, Douglas Higgins, Steven Katzman, Paul Lorenz, Nicole Mauser, David Piurek, Patricia Prince-Tunnell, Jeffrey Schwartz, Sabrina Small, Mike Solomon, and Robyn Voshardt / Sven Humphrey.

Circus Sarasota hosts Bombastic Ballyhoo of Pint Size Picassos in an exhibition through August 31 in the downstairs foyer at The Sarasota County Arts Council (1226 N. Tamiami Trail, Suite 300, Sarasota). The exhibition features circus posters created by area students from Laurel Nokomis Elementary School, The Boys and Girls Club and Girls Inc. There will also be a reception for the artists and their families on August 3, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. The posters on display were created by children who participated in “Big Top Education…by Circus Sarasota,” an after-school program which 200 children attended during the 2006-2007 school year. “Big Top Education…by Circus Sarasota” is a program devoted to using the circus arts as a catalyst to teach reading, writing, science, math and social studies.

Venice Little Theatre’s summer Cabaret Series opens with a Rogers & Hammerstein Celebration. A Grand Night for Singing opens in the Pinkerton Theatre with performances Tuesday through Saturday nights at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $23 and are available now at the theatre’s box office, at 941-488-1115 or online. The show was conceived by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie. “Did you ever imagine "Shall We Dance?" performed as a comic pas de deux for a towering beauty and her diminutive admirer, or did you suspect that one day a lovelorn young lad might pose the musical question, "How do you solve a problem like Maria?" That's precisely the kind of invention lavished upon this new revue.”

Florida Studio Theatre presents the 2007 Pulitizer Prize Winner for best drama, Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire. “If there is a way down, there must be a way back up. The Corbetts are a family trying to reconnect in spite of a life-shattering loss that turns their world upside down. Rabbit Hole charts their bittersweet search for comfort in the darkest of places for a path that will lead them back into the light of day.” Call 941-366-9000 for the box office.

The Manatee Players will kick off their 2007-08 season with their annual summer revue simply called DIVAS. The musical revue will be performed August 8 - 19. Performances are Wednesday – Saturday at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Tickets for this diva-licious evening are $23 and can be purchased by calling the box office at 941-748-5875 between 9:00 & 5:00 pm Monday – Friday. Advance reservations are highly recommended for this popular show.

Jazz on the Islands is a month-long musical celebration throughout Anna Maria, Longboat, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch. The highlight of this year’s schedule is a concert by the internationally acclaimed musician Nils, at the Powel Crosley Estate. Opening for Nils will be the Michael Royal Trio and the Latin sounds of Orquesta Infinidad. Tickets are available via Ticket Master or 800-251-2450.

Placement classes for singers who plan to join Sarasota Youth Opera will be held Thursday and Friday, August 23 and August 24. The program is open to all students age 10 (or entering fifth grade in 2007) through high school. These classes are necessary and students who are interested in participating must attend both days’ sessions, which are from 4:45 - 6:30 pm. Singers do not need to prepare a song for the placement exercise.
The program admits all who apply, regardless of skill level and provides vocal and acting training. No one is turned away. Tuition for the program is $125 per term. Partial payments can be arranged and there are a limited number of scholarships available. The Fall Term runs through late December. The Spring Term begins in early January and ends in mid May. For more information, contact Karl Hesser, Director of Education, at 941-366-8450, ext. 249.

The Golden Apple Dinner Theatre of Sarasota will hold auditions for singers and dancers for their upcoming season on Monday, July 30, 2007 at 25 North Pineapple Avenue in Sarasota.  Appointments are necessary, so please call for appointment time. The auditions are open to Equity and non-Equity singers who dance.  Those auditioning are required to bring a picture and resume.  Singers should bring two contrasting songs and be prepared to dance ballet and jazz combinations; an accompanist will be provided. The Golden Apple’s season includes: “Laughter on The 23rd Floor” – “Can Can” – “Evita” – “Funny Girl” – “Chicago” and “The Musical of Musicals: The Musical.” For further information, call (941) 366-2646.

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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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