Through August 14
[ our son's wedding ]

Our Son's Wedding is a great family comedy where the past meets the present in the Gompertz Theatre at Florida Studio Theatre. Overview: An Italian-American plumber and his wife arrive at their son's wedding - to another man! Complications ignite in a humorous story of a family that needs to let go of the past and look towards a new beginning. Tickets online or by calling 941-366-9000

August 4
[ words and pictures ]

Jean Renoux, the illustrious Art historian, will be presenting another lecture in his series illustrated by a visual presentation on sculptors Camille Claudel and Rodin. Thursday, 6-8pm $5 ACS members / $8 non-members at Art Center Sarasota. RSVP to LeeAnn@artsarasota.org or call 941-365-2032.

August 5
[ film friday ]

"Passage" at the South Florida Museum in Bradenton. Blurring the line between drama and documentary, this fascinating film delves into the mystery and subsequent scandal surrounding British explorer John Franklin's ill-fated 1845 attempt to locate the Northwest Passage. 941-746-4131 6pm to 7pm.

August 6
[ garbage men ]

The Garbage Men is a band of 5 teenagers from Sarasota, FL who make their own instruments from garbage and recycled materials so they can educate the community about recycling. They will be playing their tin cans, yard sticks and medicine bottles at the Westfield Sarasota Square Mall 8201 S. Tamiami Trail in front of Macy's to help raise money for United Way Success by 6. 11:30 - 12:30pm

August 8 - 13
[ new play festival ]

Witness the birth of a brand new play as regional playwrights compete each night to have their play produced on The Players main stage next season. Tickets are $8 each, $21 for 3 plays and $36 for all 6 plays. 6pm

August 12
[ one night rodeo ]

There’s more family fun coming your way this summer with the Van Wezel’s FridayFest on the Sarasota Bayfront! On August 12, The Next Great American Country Star, ONE NIGHT RODEO brings contemporary country jams (and cute guys in Levis) to one of the biggest FridayFests yet! The homegrown Bradenton boys of ONE NIGHT RODEO became overnight local celebs when they won the honor of being named The Next GAC Star! Cory Hildreth, Jack Tamburin, and Duane Allison have opened for superstars like Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban and Montgomery Gentry. So, put on your dancing boots and get to two-steppin’ - FridayFest on the Bayfront has gone Country and features Sarasota emcee Cliff Roles. For more information on what to bring, click here, call 941-953-3368

Saturday's in August
[ antidepressant ]

Taking what is right in front of them, in the form of audience suggestions, FST Improv creates characters and sketches on the spot. No one – not even the performers themselves – knows what is going to happen next. It is this element of the unknown that makes every Improv show unique – and what makes for some exciting moments onstage. Florida Studio Theatre in the Goldstein Cabaret. Tickets online or by calling 941-366-9000

Opening August 13
[ 12 artists in a room ]

C. Emerson Fine Arts Opens it’s 2011-2012 exhibition season with a group exhibition entitled VIGNETTE. This exhibition takes the traditional subject of the portrait to a conceptual exploration of perception and values. This group of artists offer you a glimpse into a variety of narratives. Vignette is a group exhibit of twelve artists. Most of these artist are local to Florida while one is showing from as far away as Perth, Australia: Kim Anderson, Nancy Cervenka, Chalet Comellas, Kyle Hughes-Odgers, Rocky Grimes, Daniel Mrgan, Austin Nelson, Patricia Lois Nuss, Kim Radatz, John Revisky, Carrie Vail, Chris Valle. The exhibition will feature illustration, mixed media, painting, photography, wood burning and video installation. The opening reception will be Saturday August 13, 2011 from 6 P.M. to 9 P.M. Open to the public.

August 18 - Sept 4
[ chicago ]

You know the story -- murder, greed, corruption, treachery and ALL THAT JAZZ.  You recognize the songs -- "Cell Block Tango", "Mr. Cellophane" and "Razzle Dazzle."  What you can't anticipate are the exceptional dance numbers and surprises in Manatee Players lavish production. Winner of  6 Tony awards including Best Musical, Chicago,which opened on Broadway in 1996, is still playing there today.  But, you don't have to travel to the 'great white way' to enjoy this musical which has been performed in 11 different languages. Box Office 941-748-5875 or purchase your tickets on our website. The show is not recommended for children.

August 23
[ outrageous melodrama ]

Acclaimed artist, Frank Colson will be performing an outrageous melodrama about Carla O’Brien’s process of working with organic clay. This is the first of a series of melodramatic comedy performances by Frank and Carla. At the Art Center Sarasota 6pm - 8pm. $5 members / 8 non-members

August 26 - 27
[ mystery writers ]

Going into its 7th year, the Mystery Florida Writers Conference has added a Writers Clinic to its repertoire, as well as an expanded slate of best-selling authors of mystery and suspense that includes Robert Ludlum protégé Gayle Lynds and Chris Kuzneski. The Conference will be held August 26-27, prefaced by Les Standiford’s Writers Clinic, August 24-25; all events to take place at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. The Hyatt Regency Sarasota is providing a block of discounted rooms for conference registrants. The full conference schedule and list of authors, as well as registration information by clicking here or through Circle Books, 478 John Ringling Boulevard, 941-388-2850.

DEADLINE September 2, 2011
[ arts leadership award ]

Presented each year by the Arts and Cultural Alliance, Arts Leadership Awards recognize those who have made significant contributions to the arts, and are actively engaged in the cultural life of our community. Past Arts Leadership Award recipients include some of Sarasota County’s most noted leaders in arts and culture. This year’s selected recipients will be recognized at the Alliance's 13th Annual Awards Celebration on Monday, October 24, 2011 at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Click here to download the Arts Leadership Awards nomination form. Nominations must be received by Friday, September 2, 2011.

August 6 - 23
[ dance festival ]

The Carreno Dance Festival Summer Intensive Workshop is bringing advanced ballet students to Sarasota, from around the country. The public will have the opportunity to witness the students, in class, with renowned instructors like Jose Carreno (festival namesake and principal of the American Ballet Theater), Loipas Araujo (ballet mistress of the National Ballet of Cuba), Liz Bergman (director of dance at Harvard University) and Rinat Imaev (company teacher at American Ballet Theater). There will be public performances and a special performance by Sarah Lane, Natalie Portman's double in "Black Swan." Too many dates and times to post here, visit the Festival website by clicking through.

August 13
[ matting and framing workshop ]

Learn how to mat and frame at Art Center Sarasota! Students will have an opportunity to cut as many mats as workshop time allows. Tanya Calhoun will demonstrate the techniques for cutting mat board, preparing artworks, applying paper backing, and more. There is a lot to learn in this class. There will be a discussion on affordable options, market choices, proper care and presentation. Bring a lunch. Materials such as canvas on stretchers and frames are not included. 10am - 4 pm $45 members / $60 non-members

August 20
[ workshop for tv actor ]

This is a ONE DAY WORKSHOP by Lori Wyman Workshop created at a cost that everyone can afford. Consider it an investment of $99 towards your acting career. The workshop is packed with information that will help you overcome nerves, teach you tricks to learn dialog and know EXACTLY what to do on those ALL-IMPORTANT TV and Film auditions. Click here to register. (Christine says, "It's worth the drive to Orlando. Lori is FANTASTIC. She wants you to do well!")

[ summer camp ]
CREATIVE KIDS SUMMER ART CAMP

August 8 - 12 Magic And Mayhem!  (Ages 6-11)
A week of wizards and wizardry, magic tricks, and costumes!

August 8 - 12 African Masks and Mosaics (Ages 12-17)
You will complete two projects where you will learn techniques that can be used again and again. First, you will design your own African mask using cement, sand, and mosaic tiles. Finally, you will use versatile air dry clay to design your own 9-piece assemblage. 

August 15 - 19 Clouds, Bowlers and Magritte (Ages 6-11)
Explore into the Rene’ Magritte and DADA-create larger than life sculptures of your favorite hat, a “look into my eyes” painting, and marble paper made with shaving cream. Star in a parade featuring clouds and trains, all that’s Magritte.

August 15 - 19 The World Of Anime  (Ages 12-17)
Adventure into the World of Magna(Japanese Comics)and Anime. A week full of language learning, calligraphy, exploring storylines (to create your very own short Magna), book binding, and dressing up in your favorite Japanese attire you can borrow from Asian Arts! Total Japanese emmersion! 

[ call for entries ]

The Other Persona - The Annual Art Center Sarasota (ACS) Members Only Exhibition is upon us again! If you are not a Member of ACS now is the time to join! ACS Members may submit 1 to 3 pieces of art with the guarantee of 1 piece being accepted! Two and Three dimensional works of art in all media and subject matter are encouraged for submission. Members Only, All Media, Juried Exhibition Prior to submission please read ALL of our submission requirements. Drop your artwork off at ACS on Tuesday August 16, 2011 10am-6pm.