AnythingArts.com is calling on all music lovers, and especially those of you who have enjoyed watching the Sarasota Orchestra rise to such tremendous stature in the past 15 years.
The Sarasota Orchestra’s long-time artistic director, that gracious and talented man on the podium, will be conducting his last concerts in Sarasota, Feb 16 through Feb 19.

Year after year our orchestra improved and Leif found marvelous new ways to showcase both the talented musicians and classical symphonic music. His original concept “Journeys to Genius” concerts were consistently sold out.

Let’s sell out all four concerts for Leif and let thunderous applause be a sign of the community’s appreciation for all he has done.

Thursday, February 16, 8 pm at Neel Performing Arts Center, Bradenton
Friday, February 17, 8 pm at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota
Saturday, February 18, 8 pm at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota
Sunday, February 19, 2:30 pm at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota

Buy your tickets now on line.

Through Feb 24
Sculpture and More at Scarlett’s Feathers

Scarlett’s Feathers gallery is pleased to present the sculptures of Marilyn Rothschild. The exhibit opens on Thursday, February 2, 6-8 pm and will be on display Jan. 30 – Feb. 24, along with the gallery’s ongoing collection of one-of-a-kind fiber and wearable art, collage, mosaic, furniture, jewelry, rugs and more. Scarlett’s Feathers is located at 53A S. Palm Avenue, Sarasota. Gallery hours are Mon. – Sat., 11:00 am – 5:00 pm. For more information, call 941-894-3620.

Feb 3 – 24
All That Afternoon Jazz

The Jazz Club of Sarasota continues its popular Jazz at Two series with Diane Linscott & Company performing on Feb. 3, followed by the Eddie Tobin Quartet on Feb. 10, Bill Carmichael and Friends on Feb. 17 and pianist Bob Seeley on Feb. 24. As part of the Jazz Club’s mission to offer jazz enthusiasts the opportunity to hear and see our region’s outstanding local talent at an affordable price, tickets are $5 for Club members and $12 for non-members. The concerts take place at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. The music begins at, you guessed it, 2:00 pm. For more information, call 941-366-1552.

Feb 3
Fun by the Fountain

Enjoy Circus Sarasota’s Sailor Circus during their Eat Here’s Fun by the Fountain on First Friday evenings through May of 2012, 6-8 pm. Outdoor performances will take place at the fountain courtyard in front of Eat Here on Main Street from 6-8 p.m. They will include jugglers, unicyclists, circus clowns, stilt-walking and more. Fun by the Fountain serves to showcase the beauty of Sarasota’s Main Street fountain while raising funds for Sailor Circus that will be used toward college scholarships, costumes, equipment, educational workshops, private lessons and summer camps.

Feb 3
Images of America, Palmetto

Palmetto Art Center is hosting a book signing by Merab-Michal Favorite, a fifth-generation Palmetto native who grew up on Snead Island. Merab freshly published first book, Images of America, Palmetto, captures the flavor of local folklore and turns it into historical articles, much like her popular weekly online column for the Bradenton Times, Sunday Favorites. The book signing also coincides with Historic Downtown Palmetto's family-friendly and increasingly popular "First Friday." Slick's Car Garage will be open with classic cars, bikes and rockin' tunes. Be there Friday, Feb 3 from 5-9 pm.

Feb 4
Mystical Dances of Bali

Purnama Sari Balinese Dance Company presents traditional dances from “The Island of the Gods” at the Art Center Sarasota at 7:30 pm on Saturday, February 4. The magic of Balinese classical and ritual dances, punctuated by otherworldly dance vocabulary, includes signature eye movement called Seledet and dazzling costumes glittered in regal colors. Purnama Sari’s dances express stories from Balinese myth and Hindu epics, including ancient mask dances that embody a plethora of archetypes. Tickets are on sale at the Art Center Sarasota. Admissions are $20 for general audience, $15 for ACS members and students, and $10 for children 12 and under. 

Feb 4
Clarinet Swing Kings

This salute to jazz music’s greatest clarinetists features Dave Bennett and his incredible swing band performing with the Sarasota Orchestra. Highlights include renditions of legendary clarinetists Artie Shaw, Pete Fountain, Jimmy Dorsey and Woody Herman, as well as the King of Swing, Benny Goodman. It’s at the Van Wezel at 8 pm. Tickets.

Feb 6
Harry James & the Andrews Sisters

From the USO stages of World War II to the Venice Theatre’s Mainstage. Don’t know if its time travel or replication, but get ready on Monday, Feb 6 at 8 pm for the return of Harry James and the Andrews Sisters! Or rather, Kim Kollar is joined by Cathy Baudrit, Michelle Pryun and trumpet virtuoso Charly Raymond in a loving tribute to the performers that provided the soundtrack for America’s “Greatest Generation.” Tickets are $32.

Feb 6
Open Mic Every Monday

Star Keeper Cafe open mic is every Monday from 6 pm to 9 pm! All levels of musicians, comics, poets and pundits welcome! This is a very safe place for first time performers or professionals wanting to try out new material. The chili is cheap, the beer is chilled, the wine is warming and the company is very very cool and now they have sliders. Facebook page.

Feb 7
Making the Magic Happen - A Symposium

Banyan Theater's second annual symposium, 9 am – 4 pm at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, features Asolo Rep's producing artistic director Michael Donald Edwards, multi-award-winning veteran actress Geraldine Librandi, star of many stages Don Walker, and FSU/Asolo Conservatory third-year student Luke Bartholomew. Moderated by Ann Morrison, this line-up of theater professionals will share their insights and perspectives during our lively, interactive program focused on the art of directing. Cost of the symposium starts at $40 for either the morning with breakfast and lunch or afternoon session including a wine and cheese reception. $70 covers the full day and all events. For information or to reserve seats, click here.

Feb 7 - 28
Take Tea Like a Royal at the Powel Crosely Mansion

Known for his reproductions of historic meals, chef Larry Barrett of Simply Gourmet will be hosting a series of traditional royal English tea services in the exclusive living area of the Powel Crosley mansion on Tuesdays, February 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $30 and include a guided tour of the estate along with savory and sweet specialties and of course properly brewed cups of delicious English tea. For info and reservations, call 941-225-2122.

Feb 7 – March 30
Fighting the Fires of Hate

New College Library Association (NCLA) and American Jewish Committee (AJC) present Fighting the Fires of Hate: America and the Nazi Book Burnings, an exhibition from the collection of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. The exhibit run February 7, 2012 through March 30, 2012, at the Jane Bancroft Cook Library on the New College of Florida campus (5800 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL 34243).

Feb 8
[ hardworking lazy fairies ]

Laugh, Laugh, Laugh your blues away. Lazy Fairy Improv wants you to laugh with your belly! They perform a two-act show - completely improvised - using YOUR suggestions. Things like, "What's something you wouldn't use as collateral?" "What's a secret you wouldn't tell your mother" "Gimme a word" - we'll take that suggestion and create a scene based on it - right out of thin air! (they're even astonished). Tickets are only $12 and they only get one chance to perform for you at The Players in February, so don't miss this opportunity! You may even volunteer to go on stage with them (or you may volunteer your friend...) who knows the fun you might have! Cash bar too! Tickets: Call 941-365-2494 or online. Facebook event page here. Photo by encompasscreative.net

Feb 8 – Mar 1
Dining with Danger

Inspired by the history of the Powel Crosley Estate, Simply Gourmet’s Larry Barrett has obtained permission from The Firesign Theatre to produce the first live dramatization of “Nick Danger: Third Eye,” Firesign’s brilliant parody of radio detective shows. The shows will take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays, February 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and on March 1, at 7 pm. The evenings will begin with a replica of an elegant Delmonico’s dinner served in the exclusive second-floor dining area of the Powel Crosley mansion before moving downstairs for live vintage music and the “Nick Danger” performance. Tickets are $45 with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Crosley Estate Foundation. For info and reservations call 941-225-2122.

Feb 9
Back in Town - One Night Only

For one night only, Zan will perform her one woman show, Welcome to Zanland at Home Resource. Trained by Les McCurdy & Ken Sons at McCurdy's Comedy Theatre, Although she wouldn't say it about herself, people brand Zan's style of comedy as smart. Zan's material is mostly autobiographical. One of Zan’s jokes, “my sister is a doctor, my brother is a lawyer and I'm a stand up comic. She got dropped off at ballet, he got dropped off at a tutor, and I got dropped on my head.” Tickets to Zanland are $10 online (there is $1.50 fee) and $15 at the door. The show is limited to 50 people. The Observer just ran this piece on Zan. Photo by encompasscreative.net

Feb 9
New College Juried Student Art

The annual New College Juried Student Art Exhibition features a selection of artwork including sculpture, painting, drawing and printmaking. This year, the work of 16 students will be on view Feb 9–March 2 in the New College of Florida Isermann Gallery. The opening reception for the artists is on Thursday, February 9, from 6:30–8 pm. Awards and a gallery talk will be presented at 7 pm by this year’s juror Kim Russo, Department Head of Fine Arts at Ringling College of Art and Design.

Feb 9-12
Fab Arts Boutique

The Fabulous Arts Boutique brings together inspired artists from area craft guilds who work in traditional American Art forms: wearable art, beaded jewelry, hand wovens, basketry, hand turned wood, needle weaving, decorative crafts and more. FAB artists offer innovative and unique designs that blend the art of the old with a modern twist. This annual exhibit and sale features extraordinary works from: The Manasota Weavers Guild, The Florida West Coast Bead Society, Surface Design Guild Sarasota and the Venetian Society of Basket Weavers. Opening Reception, on Thursday February 9 from 6-8:30pm with suggested donation admission: $5. The exhibit and sale continues Friday, Feb.10 and Saturday, Feb. 11 from 10:00 AM – 4:00PM, and Sun. Feb 12 from 11:00 AM –3:00 PM.

Feb 10
Life's Passageway

The Anna Maria Island Art League welcomes Christine Galanopoulos and Gerald Quin for a two week-long exhibit to showcase works captured in black and white photography. The main focus is on portals and pathways from near and far. The opening reception for the show will be on Friday, February 10, 2012 from 5:30-7:30pm,, with refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. This event is and open to the public.

Feb 11
Love Letters - A One-Act Play by A.R.Gurney

Theatre Odyssey, in association with The Manatee School for the Arts presents Love Letters a one-act play by A.R.Gurney Love Letters is the story about unrequited love between two people whose relationship is through letter writing over fifty years. Starring in Love Letters are Laurie and Fred Zimmerman. Love Letters will be performed on February 11, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at The Manatee School for the Arts, 700 Haben Blvd., Palmetto, FL. Tickets can be purchased at the door, $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for students.

Feb 12
The Marlins

Nope. We’re not talking baseball or fishing. We’re talking about a variety show that covers the entire musical spectrum. With over twenty instruments and tight vocal harmony, the Marlins perform Big Band, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Classical, Country, Bluegrass and Show Tunes.

Feb 12
Magic of the Met
 
Celebrated baritone singer Jason Stearns brings the magic of the Metropolitan Opera to Sarasota at the Church of the Redeemer on Sunday, February 12 at 5 p.m.  The concert features arias he has previously performed at the Met and around the world.  Advance tickets for the concert may be purchased online or at the door.  Prices are $25 adults; student tickets $15.  

Feb 16
One. . . Singular Sensation
 
I hope I get it ! I mean a ticket to Chorus Line at The Players Theatre. I can do that - opening night on Feb 16, if I’m not At the Ballet, or have to Sing or attend a Montage I, II, III art show.  Nothing could keep me from see that show, even if I’m Dance: Ten Looks:Three or afraid of the Music and the Mirror.  So, What  I Did For Love, was buy my tickets immediately online and called 941.365.2494 to make sure I had the best seats for every show.
 
I Hope I Get it Lyrics
 
I Can Do That Lyrics
 
At the Ballet Lyrics
 
Sing Lyrics 
 
Montage I Lyrics 
 
Nothing Lyrics 
 
Montage II Lyrics   
 
Dance: Ten; Looks: Three Lyrics   
 
The Music and the Mirror Lyrics 
 
What I Did For Love Lyrics   
 
Montage III Lyrics   
 
One (Finale) Lyrics 

GRANT OPPORTNITY FOR FLORIDA TEACHERS

STAR: State Teacher/Artist Residency
Florida Teachers Eligible - Four Week Hermitage Artist Retreat Residency
 
The Hermitage Artist Retreat proposed the STAR program as a partnership with FAAE to honor Florida public school teachers and offer five outstanding teachers the time and space to delve into their creativity. The residencies are scheduled for mid-July through mid-August.  A panel of respected professional artists in each field select recipients: two visual artists; two writers (fiction/non-fiction/poetry/playwriting); and one composer. 
 
Selection criteria:
• Fulltime teacher in Florida Public School
• Artistic quality of work
• Priority: Arts Achieve! Model Schools and counties with Network Partner Coalitions
Additional information, photos, and application are online.  Click HERE