December 30 - 31
[ concert in venice ]

Larry Alexander and Donna Kane, both Broadway veterans, perform at the Venice Little Theatre's Main Stage. This second annual concert is entitled, "Songs of the Silver Screen." Performances are at 8 pm each night and on New Year’s Eve the audience is invited to join the performers in a champagne reception. Box office 488-1115 or online.

December 31
[ new year’s eve ]

First Annual New Year's Eve Celebration Reserve your spot now for the hottest party in town! Your $25 ticket gets you champagne toast, hor d'oeuvres and a show stopping performance from local sensation the Drum Studio All Stars. This is a night not to be missed. Email or stop into METRO today to reserve your spot. Seating is limited.

January 3
[ sill lecture ]

Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning (SILL) presents lectures on the arts, media, foreign and public affairs. Upcoming lectures include, on January 3, “Measure for Measure” and “Seven Curses” : Shakespeare and Dylan on crime and punishment at Players Theatre of Sarasota. On January 10 a discussion of Censorship in the Arts by Dr. Ann Albritton of the Ringling School of Art & Design. SILL programs are very popular and usually sell out, so check soon.

January 6
[ first friday palm ave walk ]

Is it really the First Friday again? Time flies! This is just a reminder of a fun time in downtown Sarasota. Hey, while down there, check out our featured artist at the Creaturo Gallery and tell him you saw the story in anything arts!

January 6 - 8
[ florida west coast symphony ]

Enjoy Leif Bjaland as he conducts Elmar Oliveira, violinist, and the full orchestra as they perform works by Higdon, Dvorak, Barber and Weinberger on three special nights. Contact the  Florida West Coast Symphony for information.

January 8
[ painting demonstration ]

through January 8
[ picture this ]

The Ringling Museum’s annual photography exhibit is coming to an end, so make plans today. “Picturing What Matters: An Offering of Photographs” illustrates both extraordinary events and everyday moments that resonate in our own experiences.

January 8
[ special free performance ]

Enjoy a special encore performance of “The Syringa Tree” by the FSU/Asolo Conservatory and directed by Margaret Eginton. The award-winning drama by Pamela Gien is partially autobiographical and semi-fictional. This incredible one-woman play, starring Leigh Anne Wuest, is one of a young girl coming of age in her beautiful, unbalanced homeland of South Africa under apartheid. The play explores power, racism, generosity, shame, growth, love and murder. This FREE encore performance is at 4:30 pm at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. See you there!

Asolo theatre and playwriting classes are designed for a range of students, from those with limited experience to professional and community actors who want to strengthen their skills. Registration deadline is January 2. For more information or to register call Maclain Looper at 941-351-9010 Ext. 3306.

January 10
[ book review and signing ]

Sarasota New & Books announces the book review and discussion of “SNOW” by Orhan Pamuk at the Geldbart Auditorium at the Selby Library at January 10 at 10:30 am. Also, Emanual Tanay’s “Passport to Life: Autobiographical Reflections of the Holocaust.”

January 11
[ calligraphy class ]

Come downtown from 7 - 9 pm for this special workshop held at Write-On Sarasota’s newest store at 1423 First Street (located in the retail shops next door to Whole Foods Market). Before or after the class check out the new Starbucks on the corner of First and Central. Contact Elaine for further information.

Come to The Players Theatre for The Most Happy Fella, the Broadway hit filled with familiar music and song.

January 12 - 15
[ duke ellington ]

The Westcoast Black Theater Troupe presents Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Ladies” at Booker VPA (high school) for five performances. 363-9300 for tickets and information.

January 20
[ amazing apparel ]

Bring a friend to Sue Handmans’s Trunk Show at everything but the girl from 5:30 – 7:30. Meet the artist and choose from a “trunk-full” of her amazing apparel. Her collage tees, messenger bags, jean jackets and more will make you smiile and quite possibly laugh out loud! they must be seen to truly appreciate. Beverages and appetizers will be served!

January 20
[ fire and ice ]

The Sarasota Visual Arts Alliance is presenting contemporary fine art in a home-like setting at Home Resource in the Rosemary District. The exhibit runs through January 27 and is from 5 – 9 pm.

January 27
[ ballet new york ]

The Sarasota Ballet will present Ballet NY as part of its annual season. Ballet NY’s performance is bold and features work of some of the most famous choreographers. Reserve now.

[ david miller art ]

[ banyan theater returns ]

The Banyan Theater has announced plans to return to the Cook Theatre at the FSU/Asolo center for its 2006 summer season.  Advance ticketing and information is available on the web.

[ kidzart ]

January 10 & 12
[ youth opera auditions ]
Interested young people ages 10 and above are invited to audition for the Sarasota Youth Opera Program. Schedule your audition by calling the Opera receptionist at 366-8450 ext 0, Monday through Friday, from 9:30 - 4:30 pm. If you have any questions send an email.

deadline January 6
[ call for films ]
The Women's International Film Festival - South Florida is seeking films by or about women and/or women's issues for screening at the South Florida's first film festival celebrating women filmmakers and artists, March 16, 17, 18 2006. Films should be sent in VHS or DVD format. Deadline for film submission is January 6. Application forms and complete submission instructions and information can be found at www.wiffononline.org (the site seems to be down... so here is the non-digital info: Yvonne McCormack-Lyons, Executive Director/Founder, Women's International Film Festival, 954-937-8299)

January 13
[ singles expo ]
As you know, anything arts is a great resource for "date night" so we decided to help promote the Singles Expo! Over 35 regional single organizations are coming together to showcase for one evening under a 10,000 sq ft pavilion tent on the grounds of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Tampa. The expo and dance will be held from 6:30 to 11:00 pm. Cost is $10.00 at the door, there will be a cash bar, dancing, exhibits, entertainment and music. Portion of the proceeds will be going to the local chapters of The American Red Cross. For more information, contact Patti Hirsch at 941-870-5490.  

deadline february 17
[ new play search ]
Sarasota Actors Workshop (SAW) is gearing up for the 2006 season and is looking for a few good plays. Plays should be in one act, require minimal staging and run from 10 - 20 minutes. Any subject matter will be considered. Email for further information.

 [ win $1,000 ]
Independent Film Forum is a free online community where you can share, watch and critique independent films. And to celebrate the site’s launch, they are sponsoring a free online film festival through January 31. The grand prize for the festival is $1,000. Local filmmakers, submit a film and let anything arts know when you have been accepted!

[ share your story ]
Join The Family Heritage House Museum in a participatory project that will document the diverse experiences of community members. The project is called “Many Faces, One Story” the idea: share a personal story of a special person or unforgettable moment, family tradition or life experience that profoundly changed your life. The stories will be displayed as part of an exhibit at the Museum in February. Contact SCOPE at 365-8751 for a submission for and guidelines.

[ stage actors ]
Lots of auditions at The Venice Little Theatre… check them out.