Art events in Sarasota County: November
Sarasota County is considered Florida’s Cultural Coast. The arts scene is the throbbing heart of the sun and beach playground of visitors and residents alike. Get a sampling of the cultural activities that Sarasota County offers. Enjoy our November picks including musical and visual arts and always a little surprise with music, dance, galleries, theatres and more in this monthly round-up of events in the area. Not every event is for everyone but every event is for someone!
Signature Events for Uncommon Mediums
International Chalk Festival
Venice Florida, November 10 - 13, 2017 - Winner Best Festival/Event in Sarasota County six years in a row the international Chalk Festival is celebrating its 10-year anniversary of turning pavement into a 'Museum in Motion.’ Its the largest gathering of renown pavement artists in the world who create over a few days chalk oversized masterpieces as well as the biggest display of 3D illusions ever to be seen in one location. Hot air balloon, food, spirits, family interactive - tickets online at chalkfestival.org.
The Siesta Key Crystal Classic
This master sand sculpting completion comes to the shores of Siesta Beach November 10-13. The work of these master sculptors is consistently quite stunning, and is a perfect example of the natural beauty of Siesta Key amplified by the artistic character of Sarasota. Visit siestakeycrystalclassic.com.
Stroll and enjoy: Art & Music in Galleries and Al Fresco
Palm Avenue District, Sarasota
First Friday Art Walk is 6-9 p.m. Nov. 3 (the first Friday of every month). This is a great opportunity to view and/or purchase outstanding art and attend special artists’ openings. Galleries are open to the public and artists are often in attendance. Sip (don’t miss the sip offerings) and savor tasty treats and wine in most of the galleries, while music fills all of Palm Avenue, the galleries, and part of Main Street as well. Make an evening of the event and enjoy great people-watching. Start every month with this must-attend evening.
The Historic Downtown Village of Sarasota
Celebrate the end of November in the Historic Downtown Village of Sarasota with “Fourth Friday at the Downtown Village” 5 to 9 p.m., Nov.24. Located on the 1800 block of Fruitville Road (just northwest of the corner of Fruitville Road and Washington Boulevard), this event includes live music, food trucks, guest vendors and art demonstrations. Fascinating boutiques with eclectic offerings.
Towles Court Artist Colony, Sarasota
Enjoy “Third Friday Art Walk” at Towles Court with music and refreshments 6 to 10 p.m. November‘s walk is Friday, Nov.17. All the galleries are open in this truly festive atmosphere every month. Artists are often on hand to chat and lots of items are available to look at and purchase as well.
Dance
Sarasota Ballet
The Sarasota Ballet—Classical and New Voices will be performed at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City on Nov. 19. There will be two performances, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Get your subscriptions now for the full seven program season.941.359.0099, [email protected].
Sarasota Contemporary Dance
Subscriptions now on sale for Sarasota Contemporary Dance's four performance season in year 12. All performances in the Jane B. Cook Theater at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. Voices of Sarasota Contemporary Dance runs Nov. 30-Dec. 3. 941.359.0099.
Sarasota Cuban Ballet School
Sarasota’s best kept dance secret! The Sarasota Cuban Ballet offers an internationally famous school for ballet instruction in the Cuban style as well as frequent performances during the season. Not so secret anymore: collaborating with the Sarasota Opera this year in La Traviata and Carmen. (See Sarasota Opera) Box office at 941.328.1300. 501 N. Beneva Rd. 941.365.8400 [email protected]
Museums
The Ringling
First Five Years of Art of Our Time. Ends Nov. 30. Highlights of the collection. Stroll through the exhibits: 941.360.7399, ringling.org
Music
North Port Symphony
November concerts by North Port Symphony: Americans We, Nov. 9; Masquerade, Nov. 12. North Port Performing Arts Center 941.426.8470.
Sarasota Opera
La Traviata, by Giuseppe Verdi opens the Opera season on Nov. 3.
Look for some new additions to this opera season. “We look forward to our first collaboration with the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School,” says Maestro DeRenzi. “I feel the style of the School’s training with its Latin roots, as well as Ms. Vergara’s expertise as a choreographer, will be assets to Sarasota Opera’s productions of La Traviata and Carmen.” Another addition is the Da Capo Society which got its start last season. The purpose is to encourage audience participation for young professionals between 21 and 45 years old and offer them access to not only Opera productions, special events, and other activities, but to acquaint them with the unique benefits of being an Opera subscriber and donor.
The Sarasota Opera is truly an A-list destination for everyone of all ages (almost), The music, the libretto, the voices, the intrigue, and for this aficionado, the baritones! Ah! The baritones! See you opening night. Box Office at 941.328.1300.
The Sarasota Orchestra
Chamber Soiree in November: String Spectrum featuring John Miller, principal bass on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 5:30 pm. at Holley Hall and Composing the Future on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 10:30 am (Brunch) featuring John Miller and his jazz ensemble at Selby Gardens, Michael’s on the Bay. Masterworks 1 featuring Dvorak & Mahler Nov. 10-12 at Van Wezel. Box office 941.953.3434, SarasotaOrchestra.org
Venice Symphony
941.207.8822 | TheVeniceSymphony.org
Catch “Majestic Moments” featuring guest soloist Jonathan Swensen. This is the season start and features Romantic Era pieces such as Weber’s Overture to Oberon and Tchaikovsky’s epic Symphony No. 5 in e minor. Performans at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17 and 3:30 p.m. Nov. 18.
Theatre
Florida Studio Theatre
Currently playing, Once, Nov. 6-Dec. 11 at Mainstage. Cabaret features Mack the Knife: The Bobby Darin Songbook. Through February 4, 2018 941.366.9000. FloridaStudioTheatre.org
FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training
Catch some of the best plays ever written performed by future stars. These student productions are still my absolute favorite evenings of theatre all season, every season. Oedipus Oct. 31-Nov.19 at the Cook Theatre. There will be more Shakespeare at Selby this season. Box office is 941.351.8000, tickets.asolorep.org
Asolo Repertory Theatre
EVITA previews Nov.14-17. Opening night, Nov.18 continuing through Dec. 30. One of the truly great Broadway shows of recent times. Timely too. Box Office 941.351.8000.
The Players Centre for Performing Arts (Players Theatre)
Moon Over Buffalo opens Nov. 2-19.Check out the Players Theatre Art Gallery in the lobby. 838 North Tamiami Trail Sarasota 34236. 941.365.249.
Van Wezel
Events for Nov. at The Van Wezel include the following: Oct. 30 brings the first Broadway play of the season, Chicago; So You Think You can Dance,3; Doo Wap, 4; Celtic Thunder, 15; Straight No Chaser, 16; Decades Rewind, 17; Three Dog Night, 18. Dave Koz, 28 941. 953.3368.
Venice Theatre
November programming includes: Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage 2-19;A Christmas Story, The Musical, Nov.11-Dec. 10; The Alter Eaqles, 19-29; What the World Needs Now, 26; 140 W. Tampa Ave. 941.488.1115. [email protected]
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
In the Heights by Lin-Manuel Miranda opens the season for WBTT. The show is in keeping with WBTT telling stories not just of African Americans but other ethnic groups of African descent as well. Dates of this really hot opener are Oct. 11-Nov. 18. Don’t forget WBTT is still in the midst of a fund-raising effort to renovate the theatre and add some amenities (like dressing rooms and restrooms for the cast) and educational space. 1646 10th Way. 941.366.1505.
Visual Arts
Alfstad& Contemporary
Alfstad& Contemporary presents the inaugural show of its fifth season, the eponymously-titled, Zimoun , featuring a site-specific installation, as well as two prints created by the Swiss artist Zimoun. Opening night reception is Nov.3 and the exhibit runs through Dec. 22. The artist combines raw, industrial material with mechanical elements. Very cutting-edge, different art for a very different space. 1419 5th Street in Sarasota. For photos and information contact [email protected] cell 347.804.1526.
Art Center Sarasota
All exhibited in separate galleries, Last Stop Before Utopia; Intimate Observation; Slow Turbulence; First Impressions. All end On Dec.1. 941.365.2032.
Art Uptown
Art Uptown features a new showing of art each month by its member artists. Monthly shows also at Bird Key Yacht Club, 301 Bird Key Dr. are open to the public by invitation on opening nights. Jan Young, a highly accomplished abstract artist, will open her exhibit with a reception at Bird Key on Thursday Nov.2 from 6-7 pm, and runs until Dec. 4. The Art Center address is 1367 Main Street. 941-955-5409. Bird Key phone is 941.953.4455.
Dabbert Gallery
The Gallery has moved to its new space at 46 S. Palm Avenue, a beautiful gallery with a wide variety of art work. This new gallery is even more spacious and closer to Main Street. More about this stunning new gallery later! 941.955.1315.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Selby is so much more than a botanical garden. On Oct. 12, The Orchid Show, Earth, Air, Fire and Water opens and will close on Nov. 26.. Frequent art exhibits, theatrical presentations, music and most of all, the breathtaking beauty of the gardens on the edge of the bay. Always, beautiful and a not- to- be- forgotten art place in Sarasota. 941.366.5731
Sarasota Orchestra Gallery
Located in Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, the gallery features individual artists each month during the season. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and whenever the building is open to the public. All receptions take place 5:00-6:30p.m. at the Symphony Center. Artist Steve Klindt will display his work from Nov. 1-Jan.- 2 His reception is Wednesday, Nov. 15. A portion of the proceeds from sale of art will be donated to the Sarasota Orchestra. 941.953.3434
Content subject to change, please call ahead before visiting for the latest information.