The final weekend of August is upon us, and the Sarasota event calendar is packed with live theatre, classic films, live music, and a pirate-themed sendoff to summer. Whether you are looking for a date night, a family outing, or just a reason to get out and enjoy these late summer evenings, here is what I have my eye on.
Songbirds of the Seventies at Florida Studio Theatre: Through September 6
Florida Studio Theatre (1241 North Palm Avenue, Sarasota) is running "Songbirds of the Seventies" through September 6, and it has been getting great buzz. The show celebrates the iconic female singer-songwriters of the 1970s — Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Janis Joplin, and Linda Ronstadt — with live performances of their biggest hits. FST's cabaret-style theatre puts you up close to the performers, and the intimate setting makes it feel like you are in a living room concert with some of music's greatest voices.
FST runs shows in multiple spaces, and the Songbirds production is in the Goldstein Cabaret, which has a relaxed, walk-up bar atmosphere. Bring a glass of wine and settle in for a evening of music that defined a generation. I have already seen it and am planning to go again — it is that good. Running concurrently at FST is "Legacy: Motown & More!" through October 4, which covers the Motown sound from the 1960s through the 1980s. If you love classic soul and R&B, that one belongs on your list too.
Tickets for both shows are available through the FST website. The theatre is minutes from downtown Sarasota restaurants if you want to make it a dinner-and-a-show evening.
Classic Movies at the Sarasota Opera House: Willy Wonka & The Princess Bride
The Sarasota Opera House (61 North Pineapple Avenue) has been running its summer classic film series, and there are two great screenings left. Friday, August 28, at 7 p.m., catch "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (the original 1971 version with Gene Wilder) on the big screen. Then on Monday, August 31, at 7 p.m., the Opera House screens "The Princess Bride" — the beloved 1987 fairy tale adventure that holds up beautifully for audiences of all ages.
The Opera House is one of Sarasota's most beautiful buildings, with its ornate Edwardian-style auditorium creating a special atmosphere for film screenings. The acoustics are excellent, and the popcorn is fresh. I will be there for The Princess Bride with a group of friends. Tickets are modestly priced and available through the Sarasota Opera website.
Pirate Invasion Week at Sun Outdoors Sarasota: August 31 through September 6
If you have little ones (or just love a good pirate theme), Pirate Invasion Week at Sun Outdoors Sarasota (7100 Beneva Road, about 10 minutes from Palmer Ranch) runs from August 31 through September 6. The resort transforms into a pirate-themed adventure destination with daily activities: treasure hunts, face painting, pirate costume parades, themed pool parties, and evening entertainment. Day passes are available for non-guests, and it makes for a fun end-of-summer outing.
Sun Outdoors Sarasota is a large RV resort and vacation park just off Beneva Road, conveniently close to the Palmer Ranch corridor. The pirates take over the main activity lawn and pool area, and the whole scene is delightfully over-the-top. I recommend checking their event calendar for each day's specific schedule.
Mystical Visions at Marina Jacks: Friday, August 28
The Blue Sunshine Patio at Marina Jacks (2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota) closes out the week with Mystical Visions on Friday, August 28, from 5 to 9 p.m. — a live rock performance with the downtown Sarasota skyline and Sarasota Bay as the backdrop. The sunset views from the patio deck are some of the best in town, and the dinner menu runs from grouper sandwiches to filet mignon.
Marina Jacks has been a Sarasota institution for decades, and the Blue Sunshine Patio remains one of my favorite places for a relaxed evening. I like to arrive around 4:30 to claim a spot on the rail, order a glass of wine and the coconut shrimp, and let the evening roll in with the tide.
Sarasota Farmers Market: Saturday, August 29
The Sarasota Farmers Market on Main Street and Lemon Avenue runs this Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. with more than 80 vendors. August is peak season for sweet corn, heirloom tomatoes, mangoes, figs, and local honey. Live acoustic music drifts through the market, and the relaxed summer atmosphere makes it a slower, more enjoyable experience than the busy season crowds.
I plan to stock up on tomatoes and fresh herbs for a weekend Caprese salad. The market is open every Saturday year-round, and it is one of the best introductions to the Sarasota food scene for anyone new to the area.
Looking Ahead: Labor Day Weekend
Next weekend is Labor Day, and the Gulf Coast delivers. The Wellen Park Jimmy Buffett Tribute Concert & Fireworks is Friday, September 4. The Venice Craft Festival and Exotic Cars on the Circle run Saturday and Sunday, September 5-6. And Englewood Pioneer Days (70th annual, with a 70s Disco theme) runs Saturday through Monday. I will have a full guide on the blog soon.
As always, if you are visiting Sarasota for the first time this holiday weekend and thinking about making a move, I would love to help you explore the neighborhoods that match your lifestyle. Reach out anytime.