Mid-August is here, and while the summer heat is still hanging on, the event calendar is showing no signs of slowing down. The Downtown Venice Wine Walk returns Thursday evening, the Sarasota Opera House is screening The Truman Show on Friday, and The Kings of Queen tribute takes the stage Saturday night. Plus, Robyn Holl wraps up her Artist in Residence stint at the Art Ovation Hotel, and the Songbirds of the Seventies cabaret continues to draw crowds at Florida Studio Theatre. Here is your local's guide to the week ahead.
Downtown Venice Wine Walk
Thursday, August 13 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Downtown Venice Wine Walk returns to Centennial Park and the shops of Venice Avenue. A $10 wristband gets you 1-ounce pours at participating boutiques and galleries along the avenue, and it is a wonderful way to explore the local retail scene while sampling wines from around the world. This is a 21-and-over event, and the wristbands go fast.
I love the Venice Wine Walk because it brings out the best of the downtown corridor. The shops stay open late, the live music spills out onto the sidewalk, and there is a genuine community feel as neighbors catch up over a glass of wine. Venice Avenue is about 15 minutes south of Palmer Ranch down US-41, and the evening is a great excuse to explore the historic district. Tickets are available at the Venice MainStreet office or online in advance.
Classic Movies at the Opera House: The Truman Show
On Friday, August 14 at 7 p.m., the Sarasota Opera House (61 North Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota) presents The Truman Show as part of their Classic Movies at the Opera House series. The 1998 Jim Carrey film is a prescient and moving story about a man who discovers his entire life is a reality television show. Seeing it on the big screen in the historic opera house, with its gilded interior and superb acoustics, adds a whole new dimension to the experience.
Tickets are affordable and the opera house is air-conditioned, which makes it a comfortable escape from the August heat. The venue is about 15 minutes north of Palmer Ranch up US-41, and the parking garage on Pineapple Avenue is a short walk. I recommend arriving early to grab a coffee at one of the nearby Lemon Avenue cafes before the show.
The Kings of Queen at the Opera House
The same venue hosts a completely different experience on Saturday, August 15 at 7 p.m. when The Kings of Queen bring their high-energy tribute to Freddie Mercury and Queen to the Sarasota Opera House stage. This is a full production with costumes, lighting, and a live band that captures the spirit of Queen's legendary performances. The Opera House's intimate setting means you are close enough to see every detail of the performance.
Tribute acts at the Opera House draw a lively, enthusiastic crowd, and this one is no exception. The show runs about two hours with an intermission. Tickets are available through the Sarasota Opera website. Pair it with dinner on Main Street beforehand for a perfect Saturday night out.
Robyn Holl Artist in Residence at Art Ovation Hotel
Artist Robyn Holl wraps up her week-long residency at the Art Ovation Hotel (1255 North Palm Avenue, Sarasota) this weekend. She has been working in the hotel's lobby gallery since August 4, creating new work and engaging with guests. The hotel's rotating artist residency program is one of the things that makes Art Ovation such a unique spot in Sarasota's cultural landscape. Swing by the lobby to see her work before she wraps up.
On Saturday, August 8, Robyn is also the Featured Artist at ArtLab: In Motion at Aleur in Sarasota from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ArtLab is a themed local art event celebrating the creativity of Sarasota's artist community. The Art Ovation Hotel is also hosting IMPROV: 70's Game Show on Sundays at 6 p.m., a complimentary evening hosted by Florida Studio Theatre that combines improv comedy with retro game show fun.
Ongoing Favorites
Songbirds of the Seventies continues at Florida Studio Theatre's Gompertz Theatre (1241 North Palm Avenue) through September 6. The cabaret celebrating Carole King, Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell, and Linda Ronstadt is a must-see. The Sarasota Farmers Market runs every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Main Street and Lemon Avenue, with August produce including sweet corn, tomatoes, mangoes, and figs. And the "Shared Light: Lynn Goldsmith" exhibition at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens continues through September 13, blending photography with the tropical garden setting.
There is always something happening on the Gulf Coast. If you are thinking about making this area your home, browse the communities or reach out. I would love to help you find your place here.