Editor’s Note: While Sarasota always offers more events than any one person could possibly attend, here are a few specially selected this week by ArtsBeat editors Jay Handelman and Carrie Seidman. For a full calendar list of events and performances in the area, visit our friends at the Arts Alliance of Sarasota County
February 23
What could be better than to celebrate Sarasota’s arts community while taking in a spring training game? Five dollars of your ticket to this Baltimore Orioles game at Ed Smith Stadium goes to support the Arts Alliance of Sarasota County; the Alliance’s CEO, Brian Hersh, will toss the opening pitch. Now that sounds like a home run!
1:05 p.m., Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St., Sarasota. Tickets $20 (use code ARTS26). www.mlb.com/orioles/spring-training
— Carrie Seidman
February 23
Percussionist George Nickson, left, and violinist Samantha Bennett, are the co-founders of ensembleNEWSRQ, which is marking its first decade. Photo by Matthew Holler
The contemporary classical music group ensembleNEWSRQ marks 10 years of bringing new music to Sarasota with its program “Retrospektiv.” It’s a celebration of past favorites it has featured over the decade, including Caroline Shaw’s “Entra’acte,” along with the world premiere of Roger Zare’s “Finding Equilibrium.” I was a little hesitant before my first enSRQ concert, but each one has offered some radiant discoveries and a new appreciation for music of today.
7:30 p.m. Feb. 23. First Congregational Church, 1031 Euclid Ave., Sarasota. Tickets are $30, or $10 for a streaming option. ensrq.org
— Jay Handelman
February 27-28
If you’re not familiar with Sarasota Contemporary Dances’ “In Studio” series, it’s time you were. Next weekend’s new work, presented in the company’s intimate black box theater, is “Any Way the Wind Blows,” by Sabine Dimante, rehearsal assistant and founding company member of SCD’s junior company, Sarasota Contemporary Dance Ensemble, which will be featured in this piece inspired by the music of Queen.
7 p.m. Sarasota Contemporary Dance, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Suite 330, Sarasota. Tickets $15 (students and veterans) to $30. www.sarasotacontemporarydance.org; 941-260-8485.
— Carrie Seidman
February 27-28
Violinist Benjamin Beilman joins the Sarasota Orchestra for its Rite of Spring concert. Photo provided by Sarasota Orchestra
Violinist Benjamin Beilman has won over Sarasota audiences numerous times with past performances at the Sarasota Music Festival, the Sarasota Concert Association and Artist Series Concerts. He returns this weekend to join the Sarasota Orchestra for a performance of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 (Turkish). It’s a centerpiece of a program, led by new Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero, that includes Joan Tower’s “1920/2019” and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. The Orchestra is riding high since Guerrero’s arrival in the fall.
7:30 p.m. Feb. 27-28 and 2:30 p.m. March 1, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail. Tickets are $39-$109. sarasotaorchestra.org; 941-953-3434.
— Jay Handelman
February 27-March 2
Martha Graham is a legendary figure in modern dance and this year the company that bears her name is celebrating its 100th year. Fortunately for us, no trip to New York is necessary; The Sarasota Ballet is presenting them right here for a six performance run. Don’t expect tutus and pointe shoes; do expect some phenomenal contemporary dance.
Xin Ying in Martha Graham’s ‘Immediate Tragedy’ to be performed in a program presented by The Sarasota Ballet. Photo by Melissa Sherwood
7:30 p.m. (evenings); 2 p.m. (matinees). Tickets $35-$125. FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. sarasotaballet.org; 941-359-0099.
— Carrie Seidman
Through March 8
In recent years the FSU/Asolo Conservatory has divided up its second-year students to do two plays simultaneously in rotating repertory. This year’s two productions have a common theme about how particular women deal with their abusive husbands. Of the two, I found Marisela Treviño Orta’s “Wolf at the Door” a lyrical, moving and dark mix of reality and fantasy. Lauren Gunderson’s “Exit, Pursued by a Bear” is lighter and more comical but with serious themes. Seeing them side by side only adds to your appreciation of what the playwrights have to say and the strength of the student performers.
From left, Jacquelyn Morales, Amy Vargas Rivera, Katriana Veléz and Edgardo Solorio in a scene from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory production of “Wolf at the Door.” Photo by Sorcha Augustine
“Exit, Pursued by a Bear” runs through March 8; “Wolf at the Door” runs through March 7. Cook Theatre, FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets are $40. asolorep.org; 941-351-8000.
— Jay Handelman
