The long, hot days of Florida mid-summer are upon us, which means there are a lot of daylight hours to fill once you’ve used up your tolerance for the beach or watching TV on the couch. Even with the slimmer arts calendar of this time of year, there are still options that could motivate you to step out of the air conditioning – at least long enough to get somewhere else air conditioned. Here are a few suggestions for the coming week from Jay and Carrie.

July 7-Sept. 6

Singers like Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Helen Reddy and Linda Ronstadt wrote and/or recorded some of the defining music of an era, and audiences can relive their youth and some great tunes in “Songbirds of the Seventies.” It’s the latest entry in Florida Studio Theatre’s summer cabaret series. The show is created by Nancy Allen, who previously developed “Rhinestone Cowgirls” and “Diva Three,” which were hits in past FST cabaret seasons. This new show covers a period that includes the Woodstock-era of folk to chart-topping soft-rock hits. The cast features Madalyn McHugh, who was in FST’s “Three Pianos,” Samantha Duval, who was in “Divas Three” and “Rhinestone Cowgirls,” and FST newcomer Victora Boland.

“Songbirds of the Seventies” runs July 7-Sept. 6 in the Court Cabaret at Florida Studio Theatre, 1265 First St., Sarasota. Tickets are $18 for July 7-8 previews and then $37-$42. floridastudiotheatre.org; 941-366-9000

— Jay Handelman

Through Aug. 2

Asolo Repertory Theatre is taking audiences over the rainbow with “The Wizard of Oz, Junior Edition,” the second entry in a new annual series of family friendly productions that began last summer with “A Year with Frog and Toad.” Cat Brandisi, the theater’s associate artistic director, is staging this roughly 70-minute version of the film version of L. Frank Baum’s story about Dorothy Gale and her efforts to get home after she’s swept by a tornado into the magical land of Oz. It features such favorite songs as "Over the Rainbow", "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" and "If I Only had a Brain." Aria Reyes, who recently completed her first year in the FSU/Asolo Conservatory, plays Dorothy. Most of the eight-member cast plays multiple roles.

“The Wizard of Oz: Junior Edition” runs July 8-Aug. 2 in the Cook Theatre in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail. Tickets are $15-$19. asolorep.org; 941-351-8000

— Jay Handelman

July 11 (and Saturdays through August 1)

Who amongst us doesn’t have a few fond memories of dipping a circular plastic stick into a neon colored plastic bottle of soapy water and trying to blow a flurry of bubbles – or a singular giant globe – into the summer air? That’s mere child’s play compared to what “bubble artist” Blaise Ryndes will present in his immersive “Spheres Bubble Show” under the banyan trees at Selby Garden. You may recognize Blaise from Season 13 of “America’s Got Talent”; he’s also performed at Disney, The Boston Children’s Museum and The Florida Aquarium just to name a few. His show is a comedic and sometimes mysterious fusion of art, science and magic that’s as entertaining for old folks as for kiddos. I mean, really, who doesn’t smile at bubbles?

“Bubbles Under the Banyans” at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Free for members; included with admission of $28 for adults, $12 for member guests and children. (Children under 4 free). 1534 Mound St., Sarasota. selby.org

— Carrie Seidman

July 12

Ok, so I’m biased, but I can’t think of a better way to spend a stifling Sarasota summer afternoon that in the cool air conditioning and plush seating of The Sarasota Opera House, watching incredible dancers perform a ballet classic on the big screen. As part of the “HD at the Opera House” series, you can catch this stunning production of “Swan Lake” from The Royal Opera House for a pittance of what it would cost to fly to London and buy a ticket. There’s a star-studded cast that includes Yasmine Naghdi as Odette and Odile (the White and Black Swan) and Matthew Ball as Prince Siegfried and Liam Scarlett has evocatively reshaped the original choreography by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. The iconic Tchaikovsky score, of course, has the same depth and drama as the day it was written.

“Swan Lake,” part of the “HD at the Opera House” series, 1:30 p.m. at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. Tickets $20. 941-328-1300. tickets.sarasotaopera.org/8557/8559

— Carrie Seidman

July 12

Here’s an opportunity not only to hear some great music, but to be among the first to check out the fantastic renovations to the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, which has, let’s face it, always lacked a certain “ambiance.” After a month of improvements, the venue is looking amazing and the always amazing concerts return with Remi (pronounced “RAY-me”) Goode, a folk artist who straddles the borders between different musical worlds. A nylon-string guitarist with classical training and contemporary influences, she creates her own version of modern-day American roots music. The Tucson native’s debut album “Things I’ve Said Before” was recorded in her adopted hometown of Nashville. Emily Frost is the opener.

“Remi Goode” at the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota. 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.). Tickets: $20 members, $25 not-yet-members and $13 students (13+). 941-894-6469. https://wslrfogartyville.ticketspice.com/07122026-remi-goode-with-emily-frost

— Carrie Seidman