The most frenetic part of the Sarasota arts season is coming to a close, but there are still plenty of entertainment options to keep your dance card full. Here are a few recommended by Jay and Carrie for the coming week; a full calendar listing is available from our friends at the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County.

May 4

The four members of the chamber music group, Zota Quartet, which draws its name from the original spelling of Sarasota (Sara-zota), met as students at the Perlman Music Program Chamber Music Workshop in Sarasota in 2023. They have been playing together professionally ever since. Clara Neubauer (violin), Tong Chen (violin), Cassia Drake (viola) and Connor Kim (cello) are all deeply passionate about chamber music and deeply committed to sharing it with the next generation.

This year the Perlman Music Program/Suncoast is collaborating with Creative Liberties Artists Studios, and Creative Academy to bring the Zota Quartet back to perform several private recitals for a select group of visual artists at Creative Liberties, who will create artwork inspired by the music. In an evening concert to follow, the general public is invited to hear that same music as well as to view the artists’ creations, which will be available for purchase. “The Art of Music” includes pieces by Ravel, Britten, Bach, Webern and Shaw.

“The Art of Music,” with the Zota Quartet and original artwork from Creative Liberties artists. 7:30 p.m. at the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court. $40-$50. www.perlmanmusicprogramsuncoast.org/zota/

— Carrie Seidman

May 6

Sarasota audiences have a chance to learn about the creative process and get a sneak peak at a new musical in development during “The New Generation of Musical Theater” program presented by the Hermitage Artist Retreat at Selby Gardens. It features actor and playwright Adam Chanler-Berat, a veteran of such Broadway shows as “Next to Normal,” “Peter and the Starcatcher” and “Amelie,” and composer and lyricist Julian Hornik, a recipient of the Jonathan Larson Grant from the American Theatre Wing. They are working on a new show at the Hermitage Artist Retreat, and will talk about how they work together and the progress they’re makiong while sharing some original songs.

“The New Generation of Musical Theater” is at 6:30 p.m. May 6 at Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota. Registration is $5. hermitageartistretreat.org

May 6-31

Asolo Repertory Theatre is celebrating the roots of Rock ‘n’ Roll with the local premiere of “Marie and Rosetta.” The play with music is about the groundbreaking work of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a guitarist and performer, as she prepares for a tour with her protégée Marie Knight, that would establish them as a major musical duo who influenced the early days of rock. The show was written by George Brant, whose plays “Grounded” and “Into the Breeches” have been presented in Sarasota. It is directed by E. Faye Butler, who starred in a one-woman show about Fannie Lou Hamer at Asolo Rep. Maeisha McQueen plays Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Alexis J. Roston plays Marie.

‘Marie and Rosetta” runs May 8-31, with previews May 6-7 in the Cook Theatre at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $65-$81. The 1:30 p.m. May 24 performance is Pay What You Can. asolorep.org; 941-351-8000

— Jay Handelman

May 8

Each year, the Ringling museum selects several local creatives and gives them a platform to advance new work by showcasing works-in-progress. “MicroWIP @TheHAT (Historic Asolo Theater)” features 10-minute excerpts of emerging works by artists based in Sarasota and Manatee Counties and allows audiences to hear from the artists about their content and process.

This program includes scenes from “Single exposure” by Rita DuClos, formerly with The Sarasota Ballet; “Fly Chicken, Fly!” by Terrance Jackson, a solo theater artist and storyteller; “Given the Room,” by magician and mentalist Star Newman; and “Echoes of my Barrio,” by the Cuban choreographer Tania Vergara Perez of Tania Vergara Dance-Theater. Catch their work now and some day you’ll be able to say you knew them when.

“MicroWIP@TheHAT,” 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road. $5-10. www.ringling.org/event/microwipthehat/

— Carrie Seidman

May 9

Fans of Broadway musicals have a chance to spend an evening immersed in their favorite music during the Broadway Sing-Along. This new event in Sarasota is being presented by Sarasota Rising, which will use proceeds to support its 2026 Living Arts Festival in the fall. No auditions are required. Guests can sing along, dance, dress up as favorite characters from musicals, and more. There will be dance-floor takeovers, trivia, raffles, prizes and a live DJ. It will be held at the Art Ovation Ballroom, 1255 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota.

Broadway Sing-Along, 7 p.m.-midnight. Art Ovation, 1255 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota. Tickets are $25 or $10 for those 21 and younger (or $25 for VIP admission); $25 for 21+ or $40 for 21+ VIP admission. sarasotarising.org/broadway-sing-a-long

— Jay Handelman

May 11

Are you committed to a thriving arts and cultural community in Sarasota? The Arts Summit, presented by the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, brings an opportunity to hear thought-provoking presentations on issues shaping the future of the arts, as well as special performances by some of the groups that have given Sarasota the name of the Cultural Coast.

You’ll learn about how the arts enhance our community’s quality of life; hear how creativity can spark meaningful dialogue and connection between disparate groups and get a look at what’s planned for Artscape, Sarasota’s first affordable housing project for the creative workforce. Plus music from Key Chorale and Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, a presentation from the Asolo Repertory Theatre and more.

2026 Arts Summit presented by the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County at FSU Center for the Performing Arts’ Mertz Theater, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.; program from 1-3 p.m.; reception 4-5 p.m. $40-65. 941-365-5118. https://givebutter.com/2026-arts-summit

— Carrie Seidman

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