Music, dance, theater and more will help to keep your arts calendar busy in the week ahead. Along with ongoing exhibitions at area museums and galleries, several organizations are launching their seasons or trying out new works in a variety of art forms.

September 24

Sometimes we forget about the wealth of talent we have right in our own local educational institutions. Taking in “Vocal Mosaic: An Evening of Song,” presented by the artist faculty from the Florida State University College of Music, is a great reminder. Musical selections ranging from jazz to Broadway, The Golden Age to opera arias will be performed by soprano Marcia Porter, vocalists Alisa Hauser and Tiffany Renee Jackson, and baritones Andre Chiang and Evan Jones, accompanied by pianists Natalie Sherer and Katie Barr. All for just a Hamilton and within the charming environs of the Historic Asolo Theater; where else but Sarasota?

“Vocal Mosaic: An Evening of Song,” with artist faculty from the Florida State University College of Music. 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Tickets $10. ringling.org/event/vocal-mosaic-an-evening-of-song/

— Carrie Seidman

September 25-Nov. 21

Dad’s Garage Theatre, the popular Atlanta-based comedy and improv comedy troupe, has made many appearances at Florida Studio Theatre over the years. The company returns with its international mystery show “Murder, She Improvised,” in which audience members will help (or not) cast members figure out who committed a heinous crime. The troupe will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 and 26. Then on Oct. 3, the FST Improv company will present its own version of a similar show, with a detective using the audience to help solve different murders each night.

Dad’s Garage Theatre performs “Murder, She Improvised” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25-26 in Bowne’s Lab at Florida Studio Theatre, 1265 First St., Sarasota. Tickets are $20. FST will present “Murder, She Improvised” at 7:30 p.m. Saturdays Oct. 3-Nov. 21 in Bowne’s Lab. Tickets are $15-$18. floridastudiotheatre.org; 941-366-9000

— Jay Handelman

September 26-27

Lee Gundersheimer is known in the Sarasota area as an actor, director and teacher, and now audiences have a chance to see his work as a playwright. His play “The Weight of My Heart” will be presented as a staged reading by Tree Fort Productions. It’s the real-life story of Dorothy Eady, who, without any formal training, became an expert of an ancient Temple site in Abydos, Egypt. She unearthed sections that had been missing for centuries. She claimed to have remembered them because it was her home.

The next day, the theater will present jazz musician Lizabeth Flood performing “In My Life,” a program of her interpretations of classic Beatles songs.

“The Weight of My Heart” will be presented at 1 and 4 p.m. Sept. 26 at Tree Fort Productions at the Crossings at Siesta Key Shopping Center, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets are $25. Lizabeth Flood’s “In My Life” is presented at 2 p.m. Sept. 27. Tickets are $40. https://treefortproductionsprojects.com/buy-tickets-2026-2027/

— Jay Handelman

September 26-27

Recently, there have been some new additions to the Sarasota Cuban Ballet’s Studio Company – there are now six lead artists – and the expanded troupe will be on display for the first time in the company’s 2026-2027 season kickoff, “Classical+Contemporary.” A celebration of dance past and present, the program will feature the classical “Pas de Quatre” and “Le Corsaire Suite,” along with legendary Cuban choreographer Azari Plisetski’s “Canto Vital” and “Fractales,” a contemporary work by resident choreographer Tania Vergara Perez.

The Friday, September 25 show is already sold out and the intimate SCBS in-studio theater seats just 55, so get tickets in advance if you don’t want to be shut out.

“Classical+Contemporary,” Sarasota Cuban Ballet Studio Company at 4740 Cattleman Road, Sarasota. 2 and 7 p.m. September 26; 2 p.m. September 27. Tickets $50. srqcubanballet.org

— Carrie Seidman

September 26-27

Join the celebration of Hispanic Heritage month by attending “Pura Vida Weekend at The Bay,” a collection of Latino wellbeing and cultural experiences and designed to bring together all generations and backgrounds through movement, mindfulness, creativity, nature exploration and community connection.

On Sunday, the 27th, the nonprofit UnidosNow is presenting an early morning Ringling Bridge run/walk, a soothing somatic dance session, children’s activities and music from Mateo Music Radio Duo and Columbian percussionist and community leader Juan Bongoe. And everything (but the brunch options available from local food trucks and at The Nest Cafe) is absolutely free.

“Pura Vida Weekend at The Bay,” 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Bay, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota. Free. For more information go to thebaysarasota.org/event/unidos-growing-stronger-together/

— Carrie Seidman

September 27

The Sarasota Orchestra opens a new season for its intimate Chamber Soirées series with a program called “Water Music.” It opens with “Last Round,” a piece by Argentinian composer Osvaldo Golijov, written as a tribute to his first composition teacher, the legendary Astor Piazzolla. It is performed by two string quartets. Winds and horns perform Antonin Dvorak’s Serenade for Winds and then all the musicians join together for Handel’s Suite No. 2 from “Water Music.” The concert runs about an hour.

“Water Music,” a Sarasota Orchestra Chamber Soirée program is presented at 4 p.m. Sept. 27 in Holley Hall in the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets are $52-$71. sarasotaorhcestra.org; 941-953-3434

— Jay Handelman