Van Wezel, a landmark Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation performing arts hall located directly on Sarasota Bay, offers a world of great music, dance, theater, comedy and family fun, as well as school time performances and an array of educational outreach programs for youth and lifelong learners.

The Van Wezel 2017-2018 Subscription Series offers their widest variety of shows, concerts and Broadway performances ever!

Here are the Top Ten Shows at The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall that You Won’t Want to Miss!

Kettle of Fish- July 21st
Kettle of Fish, is one of the hottest live acts in Southwest Florida featuring music that is a combination of blues, soul and funk with the energy of rock ‘n roll. They make old songs new again, and their originals sound like classics.

Jah Movement Reggae Band- August 21st
The Jah Movement Reggae Band brings their infectious groove to the bay for the second year in a row. Winners of Creative Loafing’s 2016 ‘Best Local Reggae Band’, Jah Movement features a glorifying sound where individual talents of each member come together.

Tony Bennett- September 8th

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall welcomes back 19-time Grammy® Award- winner Tony Bennett. With albums selling both Platinum and Gold and a Citizen of the World Award from the United Nations, Tony Bennett epitomizes the phrase ‘a living legend’. Tony Bennett continues to touch the hearts and souls of audiences with his legendary vocals.

Reverend Barry & the Funktastic Soul- September 15th
The 8-piece funk & soul band return to the Friday Fest stage playing the most popular dance hits from the likes of Earth Wind & Fire, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Kool & the Gang, James Brown & more.

Big Stage Ballroom- October 8th
Showcasing all styles of dance, from ballroom to contemporary, Broadway to hip-hop, students and professionals from Fred Astaire Dance Studio will be performing. Special guest appearances by Lacey Schwimmer, from Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance and Fabian Sanchez from Dancing with the Stars.

Doo Wop Spectacular November 4th
Relive the Good Ol’ Days of Rock & Roll as Doo Wop Spectacular Vol. 2 returns! Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon takes you back to his 1962 hit “Palisades Park.” Shirley Alston Reeves (Original Lead Singer-Shirelles) sings their big hits “Soldier Boy” and “Tonight’s The Night.” Go back with Cleveland Still & The Dubs and their smash hits “Could This Be Magic”.

Celtic Thunder Symphony 2017- November 15

Celtic Thunder – Symphony returns with their dynamic live music experience and uplifting songs accentuated by a full symphony orchestra. The performance will include hit songs from their Legacy, Mythology, Voyage, The Show and It’s Entertainment Shows along with songs from their chart-topping albums.

Straight No Chaser- November 16th
If the phrase “male a cappella group” conjures up an image of students in blue blazers, ties, and khakis singing traditional college songs on ivied campuses… think again. Straight No Chaser (SNC) are neither strait-laced nor straight-faced, but neither are they vaudeville-style kitsch. They have emerged as a phenomenon with a massive fanbase, numerous national TV appearances and proven success with CD releases.

Buddy- The Buddy Holly Story- December 5th
The Buddy Holly Story tells the true story of Buddy’s meteoric rise to fame, from the moment in 1957 when ‘That’ll be the Day’ hit the airwaves until his tragic death less than two years later on “The Day the Music Died”.

Moscow Ballet Great Russian Nutcracker- December 29th
Moscow Festival Ballet was founded in 1989 when legendary principal dancer of the Boshoi Ballet Sergei Radchenko brought together the highest classical elements of the great Bolshoi & Kirov Ballets. Romeo & Juliet, the full-length ballet with Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score and choreography by Elena Radchenko, begins the program.

For more information regarding things to do in Sarasota, please visit our Sarasota Interactive Map or subscribe to our BLVD Sarasota blog.

Blvd Sarasota is the most anticipated real estate opportunity coming to the downtown area this year. As the tallest building overlooking the Sarasota Bay, residents will enjoy beautiful, unobstructed views of the sparkling waterfront and spectacular city lights at night. Located in the epicenter of The Rosemary District, Blvd Sarasota residents can walk on over to the Van Wezel Hall and enjoy any of the upcoming shows. Want to learn more about sarasota condos for sale? Click here for our digital brochure including floorplans and penthouse floor plans available. With only 49 private residences available and special pre-construction incentives, the time to act is now.

A true pioneer in the cultural development of Sarasota, the Van Wezel, presents a broad spectrum of the world’s finest performers representing the diverse tastes of Southwest Florida residents and visitors.

Overlooking the Van Wezel and Sarasota Bay is BLVD, Sarasota’s newest and most luxurious downtown condominium high-rise. Residents of BLVD are able to enjoy walkable downtown waterfront and the vibrant arts & cultural district of downtown Sarasota. With a walkability score of 96, residents are always just steps away from world-class entertainment, museums, art galleries and restaurants. Sarasota boasts a vast array of cultural destinations and experiences that highlight the rich tapestry of Sarasota Bayfront living. Here is a preview of upcoming shows as the Van Wezel:

The Four Tops and The Temptations
April 13
Back by popular demand, two of the original Motown machines hit the stage for an unforgettable evening! The Four Tops, who have been marveling audiences with their infectious blend of pure vocal power and sweet harmonies since 1954, are known for chart-topping hits “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),” “It’s the Same Old Song,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There” and so many more. The Temptations were known for smooth stepping: The Temptations Walk became a staple of American style. Flair, flash and class. Millions of fans saw their Temptations as cultural heroes. Their legendary tunes include “My Girl,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.”

Under The Streetlamp
April 18
Under the Streetlamp, America’s favorite vocal group with 2 PBS top specials and legions of faithful fans, performs an electrifying evening of classic hits from the American radio songbook. Exuding the irresistible rapport of a modern day Rat Pack, the quartet — recent leading cast members of the Tony Award®-winning musical Jersey Boys — deliver an evening of unforgettable entertainment. You’ll hear Doo-Wop, Motown, Rock ‘n’ Roll and your favorite songs from The Drifters, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and more.  Plus a “show-stopping” salute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Sarasota Orchrestra – Pops: The Music of Sinatra
April 21 & 22
The Best is Yet to Come. This silky, smooth concert features jazz vocalist Michael Andrew and the Sarasota Orchestra. Enjoy classic favorites from the Sinatra songbook with narration and images that highlight some of the biggest moments in life of the legendary Ol’ Blue Eyes

Kinky Boots
April 25-30
Kinky Boots is Broadway’s huge-hearted, high-heeled hit! With songs by Grammy® and Tony® winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this joyous musical celebration is about the friendships we discover, and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind. Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots takes you from a gentlemen’s shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan. Charlie Price is struggling to live up to his father’s expectations and continue the family business of Price & Son. With the factory’s future hanging in the balance, help arrives in the unlikely but spectacular form of Lola, a fabulous performer in need of some sturdy new stilettos. With direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell (Legally Blonde, Hairspray) and a book by Broadway legend and four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (La Cage Aux Folles), Kinky Boots is the winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Choreography.

BLVD
Coming Soon
Not exactly a musical act or a play, but this soon-to-be constructed residential development will no doubt take center stage in Sarasota.

Indulge in a carefree sophistication in a new, hip downtown condominium infused with luxury, overlooking the Sarasota Bay. BLVD combines artistry and luxury to create a boutique condo home featuring private elevator entry, thoughtfully designed and elegant finishes, private rooftop infinity pool and sky lounge, full service restaurant, dog park, fitness facility and more.

This extraordinary 18-story high-rise features 49 tower residences with expansive wrap around balconies which capture dazzling city sights and unobstructed views of Sarasota Bay from every residence. Spacious designs, including a stunning penthouse floorplan, along with an innovative amenities program makes BLVD one of the most exciting offerings to be introduced to the downtown scene this year!

Don’t miss this limited time real estate opportunity with special pre-construction prices on new condos in Sarasota, get in early and join the VIP List today.