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.
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.
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