We kick off this week’s arts picks with one of the biggest events in June locally: the return of an annual, months-long summer show celebrating the circus, which has deep roots in the Sarasota area.
The fringe theater and classical music festivals that led last week’s arts events picks will also make a return, running through the start and the end of this week, respectively. We round out the list with two ongoing stage productions — centering on singer and actress Eartha Kitt, and classic country music — nearing the end of their runs. Here are this week’s highlights. Event details are subject to change.
1. Summer Circus Spectacular at The Ringling
Sarasota’s Circus Arts Conservatory and The Ringling once again team up for this summer show held at the Historic Asolo Theater on the latter’s campus, featuring circus artists including ringmaster Ashley Vargas, clowning/slack wire act Davis Vassallo, juggler Noel Aguilar, aerialist Emma Grace Clarke, the Duo Transcend that’s appeared on “America’s Got Talent,” and hand-balancing act Yelitza Vivas. Attendees can pay an additional $5 for admission to The Ringling’s Circus Museum. June 12-August 8; Historic Asolo Theater at The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota; $20, $15 ages 12 and under, $75 June 12 opening night performance and reception; 941-360-7399; ringling.org
2. Sarasota Music Festival
The annual classical music festival presented by Sarasota Orchestra featuring pre-professional musicians sitting side-by-side with faculty artists continues for its second week, concluding with The Masters in Concert at Sarasota Opera House. Through June 13; Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota and Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota; $29 and up (The Masters in Concert), $30 and up (other concerts); $10 (day pass), $75 (unlimited pass); 941-953-3434; sarasotaorchestra.org/festival
3. Squeaky Wheel Fringe in Sarasota
The fringe festival concludes with shows such as “Timey Wimey Stuff: The Mid-Life Crisis of a Time Traveling Space Archaeologist” by Chicago-based Sarasota native Victoria Montalbano, about escaping reality for the world of Doctor Who, and “My Life as an ‘Inspirational Porn’ Star” by Gabrielle Leonore from St. Petersburg. Through June 7; Jane B. Cook Theatre at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; ticket prices vary; squeakywheeltheatre.org/fringe
4. ‘Who is Eartha Mae?’ at Urbanite Theatre
Sarasota’s Urbanite Theatre concludes its 12th season with its first-ever musical production, centered on singer and actress Eartha Kitt, who, backstage in her dressing room, peels back the glitz and glamour to reveal Eartha Mae, the girl from small-town South Carolina who was abandoned by her mother. “Who is Eartha Mae?” was created by and stars Jade Wheeler, who first performed it as a 10-minute workshop piece in Washington, D.C. Through June 21; Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St., Sarasota; $44, $30 under age 40, $5 students; 941-321-1397; urbanitetheatre.com
5. ‘Honky Tonk Angels’ at Florida Studio Theatre
Florida Studio Theatre kicks off its 2026 Summer Mainstage series with this musical celebrating some of country music’s greatest hits, created by Ted Swindley, the mind behind “Always… Patsy Cline.” Following three women determined to chase their dreams of country music stardom and leave their troubles behind, forming an unshakeable friendship along the way, “Honky Tonk Angels” features hits such as “Harper Valley PTA,” “9 to 5″ and “Stand by Your Man.” Through June 21; Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St., Sarasota; $39 and up; 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Top Sarasota art events this week include circus, concluding festivals
Reporting by Jimmy Geurts, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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By Jimmy Geurts, Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY Network
