This guide to Sarasota County's art and cultural community has an all-star cast of opera, symphonies, ballet, theaters, galleries, museums and festivals shares the stage with the whitest sand beaches in the world. Reserve your place in the audience!

Circus Arts

Circus Sarasota is Sarasota’s own one-ring, five-star international circus. For more information visit them online at www.circussarasota.org or phone (941) 355-9335.

Dance

Sarasota Ballet of Florida presenting classical and contemporary ballet. For more information on premier shows visit www.sarasotaballet.org or phone (941) 351-8000.

Film

Sarasota Film Festival presents film screenings, series and events throughout the year that culminate in a 10-day festival each January. For more information visit www.sarasotafilmfestival.com or phone (941) 955-FILM (3456).

Music

Florida West Coast Symphony presents more than 100 symphonic and chamber music concerts from September through June. The Symphony is also home to June’s Sarasota Music Festival. For more information visit www.fwcs.org or phone (941) 953-3434.

Sarasota Opera offers world-famous winter opera festival and year-round activities include concerts, outreach and programs for youth. Additional information can be found at www.sarasotaopera.org or by phoning (941)366-8450.

Museums

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art features changing exhibitions throughout the year. The museum is a legacy of the circus tycoon John Ringling and includes the 21-gallery Museum of Art, restored 32-rom Ca d’Zan mansion, and the Circus Museum. www.ringling.org or phone (941) 351-1660 for further information.

Nature, Science, History, Lifestyle

Crowley Museum and Nature Center features nature trails, a boardwalk through five natural Florida habitats and an 1889 Florida “Cracker House”. www.CrowleyMuseumNatureCtr.org or phone (941) 309-4949 for further details.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens was recently named one of America’s top 10 botanical gardens. A spectacular 9-acre oasis overlooking Sarasota Bay, features a mini-rain forest of orchids and other tropical plants. www.selby.org or phone (941) 366-5731.

Mote Aquarium is open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and has many spectacular exhibits including a 135,000-gallon shark habitat, manatees, sea turtles and two touch pools. For more information you can go to www.mote.org or phone (941) 388-2451.

Sarasota Jungle Gardens is a natural paradise of jungle trails, wild animals, tropical birds and reptiles, kiddie jungle and petting zoo. Visit www.sarasotajunglegardens.com or phone (941) 355-1112.

Theatre

Asolo Theatre Company is an acclaimed acting company presenting classics and new works in repertory November through June. www.asolo.org or phone (941) 351-8000.

Florida Studio Theatre presents contemporary American theater, October through August. www.fst2000.org or phone (941) 366-9000.

Golden Apple Dinner Theatre is a premier dinner theater featuring many different Broadway shows. For current shows and times phone (941) 366-5454.

The Players Theatre is Sarasota’s first performing arts organization, which features Broadway musicals and multicultural entertainment. www.theplayers.org or phone (941) 365-2494.

West Coast Black Theatre Troupe is dedicated to presenting meaningful, entertaining, and thought-provoking theater that celebrates the African-American experience. Phone (941) 364-2242 for additional information.