My uncle used to say a lot of things can happen at a Dunkin’ Donuts after dark, but few of them are good. Urbanite Theatre’s production of Jennifer, Who Is Leaving will have to be one of the exceptions.

Set in a snowbound Dunkin’ Donuts and to a startlingly efficient script by Morgan Gould, the story takes audiences off the less-traveled exit of a Massachusetts’ highway to where the dutiful Nan (played to perfection by Suzanne Grodner) holds court at her usual night shift, covering for a coworker (the not-to-be-underestimated Trezure B. Coles) and catering to a husband suffering from chronic self-induced helplessness. What’s unusual about this night? The arrival of the titular Jennifer—a hopelessly harried caretaker to a hopelessly cantankerous old coot. (Played by Summer Dawn Wallace and Ned Averill-Snell, respectively.)

What follows is a razor-sharp character drama that is by turns hilarious, tragic, delightful, insightful, and, surprisingly unpredictable, given the rather explicit nature of the title. Armed with compelling characters and the kind of dialogue that threatens to give you whiplash when you tear your eyes from one side of the stage to the other, eager for the next line, the show lures you in with a comic touch, charms you into submission, and, before you know it, you’ve just gleefully participated in a multi-pronged dramatic examination of the physical and emotional labor borne by women in modern society.

It is a herculean task and one this cast executes masterfully under Celine Rosenthal’s direction, delivering performances so compelling one might think they’d been rehearsing these parts all their lives.

And in a way, maybe they were.

When emotions hit fever pitch, it’s even possible to forget you’re watching a play at all. And when the proverbial curtain drops, it feels more like an interruption than a conclusion. You can’t believe it’s already over—and you’re hungry for more.

Currently onstage at Urbanite Theatre, Jennifer, Who Is Leaving runs through Dec. 1. 

Pictured: Summer Dawn Wallace stars in Urbanite's production of 'Jennifer, Who Is Leaving'. Photo by Sorcha Augustine.

The MARA Art Studio + Gallery is celebrating the work of Puerto Rican artist Julia Rivera through a special exhibition of paintings and sculpture, currently on display in the Palm Avenue gallery. Entitled Small Talk, the show highlights both the warm and whimsical side of the New York-based artist, as well as the pointedly political, where art meets activism and Rivera clearly has more to say than small talk.

“I tell a story in each painting,” Rivera says of her latest series of paintings, an unabashedly feminist response to modern politics and an appeal for the restoration of women’s rights. “It’s not just decoration.”

Wooden-framed and of varying sizes, each painting in Rivera’s latest is a portrait of sorts, featuring a central female figure clad in a black that straddles the line between mournful and official. Few stare back at the viewer; most have their eyes and faces obscured by pigment, plant matter, or superimposed silhouettes of the good ol’ U.S. of A. One wears boxing gloves. All bear titles like, There Is No Limit To What We As Women Can Accomplish and Behind Every Successful Woman Is Herself and I Am Speaking. “I come from a family of strong women,” Rivera says by way of pithy explanation.

And while her compositions can be straightforward to the point of bluntness—“I like simple,” she says—her process is anything but. Composed on canvases of resin-coated wood, each portrait is a layered creation of papers and paints, piled one atop the other to build texture and depth.

Also on display in Small Talk is a selection of sculpture from the artist. And where the paintings are fiercely political, the sculptural work comes across as welcoming and playful, even childlike in its innocent joy. “When you walk into your house, you don’t want something that scares you!” laughs Rivera. “You want something that makes you smile.” Handmade and lightweight, Rivera sees them as the opposite of those serious bronzes she would see as a child. “Little happy pieces,” she says of the plump little forms.

Some wear bananas on their heads. She says it’s because they look like smiles.

Currently on display at MARA Art Studio + Gallery, Small Talk runs through Nov. 22. 

Pictured: Julia Rivera's sculptures reflect her Puerto Rican roots. Photo by Phil Lederer.

Selby Gardens is excited to collaborate with Artist-in-Residence Patti Smith on this exhibition at our Historic Spanish Point campus! Patti Smith: A Book of Days features a selection of photographs taken by the famed poet and musician that offers an intimate view of her life on and off the road. The photographs are taken from Smith’s recently published, New York Times bestselling publication, A Book of Days. Her compelling images will take visitors on a journey through time and space, charting both the course of a year and the natural environment of the Historic Spanish Point campus.

Patti Smith: A Book of Days, Member Preview, Friday, November 8, 10am to 5pm, Historic Spanish Point campus, 401 N. Tamiami Trail, Osprey. 

ensembleNEWSRQ (enSRQ), the innovative chamber music ensemble, continues its ninth season with ensembleNewSRQ with "Ives and Schoenberg at 150," a concert celebrating the 150th birthdays of two revolutionary composers, Arnold Schoenberg and Charles Ives. Born just a month apart in 1874, Schoenberg and Ives each transformed the landscape of contemporary music with unparalleled vision and innovation. This special program features Charles Ives' iconic, “Piano Sonata No. 2: Concord, Mass. 1840-1860,” brought to life by the renowned pianist and one of the world’s great interpreters of the music of Charles Ives, Stephen Drury, in his ensembleNewSRQ debut. Schoenberg's evocative “Pierrot lunaire” will be performed by the celebrated local vocalist Thea Lobo. Blending instrumental mastery with expressive vocal artistry, this performance offers an unmissable tribute to two towering figures in music history. The concert is Monday, November 25, 7:30 p.m., at First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave., Sarasota. A post-concert reception will follow, offering attendees the chance to meet the guest artists. 

Choral Artists of Sarasota has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, with support from the Huisking Family Fund, McCauley-Brown Fund, and John J. Weiss Memorial Fund. This grant will help bring “Considering Matthew Shepard,” a powerful musical journey about the life and legacy of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man who was tragically murdered in Wyoming in 1998, to Sarasota audiences on April 5. The story is both deeply moving and uplifting, inspiring hope for a world grounded in love and acceptance. “Considering Matthew Shepard” was composed by Craig Hella Johnson, premiered in 2016, and has been performed by more than 40 choirs across the world. This production is joined in partnership by Embracing Our Differences, Project Pride, and ALSO Youth. 

The Sarasota Medieval Fair is a time-traveling adventure that offers a blend of history, fantasy and unforgettable experiences. We’re bringing history to life with authentic full contact jousting, music from wandering troubadours, artisans, performers and more! Bring the family out to the Sarasota Medieval Fair and enjoy a day of merriment in the fresh air at the Woods of Mallaranny. Join us Saturdays and Sundays, November 2-December 1, and on Veterans Day. Opening weekend is in the history books, and now we turn our focus to November 9-11, with Heroes & Villains Weekend. Whether you’re a Merlin or a Mordred, a Knight in Shining Armor or part of the Plundering Hoard, come dressed as your favorite hero or villain this weekend, November 9-10, and on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11. Be historical or be hysterical. Either way, join in the fun! 

To learn more, visit

This small group guided walking tour introduces you to interesting botanical specimens, while providing a historic overview of the development of the estate. While the storms have limited access to some areas of the Bayfront Gardens, this offers a special chance to witness the resilience of our landscapes and learn about our recovery processes. Join us to explore and enjoy the continuing stories and wonders of our environment.

Nov 8 - Apr 28, 2025, 10:30am, Bayfront Gardens | Check-in at Visitors Pavilion, $15 | $10 for Members. 

For ticket information click here.

Meet renowned forensic artist Joe Mullins and watch the secrets behind the art and science of forensics unfold, as he conducts a presentation on facial reconstruction and the world of Forensic Art. This remarkable profession plays a crucial role in solving some of the most challenging cold cases in the nation, and will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the power of art in the pursuit of justice.

Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 7pm. All are welcome to attend. Advanced sign-up is required. 

To register click here

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents Joseph Parrish and Jesse Martins in Raise Your Voice on December 12 at Sarasota Yacht Club, and James Ehnes and Friends on December 17 at First Congregational United Church of Christ. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org or call (941) 306-1202. Baritone Joseph Parrish, winner of the 2022 Young Concert Artists’ Susan Wadsworth International Auditions, is equally at home with operatic and popular repertoire. Parrish made his Salzburg Festival debut in “Der Spieler” this season and enjoys a robust concert career performing with orchestras and in recitals at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and Alice Tully Hall. Parrish is passionate about giving back to the communities that have nurtured him and works to address diversity in the classical music world. For this Lunch and Listen recital – Raise Your Voice, 11:00 a.m. on December 12 at Sarasota Yacht Club – Parrish is joined by Sarasota Opera’s Jesse Martins at the piano. Their program includes opera arias and art song, featuring the music of William Grant Still, Donizetti, and Rachmaninoff. Tickets are $70 (includes lunch). James Ehnes is one of the most in-demand violinists on the international stage. He is a regular soloist with the world’s greatest orchestras, performs recitals worldwide, and has received Grammy, Gramophone, and JUNO awards for his recordings. Joined by his friend and colleague Orion Weiss, whom the New York Times called “a brilliant pianist,” the pair perform Beethoven’s “Kreutzer” Sonata. After intermission, Ehnes joins forces with violinist Daniel Jordan, violists Stephanie Block and Nathan Frantz, and cellists Natalie Helm and Bjorn Ranheim for Tchaikovsky’s exceptional string sextet, Souvenir de Florence. James Ehnes and Friends is December 17, 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational United Church of Christ. Tickets are $43 for general seating and $63 for VIP seating. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org or call (941) 306-1202. 

Pictured: Pianist Orion Weiss performs with James Ehnes and Friends Dec 17 2024. Photo sourtesy of Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota.

Jetty Boys Rum Cakes is a family business in the truest sense, November 2024.

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