By Jaye Clements
As season officially winds down, there are still plenty of events taking place around town. Below are some highlights of what you can expect.
May 1 to 31 – Hero the Musical at the Asolo – Playwright Aaron Thielen and songwriter Michael Mahler 
collaborate to produce a musical show consisting of real life issues partnered with the world of comics. If you are a comic book fan then this shows for you! It’s a different take on the “super powers” of most comics, instead it focuses on special gifts and skills. Meet each of the characters and relate to their special gifts/“powers”. Real life on a comic journey. Check for show time at: http://www.heromusical.com
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May 5 – 11am – The Ringling Ca’ d’Zan. Join in for some fun with a celebration of the legacy of the American circus featuring clowns, a ringmaster and the rare appearance of a bell wagon featured in Cecil B. DeMille’s 1952 motion picture “The Greatest Show on Earth.” The event will feature the unveiling of a new series of United States Postal Service stamps based on posters from the Howard Tibbals collection at The Ringling.
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May 8 – 6pm to 10pm – Men who Cook – Mattison’s Bayside at the Van Wezel – The 4th Annual Food extravaganza 
is back! Men from the Sarasota/Bradenton area show off their skills in the kitchen as they prepare some of their favorite dishes! Bankers, developers, CEO’s, executives, contractors, designers, directors, writers, chefs, physicians, business owners and even an assistant Principal will be on hand to wow everyone with their specialties!
Highlights include a cake auction, hat auction, live music, a table décor competition and the Parade of Chefs… For tickets contact the Special Events department at SpecialEvents@asolo.org or 941.351.9010 ext. 4702 http://www.asolorep.org/menwhocook
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May 2 to 9 – Senior Thesis Exhibition – at the Ringling School of Art & Design – student works will be on display throughout the campus. http://www.ringling.edu/campus-student-life/campus/galleries/selby-gallery/2013-2014-exhibition-season/
May 9 – 5pm to 7pm at the Ringling School – is the opening reception of the Annual Community Exhibition: 60th Anniversary of the Petticoat Painters – the exhibition will run through May 30. This group was formed in 1953 to showcase the works of women. To learn more go to: http://petticoatpainters.com/
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May 10 – 7pm – Outdoor “POP” at Ed Smith Stadium Join in on this family-friendly, outdoor event with Pops and fireworks at the ballpark. Relax and enjoy the Spirit of America. Guest artist, Molly Cherryholmes, exceptional violinist, vocalist and songwriter. She started her career touring with the bluegrass band Cherryholmes. The Orchestra performs a narrated, musical version of Casey at the Bat and Roundball Rock. Also included, Colors of the Wind from Pocahontas and John Williams works such as Star Wars and Bernstein’s West Side Story. The concert closes with fireworks! This is sure to be a great event for families… www.sarasotaorchestra.org/special-events/outdoor-pops
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May 10 – The 2014 Young Playwrights Festival awards ceremony will be held at the Florida Studio Theatre. Write a Play Program was a success with plays from over 3,000 student playwrights, from all over Florida and across the globe. FST is proud to announce that the winning plays of the UNDER SIX and SEVEN UP programs have been selected. The winning playwrights will be honored. Call 941-366-9017 or go to: http://www.floridastudiotheatre.org/
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May 10 & 11 – 7:30pm – The Merry Widow Operetta at the Asolo Highlights from Franz Lehar’s masterpiece operetta “The Merry Widow” The music of Franz Lehár’s classic comes to life on stage with the countrymen of a wealthy widow scheming to keep her money in the country by finding her “the right” husband. The operetta has enjoyed international success since its 1905 premiere in Vienna. Well known music from the score includes “Villia”, “You’ll Find Me at Maxim’s”, and the “Merry Widow Waltz.”
http://www.ringling.org/events/series/artist-series-concerts
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May 15 – 5pm to 8pm – Ringling by the Bay – Join in on the fun at Bolger Campiello at Ca’d’Zan for live music and
dancing at Ringling by the Bay. This month music will be provided by Kettle of Fish. Food and beverage are available on the bayfront. Limited seating. Admission is included with Art After 5 – $10 per person. Children 6 to 17 $5. http://www.ringling.org/events/ringling-bay-kettle-fish
Also, an exhibition all month at the Ringling… In the Streets: Photographing Urban Spaces explores the many ways in which 20th century photographers responded to the rise of the modern metropolis. Photographs by Bernice Abbott document the rapid changes in the built environment, and works by Andreas Feininger and Walter Rosenblum track the social conditions of urbanity. Other notable photographers, such as Gary Winogrand, Leon Levinstein, and Louis Stettner, capture the human drama of the streets.
http://www.ringling.org/events/streets-photographing-urban-spaces
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May 15 – 7pm to 9pm & May 16 – 7 to 10pm. The Perlman Music Program – at USF – Sarasota/Manatee. The Ariel Quartet performs – The Beethoven Cycle: Complete String Quartets – The Beethoven Cycle. Tickets are $20. http://www.perlmanmusicprogramsuncoast.org/
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May 15 – 7pm & May 18 at 1:30 – Opera in HD-Nabucco at the Sarasota Opera House New this year… Now you can see opera performances from around the world on the big screen. http://www.sarasotaopera.org/Opera_in_HD.aspx
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May 16 – 5pm to 10pm – Art Walk in Towles Court – the monthly Art Walk with music and refreshments is the 
third Friday of each month throughout the year! http://www.towlescourt.com/.
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May 17 – 7pm – Sarasota Opera House – Diane Partington School of Classical Ballet presents Sleeping Beauty. http://www.sarasotaopera.org/
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May 18 – Museum Day Free Admission– at the Ringling Museum – In celebration of AAMD Art Museum Day, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art will offer free admission to the Art Museum. Visitors will have the opportunity to engage in conversations with guides stationed throughout the galleries. http://www.ringling.org/
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May 22 – 7pm opening reception of Unconventional Inventions – a community project at the Art Center Sarasota – High School students from New Gate Montessori and 5th graders from Out of Door Academy collaborated to design kinetic artwork inspired by Rube Goldberg machines, the exhibition runs through June 27 http://artsarasota.org/about
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May 31 – 6pm to 20 pm – Marietta Museum of Art Whimsey – 4th annual closing for season party! Free 
admission, light provisions, free valet parking…. until then enjoy the last month of the season, with lighthearted and fun paintings, sculptures and mixed media of artistic and whimsical importance. Rest and relax under the enchanting old oak canopy gardens. Museum and Sculpture Garden open Thursday, Friday, Saturday 1-4p.m., until May 31st. www.whimsymuseum.org Admission is free!
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May 31 – Jeffrey Hill and Richard Ollarsaba at the Asolo Theatre
“Opera and and More!” with Jeffrey Hill, tenor, Richard Ollarsaba, bass-baritone and
Lee Dougherty Ross on piano.
Solos and duets from operas including Carmen, Baby Doe, La Boheme, The Pearl Fishers – with popular songs from My Fair Lady, Man of La Mancha, Aspects of Love, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and more…
http://www.ringling.org/events/jeffrey-hill-and-richard-ollarsaba or call, 941-360-7399
Author: Siesta Sand