Anna Maria Guide to What’s Going On

At Pineapplefish we are here to keep you up to date with all the latest events that are happening on the Island. Have a read of what is going on over the next couple of weeks - we’re sure there is something for all tastes and budgets!

The Play’s The Thing

-          The Manatee Players production of Shrek The Musical is playing at the Manatee Performing Arts Center. The show started its run February 13^th and will continue until March 2^nd. Tickets range in price from $27.00 to $37.00. See their website for more details.

Manatee Arts Center

-         The Manatee Players production of Beehive, a musical celebration of female performers from the 1960s including songs from The Supremes, Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, and more. The show runs from February 27^th through March 16^th with tickets costing $26.00. See their website for more details.

-         The Van Wezel in Sarasota has a dazzling array of performers lined up throughout March. Food network personality Alton Brown will put on a one-of-a-kind show March 2^nd that features stand-up comedy, a multimedia lecture, live music, and even interactive audience components. March 4^th and 5^th, the iconic Broadway musical Chicago will grace the stage. The rest of the month will feature a wide array of performers, from Jerry Seinfeld to Aaron Neville to Johnny Clegg with Ladysmith Black Mambazo to the Peking Acrobats and much, much more. Visit their website for dates and ticket availability.

-         The contemporary dance troupe Fuzion Dance Artists have been creating a buzz lately. You won’t want to miss their 8^th Annual Concert Dance entitled Couture: Art Meets Dance. The conceptual show runs from March 13-16 and you can get free sneak peeks at rehearsals. Visit their website for more details.

Art Plays Its Part

-         The Ringling Museum has you covered for chic events day and night. On March 2^nd you can enjoy brunch at Treviso Restaurant before taking in flowers and fine art on the final afternoon of Ringling in Bloom.  Tickets are $39.95, reservations are required. Visit the Ringling website for more information. Or, if you prefer the museum grounds at night, you can check out the uber-cool Ringling Underground event from 8pm to 11pm on March 6^th. This show highlights the best in local up-and-coming visual artists and musicians in an interactive environment.

-         If you prefer festivals featuring local artists to more traditional museums, be sure to check out the Sun Circle Art Show on March 8^th, from 11am-5pm. The festival will feature food trucks, live performances, and handmade work from the crème de la crème of the local art scene. Be sure to be on the lookout for work for local favorite postmodern shabby innovator Mark Nodeen of 390 Design.

-         Be sure to save some energy, because on the evening of March 8^th, the South Florida Museum in Bradenton will be staging an incredible Family Night called The Science of Art. The event kicks off at 4:15 with the Perfect Little Planet planetarium show which is followed by a film called Van Gogh: A Brush With Genius followed by a hands-on art demonstration. Further events that night include a live star talk and manatee presentation – visit the website for more information.