Get ready for a hauntingly hilarious time as the musical adaptation of Beetlejuice brings its ghoulish charm to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall from April 22nd-27th, 2025. Based on Tim Burton’s well-loved 1988 film, this wildly entertaining show promises laughs, scares, and a whole lot of supernatural mischief.

To celebrate the North American tour's Sarasota stop, the Van Wezel has partnered with local favorite Hamlet’s Eatery for a limited-time culinary crossover. Chef Mitch Rosenbaum has designed a dish inspired by the iconic Banana Boat scene that appears in both the film and the musical, where possessed dinner guests dance and fight off their food. His Sandworm Pasta Bowl features garlic sautéed Atlantic red shrimp served over black bean pasta, which has been striped with a roasted garlic vegan cream sauce and drizzled with a brilliant red beet coulis. The color scheme is quintessentially Burtonesque, while the flavors are just what you'd expect from Chef Mitch. The savory garlic components of the meal are beautifully balanced by the earthiness of the black bean pasta and the silky coulis. When you stop by Hamlet’s between April 24th and 26th and order this special dish, you’ll get a coupon for discounted tickets to see the Beetlejuice musical at Van Wezel. That coupon can be used to purchase tickets online or at the box office.

“We are thrilled to partner with The Bazaar on Apricot and Lime and Hamlet’s Eatery ahead of Beetlejuice at the Van Wezel,” says Muffy Lavens, the PR director for the Van Wezel. “We love working with our local community partners to help spread the word of hit Broadway productions like this. Chef Mitch has created a delicious dish inspired by musical Beetlejuice, and it is sure to put everyone in the mood for this show.”

Hamlet’s Eatery is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 11am-3pm and will be running this promotion from April 24-26. Tickets for the musical start at $75 and can be purchased at VanWezel.org/beetlejuice, by calling the box office at 941-263-6799, or by visiting the box office Monday through Friday 10am-6pm or Saturday 10am-4pm.

Hamlet’s Eatery, 821 Apricot Avenue, Sarasota, 941-445-1938, www.hamletseatery.com.; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-263-6799, www.vanwezel.org.

Pictured: The Beetlejuice musical will run at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall from April 22nd through April 27th. Stop by Hamlet's Eatery to sample a dish inspired by the show and receive a coupon for discounted tickets. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

Join Cask & Ale for a Party celebrating the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, Saturday, May 3!  The traditions continue with honors paid to the best Bourbon, the rituals of Spring and the greatest two minutes in sports!  We'll have our Derby Hat + Bowtie contests, prizes, specialty cocktails and of course, Mint Juleps with our housemade simple syrup.  Bring your friends and lift a toast to fast horses, bourbon & the Run for the Roses, Cask & Ale-style.  Proceeds to benefit Men Wear Pink.  

Baseball fans of all ages are invited to step up to the plate for a rare opportunity to meet one of the Atlanta Braves’ most iconic players, Bruce Benedict. The former catcher and beloved member of the Braves’ 1980s era, will be participating in a special meet-and-greet event during Wellen Park’s Fresh Harvest Farmers Market on Sunday, April 27, from 9 to 11 a.m., outside Solis Hall, 19745 Wellen Park Blvd. Guests will be able to connect with Benedict and receive one complimentary autograph per person on a photo or item of their choice. The event is free and open to the public. For more information on Benedict’s fan event, visit wellenpark.com/events/meet-braves-legend-bruce-benedict.  

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is pleased to announce a $10,000 charitable gift from the Manatee Community Foundation to support its WRITE A PLAY program during the 2024–2025 season. This grant provides students from five underserved Manatee Community schools with the examples, inspiration, and skills to become the next generation of creative storytellers.  For more information about WRITE A PLAY or to support FST’s outreach initiatives, visit floridastudiotheatre.org. 

The Sarasota Ballet announces its 2025 - 2026 Season, an enthralling celebration of the rich history, remarkable versatility, and timeless artistry of dance. Marking a series of anniversaries and milestones, the upcoming Season promises to be a breathtaking experience for audiences—and will include live music from The Sarasota Orchestra for Programs Two, Three, Six, and Seven. “This Season marks a tribute to the legacies that have shaped The Sarasota Ballet and is another example of our dedication to preserving the history of the ballet world,” says The Sarasota Ballet’s Director, Iain Webb. “These notable masterworks are perfectly counterbalanced by the dynamic ingenuity and creativity of the leading choreographers of today that are featured in the Season. In addition to exciting world premieres by Gemma Bond, Jessica Lang, and Ashley Page, we’re thrilled to have the return of Will Tuckett’s Changing Light and Sir David Bintley’s ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café. Spanning the entire Season, this celebration reflects the refinement and excellence that are hallmarks of The Sarasota Ballet.” 

To learn more, visit.

Sarasota Orchestra is starting an exciting new chapter with the unveiling of its 2025-2026 season, marking the highly anticipated first season curated under the artistic leadership of acclaimed Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero. Under the theme “The Sound of Change,” Guerrero programmed a season inspired by the musical tapestry of America, reflecting the cultural mosaic of the United States as it nears its 250th anniversary in 2026.  For more information, visit www.sarasotaorchestra.org. 

Realize Bradenton is pleased to announce recruitment for the next cohort of The Start-Up Circle Entrepreneurship Program.The Start-Up Circle is a free, energizing 9-session business and project planning course designed for aspiring and newly established entrepreneurs who want to accelerate their businesses. Applications for the spring 2025 Start-Up Circle cohort will be available April 8th - May 16th, 2025 on the Realize Bradenton website. Classes will meet weekly on Tuesdays from May 20th – July 15th, 2025 in downtown Bradenton. Candidates who have a business or are interested in starting a business in Bradenton are preferred. Information and applications can be found at www.realizebradenton.com/events/start-up-circle/ 

Community members are invited to a free Community Conversation on Hurricane Preparedness hosted by Sarasota County and partner agencies from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 8 at Riverview High School, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota.The event is designed to share lessons learned from the 2024 hurricane season and help community members prepare for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1. The event is free to attend, but registration is encouraged. Doors open at 5 p.m. on May 8. Attendees may submit questions for panelists as part of the registration process. Register and learn more at scgov.net/CommunityConversations.  Now is the time to finalize your family’s emergency plans and build or refresh your supply kits. For preparedness tips and resources, visit scgov.net/beprepared.