Juneteenth takes over MLK Boulevard Saturday

The Van Wezel's Golden Groovers series returns Thursday, June 25, at 2 p.m. with Yankee Doodle Dandy, an afternoon program at the bayfront hall. The matinee timing makes it an easy outing if you'd rather not be out late, and the setting right on Sarasota Bay is hard to beat on a summer day. The Van Wezel's purple silhouette has anchored the bayfront for years, and an afternoon show is a gentle way to take it in. It's a relaxed way to spend a Thursday down by the water, with time left over for the rest of your day.

Later that same Thursday, June 25, Celtic Throne: Psalter of Ireland takes the Van Wezel stage at 7 p.m., presented by Armstrong Dance. It's a full evening show, so if you're already heading down for the afternoon Golden Groovers matinee, the two pair up neatly for a long day at the bayfront. Irish dance productions tend to command a big stage, and the Van Wezel gives them room to move. Make it a double feature on Sarasota Bay, with dinner in between to break up the day.

Vince Gill brings his 50 Years From Home tour to the Van Wezel on Friday, June 26, at 7:30 p.m. The country veteran's name carries enough weight that an evening like this tends to draw from well beyond the city limits. A Friday-night show downtown is a fine excuse to grab dinner nearby beforehand and make a night of it on the bayfront. If he's been on your list for years, this is the local stop to circle on the calendar.

Sarasota Key Quest Fest lands at The Bay Park on Saturday, June 27, a waterfront gathering at the park along Sarasota Bay. The Bay has become a natural home for weekend events, with room to roam and water views throughout. A Saturday at the park is an easy reason to wander down to the bayfront and see what's set up. Make an afternoon of it by the water and let the day unfold.

The Greater Sarasota Chamber hosts the 2026 Sarasota Business Awards, presented by the Herald Tribune, on Friday, June 26, at 11 a.m. It's a midday gathering recognizing standout local businesses, the kind of room full of the people who keep the city's storefronts and offices running day to day. If you work in or around the local business community, it's worth knowing the date is on the books. The chamber's calendar has the registration details when you're ready to look.

On Monday, June 29, at 6 p.m., the Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium at Selby Library hosts A Musical Journey Through Florida. The program takes the audience through the state's history in song, with performances tied to real events, characters, and the folklore that grew up around them. It's a library evening built for anyone curious about how Florida's past sounds when it's set to music. The downtown library is an easy stop, and a program like this is a quiet way to start the week off.

Also Monday, June 29, but in the morning at 10:30, Art Center Sarasota holds Artists on Art - A Peer Critique focused on photography. The session is built around constructive, insightful feedback, with photographers talking through each other's work to push their craft forward. If you shoot, or you just like hearing how artists read a photograph, it's an approachable room to sit in. The center's event page has the particulars if you want to take part rather than just watch and listen.