Sarasota’s arts calendar offers several good reasons to make plans for the coming weekend, whether your interests run toward movie music, dance or contemporary art.

From October 23 through 25, an orchestra presentation, a ballet program and a museum artist talk provide three different ways to enjoy the local cultural scene.

The useful choice is not which art form deserves the most attention, but which experience sounds inviting to you and the people joining you.

A familiar film can open the door to live orchestral music, while a matinee or artist conversation can make an afternoon outing feel special.

A film favorite with a live score

Sarasota Orchestra presents Star Wars: Return of the Jedi at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Friday, October 23, and Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.

The orchestra performs John Williams’ score while the film is shown in its entirety, with Chris Confessore conducting.

The venue is at 777 North Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, and the listed starting ticket price is $52.

The orchestra lists a running time of approximately two hours and 30 minutes, including an intermission.

For movie fans, the combination offers a way to revisit a familiar story while paying closer attention to the musical detail that helps carry it.

Use the orchestra’s Return of the Jedi event page to check seats, current pricing and ticket conditions before purchasing.

Ballet with afternoon and evening choices

The Sarasota Ballet’s Program One runs October 23–25 at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

The current production page lists choreography by Gemma Bond, Sir Frederick Ashton and Dominic Walsh.

Performances are scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday offerings at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

That choice of matinee and evening times can help readers fit a performance around family visits, dinner plans or other weekend commitments.

Consult the ballet’s Program One page for the current program, tickets and venue information rather than relying on an older season listing.

Pricing and availability should be checked for the specific performance you select.

A conversation at the art museum

Sarasota Art Museum lists an artist talk with Eszter Sziksz on Saturday, October 24, from 1 to 2 p.m.

Its current exhibition listings also include Eszter Sziksz: Seeking, alongside other presentations on view this fall.

For readers who enjoy hearing artists discuss their work, a scheduled conversation offers a different starting point from exploring a gallery independently.

Check the museum’s current-season page and the artist-talk listing for registration details, admission arrangements and any changes before attending.

The talk and the ballet’s Saturday matinee begin close enough together that readers should choose carefully rather than assume they can comfortably do both.

Build a pleasant outing around one choice

Start with the performance or program that interests you, then work outward to transportation, arrival time and a meal if desired.

Purchase through the presenting organization’s official links and review the relevant ticket policies.

If you need accessible seating or another accommodation, contact the venue before finalizing your plans.

None of these choices requires you to be an expert in the art form to have a reason to go.

The weekend’s variety is its strength: a big-screen adventure with live musicians, a dance program with flexible showtimes or an afternoon spent hearing from an artist.

For Sarasota readers ready to put something enjoyable on the calendar, October 23–25 offers several promising places to begin.