The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is Sarasota’s premier venue for cultural entertainment. The hall hosts a broad range of acts, from international symphony orchestras to touring pop stars, local jazz, Broadway musicals, dance and comedy. Since it first opened its doors in 1970, the hall has seen a diverse range of performances on its stage, from Johnny Cash to Bill Cosby. The 1,736-seat hall is the home stage for the Florida West Coast Symphony and the Jazz Club of Sarasota.
The hall’s eye-catching architectural design was inspired by the zigzag edges of two seashells from the Sea of Japan, which are now on display. William Wesley Peters, a collaborator of Frank Lloyd Wright, designed the structure and Wright’s widow selected the lavender and purple tones used throughout the building.
Check the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall events calendar and see something different every week. Enjoy an exciting night out at the Van Wezel and mingle with other audience members before and after the show in the foyer or on the terrace or picturesque bayfront lawn. Stop by the gift shop to pick up a souvenir from the show. The hall’s bayside location makes for a great spot to stroll along the water and enjoy the Sarasota Bay views out to Longboat Key and Lido Key. Restaurants and bars can be found just a few blocks’ walk east toward downtown.
Go on a guided tour and discover artworks by some of Florida’s most prominent artists from a collection belonging to the Fine Arts Society of Sarasota. Explore backstage and its inner workings on a tour that loops around the stage, the orchestra pit, the complex stage mechanics and the VIP rooms.
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is located on the bayfront edge of downtown Sarasota. Tickets to shows can be bought online, by phone or in person at the on-site box office. Guided tours on the first Tuesday of each month are available for a small extra fee. Free on-site parking is offered to Van Wezel patrons.
