Kraig Swartz and Pamela Bob star in the Allan Knee dance comedy Syncopation, an Asolo Theatre production opening this weekend. Set in 1911, it's about a meat packer who dreams of becoming a ballroom dancer and the garment beader who responds to his ad looking for a partner. The play, says director Gus Kaikkonen, is about "the power of dance and how it brings together an offbeat couple." Choreography is by Jim Hoskins.
Syncopation runs from Friday through May 25 in the Cook Theatre at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets: $29-$31. (941) 351-8000 or toll-free 1-800-361-8388 or www.asolo.org
- JOHN FLEMING, Times performing arts critic
Young musicians, timeless chamber works
Violinist Miriam Fried leads a group of young musicians from Ravinia's Steans Institute to Tarpon Springs this weekend. Fried, a soloist and Indiana University faculty member, is chairwoman of the instrumental program at the institute, part of the Ravinia Festival outside Chicago that showcases musicians at the beginning of their professional careers. They'll play chamber works by Haydn, Mendelssohn and William Bolcom at 3 p.m. Sunday at Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center. Tickets: $10, $12. (727) 942-5605.
