5 Things You Need to Know Today: September 20

1. The popular family musical The Sound of Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein opens Thursday at the Manatee Players. Performances are Tuesday – Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $11 for students,  including facility fees. Reserve your tickets by calling 941-748-5875 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and one hour before curtain on performance days. Tickets are also available on the Manatee Players’ website.   All performances are at 102 Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton. The show is being directed by Robby May with Rebecca Heintz as musical director and Donna Culbreath as choreographer.

2. is hosting a “Drink, Dine, and be Divine” Girls Night Out on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Enjoy an evening of activities and services, including spa treatments such as wraps, micro-dermabrasion, or massages from Blue Door Salon, Metro Massage and Skin Care, Montee Posey, and Salon Uptown-Downtown Exclusive discounts at Generations Gift Shop, great deals on candles and homegoods from Gold Canyon Candles, and perfume, lotion and bags from dabWear. Admission is free. Guests may bring their gold, in any condition, and GoldPros will exchange it for cash. GoldPros will also donate 10% of transactions that evening to Meals on Wheels PLUS.
Gourmet small plates prepared by Executive Chef Joe Stoddard will be available. The dishes are priced at $3, $5, or $7, and include a variety of creative and appetizers, entrees, side dishes, and desserts. Sylvia Adeyams will offer a complimentary wine tasting. Beverages, cocktails and wine by the glass will also be available for purchase.

3. The Florida Department of Transportation District One is offering  public workshops on the SMART Connect Study today from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the . Public involvement is key to the project's success. Attendees will have an opportunity to offer opinions on viable modes of premium transit and potential corridors that would best meet their needs and stimulate future economic development. The workshop will be held at the , 5840 26th Street West. It is a platform for participants to offer questions or concerns regarding the SMART Connect Study and current or future transit developments.

4. will participate in the United Nation's International Day of Peace at 10 a.m. at the school's Peace Pole on Wednesday. The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly.

5. Have you ever wanted to be part ofseasonal programs? This fall will offer the perfect opportunity. De Soto National Memorial, part of the National Park Service is looking for those who would like to give it a try. The park is currently looking for dedicated individuals who love to get spooky and have fun. The park needs people to dress in creepy costumes, be scary and have a great attitude for its Desoween IV. Desoween is a family oriented haunted trail walk that takes place on Saturday, October 29 at 6:30 p.m.