Three Free Friday Nights. Pick by Who You Brought.

Tomorrow night Sarasota County is running three free events that start within three hours of each other. The only real decision is who is in the car.

I sorted them by that, not by fancy marketing. Every time and address is from the organizer pages.

If you have kids who still nap with juice boxes

Movie in the Park is Friday, Oct. 9, at Waterside Place, 7500 Island Cove Terrace in Lakewood Ranch. The listing runs 6 to 9 p.m. Inflatables open at 6. Showtimes start at sunset. Sunset on Anna Maria Island that night is 7:08 p.m. per the U.S. Naval Observatory data we already pulled — Lakewood Ranch is within a minute or two.

It is free. Sponsored by Grace Community Church. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs. We B' Poppin popcorn and kettle corn are on site. First come, first served seating. This is the version of Friday night where nobody has to whisper, and that is the point.

If you want a real orchestra and no ticket line

Sarasota Orchestra is putting on The Conductor's Magical Book at 7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail. Free. General admission. No tickets required. About an hour, no intermission.

Conductor Stilian Kirov and narrator Rachael Lord walk kids (and whoever they dragged along) through instruments and conducting with a story about a kid named Tony Stradivarius and a magical book. The Orchestra says it is the community encore after a week of Young Person's Concerts for local fourth- and fifth-graders. You can drop an email for reminders on their page if you like that sort of thing.

If your crew is over 17 and already owns a boa

Special Cinema at The Bay screens The Rocky Horror Picture Show at 9 to 11 p.m. at The Oval, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Free. Rated R. The Bay is clear: mature themes, audience call-outs, and this is not the usual family Cinema night.

Actors from The Sarasota Players do the shadow cast. Costumes and park-appropriate props are encouraged. The Bay provides a limited prop stash if you get there early, and they ask you not to throw anything at the screen or the cast. No rice, no open flames, no confetti. Nest Café has food, popcorn, drinks, and a Time Warp Martini if that is your religion. Weather cancel call can come as late as an hour before start — check their site and Eventbrite.

Free parking notes from The Bay: Van Wezel lot, Municipal Auditorium, Blue Pagoda, north side of Blvd of the Arts, Rosemary District. Skip the south side of Blvd of the Arts and the Orchestra lots.

The honest Friday math

You cannot do all three without a time machine and a second car. Pick the room that matches the people you actually have.

Kids and blankets → Waterside at sunset. Curious kids and a quiet hour → Van Wezel at 7. Adults who already know the callbacks → The Bay at 9.

Same Friday. Three free nights. Bring a chair either way.

— Sandy