• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Arts + Culture

Earlier this year, WSLR/Fogartyville co-founders Arlene Sweeting and David Beaton stepped down from managing the community radio station and listening room.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • April 25, 2024
WSLR/Fogartyville founders step down

Arlene Sweeting and Dave Beaton, who founded the radio station WSLR and the nightclub Fogartyville, are stepping down and moving to Michigan.

  • Arts + Culture
Avenue of Art expands mission of bringing color to the city
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 25, 2024
Avenue of Art expands mission of bringing color to the city

The project in Burns Square now enters its third phase, with 100 sidewalk paintings set to be added to the existing 210 by the end of the month.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Contemporary Dance will perform its "Voices: Rising Choreographers" program May 2-5 at FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • April 24, 2024
SCD aims to preserve its legacy with the help of a major donor

As Sarasota Contemporary Dance puts the finishing touches on its 2023-24 season, Artistic Director Leymis Bolaños Wilmott looks to the future of the company.

  • Arts + Culture
Sarasota Art Museum showcases works of Hermitage visual artists
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • April 17, 2024
Sarasota Art Museum showcases works of Hermitage visual artists

The exhibition is the first collaboration between the two area cultural organizations.

  • Arts + Culture
The Gulf Coast Flute Choir rehearses for its spring concert to be held April 21 in Lakewood Ranch and April 22 in Bradenton.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • April 16, 2024
Gulf Coast Flute Choir to perform its first world premiere

The group will play "Twilight on the Gulf" on April 21-22 in Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton.

  • Arts + Culture
A promotional image for the documentary "Into The Spotlight: The Jake Ilardi Story."
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • April 15, 2024
Jake Ilardi documentary wins Local Audience Award at Sarasota Film Fest

The Industry Audience Award was given to the documentary "Luther: Never Too Much."

  • Arts + Culture
John Leggett and Caitlin Rose in FSU/Asolo Conservatory's production of "Miss Julie."
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • April 10, 2024
Asolo Rep adds a new role: Intimacy coordinator

Summer Dawn Wallace helps the company create a safe space for actors to get physical.

  • Arts + Culture
Technical director Chris McVicker and director Jonathan Epstein
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 9, 2024
Elizabethan-era stage adds authentic touch to 'Romeo and Juliet'

FSU/Asolo Conservatory's production of the beloved Shakespeare play makes the audience part of the action with a set based on a historic stage.

  • Arts + Culture
An old fashioned from Euphemia Haye, which will be serving a whiskey cocktail at Set the Bar.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • April 8, 2024
Set the Bar cocktail contest returns this weekend to Ed Smith Stadium

The Sarasota-Manatee Originals event took 2023 off.

  • Arts + Culture
The entrance to the new Greatest Show on Earth Gallery at The Ringling Museum.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • April 3, 2024
The Ringling Museum to open new Greatest Show on Earth Gallery

Interactive and immersive exhibits cover Feld Entertainment's ownership of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

  • Arts + Culture
Wanda Renee Mills poses in front of a painting by her mother, Mary Ann Carroll, known as the First Lady of the Florida Highwaymen painters.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • April 2, 2024
Remembering the 'First Lady' of the Florida Highwaymen

Wanda Renee Mills is dedicated to preserving the legacy of her mother, Mary Ann Carroll.

  • Arts + Culture
Van Wezel Director of Education Justin Gomlak teaches a master class in "Hamilton" on March 28.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • April 1, 2024
Van Wezel education director brings Broadway to the masses

Justin Gomlak teaches a mean master class and is involved in many facets of community outreach.

  • Arts + Culture
Slava, a Ukrainian student, stands in the rubble of his school that was destroyed in the Battle of Kharkiv.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 31, 2024
Sarasota gallery spotlights Ukraine portraits from local photographer

Now at the Lexow Gallery, Allan Mestel’s “Portrait Ukraine” project aims to create a connection between viewer and subject.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dekyi Rongé with her canine companion in “Westminster.”
    By
  • Su Byron
  • March 29, 2024
Productions and exhibits to catch before they’re gone

What’s happening in the arts this breezy season? Read on for a sneak peek at five cool bets.

  • Arts + Culture
Daniel Pratt and Jennifer Hackbarth pose in a publicity still for George Balanchine's ballet, "Emeralds," which the Sarasota Ballet will perform April 5-6.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • March 27, 2024
Sarasota Ballet honors George Balanchine in 'Portraits of Expression'

The company honors the iconic choreographer's 120th birthday with "Emeralds" and "Who Cares?"

  • Arts + Culture
« 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
Carl Mario Nudi, Sarafina Murphy-Gibson, Ivy Sunflower, Marina Elaine and Sarah Jefferies on the promenade deck.
  • February 20, 2026
Unconventional Evening hosts 10 eras of the high school prom experience
2
Melissa Douberly, Tyson Babb, Lisa Jayne Warren-Wallace and Gina and David Warren dig the vibe of the Studio 54 theme and the cocktail hour.
  • February 20, 2026
Cooking for Wishes serves up funk, flavor and dreams that do come true
3
Three arrested, two of them juveniles, for armed robbery of a convenience store
  • February 20, 2026
Three arrested, two of them juveniles, for armed robbery of a convenience store
4
St. Barbara's Hellenic Folk Dance Group member Harrison Barakos gives a wave, while being cheered on by fellow dancers Maria Stylianoudakis and Gianni Cappelluti, as his name is called at the St. Barbara 42nd annual Greek Festival.
  • February 20, 2026
St. Barbara hosts 42nd annual Greek Festival all weekend
5
Weizhen Jiang Wolf and Yuhong Wan of Zen Rhythm Dance Group perform a Mongolian Dance at the Lunar New Year Celebration.
  • February 20, 2026
Sister Cities of Sarasota hosts Lunar New Year celebration

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now