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Arts + Culture

The Sarasota Orchestra plans to build a new music center on the 32-acre parcel at 5701 Fruitville Road.
    By
  • Marty Fugate, Su Byron
  • August 18, 2023
Sarasota Orchestra nears its goals with coming Fruitville concert hall

The Sarasota Orchestra is building a state-of-the-art campus on 32 acres near Lakewood Ranch. CEO Joseph McKenna couldn’t be happier.

  • Arts + Culture
Seminole artist Wilson Bowers used a digital design on board to create his 2020 work, "MMIW," which draws attention to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 16, 2023
Ringling Museum exhibit underscores resilience of Seminole people

"Reclaiming Home" bears witness to the trials and triumphs of the Seminole tribe.

  • Arts + Culture
Alexia, Suzanne and Juliana Mattes perform together for the first time at the Manatee Performing Arts Center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 16, 2023
'Something Rotten' a family affair for Lakewood Ranch mom, daughters

Suzanne Mattes and her two daughters, Juliana and Alexia, appear in the ensemble cast at the Manatee Performing Arts Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rapper Ryanito poses with the Riverview Kilties, who were featured in his recording of the theme song for the Sarasota Paradise soccer team.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 15, 2023
Hip-hop meets high school in soccer team song

Rapper Ryanito teamed with Riverview High for the Sarasota Paradise's anthem.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 14, 2023
Sarasota Ballet names principal dancer

Jennifer Hackbarth, a Dresden Semperoper Ballet veteran, replaces Danielle Brown, who retired.

  • Arts + Culture
Derek Blankenship is the new executive director of the Venice Institute for Performing Arts.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 11, 2023
Venice Institute of Performing Arts names executive director

Derek Blankenship succeeds Reno Manne, who died in March.

  • Arts + Culture
Jaiden Johnson and Sharon Preston-Folta
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 10, 2023
Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative adds two new team members

Sharon Preston-Folta and Jaiden Johnson are joining the nonprofit.

  • Arts + Culture
Sarasota artist John Pirman in his studio.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 9, 2023
Selby Gardens goes 'meta' with John Pirman show

Life imitates art imitates life in the retrospective of the Sarasota artist's work.

  • Arts + Culture
Michael DeWulf painting at his live art show at Wyland Gallery on Aug. 4.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 9, 2023
Sarasota artist draws audience with live show at Wyland Gallery

Sarasota-based artist Michael DeWulf paints for 10 to 14 hours to grow in his craft.

  • Arts + Culture
Spearheading the fundraising effort for the Stage at Payne Park: Brian McCarthy, William Skaggs, Bill Porter, Bill Rusling and Steven Butler
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 5, 2023
The Players raises curtain on fundraising for Payne Park theater project

The theater will match up to half of the $8 million in community donations that The Stage hopes to raise for the project.

  • Arts + Culture
Paul Reubens appeared at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas, in 2016.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • August 4, 2023
Pee-wee Herman's big adventure started in Sarasota

Remembering Paul Reubens, 1952-2023.

  • Arts + Culture
Kate Mulligan is EnsembleNewSRQ's first general manager.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 4, 2023
Kate Mulligan joins ensembleNewSRQ as its first general manager

The Sarasota contemporary classical music group is in expansion mode.

  • Arts + Culture
The 2024 Forks & Corks Food and Wine Festival will be held from Jan. 25-29.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 2, 2023
Forks & Corks moves to January 2024

The popular fest hosted by Sarasota-Manatee Originals is moving back to its original schedule.

  • Black Tie
"White House by the Sea," Kate Storey's book about the Kennedy family compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, became a New York Times bestseller when it was published in June.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 2, 2023
Sarasota writer chronicles 100 years at the Kennedy family’s summer home

Kate Storey's book, "White House By the Sea" became an instant New York Times bestseller when it was published in June.

  • Arts + Culture
"A Comedy of Tenors" is the sequel to Ken Ludwig's "Lend Me a Tenor," but the play stands on its own.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • July 30, 2023
'Comedy of Tenors' creates a clockwork comedy

The beloved characters of “Lend Me a Tenor" are reunited in "A Comedy of Tenors," playing at Florida Studio Theatre from Aug. 2-27.

  • Arts + Culture
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Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
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