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Arts + Culture

The Circus Arts Conservatory will be one of the many arts organizations showcased in "A Celebration of Youth," the closing performance of Sarasota Rising's first Living Arts Festival on Sunday, Nov. 17.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • October 16, 2023
How the arts power Sarasota's economy

Local growth in arts spending has outpaced national levels by 25% since 2015, a new study finds.

  • Arts + Culture
A shadow cast helped the audience at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall do the "Time Warp" once again Sept. 30 as the original "Rocky Horror Picture Show" starring Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon screened in the background.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • October 11, 2023
Fishnets and Frankenstein: 'Rocky Horror' refuses to die

Fifty years later, why do audiences want to do the "Time Warp" again and again?

  • Arts + Culture
Shakespeare expert Ron Destro performs "Hamlet" outdoors.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • October 10, 2023
Florida's Shakespeare expert writes a murder mystery about The Bard

Actor Ron Destro comes to Bookstore1Sarasota on Oct. 23 to discuss "The Starre, the Moone, the Sunne."

  • Arts + Culture
"Fully Committed" comes to the Sarasota Jewish Theatre from Jan. 31 through Feb. 4, 2024.
  • By Emily Leinfuss
  • October 9, 2023
Sarasota Jewish Theatre's shows echo real-life events

The confluence between news and arts has surprised Artistic Director Carole Kleinberg.

  • Arts + Culture
Rebecca and Richard Hopkins have been the driving forces of growth and creativity during their long tenure at Florida Studio Theatre, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • October 4, 2023
At 50, FST is the beating heart of Sarasota theater

Richard and Rebecca Hopkins have shaped Florida Studio Theatre from a scrappy upstart into a cultural powerhouse.

  • Arts + Culture
Liz Cole's new art collection "Color Paths" displayed at All Angels Episcopal Church
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 3, 2023
Local artist displays new collection at All Angels gallery

Liz Cole's "Color Paths" depicts her world travels via acrylic and handmade collages.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jenny and Mike Schenk, co-owners of Bradenton-based Pineapple Kitchen, recently announced an expansion of the murder-mystery part of the company.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • October 1, 2023
Murder mystery show plans hotel expansion in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch

Pineapple Kitchen, a culinary and hospitality business based outside Lakewood Ranch, is expanding its murder mystery shows to meet rapidly growing demand.

  • Arts + Culture
Aerialist Nik Wallenda walks the wire above his hometown of Sarasota in January 2013.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • September 27, 2023
Nik Wallenda teams up with Circus Arts Conservatory for holiday show

The Sarasota aerialist wants to create a new holiday tradition.

  • Arts + Culture
The soulful holiday spectacular "Joyful! Joyful!" plays from Nov. 29 to Dec. 30 at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • September 26, 2023
Critic’s picks for Sarasota's new live theater season

From the morbid to the merry, there's something for everyone between now and yearend.

  • Arts + Culture
Photographs by Karen Arango adorn the walls.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 21, 2023
Library exhibition celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

The exhibition showcased a diverse range of styles, mediums and subject matter.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Pianist Winnie Cheung and bandoneonist Ben Bogart help Key Chorale kick off its new season Sept. 23 with a sizzling tango concert that includes four dancers.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • September 20, 2023
Key Chorale's 39th season kicks off with 'Misatango'

On Sept. 23, Key Chorale joins bandoneonist Ben Bogart and pianist Winnie Cheung along with four traditional tango dancers in a performance at Church of the Palms.

  • Arts + Culture
Retired Booker High School educator Scott Keys has more time to pursue community theater and other venues since his 2021 retirement.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • September 19, 2023
Sarasota arts educator Scott Keys starts his second act

Keys is directing "Ruthless" at The Sarasota Players and "Parade" at Manatee Players.

  • Arts + Culture
Casey and Deena King pose outside their Define Art Gallery, which is moving to 68 S. Palm Ave.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • September 17, 2023
Define Gallery gives Art Uptown artists a lifeline

Deena and Casey King's new space is near the recently shuttered Art Uptown Gallery.

  • Arts + Culture
Clyde Butcher's iconic black-and-white photos of Florida landscapes are on display in his Venice Gallery and Studio.
  • By Emily Leinfuss
  • September 13, 2023
Venice arts scene is worth the trip

Long overshadowed by cultural capital Sarasota 18 miles north, the city of Venice is making a name for itself with an abundance of cultural attractions.

  • Arts + Culture
Derek Blankenship is executive director of the Venice Institute for the Performing Arts. Kristofer Geddie is executive director of the Venice Theatre.
  • By Emily Leinfuss
  • September 13, 2023
New Venice arts leaders earn unexpected promotions

Neither Kristopher Geddie nor Derek Blankenship knew the top job was waiting in the wings.

  • Arts + Culture
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Latest News

1
The Lakewood Ranch Library will open an hour later starting Aug. 1 due to a hiring freeze that was implemented in February. Commissioner George Kruse says hours could be further reduced if the property tax referendum passes in November.
  • July 22, 2026
Property tax cuts will cause 'new normal' in Manatee County
2
Front porch rug drying sparks a boarding house fight
  • July 22, 2026
Front porch rug drying sparks a boarding house fight
3
Defender Declan Watters (left) is one of several Sarasota Paradise players learning from lead assistant Trevor Sinclair (right). The Paradise are 5-10-3 in USL League One and 6-13-3 overall, as of July 16.
  • July 22, 2026
Assistant coach brings wealth of experience to Sarasota Paradise
4
"Reflection-Venice, 1894," a photogravure print taken by Alfred Stieglitz, and Clarence Hudson White's photogravure print, "Edge of Woods-Evening, (1900)," were gifts of Warren J. and Margot Coville to The Ringling.
  • July 22, 2026
The Ringling goes back to black-and-white photography
5
A Flock camera takes pictures of vehicles that drive on Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key.
  • July 22, 2026
Flock cameras photograph every car that enters Longboat Key

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