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Arts + Culture

FST technicians Ana Strickland and Aubrey Hess work on the costume worn by Jillian Louis (who plays Bea Bottom). (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • October 27, 2022
FST makes a stitch in time to show 'Something Rotten!'

Clothes make the Elizabethan man (or woman) in this ambitious musical comedy at Florida Studio Theatre. Mari Taylor Floyd and Aubrey Hess make it happen.

  • Arts + Culture
Choral Artists returns to "Say a Little Prayer" for the victims of Hurricane Ian (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • October 26, 2022
Choral Artists start season with songs of prayer and consolation

A season-opening event has taken on new meaning for Choral Artists of Sarasota in the wake of Hurricane Ian.

  • Arts + Culture
The photography of orchids at Selby Gardens has yielded new discoveries but also indelible art. (Photo by Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • October 26, 2022
Selby orchids exhibit celebrates vibrant photography

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens treasury has more than 20,000 digital assets, and many of them are stunning photos of orchids.

  • Arts + Culture
From left, the cast of Charlotte's Web: Benjamin Brandt, Gemma Vodacek, Observer editor Spencer Fordin, Jack Bausch, Marissa Gast, Jeric Gutierrez and Caroline Younglove. (Photo by Lydia Baxter)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • October 19, 2022
FST enlists Observer's arts editor as true friend and good writer

Spencer Fordin is a ham. But he's not an actor. Not until Florida Studio Theatre asked him to walk on to Charlotte's Web.

  • Arts + Culture
Brenna Markey, Stefano de Peppo and Hanna Brammer star in Sarasota Opera's production of the rare Cimarosa gem "The Secret Marriage." (Photo by Rod Millington)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • October 19, 2022
Sarasota Opera brings rare gem in 'The Secret Marriage' to kick off fall season

It was one of the world's most popular operas in its day and may have caused the longest encore ever. But Cimarosa's 'The Secret Marriage' is rarely performed in America.

  • Arts + Culture
The Sarasota Ballet, pictured earlier this summer, will mark its season opening program Premieres on October 20, (Photo by Frank Atura)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • October 14, 2022
Sarasota Ballet's newest dancers hit the ground pirouetting

Macarena Giménez and Maximiliano Iglesias uprooted their lives and are learning a new language with a new dance company in a new country.

  • Arts + Culture
Jerald Wheat and Imani Lee Williams in Looking for Ithaca. (Photo by Sophia Marquart.)
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • October 13, 2022
Asolo Rep on Tour brings Homer into the modern day

It was hard enough to adapt Homer's "The Odyssey" for the modern day. And then Hurricane Ian came along.

  • Arts + Culture
The Venice Theatre suffered extensive damage in Hurricane Ian, but it isn't irreparable. (Courtesy photo)
  • By Spencer Fordin
  • October 4, 2022
Hermitage, Venice Theatre begin road to recovery

The Hermitage Artist Retreat and Venice Theatre suffered damage from Hurricane Ian that will require extensive renovation.

  • Arts + Culture
Van Wezel Performing Arts Center escaped major damage in Hurricane Ian and will stage a benefit concert on Friday. (Photo by Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • October 4, 2022
Van Wezel and Sarasota Orchestra team up for benefit concert

The storm is done, but the recovery is just beginning. And the Sarasota Orchestra and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall are teaming up to raise money.

  • Arts + Culture
Sarasota institution Ann Morrison, shown performing at an Asolo Repertory Theatre function earlier this year, looks forward to directing 'The Mockingbird's Nest' at the One-Act Play Festival. (Photo by Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • October 4, 2022
One-Act Play Festival brings four new works to life

Four playwrights, four directors and four very different first-time productions will hit the stage at the Jane B. Cook Theatre.

  • Arts + Culture
Michael Begay is a performer who works in chamber music, metal music, Native American flute and experimental sounds (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • October 3, 2022
Indigenous composers take center stage at EnsembleNewSRQ

The first concert of EnsembleNewSRQ's season, First Voices, will feature the works of Indigenous composers.

  • Arts + Culture
Landscape photographer John Kincaid took to the skies to find the perfect Sarasota skylines. (Courtesy photo: John Kincaid)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • September 28, 2022
Photographer takes to the air, beach to get the perfect shots of Sarasota

His love affair with Sarasota started in the early days of his involvement in photography, but now John Kincaid returns as a master of aerial landscapes.

  • Arts + Culture
The Sarasota Orchestra welcomes families to Holley Hall for two performances of "Peter and the Wolf" — one in English and one in Spanish on Sunday, March 23.
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • September 24, 2022
Orchestra invites younger audience to free family concert

Take a field trip with the Sarasota Orchestra, which will play several concerts for area schools and wrap it all up with a free evening performance for families.

  • Arts + Culture
Steven and William Ladd have been collaborating on art for their entire adult lives. (Photo by Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • September 21, 2022
Brothers instill love, family memories into art exhibit at Sarasota Art Museum

Steven and William Ladd spend their lives doing what they love, and they make sure their artwork reflects that.

  • Arts + Culture
Key Chorale prepares for its season-opening Celtic celebration. (Photo by Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • September 12, 2022
Key Chorale opens 2022-23 season with Irish flair

The symphonic chorus is going all-in on a celebration of Irish and Celtic culture to kick off its upcoming season.

  • Arts + Culture
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Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
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Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
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Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
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The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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