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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
Physical Plant is forging forward with a new lineup and a new album. (Courtesy photo)
  • By Spencer Fordin
  • September 12, 2022
New lineup, new album for band with New College roots

Physical Plant emerged from the pandemic with a new album, two new members and a resolve to keep writing new songs.

  • Arts + Culture
Cary Greenberg has made a home for Rembrandts and Picassos on a stretch of Main Street mostly populated by bars and restaurants. (Photo by Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • September 7, 2022
Downtown art gallery makes space for masters on paper

Cary Greenberg is an architect by trade and an artist by nature, and he's enjoying his second life in business as the owner of Stakenborg Greenberg Fine Art Gallery.

  • Arts + Culture
Asolo Repertory Theatre spent this summer in the early stages of an inventory process that could take years. (Photo by Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • August 31, 2022
Asolo Rep crew catalogs decades of costumes, props

Asolo Repertory Theatre has accumulated more props and costumes than it knows what to do with over the past half-century.

  • Arts + Culture
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