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Arts + Culture

Art & Soul students like Sofia Basile, Juliana Fazio, Irelynn Ettinger and Raelynn Dine can choose from classes that include jazz, ballet, tap and hip hop. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • May 18, 2022
Founder of Art & Soul believes dance can be transformative for people of all ages

Alana Turner harnesses the power of dance to change lives.

  • LWR Life
Barbara Gerdeman and Elizabeth Goodwill are taking dramatic license to get their Creative Liberties off the ground. (Photo: Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • May 14, 2022
Artists open business to help other artists

Barbara Gerdeman and Elizabeth Goodwill want nothing more than to create art and to help other artists in achieving their goals.

  • Arts + Culture
The painting by Yulner Diaz will be auctioned off at the May 20 performance at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • May 11, 2022
UnidosNow underlines its mission in 10th anniversary event

The nonprofit empowering the Sarasota and Manatee Latino population is celebrating its belated 10th anniversary with an event that aims to celebrate the union of culture and tradition.

  • Arts + Culture
Braden River High School's Ricardo Robinson-Shinall is Florida Studio Theatre’s Write a Play educator of the year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 10, 2022
Braden River High teacher and students earn Florida Studio Theatre's Write a Play awards

Braden River students' story of snack envy leads to Write a Play award.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Paul Slade Smith and director Bianca LaVerne Jones in the rehearsal room for Eureka Day. (Courtesy photo: Sophia Marquart)
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • May 9, 2022
A funny thing happened on the way to the safe space

Laughter is contagious in the Asolo Rep’s upcoming production of “Eureka Day.” Here’s a diagnosis of where the humor comes from.

  • Arts + Culture
Alan Cresto and Robert Rogers helped usher this photography project into a full-blown museum exhibit. (Photo: Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • May 6, 2022
Ringling hosts student photography exhibit

Many of these students had never touched a camera before. No worries; their eyes still produced fantastic results.

  • Arts + Culture
It might feel like a ballgame, but it's an orchestra performing outdoors. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • May 4, 2022
Sarasota Orchestra and Ed Smith Stadium prep for Outdoor Pops

The Sarasota Orchestra's Outdoor Pops concert is back after a two-year hiatus, and Iconic Songs of the 1970s are on the itinerary.

  • Arts + Culture
Miss Marina Elaine is using alluring audiences with her imagination and her showmanship. (Courtesy photo)
  • By Spencer Fordin
  • May 2, 2022
Hard Heart Burlesque whets audience appetite

It's one thing to get on stage and give an audience everything within you. It's quite another to do that while disrobing.

  • Arts + Culture
Patti Smith sang and read from her poetry and shared remembrances of Robert Mapplethorpe during her February appearance. (Photo: Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • April 29, 2022
Selby Gardens tabs Patti Smith as Artist in Residence

Patti Smith was moved by the Selby Gardens exhibit featuring her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe — so much so that she'll come back again and again.

  • Arts + Culture
Stanley Martin (Rexy), Kraig Swartz (Miss Tracy Mills), and Britt Michael Gordon (Georgia McBride) model Mari Taylor Floyd's finished creations. (Courtesy photo: John Jones.)
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • April 29, 2022
FST costume designer brings characters to life

Clothes make the man (and/or woman). Costumes make the actor. At Florida Studio Theatre, Mari Taylor Floyd makes (and designs) many of the costumes. Her work is vital to every production.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • April 27, 2022
Retirement beckons for Sarasota Ballet's Victoria Hulland

Victoria Hulland captured the heart of Iain Webb and Margaret Barbieri in one fateful audition, and she's spent her career doing the same to Sarasota.

  • Arts + Culture
"Laughing Matters" writers Rebecca Hopkins, Jim Prosser, Sarah Durham, and Kevin Allen. (Courtesy Photo: FST)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • April 23, 2022
FST looks to find the universal laugh

The hard work of penning a musical sketch comedy show takes longer than you might imagine.

  • Arts + Culture
Bramwell Tovey is looking forward to his first season as Music Director of the Sarasota Orchestra. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • April 20, 2022
Sarasota Orchestra announces program for 2022-23 season

Bramwell Tovey's first year as music director of the Sarasota Orchestra will feature an exciting mix of classical composers and engaging contemporary material.

  • Arts + Culture
Dwell, a multicolored sculpture in the shape of coral by artist Sujin Lim. (File rendering)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 20, 2022
Sarasota Commission rejects Dwell for Tamiami-Fruitville roundabout

Leaders vote to send the art advisory committee back to the drawing board.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Francesco Baronti's "Listen to the Earth" and James Grant's composition of the same name were originally commissioned for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • April 20, 2022
Composer journeys out of this world with ecological libretto

James Grant's long-awaited opus, created for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, will finally be performed for the first time by Choral Artists of Sarasota.

  • Arts + Culture
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