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Arts + Culture

Ben Turoff helps bring big-name acts to the performing arts center at the Glenridge On Palmer Ranch retirement community.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 26, 2026
A son of the theater helps a venue come into its own

Ben Turoff has put the Glenridge Performing Arts Center on the map.

  • Arts + Culture
Mr. Swindle is the character who gives an adults-only circus its name.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 21, 2026
The circus gets naughty at Mr. Swindle's Traveling Peculiarium

Allison Blei and Ivan España's mom-and-pop circus is full of adult fun and laughter.

  • Arts + Culture
Key Chorale's Opus 1700 is a weekend escape for chamber music lovers
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 20, 2026
Key Chorale's Opus 1700 is a weekend escape for chamber music lovers

A two-day festival celebrates the works of Baroque music masters Bach and Handel.

  • Arts + Culture
Hoonmin Luke Choi, Anthony Cason and Kamal Bolden star in Asolo Rep's production of Eboni Booth's play, "Primary Trust."
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 19, 2026
Asolo Rep, Urbanite's work-related plays are worlds apart

"Primary Trust" and "Job" show the risks and rewards of taking care of business.

  • Arts + Culture
A theater critic's top picks of the season
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 18, 2026
A theater critic's top picks of the season

Productions on Sarasota stages slyly snoop on the human condition.

  • Arts + Culture
Janet Echelman's 2022 artwork, "Study (Butterfly Rest Stop 1/9 scale)" measures 72 by 192 by 108 inches and is on display at Sarasota Art Museum through April 26.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 14, 2026
Sarasota Art Museum showcases Janet Echelman's colorful fiber works

Some of the large installations were inspired by the nets of Indian fishermen.

  • Arts + Culture
American icons take the stage at Florida Studio Theatre
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 13, 2026
American icons take the stage at Florida Studio Theatre

FST's Stage III series honors three disparate American heroes.

  • Arts + Culture
Asolo Rep hires new director of development
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2026
Asolo Rep hires new director of development

Juliana Han Witt was most recently chief advancement officer at Atlanta Ballet.

  • Arts + Culture
Arts organizations strike up the band in 2026 for big birthdays
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 7, 2026
Arts organizations strike up the band in 2026 for big birthdays

Don't miss these arts events as three Sarasota cultural institutions celebrate their 100th anniversary and America blows out 250 candles.

  • Arts + Culture
Katie Weiss is board chair of The Sarasota Players board of trustees. Thayer Greenberg is managing artistic director of The Sarasota Players.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 7, 2026
The Sarasota Players adds new board, cuts CEO position and promotes two

The reorganization precedes the community theater's move to Payne Park later this year.

  • Arts + Culture
The Beatles tribute band Liverpool Legends will perform with The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota in "All You Need is Love" on Jan. 11-12.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 6, 2026
Liverpool Legends teams with The Pops Orchestra for a night of Beatlemania

The Fab Four's eras come to life in "All You Need Is Love," complete with costume changes and wigs.

  • Arts + Culture
Samara Siskind's "Strangers Off a Train" premiered at Theatre Odyssey's Ten-Minute Play Festival in 2025.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 5, 2026
The time is right for the Ten-Minute Play Festival

Theatre Odyssey’s annual showcase of new works by Florida playwrights returns to the Jane B. Cook Theatre.

  • Arts + Culture
The rendering of the exterior of the Sarasota Orchestra Music Hall demonstrates the concept of integrating water features, landscaping and building design.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • December 31, 2025
For Sarasota arts groups, 2025 was a year of shifting sands

The arts community cleaned up after the storms, faced changing political winds and broke ground on ambitious new projects.

  • Arts + Culture
Itzhak Perlman conducts the 2025 Perlman Music Program Suncoast Celebration Concert.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • December 24, 2025
Perlman Music Program Suncoast moves to central Sarasota

The winter music program led by virtuoso violinist Itzhak Perlman is changing venues.

  • Arts + Culture
Justin Gomlak helps bring big city glamour to the Sarasota stage in "A Very Broadway Christmas," which plays Monday, Dec. 22, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • December 17, 2025
The Van Wezel wants you to have 'A Very Broadway Christmas'

Broadway veterans who now live in Sarasota and St. Petersburg are staging the holiday spectacular.

  • Arts + Culture
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School Board Member Heather Felton took off her blazer during the May 5 workshop to show her sleeveless shirt is appropriate for students in the Florida heat.
  • May 18, 2026
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