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Arts + Culture

Rigoberto Torres holds the bust of Bélen Lopez. There is still more work to be done, including opening the eyes on the sculpture and painting the surface.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 21, 2025
See how a renowned sculptor creates plaster casts of community members

Sculptor Rigoberto Torres is bringing his community lifecasting to The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art for its upcoming exhibition "Nuestro Vaivén (Our Sway)."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Season is heating up. Here's what you can look forward to on the arts scene.
    By
  • Su Byron
  • August 21, 2025
Season is heating up. Here's what you can look forward to on the arts scene.

From bold exhibitions to boundary-pushing performances, the months ahead promise something for every kind of art-lover.

  • Arts + Culture
Leon S. Pitts II and Ariel Blue star in Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's "Big Sexy: The Fats Waller Revue," which runs from Aug. 22 through Sept. 7.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 20, 2025
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe pays tribute to Fats Waller with 'Big Sexy'

The musical revue showcases the talents of Leon S. Pitts II and Ariel Blue.

  • Arts + Culture
Arthur Bosage is the new artistic administrator of the Sarasota Opera.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 15, 2025
Sarasota Opera names new artistic administrator

Arthur Bosarge, who recently served as chorus master and director of the Apprentice Artists Program, has been named artistic administrator of the company.

  • Arts + Culture
Carole J. Bufford stars in the summer cabaret "Too Darn Hot." Her band includes Angela Steiner on piano and Isaac Mingus on bass.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 13, 2025
The heat is on at Florida Studio Theatre's summer cabaret 'Too Darn Hot'

Carole J. Bufford's sizzling ode to summer contains some familiar favorites and some unexpected discoveries.

  • Arts + Culture
Cheryl Medow's 2014 photo "White Ibis with Fish" overlooks Sarasota Bay in "The High Life" exhibition at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 6, 2025
An eye-catching exhibition of bird photography lands at Selby Gardens

"The High Life" captures our feathered friends in nature, museums and studios.

  • Arts + Culture
Sarasota Ballet School names new principal
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 5, 2025
Sarasota Ballet School names new principal

Alberto Blanco succeeds Jennifer Welch Cudnik, who has moved to Kansas City Ballet School.

  • Arts + Culture
Loretta Pettway Bennett, Sarasota Art Museum Associate Curator Lacie Barbour and Louisiana Bendolph
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 4, 2025
Gee's Bend quilters learned to 'make something out of nothing'

Loretta Pettway Bennett and Louisiana Bendolph share their stories at Sarasota Art Museum.

  • Arts + Culture
The cast of "Cabaret" gets ready for their close-up at the Kit Kat Club, the setting of the musical set in Weimar-era Berlin.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • July 30, 2025
The Sarasota Players stages a thrilling, chilling 'Cabaret'

Sarasota Players brings Kander and Ebb's sexy, ominous musical to a round stage.

  • Arts + Culture
Louis Tucci, Luke McMaster and Miles Aubrey star in Florida Studio Theatre's cabaret show, "How Sweet It Is," which runs at the Goldstein Cabaret through Aug. 3.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • July 28, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre gives blue-eyed soul a spot in the limelight

Luke McMaster pays tribute to Lamont Dozier and other Motown songwriters in "How Sweet It Is."

  • Arts + Culture
Johnston Kraft, Rosemarie Kraft, Broc Stull and Liesl Kraft relax between rehearsals for InMotion, the recital of the Sarasota Ballet Summer Intensive.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • July 23, 2025
The Sarasota Ballet Summer Intensive is raising the barre

The nearly 190 students in the program aim for new heights with their InMotion recital.

  • Arts + Culture
Circus Arts Conservatory board elects new leadership
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 22, 2025
Circus Arts Conservatory board elects new leadership

Julie Harris succeeds Shari Ashman as board chair, while Ken Woodworth becomes vice-chair.

  • Arts + Culture
Key Chorale artistic director, CEO extends contract for 10 years
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 21, 2025
Key Chorale artistic director, CEO extends contract for 10 years

The symphonic chorus also announced vocalist hires and staff promotions.

  • Arts + Culture
New York City improv troupe Shitzprobe creates a Broadway musical based on audience suggestions.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • July 15, 2025
Sarasota Improv Festival headliner creates Broadway musicals on the fly

Shitzprobe co-founder and performer Ali Reed (almost) reveals the secret of the troupe's success.

  • Arts + Culture
Sarah Durham is Florida Studio Theatre's associate director of improv and is in charge of the Sarasota Improv Festival.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • July 15, 2025
Meet Florida Studio Theatre's new associate improv director

Sarah Durham earned her comedy stripes at Chicago's famed Second City.

  • Arts + Culture
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1
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
2
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
3
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
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Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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