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Arts + Culture

Abreham Mola and his incredible balance on the rolla bolla. (Photos: Harry Sayer)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • June 22, 2022
Circus redefines peak of human strength and dexterity

The Summer Circus Spectacular lives up to its billing with incredible feats of coordination, skill and power.

  • Arts + Culture
The Sarasota Music Festival brings early career professionals and accomplished virtuosos for a slate of 14 local performances. (Photo: Daniel Perales)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • June 11, 2022
Bradenton native takes center stage at Sarasota Music Festival

Graeme Sugden attended these halls as a youngster, and now he's playing them as a professional musician.

  • Arts + Culture
The Van Wezel Foundation has named Julie Schwartz director of development.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 10, 2022
Van Wezel Foundation brings new director of development from Carnegie Hall

Julie Schwartz brings to the Van Wezel Foundation two decades of experience with renowned cultural organizations, including the renowned New York City venue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jnana Wilson Cooper, pictured at the WBTT 20th Anniversary Celebration in 2019, is excited to come home. (Courtesy photo: Sorcha Augustine)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • June 8, 2022
WBTT alum returns to the stage her talent helped build

Jnana Wilson Cooper isn't just a founding member of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. She's more like family.

  • Arts + Culture
(Courtesy)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • June 3, 2022
Creative team behind 'Hood' dishes on labor and love

Douglas Carter Beane and Lewis Flinn, the couple behind Asolo Rep's "Hood," chat about their creative process and collaborative partnership.

  • Arts + Culture
Connie Schindewolf is excited to be participating in Theatre Odyssey's Ten-Minute Play Festival. (Photo: Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • May 30, 2022
Theatre Odyssey spurs playwright's metamorphosis

Connie Schindewolf gained courage to show her art to the world by participating in the Ten-Minute Play Festival.

  • Arts + Culture
Andy Sandberg, Shariffa Ali and Flora Major celebrate the announcement of the Hermitage Major Theater Award on Wednesday. (Photo: Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • May 26, 2022
Shariffa Ali wins Hermitage Major Theater Award

Theater-maker Shariffa Ali enjoyed a life-changing moment on Wednesday evening when she accepted a $35,000 commission from the Hermitage Artist Retreat.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • May 25, 2022
Mourners find restful oasis in Patriot Plaza

A public-private partnership yields special art and amphitheater at Sarasota National Cemetery.

  • Arts + Culture
Carol Doenecke with "I've Got the Bird."
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 24, 2022
Longboat Key artist Carol Doenecke presents in All Angels gallery

Doenecke usually chooses the selected artists for the gallery, but for June, she chose herself.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Jim Hill, a retired career U.S. Marine, will play with the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble at the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 19, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble features own veterans during holiday concerts.

Lakewood Ranch Tribute to Heroes Parade, Sarasota National Cemetery host concerts to honor veterans.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Christian Sampson's experiments with color and light have resulted in his largest work to date, "Vita in Motu." (Photo: Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • May 18, 2022
Ringling alum's creations require a glass of a different color

Christian Sampson grew up in Bradenton, and his work with dichroic glass has landed him at the Sarasota Art Museum.

  • 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
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Amanda Parrish is serving as the EDC's interim CEO, and Elizabeth Cordes is the director of business recruitment and expansion.
  • April 10, 2026
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Drugs, cash and a rifle bullet were among the items found by Sarasota Police in a search of a 31st Way home, resulting in the arrest of Demarius R. Jones, of Sarasota.
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