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Arts + Culture

The major work of the 2015 Chalk Festival was this epic drawing of Bacchus, the Roman God of wine and fertility. (Courtesy of Chalk Festival)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • March 24, 2022
Chalk Festival artists prepare to make Venice their canvas

The world of artistic expression knows no boundaries and no borders, but for three days, the Venice International Airport will be the world capital of chalk street art.

  • Arts + Culture
The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is excited about their upcoming season. (Courtesy Photo: Sorcha Augustine)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • March 22, 2022
'Dreamgirls' and 'Guys and Dolls' on tap for WBTT in upcoming season

The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is performing in Broadway classics and charting new directions with its upcoming season.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • March 18, 2022
Museum exhibit expands horizons in 'Picturing Science'

Have you ever peered inside a meteorite? The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is showing visitors how science and technology have lent researchers new insight into the natural world.

  • Arts + Culture
The theme for this year's Sarasota Film Festival is Upstream With a Paddle. (Photo: Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • March 17, 2022
Sarasota rolls out red carpet for film festival

The Sarasota Film Festival is back, and it's bringing an eclectic group of films and stars to town in early April.

  • Arts + Culture
Sarasota Orchestra Music Director Bramwell Tovey died in July 2022, not long after signing a five-year contract with the orchestra.
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • March 16, 2022
Sarasota Orchestra primed for conductor's arrival

He's conducted all over the world and earned some of the highest distinctions in his field. Now Bramwell Tovey is looking forward to his next conducting adventure in Sarasota.

  • Arts + Culture
Michael Donald Edwards, producing artistic director of the Asolo Repertory Theatre, is excited for the upcoming winter season. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • March 14, 2022
'Cabaret,' 'Man of La Mancha' headline Asolo Rep's new season

Two of the most celebrated musicals of the last century — "Cabaret" and "Man of La Mancha" — will be on the Asolo Rep bill next season.

  • Arts + Culture
Danielle Brown, center, will star with Ricardo Graziano — both left and right — in A Comedy of Errors. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • March 11, 2022
Sarasota Ballet preps for world premiere of 'A Comedy of Errors'

How do you perform Shakespeare without words? For the Sarasota Ballet, it's a matter of the proper setting, costuming, music and their tongue planted firmly in their cheek.

  • Arts + Culture
Van Gogh, famous for his vibrant colors and  reverence for everyday beauty, is well known for his studies of sunflowers. (Photo: Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • March 7, 2022
'Beyond Van Gogh' exhibit lands in Sarasota

You've seen Van Gogh paintings on walls and in museums. But now's your chance to stand inside one.

  • Arts + Culture
Matt and Michelle McCord smile in front of a picture of Lauren Teyke in the Ovation lobby. (Photo: Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • March 7, 2022
Sarasota dancer is coming home with 'Anastasia'

Lauren Teyke grew up in Sarasota and learned the craft of singing and dancing right here at her mom's theater school. Now she returns as a professional.

  • Arts + Culture
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Halls will continue with current COVID protocols for selected acts as demanded by artist contracts.
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • March 4, 2022
COVID-19 regulations change for arts organizations

A number of local arts organizations have elected to modify their existing pandemic regulations.

  • Arts + Culture
Hanna Brammer, Andrew Surrena and Kyle Oliver draw the curtain back on what it takes for an opera singer to perform. (Photo by Harry Sayer)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • March 2, 2022
Opera singers dish on path to strength and stamina

The cast of 'The Pearl Fishers' spent some time chatting about the ways singers build their conditioning.

  • Arts + Culture
Vocal Spectrum performed for the students at three area schools on Friday. (Photo: Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • March 2, 2022
Chorus of the Keys leads student outreach outing

Chorus of the Keys brought a secret weapon, barbershop quartet Vocal Spectrum, to entertain area students last week.

  • Arts + Culture
Richard Hopkins led the audience through a presentation centered on the new construction project. (Photo: Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • March 1, 2022
Florida Studio Theatre announces ambitious expansion

Florida Studio Theatre has grown past its footprint in downtown Sarasota and is planning an expansion that will result in a new mainstage, two new cabarets, expanded parking and artist housing.

  • Arts + Culture
Darya Fedotova and Sergiy Mykhaylov are changing their dance studio's name in support of their Ukraine homeland. (Photo: Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • March 1, 2022
School of Russian Ballet changes name amidst conflict

Ukraine natives Darya Fedotova and Sergiy Mykhaylov want nothing more than to teach ballet and to see their homeland live in peace.

  • East County
  • News
Sharon Preston-Folta, the daughter of Louis Armstrong, is reclaiming her narrative and telling the world about her childhood. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • February 24, 2022
Daughter of American legend reclaims her history

Sharon Preston-Folta couldn't tell people the simple truth of her parentage for most of her life. But now she's quite comfortable telling the world she is Louis Armstrong's daughter.

  • Arts + Culture
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