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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
The culmination of the Sarasota Improv Fest is the All Play show, shown here in 2024.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • July 15, 2025
Sarasota Improv Festival celebrates the evolution of an art form

Improv is changing at warp speed, but Florida Studio Theatre remains at the vanguard.

  • Arts + Culture
Jazzmin Carson and Raleigh Moseley II star in "Titan and the Muse" at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe from July 17-20.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 15, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for July 17-23

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Culture
Asolo Repertory Theatre will stage a production of "Come From Away" from Nov. 12 through Dec. 28.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • July 11, 2025
Asolo Rep replaces Billy Joel/Twyla Tharp musical with 'Come From Away'

The update of the hit musical 'Movin' Out' has been shifted to a future season.

  • Arts + Culture
Deena King says the Lakewood Ranch market is full of buyers who don't care if their art matches the sofa and the drapes.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 9, 2025
Fine arts gallery tests the waters in Lakewood Ranch area

Expressionist painter Deena King brings her brand of art to the border of Waterside.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Alex Hatcher and Will Westray star in "A Year with Frog and Toad," which Scott Keys is directing for Asolo Repertory Theatre.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • July 9, 2025
Asolo Rep's 'A Year With Frog and Toad' explores the seasons of friendship

Scott Keys is directing the Asolo Repertory Theatre production of Robert and Willie Reale's heartwarming, hilarious musical following the yearlong adventures of Frog and Toad.

  • Arts + Culture
Former dancer and nonprofit arts leader Jess Abbott has joined the Sarasota Ballet as marketing director.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2025
Sarasota Ballet names new marketing director

Jess Abbott joins the company from Greenville Center for Creative Arts in South Carolina.

  • Arts + Culture
Clyde Butcher took "Everglades Restoration" in 1995. He is passionate about protecting the wetland.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • July 1, 2025
Florida photographer Clyde Butcher takes a stand against 'Alligator Alcatraz'

The National Medal of Arts winner wants the Big Cypress National Preserve to remain pristine.

  • Arts + Culture
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 »
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Latest News

1
Longboat Key’s social media presence is thanks in large part to Tina Adams, whose duties include leading a communications team who regularly post infographics, flyers and breaking news alerts to its Facebook, Instagram and X pages. On a Thursday afternoon, Adams walked over to the police station to meet with Police Chief Russ Mager to film the latest video series shared by the town: A Minute with Mager. Adams helped get the right take with the chief, tweaking the script and discussing what was important to include and what could be left out.
  • February 10, 2026
Tina Adams' role with Longboat has grown over 26 years
2
Vito Bavaro underwent knee surgery in December 2025, but despite months of pain and physical limitations, has made his signature impact on the Mustangs' stellar season.
  • February 10, 2026
Knee replacement can't keep Lakewood Ranch High coach from his job
3
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Danielle Gladding, Salvation Army Capt. Jim Curry and bellringing coordinator Chris Sachs, a former club president, celebrate a stand-out year for donations.
  • February 10, 2026
Longboat bellringers ring in record contribution
4
This Shoreview home at 7889 Mainsail Lane sold for $1,525,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,857 square feet of living area.
  • February 10, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 26-30 in Lakewood Ranch
5
Tom Bergerat (center) was presented with a $3,500 scholarship at Polo with the Pros after being named the Junior Humanitarian of the year while Waterside's Audrey Luke (left), a junior at The Out-of-Door Academy, and Parrish's Mia Polseno (right), a senior at Parrish Community High, each received $750 scholarships.
  • February 10, 2026
Junior humanitarian honored by the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation

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