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Arts + Entertainment

Barista Claudia Aridus pours a latte while Sara Rountree rinses a cup at Sips this January. The popular north-end coffee shop is expanding with a second location on Longboat Key.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • January 16, 2026
Longboat Key coffee shop's success brews expansion

A second Sips, with the exact name still to be determined, will open where Turtle Coffee Bar once operated.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Attendees celebrate the opening of "Embracing Our Differences" at the 2024 exhibition.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 16, 2026
Embracing our Differences exhibit opens Saturday

Artwork from adults and students will be on display through mid-April in Sarasota's Bayfront Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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
Marc Dobson, the "One Man Band," roamed around the Manatee County Fairgrounds while playing a variety of instruments Jan. 18, 2025.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 13, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Jan. 15-21

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
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
Sarasota's Alyssa Freniere, Beate “Mama G” Goldstein and Blair Sellers are the people behind the new Mama G's location at University Town Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 13, 2026
New German bakery, coffeehouse rises at University Town Center

Mama G's opened its doors of a new Sarasota-Bradenton location on Dec. 15 under the leadership of two 26-year-old managing partners.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
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
St. Petersburg's Bob Boguslaw has been in the music business for 50 years with 22 of them being an active member of the “President’s Own” United States Marine Band. He said muscle memory comes into play and it brings back an array of memories.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 12, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble to host 2026 debut concert

The concert will feature pianist Bob Boguslaw, who spent 22 years in the United States Marine Band.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Pura Vida Miami is at 4994 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 100, in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • January 9, 2026
Healthy restaurant opens second Sarasota location

Pura Vida Miami recently opened a restaurant in The Landings.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Angese Rudzite Kirillova works on "Playground" during the 2025 Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sandsculpting Festival.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 8, 2026
Mark your calendars for these Sarasota events in 2026

Whether you love collecting stamps or petting reptiles, there's something for just about everyone in Sarasota's event offerings in this coming year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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
Blue Man Group comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Jan. 13-14.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Jan. 8-14

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
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
Bartender Sam Lastinger keeps the party going at Taste and Tunes of the Keys.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 6, 2026
Save these dates in 2026 for Longboat-area events

There are plenty of opportunities to explore the local flavor in the upcoming year, whether it's through art, parades or just fun community gatherings.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest in Arts + Entertainment

1
A visitor to Sarasota Art Museum takes a photo of David Hockney's "Inside It Opens Up As Well," which collector Stanton Storer loaned to the museum for "Something Borrowed, Something New."
  • June 24, 2026
Collectors lend their treasures to Sarasota Art Museum for blockbuster exhibition
2
Chophouse285, located at 285 West Dearborn Street in Englewood, was among the 68 restaurants participating in the 2026 Savor Sarasota campaign.
  • June 23, 2026
Nearly $1.02M in sales generated during Sarasota restaurant weeks
3
Hand balancer Yelitza Vivas wows the crowd at the Summer Circus Spectacular, which runs through Aug. 8 at The Ringling's Historic Asolo Theater.
  • June 23, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for June 25-July 2
4
The pizzeria offers mostly 13-inch and a handful of 8-inch pies.
  • June 23, 2026
Michelin-recommended pizzeria opens at University Town Center
5
Jerome and Kathryn Chesley pose in their living room surrounded by colorful glass art that they've collected over the years.
  • June 22, 2026
Sarasota couple are cultural ambassadors, together and separately

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