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Arts + Entertainment

Cynthia Sayer plays the Glenridge Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Jan. 19.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 13, 2025
Cynthia Sayer brings her hot banjo show to Sarasota

A recent winner of the Steve Martin Banjo Prize, Cynthia Sayer got her start by performing in a nursing home.

  • Arts + Culture
Terri Weagant starts in "Spaceman," which runs through Feb. 16 at Urbanite Theatre.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 13, 2025
A funny thing happened on the way to Mars

A solo mission is a pressure cooker of inner and outer danger in Urbanite Theatre's "Spaceman."

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Pulpo, patatas bravas, picanha and piquillos rellenos are on the menu at Beso.
    By
  • Emma Burke Jolly
  • January 11, 2025
These Sarasota tapas are the talk of the town

Grab a glass of sangria and prepare for a parade of tapas that’ll keep the good vibes — and your plate — overflowing.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Toasted Yolk Cafe is at 6562 University Pkwy., Suite 150.
    By
  • Elizabeth King, Jay Heater
  • January 10, 2025
Toasted Yolk Cafe opens in Lakewood Ranch

The breakfast and lunch cafe opened its doors in the Center Point development on University Parkway.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
A flamingo by Peggy Roberts
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 9, 2025
Artist of palm frond creations to hold exhibition at Art Ovation Hotel

Peggy Roberts started creating animals from palm fronds in her retirement, as a showcase of upcycling.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The iconic Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota's "Purple Palace," kicked off its delayed season with "Menopause the Musical 2," on Jan. 4.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 8, 2025
Van Wezel reopens after hard work by employees and contractors

After being postponed for more than two months, Sarasota's "Purple Palace" kicks off a sparkling season.

  • Arts + Culture
Ute Vela competes in the Observer Challenge held Feb. 3-5, 2023. She and her husband, Enrique, have won the tournament four times.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 8, 2025
Observer Challenge hopes different format will attract more players

The beloved Longboat Key tennis tournament is back for its 25th year with a new format and surprise criteria for its grand prize.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County is gearing up for the RUN Manatee 5K Series in 2025. Three races will be held across the county at different locations from April through November.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 8, 2025
Manatee County gears up for new 5K series

The races will take place at Tom Bennett Park, Coquina Beach and Rye Preserve from April through November.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Windjammers Unlimited, more formally known as the Circus Music Historical Society, will perform with the Sailor Circus on Jan. 11 after their weeklong convention in Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Jan. 9-15

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Terri Weagant starts in "Spaceman," which runs through Feb. 16 at Urbanite Theatre.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 6, 2025
Urbanite's 'Spaceman' is out of this world

Summer Dawn Wallace directs a human story in a science-fiction universe.

  • Arts + Culture
Rickey Tedesco, Tron Montgomery, William Ashburn and Yinoelle Colon starred in "The Florida Highwaymen" by Don Salvo in 2024 Ten-Minute Play Festival.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 5, 2025
Theatre Odyssey celebrates 20 years of its Ten Minute Play Festival

After a modest start, the festival has become a mainstay of the Sarasota arts season.

  • Arts + Culture
Michelle Heera Kim and Rona Figueroa star in "The Heart Sellers," which runs through Feb. 16 at FST's Keating Theatre.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 4, 2025
FST's 'The Heart Sellers' talks turkey about Asian immigrant experience

The recipe for Lloyd Suh's tale of unlikely friendship may sound heavy, but it's leavened with humor.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Step out in 2025 with these Sarasota arts events
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 1, 2025
Step out in 2025 with these Sarasota arts events

From "Funny Girl" to "Figaro," here are eight shows that you won't want to miss in the new year.

  • Arts + Culture
The Whitney Houston tribute show, "The Greatest Love of All," comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Jan. 3.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 31, 2024
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Jan. 2-8

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Don't miss these Sarasota events in 2025
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 31, 2024
Don't miss these Sarasota events in 2025

Here are some of the top picks to mark on your calendar for the new year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest in Arts + Entertainment

1
CEO Mike Bisaha says the new equipment will at least triple Big Top Brewing Co.'s beer production.
  • December 3, 2025
Big Top to open expanded brew house at Sarasota's Fruitville Commons
2
Anne Vose and Jackie Donnelly peruse the works of artist Marie Therese Lacroix, center.
  • December 3, 2025
Check out these artists at Lawn Party by the Bay
3
Lijana Wallenda perches on a chair balanced on a shoulder bar carried by her brother Nik Wallenda and Paul Matthew Lopez in the "Wonderland: Believe" circus, which runs through Jan. 4 in a big top near the UTC Mall.
  • December 3, 2025
At the Wonderland circus, it's a Wallenda-ful life
4
The Shaelyn Band, which opens the Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest Dec. 6 at Waterside Place, is led by singer Shaelyn Mulberry.
  • December 2, 2025
This musical soul search leads to Lakewood Ranch
5
Sarasota Opera Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and General Director Richard Russell.
  • December 2, 2025
Sarasota Opera artistic director will step down after 44 years

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