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Arts + Entertainment

  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • December 2, 2025
Caring Collective’s 2026 Collaboration Celebration + 4th Annual Emerging Leader Awardee Recognition

Join Caring Collective for the 2026 Collaboration Celebration!

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
Sarasota Opera Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and General Director Richard Russell.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • December 2, 2025
Sarasota Opera artistic director will step down after 44 years

General Director Richard Russell will add artistic director to his role after Victor DeRenzi's departure in May.

  • Arts + Culture
Eddie Weaver, Madalyn McHugh and Jared Svoboda show them how it's done in Florida Studio Theatre's "Three Pianos."
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 2, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Dec. 4-10

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Sarasota Concert Association names new board president
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • December 2, 2025
Sarasota Concert Association names new board president

Charlie Berardesco succeeds Joy McIntyre, who remains on the board.

  • Arts + Culture
Stephanie Zandra plays the Archangel who looks down over Joseph (Eustace Williams) and Mary (Maicy Powell) in Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's "Black Nativity," which runs through Dec. 21.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • December 1, 2025
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe presents holiday pageant in living color

Director Nate Jacobs discusses his latest take on Langston Hughes' "Black Nativity" and why it matters more than ever.

  • Arts + Culture
Food + Beer's brunch burger ($11) takes sausage gravy to another level.
    By
  • Emma Burke Jolly
  • November 30, 2025
Where to celebrate National Biscuits and Gravy Day

You don't have to wait until Dec. 14 to jump on board the gravy train and tuck into the best biscuits in town.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
  • By Florida Studio Theatre
  • November 28, 2025
A Tailor Near Me at Florida Studio Theatre

This Heartwarming Tale runs December 10, 2025 - February 15, 2026 in the Keating Theatre.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • November 26, 2025
Your Weekly Taste: Lotsa Lobster

Stop by Lotsa Lobster today or call (941) 918-2529-(CLAW) with any questions or comments.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
Keep the wonder alive during the most wonderful time of the year
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • November 26, 2025
Keep the wonder alive during the most wonderful time of the year

From twinkling lights to festive music to caroling on a trolley, there's something for everyone in this holiday sampler of eight events.

  • Arts + Culture
Lesley Rife, one of this year's organizers of Christmas in the Garden, said visitors have plenty to look forward to at this year's festivities, which start Nov. 30 at the Longboat Island Chapel garden.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 26, 2025
Longboat Island Chapel prepares for Christmas in the Garden

The beloved tradition on Longboat Key's north end returns on Nov. 30 and features decorated trees and nine-gig musical lineup.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gary Mullen and the Works come to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Friday, Nov. 29.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 25, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Nov. 27-Dec. 3

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Nathan Benderson Park bridge, Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • November 25, 2025
Hermitage fellow is fixing the world one song at a time

Tom Lubben, the middle member of The Lubben Brothers, will perform with clarinetist Shawn Allison at Benderson Park in a Hermitage Sunsets concert.

  • Arts + Culture
Organizers of this year's Lawn Party by the Bay eagerly anticipate the foodie festival, which will feature more restaurants than ever before. From left, The Resort at Longboat Key Club Managing Director Rick Konsavage, Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Danielle Gladding, Children's Guardian Fund Executive Director Svetlana Ivashchenko and Kiwanis Club Past President Michael Garey.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 25, 2025
Kiwanis Lawn Party on City Island will host 32 restaurants

The charitable event is raising funds for the Children's Guardian Fund, which supports foster families throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • November 25, 2025
The Nutcracker in Sarasota

Come witness the timeless story of Clara and her adventures with The Nutcracker with The Sarasota Ballet

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
Sarasota actor Alan Kitty is launching a Mark Twain Festival at the Crocker Memorial Church, home of the Sarasota Historical Society, in Pioneer Park.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • November 24, 2025
Mark Twain is alive and well and living in Sarasota

Twain impersonator Alan Kitty is launching a festival to honor the noted author's 190th birthday.

  • Arts + Culture
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Latest in Arts + Entertainment

1
Paul Nicholas and David Cantor star in "A Tailor Near Me" at Florida Studio Theatre through Feb. 15.
  • December 18, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre's 'A Tailor Near Me' stitches threads of friendship and art
2
Justin Gomlak helps bring big city glamour to the Sarasota stage in "A Very Broadway Christmas," which plays Monday, Dec. 22, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
  • December 17, 2025
The Van Wezel wants you to have 'A Very Broadway Christmas'
3
Richard Thomas stars in "Mark Twain Tonight!" at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Dec. 19-20.
  • December 16, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Dec. 18-24
4
Trevor Stalcup and Jessica Assef star in George Balanchine's "Mozartiana," in Sarasota Ballet's Program Three, "Masters of Movement," which runs Dec. 19-20 at the Sarasota Opera.
  • December 16, 2025
Sarasota Ballet taps a Balanchine disciple to stage his final major work
5
Tree Fort Productions takes a recovery road trip, one classic car at a time
  • December 15, 2025
Tree Fort Productions takes a recovery road trip, one classic car at a time

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