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Arts + Entertainment

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.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • December 17, 2025
The Van Wezel wants you to have 'A Very Broadway Christmas'

Broadway veterans who now live in Sarasota and St. Petersburg are staging the holiday spectacular.

  • Arts + Culture
Richard Thomas stars in "Mark Twain Tonight!" at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Dec. 19-20.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 16, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Dec. 18-24

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
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.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • December 16, 2025
Sarasota Ballet taps a Balanchine disciple to stage his final major work

Maria Calegari is staging "Mozartiana," which she danced when she was a principal at New York City Ballet.

  • Arts + Culture
Tree Fort Productions takes a recovery road trip, one classic car at a time
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • December 15, 2025
Tree Fort Productions takes a recovery road trip, one classic car at a time

Tree Fort Productions Projects founder Katherine Michelle Tanner's "Notes From the Dashboard" explores a platonic bond based on healing.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Emma Burke
  • December 14, 2025
Eat, drink and be merry like you're in a 'Home Alone' movie

Here are local versions of the memorable food and beverages featured in the classic Hollywood holiday film franchise.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • December 12, 2025
ANNIE

Leapin’ Lizards! The irrepressible comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world’s best-loved musicals.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • December 12, 2025
“Catskills After Dark”

In honor of the great fun of the Catskills experience, you will enjoy a gourmet dinner by Michael’s on East and a hilarious comedy show starring comedian Elon Gold.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
The building at the corner of N. Boulevard of the Presidents and Madison Drive may be the location of a revived Shore Restaurant on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 12, 2025
Shore Restaurant could return to St. Armands

A three-story mixed-use proposal includes the popular destination, which closed its previous Circle location after 2024's floods.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Many holiday events took place the first weekend of December, but there are still plenty of opportunities for festive fun to have on the keys.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 11, 2025
Catch Santa on Longboat Key before Christmas

It's not too late to share those holiday wishes with Saint Nick before Christmas.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A Kwanzaa display rests on the table during the event.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 11, 2025
Kwanzaa celebration prepares community for the holiday

The Kwanzaa Community Celebration will be followed by the 7-Day Candle Lighting Ceremony and Celebration from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The moon rises as German and English troops gather together in "No Man's Land" to celebrate the birth of Christ in Asolo Rep's "All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914."
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • December 10, 2025
'All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914' returns to Historic Asolo Theater

First created as a Minnesota radio program in 2007, Peter Rothstein's show uses word and song to tell a little-known chapter of history.

  • Arts + Culture
Paul Nicholas and David Cantor form an unlikely friendship in Florida Studio Theatre's "A Tailor Near Me."
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Dec. 11-17

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Jolly (Flynn Nolen, center) is surrounded by the other characters including Candy (Christiana Allison), Mrs. Claus (Jillian Hurley), Jangle (Ray Barber), Tinsel (Vanessa Smith), Jingle (Mareece Love) and Santa Claus (Dellan Short).
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 9, 2025
'Deck the Halls' celebrates the holidays, Sarasota-style

The annual production by Florida Studio Theatre has become a holiday tradition for audiences.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Struggling artists on New York's Lower East Side hope for better days in Sarasota Players' production of Jonathan Larson's "Rent."
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • December 9, 2025
'Rent' weaves a 'tapestry of music and story' at The Sarasota Players

Director Brian Finnerty talks about The Sarasota Players' reinvention of Jonathan Larson's musical.

  • Arts + Culture
The audience roared its approval when Spanish guitarist Pablo Sáinz-Villegas delivered an encore performance on the Sarasota Orchestra's Masterworks concert, "Close Encounters."
    By
  • Gayle Williams
  • December 8, 2025
Sarasota Orchestra gives audience close encounter with Masterworks program

Musicians weren't just on stage; they were in the corners of the Van Wezel for Respighi's "Pines of Rome."

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
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Latest in Arts + Entertainment

1
Marc Dobson, the "One Man Band," roamed around the Manatee County Fairgrounds while playing a variety of instruments Jan. 18, 2025.
  • January 13, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Jan. 15-21
2
American icons take the stage at Florida Studio Theatre
  • January 13, 2026
American icons take the stage at Florida Studio Theatre
3
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.
  • January 13, 2026
New German bakery, coffeehouse rises at University Town Center
4
Asolo Rep hires new director of development
  • January 12, 2026
Asolo Rep hires new director of development
5
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.
  • January 12, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble to host 2026 debut concert

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