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Arts + Entertainment

Art Center Sarasota Executive Director Kinsey Robb stands in front George Zebot's "Healing Democracy," the first-prize winner in the 2023 Annual Juried Regional Show.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • September 9, 2024
Art Center Sarasota executive director is stepping down

Kinsey Robb is leaving to pursue a nonprofit visual arts role in New York City.

  • Arts + Culture
The Sarasota Opera will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Sarasota Opera House during its 2025-2026 season.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 9, 2024
Sarasota Opera beefs up development staff

The opera hires two new team members and promotes a third.

  • Arts + Culture
“Soul Crooners: Solid Gold Edition” runs through Nov. 17 at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • September 4, 2024
Sarasota arts groups take their shows on the road

Sarasota Ballet, Choral Artists, the Circus Arts Conservatory and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe strutted their stuff out of town in the off season.

  • Arts + Culture
Harold Newton's 1960 painting, "Clouds over the Coast," is part of the "The Florida Highwaymen: Interstate Connections," which runs through Sept. 15 at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 3, 2024
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Sept. 5-11

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Riley Aparicio-Jerro and David Stein star in "Seussical," which runs at the Sarasota Players through Sept. 22.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 3, 2024
The Sarasota Players bring the world of Dr. Seuss to life

"Seussical the Musical," running Sept. 12-22, brings together kids and adults to portray multiple creations of Dr. Seuss.

  • Arts + Culture
Jill Schroeder and Alan Kitty rehearse for Kitty's play "Original Sin," which makes its world premiere from Sept. 6-15 at Tree Fort Productions.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • September 2, 2024
A Mark Twain enthusiast tackles an age-old story

Alan Kitty brings his play "Original Sin" to Tree Fort Productions.

  • Arts + Culture
Sarasota philanthropist Ernie Kretzmer, a generous supporter of the city's artistic institutions, died Aug. 24 at age 99.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 30, 2024
Remembering a scientist who nurtured Sarasota's arts

Ernie Kretzmer died on Aug. 24, four months short of his 100th birthday.

  • Arts + Culture
"The Mousetrap" runs through Sept. 15 at Venice Theatre's Pinkerton Theatre in Venice.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 27, 2024
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Aug. 29 to Sept. 4

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Deykyi Ronge and Alex Pelletier starred as two longtime friends in Brenda Withers'"Westminster," which was the winner of the fourth Modern Works Festival and was produced during Urbanite Theatre's 2023-24 season.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 26, 2024
Urbanite's Modern Works Festival 'is like Christmas every day'

The five-day playwriting festival sparks joy for artistic director Summer Dawn Wallace.

  • Arts + Culture
Artifacts in the exhibit include a cardigan created for Riverview High School teacher Sarah Hufford.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 26, 2024
Art exhibit celebrates impact of teachers' relationships with students

The exhibit "Above and Beyond: Teachers, Society's Heroes" at Sarasota Art Museum showcases student-made memorabilia from Sarasota County teachers.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Theater critic Marty Fugate attended Asolo Conservatory's 2024 production of "Romeo and Juliet" twice — once without hearing aids and the second time with them.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • August 23, 2024
A theater critic tackles his hearing loss

For Observer contributor Marty Fugate, becoming hearing-impaired theatened his livelihood.

  • Arts + Culture
The Sarasota Orchestra presents "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" in October.
    By
  • Su Byron
  • August 23, 2024
Season is almost here. Save the date for these arts performances and exhibits.

The 2024-2025 arts season is packed with inspiring and captivating performances and exhibits. Here are seven sensational not-to-miss experiences.

  • Arts + Culture
Mike Herley brings extensive restaurant management experience and a zeal for experimentation to Wheat + Water Italian Kitchen.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • August 23, 2024
Italian American cuisine offers the best of both culinary worlds in Wheat + Water

Wheat and water may be all it takes to make pasta, but the making of Mike and Kim Herley's welcoming restaurant took a lot more.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
OPEN FACED SMOKED SALMON BAGEL ($18): Asiago bagel, house made Boursin, arugula, smoked salmon, herbed tomato, pickled onion, fried capers (shown in the photo above).
  • By Siesta Key Oyster Bar
  • August 22, 2024
Sunday Funday! New SKOB Brunch Is Egg-cellent

Siesta Key Oyster Bar Chef Devon’s rolls out a brand new brunch menu every Sunday 9am to 11:30am.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
Grammy Award winner Giancarlo Guerrero will conduct his first Masterworks as music director designate of the Sarasota Orchestra from Nov. 7-9 at the Sarasota Opera House.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 22, 2024
Sarasota Orchestra names Giancarlo Guerrero as its seventh music director

The Nashville Symphony music director succeeds Bramwell Tovey, who died in 2022.

  • Arts + Culture
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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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