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Arts + Entertainment

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
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • January 8, 2026
6th Annual Lakewood Ranch Fine Art Festival

Don't miss this event taking place on January 24th-25th on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
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
Samara Siskind's "Strangers Off a Train" premiered at Theatre Odyssey's Ten-Minute Play Festival in 2025.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 5, 2026
The time is right for the Ten-Minute Play Festival

Theatre Odyssey’s annual showcase of new works by Florida playwrights returns to the Jane B. Cook Theatre.

  • Arts + Culture
A steaming plate of pasta comes up to the pass while Simone Salustri, owner of the newly reopened Nōnnō Umberto restaurant, begins work on another dish.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 5, 2026
Longstanding St. Armands Italian restaurant reopens under new name

Nōnnō Umberto, formerly operating as Le Colone, held its soft opening the first week of January under a new generation's leadership.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 »
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Latest in Arts + Entertainment

1
Everything from fun fashion to deals on furniture can be found at the upcoming Trash to Treasure rummage sale.
  • February 7, 2026
Trash to Treasure sale making its return
2
Three comedians including Bradenton's Tim Boyd will perform at the “Hearts of Hope: A Valentine’s Comedy Night” fundraiser to benefit Harbor 58, Foster the Family, and Bring on the Ministry on Feb. 13.
  • February 6, 2026
Nonprofits to host Valentine's comedy fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch
3
Work by Janet Echelman in “Radical Softness” at Sarasota Art Museum through April 26.
  • February 6, 2026
New creations, global voices, celebrations light up our cultural horizon
4
Chefs Justin Kurtz and Ismael Flores showcase some of Mar Vista’s signature dishes.
  • February 6, 2026
Innovative chef at Mar Vista honors tradition — and keeps reinventing it
5
Lido Island Grill's lobster roll, filled with chilled Maine lobster and served with tortilla chips and lemon.
  • February 5, 2026
Meet the island kitchens setting the standard for a seriously good lobster roll

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