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Arts + Entertainment

Pastitsio ($25) made with Greek macaroni with ground beef, fresh herbs topped with a creamy béchamel sauce.
    By
  • Emma Burke
  • May 11, 2026
Make it a Mediterranean (meal) May

These local dishes remind us that eating well doesn’t have to feel restrictive.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Il Panificio is now open at 1995 Main St. in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 9, 2026
Il Panificio opens new downtown Sarasota restaurant

The pizza restaurant now has two locations on Main Street and one on Siesta Key.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Saucy! is expanding on the Gulf Coast, with a Lakewood Ranch and Trinity location opening May 4 and 5, respectively.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2026
Saucy new chicken spot opens in Lakewood Ranch

As the name of the KFC spinoff suggests, dipping sauces are front and center in the restaurant on Lena Road.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Rod Brogan and Rachel Moulton star in Florida Studio Theatre's "Birthday Candles."
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • May 6, 2026
Florida Studio Theatre actor is a woman for all seasons

In "Birthday Candles," Rachel Moulton ages from 17 to 107 as she bakes a cosmic confection.

  • Arts + Culture
Several characters in Sarasota Players' "Assassins" think they deserve credit for saving the life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 5, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for May 7-13

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • May 1, 2026
Leaving on a Jet Plane

Rediscover the heart and harmony of the 1960s in this intimate and joyful tribute to the era that shaped a generation.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
Richard and Rebecca Hopkins are longtime leaders of Florida Studio Theatre.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2026
Leadership changes coming to Florida Studio Theatre

With the new McGillicuddy Arts Plaza under construction, longtime Florida Studio Theatre leaders Richard and Rebecca Hopkins have assumed higher leadership roles.

  • Arts + Culture
In The Sarasota Players' production of "Assassins," Brian Finnerty (upper left) plays The Proprietor, Caitlin Ellis is Squeaky Fromme, Craig Weiskerger is John Wilkes Booth and Jason Ellis is the Balladeer.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • April 29, 2026
In 'Assassins,' Sarasota Players shines light on America's dark side

Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's tragicomic musical is a sideshow of colorful characters who took aim at the president.

  • Arts + Culture
Hot Club SRQ plays Gypsy Jazz in the style of Djano Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 28, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for April 30-May 6

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
A vehicle representing the Historic Aircraft Society arrives at the Main Street and Orange Avenue roundabout during the Memorial Day parade in 2024.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 28, 2026
Memorial Day Parade set for May 25

Sarasota's annual Memorial Day Parade will will be held May 25, concluding with a ceremony at J.D. Hamel Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota William Kelley has traveled the world to create his rainbow-hued paintings.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • April 27, 2026
Sarasota artist William Kelley paints the colors of his mind

The canvas of the world traveler is big and his palette is bold.

  • Arts + Culture
Sarasota's Axel Neff is glad to welcome community members who are both familiar and unfamiliar with Tim Horton's brand to bond over food and coffee.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 26, 2026
Tim Hortons blazes a Florida path with Manatee County restaurant

Tim Hortons, a Canadian breakfast chain, wants customers both familiar and unfamiliar with the brand to walk away with a smile.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Original Hob Nob Drive-In is back at 1701 N. Washington Blvd. in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 25, 2026
The Original Hob Nob Drive-In reopens in Sarasota

The open-air restaurant on Washington Boulevard has returned and has future plans to offer online ordering.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The actors sing, dance and play instruments in Peter Rothstein's reimagining of "Fiddler on the Roof," which runs through May 24 at Asolo Repertory Theatre.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • April 24, 2026
Asolo Rep's 'Fiddler on the Roof' makes its own kind of music

The actors are the orchestra in Peter Rothstein's delightful reimagining of a Broadway classic.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Nearly every member of the Sarasota Ballet will be on stage for “Checkmate” May 1-2 at the Sarasota Opera House.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • April 22, 2026
Sarasota Ballet stages a dramatic death dance in 'Checkmate'

The Black Queen battles the Red Knight in Dame Nanette de Valois' chess-inspired ballet.

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

1
A visitor to Sarasota Art Museum takes a photo of David Hockney's "Inside It Opens Up As Well," which collector Stanton Storer loaned to the museum for "Something Borrowed, Something New."
  • June 24, 2026
Collectors lend their treasures to Sarasota Art Museum for blockbuster exhibition
2
Chophouse285, located at 285 West Dearborn Street in Englewood, was among the 68 restaurants participating in the 2026 Savor Sarasota campaign.
  • June 23, 2026
Nearly $1.02M in sales generated during Sarasota restaurant weeks
3
Hand balancer Yelitza Vivas wows the crowd at the Summer Circus Spectacular, which runs through Aug. 8 at The Ringling's Historic Asolo Theater.
  • June 23, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for June 25-July 2
4
The pizzeria offers mostly 13-inch and a handful of 8-inch pies.
  • June 23, 2026
Michelin-recommended pizzeria opens at University Town Center
5
Jerome and Kathryn Chesley pose in their living room surrounded by colorful glass art that they've collected over the years.
  • June 22, 2026
Sarasota couple are cultural ambassadors, together and separately

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