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Arts + Entertainment

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
Ariel Aparicio-Jerro has taken over the reins of WSLR/Fogartyville from founders Arlene Sweeting and David Beaton.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 21, 2024
Ariel Aparicio-Jerro gets into the groove at Fogartyville

The musician and arts administrator talks about his new job managing the music venue.

  • Arts + Culture
The Bermuda Mavericks (Les McCurdy and Ken Sons) play McCurdy's Comedy Theatre May 8-10.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 20, 2024
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Aug. 22-28

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Asolo Repertory Theatre is based in FSU Center for the Performing Arts adjacent to The Ringling Museum.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 19, 2024
Asolo Repertory Theatre receives $1 million donation

The estate of Mary Jo Reston is the theater company's benefactor.

  • Arts + Culture
Gary Hagen makes donut sundaes at the new Donuts By Design.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 19, 2024
Longboat cheesecake parlor becomes donut shop

Gary Hagen plans to shift the focus of Elegant Lady Cheesecake Parlor to serve up unique donut flavors on the island.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Main Street Creamery scoops up over 30 flavors of Yoder’s Southern Creamery ice cream.
  • By Emma Burke
  • August 18, 2024
Here's the scoop on the best ice cream treats in town

Beat the heat with sundae bliss in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and Anna Maria Island.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 16, 2024
Sarasota Art Museum names new deputy director

Michael Windham joins the museum as deputy director of museum services and business operations.

  • Arts + Culture
Michael Flood, Saxon Palmer and Julia Brothers starred in Sean Daniels' "The White Chip," earlier this year at Florida Studio Theatre's Bowne's Lab.
  • By Emily Leinfuss
  • August 14, 2024
FST shines the spotlight on addiction with The Recovery Project

Director Sean Daniels uses storytelling to diminish the stigma of addiction and support artists in recovery.

  • Arts + Culture
The Manatee Players production of "Anything Goes" runs through Aug. 18 at the Manatee Center for the Performing Arts.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 13, 2024
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Aug. 15-21

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
502 Gallery Operations Manager Christina Antoniou and co-owner Cassia Kite pose in front of some of the small pieces featured in the "Shopliftable" show.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 13, 2024
Sarasota's new 502 Gallery is thinking small

The new 400-square-foot art gallery in the historic Burns Court district showcases small, affordable works.

  • Arts + Culture
Sarasota's iconic "Mermaid Fountain" has been included in the Smithsonian Institution's collection of public artworks.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2024
Smithsonian adds Sarasota's 'Mermaid Fountain' to its public art collection

The iconic downtown fountain will be honored by the city of Sarasota at a Sept. 13 ceremony.

  • Arts + Culture
The Sarasota Players names new development director
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2024
The Sarasota Players names new development director

Amy Gorman brings experience from finance, education and nonprofit organizations to her new role.

  • Arts + Culture
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Latest in Arts + Entertainment

1
Gary Love of Gary Love Photography shows an art festival-goer how the various places the light hits the shell-covered beach give the up-close image depth. He was one of several new artists featured at the Feb. 21-22 art festival on Longboat Key.
  • March 26, 2026
Art show upcoming this weekend
2
The Sarasota Ballet will perform George Balanchine's "Stars and Stripes" in its "Life and Liberty" program March 27-28.
  • March 25, 2026
Sarasota Ballet stages star-spangled extravaganza for America's 250th birthday
3
Co-owner Chris Carter works with a barista behind the counter of the second location of Sips, which opened at 3172 Gulf of Mexico Drive this month.
  • March 25, 2026
Second Sips debuts on Longboat Key
4
Speaks Clam Bar, pictured after its 2018 opening, closed on St. Armands Key earlier this month.
  • March 24, 2026
Speaks Clam Bar shutters St. Armands location
5
"A Beautiful Noise," a musical that tells the story of Neil Diamond's life through therapy sessions, comes to the Van Wezel from March 31 to April 4.
  • March 24, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for March 26-April 2

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