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Arts + Entertainment

Pianist and composer Michael Stephen Brown is a faculty member at the 2026 Sarasota Music Festival.
    By
  • Gayle Williams
  • June 7, 2026
The bar remains high at streamlined Sarasota Music Festival

The festival's spirit and artistic excellence remains intact despite fewer concerts, fellows and faculty artists.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Steven High is retiring as executive director of The Ringling, a position he has held since 2011.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • June 5, 2026
Steven High to retire as executive director of The Ringling

High has led the museum founded by circus magnate John Ringling and now administered by Florida State University since 2011.

  • Arts + Culture
Selby Gardens’ Selenicereus cactus blooms for one night only.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 3, 2026
Selby's 'Queen of the Night' blooms tonight only

Guests are invited to see the once-a-year event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
University Town Center is poised to welcome more than a dozen new tenants, Ikea this summer to Dick's House of Sport in 2027.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 3, 2026
13 new retailers, eateries coming to University Town Center

Restaurants and retailers are among the new businesses coming to the UTC area.

  • East County
  • Business
Collin Purcell, Katie Blackwell and Brian Ott bring back the feel-good era of folk music in "Leaving on a Jet Plane."
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • June 3, 2026
Cool off this summer with Florida Studio Theatre's cabaret shows

FST music shows provide a welcome respite from summer in the city.

  • Arts + Culture
Squeaky Wheel Fringe runs June 2-7.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 2, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for June 4-10

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Pianist and composer Michael Stephen Brown is a faculty member at the 2026 Sarasota Music Festival.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • June 1, 2026
A slimmer Sarasota Music Festival aims to be as satisfying as ever

Minus a music director, the festival has fewer concerts and fellows but more engagement between faculty and students.

  • Arts + Culture
Arts and Central, the Rosemary District restaurant opened in 2024 by father-and-son team Dan Henson Jr. and Dan Henson, is one of more than 50 restaurants participating in the 21st annual Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2026
Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week kicks off its 21st edition June 1-14

More than 60 area eateries are offering two-course lunches for $25 and three-course dinners for $45.

  • Arts + Culture
Kallista Schneiderman and Kelly Haramis rehearse for their upcoming performance of "Grease is the Word" at the Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival, which runs from June 2-7.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • May 27, 2026
Sarasota's Squeaky Wheel Fringe keeps making noise

The funky festival returns for its fourth edition from June 2-7 at the Jane B. Cook Theatre.

  • Arts + Culture
In addition to delicious brisket, Stottlemyer's offers live music daily under an open-air tiki bar.
  • By Emma Burke
  • May 26, 2026
Holy smoke! Don't let May pass you by without celebrating National Brisket Day

Gather around the table with people you care about and savor life in the slow lane.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Hermitage Fellow and Grammy Award winner Rona Siddiqui teams up with Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe performers Raleigh Moseley II and Maicy Powell for Hermitage Sunset Music on the Beach on Thursday, May 28.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 26, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for May 28-June 3

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

  • Arts + Culture
A visitor points in wonder inside Mote SEA’s expansive habitat, where sharks, rays and reef life glide through a luminous underwater world.
    By
  • Su Byron
  • May 22, 2026
Summer's hot. Here's a list of activities that don't require SPF.

Lakewood Ranch and its surroundings offer plenty of ways to step inside, cool down and make the most of the season.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ann Morrison played the titular role in the Broadway touring production of "Kimberly Akimbo" for 10 months.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • May 21, 2026
Sarasota actor Ann Morrison is forever young

The 70-year-old just wrapped a national tour playing the teenaged lead in 'Kimberly Akimbo.'

  • Arts + Culture
A colorful spread of kebabs, house-made sauces and sides showcases the restaurant’s bold, cross-cultural approach to Mediterranean cuisine.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • May 20, 2026
Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant gets its passion from surprising its customers

Florence & the Spice Boys Chef Collin Blakeman explains why Middle Eastern cuisine is the spice of life.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Andrii Padkovskyi plays the titular role in Asolo Rep's "Fiddler on the Roof," which runs through May 24.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • May 20, 2026
A Ukrainian fiddler finds his roof in Sarasota

After a musical family escaped war in Ukraine, two brothers land at Asolo Repertory Theatre.

  • Arts + Culture
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Latest in Arts + Entertainment

1
Balos Restaurant will be located on the ground floor of The Edge Sarasota in a 7,200-square-foot space.
  • August 14, 2026
Mediterranean restaurant to make Florida debut in downtown Sarasota
Sponsored Content
2
  • August 13, 2026
Siesta Classics
3
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's Sheldon Rhoden stands in front of an image of the American flag as he sings Marvin Gaye's rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner."
  • August 12, 2026
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe takes its Marvin Gaye show on the road
4
John Guerrasio and Laura Gardner star in "The Last Romance," which runs at Florida Stuudio Theatre through Aug. 16.
  • August 11, 2026
The best things to do this weekend in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat
5
Lena Cambis is the co-founder of the Sarasota Music Conservatory.
  • August 11, 2026
A music conservatory grows in Sarasota

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