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Arts + Entertainment

After 15 years, Leif Bjaland conducted one of his last performances at the helm of the Sarasota Orchestra. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • June LeBell
  • December 7, 2011
Music Review: Masterworks Concert with Leif Bjaland by the Sarasota Orchestra

Watching and listening to the Sarasota Orchestra this past weekend in its Masterworks concert of music by Hindemith and Brahms under the direction of Leif Bjaland, we couldn't help thinking, 'Ah, Daddy's home.'

  • Arts + Culture
Matt King (George Clooney) and his daughter Alex (Shailene Woodley) strengthen their relationship while searching for King’s wife’s lover.
    By
  • Pam Nadon
  • December 7, 2011
Film Review: 'The Descendants'

Is George Clooney for real? Does he not continuously prove one can improve upon perfection?

  • Arts + Culture
Toasted Mango Café owners Kimberly Duffy and Sandi Wagner
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • December 7, 2011
EDIBLES: Toasty takes Tamiami Trail

You have to admit, it's an attention-getter. Not every day do you encounter what appears to be a mango wearing sunglasses enjoying a cup of java while swinging in a hammock suspended between two palm trees on an island that's a fried egg - sunny side up.

  • Arts + Culture
Janet and John Hunter with Betty Schoenbaum
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • December 7, 2011
Black Tie & Tales

Success stories; And success in the making; Sarasota choo-choo

  • Arts + Culture
The Venturas performed jazz, blues and holiday favorites during their show at Music on Main.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 2, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Music on Main

Hundreds of music lovers packed Lakewood Ranch Main Street for the monthly Music on Main concert Dec. 2. Sarasota mainstays The Venturas performed in front of The Fish Hole miniature golf course.

  • Arts + Culture
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 2, 2011
Top Cops of the Week

Enjoy the top Cops Corner cases featured in all Observers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
"I've made more work in the past five months than I have in the past five years," Steven Strenk says. "Working with s/ART/q has given me deadlines. I work well that way. Pressure always motivates me to work faster."
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • November 30, 2011
Steven Strenk: Professor Gadget

Artist Steven Strenk has a habit of finding materials in unlikely places. The newest member of s/ART/q explains why he loves raiding his kids' toy boxes and his friends' tool sheds.

  • Arts + Culture
Tony, Linda, Phil and Teri DeNiro
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • November 30, 2011
Scene & Heard

Sarasota cops keep drama all in the family; Art Center Sarasota has good taste in 'Material'; 'Butterfly' nets record sales at Sarasota Opera

  • Arts + Culture
Hailey Manitz, Hannah Yates, Malcolm Moniz, Veronica Gill, Molly Walter and Wyatt Kaighin.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • November 30, 2011
HIGHLIGHTS: Young songbirds, violinists rev up for 'Holiday Splendor'

Students at Phillippi Shores IB World School took a break from Peggy Conrad's music class Monday to share what they're up to - prepping for 'Holiday Splendor,' which takes place Thursday, at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

  • Arts + Culture
"He's the artist and the prop builder," says Nancy Frayer of her husband, Lee. "He can take a small picture and make it 10 feet tall. My bag is dressing it up at the end."
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • November 30, 2011
BACKSTAGE PASS: The Ditchfield elves

For 12 years, one Sarasota couple has designed and built the quaint sets and lighting that make the Ditchfield Family Singers' annual Christmas concert the feel-good show of the season.

  • Arts + Culture
Andrea Prestinario, as Eliza Doolittle, and Jeff Parker, as Henry Higgins, in the Asolo Rep’s "My Fair Lady." Photo courtesy of Annamae Bafia
    By
  • June LeBell
  • November 30, 2011
Music Review: 'My Fair Lady'

Sometimes less is more, and when Lerner and Loewe authorized a chamber version of their hit show, 'My Fair Lady,' cutting the cast of 45 to 19 and the orchestra of 27 to two pianists, they knew what they were doing.

  • Arts + Culture
Jimmy’s Sand Trap owners Bill Davis and Jimmy Galanis
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • November 30, 2011
EDIBLES: Comfort food with a New York accent

You've seen a menu like this before, most likely in Manhattan, N.Y., or the outer boroughs, or perhaps on the east coast of Florida.

  • Arts + Culture
Front: Sumaya Ayad, Josie LeBlanc and Camryn Cohen Back: John LeBlanc, Jake LeBlanc, Susan Buck, Jennifer LeBlanc and Jim Buck
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • November 30, 2011
Black Tie & Tales

A party within a party; Start early for this walk; Thanks given

  • Arts + Culture
Author Michelle Phillips. File photo.
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • November 28, 2011
Scene & Heard

'Beauty Blueprint' soars on Amazon; FST prepares for a $5.6 million makeover; Teen actress vies for spot on TV's 'Glee'; Finally, Sarasota Opera finds its 'Nemo'

  • Arts + Culture
Read some of our favorite Cops Corner entries from this week.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 25, 2011
Top Cops of the Week

Enjoy the top Cops Corner cases featured in all Observers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
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Latest in Arts + Entertainment

1
Paul Nicholas and David Cantor star in "A Tailor Near Me" at Florida Studio Theatre through Feb. 15.
  • December 18, 2025
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2
Justin Gomlak helps bring big city glamour to the Sarasota stage in "A Very Broadway Christmas," which plays Monday, Dec. 22, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
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The Van Wezel wants you to have 'A Very Broadway Christmas'
3
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4
Trevor Stalcup and Jessica Assef star in George Balanchine's "Mozartiana," in Sarasota Ballet's Program Three, "Masters of Movement," which runs Dec. 19-20 at the Sarasota Opera.
  • December 16, 2025
Sarasota Ballet taps a Balanchine disciple to stage his final major work
5
Tree Fort Productions takes a recovery road trip, one classic car at a time
  • December 15, 2025
Tree Fort Productions takes a recovery road trip, one classic car at a time

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