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Arts + Entertainment

Katherine Michelle Tanner stars in "The Amish Project," which runs through Feb. 11 at Tree Fort Productions in The Crossings at Siesta Key.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 21, 2024
'The Amish Project' explores the power of forgiveness

Katherine Michelle Tanner stars in a one-woman play at Tree Fort Productions.

  • Arts + Culture
Livy Scanlon stars in "Judith."
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 20, 2024
Urbanite Theatre's 'Judith' is a Shakespearean shapeshifter

The play's star, Livy Scanlon, changes voices, accents and posture in the blink of an eye.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Co-owner Adam Myara serves up a smashburger to the wait staff in the Ed's Tavern kitchen. The new Ed's Tavern had a soft opening for its second Lakewood Ranch location on Friday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 19, 2024
Ed's Tavern opens its second Lakewood Ranch restaurant

The new building on Upper Manatee River Road hosted a soft opening on Friday before it opened to the public on Saturday.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Brielle Rivera Headrington, Mark Benninghofen, David Breitbarth, Andrew Long and Curtis Bannister star in Asolo Repertory Theatre's production of "Inherit the Wind," directed by Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Peter Rothstein.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 17, 2024
Asolo Rep revives American classic 'Inherit the Wind'

Director Peter Rothstein takes an evolutionary leap with Asolo Repertory Theatre's production of courtroom drama “Inherit the Wind.”

  • Arts + Culture
"Tick, Tick...Boom!" runs through Jan. 28 at The Sarasota Players.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 16, 2024
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Jan. 18-24

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
"Colorful Conversation" by Eric Appelquist was included in the "Embracing Our Differences" art exhibit that ran from Jan. 21 to April 14 at Bayfront Park.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 15, 2024
'Embracing Our Differences' art exhibit returns to Bayfront Park

The global art show kicks off with a party featuring music and food trucks on Jan. 21.

  • Arts + Culture
One half of Judy Pfaff's SAM exhibition "Picking Up the Pieces" is a retrospective of sorts, incorporating elements from her life as an artist.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 10, 2024
Kaleidoscopic exhibit evokes Hurricane Ian and a life of upheaval

"Picking Up the Pieces," a retrospective show at Sarasota Art Museum for multimedia artist Judy Pfaff, captures resilience in its exploration of beauty amid destruction.

  • Arts + Culture
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe celebrates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in words and song at the Sarasota Opera House.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 9, 2024
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Jan. 11-17

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
"The Last Colony" by Patrick Van Eyck was the runner-up play in the 2022 Student Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 9, 2024
Ten-Minute Play Festival tackles big stories in tight narratives

Eight plays written by Florida dramatists will compete in Theatre Odyssey's 19th annual festival Jan. 11-14.

  • Arts + Culture
Ute Vela competes in the Observer Challenge held Feb. 3-5, 2023. She and her husband, Enrique, have won the tournament four times.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 9, 2024
Observer Challenge to bring weekend of island camaraderie

Longboat Key Tennis Center will host the annual tournament that's all about teamwork Jan. 19-21.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The mezzanine is designed to be used as an event space.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 9, 2024
Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi to open Lakewood Ranch restaurant Jan. 20

After years of delays, the Japanese restaurant is opening the State Road 70 location on Jan. 20.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Art by Pamela Olin
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 9, 2024
Father-daughter duo's art exhibition opens at Plymouth Harbor

Pamela and Richard Olin showcase 3D artwork on the theme of family.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Observer critic’s picks for Sarasota live theater in 2024
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 8, 2024
Observer critic’s picks for Sarasota live theater in 2024

From gut-wrenching drama to reimaginings of Shakespeare, there's something for everybody on Sarasota stages in 2024.

  • Arts + Culture
Michelangelo Pizzeria & Cucina opened in Lakewood Ranch in 2004.
    By
  • Emma Burke
  • January 7, 2024
6 historic restaurants to visit in Sarasota, Longboat and Lakewood Ranch

Start the new year off right with a visit to one of the legendary dining spots in our area.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Gil Brady, Jean Tafler and Kraig Swartz star in "Pictures From Home," playing through Feb. 18 at FST's Keating Theatre.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 4, 2024
'Pictures From Home' reveals backstory of a best-selling photo memoir

Sharr White's gripping drama at Florida Studio Theatre explores the fallout of a salesman's pursuit of the American dream.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
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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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