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Arts + Entertainment

Sarasota's Alyssa Freniere, Beate “Mama G” Goldstein and Blair Sellers are the people behind the new Mama G's location at University Town Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 13, 2026
New German bakery, coffeehouse rises at University Town Center

Mama G's opened its doors of a new Sarasota-Bradenton location on Dec. 15 under the leadership of two 26-year-old managing partners.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Asolo Rep hires new director of development
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2026
Asolo Rep hires new director of development

Juliana Han Witt was most recently chief advancement officer at Atlanta Ballet.

  • Arts + Culture
St. Petersburg's Bob Boguslaw has been in the music business for 50 years with 22 of them being an active member of the “President’s Own” United States Marine Band. He said muscle memory comes into play and it brings back an array of memories.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 12, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble to host 2026 debut concert

The concert will feature pianist Bob Boguslaw, who spent 22 years in the United States Marine Band.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Pura Vida Miami is at 4994 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 100, in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • January 9, 2026
Healthy restaurant opens second Sarasota location

Pura Vida Miami recently opened a restaurant in The Landings.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Angese Rudzite Kirillova works on "Playground" during the 2025 Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sandsculpting Festival.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 8, 2026
Mark your calendars for these Sarasota events in 2026

Whether you love collecting stamps or petting reptiles, there's something for just about everyone in Sarasota's event offerings in this coming year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Arts organizations strike up the band in 2026 for big birthdays
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 7, 2026
Arts organizations strike up the band in 2026 for big birthdays

Don't miss these arts events as three Sarasota cultural institutions celebrate their 100th anniversary and America blows out 250 candles.

  • Arts + Culture
Katie Weiss is board chair of The Sarasota Players board of trustees. Thayer Greenberg is managing artistic director of The Sarasota Players.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 7, 2026
The Sarasota Players adds new board, cuts CEO position and promotes two

The reorganization precedes the community theater's move to Payne Park later this year.

  • Arts + Culture
Blue Man Group comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Jan. 13-14.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Jan. 8-14

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
The Beatles tribute band Liverpool Legends will perform with The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota in "All You Need is Love" on Jan. 11-12.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 6, 2026
Liverpool Legends teams with The Pops Orchestra for a night of Beatlemania

The Fab Four's eras come to life in "All You Need Is Love," complete with costume changes and wigs.

  • Arts + Culture
Bartender Sam Lastinger keeps the party going at Taste and Tunes of the Keys.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 6, 2026
Save these dates in 2026 for Longboat-area events

There are plenty of opportunities to explore the local flavor in the upcoming year, whether it's through art, parades or just fun community gatherings.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Samara Siskind's "Strangers Off a Train" premiered at Theatre Odyssey's Ten-Minute Play Festival in 2025.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 5, 2026
The time is right for the Ten-Minute Play Festival

Theatre Odyssey’s annual showcase of new works by Florida playwrights returns to the Jane B. Cook Theatre.

  • Arts + Culture
A steaming plate of pasta comes up to the pass while Simone Salustri, owner of the newly reopened Nōnnō Umberto restaurant, begins work on another dish.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 5, 2026
Longstanding St. Armands Italian restaurant reopens under new name

Nōnnō Umberto, formerly operating as Le Colone, held its soft opening the first week of January under a new generation's leadership.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The rendering of the exterior of the Sarasota Orchestra Music Hall demonstrates the concept of integrating water features, landscaping and building design.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • December 31, 2025
For Sarasota arts groups, 2025 was a year of shifting sands

The arts community cleaned up after the storms, faced changing political winds and broke ground on ambitious new projects.

  • Arts + Culture
J. Paul Nicholas and David Cantor star in "A Tailor Near Me" at Florida Studio Theatre through Feb. 15.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Jan. 1-7

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Longboat Key Police Department.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 26, 2025
Show off your cars, enjoy coffee at LKPD community event

The Longboat Key Police Department invites community members out for "Cops, Cars and Coffee" after the holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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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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