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Arts + Entertainment

"Aladdin" will be making its Sarasota premiere as part of the new season at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • August 28, 2022
Big acts, Broadway plays highlight new Van Wezel season

The biggest stars of Broadway, the comedy world and popular music will converge on Sarasota this season at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

  • Arts + Culture
Jesse Clark's "Everglow" compositions burst to life with pastels and floral imagery. (Photo courtesy of Jesse Clark)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • August 27, 2022
Ringling student photo exhibit puts Black beauty front and center

Jesse Clark was distressed by the way media portrays Black subjects. So he created art of his own.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 25, 2022
Candy shop moves in next door to Kilwins on St. Armands Circle

River Street Sweets Savannah's Candy Kitchen, which just opened on the Circle, is the largest praline manufacturer in the country.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Guests at Hugo II can choose between indoor and outdoor seating. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 25, 2022
New restaurants on Longboat Key focus on fresh ingredients

Hugo II has been serving guests since April. LaVilla Mexican Restaurant will open its doors on Saturday.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Jeffery Kin's Living Arts Festival will debut in and around Sarasota in November.
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • August 24, 2022
Local theater professional to create new arts festival in Sarasota

Jeffery Kin spent 15 years building drama at The Players Centre, and now he's hoping to build a bigger stage for all of Sarasota's arts organizations.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • August 23, 2022
The best things to do around Sarasota for Aug. 25-31

The art museums and galleries take a starring role in Sarasota's summer months, but there's also live music and comedy on the itinerary.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Kansas City's Jennifer Imre-Justus and her sister Allison Imre, of Lakewood Ranch, hope to inspire others to support the American Cancer Society. Both sisters are cancer survivors. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 22, 2022
Lakewood Ranch woman to share family cancer survival at Making Strides kickoff

Allison Imre will talk about her and her sister's cancer survival stories Aug. 25 to promote the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Hannah Lipsey of Punta Gorda throws knives and axes at the 2021 Sarasota Medieval Fair.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 21, 2022
The best things to do in and around Lakewood Ranch this fall

September, October and November are busy months in Lakewood Ranch. Check out a calendar of the can't-miss events.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
The Captain's Platter, which consists of lobster tail, snapper and scallops, is one of Walt's Fish Market's most popular dishes. (Photo by Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • August 20, 2022
Walt's Fish Market plates fresh catch with meal fit for a captain

This fish market has been a Sarasota institution for decades, and if you ask fourth-generation owner Brett Wallin, it's because of the dedication to serving fresh food.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
OBSERVED: Jazz legend Ron Carter to perform in Oakland
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • August 18, 2022
OBSERVED: Jazz legend Ron Carter to perform in Oakland

The Guinness world record-holder as the most recorded jazz upright bassist in history is coming to West Orange. And it’s all through Joseph McMullen’s amazing HAPCO Music Foundation.

Joe Miller says he’s always felt he had an obligation to pass the music on. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • August 18, 2022
Joe Miller didn’t just create the band. He leads it, too.

Joe Miller, the founder of the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble, inherited his father’s love for music — and for passing it on.

  • Arts + Culture
Elling Eide's former Sarasota estate has become a leading regional research library and capitol of Chinese studies. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Gamma)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • August 17, 2022
Elling Eide Center brings a unique focus on Chinese culture

It's more than 7,000 miles away from Beijing, but because of the passions of its former resident, a Sarasota research library and nature preserve has become a leader of China studies.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • August 16, 2022
The best things to do around Sarasota for Aug. 18-24

There's entertainment for all audiences in Sarasota this week, starting with art galleries and exhibits and winding through theater, concerts and classic movies at the cinema.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 14, 2022
Sofia's opens as Mediterranean-themed restaurant in Lakewood Ranch

Invitation-only event Aug. 13 preps Chef Angelo DiFiore's business for Aug. 16 opening to general public.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Kids perform in a Players Kids performance of "Oops Upon a Time" in May. (Photo courtesy of Brenna Wickstrom)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • August 14, 2022
The Players invites public to Back to Studio Bash

The Players Studio casts a wide and expansive net in the theater community, and it's looking forward to another fall season of education and enrichment.

  • 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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