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Arts + Entertainment | Trending

These dishes have delighted Sarasota-area barrier islands for decades.
    By
  • Su Byron
  • April 2, 2026
These one-of-a-kind dishes are signatures of the keys

The plates locals return for, visitors remember and kitchens have perfected for decades.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Walkers head out on the walk in 2025.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 1, 2026
Teams prepare for April 11 Walk to Defeat ALS

Last year, the annual walk raised $92,318 in support of resources and research for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Harry's Continental Kitchens has been a local favorite for decades.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • April 1, 2026
A staple of Longboat Key for over 40 years, Harry's Continental Kitchens keeps it fresh

This Longboat Key landmark blends Old World cuisine, family tradition and a commitment to hospitality.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
"Anne Packard: An Artist's Resolve" screens at the Sarasota Film Festival on Sunday, April 12, with the artist and director Arthur Egeli in attendance.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • April 1, 2026
The 2026 Sarasota Film Festival takes flight

The fest offers premieres, parties, Q&As, celebrity sightings and even a fish fry.

  • Arts + Culture
Bravo's Pizzeria & Italian Eatery at 1995 Main St. in Sarasota has closed.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • March 31, 2026
Pizzeria closes on Main Street in Sarasota

Bravo’s Pizza & Italian Eatery has shuttered next to the Hollywood 11 movie theater.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Rachel Moulton stars in Florida Studio Theatre's time-travel tale, "Birthday Candles," which runs through May 17 at FST's Gompertz Theatre.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 31, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for April 2-8

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Michael Stephen Brown's "Carnival of the Endangered Wonders" will make its world premiere in Sarasota.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • March 31, 2026
La Musica pairs two musical carnivals for its 40th anniversary

The chamber music ensemble will perform concerts at the Opera House and Mote SEA.

  • Arts + Culture
Indigo's Amber Hanratty, who was in the building industry for 25 years, now has her own business called Dirty Sara-Soda.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 31, 2026
Dirty Sara-Soda hopes to clean up with a new beverage

The "dirty soda" mobile business is owned by Lakewood Ranch's Amber Hanratty, who saw an opening in the market.

  • East County
  • Business
The Easter Bunny offers encouragement to the families joining the egg hunt at Longboat Key Club Resort.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 31, 2026
Hop to it this Easter weekend on Longboat Key

From Easter services to egg hunts, check out these Longboat Key events happening next weekend.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Laura Frye stars in Florida Studio Theatre's "A Night With Janis Joplin," which runs through April 12.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • March 30, 2026
'A Night with Janis Joplin' is a full-tilt boogie you won't soon forget

Florida Studio Theatre celebrates the singer's soulful artistry with part-concert, part character study.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Artist Maria A. Guzmán Capron beside one of her large-scale textile works featured in “Maria A. Guzmán Capron: Penumbra,” on view at Sarasota Art Museum through Sept. 27.
    By
  • Su Byron
  • March 30, 2026
Season is still sizzling. Make sure to take in some shows before summer arrives.

Five compelling reasons to wander galleries, catch a performance and reconnect with Sarasota’s creative pulse.

  • Arts + Culture
Christina Mei Chen and Dekyi Ronge discover a novel way of increasing their bee population in Urbanite Theatre's "The Apiary."
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • March 29, 2026
With survival at stake, beekeepers face an ethical quandary in 'The Apiary'

Director Summer Dawn Wallace finds sharp satire in a near-future bee-pocalypse at Urbanite Theatre.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
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.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 26, 2026
Art show upcoming this weekend

The Longboat Key Festival of the Arts returns to the Town Center Green this weekend.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Ballet will perform George Balanchine's "Stars and Stripes" in its "Life and Liberty" program March 27-28.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • March 25, 2026
Sarasota Ballet stages star-spangled extravaganza for America's 250th birthday

"Stars and Stripes" is choreographer George Balanchine's love letter to his adopted homeland.

  • Arts + Culture
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.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 25, 2026
Second Sips debuts on Longboat Key

Build-your-own sandwiches and cozy space sets second branch apart from original.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest News

1
Jeremy Gandon tees off on the first hole of the Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club. The 29-year-old Frenchman carded six under par in the third round.
  • April 4, 2026
Race tightens in third round of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic
2
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Danielle Gladding welcomes guest speaker Longboat Police Chief Russ Mager to update members about his approach to leadership since he assumed the role last autumn at the April 2 meeting.
  • April 4, 2026
Longboat police chief talks digital security with Kiwanians
3
Lakewood Ranch's Jerry and Marilyn Schneider, who have been married for 63 years, enjoy the live music at Music on Main April 3.
  • April 4, 2026
Dancers show off their moves at Music on Main in Lakewood Ranch
4
St. Regis at Longboat Key is a gulf-facing resort and condo development on the barrier island of Longboat Key. The Unicorp-developed property opened in 2024 at the former site of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.
  • April 4, 2026
St. Regis on track to receive permanent certificate of occupancy, eyes tennis courts
5
The Fruitville Townhomes site plan to replace the vacant former Sarasota Lanes bowling center.
  • April 4, 2026
Fruitville bowling alley submits plans to redevelop into 4-story townhomes

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