• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Black Tie

The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation held its annual gala March 6. The gala, which was followed by a performance by Idina Menzel, featured themes from her shows, including "Wicked."
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • March 8, 2026
Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation gala defies expectations with Idina Menzel

The gala, featuring themes from Menzel's roles in 'Frozen' and 'Wicked,' raised funds to benefit performing arts education programs.

  • Black Tie
Event co-Chairs are Julie Delaney and Kathy Martella
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • March 7, 2026
Joe Theismann inspires at Tidewell Foundation's Signature Luncheon

The Super Bowl Champion shared his story of perseverance with attendees at Empath's annual fundraiser.

  • Black Tie
Bill Buckingham and Laurel Stevens
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • March 7, 2026
Selby Gardens hosts Garden to Plate Wine Dinner

A multicourse meal paired with wine staged in the picturesque gardens highlighted this annual fundraiser for the organization.

  • Black Tie
Katie Porter, Francesca Ferrari, Jasmine Lawrence and Laura Frye
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • March 6, 2026
FST Shindig 'Dares to Imagine' to benefit McGillicuddy Arts Plaza

Florida Studio Theatre's annual fundraiser drew its inspiration from its spring production of "The Blue-Sky Boys," and proceeds will benefit its largest expansion to date.

  • Black Tie
Lynne Anast, Joshua Perez, event co-Chairs Dr. Gaby Lodeiro and Missi Miller
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • March 2, 2026
Senior Friendship Centers takes City of Lights Gala under the Spanish sky

The annual gala featured special performers while raising money to benefit the organization's mission of promoting wellness, connection and enrichment throughout the aging journey.

  • Black Tie
Hosting Avant-Garde for the 27th year are Larry Thompson and his wife, Pat. This year's theme is Dancing Through the Decades and the attire did not disappoint.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • March 1, 2026
Ringling College's Avant-Garde dances through the decades

Ringling College of Art and Design's annual costumed gala celebrated its 30th year and the legacy of its leader, Larry Thompson, who is retiring at the end of the school year.

  • Black Tie
Event co-Chair Melonie Favorite and Conrad Kenley
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • March 1, 2026
Asolo Repertory Theatre goes Aquarius for annual gala

Asolo hosts its annual fundraiser at Mote SEA to raise money to support the actors, musicians and artists that make its 2025-26 season possible.

  • Black Tie
Junior League President Corey Talbot and keynote speaker India White
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • February 28, 2026
Junior League welcomes hometown hero back for Legacy Luncheon

Keynote speaker and Sarasota native India White shared her inspirational story of resilience and success at the organization's annual luncheon.

  • Black Tie
Amy and Matt Brame
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • February 23, 2026
The Haven goes to Studio 54 for All Abilities on the Floor

It's the nonprofit's fourth annual fundraiser to benefit its mission of providing programs and services for adults and children with disabilities.

  • Black Tie
Event co-chair Kim Becker, Lynn Racus and Rose Huro
  • By None
  • February 22, 2026
Guests of Florida Cancer Specialists enjoy a night of art and music

The FCS Foundation celebrated artists who have survived cancer by highlighting their work at its annual gala.

  • Black Tie
Carl Mario Nudi, Sarafina Murphy-Gibson, Ivy Sunflower, Marina Elaine and Sarah Jefferies on the promenade deck.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 20, 2026
Unconventional Evening hosts 10 eras of the high school prom experience

Sarasota Art Museum celebrated all the nostalgic teen memories, from the 1920s through the 2020s, at its interactive event where attendees could 'be the art.'

  • Black Tie
Melissa Douberly, Tyson Babb, Lisa Jayne Warren-Wallace and Gina and David Warren dig the vibe of the "Get Your Groove On" theme and the cocktail hour.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 20, 2026
Cooking for Wishes serves up funk, flavor and dreams that do come true

The event raised over $1.1 million for Make-A-Wish Southern Florida's Suncoast Chapter, and granted a wish for fifth grader Keegan Hipsher to go to Switzerland.

  • Black Tie
Abbie and Rudolph Brothers
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • February 16, 2026
Gamma Xi Boule Foundation parties with a purpose

The organization's annual Valentine at the Ritz raises money to provide underserved youth in Sarasota and Manatee counties with scholarships, internships and mentoring programs.

  • Black Tie
Mette Milland and Toni Schemmel
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 16, 2026
Healthy Start Sarasota hosts Together We Bloom at Brown's Grove

The garden chic fundraising gala was the perfect Valentine's Day night out for the 225 guests in attendance.

  • Black Tie
Savannah Holds and Carl Haan
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 13, 2026
Sarasota Players Play On in their new Payne Park space

At its annual fundraiser, the community theater welcomed guests to see its new home at the Payne Park Auditorium before its transformation begins.

  • Black Tie
1 2 3 4 5 ยป
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation held its annual gala March 6. The gala, which was followed by a performance by Idina Menzel, featured themes from her shows, including "Wicked."
  • March 8, 2026
Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation gala defies expectations with Idina Menzel
2
18 of the 30 Citizens Academy graduates pose for a photo at Town Hall after being recognized by town leaders at the March 2 Town Commission meeting for completing the seven-week program.
  • March 8, 2026
Longboat Citizens Academy graduates celebrated
3
Olivier Latry takes a bow.
  • March 8, 2026
Notre-Dame organist offers concert dedicating pipe organ at SAKLC
4
Bradenton's Madison Hokanson, 5, and Jaxson Hokanson, 2, came dressed for the occasion to the Irish Celtic Festival at Greenbrook Adventure Park on March 7.
  • March 8, 2026
Irish Celtic Festival paints the park green in Lakewood Ranch
5
This map shows the potential routes considered to replace the aging metal subaqueous wastewater pipeline which connects Longboat Key's wastewater to a Manatee County treatment center across Sarasota Bay. The line in solid light green is the route that was chosen, and the solid red and purple lines show where the existing pipe is located.
  • March 8, 2026
Town to apply for loan for subaqueous project

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now