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By Janet Combs
February 1, 2026

Circus Arts Gala sings through the rain

Students from the Circus Arts Conservatory wowed guests with their themed performance and received a standing ovation.

By Janet Combs
January 26, 2026

Good times uncorked at annual Forks & Corks Grand Tasting

The event, which concludes the weeklong culinary festival, featured unique bites, stellar sips and a picture-perfect day in The Ringling courtyard.

By Janet Combs
January 23, 2026

Excitement grows at Sarasota Orchestra Gala for new music center

Guests at the fundraiser could see a model of the new campus, which the orchestra hopes to break ground on in early 2027 and open for the 2029-30 season.

By Janet Combs
January 22, 2026

SAM explores glass in Fresh Perspectives Lunch

Sarasota Art Museum guests heard from international glass artists Monica Guggisberg and Philip Baldwin to discuss their 45-year partnership.

By Janet Combs
January 16, 2026

Sarasota Orchestra supporters toast Masterworks 3 program

The Sarasota Orchestra held its third Masterworks dinner in anticipation of the weekend program featuring guest conductor Peter Oundjian.

By Janet Combs
January 11, 2026

Hospital Gala guests make it a record-breaking night in raising funds for innovation

In its ninth year, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation's annual gala focused on raising money to bring new technologies to the SMH system.

By Janet Combs
January 11, 2026

Perlman residency celebrates same great program in new downtown location

In its first year using downtown venues, the Perlman Music Program Suncoast Winter Residency culminates with a successful performance and dinner.

By Janet Combs
January 2, 2026

Pineapple Drop ushers out a 'perfect square year'

Sarasota's 26th annual New Year's Eve celebration drew about 40,000 downtown to welcome in 2026 with its time-honored tradition.

By Janet Combs
December 14, 2025

Sarasota Art Museum steps into Style Moderne for annual Art Bash

The theme of the evening echoed the museum's winter exhibition, which features works from the Art Deco era.

By Janet Combs
December 11, 2025

SPARCC holiday luncheon welcomes record turnout

The annual event, which supports the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, had more than 320 guests at Michael's On East.

By Janet Combs
December 7, 2025

Florida Center for Early Childhood hosts 2nd annual Wonder Gala

The evening raises funds to help provide prevention and early intervention services to young children facing possible academic, social and economic challenges.

By Janet Combs
December 5, 2025

Sarasota Opera Guild rings in holidays at Poinsettia Luncheon

The guild raises money to support the Sarasota Opera while promoting the appreciation of opera in the community and encouraging the next generation of singers.

By Janet Combs
November 23, 2025

Boys and Girls Clubs' Champions for Children honors Baranciks' legacy

At its annual gala, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties celebrated the work of Charles and Margery Barancik.

By Janet Combs
November 21, 2025

Founders Garden Club welcomes celebrity floral designer to annual luncheon

John Grady Burns gave attendees of the club's annual Flower Talk a few tricks for creating a beautiful floral arrangement.

By Janet Combs
November 17, 2025

Brunch plays a note to raise money for Sarasota Youth Orchestra

Patrons of the Sarasota Orchestra gathered for its annual brunch to fundraise for the youth orchestra and support music education.

By Janet Combs
November 17, 2025

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe shows off its heart and soul at fall gala

Lively performances brought the night — and fundraising mission — to life at the organization's annual fall fundraising event Nov. 15.

By Janet Combs
November 15, 2025

Wine, Women & Shoes steps up in support of Forty Carrots Family Center

The annual fundraiser welcomed more than 400 partygoers to The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota Nov. 14 to raise money for parent and children services.

By Janet Combs
November 14, 2025

All Star Children's Foundation marks 5 years at Twinkle Ball

The nonprofit that helps children in foster care and the families that care for them celebrated its anniversary at its annual fundraiser.

By Janet Combs
November 13, 2025

Sarasota Art Museum lends guests some fresh perspective

For its first Fresh Perspective Lunch of the season, SAM welcomed speaker Gloria Sutton.

By Janet Combs
November 9, 2025

Sunset sparkles for SPARCC's fundraising soirée

Guests enjoyed a brilliant orange sunset over Sarasota Bay to kick off a night of fundraising, dinner and dancing.

By Janet Combs
November 2, 2025

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation rocks the roof, country style

Rock the Roof featured a country-western theme for patrons to do the two-step atop Sarasota Memorial's West Parking Garage.

By Janet Combs
October 26, 2025

Mote SEA lures guests to its new location for Oceanic Evening

The annual event served as the new aquarium's grand opening gala as well, giving many patrons their first look at the new center.

By Janet Combs
October 24, 2025

Pique Nique Sur La Baie makes its return after 5-year hiatus

The luncheon and fashion show, hosted by Florida Winefest, returned to the Van Wezel bayfront to celebrate its 42nd year.

By Janet Combs
October 24, 2025

Selby's Lunch in the Gardens welcomes Orchid Show artist

Rebecca Louise Law's work is on display as part of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' 2025 Orchid Show.

By Janet Combs
October 19, 2025

Safari Sarasota raises funds to boost education in rural South Africa

The annual dinner benefits the All Heart Fund, which partners with the Good Work Foundation to provide digital education for kids in underserved areas of the country.

By Janet Combs
October 12, 2025

The Sisterhood Project USA hosts inaugural Pearls & Prosecco Gala

The event benefits the organization, which works to empower children and teens affected by domestic violence.

By Janet Combs
October 12, 2025

Truly Valued hosts Taste of New Orleans to benefit children's and family programming

The nonprofit welcomed more than 100 guests to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for the fundraiser.

By Janet Combs
October 6, 2025

DJ R3hab amplifies third annual Wonderball

The Circus Arts Conservatory's annual party of electronic dance music attracted more than 700 guests.

By Janet Combs
October 5, 2025

Resilient Retreat luncheon teaches lessons of trauma recovery

The Pathways to Resilience event Oct. 1 welcomed several guest speakers to the lunch and learn.

By Janet Combs
May 4, 2025

Dick Vitale Gala expects to surpass $100M raised for pediatric cancer research

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the event welcomed a crowd of sports celebrities among its 1,000 attendees.

By Janet Combs
April 28, 2025

Footballer Ray Sherman gives message of inspiration at Shine On! Extravaganza

Once an NFL coach, Sherman was the keynote speaker at the gala, which is Visible Men Academy's spring fundraiser.

By Janet Combs
April 26, 2025

Bigs and Littles celebrated at Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Sun Coast Spring Soiree

The dinner featured a silent auction to raise money for the nonprofit.

By Janet Combs
April 25, 2025

Sarasota Jewish Theatre honors Nancy Roucher's legacy in the arts

The organization celebrated the longtime arts advocate at a luncheon also featuring a performance by the Michael Ross Quartet.

By Janet Combs
April 13, 2025

Mission Pawssible helps Humane Society of Sarasota County find forever homes for area animals

The entertaining and heart-warming luncheon helped raise funds to rehabilitate stray animals and connect them with new families.

By Janet Combs
April 6, 2025

Children First enchants guests with the 25th Anniversary Fairytale Ball

Gala treats supporters to a magical night with its "Magic is All Around Us" theme.

By Janet Combs
March 31, 2025

Save Our Seabirds hosts annual Extravaganza at the big top

The nonprofit raised funds to help sick and injured birds with circus-themed event and the help of Sailor Circus performers.

By Janet Combs
March 31, 2025

Safe Children Coalition honors 4 at its third annual Giving Breakfast

The event raised more than $260,000 to support live-saving programs for children in the community.

By Janet Combs
March 30, 2025

SPARCC Runway Fashion Show highlights seascape trends

About 650 attended the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center's annual luncheon and fashion show.

By Janet Combs
March 28, 2025

Sarasota Opera honors singers at Salute the Stars luncheon

The luncheon recognized the opera's apprentice and studio artists for their work during the season.

By Janet Combs
March 24, 2025

Mote's fifth annual Farm to Fillet attracts largest crowd yet

The luncheon, held outdoors at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park, welcomed more than 480 guests.

By Janet Combs
March 23, 2025

ODA welcomes supporters to campus for annual Banyan Ball

Supporters of the Out-of-Door Academy were treated to performances by students from the Circus Arts Conservatory.

By Janet Combs
March 23, 2025

SPAF shows it can-can at annual gala with 'Moulin Rouge' theme

The annual fundraiser for the performing arts center featured a performance of 'Moulin Rouge! The Musical' after dinner for attendees.

By Janet Combs
March 21, 2025

Women's Resource Center hosts Supported Scholar Luncheon

The nonprofit celebrates the scholarships it gives, including those that help with emergency funding,, mentoring and mental health programming.

By Janet Combs
March 14, 2025

‘Jersey Boys’ inspires Florida Studio Theatre's annual Shindig: Oh What a Night

FST honored Priscilla and Jack Schlegel with is prestigious Spelman Award.

By Janet Combs
March 12, 2025

Black Party celebrates second act for Urbanite Theatre

The annual fundraiser supports the work of Sarasota's black box theater.

By Janet Combs
March 11, 2025

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto celebrates 2025 Youth of the Year

The nonprofit highlighted the achievements of all of its Youth of the Year finalists at the event March 7.

By Janet Combs
March 9, 2025

Empath's Tidewell Signature Luncheon welcomes speaker Dr. B.J. Miller

The 16th annual luncheon raises money for services for Tidewell Hospice.

By Janet Combs
March 8, 2025

Planned Parenthood champions its cause for accessible health care at annual dinner

The nonprofit celebrated its mission while also unveiling a new project with Ringling College of Art and Design students.

By Janet Combs
March 7, 2025

Abilities Shining Luncheon spotlights work of Easterseals

Easterseals Southwest Florida celebrates 80 years of providing access, inclusion and hope to individuals with disabilities and their families.

By Janet Combs
March 4, 2025

New College celebrates two years of its athletics programs

The Mighty Banyan Royale event raised money to support athletic programs at the school.

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