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Arts + Culture

"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
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
Artist Maria A. Guzmรกn Capron beside one of her large-scale textile works featured in โ€œMaria A. Guzmรกn Capron: Penumbra,โ€ 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 Sarasotaโ€™s creative pulse.

  • Arts + Culture
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
When he's not painting, artist Tom Stephens makes fishing rods.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • March 23, 2026
Sarasota artist lives the life aquatic

Sarasota artist and fishing rod craftsman Tom Stephens plugs into the currents of life.

  • Arts + Culture
Zachary Keller and Helen Krushinski star in "Water for Elephants," which comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Feb. 12-14, 2027.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • March 19, 2026
'Water for Elephants,' 'Six' and 'Hell's Kitchen' lead Van Wezel's 2026-27 lineup

Ten Broadway shows are making their way to Sarasota's Purple Palace.

  • Arts + Culture
Artist Alissa Silvers created the poster to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Art Center Sarasota.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • March 18, 2026
Arts Center Sarasota turns 100 and brings back its Beaux Arts Ball to celebrate

The gallery and education center has served as a magnet for artists of all ages and abilities for a century.

  • Arts + Culture
Former Boston Symphony Orchestra Ann Hobson Pilot plays the harp during Sarasota Contemporary Dance Company's tango-inspired program, "SCD + Piazzolla."
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • March 17, 2026
Put these two Sarasota dance companies on your radar

Sarasota Contemporary Dance is celebrating its 20th season while Azara Ballet is finishing its third.

  • Arts + Culture
Sarasota Jazz Festival Music Director Terell Stafford performs.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • March 11, 2026
Sarasota Jazz Club wants a building of its own

As the curtain goes up on the 2026 Sarasota Jazz Festival, the jazz club is planning for a permanent venue for all its events.

  • Arts + Culture
The cast of Urbanite Theatre's "The Apiary" includes (clockwise from left), Christina Mei Chen, Terri Weagant, Dekyi Ronge and Ariel Blue.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • March 11, 2026
Urbanite Theatre's 'The Apiary' asks the question, 'To bee or not to bee'

Director Summer Dawn Wallace talks about staging a dark, futuristic comedy without getting stung.

  • Arts + Culture
Francesca Ferrari stars in Florida Studio Theatre's "An Evening With Janis Joplin," directed by Ben Liebert.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • March 10, 2026
Florida Studio Theatre takes another piece of Janis Joplin's heart

Director Ben Liebert talks about his efforts to transcend the jukebox musical mold in "A Night with Janis Joplin."

  • Arts + Culture
Asolo Repertory Theatre Producing Artistic Director Peter Rothstein.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • March 10, 2026
Asolo Rep to premiere a circus musical in its 2026-27 season

"The Day the Circus Came to Town" will be one of five mainstage shows in "The Greatest Season on Earth."

  • Arts + Culture
The cast of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's "How I Got Over" raise their hands in praise.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • March 9, 2026
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe sings a hymn of gratitude

Nate Jacobs' theater company educates and inspires with "How I Got Over: A Gospel Revue."

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • March 4, 2026
One-hit wonders get a second life at Florida Studio Theatre

FST's cabaret show celebrates the most famous musicians you've never heard of.

  • Arts + Culture
Scott Osborne is president of Through Women's Eyes, which is presenting the 27th annual Reel Equals Film Festival.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • March 3, 2026
Motherhood gets a starring role at the 2026 Reel Equals Film Festival

The fest was previously known as Through Women's Eyes.

  • Arts + Culture
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1
Man falls for electronic payments scam of $6,000
  • April 1, 2026
Man falls for electronic payments scam of $6,000
2
Garden Club President Melanie Dale helps lead efforts to beautify and support the Longboat Key community. Butterflies visit flowering plants cultivated to support pollinators, reflecting the club's focus on sustainable, Florida-friendly landscapes.
  • April 1, 2026
Longboat Garden Club's efforts help beautify and nurture a community
3
Harry's Continental Kitchens has been a local favorite for decades.
  • April 1, 2026
A staple of Longboat Key for over 40 years, Harry's Continental Kitchens keeps it fresh
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The home at 590 Birdie Lane sold for $5.5 million. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,297 square feet of living area.
  • April 1, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 16-20 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key
5
"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.
  • April 1, 2026
The 2026 Sarasota Film Festival takes flight

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