The Ultimate Party-Planning Guide

From caterers to venues, everything you need to plan the perfect party. “This is a big play, about a lot of stuff, and the biggest challenge is to keep its integrity."

In this issue:

Arts & Entertainment

One Book

Author David Grann Discusses Killers of the Flower Moon

The best-selling nonfiction murder mystery about mass killings in the Osage Nation in the 1920s recently became a smash-hit movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Martin Scorsese. It was Sarasota County’s 2019 One Book selection.

01/02/2024 By Ilene Denton

It's A Hit!

New York Theater Writer Michael Riedel Recalls Some Unforgettable Show Biz Parties

Riedel, an author, radio host and frequent Sarasota visitor, is also the theater columnist for the New York Post.

01/25/2019 By Michael Riedel

Curious Coincidence

Florida Studio Theatre’s New Production Pairs a Character on the Autism Spectrum With an Actor Who Knows the Condition Firsthand

“This is a big play, about a lot of stuff, and the biggest challenge is to keep its integrity."

01/24/2019 By Kay Kipling

Unity Awards 2019

Mary Braxton-Joseph Taps Into the Magic of Live Theater to Spark Cross-Cultural Connections

Braxton-Joseph is sharing stories about diversity through live theater.

01/24/2019 By Kay Kipling

Pictures of Paradise

The Exotic Art of Paul Gauguin Meets the Beauty of Selby Gardens in a New Show

The pairing takes place starting this month with Gauguin: Voyage to Paradise.

01/24/2019 By Kay Kipling

Best of Sarasota

Life of the Party

How to Plan the Ultimate Party

One party can change everything.

01/25/2019 By Ilene Denton, Giulia Heyward, Cooper Levey-Baker, and Michael Riedel

Unity Awards 2019

Meet the Winners of Our 2019 Unity Awards

We’re a closer, brighter place thanks to the winners of our 2019 Unity Awards.

01/24/2019 By Susan Burns, Cooper Levey-Baker, Isaac Eger, Kay Kipling, Megan McDonald, and Ilene Denton Photography by Everett Dennison

True Romance

Love, Sarasota Style

Love blooms brightly in our seaside city.

01/24/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Eat & Drink

Restaurant Review

Rudolph's, a Hip Restaurant and Bar, Enlivens the Stylish New Sarasota Modern Hotel

The restaurant is gorgeous—and the food matches the look.

01/28/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Hosts With the Mosts

Secrets From Top Home Party Throwers

Four local hosts famous for their hospitality share the secrets to their fabulous fetes.

01/25/2019 By Giulia Heyward

The Pros Say

Top Party Planners Share Their Secrets to Great Events

From greeting hosts to dealing with dietary preferences, four party planning pros share their top tips.

01/25/2019 By Giulia Heyward

Cheers!

Today's Hot Party Drink: The Aperol Spritz

This drink has taken over cocktail menus in recent years.

01/25/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Life of the Party

14 Party Venues with Pizzazz

Our area is full of places to host your gathering.

01/25/2019 By Ilene Denton

From the Editor

From the Editor: That's Entertainment

Susan Burns on great get-togethers.

01/24/2019 By Susan Burns

Fashion & Shopping

Ready for Love

Four Little Luxuries to Splurge on This Valentine's Day

Try these four fab finds for romance.

01/24/2019 By Megan McDonald

Health & Fitness

Trendspotting

I Tried It: Celery Juice

Our digital editor jumped onboard the celery juice craze.

01/28/2019 By Megan McDonald

Home & Real Estate

Only in Sarasota

Only in Sarasota: Spencer House

This ultra-modern design has become iconic to Sarasota.

02/01/2019 Illustrations by John Pirman

On the Labyrinth Trail

Seven Sarasota Labyrinths for Meditating, Meandering and More

“They’re incredibly peaceful. When you first walk in, you realize that there is a beauty to this ancient structure.”

01/24/2019 By Giulia Heyward

News & City Life

Set the Stage

Catering Captain Tracey McCammack on How to Make a Party Stand Out

If you’ve been to a party catered by Michael’s on East in the past 25 years, you’ve met Tracey McCammack.

01/24/2019 By Ilene Denton

Looking for Love

Matchmaking Is Serious Business for Mimi Lee

Lee has been in the business of bringing together Sarasota’s singles for nearly a quarter century.

01/24/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

How We Met

Five Local Couples Share How They Met

From high school sweethearts to a drive-thru romance, these stories are sure to warm your heart.

01/24/2019 By Staff

Swipe Right

Love in the Age of Tinder

Online dating is wildly popular—and despised.

01/24/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Love Factually

Our Marriage Rates and Divorce Rates Are Falling. Why?

Fewer people are getting married today in part because fewer people are getting divorced.

01/24/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Stylin'!

Ringling College Students Rebrand an International Menswear Company

Ringling's Collaboratory began five years ago as an initiative of Ringling president Larry Thompson with support from the Patterson Foundation.

01/24/2019 By Hannah Wallace

Unity Awards 2019

Dr. April Glasco Helps People Who’ve Hit Bottom Start Over

Having found her own second chance, Glasco wanted others to have theirs, too.

01/24/2019 By Kay Kipling

Unity Awards 2019

Claudia Baeza Gives Free Yoga Classes to Those Who Need Them Most

"Years of therapy did not help me this much.”

01/24/2019 By Megan McDonald

Unity Awards

Pam Fazio Goes to Bat for Manatee County’s Special Olympics Athletes

Fazio oversees more than 300 athletes age 8 to 70, coaching bocce, bowling and swimming, and training potential new coaches across Southwest Florida.

01/24/2019 By Ilene Denton

Unity Awards 2019

Because of Hector Tejeda, Students Dare to Dream of—and Enroll in—College

Tejeda has helped 400 students enroll in college.

01/24/2019 By Isaac Eger

Unity Awards 2019

Demetrius Jifunza Helped 1.6 Million Floridians Win Back Their Right to Vote

Jifunza founded the Sarasota chapter of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, the statewide organization behind Amendment 4, a measure created to restore voting rights to most felons after they have completed their sentence.

01/24/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker