Arts & Entertainment

Review

'Beetlejuice' Blasts Into the Van Wezel With Demonic Energy

The Broadway musical version of the well-known movie delivers chills, thrills and laughs.

04/23/2025 By Kay Kipling

Let's Dance

The Sarasota Ballet Announces 2025-2026 Season

This year's performances include three world premieres, pieces marking anniversaries and milestones and classics by Balanchine, Bintley and, of course, Ashton.

04/21/2025 By Staff

Lectures

Here's Who's Coming to Ringling College Library Association's Town Hall Next Year

The 2026 speaker series will feature Ken Burns, Laura Coates, Joel Sartore, Rob Reiner and Antony J. Blinken.

04/15/2025 By Staff

Calendar Girls

How Sarasota Artist Gil Elvgren Helped Define the Pin-Up Aesthetic

Elvgren lived and worked on Siesta Key from the 1950s until his death in 1980.

04/14/2025 By Clayton Trutor

Bach in Action

Sarasota Concert Association Announces 2025-26 Great Performers Series

It's the organization's 81st season.

04/14/2025 By Staff

Harlem Nights

The Sarasota Film Festival Honors the Creator and Star of 'Godfather of Harlem'

Show runner Chris Brancato and new cast member Rome Flynn are coming to town; we talked with them about the MGM+ show.

04/09/2025 By Kay Kipling

Hitting the High Notes

Sarasota Orchestra Shares Sneak Peek of New Music Center

Its new HQ will be located at 5701 Fruitville Road and designed by William Rawn Associates.

04/09/2025 By Staff

Keeping Time

Nada Surf Drummer Ira Elliot Maintains a Low Profile Despite His Rock Star Bona Fides

"There’s a thriving music scene here, which I had not expected," Elliott, who moved to Sarasota in 2012, says. "I feel quite at home.”

04/07/2025 By John Thomason

Review

Asolo Rep's 'Good Night, Oscar' Introduces the Talented, Troubled Oscar Levant

Doug Wright's play presents a critical moment in the life of the musician, raconteur and pianist.

04/07/2025 By Kay Kipling

Broadway, Here We Come

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Announces Its 2025-26 Broadway Season

Included are several Sarasota premieres, along with returning hits.

04/06/2025 By Kay Kipling

Tap Tap

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Pays Tribute to Tap with a Brand New Musical

The show is the brainchild of the troupe’s artistic director Nate Jacobs.

04/03/2025 By Kay Kipling

Showtime!

The Sarasota Players Announce 96th Season Lineup

From rock ballads to revolutionaries, the 2025-26 schedule brings passion, perseverance and powerhouse performances to the Crossings at Siesta Key stage.

04/02/2025 By Kim Doleatto

A Community in Concert

Gulf Coast Community Choir Marks 25 Years with a Fundraising Concert

The event on April 27 will benefit area nonprofits, as the choir always does.

04/01/2025 By Kay Kipling

Review

Florida Studio Theatre Aims for the Big Time with 'Jersey Boys'

The demanding, tune-filled show traces the journey of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons to music stardom.

03/31/2025 By Kay Kipling

Silent Bob Talks

Kevin Smith Brings Laughter to Sarasota at 'KillRoy Was Here' Film Premiere

Smith inspired a packed house at the Sarasota premiere of "KillRoy Was Here," reminding the audience that art is for anyone who's willing to take the first step.

03/27/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Future Flourish

Selby Gardens Nears Fundraising Goal for Its Next Phase (Plus a Sneak Peek of What's to Come)

Phase Two is set to bring a state-of-the-art conservatory, expanded gardens and a new learning pavilion as part of a visionary master plan.

03/25/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Review

Urbanite Theatre's 'No One Is Forgotten' Is an Intense Experience

Winter Miller's play focuses on two women detained in a cell, somewhere, indefinitely, and what it does to them.

03/24/2025 By Kay Kipling

Review

Asolo Rep's 'Dancing at Lughnasa' Is a Poignant Memory Play

Irish playwright Brian Friel's look back at his own history resonates decades later in a tender production.

03/24/2025 By Kay Kipling

Lights, Camera, Action

Marcella Hazan Documentary Will Open 2025 Sarasota Film Festival

This year's lineup also includes 37 feature films, four world premieres, 10 Florida premieres and 41 short films.

03/19/2025 By Staff

Magic M.D.

Dr. Howard Cohen Brings Close-Up Magic to Sarasota

By day, Cohen treats patients here in town. By night, as magician Howard Stevens, he conjures wonder, one sleight of hand at a time.

03/14/2025 By Kim Doleatto