Arts & Entertainment

Happy Father's Day

This Year’s Sarasota Music Festival Delivers a Special Onstage Father-Son Collaboration

Sarasota Music Festival music director Jeffrey Kahane will play a piece written for him by his son, Gabriel.

06/06/2025 By Kay Kipling

Wild Times

How a Bizarre Promotional Gimmick Changed Local Radio

“We were such idiots. What you heard on the radio? We were that dumb.”

06/02/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker

I Know You Are, But What am I?

A New Documentary Examines the Life of Paul Reubens, Creator of Pee-Wee Herman

"Pee-Wee as Himself" is now streaming on HBO Max.

05/27/2025 By Megan McDonald

Family Affair

A World Premiere Play Takes a Look at a Black Family Facing Change, Both Within and Without

“It’s about parents trying to reckon with their kids having grown into the people they are and having to really get to know each other,” says playwright Nia Akilah Robinson.

05/12/2025 By Kay Kipling

Exit Interview

As Ringling College President Larry Thompson Prepares to Retire, He Leaves a Legacy of Art and Ambition

After 26 years, Thompson reflects on transforming a modest art school into a global creative force—and what comes next.

05/08/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Memories of Marcella

An Afternoon With Marcella Hazan

Ahead of the national release of a new documentary about Hazan, writer Ruth Lando recounts an unforgettable lunch with the renowned Italian chef and longtime Longboat Key resident.

05/07/2025 By Ruth Lando

Fab Forward

The Be Fabulous Music & Arts Pride Fest Celebrates 15 Years This Weekend

All are welcome at the event on May 10 at Five Points Park in downtown Sarasota.

05/07/2025 By Kim Doleatto

The People Have Spoken

Ukrainian Artist Wins Embracing Our Differences People's Choice Award

"Every day I see people who are restoring their cities and their personal lives from the ruins and looking into the future," says artist Alena Grom. "This photograph is about that survival."

05/05/2025 By Staff

Best of Sarasota

The Best of Sarasota 2025

A record number of you cast a ballot this year. The result? A comprehensive review of everything you love about living in Sarasota.

05/01/2025

Preview

Sarasota Orchestra Announces 2025-2026 Season

It's the orchestra's first season with Giancarlo Guerrero as music director.

04/29/2025 By Staff

Review

WBTT Taps Its Way Into the World Premiere Musical 'Syncopated Avenue'

The new show pays tribute to the sometimes forgotten art of tap dancing.

04/23/2025 By Kay Kipling

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