Arts & Entertainment

2024 Year in Review

A Look Back at Some of Our Best Stories of 2024

Editor in chief Cooper Levey-Baker selects his personal favorites.

12/19/2024 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Spared!

Local Leaders Strike Deal to Save the Colson Hotel for Good

Recently slated for demolition to make way for new townhomes, the historic hotel in the Rosemary District has officially been saved.

12/17/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Review

FST's 'The Heart Sellers' Is a New Asian-American Tale

Set in the 1970s, Lloyd Suh's two-character play both touches and amuses.

12/16/2024 By Kay Kipling

Rainbow Connection

The Limelight District's New LGBTQ+ Center Will Host a Grand Opening on Friday

Located in the Limelight District, northeast of downtown Sarasota, the center will offer a roster of services and workshops spanning mental health to gardening.

12/13/2024 By Kim Doleatto

It's Lit

Selby Gardens' Lights in Bloom Is Back

The downtown botanical garden's holiday celebration has entered its 21st year. It runs through Wednesday, Jan. 1.

12/13/2024 By Lauren Jackson

Q&A

Meet Ciera Coleman, the City of Sarasota's New Public Art Administrator

We caught up with Coleman, a Sarasota native, to learn more about her background and the future of the city's public art plan. "The arts bring and keep people here," she says.

12/12/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Sew What

South Sarasota Modern Quilt Guild Presents 'Mid-Century Modern Astro-Futurism' Exhibit at The Ringling's Community Gallery

The exhibit is inspired by the design and cultural trends of the 1950s and '60s.

12/10/2024 By Staff

Art Smart

Embracing Our Differences Announces Its 2025 Outdoor Art Exhibition Locations and Top Winners

This year's exhibit kicks off Jan. 19 in Sarasota's Bayfront Park and also returns to St. Petersburg in March.

12/09/2024 By Staff

Preview

Grand Kyiv Ballet Presents 'Snow Queen' at the Van Wezel

The performance is set to reopen the hall after flooding, and the company has its own survival story.

12/09/2024 By Kay Kipling

Forever Daredevil

Circus Legend Elvin Bale Reflects on His Groundbreaking Career

Bale, who lives in Myakka, will be inducted into the Circus Ring of Fame's class of 2025. Due to post-hurricane damage to the Circus Ring of Fame plaques, the event will take place in 2026.

12/06/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Talk to Us

The Ultimate Generation Alpha Glossary

How to be GOATed when it comes to communicating with your kid.

12/02/2024 By Lauren Jackson

Get Creative

12 Local Arts Activities Kids Will Love

Your little ones can channel their inner artists at these spots, with offerings from glass-blowing to theater to robot building.

12/02/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Young at Heart

An Action-Packed Sarasota Family Fun Guide

Get ready to feel like a kid again.

12/01/2024

Bound for Stardom

Meet Three Young Performers Making a Name for Themselves on Local Stages

Nikolina Šupe, Finley MacBeth and Kayla Hayes' stars are shining bright.

12/01/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Just for Teens

Our Favorite Go-To Activities for Teenagers

It can be difficult to find fun things to do with older kids—but we've got you covered.

12/01/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Funding Fallout

State and Local Leaders Cut Funding for Arts Organizations This Year. Will Things Be Any Better Next Time Around?

Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $32 million in funding for the arts in June due to concerns over content, and the Sarasota County nixed grants to three arts organizations a month later.

11/21/2024 By Kay Kipling

Start Spreading the News

The Best Shows, Exhibits, Talks and Performances Coming to Sarasota This Season

We’re in for another stellar arts season. Here are some of the shows and events we’re most jazzed about.

11/21/2024 By Kay Kipling

Love in the Time of Airplanes

Lee Kreindler Changed the Field of Aviation Law. In a New Book, His Wife Ruth Honors His Legacy.

Ruth Kreindler, 92, looks back on her husband’s legacy—and the groundbreaking impacts he had on the legal field.

11/20/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Heart of a Lion

Saroo Brierley Brings His Extraordinary Life Story to Sarasota for This Year's PINC

Brierley is the author of the memoir "A Long Way Home," which was adapted into an Oscar-nominated film starring Dev Patel as Brierley.

11/19/2024 By Lauren Jackson

Review

Asolo Rep's 'Beautiful—The Carole King Musical' Has Hits Aplenty

The season opener looks at the ups and downs of prolific songwriter King's life.

11/18/2024 By Kay Kipling

Sarasota Magazine