A nearly native Floridian, Ilene Denton has lived in Sarasota since her senior year in high school. Besides her long journalism career, she had a 10-year stint as deputy director of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. (Ask her about some of her backstage shenanigans sometime.)

Best of Sarasota 2019

Our Editors' Picks for the Best New Restaurants, Shopping and Services in Sarasota-Manatee

We celebrate the best in dining, shopping, the arts and attractions.

04/30/2019 By Susan Burns, Cooper Levey-Baker, Megan McDonald, Kay Kipling, Ilene Denton, and Giulia Heyward

Top Sale

A Longboat Key Mansion in Regents Court Sells for $7.5 Million

The beachfront estate is the highest MLS sale on Longboat in five years.

04/30/2019 By Ilene Denton

Posy Power

Meet Floral Manager Jerry Bonvissuto—and Learn How to Arrange Flowers Like a Pro

Bradenton snowbird Bonvissuto is a volunteer in the fall and winter and a full-time floral arranger for a couple with a 35,000-square-foot, 300-acre grand estate in the spring and summer.

04/29/2019 By Ilene Denton

On the Homefront

New Models in Lakewood Ranch, the Preserve at West Villages, The Founders Club and More

Real estate industry news and notes.

04/29/2019 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 8 Things to Do: April 25-May 1

Sarasota Magazine's Best of Sarasota party, Rosanne Cash and Whoopi Goldberg at the Van Wezel and more.

04/25/2019 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 7 Things to Do: April 18-24

A mega-Easter egg hunt at Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Boz Scaggs and Alan Cumming at the Van Wezel and more.

04/18/2019 By Ilene Denton

Interior Design

Standouts From the High Point Furniture Market

We asked interior designers to scout out five faves from the mother of all furnishing fairs.

04/18/2019 By Ilene Denton

Architecture Events

Step Inside the Umbrella House and Cocoon House April 20; the “Other” Round House April 27

The tours are presented by the Sarasota Architectural Foundation.

04/18/2019 By Ilene Denton

Top Sale

A $5.1 Million Country Club Shores Home Tops 2019 Longboat Key Sales

The bayfront residence went under contract just one month after listing in January.

04/16/2019 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 9 Things to Do: April 11-17

The Sarasota Film Festival continues, a free downtown family arts fest, Second City at the Van Wezel and much more.

04/11/2019 By Ilene Denton

Ringling Inspires

The Ringling Gives 100 Million Thanks for the Completion of its $100 Million Campaign

Funds raised have transformed the museum complex.

04/08/2019 By Ilene Denton

Return to Tuscany

Home Tour: Peek Inside 'The House of Beautiful Sunsets' on Manasota Key

A timeless, elegant design for a Gulf-to-bay vacation home.

04/04/2019 By Ilene Denton

The Fourth Quarter

Photojournalist David Burnett’s Ringling Museum Exhibit Turns the Lens on Senior Athletes

Burnett has captured senior athletes in Alabama, California, New Jersey, upstate New York, at a boxing gym in Brooklyn and at the Huntsman Senior Olympics in Utah, and at the National Senior Olympics in Las Vegas, where 20,000 people competed.

04/04/2019 By Ilene Denton