Best of Sarasota
Best of Sarasota

Our annual celebration of the people, places and businesses that make Sarasota exceptional—voted on by our readers. From dining and shopping to services and experiences, this is the definitive guide to local's favorites.
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Eat & Drink

Your insider's guide to Sarasota’s food and drink scene, from standout restaurants and buzzy new openings to chefs, cocktails, and dining trends shaping the way we eat and gather.
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Sarasota Confidential

The Locals' Guide to Sarasota

Whether you’re visiting, new to town or just need a refresher on the joys of living here, explore our only-the-locals-know guide to our region.
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A curated look at how Sarasota lives, including real estate news, exceptional homes, design inspiration and the professionals redefining luxury and livability in our region.
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The Hot New Neighborhood

The Limelight District Is the Next Cool Place to Live

This gritty up-and-coming neighborhood is filled with manufacturers, secondhand stores and affordable housing. Bob Plunket takes us on a tour.
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Sarasota Confidential

The Locals' Guide to Sarasota

Whether you’re visiting, new to town or just need a refresher on the joys of living here, explore our only-the-locals-know guide to our region.
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Arts & Entertainment

A front-row seat to Sarasota’s vibrant cultural scene. We cover theater, visual arts, music, festivals and the creative forces that make our city a cultural destination.
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What to Do in Sarasota and Manatee Counties This Week

This week: Free Comic Book Day, Cinco de Mayo, the Kentucky Derby, a "bio blitz" at the Elling O. Eide Center, Jerry Seinfeld at the Van Wezel and more.
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Travel & Outdoors

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The Locals' Guide to Sarasota

Whether you’re visiting, new to town or just need a refresher on the joys of living here, explore our only-the-locals-know guide to our region.
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Retail

Independent Holiday Craft Fair Returns for Year 12

Atomic Holiday Bazaar features more than 200 independent vendors selling clothing, jewelry, furniture, prepared food and more.

12/05/2017 By staff

Tourism

Workshops for Next Round of Tourist Development Arts Grants Take Place Wednesday and Thursday

All potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of the sessions.

12/01/2017 By staff

What I've Learned

Karen Solem Discusses Her Long Career Working with Romance Authors

For two decades, Solem has been one of the most influential figures in the genre of romance fiction.

11/29/2017 By David Hackett

Culture

Economic Impact of the Arts the Topic at Oct. 25 Luncheon

Johnette Isham and Jim Shirley will discuss the impact of the arts, culture and creative industries on our regional economy.

10/19/2017 By staff

Planning

Grant to Help Nonprofit Plan Art and Events for Bradenton Riverwalk Expansion

The City of Bradenton recently began moving forward on an eastward expansion of the Bradenton Riverwalk.

10/11/2017 By staff

The arts

Sarasota Theater Selects New Marketing, Communications Director

Sarasota's Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe recently hired John Secor as its marketing and communications director.

10/09/2017 By staff

The arts

New Workshops Created to Help Artists Develop Business Skills

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County is hosting a series of four workshops designed to help artists build business and administrative skills.

09/01/2017 By staff

The arts

North Port Author Wins Silver Medal

Rena Koontz recently won an award from the Florida Authors & Publishers Association for her novel Broken Justice, Blind Love.

08/10/2017 By staff

Entertainment

MTV Reality Show Set on Siesta Key Debuts

MTV's new 'summer soap docuseries' Siesta Key, which was filmed in and around Sarasota, debuts at 10 p.m. Monday, July 31.

07/28/2017 By staff

New hires

Ringling Museum Selects New Asian Art Curator

Rhiannon Paget will oversee Asian art exhibitions and collections, including publications, collection development and research.

07/28/2017 By staff

The Arts

Theater Director to Take on New 'At Large' Role

Florida Studio Theatre associate director Kate Alexander is resigning from the theater's board of trustees and stepping away from day-to-day operations in order to take on a role as associate director at large.

07/21/2017 By staff

Money for the Arts

The Woman's Exchange: Grants, and Good News

The longtime nonprofit organization awarded $250,000 to arts groups and students--and made plans for its expansion.

06/02/2017 By Kay Kipling

Education

Nonprofit Launches New Science, Arts and Technology Summer Camps

Manatee County's Take Stock in Children recently launched a new business entity to provide learning experiences for local youth.

05/11/2017 By staff

Entertainment

Film Festival Unveils Promotional Artwork

The Sarasota Film Festival on Thursday released new promotional artwork for the 2017 festival, which takes place March 31-April 9.

02/10/2017 By staff

And...We're Rolling

Behind the Scenes of 50 Words, a New All-Local Short Film

Spending a day on-set with the creators of a new Sarasota-based short film.

12/07/2016 By Riley Board Photography by Jamie Lee Butram

Design Stars

Meet the Husband-and-Wife Team Behind Loftipop

A local couple is making a name for themselves online thanks to their rapidly growing Etsy shop.

11/11/2016 By Lana Allen Photography by Loftipop

Cultural Kiddos

How to Raise Kids Who Love the Arts

Cultivating a passion for arts and culture is easy in our region.

10/27/2016 By Abby Weingarten

Season Preview

24 Shows You Must See This Season

Our top 24 picks (in no particular order) in drama, dance, musicals, opera, art—and more

10/27/2016 By Kay Kipling

Construction

Theater Breaks Ground on Rosemary District Townhouse Project

Florida Studio Theatre officially broke ground on its Kretzmer Artist Housing Project this Wednesday.

10/27/2016 Research by staff

New hires

Venice Symphony Names New Executive Director

The Board of Directors of The Venice Symphony appointed Christine Kasten as the symphony's executive director on Sept. 1.

09/21/2016 Research by staff

At Sarasota Magazine, we celebrate Sarasota’s vibrant culture, rich history, and bright future with award-winning, high-quality content that captures the spirit of our community.

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