The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County’s new InspireSarasota! festival will take over downtown’s Five Points Park on Saturday, Nov. 5. The festival is designed to boost public participation and “create an environment where people can feel proud of our cultural heritage,” says Arts Alliance executive director Jim Shirley. Saturday’s line-up includes mini-performances, author talks, an exhibit of student artwork, booths for art groups and more.

Leading up to the Nov. 5 festival are other InspireSarasota! events, starting Oct. 22 with a collaboration between Mote Aquarium and the Circus Arts Conservatory called “Circus by the Sea;” the Giving Hunger the Blues jazz and blues fest, Oct. 30; Key Chorale’s Sarasota Choral Festival Oct. 28 and 29; and the Arts Alliance’s own free Celebration of the Arts at the Van Wezel Oct. 24.