Arts & Entertainment

Things to Do

What to Do in Sarasota and Manatee Counties This Week

Summer gets an early start this weekend with live jazz, reggae, roller derby, a Pride Month kickoff concert, outdoor art, family pool parties and a few quieter ways to spend the day, from birding to handmade cards and Florida-inspired art.

05/28/2026 By Kim Doleatto

ArtsBeat

Squeaky Wheel Fringe Gives Artists a Platform to Experiment and Play

Nine new local and national shows will be presented in Squeaky Wheel's fourth festival.

05/26/2026 By Jay Handelman/ArtsBeat.org

The Heart of Art

Artists Return to Burns Square Streets

Artists and community leaders are working to “bring the heart of art to the heart of the city” through daily public painting, spontaneous performances and community connection.

05/21/2026 By Kendall Southworth

Walker Run

Sarasota School Icon Paul Rudolph’s Walker Guest House Is for Sale for $2 Million in L.A.

The original Sanibel retreat, designed by Rudolph in 1952, has resurfaced in Los Angeles, reopening memories of Rudolph's timeless design as well as a beloved replica that once stood on The Ringling Museum grounds.

05/19/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Building Excitement

A New Gift and New Look for Sarasota Orchestra's Music Center

A major investment and new design renderings move the center's future closer.

05/18/2026 By Kay Kipling

ArtsBeat

Second Arts Alliance Summit Underscores Value of the Arts to Sarasota

Engagement in the arts bolsters health, community connection and the local economy.

05/13/2026 By Carrie Seidman/ArtsBeat.org

Buy, Sell, Sarasota

Sarasota County Is Getting Its Own Monopoly Board

Sarasota is about to find out what it looks like in Monopoly form. The public is invited to send in landmark suggestions.

05/12/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Coming Attractions

The Ringling Announces Its 2026-2027 Art of Performance Lineup

Spanning Grammy-nominated vocalists, puppetry, experimental dance and contemporary circus, this year’s Art of Performance series continues the museum’s commitment to adventurous, interdisciplinary live art.

05/12/2026 By Kendall Southworth

Review

Asolo Rep's 'Marie and Rosetta' Rocks and Reveals

George Brant's play introduces us to music legend Sister Rosetta Tharpe and her protégée, Marie Knight.

05/11/2026 By Kay Kipling

ArtsBeat

Powerful 'Assassins' Closes Sarasota Players Season

The Stephen Sondheim-John Weidman musical remains a potent and topical story.

05/05/2026 By Jay Handelman/ArtsBeat.org

ArtsBeat

Ringling's 'MicroWIP@TheHat' Fosters New Work by Local Artists

The program provides rehearsal space, a stipend and a performance showcase.

05/05/2026 By Carrie Seidman/ArtsBeat.org

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.

05/04/2026 By The Editors

Where Art Comes Alive

Explore Three Local Centers Where Creative Expression and Community Go Hand in Hand

Here are three places where Sarasota’s artistic future feels vibrant and experimental.

05/01/2026 By Kendall Southworth

Miss Manners

‘Ladies of London’ Star Myka Meier Got Her Start Right Here in Sarasota

Meier, who’s been called “the picture of grace” by Vogue and “America’s Queen of Good Manners” by The Times magazine, was once Sarasota High School’s prom queen.

04/30/2026 By Kendall Southworth

ArtsBeat

Orchestra Conductor Giancarlo Guerrero Connects With the Community

Giancarlo Guerrero has brought new energy to Sarasota Orchestra as he announces programs for his second season.

04/27/2026 By Jay Handelman/ArtsBeat.org

On View

Two New Exhibitions Open at Sarasota Art Museum

One features the work of a solo artist; the other borrows extensively from local collectors.

04/23/2026 By Kay Kipling

ArtsBeat

Manatee Theater Expands With New Building

The Manatee Performing Arts Center quickly outgrew the building that opened in 2013. A new four-story structure will add more space for rehearsals and education programs.

04/20/2026 By Jay Handelman/ArtsBeat.org

Review

Asolo Rep Presents 'Fiddler on the Roof' for the First Time

And it's well worth the wait.

04/20/2026 By Kay Kipling

ArtsBeat

FSU/Asolo Conservatory Casts a Spell With ‘Midsummer Night's Dream’

Jonathan Epstein's staging is as colorful and spirited as theater critic Jay Handelman has ever seen it.

04/15/2026 By Jay Handelman/ArtsBeat.org

Just Keep Swimming

Renny Harlin and Gene Simmons Bring Their Action Flick 'Deep Water' to the Sarasota Film Festival

“I want viewers to feel the best feeling I can describe, which is when you walk out of the theater and feel like you’re a foot off the ground," Harlin says of the film, which will get a theatrical release May 1.

04/14/2026 By Kendall Southworth