Hop into the holidays with the new holiday show Candyland, from the Circus Arts Conservatory’s Sailor Circus Academy. This year’s iteration of the Academy’s annual holiday show–which features some of the best and brightest members of the program aged 8-18–takes after the iconic board game Candy Land. The show will mimic the path of the board game: four ring masters will “play” the game, drawing cards and taking the audience through the various kingdoms of Candy Land in search of the lost King Kandy.

“The show features a number of wonderful circus acts from acrobatics and the trampoline wall to the lyra, juggling and of course the flying trapeze,” says Ryan Weston, the Head of Acrobatics and Program Development at the Sailor Circus Academy. “It’s super bright, super colorful and super fun as we travel through the different lands of Candy Land. The lighting, costuming and set pieces are all pretty grand, which is going to make for a really fun experience.”

Perhaps the most intriguing thing about the holiday show is that while the performers may look like professionals under the big top, they’re not. They’re children. For many of the performers, Candyland is the culmination of years of training. “Circus is not something that you can just throw together. You have to be preparing for years and years and these kids, some of which are seniors in high school, have been preparing for this since they were really young,” says Weston. “We take kids here at the circus as young as six and then they graduate when they’re 18. Some of these kids have spent the majority of their lives training for this moment. It takes years and years to perfect the skills and gain the strength and flexibility necessary to perform some of the feats they’ll be doing in Candyland.

December 17 through 31, 941-355-9805, Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota. 

Pictured: Students from the Red Troupe of the Circus Arts Conservatory's Sailor Circus Academy will present its new holiday show, Candyland. Photo courtesy of CAC.

When hometown hero and international superstar Nik Wallenda and the Circus Arts Conservatory (CAC) announced their intention to bring an extraordinary holiday circus spectacle to the UTC area, the hope was that the community would respond. Their holiday wish has been granted: due to popular demand, the run of the show has been extended through January 7, 2024. Previously scheduled for 45 performances from November 18 through December 31, an additional seven opportunities to see “A Brave New Wonderland” have been added in the New Year. “Wonderland” offers a blend of thrilling circus acts, mesmerizing aerial performances, and uplifting holiday storytelling, curated and produced under the creative eye of the “King of the High Wire” Wallenda himself, along with his world record-holding wife, Erendira Wallenda. “Wonderland” takes audiences on a heartwarming and visually stunning journey that brings together the enchantment of the winter holidays and their unique traditions. Through breathtaking performances by artists from diverse backgrounds, captivating narratives, and the shared spirit of Wallenda’s personal tagline, “Never Give Up!” "Wonderland" seeks to plant a seed of unity in the hearts of its audience. It's a show where the magic of the season is not just about traditions and celebrations but also about embracing our differences and finding strength in diversity. “While we were fairly confident that ‘Wonderland’ would enjoy a successful run, the response from the community has exceeded all of our expectations,” said CAC Executive Vice President/COO Jennifer Mitchell. “We are grateful to all who supported our collaborative vision and goal to create a world-class holiday experience that we expect will become a Southwest Florida family holiday tradition for years to come.” The acts audiences are enjoying include: The Bone Breakers (acrobatic contortion); Ermiyas Muluken (freestanding ladder); Emma Grace (aerial pole); Lianna Ashton (hula hoops); Tatiana & Veranica Tchalabaeva (dog act); Johnny Rocket (comedy); Daniel C. Minor (character actor); and Gena Cristiani and Josuber "Junior" Neves (juggling). Closing the show will be the thrilling high wire act, starring Nik Wallenda, Erendira Wallenda, Blake Wallenda, Alec Bryant and Daniela Prieto. The additional shows will take place Wednesday through Sunday, January 3-7, at 2 p.m., with evening shows on Wednesday, January 3 and Saturday, January 6 at 6 p.m. Ticket prices are $30-$75. Performances take place at the Holiday-Themed Big Top in the East District at UTC (195 University Town Center Dr., Sarasota). To view the “Wonderland” performance schedule and/or to purchase tickets, visit wonderlandcircus.com. 

Pictured: The dog act has been a highlight for younger audience members during the run of A Brave New Wonderland Photos by Harry Sayer.

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents two concerts in January: the multi-award winning pianist Jonathan Mamora on January 9 at the Historic Asolo Theater; and Cavatina Duo – flutist Eugenia Moliner and her husband, guitarist Denis Azabegic – on January 17 at Plantation Golf & Country Club. For tickets and more information, visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org or call (941) 306-1202. 

Pictured: ArtistSeriesConcerts Cavatina Duo.

Sarasota Orchestra launches a fresh calendar year with star-studded performances featuring pianist Sir Stephen Hough, marimba player Ji Su Jung, and an A-list cast of Broadway’s best. The Great Escapes series continues with an homage to some of music’s great arrangers, while the Chamber Soirées series highlights Schumann’s beloved Piano Quartet.  

To learn more, visit

A capsule collection of Florida Highwaymen paintings will be showcased in the Cultural Heritage Exhibit in the City Hall atrium, 1565 First Street, beginning Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. Known as Florida’s legendary Black landscape artists, the Florida Highwaymen emerged in the 1950s in the agricultural communities of Fort Pierce and Gifford, Florida. The group of young painters, which grew to include 25 men and one woman, became known as The Highwaymen. They were prolific painters who sold their artwork from the trunks of their cars during the post-World War II boom because they were unable to exhibit through traditional means due to racial barriers. While making ends meet, they also made a significant contribution to the genre of Florida landscape painting. The 26 original Highwaymen were inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2004. The exhibit is on loan from Roger Lightle, a Highwaymen art collector and owner of  the Highwaymen Art Specialists, Inc. in Vero Beach, Florida. Since the late 1990s, Lightle has collected approximately 700 Highwaymen paintings, amassing one of the most relevant collections of the genre. The Cultural Heritage Exhibit is free and open to the public during City Hall hours, Monday–Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lectures and tours of the Florida Highwaymen exhibit will be offered twice Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024:  10 a.m. and 6 p.m.  Each session will be approximately 60 minutes with Roger Lightle leading the lectures. The City Hall Cultural Heritage Exhibit launched in November 2022 to beautify the City Hall lobby while sharing Sarasota and Florida’s rich history in arts and culture. Pieces are on a 6-month rotation. Previous exhibitors include the Arts Advocates, Circus Arts Conservatory, The Sarasota Architecture Center and the Sarasota County History Center archive. 

Art Center Sarasota’s 2023-2024 exhibition season continues with four exhibits, January 25-March 2. In “Looking for Home,” Brian Jones presents a new body of photographic work that explores the layered personality of the city of Sarasota. (Artist Talk is Thursday, February 8, 5:30-7 p.m.) In “Black Women: Music of the Heart & Soul,” Carole Lyles Shaw celebrates Black women singers, songwriters, and composers who played groundbreaking roles in the history of many music genres, from opera to country to hip-hop. The work is grounded in traditional forms of quilt-making but presented through a contemporary lens with color, pattern and content. (Artist Talk is Friday, January 5, 5:30-7 p.m.) In “Social Studies,” Christopher Skura presents a dynamic group of paintings and drawings that represent a snapshot of living in New York City throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The much-anticipated “Annual Juried Members Show” is juried by Paul Toliver and shines a light on the many talents of Art Center Sarasota members. (A juror’s critique with Toliver is Thursday, February 1, 2 p.m.) The opening reception for all four exhibits is Thursday, January 25, 6-8 p.m. All works on display are available for purchase. Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For information, visit www.artsarasota.org or call 941-365-2032. 

Before Rent, there was tick, tick…BOOM! This autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson, the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning composer of Rent, is the story of a composer and the sacrifices that he made to achieve his big break in theater. Showing at The Crossings at Siesta Key (3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34239) this musical contains 14 songs, and ten characters. tick, tick…BOOM! takes you on the playwright/composer’s journey that led to a Broadway blockbuster. An intimate, autobiographical pop/rock musical that tells the story of Jon, a struggling composer whose life seems to be going nowhere. About to turn 30 and still waiting tables for a living, Jon is desperately scared that he may never “make it” on Broadway. The pressure to break out or give up only grows as Jon’s girlfriend, Susan, announces that she wants to get married and move out of the city, and his best friend, Michael, quits acting and finds huge financial success as a Madison Avenue corporate executive. Jon’s new musical Superbia has a great workshop but no prospects, and as time ticks by Jon wonders if maybe his friends are right, and it’s time to throw in the towel. Warnings: Adult language/Content

Jan. 10 – Preview, Jan 11-13, 17-20, 24-27 at 7:30pm, Jan. 14, 21, 28, 2024 at 2pm. 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130, Sarasota. Please park and enter the mall by Connor’s Steak and Seafood. 

For ticket information click here

PAVING THE WAY | Three arts organizations dedicate themselves to sharing the arts with the next generation, December 2023. 

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Join us for the inspiring stories of philanthropic work by our Sarasota and Bradenton Area's nonprofit organizations as we celebrate the season of giving. Explore ways you can make an impact through the programs of 13 of this year's SRQ Giving Champions.

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The mission of SPARCC is to provide a safe haven and promote empowerment, awareness, and social change to end domestic and sexual violence. SPARCC serves survivors and children through an outreach center in downtown Sarasota, satellite offices in Venice, North Port and Arcadia and a shelter operating 365 days a year. Wraparound services also include a 24-hour crisis helpline, counseling, hospital response, court advocacy, legal services, economic empowerment, support groups, housing stability and community education. All programs and services are free and confidential. 

To read the full article, click here.