Looking for a new twist on dinner and a show? Check out the Sarasota Opera Food and Wine Festival, which combines live performances with gourmet food and fine wine. This annual event will take place this year on Saturday, September 21 from 1-4pm at the Opera House downtown. The festival is a unique fusion of Sarasota’s celebrated culinary scene as well as its rich performing arts community, making it a must-attend event for foodies and opera enthusiasts alike.

The Sarasota Opera Food and Wine Festival serves as a fundraiser for the Sarasota Youth Opera, one of the nation’s top youth music training programs. Local restaurants will be serving up delectable morsels of food along with samples of wine and other libations. Featured eateries include Jack Dusty, Michael’s on East, Pier 22/Grove, Wolfie’s Delicatessen amongst many others.

"The Food and Wine Festival is one of our most popular annual events at Sarasota Opera. It’s extra special this year because we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of our Youth Opera, which is the only opera education program in the US that stages full productions each year - come see their production of The Hobbit in November!” says Lael Mohib, director of marketing at Sarasota Opera House. “It’s a tremendous amount of fun to see the opera stage transformed into a space where our community can mingle and enjoy local flavors and libations all in one place. This year, we will have 23 restaurants offering everything from fresh donuts and bundt cakes, to classic pub fare and comfort foods, to fine, novelty dishes. And of course—a robust wine list to accommodate everyone’s tastes. Come for the food and wine, but please stay for the highlight - a performance by the kiddos who have worked so hard this year as part of our Youth Opera."

While VIP tickets for this event have sold out, general tickets are still available for $75 when purchased in advance. A limited number of tickets will also be available at the door of the Opera House on Pineapple Avenue for $85. All proceeds from the event will go to support Youth Opera & Education programming. To see the full list of participating restaurants and purchase tickets, visit www.sarasotaopera.org/foodandwinefest.

Sarasota Opera House, 611 North Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, 941-328-1300, sarasotaopera.org/foodandwinefest. 

Pictured: Guests can enjoy a symphony of flavors at the Sarasota Opera Food and Wine Festival.

Taste of the Beaches is back! The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber will hold their week-long taste tour from Saturday, October 5th to Sunday, October 13th. Before the tasting fun begins on October 5th, the Chamber will be having their Taste of the Beaches Kickoff on Friday, October 4th.You can join us for the inaugural Kickoff party at 6 p.m. in Horan Park. This free event is open to the public and will feature a live music performance in collaboration with the City of St. Pete Beach's October Concert series, making it a perfect evening for locals and visitors. In addition to the live music, attendees can enjoy an exclusive silent auction featuring a variety of unique items, including everything from hotel stays and fishing charters to gift cards and bottles of wine. The event will also include a raffle, Taste of the Beaches ticket sales, and delicious food and beverages available for purchase.Taste of the Beaches is presented by Smith and Associates. For more information, please contact Robin Miller at info@tampabaybeaches.com or visit TampaBayBeaches.com/taste.  

HCA Florida Englewood Hospital will hold an in-person hiring event on Thursday, September 12, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Back Porch Brewing Co. at 3469 Precision Drive in North Venice.Registered nurses (RNs) experienced in surgery, cardiac catheterization, emergency, intensive care, medical/surgical/telemetry and progressive care, graduate RNs, respiratory therapists, cardiac catherization technicians and cardiovascular technicians II are being sought to join the Englewood Hospital team. Additionally, the hospital is now hiring RN's for the new freestanding emergency center in Wellen Park, with an expected opening date of early 2025.Register now and a recruiter will reach out about scheduling an interview time. At this event, you may have the opportunity to interview hiring managers, meet other colleagues and learn about the many benefits of joining the Englewood Hospital team. The hospital will be extending same-day offers to qualified candidates. To learn more about HCA Florida Healthcare careers, visit our hiring event page. 

To learn more, visit.

Art Center Sarasota announces that Kinsey Robb, who has served as executive director since 2021, will be stepping down to pursue a new role within the visual arts nonprofit sector. She will be based in New York City. During her tenure, Robb successfully navigated the organization through the challenges of the pandemic, while spearheading significant revitalization efforts, including building renovations and the expansion of both education and exhibition programming. To honor her contributions, Art Center Sarasota’s board of directors will host a reception on Tuesday, September 17, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event, open to the public, will celebrate her leadership and the organization's exciting future plans.  

Pictured: Kinsey Robb. Photo courtesy of Barbara Banks Photography.

To RSVP, visit

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota opens its 29th season, Talent Unveiled, on September 22 with a concert in the popular Sunday Best series presented at First Presbyterian Church. The three October concerts are from three other series, including Top Shelf Tuesdays, Lighter Fare, and the Soirée series.  

For more information click here

Discover a slice of Spain right here in Sarasota with our exciting upcoming events and daily offerings at Taste of Spain. Whether you’re passionate about Spanish cuisine or looking for a unique experience, we’ve got something special for you! Tapas Cooking Classes – Learn, Cook, and Taste! -Next Dates: Wednesday – October 16 – November 13 – December 4. Join us for a hands-on cooking class where you’ll learn the secrets of traditional Spanish tapas. Each class includes a historical overview of tapas, cooking techniques for 4 classic dishes, wine and written recipes. Reserve your spot today – limited spaces available. Cost:  $75 per person (plus tax). Flamenco Night – Dance, Dine, and Have Fun! - Next Dates: Wednesday – October 23 – December 11. Join us for a lively evening of flamenco! Start the night by learning the basics of this traditional Spanish dance, and then relax with a sit-down dinner featuring authentic paella and sangria. It’s the perfect mix of fun, culture, and delicious food—bring your friends and make it a night to remember! Reserve your spot today – limited spaces available. Cost:  $99 per person (plus tax) Daily Paella and Tapas Pick-Up - Craving authentic Spanish flavors? We offer delicious, freshly made Paellas and Tapas, available for pick-up every day. Perfect for family gatherings, a day on the boat, or any celebration, these dishes are available with just 24 hours notice for a minimum of 4 people. Our paellas are a local favorite—order yours today! Taste of Spain's Gourmet Store - Looking for authentic Spanish ingredients? Visit our store for a carefully curated selection of products directly from Spain! From Serrano ham, Manchego cheese, and Marcona almonds to our best-selling gazpacho, you can create a Spanish feast at home. Perfect for stocking up your pantry with unique flavors! Important Notice – We’re Going to Spain! Please note that we will be Closed from September 20 to October 5, for our annual visit to Spain. During this time, we’ll be visiting family and exploring new culinary inspirations to bring back to Sarasota. We can’t wait to share the new flavors and ideas with you when we return! We can’t wait to see you at our classes and events or when you stop by to shop and pick up your next paella. Contact us at 941-580-8663 or visit us at 2667 Mall Dr., Sarasota, FL. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay updated on all our news and updated. 

Soundbox Ventures is announcing its inaugural Suncoast Composer Festival (SCF). Festival events are open to the Sarasota public on October 4th, 5th, and 7th. The Suncoast Composer Festival is the latest component of Soundbox’s Suncoast Composer Fellowship Program (SCFP), established in 2022 as a private residency for early-career composers to work with world-class mentors and performers/recording artists. This year’s festival will be the Fellowship’s first public showcase after two closed sessions in September 2023 and 2024. This evolution “…reflects Soundbox’s commitment to engaging the community and deepening connections between composers, musicians, and audiences,” says Soundbox’s artistic director, Max Tan, who also performs as a member of the Sarasota Orchestra and is an alumnus of the Perlman Music Program. “Since 2007, I have felt at home in Sarasota and am always interested in developing projects that are nurtured by the rich cultural offerings in Sarasota as well as the resources it has to host artists and give them a platform to flourish.” The festival will feature a variety of classical and contemporary chamber music concerts as well as seminars held at multiple Sarasota locations, including Selby Public Library, First Congregational United Church of Christ, and a “secret” venue in South Poinsettia Park. For more details and tickets, visit SoundBoxVentures.org. 

Pictured: SCF Participants at Lido Key Beach. Photo courtesy of Soundbox Ventures.

The City of Sarasota’s public art program will be commemorating the iconic “Mermaid Fountain” (formally entitled “L’Aria della Figlia Muta”) created by artist Nancy Matthews, which has been included in the Smithsonian Institution’s collection of public art sculptures. According to Mary Davis Wallace, public art manager for the city, the event will celebrate this prestigious honor on September 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Paul N. Thorpe J. Park, 135 S. Pineapple Ave., at the intersection of Pineapple and Lemon avenues in downtown Sarasota. 

We are excited to announce that the next 10 x 10 series event will be held at the Sarasota Art Museum on Thursday, September 19th at 5:30 pm. Presentations will start at 6:00 pm.The informal and fast paced event is intended to showcase and introduce a diverse group of leaders and creative minds from our community. Three times a year, 10 speakers are invited to present 10 images of their work, interest, or inspiration. Slides advance automatically every 30 seconds with brief introductions between the speakers. The event is organized by architect Michael Halflants and painter Tim Jaeger. Admission is $15 online and at the door. Students are admitted free. The event will include a cash bar and is open to the public. Additional details and admission can be found online at 10x10. 

To learn more, visit.

The beauty of doing nothing is best enjoyed with the food the new Mangia Che e Buono Italian eatery, September 2024.

Read Here!