In the works since 2021 and making its debut November 8, the Living Arts Festival comes to Sarasota for a 10-day celebration of the arts and the many local arts organizations that give the Cultural Coast its cultural capital. Produced by Sarasota Rising and led by Executive Director Jeffery Kin, the Living Arts Festival promises parties, performances of all kinds, a Saturday festival, and ample opportunity for artists of all ages to experience the varied artistic disciplines the community has to offer—and even try their hand at a few. Participating organizations include Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Sarasota Jewish Theater, Sarasota Ballet, The Indigenous Dance Troupe and more, as well as several local schools.

“We’re highlighting what we have and celebrating who we are,” says Kin, who envisioned the Living Arts Festival as a means to champion the arts scene as a whole, while giving a helping hand especially to those organizations lacking their own venue but looking to break through to a wider audience. “We want more butts in seats and feet on streets,” Kin says. “And after Milton, it’s even more important that people know we’re open for business and that we have tickets to sell.”

The festival kicks off on November 8 with an opening party for festival sponsors at Art Ovation Hotel, where a ticketed fete from 5:30pm to 7pm features performances by Azara Ballet, Indigenous Dance Troupe and Kathryn Parks. Tickets are available for $100. At 7pm, the doors open to the greater community, for a free-to-attend opening celebration with live performances by Sarasota Jewish Theater, Diversity: Voices of Sarasota and more.

November 9 brings Rise and Shine Saturday, a 9am-5pm family-focused outdoor arts festival located on the civic greens by the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. While the multiple stages provide platforms for local dance school and performing arts schools, such as Jump Dance and Manatee School for the Arts, 14 different types of classes, including yoga, improv, and mask-making, give attendees plenty of chances to flex their own artistic muscles. And the 5X5$5 event sees area artists donating small-scale works that cost only $5, so even the kids can buy their first piece of local art.

Then, oddly enough, the festival takes a break until November 14. Kind of. “The whole point of the festival is to shine a light on the arts organizations that are here,” Kin says, so the intervening days are an opportunity for festival-goers to attend other events, such as Florida Studio Theatre’s production of Waitress or Asolo Rep’s Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. The second half of the festival includes a day exploring Venice arts groups, pop-up events around town, a one-man-show at Burns Court Cinema, and a closing performance called Sarasota Rising: A Celebration of Youth, featuring Key Chorale, Circus Arts Conservatory, and more.

“And wouldn’t it be great if that audience was full of families and kids, and they can see other kids doing magnificent things,” says Kin. “And they’ll think, ‘I would like to try that!’”

For tickets and more details, visit sarasotarising.org 

Pictured: Sarasota Rising Executive Director Jeffery Kin.

To learn more, visit.

Andy Sandberg, Artistic Director and CEO of the Hermitage Artist Retreat, announced today that Imani Uzuri, the 2022 recipient of the $35,000 Hermitage Major Theater Award (HMTA), will have a workshop presentation of her newly commissioned musical this month at New York Theatre Workshop on Monday, November 18. Imani Uzuri is an award-winning composer, vocalist, librettist, improviser, and lyricist, and the Hermitage is collaborating with NYTW to present this concert reading of Uzuri’s new musical Lighthouse of the Singing Birds to an invitation-only audience. Her original commission is coming to fruition less than two years from the date the recipient learned of her recognition. The Hermitage Major Theater Award was established in 2021 to recognize a playwright or theater artist with a substantial commission to create a new, original, and impactful piece of theater. This national, jury-selected award, established by the Hermitage with generous support from Flora Major and the Kutya Major Foundation, offers one of the largest nonprofit theater commissions in the country. Uzuri receives a cash prize of $35,000, as well as a residency at the Hermitage (Sarasota County, Florida), plus developmental and financial support for these upcoming developmental readings in New York. The prize is intended to bridge the connection between the Hermitage (Sarasota County, Florida), where the commission is born, and other leading arts and culture centers around the world, including New York, London, Chicago, and notable arts capitals where great theater is frequently developed and presented. HMTA winners are nominated and selected by a jury of recognized arts leaders in the field of theater. The 2022 Award Committee that selected Imani Uzuri includes two-time Tony Award-winning composer Jeanine Tesori, Tony Award-nominated producer, educator, artistic director Christopher Burney, and New York Theatre Workshop Artistic Director Patricia McGregor. 

For an introspective Saturday night, come to Burns Court Cinema for the new Robert Zemeckis (of Back to the Future fame) film called “Here” based on the poignant graphic novel of the same name. Zemeckis reconnects his famous Forrest Gump pairing of Tom Hanks and Robin Wright as the leads. There’s even a talk back after the film, where you can share and hear others' reactions, led by BookStore1 Bookseller Roxanne Baker.

Burns Court Cinema 506 Burns Ct, Sarasota.  

Venice Theatre's popular Concert Series is back for 2024 and 2025! The theatre will continue to present concerts at the Venice Performing Arts Center located at Venice High School at 1 Indian Ave., and the Venice Community Center at 326 Nokomis Ave. Several audience favorites return this season including political humorists Capitol Fools, Dwight Icenhower's tribute to Elvis, Alter Eagles, and Let's Hang On. First, on Nov. 11 at Venice Performing Arts Center, Venice Theatre celebrates its Diamond Anniversary Season with a stellar Neil Diamond tribute show, "Hot August Nights" starring Barrie Cunningham. The Las Vegas-based performer sings an array of Diamond's greatest hits from the '60s to the present: "Cherry Cherry," "Sweet Caroline," "Red Red Wine," "Song Sung Blue," the patriotic "Coming to America" and many more. The headliner of the season is Broadway star Norm Lewis, back by popular demand on March 16, 2025 following a well-received appearance in 2023. Patrons called his performance, "Outstanding!" Saying, "I hung on every word & note! He is truly talented, charismatic & a consummate showman!" and "The best performance Venice Theatre has ever had. It would be wonderful if Norm Lewis could come to Venice Theatre again." Venice Theatre listened, and this time is partnering with the Venice Institute for Performing Arts to bring Mr. Lewis back to Venice. New acts this year include Uptown, an NYC-based R & B group, The Astro Yachts performing all the smoothest Yacht Rock hits, and Simply Clapton, to name a few. Sixteen concerts in all are on the schedule between November and May. All tickets are available at VeniceTheatre.org or by calling the box office at 941-488-1115.  

Pictured: Las Vegas-based Barrie Cunningham is one of the world’s top Neil Diamond tribute artists. Photo courtesy of Venice Theatre.

Azara Ballet, a non-profit professional dance company, will be performing “Voices of Azara”, their debut performance of the 2024/2025 season. "Voices of Azara" is a mesmerizing contemporary ballet show featuring 4 unique works of art created by our professional company dancers. “This groundbreaking performance is a celebration of our company's unique talent and creativity, as our professional dancers step into the spotlight not only as performers but also as choreographers. In a departure from tradition, "Voices of Azara" offers a platform for our dancers to share their voices and visions through movement, showcasing the depth of their artistry and the diversity of their perspectives,” explains Kate Flowers, Co-founder Azara Ballet and Artistic Director. “Prepare to be captivated as each dancer infuses their choreography with personal stories, emotions, dreams and experiences, creating a rich tapestry of expression on stage.” The performance dates and times are November 16th at 7pm, November 17th at 2pm & 7pm, November 23rd at 7pm, and November 24th at 2pm & 7pm. The performances will be held at the Ovation Black Box Theater, 4602 E State Rd., 64 Bradenton. For more details visit AzaraBallet.org. For interviews, contact Lis Begin 727-243-6965 or Lis@BeginProductions.com 

Asolo Repertory Theatre, the largest professional theatre in Florida, announces the appointment of Terrance Jackson as Director of Education and Engagement, who began his tenure on October 14. Jackson returns to Sarasota, his hometown, from Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA. Born and raised in sunny Sarasota, Florida, Terrance Jackson knew from an early age that he wanted to tell stories. Terrance is a proud Booker High School VPA Theatre Department Alumni, and he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Acting from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. He has worked professionally as an actor at Georgia Shakespeare and Hanger Theatre, to name a few but he called Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia his theatrical home since 2013. At Barter, Terrance not only performed as an Actor but was the Director of Outreach and the Black Stories Black Voices project where he led programming such as Barter Connects, a series of post-show discussions designed to connect audiences with Barter’s plays on a deeper level and SHINE: Illuminating Black Stories, an annual event celebrating Black playwrights and Black Appalachian stories. Terrance is a past John Ringling Tower Award winner, and most recently was awarded the Distinguished 400 Award from the 400 Years of African American History Commission, recognizing members of society who've served their community through non-profit, philanthropy, public service, and volunteerism while implementing a positive influence benefiting those in an underserved population. 

Nov. 8 through 10 join The Players Studio as they present the first production of the 2024-25 season The Good Doctor. This Broadway hit, a composite of Neil Simon and Anton Chekhov, consists of a series of comic vignettes narrated by “The Writer.” The stories are droll, the portraits affectionate, the humor infectious and the fun unending. Performed by our talented teen actors, this play is energetic and hilarious. Nov. 9 at 2pm will be an understudy performance. 

For ticket information click here.

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) will transport audiences back to the 60s and 70s with 59th Street Bridge, a new cabaret celebrating the iconic hits that shaped folk-rock and transcended generations. Created by Rebecca Hopkins and Richard Hopkins, with musical arrangements by Jim Prosser, previews begin on November 20, with the show opening on November 22, 2024 and running through March 30, 2025 in FST’s Goldstein Cabaret. 59th Street Bridge is a celebration of the timeless music of that era, featuring hits like "Annie's Song," "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," and "Both Sides Now." The cast features Joe Casey, last seen in Take It to the Limit at FST; Michael Jayne Walker, last seen in Surfer Boys at FST; Brian Ott, making his FST debut; and Leah Greene, returning to FST after performing in The Nether. The production’s creative team includes Catherine Randazzo (Director), Spiff Weigand (Music Director), Andrew Gray (Scenic & Lighting Design), Chelsea Allen (Costume Design), Nicholas Christensen (Sound Design), and Nathaniel Avery (Sound and Light Board Operator). Get ready to take a trip down memory lane with 59th Street Bridge, celebrating the iconic songs that resonated through a generation, running from November 20, 2024 to March 30, 2025. Previews are November 20 and 21, with opening night on November 22, 2024. Single tickets start at $37. 59th Street Bridge is part of a three-show Cabaret subscription package, which also includes Off the Charts, a celebration of Billboard pop hits from the 50s to the 90s, and Divas: Time After Time, honoring powerful women with dynamic vocals. Subscriptions for all three Winter Cabaret shows can be purchased for as little as $59. Subscriptions and single tickets are now on sale at 941.366.9000 or FloridaStudioTheatre.org. 

Sarasota Orchestra has selected Boston-based William Rawn Associates as the design architect for our future Music Center at 5701 Fruitville Road. Why This Matters: The Music Center will bring the region its first concert hall purpose-built for acoustic music andexpand the region’s existing arts and cultural infrastructure, which is currently at capacity and unable to accommodate growing demands for musical experiences and education. More on the Design Architect: Founded in 1983, William Rawn Associates is one of the country’s foremost architectural firms. Notable arts projects in their portfolio include:
Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood, Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Linde Center for Music and Learning at Tanglewood, The Music Center at Strathmore, Sonoma State University’s Joan & Sanford I. Weill Hall. 

We’re thrilled to announce the new date for this year’s NocheUnidos –Fri, Jan 31, 2025! Join us for the Gulf Coast’s most vibrant celebration of Hispanic Heritage, hosted by The Ringling and UnidosNow. Get ready to dance the night away with BombaYemayá and 79rs Gang, enjoy delicious cuisine, and embrace the dynamic blend of cultures that have shaped our community, from the African diaspora to Indigenous America and Europe. Please note: General Admission includes entry at 7:30 PM (no reserved seating). Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Members enjoy a 10% discount on General Admission tickets! Don’t miss this unforgettable night of music, dancing, and togetherness. 

Join Hard Heart Burlesque on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 11:30am to 1pm at The Mable Bar & Grill (2831 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234) for a brand new brunch show. Producers Karma Kandlewick and Miss Marina Elaine will take the stage along with emcee Swanky Valli and kitten Shae La Fa for a floor show unlike any other. Add some glamour to your weekend, join us! Delicious food and drink will be available for purchase. Enjoy live vocals and a chance to win a few prizes. Don't forget to bring that tip money. Presented by Florida burlesque favorites Miss Marina Elaine and Karma Kandlewick, this delectable show features the tantalizing talents of Florida's most premier acts.

Nov. 9, 11:30am doors open, 12pm show starts, The Mable Bar & Grill, 2831 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 

For ticket information click here.

The City of Sarasota’s Downtown Improvement District (DID) is open for business, and is welcoming all, especially those who are still reeling from the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The DID – a dependent special district of the City of Sarasota created to improve the downtown core – has been a driving force in the economic and cultural resurgence of the city’s cultural hub. As a premier destination in the city, Downtown Sarasota has always been known for its unique charm, local businesses, and diverse attractions. With doors now open and local establishments fully operational, residents and visitors are encouraged to rediscover all that downtown has to offer. The DID emphasizes the importance of supporting local businesses during this recovery period. To help across Sarasota County, make sure to snap a photo and share it on social with the hashtag, #SupportThe941 to show your love for all things local. Every meal enjoyed, every item purchased, and every moment spent downtown contributes directly to the revitalization of the city’s core and the small business owners who define it. The city’s downtown merchants and restaurateurs understand the importance of being open for business, and the sense of normalcy it brings to the community. So, whether it’s dining at one of the many distinctive restaurants, exploring the one-of-a-kind shops, or visiting the Sarasota Farmers Market, there’s something for everyone. 

 The Auto Club Group is making travel easier by allowing residents to enroll in TSA PreCheck® at its AAA branch in Venice. Appointments are offered during the week of November 4, 2024 at AAA Venice, 1675 U.S. 41 Bypass South, Venice. Appointments are available on a first come first served basis. AAA membership is not required. Three easy steps to TSA PreCheck: 1. Apply online: Submit an online application and schedule an appointment at either the Winter Park or Heathrow AAA office. 2. Enroll in person: Visit the Winter Park or Heathrow AAA office on the select date to complete the less than 10-minute enrollment which includes capturing your fingerprints and photo for the TSA background check. Be sure to bring documentation proving your identity and citizenship status. 3. Get your Known Traveler Number (KTN): Most travelers get their KTN in three to five days. What is TSA PreCheck? TSA PreCheck was created to provide low-risk travelers with a smoother experience at the airport security passenger checkpoint. The program is open to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. The TSA PreCheck program is a great option for frequent travelers looking to save time during the airport security process. There is a $78 enrollment application fee, which covers five years of participation, if approved. VIP experience: Exclusive access to dedicated screening lanes at 200+ U.S. airports. Pack just once: No need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts, or light jackets. Families welcome: Kids 17 and under tag along with enrolled parents/guardians for free. Your time is valuable: Most TSA PreCheck passengers wait less than five minutes in line.