SRQ DAILY Nov 5, 2024
Tuesday Dining and Food Edition
"The thought of not reopening was never an option. We knew we could get there."
Since 1959, Columbia Restaurant has stood as a beloved landmark in St. Armands Circle, drawing in locals and visitors alike with its timeless Spanish-Cuban flavors and grand, old-word charm. With its century-old recipes and storied family legacy, Columbia is as much a part of the Sarasota landscape as the sand and the sea. But like many other local businesses, that legacy was at risk of being swept away by back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton.
“Being on St. Armands Circle, we’re used to a certain degree of flooding, but only inches,” says Andrea Gonzmart Williams. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence for our family that we took on three to four feet of water in the restaurant.”
Gonzmart Williams is the great-great granddaughter of Casimiro Hernandez Sr. who founded the original Columbia restaurant in Ybor City in 1905. Along with other family members, she serves as a caretaker of the Columbia Restaurant tradition. While there was a rumor that the St. Armands location might not be able to reopen after the storms, it was just that--a rumor.
“The thought of not reopening was never an option. We knew we could get there,” Gonzmart Williams says. “We work with a great family-owned construction company that’s based out of Tampa and they had their people there almost immediately starting work. It was important to us to be able to get our employees back to work.”
When it came to repairs, there was quite a bit of drywall removal that needed to be done, and the restaurant lost all of its food product. While closed, they took the opportunity to replace the flooring in one of the rooms. But the biggest loss was kitchen appliances which are expensive and can take weeks to replace. The team repaired what they could, and on Saturday, October 26th, Columbia was able to reopen in a limited capacity. Gonzmart Williams estimates that they may be fully open as early next week, and will certainly reach that benchmark before Thanksgiving.
“The Columbia Restaurant is open 365 days and we’re excited we’re going to be open for all the holidays again,” says Gonzmart Williams. “We have great Thanksgiving takeout options because we know there are still so many people in Sarasota that are struggling and rebuilding. Taking the pressure of the holidays off of them is something that we’re more than happy to do.”
Pictured: The oldest restaurant in Sarasota, Columbia Restaurant on St. Armands Circle is a legendary local landmark.
Join the Watershed Hospitality Concepts family, the The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Visit Sarasota County, Siesta Key Chamber Of Commerce & friends for a #SiestaStrong & hashtag#Supportthe941 party at Blase Martini Bar on Nov. 7. We'll have two bands, raffles, happy hours, hand-thrown Pi Pizza & FUN...and isn't a little comfort and camaraderie what we all need to show that 'WeAreOpen!' Location — Blase Cafe & 3.14 Pi
Exciting things are happening at Anna Maria Oyster Bar in November, including Seafood Boil Saturdays at Anna Maria Oyster Bar UTC, every Saturday from 12:00opm– 4:00pm, fresh Florida stone crab claws for a limited time, available now at all locations, the AMI Sunset Cocktail, a vibrant, tropical drink now available to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts, free meals to all veterans and active-duty military members on Monday, November 11, 2024, Bradenton Gulf Islands Hurricane Relief Concert: Rock ‘N’ Support on Friday, November 15, and for the first time ever, Anna Maria Oyster Bar Landside will open its doors on Thanksgiving Day, welcoming guests to a thanksgiving feast. In the true spirit of community, each staff member working on Thanksgiving volunteered enthusiastically—no one was required to work. Their generosity makes this celebration possible, allowing AMOB to serve holiday favorites with heartfelt hospitality, Thursday, November 28, 11:00am to 7:00pm, Anna Maria Oyster Bar Landside, 6906 14th St W, Bradenton.
Children aged 12 and under, along with their families, are invited to join Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources for the annual Merry Meals with Santa events.These free holiday celebrations include a meal, festive music, a toy giveaway and a special visit from Santa. Registration is required, and families can sign up for one event only by visiting the registration link.
To learn more visit https://www.sarasotacountyparks.com/
Following a series of townhalls with hospitality partners and community stakeholders, Visit Sarasota County (VSC) has announced a joint $200,000 campaign with the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (BACVB) to let visitors know that the Sarasota-Bradenton region remains a viable travel destination. The “Florida’s West Coast” campaign will launch on Friday, November 1, and run through the remainder of 2024. Custom digital content will promote hidden gems throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties to major metros including New York, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Detroit, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, among others. Once here, a Neighborhood Navigator Pass encourages visitors to check into 15 unique areas across the region, with giveaways to incentivize further exploration. Paired with the “Florida’s West Coast” campaign, VSC will lean into $500,000 in matching funds from VISIT FLORIDA to drive awareness and engagement to new custom content solely focusing on Sarasota County. These media efforts will take place through June 2025. All these efforts will complement VSC’s ongoing “Support the 941” initiative, which invites local businesses to share special deals and events on supportthe941.com. Locals are encouraged to post about their experiences on social media using #SupportThe941.
Andy Sandberg, Artistic Director and CEO of the Hermitage Artist Retreat, announced today that California-based playwright Naomi Iizuka has been selected as the fifth recipient of the Hermitage Major Theater Award (HMTA). This jury-selected prize, established by the Hermitage in 2021 with generous support from Flora Major and the Kutya Major Foundation, offers one of the largest unrestricted nonprofit theater commissions in the United States. Iizuka will receive a cash prize of $35,000, a residency at the Hermitage Artist Retreat in Florida, and a developmental workshop in a major arts capital – which for this commission is anticipated for Chicago in late 2026. Naomi Iizuka is an award-winning playwright, educator, and theater maker based in California. Her body of work includes Anon(ymous), 36 Views, Polaroid Stories, At the Vanishing Point, Language of Angels, Skin, Tattoo Girl, and more. Her plays have been produced at theaters across the country, including BAM’s Next Wave Festival, Berkeley Rep, the Goodman, Actors’ Theatre of Louisville, the Guthrie, Cornerstone, Children’s Theater Company, the Public Theater, and Campo Santo. lizuka is an alumna of New Dramatists and the recipient of a PEN/Laura Pels Award, an Alpert Award, a Whiting Award, a Stavis Award from the National Theatre Conference, a Joyce Foundation Award, and a Hodder Fellowship. She was a Berlind Playwright-in-Residence at Princeton University. Iizuka has written for “The Terror: Infamy” (AMC), “Tokyo Vice” (HBO Max), “Bosch: Legacy” (Amazon), and “The Sympathizer” (HBO Max). She is the head of the MFA Playwriting program at University of California, San Diego.
Pictured: 2024 Hermitage Major Theater Award Winner Naomi Iizuka. Photo courtesy of the Hermitage Artist Retreat.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is pleased to announce that the Community Gallery is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 season. The gallery will present 3-4 different exhibitions between April 2025 and July 2026. Applications may be submitted until Dec. 31, 2024.The Ringling Community Gallery is a free public exhibition space dedicated to displaying works of art produced by community-based, nonprofit, or student groups in the local Sarasota/Manatee area. The Community Gallery, generously funded by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, is located on the ground floor of the Center for Asian Art. All interested groups must submit a brief application that outlines their proposed exhibition and provides background information about the group. An inter-departmental group of museum staff will review the applications and make selections. Due to the setup of the Gallery, only 2-D artworks can be easily displayed in the cases. The work should not be framed. DVD or video work cannot be displayed.More information may be found at www.ringling.org/community-gallery or by emailing Caitlyn.Shanley@ringling.org. Current and Upcoming Community Gallery Exhibitions: Fall 2024 – Sumi-e Society of America Sarasota Chapter: East Asian Brush Painting, Open through December 2, Winter/Spring 2025 – South Sarasota Modern Quilt Guild, Summer 2025 – Streets of Paradise.
CreArte Latino Cultural Center is excited to announce that it has moved to a new location in Sarasota County. The new facility features enhanced amenities designed to better serve the community as a vibrant cultural center and theater. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is Monday, December 9, from 5 to 6 p.m., and is open to the public. CreArte is located at 1913 Northgate Blvd, Sarasota. Visit CrearteLatino.org or call 941-732-7191 for more information.
Tickets for the annual Lights in Bloom® are now on sale for members! Ticket sales will open to the general public on Friday, November 8, at noon. Step into a tropical winter wonderland at our Downtown Sarasota campus featuring more than two million lights, festive photo opps, activities & entertainment for the whole family to enjoy! Lights in Bloom® has proudly been ranked in USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice contest for Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in the country! Advance ticket purchase is strongly encouraged. Don’t miss out—secure your tickets today for the dates and times of your choice!
Connect with local business owners at every Thursday at Oscura. Lets Connect is a community of collaborative business professionals from the Manatee and Sarasota County areas. RSVP on Eventbrite to attend, admission is free.
The Wellen Park Night Market returns the second Thursday of each month from 6-9pm offering an evening of shopping, live music and dining under the twinkling lights of Downtown Wellen. The Night Market features independent artists and makers specializing in art, jewelry, boutique fashion, home decor, bottle art, wood designs and specialty food items set up along Wellen Park Boulevard with 50 rotating vendors. Food items included rum cakes, desserts, lemonade, barbecue and vegan fare.
Wellen Park, 19745 Wellen Pk Blvd
Since we opened in January, SRQ is getting to know us for our hand-tossed & crafted Pie's, Calzones, Sammies & Salads + our tasty beverages. Now you can join your buddies for what some call 'the most wonderful time of the year' - FOOTBALL SEASON! Drop in when you're strolling on Main to catch your team or join your buddies for Pie On Main's Game Watching parties, featuring Happy Hours from 4-7:00 Daily, plus our Special Sub of the Day and extensive selection of Domestic and craft taps. Ask your friendly barkeep about our Tuesday Karaoke or our sister restaurant, 3.14 Pi in Siesta Village. Convenient parking in our lot on First Street.
Pie on Main, 1507 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236
Cask & Ale on Main Street lifts a toast to our fabulous Jazz Brunch every Sunday from 11:00-3:00. We offer a diverse chef-prepared menu with a full spread of Brunch delectables + our rotating Chef's Special menu, Bottomless Mimosas and a wide selection of craft cocktails. And of course, sharing the good vibes of live Jazz with you from Noon-4:00!
Cask & Ale, 1548 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236
Join us at The Bishop for Gentle Yoga with Manatees! Enjoy tranquil views of the manatees being cared for in the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat while engaging in yoga poses focused on balance, flexibility, and strength. Guests will need to bring their own yoga mats. Proceeds support the rehabilitation and return of manatees to the wild. Group size is limited to 15 participants and advance registration is required. Ages 7 and up welcome!
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Fresh off their victorious performances in Artist Series Concerts’ 2024 Statewide Piano Competition, the top three prize winners present a program of extraordinary piano music. First prize winners present a program of extraordinary piano music. First prize winner Yance heng graduated from Lynn University Conservatory in Boca Raton and is pursuing a master's degree at Northwestern University, while second and third prize winners Le Phuong Pham and Quang Vo attend Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers. Don’t miss hearing the next generation of gifted young pianists.
Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236
Selby Gardens' Artist in Residence, Patti Smith, returns for a special presentation in celebration of her upcoming exhibition at our Historic Spanish Point campus. Patti Smith: A Book of Days!
Historic Spanish Point campus, 401 N Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229
Sarasota Opera will be celebrating and highlighting Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi with an intimate fine dining experience 6:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Sarasota Opera House Courtyard, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. Individual tickets are $225. Seating is limited.
Sarasota Opera, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota FL 34236
Join us for a day filled with deliciousness at the 4th Annual Grilled Cheese Festival at CoolToday Park. This family-friendly, free event offers something for everyone: Food Trucks, Live Music, Craft Beers and Fun for the Whole Family.
CoolToday Park, 18800 W Villages Pkwy, Venice, FL 34293
The Illest of Illustration annual exhibition serves as an annual pinnacle within the artistic community of Ringling College of Art and Design, organized by the student-led club of the same name. This event stands as a vibrant showcase, spotlighting the remarkable talent and creativity emerging from the college's illustration program. Through a carefully curated selection of works, it provides a platform for students to exhibit their mastery of various illustration techniques, styles, and concepts.
Galleries of Ringling College of Art and Design, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34234
Soman Chainani’s debut series, The School for Good & Evil, sold over 4 million copies, was translated into 35 languages, and became a #1 Netflix film in 80+ countries. His “Beasts & Beauty” debuted on the NYT Bestseller List and will be a Sony 3000 series. Chainani, a Harvard and Columbia graduate, has been nominated for the Waterstone Prize and received the Sun Valley Writer’s Fellowship.
Shannon Staub Library, 4675 Career Lane, North Port
The Living Arts Festival officially begins with this FREE eclectic opening night party. In the lobby of Art Ovation Hotel experience a global perspective of our incredible arts and culture offerings. Officially titled “A World of Entertainment,” the opening night party is a fusion of international and local arts. Imagine the world-class Chalk Festival on the streets below and music from Renesito, a one-man Cuban band that will set the tone for world-class entertainment at our doorstep.
Art Ovation Hotel, 1255 N Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Chef Edward Lee is a celebrity chef, author and restaurateur. His restaurants include 610 Magnolia, Nami and Succotash. He earned an Emmy nomination for his role on “The Mind of a Chef,” was a judge on “Top Chef” and wrote and hosted the documentary “Fermented.” In 2021, he was awarded the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award. He won the 2019 James Beard Award in Wring for his book “Buttermilk Graffiti.” His other books include “Smoke & Pickles,” and “Bourbon Land.”
Shannon Staub Library, 4675 Career Lane, North Port,
Wellen Park is kicking off Southwest Florida’s wine festival season with the inaugural Wellen Park Wine Festival. The ticketed outdoor event will feature 30 vintners, a wine class for those aspiring to learn more about wine, live music, light bites and plenty of opportunities for aficionados to sip, swirl, savor and shop dozens of wines. The festival, taking place along Wellen Park Boulevard and on the Great Lawn in Downtown Wellen, celebrates distinguished winemakers and the culinary talents of Wellen Park restaurateurs. The Wellen Park Wine Festival offers an exclusive Premium Experience, beginning with a gourmet wine dinner and preview tasting Friday evening, Nov. 15. This package also includes early entry to the grand tasting Saturday, Nov. 16, from 1 to 4 pm. Aimed at elevating the festival experience, an 11am Wine Tasting 101 class will introduce the essentials of wine tasting and how to pick the right wines based on smell and taste. General admission tickets are $85 for the grand tasting event on Nov. 16. The wine class, from 11 a.m. to noon in Solis Hall, is $25.
Downtown Wellen Park, 12275 Mercado Drive, Venice
Her journey was as extraordinary as her music. At eighteen, Carole King wrote number one songs for Aretha Franklin and The Drifters. At twenty-nine, she was the voice of a generation. The road along the way was full of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. It wasn’t always perfect, but it was real - and that's what made it beautiful. A smash hit on Broadway and London’s West End, this soaring and inspiring musical features two decades of King’s hits, including “You’ve Got a Friend,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and “I Feel the Earth Move.”
Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34243
In collaboration with The Key Chorale and The Circus Arts Conservatory we will celebrate the week with performances of our area arts youth on the rise! Our closing performance will highlight entertainment presented by many education wings of area arts groups like The Sarasota Ballet, Westcoast Black Theater Troupe and more. Expect an evening of up-and-coming actors, singers, dancers, musicians, and thrill-seeking circus acts all given the spotlight to express their passion for the arts.
Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota, FL 34239
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with UnidosNow and The Ringling at the third annual NocheUnidos, a collaboration between The Ringling and UnidosNow. This elegant evening, held in the magical Museum of Art Courtyard, features dining, dancing, music, and fellowship that honor the rich and dynamic cultures that have influenced our Gulf Coast community, including the African diaspora, Indigenous America, and Europe. The event kicks off with festive Puerto Rican rhythms from Bomba Yemayá and parades into the night with an upbeat Mardi Gras spirit captured by the New Orleans-based 79rs Gang. Dress in white to call in the season with elegancia as we come together to honor unity and the riches of our region.
The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
The 27th Annual Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival is a three-day event held Feb. 14-16, 2025 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds that benefits Suncoast Charities for Children. National Headline Acts include Blue Öyster Cult (Friday – Feb. 14), Grand Funk Railroad (Saturday – Feb. 15), and Creed Fisher (Sunday – Feb. 16). The Festival features continuous live music, vendors, daredevil acts, a charity motorcycle ride, bike show, a motorcycle “sound off” competition, biker games, and much more! On-site camping is also available. Admission is $15 in advance and $20 at the gate (12 and under free). Limited VIP tickets are also available. Over the past 26 years, the Festival has raised over $2.8 Million for charity.
Sarasota Fairgrounds
The 34th National Juried Exhibition showcases the best representational paintings produced across North America. With nearly 200 juried artists and many invited Master Signature artists, it serves as a showcase for both up-and-coming talent and some of the most celebrated artists working today. The exhibition does not focus on a single style or theme but instead celebrates the diversity and art produced within the representational oil painting tradition. The exhibition & opening is in conjunction with the OPA National Convention, which features numerous lectures, painting demonstrations, and social events geared to artists and collectors.
ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St West Bradenton, FL 34205
Season subscriptions and individual tickets are going on sale for Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's highly-anticipated 25th anniversary season, titled "25 Years of Black Heritage." The season features four mainstage productions - "Soul Crooners Solid Gold Edition," "Fences," "Five Guys Named Moe," and WBTT's first-ever tap dancing musical revue, "Syncopated Avenue"; holiday show is "A Motown Christmas." Visit westcoastblacktheatre.org to learn more about WBTT and to purchase tickets and subscriptions.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Make your Saturday mornings even more fun! Check out the Backyard Science program for elementary-aged learners at The Bishop’s incredible indoor Mosaic Backyard Universe. This wildly popular learning program launched last year and offers a wide range of activities, observations, and crafts that are sure to excite curiosity and ignite learning. Using unique Museum resources, hands-on activities, and thinking questions within this amazing educational space, you and your child will explore a different topic each month.
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Rebecca Renner, an author and National Geographic contributor from Daytona Beach, Fla., has written for The New York Times, The Paris Review, The Washinton Post and more. Her debut book, “Gator Country,” has been acclaimed by the New York Times, NPR, and others, and featured on best of 2023 lists by BookPage and Amazon.
Selby Library, 1331 1st St., Sarasota
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