What happens when you give a group of Florida artists a whole bunch of skateboards? You’ll have to stop by this weekend’s All Decked Out: Skateboards As Canvas event to find out.

Organized by SRQ East Art Studios (SEAS) and hosted at Calusa Brewing this Saturday, 5-8pm, the one-day exhibition from the artist collective sees nearly 50 local and regional artists debuting new works of art—all using skateboard decks as their canvas. From painting and carving to collaging and even fabric art, it’s all an homage to skate culture, says Jen Kroeger, SEAS director and member artist, as well as a testament to the boundless creativity in Sarasota’s backyard.

“Art always connects people,” Kroeger says. “And it’s amazing what these people came up with.”

If the unconventional canvas proved a challenge to participating artists, it doesn’t come through in the final result, and popsicle-stick-shaped paintings run the gamut from neon-soaked abstract landscapes to impressionistic seagulls fighting over french fries, regal peacocks that dissolve into striations of blue and even an image of Bigfoot being abducted by a UFO. Some artists added to their skateboard, like Sandra Wix, who collaged real tree bark onto her hyper-realistic portrait of two pileated woodpeckers, and Barbara Gerdeman, who affixed painted leaves that sprout from her board.

For sculptors in the show, even the shape of the board was up for grabs, with artists like Lucas Groeger carving a matching pair of skateboards to bear complementary paintings of a jackalope, and another artist crafting a shark-themed board sporting a big bite carved out of it. One of the most striking submissions, however, has to be from artist Elizabeth Goodwill, who practically transformed her board into a miniature loom and wove her fabric art directly onto the deck, leaving loose threads and uneven fringe for some skate-punk flavor.

All of these and more will be on display and for sale at Saturday’s event. The artists will also be in attendance and Calusa Brewing will be releasing two new beverages on draft: Citronius BIG and Florida Flavor.

“You can’t help but get in a good mood when you see this art,” Kroeger says. “So come out and grab a beer, get to know some local artists, meet your neighbors and have a good time.”

All Decked Out: Skateboards As Canvas hits Calusa Brewing this Saturday, November 16, from 5pm to 8pm. 

Pictured: Local artists use skateboard decks as canvases in All Decked Out.

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Sarasota's inaugural Living Arts Festival is set to conclude this weekend, wrapping up a week of celebration and community spirit. Sarasota Rising has brought people together through art, creating an unforgettable experience for all involved.

Reflecting on the success of the festival so far, Jeffery Kin, Executive Director of Sarasota Rising, shared, “The first days of the Living Arts Festival have been fantastic. It’s been such a fun week, with an incredible turnout and heartwarming energy from the community. We’re excited to come together for the closing party as we wrap up what’s been a great inaugural festival here on our Cultural Coast.”

The festival will culminate on Sunday, November 17, with the highly anticipated Sarasota Rising: A Celebration of Youth – Closing Performance. This spectacular event will showcase the next generation of artists, featuring young actors, singers, dancers, musicians and daring circus performers all taking center stage to share their passion for the arts. Local students, ranging in age and talent, will unite in a vibrant celebration of Sarasota’s artistic future.

Participating organizations include: The Venice Symphony Youth Orchestra, Sarasota Young Voices, Sarasota Contemporary Dance, Sarasota Cuban Ballet School, Rise Above Performing Arts, The Sarasota Youth Opera, Venice & Riverview High School Choirs, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, The Sarasota Ballet Studio Company and Trainees, Key Chorale and the Student Scholars, Circus Arts Conservatory, Sailor Circus, and Sarasota Music Conservatory.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children. 

Pictured: Sarasota's first-ever Living Arts Festival comes to an inspiring close this weekend with A Celebration of Youth. Photo courtesy of Living Arts Festival.

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Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is pleased to announce the extension of its opening Winter Mainstage production, Waitress, which is now held over through Sunday, January 5, 2025, in FST’s Gompertz Theatre. With Book by Jessie Nelson and Music & Lyrics by Sara Bareilles, this heartwarming musical is a treat to the senses - and audiences want seconds! Waitress is part of a four-show subscription package. With its mission to make theatre accessible to as many people as possible, subscriptions to all four Mainstage productions for as little as $79. Also included in the Winter Mainstage subscription package is the touching comedy, The Heart Sellers about life for recently immigrated Americans, the thoughtful drama, The Cancellation of Lauren Fein, about systemic cancellation, and the jukebox musical, Jersey Boys, that tells the story of the rise of one of the biggest groups in the 20th century, The Four Seasons. Subscriptions for all four Winter Mainstage shows can be purchased for as little as $79, and single tickets for Waitress range from $29-49. Visit floridastudiotheatre.org for a full performance schedule and to purchase tickets or call the Box Office at (941) 366-9000. 

Sarasota Jewish Theatre (SJT) is holding auditions for two of its 2025 productions: Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers,” which runs from March 19-30, 2025; and Joshua Harmon’s “Bad Jews,” which runs from April 30-May 11, 2025. SJT is a professional theatre and actors are paid for their work. For information about these plays and auditions, visit SarasotaJewishTheatre.org. To request an audition appointment, email headshot and resume to info@SarasotaJewishTheatre.org. For “Lost in Yonkers,” SJT is seeking two experienced male actors for major roles. The characters are brothers, ages 14 and 17. Actors’ ages are not an issue if they can appear young on the stage. Rehearsals and performances are in March. For "Bad Jews," SJT is seeking one male and one female in the age range of 20-35. The male character is warm, outgoing, and Jewish. The female character is a perky blond gentile. Rehearsals are in April and performances run to May 11. Rehearsal accommodations will be made for conflicts. Auditions are by appointment. To request an audition, email headshot and resume to info@SarasotaJewishTheatre.org. Sarasota Jewish Theatre’s season is presented at The Players Centre Studio 1130 at the Crossings at Siesta Key mall, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Jeff Baron’s “Visiting Mr. Green” will be presented January 29-February 9, and a screening of “The Catskills – The Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt” documentary film takes place on February 3. “Lost in Yonkers” by Neil Simon will be presented from March 19-30; and Joshua Harmon’s “Bad Jews,” which runs from April 30-May 11, closes the season. For more information about the auditions and plays, visit SarasotaJewishTheatre.org. To purchase tickets to the performances, visit ThePlayers.org or call 941-365-2494. 

Community members are invited to step into a dazzling holiday tradition with First Sarasota's 50th annual Singing Christmas Tree Spectacular. This year’s celebration is more magical than ever, with five unforgettable performances — featuring a 25-foot “singing Christmas tree” adorned in more than 10,000 lights — that will captivate all ages. The 100-member First Sarasota Choir and 20-member Orchestra will usher in the Christmas spirit with cherished Christmas classics and some fresh, new favorites. Attendees will also get to meet live animals — including real camels and sheep — that bring the Nativity scene to life. The church is also thrilled to welcome Broadway star, J. Mark McVey, who made his Broadway debut as Jean Valjean in "Les Misérables" and was featured in thousands of performances of the beloved show, who will add his extraordinary voice to this unforgettable event. McVey made his Broadway debut as Jean Valjean in “Les Misérables” after having won the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Actor while in Washington, D.C. The first American to perform Valjean in London's West End, McVey also reprised the role with the Los Angeles Philharmonic to sold-out crowds at the Hollywood Bowl and, once again, in the 25th Anniversary Tour of “Les Misérables,” for which he won the Ovation Award and the Broadway.com Award on his way to eclipsing more than 3,200 performances in the world's favorite musical. McVey made his Carnegie Hall debut with Marvin Hamlisch and continues to perform with numerous symphonies around the country and the world. McVey's television credits include "America's Got Talent" and "Days of Our Lives." Showtimes are 7 p.m. on December 5-6, 3 p.m. on December 7, and 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on December 8; runtime is 90 minutes. Tickets are $20/adults, $15/children; visit firstsarasota.org/events.For more about First Sarasota, visit firstsarasota.org, call 941-365-2846, or email info@firstsarasota.org. 

Sarasota County Breeze Transit expanded its 77 Siesta Islander trolley route to serve downtown Sarasota on Nov. 2. This weekend, with two weeks of the expanded service completed, Sarasota County is confident the trolley is ready to carry attendees to the Crystal Classic Sand Sculpting Festival on Siesta Key. The 77 Siesta Islander is a free, open-air trolley that runs approximately every 30 minutes, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Mainland boarding locations include: Main Street @ Indian Place, Main Street @ Lemon Avenue, Main Street @ Palm Avenue, Bayfront Drive @ Ringling Boulevard, Osprey Avenue @ Arlington Street, Crossings at Siesta Key Mall. In addition to Route 77, Breeze Route 33 also travels to Siesta Beach, with transfers available from Breeze Routes 14, 17, and 25 at the Crossings at Siesta Key Mall. Passengers can plan connections or track Breeze vehicles in real-time via the Breeze Rider mobile app or online at breezetransit.net/breezerider. For more information on Breeze services, call 311 or 941-861-5000 or visit scgov.net/breeze. 

On Saturday, November 16, at 7:00 PM, the Illyrian Symphony will present a concert of Mozart and Beethoven at Faith Lutheran Church, 7750 S. Beneva Rd., Sarasota, FL 34238. Admission is free; donations are gratefully accepted. The orchestra will open with the timeless Mozart classic, the overture to the Marriage of Figaro. Following the overture, the orchestra will perform Beethoven’s 7th symphony, a joyous masterpiece that Beethoven himself dubbed “one of my best works”.
Illyrian is an all-volunteer community orchestra. Upon relocating to the area, Maestro Andi Zdrava noticed a growing desire and need for serious classical music opportunities for music enthusiasts in the region. This inspired him to create a community orchestra for advanced players. The name of the orchestra is a nod to the Albanian origin of Maestro Zdrava. “Illyrian” was the ancient name of the vast territory along the coast of the Adriatic and Ionian seas. The orchestra currently practices in Sarasota and performs in the surrounding areas. Its players hail from Tampa, Clearwater, Sarasota, Venice, North Port, and elsewhere. Anyone interested in joining the orchestra is encouraged to contact Maestro Zdrava at andi.zdrava@gmail.com. Illyrian Symphony Orchestra is a nonprofit community orchestra. It was incorporated in Venice, FL, and received 501(c)(3) designation in 2021. 

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) will usher in the joy of the holiday season to families across Sarasota with the 2024-2025 Children’s Theatre Series’ Deck the Halls, an interactive production celebrating the spirit of the season, created by Caroline Saldivar and Sarah Durham with additional material by Meg Mechelke. This exciting show opens on November 30 and runs through December 24 in FST’s Keating Theatre. Get ready to celebrate the holidays, Sarasota style! Enter a world of palm trees with wintery decorations, sand snowmen, and surfboarding Santa. Since Deck the Halls was first produced in 2016, it has become a cherished tradition for many families on the Suncoast. This year, the festivities return with thrilling new sketches, songs, and memories. It represents everything that makes the holidays in Florida special. The cast includes Dellan Short (Santa Claus), Ava Mastrone (Mrs. Claus), David Allsup (Jangle), Nick James (Jingle), Tilley Jean (Tinsel), Rhea Leonard (Candy), and PJ Pavot (Jolly)—all members of FST’s Professional Training Program. The creative team features direction by Caroline Saldivar, choreography by Trisha Stever, music direction by Jim Prosser, scenic direction by Nick Schons, lighting design by Andrew Gray, sound design by Naomi Marin, and stage management by Matthew Parvin. Join in on the fun by experiencing a Floridian winter wonderland from November 30 to December 24! Single tickets start at $12. Deck the Halls is part of a three-show subscription package. Also included in the Children’s Theatre Series subscription package is Aesop’ Fables, an interactive experience with hijinks-filled life lessons, and The Flying Penguin & Other Winning Plays, a collection of award-winning plays written by elementary school students from around the world. Subscriptions for all three Children’s Theatre shows are now on sale for only $18.75. Subscriptions and tickets are now on sale at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or via phone at 941.366.9000. 

Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of creativity as the Sarasota Fall Fine Art Festival returns for its 11th season on Saturday, November 16, and Sunday, November 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. This highly anticipated outdoor event will transform J.D. Hamel Park into a vibrant open-air gallery, offering a spectacular showcase of fine art and handmade crafts from renowned local, regional, and national artists. Admission is free to the public.This year’s festival invites art enthusiasts and collectors alike to explore an extraordinary collection of one-of-a-kind creations. Featuring an eclectic mix of painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, glass, ceramics, mixed media, woodworking, fiber art, and more, the festival celebrates the talent and vision of artisans from across the country. Every piece tells a story, reflecting the unique skill and passion of its creator. If you’re seeking something truly unique, this festival is the perfect place to find artwork that will complement your home or office. Can’t find exactly what you’re looking for? Many artists are happy to collaborate on custom commissions, offering a personal touch to your art collection. Whether you're a seasoned art collector or just discovering your love for handmade works, this festival offers something for everyone. Stroll through the scenic setting of Sarasota’s J.D. Hamel Park, soak in the creativity, and meet the artists behind the masterpieces.

Saturday, November 16–Sunday, November 17, 10:00am–5:00pm both days, J.D. Hamel Park, Bayfront Drive, Sarasota, free and open to the public. 

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As the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall makes progress on its storm surge restoration efforts, we're pleased to announce that our next Masterworks concert will take place in the beautiful sanctuary hall at Church of the Palms in Sarasota. Sarasota Orchestra will open the concert weekend on the evening of Friday, December 6, followed by two performances on Saturday, December 7. The concert features the jubilation of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, with the works, conductor, and soloist from the original program remaining the same. From the symphony's origins in Beethoven’s near-deafness—to underscoring the fall of the Berlin Wall—to coloring powerful TV and movie moments in Carl Sagan’s Cosmos and The King’s Speech—Beethoven’s Seventh is forever a salute to the triumphant human spirit. GRAMMY® Award-winning pianist Yefim Bronfman makes his Sarasota Orchestra debut as our soloist in Brahms’ monumental Piano Concerto No. 1. General admission tickets to all performances are now on sale for $55! Visit our website to save your seat at Church of the Palms. 

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No child gets left sitting on the dock at Spectrum Sailing Camp, November 2024.

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