When the London’s New Year’s Day Parade (LNYDP) kicks off in less than a week, it will be with two high school bands from Sarasota County participating, as both the Riverview High School Kiltie Band and the Venice High School Marching Band cross the pond to represent their community in the annual celebration. The Venice High School Wind Ensemble and RHS Kiltie Wind Ensemble are also making the trip, with each performing in the accompanying LNYDP Concert Series.

Established in 1987, the LNYDP today performs to an estimated street audience of 500,000 people, with the live television broadcast reaching a possible 500 million globally. The Riverview High School Kiltie Band and The Venice High School Marching Band will be among the 10,000 musicians and marchers coming from the UK, Europe and the US for a two-mile-long performance that can last more than three hours. For the Kiltie Band, this will be their third performance abroad. It will be the first for the Venice High School Marching Band.

Held in the days before and after the parade, the LNYDP Concert Series brings choirs and ensembles from around the world to perform in eclectic venues that range from historic churches to modern jazz clubs. And on December 30, both the Venice High School Wind Ensemble and the RHS Kiltie Wind Ensemble will perform in St. John Smith’s Square, a converted 18th century church in the English Baroque style. Built in 1728, it was nearly leveled by German bombs in 1942 but has since been restored.

The Riverview High School bands are led by Riverview Director of Bands Tamara Lewis, and the Venice High bands led by Directors of Bands David Wing and Preston Ridgell. All have received the endorsement of Visit Sarasota County, which has helped sponsor the musicians’ travel to London.

“We’re proud to support these talented young musicians with a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” says Erin Duggan, President and CEO of Visit Sarasota County. “Each of these schools has a celebrated tradition of musical excellence that’s cherished by our community – so much so, families choose to move here for these very programs.”

To watch the London’s New Year’s Day Parade and support the performers, the parade will be available to stream on PBS.org or the PBS app. 

Pictured: The Riverside High School Kiltie Band will perform in the 2025 London's New Year's Day Parade.

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) will spark conversations and deep reflection with its third Mainstage production of the 2025 Season, The Cancellation of Lauren Fein, written by Christopher Demos-Brown. Praised as “compelling,” “intricately plotted,” and “sensational” by Palm Beach Artspaper, this gripping drama is set to keep audiences captivated. Previews begin January 22, with the official opening on January 24. The show will run through March 9 in FST’s Gompertz Theatre, located in the Hegner Theatre Wing. 

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Art Center Sarasota is a place where kids and adults can connect through art. It's a place where emerging artists can display their work and established artists continue to develop their skills. It's a place that is essential to artists and art lovers alike. Your gift supports community art in Sarasota as we celebrate and cultivate art in southwest Florida. Please make a gift today to support the arts and the community that cherishes it! 

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All Star Children’s Foundation recently received a $10,000 grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast). This grant supported All Star’s annual Twinkle Ball, a community event dedicated to raising awareness and critical funding for All Star’s mission of bringing hope and healing to children who have experienced trauma. “We are deeply grateful to Gulf Coast Community Foundation for this generous support,” says Denise Marzullo, MBA, LMHC, CEO of All Star. “Their commitment empowers us to strengthen our programs and create lasting change for the children and families we serve. The Twinkle Ball is essential to funding All Star’s innovative initiatives, including therapeutic services, educational programs, and foster family support.”  

The Reform Coffee mobile truck is energizing events, December 2024.

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