SRQ DAILY Jan 3, 2025
Friday Weekend Edition
"From the incredible live music to the outstanding local businesses, this event celebrates our vibrant community and its bright future."
Another year, another calendar, another notch on the yardstick whose full measure remains unknown until that ultimate end. And on Palm Avenue tonight, the galleries kick off 2025 with the first Art Walk of the season, featuring a new group show at Burns Gallery on Palm, an exhibition of abstract painting from Midge Johnson at MARA Art Studio & Gallery, and, secreted in the back of Define Art Gallery and Studio, an intimate solo show highlighting the cold wax art of Pearl Berger, whose work blurs the lines between painting and sculpture.
Entitled Orbital Abstractions, the one-room show invites viewers to step into the center of Berger’s universe, surrounded by 20 cosmos-inspired abstract paintings on circular birchwood panels. Tactile and textured, they look like alien worlds waiting to be explored, shaped perhaps by the slow erosion of eons rather than Berger’s bare hands.
The effect comes in part from the choice of medium—beeswax hand-mixed with oil paint. The result is a malleable paste that Berger describes as cake batter and slathers on the birchwood panels with pallet knives and her hands. And for every color she uses, she has to mix that particular paste. It’s a labor-intensive process and not half-done. When the whole thing nears dry, Berger pulls out her sculpting tools and begins to carve.
Some paintings will have as many as 50 coats of the thick, hand-mixed pigments, the mounds of accreted experience forming layers of identity. Carving through this geology erases none entirely but exposes the interplay that allows something greater than the sum of its parts to emerge. Each piece is a story told in tectonics, isolated like planets in the void but bound by a hopeful gravity.
“Every circle has its own personality,” says Berger, “yet they’re all connected. Every shape and every texture has a reason to be.”
Maybe that’s true for this planet too.
On display at Define Art Gallery and Studio, Orbital Abstractions runs through January 31. An opening reception with the artist is tonight from 6pm to 8pm. 
Pictured: Pearl Berger's Orbital Abstractions showing at Define Art Gallery and Studio. Photo by Phil Lederer.
The Venice Symphony is kicking off the new year with an exciting and exhilarating concert experience, Sports Orchestrated. This dynamic performance will take audiences on a musical journey through some of the most iconic and stirring pieces of music that have defined the world of sports. The concert will be held on January 10th, 2025 at 7:30pm, and January 11th, 2025 at 3:30pm & 7:30pm at the Venice Performing Arts Center. Whether you're a sports enthusiast, a lover of classical music, or someone who simply enjoys an exciting performance, Sports Orchestrated promises to be an unforgettable evening of music and passion.
January 10th, 2025 at 7:30pm, January 11th, 2025 at 3:30pm & 7:30pm, Ticket Prices: $38-$70.
Wellen Park is ringing in the new year all aglow with the second annual Luminescence Festival Saturday, Jan. 4 in Downtown Wellen. The illuminating event is from 6 to 10 p.m. The event is free to the public and includes live music, hundreds of luminaries lighting the way along the Grand Lake and vibrant projection art displays upon sunset. The Eighth Note Collective, a dynamic group of Orlando-based musicians with a fresh take on classic jazz music, will perform on the Solis Hall stage throughout the festival. Participants are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs for seating on the Great Lawn.
Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, 6 - 10 pm, Luminary bag pick-up – 5 to 7 pm, Downtown Wellen, 19745 Wellen Park Blvd, Venice.
Sarasota’s favorite free monthly event, Fresh Fridays, returns with, “New Year on the Block,” bringing the community together on Friday, January 10, 2025, from 7 to 10 p.m. on State Street in downtown Sarasota. While Fresh Fridays traditionally takes place on the first Friday of each month, this January edition has been rescheduled to the second Friday to accommodate the holiday season. The evening features a dynamic performance by The Danny Bub Combo, bringing lively tunes to set the tone for the new year. Guests can savor delicious food and drinks from downtown’s finest hospitality partners, and bask in the warm, festive ambiance that makes Fresh Fridays an iconic Sarasota tradition.
Pictured: The Danny Bub Combo will perform at the upcoming Fresh Fridays event.
This multi-gallery installation places the work of contemporary artist Shinique Smith (American, b. 1971) in direct dialogue with historic European art, a first in Smith’s career. Several of her large-scale sculptures, along with smaller works, are displayed in the permanent collection galleries of the Museum of Art.
SHINIQUE SMITH: PARADE: Ending Jan 5, 2025, Included w/ Museum Admission.
Immerse yourself in a vibrant world of creativity and craftsmanship at the Annual Sarasota Fine Art Festival, taking place on Saturday and Sunday, January 11-12, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day at J.D. Hamel Park, 199 Bayfront Drive. This premier art event is FREE to attend and open to the public. Renowned as one of the most powerful fine art festivals in Florida and celebrated nationwide, the festival transforms Sarasota into an open-air gallery showcasing the works of talented local, regional, and national artisans. From intricate sculptures to breathtaking paintings, from delicate jewelry to stunning mixed-media creations, the festival offers a unique and inspiring experience for art lovers and collectors alike. For more information, visit Paragon Festivals.
Saturday, January 11 and Sunday, January 12, 2025, 10:00am– 5:00pm daily, Sarasota, Free.
Mark your calendars for an unforgettable weekend of delectable dining and live entertainment as the Sarasota Seafood & Music Festival returns to downtown Sarasota on January 10, 11 & 12. Enjoy three days filled with mouthwatering cuisine, toe-tapping tunes, and vibrant local culture. For updates and more information, visit Paragon Festivals.
Friday, January 10: 4:30pm– 10:00pm, Saturday, January 11: 11:00am–10:00pm, Sunday, January 12: 11:00am – 6:00pm.
On January 18th and 19th, the Key Chorale Chamber Singers reimagine the music of pop’s great storytellers Simon and Garfunkel, Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor, and others through the artistic genius of the Lubben Brothers Band. Triplet brothers Michael, Tom, and Joshua bring their acoustic folk roots to a concert celebrating rich vocal harmonies, timeless melodies, and unforgettable stories. Triplets and high-energy acoustic musicians, the Lubben Brothers specialize in tight vocal harmonies and an eclectic blend of folk instruments involving banjo, mandolin, guitar, fiddle, tin whistle, accordion and hammered dulcimer. Diving into classical music at a young age, their modern songwriting style merges folk roots with complex pop ideas.
Saturday, January 18, 4pm, Church of the Palms, Sarasota, 3224 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota. Sunday, January 19, 5pm, Grace Community Church, Lakewood Ranch, 4080 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Sarasota. Tickets are $45.
The North Port Library invites the community to celebrate its 50th anniversary in style on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The event, inspired by the glamour of the Roaring Twenties, will feature vibrant activities, Art Deco crafts, and hands-on fun for all ages. The celebration will be held at North Port Library, 13800 Tamiami Trail, North Port. Celebrate, connect, and create with us! For more information or accessibility accommodation, please call 941-861-1110. Let’s make memories that sparkle just like the Jazz Age!
Visit Fresh Harvest, the newly launched weekly farmers market in Downtown Wellen. Fresh Harvest offers a selection of local goods from nearly 40 local vendors. Fresh Harvest takes place every Sunday in Downtown Wellen from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees can peruse different vendor booths and stock up on a variety of goods. Vendors will offer a wide variety of locally grown and produced food, including herbs, spices, cut flowers, teas, canned and preserved fruits and vegetables, syrups, baked goods, pickled foods, fresh seafood, meats, poultry, eggs, milk and prepared food and beverages. A limited selection of craft vendors also participate in the farmers market. For a listing of participating vendors and more information on Fresh Harvest Farmers Market, visit wellenpark.com/events/fresh-harvest-farmers-market. Downtown Wellen, 19745 Wellen Park Blvd., Venice.
Experience some of the best food and flavors of the region with more than 100, and still growing, curated vendors. The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch has fast become a favorite weekly tradition for people from all over the region seeking farm-fresh produce, delicious prepared foods, and specialty items and gifts. Aside from all the goodies you can shop at the Farmers Market, find your flow in a free yoga class or have the kiddos get creative during weekly-hosted workshops. 1561 Lakefront Dr., Lakewood Ranch.
Join us on the Bolger Campiello for live music and dancing. Food and beverage will be available for purchase on the bayfront. One chair per person will be available. No outside food, drink, coolers, chairs or pets are permitted. Members please note: $20 tickets are limited to one for Individual Memberships and two for all other Membership levels.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
Enjoy an evening of illumination and music in Downtown Wellen! Join your community to place hundreds of glowing luminaries in a moment of reflection and celebration at Downtown Wellen’s Grand Lake. Enjoy a jazz band concert on Solis Hall stage from 6pm-10pm. The Eighth Note Collective, is a dynamic group of Orlando-based musicians who bring a fresh take on Classic Jazz music.
Downtown Wellen Park, 19745 Wellen Park Blvd, Venice, FL 34293
"Unveiled Strength: Portraits of Intimacy and Vulnerability," featuring evocative works of award-winning Bradenton-based artist Gary LaParl, will be on display from December 15, 2024, to January 16, 2025, at the Lexow Gallery at Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota. This collection of portraits explores complex themes of male relationships and vulnerability, inviting viewers to engage with deep, often overlooked aspects of masculinity.
Lexow Gallery at Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota, FL 34232
Join us for an unforgettable evening as a number of extraordinary women come together from across the globe for The Muses Concert, a one-night-only event celebrating the power of women in music and the transformative force of art.
Stone Hall, 502 Third Avenue West Bradenton FL 34205
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
Ermin Tabakovic presents "Sigma Series," a body of work conceived during the Covid lockdown of 2020. His paintings showcase bold, vibrant representations of his core vision, characterized by geometric forms, structural sensibility, dimensionality, and metaphysical exploration.
Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota FL 34236
Women Contemporary Artists (WCA) is an established organization of women in the visual arts based in Florida’s Sarasota and Manatee counties. Their mission is to provide visibility, support and inspiration to women artists. Founded in 1984, a group of twenty women artists in the region developed a plan to form a group to encourage other women artists in their artistic journeys. This talented group of women artists has continually grown each year and now has more than 150 regional members.
ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St West Bradenton, FL 34205
On Saturday, January 11, 5 p.m., PMP Winter Residency students and faculty present a “Celebration Concert,” featuring the PMP String Orchestra under the baton of Itzhak Perlman, and the PMP Chorus, led by Patrick Romano, at the Sarasota Opera House.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota FL 34236
Featuring five superlative works for strings, flute and clarinet from Han Lash, Dai Wei, Gabriela Lena Frank, and two composers who have received residencies from The Hermitage Artist Retreat, Anna Clyne and Christopher Theofanidis.
First Congregational Church,, 1031 S Euclid Ave, Sarasota, FL 34237
Even if you haven't read Sigrid Nunez's book What Are You Going Through, you must know the Academy Award winning actresses Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton. On Friday evening January 17th at 6:50, there will be a showing of the movie based on the book, titled The Room Next Door with a fun chance to talk about your reactions and opinions with local Film Reviewer Roxanne Baker. If you'd like to read the book before the film, the paperback is available at BookStore1 Sarasota
Burns Court Cinema, 506 Burns Ct, Sarasota, FL 34236
Kings of Soul showcases the music of legendary artists Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Otis Redding, The Temptations, Barry White, Smokey Robinson, and more in an evening of soulful rhythms. Honoring the “kings” of classic soul, featured hits include “Shop Around,” “Get Ready,” “Try a Little Tenderness,” “Stand By Me,” and “Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher.”
Ven Wezel, 777 N. Tamiami Sarasota, FL 34236
The Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society was founded in 1983 with 17 Charter members and 24 Associate members. The original purpose to foster the advancement of and promote excellence in the art of watermedia painting remains their focus today. As of August 2023, 90 of their 170 members attained Signature status and 27 are Master Signature members.
ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St West Bradenton, FL 34205
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
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