SRQ DAILY Jan 17, 2025
Friday Weekend Edition
"We feel so fortunate to be able to provide such a breadth of exhibitions and invite any and all to come enjoy a variety of different mediums in a family-friendly environment at this wonderful time of year."
Ringling College of Art & Design kicks off its first Art Walk of the year tonight, inviting the public to explore the campus galleries and attend the opening of five new exhibitions, including the 16th Annual Basch Glass Exhibition, an exhibition dedicated to the watercolors of William Hartman, contemporary art from Ringling grad and rising star Griffin Goodman, and a deep dive into the collective imagination of the college’s first-year Illustration students.
“We feel so fortunate to be able to provide such a breadth of exhibitions and invite any and all to come enjoy a variety of different mediums in a family-friendly environment at this wonderful time of year,” says Tim Jaeger, Ringling College’s Director + Chief Curator of Galleries and Exhibitions.
He puts it another way.
“The galleries at Ringling College share a lot in common with Baskin-Robbins,” he deadpans. “We’ve got so many different flavors.” Here’s the scoop on what’s opening tonight.
16th Annual Basch Glass Exhibition | Featuring new selections from the Basch Collection, explore how renowned glass artists from around the world interpret the human form through cast glass, blown glass, flamework and more. Includes works by Lucio Bubacco, Laura Donefer and Dale Chihuly, among others.
William Hartman: An Artist’s Life | Through a series of plein air watercolors and vintage photography, see Sarasota from 1945 to 1965 through the eyes of the Ringling College alum and former faculty member who, alongside the likes of Syd Solomon and Craig Rubadoux, nurtured Sarasota’s artists and early arts scene. “A visual pioneer for this community,” says Jaeger.
Oopsy Daisy: Technicolor Ends Here | 2016 Ringling grad Griffin Goodman explores nostalgia, failure and the creative process in this latest series of large-scale works. “He’s been climbing the ranks of the world art platform and doing it with ease,” Jaeger says. See why.
Creatures, Characters + Curious Places | Dive headfirst into the fantastic with 100+ sculptural works from the minds of the students of 3D Design. “There’s a lot to look at,” says Jaeger. “And what you’re looking at is pure talent and raw imagination.”
Lights Camera Fashion | Examine the latest work from students in the college’s Portraiture & Fashion class, in a wide-ranging exploration of concept and style.
The Ringling College Art Walk begins tonight at 5pm. It is free and open to the public. 
Pictured: Watercolors by William Hartman depict old Sarasota and scenes from his Michigan home. Image courtesy of Ringling College.
For more information and a map of the galleries, click here. ollege.gallery/
Choral Artists presents the topsy-turvy world of Gilbert & Sullivan where absurdities reach logical conclusions. The famed English team of the 19th century wrote such beloved operas as “The Mikado,” “The Pirates of Penzance,” “Gondoliers,” and “HMS Pinafore” among others, featuring tunes that remain popular to this day. The concert is Sunday, January 26, 4 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, 104 S. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota. Tickets are $40 or $5 for students with I.D.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ChoralArtistsSarasota.org or call 941-387-6046.
Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative’s (SBAC) “Beyond Regional Boundaries” initiative continues its powerful exploration of Black artistry with “Evoking Conversations of Historical Events, Current Issues and Race,” a thought-provoking exhibition by photographer Lily Evans, January 22 through February 28, at WSLR + Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota. An opening reception, with the artist, is February 4, 5-7 p.m.
Pictured: Martyrs and Men by Lily Evans. Photo courtesy of SBAC.
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is excited to welcome Chris Botti to Sarasota on Saturday, February 14, 2025 at 8:00pm. Tickets on sale now. Grammy-winning trumpeter Chris Botti has been one of the world’s most popular instrumentalists for nearly three decades, collaborating with superstars like Sting, Paul Simon, Barbra Streisand, and Lady Gaga. Tickets start at $50 and can be purchased at www.VanWezel.org, by calling the box office at 941-263-6799 or by visiting the box office Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Groups of 10 or more should contact 941-263-6726.
Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is pleased to announce a $5,000 charitable gift from Publix Supermarkets Charities to support its WRITE A PLAY program during the 2024–2025 season. Publix Supermarkets Charities has been a steadfast partner of WRITE A PLAY since 1995, helping FST reach more than 38,000 students annually. Florida Studio Theatre extends its heartfelt gratitude to Publix Supermarkets Charities for their enduring support, which continues to enrich the lives of students across the region. For more information about WRITE A PLAY or to support FST’s outreach initiatives, visit floridastudiotheatre.org.
Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) presents Future Now: Visual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks, an exhibition celebrating innovative design and technological advancements in footwear. Featuring over 70 pieces from Toronto’s Bata Shoe Museum, as well as loans from other prominent institutions, collectors, designers, and inventors, the exhibited footwear pushes the boundaries of what constitutes a shoe. Beyond an exhibition of dozens of “cool kicks,” Future Now asks viewers to consider questions about consumerism, sustainability, and what the history of human footwear says about us: its wearers. On view from February 9 through May 4, 2025, in Sarasota Art Museum’s third-floor galleries, Future Now is co-organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Bata Shoe Museum.
Pictured: Mr. Bailey. Octopus Shoe, 2018. Collection of Mr. Bailey. Image courtesy of Mr. Bailey.
The Hermitage Artist Retreat announces a new program with Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Doug Wright as he returns to Sarasota for “The PlayWRIGHT’s the Thing.” Join the Hermitage at the Asolo’s Cook Theater in the FSU Center for Performing Arts, as Wright engages in conversation with Hermitage Artistic Director Andy Sandberg on Monday, February 10 at 6pm. In addition, program attendees will have the opportunity to hear selections from Wright’s lesser-known original works, performed by some of Sarasota’s brightest talents. His most recent play, Good Night, Oscar, originally directed by Hermitage Fellow Lisa Peterson, received critical acclaim at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre before transferring to Broadway, where it earned Sean Hayes a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Lead Actor. Asolo Repertory Theatre will present the Florida premiere of Good Night, Oscar this spring, running April 2-26, 2025.
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.
The Sarasota Farmers Market Vendors Incorporated (“SFMV”) has been established as a not for-profit organization under laws of the State of Florida, continuing the 40+ year tradition of enhancing and improving the quality of life in Sarasota. Our charitable mission is to create a social opportunity for residents and visitors to gather and interact, to bring foot traffic to downtown Sarasota sustaining the economic viability of the entire downtown area, and to provide a venue for other not-for-profit organizations benefiting Sarasota.
Sarasota Farmer's Market, N Lemon Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
SCFD is proud to welcome the community into the fire stations, continuing the tradition of open houses. These open houses are a wonderful opportunity for residents to engage directly with neighborhood firefighters. Visit our website to view the open house schedule.
Multiple Location, Multiple Locations
Delores Mckenzie is an actress, singer, and dancer born and raised in Sarasota, FL. She has traveled all over the world as a production singer for Norwegian Cruise Lines and now she’s bringing her talents back to her home theatre. In this intimate evening, Delores will pay tribute to some of the Iconic Women of Broadway. You will hear hits from Chicago, Waitress the Musical, Wicked, Beauty and the Beast, Les Misérables, and much, much more. Delores’s previous WBTT shows sold out. Get your tickets to this not-to-be-missed concert now.
The Donelly Theatre, 1012 N. Orange Ave Sarasota, FL 34236
Be the first to experience our elevated new menu offerings in our stunning, one-of-a-kind restaurant. The festivities will also include cocktails and live entertainment for an unforgettable evening in celebration of our new Sarasota UTC location. RSVP by Friday, January 20th.
Fleming's Sarasota UTC, 8306 Tourist Center Dr. Bradenton FL 34201
Enjoy a wonderful 4 courses dinner paired with 4 glasses of wine, great ambiance, live music and friendly staff. $89 pp
Mademoiselle Paris UTC & Anna Maria Island, Various Location
Key Chorale Chamber Singers and Church of the Redeemer present a 2-day festival celebrating music of the Baroque – and Beer! Three amazing concerts featuring a star-studded cast of performers, chamber orchestra, and an opening night Biergarten Experience with German food, beers from Calusa Brewing, and dancing to Bill Milner’s Oompah Band.
Gillespie Hall at Church of the Redeemer, 222 S Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Longtime friends Chef Charles Amherst of Chaz 51 Steakhouse in Venice and Barbara Gerdeman, co-founder of Creative Liberties Artist Studios in Sarasota, have joined forces to create a series of interactive “live art dinner showcases.” Join us every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings from 5-8:30 pm.
Chaz 51 Steakhouse, 549 US-41 BYP, Venice, FL 34285
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
Our annual Lakewood Ranch Community Campout at Greenbrook Adventure Park offers a range of activities for families and friends! From Saturday, February 15th to Sunday, February 16th, you'll enjoy: Campfire perfect for roasting s'mores, Family-friendly movie showing, Food truck dinner for purchase, Live music by Justin Layman, Complimentary donuts & coffee for breakfast and much more! This overnight event will begin on Saturday at 3 PM and end Sunday morning at 9 AM. Tickets are for ages 3+. Children under 3 are free.
Greenbrook Adventure Park, 13010 Adventure Place Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
Keenan Perren showcases a new body of work crafted from broken skateboards, creating layered compositions that explore human connection and reflect on past experiences. Inspired by friends, family, the skateboard community, and the landscape of everyday life, these pieces resonate with personal and collective memory.
Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota FL 34236
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
On Saturday, January 18, 2025 from 12:00-2:00 pm, the community is invited to visit Sarasota Opera House for a wide variety of free activities and offerings. Visitors can enjoy art songs, ensembles, and arias sung throughout the opera house, a raffle, backstage tours, wig and makeup demonstrations, a display of select pieces from our extensive collection of over 50,000 historic opera costumes, special ticket offers, and complementary refreshments.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota FL 34236
Come celebrate the release of Quiet Counsel: Looking Back on a Life of Service to the Law with its author, former Deputy U.S. Attorney General, Larry D. Thompson. In this thoughtful and candid memoir, Thompson explores the big questions of his life and career, from his childhood in Hannibal, Missouri to his time advising the nation's most powerful figures in government and business leadership.
Bookstore 1, 117 S. Pineapple Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236
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