SRQ DAILY Mar 20, 2025
Thursday Family and Recreation Edition
"My little brother Antonio actually fed me the pass that led to the counterattack."
A packed house at the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch ushered in a new era of Sarasota Paradise soccer. On March 18, the Paradise squared off against FC Naples on the opening night of the 110th edition of the U. S. Open Cup. The Open Cup is the country’s oldest ongoing national soccer competition, which pits teams from all three tiers of the United States professional soccer system against amateur-level teams in a battle for soccer supremacy.
This year’s tournament features 96 total teams, 64 of which are professional including 16 from Major League Soccer. For the Sarasota Paradise, who fell 2-1 to FC Naples in the opening round, participation in the tournament signified a step forward for the organization and showed promise for the Paradise’s future in Sarasota.
The Paradise are currently a United Soccer League 2 (USL2) team, but are set to make the jump to the fully professional USL1 in 2026. Against FC Naples (USL1), the Paradise held tough, keeping the game scoreless until the second half when FC Naples scored at the 78th minute to go up 1-0. The Paradise were also fielding together a talented, yet cobbled-together roster—many of the team’s regular players are still in the midst of their collegiate seasons and will join the team when the regular season kicks off May 17.
The Paradise fought back, however, with the help of local talent. With just three minutes left in regulation, down 1-0, Lakewood Ranch native Nicholas Colacci found himself all alone with the ball in FC Naples’ backfield, streaking toward the goalkeeper.
“My little brother Antonio actually fed me the pass that led to the counterattack,” says Colacci. “I got one-on-one with the keeper and he made a nice save on my shot, but luckily I was able to follow up, get the rebound and put it in the net. A striker’s instinct is to always follow your shot no matter what.”
While a late goal from FC Naples ultimately vanquished the Paradise’s chances of progressing through the Open Cup, the tenacity the team displayed and outpouring of support from fans was undeniably promising.
“We couldn’t have had a better turnout,” says team captain Felipe Rojas. “It’s sad that we lost, but this is a pro team that we played tonight and we put up a great fight.” 
The Sarasota Paradise starting lineup. Provided photo.
The Sarasota Film Festival (SFF) announced today the full slate of programming for the upcoming 27th annual edition. Live and in-person screenings and events will take place across Sarasota April 4 through April 13, 2025. The 27th Sarasota Film Festival will feature a lineup of films that includes 37 features, with 4 World Premieres, 10 Florida Premieres; and 41 short films.
Ringling College of Art and Design hosted the ninth annual IVRHA Global Virtual Reality and Healthcare Symposium from February 27-March 2, 2025. The event was attended by 170 people, both in-person and virtually, with 18 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge work blending healthcare, AI, and immersive technology. Interested in attending? Registration is now open! Do you have research, case studies, or innovative applications to share? The call for proposals is still open! Learn more on the IVRHA website. Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest Ringling College news in your inbox.
It’s showtime! The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall will be hosting the North American Tour of BEETLEJUICE, the edgy and irreverent Broadway smash hit musical comedy, for eight performances from April 22-27, 2025. Tickets are available at the Van Wezel box office, by visiting VanWezel.org, or calling 941-263-6799. Group orders of ten or more may be placed by calling 941-263-6726.
The Sarasota Players is proud to announce the acceptance of new plays for its Sarasota Players New Play Festival through May 1, 2025. A committee of judges will select five plays to be presented in a “Reader’s Theater” style format during the month of August. One of the winning plays will be selected as “Best of Series” and will be workshopped and produced depending on the availability of space in the summer season of 2026. Winning entries will have a director assigned (if there is someone,you’d like to use we will take that into consideration). There can be only two rehearsals, not including the rehearsal prior to the performance of the piece. Playwrights are responsible for supplying updated and corrected copies of their script to their director and cast. Plays not following the guidelines listed above will be disqualified. All questions or concerns should be directed toward Amanda Heisey at amandah@theplayers.org.
Enjoy Easter Brunch at Selby Gardens! Ticket price includes a hot and cold brunch buffet catered by Michael’s on East, featuring an omelet and pancake station, carving station, dessert bar, plus coffee, tea, and water. All other beverages will be available for purchase. Bring the kids for a fun Easter egg hunt and balloon twisting! Your brunch ticket also grants you full access to our Downtown Sarasota Campus to view our Spring Exhibition, George Harrison: A Gardener’s Life, before or after your seating time! Easter Brunch takes place in the bayfront Event Center of our Downtown Sarasota campus.
The Sarasota Players is proud to announce the acceptance of new plays for its Sarasota Players New Play Festival through May 1, 2025. A committee of judges will select five plays to be presented in a “Reader’s Theater” style format during the month of August. One of the winning plays will be selected as “Best of Series” and will be workshopped and produced depending on the availability of space in the summer season of 2026.
ERES Companies (ERES) is proud to announce the successful sale of 6289 Tower Lane in Sarasota, FL. The property, a well-maintained, single-tenant Class A flex building, spans 11,632 square feet on 1.82 acres. It has been owned and occupied by Sarasota-based company, Symphony Salvage, since 2000. The successful closing reinforces ERES’s dedication to providing premier, best-in-class commercial real estate advisory solutions and expert brokerage services for its clients. For more information contact ERES today.
The Florida Center for Early Childhood is starting a conversation that matters. Join us for our inaugural "Childhood Matters" luncheon featuring Dr. Dan Wuori, a leading policy expert and author, as he explores critical issues in early childhood. Tickets and sponsorships are available - and the first 75 ticket buyers receive a free signed book!
BAM!Fest (Bradenton Art & Music Festival) is a free event that will transform the Riverwalk into a dynamic, diverse, immersive art and music experience from bridge to bridge! This community collaboration is coordinated by Realize Bradenton and includes: musicians from a variety of genres on multiple stages, pop up performance acts along the Riverwalk, live creation of large scale visual art, interactive art projects, local art for sale, and culinary treats from local food vendors.
Bradenton Riverwalk, 452 3rd Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205
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
Toss some fun into your Thursday! Join us at Waterside Place for a fun morning of Casual Cornhole! Whether you’re a cornhole pro or a newbie, don’t miss this chance to show off your tossing skills and have a blast with friends! Grab a partner or go solo, we’ve got enough beanbags and boards to keep everyone entertained!
Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch, 7500 Island Cove Terrace Lakewood Ranch , FL 34240
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
Join The Market on Dearborn every Friday evening from October 2024 - May 2025 from 3pm-7pm on Historic Dearborn Street in Englewood, Florida as we launch an evening market to expand opportunities for local entrepreneurs and provide an additional family-friendly event for local residents and guests of Englewood
The Market on Dearborn, 232 W Dearborn St., Englewood, FL, United States, Florida 34223
Tripletail Seafood & Spirits is thrilled to announce the launch of its much-anticipated Sunday Brunch. Guests are invited to indulge in a delightful brunch experience on our beautiful covered patio or casual dining room with nautical touches. Our new brunch menu features a variety of mouth-watering dishes created by Chef Cesareo Cardenas, including his decadent Crème Brûlée French Toast, savory Steak & Eggs, succulent Lobster Benedict, the flavorful Tripletail Brunch Burger, and Crab & Shrimp Omelet. To complement your meal, guests will receive a complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa with the purchase of any entrée.
Tripletail Seafood & Spirits , 4870 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34231
Celebrate the women who have captivated the world with their dynamic personalities and fierce vocals. Starting in the 1960’s, female artists such as Cher, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, and Celine Dion have been pushing boundaries and shattering records with hits such as, “Turn Back Time,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” and “My Heart Will Go On.”
John C. Court Cabaret, 1265 1st St, Sarasota, FL 34236
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's 25th anniversary season, titled "25 Years of Black Heritage," continues through May 25. The remaining shows in the season are "Fences" (through February 23), "Five Guys Named Moe" (March 5-April 6), and WBTT's first-ever, world-premiere tap dancing musical revue, "Syncopated Avenue." Visit westcoastblacktheatre.org to learn more about WBTT and to purchase tickets. Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N Orange Ave.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Torn from today’s headlines. What starts as a polite discussion between a mother and a town librarian about a teenager’s reading list unexpectedly explodes into a fiery clash of values and beliefs. Spiraling dangerously close to violence, their battle over books becomes a razor-sharp examination of censorship, parenting, and freedom. Equal parts absurdly funny and deeply poignant, this bold new play asks: What does it really mean to protect our children?
Bowne's Lab, 1265 First Street Sarasota, FL 34236
An exuberant tribute to the music of rhythm and blues pioneer and alto saxophonist, Louis Jordan, Five Guys Named Moe is an international sensation. Five Guys Named Moe is about our hero, Nomax – he's broke, his lovely girlfriend Lorraine left him and he's listening to the radio at 5:00 in the morning. Out of the radio, five guys named Moe - Big Moe, Four-Eyed Moe, Eat Moe, No Moe, and Little Moe emerging from his 1930s-style radio to comfort him.
The Donelly Theatre, 1012 N. Orange Ave Sarasota, FL 34236
Wrap up the Sarasota Opera's 2025 Winter Festival with an unforgettable evening at the DaCapo Society Reception before the performance of Verdi's Stiffelio at the Sarasota Opera House on Thursday March 20 2025. Begin your night with an exclusive pre-performance reception at 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop where you can enjoy a vibrant atmosphere delicious drinks and light appetizers all while mingling with fellow opera enthusiasts and Sarasota Opera performers. Don’t miss out on this perfect opportunity to enjoy a night of world-class opera and great company!
99 Bottles, 1445 2nd St, Sarasota, FL 34236
Enter a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory! A world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Welcome to Moulin Rouge! The Musical! Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Directed by Tony Award® winner Alex Timbers, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a theatrical celebration of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and — above all — Love. With a book by Tony Award® winner John Logan; music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Tony Award® winner Justin Levine; and choreography by Tony Award® winner Sonya Tayeh, Moulin Rouge! is more than a musical — it is a state of mind.
Van Wezel , 777 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
Spearheaded by community advocate Sheila Birnbaum, the agency will be collecting donations of new books for children ages 5 and under to promote the importance of literacy. The books will be distributed to the children and families enrolled with Children First, as well as distributed to the agency’s local nonprofit and education partners.Children First, Inc., the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services for Sarasota County, kicked off its second annual “Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader” book drive on February 1. Spearheaded by community advocate Sheila Birnbaum, the agency will be collecting donations of new books for children ages 5 and under to promote the importance of literacy. The books will be distributed to the children and families enrolled with Children First, as well as distributed to the agency’s local nonprofit and education partners.
Children First, 1723 N Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34234
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