Arts + Entertainment 10.30.25

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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

FALL INTO

OPERA

The Sarasota Opera revives its fall season with ‘Così fan tutte.’

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

There’s a spark in the air at the Sarasota Opera. Cooler temperatures are here, repairs from last year’s hurricanes are complete and the fall season is busier than usual. In addition to its annual children’s opera, the Sarasota Opera will stage a full-blown production after a hiatus of two years. Preparations are also underway to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Sarasota Opera House in 2026. Sarasota Opera General Director Richard Russell recently took time out from his busy schedule to discuss the state of affairs at the opera, which is marking its 67th season. Before becoming general director in 2012, Russell was marketing director from 2005-10. He has a keen appreciation of changing consumer tastes and which way the cultural wind is blowing.

As funding for cultural organizations has come under fire in the last two years at the local, state and federal levels, Russell has emerged as an ombudsman for the role the arts play in Sarasota’s tourist-driven economy. He recently stepped down as chair of Visit Sarasota, the local tourism organization, and now serves on its executive board.

Whether he’s taking a group of Sarasota opera lovers to New Mexico for the Santa Fe Opera’s summer season, scouting for talent at festivals such as Glimmerglass in upstate New York and or greeting audience members in the lobby of the Sarasota Opera House, Russell serves as a powerful ambassador for the Sarasota Opera. Always nattily dressed, Russell is polished, charming and persuasive.

He’s an outgoing counterpart to Victor DeRenzi, the exacting maestro who has built the Sarasota Opera into a Verdi powerhouse with worldwide recognition. DeRenzi is in his 44th season as artistic director of the Sarasota Opera, a tenure among Sarasota arts leaders only exceeded by Florida Studio Theatre Producing

Artistic Director Richard Hopkins, who started at FST in 1980. While Russell sat down for an interview in the courtyard of the opera house, DeRenzi was inside rehearsing the chorus for Mozart’s “Così fan tutte,” which opens Oct. 31. As exuberant song threatened to drown out conversation, the affable Russell suggested moving, but his guest demurred.

A PILLAR OF SARASOTA CULTURE

Why move? The rousing libretto is a reminder of the staying power of an art form created for the rich and the royal more than 400 years ago. Whether they know the difference between Puccini and prosciutto, newcomers to Sarasota cannot fail to be astonished that a small Florida Gulf Coast city is home to a world-class opera, not to mention an orchestra, ballet, theater and museums. Russell spent his summer traveling, as he usually does. He led a group of Sarasota Opera patrons who saw five productions at the Santa Fe Opera.

“Normally, we don’t see all of the operas, but this year, the repertoire was popular, so we decided to see all of them,” Russell says. The lineup included “La Boheme,” “The Marriage of Figaro,” “Rigoletto,” Wagner’s “The Valkyrie” and Britten’s “The Turn of the Screw.”

With its huge amphitheater seating 2,100 patrons and its integration

FAN TUTTE’ When: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 Where: Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. Tickets: $32 and up. Runs four more times through Nov. 15 Info: Visit SarasotaOpera.org.

A SARASOTA LANDMARK TURNS 100

Come 2026, the Sarasota Opera House is going to be the star of the show. Mark Saturday, April 11, on your calendar. That’s the date of the Sarasota Opera House Centennial celebration. That is almost 100 years to the day after the Edwards Theatre opened at 61 N. Pineapple Ave.

The building that is now the opera house was the brainchild of Sarasota Mayor A.B. Edwards, and it was named in his honor. Over the years, the venue hosted such stars as Will Rogers (1927), the Ziegfeld Follies (1928) and Elvis Presley (1956).

Cecil B. DeMille’s “The Greatest Show on Earth,” which was filmed at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s winter home in Sarasota, had its world premiere at the Edwards Theatre. It was attended by the film’s stars, Charlton Heston and Dorothy Lamour.

The Sarasota Opera House moved into the Edwards Theatre in 1984, after its predecessor organization acquired the building in 1979 and renovated it. From March 2007 to February 2008, the Sarasota Opera embarked on a $20 million renovation of the Mediterranean Revival-style building originally designed by Sarasota architect Roy A. Benjamin.

The opera house reopened in March 2008 with Verdi’s “Rigoletto.” In addition to housing the Sarasota Opera, the theater is also used by the Sarasota Orchestra, the Sarasota Ballet, other local arts organizations and touring productions.

The centennial celebration will feature a concert at the opera house and a dinner afterward at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Reservations for both the concert and dinner start at $500. For more information, visit SarasotaOpera.org.

of video and high-tech graphics into operas, some of them modern, the Santa Fe Opera is a world apart from Sarasota Opera’s intimate, traditional style. Under Maestro DeRenzi, Sarasota has performed all of Verdi’s operas in an historic theater that seats just 1,100.

The Sarasota Opera is the only company in the world to have performed all of Verdi’s music. The opera began its 28-year Verdi voyage in 1989 with “Rigoletto.” It completed the Verdi Cycle in 2016 with “Aida” and “The Battle of Legnano.” All over the world, the Sarasota Opera is known as the American home of Verdi.

Although it did not have a fullscale production last fall, artists from the Sarasota Opera performed a concert featuring selections from Verdi operas. They were joined by

conducted by DeRenzi.

This year, the season starts with Mozart. The prodigy, who was born in Salzburg, wrote “Così fan tutte” while he was living in Vienna and composing for Joseph II, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Like Mozart’s operas “The Marriage of Figaro” and “Don Giovanni,” the libretto was written by Lorenzo Da Ponte in Italian. The English translation of “Così fan tutte” is “women also do it,” referring to infidelity, but it’s also known as “The School for Lovers.” It is said that Antonio Salieri, the older rival of the genius whose full name was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, tried to set “Così fan tutte” to music but failed.

Movie fans may remember Hollywood’s portrayal of the competition for the emperor’s favor in the 1984 film “Amadeus.” F. Murray Abraham starred as Salieri, whose position is threatened by the young Mozart, played by Tom Hulce. Although it takes liberties with history, Milos Forman’s film is a great primer about court intrigue and Mozart’s world.

His two-act comedic opera, “Così fan tutte,” follows two soldiers who test the faithfulness of the sisters to whom they are engaged, only to learn the brides-to-be have a few tricks up their sleeves. It premiered on Jan. 26, 1790, but its run was cut short by the death of Emperor Joseph II.

“Così fan tutte” was never performed again in Vienna before Mozart died at the age of 35 in 1791. The opera premiered in London in May 1811, but more than a century passed before its U.S. debut at New York’s Metropolitan Opera in 1922.

SUBTITLES MAKE OPERA MORE ACCESSIBLE

Although popular culture often portrays opera as exclusive and intimidating, you don’t have to be rich to appreciate arias. Many immigrants arrived in the U.S. during the early 20th century with just the clothes on their backs and a love of opera. If you don’t speak Italian (the language of “Così fan tutte”), don’t worry. The Sarasota Opera has done the translating for you. At some operas, such as Santa Fe, the translations scroll by on the seat in front of you. At the Sarasota Opera, they’re above the stage.

Where opera can be challenging for newcomers is the duration of the performances. The first act of “Così fan tutte” is 83 minutes, followed by a 20-minute intermission and a second act of 82 minutes. Not everyone is ready to invest three hours of their time at opera.

One way to get your opera fix in a less demanding fashion or to find out if it’s for you is with the Sarasota Opera’s affordable recitals featuring arias, duets and ensembles sung by the opera’s apprentice artists. On Wednesday, Nov. 5, a recital will be held at the opera house at noon for just $10.

Another mainstay of the fall season is the Sarasota Opera’s annual children’s opera featuring a cast of 80 to 100 young people between the ages of 8 and 18. This year’s Sarasota Youth Opera production is “Brundibár,” which will play Nov. 8-9.

The tale of resilience and hope features music by Jewish Czech composer Hans Krasa and libretto by Adolf Hoffmeister. It was originally performed by children at a concentration camp during World War II.

With the revival of a fall production, you could say the Sarasota Opera is returning to tradition since it performed a fall opera from 200822, except during COVID. Russell says the company decided to go back to a fall opera because “it’s important for us to have as close to a year-round presence as we can.”

For some subscribers, seeing four productions in the Sarasota Opera Winter Festival (Feb. 14-March 29, 2026) “is too much,” he says. Having a fall option gives them a chance to spread out their opera during the season.

Other than the film series of classic movies and HD opera presented by the Sarasota Opera, it’s not “feasible to do anything during the summer,” Russell says. The classic films screened on Friday night typically draw more than 200 people, while the Sunday afternoon opera films attract fewer patrons.

There are worse places to be than the beautiful, air-conditioned opera house on a hot August night. Its luxurious ambience elevates anything on its stage, where performers are following in the footsteps of entertainers ranging from Will Rogers to Elvis Presley.

Sarasota Living Arts Festival launches its sophomore edition

This year’s fest puts the focus firmly on youth.

hink it’s tough being a freshman?

Try being a sophomore.

Sarasota Rising Executive Director and CEO Jeffery Kin knows what it’s like to launch a festival, but he had three years to get ready before the inaugural Living Arts Festival Sarasota in 2024. He’s only had a year to prepare for the second festival. But like any sophomore, Kin is older and wiser this time around.

This year’s Living Arts Festival is more streamlined that last year’s fest, which had to deal with lastminute changes in schedule and venues because of Hurricane Milton.

In November 2024, Kin had to give up the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, which was occupied by FEMA employees helping residents recover in the wake of the storm.

This year, two of the Living Arts Festival’s marquee events will take place at the Municipal Auditorium. Like last year, Art Ovation Sarasota hotel will host the opening party. This year’s theme is “Up, Up and Away.” Cue the balloons!

Those old enough to remember the Fifth Dimension hit with the same name will know the first line: “Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon?”

Kin and Art Ovation Cultural Curator Robyn Holl aren’t giving away any secrets about the party, but based on last year’s event, it’s bound to be full of surprises.

Those who missed the Living Arts Festival’s 2024 opening party were kicking themselves after pictures of a Native American dancer in full regalia and Cuban American musician Renesito Avich started circulating on social media. The Native dancer would later march in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Renesito, who goes by his first name, went on to grace the stage of

the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in New York City in the Tony awardwinning musical “Buena Vista Social Club.”

Anybody who saw Renesito at the Living Arts Festival opening night party got bragging rights. Imagine sitting with your friends at the Schoenfeld Theatre on Broadway and impressing them by casually saying, “Yeah, I saw Renesito in Sarasota.” As the old Mastercard ad goes, “Priceless.”

Such fortuitous connections and lucky encounters happen to Kin all the time. The former artistic director of The Sarasota Players is like the Pied Piper. Many of his friends and followers from his 15 years at the community theater are working tirelessly at the Living Arts Festival.

In honor of his birthday in July, Kin livestreamed a telethon for Saraso ta Rising, the nonprofit he formed in August 2021, on social media. Friends showed up bearing gifts and performers such as Sarasota lead ing lady Kathryn Parks showed their love for Kin with song and dance.

According to Kin, the fundraising effort brought in about $3,000 for Sarasota Rising, the Living Arts Fes tival’s producer.

Another guest was Holl, who met Kin shortly after she moved to Sara sota in April 2022 to take the job at Art Ovation. “I don’t know what happened. The stars aligned and people kept showing up at the desk saying they wanted to talk to Robyn. I don’t know how they heard about me,” Holl says. “I started meeting with all kinds of artists and perform ers.”

As part of her job, Holl also curates the art exhibitions in the lobby of Art Ovation as well as the artists in residence. An artist herself, Holl got her introduction to Sarasota when she was an artist in residence at the hotel.

When Kin approached Holl about Art Ovation serving as the host hotel for the inaugural Living Arts Festival, she says “it seemed like a natural for us. I took it to my team and they signed off on it.”

Renesito ended up headlining the

2024 Living Arts festival because he was already booked to perform at Art Ovation when Kin approached Holl with a date for his opening party. “I said, ‘Let’s combine efforts,’ and it all worked out,” Holl says.

All of which is to say, you don’t know who might turn up at this year’s opening party.

Like last year, the Living Arts Festival will showcase young performers being trained by local schools and cultural groups. Two outstanding teachers will be recognized with cash awards — $2,500 for the grand prize and $1,500 for runner-up. The teacher tribute awards are named in honor of David L. and Opal P. Hamblin, both lifelong educators. “We want to honor the teachers who are inspiring kids

His play, “Time Will Tell” was one of three chosen for Sarasota Jewish Theatre’s Newish Jewish Play reading series. It is based on “Two,” a short story by Isaac Bashevis Singer about unconventional love that Kin has updated for modern audiences. Kin says he fell in love with Singer’s work when he was a struggling actor in New York City. Since his arrival in Sarasota back in 1991, Kin has branched out into directing, teaching, coaching, producing and writing plays.

Riffing on Jack Johnson’s 2005 hit song “Good People,” an interviewer asked Kin who the good people are in Sarasota. There are too many to mention here, but you’ll find some of them at the 2025 Living Arts Fes-

THIS WEEK

THURSDAY

MENDELSSOHN AND MASLANKA

5:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 S. Tamiami Trail

$48-$64 Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

Sarasota Orchestra pairs the music of 18th century prodigy Felix Mendelssohn with that of 20th century master David Maslanka in this chamber music concert. The program opens with Eric Ewazen’s “Frost Fire” for brass quintet and is followed by Maslanka’s Wind Quintet No. 4. Closing the concert is Mendelssohn’s String Quarter No. 6, his last completed work.

ELLIS PAUL

7 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court

$25 Visit WSLR.org.

Singer/songwriter Ellis Paul weaves personal experience with social issues to deliver music that gets under your skin and touches your heart. Among his influences are Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon.

RAFAEL RAMÍREZ:

CHRONICLE OF A TIME WAS

7:30 p.m. at The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road

$40-$50 Visit Ringling.org.

In this Art of Performance program at The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater, Rafael Ramírez honors flamenco dance and film sensation Antonio Gades on the 20th anniversary of his death. In “Chronicle of a time was,” Ramírez uses key moments in Gades’ life to explore his courage and creative vision. Runs through Oct. 31.

‘PURLIE’

7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave. $54 for adults; $24 for students, 25 and younger and active military Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.

Directed by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe founder and artistic director Nate jacobs, “Purlie” is a musical based on Ossie Davis’ Tonywinning play, “Purlie Victorious,” which premiered in 1970 and was revived to great acclaim in 2023. In the WBTT production, Raleigh Mosely II stars as a Black preacher who returns to his home in the Jim Crow South to save his community church. Sarasota audiences will see such local favorites as Jannie Jones, Chris Caswell, Patric Robinson and Jazzmin Carson, as well as WBTT

newcomers Cody Farkas and Marcey Green. Runs through Nov. 9.

‘FEELING GOOD’

7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St. $18-$42 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

The latest musical revue created by Rebecca Hopkins and Richard Hopkins, “Feeling Good” pays tribute to contemporary crooners like Michael Bublé and Bette Midler. A dynamic trio — Haley K. Clay, Andrew Leggieri and Russell Mernagh — makes its Florida Studio Theatre debut with such swingin’ hits as “Come Fly With Me,” “It Had to Be You” and “Me and Mrs. Jones.” With musical arrangements by Jim Prosser, the show’s singers are joined by Christian “CC” Allen on drums and Prosser on piano. What a marvelous night for a moondance! Runs through Feb. 8.

‘HELLO, DOLLY’

7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton

$31.50

Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter. com.

The Manatee Players community theater presents its production of the feel-good musical that follows a tireless matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi, a role originated by Ethel Merman, as she tries to find a wife for the tightfisted Horace Vandergelder. Set in 1890s New York, “Hello, Dolly” is a timeless story that celebrates second chances and living life on a grand scale. Runs through Nov. 2.

‘A BAND CALLED HONALEE’

7:30 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 Palm Ave. $39 and up

Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

The subtitle to this Florida Studio Theatre cabaret show is “A Tribute to Peter, Paul Mary … and Friends,” but any self-respecting folk rock fan can

DON’T MISS

UP, UP & AWAY AT THE LIVING ARTS FESTIVAL

Come celebrate Sarasota Rising’s second annual Living Arts Festival at a free opening party in the lobby of the Art Ovation Sarasota hotel. The lineup includes art, music, dancing and theater performances from Sarasota cultural groups. You never know who’s going to show up. Last year’s party featured Cuban-American musician Renesito Avich, who went on to play Eliades Ochoa on Broadway in “Buena Vista Social Club.” The show won five 2025 Tony awards, including a special award for the 10-piece band. What future star will be performing at the Living Arts Festival on Nov. 2?

IF YOU GO

When: 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2

Where: Art Ovation, 1255 N. Palm Ave.

Tickets: Free Info: Visit SarasotaRising.org.

Jazz at Two, sponsored by Jazz Club of Sarasota, returns for the season with Kevin Celebi and his Harmonic Sanity septet. A favorite for the last two seasons, the band covers jazz standards across various styles and plays original compositions.

‘MONSTERS OF THE AMERICAN CINEMA’

7:30 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1482 Second St. $5-$44 Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.

spot the play on words in the name “A Band Called Honalee.” ICYMI, it refers to the mythical land made famous by the children’s song “Puff the Magic Dragon.” The incarnation of the Band Called Honalee appearing in Sarasota includes Brian Ott, a veteran of FST’s “59th Street Bridge,” Michael Grieve, Geoffrey Neuman and Sigrid Wise. Runs through Nov. 2.

‘MISERY’

7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton $31.50 Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter. com.

What happens when a celebrated author is abducted by his No. 1 fan? Find out during this Manatee Players production of William Goldman’s play, based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel of the same name. Runs through Nov. 2.

FRIDAY

JAZZ AT TWO WITH KEVIN CELEBI

2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road $15-$20 Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

In Christian St. Croix’s haunting play, a gay Black widower bonds with his late husband’s straight, white teenage son over scary monster flicks until ghastly cinematic creatures seemingly escape the silver screen. Or are they monsters from within? This funny, frightening romp lets the audience decide. Runs through Dec. 7.

‘COSÌ FAN TUTTE’

7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. $32 and up Visit SarasotaOpera.org.

Sarasota Opera revives fall opera with Mozart’s “Così fan tutte.” The humorous tale follows two soldiers who test the fidelity of the sisters to whom they are engaged, only to learn the brides-to-be have a few tricks up their sleeves. Sarasota Opera is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Opera House during its 2025-26 season. “Così fan tutte” kicks off what promises to be a festive season. Runs through Nov. 15.

SATURDAY

SARASOTA CONTEMPORARY

DANCE IN-STUDIO SERIES

3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Suite 300 $20 Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance. org.

Sarasota Contemporary Dance member Jessica Obiedzinski goes “Beyond the Syntax” in this piece she created to explore communication beyond words.

VERY MERRY JERRY DAY

5 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court $20 Visit WSLR.org.

If you have to ask who the “Jerry” is in “Very Merry Jerry Day,” this probably isn’t the event for you. Those who know will don their favorite tie-dye T-shirt and head

over to Fogartyville to hear Grateful Dead classics performed by Old Man Down, Uncle John’s Band and Foolish Quartet, who some may know as members of Ship of Fools.

Don’t have any tie-dye clothing?

You might find some for sale by the vendors at this event, which will also have food trucks in case you get the munchies.

‘OUT OF BOUNDS’

7:30 p.m. at FST’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St.

$15-$18

Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Florida Studio Theatre Improv presents “Out of Bounds,” a smackdown between two teams of experienced improvisers who face off with games, skits and songs to win the audience’s admiration. Runs Saturdays through Nov. 22.

MONDAY

‘ANCESTRAL EDGE’

10 a.m. at The John and Mable Ringling Art Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Road Free with $30 admission; Mondays free Visit Ringling.org.

Aficionados of Native American art often have to travel to places such as Washington, D.C., Phoenix and Santa Fe, New Mexico, to see contemporary work. The

OUR PICK

JASON MARSALIS & NICOLE HENRY

Whether you love jazz, your ears prick up when you hear the name Marsalis. In this Jazz Club of Sarasota concert to kick off their season, drummer and vibraphonist Jason Marsalis pays tribute to his father, New Orleans pianist and educator Ellis Marsalis. Sharing the bill is Nicole Henry, a star in her own right, who has taken her quartet to 40 countries.

IF YOU GO

When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1

Where: Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way

Tickets: $65 and up Info: Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

Ringling has recently been bringing more visibility to contemporary Native American art, first with its 2023 show “Reclaiming Home,” showcasing members of Florida tribes, and now with “Ancestral Edge” featuring nine female artists from across the U.S. Their bold multimedia works occupy the Keith D. Monda Gallery for Contemporary Art through April 2026.

JAZZ JAM SRQ

5:30 p.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St. Free Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

Sponsored by the Jazz Club of Sarasota, the twice-monthly jazz jam sessions bring people of different skill levels together for an improvised musical session while providing a free performance for those who come to listen.

TUESDAY

‘ART DECO: THE GOLDEN AGE OF ILLUSTRATION’

10 a.m. at the Sarasota Art Museum campus of Ringling College, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail Free for museum members; $20 Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.

The Sarasota Art Museum celebrates the 100th anniversary of the exposition that kicked off the Art Deco movement. More than 100 eyecatching posters from the Crouse Collection as well as industrial furniture, home furnishings and other objects loaned by the Wilsonian-Florida International University are on display. Runs through March 29, 2026.

BLAKE WALTON: SOLO PERFORMANCE AS POWER AND PROTEST

4 p.m. at Arts Advocates Gallery, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, No. 119 $5 Visit ArtsAdvocates.org.

Together with his wife, actress Annie Morrison, actor, director and playwright Blake Walton founded the nonprofit theater company SaraSolo Productions in 2014 to champion voices that are rarely heard, with a commitment to authenticity,

Jessica Obiedzinski presents her work “Beyond the Syntax” at Sarasota Contemporary Dance’s studio on Saturday, Nov. 1.

empathy and innovation. A talkback with the audience follows Walton’s presentation.

WEDNESDAY

JOY MCINTYRE: 200 YEARS OF MUSIC IN THE WHITE HOUSE, PART 1

10:30 a.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St. Free with registration Visit SarasotaMusicArchive.org.

Join retired opera singer and professor Joy McIntyre as she takes the audience on a tour of music in

By

By Kate Hamill

November 4 - 23, 2025

Presented in the Cook Theatre

Kate Hamill Presented in the Cook Theatre

the White House from 1789-1932, the period from Presidents George Washington to Herbert Hoover. Part 2 takes place Nov. 11.

OPERA APPRENTICE ARTISTS AT NOON

Noon at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. $10 Visit SarasotaOpera.org.

Come hear the apprentice artists the Sarasota Opera has recruited from all over the globe perform operatic arias, duets and ensembles.

Living Arts Festival Week

Kate Hamill’s bold adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel brings fresh energy and wit to the stage. Emma Woodhouse prides herself on being a matchmaker with a flawless record—but when love takes unexpected turns, rivals emerge, and emotions run high, Emma is forced to realize that true love may have been right in front of her all along. This sharp, heartwarming comedy explores women’s social standing and the tangled themes of love, friendship, and personal growth.

Get Tickets: asolorep.org/conservatory |

Saturday,

Oct. 25,

at Mote SEA Benefiting Mote Marine Laboratory

There is no de-baiting it: The recently opened Mote Science Education Aquarium, located in the UTC area, is a space that is exceptional for marine life as well as an Oceanic Evening gala made for ball gowns, tuxedos and all the fish-related tidbits one can find.

With more than 1 million gallons of water on-site, the 570 guests made the most of Mote SEA’s 146,000 square feet of space and multiple levels on the evening of Oct. 25.

“Exactly 40 years ago tonight, Mote Marine celebrated its 30th anniversary with a sock hop in the parking lot on Ken Thompson Parkway as it poured rain, but no one stopped dancing,” said event Chair Judy Graham during an interview.

Guests attired in aquamarine, blues and greens and sparkling with ocean-themed jewelry, bags and hair adornments enjoyed a night of education, as well, with docents and volunteers staffed at each attraction.

Mote President and CEO Michael Crosby graciously thanked everyone for their continued support, which benefits Mote Marine’s many programs, including coral restoration, ocean and marine life health, research and public education.

Overall, it was a fin-tastic evening, and no one failed to fall for this brilliantly designed aquarium and event — hook, line and sinker.

— JANET COMBS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2025

Oceanic Evening

Fall Lunch in the Gardens

Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Benefiting Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Gratehouse, Kym Copeland, Virginia Harshman, Lakey MacArthur and Milli Ricciardelli

The Arts Advocates Gallery inside the Crossings at Siesta Key mall is open every Saturday from 2-4 pm featuring the works of Sarasota Colony artists, the Florida Highwaymen, and changing monthly exhibits.

Talkback Tuesday

Blake Walton - HEAR ME: Solo Performance as Power and Protest

November 4, 4-6 pm

Arts Advocates Gallery

Blake Walton is an award-winning actor, director, playwright, and teaching artist with over four decades of experience on the stage.

Holiday Bazaar

November 14, 4-6 pm

November 15, 12-5 pm

Arts Advocates Gallery

Over 20 vendors and artists offering giftable wares, home decor, jewelry, fine art photographs, accessories, and much more

Luncheon What You Need to Know About AI and the Arts

November 20, 11 am-1 pm

Sarasota Yacht Club

Rick Dakan of Ringling College of Art + Design explains how AI works in the arts and in your every day life.

Streisand, and Goldie Hawn. Vernon Davidson, a Chicago native, University of Illinois graduate, and Second City alumnus, directed and produced many acclaimed films and TV shows, most notably The Goldbergs, where he helped bring Segal’s final chapter to life.