an art lover's city
Sarasota is the heart and soul of the Florida art scene. Just minutes from our Sarasota luxury resort, you’ll find galleries, theaters and festivals galore! Peruse the pages below to get just a hint of all of the activities available near our Sarasota luxury hotel and resort.
Theatre
Circus
Dance
Film
Music
Performing Arts Halls
Visual Arts
Asolo Theatre
The acclaimed Asolo Theater Company presents a unique repertory of classics and new works in beautifully restored former opera house from Dunfermline, Scotland. With award-winning professional actors and renowned scenic and costume design, its live theatre at it’s finest.One of only four rotating repertory theaters in the country.
The Hermmitage Artist Retreat
A retreat for writers, painters, poets, sculptors, composers, and other primary creatives from around the world to pursue their work and interact with the community.
The Banyan Theatre
A professional theater company dedicated to the producing classic and contemporary drama during the summer season only.
Florida Studio Theatre
FST produces world premieres and contemporary works which have been produced on or off-Broadway within the last five years. By focusing on the works of contemporary writers, FST has been able to offer plays to its audiences that are not normally produced by other area theatres. FST is comprised of six main programs: Mainstage, Cabaret, Stage III, Touring (In the schools), Education and New Play Development.
Florida Studio Theatre Gompertz Stage III
The Stage III series features contemporary plays that are challenging and push the envelope with new forms and provocative content.
Florida Studio Theatre Mainstage
Offering a year-round mix of musicals and dramas, all designed to suit a variety of tastes and needs.
Florida West Coast Symphony
Providing a range of orchestral and chamber music concerts.
Golden Apple Dinner Theatre
The Golden Apple Dinner Theatre is ¾ thrust, 281 seats, horseshoe- shaped theatre with a main floor and two additional tiers. Dinner is served buffet style on the main floor and after dinner the buffet is cleared and a 704 square foot “Magic Carpet” stage that is floated forward on a cushion of air occupies the same space.
McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre
Established 16 years ago, McCurdy's is located in a 4,000 sq. ft. showroom, surrounded by a gated courtyard. The theatre - with no obstructed views - is the perfect size and shape for today's Stand-up and Improvisation performances. Over the past 16 years, comedians who have performed at McCurdy's read like a Who's Who list of the greatest names in comedy: Jeff Foxworthy, Chris Rock, Darrell Hammond, Larry Miller, Tommy Chong, Elayne Boosler, Soupy Sales, Judy Tenuta, Pat Paulsen, Jeff Dunham, Jimmie "JJ" Walker, Jim Breuer, Richard Lewis, Larry "The Cable Guy", Kevin Pollack, Ron White, Ralphie May, David Brenner and Bobcat Goldthwait.
The Players Theatre
The Players is a Florida not-for-profit organization serving the local, national and international community with diverse programming, including: The Broadway Musical Theatre Series, The Chinese Film and Music Festival, Festival Latino, Black History Month Productions and International Cultural Exchanges.
The Backlot
An exciting cooperative arts and education facility providing accessibility to arts, sports, and education for underserved audiences and children of all ages.
FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training
Florida State University graduate-level actors perform a varied repertoire of classic and cutting-edge plays November through May.
Lemon Bay Playhouse
Englewood’s only community theater presenting comic plays, drama, special events, and education and training in the performing arts.
Powel Crosley Theatre
Professional theater performed in the unique ambience of the Powel Crosley Mansion.
Sarasota Senior Theater, Inc.
Encouraging people age 55 and older to participate in performing arts.
Venice Little Theatre
Award-winning theater offering entertainment year-round on two stages, including musicals, plays, concerts, and cabarets.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
Promoting and celebrating the African American experience by presenting meaningful, entertaining, and thought-provoking theater.
Circus Arts
Sarasota’s own one-ring, five-star international circus. Presenting the best in circus arts with a main show Feb. 1-24, and education and human services programs year-round.
Pal Sailor Circus
Sarasota’s youth performing circus featuring a mix of traditional and contemporary acts with a “Holiday Spectacular,” Dec. 27-29.
Grapevine International Fold Dancers
Teaching dances from other countries every Wednesday night at Sarasota’s Bayfront Community Center.
Sarasota Ballet
The only professional ballet company on Florida’s west coast presents works choreographed by Sir Frederick Ashton, Sir Kenneth Macmillan, Matthew Bourne, and George Balanchine during the 2007-2008 season.
West Coast Civic Ballet
A not-for-profit dance company providing opportunities for community members of all ages to perform and participate in productions with area artists who are committed to excellence and collaboration.
Sarasota Film Festival
Featuring more than 200 films, public events, panels, parties, filmmaker discussions, and musical performances, April 4-13.
Sarasota Film Society-Burns Court Cinema
Featuring films of international importance in its three-screen Burns Court Cinema and six-screen Lakewood Ranch Cinema.
Artist Series of Sarasota
Presenting live concerts and recitals for the enjoyment and cultural enrichment of audiences in Sarasota and beyond while providing a showcase for rising national and international musical artists.
Florida West Coast Symphony
Experience the power of music performed by a world-class orchestra.
Gloria Musicae
Featuring the highest quality chamber choral works performed by professional singers with piano, organ, and orchestra.
Gulf Coast Men's Chorus and Harmony: The Women's Voices of Sarasota
A men’s and women’s chorus with the mission to produce quality music to inspire, encourage, and promote the acceptance of all people, particularly gay and lesbian.
Jacobites Pipe & Drum Band
Florida’s premier performing pipe band, with classes available in piping, drumming, and Highland dance.
Jazz Club of Sarasota
Presenting more than 50 jazz events a year, including the weeklong
Key Chorale
The official chorus of the Florida West Coast Symphony provides profound musical and spiritual experiences to Sarasota audiences.
La Musica International Chamber Music Festival
Critically acclaimed international chamber music organization now in its 21st season. See Festivals.
New Music College
A five-concert series of contemporary music performed by national recording artists and local professional musicians, held September through May on the New College of Florida campus and adventurous local venues.
Oasis - Opera for Animals: Singing is Saving
A nonprofit group of professional musicians who produce and perform concerts to raise funds for animal welfare groups in the area and across
Pops Extras!
Promoting community music in southwest Florida while creating an entertainment platform for Florida musicians and entertainers.
Sarasota Choral Society
Sarasota’s oldest and largest community choral organization presents the area’s traditional holiday kick-off of Handel’s Messiah each year.
Sarasota Chorus of the Keys
Presenting two concerts at the Van Wezel and inspirational performances scheduled at various churches throughout the year.
Sarasota Concert Association
Internationally known classical artists and symphonies presented at the Van Wezel, January through March.
Sarasota Concert Band
Featuring a series of concerts of symphonic band music from great composers of the past to the best composers of our area, under the direction of William J. Barbanera.
Sarasota Folk Club
Folk concerts on the last Monday of every month at the Sailing Squadron on City Island. See Festivals.
Sarasota Jewish Chorale
An all-volunteer group of men and women performing Jewish songs from all over the world and across the span of time. Rehearsal and performing season runs September through May.
Sarasota Music Archive
Presenting a musical program every second Sunday at Sarasota’s Selby Public Library at 2:30p.m.
Sarasota Opera
Producing outstanding opera true to the vision of the composer. This year’s season runs March 1-April 13, with works by Verdi, Puccini, and Mozart. See Festivals.
Sarasota Pops Orchestra
Presenting the best in contemporary and timeless orchestral music from Broadway to the British Isles and beyond at Church of the Palms in Sarasota under the direction of Kenneth Bowermeister.
Sarasota Youth Opera
A yearlong program in which singers ages 10 to 18 participate in all aspects of opera production. Admission is open to all who apply, regardless of skill level, experience, or ability to pay.
Smooth Jazz on St. Armands
Free jazz concerts in Circle Park on St. Armands, 6:00 - 9:00p.m., every fourth Friday, January through May.
Suncoast Chorale, INC
Performing a diverse repertoire of the highest quality vocal and choral music.
Venice Symphony
Featuring classical and pops concerts, a small ensembles series, “Music Outside the Box,” an annual “Pops in the Park” concert, and the Venice Summer Music Camp.
The Glenridge Performing Arts Center
A 260-seat performance venue presenting classical concert recitals, jazz concerts, theatrical presentations, and cabaret performances.
Poetry
Soulspeak/SoulMoves
Helping children and adults express hopes and conflicts through spontaneous and collaborative poetry, dance, and the arts. Soulspeak Studio produces art videos and documentaries.
Art Center Sarasota
A community-based art center hosting a variety of exhibits, arts classes, lectures, and workshops.
Bispham-Wilson Arts and Historic District
Historic buildings house Colleen Cassidy Burns’ studio and Studio 41 Gallery and Photography.
Bradenton Village of the Arts
Over 30 galleries, studios, and shops near downtown Bradenton. Art walks every first Friday (6:00 - 9:30p.m.) and Saturday (11:00a.m. - 4:00p.m.).
Englewood Art Center
Dedicated to promoting the knowledge and appreciation of the arts through demonstrations, critiques, exhibits, and classes. Featuring the Annual Fine Art Show, March 8 and 9.
Fine Arts Society of Sarasota
Establishes a permanent collection of works by local and nationally recognized artists at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, and awards scholarships to qualified Sarasota County residents for the study of fine arts.
Florida West Coast Bead Society
Exploring innovative techniques of beaded jewelry and surface design. Meets first Mondays, October through May, at Sarasota’s Waldemere fire station.
Longboat Key Center for the Arts
Regularly changing exhibitions, special events, and art instruction. Presenting the Longboat Key Fine Arts and Crafts Festival every March.
Manasota Weavers Guild
Classes in weaving, spinning, dyeing, basket-making, and related fiber arts. Featuring the Fiber Arts Boutique at Art Center Sarasota, Nov. 15-17.
New College of Florida Caples Fine Arts Complex
Offers a variety of student art exhibits, theatrical and musical performances, many of which are free to the public. The complex includes a 250-seat theater, Sainer Auditorium, in addition to music and art classrooms.
Ringling College of Art and Design
A private, not-for-profit fully accredited college offering a bachelor of fine arts degree in 14 disciplines.
Ringling College of Art and Design Community Art Programs
Featuring art and design classes for adults, teens, and youth, precollege perspective, art travel, art retreats in North Carolina, and spring art workshops.
Selby Gallery at Ringling College of Art & Design
Regular, rotating exhibitions of contemporary regional, national, and international artists and designers.
Sarasota Season of Sculpture
An invitational exhibition of large-scale sculpture by American and international artists, Nov. 11-May 31.
Towles Court Artist Colony
A collection of artists’ studios, galleries, shops, and restaurants in a quaint old-Florida atmosphere. Gallery walks every third Friday of month, 6:00 - 10:00p.m.
Venice Art Center
Offering arts exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and classes.
Women Contemporary Arts
A regional organization providing visibility, encouragement, and inspiration to women artists. Membership is available to women artists who want to actively participate in the functions of WCA.