Octopus Soppressata  

Soppressata is an Italian delicacy, with cured sausage traditionally made from pork or beef. Isaac Correa of Baker & Wife is anything but as traditionalist. If you Google “Isaac Correa” you’re likely to find a smoldering picture of him in a towel in GQ Russia, tattoos on full display, shaving his face with a meat cleaver. His food may be simple in presentation and utilize only farm-fresh ingredients but—much like the man himself—the food is more complex than it first appears. The soppressata at Baker & Wife is a light, delicious dish made using just-caught octopus. The sliced rings of pressed octopus are dressed with Parmesan, citrus olive oil, balsamic and segments of tangy grapefruit, served with a shaved fennel salad. Baker & Wife, 2157 Siesta Dr., Sarasota, 941-960-1765.

Sarasota Music Festival: June 9–25

Visiting faculty artists and pre-professional students from across the country and globe descend on Sarasota for three weeks this June for a teaching festival celebration of the classical masters. Attend the Thursday artist showcases to hear your favorite performer interpret Bach and Brahms, then stop by a Saturday Symphony for the full orchestral treatment. Student recitals and master classes are open to the public for all looking to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse as one generation passes musicianship and appreciation to the next. See the results at the Friday Festivals, bringing students and faculty onstage together for an ensemble performance. Highlights this year include an opening tribute to late festival faculty member Joseph Silverstein and the return of alum Noah Bendix-Balgley, concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic, who joins the festival as member of the faculty and will be performing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D Major, Op.61. “The faculty and students really are the best of the best and to see them come together is magical,” says Administrative Director Roseanne McCabe. “It feeds your soul, inspires you and makes it all worthwhile.” The beach is nice, but the Bach is better, she says. “It gives you something to talk about at the beach.” Sarasota Music Festival, 941-953-3434, Sarasotaorchestra.com.

Mouths To Feed

Summer vacation brings students a reprieve from homework and lectures, but it also means losing access to free and cheap meals each day for thousands. All Faiths Food Bank aims to combat hunger when reduced lunch is not available. Beau Wilberding, senior director of marketing for the food bank, says that for 21,000 schoolchildren in Sarasota County, summer is the hungriest time of year, and when you count siblings still not in school, that number rises to 40,000 mouths not being fed. But the Campaign Against Summer Hunger last year helped provide nourishment for 27,000 in the Sarasota area through serving nearly 2 million snacks and meals, and this year a goal has been set to feed 30,000 children. The food bank kicked things off with a $600,000 funding match promise, an amount that represents a full half of the $1.2 million raised the prior year. The Gulf Coast Community Foundation also worked to raise awareness. By early April, Wilberding said the efforts had already been strong and the drive was two thirds of the way toward its goals. Work started early on the campaign, with a formal launch held in late March and funding raised over a 45-day campaign ending in mid-May, but you can still get involved, either by donating money or food or by volunteering time to pack food in boxes that youths can take home to feed themselves and their whole families. All Faiths Food Bank, 8171 Blaikie Ct., Sarasota, 941-379-6333,  allfaithsfoodbank.org.

Otter Pop

The newest denizens of Mote Aquarium swam into town in March and don’t plan to leave anytime soon. Huck, Pippi and Jane, three North American river otters, can be seen seven days a week at the Sarasota family attraction in an elaborate space. “Its 360-degree viewing setup allows visitors to see virtually everything the otters do: swimming, romping, sliding and playing,” says Evan Barniskis, assistant vice president for Mote Aquarium. “Also, because Mote is a research institution, we specialize in the depth of our educational information. You won’t just learn basic otter facts—you’ll learn how otters fit into watershed ecosystems and how we can help protect them. Otters are here to represent their natural homes, which intertwine with the human landscape.” Also, they look super cute when they peer their heads up from the water and shake their whiskers dry. Can’t get enough of that. Mote Marine Laboratory.  1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota, 941-388-4441.

Juice Glow

“Glowing skin, bright eyes, more energy, optimism.” These are only a few of the myriad benefits that await you by treating yourself to a juice cleanse from SaraFresh, Sarasota’s beloved cold-pressed juice company founded by bright-eyed, energetic Lynn Morris. What better way to kick off a summer in Sarasota than to detoxify your body, shed a few pounds and feel more radiant? A juice cleanse may seem intimidating, but if you visit the SaraFresh truck at Sarasota’s Farmers Market on a sunny Saturday morning they’re sure to put your mind at ease. The Signature Cleanse is designed for first-time cleansers and can be done for one to five days depending on what you’re hoping to accomplish. SaraFRESH, 941-914-5515.

Splashing in the Gardens: June 11–July 16 

It wouldn’t be summer without Splashin’ Saturdays. Don’t forget to stop by Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, where every Saturday from 10am–noon the great lawn transforms into an aquatic-themed playground for kids of all ages. The giant inflatable slides are back by popular demand, alongside games and activities led by Selby counselors and staff under the shade of the banyan trees. Get soaked in the water balloon toss then dry off running through the treetops in the Children’s Rainforest Garden. “It’s a nice place to come and cool off in the summer,” says Selby Gardens’ Mischa Kirby with a laugh. “And the parents love the kids running around and tiring themselves out a little bit.” Parents enjoy a pleasant family outing and don’t forget to stop by the café in the Selby House, where a revamped menu offers healthy options for both children and adults. Selby Gardens, 811 South Palm Ave., Sarasota, 941-366-5731. 

Do the Wild Bisque

Chef Steve Phelps of Indigenous is a busy man. Between fielding calls, James Beard nominations and national media requests, it’s any wonder he has time to concentrate on his restaurant in Towles Court. Yet, Chef Phelps is passionate about his menu, his team and his patrons and it’s not uncommon to see him roaming the courtyard on a star-filled night checking on tables and chatting about Sarasota’s burgeoning food scene. Chef Phelps leads the charge of restaurants committed to sourcing their ingredients locally, responsibly and sustainably and this attention to every detail is evident in the spectacular flavors and textures showcased on his menu. Chef Phelps recommends the wild mushroom bisque with truffled rye croutons—a staple on the menu from the beginning—as a local “must-do.” Indigenous server Chris Foley’s two-year-old daughter agrees with Chef Steve’s choice: “My wife will bring her to visit and she’ll say ‘Hi Daddy. Daddy soup.’” Indigenous. 239 South Links Ave., Sarasota, 941-706-4740.

Making Waves: June 25–July 4

Fireworks won’t be the only noise you’ll hear on Sarasota Bay this Independence Day weekend. The 32nd Annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix returns to local waters. The entire race gets produced each year by Suncoast Charities for Children, and this year the race will be sanctioned by Powerboat P1, USA Superstock P1 National Championship and AquaCross. The contest as always will provide a spectacle to all who line the shores of Southwest Florida to watch the racing vessels take to the water. “It’s the Super Bowl of powerboat racing,” says Lee Baker, of Lycamobile Offshore Race Team. The event starts on June 25 and runs through July 4. Last year, the event was covered by CBS Sports, and Festival Director Lucy Nicandri notes that all proceeds raised through the event will support the Suncoast Foundation for the Handicapped, which for more than three decades has built facilities throughout the county to house organizations like Loveland Center, Community Haven and the Special Olympics. “We’ve grown the event from what used to be just a boat race into a festival with nine days of events,” she says.  sarasotapowerboatgrandprix.org

Summer Circus: June 15–30

The Big Top is full to burst for the Circus Arts Conservatory’s 10th Anniversary edition of its annual Summer Circus Spectacular, bringing a veritable host of performers to the center ring here in Sarasota, including Kazakhstani father-daughter acrobat duo Sergey and Sasha Korolev. “They are quite unbelievable—spectacular, in fact,” says Circus Arts Conservatory co-founder Pedro Reis, who tried for two years to get the pair before booking them for this summer. Joining the Korolevs from Cuba, Rony Gomez brings his reverse juggling performance, ricocheting the balls off the ground and world around him in high-energy choreographed routines as opposed to the usual up and down, while New York-based comedian Adam Kuchler involves the audience in his modern day clowning. No circus spectacular would be complete without Dolly Jacobs, co-founder and aerialist, flying over the stage. “People always look forward to seeing her because she’s just so graceful and passionate,” says Reis, also Jacobs’ husband, “and that energy transcends to the audience.” Circus Arts Conservatory, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota, 941-360-7399.

Asian Garden Grains

Phrases like “We live where you vacation” really hit home when we make like a tourist and explore our own backyards. When was the last time you spent the day at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens? We’re blessed to have this world-class facility in Sarasota, open every day except Christmas. Michael’s on East has recently become the exclusive food service provider for this “tropical urban oasis.” Be sure to include time in your visit to sit on the outdoor patio at Selby House Café and enjoy one of the fresh salads or sandwiches available for lunch. A solid choice is the Asian grain bowl with teriyaki grilled chicken, tri-color baby peppers, red lentils, farro, spicy sunflower seeds, boiled egg and artisan lettuce, topped off with a lime-cilantro sweet soy vinaigrette. Selby House Café, 811 South Palm Ave., Sarasota, 941-726-1660.

Hardball

If the summer bowling league doesn’t seem serious enough, you can enroll in customized training programs at one of the most important sports academies in the world. IMG Academy will host “the world’s best sports camps” this summer, with special programs in baseball, basketball, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, track and field, or you can enroll in a camp for general athletic performance. IMG offers both hard-core sport and educational camps along with offerings available for teams that can be boarded at the camp. But remember space is limited and prices are premium. Total Athlete camp for performance, for example, costs $1,349 for a week stay in early June while the three-week camp runs $3,799 at the same time and a five-week camp runs $6,399.  IMGAcademy.com

Musical Menopause: June 7–19 

Jeanie Linders’ ever-popular musical comedy returns to the region where fans flocked to hear this raucous and rowdy take on feminine aging in the modern world. Making its debut performance at the Manatee Performing Arts Center, “the first opportunity we had, we grabbed the show and booked it,” says MPAC Producing Artistic Director Rick Kerby. “And we’re excited to have them here.” Indeed an unusual show for the theater, Menopause will not be produced in-house, instead it will be performed by a professional troupe with players from around the country. “As a show, Menopause is absolutely hysterical,” says Kerby. “It’s a parody show, but it speaks to a lot of women’s issues and how when going through an aging process you can laugh at yourself and have a good time.” Tickets range from $27–$37. Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-0111.

Maine Lobster Sliders

Shore Diner on St. Armands Circle is an ideal spot to while away a summer day. This beautiful space feels like the rooftop deck of a fabulous house on Lake Como—lush, green and breezy. The food at Shore reveals an elevated perspective on comfort, befitting a diner located in the middle of a world-renowned shopping destination. Shareable tapas plates for dinner include Thai curry mussels, fried Banh Mi oysters and Kung Pao calamari. The Maine lobster slider is perfectly cooked and has a subtle spice accompanying the exotic citrusy notes of the yuzu-coriander schmear. Shore Diner, 465 John Ringling Blvd., #200, Sarasota, 941-296-0301.

Summer Rinks

Florida may not seem like a hot venue to train for the Winter Olympics, but in the past decade the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex has in fact become home to nearly a dozen Olympic figure skaters who competed for the United States. Tarah Kayne and Danny O’Shea, who just competed at US Nationals this year, now train there. Even if you aren’t skating for the gold, you can enjoy facilities in Ellenton for figure skating, hockey or just recreational skates around the rink. Summer classes teaching kids and adults to skate have already been put on the calendar beginning May 6, and the Tampa Bay Lightning host a camp July 18–22. Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, 5309 29th Street E., Ellenton, 941-723-3663 

Not Your Daddy’s Caddy

Leave the golf cart behind and enjoy the newest way to roll from hole to hole at Legacy Golf Club. The Lakewood Ranch club is the first in the region to start renting GolfBoards, new technology that looks part surfboard, part scooter. The club held an open house event in early March and let golfers try the tech for a week for free. Guests can still rent a board for a menial $5 fee right now. Billy Belair, sales representative for GolfBoard in West Florida, says the device has its roots in snowboard and surfer culture but was designed with the golfer in mind. Players moving their clubs through the greens can navigate with an intuitive thumb joystick. Legacy officials say guests who want to try the board should show up 30 minutes before tee time to get the equipment, but that it only takes a few minutes to learn how to drive. Legacy Golf Club, 8255 Legacy Blvd., Lakewood Ranch, 941-907-7920.

Midsummer Modern: June 17–18

The Sarasota Design Conference in years past brought great architects from Europe, Asia and other hot spots to explore Sarasota’s modern treasures and discuss the future of design. The biennial event is expected this year to attract more than 100 architects from around the state of Florida to hear featured guests including Craig Schwitter, responsible for New York City’s High Line and Harvard University’s new Science and Engineering Complex. If the BuroHappold Engineering principal isn’t a big enough rock star to pry away your money, other guests include Eric Casel from Architecture for Humanity, Elaine Molinar from the Van Allen Institute, Robert Rogers of Rogers Partners and Maryann Thompson of Maryann Thompson Architects. The event will be held at the SCOPE Building in Sarasota. Members of the American Institute of Architects can attend for free; all others pay $10. SCOPE Building, 1226 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, 941-365-8751, AIAgulfcoast.org.

Pristine Pond of Paradise

While city activities bustle along many waterways in the Bradenton area, a more natural habitat exists in Lake Manatee State Park—556 acres of preserve are managed by the State of  Florida and enjoyed by thousands of campers, fishermen and other visitors each year. The park provides opportunities for countless kinds of outdoor recreation from hiking to boating to bird watching. And while a dam keeps any actual manatees out of the namesake lake that serves as the park’s chief draw, plenty of other wildlife can be found on the water and throughout the reserve. Because of the preserve aspects, boaters are prohibited from moving faster than 20 miles per hour. While this will keep racers away, it should also encourage guests in search of wildlife breeding grounds and more tranquil places to pitch a tent. There are 60 fully electrical campsites, all within walking distance of the waterfront, and camping will run $22 a night plus a small reservation fee. If you just want to visit by the day, pedestrians pay $2 at the gate and cars come in for $5 per vehicle (with a limit of eight people per vehicle). Beyond that, bikes or canoes can be rented for $2 or $5 an hour respectively. Lake Manatee State Park, 20007 S.R. 64 East, Bradenton, 941-741-3028. 

Hetty Feather: June 3–26

Asolo Repertory Theatre closes out its 2015–16 season with the US premiere of the 2015 Olivier Award-winning stage phenomenon Hetty Feather. Based on the novel by Jacqueline Wilson, the play follows the over-the-top adventures of a feisty orphan named Hetty Feather as she joins the traveling circus and explores the streets of 19th-century London in search of her home. Equal parts Charles Dickens, Orphan Annie and Cirque du Soleil, jaw-dropping aerial and circus feats punctuate a heartfelt story celebrating the oddities of life. “As school ends for the summer, we are thrilled to present a performance that will delight all ages and is perfect for families with children to enjoy together,” said Kathryn Moroney, Asolo Rep’s education and outreach director. “Using circus arts and live instrumental music as part of its storytelling, Hetty Feather will transport us across the ocean and away from our sultry summer days—no matter if you are young or just young-at-heart.” Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 NORTH Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, 941-351-9010.

DIY Bloody Mary Bar 

Locals in the know have Sunday brunch at Libby’s Café on Osprey Avenue. Besides an eclectic menu sure to please even the most particular diner, there’s a variety of seating options and staff that are always friendly and efficient without being intrusive. The best part? While you’re waiting for your chicken 'n' waffles, cinnamon dim sum buns or cheesesteak scrambled egg skillet, you can head over to the bar and make your own Bloody Mary or Mimosa. The interactive drinking experience where you can choose your own vodka, hot sauce or edible garnishes makes a Bloody Mary taste that much better, in our humble opinion. Libby’s Cafe & Bar, 1917 South Osprey Ave., Sarasota, 941-487-7300.

World Oceans Family Festival: June 4

Created in 1992 by the United Nations Earth Summit, World Oceans Day serves as a global call to action and appreciation of the still-mysterious waters that cover nearly 75 percent of the planet. Bringing the message a little closer to home, for the last nine years Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium has staged its own festival celebration to rally the community around the coastal resources that give Sarasota-Bradenton its charm and character. Transforming the aquarium courtyard into a discovery expo from 10am–1pm, parents and children can explore educational exhibits and get hands-on with demonstrations before taking a break for the bean-bag toss, face painting and various other crafts and games. Last year, the dunk tank was a hit, and Mote officials say it may return for another round of cell phone-soaking hijinks. “While marine culture has always been Mote’s core function, our endeavors continue to emphasize the need for this research to have a positive impact in the community,” says Public Relations Manager Kaitlyn Fusco. “World Oceans Day allows children to explore the marine world, excite their passions for oceans and become better stewards of the coastal environment.” Regular exhibits and programming will all be available, so don’t forget to take a peek around after the festivities. Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota, 941-388-4441.

Tickle Your Funny Bone: July 9–11

Head on over to Florida Studio Theatre,  where the stars align and the troupes collide with the return of the annual Sarasota Improv Festival, celebrating the extemporaneous, spontaneous and quick-witted stage antics of some of the top improv performers of the day. Take sides at the Thursday night invitational kick-off, where a line-up of all-Florida teams competes for the biggest laughs, and then stay for a slate of returning favorites such as Improv Boston and the New York-based hip hop improv troupe, North Coast Improv. The festival’s first international guests, Improv Madrid, return as well, bringing an improv animator whose ever-changing creations will project on the screen behind the action. With more than 20 performances over the course of the festival’s three days and as many as eight professionally led workshops for the improv-curious to attend, the challenge will be trying to see it all. “I go to about a dozen improv festivals each year, and this is one of the best in the country,” says Will Luera, FST Director of Improv. “It’s all top-notch performers and all-star caliber troupes together in one line-up.” Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota, 941-366-9000.

Weird Science

While many kids were at home watching television last summer, nine-year-old Kannon Testerman was building his own nightlight with a laser saw. “It was the best camp ever,” he told his mother Paulina. One of dozens of children enrolled in the Suncoast Science Center Summer Camp program, Kannon and other children worked with professional devices to study this often intimidating field in an exciting fashion. And this year, officials with the center promise more digital exploration and smoldering creativity. “What sets us apart from other camps is that our campers learn the process of using computer controlled machines to create their own take-home projects,” says Suncoast Science Center Executive Director Ping Faulhaber. “In other art- or science-based camps, students may learn how to design something digitally or learn how to code an animation. At the Fab Lab, our new camps teach the students not only how to design digitally, but also how to use CNC machines to bring their visions to life.” This year, campers will learn how to do technical tasks from coding programs to creating souvenir objects with 3D printers. And working with the same equipment local inventors use to build prototypes, the students also familiarize themselves with the cutting edge in manufacturing and research. Suncoast Science Center, 4452 Beneva Rd., Sarasota, 941-840-4394.

Custom Tacos

It’s exciting when a local business does so well that it’s able to grow into a family of businesses. Although there’s more than one location to grab some gourmet Mexican street food from Poppo’s Taqueria, nothing beats the original on Pine Avenue, if only because it’s an excuse to head over to Anna Maria Island for a few hours. It’s a treat to come up with new variations of ingredients to load on the fresh-pressed tortillas that are made to order. The slow-cooked carnitas is a house specialty, however a new contender for number one is the wild boar chorizo made from Florida boar, seasoned and ground in-house. For vegetarians there’s some wickedly good organic tempeh and always a local draft on tap for the craft beer lover. Poppo’s Taqueria, 212C Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 941-254-7941. 

Sunny Pancakes

Sun Garden Café is blessed with a fabulous location, dedicated staff and devoted clientele and the sweet potato pancakes are an in-demand fixture at this popular breakfast spot. Even the half stack of these moist and fluffy morsels dotted with pecan butter and drenched in maple syrup (ask for the real stuff, they have it in the back) proves more than enough to keep you going for a full day of people-watching and paddleboarding at nearby Siesta Key Beach. Why sweet potato pancakes aren’t on more breakfast menus is a good question, but now you know exactly where to go when you need a fix. Sun Garden Café, 210 Avenida Madera, Siesta Key, 941-346-7170. 

Wet Behind the Ears

The summer program at Mote Marine Laboratory keeps children in love with the sea and engaged in marine biology at one the most prestigious facilities in the country. Youngsters go beyond the aquarium glass and learn about the many studies and experiments conducted. “One special thing about Aquakids, and Mote camps in general, is the fact that campers learn about marine science topics related to the research happening right here on the Gulf Coast, while learning to appreciate marine wildlife in our very own Sarasota Bay,” says Aly Busse, assistant vice president for education at Mote. “The camp is packed with fun, age-appropriate, hands-on experiences,” ranging from a Munchers, Crunchers, Slurpers and Chirpers event studying marine life diets to an Ocean Odyssey exploring ocean habitats. Those are both part of the AquaKids program for 1st–4th graders, but Mote officials say there are other options available as well, including the creatively focused Art-SEA and the STEM-education-centered AquaTech Camp. And if none of this is enough to get your kid excited for a day at Mote, remind them that the new otters exhibit will also be a part of camp curriculum this year. Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota, 941-388-4441, mote.org/summercamp

Bar Trivia

Pitched in a battle of wits over a bottle of suds, teams hunch low and close, debating the finer points of geography, sports, pop culture and the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow—African or European?—in a group effort to lay claim to the Titans of Trifles, Emperors of Ephemera and Crown Princes of Petty Details. So assemble your team and choose wisely—sometimes your best friend isn’t your best choice and this is serious business. This is Bar Trivia. Local trivia nuts know the name Gecko’s, which hosts trivia five nights a week at varying locations. Clark Road on Monday, Landings and Braden River on Tuesday, Hillview on Wednesday, then back to the Landings for Thursday and Saturday; a true trivia hound can go nary a night without scratching the itch. A four-round game, nightly prizes to the top three teams top off at a nearly $100 combined. There are no freebies after round one, so be prepared to fight for a win. For a more relaxed trivia atmosphere, stop by World of Beer on Wednesdays at 8pm. The questions are a bit easier on average, but music-lovers dominate as two of the four rounds are dedicated to identifying artists and songs over the loudspeaker. Moving along at a quicker pace than most, teams exchange answer sheets and grade each other, forcing even more social interaction. The top three teams win $30, $20 and $10 gift cards, with a chug-off settling all ties. For those seeking a real challenge, Growlers Pub has made a name for itself hosting one of the most demanding and unforgiving trivia competitions around, due in large part to its clientele of New College professors who band together for a trivia team tour de force. Questions range the usual topics, but with a decided bent toward the obscure and intellectual. Expect less bro and more hipster, but with plenty of the pop culture that brings it all together.

Play Festival: June 27–July 1

The Players Centre for Performing Arts brings the work of community playwrights to the stage with its 15th Annual New Play Festival. Fielding dozens of submitted scripts through the contest each year, the top five are selected via anonymous judges to be presented Reader’s Theater-style for the community, who can then take part in the further creation of the new play by offering feedback directly to the playwright as they workshop the script. With the Best Of Series winner slated for full production in the 2017 season, it’s a rare opportunity to influence what’s coming to the stage. Last year, it was Llywelyn Jones’s story of a hard-partying rock star and his stalker in Why Can’t I Be You? that had audiences hooked and the play premieres as a full production later this season. “What the audience gets to witness is the birth of a brand new play,” says Jeffery Kin, Players Centre artistic director. “And the fact that we are the only area theater giving local playwrights a place to have their full-length plays worked on—well, it’s a point of pride that we do not take lightly.” The Players Center for Performing Arts, 838 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, 941-365-4294.

Fly Like a Bird

Spring training may be over, but that doesn’t mean the Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates organizations will leave practice fields unused until May. Minor league players with the Bradenton Marauders and with various Orioles minor teams will participate in summer activities for aspiring ballplayers seeking to practice with pros. “For the children, it’s an opportunity to learn about healthy lifestyles through the eyes and experience of professional athletes,” says David Rovine, vice president of Orioles-Sarasota. At McKechnie Field in Bradenton, young fans can join the First Mates Club and enjoy Marauders activities all summer long, including special days for meeting the whole team. The Orioles will conduct activities throughout the area. Last year, pro ball players Bobby Bundy, Dylan Bundy and Branden Kline all worked with kids at clinics. The Marauders have held sessions each summer at Pirate City in Bradenton. McKechnie Field, 1611 9th St. W. Bradenton, 941-748-4610. Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St., Sarasota, 941-954-4101.

Bursting in Air: July 4 

A proper Independence Day can’t go without a fireworks display. Here are three places you can see the rockets’ red glare. Sarasota Bayfront: The Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix comes to an explosive conclusion with the Sarasota Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular. The show starts at 9pm on July 4. You can bring your family to Bayfront Park, attend a party at Marina Jacks or, if you have one, anchor a boat in the Bay. Siesta Key: A display put on by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce lights up the night sky at 9pm on July 4 and we recommend going as far north on the beach as you can. If you want a longer celebration, get tickets from $150 for a VIP party that begins at 5pm. The Sandbar Restaurant: The Chiles Group will host the Big Bang! Party at The Sandbar, its popular restaurant in Anna Maria, on July 4. This beachfront establishment will serve barbeque and lemonade as you watch the show with flip flops on. 

Flights and Bites

On the covered patio at Mattison’s City Grille in the heart of downtown Sarasota, you can eat, drink and be merry while enjoying the fresh air, rain or shine. This summer Mattison’s has planned a Salute to Summer that will include both wine and beer pairings to be enjoyed throughout the season. Look forward to the first Flights & Bites on Wednesday, June 29, which will pair a selection of craft beers with small plates featuring area farms and Florida seafood from Chef Paul Mattison, the man himself. Mattison’s family of restaurants have all recently committed to utilizing only natural and sustainable ingredients. Mattison’s City Grille, 1 North Lemon Ave., Sarasota, 941-330-0440. 

Horchata Shake

Chef and Owner Rano Halikova is on a mission to provide Sarasota with healthy organic energy through raw living and vegan food. Rano has many wonderful items available on the menu at her café on Fruitville Road, sandwiched between antique shops. Highlights include the lasagna with nut cheese and the pad thai with coconut tamarind dressing, but for the perfect summer pick-me-up, go for the Horchata shake, which combines cacao, cinnamon, fruit, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper and nuts for a creamy confection that provides you with a natural energy boost. Try the combination of banana and cashew while it’s hot—Rano is always changing the mixture to reflect what’s fresh and abundant on any given day. Beauty of Sprouts, 1474 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, 941-350-8449.

Phantom Bodies: June 17–September 11

This summer the Ringling Museum continues its exploration of the art of our time with a multimedia exhibition showcasing 12 of the world’s top contemporary artists addressing loss, memory and the relationship between mind and body. Divided into four distinct sections—“Objects and Absences,” “Violence, Empathy, and Erasure,” “Sublimation” and “The Mind-Body Problem”—this curated collection of 38 works unites painting, photography, sculpture, film and installation into a continuous examination of the objects in our lives and the metaphysical imprints we leave on the surrounding world. “It’s an opportunity to slow down,” says Ringling Museum Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art Matthew McLendon. “Our 21st-century lives are frenetic. We’re pulled in all different directions, constantly checking our phones, and the museum is one of the last secular spaces where you have the permission to slow down and have a contemplative experience. What’s more refreshing than that?” The Ringling Museum of Art. 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota, 941-359-5700.