At St. Armands Circle, Arcade Monsters brings all the fun of nostalgic arcades to tourists and locals alike. Adrian Ravello is the owner and founder of Arcade Monsters, which has locations in Oviedo, Melbourne and Lake Mary. “I’ve been gaming since the 1980s, and I made a lot of lifelong friends in arcades. There are no real arcades anymore; mostly people go to kiddie casino ticket redemption places,” he says. “I wanted to bring back the arcades of my day in the 1980s and 1990s.”

About 150 different games fill the space at Arcade Monsters, appealing to various gaming tastes. “I provide the greatest lineup of arcade games on the planet,” Ravello adds. “I pick the top 20 games of all time from each category, such as the 20 best pinball games, fighting, co-op, and shooting, then I compile them. We have things that no one else has, like Japanese rhythm dance and anime-based games.” Classic Frogger, air hockey and Dance Dance Revolution are a sampling of the options offered. He describes the arcade itself as an immersive space decked out in glow-in-the-dark paint. “All ages are welcome, but after 9:30pm it takes on a more adult vibe,” he says. Unlimited gameplay costs $19.99 per person, making the arcade especially appealing for affordable rainy-day family fun.

A hidden gem at Arcade Monsters is the food and drink options. Alcoholic slushies put a grown-up twist on a familiar treat. The food is scratch made and celebrates Cuban flavors in the form of empanadas, Cuban-style tacos and the famous Cuban sandwich. “People from Miami tell us we have the best version of the sandwich they’ve ever tasted,” Ravello adds.

For anyone with a competitive streak looking for an alternative to a day at the beach, Arcade Monsters is an ideal option, striking a balance between nostalgia and modern-day fun.

Arcade Monsters, 326 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, arcademonsters.com. 

Pictured: A Star Wars game at Arcade Monsters, a destination perfect for guests of all ages. Photo Courtesy of Arcade Monsters.

Arcade Monsters

On Saturday, August 19, from 12 to 2 pm, bring the whole family to a free “Family Day” event and come see what Sarasota Youth Opera is all about! The Sarasota Opera House will be abuzz with activities – you can hear the Youth Opera sing, attend a “Find Your Own Opera Voice” singing session, join in fun acting games, and stand on the opera stage when you take a tour of the opera house. You can even get creative and make some props, have fun at the wig and makeup demonstration, explore the beautiful costumes, and more! This fall Sarasota Youth Opera will present Benjamin Britten’s The Little Sweep on the Sarasota Opera House stage, complete with professional sets, costumes, and orchestra. The opera tells the charming story about a group of children who join together to free a young chimney sweep apprentice from his cruel master and send him back to his family. The fall program starts up on August 15th, and auditions for the lead roles will be held on August 22 and 24. No prior experience is necessary, all skill levels are welcome! To learn more about Youth Opera visit https://www.sarasotaopera.org/youth-opera-program.

Saturday, August 19, 2022, from 12 to 2 pm, Sarasota Opera, 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, 941-366-8450. 

To learn more, visit

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is excited to welcome the ALLMAN BETTS FAMILY REVIVAL to Sarasota on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 7 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 11 at 10 a.m. ET. It’s hard to believe that it's been seven years since Devon Allman put together a show at the Fillmore in San Francisco to celebrate the life of his father Gregg Allman. What started as one night of the Devon Allman Project featuring Duane Betts along with a bunch of guest artists has turned into a one-night festival visiting 18-20 cities a year. This year we are especially excited to announce the official rebranding of the Allman Family Revival to the Allman Betts Family Revival. We have programmed an array of guests who will perform two sets - one featuring songs by Gregg Allman and one featuring songs by Dickey Betts. Enjoy listening to the hits along with the deep cuts from their legendary Allman Brother’s catalog performed by Anders Osborne, Luther Dickinson & Cody Dickenson (North Mississippi Allstars), Jimmy Hall (Jeff Beck, Wet Willie), Jackie Greene, Larry McCray, Alex “Orbi” Orbison, Ally Venable, Devon Allman, Duane Betts, and the Allman Betts Band featuring the Tal Wilkenfeld on Bass (Jeff Beck). There will also be some incredible artists that will join us in select cities including Sierra Hull & G Love with more to be added. The tour will also welcome back The Brotherhood of Light for the otherworldly visuals Allman Brothers fans experienced at the height of their career. The Allman Betts Family Revival is nearly three action-packed hours that will leave you with a great musical experience and warmness in your heart. Join us as we celebrate one of the greatest bands in the world. Tickets start at $59.50 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. to 4 p.m. Groups of 10 or more should contact 941-263-6726. Pre-show dining is available through Mattison’s at the Van Wezel which is located inside the theatre. Reservations can be made on VanWezel.org or through the box office.  

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Myra Mains is back! Get ready for Music Bingo this Friday, Aug. 11th at Hamlet’s Eatery from 5-8pm. Music Bingo is a fun and exciting take on classic bingo where anyone can play. Hostess Myra Mains will entertain you while you enjoy great food and drinks from Hamlet’s Eatery. Free to play and open to all ages. Hamlet’s Eatery will open at 5pm for food and the games will be begin at 5:30pm. There will be four rounds. Play one or play all! Prizes include gift certificates from The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime, Hamlet’s and more! Hamlet’s Eatery has a great menu including vegan options. They have craft beer, wine, and Prosecco on tap available. Located outside with seating under a covered patio, 821 Apricot Ave in Sarasota. For more information visit www.hamletseatery.com or call 941-445-1938. 

New College of Florida (NCF) has announced the head coaches for each of its six varsity intercollegiate athletic teams which will begin competition in the 2023-2024 academic year. The announcement was made by athletic director and head men’s baseball coach Mariano Jimenez, Jr. More than 130 student-athletes have enrolled for the first season of Mighty Banyans athletics. Dr. Glodi Konga – Men’s Soccer. Konga joins NCF after spending the previous two seasons at Eastern University (PA), where he was the head coach in 2022. He holds a Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) B license. His playing career included an NJCAA national championship at Cloud County CC (KS), two years at NCAA Division I Liberty University, and a professional stint with the Philadelphia Fury. Konga earned his Ph.D. in sports leadership from Concordia University in Chicago. Debbie Pekel – Women’s Soccer. Pekel is one of the most decorated women’s soccer players in the history of Grace Christian University (MI) and served as an assistant coach last year at Bob Jones University (SC). She led all of NCCAA Division II in goals in 2013, and is Grace’s second all-time career scorer. Pekel holds goalkeeping level one and level two licenses from United Soccer Coaches and her U.S. Soccer Federation C license for coaching. Andrew Wingreen – Men’s Basketball. Wingreen was a part of the Stetson University basketball staff from 2019-2023. A graduate of Northland International University (WI), Wingreen got his start in coaching as a student assistant during his college years. He helped launch the Bob Jones University basketball program as an assistant coach from 2012-2017, and has worked camps at some of the top basketball programs in the nation, including Kansas, Duke, and Wisconsin. Brian Cruz – Women’s Basketball. Cruz brings more than a decade of coaching experience to New College. He was especially known for his recruiting prowess as an assistant coach at Warner University, where he was a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year nominee in 2022-2023. As a head coach, Cruz posted a .748 winning percentage over four seasons at Cape Coral High School, qualifying for the post season each year. Aly Bermudez - Softball. Bermudez is a Tincher Pitching certified instructor who has trained girls from as young as eight years old to collegiate athletes in the circle. In addition to her private instruction business, Bermudez served as the pitching coach at Bishop Verot High School. She pitched collegiately at Lasell University (MA). 

The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County (FDOH-Sarasota) is urging residents to take necessary precautions and follow safety measures during the current heat advisory in the Southwest Florida region. With temperatures soaring and heat indexes reaching dangerous levels, it is important to prioritize the well-being of individuals and communities. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for southwest Florida, forecasting high temperatures and humidity that pose health risks. FDOH-Sarasota recognizes the importance of raising awareness and promoting measures to ensure the safety of residents during extreme weather conditions. During this heat advisory, FDOH-Sarasota recommends the following safety measures to minimize the risk of heat-related illnesses and emergencies:. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and avoid excessive consumption of caffeine or alcohol, as they can lead to dehydration. Stay cool. Avoid direct sunlight and long exposure to the sun. Spend time in air-conditioned environments. If you do not have access to air conditioning, consider visiting public buildings or public spaces with shade. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing to help your body regulate its temperature. Protect your head and face with a wide-brimmed hat and use sunscreen to prevent sunburn. Minimize outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day. If you must be outside, take frequent breaks in shaded areas and avoid strenuous physical exertion. Check on vulnerable individuals. Keep an eye on elderly neighbors, young children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, as they are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Ensure they have access to a cool environment and sufficient hydration. Never leave children, vulnerable individuals, or pets unattended in vehicle. Temperatures inside a parked car can rise rapidly, even with the windows slightly open, and can be life-threatening. FDOH-Sarasota urges everyone to remain vigilant and look out for one another during this heat advisory. By following these safety measures, we can collectively reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses and emergencies. Stay informed about the heat advisory by following the National Weather Service or your local news. For further information about heat related health issues, please visit www.sarasotahealth.org 

A STORY OF PASSION FOR CIRCUS ARTS | Celebrating a remarkable 25 years of blood, sweat, tears, grit and cotton candy to preserve the circus arts legacy for our future, July/August 2023. 

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