“I have always been very into wellness,” says Jordan Wenck.

Chronic illness runs on both sides of her family—diabetes, multiple sclerosis and colitis. Wenck, a Sarasota native, originally went to school for marketing. After graduating with a master’s degree, she lived in big cities around the country working for major corporations like Coca-Cola and Puma. But she never forgot her passion for wellness. In 2019, she left corporate life and went back to school for a second master’s degree, this one in nutrition. With her newfound knowledge, she began working on creating a baking mix that would allow people to make baked goods that were as indulgent as they were nutritious. Thus, Beanie Bites were born.

“My goal is simple: to nourish our community with one delicious baked good at a time by turning beans (one of the world’s most powerful and sustainable foods) into craveable treats,” Wenck says.

Wenck has developed two mixes. Beanie Bites Original is made with ingredients including chickpea flour and is versatile enough to be used in waffles, pancakes, muffins, breads and cookies. Beanie Bites Chocolate Brownie Mix has a base that incorporates organic sprouted black bean flour and creates rich, fudgy brownies that are packed with nutrition and flavor. She has been selling her mixes at the Waterside Farmers Market in Lakewood Ranch since March, where she also sells delectable baked goods made with Beanie Bites mixes. This month she started selling mixes and baked goods at the downtown Sarasota Farmers Market as well. Her mixes are also available for sale on her website.

“I want to be the healthiest that I possibly can be, but one of my favorite ways to show love for people is through food,” Wenck says. “Beanie Bites is the culmination of how I treat myself and what I want to share with the world.”

Beanie Bites, beaniebites.co 

Pictured: Jordan Wenck, founder of Beanie Bites, shares her baking mixes at the downtown Sarasota Farmers market and Waterside Farmers Market. Provided photo.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota is weaving fine art directly into its celebrated food and beverage programming with a new live painting series by Sarasota-based artist Alexis Fraser, known professionally as Lipstick Lex (@lipsticklexart). Fraser is known for her unconventional method of mixing paint with cosmetics, creating bold, expressive works that come to life in real time. Guests will be able to experience her creative process firsthand during a series of Friday evening appearances across the resort’s signature venues, from the lively Jack Dusty Coastal Cuisine and Crafted Cocktails to the property’s newest al fresco bar and lounge concept Rufa later this season. Upcoming Dates: Friday, October 17 | 5–8 p.m. | Jack Dusty, Friday, November 7 | 5–8 p.m. | Rufa*, Friday, November 14 | 5–8 p.m. | Rufa*, Friday, December 12 | 5–8 p.m. | Rufa*, Friday, December 19 | 5–8 p.m. | Rufa* *Weather permitting; otherwise Alexis will paint in Jack Dusty. 

To learn more click here

Raise a glass, Carlstadt Beer & Wine Bar has officially opened its doors at University Village Shops! Designed as a go-to spot for craft beer enthusiasts and wine lovers alike, Carlstadt brings a curated experience to Southwest Florida with rotating taps of local craft brews and a thoughtful selection of wines from around the world. Guests can look forward to an ever-changing lineup of pours, spotlighting Florida breweries and global wineries, making every visit a fresh discovery. Whether you’re gathering with friends, enjoying a casual date night, or sipping something new before a concert or game, Carlstadt offers the perfect blend of community and flavor. For more information visit universityvillagefl.com. 

Picture a warm November evening filled with the aromas of a sizzling kitchen, the rhythm of conversation, and the shimmer of color coming to life on canvas. At Chaz 51 Steakhouse in Venice, art isn’t just on the walls—it’s in motion. That spirit takes center stage at "Artful Indulgence," a collaboration between Creative Liberties Artist Studios & Galleries and Chaz 51 Steakhouse, on Wednesday, November 5, 6–8 p.m. Participants will savor inventive dishes, meet local artists, and experience the moment where cuisine and creativity intertwine. Tickets are $40 and available at Chaz51Steakhouse.com/artful-indulgence. 

Now in its 17th year, Fright Night has transformed St. Armands Circle into a Halloween playground with decorated storefronts, costumed characters, and trick or treating for all ages. Hollywood After Dark takes the celebration into the night for adults, offering spooky sophistication and glamorous fun. Guests are invited to dress to impress, channel their inner star or villain, and party in the Wet Bar with cocktails, entertainment, and community. After the family-friendly Fright Night on St. Armands Circle wraps up, the lights go low and the cameras flash for Hollywood After Dark, the ultimate Halloween after party in the Wet Bar at Café on St. Armands. Guests will step into a world where red carpet glamour meets graveyard intrigue, with live entertainment, haunting cocktails, and a costume contest worthy of the silver screen.

Friday, October 31, 6:00pm-close, The Wet Bar at Café on St. Armands, 431 St. Armands Circle Sarasota. 

ensembleNEWSRQ (enSRQ), Sarasota’s forward-looking chamber ensemble, launches its 10th anniversary season with “Tangled Whispers,” an evening of American ingenuity weaving together new commissions, Indigenous influences, and 20th-century modernist brilliance. The concert is Monday, October 27, 7:30 p.m., at First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave., Sarasota. Single tickets are $30. For more information on ticket packages and single tickets, including student ticket pricing, visit www.EnSRQ.org. 

CreArte Latino Cultural Center presents “Voices of Immigration 2,” a powerful dramatized reading performed in Spanish with English subtitles. The performance shares heartfelt testimonies of immigrants living in the region, offering an intimate glimpse into their experiences of leaving their homeland, navigating challenges, and building a new life. Premiered in November 2024, this deeply moving series invites audiences to reflect on the courage, resilience, and hope that define the immigrant experience—and the profound ways these stories enrich our shared community. Performances are Friday, October 17, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, October 18, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, October 19, at 5 p.m., at 1913 Northgate Blvd., Sarasota. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at CreArteLatino.org. 

Following last year’s nearly sold-out performance, Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock n Roll returns to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Thursday, November 13 at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. This year’s show features a dynamic lineup of Broadway rock stars and powerhouse vocalists, backed by an all-star band. Neil Berg once again takes audiences on a thrilling journey through the music that defined generations—sharing behind-the-scenes stories and performing iconic hits from the 1940s all the way through the early MTV era. Expect unforgettable tributes to legends like Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, The Beatles, Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, and many more. Tickets start at $41 and can be purchased at VanWezel.org, by calling 941-263-6799 or by visiting the Veteran Air Box Office at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.