SRQ DAILY Oct 29, 2025
Wednesday Philanthropy Edition
"Breast cancer has touched the lives of many on our team, and I'm proud that we can stand with this community to honor survivors, fuel hope and help create a future where fewer families face this fight."
Nathan Benderson Park turned pink on Saturday, October 25, for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Sarasota-Manatee event. Presented by the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, the morning brought together survivors, thrivers, families and friends–including the four-legged kind–uniting for a day of hope and purpose.
Participants laced up for a non-competitive 5K walk, or the one-mile option, circling Benderson Park Island—all in support of the American Cancer Society’s life-saving breast cancer programs and community awareness efforts.
To start the walk, the HealthFit team led an energizing five-minute warmup to get everyone motivated. Along the route, walkers found plenty to enjoy: sponsor booths with giveaways and contests, countless photo ops and the Little Striders Zone, where children played and created lasting memories. At the Survivor and Thriver Tent, participants who have faced breast cancer were celebrated as the true VIPs of the day. They received special gift bags, tutus, breakfast bites and lots of cheers. Nearby, the lively Pink Out Tent invited attendees to add a little extra flair—glitter, boas and all things pink.
Among the many local teams showing up in style was the SRQ Media Women Who Roar crew, joined by family and friends, to walk, celebrate and support the cause. The Women Who Roar initiative honors the courage, leadership and power of women who uplift one another—perfectly aligning with the spirit of the day.
Events Manager, Lauren Sutter, who created Team SRQ was thrilled with the outpouring of support. “On behalf of SRQ MEDIA, we are grateful for the opportunity to sponsor and walk in the 2025 Making Strides of Sarasota-Manatee event. Breast cancer has touched the lives of many on our team, and I’m proud that we can stand with this community to honor survivors, fuel hope and help create a future where fewer families face this fight.” 
Pictured: The SRQ Media Women Who Roar team at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Sarasota-Manatee event.
Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) is pleased to announce the appointment of two Community Leadership officers: Jess Blagdon, Grants and Evaluation Officer; and Tiona Settles, Community Partnerships Officer. In her role as Grants and Evaluation Officer, Blagdon develops, implements, and coordinates grantmaking activities to ensure achievement of Gulf Coast’s mission and goals. In addition, she leads the evaluation of Gulf Coast's Community Leadership work, which includes the impact of grantmaking, capacity-building, and policy and advocacy efforts. As Community Partnerships Officer, Settles serves as a key external-facing team member that leads strategic initiatives that address pressing community needs among nonprofit partners and the public. She also oversees Gulf Coast’s grant writing efforts to secure external funding in support of organizational priorities. Blagdon reports to Erin Minor, VP of Community Leadership; Settles reports to Jennifer Johnston, Director of Community Leadership.
Sarasota Opera has been awarded a $41,000 grant from T.T. and W.F. Chao Foundation to purchase four upright pianos. With the receipt of this generous grant, the Sarasota Opera has received most of the funding needed to replace seven pianos, three Boston baby grand pianos and four upright pianos, that were in disrepair. These new instruments will replace those most damaged by humidity and an intense two decades of daily use. The new Boston pianos, designed by Steinway & Sons, will enhance the quality of instruments used in rehearsals, training, and community outreach and youth education programs at Sarasota Opera.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties (BGCSDC) is proud to announce that the 2025 Champions for Children gala will honor the extraordinary legacy of Charles and Margery Barancik, whose lifelong commitment to youth empowerment through education and opportunity continues to help local youth reach their full potential. The late couple’s enduring impact lives on through the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, which remains a driving force behind transformative opportunities for children and teens. The annual gala will take place on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at The Ora—a beautiful new venue that marks an exciting evolution for the signature event, traditionally held at the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club. To learn more or make a donation in lieu of attendance, please visit: B&GCSDC Champions for Children Gala.
There are still some seats left for the Sunday November 2 Historic Sarasota Bay Cruise 11am to 1pm Our guide through history is the incomparable John McCarthy. A relaxing way to learn about the people and places that made Sarasota what it is today. Sip a cold drink, enjoy a snack, feel the sunshine and gentle breeze on your face as you float back in time. Seating is limited; reserve soon. Boat leaves from Marina Jack. $100.00 per person.
The Library Foundation is excited to announce that internationally acclaimed author Harlan Coben will be the featured speaker for the 14th annual Love Our Libraries Author Luncheon on Friday, February 6, 2026, at The Ora in Sarasota. Harlan Coben is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of the world’s leading storytellers. With more than 90 million books in print, his novels have been published in forty-six languages and captivated readers around the globe. Coben is also the creator and executive producer of numerous hit television series, including the Netflix global successes Missing You, Fool Me Once, Stay Close, Safe,and The Stranger. A winner of the Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Awards—the first author ever to receive all three—Coben’s latest novel, Gone Before Goodbye, is a collaboration with Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon.
The Sarasota Concert Association (SCA) announced that Charlie Berardeso has succeeded Joy McIntyre as the organization’s board president at its Annual Meeting on April 10, 2025. Ms. McIntyre has remained on the SCA board as immediate past president. Recent additions to the SCA board include Karen Brown, Bruce Ensinger, Trevor Johnson and Monica Van Buskirk. For more information about SCA, visit www.SCAsarasota.org
Earlier this month, child welfare agency Safe Children Coalition convened several hundred child welfare and youth mental health experts and practitioners for its annual SCC Conference. During the event, which featured keynote speaker Dr. Sharrica Miller, attendees heard from numerous topic matter experts as well as enjoyed the opportunity to network with peers working in the field. For 14 years now, Safe Children Coalition has convened thousands of professionals for learning, inspiration and networking. SCC's Learning & Professional Development team works all year to build the conference program, looking at current issues in society that affect children and families in crisis as well as reviewing feedback from attendees of previous conferences to make each conference a valuable experience for all.
Kick off your Halloween weekend with the Pops Orchestra in this fun, family-friendly presentation of popular Halloween themed selections including Thriller, Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice, Black Magic Woman, Superstition, and so much more! The Pops Orchestra will be dressed in their favored Halloween attire.
Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota, FL 34231
Known for his multidisciplinary approach and dynamic visual language, Rice's work explores the intersection of identity, culture, and materiality through a diverse range of media including painting, sculpture, and mixed media installation. Drawing upon personal narrative, historical references, and formal experimentation, Rice invites viewers into layered compositions that challenge perception while offering space for reflection and discovery. This exhibition highlights Rice’s commitment to both conceptual depth and technical rigor, showcasing new and recent works that reflect his evolving practice as both artist and educator.
Galleries of Ringling College of Art and Design, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234
A comedic murder mystery, complete with mistaken identities, six million bucks in diamonds, and a corpse in a wheelchair. An unassuming English shoe salesman who is forced to take the embalmed body of his recently murdered uncle on a vacation to Monte Carlo. Should he succeed in passing his uncle off as alive, Harry Witherspoon stands to inherit six million dollars. If not, the money goes to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn.
Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Celebrating 28 years as Sarasota’s LGBTQ+ and all-welcoming chorus, Diversity shares a one-hour concert of audience favorites, Pride anthems, and heartfelt choral selections from recent seasons. With a blend of theatrical flair, harmonic beauty, and unshakable joy, this free/pay-what-you-can event is a chance to experience the music that defines the group’s mission of inclusion and community.
Siesta Key Chapel, 4615 Gleason Ave, Siesta Key, FL 34242
Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances was the master’s final orchestral composition. A virtuoso showpiece for the orchestra, it bursts with the fierce energy and Romantic melodies that are Rachmaninoff’s trademarks. Alessio Bax, “among the most remarkable young pianists now before the public” (Gramophone), performs Tchaikovsky’s glorious Piano Concerto No. 1, perhaps the most beloved piano concerto of all time. Jennifer Higdon’s ethereal blue cathedral opens this vibrant program.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
Enjoy Family Day fun with New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award-winning author and illustrator, creator of the popular Narwhal and Jelly series.
Fruitville Library, 100 Apex Rd, Sarasota, FL 34240
Join Nashville country singer Ralph Curtis and the Pops as we bring you the golden age of country music and a patriotic salute to our veterans. Enjoy the music of Grand Ol' Opry stars such as George Jones, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, George Strait, Lee Greenwood, and many more for this exceptional music salute to cowboys and heroes.
Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota, FL 34231
Written in the 1930s by Jewish Czech composer Hans Krása and originally performed by children at the Theresienstadt concentration camp during WWII, Brundibár is a tale about a sparrow, a cat and a wise dog who help Annette and Little Joe raise money to save their ailing mother, despite the evil plans of the wicked organ grinder Brundibár . A story of resilience, this opera has a history as moving as its story.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
The Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative’s (SBAC) “Beyond Regional Boundaries” initiative continues its exploration of diverse artistic voices with “Silent Witnesses: Silent Observers in a Changing World, Untouched Yet Not Unaffected,” an exhibition of charcoal drawings by Wonda J. Granville. A reception with the artist takes place Tuesday, November 18, 5:30–7 p.m., coinciding with the theater’s production of the play, “The Amish Project,” inspired by the 2006 Nickel Mines schoolhouse tragedy—an event that profoundly echoes the quiet resilience and forgiveness depicted in Granville’s art.
Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice, FL 34285
Discover ancient civilizations with Sam Kean, bestselling author of The Disappearing Spoon as he reveals secrets from his new book, Dinner with King Tut.
Gulf Gate Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave., Sarasota, FL 34231
Come From Away tells the inspiring true story of 7,000 airline passengers stranded in the remote town of Gander, Newfoundland in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. As fear and uncertainty gripped the world, the people of Gander responded with open arms. Through music, humor, and heart this hit Broadway musical celebrates the power of human connection, reminds us that kindness can bring people together in the unlikeliest of times, and affirms that hope can arise in the unlikeliest places.
Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Tr. Sarasota, FL 34243
The Ringling Museum of Art hosts a significant collection of Creative Prints produced by Japanese artists who believed in the practice of self-designing, self-carving, and self-printing their own work. The Creative Print movement was inspired by early 20th-century European prints that called attention to self-expression and artistic exploration through the medium of woodblock prints.
Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota
Mayer explores the impact of technology on the human body through this interactive sculpture series. Slumpies invites viewers to sit and slump on these sculptures, much like furniture, and find a place of comfort while using their technological devices.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
SRQ DAILY is a daily e-newsletter produced by SRQ MEDIA. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. The views expressed by individuals are their own, and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. SRQ DAILY includes content excerpted from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Robinson Valverde at 941-365-7702 x703 or via email |
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