SRQ DAILY Jan 14, 2026
Wednesday Philanthropy Edition
"We recently started something I'm calling the Comida 2026 Give Back Initiative."
The Inclusion Revolution is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to build a truly inclusive society. By providing job-skills training, meaningful employment opportunities and impactful art programs, the organization empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to thrive at work and in the community. Through strategic business partnerships, job placements and the celebration of success stories, Inclusion Revolution actively challenges the long-standing exclusion of people with IDD from the workforce.
A recent example of this mission in action took place earlier this month, when the Inclusion Revolution team returned to their "home" at Comida, the new, charming Latin American restaurant located in the former Rise Up Cafe space at 1534 State Street in Downtown Sarasota. Comida offers big, bold Latin American flavors and intimate charm, with every dish and inventive mezcal cocktail crafted with tradition and passion.
On January 5 and 6, Comida generously donated 15% of all sales to Inclusion Revolution. Former Rise Up Cafe team members Joe, Kristi and Caleb jumped in as greeters, hosts and helpers—welcoming guests, supporting restaurant staff and sharing fond memories of their time in the space. Diners enjoyed an unforgettable meal while supporting a powerful cause, helping fuel more jobs, inclusion and dignity for adults with IDD in the community. With the Inclusion Revolution team by their side, Comida offered a beautiful example of what real-life inclusion looks like.
“We recently started something I’m calling the Comida 2026 Give Back Initiative,” shared Comida owner Monte Silva, CEO of Ten Tables Hospitality. “Each month, we’ll host a two-day charity event where 15% of sales go to a nonprofit. Inclusion Revolution is our very first partner.”
To learn more about Inclusion Revolution, visit facebook.com/inclusionrevolutionSRQ/
Comida, 1534 State Street, Sarasota, 941.324.5985, comidasrq.com/ 
Pictured: Caleb, Joey and Kristi of Inclusion Revolution enjoyed serving
Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) has announced a new schedule of workshops through Invest in Incredible (I3), its initiative dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations across the region. Serving as Gulf Coast’s regional nonprofits resource, I3 strengthens board governance and operational effectiveness while helping organizations build skills and leadership capacity. The workshop schedule offers practical training for nonprofit professionals, board members, and professional advisors, with topics spanning planned giving fundamentals to responsible, real-world applications of artificial intelligence. Gulf Coast also offers specialized leadership development programs that provide deeper learning in board governance and community leadership. This includes the Gulf Coast Board Institute (GCBI), an application-based program offered twice annually, and the Gulf Coast Leadership Institute (GCLI). GCBI’s spring 2026 session is currently full. Applications for GCLI’s 2026 cohort will open February 16. For more information and to register, visit GulfCoastCF.org/events
The Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) is proud to announce the success of its annual Holiday Wish List Drive, during which the Sarasota‑DeSoto community came together to bring comfort, joy, and a sense of normalcy to children and families who are healing in the aftermath of child abuse or neglect. Community members, local businesses, faith groups, and organizations contributed gifts, essential items, and support to these resilient survivors and families working to rebuild their lives. CPC’s clients often struggle during the holidays, a time when the world around them is celebrating and full of merriment — a stark contrast to their own challenging situation as they work through the trauma and complications that follow child abuse. This holiday giving offered the community a meaningful way to show solidarity, compassion, and care to those who needed it most. Whether it was a new toy, body care items, cozy blankets, or gift cards, every contribution lifted spirits and reminded these families that they were not alone. For members of the community who are interested in other needs at CPC on an annual basis, please visit their website and see the “Get Involved” tab.
The Inspiring Hope Dinner is more than an evening out—it’s a night of connection, impact, and powerful stories that matter. Seats are limited, and this is one event you won’t want to miss. Get your tickets now and be part of something truly meaningful. Let’s come together, share hope, and make a difference—one seat at a time.
January 23, 2026, 6:30-10:30pm, The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
The Patterson Foundation is hosting a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Summit on Thursday, Jan. 29 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at The Ora in Sarasota. The CERT Summit aspires to strengthen our community’s preparedness, recovery and resiliency in the face of a growing number of severe natural disasters impacting the Suncoast. Participants will receive training, insights and connections to help build stronger, more resilient communities.The Summit will include a keynote address by former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. This event is open to all members of our community, particularly: Current CERT volunteers and program leaders, members of Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD), Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG) members, emergency management partners, local officials, first responders, anyone interested in disaster preparedness. Admission is free through funding from The Patterson Foundation, however registration is required.
The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC) proudly recognizes 45 Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) providers that have earned an "Excellent" designation from the Florida Department of Education's Division of Early Learning for the 2024-2025 program year. Across Florida, more than 2,000 VPK providers (33%) received this distinction.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Sarasota and Manatee Counties will offer its nationally acclaimed Family-to-Family Education Class, a free, eight-session program designed to support family members, significant others, and friends of individuals living with mental health conditions. The class will be held every Wednesday from February 11 through April 1, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA, located at 5100 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton, FL 34211. Family-to-Family is free of charge, but registration is required, as space is limited. Register today by visiting https://bit.ly/F2F2026 or emailing info@NAMISarasotaManatee.org.NAMI Family-to-Family is an evidence-based program.
Healing Voices is a new series highlighting the life-changing, healing journeys of LGBTQ+ youth. Through guided storytelling and reflection, the series explores the importance of affirming care, belonging, and community in supporting youth mental wellness and resilience. This event is open to parents, educators, mental health professionals, faith leaders, advocates, and community members who care about youth wellbeing, and is designed to uplift youth voices while fostering understanding, empathy, and connection.
Impact100SRQ is a women-led, all-volunteer organization committed to collective giving and thoughtful philanthropy in our local community. At least 100 women each give a $1,000 tax deductible donation, and together they collectively award grants in increments of at least $100,000 to nonprofits serving Sarasota and Manatee Counties in five focus areas: Arts, Culture & History; Education; Environment, Recreation & Animal Welfare; Family; and Health & Wellness. Every member has a voice and a vote in the grantmaking process, helping determine which nonprofit initiatives receive funding and support. Our Mission: To Empower Women to Collectively Fund Transformational Grants to Nonprofits in Sarasota & Manatee Counties. When women come together with purpose, generosity is amplified and impact is multiplied. Please join us for the 2026 Giving Year—membership is open through March 26, 2026.
Impact100 SRQ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Harvest House will host its 14th Annual Home Again Luncheon: Making Magic on February 25, 2026, offering the community a rare behind-the-scenes look at where transformation happens every day. For the first time, the signature fundraiser will be held on the Harvest House campus at 3650 17th Street, inviting guests into the very space where lives are rebuilt. This year’s “Making Magic” theme pulls back the curtain on the real work behind lasting change, highlighting dignified supportive housing, on-location mental health care, and the community partners who make it all possible. Through inspiring stories, client testimonials, and interactive performances by professional magicians, attendees will see how resources become relationships and second chances. Proceeds support more than 1,000 individuals and families annually throughout Sarasota County. Tickets and sponsorships available at harvesthousecenters.org/luncheon.
Teen Court of Sarasota will celebrate 30 years of awarding scholarships to youth and volunteers with its annual Scholarship Dinner, Changed for Good, on March 4, 2026, at Michael’s on East. For three decades, Teen Court scholarships have helped young people take meaningful next steps into college, trade school, and the workforce. The program recognizes teens whose lives have been shaped through accountability, leadership, and service while supporting their continued education and career goals. Tickets and sponsorships are currently available. For more information about the Scholarship Dinner, sponsorship opportunities, or Teen Court of Sarasota, please visit the organization’s website or contact Megan Baxter at megan@sarasotateencourt.org.
Manatee Community Foundation (MCF) has announced the honorees for Spirit of Manatee 2026. This year’s event will be MCF’s 20th annual Celebration of Philanthropy, recognizing individuals whose service and generosity continue to impact Manatee County. Members of the community are invited to attend this milestone event on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa. For information on ways to invest in our community, visit www.manateecf.org.
A gala performance by Summer Intensive dancers from around the world.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
The sharp-witted, glamorous, incomparable Eartha Kitt commands the spotlight. But backstage in her dressing room, in the quiet between songs, she peels back the glitz to reveal Eartha Mae: a girl from the South Carolina cotton fields, orphaned by her mother until an audience adopted her. Told through both story and song, Urbanite Theatre’s first-ever musical production unearths the complex truth behind the icon.
Urbanite Theatre, 1487 2nd St, Sarasota, FL 34236
Matthew Aucoin’s “Music for New Bodies,” created in collaboration with acclaimed director Peter Sellars, is a bold operatic meditation on humanity’s shifting place in the natural world. Premiered in 2024, this one-act visionary operetta fuses the poetic texts of Jorie Graham with visceral soundscapes for five singers, an 18-piece chamber orchestra, lighting, and electronics. Aucoin crafts a work that is at once urgent and transcendent, while Sellars’ visionary staging brings the music into striking visual focus. Presented in a historic collaboration with Artist Series Concerts, this Sarasota premiere at the Sarasota Opera House invites audiences to imagine new forms of life, connection, and transformation.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
ArtCenter Sarasota continues its Centennial Season with Medium Mutiny, a juried exhibition selected by Ed Swan Jr. that celebrates boundary-pushing works challenging tradition through bold experimentation in form, material, and concept. Solo exhibitions include Living by the Water by Cat Tesla, whose serene, abstract paintings reflect a journey of healing and transformation inspired by Florida's landscapes. A new body of work by Anja Palombo, blending her deep love of nature and art history into expressive visual narratives. In Architect as Artist, co-curated by Morris Hylton III, Sarasota-based architects including Carl Abbott, Jerry Sparkman, and Javi Suárez present multidisciplinary works that blur the line between design and fine art. This group exhibition honors Sarasota's architectural legacy and highlights the creative synergy between structure, space, and artistic vision.
ArtCenter Sarasota, 707 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
There's much ado about something in this whip-smart, laugh-out-loud new romantic comedy from Lauren Gunderson. Lady Disdain is a fast-paced, razor-sharp riff on the deliciously dramatic world of Fantasy Romance novels (yes, those ones-you know them, you love them). Beatrice and Benedict, rival audiobook narrators with voices made for swooning and tempers made for sparring, are locked in a battle of wits, words, and wildly inconvenient attraction. Asolo Rep proudly presents this world premiere from one of America's most celebrated and funny playwrights.
Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Two of Sarasota’s finest step into the spotlight with a program that basks in the magical sounds of their ancient instruments. Accompanied by strings and harpsichord, Sarasota Orchestra principal oboe Bobby Nunes and principal harp Phoebe Powell each perform a concerto for their instrument by baroque master G.F. Handel. The two also join forces for Debussy’s enchanting Album of Five Pieces for Oboe and Harp.
First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak Street, Sarasota FL 34237
Catch the first glimpse of the newest performances being made in the Sarasota-Manatee area. Now in its third year, the HAT’s MicroWIP (Micro Works-in-Progress) presentations provide local creatives with a platform to advance new work. This evening features ten-minute max excerpts of freshly made performances and represents the museum's commitment to supporting local artists. By presenting works-in-progress, we offer a semiformal way for artists to experiment with new ideas.
Historic Asolo Theatre, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
Eleven-year-old Winnie Foster yearns for a life of adventure beyond her white picket fence, but not until she becomes unexpectedly entwined with the Tuck Family does she get more than she could have imagined. When Winnie learns of the magic behind the Tuck’s unending youth, she must fight to protect their secret from those who would do anything for a chance at eternal life.
Rise Above Performing Arts Centre, 3501 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34239
A huge influence of Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash and Jimi Hendrix, Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a legend in her time, adding fierce guitar and swing to traditional gospel music, becoming the Mother of Rock n Roll. Marie and Rosetta chronicles her first rehearsal with a young protégée, Marie Knight, as they prepare to embark on a tour that would establish them as one of the great duos in music history.
Asolo Repertory Theatre , 5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
The Images of Dance showcase features dancers from The Sarasota Ballet Studio Company and the Margaret Barbieri Conservatory.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
All levels of Sarasota Cuban Ballet School dancers and the Gulfcoast Studio Company featured in classical and contemporary works.
Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota, FL 34231
The Elizabeth M. Eaton Memorial Pipe Organ, installed in the SCF Neel Performing Arts Center, will be on full display for this special performance of orchestra and organ music. Featuring local acclaimed organists and the Pops Orchestra, this concert will delight all who have asked to hear this amazing instrument.
SCF Neel Performing Arts Center, 5840 26th St W, Bradenton, FL 34207
The Zota Quartet returns with a new, exciting program and a unique special collaboration. This ensemble, comprised of award-winning Perlman Music Program alumni, hail from around the world and Florida. They are committed to sharing their music with the next generation and celebrating the beauty and art of great music.
Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34239
Back by popular demand, Jazz Mass for a New Humanity, a groundbreaking work by Via Nova’s artistic director, Steven Phillips, sets the traditional texts of the mass in conversation with sacred writings from many traditions, along with poetry by Maya Angelou, Wendell Berry, and others. Performed with a first-rate jazz ensemble and acclaimed vocalist Maicy Powell, this stirring program entertains, uplifts, and inspires.
First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak Street, Sarasota FL 34237
Birthday Offering, Choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton, Music by Alexander Glazunov, Designs by Andre Levasseur. Checkmate, Choreography by Dame Ninette de Valois, Music by Arthur Bliss, Designs by E. Mcknight Kauffer. Summertide, Choreography by Sir Peter Wright, Music by Felix Mendelssohn, Designs by Dick Bird.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Hailing from Siberia, classical saxophonist Valentin Kovalev is an ebullient and highly eclectic performer whose unique style was developed after studying in Russia, France and the United States. Valentin gave a sold-out debut recital at Carnegie Hall during the 2023- 24 season. Joined by Joseph Holt on piano, Kovalev’s program includes music by Bach, Rachmaninoff, Bizet, and Piazzolla.
Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota FL 34236
Assassins closes the season with a haunting, darkly satirical look at those who sought infamy instead of glory—challenging the idea of the American Dream and who gets to define it.
The Sarasota Players, 3501 S Tamiami Trl Suite 1130, Sarasota, FL 34239
In celebration of our Centennial, ArtCenter Sarasota proudly presents the North County Spring Art Show, featuring artwork from over 1,500 K-12 students in Sarasota's public and charter schools. Organized by Angela Hartvigsen and Debra Markley, this cherished annual tradition showcases the creativity of young artists, many exhibiting in a gallery for the first time. The exhibition includes special award ceremonies for both elementary and high school students, with over $20,000 in scholarships and prizes. It's a joyful reminder that the future of art is already in motion.
ArtCenter Sarasota, 707 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Jane Austen’s Emma gets a witty, high-energy makeover in this screwball comedy. Confident matchmaker Emma meddles in love lives—until she discovers her own heart may be the one most in need of guidance.
Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice, FL 34285
Annual juried show and graduating seniors’ capstone exhibitions in all media and disciplines.
Galleries of Ringling College of Art and Design, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234
Celebrate the vibrant sounds of the nation with our last concert of the season. This concert features John Williams’ The Cowboys Overture, Leonard Bernstein’s Times Square: 1944, and Copland’s iconic Appalachian Spring along with much more. Our guest vocalist for this concert is Andrea Ross.
Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave Building 5, Venice, FL 34285
Celebrate the vibrant sounds of the nation with our last concert of the season. This concert features John Williams’ The Cowboys Overture, Leonard Bernstein’s Times Square: 1944, and Copland’s iconic Appalachian Spring along with much more. Our guest vocalist for this concert is Andrea Ross.
Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave Building 5, Venice, FL 34285
2026 brings a rare alignment of milestones: the 50th anniversary of Steve Reich’s “Music for 18 Musicians,” the composer’s 90th birthday, and enSRQ’s own 10th season. Reich’s groundbreaking 1976 work remains one of the most iconic statements in contemporary music—a luminous tapestry of interlocking rhythms, pulsing harmonies, and slowly shifting patterns that seem to suspend time. Presenting this masterpiece in celebration of its golden anniversary is both an homage to a living legend and a reaffirmation of enSRQ’s dedication to adventurous, transformative performance.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
A magical and deeply moving musical that celebrates the power of storytelling, the love between father and son, and the extraordinary hidden in the everyday. As Edward Bloom’s fantastical life unfolds—featuring witches, giants, mermaids, and more—his skeptical son embarks on a journey to separate myth from memory. What he discovers is a story far richer than he ever expected. Based on the beloved novel and Tim Burton film, Big Fish is a whimsical, emotionally rich production filled with humor, heart, and unforgettable stagecraft.
Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Canadian cellist Cameron Crozman and fellow Canadian pianist Meagan Milatz return for a much-anticipated encore. For this program, the pair will perform music by Debussy and Gershwin, and a piece written for them by composer Graham Campbell. Following intermission, they will be joined by violinist Daniel Jordan and violist Margaret Dyer Harris in a performance of Robert Schumann’s groundbreaking Piano Quartet in E-flat Major.
First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1031 S. Euclid Ave, Sarasota, FL 34237
Maria A. Guzmán Capron explores the complexities of identity through vibrant figurative textiles. Drawing inspiration from her own multicultural heritage, the artist creates layered portraits of exuberant, multi-faceted characters.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
Featuring works by such acclaimed modern and contemporary artists as Louise Bourgeois, Chuck Close, Yoko Ono, David Hockney, Ai Weiwei, and more, this never-before-seen exhibition offers a rare glimpse into private collections held throughout Southwest Florida.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
In this charming adaptation, Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends—Piglet, Eeyore, and Rabbit—navigate misadventures fueled by honey, friendship, and laughs. A heartwarming tale filled with wit.
Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice, FL 34285
This exhibition highlights contemporary Native design, craftwork, and art that employ the formal and aesthetic elements of abstraction as meaningful motifs and coded tools of Indigenous expression to communicate tribal cultures and histories, ancestral knowledge, and the lived experiences of the artists and their communities.
Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
Join us for a weekly guided tour of the night sky in our state-of-the-art planetarium. As Earth moves around the sun, different objects come into view. We'll not only discuss what you can see this season, we'll fly you there!
Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St W, Bradenton
Award-winning Hermitage Fellows offer a unique glimpse into their creative process, sharing original works in process with our Gulf Coast audiences. These free hour-long programs take the shape of musical performances, playreadings, concerts, visual art demonstrations, panel discussions, master classes, exhibitions, open studios,and more. The presentations are often works in process, giving Hermitage audiences a look into the creative process before these works go on to leading theaters, concert halls, and museums around the world.
Hermitage Artist Retreat, 6660 Manasota Key Rd, Englewood, FL 34223
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