SRQ DAILY Jan 15, 2026
Thursday Family and Recreation Edition
"The nice thing about our venue is that you can literally stand on the rail of the ring during the competition."
This week, a world-class equestrian event returned to Sarasota County. From January 13 to March 15, Venice’s Fox Lea Farm will play host to the 2026 Venice Equestrian Tour. The nine week United States Equestrian Federation-recognized hunter/jumper tour, presented in partnership with Visit Sarasota County, is expected to draw over 3,500 participants, coaches and officials and over 8,000 spectators throughout the series.
“Fox Lea Farm was founded in 1983 and we are a nationally recognized horse show facility that runs a little over 40 weeks of horse shows per year,” says Laurie Birnbach, director of community and government relations at Fox Lea Farm. “Our show, which runs from Wednesday through Sunday, has classes that range from kids on ponies all the way up to Grand Prix level competition.”
For those unfamiliar with show horse jumping and hunter competitions, both types of competitions test the rider’s connection to the horse, along with the horse’s athleticism, but in slightly different contexts. In a horse jumping competition—which is found in the Olympics—judging is purely objective, based on timing and efficiency of which the rider completes the course. In a hunter competition, the riders are judged not just on the quality of their rounds, but also on their style, movement and overall picture.
On the Venice Equestrian Tour, Fox Lea Farms will host Show Jumping Under the Stars, a $24,999 Grand Prix series that takes place every Friday night. At Show Jumping Under the Stars, spectators will have the opportunity to watch some of the best riders in the sport compete. “The Grand Prix level is a national level competition that will also feature a slew of international riders,” says Birnbach. “We’ll have some of the top riders in the country, Olympic-level riders and riders that have been on the United States equestrian team.”
Show Jumping Under the Stars, Birnbach maintains, is designed to be as accessible to audience members as possible. Set under the lights at Fox Lea Farm, the family friendly event will feature food and drink vendors, bleacher seating and is even dog friendly, as long as your canine pal is on a leash. “The nice thing about our venue is that you can literally stand on the rail of the ring during the competition. They will have horses jump four feet from you, so that you can feel them hitting the ground,” says Birnbach. “We’re also going to offer guided course walks right before the start of the event, so that you can appreciate how big these jumps are.”
Venice Equestrian Tour, January 13 to March 15, Fox Lea Farm, 800 N Auburn Rd., Venice. 
Provided photo.
Got puzzles piling up? Pieces that have already met their match? Bring them to The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime on Saturday, January 24 from 11am–2:30pm for a puzzle swap extravaganza that’s part brain-teaser, part block party! Here’s the deal: bring a puzzle, leave with a puzzle. It’s that simple! No limits, no fees, no missing-piece police — just good vibes, great swaps, and the satisfying click of cardboard fitting perfectly into place. Whether you’re a 300-piece dabbler or a 2,000-piece pro, there’s something waiting to challenge your mind and brighten your coffee table. And because no Bazaar event is complete without a little groove in the air, George Parmalee will be performing live! His tunes will keep things humming while you browse, trade, and chat with fellow puzzle lovers. You can also browse the 40+ artists, makers and curators inside The Bazaar where you are sure to find something amazing. Join Hamlet’s Eatery (on site) for lunch and make it the perfect way to spend your Saturday afternoon. Oh, and did we mention it’s FREE to participate? Come on over!
821 Apricot Ave, Sarasotawww.bazaaronapricotandlime.com
The Hermitage Artist Retreat (Sarasota County, Florida) is pleased to announce the fifth annual concert in the Ruby E. Crosby Alumni Music Series at the Hermitage, featuring Juilliard-trained flutist and Hermitage alumna Emi Ferguson. This event will take place on Thursday, March 5 at 7pm at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (Downtown Sarasota). This alumni music initiative was launched in 2022 to a full-capacity crowd at Selby Gardens with “Soulful Strings: An Evening of Harp Music,” featuring celebrated harpist and Hermitage alumna Ashley Jackson. The 2023 concert, “The Pop-Rock-Folk World of Zoe Sarnak,” featured award-winning New York City-based Hermitage alumna Zoe Sarnak, with Sarasota-based vocalists and musicians performing Sarnak’s original songs at Nathan Benderson Park. The 2024 concert, “Piano Classics Remade,” featured world-renowned pianist and Hermitage alumnus Conrad Tao performing for a sold-out crowd at Selby Gardens. Last year’s concert, “Piano in the Key of Vijay,” featured Grammy Award-nominated composer and past Hermitage Greenfield Prize winner Vijay Iyer. For more information about the Hermitage and upcoming programs, visit: HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is set to welcome back the GRAMMY-winning trumpeter Chris Botti to Sarasota on Tuesday, February 17 at 7 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale. Tickets start at $56 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. Groups of 10 or more should contact 941-263-6726. Grab and go dining options are available through Mattison’s at the Van Wezel which is located inside the theatre. Select shows may have dinner service available. Reservations can be made on VanWezel.org or through the Veteran Air Box Office.
Women face persistent financial hurdles as they approach retirement. They earn, on average, about 82 cents for every dollar earned by men, are more likely to pause their careers for caregiving, and often retire with significantly less in savings—yet live longer. These realities make proactive conversations about retirement, savings, and legacy planning not just important, but essential. To help address these challenges, the Women’s Resource Center is hosting a Wonder Women Collective luncheon in Venice—an educational, expert-led program designed to give women the tools, clarity, and confidence they need to navigate retirement and build a meaningful legacy. The event is February 5, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Plantation Golf & Country Club, 500 Rockley Boulevard, Venice. Tickets are $50 per person and include lunch. For more information or to register, visit www.mywrc.org/retirementluncheon or contact Mandy Domer at mdomer@mywrc.org.
The NASSP National Principal of the Year program annually recognizes outstanding middle level and high school principals. Sarasota County Schools is proud to announce that Mr. Ryan Chase has been named the 2026 National Association of Secondary School Principals’ (NASSP) Florida High School Principal of the Year. Chase was recently selected as Sarasota County Schools’ 2025 Principal of the Year. His other accolades include being named the 2022 University of Florida Alumni Association’s National Leader of the Year, and a 2021 40 Gators Under 40 Honoree for the University of Florida Young Alumni Award.
The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) recently released information about statewide graduation rates. Sarasota County Schools is celebrating a remarkable graduation rate of 94.3% for the 2024-2025 academic year, a 1.8% increase from last year’s record-breaking rate. To learn more visit sarasotacountyschools.net.
The Education Foundation of Sarasota County held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new office, located at 2000 Webber Street in Sarasota. The staff was joined by donors, sponsors, district partners, and community members to mark the milestone and officially announce the naming of the new office as the Tom and Sherry Koski LaunchPad. Founded nearly 40 years ago by Shirley Ritchey, the Education Foundation was established to strengthen public education through partnerships and direct support for students and educators. For 37 years, the organization was headquartered at The Landings, the School District of Sarasota County’s administrative complex, a location that allowed close collaboration with district leadership and rapid response to school-based needs. Designed to be visible, welcoming, and accessible, the new location reinforces the Foundation’s belief that access to support and opportunity matters. Since moving into the space in mid-November, staff collaboration and cross-program alignment have increased, positioning the organization for continued impact across Sarasota County public schools.
Bridge a Life (BaL) is hosting the 15th annual Superhero 5K Race and Fun Run on Saturday, February 7th at Nathan Benderson Park. Over 50 local organizations and businesses will join BaL to raise awareness for children in foster care. Currently, there are close to 500 children in out-of-home care (a term used to describe where a child is placed after being removed from his/her home due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment) in Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties. The event includes a chip-timed 5K race, as well as a Fun Run, with finisher and top finisher medals, a race shirt, and post-race food. The Fun Run begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 7th followed by the 5K at 9:00 a.m. Expect an upbeat, family-friendly atmosphere with music, giveaways, and a free kiddie zone with inflatables, a rock wall, and giant trampoline. To register or learn more, visit http://www.5khero.com.
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) closed calendar year 2025 with record-breaking passenger traffic, welcoming more than 4.5 million passengers throughout the year. In December 2025, 417,468 passengers traveled through SRQ, representing a 3.05 percent increase compared to December 2024, when 405,115 passengers were recorded. Total passenger activity for the 12-month period ending December 2025 reached 4,514,781 passengers, representing a 6.34% increase over calendar year 2024, which saw 4,245,686 passengers.
Experience an evocative evening with Notes Unspoken, a triple-bill that bridges the emotional and the expressive in dance. The program opens with a world premiere by acclaimed choreographer Gemma Bond, offering fresh movement that reflects on time, memory, and human connection in Bond’s resonant choreographic voice. Continuing the journey, Antony Tudor’s Lilac Garden returns to the Company’s repertoire in celebration of its 90th anniversary. Set against an Edwardian garden party backdrop, this psychological ballet explores love and restraint as characters navigate desire, duty, and hidden longing. The evening concludes with Ricardo Graziano’s delightful Valsinhas—a series of 25 spirited waltzes performed first by all-female and then all-male casts, bursting with playful energy and musicality. Together, these works invite you to listen with your eyes and feel the rich emotional landscapes that arise between the spoken words.
The Sarasota Ballet in Antony Tudor's Lilac Garden
If you are oyster curious or just craving the fresh coastal seafood & hand-crafted cocktails from your new Rosemary District favorite, join us at Lefty's for our daily Happy Hours Monday - Friday from 4 pm - 6 pm and our Late Night Happy Hours every night from 9:00-Close. With seafood offerings from the Steamer and Buck-A-Shucks on oysters plus our extensive wine, specialty and seasonal cocktails and draft beers, Lefty's has your recipe to get happier and explore our menus. Join us every day for Lunch, Happy Hours or Dinner and for our downtown neighbors and Hospitality industry colleagues, we'll have live music and keep the light on for you on the weekends!
Lefty's Oyster and Seafood Bar, 428 N Lemon Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
This long-term installation in Gallery 10 of the Museum of Art showcases five outstanding examples of 17th-century Dutch painting on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Featuring a dramatic seascape, an expansive landscape, and captivating portraits set in detailed interiors, this exhibition offers a window into the vibrant artistic production of the Netherlands as the small nation rose to global prominence in the 17th century. The five exceptional paintings from the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, complement The Ringling's holdings of Dutch art and provide additional perspective on the artistry, historical significance, and continuing appeal of Dutch painting from this period.
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
Juana Romani (1867–1924) was one of the most fascinating and successful painters in late-nineteenth-century Paris. Born in Italy, Juana—whose given name was Giovanna Carlesimo—moved to Paris with her mother and stepfather at the age of ten. She took up painting, studying under the well-known painters Jean-Jacques Henner (1829–1905) and Ferdinand Roybet (1840–1920). Romani quickly earned both critical praise and significant fame for her deftly painted, richly colorful depictions of strong, sensual women adorned in lavish textiles.
Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
The summer 2026 exhibition at Selby Gardens will celebrate the creative collaboration between two legendary figures and longtime friends, photographer Lynn Goldsmith and singer-songwriter Patti Smith, who is Selby Gardens’ artist in residence. The exhibition will feature Goldsmith’s photographs of Smith, past and present, in the Museum of Botany & the Arts. The images will offer an intimate portrait of an iconic artist over the course of her remarkable career.
Selby Gardens, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota, FL 34236
Art immersion class for children ages 6-18. Small classes with fine arts materials. Visit linarinconart.com for more information and to register.
Creative Liberties Artist Studios, Gallery & Creative Academy, 927 N Lime Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237
The Sarasota Art Museum partners with the Jazz Club of Sarasota to present live jazz on the second Thursday of every month on the Marcy and Michael Klein Plaza. Enjoy a beverage or food in the Bistro and extended hours in the galleries and shops! Concert begins 5:30 pm.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Selina Román blends photography, abstraction, and self-portraiture to explore themes of beauty and the politics of size. Roman’s photographs transform the gallery into a space of quiet resistance, subverting traditional ideas of feminine beauty.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
Stelliferous is your monthly guide to the night skies and the latest news from the world of astronomy. You can enjoy our upgraded Planetarium system and feel like an astronaut as you experience our 50-foot dome!
Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St W, Bradenton
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. Explored in a variety of media, including basket weaving, beadwork, collage, clay, textiles, photography, metalwork, and printmaking rooted in ancestral technologies, their work shares similar stylistic and social concerns, such as vibrant color, hard-edged geometries, curvilinear patterns, and bold mark-making, all infused with personal stories and those of their kin.
Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
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
Showcasing 100 rare posters along with sculptures, cocktail shakers, and furniture pieces, this exciting exhibition celebrates the centennial anniversary of Art Deco and the artistic significance it brought to the early 20th-century.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
Tripletail Seafood & Spirits delicious Sunday Brunch is from 11am-3pm. Guests are invited to indulge in a delightful brunch experience on the beautiful covered patio or casual dining room with nautical touches. The brunch menu features a variety of mouth-watering dishes created by Chef Cesareo Cardenas, including his decadent Crème Brûlée French Toast, savory Steak & Eggs, succulent Lobster Benedict, the flavorful Tripletail Brunch Burger and Crab & Shrimp Omelet. Guests will receive a complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa with the purchase of any entrée. Prices range from $13 to $26. Reservations can be made through Open Table or by calling 941-529-0555.
Tripletail Seafood & Spirits, 4870 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Experience an intimate look at award-winning and internationally recognized artist Janet Echelman’s artistic evolution, from early explorations in drawing, painting, and textiles to the monumental netted sculptures that have redefined public spaces around the world.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
Join us for the first of five family-friendly and Free Art Walks this Academic Year. Compelling exhibitions, food trucks and live music.
Galleries of Ringling College of Art and Design, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34234
2nd Fridays Creative Happy Hour brings the party to the gallery and transforms ArtCenter Sarasota into a vibrant hub of creativity, conversation, and connection. These lively monthly gatherings feature rotating themes, interactive art activities, live music, dance, film, and collaborations with local artists and arts organizations. It's a fresh take on the classic art salon, welcoming all ages to mix, mingle, make, and experience art in motion.
ArtCenter Sarasota, 707 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Enjoy live jazz weekly on Fridays with many of the area's best musicians and some visiting or touring artists. We present various genres of jazz; straight ahead jazz, music from the American Songbook, swing, dixieland, blues, bossa and cabaret jazz.
Unitarian Universalists of SRQ, 3975 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota
This new speaker series, Art, Actually, explores how art intersects with identity, community, and change through conversations with artists, curators, and cultural leaders.
ArtCenter Sarasota, 707 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Enjoy music, theater, literature, dance, and more as part of the Hermitage Sunsets at Selby Gardens series. Each hour-long program features selections of work as well as candid and engaging conversations with the world-class artists who come to the Hermitage to create art in an inspirational environment.
Selby Gardens
Thursdays and Saturdays, 7:30pm. Step right up to solve the murder of Dahlia the Queen of the High Wire on this interactive murder mystery who-dunnit.
Wednesdays, 10am. Go back in time to the 1920’s in Sarasota to hear from three leading ladies (Bertha Palmer, Marie Selby and Mable Ringling) as portrayed by Kathryn Chesley, who shaped Sarasota into a cultural icon.
Hatch’s newly commissioned “plate painting,” Amalgam (2023), was created specifically for Sarasota Art Museum. Consisting of more than 450 earthenware plates hand-painted in white, blue, and gold luster, the abstract lines and shapes in Amalgam are drawn from a variety of historical ceramics from around the globe.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
Sundays, 1pm. Join psychic and tarot reader, Deni Dreazen on a metaphysical exploration trolley tour of Sarasota. Visit Pixie Dust gift shop, experience a sound bath at the Crocker Memorial Church with sound healer, Kaylene McCaw, and then walk the labyrinth.
Wednesdays, 10:30am. Explore Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern (the Sarasota School of Architecture) and Mediterranean Revival Architecture buildings, homes and structures of Sarasota on this 90-minute mainland tour.
Mondays, 1pm. Join Jerome Chesley as you explore more than 60 pieces of public art located in downtown and St. Armands.
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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