This Saturday, one of the longest lasting names in comedy will be coming to Palmetto. On January 31, stand-up comedian Rich Vos will perform at the Palmetto Marriott Resort and Spa. Vos, at 68-years-old, is a veteran and something of a legend in the comedy community—since beginning his stand-up career in 1984, Vos has released seven comedy albums and has appeared on countless television and radio shows and podcasts, such as  Fox News' Gutfeld!, The Joe Rogan Experience and Opie and Anthony.

Vos is known for his no-holds-barred approach, acerbic wit and adept crowd work. His ability to work a crowd, to read the audience, Vos attests, comes from his over 40 decades of experience performing. “Good crowd work, to me, is when somebody can turn a situation into a story and come back to it or work it into their bits,” says Vos. “It’s all situational—if somebody faints in the audience, you’ve got to know how to handle it. If there’s a table that’s too loud, you’ve got to control it. It just comes from experience, having dealt with every type of audience, there is almost nothing that surprises me.”

Vos often mines his own life for material. After struggling with drug and alcohol addiction early in his comedy career, Vos became sober in 1987, a decision that paved the way for his longevity as a professional comedian. “I talk about my experiences in my material. I did drugs and I don’t do drugs anymore,” says Vos. “I’ve been married, divorced and remarried, I have daughters and grandchildren—there’s also so much going on in the world that it makes it easy to come up with material.”

Opening for Vos is Jean Marcley, an 80-year-old blind comedian, who was the winner of the Palmetto Marriott Resort and Spa’s Local Comedian Contest. Since beginning her comedy career at the age of 73, Marcley has made a name for herself performing in contests around the state, with material that focuses on finding the humor in the mundane and facing the challenges of aging with poise and grace.

Note: Parental discretion is advised for Rich Vos’ performance.

January 31, 5:00-8:00pm, Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa, 600 US HWY 41, Palmetto. 

Provided photo.

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Downtown Sarasota invites the community to experience a heartfelt Valentine's Day-inspired event in the heart of downtown Sarasota. Heart & Soul on State Street is an open-air celebration taking place on Friday, February 6, from 7 to 10 p.m. on State Street. The streets will transform into a gathering space filled with music and local vendors, and it is free for all ages. Guests can stay up to date by following Fresh Fridays on their social media channels or by visiting their website at www.downtownsarasotadid.com/fresh-fridays. 

Don’t miss one of Florida’s most anticipated festivals — a weekend filled with music, motors, and making a difference! The 28th Annual Thunder By The Bay Music & Motors Festival returns to the Sarasota Fairgrounds February 13–15, 2026. This iconic festival, organized by and benefitting Suncoast Charities for Children, promises a weekend packed with fun and entertainment. For tickets and more information, visit: THUNDERBYTHEBAY.ORG 

When stories come to life, the imaginations of little ones bloom. The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County (ELC) is thrilled to announce the return of its 6th annual Storybook Street event: a beloved, free, literacy-meets-the-arts celebration designed for young learners. So beloved, that all 400 free tickets (one ticket per family) sold out faster than a toddler chasing bubbles, with the waitlist filling up just as quickly.

Saturday, February 7, 10:00am- 12:30m, State College of Florida-Venice Campus, 8000 Tamiami Trail S, Venice. 

Children First, a nationally recognized nonprofit delivering high-quality early childhood education and family strengthening programs, kicks off its third annual “Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader” book drive on February 1. Spearheaded by community advocate Sheila Birnbaum, the agency is seeking donations of new, age-appropriate books for children ages 5 and under to promote the importance of literacy. Books collected will be placed directly into the hands of children and families served by Children First and shared with local nonprofit and education partners. The book drive runs from February 1 through March 31, and community members are encouraged to get involved in one of two ways: Donate new children’s books by delivering or mailing them to 1723 N. Orange Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34234; Make a monetary donation at www.childrenfirst.net/donate, which will be used to purchase new books for children in the agency’s early learning programs. With the support of community partners and donors, Children First is helping turn today’s readers into tomorrow’s leaders - one book at a time. For more information, call (941) 953-3877 or go to childrenfirst.net. 

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art (The Ringling), the official State Art Museum of Florida, is celebrating 25 years under the stewardship of Florida State University (FSU), a transformative partnership that has led to major restoration and expansion in addition to record public engagement. Under FSU’s governance, The Ringling has experienced significant transformation, driven by disciplined financial management, strong infrastructure, and long-term planning. 

On Wednesday, the highly anticipated Waldorf Sarasota Residences Sarasota celebrated the launch of sales at Michael's on the Bay at Selby Botanical Gardens. Set within a breathtaking waterfront setting, the evening brought together key players of the project including Sadek Omar of JEBCORE, Amanda Nichols of Hilton, Gadiel Marquez of ODP Architects, Andrew Kline of Workshop/ APD, David Young of DWY Landscape Architects and Michael Saunders of Michael Saunders & Company. Guests learned more about the project through a panel discussion followed by a night of unexpected but elegant touches, including aerialists presenting champagne. To learn more, visit the temporary Waldorf Astoria Residences Sarasota sales gallery at 1605 Main Street, Sarasota, Florida or visit https://waresidencessarasota.com/.