SRQ DAILY Feb 19, 2026
Thursday Family and Recreation Edition
"What gives me the most confidence is the culture that we are building."
The stands at Premier Sports Campus weren’t packed to the gills and the parking lot was not nearly at full capacity, but the sun was beaming down and there was soccer to be played nevertheless. Ahead of the Sarasota Paradise’s inaugural United Soccer League One home opener on March 7, the Paradise hosted a preseason friendly match against New York City FC II on February 13. New York FC II serves as the developmental team for Major League Soccer’s New York City FC, competing in the MLS Next Pro league.
For the Paradise, which won the match 2-1, the preseason friendly was a trial run. The team has only been practicing together for a number of weeks, with players such as defender Anderson Rosa or midfielder Aaron Walker, just recently coming into the fold. A match against New York City gave the coaching staff the chance to experiment with using players in different roles, determining strengths and weaknesses as well as toy with various play sets.
“The more that we can string performances like this together and instill that belief in ourselves, the better we’ll be,” says the 35-year-old Walker. “This is a new club to the professional ranks, we have a lot of guys that are coming from different systems and cultures and we want to see it come together quickly. Because this is a new club, with all new players, things are still fragile, so the quicker that we can all get on the same page and get results, it helps instill that belief of, ‘we really are where we want to be.’”
Head coach and technical director Mika Elovaara is also optimistic about the team’s chances heading into the regular season, emphasizing the bond the players have already begun to build with each other. “What gives me the most confidence is the culture that we are building,” says Elovaara. “Soccer is the players’ game and we have very good, broad leadership on the team and the culture that we’re building is very encouraging.”
Sarasota Paradise vs AC Boise, March 7, 7:30pm, Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch, 5895 Post Blvd, Lakewood Ranch. 
A Paradise player heads the ball during the team's preseason match on February 13. Provided photo.
Head to TerraNova Equestrian Center for a beautiful day in the country and experience the thrill of elite show jumping as Olympic-level riders and extraordinary horses from around the world compete in Grand Prix level show jumping. Whether you’re a lifelong equestrian fan or simply looking for a memorable day out, this is the perfect blend of sport, style, and family-friendly fun. Upgrade your experience with a Ringside Luncheon or VIP ticket and enjoy preferred parking, pavilion seating, and panoramic views of the competition arenas - all while savoring an elevated brunch buffet. Stroll through boutique shopping, let the kids explore Tiny Town Playground, or relax with friends as the action unfolds just steps away.
Show dates: 2/14, 2/15, 2/21, 2/22, 2/28, 3/1, 3/6, 3/7, 3/14, 3/15
Tickets on sale now! General admission and parking are free. Located east of Lakewood Ranch.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties will honor the outstanding achievements of its teen members at the 2026 Youth of the Year Celebration on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club, 3100 Fruitville Road in Sarasota. Guests will dust off their boots for this western-casual celebration for a night of inspiring stories while witnessing the announcement of the 2026 Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties Youth of the Year. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a reception followed by the official Youth of the Year Celebration. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased online at bgcsdc.org/events.
Community members are invited to Bay Fest, where Sarasota County and its partners will celebrate this year’s theme, “The Wonders of Water,” on Saturday, March 7. This free, family-friendly event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Bay, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota. The event is presented in partnership with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program and The Bay Sarasota. For more information, call 311 or 941-861-5000.
Spring Break Camp for ages 8 and up offers exciting riding lessons, hands-on pony workshops, and engaging animal care classes. Campers build confidence, horsemanship skills, and lasting friendships through fun games and activities. Join Sarasota’s most established horse camp for a day or more of learning, laughter, and barnyard adventure! 8:30 to 4:00 "By the Day"
Rosaire's Riding Academy, 901 East Rd, Sarasota.
Sarasota County Schools is pleased to announce that its Department of Student Services has secured a Hope Florida Model School District designation, expanding access to vital family supports and resources. This honor reflects the district’s commitment to strengthening family support systems and fostering meaningful connections between students, families, and the community. Hope Florida is an initiative spearheaded by First Lady Casey DeSantis that utilizes trained Hope Navigators to guide Floridians on an individualized path toward prosperity, economic self-sufficiency, and hope. Hope Navigators are experts who work hand-in-hand with individuals to identify their unique barriers and engage all sectors of the community to be a crucial part of the solution. The model emphasizes collaboration among schools, community organizations, faith-based partners, nonprofits, and government agencies to remove barriers and maximize resources. Families are encouraged to contact their school’s Hope Florida liaison or Sarasota County Schools’ Hope Florida Model School District liaison – Amanda Coker (Amanda.Coker@sarasotacountyschools.net) – for more information about Hope Florida and available supports.
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for its 2026–27 Education Assistance Program, offering grants and interest‑free loans to help Navy and Marine Corps families reach their academic goals. Eligible students can apply online beginning Feb. 16, 2026, through the NMCRS Education Assistance Application website. The application window will close on April 17, 2026. For more than 60 years, the NMCRS Education Assistance Program has helped thousands of Navy and Marine Corps spouses and children pursue higher education and build brighter futures. To learn more about the NMCRS Education Assistance Program or explore additional ways NMCRS supports active-duty and retired Sailors, Marines, and their families, visit nmcrs.org.
Sarasota Opera is pleased to announce two exciting summer training opportunities for young singers: Sarasota Youth Opera Summer Camp and the Sarasota Opera Vocal Academy, a specialized intensive for pre-college vocalists. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.sarasotaopera.org/summer-camp
Circus Sarasota™ proudly announces a sold-out weekend opening for “EPIC”, its newest and most electrifying production to date. With standing ovations, roaring applause, and an atmosphere charged with excitement, EPIC has officially taken its place as one of the most celebrated premieres in The Circus Arts Conservatory’s history. The Circus Sarasota™ EPIC engagement is produced by and supports the not-for-profit Circus Arts Conservatory's year-round community programs in Sarasota. For more information, visit CircusArts.org.
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
Delight once again in the inspiring performances of Pinky's Players, Venice Theatre's Community Engagement Program that partners with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to develop and share their artistic talents.
Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice, FL 34285
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
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