SRQ DAILY Feb 24, 2026
Tuesday Dining and Food Edition
"Guests loved it, guests raved over this, guests have asked us to bring it back,"
Crabapalooza is back at Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB), thanks in large part to the diners. The seafood extravaganza launched earlier this month, two years since its glowing 2023 debut. “Guests loved it, guests raved over this, guests have asked us to bring it back,” says Marketing Director Taylor Escobar.
The coastal comfort chic atmosphere of the UTC location sets the stage. Seafoam jellyfish lights dangle from wooden crab traps; teal fish-scale tiles wrap a curved bar as open garage doors beckon the breeze. It’s a vivacious backdrop for Chef Will Parard’s limited-time seasonal menu.
Front and center-table: a two-tiered, six-serving seafood tower coddling raw Gulf oysters, snow crab legs and a lavish pound of peel-and-eat shrimp. Alongside, but refusing to be upstaged, is a scrumptious trio of tuna poke, fish dip and shrimp ceviche. House-crafted sauces—including a sharp multi-mustard, piquant chimichurri and zesty mignonette—ramp up the show. “It’s a crowd favorite, for sure,” says Kim Cartano, Head of Brand Strategy.
On the warmer side, the customizable Seafood Boil offers a feast of snow crab, mussels and shrimp tossed in your preferred seasoning—Old Bay, Tajin, “The Works”—and sauces from garlic butter to tequila lime. The bar keeps pace with punchy cocktails like the Passionfruit Spritz, uniting Aperol with Chinola passionfruit liqueur. The Mai Oh Mai Tai brings that “Oh My!” with an aged rum-forward pour and fresh lime, holding its own against a saline feast. Cartano, a Maryland-native who personally signed off on the crab cake, sees the event as “a way to say: you know what, let’s celebrate all things crabs, oysters, AMOB, and have something fun we can share throughout the season.”
Best of all, your indulgence is eco-friendly. Through Manatee County’s “Shuck n’ Shell” program, every oyster shell gets collected, sun-cured and returned to rebuild local reefs. (Approximately forty tons are diverted from landfills annually.) As Cartano puts it: “We’re helping the ecology by serving the oysters.” The perfect excuse to order another dozen.
Catch Crabapalooza Feb 10- April 20 across all six AMOB locations. UTC: Sun-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm, 5405 University Pkwy, Bradenton. 
Pictured: The Anna Maria Oyster Bar Seafood Tower Centerpiece. Photo courtesy of Oysters Rock Hospitality
Get your green on this St. Patrick’s Day at Gecko’s! Our St. Paddy’s Day specials are back for Tuesday, March 17 at all locations. Choose from: Shepherd’s Pie, Bangers & Mash, Corned Beef & Cabbage, or the Can’t Decide? St. Patrick’s Platter. Prices from $14 to $18. Plus, cocktail and beer specials all day. Sláinte!
Producers Ken Davenport, Bob Gaudio and NETworks Presentations with the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall are thrilled to share that A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL, will make its Sarasota premiere March 31 – April 4 as part of a multi-year North American Tour. Tickets are currently on sale 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.
Azara Ballet, a non-profit professional dance company, finale performance for 2025/2026 is “Seasons”. This evocative evening includes two world premieres. The premier of Artistic Director Joshua Stayton’s brand-new piece, Four Seasons and of a deeply personal new work by Martin Flowers, exploring autism through the powerful language of dance. A deeply personal new work, The Woman in White was created with a modern interpretation of the life of Emily Dickinson in mind, choreographed by Martin Flowers through a contemporary lens. Dickinson’s devotion to wearing white each day inspired the title and serves as a symbolic anchor for the work. As an autistic choreographer, Flowers’ own neurodivergent experience is deeply embedded in the piece, shaping its landscape. With tangible emotional expression, the work explores autism, “otherness,” and queer identity through the powerful language of dance. For tickets: azaraballet.org/performances.
Join us at Culver's on University on Tuesday, February 24th from 5pm-8pm for BMS Spirit Night! Enjoy your dinner at Culver's and part of the proceeds will go back to Booker Middle VPA. Have your meal hand-delivered to your car or table by one of our three amazing BMS administrators, Mr. Leal (Principal), Mr. Elsey (Assistant Principal), or Mr. Delude (Assistant Principal). And enjoy activities inside the restaurant all night long!
On Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 4:00 PM, SAVE USFSM, will be sponsoring a program for the community in the USFSM Student Center auditorium (the new building on campus) to discuss why it is important to preserve USFSM for the local students as well as other students who want a USF education on a smaller campus. This is very important and we hope to see a large number of our community members attend. We hope that you can be present and that you invite others to join you. This campus has been so important not only to students in this region – but also to individuals already in the workforce who want to complete a degree, ad on a new credential or upskill in their chosen profession. Thank you for considering this invitation! We need you!
Project 180, a Sarasota-based nonprofit that supports individuals as they transition home after incarceration, will host a March 27 luncheon centered on dignity, understanding, and compassionate care rather than judgment. The lecture, “Healing Individuals, Strengthening Communities,” will deepen understanding, elevate lived experience, and highlight how trauma-informed care, education, and consistent support are creating lasting change for individuals and families in our community. Presented by Kathryn Greenberg, CLC, SEP, a Certified Trauma & Life Coach, and Somatic Practitioner, known for her compassionate work supporting individuals facing trauma, addiction, and emotional challenge. “Healing Individuals, Strengthening Communities” will be presented at a luncheon at Michael’s on East at 11 a.m. on March 27. For information or to register, please visit Project180Reentry.org.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, announces the return of the charity’s annual Venetian Ball on Saturday, March 7, 2026. To be held at the Parish Life Center at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, the event invites the community to unite to support programs serving those in need in Lee County, enjoying an evening of fellowship, elegance, and purpose, supporting local residents. The 2026 theme, "Empowering Tomorrow, with Compassion Today," reflects the remarkable resilience demonstrated by the residents of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties over the past five years, and aims to provide direct support to local residents. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased directly online at onecau.se/_bpde81. For additional information or to discuss custom sponsorship opportunities, please call 239.342.1620 or email venetianball@ccdov.org.
We are just days away from gathering at Michael’s on East to celebrate this year’s scholarship recipients and 30 years of lives Changed For Good through Teen Court scholarships. This meaningful evening highlights the incredible young people in our program and the community that continues to invest in their success. If you have been considering a sponsorship or planning to reserve a table, now is the time! Sponsorship opportunities close Sunday as we finalize event details. Join us on March 4th for a night that celebrates leadership, accountability, and the bright futures ahead for these deserving students. We would love to celebrate with you!
On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, over 200 guests attended Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s Women & Medicine Educational Luncheon at Plantation Golf & Country Club. Venice’s second annual event featured an interactive panel discussion titled “Real Words: A Candid Conversation About Health, Hormones, and Happiness.” Proceeds raised will support Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s mission of delivering world-class healthcare to our community. The program opened with a welcome from event co-chairs Jennifer Douglas and Cindy Stuhley, followed by an update on Sarasota Memorial Health Care System from Sharon Roush, President of Sarasota Memorial Hospital–Venice. For more information about Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, visit smhf.org.
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
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
Think while you drink! Gather your friends, co-workers or family and join us for a fun-filled evening. Prizes and specials each night. Monday – Wednesday at 7:30pm. Gecko’s on Clark – Monday ; Gecko’s on SR64 & Stickney Point – Tuesday ; Gecko’s on Hillview – Wednesday.
As the New Year begins, Jack Dusty, the waterfront restaurant and bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, is bringing back its popular Sunday Brunch beginning January 11, inviting locals and hotel guests alike to ease into Sundays with live music, waterfront dining, and a menu designed for lingering. Designed as a leisurely afternoon experience, Jack Dusty’s Sunday Brunch runs from 11AM to 4PM with live entertainment throughout, creating an upbeat yet laid-back atmosphere perfect for enjoying delicious food and drink. The brunch menu blends elevated classics with seafood-driven specialties and indulgent favorites, including a Maine lobster roll on toasted butter brioche, crab and avocado benedict with yuzu hollandaise, sticky toffee griddlecakes, and a decadent truffled croque madame. Heartier offerings range from wagyu steak frites topped with a sunny-side egg to confit pork belly char siu with scallion pancakes, alongside a robust raw bar and sushi selection featuring oysters, stone crab, crudo, nigiri, and maki rolls.
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Sarasota, FL 34236
Café on St. Armands is introducing Prime Rib Sundays, a new weekly dining feature available every Sunday beginning at 11 AM. Guests are invited to enjoy a classic prime rib dinner, thoughtfully prepared and served as part of Café’s elevated all-day dining experience. The featured Prime Rib entrée includes chianti herb and Dijon-crusted prime rib, garlic confit mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, rich au jus, and creamy horseradish. The dish is available for $55.
Cafe on St. Armands, 431 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, FL
A gala performance by Summer Intensive dancers from around the world.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Get ready to move this summer with Sarasota Contemporary Dance and guest teachers in sunny Sarasota for a week-long dance intensive, unlike any other! You have three weeks to choose from-or do all three!
Sarasota Contemporary Dance, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts Suite 300, Sarasota, FL 34236
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
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
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
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
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
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
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