SRQ DAILY Sep 11, 2026
Friday Weekend Edition
"I think creativity truly starts when you have a budget to work within, and that you manage to get both the design ambition and the budget to work out."
This November, architects and designers will flock to Sarasota for the Sarasota Design Conference. The conference, which has taken place every two years since 1988, is themed Duality: Harmony in Contrast and will take place in St. Paul Lutheran Church, a Victor Lundy-designed campus and a sterling example of the Sarasota School of Architecture. Organized by the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the conference’s focus has always been firmly on design. Featuring lectures and a panel discussion with four prominent industry professionals, the conference intends to inspire and creatively invigorate the minds of those in attendance. Below is an excerpt from an interview with one of the conference’s keynote speakers, Kai-Uwe Bergmann, FAIA, a global partner at Bjarke Ingels Group, or BIG, set to appear in the January 2027 issue of SRQ Magazine.
SRQ: The term “Pragmatic Utopian” is used by BIG to describe the ideals that drive its projects—how do you balance the firm’s ambition for experimentation with real-life budgets and financing?
Bergmann: Everybody’s got a budget at the end of the day. Very few people will tell you, “Just keep spending.” I think creativity truly starts when you have a budget to work within, and that you manage to get both the design ambition and the budget to work out. The proof is in the pudding. If you demonstrate that you can build and execute on the vision, then truly anything is possible. I’m always very happy that we do a lot of affordable housing work in our office, so we’re not a design architectural firm that’s purely interested in luxury housing—to create sort of artworks of housing. We’re interested in the actual nuts and bolts. How do we improve life for as many people as possible? From considering climate refugees in the South Pacific, to thinking about the development pressures on places like Bhutan, to thinking about affordable housing in our inner cities in the United States, those are all things that we put our minds to.
Sarasota Design Conference, November 12-14, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sarasota 
Kai-Uwe Bergmann, Global Partner, Bjarke Ingels Group. Photo by Marcus Mork.
Via Nova Chorale launches its 17th season in November with “Voices,” a five-concert series exploring the power of music to express who we are, where we come from and what connects us as one human family. Led by artistic director Steven Phillips, the 2026–27 season ranges from a musical celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and the return of the chorale’s popular Celtic Christmas to a collaboration with The Ringling that pairs visual art with live music. The season continues with music drawn from cultures whose voices have been silenced by oppression and concludes with an eclectic celebration of the natural world. Since Phillips became artistic director in 2023, Via Nova Chorale has expanded its repertoire beyond sacred music while continuing to broaden its artistic vision.
Young performers from the Porter Kavanagh Irish Dance Academy bring Irish dance to the Via Nova Chorale production, A Celtic Christmas, Dec. 11-12. Provided photo.
Key Chorale is pleased to announce two important additions to its distinguished Professional Core for the 2026–2027 season. Kari Hamada has been appointed Associate Conductor and Principal Section Leader, and Justin Gomlak joins the organization as a Tenor Section Leader. These appointments further strengthen the artistic foundation of Key Chorale as the organization begins its highly anticipated 42nd season, continuing its commitment to creating innovative, inspiring, and transformative musical experiences for audiences throughout the region. At the heart of Key Chorale’s artistic success is its Professional Core – a select group of 24 accomplished professional singers and musicians who provide exceptional leadership, artistry, and support throughout the organization’s performances and programs.
Provided photo.
The State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) Music Program will open its Fall 2026 season with Inferno: SCF Music Faculty on Fire at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept.17, at SCF Bradenton, 5840 26th St. W. The concert will be held in the Studio for the Performing Arts Recital Hall, Building 11A, where the faculty will perform their top brass, string, vocal and jazz solo pieces. As music educators and artists, they have performed locally and worldwide while teaching, directing and preparing SCF’s music, music production and theater students for performing arts careers. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for faculty and staff and $8 for students.
Sarasota Opera opens its 68th season this fall with Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, running October 30 through November 14. Premiered in 1893 in Weimar under the baton of Richard Strauss, Humperdinck’s version of Hansel and Gretel offers a compelling musical and theatrical experience for audiences of all ages, melding lush orchestration with simple folk melodies to tell the timeless fairy-tale of two siblings who stray into the forest and encounter a beguiling Gingerbread Witch, finding courage in the face of Peril. This production of Hansel and Gretel marks the first-ever mainstage collaboration between Sarasota Opera, Sarasota Youth Opera, and Sarasota Ballet School’s Margaret Barbieri Conservatory and Sarasota Ballet Studio Company.
Past production of Hansel and Gretel. Provided photo.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens officially launches its season with a year-long calendar of special exhibitions, programs, and dynamic events. As Selby Gardens advances its mission to offer bayfront sanctuaries that connect people with air plants of the world, native nature, and the rich history of the region, it invites guests to explore the beauty and significance of its gardens, both today and for generations to come. Jennifer Rominiecki, President and CEO of Selby Gardens, said, “We are delighted to welcome visitors from our local community, across the nation, and around the world to the 2026–2027 season at our Downtown Sarasota and Historic Spanish Point campuses, where a year of inspiring exhibitions, programs, and experiences awaits.”
Selby Gardens Lights at Spooky Point. Provided Photo.
Sarasota Jewish Theatre (SJT) is pleased to present a new play, “Kaddish for the Barrio,” from October 7 to 11 at The Sarasota Players. Written by Sarasota-based actor and playwright Gabriel V. Ortiz, this bold drama explores guilt, redemption, and the search for light in a world shattered by violence. “Kaddish for the Barrio” by Gabriel V. Ortiz is the moving story of a haunted young Latino gang member (Brandon Billings), his sister Elena (Jennifer Vasquez), and an aging rabbi (Leonard Rubinstein) who form an unlikely bond inside a crumbling East L.A. synagogue now used as a community center. Performances are October 9 and 11 at 1:30 p.m.; and October 7, 8, and 10 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $36.
As a way of celebrating Sarasota’s Cultural Coast, Discover Sarasota Tours is partnering with three local theater organizations: Asolo Repertory Theatre, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, and Florida Studio Theater (FST) to offer a new Backstage Sarasota trolley tour providing access to see how the magic of theater is created. This three-hour POP UP tour is offered November 7 and March 6, from 10AM-1PM and departs from the DST Trolley Cottage Gift Shop. Guests will begin with an exclusive visit to the state-of-the-art production and rehearsal facilities at the Asolo Repertory Theatre’s Robert and Beverly Koski Center to see exactly how stage magic is made. Behind every production is an exceptional team stringing the details together.
Provided photo.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties (BGCSDC) is proud to announce that the 2026 Champions for Children gala, presented by the Annette J. Hagens Memorial Foundation, will honor the extraordinary legacy of Louis and Gloria Flanzer. Louis and Gloria Flanzer’s lifelong commitment to philanthropy transformed communities across the region. Deeply dedicated to serving others, they believed in the power of investing in organizations that strengthen lives, build stronger communities, and create lasting opportunities for generations to come. The annual gala will take place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at The Ora, located at 578 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, FL 34232. Louis and Gloria Flanzer believed in the importance of investing in communities and creating opportunities for individuals to reach their full potential.
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
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
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.
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
Maria A. Guzman 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
Win prizes while you think, drink and enjoy fresh seafood and signature cocktails at Lefty's Oyster and Seafood Bar when Trivia Nation hosts Trivia Tuesdays. Test your knowledge across a variety of categories, bring your friends, family and coworkers, or jump in and join a team when you arrive. Win a $100 gift card every week and the admiration of your smartest friends.
Lefty's Oyster and Seafood Bar, 428 N Lemon Ave., Sarasota
Ever wonder what goes into creating a circus? The Ringling's Canvas City exhibit offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people who make the spectacular entertainment venues come to life, from tentmakers and photographers to costume designers. See over 1,500 pieces, including circus costumes, leotards, band uniforms, animal blankets and more. Costumes on view will be rotated throughout the year as museum registrars review the collection and add notes and new photography to their records.
The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
Dogs Inc invites the community to stop by 99 Bottles to grab a pint, meet future service and guide dogs and learn how to help change a life as a puppy raiser. Guests can talk to volunteer puppy raisers, hear from a local guide dog recipient and discover how they can play a role in Dogs Inc's life-changing mission. This is not a pet-friendly event.
99 Bottles Craft Beer and Wine Bar, 1445 2nd St., Sarasota
A pioneering artist, world traveler and champion of women in the arts, Yoshida Fujio was one of the first Japanese women to receive formal training in Western-style painting and build an international career. Yoshida Fujio: Secret Gardens is the first exhibition in the southeastern United States devoted to this remarkable artist. It brings together a selection of woodblock prints and one painting spanning key moments in Fujio's long career, from her early naturalistic works to the striking abstractions of her later decades.
The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
This two-week dining event at University Town Center features delicious deals from your favorite restaurants and dessert shops. Enjoy three-course prix fixe lunch and dinner menus, plus sweet specials you won't want to miss. Participating restaurants include Anna Maria Oyster Bar, Blu Kouzina, Florence and The Spice Boys, Mademoiselle Paris, Selva Grill, Norman Love Confections and more.
University Town Center Sarasota, 210 N Cattlemen Rd., Sarasota
SCF, Manatee-Sarasota will host its 9/11 Memorial Ceremonies in remembrance of the lives lost during the September 11, 2001 attacks. The college's Veteran Services Office and Student Veterans of America Club will present the events. SCF Bradenton's ceremony from 9:00-9:45am will feature remarks from guest speaker John Phillips, a retired U.S. Coast Guard chief warrant officer 4 with more than 31 years of distinguished service.
State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota Venice Campus, 8000 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Celebrate 31 years of Anna Maria Oyster Bar's five-star fun for everyone with Rollback Day, bringing back throwback prices for one day as a thank-you to the guests and community who have supported AMOB for more than three decades. Guests can enjoy lighter-bite fish and chips, lighter-bite popcorn shrimp, hushpuppies, domestic drafts and house margaritas.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar Locations
SCS College Night brings together colleges, universities, technical programs and military representatives from across the country to help students and families explore postsecondary options. This event is open to all high school students, grades 9-12, and their families. Meet with admissions representatives, learn about financial aid, explore career and technical education pathways, discover careers in the military and ask questions about admissions, housing and campus life.
Suncoast Technical College, 4748 S Beneva Rd., Sarasota
Back for its seventh year, the 2026 Modern Works Festival is a two-week celebration of new play development and women in theater. With a festival pass, you gain all-access entry to the work in progress, including staged readings of finalist plays, a kickoff celebration, guest speaker events, artist performances and post-show conversations that bring audiences and creators into direct dialogue. Tea Time by Erika MacDonald is this year's headlining production.
Urbanite Theatre, 1487 2nd St., Sarasota
Don't miss William Shakespeare's timeless comedy of love, identity and finding yourself in unexpected places. The play delivers one of The Bard's most hopeful messages: people can change, grow and discover who they truly are. Experience wit, romance and how theatre can be a place where humanity explores itself.
The Crossings at Siesta Key, 3501 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Play for a cause this September in support of the Venice YMCA with this charity golf classic. Golfers of all skill levels are invited to tee off with a shot gun start at 8:30am, with lunch to follow. Build community and camaraderie with fun games and prizes throughout the day. Proceeds support children, families and individuals in the Venice community.
Plantation Golf and Country Club, 500 Rockley Blvd, Venice
As part of an ongoing Spanish Night Series, this evening brings together Sarasota's Spanish-speaking and English-speaking business communities for owners looking to grow in each other's markets. Guests enjoy a paella tasting by Paellas by Chef Martinez, Spanish wine and tapas in an intimate setting, limited to 50 guests.
99 Bottles, 1445 2nd St., Sarasota
Set sail with the smooth sounds of the '70s and '80s in this feel-good celebration of Yacht Rock and beyond. Featuring favorites like Sailing, Margaritaville, Brandy, Escape (The Piña Colada Song), Arthur's Theme and more, this breezy musical revue charts a course through the songs that became the soundtrack to romance, adventure, heartbreak and endless summer nights. Written by Richard Hopkins and Rebecca Hopkins; directed by Catherine Randazzo; music arrangements by Jim Prosser.
Court Cabaret, 1265 1st St., Sarasota
The Markovitz Socratic Stage presents America 250 featuring Dinesh D'Souza and Dr. Stanley Fish. A former policy analyst in the Reagan White House, D'Souza attended Dartmouth College and also served as a research scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. Dr. Fish brings decades of academic leadership to New College of Florida and extensive writings on the First Amendment, academic freedom and the art of persuasion.
Mildred Sainer Pavilion, 5313 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
Participate in the third annual Farmhouse Scramble golf tournament to benefit all furry, feathered and shelled animals at Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary. With an 8am shotgun start, this 18-hole course builds community spirit and camaraderie throughout the day. Enjoy contests, games, raffles and prizes, as well as complimentary practice balls on the driving range. A light continental breakfast, indoor salad bar and deli lunch buffet are provided.
Tara Golf and Country Club, 6602 Drewrys Bluff, Bradenton
The Sarasota Orchestra Harmony Gallery collaborates with the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition, the presenters of Voices of Color. This exhibit features the work of Jamaican-born artist Alicia Brown who works from her studio at SPAACES. Greg Cruz is a multidisciplinary artist and educator whose work bridges urban nostalgia and themes of healing and human connection. Ronnique Hawkins's work spans and supports peace initiatives, vulnerable communities and awareness of prostate and breast cancer. A reception will be held on October 7, and a meet-and-greet is scheduled for October 15.
Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
This festive community event features a variety of eateries with tasty food samples and wine tastings. What better way to support the nationally recognized Sarasota Youth Opera! VIPs enjoy early access and special seating at 12:30pm.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
Get up close and personal with some adorable capybaras—meet them, feed them and snap some photos! Enjoy a free coffee or beverage served by Rise N Grind Coffee Co., as well as a free pastry or breakfast treat. This event has limited availability and sells out fast.
Big Cat Habitat, 7101 Palmer Blvd, Sarasota
Help protect Sarasota's coastal wildlife from one of the deadliest forms of marine debris. The cleanup welcomes boaters, kayakers, students and community volunteers to target discarded fishing lines, hooks, lures and other fishing debris that can entangle and kill seabirds and marine wildlife. Students can earn community service hours, and a light lunch will be provided to registered participants. Wear heavy, closed-toed shoes that can get wet, and opt for clothing that covers your arms and legs to ensure comfort and protection.
Sarasota Sailing Squadron, 1717 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota
Wish upon a star and follow Pinocchio on an unforgettable adventure! From curious encounters to daring escapades, this beloved tale springs to life with laughter and plenty of magic. As Pinocchio learns that honesty matters more than anything else, audiences of all ages will delight in this enchanting retelling of a timeless classic. The play runs 50 minutes with no intermission.
Keating Theatre, 1241 N Palm Ave., Sarasota
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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