SRQ DAILY Sep 18, 2026
Friday Weekend Edition
"The festival grew out of me wanting to ensure that we have more plays written by women in our season."
Urbanite Theatre’s 2026 Modern Works Festival kicked off on September 17, a two-week long jamboree celebrating new works from emerging female playwrights. The festival, now in its 7th year, was created out of a need Urbanite Theatre co-founder and producing artistic director Summer Wallace, saw in the industry.
“Female playwrights are still underrepresented,” says Wallace. “The festival grew out of me wanting to ensure that we have more plays written by women in our season. In our first year of the festival, we were still a new company and paving our way in the industry.”
The 2026 Modern Works Festival is a celebration that happens not only on stages, but in different stages. September 17-20 features performances of the festival’s headlining production, Tea Time, Erika MacDonald’s award-winning solo show. Next comes a festival kick-off party for artists and passholders on September 24, followed by a talk from guest speaker, acclaimed playwright Jacqueline Goldfinger. The heart of the festival, however, revolves around the staged readings of three plays: The Longest Walk (Stacey Isom Campbell), Conversations by the Beach (Mantra Radhakrishnan) and Spectres (Joz Vammer).
These three playwrights had their works chosen by a panel of readers from over 300 submissions. The Modern Works Festival is intended to provide a platform for play development—each play is given three fully produced (with professional actors and a director) readings to the public. From these readings or during the roughly 15 hours of rehearsal prior, the plays are changed, altered or improved for the future. Those changes are welcome—Wallace stresses that the Modern Works Festival is geared towards supporting the development of these works, rather than just entertaining audiences. “What you can tell from a reading is really strong writing and relationships,” says Wallace. “At a reading the audience has to use their imagination, so when a play truly elicits an emotional reaction from an audience member, that’s when a playwright knows that their play is working. Ideally, the festival gives the opportunity for a playwright to know what worked and didn’t work from it being read by professional actors in front of an audience.”
Modern Works Festival, September 17-27, Urbanite Theatre, 1487 2nd St, Sarasota. 
Jan Wallace, Caitlyn Turner, Laura Parker and Amber McNew at the 2025 Modern Works Festival. Provided photo.
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is partnering with Sarasota-based contemporary ballet company Azara Ballet to launch a new series of free All Abilities Dance Workshops, creating an inclusive space where people of all ages, abilities, and experience levels can move, connect, and discover the joy of dance. The workshops begin on Friday, October 16, at 5:30 p.m. in the Education Room at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Classes are free and open to the public. The program welcomes well-trained dancers, dancers with disabilities, seniors, teens who dance, and those who have always wanted to dance but never had the opportunity. No previous dance experience is required, while extensive dance experience is also welcome.
All Abilities Dance Workshops. Provided photo.
ensembleNEWSRQ (enSRQ), Sarasota’s forward-looking contemporary chamber ensemble, opens its 11th season with the Sarasota debut of two-time Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth. The collaboration brings together eight singers and five instrumentalists for a boundary-pushing program exploring the expressive possibilities of the human voice. The concert is Monday, October 5, 7:30 p.m., at First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave., Sarasota. The program features two works by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw, along with works by Leilehua Lanzilotti, Peter Shin and Wally Gunn, moving from murmurs, breath and spoken language to intricate vocal rhythms and richly layered instrumental textures. Together, the works explore language, anxiety, identity, connection and the shifting territory between certainty and possibility.
Roomful of Teeth. Photo by Anja Schutz.
Our season opener features the Grand Prize winner of the Senior Division/String and Piano category of the 2026 Coltman Chamber Music Competition. Trio Sinfonia is a recently formed piano trio based in Boston, Massachusetts. Born out of the chamber music department at the New England Conservatory, the ensemble unites three passionate musicians who share a deep love for chamber music. As a group, they are coached by Ara Gregorian and Alessio Bax. Individually prizewinners in numerous international competitions, the members of Trio Sinfonia seek to combine their distinct musical identities to create music that is both unified and artistically vibrant. Their program will be an “all Romantic” affair, featuring Brahms’ Trio in B Major and Mendelssohn’s Trio in C Minor.
Provided photo.
Our opening program will include a wide range of beloved melodies and will feature pieces from the classical literature (such as Haydn’s “The Lark” Quartet) plus American standards (“Over the Rainbow”) and ending with the passionate Latin tune (“Libertango”) by Astor Piazzola. This group and these selections will sound wonderful in the excellent acoustics of the historic Peace sanctuary. THE BAY STRING QUARTET: Merinn Jacobs, violin; Julie Tollen, violin; Lauren Collier, viola; and Hernan Alvarez, cello. These accomplished musicians all perform with the Tampa Bay Symphony, concertizing regularly in the Tampa Bay area and under the direction of renowned local maestro Mark Sforzini. WHERE: Peace Memorial Presb. Church (the pink church downtown) 110 S. Ft. Harrison Ave., Clwr. (corner of Pierce and Ft. Harrison). Doors open at 2:30.
From fiery chemistry and haunted experiments to escape rooms and flying pickles, STEAM Saturdays classes are back this fall at the Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab (Fab Lab). Weekly classes invite students in grades 2-3, 4-5, and 6-8 to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) through hands-on, project-based activities. Classes are developed and led by high school student mentors, giving younger students the chance to build technical skills, confidence, and creativity while learning alongside near-peer role models. Fall themes include Haunted Alchemy, Bites & Frights, Autumn Escape Room, Machine Madness, Fireball Chemistry and even a pickle-powered aerospace class celebrating National Pickle Day. Classes are held Saturdays from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. beginning Oct. 3 at the Fab Lab, 4452 S. Beneva Rd., Sarasota.
Instructor Elyse helps camper Lucy use a drill press to customize a wooden jewelry box. Provided photo.
UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County will host the 20th annual Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Sale and EdFest from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County office and demonstration gardens at Twin Lakes Park, 6600 Clark Road in Sarasota. The free, family-friendly event will offer locally grown, Florida-friendly plants, gardening education and access to Extension experts and volunteers. Visitors can shop a broad selection of plants, receive locally relevant landscaping guidance and learn about Extension programs that support resilient landscapes, environmental stewardship and community education throughout Sarasota County. Shoppers can choose from hundreds of plants cultivated by Sarasota County Master Gardener Volunteers, including shrubs, trees, palms, wildflowers, butterfly plants, native plants and edibles.
Provided photo.
During the 2026 Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism in West Palm Beach, Visit Sarasota County earned statewide acclaim from its industry peers for its broadcast advertising, specifically in new airline service marketing. The tourism bureau brought home a Bronze Flagler Award for its campaign to invite travelers living in regions with recently added or expanded nonstop flights, such as Portland, ME, Raleigh, NC, and Richmond, VA, to Sarasota County.A 30-second video commercial promoting our coastline and culture paired with a custom flight overlay feature into the advertising, pulling in real-time flight scheduling, localized airline partners, and direct route details tailored to the viewers’ geographic home. The campaign amassed 6.2 million impressions, reached over 1 million unique households and 1.3 million devices, and led to a 156% lift in travelers considering Sarasota County for an upcoming beach vacation and a staggering 1,062% surge in consideration to fly specifically to SRQ.
Venice Beach. Image courtesy of Visit Sarasota County.
Community Assisted & Supported Living (CASL) cordially invites members of the media to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for Nancy’s Village, a new supportive housing community for young adults aging out of the foster care system, and notably a first community of its kind in Sarasota County. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the site adjacent to New Trail Plaza. City and County officials, community leaders and project partners will join CASL to mark the start of construction on Nancy’s Village, which will include five residential homes offering 20 units of housing and supportive services for young adults transitioning out of foster care and into independent living.
Provided photo.
Best of SRQ Local 2027 is almost here! We've got everything you need to get your business set up for Best of SRQ Success. Join us on September 23 from 8am to 11am at the SRQ Studios to pick up your competition materials at the BOSRQ Kickoff Party. Encourage your customers, clients and community to show their support and get ready to rally your community for the nomination round!
September 23, 2026 at SRQ Studios
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
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.
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
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
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
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
From the smooth soul of Motown to the irresistible hooks of pop and R&B, this dynamic tribute spans the greatest classics from the 1960s through today. Relive beloved hits made famous by icons like The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind and Fire, The Four Seasons and The Temptations. Featuring tight harmonies and charismatic showmanship, this energetic revue delivers constant hits and fresh takes on old favorites.
Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N Palm Ave., Sarasota
FST's resident improv team returns with Out of Bounds, an audience-favorite competition where two teams battle for laughs in a fast-paced series of games. Every scene is inspired by audience suggestions, and the winning team is up to the spectators to decide–and the method of voting is applause! This no-holds-barred comedy showdown runs 90 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.
Bowne's Lab, 1265 1st St., Sarasota
Enjoy a delicious brunch offered every Sunday at Tripletail Seafood and Spirits on the beautiful covered patio or casual dining room. The menu features a variety of dishes created by Chef Cesareo Cardenas, including his decadent creme brulee French toast, steak and eggs, lobster benedict, crab and shrimp omelet and the Tripletail brunch burger. Guests will receive a complimentary Bloody Mary or mimosa with the purchase of any entree.
Tripletail Seafood and Spirits, 4870 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Every Saturday and Sunday, Cask and Ale on Main Street lifts a toast and taps a toe to a delicious brunch with a diverse chef-prepared menu. Try the rotating chef's special menu, bottomless mimosas and a wide selection of craft cocktails. On Sundays, hear live jazz music from 12pm-4pm.
Cask and Ale, 1548 Main 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
Facilitated by poet Doug Knowlton, Bookstore1Sarasota hosts an advanced poetry writing workshop every Wednesday this September. Expect close reading, generative exercises and thoughtful critique in this five-session, five-week program. Participants should come ready to share work and engage seriously with others' writing in a collaborative and supportive space. Tickets include a writing journal.
Bookstore1Sarasota, 117 S Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
More than 30 Creative Liberties artists come together for a group exhibition showcasing the range of talent, styles and perspectives within the Creative Liberties community. An opening reception will be held on September 16 from 5pm-7pm.
Creative Liberties at ARCOS, 340 Central Ave., Sarasota
As Art Sarasota Center closes its centennial season and begins another century, it welcomes four artists and their works for the upcoming August and September season. Molly Duff-Clarke will showcase Home for Dinner, and curator Alecia Harper will present Shaping Sarasota: A Century of Art, which presents a chronological visual history spanning 100 years of creativity. Antoine Williams presents a new body of work that reimagines Black southern cultural folklore and traditions with Putting Breath in the Body. Finally, juror John Pirman presents the juried show, Icons.
Art Center Sarasota, 707 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Join Keep Manatee Beautiful at River Club Golf Course for a tournament that brings together local businesses, community leaders and golfers. The event features 18 holes, on-course contests and prizes, food, refreshments and networking opportunities. Proceeds from the tournament will support Keep Manatee Beautiful's year-round programs, including community cleanups, tree plantings and environmental education.
The River Club, 6600 River Club Blvd, Lakewood Ranch
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
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
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
From trail maintenance to litter clean-up and invasive plant removal, volunteers of all ages and abilities will roll up their sleeves and join forces for a common goal–stewarding America's natural resources for future generations to enjoy. National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest single-day volunteer event, and this year's theme is Caring for our Shared America. After the event, volunteers are invited to join UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County for Take a Child Outside Week activities, including a free Agents of Discovery mission, a wildlife education table, a family-friendly hike and a bioblitz to help observe and identify plants and animals in the park.
Shamrock Park and Nature Center, 3900 Shamrock Dr., Venice
This annual event returns for a free, one-day celebration featuring live performances, literacy activities, food trucks, games, a photo booth and more on Van Wezel's back lawn and in the Grand Foyer. Van Wezel will also present two sensory-friendly performances of Asolo Rep on Tour's BEANSTALK: The Adventures of Jack and the Giant at 10am and 1pm. Families can enjoy Florida Studio Theatre Improv as they lead fast-paced, family-friendly games at 11:30am. Throughout the day, young entrepreneurs with Kids Market will provide shopping and activities with a Jack and the Beanstalk theme.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 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
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
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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