SRQ DAILY Oct 22, 2026
Thursday Family and Recreation Edition
"We go so fast on that track that you have to have the timing of all of the jumps dialed in and be comfortable with the speed."
In the world of BMX racing, a split second can make all the difference. Eight riders line at the top of the starting hill, ready to hurtle around the track upwards of 35 miles per hour, on bicycles that are the size of children’s bikes, flying over jumps up to 15 meters in length. Those milliseconds can be the difference between not just victory and defeat, but between safety and catastrophic injury.
Just ask Rayne Lankford. The 24-year-old Factory SYNDYT/Zenith Racing rider from Houston, Texas, who calls Sarasota home, climbed to the peak of the professional circuit in early 2026, making the podium at USA Cycling’s 2026 Elite BMX National Championships. A month later, Lankford had a devastating crash while training at his home track of Sarasota BMX, rendering him unable to compete for the rest of the summer.
“I hit this jump that I’ve done a million times and can normally do with my eyes closed—only this time, I nose-cased it,” says Lankford. “I clipped my front wheel on the landing and went over the handlebars into the next obstacle. I broke my left femur, five ribs, collapsed a lung and had some internal bleeding.”
Lankford, who inked a content sponsorship deal with Visit Sarasota County this fall, has his sights set on a return, however. From October 31 to November 1, the final rounds of the UCI BMX World Cup will come to Sarasota’s heralded BMX track. These races—which will return to Sarasota next fall—are key determinators in Olympic selection for Los Angeles 2028. Lankford, who has not raced since his crash in April, is aiming to compete over Halloween weekend. “I have definitely been itching to get back, but at the same time, I have to pace myself,” he says. “We go so fast on that track that you have to have the timing of all of the jumps dialed in and be comfortable with the speed.”
UCI BMX World Cup Final Rounds, October 31 to November 1, Sarasota BMX, 1590 N Tuttle Ave, Sarasota. 
Rayne Lankford. Provided photo.
As the season changes, it’s the perfect time to get outside, try something new and spend a little more time enjoying the community around you! Through Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, residents can find hundreds of opportunities throughout the year to get active, meet people and make memories – from parks and recreation programs to signature events, groups, clubs and community experiences. Whether you’re looking for a new hobby, a way to stay active, a place to connect or simply something fun to do this weekend, there’s always more happening around The Ranch. This fall, fall for more ways to experience your community. Explore what’s happening, discover something new and find your next favorite way to connect through Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.
The latest craze is perfect for those who love dancing and being in bed early! Join The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime this Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11-2 and wear your dancing shoes! It’s a dance party with DJ Steve spinning favorites from the 80s and 90s. Also enjoy lunch from Hamlets Eatery and fabulous shopping!
821 Apricot Ave in Sarasota, bazaaronapricotandlime.com
Registration is now open for the 2027 Education Foundation Ringling Bridge Run, presented by Lexus of Sarasota, on Sunday, April 25, 2027. The race brings together runners, walkers, families, students and teachers for a morning on one of Sarasota’s most iconic landmarks, with every registration supporting local students and teachers. Each year, the event features music along the route from Sarasota County school bands. The finish line festivities include a DJ, stretch tent, and awards ceremony. All 5K runners receive a shirt and finisher medal.Lexus of Sarasota and Jaguar Land Rover continues to support this effort as the race’s presenting sponsor, along with gold sponsors Gilbane Building Company and Golf Therapy Club.
Sunday, April 25, 5K over the Ringling Bridge, 7:30 a.m.; Fun Run, 7:45am, Parking at Van Wezel, Start/Finish line on Van Wezel Way, $40 early bird pricing for 5K through December 31. Fun Run is free. runsignup.com/ringlingbridgerun
Provided photo.
Nearly a century after the circus made Sarasota its home, The Circus Arts Conservatory (CAC) is celebrating that legacy while reimagining what circus can be. For eight days, November 21–28, 2026, the Sailor Circus Arena will be transformed into an ice rink for 10 performances, welcoming an all-star cast of Olympic and World Champion skaters alongside internationally acclaimed circus artists. This new production promises a thrilling blend of athleticism, artistry, high-flying aerial acts and world-class ice skating, offering Sarasota audiences an experience unlike anything CAC has presented before.
The Child Protection Center (CPC) invites the community to celebrate the Fall season at the first annual Runaway Pumpkin 5K & Family Fest on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at CPC’s Monda Campus of Healing, located at 5600 Peace River Road in North Port. The free Family Fest offers local children a safe and joyful seasonal celebration, marking a new tradition for CPC as it grows its presence in North Port.
Since November 16, 2001, The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota has been delivering refined service, elevated coastal experiences and a timeless sense of place. To celebrate this milestone, the Ladies and Gentlemen have curated a lineup of celebratory events, a themed spa treatment and specialty Vernona throwback menus to offer guests and locals alike. For those looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, a $25,000 Quarter Century Grand Getaway package for two guests featuring white-glove access across the resort with experiences around downtown Sarasota and its surrounding keys is available through September 2027. For full 25th anniversary details, visit ritzcarltonsarasota.ipoolside.com
See the Ringling campus in action! Attend our next Spotlight Day to see how you can turn your passion into profession. Join us for a half day event where you will meet faculty, get know your Admissions counselor, tour campus, get to hear from our students, and dine in Cunniffe Commons. This event is a great way to get an in-depth look at Ringling and meet the people who will be with you every step of the way from application to graduation. Fun fact: Students who attend this event will qualify to receive a $4,000 Ringling Visit Scholarship ($1,000 per academic year) if accepted and enrolled. To be eligible you must be an incoming student for the 2027-2028 academic year or later.
Upcoming Dates: November 13,2026, December 4, 2026, March 5, 2027, Spotlight Day events are held on Fridays.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties (BGCSDC) is pleased to announce the promotions of Venesha Graham to Director of Operations and Clarence Battle to Club Director of the Newtown Estates Park Boys & Girls Club. Both bring a mix of experience, commitment, and a personal understanding of the lasting impact the Club has on its members and families. For more information, visit bgcsdc.org or call 941-366-3911.
Join us on November 6 at Michael’s On East for the 2026 Women Who Roar Leadership Awards, a celebration of the exceptional women shaping the Sarasota and Bradenton community through business, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, innovation and leadership. This inspiring gathering brings together women in business and community leaders to connect, celebrate and honor the remarkable women whose vision and contributions are making a lasting impact across our region. Secure your ticket today!
November 6, 2026 at Michael's On East
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.
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
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
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
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
This spirited musical ghost trolley tour with an historic bent returns for its 8th year with tour times at 7pm or 8:30pm. Talented cast members Kaylene McCaw and MariAnne Hernandez alternate as Lady Melody, the tour's ghost hostess, and tell stories of haunted buildings as they welcome aboard mystery spirits played by David Springer, Michael De Mocko, Olivia Turpening and Sarah Van Keuren. Prizes are awarded for best costume each night. Tickets include complimentary beer or wine before boarding and free parking.
Discover Sarasota Tours, 1826 4th St., Sarasota
The popular Halloween-inspired light show returns to Selby Gardens' Historic Spanish Point! The campus is transformed into Spooky Point where you can follow an eerily lit path and encounter fantastic creations and boo-tanically-themed decorations along the way. Equal parts campy, creepy and cute, this walk-through show is fun for all ages. Tickets go on sale August 24.
Historic Spanish Point Campus, 401 N Tamiami Trl, Osprey
Based on the novel by Bram Stoker and adapted by Ren Pearson, The Players Studio Black Box invites audiences into the shadows with one of the most iconic Gothic tales ever written. Mysterious, thrilling, romantic and terrifying, Dracula will explore fear, obsession and the darkness that lives just beneath the surface.
The Players Studio Black Box, 1400 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota
Enjoy fresh produce, local art, music and free family activities on Bradenton's Old Main Street every Saturday from October through May. Local farmers, artisans and chefs share their talents, and you'll always be greeted with a smile from the market vendors.
Old Main Street, 400 12th St. W, Bradenton
Drawing on the ephemeral and fragile properties of smoke and mirroring, along with the purity, fragility and apparent permanence of porcelain, the work exposes false narratives, conflicted virtues and fractured identities. Using transience and tension as both visual and material metaphors, figures formed with smoke hover between presence and evasion across pristine porcelain and mirrored, color-shifting grounds. The opening reception will be held on October 3 from 5-8pm.
502 Gallery, 502 S Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
This rock musical adaptation of Stephen King's novel follows Carrie White, a shy, bullied teenage outcast with telekinetic powers. Dominatingly controlled by her religious fanatic mother at home and tormented by peers at school, Carrie unleashes her destructive powers on prom night after a cruel prank. Powerful vocals and raw storytelling will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave. W, Bradenton
The seventh year of the popular Hermitage Sunsets at Selby Gardens will feature six programs between the Selby Gardens Downtown and Historic Spanish Point campuses. See performances and explorations of works-in-progress by Hermitage artists-in-residence and alumni. Dates include October 16, November 20, February 11, Feburary 25, March 18 and May 6. The first event, New Music Under the Old Oak, is at the Downtown Sarasota Campus at 5:30pm.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Downtown Sarasota campus and Historic Spanish Point campus, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota
Ringling College of Art and Design alum Chie Fueki synthesizes Japanese ukiyo-e atmospheric techniques with Western abstraction, perspectival space and practices of overlay and juxtaposition. Drawing from her own Japanese and Brazilian heritage, Fueki's vibrant and densely layered works dance with an elaborate interplay of painting, drawing and constructed mulberry paper compositions. Spanning 25 years of Fueki's career, these works carve out familiar scenes that fuse figuration and abstraction to create an intricate floating world.
Sarasota Art Museum Ringling College Museum Campus, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
This Tony-winning stage musical is about a shy high school student with social anxiety who becomes entangled in a lie after a classmate’s suicide. By fabricating a friendship with the deceased, Evan finds the popularity and connection he always craved. He faces a crisis when his deception threatens to unravel his life and ruin his relationships. Dear Evan Hansen reminds us all that–even in our loneliest moments–you will be found.
Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave. W, Bradenton
This special Chilean Wine Dinner featuring Vina Concha y Toro offers guests an elevated evening of curated Chilean wine pairings paired with a four-course dinner, beginning with a welcome reception followed by a dinner service. Meet fellow wine lovers and enjoy a relaxed, fun atmosphere that promises great sips and good vibes. Regional manager for Vina Concha y Toro, Joe Consolo, will educate guests and help them enjoy these robust wines.
Tripletail Seafood and Spirits, 4870 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
To open Sarasota Ballet's upcoming season, hear a special selection of Sir Frederick Ashton's celebrated Divertissements, offering a suite of excerpts from some of his most renowned works. Meditation from Thais, Friday's Child from Jazz Calendar, Pas de Trois from Les Rendezvous and intricate ensemble patterns of Pas de Cinq from Illuminations will take the stage. Gemma Bond tests the limits of composure with Manner, a Company premiere that explores inherited and performed behaviors through intimate choreography.
FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Dress for the sock hop, dust off your dancing shoes and get ready for a 50s sock hop gone sour. This interactive murder mystery dinner is filled with clues, suspects, twists and plenty of laughs along the way. For attire, think poodle skirts, swing dresses, saddle shoes, cat-eye glasses or cuffed jeans, white tees, bowling shirts and slicked-back hair. Tickets include a three-course chef-curated dinner and a welcome cocktail.
GROVE, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch
Join Project Pride SRQ for a joyful day of Pride, community and celebration in Sarasota to bring together LGBTQ+ residents, families, allies, artists, local businesses, nonprofits, sponsors, volunteers and community partners. Explore a lively vendor marketplace, connect with local organizations and resources, enjoy delicious food, experience live performances and celebrate in an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere built around visibility, joy and belonging.
Project Pride SRQ, 1370 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota
Bring the whole family to this community event filled with water and wastewater education. Held at the Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility, the expo offers an opportunity to visit the new facility, learn about water and wastewater processes and see how Sarasota County provides these essential services to the community. Educational activities, lawn games, informational booths and a touch-a-truck experience are featured. Food trucks will be on site, and free Kona Ice is available for all guests.
Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility, 5550 Lorraine Rd., Sarasota
Come one and all to a fun-filled day of comics, candy and creativity. This Halloween celebration includes free comics for all ages, Halloween-themed crafts, a chance to meet comic creators and more. A kids costume parade will be held at 2pm. Visit the other shops and restaurants around Old Manatee Historic District for more trick-or-treat fun from 11am-2pm.
Bat City Comic Professionals, 912 Manatee Ave. E, Bradenton
Experience an afternoon of local flavor, live music, waterfront views and some of Sarasota's favorite locally owned restaurants. You're invited to come hungry, bring your friends and celebrate the flavors of the local community and the delicious Gulf-coastal lifestyle. Admission is free, and food can be purchased with food tickets—each sold in $5 increments.
The Bay Park, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota
Join Blase Martini Bar for its first dart tourney, prizes and to make a difference in the health of the community. Show off your skills on the new dart boards to benefit Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation's program to provide low-income women with diagnostic screenings. Enjoy Miller Lite's all day and the special martini of the month, the Boo-Hoo.
Blase Martini Bar, 5263 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key
Daring, mysterious and unforgettable—The Vampire Circus invites you into a world where the unexpected awaits. Featuring international performers, the show combines acrobatics, dance, comedy and illusion in a thrilling 90-minute immersive experience. Set in 19th-century Bohemia, Count Dracula uses a traveling circus as the perfect disguise for his sinister plan. This performance delivers a dark, high-energy spectacle inspired by Tim Burton and Cirque du Soleil.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Inspired by the Brothers Grimm fable, this fairy tale opera follows two siblings who encounter a beguiling Gingerbread Witch. This opera displays a timeless reflection on innocence, resourcefulness and the power of family. Hansel and Gretel is presented in three acts and includes music by Engelbert Humperdinck and words by Adelheid Wette. Tickets go on sale online on August 1 and at the box office on September 1.
Sarasota Opera, 61 N Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
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