<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Sarasota Today]]></title><description><![CDATA[Sarasota Today]]></description><link>https://rh7777.wixsite.com/sarasota-today/all</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 23:05:54 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.sarasota.today/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Asolo Rep’s ‘Marie and Rosetta’ Spotlights an Overlooked Rock Pioneer]]></title><description><![CDATA[Asolo Rep’s “Marie and Rosetta” brings attention to Sister Rosetta Tharpe, one of the most important and under-credited figures in American music. Tharpe blended gospel power, electric guitar and stage charisma in ways that helped shape the sound of rock ’n’ roll before many of the genre’s famous male stars became household names. The play focuses on Tharpe’s relationship with Marie Knight, another gifted performer, and uses music to tell a story about artistry, ambition, race, faith and...]]></description><link>https://www.sarasota.today/post/asolo-rep-s-marie-and-rosetta-spotlights-an-overlooked-rock-pioneer</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a160594a4542e94952b44aa</guid><pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 20:42:44 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee81fb_87f4f41bebc94f1891f64420ff83f782~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_504,h_505,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>rh7777</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Florida Studio Theatre’s ‘Honky Tonk Angels’ Brings Country Music to the Stage]]></title><description><![CDATA[Florida Studio Theatre is leaning into country music, humor and reinvention with “Honky Tonk Angels,” a show built around three women chasing their Nashville dreams. The production runs through June 21 and features a playlist-style structure filled with familiar country songs and crowd-pleasing performances. The appeal is easy to understand. Sarasota audiences often respond well to music-driven theater, especially when the material combines recognizable songs with a clear emotional journey....]]></description><link>https://www.sarasota.today/post/florida-studio-theatre-s-honky-tonk-angels-brings-country-music-to-the-stage</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1604e82a9023e2333553b2</guid><pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 20:40:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee81fb_2b20addd74b14b6f9a8b04be5fa2cbd3~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>rh7777</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ukrainian Teen Violinist Gives Asolo’s ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ Real-Life Resonance]]></title><description><![CDATA[Asolo Repertory Theatre’s “Fiddler on the Roof” has taken on added meaning through the story of Andrii Padkovskyi, a Ukrainian teen violinist who plays the title role of the fiddler. Padkovskyi and his family escaped the war in Ukraine, and both he and his brother are now part of the Sarasota production. That background gives the musical a powerful contemporary echo. “Fiddler on the Roof” is about family, tradition, faith, displacement and survival. It is set in a Jewish village facing...]]></description><link>https://www.sarasota.today/post/ukrainian-teen-violinist-gives-asolo-s-fiddler-on-the-roof-real-life-resonance</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a160438f3631a430c8da545</guid><pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 20:38:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee81fb_ab87401fb75440acad28875fa0ca5c55~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_733,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>rh7777</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ann Morrison Returns Home After National ‘Kimberly Akimbo’ Tour]]></title><description><![CDATA[Sarasota performer Ann Morrison is back home after a national tour of “Kimberly Akimbo,” the Tony-winning musical about a teenage girl living with a rare condition that causes premature aging. Morrison, now 70, performed the role of a teenager — a theatrical reversal that speaks to the show’s unusual emotional and comic premise. Her return is a reminder of Sarasota’s deep theater bench. The city is known for its stages, but its artists also move through national tours, regional theaters and...]]></description><link>https://www.sarasota.today/post/ann-morrison-returns-home-after-national-kimberly-akimbo-tour</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1603e02a9023e233355142</guid><pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 20:35:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee81fb_3b4e08c805364baf878cb00b6d4cceee~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_700,h_460,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>rh7777</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Savor Sarasota Returns With Dining Deals Across the Region]]></title><description><![CDATA[Savor Sarasota is returning June 1, giving residents and visitors a chance to try restaurants across the region through prix fixe lunch and dinner menus. This year’s event includes more than 50 participating restaurants, with dining options spread across Sarasota, St. Armands, Siesta Key, Lakewood Ranch, Venice and other nearby areas. The timing is important. Early summer can be a softer season for restaurants as winter visitors leave and local dining patterns shift. Restaurant weeks help...]]></description><link>https://www.sarasota.today/post/savor-sarasota-returns-with-dining-deals-across-the-region</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a16031dce062e4a09f196c9</guid><pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 20:33:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_cd47523d9175421084f039136be4ba54~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>rh7777</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Florence &#38; the Spice Boys Continues to Add Flavor to Sarasota’s Dining Scene]]></title><description><![CDATA[Florence &#38; the Spice Boys has become one of Sarasota’s more distinctive casual dining success stories. What began as a roving kitchen in 2019 has grown into a restaurant concept with locations at The Landings and UTC, built around modern Israeli and Middle Eastern flavors with Mediterranean and global influences. The restaurant stands out because it does not feel like a copy of anything else in town. Its menu leans into bold spices, bright sauces, kebabs, bowls and creative combinations...]]></description><link>https://www.sarasota.today/post/florence-the-spice-boys-continues-to-add-flavor-to-sarasota-s-dining-scene</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1601dece062e4a09f193c9</guid><pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 20:30:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee81fb_71f0fadaba21432ca1c9dab129af8d40~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_731,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>rh7777</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sarasota Square Redevelopment Shows Strong Early Demand]]></title><description><![CDATA[The redevelopment of the former Sarasota Square Mall site is gaining momentum, with the first commercial phase now reportedly 88% pre-leased. The project’s initial phase calls for about 90,000 square feet of commercial space, and tenants already announced include Whole Foods, Homesense, Charles Schwab, Cava, Joe &#38; the Juice, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Warby Parker. For South Sarasota, this is more than another shopping-center update. Sarasota Square was once a major retail destination, but...]]></description><link>https://www.sarasota.today/post/sarasota-square-redevelopment-shows-strong-early-demand</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a160187ce062e4a09f192db</guid><pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 20:25:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee81fb_9deed5ffc7324bd0a7ba04c4e89bdc3c~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_607,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>rh7777</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sarasota Residents Invited to Help Choose New Public Art for Newtown]]></title><description><![CDATA[A new public art project in Sarasota’s historic Newtown neighborhood is moving into its public feedback stage. The city is asking residents to review five finalist mural designs for Amaryllis Park Place, an affordable senior housing community, and share their opinions through an online survey open through June 7. The mural will be placed on the Orange Avenue façade of the development, making it more than a decorative feature. It will become part of the visual identity of the neighborhood and...]]></description><link>https://www.sarasota.today/post/sarasota-residents-invited-to-help-choose-new-public-art-for-newtown</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a16010d2a9023e233354a4f</guid><pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 20:23:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee81fb_737abd399bdb42e9accadaba6f25d894~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>rh7777</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sarasota Explores Water Transit as Downtown Traffic Remains a Growing Concern]]></title><description><![CDATA[Sarasota is taking another look at the possibility of using its waterfront as part of the city’s transportation network. The city is exploring a potential water-based transit system in partnership with Sarasota County Breeze Transit, with proposed docking locations at Bayfront Park and Ken Thompson Park. A public meeting is scheduled for June 10 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Bayfront Community Center. The idea is appealing because Sarasota’s geography seems made for it. The city has a busy...]]></description><link>https://www.sarasota.today/post/sarasota-explores-water-transit-as-downtown-traffic-remains-a-growing-concern</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a15ffc6c51194f8f20c3792</guid><pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 20:22:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee81fb_2b706b8712184b708d8bc2d45c0833c5~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_268,h_188,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>rh7777</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Lido Beach Renourishment Marks a Major Win for Sarasota’s Shoreline]]></title><description><![CDATA[Lido Beach has received one of the most visible improvements Sarasota residents and visitors are likely to notice this season: a newly renourished shoreline. City, county and federal officials gathered May 26 to mark the completion of the widening project, which restored sand to one of Sarasota’s most important public beaches. The project followed months of work and comes at a time when Gulf Coast communities continue to face erosion, storm surge concerns and rising pressure on coastal...]]></description><link>https://www.sarasota.today/post/lido-beach-renourishment-marks-a-major-win-for-sarasota-s-shoreline</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a15fe95ce062e4a09f18b63</guid><pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 20:15:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee81fb_e1f5d61177ce44719e1ebfac688955b6~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>rh7777</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Asphalt Art Removal Stirs Community Debate]]></title><description><![CDATA[A late-August directive tied to Florida Department of Transportation guidelines led to the removal of decorative asphalt artwork from Sarasota sidewalks and crosswalks, sparking debate among residents and local artists. The colorful installations, created as part of community beautification efforts, had become familiar fixtures in several neighborhoods. However, state transportation officials determined that the painted surfaces did not comply with roadway safety standards. City crews began...]]></description><link>https://www.sarasota.today/post/asphalt-art-removal-stirs-community-debate</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699b8093d0f466b1c6e20e25</guid><pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 22:19:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee81fb_2bba07dd31014822916e3296b242294c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_675,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>rh7777</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[City Launches New Water Billing System Modernization]]></title><description><![CDATA[n August 2025, the City of Sarasota announced the rollout of a new water billing system set to modernize payment processing and improve customer access. The transition, scheduled to take effect in September, introduces updated online account management features and automated payment options. City officials said the change addresses outdated infrastructure that limited payment flexibility and created administrative inefficiencies. Residents were notified that autopay settings would need to be...]]></description><link>https://www.sarasota.today/post/city-launches-new-water-billing-system-modernization</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699b7e96b89ac23fa77deb05</guid><pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 22:14:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee81fb_6e079fccda154ea79575f736675ffbe0~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_529,h_559,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>rh7777</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[SRQ Improv Festival Returns to Downtown Sarasota]]></title><description><![CDATA[The SRQ Improv Festival returned in July, bringing comedians and performers from across the country to downtown Sarasota stages. Hosted at venues including Florida Studio Theatre, the festival featured workshops, live performances, and collaborative improv sessions. Audience members filled seats for fast-paced shows that blended humor with audience participation. Organizers noted that the festival not only entertains but also strengthens Sarasota’s reputation as a hub for performing arts....]]></description><link>https://www.sarasota.today/post/srq-improv-festival-returns-to-downtown-sarasota</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699b78dccfa5020e41bcc85c</guid><pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 21:45:44 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee81fb_6d7096b44ae445a2a476725de63205ae~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>rh7777</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sarasota Grand Expo Connects Business Community]]></title><description><![CDATA[Business leaders and entrepreneurs gathered at Robarts Arena in mid-July for the annual Sarasota Grand Expo. Organized by the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, the event brought together companies from across the region for networking, product showcases, and community engagement. Attendees explored booths representing industries ranging from healthcare and real estate to technology and hospitality. The expo is designed to strengthen local economic ties while introducing new residents and business...]]></description><link>https://www.sarasota.today/post/sarasota-grand-expo-connects-business-community</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699b7270cfa5020e41bcb986</guid><pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 21:21:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee81fb_0f88ec634e614ce09d7ed4739226d9b4~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_850,h_566,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>rh7777</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Selby Gardens Advances Sustainable Campus Transformation]]></title><description><![CDATA[Marie Selby Botanical Gardens continues to gain national attention for its ambitious sustainability initiative. The multi-phase redevelopment project aims to make the downtown Sarasota campus one of the first net-positive energy botanical gardens in the world. Solar panels, stormwater management systems, and elevated structures designed to withstand hurricanes are central to the redesign. The first completed phase includes a new welcome center and expanded plant research facilities. Garden...]]></description><link>https://www.sarasota.today/post/selby-gardens-advances-sustainable-campus-transformation</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699b717cb89ac23fa77dcded</guid><pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 21:16:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee81fb_4c86e526e130455a9045a251b35e3507~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_608,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>rh7777</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sarasota Art Museum Celebrates 100 Years of Art Deco]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Sarasota Art Museum opened a major summer exhibition in July celebrating the 100th anniversary of Art Deco design. Titled Art Deco: The Golden Age of Illustration , the exhibit features rare posters, magazine covers, and commercial art from the early 20th century. The exhibition explores how Art Deco shaped visual culture through bold geometry, stylized figures, and streamlined forms. Visitors have been drawn to iconic illustrations that defined fashion, travel advertising, and modern...]]></description><link>https://www.sarasota.today/post/sarasota-art-museum-celebrates-100-years-of-art-deco</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699b70968133563068c7bfc3</guid><pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 21:11:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee81fb_86ea38b51945482ea370dcbab084a816~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_809,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>rh7777</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sarasota Housing Market Shows Signs of Cooling]]></title><description><![CDATA[New data released in June 2025 by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee indicated a noticeable shift in the local housing market. After years of rapid appreciation fueled by migration and limited inventory, median home prices showed modest softening. At the same time, the number of active listings increased, giving buyers more negotiating power than in recent years. Realtors reported longer days on market and more frequent price adjustments — signs that the intense seller’s market...]]></description><link>https://www.sarasota.today/post/sarasota-housing-market-shows-signs-of-cooling</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699b6d07cfa5020e41bcad8f</guid><pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:59:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee81fb_ad28e5e12ece473598ea2baf629cfa8f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_730,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>rh7777</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Flooding After Tropical Storm Debby Sparks Infrastructure Debate]]></title><description><![CDATA[Heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Debby in late June triggered significant flooding in parts of Sarasota County, reigniting concerns over stormwater management and infrastructure resilience. Neighborhoods in low-lying areas reported standing water that lingered for days after the storm system moved through. While Debby did not strike as a major hurricane, rainfall totals exceeded expectations in certain pockets of the county, overwhelming drainage systems. Residents voiced...]]></description><link>https://www.sarasota.today/post/flooding-after-tropical-storm-debby-sparks-infrastructure-debate</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699b697fd0f466b1c6e1da87</guid><pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:44:37 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee81fb_cae9eee2fcd74690a0031925d3fa5635~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>rh7777</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sarasota Observes Revive Awareness Day to Combat Opioid Overdose]]></title><description><![CDATA[On June 6, 2025, the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County marked Revive Awareness Day with a renewed push to educate residents about naloxone — the medication commonly known as Narcan that can reverse opioid overdoses. Local health officials emphasized that opioid misuse remains a significant public health challenge across Florida. As part of the initiative, free naloxone kits were made available at county health department locations, and community members were encouraged to learn...]]></description><link>https://www.sarasota.today/post/sarasota-observes-revive-awareness-day-to-combat-opioid-overdose</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699b6534b89ac23fa77db1cf</guid><pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:22:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee81fb_83b0e22be6dc439680584e1f169e5698~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_850,h_580,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>rh7777</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sarasota Music Festival Features Special Father-Son Collaboration]]></title><description><![CDATA[The 2025 Sarasota Music Festival opened in early June with a performance that felt both intimate and historic. Music Director Jeffrey Kahane shared the stage with his son, composer and singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane, in a program that blended classical mastery with contemporary composition — a fitting reflection of Sarasota’s evolving cultural identity. Held at the Sarasota Opera House and other venues across the city, the festival once again drew nationally recognized musicians and...]]></description><link>https://www.sarasota.today/post/sarasota-music-festival-features-special-father-son-collaboration</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699b5c96b89ac23fa77d9d43</guid><pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:02:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee81fb_9fab489dae52476eb902e0c8c3984105~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_880,h_585,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>rh7777</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>