The Sarasota Selby Public Library was the location for the 3rd Annual Crystal Ball Fundraiser. The Friends of the Selby Library put on this casual fundraiser featuring local restaurants, a variety of entertainers and artists to support the library. This event had something for everyone – with music from pop to jazz, ballroom dancers, fire dancing, belly dancing and magic. Foodies enjoyed tasty bites from numerous local chefs.
Video by studiof.com
Tag Archives: activities
Looking Into the Crystal Ball Sarasota
Posted in Art Events, Dining & Restaurants, Events, Music, Nightlife
Tagged activities, art, dance, florida, food, library, music, party, Sarasota, Sarasota events, things to do
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Sarasota Downtown Friday Night
Live Downtown, It’s Friday Night! The 1st Friday night each month, you should be downtown Sarasota for live music, dancing, gallery shows and shopping. This is a free event that attracts locals and visitors to browse our wonderful art galleries to the accompaniment of a wide range of entertainment. On this Friday, you could hear an incredible local string duo Bard and Mustache – Erin Murphy (the Equines) and Greg Bortnichak (Sparta Philharmonic). Just down the street, you could see the Sarasota Ballet’s students at Studio 20. In the mood for something Latin? The exciting Duente duo of Joe Matsagos and Dean Johanesen (The Human Condition) offered flamenco while Wilsons DanceSport dancers entertained the crowd. And, just for fun, Ollie and the Garbage Men, local teenagers who play instruments made from garbage and recycled materials. I’d say there was something for everyone!
Posted in Art Events, Family Activities, Music, Nightlife, Shopping
Tagged activities, art, gallery, music, Sarasota, Sarasota events, things to do
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Sarasota Vinyl Music Festival
Sarasota young VIPs partied at the Vinyl Music Festival opening event at the Ivory Lounge last night. This was the kick off for the 4 day Vinyl Music Festival. According to Rich Swier, VMF cofounder, “we created and will continue to build Vinyl in order to bring more current world-class musical entertainment to a worldclass city.” In our view, this first night was a success and generated great buzz about the festival leading up to the main event on Saturday night.
Posted in Festivals, Music, Nightlife
Tagged activities, DJs, festival, music, night club, party, Sarasota events, things to do, vinyl, Vinyl Music Festival, VMF
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Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sand Sculpting
A new annual event took Sarasota by storm in it’s inaugural year. The amazingly successful event was created and directed by 2 local area master sand sculptors – Bill Knight and Brian Wigglesworth and their company Sand Lubbers, “A Sandvertising Agency”. As experienced sand master sculptors,- unlike any other event directors could – they hit a home run first time up!
The Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sand Sculpting Competition brought 11 teams of master sand sculptors together to compete for cash prizes. The proceeds from the first annual event benefited Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program. In addition to the competition, the event included sand sculpting lessons, an amateur competition, live music, a vendor village and other fun family activities. We were so happy to be there to videotape the entire event.
If you weren’t there for the first year…make sure you don’t miss this year’s event. The dates are set for November 10-13, 2011. And if you don’t live here, plan a trip! It will be worth it! Visit the event website for more details. We’ll see you there!
Posted in Art Events, Beaches, Family Activities, Siesta Key Beach
Tagged activities, beach, children, Crystal Classic, outdoor, sand sculpture, Sarasota events, Siesta Key, vacation
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Sarasota Bayfront Island Park
Drive through Sarasota, and you can’t miss our beautiful Bayfront Island Park. Right on Sarasota Bay, this lively park is surrounded with water. The winding sidewalks run all along the perimeter of the park and invite you to walk, jog, roller blade, or walk your dog. In fact, this park is a favorite with local dog owners who often congregate on weekends for some doggy socialization.
With huge grass play areas, picnic tables in the shade, trees made for climbing and plenty of benches and swings, Island Park appeals to all ages. Children love splashing in the water fountains and birthday parties are frequent in playground area. It’s located right across 41 from downtown, so this park is convenient. There’s plenty of parking, so whether you walk, drive, bike or boat to the park, you’re sure to enjoy you time here.
And stop in at the tiki bar at O’Leary’s for a drink or a meal. It’s a great place where you can listen to music, enjoy the tropical breeze and watch the boats go by. Your four legged friends are welcome, too.
Make sure you add Bayfront Island Park to your list of great things to do when you vacation in Sarasota.
Sarasota Florida Fun Family Activities
Sarasota is a splendid destination for your family vacation. Yes, Sarasota does have some of the most amazing beaches in the US, but it’s not just a beach destination. When you’re looking for other diversions, you’ll find a variety of family friendly things to do.
Check out Mote Marine Aquarium for a close up look at marine life and current research and conservation programs. The entire family will enjoy seeing over 100 species of marine life, including sharks, dolphins, manatees, seahorses and sea turtles.
Mote is open every day of the year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
General admission: Adults (over 12): $17; Youth (4-12): $12; Children (under 4): are admitted free. Mote is located at 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy. on City Island, 1 mile north of St. Armand’s Circle.
If you’re looking for educational fun, you’ll also want to experience the Sarasota Science Museum – G.WIZ. It’s all about having fun with science and technology. See more details about G.WIZ.
For the animal lovers, the Big Cat Habitat is a sanctuary for animals right here in Sarasota. Not just tigers and lions and bears…you can also see coatimundis, a camel, birds, lemurs, tortoises and more. And don’t miss the Mia the Liger. Yes, a liger – her mother is a Bengal tiger and father is a lion!
The sanctuary is located at 7101 Palmer Blvd. The habitat opens at 12:30 five days per week, but the schedule may be changed based on the weather. So check their event calendar for current activities and prices or call them at (941) 371-6377 for all the details.
Your children will also appreciate some non-structured, imaginative play time. Make sure you plan to visit the unique Sarasota Children’s Garden and let the kids be kids. You can’t beat this whimsical spot for family fun.
These are just a few of the family friendly amusements you’ll find when you vacation in Sarasota.
Sarasota Florida GWIZ – The Science Museum
G.WIZ opened to the public in 1991 with only 1,000 square feet and just ten hands-on exhibits. This science and technology museum now boasts a $3.5 million 33,000 sq. ft. facility located downtown on Sarasota’s bay front. A great place for a day of your vacation or an excursion with your children or grandchildren, the facility also offers educational programs and activities for kids throughout the year.
G.WIZ says it’s mission is: To be the gateway for lifelong adventures in science.
I visited during the 1st Annual Maker Faire – a festival “celebrating innovation, arts, engineering, science projects and the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset”. Judging by the animation of the children at the museum that day, I’d say GWIZ is on the right track for their mission. Interest in science and technology is clearly encouraged here.
There are numerous interactive exhibits, and it’s great to see kids involved with the level of enthusiasm usually reserved for theme parks and video games! Some of the more popular things to do include:
- Tech Zone: Experiments with screws, levers, pulleys, gears and hydraulics.
- ExploraZone: Learn about electricity, magnetism, sound and light. Float a ball in mid-air at the Bernoulli Blower. Make a bolt of lightning, at the ever popular Plasma Ball.
- Mindball – Relax and move matter with your mind.
- Habitat: Meet some of Florida’s native inhabitants who live in Sutton’s Garden.
GWIZ is open Monday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm; Sunday 12 Noon – 5 pm. There are ongoing special exhibits, classes and activities. Check the GWIZ website calendar for details about Sarasota events happening now.
Admission Prices: Child (3-16) $7 ; Adult (16+) $10 General admission prices and membership does not include special events or exhibits, so call for details: 941.309.4949.
