Daily
Sarasota
Sunday, January 18th, 2026
Good morning, Sarasota. Here's your local news at a glance for Sunday, the 18th of January.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ 14-year-old Himari Yoshimura (a Japanese violin prodigy) impressed audiences with her debut performance of Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 on Friday, Jan. 17 at Neel Performing Arts Center in Bradenton, and she will perform at the Van Wezel today as part of the Masterworks series. Observer
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida celebrated the 100th World Thinking Day with an event on Jan. 17 at Camp Honi Hanta in Bradenton and will host another on Feb. 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Camp Caloosa in Fort Myers — offering girls a chance to explore global traditions. ABC 7
- ➤ Sarasota schools will convert four elementary campuses into (K-8) institutions gradually until 2028-29 while launching a new magnet program at Brookside focused on technology for 2026-27. The district will also develop Junior Achievement hubs at Booker schools with private fundraising starting in March. Observer
- ➤ After Gov. DeSantis appointed a new board in January 2023 that replaced Patricia Okker with Richard Corcoran, New College of Florida increased enrollment and scholarship spending (raising student numbers to 843) but saw some academic scores and Bright Futures awards fall below Okker’s levels. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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Bri Rivera Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Marina Jack — Free entry — Experience the vibrant sounds of Bri Rivera as she brings her Puerto Rican roots to the local music scene.
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Ryan Faraday Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Marina Jack — Entry details unavailable — Experience the vibrant sounds of professional guitarist and songwriter Ryan Faraday as he performs live.
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Château Lafon-Rochet Winemaker Dinner
6:30 p.m. — Mimi Brasserie and Speakeasy — $139 per person — Indulge in a stunning winemaker dinner featuring exquisite Bordeaux wines and a multi-course culinary experience.
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Florida Native Plant Gardening Workshop
10 AM – 12 PM — Sarasota Audubon Nature Center — Free entry — Discover the importance of native plant gardening and learn to incorporate them into your home landscape.
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Music by Justin Layman
1-5 p.m. — Fiorelli Winery — Free entry — Enjoy an afternoon of live music at the beautiful Fiorelli Winery.
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Defying Gravity
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall — Ticket prices vary — Experience the excitement of Broadway with the stunning performance of Defying Gravity.
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Suncoast Scots Highland Games and Celtic Festival
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Sarasota Fairgrounds — Free entry — Experience Scottish culture with traditional games, music, and a hospitality tent hosted by the International Clan MacFarlane Society.
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The Beat Goes On - Cher Tribute Show
7-9 p.m. — Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall — Ticketed event — Experience a vibrant tribute to Cher's timeless hits in an iconic venue.
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Bri Rivera Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Marina Jack — Free entry — Experience the captivating sounds of Bri Rivera, a talented musician hailing from Puerto Rico, as she showcases her musical journey.
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Ryan Faraday Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Check out the talents of guitarist Ryan Faraday as he showcases his skills with a mix of Roots, Blues, Rock, and Soul.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Don't mistake motion for progress.
~ Alfred Montapert
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