Daily
Sarasota
Friday, March 20th, 2026
Good morning, Sarasota. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 20th of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Community leaders met in Sarasota on Thursday, Mar. 19 to discuss affordable housing solutions + future strategies to boost safe living options for local residents. They outlined next steps to address the community's housing need. ABC 7
- ➤ Community leaders met Thursday in Sarasota to discuss long-term solutions to the affordable housing shortage including plans for a 100-unit apartment complex and a property tax funding mechanism — officials noted that change may take over 10 years as residents welcomed growing support. ABC 7
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall announced its 2026-27 season featuring ten Broadway shows that will take place starting with The Bodyguard on Dec. 1-2, and include Water for Elephants (Feb. 12-14, 2027), Six (Mar. 16-21, 2027) and Hell’s Kitchen (Apr. 13-18) to provide Sarasota audiences vibrant theater experiences. Observer
- ➤ New programming is set for Sarasota Film Festival—scheduled for April 10—19—with 47 feature films, including opening film Deep Water and 39 short films, plus special screenings and events at New College. The festival will feature premieres and community discussions on film and local talent. Sarasota Magazine
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ New AAA data shows gas prices in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Sarasota Counties are just below $4 a gallon, prompting business owners like Mona's Floral Creations to adjust delivery routes to cut fuel costs ahead of Mother's Day. Drivers feel the pinch as fuel prices continue to rise. FOX 13
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ USF Sarasota-Manatee is expanding with a new residence hall and a planned nursing and STEM building (supporting local workforce needs), while a New College trustee’s proposal to absorb the campus is questioned due to data showing the university’s superior efficiency and role for local students. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ A volunteer group on Anna Maria Island has begun daily surveys in March to protect nesting shorebirds, including Least terns and Black skimmers. Beachgoers are urged to follow designated paths and respect posted signs — a step to safeguard fragile nests. ABC 7
- ➤ Conservation groups repatriated two stowaway owls, Benito and Concho, to their native Florida habitat after they joined a Royal Caribbean cruise to Spain. The birds, quarantined since their February return, were released on March 12 at Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area — 70 miles from the nearest port. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Sarasota County is improving emergency communications using new technology and enhanced dispatcher training after reforms resulting from Denise Amber Lee’s case. Officials say the process, which includes a seven-week academy plus 17 weeks on the job, will help responders quickly identify callers' locations. ABC 7
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Sarasota memory care facilities face staffing shortages that limit meaningful engagement for residents with dementia, prompting experts to call for more one-on-one activities and tailored small-group sessions. Enhanced training and scheduled programs may soon improve the daily quality of life for these residents. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Thousands of visitors enjoyed spring break at Siesta Key Thursday morning as they soaked up the sun and relaxed on the sandy beaches. Locals and out-of-towners embraced the warm weather despite the water temperature (low 70s), creating a lively coastal scene. ABC 7
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Bri Rivera Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — No cover charge — Enjoy an evening of vibrant music from local sensation Bri Rivera, steeped in Puerto Rican tradition.
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Ryan Faraday Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Entry fee unknown — Enjoy an evening of diverse musical styles from an accomplished local artist.
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Scott Curts Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Free entry — Enjoy an eclectic mix of music as Scott Curts performs live, accompanied by his German Shepherd, Apollo.
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Mystical Visions Concert
6-10 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Enjoy the vibrant sounds of a female fronted pop/rock cover band playing hits from the 60’s to today.
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Get Your Mutt Movin' 5K Run & Walk
8-11 a.m. — Payne Park — Fundraising for animal rescue — Help support Satchel's Last Resort Animal Rescue while enjoying a community 5K run and walk with your furry friends.
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Polo Match at Sarasota Polo Club
1-6 p.m. — Sarasota Polo Club — Check the event page for ticket prices — Enjoy a beautiful day of polo action and festivities at the Sarasota Polo Club.
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Bri Rivera Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Cost info not provided — Experience the captivating sounds of Bri Rivera, a talented Puerto Rican musician making waves in the Sarasota music scene.
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Ringling Underground - April Showcase
8-11 p.m. — The Ringling Grillroom — $15 / Free for Members & Students w/ID — Experience captivating live music and a showcase of emerging student artists in a vibrant museum courtyard.
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Easter Brunch Buffet
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. — PIER 22 — $70 adults, $25 children under 10 — Delight in a festive brunch buffet featuring seasonal favorites and stunning waterfront views.
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Bri Rivera Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Entry details not provided — Enjoy an evening of live music with local talent Bri Rivera, a standout in the Sarasota music scene.
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
The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled.
~ Les Brown
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