Daily
Sarasota
Friday, May 1st, 2026
Good morning, Sarasota. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 1st of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Residents near Venice Municipal Airport voiced concerns over a multi-million dollar expansion that will add new hangars and expanded taxiways — stirring worries about noise, traffic, and environmental impact. Officials held meetings and said the master plan will be finalized by early 2027. ABC 7
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ This weekend, May 1–3, Sarasota offers free fun with Fresh Fridays returning today as a Back to the '80s Block Party in downtown Sarasota, Saturday’s Corvettes on the Circle at St. Armands Circle and Tacos & Tequila Festival at CoolToday Park, plus Bradenton’s Music in the Park finale Friday. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
- ➤ Florida Studio Theatre has restructured its leadership for the new McGillicuddy Arts Plaza (located next to its current First Street facilities). Longtime leaders Richard and Rebecca Hopkins now serve as executive producer and executive director while a national search for extra leadership begins this summer ahead of the 2027-2028 season. Observer
- ➤ Yugen, Sarasota's first kaiseki restaurant, opened at University Town Center in February 2026. It offers an eight-course tasting menu prepared by Chef Atsushi Okawara that features seasonal Japanese cuisine and ingredients sourced from Japan + highlights a rare dining experience in Sarasota. SRQ Magazine
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ A checklist details six steps for preparing for hurricane season, including building a kit, checking evacuation zones, and reviewing insurance. The National Hurricane Center will begin its tropical outlook map on May 15, with forecasts for a below-normal season + weather alerts available now. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
- ➤ Sea turtle nesting season has begun on Anna Maria Island after a record hatchling year—experts urge local beachgoers to maintain a safe distance from nests. Conservationists say the season will support wildlife recovery and may boost eco-tourism in the coming weeks. ABC 7
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Highlands County Fire Rescue shared a federal alert about defective air bag inflators marked DTN60DB—which were linked to at least 10 deaths, 2 injuries, and 12 crashes—and the notice advises drivers who purchased used vehicles since 2020 to check for prior air bag deployments. ABC 7
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Residents in Sarasota can view the flower moon from Apr. 30 through May 2, with the full moon peaking at 1:23 p.m. today while the Eta Aquarids meteor shower will peak May 4 during predawn hours. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
- ➤ Sarasota restaurants are shifting as Mademoiselle Paris moves downtown into the former Cuba 1958 space and Il Panificio replaces Bravo’s Pizza — Circo and Element Steak close and new spots like Toasty’s and Hob Nob Drive-In open, with Guy Fieri visiting Alpine Steakhouse to highlight the changes. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Venice High School senior Atarah Robinson, one of the state’s top middle distance runners, is aiming to win state titles in the 800 and 1600; she will compete at the regional championship on Saturday, May 2, with coach Joe Showers saying she is primed to set personal records. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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Sarasota Kentucky Derby
4-8 p.m. — ALEUR-Event Collective — Check website for prices — Celebrate Derby Day in style with mint juleps, live entertainment, and contests.
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Inside the Art World
11 AM - 12 PM — Sarasota Art Museum — Free entry — Explore the latest trends and gossip in contemporary art with expert Elana Rubinfeld.
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VELVET CORE Women's Pilates Retreat
9:30-11:30 a.m. — Suncoast Therapeutic Equine Partners — Cost not specified — Embrace horses, sound baths, and pilates in a scenic outdoor setting.
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Mother's Day Buffet Brunch
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Phillippi Estate Park — Cost varies — Celebrate moms with a delicious buffet featuring breakfast classics and fun activities for kids.
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Poetry Mic Featuring Georgia Court and Judith Rosner
12-1 p.m. — Bookstore1 — Free entry — Enjoy local poets share their original works and engage in discussion afterward.
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Jazz Thursday with Barbara King and The Spirit of Jazz
5:30-8 p.m. — Sarasota Art Museum — Check website for pricing — Experience lively jazz rhythms and delightful bites at this vibrant monthly gathering.
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Scott Curts Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Check venue for entry fees — Enjoy an eclectic musical experience with accomplished singer-songwriter Scott Curts and his loyal German Shepherd companion, Apollo.
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Bri Rivera Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Free entry — Enjoy an evening of vibrant Puerto Rican-inspired music with local talent Bri Rivera.
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Ryan Faraday Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Free entry — Experience an evening of live music from a talented guitarist and vocalist hailing from Boston, now based in Sarasota.
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Live Music with Scott Curts
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Free entry — Enjoy eclectic performances from singer-songwriter Scott Curts as he captivates with his unique loop style.
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
Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.
~ Andrew Carnegie
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