Happy Friday, Sarasota. Hope you get a chance to relax this weekend. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Sarasota Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.

📰 In the news

Local happenings: Selina Roman debuts pastel body abstractions, Florida hospitality workers get twenty free therapy sessions, and Mote Marine opens three seagrass restoration labs — catch up here.

State-level stories: Solar powered rabbit decoys lure invasive pythons, a hiring event at Amerant Bank Arena draws employers and candidates, and Florida islands promise peaceful getaways — see what else is brewing.

National headlines: Homeowners are delisting homes rather than cutting prices, the S&P 500 hit record on AI gains, and Ford recalled 500,000 SUVs for brake hose flaws — peruse the best of the rest.

Highlights this week

• Join homeschool families for virtual art adventures
• Hone your public speaking at Toastmasters
• Align health with leadership at Live Strong
• Women connect at Sarasota networking SWAT Luncheon
• Shark robot vacuums are 51% off on Amazon ’til 9/2

A place to learn self-control

Picture your child walking taller, speaking more respectfully, and handling challenges with newfound confidence. At Transform Martial Arts, that type of growth happens every day.

Their expert instructors help kids learn not just martial arts moves, but life skills like focus, discipline, and emotional control. These learnings carry over into school, friendships, and family time.

Transform Martial Arts has locations in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch. They offer after-school programs, summer camps, and classes for all ages, making it a viable option for the busiest families.

View their schedule, pricing, and secure your spot today.

Wanna see your business featured in a future ad spot like this? 👆

Fill out this quick form and we’ll get you in an upcoming edition!

🫶 We got your back

Books: There’s nothing like getting lost in the stacks. These bookstores around Sarasota are packed with hidden gems you won’t want to miss.

Gardening: Florida’s subtropical magic means you can pinch off juicy strawberries in January and pull crisp lettuce from the soil in December. These seasonal planting tips will help you keep fresh produce on your plate all year long.

Reading: Ready to launch a local book club? Follow simple steps to get people swapping stories and making friends in no time.

Coffee: For those who believe coffee is less “morning fuel” and more “liquid art form,” DD Roasters has you covered. From single-origin beans roasted with nerdy precision to the kind of pour-overs that make drip coffee seem like a distant bad dream, this is where caffeine meets craftsmanship.

Home: Labor Day means special deals on all sorts of things, and American Home Shield’s warranty coverage is no exception. For a limited time, they’re offering 50% off select plans than cover your big ticket appliances (yup, even the ones older than dirt).

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Have an event to share? Submit it here for free →

Today

🎤 Chas Collins @ Beach club | Friday (8/29) at 8:00pm – Shake off the week with Chas Collins, New Orleans’ hurricane survivor turned Nashville phenom who’s been thrilling crowds since he was nine. Expect powerhouse vocals, steel-guitar twang, and enough down-home charm to keep you hollerin’ for an encore, no line dance required.

🎤 Open Mic Night @ Downtown Bradenton | Friday (8/29) at 9:00pm – Whether you’ve got a poem, a punchline, or a power ballad, the mic is yours. Kava Social Club’s weekly open mic is the spot to share your words, music, or just cheer on the brave souls who do. Coffeehouse vibes, community energy—show up and let it flow.

This weekend

🎨 Eclectic Expressions @ Arts Advocates Gallery | Saturday (8/30) at 2:00pm – Skip the beach-scroll fests for an air-conditioned wander through juried island artworks at Arts Advocates Gallery. Free entry means no guilt when you muse over Gary Green’s “Miss Kim” and spy fresh exhibits each month. Trust me, you’ll feel cultured.

🎶 Dave Fogler @ Gilligans Island Grill | Saturday (8/30) at 6:00pm – Sunset, seafood, and smooth live tunes—Dave Fogler brings the soundtrack to your evening at Gilligans. Settle in with a cocktail and let the island vibes carry you straight into Saturday night.

🎶 Alacranes Musical / Conjunto Atardecer / K-Paz de la Sierra / Patrulla 81 @ Robarts Arena | Saturday (8/30) at 7:00pm – Ready to relive those Hallmark wedding dance battles? Five duranguense giants, Alacranes Musical, Conjunto Atardecer, K-paz de la Sierra, Montez de Durango, and Patrulla 81, are rolling into town with their mix of polka, cumbia, and heart-tugging baladas. Dust off your boots.

🍔 Ross David @ Lido Island Grill | Sunday (8/31) at 1:00pm – Nothing’s more Sarasota than kicking back under the blue sail pavilion on Lido Beach while Ross David plays Mraz, Mayer, and a few deep cuts from the Eagles. It’s free, it’s outdoors, and bar snacks are steps away. Weather permitting, this is prime people-watching territory.

🎷 Kara Nally Band Sunday Funday @ Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse | Sunday (8/31) at 5:00pm – Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse has officially hijacked your Sundays with mouthwatering BBQ, ice-cold drinks, and service so friendly you’ll want to tip twice, all while Kara Nally Band keeps the porch party rolling. It’s the laid-back summer ritual your backyard grill wishes it could be.

Next week

🎨 Ringling Explorers | Tuesday (9/2) at 9:00am – This virtual art adventure turns your living room into a museum classroom with an educator guiding star pupils through storytelling, drawing, and cultural deep dives. It’s free, interactive, and might finally make “when’s lunch” a creative discussion. No commute, just snack breaks during mini art critiques.

🎤 Bri Rivera @ Marina Jack | Tuesday (9/2) at 5:00pm – Nothing’s more refreshing than authentic cuatro riffs and a voice that’s already conquered Sarasota bars, all courtesy of Bri Rivera’s Puerto Rican roots. She learned music from her abuelo, fronted her first band at 15, and now charms locals with every heartfelt note.

🎤 Ross David @ Wicked Cantina Sarasota | Tuesday (9/2) at 6:00pm – Need a soundtrack for your tacos and tequila? Ross David’s at Wicked Cantina with covers and originals from Jason Mraz breezes to Maroon 5 bangers. Gather your crew, shout song requests, and revel in live tunes, rain or shine.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 8/29 Chris Otto @ Gilligans Island Grill – 1 pm
• 8/30 Shakey Pudding @ Gilligans Island Grill – 1 pm
• 8/30 Jimmy Buffet Celebration @ Gilligans Island Grill – 5 pm
• 8/30 Dave Fogler @ Gilligans Island Grill – 6 pm
• 8/31 James Albritton @ Gilligans Island – 1 pm
• 8/31 Joey Lavallee @ Marina Jack – 5 pm
• 8/31 Vital Grove @ Gilligans Island Grill – 6 pm

🏠️ Price is right – Sarasota edition

How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).

Listed by: Raffilena Hamilton (GOOD LIFE REALTY LLC)

Gas-lit streets and a friendly gated vibe set the tone for this Lee Wetherington creation, smack in the middle of Sarasota’s action. The five-bedroom layout flexes with a main-level primary suite, bonus rooms for workouts or work-from-home days, and a pair of upstairs bedrooms for guests who overstay. The kitchen is a granite-topped playground with a natural gas cooktop, crown-topped cabinets, and LED mood lighting under every shelf.

Corner sliders disappear to reveal a paver lanai, saltwater pool, and spa with water views. The three-car garage has an EV plug, while the custom master closet is basically a boutique. Recent upgrades include whole-house water filtration, fresh landscaping, and a new hot water heater that’s ready for marathon showers after Siesta Key beach runs.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →