Weekly beach bacteria checks, bonsai & brews, paradise retreat, and more. 
Happy Tuesday, Sarasota. 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 week ahead.
📰 In the news
Local happenings: Weekly beach bacteria checks, fresh eats arriving at SRQ airport, and a centenarian playing taps each sunset for her late Marine husband — catch up here.
State-level stories: Tiny Gulf island charms anglers and museum buffs, a $280 million program funds storm proof home upgrades, and SpaceX reuses a Falcon 9 booster — see what else is brewing.
National headlines: Safety alerts for hundreds of thousands of Kia and Ford vehicles as an early Atlantic storm takes shape, and Mediterranean diet tips ease inflammation — peruse the best of the rest.
Highlights this week
- Explore art in Poynter’s free open studio
- Explore Sarasota County’s arts and culture impact
- Develop confident speaking skills at Toastmasters
- Update your image with digital photography
- Endurance’s auto protection plan is $300 off
🫶 We got your back
Pets: Treat your pup to something beyond the same-old chew toy. Sarasota’s best pet stores stock gourmet treats, durable toys, even reptile-approved habitats. Your furry (or scaly) best friend will be begging for more.
Golf: Next up, no need to wander blindly through Florida’s 1,000-plus courses. This travel guide tees you off on the Sunshine State’s finest greens.
Travel: Flying solo after 50 doesn’t have to feel scary. These safety hacks will have you packing your bag with confidence.
Playhouse: Whether you’re craving toe-tapping show tunes, spine-tingling drama, or the offbeat charm of experimental one-acts, The Sarasota Players brings center-stage magic (and just enough backstage buzz) to town.
Wealth: $4,000. That’s how much an ounce of gold is expected to cost in 2026. And since gold thrives in unstable markets, its rally appears far from over. Check out gold IRAs, which let you own physical gold while taking advantage of IRA tax breaks.
👀 Why just read it when you could be in it?
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirey outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
This week
🎸 Justin Layman @ Siesta Key Oyster Bar | Wednesday (8/6) at 1:00pm – Midweek slump? Justin Layman’s got the fix. This Sarasota native blends folk, rock, and R&B into an acoustic set so smooth you’ll forget it’s only Wednesday. Grab an oyster, a drink, and a seat — it’s Florida vibes at their finest.
🎸 Detroit Mike Duo Live @ Jrs Old Packinghouse Cafe | Thursday (8/7) at 6:00pm – Nothing beats a raw blues set punching through the humdrum. Sarasota’s own Trey Wanvig and Detroit Mike Duo channel BB King swagger, Muddy Waters grit, and a dash of Stevie Ray fire. Expect fresh originals that hit like a gut punch.
🌳 Bonsai & Brews @ Sun King Sarasota | Thursday (8/7) at 7:00pm – Imagine sculpting your own mini tree while nursing an award-winning craft beer down at Sun King Brewing. Local bonsai gurus guide every snip, and you walk away with something greener than your recycling bin. Perfect for a laid-back date or flying solo.
🖼️ Chris Friday: Where We Never Grow Old @ Sarasota Art Museum | Friday (8/8) at 10:00am – Step into the imagined sanctuaries of Chris Friday, where chalk, textile, and sculpture collide in a stunning solo debut. This show dives deep into memory, identity, and the cultural archives that shape us — all rendered in Friday’s hauntingly detailed black-on-black style. It’s art that lingers long after you leave.
🎤 Open Mic Night @ Downtown Bradenton | Friday (8/8) at 9:00pm – Got jokes? Poetry? A song that’s been stuck in your soul? Step up or sit back at this anything-goes open mic night at Kava Social Club. Whether you’re there to belt it out or just vibe with the crowd, it’s a no-pressure night for creative release and community energy.
This weekend
🌊 Key Largo Coral Reef Restoration Program @ Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium | Saturday (8/9) at 8:00am – If you’ve been logging dive hours since dial-up days or just fancy swapping mojitos for marine biology, join SCUBAPRO and Mote Marine under the waves. Fragment coral, outplant baby reefs, and snag your citizen scientist certification on your next dive.
🪑 DutchCrafters Sip & Shop | Saturday (8/9) at 9:00am – Furniture shopping just got a glow-up. Sip on craft beer, wine, coffee, or tea while you browse DutchCrafters’ drool-worthy collection of handcrafted, heirloom-quality pieces. Bonus: their furniture experts are ready to help you customize every detail — and yes, your dog is totally invited.
🎹 MindTravel August Live-to-Headphones Silent Piano Concert @ Siesta Beach Sarasota | Saturday (8/9) at 6:00pm – This August, Sarasota gets a whole new vibe with a silent piano concert you’ll actually hear through headphones, because sometimes the best music is the kind only you can hear. Grab your cans, settle in, and pretend you’re in a top-secret symphony.
📦 The Supply Chain @ Beach Club at Siesta Key | Saturday (8/9) at 8:00pm – This Tampa Bay outfit revives 90s to 2000s pop punk and emo with spot-on covers of Blink-182, My Chemical Romance, and warped tour anthems you never grew out of. A guitar-fueled nostalgia trip bringing back the best of the 90s — no name tags required.
🌺 Paradise Retreat | Sunday (8/10) at 12:00pm – Imagine four days of detoxing, pampering, rooftop sunsets, and organic indulgence — with just eight VIP women invited. This intimate Sarasota retreat serves up everything from IV drips to flower arranging, all designed to help you reset, recharge, and glow from the inside out. Spots are ultra-limited, so if you’re craving that wellness-meets-luxury escape, now’s the time to grab it.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 8/6 Justin Layman @ Siesta Key Oyster Bar – 1 pm
- 8/6 Rob Viola @ Gilligans Island Grill – 6 pm
- 8/7 Detroit Mike Duo @ Jr’s Old Packinghouse Cafe – 6 pm
- 8/7 DJ Nate @ Gilligans Island Grill – 10 pm
- 8/8 Marcel Almanzor @ Gilligans Island Grill – 1 pm
- 8/8 Greg Warren @ McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre – 6 pm
- 8/8 Hot Club SRQ Trio @ Arts & Central – 6 pm
- 8/8 Johnny D & the Rockett 88s @ Gilligans Island Grill – 6 pm
- 8/8 Trey Wanvig @ Big Top Brewing – 7 pm
🏠️ This house is wild
*This 👇 could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Listed by: Glenn Brown (RE/MAX ALLIANCE GROUP)
Sitting pretty on a premium lot in Tuscana, this Lee Wetherington-built estate backs up to a 10-acre preserve where the sunsets put on a nightly show. The coastal contemporary chef’s kitchen is a stunner, anchored by a single slab blanc du blanc granite island and loaded with a Wolf oven, Viking gas cooktop, and a walk-in pantry that could double as a hide-and-seek champion’s dream. The oversized double lanai wraps around a saltwater heated pool and spa, all with preserve views and zero rear neighbors in sight.
Upstairs, a flex room moonlights as a media lounge or bonus bedroom, while the primary suite brings spa-day energy with a reimagined bath and dual walk-in closets. Volume ceilings, custom millwork, and a three-car garage round out the details. Gated, friendly, and just minutes to Sarasota’s best beaches, shopping, and dining.
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