The Living Arts Festival Kicks Off in 12 Days

CAN YOU FEEL IT?

The buzz, the energy, the magic in the air?

The second annual LIVING ARTS FESTIVAL is just around the corner,

and it promises to be a week of unforgettable moments,

boundless creativity, and community celebration!

This is your chance to be part of something extraordinary. Right now, every dollar you give can go twice as far thanks to our

$15,000 donor match.

Your generosity will help bring this festival to life and support the incredible arts, music, theatre, and dance organizations

that enrich our community year-round.

CLICK HERE FOR LINK TO THE DONOR MATCH

What’s in store for the festival coming up on November 9th?

You can take a look at the fabulous playbill from SRQ Magazine (LINK HERE) to plan your week (and beyond) of inspiration and joy. Here are a few highlights:

🎉 Opening Event: “Up, Up & Away”

Join us as we kick off the festival in style! The amazing Sheri Nadelman and surprise guest artists will light up the stage as we honor the legendary Jay Handelman, who recently retired after 40 remarkable years with the Herald Tribune. This celebration of artistry and dedication takes place at 2 PM on November 2 at the Art Ovation Hotel—and the best part? It’s FREE!

🌟 Closing Event: “You Raise Me Up”

Prepare to be inspired on November 9th. This heartwarming event at 2 pm will shine a spotlight on the rising stars of tomorrow and the unsung heroes who guide them—their mentors. It’s more than a performance; it’s a celebration of passion, perseverance, and the transformative power of mentorship.

Judges include Thea Lobo, Grammy-nominated mezzo-soprano and Classical Host evenings on WSMR; Mary Kramer, Broadway actress and producer, seen initially as Liesl von Trapp in The Sound of Music; and Sarasota’s OWN Syesha Mercado, who placed third on American Idol Season 7 and is now a singer-songwriter, activist, and entrepreneur. Syesha will share her stunning vocals with us at “You Raise Me Up” as we award scholarships and prizes!

Tickets are limited, so don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable tribute.

CLICK HERE TO GET TICKETS

Bring the whole family for a day of music, dance, activities, and delicious food! This FREE event will take place on Saturday, November 8, from 9 AM to 5 PM at the newly landscaped Municipal Auditorium. It’s a day to celebrate creativity, community, and connection—don’t miss it!

While this event is FREE for the entire family,

donations to defray event expenses are most welcome & appreciated!

CLICK HERE TO DONATE … YOUR DONATION IS MATCHED!

SAVE THE DATE

Mark your calendars! Sarasota Rising is thrilled to announce that the THIRD annual Living Arts Festival will take place November 8-14, 2026.

Stay tuned for more details in the coming months, and get ready to join us for another unforgettable week of creativity and collaboration!

WHY WE NEED YOU

None of this would be possible without YOU.

Your support drives our mission to uplift and sustain the arts in our community, not just during festival week, but year-round.

Right now, through the end of October, your gift has DOUBLE the impact thanks to a generous donor match.

Together, we can make this festival a

memorable celebration and ensure that

the arts continue to flourish for generations to come.

Let’s make MAGIC happen!

Let’s CELEBRATE the arts!

Let’s do it TOGETHER!

Be excellent to each other,

Jeffery Kin

Executive Director / Sarasota Rising

CLICK HERE TO DONATE IN THE MATCH

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