The most noteworthy observation of the past several weeks is the resurgence of the Ultra-Luxury Market (properties listed for $3+ Million) here in Sarasota. I’ll share a few numbers to illustrate:

• In almost the first half of 2019 (January 1 – June 15) there were 33 sales in the Ultra-Luxury Market. And 288 sales in the Luxury Market (over $1M) segment overall.
• During the same period in 2020 (January 1 – June 15) there are 22 pending sales and 30 closings in the Ultra-Luxury Market (properties listed for $3M or more). There have been a total of 310 closings in the Luxury Market Segment during this time. This is an increase of more than 7.5% from the same period a year ago.

It’s No Longer Just About Sarasota’s Natural Beauty, Culture and Climate

Why is this occurring? Historically I would have said that it’s the weather, water, beaches, and the great culture we have here. However, this time I think there are a lot more financial implications at play.

There’s a lot of global volatility throughout the world. States, counties, and municipalities have greater expenses and far fewer revenues. Tax revenues are down as people are spending less, so governments are looking to find any extra money that they can. People wanting to keep more money in their pockets are moving here and establishing residency because there are significant financial advantages.

The State of Florida has protections in place for your assets including:

1. There is NO state income tax — zero, zilch, none.
2. There is NO estate tax here in Florida.
3. There are TWO great homestead protections in the form of a reduction against the assessed value of your property used in tax calculations, and a cap on what the assessed value can increase.
4. There are multiple asset protection benefits, such as Homestead Creditor Protection, as well as Tenants in the Entirety for spouses.

These amount to huge savings and protection benefits. Don’t be left behind if you are an imminent buyer or property seller as the luxury market continues to surge forward.

If you’re looking for a seasoned real estate professional reach out to Lee @ 941.587.0740.

Today I’m out on the beachfront here on the southern end of Longboat Key. All the residents of all these condominiums have had access to their beachfront the entire time throughout the pandemic.

Three weeks have passed since our May Day update on the Sarasota Real Estate market. How are we now?

In one word BUSY. There has been a tremendous uptick in the amount of activity in the real estate market here in Sarasota. We’ve had showings on all of our listings this past week. We have several clients who have already traveled here or have scheduled their trips here to purchase in Sarasota. As things are opening up, there are lots of people, both locally and from other places, who are trying to figure out their next move.

NOW is the Time for Sellers

We have a supply problem here in Sarasota. For every property that is listed for sale in our market, 1.6 properties go under contract. So as supplies dwindle, prices are going to rise, and it’s a great time for sellers here in Sarasota.

There are still many opportunities for buyers. The market dynamics continue to be stable. Here are some key highlights I want to point out:

• We’re seeing about 86% of all sales under $500,000.
• About 4% of sales are in our luxury market (properties listed for 1M or more). The luxury market is performing exceedingly well — in fact from January 1st through about May 20th of this year they’re about as many closings in the luxury market as there were during the same period last year in 2019. And that’s with people pausing their life for about 4 to 8 weeks.

Our beaches are now open, the manatees are giving birth, and people are getting out for sunshine and sand. There are many opportunities in our market.

If you’re looking to buy or sell please reach out @ 941.587.0740
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Today I’m wearing my Zoom video outfit standing on the shores of Big Pass — the body of water between Siesta Key and Lido Beach that is the gateway from Sarasota’s Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. The beaches in Sarasota are beginning to open. However, for those people who are living on the water, they’ve had access all along.

So the burning question continues: How’s the market?

First, I want to share 3 quick anecdotes:

(1) Pandemic Purchasing

We are working with a family from Colorado who is purchasing a property remotely. By using multiple ways to experience the property including immersive 360 technology, photography, and FaceTime video they were able to visualize their future home and its lifestyle before going to contract. All the inspections have occurred with masks, gloves, and physical distancing protocols in place. And all the contract and document signing/sharing is being conducted electronically (as we have been doing for years already). In just a few weeks they will be sleeping in their piece of paradise.

(2) Re-evaluating Living Options

We’ve been getting numerous calls these past few days from people in cities such as Chicago and New York. They are tired of sheltering in place in these urban environments, and they’re looking for a better option. Sarasota fits that bill because they’ve learned that they can work remotely and their children are involved in distance learning. The common theme emerging — Why not live, work, and quarantine here rather than in those restrictive, and more dreary environments?

(3) Change of Geography

Last week friends from Ohio choose to relocate themselves from their luxurious home there — where they have been sheltering in place for about 7 weeks — to their beach-side condo on Longboat Key. They feel a sense of renewal as they can look out/walk out to the beach. They are feeling healthier physically as well as mentally. And they’re seeing that they’re being more attentive to their clients and colleagues just by being in a sunnier and warmer environment.

April Real Estate Numbers

The numbers for the month of April substantiate our anecdotal experiences. While I don’t normally like looking at numbers just for a month, I will give you two quick data points:

• Pending Sales. The pending sales that occurred in April of 2020 represent about 17% of the properties available for sale in the market. This is really incredible turnover. What this translates to is it we have less than six months of inventory available. We’ve always had a shortage of good inventory over the last five or six years, and this pandemic is exacerbating that problem. We are seeing demand is greater than supply at this moment in time.
• However, it’s really important to clarify that this applies to properties that have the right location, setting, and structure. And what I mean by that is a structure — the house, the condominium — needs to be either new, close to new or renovated to feel like new for most of today’s buyers.
• Median Price. The other statistic that I thought interesting is that the median price has gone up in April of 2020. I compared this both to a year ago in April 2019, as well as March 2020. This is also indicative that prices continue to rise despite the environment that we’re in.

Sarasota’s Philanthropic Community Stronger than EVER

The truly inspiring event that is reflective of the health of our community is The Giving Challenge which took place over a 24-hour period this past Tuesday and Wednesday. Over 58,000 people contributed nearly $18.5 million dollars to hundreds of charities. This is up from the same thing that was done in 2018 when they raised $11.7 million. So, several million more dollars have been raised despite the economic environment that we’re in. Our family chose four different charities and organizations that focus on children and under-served communities.

This news is really remarkable and a great validation for the community of Sarasota.

Sun, warm weather, philanthropy, and an incredible scenic environment. If you are ready to have an additional conversation about selling or buying, please give me a call at 941.587.0740

It is April of 2020 and typically this month we look at Sarasota’s First Quarter Real Estate Sales numbers as compared to the same period last year. Let’s take a look at the data for January, February, and March. Then I’ll touch on what we anticipate over the next months for our market.

The Numbers May Surprise You

Sales were up 17.2% from this same period a year ago. These increases were across all three months…January, February and March. It was in March that we started to experience behavioral changes — sheltering in place and physical distancing. So, seeing such a strong close to the quarter despite all the disruption is very encouraging for our Sarasota real estate market. Here are the specifics:

• Affordability continues to get smaller and smaller. Less than 25% of properties fall into this category, which are properties listed for $200k or less. 80% are priced at $500k or lower.
• The distressed market continued its steady decline. Falling 4.7% from the 1st quarter of 2019. This is good news, but we will pay attention to this number in the months ahead. I don’t, however, expect much change since most properties have a decent equity cushion. I also expect that lenders will have greater leniency than landlords, so I don’t think that a rush to sell and then rent is the healthier choice. It is still proven that owning is less expensive than renting.
• The surprise to me is our luxury market (those properties listed for $1M or more). Sales increased by 64% over the first quarter a year ago. Even if we take out the new development with the closings at The Mark (which has been under construction for 2 years and finally closed), this increase is still 25%. This shows that buyers have an affinity for the luxury product. It is 6% of the total market.

Developing New Routines

In our sphere, it appears that many are adjusting to change and are finding a new routine. Our children are back in school (albeit remotely), and we continue to spend more time together at meals and catching up with family and friends.

In our business we have added more safeguards to ensure everyone’s health and well-being, and we are adapting even more technology to continue to run our real estate brokerage more efficiently with much being possible to complete virtually.

What’s on the Horizon

The first-quarter results are now historical information — the real question is what to expect going forward. There are two things I think we need to look at:

(1) Buyer Behavior

Many people have extra time on their hands and are evaluating where they want to spend their time. Also, if this happens again, they are considering where do they want to be staying “safer at home” the next time this may happen. For a lot of people, it continues to be Florida in general, and Sarasota specifically.

We are seeing lots of increased buyer activity from different parts of the country. In the last couple of days, we have heard from people from the Midwest, the Northeast, and even Sarasota locals wanting to schedule in person visits in late May. This is encouraging. Also, with the increased ability to work remotely as well as many retirees, many can reevaluate where they want to be “the next time.”

(2) Pricing Changes

I believe we are going to see a slight change in pricing- perhaps a 5-10% decrease- in the interest of getting deals done. This is less about the market activity decreasing. The government is pumping a tremendous amount of liquidity into our mortgage markets, and also mortgage rates are low and possibly going lower. I just think some sellers are going to have to give up 5-10% to get deal done and move forward.

Real estate is always about location, and I think people are still asking themselves — where do I want to be? Sarasota still checks a lot of boxes for many. I think that we will see continued if not increased interest in our lifestyle here. If you have to stay in place somewhere — at least it should be in place of good weather and natural beauty.

To discuss your real estate needs whether buying or selling please give me a call at 941.587.0740.

Stay safe and healthy!

Greetings from sunny and spring-like Sarasota where the daily temperatures are in the 80s. For our family, we are taking it day by day. We are healthy. Our children are working on their school assignments online and engaging with their teachers. Baci, our Bernese Mountain Dog, is happy everyone is at home and she is always searching for love.

How, you may ask, is the Sarasota real estate market? In a word it is active. Real estate listings, showings, and sales continue. It is not as busy as it was on March 1st, yet new properties are coming to market, properties are going to contract, and closings are occurring.

Properties Under Contract in Last 10 Days

There are currently about 4580 properties for sale in our community. In the last 10 days, there have been 422 new listings and 247 have gone to contract. We are near 1,000 closings thus far for March which is a little bit less than this time last year, however, the end of the month/quarter usually produces a flurry. Today we had a successful closing on one of our listings with both buyer and seller out of town.

Implementing New Safety Protocols

Buyers typically see a property in person, and then the remainder of the transaction occurs digitally. With so much digital imagery from satellite views, drone footage, street views, walk-through videos, pictures, and finally a FaceTime or WhatsApp Video call, there are cases where buyers are not even physically present during the “showing.” This is especially true since so many of our clients are already so familiar with the neighborhood, building, or the unit above or below the target purchase.

When there are showings, we are employing new practices. We are setting the expectations that individuals use booties over their shoes, wash their hands before and after the showing, and refrain from touching surfaces. We are also disinfecting surfaces such as switches and doorknobs, ensuring good air circulation, etc.

For our new listings, we are observing strict social distancing so everyone feels secure. For example, our video and photography crew can do their work without anyone on the property. They now have a rigid process in place that involves sanitizing people and equipment before, during, and after to mitigate cross-contamination risk.

Real Estate Transactions Already Largely Virtual

While many industries and businesses are moving to virtual operations, most aspects of our real estate transactions at Investments In Sarasota already occur remotely. There can be up to 33 different people involved in a transaction. Most of them our clients have never seen, and yet 99.9% of the time they proceed smoothly from contract to close, and the purchase or sale occurs on the day it was intended.

We are constantly educating our buyers so that when the right opportunity does arise — they are ready to move. Home inspections, surveys, insurance, title work, and even closings regularly occur without the Buyer present. My record distance for helping a buyer go to contract and close without setting foot on a property is 8,300 kilometers. 😀

Honesty and transparency continue to be the hallmark of our real estate business. We will continue to use all of our experience and available data to make the most informed decisions possible. If it is time to sell and/or you are ready to buy, let me know and we can start that process together (Tel: 941.587.0740). Even though we may not be physically with you at every moment, we will be with you every step of the way and over-communicate in the process.

If you are an active buyer in today’s Sarasota real estate market, I want to raise your awareness that you need to look beyond the way most buyers think about value — i.e. financial value. I coach my clients about value in a more comprehensive way. There are three ways that I’m going to define value today: financial, intrinsic, and personal.

1. Financial value. In January 2020, the median price for a property here in Sarasota was about $280,000. This is still less than when prices hit the peak 14 years ago. In fact, we’re about 15% lower than we were then. However, financial value really is very very local. It can come down to a street or neighborhood, and it’s really the value of the property and how it compares to its comparables in the neighborhood.
2. Intrinsic value is two things to me. First there is brand equity. For example, there are people that will buy at the Ritz-Carlton Residences Sarasota because of the Ritz-Carlton brand which has a global cache. Another intrinsic value is walkability. There’s a direct correlation between a walkability score and a value for a property: the more walkable a property is to something, such as the beach or amenities such as shops and restaurants, the greater the value.
3. Personal value. Honing in on the way you want to live puts into perspective your personal values — what I also call “lifestyle values” — and makes it easier to find the right property for you. For an example, I’ve been working with clients who want to live right in Downtown Sarasota to have walkability to everything the city offers. They also have some very specific parameters — they want to have full bayfront views AND to be able to sit on their balcony and not hear any street noise. They also would like new. With these parameters there are only a couple options that would work for them in Downtown Sarasota.

Is a “deal” really a deal?

If you are looking to purchase, I want to warn you about over-focusing on financial value. Buyers become susceptible to what I call the Neiman Marcus effect. Of course, we all get excited about getting a “deal.” Periodically, Neiman Marcus will have a dramatic sale and items that were $3,000-$5,000 may be reduced to $500-$800. Financially, it is a significant savings, but if it just sits in the back of your closet still in the original plastic, that value was never there for you.

It is important to contemplate all three values when choosing a home — especially in a period of price appreciation. A poor decision now — one based on financial value and ignoring the other two — will likely cost you more in the long run if you need to make a change. The rate of appreciation is slowing, and we are not in a speculative market, so the transaction cost on the buy and sell-side is not offset by appreciation if you are making a lateral move.

The Value of Sound Advice

I like to tell my clients to begin their real estate search by looking at Personal Value first. Since so much of a lifestyle choice is based on location, I always reiterate “You can change a house, but you can’t change a location.”

Finally, I want to share that that most of the desired Sarasota lifestyles are still available at a wide range of budgets.

Call me @ 941.587.0740 if you value having a true expert to guide you through the process.

The sales numbers for 2019 show that our local Sarasota real estate market is quite healthy. There are many buyers and sellers in our market, and what’s consistent between those two groups is that they’re both educated and informed. The activity this past year proves out that there really are no great deals to be had, and there’s very little speculation.

Here are the top two data points to illustrate:

• The total sales for 2019 sales were up 6.87% compared to 2018 sales.
• Sales in the fourth quarter of 2019 increased by 23.3% over the same period in 2018.

Let’s break down what’s happening in the 3 key market segments:

1. The luxury market (those properties listed at 1M or more) where we spend most of our time is quite robust. In fact it’s up 46% from the same period a year ago. The interesting trend here is that the median price is shifting downward slightly from about $1.53 million to about $1.4 million dollars.
2. The affordable segment (defined by properties selling for $200,000 or less) accounts for about 1 in every 4 properties. If we zoom out to look at all sales below $500,000 we can account for 84% of the 2019 sales.
3. The distressed market continues to stabilize. It’s really about 3.25% of our market or about 1 in every 30 sales.

We’re seeing a lot of new buyers in the market, specifically in the luxury segment. We also have a large number of what I refer to as “Lifestyle Evolvers.” These are people that live in already live in Sarasota but are changing lifestyles, moving from one part of Sarasota to the other. One of the most common trends is where people are moving from the barrier islands to experience the increasingly hip urban scene of Downtown Sarasota.

Sarasota’s Market as we enter 2020 is quite robust. There is sustained demand over the long term for Sarasota as we are buoyed up by the population growth of Florida. The one observation I have made over the many years is that external factors can have a major temporary impact. When there is an event that creates a distraction- such as an environmental or geopolitical issue- there is a slight pause in real estate activity. Once that passes, however, demand resumes right where it left off. So if there is opportunity this upcoming year it will be during one of those lulls.

There is a degree of scarcity in housing inventory near the beaches and arts and culture. The only reason people are leaving is if they are aging out or want to change up their lifestyle experience.

So if you are contemplating selling, now is precisely the time to engage with us. Call us @ 941.587.0740 and let us handle all the complexities with unsurpassed experience and state-of-the-art marketing expertise.

Today I’m standing on South Washington Drive on St Armands Key, one of the most beautiful sections of street anywhere in Sarasota. I want to talk a little bit about the health of Sarasota’s real estate market and I’m going to do this using three different metrics:

(1) The State of Sarasota’s Waters

The water is vibrantly full of life currently. There are lots of dolphins feeding, loads of fish, and shorebirds are abundant. The beaches are in full use. This is a great sign for the health of our community since it’s interchangeable with life on land and life in the water.

(2) Sarasota’s Unemployment Rate

Our local unemployment rate is roughly about 2.7%. This is not an all-time low, but it’s certainly low and shows that those who are serious about working are getting employment. It is also reflective of a robust local economy.

(3) Sarasota’s Real Estate Indices

Finally and most important are the real estate indices. There two that I’ve looked at this month:

• The Ultra-Luxury Market (properties listed for $3 million and more). I monitor this segment because when there are buyers spending over $3 million on a property in our community, it demonstrates their confidence in both the housing market and the local Sarasota community. There are about 121 active properties in this market segment – about 3% of our total market at any given time. Currently, about 40% of them are under contract or have sold in the last 6 months. This is a lot of investment and again a great validator to the strength of Sarasota’s real estate.
• Percentage of Cash Sales and Conventional Loans. Right now roughly 43-45% of all purchases in Sarasota are totally paid for with cash. Another 40-42% are conventional loans. Conventional loans are those in which at least 20% equity, and for our market, we are seeing many borrowers having somewhere between 25-50% equity in the properties that they are purchasing. Adding these two up, between 83-87% of our market is either purchased without a loan or with a loan that has a substantial equity component.

Taking these three indices into consideration, I really believe that Sarasota and it’s real estate is in a really good place.

Looking to Sell? Please give us a call @ 941.587.0740 for a free market valuation.

While there is an abundance of Art, Music, and Educational Events in Sarasota throughout the year, the “Season” is like a Tsunami of cultural content. There are special exhibits at our local living museums, continuing education and distinguished speakers at our five colleges & universities, festivals & street fairs, and finally the local venues are stacked with performances and talks. The list is practically endless with more opportunities than you can physically attend and at almost every budget.

Since not everything is listed in one place, finding all of the things to do is a bit of a challenge. This year we have gone through the events and have curated a list of old favorites, new things, and a few undiscovered gems.

As I was curating this list, my kids were looking over my shoulder and commenting on all the things that they want to do. So if you have an extra ticket and want a teenager or two we are happy to send them along with you. 😃

Index

• The Thanksgiving Play
• Chalk Festival
• Siesta Key Crystal Classic
• Brundibár by the Children’s Youth Opera
• Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now!
• Shawn Wayans
• Assisted Living the Musical
• Tony Bennett: The “I Left My Heart” Tour
• Motown Christmas performed by WestCoast Black Theater Troupe
• Handle with Care
• PINC. A BUBBLE BATH FOR YOUR BRAIN
• Bugs Bunny at the Symphony by Sarasota Orchestra
• American Son
• The Lifespan of a FACT
• Steve Martin and Martin Short
• General John Kelley
• La bohème
• The Beach Boys
• The Art of Art Recovery: Recovering Stolen and Looted Works of Art
• The Great Leap
• Itzhak Perlman in Recital
• Annie Leibovitz
• Reza – Edge of Illusion
• Suessical the Musical
• American Playlist by Sarasota Orchestra (POPS)
• COME FROM AWAY
• Outdoor POPS by Sarasota Orchestra

Here are the top picks in chronological order:

The Thanksgiving Play by Larissa FastHorse

When: November 8 to December 15

Where: Urbanite Theatre Downtown Sarasota urbanitetheatre.com

Is it possible for a troupe of all-white teaching artists to create a culturally sensitive pageant to celebrate Native American Heritage Month? Subversive, absurd and endearing, The Thanksgiving Play is a blistering satire that hilariously dissects political correctness, just in time for the holidays.

Chalk Festival

When: November 15-18

Where: Venice Airport, Venice Island chalkfestival.org

See hundreds of pavement artists turning the road surface into a “museum in motion” using chalk as their medium.

Siesta Key Crystal Classic

When: November 15-18

Where: Siesta Key Beach siestakeycrystalclassic.com

International Sandsculpting Festival

Brundibár by the Children’s Youth Opera

When: November 15-16

Where: Sarasota Opera House sarasotaopera.org

Love Conquers Evil. Performed at least 55 times by the children of Theresienstadt concentration camp during WWII, this tale of friendship, perseverance, and teamwork will touch your heart.

Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now!

When: November 18

Where: Van Wezel vanwezel.org

This high-energy celebration marking 20 years of soul on stage features original Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe members, including Founder/Artistic Director Nate Jacobs, and many other audience favorites. Highlights will include songs from WBTT’s most memorable musicals, including original compositions, Broadway tunes spanning the decades and Motown hits — backed by the live WBTT house band. Special appearance by RCA record…

Shawn Wayans

When: November 22 and 23

Where: McCurdys Comedy Theatre mccurdyscomedy.com

Shawn made his acting debut in 1989 in his brother Keenen Ivory Wayans’ feature film “I’m Gonna Get You Sucka.”

Immediately following his feature film debut, Shawn joined the cast of the Emmy Award-winning comedy series, “In Living Color.”

Shawn starred in the box office hits, “Little Man,” “White Chicks,” “Scary Movie,” “Scary Movie 2,” just to name a few!
“The Wayans Bros.” sitcom, which Shawn and Marlon created and starred in, was the first WB show to be sold into syndication after heading up the WB network lineup for five years.

Assisted Living the Musical

When:November 29 to December 22

Where: Venice Little Theater venicetheatre.org

The comedy team of Compton and Bennett are off their walkers again in this hysterical sequel to the runaway hit about the nursing home and beyond. Christmas, Hanukkah, and retirement will never be the same.

Tony Bennett: The “I Left My Heart” Tour

When:December 3

Where: VanWezel vanwezel.org

Tony Bennett’s career as the pre-eminent singer of the 20th and 21st centuries is unprecedented. He has received 19 Grammy Awards® including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, 2 Emmy Awards® and is a Kennedy Center Honoree and NEA Jazz Master. Bennett is one of a handful of artists to have new albums charting in the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and now in the first two decades of the 21…

Motown Christmas performed by WestCoast Black Theater Troupe

When:December 4-6 and December 18-20

Where: Sarasota Opera House westcoastblacktheatre.org

Celebrate the season with this festive holiday revue. It’s the perfect blend of traditional Christmas carols paired with soulful songs made famous by such Motown celebrities as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, the Supremes and The Jackson 5. WBTT’s sizzling signature style makes this a most memorable Christmas treat that’s fun for the whole family!

Handle with Care

When:December 11 through March 8

Where: Florida Studio Theater floridastudiotheatre.org

A young woman from Israel, Ayelet, reluctantly joins her grandmother on a trip to the United States. Circumstances both absurd and tragic bring Ayelet, who has little command of the English language, together with Josh, a young American man who has little command of romance, on Christmas Eve. Is their inevitable love an accident…or is it destiny, generations in the making?

PINC. A BUBBLE BATH FOR YOUR BRAIN.

When:December 12

Where: Sarasota Opera House pincexperience.com

PINC is People, Ideas, Nature, and Creativity. It’s a one-day, conference-style experience delivered by a cascade of international speakers from every imaginable discipline, skill, and talent you can think of, and many of you had no clue it even existed. Speakers range from Iditarod champions, the founder of Vertical Farming, a famous felt artist and a lawyer whose territory is outer space, all the way to Nobel Prize winners, perfume virtuosos, a Master Acoustician, and the doctor who performed the first hand transplant.

Whether a speaker or a guest, the PINC experience attracts creative thinkers, entrepreneurs, specialists, designers, artists, scientists, and any one looking to stimulate their mind, heart, and soul. It’s an opportunity to participate in an eclectic mix of the fundamental pieces that create the human experience.

Bugs Bunny at the Symphony by Sarasota Orchestra

When:January 3-4

Where: Van Wezel sarasotaorchestra.org

This popular concert has been touring the world with sold-out performances for three decades, and now returns to Sarasota Orchestra in a newly-revised 30th Anniversary Edition. This critically-acclaimed production projects the world’s most iconic Looney Tunes on the big screen, while the orchestra plays the classically-infused original scores live! From “What’s Opera, Doc?” and “The Rabbit of Seville,” to “Baton Bunny,” “Corny Concerto,” “Rhapsody Rabbit,” and “Long-Haired Hare,” don’t miss the brilliant cartoons that first introduced classical music to much of the American public. Plus five brand new animated shorts, newly-created by the Warner Bros. animators in celebration of Bugs Bunny’s 80th Birthday in 2020.

American Son

When:January 22 through March 22

Where: Florida Studio Theater floridastudiotheatre.org

Set in a Miami-Dade police station in the middle of the night, a mother is hunting for answers about her missing teenage son. Soon her husband appears, and the evening spirals out of control. Fresh from its critically-acclaimed Broadway run, this powerful drama tackles family relationships, love, loss, and identity.

The Lifespan of a FACT

When:January 22 to March 19

Where: Asolo Reperatory asolorep.org

How negotiable is a fact? That’s the premise of this critically acclaimed 2018 Broadway hit filled with blistering comedy and contemporary relevance. At a high-end magazine, a demanding editor-in-chief hires a determined millennial fact-checker to work on a groundbreaking essay written by a famous author. Like magazines everywhere, this one is reeling from poor ad sales and shrinking circulation. But with this potentially sensational essay, salvation looms. The deadline is tight, the essay is dense, and everyone must make a good faith effort to tell the story honestly. When the fact checker goes too far, the ultimate showdown between “truth” and “accuracy” begins – with delicious consequences.

Steve Martin and Martin Short

When:January 23

Where: Van Wezel vanwezel.org

This duo returns to the Van Wezel by popular demand! Their celebrated comedy show, The Funniest Show in Town at the Moment: Steve Martin & Martin Short, featuring The First Ladies of Bluegrass redefines the form in unexpected and profound ways, from two of the funniest, most influential and acclaimed talents of the past century.

Steve Martin and Martin Short’s recent sold-out tour, An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life, was filmed for a Netflix special that garnered four Emmy® nominations. Rolling Stone called the special “wryly hip but unexpectedly touching,” with The New York Times describing it “gleeful and satisfying.”

General John Kelley

When:January 27

Where: Van Wezel rclassociation.org

Ringling College Library Association Speaker Series

After less than a year in retirement Secretary Kelly was offered the opportunity to serve the nation and its people again, now as the Secretary of Homeland Security. After he and his family served a lifetime in service to the nation—and knowing no other life—the opportunity to serve again was welcomed. The U.S. Senate gave him and his family the great honor of confirming him on January 20, 2017 and he was immediately sworn in as the fifth Secretary of Homeland Security. After six months, he was selected to serve as White House Chief of Staff, a position he held until January 2019.

La bohème

When:February 8-March 21 (select dates)

Where: Sarasota Opera House sarasotaopera.org

Love Is Fragile. Almost two centuries ago in Paris’ Latin Quarter, a love affair flourishes, withers and dies in Puccini’s romantic portrayal of bohemian life. This has particular meaning to us as we spent the year in Puccini’s hometown of Lucca when our children were in 3rd and 5th grade. We were surrounded by Opera. Put an Italian in Paris and voila!

The Beach Boys

When:February 18

Where: Van Wezel vanwezel.org

The Beach Boys return to the Van Wezel! The legendary band is led by Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, who, along with Tim Bonhomme, John Cowsill, Keith Hubacher, Christian Love, Brian Eichenberger, Randy Leago and Scott Totten continue the group’s legacy.

The Beach Boys have birthed a torrent of hit singles and sold albums by the tens of millions. Their songs have forever changed the musical landscape, profoundly influencing countless performing artists to follow. Don’t miss your favorite hits including “Surfin’,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “I Get Around,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “California Girls,” “Good Vibrations” and “Kokomo.”

The Art of Art Recovery: Recovering Stolen and Looted Works of Art

When:February 20

Where: New College of Florida donate.ncf.edu/new-topics

Featuring Christopher A. Marinello, Esq. ’83, CEO, Art Recovery International

Christopher A. Marinello is one of the world’s foremost experts in recovering stolen and looted works of art. A practicing lawyer for over 34 years, Chris began his career as a litigator and became uniquely proficient in negotiating complex title disputes on behalf of collectors, dealers, museums, and insurance companies.

Chris will provide an overview on art crime and the legal issues involved in recovering stolen and Nazi-looted works of art. He will present numerous case studies involving some high-profile recoveries and give the audience an opportunity to ask questions about this unusual profession.

PAUL TAYLOR DANCE COMPANY (Program 5)

When:February 28 to March 1

Where: FSU Center for the Performing Arts (Sarasota) sarasotaballet.org

The Sarasota Ballet Presents the Paul Taylor Dance Company

The Great Leap

When:Begins March 18

Where: Asolo Reperatory Theater asolorep.org

San Francisco, spring 1989. Manford Lum is a sparky kid who plays street basketball in Chinatown – vertically challenged, but with undeniable ball skills. He talks his way onto a college team headed to Beijing for an exhibition game and finds himself in the middle of China’s post-Cultural Revolution. As the story bounces between 1989 and 1971, past relationships collide with present day revelations right up to the final buzzer. Smart, feisty and hilarious, The Great Leap is about family, history, and learning that every game is a second chance.

Itzhak Perlman in Recital

When: March 21

Where: Van Wezel vanwezel.org

Undeniably the reigning virtuoso of the violin, Itzhak Perlman enjoys superstar status rarely afforded a classical musician. Beloved for his charm and humanity as well as his talent, he is treasured by audiences throughout the world who respond not only to his remarkable artistry, but also to his irrepressible joy for making music.

Itzhak Perlman’s recordings have garnered 16 GRAMMY® Awards and regularly appear on the best-seller charts. In 2008, Mr. Perlman was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in the recording arts.

Annie Leibovitz

When: April 7 2020

Where: Van Wezel rclassociation.org

Ringling College Library Association Speaker Series

Annie Leibovitz began her career as a photojournalist for Rolling Stone in 1970, while she was still a student at the San Francisco Art Institute. Her pictures have appeared regularly on magazine covers ever since. Leibovitz’s large and distinguished body of work encompasses some of the most well- known portraits of our time.

Reza – Edge of Illusion

When: April 11

Where: Van Wezel vanwezel.org

Reza has taken the art of illusion to a new level, delivering his rock concert style magic show to audiences across the globe. Young and fresh, Reza’s new show, “Edge of Illusion,” has earned various awards including “Magician of the Year.” Don’t miss this Sarasota premiere – LIVE on the Van Wezel stage!

Suessical the Musical

When: April 16-19

Where: Booker Visual and Performing Arts High School bookervpa.com

The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many “thinks.” Horton faces a double challenge: not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.

American Playlist by Sarasota Orchestra (POPS)

When: April 17-18

Where: Van Wezel sarasotaorchestra.org

Chanteuse Storm Large (from the popular group Pink Martini) and NEA Jazz Master and musical icon Branford Marsalis, a saxophonist who has garnered legendary status, join forces for an electrifying Pops extravaganza that will have audiences swaying in their seats. Enjoy everlasting classics such as I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Goin’ Out of My Head, It’s Alright with Me, Summertime, My Funny Valentine and more!

COME FROM AWAY

When: April 28-May 3

Where: Van Wezel vanwezel.org

Broadway’s COME FROM AWAY is a Best Musical winner all across North America! This New York Times Critics’ Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

On 9/11, the world stopped.

On 9/12, their stories moved us all.

Don’t miss this breathtaking new musical written by Tony® nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein, and helmed by this year’s Tony-winning Best Director, Christopher Ashley. Newsweek cheers, “It takes you to a place you never want to leave!”

Outdoor POPS by Sarasota Orchestra

When: May 8-9

Where: Ed Smith Stadium sarasotaorchestra.org

Join Sarasota Orchestra for a fan-friendly outdoor Pops concert at the Orioles’ Ed Smith Stadium. This seventh annual concert showcases stirring music, big vocals, and popular music. Get yourself some ballpark fare, sit back in the stands and enjoy the Orchestra performing from the field. A spectacular fireworks display closes out an evening of hits and home runs.

See you around town!