Eduardo Anaya attended the Sarasota Film Festival’s kick-off party, and came back more excited than ever for the 15th annual celebration of film. Read more for who was spotted, including local filmmakers whose work will be featured in this year’s line-up of screenings.

The major trend I keep seeing in my favorite downtown shops has been a wash of blues through each and every store. Not your everyday blue color, but cobalt blue, the most vibrant blue hue there is. Take the tour with me …

As the social calendar starts rolling along, I get very excited about some of the key events of the season. It’s true that Sarasota likes to party, and we do it all year long. As soon as fall hits, the first invitations and committee meetings start to fill the schedules of everyone in town. One of the best-attended events is Key to the Cure, held this year on Oct. 20 and hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue to benefit the Women’s Cancer Care Program within the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System. Along with [...]

Many national and international artists were in Sarasota to perform for thousands of anxious attendees who, just like me, were dying to experience the acclaimed Ringling International Arts Festival, celebrated from Oct. 10 to 13. This partnership between The Ringling Museum of Art and the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City has resulted in a very well-curated and exquisite showcase of talent.  India was well represented this year through the dance presentation of “Shiva Ganga” by Shantala Shivalingappa. The performance took its roots from the customs and religious heritage of Shantala’s [...]

Earlier this year I ran into one of Sarasota’s elite … It’s no joke that there are certain names in Sarasota that everyone knows, and not for some vague reason. Some of them are high-profile socialites; others are important business leaders, politicians, restaurateurs, or donors and patrons to our many local charities and art institutions. Mr. Matt Orr is known for many reasons, some which are listed above … he has not gone political yet, but some might argue that he should be in the running along with Obama and Romney.   [...]

Once a month, an acquaintance and client from work comes along and catches up with me. Sometimes we talk about her dog; other times we talk about her upcoming wedding, of which I know every detail except for the nuptial night (I have class!) and what the invite looks like, since I have not been invited. Don’t gasp, I am only an acquaintance! As this person leaves my workplace I always hear, “Don’t work too hard, Eduardo … ” Every single time I hear those four words it makes me cringe. [...]