WBTT opens 25th season with ‘Soul Crooners: Solid Gold Edition'

Original musical revue features Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's most popular male artists singing the biggest soul hits of the 1970s

WBTT partners with WEDU/PBS for WBTT Voices program

Sold-out crowd enjoys film exploring the rich history of influential African American theater company and panel discussion

Project Pride SRQ presents the Gulfcoast Pride Festival & Street Party

Former Manatee and Sarasota Pride events merge for free celebration featuring a street market, parade, drag show, live music and more

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Names 2024-2025 Board of Trustees

Two new trustees join the volunteer leadership of popular area arts organization

Grants support mission of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

Grants awarded by Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Shubert Foundation and The Exchange

WBTT shines during international festival

Local arts organization makes sixth appearance at International Black Theatre Festival, performing three shows for over 2,200 patrons

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe awards scholarships

Five students involved with WBTT programs have earned funds toward artistic education and training

The Soul Sensations to present ‘A Night to Remember’

Three concerts by popular local soul/R&B band on June 28-30 to benefit Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

Music Compound Album Ensemble returns to pay tribute to The Beatles

Member musicians and Music Compound instructors will perform entirety of ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ during two shows on June 29

Filmmaking Major Builds Technological Skills and Self-Confidence

Matt Boldin is benefiting from a life-changing experience as a filmmaking major and student employee at SCF.

State Music Symposium Student Solo Artist Winners Awarded Scholarships

Four SCF Music program students won scholarship awards and invitations to perform at the solo artist recital.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe to present summer show

Award-winning comedy ‘Coconut Cake’ will run at WBTT from June 12-23

Project Pride SRQ announces Grand Carnival In Bloom headliners

Country artists Lou Ridley and Brady Riley will be featured performers during Pride Month gala event

WBTT announces final 2023-2024 Young Artist Program showcase

Young WBTT performer Charlie ‘CJ’ Melton will present ‘I Sing Because I’m Happy; I Sing Because I’m Free’ on May 19, 2024

Beat the heat with the Summer Circus Spectacular

Popular collaboration of Circus Arts Conservatory and The Ringling brings world-class circus talent to the beautiful Historic Asolo Theater

Explore the World of STEM with SCF’s Coding Academy

Kids and kids at heart are invited to explore the world of STEM with SCF’s Coding Academy.

Sailor Circus Academy presents ‘Origins’

The Red Troupe of the Circus Arts Conservatory’s youth training program to present four performances of spring show

WBTT announces second 2023-2024 Young Artist Program showcase

Popular WBTT performer Ariel Blue will present ‘On Love’s Boulevard’ on April 21-22, 2024

“They Promised Her The Moon” Tells the story of Pilot Jerrie Cobb

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) Theatre will present Laurel Ollstein’s “They Promised Her The Moon”

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe reprises popular tribute to Marvin Gaye

‘Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul’ features WBTT fan favorite Sheldon Rhoden, who takes a fourth turn in the show’s lead role

Music Compound presents 'Musicpalooza' on March 29

Free, family-friendly event at Nathan Benderson Park to feature food trucks, local vendors and live music by Music Compound bands

Bradenton Blues Festival Returns With New Name, Location

The inaugural Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival will take place Dec. 7 at Waterside Park, reports said.

2 Free Outdoor Concert Series Scheduled In Bradenton

The Manatee Music Series and Music in the Park, two free outdoor concert series, are scheduled in Bradenton this spring.

Circus Arts Conservatory presents free Community Outreach Performance

Patrons who might not otherwise be able to experience the joy of a live circus treated to a special performance of Circus Sarasota

WBTT to present ‘April Fools Fête’ on April 1

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s annual spring fundraiser, benefiting education programs, will have ‘Calypso Carnival’ theme

Circus Arts Conservatory’s WONDERBALL to feature DJ Alan Walker

Arts organization plans to ‘electrify the night’ to ‘amplify the impact’ for CAC Youth Education with second installment of EDM concert

Music Compound Album Ensemble returns to pay tribute to 'Rumours'

Member musicians and instructors will tackle renowned album by Fleetwood Mac, with two shows on March 2

Music Compound’s New Horizons Concert Band grows

Gulf Coast New Horizons Concert Band program, for ages 50+, is gearing up for several upcoming public performances

Bradenton Blues Festival Permanently Canceled: Realize Bradenton

After 12 years, the Bradenton Blues Festival has been permanently canceled, Realize Bradenton, the organization that hosted the event, said.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe announces 2024-2025 season

Shows include ‘Soul Crooners Solid Gold Edition,’ ‘Fences,’ ‘Five Guys Named Moe,’ and ‘Syncopated Avenue,’ plus 'A Motown Christmas'

Circus Arts Conservatory raises over $400,000 during Royal Gala

Proceeds from CAC’s annual gala will support signature youth training, education and outreach programs

Recycled Guitar Art Show Honors Late Village Of The Arts Gallery Owner

A showcase of upcycled guitar art in Bradenton pays tribute to the late artist Lee Firestone, a Waste Pro worker killed on the job.

Circus Sarasota presents star-spangled lineup for 2024 show

Circus Arts Conservatory gathers an international cast of world-class circus artists for 26th year of one-ring circus extravaganza

WBTT presents Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, ‘A Soldier’s Play’

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s resident director – and U.S. Marine Corps veteran – Chuck Smith returns to Sarasota to direct

WBTT to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy

Annual celebration of Civil Rights icon on January 14 to feature re-enactments of Dr. King’s speeches, song and dance

Sailor Circus Academy presents new holiday show

Renowned youth circus arts program shares the joy of the holidays during seven performances of ‘Candyland’ from December 27-31, 2023

Sunshine From Darkness announces Inspiring Hope Dinner program

Dinner benefiting youth emotional literacy & mental health research to feature keynote by Tom Arnold, personal stories from local notables

Gulf Coast Community Foundation continues to invest in WBTT

Arts Appreciation Grant of $40,000 will support Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s operations and 2023-2024 season of shows

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's fall gala raises over $450,000

Nearly 500 attend ‘Groovin’ on the Soul Train 2,’ featuring the soul hits of the 1960s-80s, and honored longtime supporter Cheryl Anderson

WBTT presents this season’s holiday show, ‘Joyful! Joyful!'

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s ‘Christmas card to the community’ features traditional holiday tunes, gospel-infused classics and pop songs