About the Author

Mike retired to Sarasota from Chicago eight years ago. Turns out retirement was boring, so he started writing about things to do instead. Sarasota's got more going on than people assume. Yeah, it's a beach town. Yeah, the average age skews older. But there's a real arts scene—the opera, the ballet, galleries that aren't just tourist traps. There's live music at venues people actually drive to. Comedy nights. Food festivals. Film festivals. The cultural calendar's surprisingly full if you know where to look. Mike knows where to look. He spent two decades in Chicago media before he moved, and he brought those instincts with him. He goes to shows, reviews what's worth reviewing, and writes guides for AllEvents that treat Sarasota like a real city with real culture instead of just a retirement destination. He lives on Siesta Key (yes, he knows how that sounds), drives a convertible because why not, and has become the guy locals call when they're looking for something to do that isn't just another beach day. His guides are honest. Not everything's great. But enough is.