June festivities tuning to serenade and savor

The most memorable and best culinary experiences are often served with a dynamic atmosphere -- including a fascinating auditory experience. So pair your meal with a symphony this June, when Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week and the Sarasota Music Festival strum along to the same beat. The two festivals will share the Sarasota County stage as Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week runs June 1 to 14, and Sarasota Music Festival June 2 to 21. This year, both festival will make you want to return for seconds!

First, nourish the body with Savor Sarasota.

During this two-week stretch (June 1 to 14), area restaurants will offer a special three-course lunch and dinner option to the tune of $15 and $29, respectively.  The selection of restaurants includes award-winning eateries that highlight diverse score of flavors including Peruvian, French, Italian and Asian.

"With such a dynamic group of independent restaurants in our community, including Florida's highest concentration of Zagat-rated restaurants, I know many residents and visitors look forward to Savor Sarasota each year," said Michael Klauber, co-proprietor of Michael's On East. "For the second year, our culinary team at Michael's On East has drawn inspiration from our cultural, coastal town when crafting our 2014 Savor Sarasota lunch and dinner menus. We'll be giving foodies the opportunity to enjoy creative, colorful entrees inspired by the Sarasota arts scene, specialty cocktails featuring Siesta Key Rum, plus delicious Sturgeon which has been farm-raised locally by Mote Marine Laboratory using Earth-friendly practices."

Learn more about Sarasota's culinary scene, including farm and farmers market guides, restaurant features and culinary highlights at SavorSarasota.com. Visit restaurantweek.savorsarasota.com for information specific to restaurant week.

After the body, nourish the soul with Sarasota Music Festival.

As Shakespeare once said, "If Music Be the Food of Love, Play on." The Sarasota Music Festival is produced by the Sarasota Orchestra and is known internationally for attracting the best college-aged student participants as well as premier faculty artists from elite music programs and symphonies.

"For 50 years, the Sarasota Music Festival has attracted some of the best young musicians from all around the world to our Gulf Coast community.  The Festival provides a unique opportunity to hear the future of great classical music and Savor Sarasota helps make these evenings especially memorable.   The opportunity to attend this exceptional Festival and participate in Savor Sarasota together provides one of the best cultural tourism experiences possible," said, Gordon Greenfield, Vice President of Marketing, Sarasota Orchestra.

The festival consists of breathtaking concerts for public audiences, open rehearsals, master classes and even student recitals -- at a fraction of the cost of a regular season performance. Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org/Festival for more information, including details on Thursday artist showcases, Friday festivals, and Saturday symphonies.

No musical or culinary education is required to know that food and music is a tune just about anyone can play. Fill your body and soul this June on a gourmet buffet of savory and auditory delight with these two Sarasota County festivals!