An Embarrassment of Riches
The name “Ringling,”—so inextricably woven into the rich and colorful fabric of Sarasota’s history—continues to confer remarkable stature on our region as an important center of the visual and performing arts. Not just in Florida—where we long ago floated to the top as the state’s undisputed “Cultural Capital”—but in arts circles the world over. To have such an embarrassment of riches—culturally speaking—is an unqualified economic asset that few towns this size can even partially lay claim to; to say nothing of our top-rated beaches, unlimited recreational opportunities and gorgeous natural landscape. We just love selling homes in a market that so completely sells itself.
Now comes the breathtaking news that The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art—in conjunction with New York’s Baryshnikov Arts Center (Yes, that Baryshnikov!)—will host the first Ringling International Arts Festival, beginning on October 7. The Festival, slated to be staged every other year at the Ringling Museum of Art—on the Florida State University cultural campus—will be a watershed artistic event spanning five days of live music, theater and dance; with internationally-renowned performers converging on Sarasota to help kick-off its annual cultural season in news-making style. What better way to put the world on notice that Sarasota is a must-stop on the cultural map than by showcasing artists from around the world whose performances will inhabit such classically-inspired venues as the Historic Asolo Theater, Mertz Theatre, and Cook Theatre? Outdoor performances and events—as well as lectures, workshops and artist discussions—will enhance the core programming. Over in the museum galleries, a new exhibit featuring the spectacular works of Giovanni Antonio Canal—better known as Canaletto—will explore the theme, Venice in the Age of Canaletto.
“The vast potential of the Ringling Museum’s extraordinary cultural facilities will be on vivid display at the inaugural Ringling International Arts Festival,” said Dr. John Wetenhall, Executive Director of the Ringling Museum. “With the Art Museum, Cá d’Zan Mansion and the Circus Museums—as well as three, fully-equipped theaters—the Ringling Museum of Art/FSU Center for the Performing Arts can, through this festival, claim its rightful place among the important art centers of the world.”
For its inaugural season the Ringling International Arts Festival, under the artistic direction of the Baryshnikov Arts Center, will present the commissioned works of four internationally-known artists: composer Mason Bates, choreographers Aszure Barton and Deganit Shemy, and theater company Elevator Repair Service.
The Festival kicks-off with a one-night-only concert by the Florida State University Symphony Orchestra, under the conduction of Robert Spano—the celebrated music director of the Atlanta Symphony—and featuring New York-based pianist Pedja Muzijevic in a program of Liszt and Beethoven. For every pair of tickets purchased to this gala opening concert, attendees will send an area student to the event free of charge.
“The ticket prices are very affordable,” said Dwight Curie, the museum’s Associate Director of Programming, referring to the single-ticket prices of $10-$30 for each of the one-hour performances. “We want to make the Festival accessible to everyone, even in a tough economy; and I encourage everyone to buy tickets now before your favorite program sells out.”
For a detailed schedule of performances, events, single ticket prices and Festival packages please visit www.ringlingartsfestival.org.
Two programs of chamber music will showcase masterworks by Debussy, Mendelssohn and Dvořák; alongside a world premiere work by American composer Mason Bates. The concerts feature an ensemble of internationally renowned musicians, including pianist Anne-Marie McDermott, violinist Jennifer Frautschi, cellist Edward Arron, and horn player Eric Ruske.
In an entirely different vein, post-modern diva Meow Meow sinks her claws into the Festival with Beyond Glamour: The Absinthe Tour. Accompanied by pianist Lance Horne and cellist Yair Evnine, Meow Meow embarks on a wild journey of obsessive love songs and gorgeous cabaret ditties.
The acclaimed experimental theater company Elevator Repair Service (ERS) will premiere a new work commissioned expressly for the Festival. Known for combining slapstick comedy, hi- and lo-tech design, and their own brand of choreography, the group continues to experiment in adapting new plays from novels, television and films.
Legendary director Peter Brook will present the U.S. premiere of his new production Love is my sin which reveals Shakespeare’s intimate diaries as a key to his passions and jealousies; and his private questions about time, aging, and death. The play features long-time collaborators Bruce Myers and Natasha Parry.
Following its highly praised debut at the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Ella Hickson brings her award-winning play, Eight, to the Festival. Eight paints a vivid portrait of modern Britain through a collection of incisive character monologues ranging from a single working mother to a young Iraqi War veteran.
On the Festival’s dance card, one of Spain’s leading flamenco virtuosos, Compañia María Pagés, will present her latest work Flamenco y Poesía, as performed by her company of nine dancers and musicians. Choreographer Deganit Shemy, whose dance troupe, Deganit Shemy & Company has captured the attention of audiences in New York and her native Israel, will premier her newest work, Arena.
Aszure & Artists and OtherShore will share a program of contemporary dance. Drawing from classical ballet, Aszure & Artists explores the visual architecture of movement, color and sound. OtherShore will present The Snow Falls in the Winter, created by Annie-B Parson and co-directed by Paul Lazar of Big Dance Theater.
There’s so much to be proud of when an event of this caliber adds new luster to Sarasota’s reputation as one of the world’s most culturally active communities. But since we’ve run out of space to shine new light on our city’s magnificent arts community we’ll simply encourage everyone to please support all of the arts organizations that add so immeasurably to our quality of life and economic coffers.
Share your thoughts, leave a comment!