RIAF continues to “keep it new” with another mold-breaking and innovative line-up of international artists for 2012. In addition to the roster of stage productions that features the legendary Mark Morris Dance Group – as well as the exotic Shantala Shivalingappa, the profoundly fascinating Ensemble Basiani, and the provocatively delightful Pig Iron Theatre Company, RIAF will move into “alternative spaces” with two fascinating encounters with keyboard artists performing in the James Turrell Skyspace, the introduction of Festival Films, and a riotously rousing closing night event with The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Ten exciting offerings in just four incredible days in October. Plan now not to miss a moment.
RIAF Grows Into New Spaces in 2012!
May 6th, 2012A Thank You From RIAF
November 2nd, 2011
Meklit Hadero
The 2011 Ringling International Arts Festival is behind us. The third annual Festival met with positive reviews and enthusiastic audiences, but now the sets are packed away and the artists have all gone on to other venues. As the excitement and energy fades, we want to thank all of the artists and visitors who made it all possible. Without the artists, the Festival cannot challenge and enlighten audience members. Without the audience, the Festival cannot continue to bring compelling and innovative work to life in Sarasota. Think of your favorite memories and know that we will be back again next year! Here is a favorite memory from Dwight Currie, Associate Director for Exhibitions and Programs for The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art:
With all the sights and sounds of RIAF 2011 still fresh in my mind, I want to share just one out of a thousand special moments that made this year’s festival so meaningful and memorable.
It came when the mesmerizingly beautiful Meklit Hadero began to sing, “Walk up, walk up straight through the roof. Straight through the hole in the ceiling, take your place in the sky.” She seemed to be soaring – and she was taking us with her – - right up to that “place in the sky” where all great art gives us the power and perspective to see and live our lives more fully.
RIAF 2011 was filled with moments like that. What was yours? Will you share with us that instant when you were lifted to “your place in the sky?” I hope you do. It will help keep the spirit of RIAF alive until we gather again next October.
And between now and then? Well, you should know that Meklit’s song Walk Up was inspired by the work of James Turrell – the extraordinary artist who has created a Skyspace for the Ringling Museum. As Meklit puts it, when you enter a Turrell Skyspace “you have the sense that you’re going up into the sky, as well as sinking into yourself at the same time.” If you want to be among the very first in Sarasota to have that experience for yourself, I urge you to join us on the Winter Solstice (December 22) when the Ringling Skyspace will open to the world – and we’ll gather together in a new “place in the sky.”
To learn more about that opportunity: www.ringling.org/solstice
Alas, Poor Yorick, Pass The Remote
October 14th, 2011
Hamlet is a brilliant play and seeing it again only proves Shakespeare’s genius even more. The words are brilliant, witty and dramatic. The Wooster Group, however, displays their own genius with a radical reinterpretation of the Bard’s masterwork. The Group emerged in the late 70′s. The original members include some well known actors such as Spalding Grey and Willem Dafoe.
Their piece involves a choppy video from the 1964 Broadway production of Hamlet starring Richard Burton. The actors not only attempt to recreate the movement of the performers from the Burton video, they also attempt to recreate the skipping video and variable camera angles. Although it takes some time for the audience to get used to the frenetic style, the power of the play comes thru and the movement helps highlight and accentuate feelings and speech that might otherwise be missed. If you love Shakespeare and enjoy the challenge of contemporary art, this performance will astound you!
Four Pianos- In Review
October 14th, 2011
Sold Out Historic Asolo Theatre
Each of the four pianist play a solo of their choosing that Pedja introduces and gives you a background story into the life of the composer and a explanation of the piece. Next, as if the solos were not amazing enough, the second half of the performance is comprised of the four internationally recognized pianists playing simultaneously to Quatuor Concertant for four pianos, a piece written by Carl Czerny, a well-known student of Beethoven, and later a teacher. He wrote this piece for his students to play in a performance. This performance concluded with a standing ovation from the crowd. It is a must-see for classical music fans and really everyone else! It was fantastic.
Company Stefanie Batten Bland: “Terra Firma” – In Review
October 14th, 2011Get ready to open your mind to Company Stefanie Batten Bland. This French-American dance company is the culmination of two cultures and two extremities of the world, land and water, colliding. The six dancers’ illustration of the search for solid ground from water was nothing short of amazing. The use of sound, be it their costumes or their voices, is unexpected and will keep you guessing… what language are they speaking? What exactly is going on? And at the end, you will go, “Oh, I get it now!” This modern/contemporary dance piece, Terra Firma” leaves the interpretation up to the viewer.
Colin Dunne Steps Out In “Out of Time”
October 14th, 2011
The world of Irish step dancing takes a unique turn in Colin Dunne’s Out of Time. The world champion dancer and former Riverdance performer has taken on the daunting task of a solo dance piece that explores the roots and traditions of Irish step dancing. He not only goes to his phenomenal ability to tell the story, but he also uses video and sound to expand the view of what the dance style is and where it comes from.
He starts the piece with slow and measured steps to show some of the more basic moves that are common to step dancing. He does this with bare feet so that the audience is focused more on his legs than the tap of the shoe. His dexterity is flawless. He also performs many different dances that change in mood and style to keep the show moving from segment to segment. The show is an extraordinary display of his craft as well as a curious journey both through the history of the dance style as well as his personal story.
Meklit Hadero at RIAF 2011
October 14th, 2011Two To Tango
October 13th, 2011
Last night at the Ringling International Arts Festival I was treated to one of the most unique shows I have ever experienced. Soledad Villamil is a beautiful performer who takes the stage and in broken english, tells the crowd how pleased she is to be at the Festival. All of her songs are in Spanish but the emotion and texture of her performance transcends any language. The crowd was completely enthralled from the first song all the way to her standing ovation at the end of her set.
After about 5 songs she introduces us to the multi-talented Hermanos Macana, two brothers who give an unforgettable performance of traditional, man-to-man Argentinean Tango. Their skilled dance moves amazed the crowd and the humor that they interject throughout the performance leaves the crowd falling in love with them. If you get a chance to just see one performance at this years Festival, consider this one as it will be something you won’t soon forget.
Zimoun At The RIAF; The Sound Of Motion
October 12th, 2011
One of the truly unexpected treasures you will find at the Ringling International Arts Festival is a wonderful exhibit by the artist Zimoun. During the festivities of Opening Night we left the party to step in to a space that was the directly opposite experience. You walk in to a stark white studio and you are moved by the simplistic approach the artist takes while creating a visual and aural experience like no other. Visually it is mesmerizing to see hundreds of tiny motors rotating wires that move randomly but when seen as a group, it creates a beautiful, simplistic piece of art that puts you in a very reflective state.
I kept thinking that it would be great to have a comfortable chair in front of the work with no one else in the room and let the art and sounds lull me into a space of deep thought. I was totally surprised by how the work of the new emerging artist is helping to redefine what we think of as art. A perfect blend of motion and minimalism.
Check out the Zimoun video on our YouTube channel.
Opening Night With Asphalt Orchestra
October 12th, 2011Remember the high school band at half time? Some bands were good. Some were not. Then there is Asphalt Orchestra. They make you want to forget the football game. Asphalt Orchestra was the only act featured as part of the Opening Night celebration, and unlike previous occasions, the Orchestra came to the audience versus a traditional stage performance. Like their name, Asphalt Orchestra would march with their New Orleans-style cadence in the Courtyard on the sidewalks and steps among the gala attendees.
Their musical style spanned a wide spectrum of songs from pop to jazz to progressive rock. Most of the songs were extremely danceable, and the gala attendees obliged, creating a parade of musicians and dancers. At times their music would slow down as they would perform slower jazz pieces, but this was an opportunity to hear their musical sophistication. One of their closing pieces was a Frank Zappa song under the statue of David.
The musicians all have diverse and accomplished backgrounds performing worldwide with other musical acts. Their jazz, new music, classical and folk influences all come together to form the most innovative marching there ever was.
