Ringling International Arts Festival Blog in Sarasota, FL. Theater, Dance, Music and Visual Arts

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

Piano Foursome, hosted by the hilarious pianist, Pedja Muzijevic, is exciting, emotional, and full of passion. Adam Golka started the evening with Barcarolle by Freideric Chopin. Second was our host, Pedja Muzijevic, who play 3 short pieces, Sleepless! Question and Answer by Franz Liszt, Intermission by Morton Feldman, and lastly a paraphrase of Chopin’s Valse by Aleksander Michalowski. Thirdly, Inon Barnatan played Rondo Capriccioso by Felix Mendelssohn. Lastly Anne-Maria McDermott concluded the solo portion of the show with Paraphrase de Concert Union by Louis Moreau Gottschalk.

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.

Get 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.

Be part of art at the Ringling! Beyond the stage performances are RIAF 360 special exhibitions, lectures, tours, music and more. Chill out and check out the contemporary art, listen to some jazz on the bay, or bring the family to the interactive galleries at the Circus Museum and participate in a living sculpture.  Now is your chance!  Here is everything you need to know…

Who? Open to everyone with purchase of a RIAF 360˚ ticket: Adults only $10 and Children (6-17) only $5!  (General Admission tickets are $25 for adults or $10 for children any other time of year). Tickets are good for one day.

What? RIAF 360˚ is a 360-degree tour (see everything for one low price!) of all things Ringling during the Ringling International Arts Festival.

When? October 11-16, 2011.

Fill your days and nights all in one place!  There are 2 cafes on the Estate so you don’t need to leave for lunch or dinner.

Visit the special exhibition, Zimoun: Scuplting Sound in the West Galleries of the Museum of Art. The mechanized kinetic sculptures of Swiss artist Zimoun explore the tensions between the “artificial” and the “organic” in these mesmerizing installations of sound and movement.

Join us for the FocusFest: When Art Refuses to Sit Still and Be Quiet. Watch a compelling contemporary dance performance from  The Florida State University School of Dance, then be part of a Living Zimoun as we create a sound sculpture with paddle balls!
Saturday, October 15, 2:00 – 4:00 pm.

Attend one of our Festival Forums, October 12 & 13, 2 – 3:30 pm. The Ringling Museum’s new Executive Director, Steven High, moderates panels of arts professionals as they examine and explore the risks and rewards of creating, producing, and presenting contemporary visual and performance art. Seat reservations are required by calling 941.360.7399.

Relax and enjoy a cocktail at Jazz Sunsets and Late Night Groove. Refresh to the sounds of jazz as the sun sets on Sarasota Bay then later in the evening experience a variety of sets from some of our region’s favorite musical acts in the Visitors Pavilion.
Jazz Sunsets: 5:30 – 7:30 , Late Night Groove: 8 – 10:30 pm.

Visit the Galleries and Gardens of the Ringling Estate including the Museum of Art, Circus Museum and Ca’ d’Zan.  Look, listen, and learn through a complimentary Docent led tour of the Museum of Art and Circus Museum, including the special exhibition The Amazing American Circus Poster  Gallery Hours: 10 am – 8 pm. Wednesday-Saturday, Sunday until 5 pm. Docent tours vary daily.
Ringling Legacy Tour, Friday, October 14, 2:00 – 4:00 pm.

Where? The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art including Ca’ d’Zan, Circus Museum, Museum of Art, Gardens and grounds.

Why?  With over 300,000 square feet of museum exhibition space, three theaters, and 66 acres of lush tropical gardens – all set on beautiful Sarasota Bay – The Ringling Center for the Arts is one of the most extraordinary cultural facilities in the nation. This incredible setting makes the Ringling International Arts Festival a festival like no other in the world. If you are looking for something affordable to do in the Sarasota/Bradenton area, this is a great opportunity to save money and experience the art of our time.