Arts and Entertainment

Asolo Center for Performing Arts www.Asolo.org

THE STAGES OF EVOLUTION
From the origins of our name to the stages on which we have performed, the "Asolo" story is rich in history both in our community and abroad. For those of us who have played a part in the story, it is familiar. For others, it is newly discovered. But for all of us, it is a treasure.

The word Asolo originated in Asolo, Italy with a lovely 18th century theatre acquired by the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art for its collection more than 50 years ago. In this little jewel of a theatre, a fledgling acting company founded by faculty of Florida State University (FSU) began performing a summer series of plays under the name of the Asolo Theatre Festival and later as the Asolo Theatre Company.

Later it grew to become the respected first State Theatre of Florida and evolved into a year round professional theatre, a member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres (LORT), and partnered with the FSU School of Theatre to mentor its MFA in Acting program – the highly acclaimed FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training.

The acting company and its audiences eventually outgrew the Ringling's Historic Asolo Theater and the company moved into its current home within the FSU Center for the Performing Arts where it has enjoyed notable success.

Pedro Reis and Dolly Jacobs have combined their expertise and passion for the circus by creating Circus Sarasota. Their mission is to provide a circus that represents the circus arts at the highest level and that is linked to the community through performance, education and integrated arts programming. They have helped bring the magic of circus to more than 200,000 people.

Their goals include creating a permanent, professional circus school where students will be encouraged to achieve professionalism and excellence in the circus arts while embracing all performing arts.

Farmer’s Market www.downtownsarasotafarmersmarket.com

The Downtown Sarasota Farmers' Market has been a downtown mainstay for more than 30 years. The year-round, Saturday morning market is a potpourri of fresh produce, food, flowers and plants, fine artisanship, friends and fun. It has become a community happening - a gathering place for people to bring families, friends and even dogs to peruse the displays of garden-fresh produce and unique craft products.

The beautiful Downtown setting, combined with smells of fresh coffee and baked goods, and the live performances of entertainers make for an exceptional Saturday morning experience. Meet your neighbors over coffee; enjoy a market breakfast with friends; introduce your dog to others in the area; purchase fresh produce for that special meal; find a special gift - it's all at the Downtown Sarasota Farmers' market.

HOURS

Every Saturday

(52 Weeks a year)

RAIN OR SHINE

May –September

7am - 12 pm

October thru April

7 am -1 pm

LOCATION

Located in downtown Sarasota at Lemon Ave. and Main St.

The Museum offers one of the most unique museum experiences in the world. Here you "Ride the Exhibits!" The Museum operates weekend excursions year-round from the Train Station in Parrish, Florida. Special weekend events are scheduled throughout the year featuring themed train rides. The caboose is available to charter for small, private parties or you may charter the entire train for large family or corporate events.

It all began in the fall of 1948 when Ruth Cotton Butler, a Sarasota music teacher, imagined how satisfying it would be to have an orchestra in her own community. She enlisted the support of businessmen Dr. W.D. Sugg and J. Lorton Francis of Bradenton; and George Gibbs, an amateur musician from Venice. Their combined tenacity produced the debut concert of the Florida West Coast Symphony on March 12, 1949.  

Under the direction of its first conductor, Alexander Bloch, the Orchestra grew at an astonishing rate and demonstrated its commitment to community service by quickly establishing a youth scholarship fund in 1951 and initiating public school Children’s Concerts in 1953. Even more remarkably, by 1955 the then Florida West Coast Symphony could claim to be the first community orchestra in the country to own a building. 

In 1961, Paul Wolfe began what was to be a successful 35-year tenure as artistic director and conductor. Wolfe's vision was the guiding force in shaping the current commitment to quality symphonic and chamber music, youth education and community service.  His leadership allowed the Orchestra to establish a core chamber and four resident chamber ensembles, expand the Youth Orchestra Program and consolidate the then Florida West Coast Symphony and the Music Festival of Florida, to create the Sarasota Music Festival.   

Upon Wolfe’s retirement in 1996, a national search process resulted in the appointment of Leif Bjaland as the fourth artistic director and conductor in the Orchestra’s history. 

The Sarasota Orchestra is the new Florida West Coast Symphony. With new series and new concerts, the Orchestra offers a whole new way to experience classical music.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens www.selby.org

THEN

Marie Selby was born Mariah Minshall in Wood County, West Virginia, on August 9, 1885. When Marie was still a young girl, the Minshall family moved to Marietta, Ohio where her father studied geology at Marietta College and invented parts for oil drilling equipment.  The Minshall family frequently went on camping and hiking trips along the Ohio River; perhaps it was this early introduction to nature that spawned in Marie her love of the out-of-doors.

Marie was an accomplished pianist, and attended a music seminary in Illinois.  Shortly after completing her musical studies she met William (Bill) Selby, a partner with his father in the Selby Oil and Gas Company.  William and Marie were married on January 31, 1908, in the First Presbyterian Church of Marietta.

Early in their marriage the young couple was intrigued by the country's first cross-country automobile race.  They decided to travel the same course, and outfitted their touring car with spare parts and camping equipment.  As a result of the Selby's enthusiasm and determination, Marie Selby became the first woman to cross the country by car. 

Bill Selby had visited Sarasota before his marriage and was drawn into the area by the excellent fishing waters and the astounding beauty of the west coast of Florida.  He brought his young wife to Sarasota in hopes that she would share his enthusiasm.  She did, and they bought seven acres of land bordering on Sarasota Bay and Hudson Bayou.  Little did they dream, at that moment, of the exquisite Sarasota landmark their property would become in the not-so-distant future. 

In the early 1920s the Selby’s built a Spanish-style, 2-story house among the laurel and banyan trees.  Landscaping of the Selby home site was planned by Marie.  Borders of flowers bloomed along the roadway which led to the tip of the peninsula.  A large rose garden figured prominently in the overall design - a garden Marie was always reluctant to leave behind during summers spent at the Selby ranch in Montana.

Despite their enormous wealth (vast holdings in the oil and mining industries had made Bill Selby a multimillionaire long before he settled in Sarasota); the Selby’s lived a quiet and unostentatious life.  Their home was modest, they entertained on a small scale, and they were not a part of the Sarasota social scene.  Both Marie and Bill Selby dressed plainly, for their interests lay in outdoor activities.  You would often find her in cotton dresses and sneakers. 

They owned a ranch where they raised purebred Angus cattle and rode horses; often they could be seen around town in their dusty riding clothes.

Boating was another favorite activity at the Sarasota Yacht Club.  In 1928, a reception was held at the Selby home for local members and visiting members of other yacht clubs participating in the annual Regatta.  That year, Marie Selby won the "Express Cruiser Race" and the Sarasota Yacht Club won overall, retaining the trophy won in 1927.

Yet one guesses that Marie's love of nature and of gardening was her most consuming passion.  She was a charter member of Sarasota's first garden club, the Founder's Circle.  She had a great desire to keep Sarasota a beautiful and green place and was disturbed later in life by the proliferation of high-rise construction.  The row of bamboo on the bay side of the property was planted by Marie to block her view of the offending condominiums.

Since the Gardens opened, the property has expanded from seven acres to nearly 13 acres.  The elegant Mansion on adjoining property was purchased in 1973 and now houses the Gardens' Museum.  The Gardens maintains a plant collection numbering more than 20,000 greenhouse plants, plus thousands more in the outdoor gardens.  Eight greenhouses include the stunning Tropical Display House where unusual flora can be seen year round.  The Center for Tropical Plant Science and Conservation provides headquarters for The Bromeliad Identification Center, the Orchid Identification Center and the Selby Gardens' Herbarium.

NOW
The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has, in short, become a respected center for research and education, as well as a famous showplace that delights more than 180,000 visitors each year.

Mote Marine Laboratory www.Mote.org

From its humble beginnings in tiny shed in a small Florida town, Mote Marine Laboratory has expanded to include a 10.5-acre campus in Sarasota, Fla., with field stations and public exhibits in Key West and field stations in Summerland Key and Charlotte Harbor. Florida's extensive coastline and marine and estuarine environments have enabled Mote scientists to build a platform of marine research conducted in the nearshore environment.

From the original focus on sharks, Mote research has expanded to include seven major areas of concentration, organized into seven research centers. While each center focuses on its own specialty, Mote scientists are able to partner with others within the lab to integrate efforts across a number of fields. This approach has led to discoveries that establish Mote as a global leader in many areas of marine science.

Mote recognizes the importance of advancing the understanding of sea science to the general public. To that end, Mote conducts extensive public outreach and operates a public aquarium that serves nearly 400,000 visitors a year. Mote is one of the few organizations in the world that combines marine research with public outreach through a full-fledged aquarium.

Mote Marine Laboratory is also one of the world’s few remaining private marine research laboratories and, as a nonprofit organization, is funded through federal, state and local grants and through the generosity of individual donors and foundations. Over the last five decades, the world has learned many things about its oceans. One lesson has remained constant: There is still much to discover.

Mote scientists are committed to that process of discovery: Advancing our understanding of the sea and what is needed to sustain it.

Myakka River State Park www.MyakkaRiver.org

Myakka River State Park is one of Florida's oldest and largest state parks. The "Florida Wild and Scenic Myakka River" flows through 57 square miles of wetlands, prairies and woodlands. Myakka is popular for hiking, fishing, camping, and wildlife observation.

Ringling Museum of Art www.Ringling.org

In 1911, John Ringling and his wife, Mable purchased 20 acres of waterfront property in Sarasota, Florida.  Today, that investment welcomes visitors from around the globe with fine art, historic mansion, two circus museums and a jewel-box of a theater. 

Sailor Circus www.SailorCircus.org

Sailor Circus now in it’s sixth decade of operation has grown from a small high school gymnastics class in 1949 to the present spectacular 4 ring youth circus production known world wide as the Greatest "Little" Show on Earth. Students from the 4th through 12th grades in Sarasota and surrounding counties have an opportunity to experience the performing arts in a circus atmosphere. Our dedicated students practice 20 - 30 hours a week and are trained by volunteer coaches who are retired circus performers, sailor circus alumni and enthusiastic parents. More than 200 volunteers donating over 25,000 hours of their time each season to PAL Sailor Circus demonstrates strong community involvement.

Sarasota Ballet of Florida www.SarasotaBallet.org

The Sarasota Ballet is a collaboration of many individuals working together to bring high quality artistic performances to the community. The following pages are an introduction to the artistic and administrative staff of the Sarasota Ballet. Meet Director Iain Webb and learn more about the history of the company. See if any employment opportunities are available and learn more about what has become the "crown jewel" of Sarasota's vibrant classical arts scene. 

Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau www.Sarasotafl.org

• The Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau (the SCVB) is the official and primary provider of visitor information for Sarasota County where tourism is the top industry.
• SCVB operates the official Sarasota Visitors Information Center located at 701 North Tamiami Trail, south of the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. The Visitors Center is staffed by fifty knowledgeable volunteers who welcome approximately 100,000 visitors and newcomers a year to the area. Partners are welcome to display their promotional literature in the center year-round.
• SCVB matches $3 million of Tourism Development Tax Funds with $400,000 in private dollars contributed by the tourism industry to create a $3.4 million marketing campaign for Sarasota County.
• SCVB has the most powerful and effective tourism media relations in the county - hosting more than 50 travel writers annually from media outlets such as Washington Post, Travel Channel, New York Times and Conde Nast Traveler. Annually, the SCVB responds to more than 100 story leads and 300 media requests. The SCVB also has public relations and sales representation throughout Europe.
• SCVB does extensive research on visitor trends, tourist spending, and occupancy and average daily rate numbers, which are available to all SCVB partners.

Sarasota Film Festival www.Sarasotafilmfestival.com/2009/

In July 1998, international and independent film enthusiasts founded the Sarasota Film Festival, Inc. (SFF). They sought to create a balanced festival of foreign and domestic film complemented by the participation of the film and entertainment industry.

The following January, SFF launched its first festival. The “mini-festival” featured eight independent films, two premiere screenings, two educational symposiums and a gala fundraiser. Since then, SFF has grown in length (from three days to ten), attendance (from 2,300 attendees to over 45,000) and scope (from 10 screenings to hosting over 200 films and adding nationally-recognized education programs, dozens of special events, talkbacks and panels with some of the leading voices in film today). Beyond the Festival, SFF has expanded to include year-round activities like the free outdoor Moonlight Movies series in Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Venice; Monday Night Movies at the newly restored Asolo Theater; Screenwriters' Circle; and more.

Sarasota Jungle Gardens  www.SarasotaJungleGardens.com/jungle

Sarasota Jungle Gardens is one of the oldest continuously operating attractions in the State of Florida. Open to the public in December of 1940, the “Gardens” has retained its old Florida charm and very little has changed over the past sixty-eight years. A visit to the Gardens will bring back the memories of Florida days gone by. The area’s only ZOOlogical Gardens!

South Florida Museum and Bishop Planetarium

 (941) 746-4131

The museum’s exhibits cover our local heritage from the Indians to De Soto to the Crackers who settled the region; the planetarium offers laser-lightshows and stargazing.

Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix www.SuncoastOffshore.org

This annual Festival and Super Boat Race continues to offer plenty of fun and excitement for the entire family, both on and off the water. Enjoy the free events such as Powerboats By The Bay, Festival Parade of Boats, Downtown Block Party, Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular, World Record Kilo Run, and the Grand Prix Super Boat Race.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

(941) 351-5100

For a quiet afternoon of cultural appreciation, visit the historic Ringling Museum, and view the sculpture garden, art and heritage that created the cultural foundation of our area. The Ringling’s brought much more than the circus to Sarasota -- they engendered a sense of appreciation for the arts, and the philosophy of preservation for paintings, sculpture, architecture, performance and much more. Also, enjoy the opportunity to explore The Gallery of the Circus and the CadZan, the expansive Ringling mansion.

Warm Mineral Springs

(941) 426-1692

Visitors come from around the world to take a dip in this constant 87-degree Fahrenheit spring. Dig into a little of the springs’ prehistoric past while you’re there through exhibits tracing archaeological research.

Movie Theaters

AMC Sarasota East: (941) 924-1383

Burns Court Cinema: (941) 955-3546

Cobb Parkway 8: (941) 360-6741

Frank Theaters: (941) 408-0011

Regal Hollywood 20: (941) 954-5768

SunStar Theaters: (941) 379-4660