Baryshnikov Arts Center and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Gear up for the inaugural Ringling International Arts Festival

October 7 – 11, 2009

New York’s Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC) and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida, put finishing touches in place for the launch of the Ringling International Arts Festival. The festival will take place throughout the Ringling Museum of Art’s 66-acre waterfront cultural estate on Sarasota Bay, October 7-11, 2009.

The Ringling International Arts Festival will celebrate its opening event with a special concert featuring renowned conductor Robert Spano, the Florida State University Symphony Orchestra, and pianist Pedja Muzijevic. The excitement continues with performances in music, theater and dance, including the U.S. premiere of Peter Brook’s Love is my sin; Ella’s Hickson’s award-winning play Eight; Elevator Repair Service in their new The Sun Also Rises, First Part (workshop premiere); the extraordinary Meow Meow in Beyond Glamour: The Absinthe Tour; a world premiere by choreographer Aszure Barton; the U.S. premiere of María Pagés’s Flamenco y Poesía; emerging dance companies Deganit Shemy & Company and OtherShore; and two chamber concerts, each featuring a new commissioned work by composer Mason Bates.

In addition to the performances, the festival will feature three major art exhibitions: Louise Fishman Among the Old Masters, Venice in the Age of Canaletto, and Path to the Paradise: The World of Buddhism. Between stage performances, museum tours, and strolls through the gardens, patrons can enjoy free performances in the Festival Café, artist talks, late evening jazz concerts, an Asian Cultural FunFest for families and more.

Mainstage Performance Schedule

All performances, with the exception of the opening night concert, are offered at multiple times over the five days. 

Single ticket prices range between $10-$30 for each of the one-hour mainstage performances in theater, music and dance, with the exception of the opening night concert. Festival subscription packages include prime seating for a choice of four, six, or eight Festival performances, as well as admission to the Ringling Museum Estate. Single tickets and subscription packages can be purchased through the Historic Asolo Theater box office at the Ringling Museum of Art: 1.800.660.4ART (4278), 941-360-7399, or at www.ringlingartsfestival.org.