Magic and Grand Illusions on Stage this Summer at the Historic Asolo Theater

Sarasota, FL — May 25, 2007 — Magic and grand illusions will fill the Historic Asolo Stage at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art this summer with master illusionists, LARAF. The Ringling Museum and Circus Sarasota partner to present 36 family-friendly performances from July 23-Aug. 12, 2007.

“By partnering with the Ringling Museum, we are able to bring new kinds of entertainment to Sarasota residents and visitors to the Sarasota area,” says Pedro Reis, founder and CEO of Circus Sarasota.  “LARAF is a spectacular show that we have wanted to bring to this area for quite awhile and we are grateful for this opportunity.”

The audience will experience a blend of mystery, music, and movement with a spectacle of illusions by the magical team.  Manipulating light, objects and the surroundings to create illusions, LARAF will make objects and disappear and reappear and make humans float on air.  The LARAF illusionists, Larry Ficher and Rafael Palacio, have been performing around the world together for audiences for two decades. 

Dolly Jacobs, Circus Sarasota’s Queen of the Air, will also be part of every show.  The world-renowned aerialist is co-founder of Circus Sarasota, a non-profit organization committed to broadening the artistic contribution of circus, while raising the level and perception of the American circus to that of the other fine arts.

The performance schedule for LARAF is as follows:

• Daily Performances

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays, 11 a.m. & 3 p.m.

Saturdays, 2 p.m.

Sunday’s 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

• Saturday Evening Performances, 7 p.m.

All tickets for daytime performances are $10.  Tickets for the Saturday evening performances are $12 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.

Group rates are available and can be arranged in advance. All tickets can be purchased by calling the Historic Asolo Theater Box Office at 941.360.7399 or visitwww.ringling.org.

Opening night is Monday, July 23, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.  A special reception in the John M. McKay Visitors Pavilion will follow the performance.  Tickets for opening night are available by calling the Historic Asolo Theater Box Office at 941.360.7399.

Treviso Restaurant at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art will be open from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. for patrons wishing to enjoy a dinner before the show. 

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, in its affiliation with Florida State University, is the largest museum/university complex in the nation.  It preserves the legacy of John and Mable Ringling, educating and enabling a large and diverse audience to experience and take delight in a world-renowned collection of fine art; Cà d’Zan, the Ringling historic mansion; the Circus Museum; the Tibbals Learning Center, the Original Asolo Theater; and historic architecture, courtyard, gardens and grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay. 

 A not-for-profit performing arts educational organization, Circus Sarasota is committed to broadening the artistic contribution of circus, while raising the level and perception of the American circus to that of the other fine arts.  Circus Sarasota follows its mission of enriching, educating and entertaining the community through a unique range of human services and educational programs, as well as bringing together music, dance, visual artistry and unparalleled drama in its performances.

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General Admission includes the Ringling Museum of Art, special exhibitions, Ca' d’Zan Mansion, Circus Museum, and Mable’s historic Rose Garden, all on 66 acres of lushly landscaped grounds. Adults are $25; senior citizens (65 and over) are $20; children ages 6-17 are $5.  Free Admission for children 5 and under accompanied by an adult, museum members.  Advance tickets are available by calling 941.358.3180. Visit Ringling.org for more information.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Florida State University, is one of the largest museum/university complexes in the nation.  It preserves the legacy of John and Mable Ringling, educating and enabling a large and diverse audience to experience and take delight in a world-renowned collection of fine art; Ca' d’Zan, the Ringling historic mansion; the Circus Museums; the Original Asolo Theater; and historic architecture, courtyard, gardens and grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay.
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