Press Releases

2012 RINGLING INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL TO SHOWCASE VARIETY OF CONTEMPORARY PERFORMANCE IN INTIMATE THEATERS, GALLERIES, COURTYARDS

Fourth Annual Festival Runs Oct. 10-13, 2012 on Florida’s Gulf Coast at the Ringling

Sarasota, FL — May 7, 2012 — The 2012 Ringling International Arts Festival (RIAF) showcases a variety of contemporary performance, Oct. 10-13 at the Ringling Center for the Arts in Sarasota, Fla. A continuum of the Ringling Museum’s Art of our Time, the fourth annual Festival features performances of dance, music and theater in its intimate theaters, galleries and courtyards by well-known and emerging artists. RIAF is produced by Sarasota’s The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and New York’s Baryshnikov Arts Center.

“As an emerging center for the practice, study and presentation of contemporary art, the Art of Our Time, the Ringling Museum is taking bold steps to bring to Southwest Florida innovative, edgy, and dynamic works created by artists that are shaping trends in contemporary art,” remarked Steven High, executive director of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. “RIAF is a community celebration where audiences have the opportunity to experience the best artistic talent in the world. This year’s RIAF lineup shapes up to be exciting.”

RIAF’s Opening Night on Wed., Oct. 10 features the Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) with MMDG Music Ensemble. Internationally hailed its ingenuity, humor, and commitment to eclectic live music, the Mark Morris Dance Group is one of the world’s leading dance companies, performing across the U.S. and at major festivals around the globe. Their rhythmic production stretches from joyful to bombastic to peaceful. Their will be a reception followed by MMDG’s performance, which starts at 7 p.m. in the Mertz Theatre. A dinner with RIAF artists in the Ringling Museum galleries caps the night’s festivities. This exclusive event is a fundraiser for the Ringling. Ticket price to be announced.
MMDG returns to the Festival stage again Thurs., Oct. 11 at 5 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m.; and Sat., Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. in the Mertz Theatre. Tickets: $50, $40 and $30. 75 minutes.
Shantala Shivalingappa, who was born in India and reared in Paris, dances in the classical Southern Indian tradition of third-century B.C. Kuchipudi, marrying a fierce precision, sensual flowing lines and deft intricate footwork. 60 minutes. Show times: Thurs., Oct. 11 at 8 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 12 at 5:00 p.m.; and Sat., Oct. 13 at 5:00 p.m. in the Historic Asolo Theater. Tickets: $45, $35 and $25.
The Pig Iron Theatre Company with their OBIE-winning blend of vaudeville, neuroscience, and fractured storytelling collaborates with Chelfitsch’s Toshiki Okada to present a new work of contemporary performance about re-reading Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, moving out of Tokyo, and a national scandal. A funny, elusive, unusual work of autobiography. Approx. 80 minutes. Show times: Thurs., Oct. 11 at 8:00 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 12 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; as well as Sat., Oct. 13 at 5:00 p.m. in the Cook Theatre. Tickets: $45 and $35.
Ensemble Basiani (the Folk Ensemble of the Georgian Patriarchy) from the Tbilisi Holy Trinity Cathedral choir from the Republic of Georgia come the polyphonic harmonies and complex rhythmic patterns of traditional folk music and chants that sound like the work of modern-day experimental composers. Their performance at the Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center in 2010 received critical acclaim. 60 minutes. Show times: Thurs., Oct. 11 at 5:00 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 12 at 8:00 p.m.; and Sat., Oct. 13 at 2:00 p.m. at the Historic Asolo Theater. Tickets: $45; $35; $25.
Adam Tendler, the 2012 American Pianists Association Classical Fellowship Nominee, performs from memory John Cage's complete Sonatas and Interludes in honor of the composer's centenary. Celebrated for his uncompromising recital programming, unapologetic literary voice, and bold original compositions, Tendler has presented lecture-recitals of modern American music to underserved communities in all fifty states. Skyspace sunset light program at approximately 7:00 p.m. followed by concert at 8 p.m. in Joseph’s Coat. Thurs., Oct. 11. Tickets: $35.
Phyllis Chen, the highly acclaimed pianist, toy pianist and multimedia artist performs original multimedia compositions and works by contemporary composers. Praised by the New York Times for her “delightful quirkiness matched with interpretive sensitivity,” Phyllis is one of the founding members of ICE (International Contemporary Ensemble), a Chicago and New York-based collective. She has performed a variety of concerts and festivals, such as the Chicago World Music Festival and Lotus World Music Festival. Skyspace sunset light program at approximately 7 p.m. followed by concert at 8 p.m. in Joseph’s Coat. Fri., Oct. 12. Tickets: $35.

RIAF is also screening its first “Festival Film Series”. Tickets: $10 per film.
Carmen and Geoffrey, two living legends of American dance, are the subjects of this documentary by Linda Atkinson and Nick Doob. Carmen de Lavallade and Geoffrey Holder helped energize the world of modern dance in the 1950’s and 1960’s. The film contains interviews and dance performances with Alvin Ailey, Herbert Ross, Lester Horton, Joe Layton, Duke Ellington and Josephine Baker. 80 minutes. Show time: Thurs., Oct. 11 at 2:00 p.m. in the Historic Asolo Theater.
Joseph Brodsky: In the Prison of Latitudes, a documentary film directed by Jan Andrews is about Nobel Prize-winning Russian poet and essayist Joseph Brodsky. Interviews, cityscapes, and audio of Brodsky reciting his own work create an homage to one of the 20th century’s great literary talents. 60 minutes. Show time: Friday, Oct. 12 at 2:00 p.m. in the Historic Asolo Theater.
Labryinth Within and the Florida premiere screening of a new dance-on-film project to be announced at a later date. A haunting take on jealousy, Labryinth Within posits a man, a woman, and an elusive lover in a series of intense pas de deux. Danced to a score by Pulitzer Prize winning composer David Lang, the work features New York City Ballet principal Wendy Whelan, Giovanni Bucchieri and Pontus Lidberg, who also directed the film. 90 minutes for both films. Show time: Sat., Oct. 13 at 5:00 p.m. in the Mertz Theatre.

Jazz on the Bay returns from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 11 and Friday, Oct. 12. Tickets: $10 adults; $5 children age 6-17; no charge for children age 5 and under, as well as Museum members. Free with the purchase of a ticket to any Festival production on Thursday or Friday.
In the company of 2012 RIAF artists The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, the world-famous New Orleans music machine, closes RIAF with a high octane concert of genre-bending romps. Sat., Oct. 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Museum of Art Courtyard. Tickets: $75 for Ringling Members and $85 for Non-Members.

The Ringling is offering a 20 percent discount for Ringling Members -- or -- a 10 percent discount for Non-Members who buy a Festival ticket before June 30, 2012. A ticket package to all RIAF performances (includes the closing event, but not opening night), for Ringling Members is $296 if purchased before June 30, 2012 -- or -- $333 after July 1, 2012. A Non-Members package is $333 if purchased before June 30, 2012 -- or -- $370 after July 1, 2012. To purchase tickets, call the Historic Asolo Theater Box Office at 941.360.7399 or visit www.ringlingartsfestival.org

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