Bask in Holiday Splendor at Ringling Museum

Sarasota, FL – November 21, 2011 – The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art hosts its ninth annual Holiday Splendor benefitting the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots of Sarasota and Manatee Counties drive on Thursday, December 1, 2011 from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. Hundreds of local school children perform holiday classics in the festive looking Museum of Art Courtyard and Bolger Campiello by the Ca’ d’Zan mansion. Admission is free with a donation, per person, of an unwrapped toy and to children under 5. Without a toy, it’s $10 for adults and $5 for children 6-17. It includes the Ca’ d’Zan, Museum of Art, the Tibbals Learning Center and Circus Museum, which are all open for the occasion.

“Holiday Splendor at the Ringling Museum is a magical evening where our local school children, the community, the Museum staff and volunteers, as well U.S. Marine Corps of Sarasota and Manatee Counties all come together to lend their time and talents for such a great cause,” said Steven High, executive director of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. “This popular event, now an annual tradition at the Ringling, is in keeping with our mission to engage visitors with our collections, exhibitions, cultural programs, and the Ringling Estate.”

Last year, the Museum collected more than 1,500 toys which were donated to grateful children in both counties. More than 300 children performed. This year includes performances in the Museum of Art Courtyard by Island Village Montessori North and South Campuses; Good Shepherd Lutheran School; The Advanced Jazz Band from Electa Lee Magnet Middle School; Manatee School for the Arts "MSA Dancers"; and the Jazz Combo at Sarasota High School. 

Entertaining at the Bolger Campiello by the Ca’ d’Zan are the chorus and violin groups at Bay Haven School of Basics Plus; the boys choir at Rowlett Magnet Elementary School; the choir and violin groups at Phillippi Shores IB World School; the jazz band from Mcintosh Middle School. The drumline from Sarasota Military Academy marches their way from the Ca’ d’Zan to the Visitors Pavilion. Also, Gene Kratzman and the Museum’s Douglas Kingsley play the piano at the Ca’ d’Zan starting at 6 p.m.

A full bar and snacks will be available for cash purchase at the Ca’ Café and in the Museum of Art Courtyard. Treviso will be open for dinner.  For more information, call 941-359-5700 ext. 5705.