Ringling Int'l Arts Fest 2011 lineup announced

Brooklyn Rider/Photo by Amber Darragh

Another awesomely eclectic lineup has been announced for the next edition of the Ringling International Arts Festival.

Dance, music and theater artists from Europe, North and South America will enliven the Ringling International Arts Festival, Oct. 11-16, at the Ringling Center for the Arts in Sarasota.

Eight stage productions were announced by festival organizers, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and the Baryshnikov Arts Center, at the Historic Asolo Theater on Saturday.

This year’s lineup includes Brooklyn Rider (watch live performance clip below), Colin Dunne, Doug Elkins and Friends, Meklit Hadero, Piano Foursome, Soledad Villamil Canta Tangos and Hermanos Macana, Company Stefanie Batten Bland / sbb birdlegs and The Wooster Group.

Ringling Museum of Art Courtyard

“In collaboration with the Ringling Museum, we look forward to bringing together a group of artists from the world of dance, music and theater to present creative works that reflect the expressive art forms and bold ideas of artists that have made, or are currently making, a name for themselves,” said Mikhail Baryshnikov, the artistic director of the Baryshnikov Arts Center, in a statement."

He added, “Where else but at the 2011 Ringling International Arts Festival can audiences see, just to name a few, a 21st century marching band, an authentic proponents of the Argentinean tango, a new take on Irish step dance, a rare performance of Carl Czerny's virtuosic Quatuor Concertant, as well as a ground-breakingly original interpretation of a Shakespeare play and a classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical?”

The Ringling International Arts Festival, now in its third year, resulted from a partnership between The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and New York’s Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC). Over the course of the festival, there are also art exhibitions and special events, as well as a host of activities in, and around, the grounds of the 66-acre Ringling Museum estate situated by Sarasota Bay. Previously held over four days, this year’s festival has been extended to a fifth day due to its popularity.

“The Ringling International Arts Festival has in just two short years gained a loyal following,” said Dwight Currie, Ringling Deputy Director, in a statement. “Patrons come from near and far to Sarasota/Bradenton to experience this unique festival and the talented artists who are hand picked by the Baryshnikov Arts Center to grace the charming stages and facilities around the Ringling Museum estate. We’re excited by the prospect of seeing familiar and new faces in the audience this year, watching the looks on their faces and hearing what struck a chord with them.”

Orders for multiple-performance festival passes with prime seating are now being accepted at the Historic Asolo Theater Box Office at the Ringling Museum of Art: (941) 360-7399. Tickets for:

• Four Performance Pass: All tickets $42 each ($168 for pass) / $38 each ($152 for pass) for Museum Members.
• Six Performance Pass: All tickets $40 each ($240 for pass) / $36 each ($216 for pass) for Museum Members.
• Eight Performance Pass: All tickets $38 each ($304 for pass) / $34 each ($272 for pass) for Museum Members.
• Add Opening Night to your RIAF Pass: $135 / $115 for Museum Members

Single tickets go on sale in early May.

More information on individual acts will follow.