Sarasota Rising to Host Inaugural Living Arts Festival

October 29, 2024 | Sarasota

Sarasota Rising, the nonprofit arts organization producing the Living Arts Festival – Sarasota, will host their inaugural week-long celebration starting Friday, Nov. 8 to highlight the power of visual arts, music, theater, dance, and more.

In the wake of the devastating impacts from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the festival will also serve as a testament to how the arts can foster unity and inspire hope.

According to Sarasota Rising Executive Director Jeffery Kin, the festival will offer a space for reflection, healing, and reconnection, allowing residents and visitors alike to celebrate the power of collective resilience.

“Art has always been at the heart of Sarasota, but this year, it’s more than that, it’s a symbol of resilience and hope,” Kin said. “The Living Arts Festival will serve as a reminder that no matter what challenges we face we can come together as a community through creativity and expression. It will highlight the role of creativity in healing, and most importantly, fostering connections in the face adversity.”

Festival events will take place Nov. 10-17, 2024, with pre-festivities beginning Nov. 8. The lineup includes:

Pre-Festival Events:

Friday, Nov. 8th – The Living Arts Festival Fete 5:30- 7 p.m.

An exciting pre-festival party at Art Ovation Hotel with bites and beverages. This event offers a rare ‘behind the scenes’ glimpse into the festival, the performing arts and culinary arts. Have you ever wondered how this amazing festival started? Step into ‘the room where it happens’ and be part of the magic! Enjoy live performances by Azara Ballet, The Indigenous Dance Troupe and Kathryn Parks! Tickets are available for $100.00 at https://www.eventeny.com/events/ticket/?id=13820

Friday, Nov. 8th – A World of Entertainment– Opening Party!

The Living Arts Festival officially begins with this FREE eclectic opening night party. In the lobby of Art Ovation Hotel experience a global perspective of our incredible arts and culture offerings.

Officially titled “A World of Entertainment,” the opening night party is a fusion of international and local arts. Imagine the world-class Chalk Festival on the streets below and music from Renesito, a one-man Cuban band that will set the tone for world-class entertainment at our doorstep.

With the support of their generous donors, they present a glimpse of the unbelievable week of arts programming, from theater and dance to fine art and music, all with an inclusive world beat. Enjoy LIVE performances by: Sarasota Jewish Theater, Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota, a premiere dance performance by Tania Vergara’s Endedans Contemporary Ballet and more!

Main Events:

Saturday, Nov. 9th – It’s Rise and Shine Saturday!

This family-focused FREE arts exposition at the civic green near the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium brings all of our cultural and creative families together with the explicit goal of fostering arts engagement among our area youth. Both indoor and outdoor stages proudly provide opportunities for our area schools and local educational organizations to place their unique energy on a stage for the world to see.

Area dance schools, performing arts schools, and our area public and private schools will be working, playing, and growing together featuring students from the Ovation School of Musical Theater, Booker Middle School, Rowlett Elementary, Jump Dance, Manatee School for the Arts and more!

The performing arts aren’t the only shining star. Hands-on mask making, creative drawing, Improv workshops, acting classes, and an opportunity to own an original piece of art from an area artist at our 5X5$5 event. This day is all about learning and growing, emphasizing children of all ages and from all backgrounds, with arts and crafts and performances happening all day long!

Thursday, Nov. 14th – All Roads Lead to Venice

The festival hops over to the neighboring city of Venice, where arts groups takeover downtown with an area-wide celebration of the arts at bars, restaurants, and hotels for pop-up visual arts exhibitions, impromptu street performances, and a collaborative spirit.

Friday, Nov. 15th

Discover unique pop-up surprises and ‘happenings’ to help celebrate downtown with live acts, food, and spirits, bringing the arts to the streets.

Saturday, Nov. 16th – Arts Roulette

All day long, the Sarasota Rising team will be out and about, letting members of the community spin the wheel to win tickets to the many organizations participating in the festival, and giving them the opportunity to experience the living arts.

Saturday, Nov. 16th – Clowns Like Me

Art comes in many shapes and sizes and we are very proud that the folks at Lifeline Productions are helping the festival with a special film premiere. “Clowns Like Me” is a

one-man show by local actor Scott Ehrenprise telling the heartfelt story of his struggle with mental illness…in the most comical of ways.

Thank you to friends at Burns Court Cinema for hosting this 10 a.m. showing of the taping of the Off-Broadway production. Tickets are $25, and the proceeds for this event come right back to support the Living Arts Festival. An informal talkback with the actor will be moderated after the film.

Tickets are available at https://www.eventeny.com/events/ticket/?id=14921.