from the executive editor
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THANKS TO OUR MANY TOP-NOTCH ARTS AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS, we have an incredible array of offerings this season that will inspire, educate and entertain, and allow us to see things we never have before. At The Ringling, storytelling unites two exhibitions from one of the world’s finest private collections of French art, while percussionist Matthew Duvall starts off New Stages, The Ringling’s contemporary performance series. A Music Man named Noah Racey starts off Asolo Rep’s 60th anniversary lineup. Remember him from Pulse? Incredible talent. Figaro saves the day in Sarasota Opera’s season opener, The Barber of Seville, while the Sarasota Youth Opera presents a revival of the charming opera, The Little Sweep. Sarasota Ballet enters its 27th season with a season of tributes featuring ballets from critically acclaimed choreographers. In Anu Tali’s last season as Music Director, Sarasota Orchestra’s season promises to deliver performances of “unsurpassed energy, passion and excellence.” The Van Wezel’s season lineup includes the legendary Bob Dylan and Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Famer Stephen Stills and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Judy Collins. Florida Studio Theatre starts its season off with a “knock ‘em dead hit musical comedy,” A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. The Players Centre for Performing Arts kicks off its 89th Broadway Season with Annie Get Your Gun. And the always innovative Manatee Performing Arts Center presents Anne of Green Gables in September. Too little space stops me from telling you more, so be sure to check out our Arts and Culture Guide in this issue, featuring season schedules for performing arts, visual arts, museums, festival and fairs and more! Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is quoted as saying: “In my own philanthropy and business endeavors, I have seen the critical role that the arts play in stimulating creativity and in developing vital communities...the arts have a crucial impact on our economy and are an important catalyst for learning, discovery, and achievement in our country.” We know that when we support the arts, we are enhancing our quality of life and investing in our community’s economic wellbeing. Sarasota County economic impact studies have determined that local arts organizations spend more than three times the national average and employ more than double the
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SARASOTA SCENE | SEPTEMBER 2018
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” - Edgar Degas
