Immerse yourself in the unique cocktail style experience of our pre-festival party, 'The Living Arts Festival Fete'. Held in the gorgeous lobby of our downtown Sarasota Host Hotel -Art Ovation! This event offers a rare 'behind the scenes' glimpse into the creation of this festival! Have you ever wondered how our festival started? Step into ‘the room where it happens’ and be part of the magic! The Festival Team will share the inner workings of the week ahead while you savor delectable bites and champagne. Don’t forget the live performances by Azara Ballet, The Indigenous Dance Troupe and Kathryn Parks! Help us elevate the arts in our region! Tickets available for $100.00. Sponsors and donors of $100.00 or more are complementary.

It’s Rise and Shine Saturday! Our family-focused FREE arts exposition at the beautiful green spaces just north of Sarasota’s own Municipal Auditorium. This all day free event brings all of our cultural and creative families together with the explicit goal of fostering arts engagement among our area youth. Our lively tents and outdoor stage 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. 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! Arts and crafts and performances all day long! Today is about learning and growing, emphasizing children of all ages and from all backgrounds. Let’s amplify the impact of the arts for the next generation of creatives and leaders.

Our Living Arts Festival officially begins with this FREE eclectic opening night party in the gorgeous lobby of our host hotel - Art Ovation! This inclusive event offers a global perspective of our incredible arts and culture offerings. Officially titled “A World of the ARTS” it's a fusion of international and local arts. Our musical guest for the evening is our favorite one man Cuban Band - Renesito. Direct from his Off-Broadway (and future Broadway production) of Lake Buena Vista Social Club. What a wonderful way to set the tone for world-class entertainment that is literally at our doorstep. With the support of our generous donors, we 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! Let’s come together to applaud the potential in all of us to elevate our cultural coast with our friends at Art Ovation Hotel.

We regret to say that this event had to be cancelled due to the devastating hurricane that pummeled Historic Spanish Point. Look for it to RISE next year as a part of our 2nd Living Arts Festival.

The week continues with an explosion of arts in our neighboring city of Venice! The city of Venice is coming together for an entire day of arts immersion. Visit incredible organizations like: The Venice Arts Center, The Downtown Association, Venice Mainstreet, the Venice Symphony and Venice Theater! We readily support their takeover of their downtown for the arts! This area-wide celebration of the arts will include area businesses by highlighting their arts groups, their individual artists, and their unique missions.

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 10:00 AM showing of the taping of the Off Broadway production. Tickets are $25.00 and the proceeds for this event come right back to support the Living Arts Festival. An informal talk back with the actor will be moderated after the film.

-What’s a festival without a closing performance, entertainment, prizes, and an incredible evening at the Circus Arts Conservatory? On the Festival's last day, we all come together and celebrate by offering an exceptional opportunity for the education wings of area arts organizations to bask in our spotlight with Sarasota Rising - Celebrating Our Youth. Imagine the stage filled with up-and-coming singers, dancers, musicians, and thrill-seeking circus acts! Students of all ages from our community come together to celebrate their passion for the arts. Imagine an arena full of students from: The Venice Symphony Youth Orchestra, Sarasota Contemporary Dance, The Cuban Ballet School, Rise Above Performing Arts, The Sarasota Youth Opera, Venice & Riverview High School Choirs, Westcoast Black Theater Troupe, The Artist Series, The Sarasota Ballet Studio Company and Trainees, Key Chorale and the Student Scholars and the acclaimed Circus Arts Conservatory. We are blessed to be giving them this opportunity to shine onstage!