To: Editor of Sarasota Herald-Tribune

October 14, 2009

From: Lyndsay White

         8844 Bloomfield Blvd.

         Sarasota, FL 34238

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 941-929-7236

 

Sarasota has done it again, with the brilliant new addition to our Cultural richness, combining all of the arts in five days of remarkable and diverse events centered around  and highlighting our Ringling Museum and Asolo Theatres, with the Ringling International Arts Festival. A lot of hard work, planning,  and coordinating went into this sensational feast for the eyes, ears and soul. First advertised last spring, I jumped on it and ordered tickets to all of the main events and was fortunate to have the best seats in the house. Talk about a 'stimulus program,' there were people of all ages,many from out of state, and from a diverse international background in attendance, and the atmosphere was electric, with audiences jumping to their feet in loud praise of the world-class performing artists.  Thanks and accolades also belong to John McKay, Bob Johnson, Baryshnikov and his BAC, FSU and all of those instrumental in bringing this to our community. As a retiree, it was refreshing to see the strong presence of young people involved and excited with the entire format, as I believe they have been conspicuously absent from the arts scene that I participate in. These will be our board members, audience and donors of the future Sarasota, as their cultural tastes will help determine, drive and energize the Sarasota Orchestra, Sarasota Opera, our many theatres, Sarasota Ballet and all of the  arts we are famous for. These same arts are the reason many of us moved here, now my friends and I are all hoping this will be an annual event as word spreads, Flamenco,contemporary dance, theatre,chamber music, jazz, Shakespeare, Cabaret, symphony...we experienced all of these, all day, for five memorable days. Bravos to all involved and my most sincere thanks! John and Mable Ringling would have been proud.

Lyndsay Pond White