Will return. A town…read morewith 54,842 residents, their ballet company is quite exceptional. Although they perform at various sites, including their Opera House, this venue, next to Ringling Museum, is their main home. Many patrons do dress up for the occasion. This ballet company was founded in 1987 by dancer Jean Weidner-Goldstein (Your observer; Tribune). The current director Iain Webb (1959-) was once a dancer, started out with Royal Ballet (1931-) of UK. Tonight's performance P4 Quintessential has three individual segments: Rococo Variations | Choreography by Renato Paroni | Music by Tchaikovsky Brandenburgs | Choreography by Paul Taylor | Music by Bach World Premiere | Choreography by Gemma Bond | Music by Rachmaninov Modern ballet with classical music - a good combo. The Tchaikovsky piece is in light blue tutu; the second and the third are modern costume, skimpy skintight. I enjoyed the first two, especially the second one by Rachmaninov. Reportedly many come to see the third. Oh well, I'm not a Bach fan -:) Rachmaninov's music sounds tumultuous, struggles, pathos but this ballet interpretation is beautiful and well done. I also like their costume the best, simple clean line is aesthetically pleasing. All dancers are more or less of the same physique, with good skill. I don't really follow ballet but saw Misty Copeland once. No one in this ballet company is of Misty Copeland's fame but the dancers are very enjoyable to watch. Out of curiosity, I googled the following annual budget: $102m The New York City Ballet's (NYCB) 2024 $45m The American Ballet Theatre (ABT) where Copeland dances $9m Sarasota ... oh well - someone is doing well with less

The Sarasota Ballet is a treasure which delights with every fresh viewing. The venue is gorgeous…read moreand offers wonderful sight lines from a variety of seats. I am from out of state and always enjoy coming here when I am in town. Most recently I went to see the Mark Morris Dance Group show which included his works Pacific, Ten Suggestions, Candleflowerdance, and Going Away Party. All four pieces were exquisitely done and evocative in vastly different ways. The dancers were top notch. I especially was moved by Candleflowerdance. The performances here stay with you for a long time. I found the audience here to be respectful and quiet. That is always a pleasant occurence in public art spaces. Well recommended. Sarasota should be proud of their amazing arts offerings.

Stage Door IS THE PINNACLE of dance in Sarasota. The word that comes to mind is "EXCELLENCE." My…read morechildren attend hip hop and mini flip hop classes at Stage Door. Their teachers are kind and patient. The staff in the front office is very helpful l, courteous and welcoming. The staff's professionalism is unparalleled. Upon spending any time at the facility, it will be evident that Stage Door Studios is a well-oiled machine. The viewing area is perfect for parents & families wanting to spectate. It is ample space with comfortable seating and screens for viewing dancers working hard and having fun in each studio. There is also a thoughtful children's area with child-friendly furniture and a tv showing children's programs. Every aspect of our experience thus far seems to have been carefully curated to cater to the comfort and enhance the enjoyment of the entire family. We LOVE Stage Door!

My children danced at Stage Door for 6 years (first recreationally and then competitively) and…read moreloved it for a long time. But 3 years into dancing for one of their competitive teams, my children were kicked out of the studio with just a month left to go in the season. They were unable to perform at recital, or at their final competition, and 3 months later the studio has still not refunded the money I paid for services unrendered (summer classes, a convention, unused recital costumes etc) and they will not respond to my emails. The reason for dismissing my 1st and 4th graders? I took them to a private lesson at another studio for additional training and the owner didn't like that. Dancers as young as 5-6 years old are made to sign a contract if they want to dance at competitions with the team. Initially I didn't think much of this but by the third year (and as my second daughter was entering the youngest competition team) I started to have concerns about the stifling nature of it. Essentially, I walked into Stage Door with a 4 year old child in 2016, and before I knew it I was locked into some kind of situation where they would be penalized for even looking at other studios . (By the way, I didn't sign the contract last year but they held me to it anyway.) We stayed a couple years longer than we should have because the kids made friends and didn't want to leave them. If it weren't for that we would have left sooner. As things often do, it all worked out for the best. My girls and some of their previous teammates have found a new studio which they absolutely love and I'm confident that this new studio has their best interests at heart. I'm so excited for their future in dance and it's a relief to know they're training with adults who care about them. Stage Door is a large studio that shows well. It's big, offers a lot of class times for young kids and when you aren't yet enmeshed in the dance world you don't see the red flags. I certainly didn't. My advice, if you're looking for a dance studio, is to sit down with the studio owner and really find out what they're all about. Ask questions. Talk to parents of older kids. Talk to the studio owner at length. I probably talked to the studio owner at Stage Door for less than 20 minutes combined in 6 years. At our new studio, I've talked to the studio owner for hours on end and we've only been there a few months. It's night and day. Just do your homework.

This is my first opera since moving down here from NYC 11 years ago. In tonight's case, we have…read moretickets for Il Trovatore (Giuseppe Verdi). Even though downtown Sarasota is a total conglomeration of small and poorly laid out streets, it was easy to get here. I lucked out and found a spot on Central Ave right around the corner. Just $2 to park until 8pm, after which it's "free parking," to borrow a phrase from Monopoly. They refurbished this place not so long ago so it's quite nice in the auditorium itself. It kinda has a Spanish colonial feel both inside and outside. When I hear "opera house," I think of the Metropolitan Opera House and Lincoln Center. This place is quite small and more closely resembles a theatre where one would expect to see "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" or "Hello Dolly." I purchased orchestra box seats, which come 4 to a box, two rows per box. No one right near us but two couples front of us in the next box forward. I'm tall enough to have seen over Madame Blue Hair, so I had to switch seats with my dear Queen Bee. Sight lines could be better, IMHO. Meantime, I even received a personalized thank you letter from the Opera House "Powers That Be" upon entering our "box." Two free drinks were ours for the taking..."does not include spirits." Still a nice touch though. Free Diet Pepsi/Coke awaits us in the future! Woo Hoo!! Acoustics seemed okay rather than too loud, too muffled or too tinny. As I said above, sight lines are rather mediocre but at least one isn't totally packed in like a tin of sardines. Both our seats (stand alone moveable chairs) and standard row seating seem comfortable enough.

Stopped into this hundred year-old historic Opera House in the arts district of Sarasota. The…read moreSarasota Opera House is a historic, beautifully renovated 1,119-seat theater in downtown Sarasota, known for hosting opera, ballet, concerts & film festivals. Originally opened in 1926 as the Edwards Theatre, it features a restored auditorium with excellent acoustics and is part of a larger complex that includes a pavilion for events. The venue is on the National Register of Historic Places and offers a variety of performance and event spaces.

Mr. Colton Gannon & Ms. Maddy are phenomenal dance teachers at the newly renovated Dynasty Dance…read moreClub Venice. Colton has been teaching my daughter who suffers from Epilepsy for over 10 years. He has opened a whole New World of dance, exercise, and the ability to meet new friends. Not only has she learned new dance skills, but her confidence has increased drastically. They offer a variety of Ballroom dance styles, such as latin, rhythm, & smooth in addition to private lessons for competition, weddings, and for enjoyment. Ms. Maddy also teaches classes for children, teens, adults & persons with special needs! An extra plus is Mr. Colton and Maddy also offer dance experiences in the community such as dancing at Wellen Park or a latin night out on the town. Their love of dance and compassion for their students is what makes them so special. So if you're looking for a new hobby, a place where you feel like you belong, and would like to learn or increase your dance skills then Dynasty Dance Clubs Venice is the place for you!

I absolutely love learning at Dynasty Dance Studio! I've taken lessons at other studios over the…read moreyears, but this one is truly something special. From day one, I felt comfortable, welcomed, and never intimidated. The private setting creates such a positive environment where you can relax, have fun, and really focus on learning. I've been taking Salsa, Bachata, and Rumba with Colton, and he has been an amazing instructor. He's patient, encouraging, incredibly skilled, and knows how to make every lesson enjoyable while helping you improve. He meets you where you are and builds your confidence every step of the way. One of the things I appreciate most is that I'm not just learning steps--I'm learning how to actually dance socially. It's been so rewarding to go out dancing and realize I can use what I've learned in class with confidence. If you're thinking about learning to dance, whether you're a complete beginner or have danced before, I can't recommend Dynasty Dance Studio and Colton enough. It's one of the best decisions I've made, and I'm having an absolute blast!

Sailor Circus Academy started in 1949 and is now a top circus training program. The venue is very…read morenice, the inside of the building really gives you a circus tent feeling. 3 times a year they have a show. The spring show we visited was called "Victorious " and it was super. Lights, music, 2 very good announcers made it a spectacular show. It was 2 hours of fun and excitement. I will let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

I last went to the Sailor Circus about 50 years ago. It was great to get to go again. There are…read moreperformances only 3 days, Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. and a matinee and evening performance on Saturday. The circus performers are kids! Their ages range from 6-18. It is truly amazing what these youngsters are capable of doing. Not only are they doing many of the typical acts one associates with the circus(tightrope walking, juggling, aerials, unicycle and bicycling feats, high flying on trapezes), but they are incredibly strong. Both the boys and the girls are able to swing from trapeze bars and hold on to other performers who spin and twirl high above the circus floor or catch a performer flying through the air. The boy who pedaled the bike was strong enough to carry 5 other performers who did handstands while in motion. It's a wonderful show put on by school children. Bright costumes and great music! The show is 2 1/2 hours, including a brief intermission.

Totally sucked it's not a circus and not a music concert the sound totally sucked for an orchestra…read moreperformance. The few acts were lame Total rip off for the amount of money they charge. No butter for the popcorn BYO

Circus performance at the tent next to the University Town Center Mall organize by the Circus Arts…read moreConservatory of Sarasota. The performance by the season artist who are the winner of many circus honorary. This circus include an orchestra, chorale, and the performer. The orchestra is awesome to attached to the circus. The chorale team also is very good. However the circus act did not impress me. The are momentum build up but not follow with wow factor act. I between the show, there are too many not interesting section or keep up the beat of the show. Lost my interest in many moment. Overall they have a good portable bathroom. They are good and clean. This cuscus has only two shows. It is good for the community and people to spent their time with family.

If you are looking for a place to dance and to become part of a dynamic dance community then…read moreDynasty Dance Clubs is the place for you! The instructors are exceptional and award winning competitors themselves. My daughter is a part of the special needs dance program going on eight years now. She has blossomed into a happy confident dancer under the guidance of both Sarah & Colton. There are many opportunities to participate and use your dance skills all while making new friends. So come on out and give it a try. You will be happy you did.

My daughter has been dancing here since she was barely 4 and she's now almost 10! she takes a…read morevariety of dance from ballet to ballroom, jazz, hip hop, acro and tap. she loves the classes and all of the instructors!

September 20, 2024 - two attending - Even after 75 years the magic must still be in the air and the…read morearea!!! The main theatre was ravaged and destroyed in Hurricane IAN so they are trying to rebuild and get back to normal - so while you buy tickets and attending you are helping out as well. (If you are not local i am sure they will take a check or card for no seat!! Give 'em a call) https://mailchi.mp/venicetheatre/opening-weekend-tickets-available?e=64b049ba14 REALLY enjoyed this clever & witty play with some very comical and talented characters and actors! Giving it 5 stars here but also a ZERO on the Daddy Z Meter. That is the best score since I did NOT nod off or fall asleep once because this was engaging throughout and really kept my attention and had me laughing!! BRAVO! (cross posting Yelp, Google, etc etc)

I love this place but their projectors' for the movies are very very dim. The stair lights may be…read morebrighter