Sarasota, FL — November 17, 2010 — The John and Mable Ringling Museum will host a variety of holiday events designed to make the season bright for visitors. This year’s festivities include dance, music and food. It kicks off with Holiday Splendor on Dec. 2, Deck the Halls on Dec. 3 -- new this year -- and concludes with Holiday Swing on Dec. 9.
“It is a special time of year at the Ringling Museum and we have a number of events planned that we anticipate will bring joy to children of all ages, as well as benefit the community and the Museum,” said T. Marshall Rousseau, interim director. “We encourage the Sarasota/Manatee community, snowbirds and our out-of-town guests to come out and enjoy the Museum grounds decked in festive holiday lights and decorations, as well as our live entertainment performed by local organizations.”
Holiday Splendor at the Ringling Estate: Thurs., Dec. 2, 6-9 p.m.
On Thursday, December 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. the Ringling Museum will feature Holiday Splendor. This event celebrates the sounds of the holidays and benefits the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots of Sarasota and Manatee Counties. School groups from Sarasota and Manatee County will perform holiday classics in the festively decorated Museum of Art Courtyard, as well as The Bolger Campiello by the Ca’ d’Zan all a glow with luminaries. Last year, the Museum collected more than 1,300 toys, which were donated to grateful children in both counties. Admission is free with the donation, per person, of an unwrapped toy and to children under 5. Without a toy, it’s $10 for adults and $5 for children 6-17. All Museum venues will be open to tour, including the Ca’ d’Zan, Museum of Art, the Tibbals Learning Center and the Circus Museum. For more information, call 941-359-5700 ext. 5705.
Deck the Halls at the Ca’ d’Zan: Friday, Dec. 3, 6-9 p.m.
On Friday, December 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. the Ringling Museum has an intimate gathering planned at the Ca’ d’Zan with Deck the Halls. Designed to benefit the Ca’ d’Zan preservation fund and the Aeolian DuoArt Pipe Organ, it will feature holiday music, including carolers and a quartet. Guests will also be treated to a holiday-themed dinner, desserts like mini mousse cups flavored with cinnamon and specialty cocktails, such as a “Peppermint Martini” prepared by Treviso. One of only 30 built in the state of Florida, the Aeolian DuoArt Pipe Organ is located in the mansion’s main room referred to by the Ringlings as “The Court”. It features Gothic detailing and a two-story chamber that houses 2,289 pipes. It has a special place in Sarasota history as during the late 1920s, orchestral music filled the Ca’ d’Zan as Mable Ringling entertained her guest with her legendary concerts and musicales. Tickets are $75.00. For reservation/donation information, call 941-358-3180.
ART after 5 Courtyard Concert – Holiday Swing: Thurs., Dec. 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
On Thursday, December 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., the Ringling Museum will stage Holiday Swing featuring The DeLeon Orchestra in the Museum of Art Courtyard. The orchestra will be performing a repertoire featuring of holiday tunes like "Winter Wonderland", "Let It Snow”, as well as sing-a-long songs like "Jingle Bells", classic orchestral big band arrangements of the "Nutcracker Suite", "Sleigh Ride" and other perennial favorites. The event is designed to help with fundraising efforts to benefit the Museum’s educational programming and exhibitions. Admission is free with the purchase of an Art after 5 ticket. $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 6-17. It’s free to members. No advance or reserved ticketing is required. Food and beverages are available for purchase, no coolers are permitted. For more information, visit www.ringling.org.
General Admission includes the Ringling Museum of Art, special exhibitions, Ca d’Zan Mansion, Circus Museum, and Mable’s historic Rose Garden, all on 66 acres of lushly landscaped grounds. Adults are $25; senior citizens (65 and over) are $20; children ages 6-17 are $10. Free Admission for children 5 and under accompanied by an adult, museum members. Advance tickets are available by calling 941.358.3180. Visit www.ringling.org for more information.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Florida State University, is one of the largest museum/university complexes in the nation. It preserves the legacy of John and Mable Ringling, educating and enabling a large and diverse audience to experience and take delight in a world-renowned collection of fine art; Cà d’Zan, the Ringling historic mansion; the Circus Museum; the Original Asolo Theater; and historic architecture, courtyard, gardens and grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay.
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