The variety of people who live in and visit Southwest Florida is reflected in the array of artists performing at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
The Van Wezel has continued its long history of showcasing outstanding Broadway musicals, top national and international artists, prominent comedians, world-class symphony orchestras, and a fascinating blend of classical, modern, and ethnic dance.
The Van Wezel’s education program helps the venue achieve its goals by bringing in artists from outside the area to perform and give workshops at local schools. Read on for further information regarding the Van Wezel.
History of the Famous Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is committed to enriching the lives of its patrons via engaging and informative performances. In 2015, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall marked 45 years of serving the people of Sarasota with quality performances and exhibits.
The “Purple Lady” performing arts center premiered on January 5, 1970, with a staging of “Fiddler on the Roof” after construction had begun in 1968. Since then, it has served as a home for Sarasota artistic groups and foreign touring artists and a venue for entertaining plays.
The distinctive stage at the performing arts center has hosted legendary artists like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Leonard Bernstein. These kinds of performances have captivated viewers ever since the theater’s doors first opened.
In front of a sold-out crowd in 2015, Ringo Starr and his All-Star band performed for over two hours at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. The ultra-famous Beach Boys, Steve Martin, and Martin Short are a few examples of A-list performers performing at the performance arts hall in recent years. The
The Van Wezel Foundation not only provides outstanding service to the people of Sarasota and the outlying neighborhoods, but they have also contributed to providing free transportation to these concerts for local school field trips to the performing arts complex. The foundation reaches out to the local community through various educational opportunities and engaging activities and make learning more appealing to its young inhabitants.
What Does the Future of this Performing Arts Center Hold?
The projected Sarasota Performing Arts Center will feature a main stage with seating for 2,200 people, an additional performance area with seating for 300 people, and an emphasis on educational outreach. In addition, there will be several accessible public performance areas outside the building, including a Wallcast for broadcasting events from inside the building.
The 10th Street Circle in Bay Park’s northeastern corner will soon be home to a cutting-edge event space that is accessible to all, environmentally friendly, and built to withstand the effects of rising sea levels. When finished, the center will feature upgraded backstage and patron amenities.
More than 50,000 educators, students, and their families have benefited from the Foundation and Van Wezel Hall’s annual arts programming over the past 35 years. More than a million tickets have been given away to veterans, seniors, and others with modest incomes. This effort has grown to include victims of trauma, abuse, and people with mental health challenges for whom art is an outlet for expression and solace.
If you would like to catch a show in this iconic landmark, Jeanette Properties can help you land a perfect apartment or condo during your stay. Whether you want a quiet place or a beachfront house, Jennette Properties are just a call away.
Image Source: https://www.vanwezel.org/
