Arts take spotlight

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Arts and culture will take center stage this weekend, as Lakewood Ranch hosts the seventh annual Grand Ovation event.

The street festival will run from noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 1 on Lakewood Ranch Main Street, and it will feature performances from local theater, dance and singing groups.

“We will open with the Sarasota Ballet on one stage and the Sarasota Opera on the other,” said event co-organizer Linda Gross. “We have a full schedule once again. It’s a good mix of dance, theater, community organizations and schools.

“The purpose of this event is to support, and bring to the community, the arts and not-for-profits in an atmosphere that is free and in small vignettes,” Gross said.

Performances will be featured on three stages, with new acts starting every 30 minutes. Seating is provided. Pets are allowed, but coolers are prohibited.

Nonprofits will have booths set up throughout the event, as well, to educate the public about their causes.
As part of the festival, Mote Marine Laboratory will be on site with its 40-foot “aquarium on wheels” touch tank, as well.

Lakewood Ranch Main Street will be closed to traffic during Grand Ovation.

If you go
Grand Ovation
When: Noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 1
Where: Lakewood Ranch Main Street
Details: Three stages will feature live music, dance, drama and other performances. Seating is provided. No coolers allowed.
Info: lakewoodranch.com

PARTICIPANTS
This year’s event participants include, but are not limited to:

• Circus Arts Conservatory
• Good Time Groove Band
• Lakewood Ranch High School Silver Stars Dance Team
• Lakewood Ranch High School Theatre Department
• Let’s Rock Sarasota
• Manatee Concert Band
• Musica Sacra Cantorum
• Nick Drivas
• Premier Dance Studio & Lakewood Ranch Ball Dance Club
• Sarasota Ballet
• Sarasota Chorus of the Keys
• Sarasota Dance Academy
• Sarasota Folk Club
• School of Russian Ballet
• The Players Theatre
• Turning Points — The Open Door Band

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected]