Ringling International Arts Festival 2017 opens with ‘WANTED’

Every year, many of the world’s most unique performing arts acts convene on the estate of one of the biggest names in American entertainment.

The 2017 Ringling International Arts Festival kicked off Oct. 18 in the museum’s west courtyard with one such group, brothers Andrea and Luca Piallini of Italy. The acrobatic duo, known as eVenti Verticali, performed “WANTED,” which combines theater, dance, music, circus and graphic arts to tell a tale of two criminals on the loose.

While suspended high above the crowd in harnesses, the Piallinis were transformed into ‘80s-style video game characters as they ran through various scenes — through tunnels, off tall buildings, etc. — projected onto the vertical screen they use as their stage.

The performance drew a large crowd of art-lovers who began their night with refreshments, light bites and music provided by DJ Imminent.

Guests also got to relive their childhood glory days with classic arcade-style video games such as Pac-Man and Mortal Kombat.

Many who weren’t interested in the games still went along with the theme by stepping into the green-screen photo booth, which transformed guests into video game characters.