Grand Ovation brings the arts outdoors to Lakewood Ranch for 9th year
LAKEWOOD RANCH
For the ninth year, Grand Ovation is bringing some of the world's great art forms -- usually performed indoors at opera houses, studios and concert stages -- outdoors to Lakewood Ranch Main Street.
"It's a whole new context for what they are used to," Sam Lowry, director of audience development, said of the Sarasota Opera performers. "It gets the singers out of the opera house and into a new part of the community."
Grand Ovation begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, and features 16 performing groups, ending at 3 p.m.. It's all free.
Sarasota Opera, which is set to take the stage at noon, is expected to perform Puccini's "Musetta's Waltz" from La Boheme and Figaro's "Aria" from The Barber of Seville.
First up at 11 a.m. will be the dancers from Soul Studios in Sarasota.
"We wanted to show what is available for young people 2 to 18 years old," said Kim Wozniak, marketing manager.
Soul Studios is bringing about 20 dancers to Lakewood Ranch. They will perform a variety of dances ranging from tap to jazz and contemporary.
"They are very excited anytime they can perform like this," Wozniak said.
Mixing it up between Sarasota Opera and Soul Studios will be the Curry
Creek Cloggers.
Look for lots of diversity during the day, including the Lakewood Ranch Ballroom Dance Club, Sarasota Ballet, the Players Theatre, Let's Rock Sarasota, the Mustang Players, School of Russian Ballet and Sarasota Cuban Ballet School.
There may even be a few opportunities for the crowd to interact with performers. Brianna Pozzie and Elev8tion Nation take the stage at 2 p.m. and feature song and dance numbers from the 1950s to more recent times.
Members of the crowd will be invited onstage, said Michelle Pozzie, whose daughter, Brianna, heads up the group of young performers ages 7 to 14.
"Ovation is a lot of fun," Michelle Pozzie said.
Grand Ovation is a combination of street fair and outdoor performing arts hall, said Rachel Gray, events and promotion coordinator for Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, which is hosting the event.
Among those planning to attend is Brynne Anne Besio, chief executive officer of the South Florida Museum in Bradenton.
"I have been going to Ovation ever since it started," Besio said.
Besio will be among those setting up a table at Grand Ovation, and will be ready to introduce members of the public to South Florida Museum, Realize Bradenton and ArtCenter Manatee.
"It's a great mix of arts and culture," Besio said of Grand Ovation, which celebrate the arts, promotes local nonprofit groups, and provide plenty of music, food, and shopping for all who attend.
For more information, go to lakewoodranch.com/grandovation.
James A. Jones Jr., East Manatee reporter, can be contacted at 941-745-7053 or on Twitter @jajones1.
This story was originally published February 4, 2016 at 11:34 AM with the headline "Grand Ovation brings the arts outdoors to Lakewood Ranch for 9th year ."