Arts, cultural events find home on Anna Maria Island again this fall
Though our islands are well-known for their pristine beaches, world-class dining and laid-back atmosphere, throughout the year -- and especially in the fall -- they are also home to some of the best arts and cultural events on Florida's West Coast. As they quickly approach, I want to take the opportunity to highlight these signature events which bring Bradenton Area visitors and residents out to our islands to enjoy far more than the sun and sand.
The second weekend in November will again bring with it three unique events showcasing the best of the Bradenton Area and providing ample time to enjoy it.
Nov. 13-15, Anna Maria Island will celebrate its ninth annual ArtsHOP weekend, a three-day arts and cultural celebration that includes ArtWalks through downtown Holmes Beach and Anna Maria. It features hundreds of original works created by talented local artists (providing the perfect opportunity to take home a one-of-kind work of art) and original food creations from our area's top chefs. This year's event will also include performances by The Island Players at their historic theater, an outdoor Arts and Crafts Festival to benefit Anna Maria Island Butterfly Park and will also incorporate the third annual Symphony on the Sand.
Nov. 14 at 4:30 p.m., Symphony on the Sand will return to Coquina Beach and provide ticket holders the opportunity to enjoy the award-winning Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra (a 45-piece orchestra) while watching the sunset, enjoying complimentary wine and beer, and feasting on delicacies from the area's top restaurants including: Anna Maria Oyster Bar, Beach House Restaurant, Coquina Cafe and the Lazy Lobster. The 2015 event features a full orchestra, chorus and professional soloists performing the sounds of Broadway, classical music and American classics.
Also held in conjunction with ArtsHOP and Symphony on the Sand on Nov. 14 at 9 a.m. (for those looking to build or marvel at unique works of art created using one of our islands' top assets), Sandblast is an annual sand-sculpting competition taking place along the shores of Coquina Beach in support of Keep Manatee Beautiful, a group dedicated to litter prevention, beautification and environmental improvement throughout the county. The event also offers free clinics taught by master sculptors Team Sandtastic.
ArtsHOP, Symphony on the Sand and Sand
blast are just a few of the many arts and cultural events taking place year-round throughout the Bradenton area. Recently listed by "American Style" as one of the nation's top 10 small cities for art, our area continues to draw those seeking opportunities to be inspired and enriched. And, the next few weeks will provide many opportunities to do so. I hope to see some familiar faces out, taking advantage of having these events in our own (beautiful) backyard.
For information about these events visit:
islandartshop.com
manateebeautiful.com
symphonyonthesand.com
Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, can be reached at Elliott.Falcione@BACVB.com or 941-729-9177 ext. 222
This story was originally published October 11, 2015 at 10:03 PM with the headline "Arts, cultural events find home on Anna Maria Island again this fall ."