Sarasota Rising hosts third Living Arts Festival
Local teenagers compete for cash prizes in a talent show that serves as a gateway to a week of free and ticketed performances across the Suncoast.
By Alessia Desai ·
The third annual Living Arts Festival kicks off in Sarasota, Florida, on Sunday, November 8, with a free opening celebration at the Art Ovation Hotel. The event runs through November 15 and is organized by Sarasota Rising. It features music, dance, theater, and other live performances across the region.
Sarasota Rising aims to connect the community with the various arts organizations that define the local Cultural Coast. The festival serves as a platform for local talent while encouraging residents to support these groups. Jeffrey Kinn, the executive director of Sarasota Rising, stated that the goal is to build a larger table where all these organizations work together.
A central component of the festival is the Rising Stars talent competition. This contest includes participants from children to adults. Preliminary auditions determined the finalists who will perform this week. The top four winners will receive trophies and cash prizes. Those winners will also perform again during the Rise and Shine Saturday celebration on November 14.
Two high school students from the area are finalists in the competition. Tayla Wright, a sophomore at Riverview High School, has been performing since second grade. She said she wants to be on Broadway and thinks that would be awesome. Avery Ramsaier, a junior at Parrish Community High School, began singing in elementary school and discovered musical theater in seventh grade. She stated that her goal is to work in the musical theater industry and strive to be on Broadway.
The Rising Stars competition is scheduled for Monday, November 9, at Pine Shores Presbyterian Church. Linda Carson serves as one of the judges for the event. The competition offers young performers a chance to present their skills to an audience and potentially advance their careers in the arts.
Kinn noted that creating opportunities for youth is one of the most rewarding aspects of the festival. He explained that the talent competition was created to provide more opportunities for young people. He believes that performing helps build confidence, develop creativity, and teach skills that last a lifetime.
The festival includes four main events. After the opening on November 8, the Rising Stars competition takes place on November 9. The Rise and Shine Saturday celebration occurs on November 14 at the Civic Green near the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. The final event is a ticketed closing ceremony at the Sarasota Art Museum on November 15.
Organizers expect at least 100 performers to participate throughout the week. These artists will showcase singing, dancing, and other forms of artistic expression. Wright and Ramsaier view the experience as a way to connect with an audience and share their passion. Wright described the feeling of giving something to others as really special.
Residents can find a complete schedule of events and ticket information on the Sarasota Rising website. The festival provides a structured week for the community to engage with local artists and support the region's cultural sector.
