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My Trip Planner |
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| All Questions for Rayme Samuels |
| Back to Rayme Samuels page |
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| Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota |
| Asked by Bess Callejo on August 13, 2008 |
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Q: What is the cost for entry to the Ringling Brothers Estate and Museum?
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A: We all remember the days of going to the circus as children and being amazed by the colorful clowns, the delicate acrobats and jubilant trained animals. The Ringling Family has brought joy to the American people for decades with their elaborate and fun filled shows. What may people don’t know is that the celebrated family also has a massive estate in Sarasota that has been turned into a museum chronicling their legacy. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota is located on the grounds of the Ringling family estate. John Ringling’s wife was an avid art collector, gathering treasures from all around the country and Europe. These collections are on display year round, along with a series of global art exhibitions. There is also a comprehensive art library open to researchers, students and the public. Admission is $19 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $6 for children and students and the museum is open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information on the museum and the estate, visit www.ringling.org. Thanks for your question! |
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| | Best Arts Town |
| Asked by Debbie Reid on August 10, 2008 |
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Q: What would you say is the best arts town in Florida for an artist to live and work in?
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A: Thanks for your question! While this wasn’t an easy question to answer, my answer is Miami. Why? The news of Miami’s cultural and artistic renaissance is less than 10 years old, but so much has happened in that time. And more importantly, because of the city’s diverse cultural climate artists are not only recognized nationally, but also within international art circles. Hosting international events like Miami Art Basel, film festivals like the Miami International Film festival, and music events like the Winter Music Conference, Miami proves its merit on a global stage. In addition, the Wynwood Arts District has blossomed in the downtown area and boasts numerous galleries, boutiques and antique stores dedicated to artistry. Art and music programs at Miami Dade College, The Art Institute and the University of Miami are taught by world renowned professors and their frequent shows and exhibitions encourage large crowds. For more information on the arts and culture resources within the city, check out the Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau website here.
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| | Outdoor Music in Naples |
| Asked by lynn on August 03, 2008 |
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Q: Are there any venues in the Naples area that have live outdoor music concerts?
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A: Hi there Lynn! Naples is a wonderful city for music. The most popular venue for outdoor concerts is the Cambier Bandshell, located in the heart of Old Naples at Cambier Park at 755 Eighth Avenue. Many performing groups including the Naples Daily News Jazz Band, Naples Concert Band, Gulf Coast Big Band and others regularly put on impressive shows there. Enjoy Jazz? Every year, the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club hosts “ Summer Jazz on the Gulf,” a free concert series held on the breezy Watkins Lawn overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Taking place on Saturday per month from 7pm10pm, this event allows hotel guests and visitors the opportunity to take in sme of the best acts around. On Saturday, August 23, you can catch the Women's Blues Revue, and on September 13 the Stacey Knights Group will perform. Collier-Seminole State Park, located at 20200 East Tamiami Trail, hosts an annual Bluegrass Festival in February that serves as the largest fundraiser for the park. Along with great music, vendors sell food and wares at booths. Campers are also welcome.
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| | Christmas Weather |
| Asked by Li KW on August 02, 2008 |
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Q: What is the weather at Christmas time, is it cold with snow and what is the temperature range?
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A: Weather in Florida during the winter season varies greatly depending on the region you are visiting. South Florida maintains a milder climate throughout the winter, while Northern and Central Florida have been known to get a few snowflakes every so often. Check out www.weather.com for average temperatures for the town you plan to visit. Whatever the weather, you are bound to have an amazing trip!
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| | Small Town Arts |
| Asked by Kim Taylor on July 28, 2008 |
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Q: Hello, I am looking for a small quaint town for a girls day out. We like to shop, look at galleries, visit tea rooms etc.
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A: Hi Kim! Thanks for your question. It sounds like you and your girlfriends are ready for a true cultural adventure! The perfect local for you is Arcadia, located just east of Sarasota. Everything you are looking for can be found in this historical former railroad town located in the tranquil Peace River Valley. Visit the Arcadia Tea Room for the best finger sandwiches and warm drinks that will have you and your friends feeling refreshed and ready to devour the town’s arts & culture offerings. The next stop on your adventure should without a doubt be the Martin Art Gallery on Magnolia Street for a glimpse at spectacular local art. Shopping opportunities are also abundant, and if antiques are your passion then you will be in luck. At the corner of Oak Street and Polk Avenue you can find the old Arcadia Opera House, one of the largest collection of antiques in the town. Continue to mosey down Oak Street where you find an unbelievable range of shops and boutiques sure to fulfill your shopping dreams. For more information on this destination, check out Thomas Becnel’s story Journey to Florida's Heartland: Arcadia and the Peace River Valley. Best wishes!
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| | End of the Year Culture Travel |
| Asked by Deb on July 09, 2008 |
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Q: We're planning to visit Dec 26 to Jan 4. How can we find out what arts events are planned then? (Theater, Dance, Music) Thanks for your help and advice.
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A: Winter is a great time to visit Florida for a little sun, fun and culture! This web site is a great resource for you to begin your search for wonderful vacation activities. The region that you visit will of course influence the options that are available to you and your travel partners. My personal picks for that timeframe include: The Miccosukee Indian Arts Festival, located and hour east of Naples, is a wonderful event where you can purchase artwork created by Native American artisans, taste Native American cuisine, enjoy dance performances, catch the Miccosukee Patchwork Fashion Show and experience the Everglades on airboat rides and more. For information call (305) 223-8380 King Mango Strut, a light-hearted parody of the Orange Bowl parade down the streets Coconut Grove in Miami. Artists and locals design unbelievably creative floats and compete for top prizes. For more information check out their website.
Lastly, I’d recommend the Peace at Last Concert at Stephen Foster Culture Center State Park. Located along the banks of the Suwannee River in northern White Springs, the park hosts a New Years Eve celebration featuring a holiday bell concert and poetry readings. Check out the details here.
The best place to find out what’s going on in each region would be to check in with the city or county tourism entity or cultural arts council. Here’s a list of a few great places to start: The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau produces an amazing calendar of events for the South Florida region here. The Palm Beach County Cultural Council also puts out a great calendar at their website here. The Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau has a great offering as well here.
And of course stay tuned to my blog for more arts and culture updates and ideas. Best of luck with planning what already sounds like a wonderful vacation!
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| | Central Eastern Coast Arts & Ghosts |
| Asked by John Dowell on July 07, 2008 |
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Q: Can you recomend some "off the beaten path" arts and cultural places along the central eastern coast? Also, have you heard of any good ghost haunts in this area?
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A: Great question! You're in luck because Florida’s central eastern coast boasts a variety of unique arts offerings. Take a day to explore the historic district of Eau Galie in Melbourne, located an hour’s drive east of Orlando. Within walking distance you can enjoy the district's many restaurants, museums, antique and art galleries. The Brevard Art Museum is one of the biggest draws here and offers a variety of contemporary art exhibitions and a Museum School that offers adult and children’s courses in figure drawing, sculpture and painting. With free admission on Thursdays, the Brevard is definitely worth a visit. Nearby, the Florida Historical Society manages local treasure, the Historic Rossetter House Museum. This museum consists of the former home of colonial pioneer James Wadsworth Rossetter and accompanying gardens, the William P. Roesch House, and the Houston Family Memorial Cemetery . An exhibition inside the Rossetter House displays antiques and interesting local history. To satisfy the ghost hunter in you, stick around Daytona and check out the Daytona Beach Ghost Walk, Offering a haunting combination of science, history and folklore. Plus, proceeds from ticket sales go to support the Historic Cemetery and Preservation and Restoration project. Happy sightseeing!
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