SARASOTA (WSNN) – Musicians are getting back into the groove, performing on stage again in one of the top performance venues on the Suncoast.
“Musicians, especially in this country aren’t what anyone really cares about when things are falling apart, so it was ok for a while, but now it’s like kind of being forced back into work, whether we want to or not if we want to eat,” Guitarist of Ariella, Nicolaas Kraster said.
The Sarasota jazz duo, Ariella, is headlining in Van Wezel’s second Cabaret by the Bay series this weekend. It’s one of their first live in-person performances since March.
A duo offering everything from show tunes, soul, jazz, blues, and even disco.
“It’s kind of a new emotion of being relieved and terrified at the same time,” Singer, Ariella McManus said.
Brought about by performance and COVID jitters.
“That’s a little bit of an extra weight, it’s not just about the music anymore, it’s about the ‘holy crap, I hope everyone is staying safe and enjoying the music,” McManus said.
The Van Wezel is offering flexibility for audience members.
“People can expect a completely choreographed, professionally edited concert,” The New York Gilbert and Sullivan’s Executive Director and Principal Bass, David Wannen said. “It’s not just the standard, well the now standard, zoom boxes of faces statically doing something for the screen.”
The New York Gilbert and Sullivan is offering a virtual show for the Suncoast. Seven performers are singing 17 numbers in the hour-long concert, called ‘I Have a Song to Sing, O!’
Wannen says they’ve found the musical pieces they offer are really successful across the lens.
“It’s all about facial expressions and communicating what you’re singing about, so that stuff works really well for the camera, because you’re taking it right to people’s living rooms, and they can really catch the words and see the performers up close,” Wannen said.
As you watch the show, through the virtual platform, you can chat in real-time with the performers.
“When you have a challenge, creativity is the best survival tool,” Wannen said.
Adapt and overcome the challenges.
“The arts heal, there’s no doubt about that,” Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall public relations, Natasha Herrera said.
The Cabaret by The Bay show for Friday and Saturday is sold out. But, the virtual concert on Saturday has an unlimited viewing number.
You can get tickets for the show virtual concert, ‘I Have a Song to Sing, O!’ here.
