The 23rd annual Manatee Festival of the Arts, an event that is becoming one of the largest in South Hillsborough, drawing local and national artists, will have a new home this year at E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin. The park, with South County’s only public beach, plenty of trees for shade and a pavilion with a stage, is becoming the center of large events in the area. Mitch Traphagen file photos.
The Manatee Festival of the Arts will kick off next week with a new home and a new focus on art beyond the traditional paint on canvas, although with a juried art show that will remain, largely, in the starring role.
The 23rd annual Manatee Festival of the Arts will take place on March 14 and 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The festival is moving to E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin this year, a beautiful setting for beautiful art and a place with South County’s only public beach, offering an incredible view of Tampa Bay as a backdrop to the talented, unique and varied artists participating in the festival.
Although the backbone of the event will be the artists, their work, and the professionally juried art show, nonstop live entertainment and an increased focus on activities for children will also take the spotlight. In addition, there will be food vendors and adult beverages to enjoy during what should be yet another beautiful Florida weekend.
Taking the stage at the pavilion at E.G. Simmons Park will be a variety of local and national acts beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday with Ed Wright, vocalist and guitarist. Wright is a regular performer at Orlando’s House of Blues and incorporates multiple styles of music in his live shows.
Artist Jin Sheng Song, with a booth that was almost immersive in his art, was one of dozens of artists who attended and participated in the juried art show during the event.
From 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. will be a performance by the front woman of a highly popular local band, Ladyhawke. Ladyhawke Light, featuring multitalented performer Victoria “Hawkes” Ginty, will provide her emotionally driven country, blues, Americana and easy-listening rock music. The local favorite and Nashville recording artist is sure to be a hit with her fans, both new and old.
From 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Resinated will take the stage with their original reggae / funk / pop music — the perfect sound for the beach. This band is fresh off a national tour, and the intimate setting of the stage at Simmons Park will allow a close up and personal experience.
On Sunday, Craig Singleton will take the stage from 11 a.m. to noon. A one-time studio owner in Nashville, Singleton can deliver nearly any style of music and is considered magic on the keyboard.
From 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wendy Rich and the Soul Shakers will perform their soul, rhythm and blues and a bit of country and country rock, all mixed in with their own original material. With a new CD recently released, this is a full band with a horn section that should not be missed.
A greyhound from the rescue organization Bay Area Greyhound Adoptions Inc. greeted visitors to last year’s Manatee Festival of the Arts. Numerous local and area organizations are expected to attend the popular event.
From 3 to 5 p.m., the Betty Fox Band will close out the festival with their blues and soul music. Described as the little girl with the big pipes, this is her second year performing at the Manatee Festival of the Arts and will provide a show you won’t want to miss.
There will also be a children’s creativity area during the festival.
Local art teacher Margit Redlawsk won the contest in providing the unique art for this year’s festival T-shirts. Last year Redlawsk was also named Elementary Art Teacher of the Year by the Hillsborough Art Education Association. Ana Rosenburg, a fourth-grade student at Apollo Beach Elementary and also a student of Redlawsk, won in the children’s t-shirt contest.
With the T-shirt art as examples, there is an emphasis on recognizing the many talented area artists. The Manatee Festival of the Arts, however, is an ever-growing regional and even national event. It has rapidly become one of South County’s largest and most anticipated events, and much of the art will have roots tracing back to Florida or created from visions of a tropical nature — art well suited whether home is Sun City Center or the chilly snow-covered climes of the Northeast.
The natural beauty at E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin will serve as a perfect backdrop to the beauty of the art that will be found at the 2015 Manatee Festival of the Arts. The event takes place March 14 and 15. Mitch Traphagen photo.
Although the venue is different this year, E.G. Simmons Park, located at 2401 19th Ave. NW in Ruskin is sure to provide the perfect setting for the offering of original, unique and beautiful art, or simply for having a good time with some great food and outstanding entertainment on a Florida weekend.
Admission is $5; children 12 and under admitted free. Separately from the festival, Hillsborough County charges a $2 per carload admission fee (up to eight people). Parking is free.
For more information and spotlights on some of the artists, visit the Manatee Festival of the Arts page on Facebook at tinyurl.com/observer-manateefest.