In 1999, FSU organized an arts festival, "Tallahassee: Seven Days of Opening Nights" featuring campus productions and distinguished guest performances including: The Canadian Brass with Florida State University’s Symphony Orchestra; Danny Glover and Felix Justice in "An Evening with Langston and Martin;" Garth Fagan Dance; the regional film premiere of "Rose's;" and "Trials and Tributes: A Judy Chicago Retrospective."

The festival continued in 2000 bringing in the Billy Taylor Trio with William Warfield, author John Updike, Doug Varone and Dancers, Claire Bloom, Davis Gaines, and a special screening of "The Red Violin."

Plans are in place for 2001 and the Seven Days festival will be held February 16th to 25th. The 2001 festival will bring Hal Holbrook, Denyce Graves, Suzanne Farrell and others outstanding performers to Tallahassee.

The FSU circus is set up to provide performances away from the FSU campus in Tallahassee and, routinely travels to various sites throughout Florida and the southeastern United States. The relationship with the Ringling Center and the FSU circus could provide the opportunity to host special events on the Sarasota grounds under our Big Top circus tent and provide circus entertainment for diverse events.

If there is interest and financial support in the Sarasota community, it may be possible to schedule some of the performers from the Tallahassee festival for Sarasota appearances. Sarasota is fortunate to have the landmark Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, host to outstanding performing artists and the source of important education and community outreach. It is possible that mutually beneficial opportunities could be created through discussions between Van Wezel and the Ringling Center.

It is also desirable to consider scheduling meetings of Florida State University supporters, alumni, and boosters at the FSU Ringling Center and to consider using the facilities there to enhance student recruitment. We should consider scheduling a major event at the Ringling to mark Florida State University’s l50 anniversary in 2001, such as a President's Ball.

The organizational relationship will also allow Ringling to have a greater presence in the state capital. Ringling’s annual visits to the Legislature will be enhanced through collaboration with FSU’s special events staff and a wide range of facilities will be available.

The association will also mean that FSU’s skilled government affairs staff will be available to assist with issues of importance to the Ringling and a number of special events -- such as legislative weekends during the football season -- will include Ringling board members and staff.