International artists to perform at RIAF

International artists have been visiting Sarasota as part of the Ringling International Arts Festival since 2009. And there’s a new crop of artists on this year’s bill Oct. 10 through Oct. 13. The festival, with acts curated by a collaboration of the Baryshnikov Arts Center and The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, celebrates world dance, music and theater.

There are four events with repeating performances and a few special presentations. In addition to these exciting acts, there are three films that will be presented and two sold-out piano performances in the James Turrell Skyspace. As a celebration for the festival, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band will perform at the closing-night party.

Mark Morris Dance Group
When: 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11; 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12; and 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct 13
Where: Mertz Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
Tickets: Opening night: sold out, regular: $30 to $50
Headlining this year’s festival is Mark Morris Dance Group. The rhythmic, modern and at some points humorous dance group will perform to its eclectic house band’s music beginning at the opening-night party Oct. 10. The New York-based group, founded in 1980, has performed internationally.

Shantala Shivlingappa
When: 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11; 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12; and 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13
Where: Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota
Tickets: $25 to $45
This will be a colorful performance of classical Southern Indian dance full of complex footwork in the Kuchipudi form. The India-born Parisian is known for her impressive precision, beauty and grace.

Pig Iron Theatre Co.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11; 2 and 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12; 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18
Where: Cook Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
Tickets: $35 to $45
The Pig Iron Theatre Co. can’t be categorized. It was founded in 1995 and has performed all over the world with its daring subject matter inspired by history and biography. The Philadelphia-based group refers to itself as the “dance-clown-theater ensemble” and will be sure to offer some entertainment with its avant-garde style of performance.

Ensemble Basiani
When: 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11; 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12; 2 p.m Saturday, Oct. 13
Where: Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota
Tickets: $25 to $45
The Gregorian folk ensemble of men decked out in long black traditional gowns performs historic folk songs and chants. The group is part of the Tbilisi Holy Trinity Cathedral Church choir. In its 11 years performing, the group has held more than 200 concerts in 20 different countries.

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13
Where: The Museum of Art Courtyard, 5401 Bay Shore Road
Tickets: $85
This group will perform at the closing-night party in the Ringling Courtyard. The New Orleans-style group has been around since 1977 and incorporates funk, bebop and R&B into traditional Louisiana sounds. The group performed at the festival 28 years ago and is coming back exactly 28 years to the day. The party will feature fireworks, food and drink, all in a New Orleans theme.

James Turrell Skyspace Performances
Adam Tendler: prepared piano
When: 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11
Tickets: $35 Sold Out
This piano presentation will be entertaining and educational. Tendler is known for his lecture/recitals of American music and will be presenting John Cage’s sonatas and interludes from memory.
Phyllis Chen: toy piano
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12
Tickets: $35 Sold Out
Chen will make a toy piano sound like a professional instrument. The classical pianist has her doctorate from Indiana University. She will perform her own compositions using an unconventional technique.

Film presentations
‘Carmen and Geoffrey’
When: 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11
Where: Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota
Tickets: $10
This film, by Linda Atkinson and Nick Doob, is about two dancers, Carmen de Lavallade and Geoffrey Holder. It follows them around the world for a two-year period.

‘Joseph Brodsky’
When: 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12
Where: Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota
Tickets: $10
This film, directed by Jan Andrews, is about the Nobel Prize-winning writer Joseph Brodsky.

‘Park Avenue Armory’
When: 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13
Where: Mertz Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
Tickets: $10
This film is about the Merce Cunningham Dance Company’s final performances and celebrates the choreographer’s work.