The City of Venice may be taking action with proposals submitted to the the City/Airport with regard to use of the Arena site. Please read airport administrator Chris Rozansky's letter to the Mayor and Council. This link will take you to the communications between the Airport and our organization/partners.
With high hopes the Venice Circus Arts Foundation has found a potential partner to start the restoration process for a portion of the Arena site. More to come if approved.
You can and should read our profile with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. All our financials are present there from our inception.
Special Thanks to Jan Hollanbaugh for her efforts in the Giving Challenge. Our Foundation received $1,140.00 in donation during the 24 hour event. Thank you to those who donated!
The VCAFI is very happy to be participating in the Sarasota Chalk Festival 2014 in Venice. It is our hope that this International Cultural Event will become part of our City's cultural fabric, enhancing the many wonderful events our citizens already enjoy. OUR Special Thanks to the Cultural Campus, (Art Center, Community Center, City Archive, Library). Venice Main Street, Venice Farmer's Market, and of coarse the Chalk Festival Organizers, we are most happy to partner with you all.
We ask that YOU become involved in the success of this World Class event also. Please become a sponsor for this event, or at the very least please volunteer some of your time to make this a most successful new Venice event.
The VCAFI is working to secure a City permit to host "Circus" during the International Chalk Festival in Venice 2014.
We are hoping to find sponsors who will provide FREE admission for deserving local children, (as we have done in the past). You will be included in our color program passed out during all circus performances duing the Chalk Festival. Please contact us at info@venicecircusarts.com to provide sponsorship and or to volunteer for our event. November 10-17 2014. Thank you!
We are pulling out all the stops to help - Even if it means getting into drag, YIKES!!!
10 Games with CASH prizes ranging from $75 - $250.00
10 Games with Prizes valued at $100 each
50/50 Cash drawings Balloon dancers - pop a balloon and win the prize inside Circus performers at intermission Wackiest Wig Contest - Prizes awarded Jello Shots, beer and wine available Disco afterglow with dancing - Cut a rug in drag
Please come in drag. Dressed as a King or Queen drag- (Men as women, Women as men) - all in great fun. We are warned there will be some of the u
VCAFI GARAGE SALE August 23, 2014
Accepting salable items every Tuesday evenings 6-7pm From now through August 22nd.
200 Base Avenue on the Island
941-485-7675
If you have items that we could pick up please call, Thank you!
The VCAFI has worked diligently to bring about the salvation and eventual restoration of the Arena. Many people have come to our group with energy and anticipation, and very high hopes. Many have left for various reasons, most often we hear that you can't fight City Hall, or the project is just moving too slowly.
We should first and foremost evaluate WHY we should save the Arena? History is a good reason, but not the main reason. Economics is really the best reason. We have something in our City that has been here since 1960. Nowhere else in our County is a building the size of the Arena. Having a 4,500 seat facility IS the main reason to save this site. Even if we have to lose a number of seats in the Arena's current foot print, we will still be far larger than any other Arena in Sarasota County. If you compare other performing arts facilities locally we have:
The Van Wezel at 1,700 seats.
The Community Center at about 1,000 seats.
The wonderful new high School facility at 1,000 seats
The type of show that will want to use the Arena will never come to Sarasota County without it. We have been approached by Cirque Du Soile, The promoters of Germain Stadium, Showmasters, Inc. etc. People who know the value of a large venue and its potential profitability with audiences purchasing event tickets in the 3,000+ capacity. People who could assist us in bringing profitable World Class entertainment to Venice once more. We feel an entertainment/conference facility is sorely needed in our County. We could enhance and fill the void for that type of facility. Of course the City and the Airport don't want to administer such a big concession, they have their hands full with what they are doing currently. We believe they are doing a wonderful job! Look at the progress and improvements our City is undergoing, its amazing. Our organization feels that the timing is right to have the Arena make a strong comeback. We can be that venue missing in our local community.
We have tried to get there with Grants and donations, most people don't want their donations to be spend on capital improvements. Most Grant Foundations are putting money into food, shelter, utilities, eduction, medical assistance, basic necessities, etc. We have been to all of them. Gulf Coast Community Foundation awarded us a matching grant of $9,000.00 for a feasibility study to prove our contention that the Arena could make money, even the first year of operation, and it did that.
The City said our study was useless because we no longer had a building. We contend that there are many outdoor facilities around the State that make money without "being a building". Look to the Tampa fairgrounds and a huge new facility in Tallahassee. It is our understanding that the three basic improvements needed to obtain an occupancy certificate are:
1. Roofing
2. Electrical service
3. Restroom facilities
Now, if the City and Airport approve our proposal we will form an "For Profit" venture selling preferred stock for a stake in the success of this project. I can't divulge all of the specifics here but would ask you to contact us (941) 485-7675 or better yet info@venicecircusarts.com if you would like more information. We will have an investment informational kit soon for your review.
It was our hope to host our portion of the International Chalk Festival at the Arena. We are told the conditons for use of the Arena would include a roof, electricity and restrooms. Our organization will focus on those items as part of our strategy to move our project forward.
If our letters of intent are approved the Gunther Gebel building will house information about the history of the arena site and a wonderful Circus Miniature Golf attraction.
We are keeping our fingers crossed!
We need your help!
More than ever our Foundation MUST raise the necessary resources to keep our project on track with the City and Airport!
We offer many ways in which you can participate! From our "A Foot-at-a-Time" program to our "Circus Walk-of-Fame" project. PLEASE participate! If you are a Founding Ring member please consider a second donation. Every dollar counts and is fully tax deductible. Set your own amount on our website www.venicecircusarena.com Thank you!
Save a square foot, (or more) of the Arena with our 2014 Capital Campaign - " A Foot-at-a-Time" $30 individual
$60 family donation - tax deductible.
Its a win-win for the community! You will receive a deed for the squares you save. Your name or the names(s) you choose will be listed on our "Wall-of-Honor" at the restored Arena.
Could the "Walk-of-Fame" be something moveable and maybe even be represented somewhere down town? That is an idea presented to us recently and we are exploring that possibility.
COMING SOON to Honor the careers and the history created here in Venice Florida!
Leah Sherman - Collectors Gallery & Framery has our t-shirts for sale!
Thanks Leah!!! Call Us (941) 488-3029
Jessie Garner Heiny and her brother Boots Garner
grew up in Venice when their father Mr. Garner was
veterinarian to RBBB. Jessie and Boots had the
arena as their playground and eventually went off to
college to learn a trade. They are back now and
helping us "Save the historic Venice Circus Arena"
I love a story with a happy ending!
Cross Streets: Near the intersection of Tamiami Trl S and Center Rd
(941) 493-5299
DowdWhittaker.com
Today : 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Opens tomorrow at 8:30 am
Tito Gaona'sFlying Trapeze Academy & Flying Fantasy Circus
Flying Trapeze Academy & Flying Fantasy Circus
Classes are Open!
Wednesday: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Friday: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Visit the Classes page to register for a class, as well as for a full list of classes and times.
Come Visit!
Come join us at: 1401 S Ringling Dr Venice, FL 34285
Classes are up and running and have space available. Visit the classes page to find out more.
Announcements about schedule changes, classes, and other current information will be posted here.
Welcome! Don't just see the circus, be the circus! Have you ever dreamed of being in the circus? Have you ever wanted to experience the thrill of the flying trapeze?
Meet Tito Gaona, owner and founder of the Flying Trapeze Academy and Flying Fantasy Circus. Tito is a member of the Flying Gaonas, a five-generation trapeze and circus performing family that has performed with the Big Apple Circus, Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, and circuses across Europe and South America.
Tito and his experienced staff provide professional instruction in a safe, nurturing environment.
Our Program Offers Adult & Children's Classes Professional Instruction Training in Technique Skills-Building Approach Individual Goal-Setting A Nurturing Environment
The Flying Trapeze Practice the Basic Swing Learn the Beginning Tricks Progress to Advanced Tricks Make the "Catch" and Return Increase your Confidence Have Fun & Stay in Shape
The Trampoline Increase Physical Stamina Learn Body Positioning Increase Spatial Awareness Work on Somersaults & Twists
The Multiple Trapeze Increase Flexibility Improve Muscle Tone Increases Memory and Mental Simulation as you learn various routines.
VCAFI Info -
HELP SAVE OUR HISTORY AND THIS VERY SPECIAL PLACE!
"VeniceCircus
Walk-of-Fame"
We are working to create a wonderful celebration of those careers that were responsible for CIRCUS
in Venice Florida 1960-1992. Performers, managers, support staffers, all crafts included.
The Venice Circus Walk-of-Fame will consist of pavers with hand prints and signatures of the living legends of Circus in several categories. We will ask those able who will be represented to give us a hand print and signature. Those who have passed will also be represented with pavers in block signatures with a photograph.
Biographies and photos will also line the walls of the Gunther Gebel-Williams Big Cat training ring building for every one with a paver inside by decades 1960-1990.
Outside walk ways that will eventually connect the Big Cat building to the Arena will include those being honored with a paver and a photograph and biography also reminding you as you walk the "Circus Walk-of-Fame" of those careers and trades that made Circus famous in our community.
There will also be a circus supporter's garden for anyone who supports our project to leave their mark as well.
Here is a partial list of the movers and shakers that made Venice
Florida famous for
CIRCUS
Please help us create this proper memorial to their hard work with a contribution. Thank you!
The VCAFI is very happy to be participating in the Sarasota Chalk Festival 2014 in Venice. It is our hope that this International Cultural Event will become part of our City's cultural fabric, enhancing the many wonderful events our citizens already enjoy. OUR Special Thanks to the Cultural Campus, (Art Center, Community Center, City Archive, Library). Venice Main Street, Venice Farmer's Market, and of coarse the Chalk Festival Organizers, we are most happy to partner with you all.
