In the early 20th century, circus saw its fair share of stars, but few as big as Lotus. Hailing from another continent and traveling from coast to coast with a variety of circus troupes, all Lotus had to do was show her face and the people flocked to her side. Not one for tricks, she would simply walk the Big Top between acts, meeting adoring fans and posing with other performers. And at 4,800 pounds, that was spectacle enough for most. In 1937, LIFE magazine even photographed her, capturing her beauty from “fore” and “aft,” naked as the day she was born and printed for all its readers to see. Shortly after, Lotus retired to the Ringling Bros. Winter Headquarters in Sarasota, where she passed in 1954.

And, oh yeah, Lotus was a Nile hippopotamus.

Though perhaps not as synonymous with circus as roaring lions and trumpet-nosed elephants, hippos certainly enjoyed their own heyday in the circus arts, and the latest exhibition at the Ringling Museum Tibbals Learning Center looks to celebrate a time when these plump and pudgy river horses captured the imaginations of Americans everywhere. Entitled Hippos: A Truly Big Show!, and opening this Saturday, June 8, the exhibition sees 29 posters drawn from the circus museum archives and put on display—each of them advertising the imminent arrival of these bounteous beasts.

At a time when circuses traveled with a menagerie of animals, the hippo was a “pretty common” addition, says exhibition curator Jennifer Lemmer Posey, as the animals traveled well, staying healthy on long treks across the continent and docile with crowds. Of course, that didn’t stop circus promoters from filling their posters with images of hippos in fearsome displays, those massive jaws invariably yawning to expose a man-eating maw lined with great forbidding tusks.

“They’re dangerous just because of their sheer size,” says Posey, “and they do have those fearsome tusks. There’s this ambivalence, and the circus totally played that up.”

The earliest examples in the exhibition survive from the late 1800s, and capture this thrill-seeking approach to advertising, though the posters from the 1930s, 40s and 50s show a change of course, with the gentle giants portrayed as cute and loving creatures. No longer tipping canoes, see hippos on tightropes and hippos on swings. See baby hippos in baby buggies drinking from baby bottles, despite a glaring lack of opposable thumbs. Artistic license? Maybe, says Posey, but that’s advertising.

“Sometimes,” she says, “circus just needs to be circus.”

Hippos: A Truly Big Show! opens at the Ringling Museum on June 8 and runs through September 30. 

Pictured: Lotus, as photographed by Bob Wallace for LIFE magazine. Photo courtesy of the Ringling Museum.

At the helm of Naple’s catering and events sensation Crave Culinaire, Chef Brian and wife Nicole Roland continue to raise the bar in exceeding guest expectations. From posh cocktail soirees, to intimate in-home dining parties, private jet experiences and elaborate galas served in ballrooms of over 1,000 guests, the Rolands “love a good challenge and a fun theme,” shares Nicole.

“For us, there is no such thing as formulaic or cookie-cutter events,” says Nicole. “Every element of the evening, from plate-to-table, setting-to-sound, is unique and directed by the client’s individual dream.” 

Showing a hunger to expand its way into Sarasota, Venice Beach and Siesta Key, Nicole mentions her and Brian have recently launched a new sector, called Crave Event Staffing. The new staffing venture aims to satisfy the unmet need in SWFL for sourcing high-quality catering teams to help residents and organizations find local, top-shelf professionals to work their luxury events and guest dining experiences. 

Crave Culinaire has been leading the pack already with innovative catering techniques and a top-tier team of industry veterans. From bartenders, servers, chefs, dishwashers and set-up/breakdown staff, the company has cultivated a certain level of service and hospitality expertise to match only that of Rolands’ exquisite, high-end cuisine. Services are said to provide clients with a service strategy, a designated team leader, expert event guidance, a carefully vetted staff and unparalleled attention to detail executed by the Rolands, to “wow your crowd.”

Photos provided by Crave Culinaire

Learn more about Crave Event Staffing.

Emerson Point Preserve, Manatee County's conservation land at the mouth of the Manatee River, is home to the the third annual World Oceans Day Festival this Saturday. Parks and Natural Resources (PNR) staff and local vendors will offer ocean-themed activities from 9am until noon. Exhibitors will contribute hands-on activities and information that will help participants learn more about the world’s oceans and the amazing variety of life that inhabits them.Families will be able to dip nets into the Manatee River and discover the creatures hiding beneath the waves. PNR staff will share information about large local marine wildlife like sea turtles, lead oyster games and talk about the history of fishing in Manatee County.

World Oceans Day represents a partnership between Manatee County and several water- and ocean-related organizations in southwest Florida, including the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Program, IFAS Extension Sea Grant of Manatee County, Florida Maritime Museum, WayneAdventures, Florida Public Archaeology Network and Manatee County Environmental Protection and Ecological & Marine Services divisions. 

World Ocean's Day Festival

Southern Atelier's Apprenticeship program is well underway in Sarasota and currently accepting applications for artists of all levels looking to receive training like the Renaissance masters of old. This full-time program is structured so that artists receive individual training, flourish and develop their own skills. Apprentices can anticipate a complete, well-rounded and rigorous foundation in painting and drawing in the traditional style, learning under and training one-on-one with Charles Miano, an ARC Associate Master.

Upon completion of the program, apprentices can step from the full-time program to careers as professional artists and instructors in the atelier methods. An apprentice may enroll at any start date and share this Renaissance-like program. Call today and apply for this exciting journey. 

Southern Atelier

For the fourth summer, young performers ages 13-18 are taking the stage with Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT). From June 10 through July 14, WBTT is presenting "Stage of Discovery," an intensive summer musical theater program that is offered at no cost to participants.

The 30 teens are under the direction of WBTT founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs. WBTT staff and guest instructors—including choreographers, musicians, actors and vocal coaches—offer lessons in dance, acting, singing and improvisation, and provide behind-the-scenes experience with set and costume design. The program will culminate with a public performance of the Nate Jacobs-penned musical revue, A Journey to Motown, at the Neel Performing Arts Center at State College of Florida at 7pm on July 14. Tickets are $27/adults, $17/students and active military (with valid ID), and go on sale June 10. 

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota has announced its 24th season of musical experiences with a dynamic and international array of both established and emerging classical, jazz and pops artists. The season, which runs October 2019 through June 2020, features 28 performances at venues in Sarasota and Venice. The roster features several rising young stars of tomorrow as well as the return of such favorites as pianist Dick Hyman and vocalist Jennifer Sheehan. Highlights include performances by three emerging artists from Young Concert Artists International: cellist Zlatomir Fung, performing all of Beethoven’s piano and cello sonatas; double bass phenomenon Xavier Foley; and violinist SooBeen Lee. Sheehan takes us on a trip back to the 60s and once again, five pianists and five Steinway concert grand pianos storm the stage of the Sarasota Opera House with a new holiday edition of “Piano Grand!” The popular “Soirée” and luncheon and dinner concerts are also back, with six Soirée performances presented in area residences, three luncheon performances at Michael’s On East and a luncheon concert and a dinner concert in Venice at the Plantation Golf & Country Club.

Tickets for Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s 2019–20 season are available now by mail and by phone. Tickets will be available online starting July 15. 

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota

Choral Artists of Sarasota has announced its 41st season. The season, entitled “Encounter!” features six concerts that will take place in November, December, January, February, April and July, and explore musical traditions of world religions, celebrate Stephen Sondheim’s 90th birthday and commemorate Earth Day’s 50th anniversary with a premiere work composed by James Grant, a part-time Sarasota resident and longtime collaborator with artistic director Joseph Holt. The group will also partner with Sarasota Contemporary Dance, Sarasota Young Voices, and Venice Symphony’s percussion section to give new life to Carl Orff's “Carmina Burana,” featuring original choreography by Leymis Bolaños Wilmott. Season packages and individual tickets, ranging from $20 to $75, will be available at the Choral Artists’ website on July 5. 

Choral Artists of Sarasota

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art has announced the return of a much-loved signature event in UnGala 2019 - The Evolution. The event will be held in the Museum of Art Courtyard on October 19, 2019. The return of the iconic affair after a 10-year hiatus celebrates the 35th anniversary of the first UnGala in 1986, as an alternative to formal events and was designed to attract a younger crowd. Over the years, UnGala raised funds that The Ringling utilized to restore the Ca’d’Zan, enlarge the collection and increase educational efforts and public outreach.

Partygoers may register on The Ringling’s website to receive an invitation to the UnGala. Invitations will be mailed in early August and online ticket sales will begin shortly thereafter. Sponsorship packages are also available. 

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art