Van Wezel Named No. 1 Small Performing Arts Venue

Sarasota's "Purple Cow" is the best small performing arts venue in North America.

The earned a No. 1 ranking as best Performing Arts Hall in North America in the 2,000 seat category of “top spots” in Venues Today, a trade publication about music and arts venues. The ranking will be published in the magazine's July issue.

The Van Wezel seats 1,743 people, but continues to attract big acts and audiences, ranging from Jerry Seinfeld last year to .

Van Wezel Executive Director Mary Bensel noted it has been an “exciting ride” at the helm of the city’s Crown Jewel of performing arts venues in the four county area, since her arrival in December of 2007. Bensel told SNN6 that there are several benefits to these types of rankings and numbers:

"When I can show these results, that means we'll be able to get better quality artists," Bensel said. "I also think it means a source of pride for Sarasota."

Van Wezel also ranked No. 4 for Florida venues in the 5,000 seat category. The top five 5,000-seat venues in the state are:

• Broward Center in Ft. Lauderdale

• Straz Center in Tampa

• Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater

• Van Wezel 

• Bobb Carr in Orlando

“All of the other top five theatres in the 5,000 seat category have more seats and are in larger markets than the Van Wezel, so we are very proud to be ranked with them,” Bensel said in a statement.

The rankings are based on concert and event grosses from October 16, 2011, to May 15, 2012. Twenty performing arts venues were listed in the 2,000 seat category.

The Van Wezel was also recently awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, given to establishments that consistently achieve exceptional traveler ratings on TripAdvisor and maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five. The Van Wezel received a 4.5 rating.

Financially, the Van Wezel is proving to be self-sustaining as it will not require a subsidy from Sarasota City Government and is expected to post a surplus, according to Van Wezel. The venue is owned by the City of Sarasota.

Estimated ticket sales for last year’s season increased to $6.2 million up from the previous year’s $5.5 million, according to Van Wezel.