Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA

Address:	777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
Phone:	+1 941-953-3368
Site:	vanwezel.org
Rating:	4.5

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 8

Nate Archibald

I want to write this review about the facility itself. The quality of programming and the location of the venue is superb but the venue itself is one of the most poorly designed buildings in regard to "function" that I have ever been in. In regards to aesthetics I believe the Van Wetzel is quite special. The view of the waterfront is amazing as is the windowed seating area inside behind the theater. But in regards to the Hall itself and the corridors and access to bathrooms this is one of the worst, most poorly designed buildings I have ever been in. There are only 2 access points to each row. The Van Wetzel has approximately 30 very long rows and if you are seated in the middle you have to enter from the left or right and walk across 25-30 people or so people to find your spot. The poor folks on the end have to constantly stand up to allow folks in and out. Its terribly cramped and not particularly safe either. Upon exiting the main Left and Right sides you realize that the corridor has a funnel shape and in order to go to the restroom you literally have to squeeze along with hundreds of people through the funnel which is about 8 feet wide at its most narrow portion. Unfortunately the main restrooms are located right in corridors most narrow stretch of funnel so people waiting for the bathroom block cross traffic trying to move to the back of the theater. The staff was kind and helpful and I enjoy the purple color palette which was very soothing and enjoyable. But if you see a sold out performance the Wezel Hall is quite impossible to navigate easily and also unsafe.

wolfe zucker

I can say, coming from New York this is probably the high end of culture in towns the size of Sarasota. Pretty much everything is offered, from amazingly good classical concerts, too touring shows and over age singers to retired TV stars that resemble the audience and me. I have ushered at the Van Wezel for 10 years. There islways a choice for everybody. Classical concerts with no drinks allowed too rowdy, raucous groups of singer and people rushing of the longer shows to get their second drink. A mistaken conception, there is no issue with the seating in one long horizontal row and the fire concerns. The theater is emptied in 4 minutes just in a normal pace. There are doors every three rows on the end on both sides so nobody would get piled up with the entire audience racing for the one or two rear doors in traditional theater . It is so successful as a safety arrangement most theaters in Florida use this seating plan. It is not designed, as some people speculate to get the most seats in the least space. The seats are comfortable but a little cramped if youre a huge person in height or width, however there are rows available with moving seats for those who are challenged or handicapped. The theater and the rest rooms have been renovated recently so the place is even more upscale.

LW Clay

Directions to the left side were a little confusing. You have to enter in what looks like the back door, but its actually the bay entrance. We went in the front door and had to cut thru the dining room to get to the other side. Seems like thered be a better way. Seating was great. Didnt look like there was a bad seat in the house. Seating outside the theater in the waiting area was comfortable and, for who seemed to want to sit, there was enough. There wasnt really room for more. Drinking fountains available, as well as beverages for sale. Everyone was organized and controlled. Plenty of staff around. Staff was super nice. They were running low on programs, but she promised me if she had any left right before show time, shed bring me one, and she actually did! She remembered who I was, where I was sitting, and actually that shed told me that. We were impressed. The show was great. There was a lightning strike to the building that caused a power outage and we almost had to reschedule, but Alton Brown and his roadies got their software going and after about half hour, the show went on. We will return.

Bill Anderson

We recently attended the Diana Krall concert at Van Wezel. This was our first time at Van Wezel and also the first time seeing Ms. Krall. Unfortunately, she was sick, but chose to do the show anyway. Apparently, Ms. Krall had cancelled two prior concerts (Buffalo, NY and Kingston, Ontario) due to illness. It was clear that Ms. Krall was not feeling well since her band played more than she sang. Also, Ms. Krall chose to engage audience members in conversation and repartee just to fill the time (the show ended earlier than the advertised 2 hour performance). The visuals projected on the large screen behind the stage added absolutely nothing to the experience and were an annoying distraction. I strongly recommend to the Van Wezel management that it is far better to cancel or reschedule a show when the performer(s) is less than 95% healthy. We (a party of four) did not get what we paid ($320) for.

Les Freed

This is an excellent concert venue. Ive seen many artists and acts here. There plenty of (free) parking, and there are traffic lights at both ends of the property, so its easy to get out after an event. The only negative is that there is no center aisle. Patrons enter from either side of the auditorium. There are about 60 seats across with about 30 on each side of the venue. If you are in one of the outer seats, everyone coming and going will have to pass in front of you. They have recently enlarged the dining area, which is now operated by Mattisons, a highly-regarded local restaurant. I havent tried it yet, but I plan to do so on my next visit.

A Private User

The show was outstanding however I was forced to move from my seat to another because of a late arrival. I purposely have an aisle seat as I sometimes cannot stay for an entire performance and I do not want to crawl over patrons. I feel that I paid for that seat and the usher has no right to have me move when I told her about my problem. If the others had not been late I would have refused to move however I did not want to destroy the other patrons enjoyment. I attend too many shows at the Van Wezel and do not expect to be treated with disdain. Joan Kramer

Greg Goebel

I am very disappointed with the online ticketing process. Their web site was not functioning properly when tickets went on sale for three different events I was interested in. When it did work, it would not accept a four digit security code for an American Express card. As a result, I lost the first set of seats that I was given and paid as much for two sets, to the two more important events, for much lesser quality. This is the second time this has happend.

Lajos Hajdu

A very modern building is a home for different art performances targeting mainly elderly in Florida. Yesterdays Rain performance was a typical one: a tribute to Beatles. Live songs performed in the correct costumes and makeup. You really went back in time. On the negative side: they too start to debit "convenience fee" when I buy tickets through Internet. This is strange I save them box office personal. A bad habit being copied by several Inernet companies.