Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/341318
Venues Today has ranked the City of Sarasota's Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall No. 1 in the country in the 2000-seat category in the mag- azine's 2014 mid-season publication, the Van Wezel staff has announced. This is the third time Sarasota's performing arts hall has ranked at the top of the chart, a news release points out. The recognition helps the Van Wezel "book the biggest and best shows and performers on the road," the release points out. Executive Director Mary Bensel said in the release, "Our 2013-14 sea- son has been amazing, from having Jay Leno here the night after he closed out his 30-plus- year run of The Tonight Show to presenting John Legend at the height of his popularity with his All Of Me Tour and the No. 1 sin- gle in the nation to having two of the hottest shows in the summer: Move Live on Tour and American Idol," she added in the release. "This year has been a nonstop whirl of great shows and sellout crowds, with 74 of them performing above budget." VENUES TODAY RANKS VAN WEZEL NO. 1 IN ITS SIZE CATEGORY The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has been named No. 1 among venues of its size in the nation. Photo by Norman Schimmel Sarasota News Leader July 4, 2014 Page 95