VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL, SARASOTA, FLORIDA

Choosing what to do on any given night (or day!) in SARASOTA is always a challenge! There are SO many options! SARASOTA has many, many wonderful and diverse restaurants and bars, live theater, concerts, symphony, ballet, gardens and on and on! The VAN WEZEL Performing Arts Hall is always hosting something or someone special. I was fortunate to see Aaron Neville there a few years ago. It is a beautiful venue, inside and out, right on the bay front.

Friday night I decided to go to the Reggae Fest on the grounds of the Van Wezel. The band, Impulse, played energetic reggae, both covers and originals, as well as Zouk and Calypso and had the audience on their feet for hours! I was up and dancing with singles, couples, kids and a lovely senior "hippie" with pig tails who never stopped smiling! Vendors provided food and drink and Mother Nature provided a stunning sunset for the background.
 I highly recommend checking out the up coming schedule and putting the VAN WEZEL on your "to do" in SARASOTA list!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ar8xWbZDog

LAKEWOOD RANCH MUSIC ON MAIN

Although Lakewood Ranch has it's own zip code, it is still part of the Sarasota community. On the first Friday of each month, Main Street, Lakewood Ranch,http://www.lakewoodranch.com/musiconmain is blocked off for a great party that focuses on food, music and fun for all ages. Each month a different Non Profit receives the benefits. Last night, http://www.kettleoffish.net/ entertained to a huge crowd! At the other end of the street, a DJ seemed to get the focus of the younger guests who danced for hours! Food, beverage, and other vendors line the street with their offerings. It is a great venue to come with a date, the family or a group of friends!