Art on the Block Takes Over Lemon Avenue

March 28, 2022 – Sarasota

As April 1st approaches, Fresh Fridays organizers have been hard at work putting together a comprehensive multimedia event celebrating a broad sweep of the region’s artistic talent.

Headlining the event is musical guest, The Alan Grant Band. Known for their pristine blues, Americana, and rock-and-roll covers as well as originals so good they sound like classics, the band represents the best of Sarasota’s working musicians. In addition, performing artists from The Players Centre will take the stage and present musical numbers honoring rock stars from the past, including a Janis Joplin tribute. On street level, party goers will have the opportunity to rub shoulders with two prominent area painters and several circus performers.

Painting demos will be done by Brandon Thrift and Victoria Gomez Mayol. Thrift is best known for his “Spread Love” works that have since become a regional and national brand, while Mayol’s colorful, impressionistic work celebrates flowers, family, femininity and all things Florida in both watercolor and oil paintings.

“Really, we could’ve stopped there and this would’ve been a great event,” says Joe Grano of Next-Mark, “but you can’t celebrate the arts in Sarasota without circus performers.” To that end, the event will feature an assortment of acts mingling in the crowd, from jugglers to stilt walkers. “It may look like we’re crazy for putting so much programming into this arts party,” continues Grano, “but there’s so much diverse creativity in this city to celebrate that something on this scale feels right.”

Lemon Avenue between Main and 1^st St. will be closed to accommodate event hours from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Parking for the event is available at the State Street Parking Garage, the second and third floor of the Whole Foods parking garage, and on-street on Main Street, First Street, Orange Avenue, Pineapple Avenue, and Palm Avenue.

ABOUT FRESH FRIDAYS: Fresh Fridays is a first-Friday outdoor event series made possible by the City of Sarasota and the Downtown Improvement District in collaboration with Next-Mark, LLC. These pedestrian-only events serve to showcase all the dining options, merchants, and recreational assets located within the city to further establish downtown Sarasota as a vibrant cultural hub. These events are inclusive and always free, providing an opportunity for all members of our community to connect, socialize, and enjoy their city in new and dynamic ways. Visit www.freshfridayssarasota.com to learn more.