Jazz Comes to Palm Avenue

July 27, 2022 – Sarasota

The August installment of the Fresh Fridays event series presented by the Downtown Improvement District is set to offer the region a fully immersive jazz experience on Friday, August 5th from 7 to 10 p.m. 

Headlined by Hot Tonic Orchestra, a jazz ensemble that performs jazz arrangements of popular songs from yesterday and today, the music will serve as a perfect soundtrack for the dance engagement provided by Dynasty Dance Clubs instructors. “Hot Tonic is one of the hottest music acts in southwest Florida, and they are just such a dynamic group that’s truly focused on crowd participation and enjoyment,” says event producer Joseph Grano of Next-Mark.  

The event will also present three new hospitality partners, all of whom were slated for the cancelled June event. Those partners include 1592 Wood Fired Kitchen and Cocktails; El Melvin Cocina Mexicana; and Art Ovation Hotel. Each partner will offer their unique brand of party bites and beverages for guests to purchase. 

“But one of the single most important elements of the event is the ability to present it rain or shade, as I like to call it,” says Grano. He refers to the indoor capabilities of the event that will allow the entire event to shift into Art Ovation’s lobby in case of rain. But even without rain, guests are still encouraged to spend some time inside Art Ovation’s lobby, where guest artist Dan Houston will be painting live in the artist studio. The event zone is on Palm Ave between Cocoanut Ave and the parking garage entrance, with the hotel lobby open to guests as well. Ample parking is available in the Palm Avenue Parking Garage or on-street at Gulf Stream Ave, Palm Ave, Cocoanut Ave, Pineapple Ave, Main Street, or First Street. 

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.