I’m still thinking about how much fun I had last Friday night in downtown Sarasota.
I had gone up to check out the Sarasota Fringe Film Festival, running concurrently with the renowned Sarasota Film Festival. I really enjoyed “By Hook or By Crook,” a documentary about two brothers who made movies at all costs. I also caught a few of the works created by students at the Ringling School of Art and Design. Then I went next door and caught two Sarasota Film Fest features.
After my movie marathon, it was time to take a loooong walk, and downtown beckoned. It was a beautiful night. Imagine my surprise when I stumbled onto Rosemary Rising, a street party / open house event promoting the arty Rosemary District. Galleries were open and serving hors d’oeuvres; DJs and live bands kept the music pumping, while models strolled about in near-full body paint, or simply danced and posed in sexy fashions.
There was a tight-wire walker from the circus school. And tons of inspired and inspiring folks milling about, soaking up the art, eating, shopping, meeting new friends, running into old friends …. it was a celebration of a neighborhood worth noticing.
I particularly enjoyed meeting Forrest Shaw, whose electric delivery car is the iconic mascot on wheels for Project Green Machine. Mike Love of the Beach Boys had just driven the car prior to a local concert, and Forrest was about to embark on teaching a class on car conversion. Forrest’s wife Alex filled me in on the family bakery, Pastry Art Bakery Cafe, which will be using the delivery car.
Frary Gallery was THE place to be, for great art, and great company. Everything But the Girl boutique stunned me with its artful inventory. The owner has an eye for design, and a penchant for cool vintage clothes. PURE Salon looked worth another visit. Could have spent a fortune; somehow held it to one purchase at MadeBy, the gallery and gift shop for the Ringling School.
The evening also manifested WSLR’s Joe Hendricks, who was interviewing peeps for his news show. WSLR is a hyper-local low-watt FM station serving metro Sarasota, 100% listener-supported. (I listened a few days later, online).
Next time you’re visiting Sarasota, remember that downtown does not end at Fruitville Road. Head north on Rosemary. Park. Walk. Be happy.
I’m happy to announce that Rosemary Rising is now going to be happening 4x a year; the next one will be in July. Check their Facebook page if you want to know when to show up. http://www.facebook.com/rosemaryrising I’ll be there!
