A ‘Jazzy’ Fresh Fridays Teams Up With Palm Avenue Art Walk

SARASOTA, FL — June’s monthly Fresh Friday event introduces “Jazz on Palm,” teaming up with the First Friday Palm Avenue Art Walk to transform Sarasota’s historic gallery row into an open-air jazz club.

Headliners for Friday’s event are Hot Tonic Orchestra, a full-sized jazz ensemble replete with a horn section that specializes in original arrangements of popular songs.

Fronted by upright bassist/vocalist, Victoria Woods and guitar virtuoso, Josh Hindmarsh, the band promises to set the tone for a finger-snapping, and toe-tapping enjoyable time for guests, according to a news release from the city.

And that toe-tapping will be led by the return of special guests from Dynasty Dance Clubs, the largest professional dance instruction organization in the Sarasota region. For “Jazz on Palm,” the company will bring some of its instructors to engage with guests in different dance styles for the different genres of jazz performed by the band.

“What we’ve seen with previous events is that people really love to get out and dance,” said Joseph Grano, president of Next-Mark, the marketing agency that organizes and promotes the events. “If it was just Hot Tonic Orchestra, it would be a great night; but bringing back Dynasty Dance Clubs is an opportunity to elevate it even more.

Funded by the Downtown Improvement District, the event will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. on Palm Avenue between Main Street and McAnsh Square and will also include free signature giveaways and food and beverage offerings from select hospitality partners.

In anticipation of usual June weather, the event will include a large event tent.