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10 Ways to Watch Live Music in the Summer
Trying to get funky? From jazz to folk, trop-rock to classical and much more, the Sarasota County area has a spot to experience every genre during the warmer months.
There’s a reason so many songs are about summertime – “Hot Fun in the Summertime,” “Summer Breeze,” “Summer Nights,” “Summer in the City.” The freedom of the season plus the long summer hours equals the universe serenading a message – go out and listen to some music!
Live music isn’t just about listening, but also enjoying the venue and its vibe. Read on to rock on at these 10 uniquely Sarasota live music locations this summer.
1. Wellen Park
This new master-planned community of North Port is a local's favorite for catching a rotating lineup of staged performances for Friday Night Live Concerts. The outdoor amphitheater of Downtown Wellen Park is the perfect spot to throw down a blanket or lawn chair on the green with the family and kick off the weekend by listening to the amplified sounds of local musicians. If you happen to miss the Friday night show, try again for Sunday Groove, held weekly from 9am – 1pm, under the great big Heritage Tree.
2. Music on Main
The whole community of Lakewood Ranch comes together every first Friday for Music on Main, themed every month by honoring significant chapters of Lakewood Ranch's history. From 6pm – 9pm, stroll Main Street downtown while enjoying the free concert series, sampling local food vendors and beer trucks, and taking part in games and activities (mostly for the kids, but hey, no one's judging).
Additionally, the new Lakewood Ranch lakeside community of Waterside Place loves its live music. Experience the social side and outdoor sounds under its Plaza gazebo while strolling outdoor events like Ranch Nite Wednesdays or the Sunday Farmers Market.
3. O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill
A visit to Florida usually rouses daydreams of fruity tropical drinks, sandy toes and guitar serenades on the waterfront. Make those dreams a reality at O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill in Bayfront Park. Their cool cocktails are accompanied by trop-rock tunes daily during afternoons and evenings to help you drift into flip-flop tranquility as you sit with your toes in the sand, palapa overhead and waves adding to the sounds of music. The adjacent park with a splash park will keep the kiddos happy while you savor that margarita and escape the summer sun.
4. Van Wezel Friday Fest
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the iconic large purple venue within The Bay Park, is always home to concerts, ballets, comedians, and performers. But come summertime, the show moves outdoors for Friday Fest, a free outdoor concert series. On select Fridays, June through September, they open their grounds from 5pm – 9 pm to music-lovers and high-energy local bands overlooking Sarasota Bay. Bring blankets or lawn chairs, take in the music and the sunset, and enjoy food and beverage from local vendors! As the sun goes down, the beats go up and all is well in Florida.
5. Jazz Club of Sarasota
Beat the heat with some cool cats. Jazz fans will appreciate that the first time I heard – and saw – Trombone Shorty was in Sarasota. While typically known for its Margaritaville vibe, Florida has a bluesy side too. Try the Jazz Club of Sarasota for some southern soul and the opportunity to experience true musical talent. Their schedule often features Joy of Jazz at Centennial Park in downtown Venice on Sundays, Monday Night Jazz Cabaret held at downtown Sarasota’s Florida Studio Theatre, Jazz Thursdays at Sarasota Art Museum, Jazz on the Water held on the Marina Jack II Cruise, and more.
6. Sharky’s on the Pier
Whether you’re winding down a long day of fishing on the Venice Pier, shark tooth hunting along Caspersen Beach or just looking for a chill night out with friends and loved ones, look no further than Sharky’s on the Pier. Sarasota County’s beachfront restaurant serves up daily live music and is the perfect spot to take in some island tunes while watching the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. Check their website for live music updates or simply stroll over and check out the local artist/band playing that evening.
7. Owen’s Fish Camp
Universally popular amongst locals for its outstanding seafood creations, Owen’s Fish Camp is equally celebrated for its tucked-away backyard. Beyond the banyan tree and front patio of the Camp, you’ll find an oasis of fun, filled with games, a tire swing, oysters on the grill, local beers, and uber-cool live music. Fiddles, banjos, and spoons are at home here, as you will be too. The schedule is not posted – they keep it simple - but the talent is there, waiting to be enjoyed as you sit under the stars and pines. Find a seat, grab a drink, and prepare for toe-tapping backyard bliss.
8. Live Music in the Park
Friday nights – and some bonus Saturdays – means it’s time for Live Music in the Park at Payne Park in downtown Sarasota. Outside of Café in the Park, a grassy, open expanse fills its tiered levels with the sounds of songs from various genres: folk to blues, country to psychedelic and almost every acoustic level in between. Free to the public, the experience runs from approximately 7pm – 9:30 pm. Pop in and snag a glass of wine, beer or bite to eat at the Café while enjoying the casual, free-spirited vibe of the downtown park to kick off your weekend.
9. The Beach Club Siesta Key
Did you order some dancing to go with your live music? With a side of beach? Your order is ready at The Beach Club Siesta Key. Sundays feature local live music from 7pm – 11 pm, Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for grooving the night away until 2 a.m. When you need a break, take a few steps to the sands of Siesta Key Beach, breathe in some salty air, and head on back to the dance floor for the next jam session.
Other venues in the Siesta Key Village, like Gilligan’s Island Bar & Grill, The Hub Baja & Grill, and Siesta Key Oyster Bar also feature live music regularly.
10. Siesta Key Drum Circle
Enjoy the long days of summer and the insanely beautiful sunsets with a visit to the epic Siesta Key Drum Circle. Held Sunday evenings at sunset, dozens of musicians arrive as if the falling sun was a beacon, calling them to share their craft. As the sun lowers, the beats increase in intensity as a dance party ensues, an homage to life itself. Your participation level is optional – watch as a spectator, dance as if no one is watching, bring a cooler or chair and relax, or play your instrument along. As the Bard says, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players” – in this case, the stage is world-famous white quartz sand. While the drum circle occurs year-round, I love going in summer, hopping into the Gulf after the sun goes down, the salt water rinsing away the day as the drums beat in the background.