The first Fiesta! Friday gave the series a funky start
By
Brendan Lavell
| 12:20 p.m. October 28, 2020
East County
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Several people who attended the inaugural Fiesta! Friday Oct. 23 at Nathan Benderson Park said they have bene looking for something to do.
Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates gave them an event to put on their calendar with Fiesta! Friday.
Those who attended Oct. 23 played games, shopped, enjoyed food and listened to a live concert by the Black Honkeys, a Florida band specializing in funk, rock and soul.
As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a percentage of the proceeds were donated to the American Cancer Society.
JoAnn Strutt, who works in Lakewood Ranch, watches as the Jenga game she was competing in against Erick Kelton of Sarasota crumbles before her eyes. Strutt said she had a disadvantage because of her short stature.
Bill Thornton (left) and Brenda Kahn of Country Club came to Fiesta Friday to see the Black Honkeys. They are big music fans: Kahn recently started doing open mic performances, and Thornton used to be a deejay.
(From left) Michael Meinhardt of Sarasota, Deena Spencer of Sarasota and Denise Keller of Willowbrook came to Fiesta Friday because it was "something to do." They said they enjoyed their Chick-Fil-A dinner.
Erick Kelton (left) of Sarasota and JoAnn Strutt, who works in Lakewood Ranch, debate the rules of Jenga. Strutt wanted to pull a block off the top of the tower.
Nicole "Ms. Groovalicious" Simone is one of two lead singers for the Black Honkeys. Terry Clark is their trumpet player.
Mark Parsons carefully pulls a block out of the precarious tower deep into a game of Jenga. Parsons lost after a 15- to 20-minute battle with Nala Gato.
Scott Myers plays trombone for the Black Honkeys.
Kim Schmeits, owner of Sugar Sand Silver, sells jewelry at Fiesta Friday. Schmeits often sells her products at the Sarasota Farmers Market.
John Dash Dixon plays keyboard for the Black Honkeys.
Nala Gato (right) finishes her move in a game of Jenga against Mark Parsons (back to camera). Gato won after a 15- to 20-minute battle.
In addition to playing guitar, Greg Czinke provides backup vocals for the Black Honkeys.
Tomás Herrera-Mishler speaks to the audience before calling the Black Honkeys to the stage. Herrera-Mishler is the CEO/president of Suncoast Aquatic and Nature Center Associates, which operates Nathan Benderson Park.
Brother Phil is one of two lead singers for the Black Honekys.
Kim Hagans (left) and Joe Hagans of Sarasota came to Fiesta Friday to see the Black Honkeys, who they have seen about five times before.
Billy Summer is one of two guitarists for the Black Honkeys.
(From left) Jackie Brettingen, Mark Brettingen, Dee Adams and Mike Adams came to Fiesta Friday to hear the Black Honkeys. They had never seen them live before.
Wil "The Thrill" Harris plays bass for the Black Honkeys.
Kristin Merritt (left) and Aaron Merritt of Nokomis heard of Fiesta Friday through a Sarasota events calendar. With less going on these days, they said they've gotten more creative about finding things to do.
Gumbi Ortiz is not listed as a band member on the Black Honkeys' website, but he plays percussion with them at many of their gigs.
Nicole "Ms. Groovalicious" Simone is a singer for the Black Honkeys. She also plays tambourine.
Greg Czinke is one of two guitarists for the Black Honkeys.
