Lora Carpenter, the executive director of Beyond the Spectrum, was doing a happy dance at Music on Main on Jan. 6 at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
It had nothing to do with the live music provided by Lisa and the Island Hoppers.
Carpenter was thrilled that her nonprofit, which is an education and therapy center for children with autism and related disorders, was the beneficiary of the proceeds from beer sales during the monthly event.
“It’s such a great opportunity for us, and a great opportunity for community awareness of special needs,” Carpenter said.
She said the exposure provided by Music on Main is important considering so many people recently have moved to the area.
She also grateful to Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, which supplies the beer for the event.
While Carpenter was focused on spreading the word about her nonprofit, many of those who attended Music on Main were dancing the night away.
Paul Luther, who plays guitar for Lisa and the Island Hoppers, said his favorite part of the event was “definitely the crowd engagement.”
“The crowds are here for the music,” he said. “It makes it even better if it’s for a particularly worthy cause.”
Lakewood Ranch's Mike Minic is in the same playful mood as his dog, Chelsea.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Lakewood Ranch's 8-year-old Julia Simons and her father Charles Simons demonstrate Capoeira, a type of Brazilian martial arts, with the group Capoeira Volta Ao Mundo.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Lakewood Ranch's 8-year-old Mason Rueter and 16-year-old Kaiden Summerall demonstrate Capoeira, a type of Brazilian martial arts, with the group Capoeira Volta Ao Mundo.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Scott Carpenter, husband of Beyond the Spectrum's executive director, Lora Carpenter, serves Bud Light to Creekwood's Danielle Santoro.
Photo by Ian Swaby
James Livingston and Kristen O'Grady, the director and manager of the ER at Fruitville, an extension of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, host a booth for the medical center.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Lakewood Ranch's 16-year-old Brooke Evangelho meets Ollie, who belongs to Lakewood Ranch's Bob and Marta Katz.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Bradenton's Karl King and Olga Cano dance to the music of Lisa & the Island Hoppers
Photo by Ian Swaby
Waterside's Stanely Brickhouse showcases the treats of Chocolate Moonshine Co. to Rochester, New York's Kim Hyde.
Photo by Ian Swaby
River Club's Mary Ryan, Parrish's Nancy Styrk, and Tara's Sherry Swarts continue their tradition of visiting Music on Main together.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Sarasota's Sherri Connor, John Hamish from Nevada, and Lakewood Ranch's Julie North enjoy one another's company.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Lakewood Ranch's 3-year-old Cora Hafdahl and Ardis Hafdahl enjoy the music up close as they dance beside the stage.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Brothers Jerry Dakin and Cameron Dakin enjoy Music on Main together.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Under the supervision of Bradenton's Matt Broschious, 5-year-old Leyla Shoufany steps up to bat.
Photo by Ian Swaby
25-year-old Scotty Carpenter is the son of Lora Carpenter, who is executive director of Beyond the Spectrum.
Friends Sapphire Point's Carolyn Tovell and Lakewood National's Kevin Lowerre are pleased with the drinks they found at Craft Growlers to Go.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Palmetto's Tom Harvey meets a new friend, Lakewood Ranch's Arlene Menatt, who, like him, is also from Iowa, and shares his love of the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Ellington's Amber Elmaleh does an expert job at staying on a mechanical bull.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Lisa & the Island Hoppers, who provided live music at the event, includes James Rosati on drums, Al Marnie on bass, Lisa Rott on vocals, and Paul Luther on guitar.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Lakewood Ranch's Kristen Joseph tries her hand at lacrosse.
Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.
