Concert helps Sarasota community 'Vibe on Palm'

After moving to Sarasota from Nebraska on May 3, Jesse Pickett found a surprise along a section of Palm Avenue. 

“I wasn’t expecting the whole concert, so that’s pretty cool,” he said.

The concert by The Alan Grant Band was part of the Vibe on Palm event, part of the Fresh Fridays series of events held the first Friday of each month and presented by the Downtown Improvement District. 

Joseph Grano, Jr., president, founder and marketing communications thought leader of Next-Mark, the company that organizes the event, said the events are increasingly well-known in the local community, as they continue to draw record crowds. 

"The Downtown Improvement District continues to be enthusiastic along with the city of Sarasota, in sponsoring the event and providing all the support that we need to make this happen, and we're thrilled to be a part of it,” he said. 

“What keeps me here — the people, the love and support of all arts and the weather’s not so bad either,” said Alan Grant of The Alan Grant Band. 

Fresh Fridays continues in June with a yacht rock-themed event followed by a break and then a return in October.