On Thursday, Hawaiian culture in the form of tunes provided by Sugar Vibe was drifting through the parking lot at University Town Center's The Green.
GreyHawk Landing residents M. Rattu and Tim Lorenz didn't hesitate to dance.
"Life is too short not to have fun," Tim Lorenz said.
Aloha Productions' Kawailana Vaiaoga, Kionasina Mcelroy and Matuni Vaiaoga came out in full costume to share Polynesian culture through their dance moves.
Sarasota's Angela Ortega was among the volunteers to dance, and she said she has always loved to dance. She is from Colombia and said she loves music from everywhere, all around the world.
After taking a photo with the performers, Theresa Urbanak exclaimed, "I love Hawaiian things and I love Sarasota!"
Kawailana Vaiaoga of Aloha Productions invites women and children up to dance.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Bradenton's Monica Powers, Celia Torres, Chari Jackson and Sarasota's
Hope Chance thought the event had a "cute theme for girls day."
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sugar Vibe's Pedro Rizza plays bass and Will Nacar plays guitar and sings at the night market on The Green at University Town Center.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Night market visitors catch a wave at the night market at UTC on Aug. 21.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Ellenton 's Kimberly Gitzler and her 4-year-old chihuahua mix Maui got into the theme through dressing up and dancing.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's Ocean Blue Hall, 16 months, loves the water and is eager to play games with his dad Jeff Hall.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Aloha Productions performer Matuni Vaiaoga has been an entertainer for 30 years.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's Angela Ortega is among the community members who got up to dance. She said as someone from Colombia, she loves music from everywhere.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Aloha Productions performers Matuni Vaiaoga, Kionasina Mcelroy and Kawailana Vaiaoga pose with Sarasota's Theresa Urbanak. Urbanak says she loves Hawaiian culture and loves Sarasota.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Grewhawk Landing's M Rattu and Tim Lorenz dance to the song to “As It Was” performed by Orlando based band Sugar Vibe. Lorenz says "life is too short not to have fun."
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's Bill Morehouse says Ivy, a 9-year-old St. Bernard, shows her two favorite things are people and puppies.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's Roxanne Schwans and Lisa Vaccaro catch a wave at the night market on Aug. 21.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's Ocean Blue Hall, 16 months, checks out Anja Morehouse's 9-year-old St. Bernard named Ivy.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Lakewood Ranch's Tj Sayre and 1-year-old son Benjamin Sayre check out the oversized Jenga game on The Green.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Parrish's Zachary and Naomi Kleer bring their dogs, 6-month-old Macha and 1-year-old Mochi to the Hawaiian themed market.
Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.
