Lakewood Ranch music fans aren't crying the blues after festival

By Madison Bierl
| 11:59 a.m. December 7, 2025

St. Petersburg's Ella Brown and Sarasota's Mike Chambers take full advantage of the live music to show off their best dance moves at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest Dec. 6.

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Arcadia's Craig Brogan says music "frees his soul."

So Brogan made the trip to Waterside Place Saturday for the second Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest. He loves to see how the blues can bring a community together.

He was one of the many blues fans who danced from the time the first note was played in the day-long event. Among the dancers who joined him were Sarasota's Karen Butler and her daughter Kim Morton.

Butler said Brogan's rhythm while dancing inspired her to get up, too.

"This is the most fun I've seen my mom have in a long time," Morton said. "The music is awesome and the ambiance and energy makes it a lot of fun here."

Lakewood Ranch's Jody and Gordon Hoffstein had a great time attending last year's Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest but said the festival far exceeded their expectations this year.

Paul Benjamin, who co-produces the event, said the seven bands he scheduled featured a mix in the blues genre, including soul blues, rock blues, Chicago blues and Mississippi Blues.

Artists from the Music Compound warmed up the incoming fans before the Shaelyn Band, Eden Brent, Albert Castiglia, Johnny Rawls, Toronzo Cannon, Chambers Deslauriers and DeSoto Tiger performed.

Gordon Hoffstein described the festival as festive, comfortable, fun and engaging.

"They've all been exceptionally good," Gordan Hoffstein said of the bands. "They all bring a little something different. They're all working so hard and trying so hard to show us their talent."

The crowd was estimated to be about 800.

Blues fan David Glosser of Sarasota said he is surprised there wasn't triple the amount of people. He said the experience was a treasure and gave him an opportunity to use his "happy feet."

"Give it a try and you'll keep coming back," Gordon Hoffstein said.

Johnny Rawls, a soul blues performer, has been in the business for over 50 years. He has been touring as a solo artist since 1985.

Eden Brent, a blues musician and singer, says she appreciates the Lakewood Ranch crowd's enthusiasm.

Arcadia's Craig Brogan says music frees his soul and allows him to dance in front of the crowd.

Lakewood Ranch's Jody and Gordon Hoffstein, along with John Stone from Colorado, describe the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival as comfortable, fun and engaging.

Blues rocker Albert Castiglia was raised in Miami and has worked with noted blues musician Junior Wells.

Drummer Ray Hangen and bassist Cliff Moore perform with Albert Castiglia at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest Dec. 6.

Diane and Ricke Gazda are from Pittsburgh and say they try to go to a quaint music festival every year.

Sarasota's David Glosser says the Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest gives him "happy feet."

Toronzo Cannon, a Chicago blues artist, says he hopes 70% of his audience connects with his music on a deep level.

Sarasota's Kim Morton says the atmosphere are the blues festival inspired her to let loose and dance with Arcadia's Craig Brogan.

Toronzo Cannon, event co-producer Paul Benjamin and Johnny Rawls gather backstage at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival prior to performances by Cannon and Rawls.

Phil Magallenes and Eden Brent perform Mississippi blues at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest on Dec. 6.

Bradenton's Don Lagor and Cape Coral's Jeff Levitre served in the military together and reunited for the first time in 30 years at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.

Tampa's Paul Obyrne and Lakeland's Erin Healey dance along to the music of Eden Brent at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest Dec. 6.

author

Madison Bierl

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.