Main Street comes alive for Music on Main

By Madison Bierl
| 8:00 a.m. May 4, 2025

East County
Neighbors

As the band Bluestar played calm blues tunes, the street was converted into one couple's personal dance floor. Lakewood Ranch residents Jerry and Carol Wood have been married for 56 years, and when they heard the music they couldn't shy away from dancing, even though no one else was at the time.

"We're exhibitionists, what can I say!" said Carol Wood.

"If you have a good time, forget what people think," Jerry Wood said. "They'll be jealous, at least the wives will."

Along with the live music, there was also a kids zone, where inflatable games were set up including skee-ball, basketball and a baseball game called Batter Up.

Lakewood Ranch resident Olivier Cottalorda and his 8-year-old son Alexandre Cottalorda tried out about every game. In Alexandre's free time he plays soccer and tennis. While in the kids zone, he practiced his basketball and baseball skills.

Alexandre Cottalorda said his favorite parts of the basketball game were shooting and dribbling. He said his favorite game there was baseball.

"He's actually pretty good at hitting the ball, better than I did!" said Oliver Cottalorda.

Denver, Colo. resident Trish Slevin, along with her 2-year-old daughter Cecilia Pais, visited friends in Sarasota for the weekend and couldn't pass up trying out the kids zone as well.

Sarasota resident Kavita Tisdale and Slevin met in college and have since stayed connected for the past 15 years. They both have 2-year-olds, as Tisdale has a daughter Alia Tisdale.

"We're raising strong independent women, as you could see they're amazing at basketball," said Kavita Tisdale.

Kavita Tisdale said it is great to see folks come out and experience community together.

"Have a good time and forget about what people think," said Jerry Wood. He and his wife of 56 years Carol Wood dance to the blues music, being the only ones dancing at the time.

Lakewood Ranch residents Stephanie Almasy and her 9-year-old son Andrew came out to enjoy the blues music. Andrew enjoys dancing and attempted to do the moonwalk like Michael Jackson, but claimed it is impossible.

Parrish resident Mila Richardson, 6, chased down 2-year-old cinnamon pied ball python named Ghost for a quick pet. She was fascinated that the snake was mostly white in color.

Bradenton resident Erin Jauch attended Music on Main with her 1-year-old son Wyatt Parsons to get out and enjoy the nice weather.

Wyatt Parsons, a 1-year-old Bradenton resident, had more fun catching the balls as they rolled down than throwing the ball into the game.

Kavita Tisdale takes a shot trying the basketball shooting game, with her daughter Alia Tisdale ready to be the next participant.

Joe Licinski, the drummer for Bluestar, said it's tough to sing blues in paradise, but they're doing the best they can.

Lakewood Ranch residents Pat and Dave Trehy are retirees from New York who have been married for 35 years. Pat Trehy said they have seen Bluestar six times and wanted to strike a pose with Kevin O'Connor.

Sarasota resident Alia Tisdale, 2, and Denver, Colorado resident Cecilia Pais, 2, reach for basketballs to continue playing their game. They met as babies and have reunited.

Sarasota resident Kavita Tisdale and Denver, Colorado resident Trish Slevin met in college and enjoy a Friday night excursion to Lakewood Main Street.

Parrish resident Ayden Misiak, 8, came to Lakewood Ranch to meet friends for dinner, but ended up having lots of fun swinging the bat at the Batter Up inflatable.

Beth Hammer plays bass for Bluestar and also has a radio show Velvet Hammer Blues, which airs on Sundays from 3-5 p.m.

Sarasota resident Michael Pawlus plays saxophone and can also play keyboard. He played two different saxophones so he could play Pink Floyd per an audience member's request.

Kevin O'Connor is the lead vocalist of Bluestar and enjoys playing in a band with other musicians, feeling the rhythm of the music together.

Carolyn Davis is classically trained and plays keyboard for Bluestar.

Lakewood Ranch residents Ryan Albert and his son 2-year-old Lucas Albert enjoyed spending time outside in the beautiful weather.

Lakewood Ranch residents Jerry and Carol Wood have been married for 56 years and have no problem getting up and dancing in front of a crowd.

Lakewood Ranch resident Alexandre Cottalorda, 8, finds shooting and dribbling to be his favorite parts of basketball. He plays soccer and tennis in his free time.

Victoria LaPlante and her 1-year-old daughter Chloe LaPlante visit Lakewood Ranch Main Street from Boston and dance along to the blues. They share the same blue eyes, eyes that Victoria described as "little blueberries."

Sarasota residents Kavita Tisdale and her husband Brice Tisdale attempt to get their daughter Alia Tisdale and her friend Cecilia Pais to smile while Trish Slevin, Cecilia's mom, takes their photo.

Lakewood Ranch resident Oliver Cottalorda gives advice to his 8-year-old son Alexandre Cottalorda on how to shoot.

Bradenton resident 1-year-old Wyatt Parsons is fascinated by the balls rolling back to him after he threw them in skee-ball.

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.