• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Downtown Sarasota takes a turn back to the '80s


  • By Ian Swaby
  • | 1:45 p.m. May 2, 2026
Katie Kephart and Shawn Tritschler get into the 80's spirit.
Katie Kephart and Shawn Tritschler get into the 80's spirit.
Photo by Ian Swaby
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

The Fresh Fridays series of block parties in Downtown Sarasota have included themes like Christmas and Valentine's Day.

However, one known for drawing a large crowd is the Back to the '80s block party, which was held May 1. 

Attendees, some of them in dressed in theme, filled South Palm Avenue to enjoy offerings like a DeLorean on display and music by the '80s tribute band Careless Whisper, which performed some of the decade's iconic hits.

Attendee Gina Anabtawi called the event "very important," something that brings different generations together and lets people leave behind current worries about the world. 

"It brings everyone together, and everyone's happy, and I look at other people when I'm dancing, and we're all laughing, and we're all laughing because music is what brings everyone together," she said.

 
Daniele Saint-Cyr, Serge Gauthier and Sonia Gauthier pay a visit to the DeLorean.
Daniele Saint-Cyr, Serge Gauthier and Sonia Gauthier pay a visit to the DeLorean.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Freddie Sourbeck and Karli Klar perform with Careless Whisper.
Freddie Sourbeck and Karli Klar perform with Careless Whisper.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Nicole Bernardo and Cybella Bernardo bring some vibrant colors.
Nicole Bernardo and Cybella Bernardo bring some vibrant colors.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Robyn Holl, the cultural curator at Art Ovation Hotel, vibes alongside artist Picardo Erick, who is currently exhibiting at the hotel.
Robyn Holl, the cultural curator at Art Ovation Hotel, vibes alongside artist Picardo Erick, who is currently exhibiting at the hotel.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Artem Esayan Jr., 8, a red belt in Taekwondo, practices the martial art with Adam Frazier.
Artem Esayan Jr., 8, a red belt in Taekwondo, practices the martial art with Adam Frazier.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Artem Esayan Jr., 8, a red belt in Taekwondo, practices the martial art, as Gabriel Grais looks on, with Adam Frazier.
Artem Esayan Jr., 8, a red belt in Taekwondo, practices the martial art, as Gabriel Grais looks on, with Adam Frazier.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Shayla and Hunter Murphy bring the energy of flow stars, a type of juggling cloth, to the event.
Shayla and Hunter Murphy bring the energy of flow stars, a type of juggling cloth, to the event.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Waffles from Waffle Monkey are on sale at a table.
Waffles from Waffle Monkey are on sale at a table.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Artem Esayan and Jay Manson catch up after work.
Artem Esayan and Jay Manson catch up after work.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Catherine and Mark Kudlacik, their dog Cooper, and Craig and Alma Gloznek enjoy the atmosphere.
Catherine and Mark Kudlacik, their dog Cooper, and Craig and Alma Gloznek enjoy the atmosphere.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Lisa Donetti and Gina Love celebrate Love's 60th birthday, bringing cutouts of herself.
Lisa Donetti and Gina Love celebrate Love's 60th birthday, bringing cutouts of herself.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Karli Klar channels the energy of Joan Jett.
Karli Klar channels the energy of Joan Jett.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Sandra Alexander casts some color about.
Sandra Alexander casts some color about.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Jessi Powell of Stanley Wealth & Retirement brings some bubbles.
Jessi Powell of Stanley Wealth & Retirement brings some bubbles.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Shayla and Hunter Murphy bring the energy of flow stars, a type of juggling cloth, to the event.
Shayla and Hunter Murphy bring the energy of flow stars, a type of juggling cloth, to the event.
Photo by Ian Swaby

 

author

Ian Swaby

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.

Latest News

The St. Regis Longboat Key arch is installed on a private groin that extends into the Gulf.
  • May 18, 2026
Longboat Key makes case against St. Regis arch
City of Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short shares an update on the Anna Maria Pier to Longboat Key Mayor Debra Williams (left) and Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton (right) at a Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting May 6.
  • May 18, 2026
Barrier island mayors meet to discuss pier, parking and phone pings
The Sarasota Orchestra bought a site on Fruitville Road for its Music Center in 2023.
  • May 16, 2026
Want to be where the people are? You have to go east.
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Kayla Taylor
  • May 15, 2026
Sarasota researcher wins international STEM award
Dan Moriarty, community liaison and board member of the Tree Foundation, and Community Relations Co-Chair Janie Pratt stand on the campus.
  • May 14, 2026
Siesta Key Chapel welcomes community to help in unique forest restoration
  • May 14, 2026
The Moments We Take for Granted—Until They’re Out of Reach
  • May 13, 2026
Monopoly to make special Sarasota County edition
Kananga and Dominic spend time in Kananga's pool.
  • May 13, 2026
Sarasota Jungle Gardens has big hopes for its cohabitating crocodiles
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Vice President Ed Hill (left) receives the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals Professional of the Year Award from Noel Martinez of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce.
  • May 12, 2026
Chamber executive wins top statewide professional award

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free