What’s On Suncoast? 4.8 – 4.15

The Suncoast Post asks, “What’s On, Suncoast?” Here are some ideas for things around the area this week of April 8 – 15, 2022!

2nd Annual Sarasota Spring Arts & Crafts Festival

2nd Annual Sarasota Spring Arts & Crafts Festival
199 Bayfront Dr., Sarasota, FL 34236

Join us on April 9-10, 2022, at JD Hamel Park in Sarasota, FL, for the 2nd Annual Sarasota Spring Arts & Crafts Festival. The event is produced by Paragon Festivals and graciously hosted by the Downtown Sarasota Enrichment Association. 

Artisans and crafters from across Florida and throughout America will set a landscape of artistic creations in sculpture, jewelry, painting, photography, glass, ceramics, mixed-media, metalwork, fiber art, woodworking, etc. Should you not find exactly what you wish, commission a piece made just for you!

The Sarasota Spring Arts & Crafts Festival hours are Saturday and Sunday, 10 am-5 pm. Admission is free. Come discover the beauty and functionality in what people create. Find that piece of art for your home or office to enrich your life and inspire you each day.

Paradise Grill

Paradise Grill
1097 N. Tamiami Trail Nokomis, FL 34275

There’s no place like Paradise! Good food, good fun, and good folks: are the three things Paradise Grill always has! They are more than just a bar. Rather a spot for locals and out-of-towners alike to get together and watch the game, grab a drink, and indulge in a bite. Happy hour lasts until 6 pm every day, there’s live entertainment every night, and our outdoor tiki bar is a great place to make friends and get some fresh air. Plus, our menu’s Gulf-to-table approach means all our fare is high-quality. So take a seat and take a break here! There’s nothing in Nokomis like Paradise. 

Hours: 11 am to 10 pm nightly (Fridays until 11 pm)

Broadway in Black

Broadway in Black
1012 N Orange Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236

Broadway in Black showcases African American performers and composers who changed the face of Broadway. Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs have revived this popular 2017 show he created, adapted, directed, and updated for 2022. Among the shows saluted are Bubbling Brown Sugar, Five Guys Named Moe, The Wiz, The Color Purple, Dreamgirls, and many more.

The amazing cast includes Syreeta S. Banks, Ariel Blue, Brian L. Boyd, Derric Gobourne Jr., Dale Hill, Brentney J, Delores McKenzie, Michael Mejia-Mendez, Raleigh Mosely II, Leon S. Pitts II, Helen Jane Planchet, Jai Shanae, Katherine Taylor, and Stephen White Jr., with choreography by Donald Frison and a live band directed by Matthew McKinnon.

Hours: Performances run Thursday, March 10, 2022 – Sunday, April 24, 2022; Evenings 7:30 pm | Matinees 2:00 pm

Shake Station

Shake Station
4219 US Highway 301 N Ellenton, FL 34222

Are you looking for fresh food in the Ellenton area? Shake Station proudly serves fresh, hand-pattied, hormone-free beef. Shake Station burgers’ great taste can also be attributed to the nearly 60-year-old grill on which they are cooked. The expansive menu offers a variety of fresh salads, wraps, creative sandwiches, and classic 1950s-inspired entrées. Or finish the meal off with something sweet.

The hand-dipped ice cream is sourced from the east coast of Florida from the company which also supplies the White House with its frozen treats. Shake Station also offers soft-serve, perfect for blending with various toppings or enjoying as a “twist” on a cone. Favorites sure to delight include our signature shakes, traditional malts, sundaes piled high with toppings, and Belgian waffles topped with ice cream for the seriously indulgent.

Hours: Monday – Sunday 11 am to 9 pm.

Starry Night Astronomy

Starry Night Astronomy
Robinson Preserve Expansion, 10299 9th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, FL 34209

Are you looking for a cool way to experience the Suncoast at night? Join us for an astronomical extravaganza in the Robinson Preserve Expansion! Dozens of local astronomers will be set up in the Robinson Preserve Expansion, with telescopes at the ready. Be sure to bring a sense of wonder and exploration and view the skies through high-powered telescopes. Learn how to identify these heavenly bodies and how you can stargaze at home too. Program suitable for all ages.

Hours: Saturday, April 9, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Photos from the above business website or Facebook pages.