What’s On Suncoast? 5.3 – 5.10
The Suncoast Post asks, “What’s On, Suncoast?” Here are some ideas for the area this week from May 3 – 10, 2024.
22nd Annual St. Armands Circle Art & Circle Festival
22nd Annual St. Armands Circle Art & Circle Festival
300 Madison Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236
Just off the coast from Sarasota, after a quick drive over scenic bridges, lies St Armands Key, an island away from all the mainland activity. Unique in concept, history, and beauty, St. Armands provides an unforgettable experience for visitors from all over the world. Set amidst a tropical paradise, St. Armands is an enchanting circle of fine shops and gourmet restaurants, sure to provide a memorable experience for all.
The event offers art from a broad spectrum of mediums, including sculpture, photography, glass, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, mixed media, and more! In addition to fine art, this festival will feature a craft marketplace on the street. Howard Alan Events offers patrons the opportunity to personally meet with the artists and craft artisans, commission work, and learn what inspires the artist’s work.
Streetlight Taco
Streetlight Taco
4004 Henderson Blvd, Tampa, FL 33629
Streetlight Taco, here on the Suncoast, welcomes everyone to Streetlight Taco, where the “molino” is the heartbeat of the kitchen as it grinds down heirloom Mexican corn with volcanic stones. The fresh ground masa is used for hand-pressed tortillas and other hand-formed shapes found throughout Mexico.
At least 59 varieties of corn are native to Mexico. Through various partners, Streelight Taco brings several of these heirloom, family grown varieties to Tampa. Whole grain corn is simmered for specific time and temperature standards and soon becomes nixtamal. This ancient process of nixtamalization both adds and unlocks important minerals and nutrients in the corn.
Friends, family, and strangers alike are welcome to enjoy the fresh ground nixtamal creations.
Hours: Tuesday through Wednesday 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m., Thursday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m., Monday closed
Cinco de Mayo Block Party
Cinco de Mayo Block Party
6644 Gateway Ave, Sarasota, FL 34231
Save the date for the ultimate Sunday Funday at our Cinco de Mayo celebration! This event will feature live entertainment, kid’s activities, sampling experiences, giveaways, raffles, and more!
Best part? We’re partying for a cause! A portion of event proceeds will benefit Sarasota-based Spanish immersion school, Dreamers Academy.
Hours: Sunday, May 5, 2024, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Grillsmith – Siesta Key Gateway
Grillsmith – Siesta Key Gateway
6240 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231
Grillsmith is an approachable, polished, casual restaurant celebrating classic American comfort dishes paired with modern wines, whiskeys, and handcrafted cocktails. They have amazing menu items for vegetarian and gluten-free options. Make this a stop for your next date night, evening out with friends, or just a great dining option here on the Suncoast any dinner hour. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Hours: Monday through Thursday 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., Friday 4 p.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
The 20th Annual Hibiscus Festival
The 20th Annual Hibiscus Festival
707 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
This one-of-a-kind celebration was the vision of local resident Dawn MacGibbon. She and a small group of colorful, fun-loving locals held the first Hibiscus Festival in 2004. They wanted to celebrate and share the unique history and character of their town and its connection to the hibiscus and one of the world’s most renowned hybridizers, Harry R. Goulding.
A character of sorts, Goulding was known to some as an accountant, to some as a rum-runner, and to others as a fisherman, but by far he was known by all for his world class, award-winning hybrid hibiscus plants. Harry would start with 2,000 seedlings a year growing some 60,000 varieties of hibiscus over 60 years. He won many accolades and awards, including the prestigious American Hibiscus Society show’s “Best in the World” category five times.
So, it is with great privilege, love, and honor, every year in the month of May, that a small group carry on this vision by putting on a festival for all to celebrate the history of lifelong resident, Harry R. Goulding, aka King Harry, the hibiscus flower, and the Beloved Spirit of Punta Gorda, historically known as the City of Hibiscus.
Photos from the above business website or Facebook pages.