Downtown Bradenton Flash Mob Proposal

On Thursday nights Main Street Live literally comes alive with vendors, music and sometimes dancing in the streets.  

Recently, Daralynn Bousstead was meeting friends downtown for a few drinks.  Little did she know what was in store for her.  Her boyfriend Jay Urevich had enlisted over 200 of their friends in an elaborate marriage proposal.  Even her mother, grandmother and kids were in on the gig.  With around 200 friends and family, they created a flash mob in front of The Loaded Barrel Tavern to the music of "Just the Way You Are".

It wasn't until she saw her mother, children and grandmother there carrying signs with love messages.  It was then that it all came together.  Coordinated dancing, confetti cannons and even a huge banner dropping from the balcony reading " I love you more."

Jay then comes up to her, kneels and says "You are my best friend.  I love you so much.  Will you marry me?"

"I decided to do a flash mob because, to me, it's a magical moment" Jay said.  "I've seen them on You Tube but had never been a part of one."

Jay had lots of help.  The owners of The Loaded Barrel Tavern, friends to film and even enlisted Shea Whidden, a local dance choreographer, to design the "flash mob" line dance.  He even had help to teach their fiends and family the routine.

Take a few minuets and watch the video.  Great fun in Bradenton, Florida!

Facebo

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2014/06/23/5222111/after-downtown-bradenton-flash.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2014/06/23/5222111/after-downtown-bradenton-flash.html#storylink=cpy

World War II "Unconditional Surrender" Photo Becomes A Statue

With just a short drive south of Bradenton is Sarasota's Bayfront.  It's a beautiful park overlooking Sarasota Bay with ever changing art statues.  However there is one statue that remains permanently fixed and is truly a great photo opp.

Remember the famous photo "Unconditional Surrender" of a navy service man kissing the nurse in Times Square as the end of World War II was announced.  Well just a short drive from Bradenton, Florida on Sarasota's Bay Front Park is a 26 foot-tall statue in it's honor.  The statue was erected in 2005 and will most likely stay there for a decade, thanks to Jack Curran, who purchased the statue for $500,000. dollars.  Jack then donated the statue to the city of Sarasota with the condition it remains out front of city owned Marina Jack.

Jack Curran was a signalman serving in the Pacific and European theaters.  Jack says the statue is in honor of all the other guys like him who grew up in the Great Depression and then served their country in World War II.

In addition to this statue, Sarasota Bayfront Park is a wonderful place to spend some time.  The park is a peninsula surrounded by Sarasota Bay.  This is a great area for a long walk, bike ride or roller blading.

Come visit us in the sunshine state!

Van Wezel Performing Arts Center in Sarasota Florida

Approximately 20 minutes south of Bradenton in Sarasota, Florida is one of the most fantastic theaters in the state of Florida.  Created by architect William Wesley Peters of Frank Lloyd Wright's firm, Taliesin Associated Architects, it was designed specificly with an eye to its proximity to the water.  The renovations and enlargement that was completed in 2000, was done by the same firm.  The proforming arts center was nicknamed "the purple cow" and "the purple people seater", when it first opened in 1970. 

For more that 40 years, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has hosted hundres of incredible performers.  The Van Wezel has featured plays, musicians, dancers, and comedians since opening it's doors in 1970.  Working closely with the Sarasota County School Board, the Van Wezel has been able to provide education in the performance and arts field to many of the local students of our area.  The west coast of Florida is considered Florida's Cultural Coast, giving us a little piece of paradise full of art, history and diversity.

In 2000 the Van Wezel Hall was renovated and added 25,000 additional square feet.  This included larger lobbies and Grand Foyer.  Also added was a new stagehouse, new lighting and sound systems, new restrooms and an education center.  The performance center will seat 1,736 and from my experience, there is not a bad seat in the house.  The center is very handicap friendly completely compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The center is available for weddings and other personal festivities.  The Grand Foyer is 6,000 square feet and can seat anywhere from 35 to 350 guests and opens up onto the Bayfront lawn and terrace, which can accommodate and additional 1,500 people.

The theater is easy access from St Armands Circle and Longboat key, as well as Bradenton, Florida.

To check out this years' performance schedule, including purchasing of tickets go to http://www.vanwezel.org/.