Kick off the 4th Anniversary of The Bay Park with an evening of music, dance, and community connection at the Salsa & Sunsets Community Celebration on Wednesday, October 7!
Hosted outdoors at The Nest along the Sarasota bayfront, this free, family-friendly gathering features live Latin fusion music by Bri Rivera & Friends, open dancing, and a community celebration recognizing four years of the park.
Event Overview:
- Event: Salsa & Sunsets Community Celebration (The Bay 4th Anniversary Kick-Off)
- Date & Time: Wednesday, October 7 | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
- Admission: Free and open to the public (All ages welcome)
- Live Music: Bri Rivera & Friends (Latin Fusion, Funk, Blues, & Rock)
- Dance Participation: Latino-inspired dance celebration in partnership with Fred Astaire Dance Studios - Sarasota
- Presented By: Part of Hispanic Heritage Month at The Bay, presented by High Foundation
- Venue: The Nest at The Bay Park - 1055 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236
- Registration: Free RSVP available on Eventbrite
Evening Highlights
- Live Music by Bri Rivera & Friends: Experience high-energy Latin fusion led by Puerto Rican artist Bri Rivera on guitar and cuatro, joined by Randy Bordon on upright bass and Adam Sahhar on drums, delivering a rhythmic blend of Latin grooves, funk, blues, and rock.
- Community Sunset Dance Floor: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with an open dance gathering by the water. Dancers of all experience levels, families, and newcomers are welcome to move to the music and enjoy the bayfront breeze.
- 4th Anniversary "One Park FOUR All" Kick-Off: Celebrate the park's four-year milestone since opening in October 2022, opening a month-long celebration of more than 70 free park events.
- Community Table for Friends & Partners: Current Friends and Business Partners of The Bay, as well as new supporters who join or renew during the evening, can stop by the community table to receive a free 4th Anniversary T-shirt. Contributions are doubled through the Gulf Coast Community Foundation $2 Million Challenge Match.
- Casual Dining on the Bay: Fresh tacos, light fare, and refreshments are available for purchase directly on-site at The Nest Cafe.
Location, Parking, & Arrival Guidelines
The Nest at The Bay Park
1055 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236
- Arrival: The celebration runs from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Arrive early to find parking, explore the park trails, and claim a spot near the stage before the music begins.
- Free Parking: Available on a first-come, first-served basis in the lots fronting the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall (777 N Tamiami Trail), the Municipal Auditorium and Blue Pagoda (655 N Tamiami Trail), and along the north side of Boulevard of the Arts and the Rosemary District. (Please avoid parking in designated Sarasota Orchestra spaces or along the south side of Boulevard of the Arts.)
- Pet Policy: Well-behaved, leashed pets (up to a 6-foot leash) are welcome in the outdoor park areas.
- Weather Policy: This is an outdoor bayfront event. In the event of severe weather, cancellations will be posted on The Bay website and Eventbrite up to one hour prior to the event.
* Veni Sara Flo LLC provides this listing as a community informational resource. Specific event programming, park rules, and vendor concessions are managed directly by The Bay Park Conservancy.