September has arrived on the Gulf Coast, and with it comes a shift in energy that I look forward to every year. The summer crowds have thinned, the dining patios are comfortable again, and the cultural calendar fills up with shows, concerts, and community events. Here is how I am spending the first week of fall's preview season — and what I think you will love about September in Sarasota.
Overjoyed: A Stevie Wonder Tribute at Florida Studio Theatre: Monday, September 7
The Jazz Club of Sarasota is presenting "Overjoyed: A Stevie Wonder Tribute" on Monday, September 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre (1241 North Palm Avenue). This benefit concert celebrates the music of Stevie Wonder, featuring a lineup of local jazz musicians performing his catalog — from "Superstition" and "Sir Duke" to "Overjoyed" and "Isn't She Lovely." It is part of FST's ongoing cabaret programming and doubles as a fundraiser for the Jazz Club of Sarasota's education programs.
I have attended Jazz Club events before, and the musicianship is always outstanding. The Goldstein Cabaret at FST is the perfect setting — intimate enough that you feel connected to the performance, with a full bar and a relaxed, social atmosphere. Tickets are expected to go quickly, so I recommend booking ahead through the FST website. It is an easy drive from the Palmer Ranch corridor, about 15 minutes up US-41.
Pink Floyd Tribute at the Venice Community Center: Saturday, September 12
When I heard there was a Pink Floyd Tribute coming to the Venice Community Center (326 South Nokomis Avenue) on Saturday, September 12, at 7 p.m., I marked my calendar immediately. Performing Pink Floyd's greatest hits with full live instrumentation, this is exactly the kind of concert that makes September on the Gulf Coast so good. The Community Center has a large auditorium with good sound, and the crowd tends to be a lively mix of locals and seasonal residents who are back in town.
Make an evening of it: arrive early for dinner on Venice Avenue, which has some of the best restaurant patios in the area — Cassariano Italian Eatery and Darwin's on 4th are two of my favorites. After the show, stroll down to the Venice Pier for a moonlit view of the Gulf. It is a perfect Saturday night on the south county coast.
Ron White at the Van Wezel: Sunday, September 13
Comedian Ron White — best known for his "Blue Collar Comedy Tour" appearances and his signature scotch-and-cigar stage presence — brings his stand-up act to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall (777 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota) on Sunday, September 13, at 7:30 p.m. The Van Wezel's iconic purple-shell building on Sarasota Bay is one of my favorite venues for comedy and concerts. The acoustics are excellent, and the bayfront setting is stunning at sunset.
Tickets are available through the Van Wezel box office. If you have not been to a show at the Van Wezel before, arrive early to walk the grounds along the Bayfront Park path. The views of Sarasota Bay from the seawall are spectacular in the early evening light.
Sights + Sounds at Waterside Place: Pops Orchestra Brass Quintet, Friday, September 11
The Sights + Sounds free concert series at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch returns on Friday, September 11, from 6 to 7 p.m. featuring the Pops Orchestra Brass Quintet. This outdoor concert takes place on the central lawn at Waterside Place (1651 Lakefront Drive), just a 15-minute drive from the Palmer Ranch corridor up University Parkway. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair, and grab takeout from one of the Waterside restaurants — Freckled Fin, Ford's Garage, or Overture Coffee.
The Sights + Sounds series runs throughout the year and showcases different ensembles from the Sarasota Orchestra and Pops Orchestra. The brass quintet is always a crowd-pleaser with a mix of classical favorites and contemporary arrangements. The September weather should be beautiful for an outdoor evening.
St. Armands Circle Art Festival: September 19-20
Looking ahead, the 4th Annual St. Armands Circle Art Festival with Craft Marketplace takes place Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20, on St. Armands Circle. More than 175 artisans and craft vendors will line the Circle, showcasing original paintings, jewelry, ceramics, photography, woodworking, and textiles. It is free to attend, and the Circle's restaurants and shops are all open for a full day of browsing, eating, and exploring.
St. Armands Circle is one of Sarasota's most distinctive destinations — a circular park ringed with boutiques, galleries, and restaurants, all connected by a pedestrian-friendly sidewalk. The art festival brings an extra layer of energy to the Circle, and it is the kind of weekend outing that reminds you why the Gulf Coast lifestyle is so special. St. Armands is about 25 minutes from Palmer Ranch via US-41 and the Ringling Bridge.
My September Dining & Evening Rituals
The real treat of September is the weather. The evenings cool down just enough that dining on a patio becomes genuinely enjoyable again. Here is where I am spending my September evenings:
- Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch — Freckled Fin's patio for seafood and live music on Fridays
- Marina Jacks — the Blue Sunshine Patio for sunset cocktails and live music
- Venice Avenue — Cassariano for Italian on their vine-covered patio, or Sharky's on the Pier for grouper sandwiches and a Gulf view
- St. Armands Circle — The Columbia Restaurant for a classic 1905 salad and sangria on the sidewalk
- The Legacy Trail — evening walks with my dogs, now that the 6 p.m. light is golden and the air is crisp again
September is also the month when I start thinking about the fall market with my clients. If you have been waiting for the right time to explore the Palmer Ranch communities or any neighborhood along the South Sarasota corridor, the conditions are excellent right now. The inventory is healthy, the sellers are motivated, and the weather is perfect for house hunting. I would love to hear from you.