BIG NIGHT OUT Opens 10th Annual FridayFest on the Bay June 17

Thank goodness it's Friday! The Van Wezel's FREE outdoor FridayFest is back! Local dance band BIG NIGHT OUT is slated to open the summertime music series on June 17 from 5 pm-9 pm.

BIG NIGHT OUT is a Sarasota staple known for their Latin, Caribbean, Funk and Motown dance music. With a rockin' horn section, ferocious conga, bouncing rhythm section and passionate bi-lingual female vocalist BIG NIGHT OUT's creative covers filter JAmes Brown and the Isley Brothers through its own sound-a combination of Latin dance rhythms and funked up horns. So, get ready to get up out of your lawn chairs and dance... it's FridayFest!

Guests are invited to bring blankets or lawn chairs. Local vendors offer food and beverages. Outside food and drink is prohibited, along with coolers and weapons of any kind. FridayFest takes place in rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, the festival will move indoors to the Grand Foyer of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. FridayFest is from 5:00 pm-9:00 pm.

The presenting sponsors are Sandy and Bill Dietrich and MetroPCS. Additional sponsors are Comcast, Bright House Networks, Budweiser, ABC 7, Pelican Press, The Observer Group, Doctors Hospital (Sept. 16 event), The Van Wezel Foundation, Boar's Head, Waste Management, InterMedia Productions, Cameresi Designs and Business by the Bay, 106.5 CTQ (June& Aug.), 92.1 My FM (July & Sept.) The concert series is paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax Revenues.

The Van Wezel box office located at 777 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For more information, call 941-953-3368 or visit www.vanwezel.org.