The Wienermobile, photo by James De Mass

Well, the Ketel was certainly flowing on Saturday, but on Sunday morning the sunshine was prying apart my curtains and telling me to get up, go out and do something on this beautiful day. Who am I to ignore that call, especially after weeks of chilly days and downright cold temps at night? I got a friend, a blanket, and some snacks at Publix and hit the bay-front park off 14th St. to bask in the sunshine for the few hours it lasted.

I wasn’t the only one enjoying the brief change in weather as evidenced via my Facebook feed: People were thrilled to get outside for the Downtown art fair both Saturday and Sunday — even the Oscar-Mayer Wienermobile was out around town; I kept seeing it pop up in photos too. We’ll see if the weather lasts but it seems as if spring is sproinging in Sarasota, and season is finally actually starting. Certainly the success of the first-of-its-kind Noise Ordinanace CD Release Party is a sign of more good things to come.

Photo of the Cock & Bull at night by Peter Acker

I sadly missed the event, where 35 local bands played all day at Cock & Bull Pub. Instead I spent the evening with family in Tampa, celebrating my lil’ bro’s 21st b-day (shout-out!). We started with dinner at the dimly-lit Malio’s Prime Steakhouse, where a number of our fellow dinners were attired in tuxes or satin and glittering jewels, claiming they were off to the Gasparilla Debutante Ball (though no record of it exists on the web — surely it can’t be real if it’s not online).

After dinner, it was time to drink — we were celebrating a 21st after all — and lil’ bro chose Peabody’s to do so, a sports-bar around the corner from USF’s campus. As the frat boys piled in I found a spot in the corner to sit back and take it all in: young men in polo shirts talking up Mom, young ladies with Coach bags talking up Dad, and everyone trying to pour as many shots as possible into lil’ bro. Good times. Dad stayed sober enough to get us back safe to SRQ, but an hour car-ride with family after a few drinks can be akin to the ninth circle of hell. Family-drinky time should carry the same rules as polite bar conversation: avoid religion, politics, and discussion of non-present significant others. Love my peoples but I was all too happy to get out of that car and back to homebase.

I didn’t get back in time to go see DJ Supreme1 at Ivory, which was probably a good thing because I hear the after hours was a late one. And, on this particular Sunday, I would rather be in the park enjoying a beautiful day than up drinking…well I’m pretty sure about that anyway.

It was one of those days that makes you remember why you love this town: Near perfect weather, beautiful sea and sky and happy people taking the dog for a walk or filling up the boat for a day on the water. Enthusiasm is returning after so much time being cold and hiding indoors, and I detect a new spirit of collaboration in the air. All week I’ve heard whisperings of a new and improved Fringe Film Fest this April as well as the first news about local art collaborative S/ART/Q’s new show in March. The organizers of the Vinyl Fest are scouting locations and talent for this year’s summer music festival and are also promising bigger and better. Do it, people. If Noise Ordinance got 35 bands — and that means god-knows how many narcissistic musicians — together for one kick-ass show just think about what else we can accomplish for Sarasota. Keep up the good work people!

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