CENTERSTAGE LIVE! MUSIC CAFÉ: Downtown Jazz

It was all about the "grown folks” music at Esca’s Restaurant’s hosting of the film festival’s “Centerstage Live! Music Café” on Thursday night in downtown Sarasota.

The eclectic crowd of movie and jazz fans filed into the courtyard about 9 p.m. Thursday night under the popular downtown establishment’s curved balcony. 

With tables and chairs set up around a a stage near Main Street, patrons sipped wine and alcohol while listening the lively sounds of Top-40 band Bus Stop, one several acts that included DJ Lady Femme and Ywada Pitts. 

The place was packed. 

Whether it was the upstairs lounge or on the brick courtyard below festival revelers either danced to old school R&B tracks or sat and enjoyed the smooth sounds.

“This venue is perfect,” said Esca co-owner Kim Doleatto. “You have such a diverse environment. There’s a lot of eye candy…it’s not just four walls.”

The jazz sounds of headliner jazz saxophonist Eric Darius got the crowd excited as he played a lively set.

Sarasota resident Ned Burrell sat on the balcony with his wife and said the event complimented the festival’s African-American films.

“This is part of the greater Black experience in the film festival,” he said. 

“There is a nice blend of local acts and national acts so it’s a good opportunity…it’s like seeing Hank Aaron in the minors,” he laughed.

Last modified: April 11, 2008 5:31am