Rosemary Rising Celebrates The Arts And Welcomes New Businesses

Rosemary Rising, the seasonal block party hosted by businesses in the downtown Sarasota creative district after which it takes its name, will be in full swing on Thursday evening to kick off the summer with style.

Madeby Gallery, located at 734 Central Avenue, will be featuring the work of Ringling College students and alumni. There will also be artists on site doing live art demonstrations for the public.

Neighboring contemporary furniture store, Home Resource, will be hosting the music of Dean Johannsen, N.I.C.E., Muzak Man,and The Human Condition at their location, 741 Central Avenue.

Lourdes Nail & Hair Studio, located at 436 Central Avenue, will also feature music, with acoustic guitarist, Steve McAlllister performing on site.

Break Fixx, the emerging electronic music duo who recently made a splash in the Sarasota music scene at last weekend, will also be present at the event.

Dasaka Salon, 650 Central Avenue, will be hosting the World Café Art show. The World Café, developed by SRQ Connects, is instrumental in bringing participants from the arts community together to bridge the social and cultural divides in the local community.

Red Panty Press, the newly-established photography studio and art gallery run by Sarasota photographer, Sheila Simmington at 513 Central Avenue, is contributing several features to the Rosemary Rising creative lineup.

On the sidewalk just outside of Red Panty Press, a graffiti artist will be doing a live demonstration. Simmington also promises an opera artist outside of the studio’s door who will be performing arias throughout the evening, while DJ Rus Deep performs inside the studio. Simmington’s own photography, as well as that of Daniel Perales and other local photographers and painters will be on display inside the gallery while more artwork is projected on the side of the building. According to Simmington, there will also be “fancy cars” and “wacky mannequins” at the studio for Rosemary Rising.

Prior to Rosemary Rising, Red Panty Press hosted a gallery of equality-related works of art in honor of the which also recently took place in the Rosemary District.

Joining Red Panty Press as another new kid on the block, Carly’s Closet, formerly Everything but the Girl, opened its doors to the public at 430 Central Avenue on Saturday, May 28. The consignment shop will be displaying its funky fashions to the public as part of the summer Rosemary Rising event.

Darby Pursifull of Dasaka Salon, who organized this season’s Rosemary Rising with Michael Bush of Home Resource and John Darling of Lourdes Salon, says that the influx of new businesses in the Rosemary District is what sets this Rosemary Rising apart from the past events.

“So many new businesses have moved in here recently,” she said. “This Rosemary Rising is really giving them a chance to introduce themselves and get involved in the community. We’re really excited to have so many new faces joining us.”

Rosemary Rising will take place on Thursday evening from 5 – 9pm.

Along with the numerous businesses that are opening their doors to host artists and musicians in their spaces, food vendors and other local artists will also be present on the sidewalks, streets and grassy lots of the Rosemary District.

For an evening full of entertainment, fresh-faced local businesses, and heaps of creative energy, be sure to come downtown for Rosemary Rising and experience the blossoming artistic community that landed Sarasota the coveted #5 spot on American Style Magazine’s list of Top 25 Small Cities For Art in the United States.