Community Connections at Get Down Downtown in Bradenton

BRADENTON -- A lot of people headed down to downtown Bradenton on Thursday night for Get Down Downtown Bradenton event. Although, the event set to music was to honor the 2010 Jazz Fest activities, most people were there to connect with each other and the community.

Diane Hayes, from left, John Dureel, Marjie Larison, Jon Deacon and Cecile Deacon all joined at Get Down Downtown for a little music and friendship on Thursday evening.

The Mitch Clark Band warmed up on stage at the end of Old Main Street at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday to start the evening off with some funky, soulful, blues music.

Band leader, Mitch Clark, was a young guy with charisma and energy; he yells down from the stage that they are ready to roll out their performance and play for the audience already surrounding the stage.

”These people have all come down for Get Down Downtown tonight,“ Clark said. ”This is definitely great for the community.“

Every third Thursday night from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. people find themselves enjoying an evening out downtown on historic Old Main Street. Although July and August are off months for the event, the rest of the year in on schedule through December 2010.

A group of close friends had already set up their folding chairs in front of the stage by 6 p.m., something they do together for each Get Down Downtown event.

The Mitch Clark Band honored 2010 Jazz Fest and sang a funky version of the blues at the event on Old Main Street in Bradenton.

”This is just something we always do together,“ Marjie Larison said, while laughing at the men in the group who were spicing themselves up for the photo. ”It’s always good music and gives us a chance to be out in the community.“

The ”Feisty Flamingo's“ agreed that being out with the community does a lot of good.

This group of ladies was preparing to do a 60-mile walk/run in St. Petersburg the last weekend in October to raise money to fight cancer.

”It’s so good for the community to have this event on Thursday nights,“ said Tina Barrios, who will do the miles for the cause with her team of 10 women.

She added that all of the team members are responsible for raising $2,300 each to be able to donate a total of $23,000 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day fundraiser.

”Being out here gets us a lot of support from the local community,“ Barrios said. ”We get to see people and tell them about the event and they encourage us in return.“

Randy Mullet was bagging freshly made popcorn down the street from the ”Feisty Flamingo's“ and enjoying his night out in the community.

The "Feisty Flamigo's" set up a booth at the event to help raise money to fight cancer for the 3-day walk/run in St. Petersburg. Home page photo is of Riley Kuhns, 5, helping out at the booth.

Mullet said when the economy started to get pretty bad, he decided to launch Randy’s Famous Kettle Korn business booth.

”It’s doing really good,“ he said on Thursday night. ”This event has good music and food, and it’s an entertaining night out for all.“

He’s been doing his business since October 2009, and he said the events downtown Bradenton have been a big help to vendors during the tough economic times.

Most folks out on Thursday night didn't really know the event was also to honor 2010 Jazz Fest in Manatee County. They just wanted to connect with each other and be outside for a few hours at sunset, while some used the opportunity to raise money for charity.

The Bradentucky Bombers shared with the community that their roller skating helps to fight the tough times, too. They skate for local charities and they are lacing up for their big match against the Sarasota Rollergirls on May 2.

This skating derby match benefits the American Cancer Society, and the girls said, on Thursday night, that all of their matches are for local charities.

”Being out here tonight helps us to get the word out to the community,“ said Jessie Schneider, a Bradentucky Bomber girl. ”We always get a big turn out and our upcoming derby is against Sarasota, and it’s the biggest one of the year.

”But it’s also for a good cause, which is why we are out tonight to share this with the community.“

Erica Newport is a daily reporter for The Bradenton Times. She covers art, culture and community. If you have a story that might interest Erica, please e-mail her using erica.newport@thebradentontimes.com address.  She also takes your questions related to our weekly theme days and provides advice and opinions for our readers.

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