Fort Lauderdale Beach continues to make big moves as it embarks on the new year, starting 2020 on a proverbial high note with the return of the free-to-the-public Friday Night Sound Waves on Friday, January 24, 2020. Debuting at its new home at Las Olas Oceanside Park, located on the southwest corner of Las Olas and A1A, the series opens with South Florida’s preeminent R&B/Motown band, Pocket Change, and continues its run every Friday night from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM through June 26, 2020.
Should the new location, concert time, and scheduled summer break begin to signify a new direction, it is just the beginning of things to come. Entering its 5th year, the City of Fort Lauderdale Beach Improvement District, and organizers are expanding on the series success with the addition of two new markets, a weekly morning yoga program, monthly art classes, and exciting activations with the beach destinations’ highest-profile events.
“Our goal with Friday Night Sound Waves was to create a sense of community in an otherwise thought of tourist-centric destination, a place for locals and visitors to gather, meet and mingle and connect with music at the core,” noted event producer, Arianne Glassman, who along with support from the business community, is spearheading these efforts. “It is an exciting time on Fort Lauderdale Beach with the completion of the new park and garage, and apropos in 2020, we can see a clear vision for the future.”
Leading off the activities on Friday night, a new Music & Makers Market will operate from 4 PM – 10 PM and provide beachgoers an opportunity to shop and engage with local artists displaying a mix of handmade and homemade goods. Acoustic musicians, live art, and street performances will provide pre-concert entertainment from 4 PM – 6 PM. Beachside restaurants participating in Picnics at the Park will rotate through on select evenings offering light fare and refreshments at 5 PM.
Saturday’s Farmers, Antiques, and Artisan Market brings a long-desired and unique amenity to Fort Lauderdale’s shoreline. Curated by The Market Company, South Florida’s oldest green market producer, the park’s perimeter will fill with an array of traditional market fare ranging from fresh produce, cheese, and baked items to plants, artisanal products and more, every Saturday from 9 AM – 4 PM. A list of weekly vendors will be visible at Facebook.com/oceansideparkmarket.
“We are delighted to be a part of the launch activities at Las Olas Oceanside Park and one of the very few fresh markets with an oceanfront view,” stated Claire Tomlin, Founder & CEO, The Market Company. “The whole community, both businesses, and the residents have been extremely welcoming, and we look forward to bringing a unique market experience for all to enjoy.”
Complementing the Saturday Market, South Florida’s favorite beachside Yoga teacher Lisa Pumper and team will host a weekly Rise and Shine Yoga Fit for EveryBODY at 8:30 AM. The hour-long class welcomes all ages and levels to participate, with a suggested minimum donation of $5 or $10 to receive a MyFTLB discount card. Additionally, on select Saturday’s monthly Young at Art Museum will present their YAA-On-The-Go program, providing children and families a free drop-in art experience tailored to different monthly themes.
#SUPERNEWS
Late December, the series caught the attention of the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee, which resulted in the sanctioning of a celebratory weekend, January 31 and February 1, 2020. Themed as Raised in the 9[54], the two-day, free-to-the-public Friday Night LIVE Concert from 4-10 PM and Saturday Family Fun Day from 9 AM – 4 PM, place focus on the strong ties Broward County has with the NFL.
“The concept for this weekend stemmed from the realization professional football, and Broward County have a solid connection,” stated Glassman. “Through Week 16 of the 2019 NFL season alone, 52 players are wearing an NFL jersey, representing players from 19 different Broward County High Schools and 24 NFL clubs. When we say the next 100 years of the NFL starts in the 954, it really does.”
Headlining Friday night’s Raised in the 9[54] Concert from 6:30 – 9:30 is the eight-member, high energy, Private Stock Band. The public is encouraged to come early to enjoy the Taste the Wave Tailgate Zone populated by area restaurants on the Las Olas Festival Street and enjoy performances by local High School bands. A special presentation to the 2019/20 Geico State and National Championship Football Team and St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders Coach Roger Harriott by sponsor, Florida Power & Light, Company, and City of Fort Lauderdale, will encompass the band break with a full-on half-time show.
Saturday’s daytime event turns its attention on tomorrow’s leaders on and off the field, with a full schedule of experiences taking place from 8:30 AM – 4 PM. Starting the day, across from the festival site at Las Olas & A1A, Lisa Pumper and the Yoga Community of South Florida along with organizers of the monthly Fort Lauderdale Beach Sweep will host a Rise & Shine Yoga Class from 8:30 – 9:30 AM and #SuperSweep from 9 – 11 AM.
Leading the Eat Right, Get Moving initiative, South Florida based nutrition education and physical activity non-profit, FLIPANY, will present a range of activities from the NFL PLAY 60 athletic program with past and present NFL players. The group will also present a series of healthy Super Bowl snack cooking demonstrations and tastings with the Florida Dairy Farmers Association. Local businesses, including Ball Box, will host a tailgate game zone.
Sparking children’s creativity and team-building skills, Young At Art Museum’s YYA On-The-Go educators will host an interactive football-themed graffiti mural project, led by local artist Manish Patel (aka ish), and provide kids of all ages supplies to make and take game day crafts. Local High School Marching Bands, School of Rock, and teen-sensation DJ Smiley will provide a background beat to the FPL Lights, Camera, Selfie Station, Farmers Market, and Tailgate Food Court.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Throughout the Friday Night Sound Waves season, pop-up events, such as the Valentine’s Day Vow Renewal (Feb 14) and Spring Solstice Wellness Day (March 21), will provide a little something extra for everyone. Expanded programming is planned for Pride of the Americas 2020 featuring bandleader and renowned percussionist, Tito Puente, Jr. (April 24), Fort Lauderdale Air Show Pilots Welcome Party (May 1) with a Tribute to Asbury Park performed by The Livesays, a special Mother’s Day Concert (May 8) with the ever-popular, School of Rock, and Memorial Day Weekend (May 22) concert featuring Classic Rock Therapy.
Widely recognized for the quality of artists and variety of music genres, Friday Night Sound Waves line-up features favorite years-past performers along with new performers nominated by concertgoers who took part in an online poll.
Jan 24 – POCKET CHANGE – Season Kick-Off
Jan 31 – PRIVATE STOCK
Feb 07 – SABOR LATINO
Feb 14 – REAXTION – Valentine’s Day Vow Renewal Ceremony and Concert
Feb 21 – MR NICE GUY
Feb 28 – GOODNICKS
Mar 06 – TASTY VIBRATIONS
Mar 13 – FIRESIDE PROPHETS
Mar 20 – SPRED THE DUB
Mar 27 – SONLOKOS
Apr 03 – JOEL DA SILVA + FRIENDS
Apr 10 – BIG HARVEST
Apr 17 – SHANE DUNCAN BAND – Tortuga Music Festival Weekend
Apr 24 – TITO PUENTE JR. – PRIDE of the Americas 2020 Twilight Concert
May 01 – THE LIVESAYS – Official Air Show Performers Welcome Party
May 08 – SCHOOL OF ROCK – Mother’s Day Weekend Concert
May 15 – KHEMISTRY
May 22 – CLASSIC ROCK THERAPY – Memorial Day Weekend
May 29 – WILDFIRE BAND
June 05 – ALL STAR SOUL BAND
June 12 – GORO CASTILLO
June 19 – GYPSY LANE
June 26 – VALERIE TYSON BAND – Season Finale
The family-friendly event, sponsored by the area businesses through a funding grant made possible by the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Beach Improvement District fund, is free to the public and open to all ages. For more information on Friday Night Sound Waves and Saturday Farmer’s, Antiques and Artisan Market, visit www.FridayNightSoundWaves.com and follow updates and announcements on the series social pages, Facebook and Instagram @soundwavesflb as well as www.MyFortLauderdaleBeach.com
