- April 29, 2025
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The Hermitage presents "Songs from the Sand: A Hermitage Cabaret" on Friday night at Waterside Place.
Photo by Lesley DwyerRandy Stull, Jack and Michelle Pilkington and Vanessa Stull meet at Waterside Place. The Stulls came from downtown Sarasota and the Pilkingons from Braden Pines.
Photo by Lesley DwyerLakewood Ranch residents Braden and Mila Chrachol keep busy during the Sights and Sounds music series at Waterside Place.
Photo by Lesley DwyerThe plaza at Waterside Place fills up Friday night for Sights and Sounds, a monthly performance series.
Photo by Lesley DwyerAndy Sandberg emcees the event. He is the CEO and artistic director of the Hermitage.
Photo by Lesley DwyerSue and Greg Lawrick bring their dogs Nala and Nanook to the show. The family only moved to Lakewood Ranch last July, but they're regular concertgoers — dogs included.
Photo by Lesley DwyerThe Hermitage program brings Bradenton resident Linda Waztor and Brandon resident Jeremy Campbell to Waterside Place for the evening. They'd only visited once before.
Photo by Lesley DwyerLorraine Lakes residents John and Adriana Grech are regulars at the farmers market, but tonight, they're at Waterside Place for the music.
Photo by Lesley DwyerBradenton resident and massage therapist Eboni Lavender dances in the back to support her friends in the cast.
Photo by Lesley DwyerMary Margaret Hardesty is visiting her dad William Lewis from Tennessee. Lewis recently moved into Esplanade.
Photo by Lesley DwyerIt was another busy Friday night at Waterside Place thanks to the popular Sights and Sounds music series.
The Hermitage Artist Retreat entertained the crowd with “Songs from the Sand: A Hermitage Cabaret.”
The Hermitage artists perform about 50 shows a year, usually at the beach on Manasota Key, where the retreat is located. This was the first time they’ve brought a program to Lakewood Ranch, which was the original goal of Sights and Sounds, to attract such talent.
“Having these organizations perform here at Waterside Place means that our residents don’t have to travel far to enjoy and support arts and culture,” said Nicole Hackel, the LWR Communities' Events and Resident Experience manager.
The program was composed of songs written by Hermitage alumni fellows, including Jeanine Tesori. Tesori wrote four Tony-nominated scores for Broadway and won two for “Kimberly Akimbo” and “Fun Home.” “Fun Home” was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
The next Sights and Sounds is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. on July 28 when Easter Seals and Everyone Rocks will “Rock the Spectrum.”