- January 7, 2025
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The band Funky Bonez brings a "Neon New Year Party" to the Green at UTC on Jan 2.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Johnny Bonez steps off stage and into the crowd to perform "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang.
Photo by Lesley DwyerSarasota's Johnny Luciano spins Laura Harper on the dance floor.
Photo by Lesley DwyerEast County's Tay Johnson holds 11-year-old Sully.
Photo by Lesley DwyerThe Funky Bonez perform at the Green at UTC on Jan. 2.
Photo by Lesley DwyerCathy Watkins, Wayne Brockman, Kenneth Barley, Nan McArthy and Doug Hudson belong to a meetup group for Sarasota residents who are 50 and older.
Photo by Lesley DwyerBradenton's Jody Reynolds and Sarasota's John Burgstiner take a quick break from dancing.
Photo by Lesley DwyerThe Meadows Donna Scully dances in her seat.
Photo by Lesley DwyerBradenton's Sonia Wolfe and Sun City's Shelley Hughes dance in front of the stage.
Photo by Lesley DwyerChuck Reedy is the bass player for Funky Bonez.
Photo by Lesley DwyerThe drummer's neon mohawk commands attention from the back of the stage.
Photo by Lesley DwyerThe Meadows Cathy and Greg Zaremba snag a table next to the dance floor.
Photo by Lesley DwyerThe Green at UTC was transformed into a disco on Jan. 2.
Photo by Lesley DwyerResidents danced into the new year at 2025's first installment of UTC Live on The Green Jan. 2.
Photo by Lesley DwyerUniversity Town Center was lit up with more than Christmas lights Jan. 2.
Funky Bonez brought a “Neon New Year Party” to 2025’s first installment of UTC Live on The Green.
Dressed in head-to-toe neon, the band members glowed on stage. Their headdresses crossed punk rock Mohawks with Day of the Dead sugar skulls.
More importantly, the band had nearly everyone dancing.
Who can sit through the 1980’s hit “Celebration” by the Kool & the Gang? During “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang, lead singer Johnny Bonez stepped off the stage and danced with the crowd.
“The people sitting, we don’t know them,” joked Sarasota’s Nan McArthy. “Everybody from our group is on the dance floor.”
McArthy was with the Sarasota Over 50 Meetup Group. She said it’s not a singles group, but a social group of over 6,000 residents.
The activities go way beyond dancing. Members meet to bowl, play pickleball, watch football games, you name it.
“Whatever your interest, you’ll find something,” McArthy said.
