The Van Wezel And The American Red Cross Join Forces To Raise Money For Hurricane Relief At Friday Fest On The Bay With A Performance By Les Sabler & Citi Heat On
July 14, 2006 From 5:00 - 9:00 pm


Sarasota, FL - The Wilde Automotive Family presents Friday
Fest on the Bay at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall with Les Sabler & Citi Heat on Friday, July 14, 2006, 5-9 PM. The
American Red Cross and the Van Wezel are joining forces to help raise money for hurricane relief that could help benefit families during the hurricane season.

The Southwest Florida Chapter of the American Red Cross has
a mission of helping people in Sarasota and De Soto counties
to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Our local chapter has the responsibility of working with local emergency management officials in advance of any tropical storm or hurricane to facilitate the opening of evacuation shelters. Specially trained Red Cross volunteers are on call for this
type of situation. Red Cross response volunteers also provide post storm response activities such as sheltering, feeding, nursing, supply procurement, disaster assessment and emotional counseling.

On a day to day basis, American Red Cross volunteers provide emergency assistance to victims of local emergencies and disasters such as house fires. Volunteers are on call to help victims with their immediate basic needs like food, shelter, clothing and medications. The chapter is also involved in teaching first aid and CPR classes to nearly 8000 people
annually in our community. Additionally the chapter provides the
communications link to deployed members of the country's armed forces.

Nearly all of the operating funds for the local chapter come from
donations from the local community. For more information on the local chapter, call 379-9300 or log onto: southwestflorida.redcross.org.

Guitarist and composer Les Sabler was born and raised in Montreal, Canada and graduated as a Jazz major from Concordia University. During his college years he also worked as music director of the college radio station and spent many nights at The Esquire Show Bar and In Concert listening to and studying performances by many jazz and blues legends. Later he relocated to Florida and enrolled in graduate studies at the University of Miami Jazz Department and while living in Miami he performed and toured with a variety of Jazz, Latin and R&B bands which laid an important foundation for his composing and guitar style. Les points to Larry Carlton, George Benson, Lee Ritenour and Wes Montgomery as influences but his music also draws from a variety of other influences outside the guitar realm.

Les continues to keep an active performance itinerary and in 2003 joined forces with the reunited Tampa based group CITIHEAT who had released three popular CD's during the 1990s and received numerous awards from Tampa Bay media and associations including: "Most Outstanding Jazz Band", "Best Entertainer/Group and Best Jazz Artists."

Friday Fest on the Bay is a free music series held once-a-month, June through October, drawing together the best of the
Gulfcoast, its people, products and lifestyles, entertainers and uncompromising sunsets. The event is a community celebration bringing together everyone who enjoys great music, food, fun,
and the beautiful Sarasota Bayfront. Area businesses have joined together to create a special summer seas on event to highlight all that Sarasota has to offer.

Each month, residents and visitors alike are invited to come
join the party! Along with live music, there will be food, beverage and arts and crafts vendors. Bring lawn chairs or blankets, no coolers please. The festival series is cosponsored by Wilde Automotive of Sarasota, WSJT 94.1, Herald Tribune Media Group, SNN6, Goldcoast Eagle, Comcast, Brighthouse, Sarasota County Arts Council, ABC 7 and City of Sarasota.

Each festival takes place on Sarasota Bay at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall from 5 to 9 PM and is open to the public.

Don't miss other upcoming Friday Fests scheduled for:

August 18 - The Venturas
September 15 - Suzette Jennings and MoodSwingz
October 20 - Allon Sams & Friends

VOTED BEST OUTDOOR FESTIVAL!! SAVE THESE DATES!!!
Admission is FREE!

For more information please contact the Van Wezel Box
Office at (941) 953-3368.