Ariella Wows at Latest LSPOA Beach Concert

The Duo Ariella performs in Pavilion Parking lot

Shortly after 3:30 Thursday afternoon (March 2)... Ariella McManus and Nicholaas Kraster crested the sandy path that leads to our beach.  Almost in unison, that distinctive catch in the throat caused both to cough.  A steady southwest wind was carrying red tide toxins from the Gulf, and it quickly became obvious that there would be no Concert on the Beach.

Dejectedly, they walked back to the parking lot.  "I still want to sing," Ariella said.  "It's been awhile since we performed live.  Let's just do it right here."  And so, an hour later, the Sarasota duo would kick off an entertaining one-and-a-half hour set in our Pavilion parking lot, with the Stylistics original, You Make Me Feel Brand New.

Ariella grew up in Sarasota and went to Booker High School.  She met Nicholaas, who had moved from Buffalo, N.Y. to attend Ringling College of Art and Design, while singing Besame Mucho in Spanish with another band on Main Street downtown.  

Nicholaas says he asked her on the spot if she'd like to join his band.  She said yes, if I can sing in Spanish.  That was 13-years ago... and they've been together ever since.

Barefoot, and from an improvised stage consisting of two-oriental rugs, the powerhouse vocalist sang a couple of tunes in Spanish, accompanied by some incredible flamenco style guitar work from Nicolaas.  

Ariella also belted out a stylized version of Fly Me to the Moon, sang a catchy self-composed song about parenthood and closed with the 70's anthem, I Will Survive, by Gloria Gaynor.

Oh, and back to the on-again, off-again red tide that precipitated the impromptu move to the parking lot.  Everyone seemed to take it in stride.  The 'show must go' on attitude prevailed, as some of us secured a shady spot to park our chairs, and others baked a bit in the late afternoon sun.  A new LSPOA generator provided power and hummed along quietly throughout the performance.

A few sneezes and throat tickles were heard from time to time, but overall, Ariella's personable and energetic vibe, and the duo's incredible talent won the day.

~Bob Thill