St Petersburg native Mindi Abair starred on Friday night. Recalling the joints she played in her early days, Abair said, "You don't start out playing Coachman Park."
Photo by Carl Wagenfohr, more photos below

CLEARWATER - The City of Clearwater had a successful opening of its Fun-n-Sun concert series last weekend. Coachman Park hosted the 11th Annual Smooth Jazz Fest on Friday and Saturday nights, while Sunday saw the Florida Orchestra take the stage followed by a fireworks show.

Coachman Park was crowded but comfortable throughout the weekend, with 5,000 concertgoers on Friday, 8,000 on Saturday, and 4,000 on Sunday. The crowds were well behaved, with the Clearwater Police Department reporting only one ejection for disorderly conduct.

The concert series continues this weekend with Fun 'N Sun Rocks the Park on Saturday, a classic rock concert featuring Daniel B. Marshall, Terry Sylvester and John Ford Coley, Pin Monkey, Poco, and Lou Gramm. Coachman Park gates open at 1PM for this free event.

On Sunday, Coachman Park hosts Fun 'N Sun Kick 'N Country, featuring Gary Nichols, Pin Monkey, Little Big Town, Josh Turner and Neal McCoy. The concert is free; gates open at noon. The weekend events will conclude with a fireworks show at approximately 9:00 pm

Saxophonist Euge Groove, aka Eugene Grove, had people literally dancing in the aisles during his band's high energy performance Saturday night. Photo by Carl Wagenfohr

Legendary jazz vocalist Chaka Khan closed the concert on Saturday night. Photo by Carl Wagenfohr

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