American Idol Syesha Mercado to Perform Free Concert in Sarasota on Friday, May 9

Syesha Mercado is one of three finalists in Fox's American Idol and she's returning to her hometown of Sarasota, Fla. this week to perform a free concert on the grounds of the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art for her fans.

Sarasota Loves Sye: "We're proud of our girl."
"The community has embraced Sye," says Matt Orr, Sarasota socialite and owner of the Web site, ThisWeekinSarasota.com, "We're really proud of our girl."

And how proud is Sarasota of Syesha Mercado? According to Orr, "Syclones" (the nickname for Syesha fans) pack Mattison's City Grill (1 North Lemon Avenue) in downtown Sarasota. The restaurant has been holding free American Idol parties the evenings the Fox show airs. "It's absolutely 100 percent packed. Get there early to get a seat," he says.

Sarasota Loves Sye: An American Idol Homecoming
The Friday, May 9th Sarasota visit is part of American Idol's "Hometown Visits" for the three finalists. The homecoming will allow Syesha time to recharge and get pumped up for her next American Idol performance on May 13.

Where will Syesha Mercado be while in Sarasota?

According to WTVT Fox 13 Tampa Bay, the 21-year-old will find out what it's like to be a rock star during her whirlwind visit home. Syesha will be making the Tampa television and radio talk show circuit Friday morning.

Syclones (aka: Syesha fans), this is for you: 10:30 to 11 a.m., the American Idol finalist will visit to the City of Bradenton. A stage is being set up on Barcarrota Blvd. between 10th and 12th streets where Syesha will be presented with a key to the City from Mayor Wayne Poston. This event is open to the public and media.

Friday afternoon, Syesha heads to Booker High School, her alma mater, for an assembly and performance. This event is by invitation only.

Sarasota Loves Sye: Free American Idol Concert at the Ringling Museum
Syclones, listen up, here's more important stuff: 3:30 p.m., Syesha will be performing a free concert on the Ca d' Zan Terrace at the grounds of the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Don't be shy, come out and show your support for Sye! Bring your Sye banners to show your support.

What you need to know about Syesha's free concert at the Ringling Museum:
Date: Friday, May 9th, 2008
Ringling Museum Address: 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota
Enter through the Visitor Pavilion
Parking for Syesha's free concert begins at 1:00 p.m., parking is just north of the Ringling Museum at New College of Florida.
Water will be available for purchase but no coolers are allowed.
This event is open to the public and media but no live feeds, broadcasts or live trucks are permitted.

Following her performance at Ringling, Syesha heads north to St. Petersburg where she'll sing the National Anthem at the Tampa Bay Devil Rays baseball game at 7 p.m.

Sarasota Loves Sye: An American Idol in the Final Three
American Idol judges Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell were pleased with Syesha's May 6th performance of "A Change is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke. Judge Randy Jackson didn't care for it but preferred her earlier evening performance of "Proud Mary" by "Creedence Clearwater Revival."

Syesha was born in Connecticut and spent her childhood in the Sarasota area. Tens of thousands of 16 to 28-year-olds auditioned for the seventh season of the singing reality show. Syesha is the only woman left in the competition. David Archuleta and David Cook round out the final three.

Sources:
Interview with Matt Orr, Sarasota Socialite and Owner of ThisWeekinSarasota.com, May 6, 2008.
Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau
WTVT Fox 13 Tampa Bay