🌅 🎨 Al Black, Highwayman and Hometown Legend

Good Afternoon, Sunland

It’s Tuesday, and this is your weekly reminder to never hesitate to send something my way. I’m not perfect — I really do try to keep up with everything, but if I miss something, just give me a little nudge. I don’t mind sharing what you’ve got going on, especially if it’s an event.

Speaking of which, somebody keyed me in on something happening this week that I want to spotlight: Tribal Rhythms at the River. It’s organized by a local nonprofit, and they had me at “house music, sunset, on the water.” You got me!

I always hear folks on Facebook, Reddit, and even in passing say there’s never anything to do. And hey, maybe that’s (rarely) true depending on what you’re looking for. But when something like this pops up, you gotta support it. Pull up, show love, and help create more of the stuff we want to see. Alright…

🧡 Member Shoutout: A big thank you to Alex Coto, our newest member! Your support helps keep this newsletter running and makes room for bigger community projects. If you want to chip in, you can support any amount right here: Support Sunland

🎥 Not Local News, But… AMC is now offering 50% off tickets on Wednesdays all summer. If you’re like me and already frequent the $5 Tuesday showings at AMC West, you might want to plan a double feature this week. 👉 Read more about the deal

Sponsored, but also true: I will absolutely be eating Stoney’s $5 Snack Pack today. Also, Stoney just dropped his new website. Check it out here.

🧱 Main Squeeze: Al Black, Florida Highwayman and Local Legend, Passes Away

Fort Pierce lost one of its greats this week.

Al Black, one of the Original Florida Highwaymen, died on May 12, 2025. He was 78 years old.

For those who don’t know, and for the many that do, the Highwaymen were a group of 26 Black artists, including one woman, who began painting in the 1950s. Shut out of galleries because of Jim Crow and systemic suppression at the time, they sold their Florida landscapes on the side of the road and out the trunk. They built an art economy from scratch. Changed the face of Florida art history. And they did it without waiting for permission.

🎨 Al’s Start: From the sounds of it, Al was hustle first, brush second.

He met the earliest Highwaymen salesmen in Orlando in the 1960s and asked for a shot. Legend has it, they gave him a few paintings. He walked back into the building and sold every single one. Word got back to Alfred Hair, the group’s charismatic leader, and just like that, Al quit his job at a typing company in downtown Fort Pierce and hit the road.

He became one of the Highwaymen’s top salesmen, famous for selling paintings out the trunk of his car and for his unmatched storytelling. When Alfred Hair was tragically killed in 1970, Al picked up the brush. He taught himself the craft by repairing smeared oil paintings others had damaged. What started as necessity became legacy.

In his later years, Al painted daily in his backyard. He mentored younger artists like AJ Brown. He carried the Highwaymen across Florida and beyond. He believed in the power of the work and the story behind it. Every brushstroke was memory. Every new sale was another chapter.

🏛️ Legacy in Motion: The Highwaymen’s paintings now hang in the White House, in Florida’s Capitol, and in collections around the world. But for many, it’s not about the price tag. It’s about what the work represents—resilience, beauty, and the power of making something out of nothing.

In the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Fort Pierce, a museum is being built to honor that legacy. The City of Fort Pierce Highwaymen Museum will be the only one in the world dedicated solely to the Highwaymen. It will house original works from all 26 artists, including Al Black. Renovations are still underway, but the vision remains: to preserve the legacy and carry it forward.

📝 Why We’re Writing This: Stories like Al’s don’t always get written down. That’s part of why we started Sunland News in the first place—to preserve and pass on the history of Fort Pierce and all the brilliance that’s come from it. Al Black was a legend of the road, but he was also a hometown story worth telling.

🕊️ Rest easy, Al. You lived it, sold it, painted it, and passed it on.
📖 Read More About Al Black’s Story

🥳 What’s Happening: 8 Out of Town Events

• 🌮 321 Tacos & Treats Throwdown – Melbourne’s Biggest Food Fest
  It’s back! Sample $1–$5 tacos, desserts, and drinks from top vendors across the Space Coast. Two days of live music, food trucks, cocktails, and community fun at Wickham Park. 🗓️ May 17–18 | 🕐 Saturday 12 PM–8 PM & Sunday 11 AM–6 PM | 💵 $7/day or $10 weekend pass | Kids 10 & under free 👉 Details

• 🎼 Sunset Concert at the Gallery – Treasure Coast Youth Symphony

  Catch the next generation of local talent performing live at the MartinArts Gallery. Limited seating, so reserve early! 🗓️ Tuesday, May 13 | 🕐 5:30 PM | 💵 $5 non-members | Free for members
  👉 Details

• ☕ Carmela’s Coffee Shop Market – Handmade Goods & Vibes
  First pop-up market at Carmela Coffee Bar in Stuart. Local artists, handmade creations, and a good cup of joe. 🗓️ Saturday, May 17 | 🕐 9 AM–3 PM | 💵 Free

  👉 Details

• 🎤 Magic of Motown at The Lyric Theatre

  Relive the hits from Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, and more in this lively tribute concert. Backed by a full band, expect big energy and nostalgia. 🗓️ Wednesday, May 21 | 🕐 7 PM | 💵 Varies 👉 Details

• 🎨 Crafts & Drafts at Walking Tree Brewery

  Create your own mosaic art with over 100 design options while sipping on local brews in Vero. Ages 8+ welcome, indoor or covered patio setup. 🗓️ Saturday, May 17 | 🕐 1 PM–4 PM | 💵 $40–$69 (includes materials) 👉 Details

• 🎷 Saxy Fridays – Live Jazz at Sweet Desires Dessert Lounge

  Smooth saxophone, signature cocktails, and sweet desserts set the mood every Friday. Ideal date night or solo vibe-out. 🗓️ Friday, May 16 | 🕐 7 PM–10 PM | 💵 Free 👉 Details

• 🍹 Double the Drinks, Double the Fun – Happy Hour at Desire Lounge

  Enjoy BOGO cocktails and wine from 6–7 PM in a colorful, intimate lounge setting. Perfect for catching up with friends midweek. 🗓️ Wednesday, May 14 | 🕐 6 PM–7 PM | 💵 Free entry 👉 Details

• 🎶 Clematis by Night Ft. Marijah & the Reggae All-Stars

  Free outdoor reggae show at West Palm Beach Waterfront. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy live music under the stars. 🗓️ Thursday, May 15 | 🕐 6 PM–9 PM | 💵 Free 👉 Details

If you have an event, send it to me here

🍹The Refill: Phatz Sports Bar & Grill – What’s New, What Needs Work, and What’s Next 🍗📺

The Good: I’ve got to give credit where it’s due. Phatz has come a long way. They started out of the Chronicle Building on Avenue D, then moved over to US-1, closer to the corner of Avenue D. After that, they opened up in Vero Beach, and now they’re back with a new Fort Pierce location—just across the street from the last one.

In every version of Phatz, the food has stayed true to its roots. But this new location feels like a shift in what they want people to experience. It’s definitely more focused on the sports bar atmosphere.

The new space is larger, nicely built, and visually impressive. There are plenty of TVs, lots of sports decor, and even outdoor seating, which is a great addition. They’ve also added a walk-up window for takeout orders, which helps if you’re trying to avoid the main dining area or just grab something quick.

The wings? Still solid. If you’re used to the Phatz flavor, you’ll get that here too.

The Not-As-Good: When I visited last week, it felt like the team was still getting its footing. I wasn’t greeted when I walked in. I wasn’t really sure if I should seat myself or wait. The energy inside leaned more social than service-focused, which made it a little unclear who was actually working.

Ordering was clunky. No pen, no pad, and it felt like things were being memorized on the fly. The TVs were on, but only a few, and none of them were showing live games—even though we’re still in playoff season.

None of that made the experience bad, but it definitely made it feel unpolished.

The Future: I do think they opened at the right time. If they can clean up the service and get the viewing experience right, this place could be packed come NBA Finals, NFL Sundays, and even college football Saturdays.

I’ll probably check back in a couple months. I know they’ve done this before and grown each time, so I’m hoping they’ll do the same here.

If you’ve been to the new Phatz, I’d love to hear what you thought →

Submit your thoughts here

🥛 Last Drop: Brightline Riders Not Happy!

1. 🚆 Brightline Just Raised Its Pass Prices 125%

   The new $899 pass replaces the old $399 one, and yeah… riders aren’t thrilled.

   👉 Read more

2. 🐾 Humane Society of the Treasure Coast Breaks Ground

   A 16-month renovation is underway to improve dog kennels, lobby design, and foster services.

   👉 Details here

3. 🍽 Dave’s Diner Gets a Glow-Up

   New furniture and patio vibes at the Hutchinson Island staple. Go grab a seat.

   📍 1006 Seaway Dr, Fort Pierce

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