🌅 🎭 Sunrise Theatre Up for Grabs?

Good Morning, Sunland

It’s Friday! Okay, so I know there’s been a huge delay on this — and I apologize for that. I’m just a one-man show, so sometimes things take time. But everything moves in due time.

The good news? The Sunland stickers are finally in. If you filled out the survey and shared the newsletter at least three times, yours will be on the way soon.

Now, that’s the rule — three referrals. But let me be clear: I don’t discriminate. I want everyone to be able to rock a sticker. So once I send them out to those who’ve officially earned them through referrals, I’ll open it up.

If you still want one, all I ask is that you share the newsletter with at least one friend or family member. That’s it. I’m trying to grow this thing organically, with people who actually want to read it and find it meaningful.

So, if you want a sticker and haven’t filled out the form yet, here’s the link:

🔗 Fill out the Sticker Survey

And if not — all good too. Appreciate you either way. Alright…

🌡️ Weather Update: Warm winds and easy skies heading into the weekend

☀️ Day: High of 83°F | 🌤️ Partly cloudy with steady ESE winds at 15–25 mph.
🌙 Night: Low of 72°F | 🌥️ Partly cloudy, with SE winds at 10–20 mph.
🌅 Sunrise: 7:08 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 7:40 PM
🎵 Sounds like: “Can We Talk” by Tevin Campbell 💬🎶

🍋 The Main Squeeze
Sunrise Theatre May Soon Have New Management

Did you know the Sunrise Theatre might soon have a new operator?

The City of Fort Pierce has officially received five proposals from outside groups interested in taking over operations of the beloved downtown venue. Right now, the city runs the theater—but officials are hoping a management company can bring long-term stability.

💰 Why Now? The theater has been financially underwater for years. During and after the pandemic, it reportedly lost more than $1 million a year, with the city and federal grants stepping in to keep it afloat. But now that those grants have dried up, city officials say it’s time for a new solution.

🎭 What’s at Stake: This isn’t just any theater. Sunrise has hosted everything from kids’ summer camps and school performances to big-name acts and national tours. It’s a cornerstone of downtown Fort Pierce and a cultural hub with real impact. Even the small black box theater next door plays a role in nurturing the arts locally.

🛠️ What’s Been Done So Far:

• The Sunrise Theatre Foundation has stepped in to help cut costs.

• A digital projector was purchased—something many performers now require.

• But city leaders say a full-time management company may be key to long-term survival.

📅 What’s Next: The city is reviewing the five proposals now but hasn’t said who submitted them or what direction they’re leaning.

👀 What do you think? Should the city hand over operations? Or should it continue managing this cultural staple?
🔗 Leave your thoughts here
📺 Read the Full Story on WPTV

🗞 The Press Round
A few headlines worth knowing about

⚾ Countdown to Jackie Robinson Celebration Game

Vero Beach will host a Jackie Robinson Celebration Game on April 15 at Holman Stadium—located inside the Jackie Robinson Training Complex, a 6,500-seat venue with deep history right in our backyard.

👉 Read More

🌳 Fort Pierce Wants Your Input on Marina Square Park

Planning is underway to redesign Marina Square, and you can help shape it. The city will have a booth downtown tomorrow from 8 AM to 12 PM during the farmers market to gather community feedback on the space.

👉 Take the Survey

🎓 IRSC Launches New Look & Brand Strategy

Indian River State College is rebranding with a new logo and a more “business-like” marketing push to attract Florida students. Big shift in how they present themselves—let me know what you think of the new look.

👉 Check It Out

Join the Mission and support Sunland News and help fuel the goal of delivering smarter, faster very, very local news that keeps you informed on what’s unfolding here.

💡 Why it matters: Your support allows me to keep St. Lucie County informed and engaged through the daily Sunland News newsletter—and sets the stage for tackling bigger, in-depth reporting projects in the near future.

🎁 What’s in it for you: Exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and other perks as we grow (bookstore and otherwise) this community together.

👉 Check it out here!

🎟 What’s Happening This Week

Before we jump into this week’s picks, just a heads-up that I dropped a full list of 39 things to do in St. Lucie County this April. If you missed it, you can catch it here.

Also, if you’re ever wondering what’s going on around town, hit up the new Sunland Events page anytime. It’s always updating, searchable, and growing.

Saturday, April 5

• 📚 The Zora Experience Festival – Celebrate the legacy of Zora Neale Hurston with food, music & vendors. | 9 AM–3 PM | Free | Details

• 🎭 Movie Night at Wanderlust – Outdoor movie screening of Marked Men: Rule & Shaw. Bring a chair! | 7 PM | Up to $20 | Details

• 🛍️ Market Day! An Open Air Vintage Market – Melbourne – Vintage vendors, antiques, home goods, handmade items & more. | 10 AM–3 PM | Free | Details

• 🎨 EQUINOX Art Fair – A Fine Art Walk – Outdoor art walk with music, vendors, and prize competitions. | 5 PM–10 PM | Free | Details

Sunday, April 6

• 🎉 Spring Fest – Easter-themed event with bounce houses, petting zoo, face painting & more. | 4 PM–6 PM | Free | Details

If you have an event, send it to me here

💧 The Last Drop

1. 📍 INC Responds to Criticism

   After the controversy, INC CEO Canieria Gardner says reopening is coming—but no firm date yet. 👉 Read the full update

2. 🏥 New Medical Center in PSL

   Florida Coast Medical Center opens next month with 54 beds, an ER, and 200+ staff. 👉 Read more

3. 🌎 Earth Day in PSL

   Mark your calendar: Earth Day Festival is happening April 12 in Port St. Lucie.

   👉 Event details

📸 This is Sunland
What A Week!

What a week. We launched the new events site. We dropped the 772Eats local food guide. And—okay, not to toot my own horn—but next week is shaping up to be even better. 📣 Big announcement Monday.📣 Another one Tuesday.📣 And a final one Thursday. For now, I just want to say thank you. If there’s ever anything I can do for you, reply to this email or hit me up.

See you Monday! With Love…

Ja’Min

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