SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Jazz Band — bass, T. J. Glowacki; drums, Bob Stone; guitar, Marc Mannino; and trombone/leader, George W. Mancini — performed Thursday evening in Center Court at Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda. Vocalist Lori Haffer joined the group onstage for the free concert as part of the Taste of the Village, with village restaurants offering $1-increment food-tastings of their specialties.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Vocalist Lori Haffer shared her throaty jazz songs with those attending the Taste of the Village Thursday evening at Fishermen’s Village.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Penny Woods and her husband Claude sampled multiple items from the Village Fish Market, including six oysters Rockefeller, as part of the Taste of the Village.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Mary and Jack Stone had nothing but praise and applause for the “best jazz in the county,” speaking of the CSO Jazz Band that performed a free concert Thursday evening at Center Court in Fishermen’s Village.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Janice Bockin and her daughter, Annalise, 15, enjoy chowder samples from William Powell of the Village Oyster Bar in Fishermen’s Village.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Cheese plates and crepes were being offered at the Bella Balsamic table by Rebecca Berlin. Bob and Linda Hoshor opted to taste the cheeses during the Taste of the Village event held Thursday evening at Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
After 56 years of marriage, Nancy Chamberlain still enjoys hugging her husband Dave as they stand above Center Court in Fishermen’s Village, enjoying the free concert performed by the Jazz Band — a part of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Simply Sweet Gelato was being enjoyed by Barry Stowell, his wife Susie, son-in-law, Joe McLean, and his wife Kim.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Jennie and Ed Brasefield made an evening of it on Thursday, tasting many food specialties from the restaurants at Fishermen’s Village.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Roberta Gurland, on keyboards, entertained at the Taste of the Village.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Mary Kirra found the chowder sampling from the Village Oyster Bar “excellent.”