For the past 15 years, Sunny Jim has been hosting intimate songwriter shows at the historic Venice Train Depot. With original brick walls, wood floors and fixtures, plus amazing acoustics, the restored Freight Room at the depot is the perfect setting for intimate live shows. Artists perform their original music, and share the stories behind the songs, to a listening audience that appreciates live music. These informal sessions offer musical magic for both performers and fans.
The train depot, built in 1927 and renovated in 2002-2003, is the only surviving passenger station in Sarasota County, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In it‘s heyday, the depot buzzed with activity because of a military school in Venice. The army then built a large base in the city, so the railroad depot was the main entry point for soldiers and supplies during the World War II.
Venice was the winter headquarters of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from 1960 to 1991. Each winter, the circus train came to town and announced its arrival with an elephant walk from the Train Depot through the streets to its winter facility the Venice Circus Arena, where performers prepared for a new season of circus acts.
The Historic Venice Train Depot is located at 303 E. Venice Avenue, Venice FL. Join our mailing list to find out more about when our Train Depot Shows are scheduled and who Sunny Jim's guests will be.