PORT ST. LUCIE — The Port District’s Event Lawn came alive Thursday evening as locals gathered for River Nights, the city’s free monthly concert series. The Jan. 8 show featured the Samantha Russell Band, bringing rock, pop, and occasional country tunes to a lively waterfront audience.
The Samantha Russell Band, known for performances at Super Bowl LIVE in Miami, SunFest, and the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, played a mix of original songs and popular covers.
Their high-energy performance kept the crowd dancing and singing along throughout the two-hour set.
Attendees arrived with chairs and blankets, enjoying food and drinks from the onsite food trucks offering burgers, pizza, ice cream, and more. Families, couples, and groups of friends spread across the lawn, mingling as the sun set over the waterfront.
River Nights, held the second Thursday of every month from October through April, is designed to support live music and local community engagement. Organizers emphasized that the series offers a free, family-friendly environment where residents can enjoy diverse musical styles in an outdoor setting.
For many, the event offered more than music: it was a chance to socialize, relax, and connect with neighbors in Port St. Lucie’s newest waterfront recreation area. Future River Nights are scheduled through April 2026, with live bands and food trucks returning each month.