In this episode of The Current, we talk with Fort Pierce local Darryl Bey a longtime community figure and founder of Bluebird Bistro and Wine Bar and the Bluebird Educational Foundation. The conversation covers decades of cultural development in Fort Pierce, from jazz and blues events to youth mentorship programs, and ends with a closer look at how Bey and his wife, Gina, combined their talents to create a new cultural space on the Treasure Coast.
Early Days in Fort Pierce
Darryl moved to Fort Pierce over 30 years ago. Shortly after arriving, his wife launched Gina’s Bakeshop, selling fresh-baked goods at the local farmers market. Bey started Bluebird Productions, a concert promotion company that brought live music to Fort Pierce and surrounding areas, including the Sunrise Theatre. After years of building their respective businesses, the couple decided to bring their passions together. The result is Bluebird Bistro and Wine Bar, located in a restored historic home on Delaware Avenue.
About Bluebird Bakery, Bistro, and Wine Bar
Bey describes Bluebird as a bistro, not a full-service restaurant. The focus is on high-quality light fare and drinks served in a relaxed setting. The menu includes sandwiches, salads, soups, and charcuterie boards. Bluebird also features a wine list curated by an in-house sommelier and offers tastings every Thursday duringthe season and biweekly in the offseason. The space is also a venue for live music in Fort Pierce, both local and touring acts.
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Bey covers the early excitement around the opening of Bluebird and how the team is preparing for the upcoming season. Bey emphasizes that they opened at the tail end of the winter tourism season and are using the slower months to refine their operations before the seasonal crowd returns. He also talks about the importance of reaching residents and visitors through a mix of quality food, cultural programming, and live entertainment.
Roots in Fort Pierce’s Music Scene
Bey’s involvement in Fort Pierce music history runs deep. In 1996 he co-founded the Fort Pierce Jazz and Blues Society with Larry Lee. At that time, there were few entertainment options in the area, especially for jazz and progressive music. The Society filled that gap, bringing jazz to the forefront and helping define the cultural identity of the city. Bey served as president and creative director, booking shows and organizing events.
Youth Education & Bluebird Educational Foundation
One theme in the episode is the role of youth education in cultural development. Bey explains that during his years bringing national touring acts to Fort Pierce, he often asked those artists to visit local schools. These visits included masterclasses, workshops and small performances. Sometimes students even had the chance to perform alongside professionals. Bey recalls watching student bands go from sounding average in rehearsals to delivering inspired performances when paired with national acts.
This connection between art and mentorship continues today through the Bluebird Educational Foundation. Founded in 2008, the nonprofit runs a program called Recycling in the Key of E. The initiative collects donated musical instruments, repairs them through partner music shops, and gives them to students in need. Since the program began the foundation has donated over 500 instruments to children in partnership with the St Lucie County School District.
Bey believes that giving a child their own instrument can change their life. He shares his own experience as a young musician and how the structure and purpose of music helped keep him focused. The foundation’s mission is to give kids a creative outlet while exposing them to positive role models and artistic opportunities. He plans to further expand this mission by bringing artists to Fort Pierce through the bistro and partnering with the foundation to schedule school-day events followed by evening performances at Bluebird.
The Evolution of Fort Pierce Through the Decades
Throughout the conversation, Bey speaks about Fort Pierce’s evolving identity. He notes that the influx of new residents from the north and from areas like Miami and Fort Lauderdale has brought fresh energy and diverse interests to the city. In response, the local cultural offerings are expanding. Fort Pierce is no longer overlooked. It is becoming a known destination among artists and audiences alike. Bey shares that his reputation in the industry, along with the Jazz Society’s legacy, has helped put Fort Pierce on the map in music circles.
Many performers already know of Fort Pierce thanks to its growing cultural reputation. For touring artists, especially those already in Florida or nearby states, Fort Pierce is now a desirable stop. Bey uses his network to bring in acts and aims to expand the music calendar as the high season approaches.
Closing Thoughts
The episode also touches on the business side of Bluebird. While Darryl handles music and events, Gina continues to bake the goods that made her farmers market stall so popular. Many of the shop’s staples are still offered today, with occasional new items added to keep the menu fresh.
The episode wraps up on the importance of community members like Bey, who put in the work to create opportunities for others. Cultural growth does not happen by accident. It happens because people step up and bring their passions into public spaces. Whether through organizing a jazz festival, hosting wine tastings, or giving away musical instruments, the impact adds up over time.
Listeners interested in learning more about Bluebird Bistro and Wine Bar can visit bluebirdbistro809.com. There you will find the current menu event schedule and wine tasting details. Those who want to support the Bluebird Educational Foundation can also find donation information or contribute musical instruments.
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