Weekend guide: Here are 20 fun things to do around Bradenton, Sarasota and beyond

Are you ready for the weekend? Us too.

If you don’t have plans yet, we’re here to help.

Here’s a hand-picked guide to fun times around Bradenton, Sarasota, Tampa Bay and beyond.

Are we missing a big event? Drop us a line at rballogg@bradenton.com.

Fun for everyone

Native American art show: Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center will celebrate National Native American Heritage Month with an art exhibit and live music on Saturday.

The celebration will feature the works of Rex A. Begaye, a late Native American artist who was from the Grand Canyon area of the Navajo Nation. Begaye eventually settled in Sarasota and founded the Sarasota Native American Indian Festival, which is still held each year.

Hawk Henries, an expert flute-maker and player, will share stories and music. Henries is a member of the Chaubunagungamaug band of Nipmuck, a tribe indigenous to what is now the New England area.

Details: 7-10 p.m. Saturday. Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota. $5 suggested donation.

Info: wslr.org/fogartyville.

Sarasota Medieval Fair: Step back into the Middle Ages and partake in a day of “medieval merriment” at the 16th annual Sarasota Medieval Fair.

Walk among peasants and royalty, peruse the offerings of ancient vendors and enjoy entertainment like jousting, comedy, period music and textile displays. Don’t forget to dress the part.

The event is held at Ringling Woods (behind the Sarasota Fairgrounds), 3000 Ringling Blvd. in Sarasota.

Details: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Nov. 16, 17, 23, 24 and 30 and Dec. 1. Ages 5-12: $9.95. Ages 13 and up: $18.95. Multi-day passes available.

Info: 1-888-303-3247. sarasotamedievalfair.com.

Holidays are here: Hearing jingle bells? It might not be you imagination, because Santa Claus is about to touch down in Sarasota this weekend.

A bash at The Mall at University Town Center on Friday night will welcome the holiday season with food vendors, live music, circus performances and appearances by Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Lightning players.

Also enjoy ice skating and snow tubing.

The highlight of the celebration will be the lighting of the mall at 7 p.m., followed by Santa’s rooftop arrival and a fireworks show.

Details: 6-10 p.m. Friday. The Mall at university Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive., Sarasota. Free admission.

Info: villageofthearts.com.

Craft show: The Made Here Craft Show features handmade crafts from Bradenton, Sarasota and Tampa Bay area artisans for sale at the historic Bradenton Woman’s Club.

Organizers recommend getting a head start on your Christmas shopping list with some unique goodies for friends and family.

Food and drink will be available for purchase, and the Woman’s Club will take donations of new books (material appropriate for children age 2 to young adults) for Manatee County Foster and Adoptive Parent Association’s Christmas giving project.

Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Bradenton Woman’s Club, 1705 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. Free admission.

Info: facebook.com/BradentonWomansClub.

Car show and festival: Head over to Bradenton Motorsports Park this Saturday for a day of geeking out over swanky European cars. FixxFest is a chance to see thousands of vehicles on display and watch as the finest compete in a best in class show.

You can even take your own ride on a run down the drag strip.

There’s also a pumpkin pie eating contest and food, drink and vendors on site at the family-friendly event.

Details: 10 a.m.-4p.m. Saturday. Bradenton Motorsports Park, 21000 S.R. 64, Bradenton. $20. Ages 11 and under: Free.

Info: fixxfest.com.

Night out

Beer-filled birthday: Naughty Monk Brewery in Lakewood Ranch will celebrate three years of great beer-making with an all day party on Saturday.

The event includes a craft market, live music, a mini food truck rally (from 2-7 p.m.) and special beer releases throughout the day.

The brewery will hold a home brew tasting and judging from 4-6 p.m.

Details: Noon-11:30 p.m. Saturday. Naughty Monk Brewery, 2507 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Free.

Info: lakewoodranch.com.

Theme park fun

Christmas at Busch Gardens: Ready to get holly jolly? Busch Gardens annual Christmas Town event will debut this weekend.

The park is decked out in lights and decorations for the holiday party, and there are festive eats, shows and music to enjoy.

Pay for less than the price of a one-day admission and go back through the end of 2020 free with Busch Garden’s Fun Card deal.

Details: Nov. 16—Jan. 6. Busch Gardens, 10165 McKinley Drive, Tampa. $109.99

Info: buschgardens.com/tampa/events/christmas-town.

Go outside

Learn about Florida’s first inhabitants at Madira Bickel Mound: In 1948, this historical ground was donated to the public by Karl and Madira Bickel and became Florida’s first state archaeological site.

“The flat-topped ceremonial mound-composed of sand, shell and village debris measures 100 by 170 feet at the base and is 20 feet in height,” Florida’s parks department says. “Archaeological excavations have disclosed at least three periods of Native American cultures, the earliest dating back 2,000 years.”

A visit to the mound and the surrounding land makes a quick and informative outdoor excursion, and there are picnic benches on site if you care to stay awhile.

Details: 8 a.m. until sundown every day. 955 Bayshore Drive, Terra Ceia. Free.

Info: floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/madira-bickel-mound-state-archaeological-site.

Dining guide

NEW IN TOWN — Vietnamese and more: Since opening in May, Pho Street has won over locals and visitors alike with its quality touch on Vietnamese dishes and other Asian cuisines.

The menu includes Vietnamese classics like rice vermicelli, beef noodle soup and bahn mi sandwiches. Other options include lo mein, pad thai and stir fries. Sushi and sushi burritos are available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Pho Street is at 4304 14th St. W., Bradenton.

Info: phostreetbradenton.com.

EAT THIS — Bite into a Bradenton tradition at Council’s: The burgers at Council’s are the stuff of legend around Bradenton, as are the pool tables and touches of small town charm inside.

Cooked up on a vintage Garland grill, the burgers are served simply on a napkin with no fries.

The decades-old business is currently for sale and its future is uncertain, so best get a bite of history while you still can.

Council’s Bradenton Recreation is at 536 12th St. W., Bradenton.

Info: facebook.com/CouncilsBurger.

DRINK THIS — Liquid blue raspberry: Motorworks Brewing’s “Blue Raspberry Sour NEIPA” is a juicy, New England-style IPA that’s kettle-soured and infused with blueberry and raspberry flavor. Talk about experimental. Unlike many sour beers, this one brings the refreshment while still packing a punch, coming in at 7.3 percent alcohol by volume.

Motorworks Brewing is at 1014 Ninth St. W. in Bradenton.

Info: motorworksbrewing.com.

DON’T FORGET YOUR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES — Fresh produce in Cortez: At Thompson’s Produce of Cortez, every fruit and vegetable counts. The stand sells produce individually rather than by the pound so that customers can get just the amount they need.

The stand also claims to have the best tomatoes in Manatee County; try them in your next recipe and see for yourself.

Thompson’s Produce of Cortez is at 11904 Coirtez Road W. in Cortez.

Info: facebook.com/Thompsons-Produce-of-Cortez-FL.

Live music highlights

Latin Dance Night at Motorworks Brewing: Start the weekend early with a Latin dance social including live salsa music from DJ Elias Mambito and free dancing lessons from two local studios. No partner or experience is required.

Details: 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Thursday. Motorworks Brewing, 1014 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. No cover.

Info: motorworksbrewing.com.

Eric Von at Cortez Kitchen: Eric Von is a country music singer-songwriter from Cortez with Nashville experience.

Details: 6 p.m. Friday. Cortez Kitchen, 4528 119th St. W., Cortez. No cover.

Info: thecortezkitchen.com.

Experimental Farm Road at 5 O’Clock Club: A psychedelic folk band homegrown in Sarasota, Experimental Farm Road takes ‘60s classics to heart with their vintage covers and groovy originals.

Details: 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday. 5 O’Clock Club, 1930 Hillview St., Sarasota. $5.

Info: facebook.com/5oclockclub.

The Kat Crosby Band at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille: The Kat Crosby Band plays “sophisticated blues with “a hint of jazz and hot guitar.”

Details: 7-10 p.m. Friday. Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille, Downtown Bradenton, 101 Riverwalk Blvd., Bradenton. No cover.

Info: mattisons.com.

Otis on Top at McCabe’s Irish Pub: Otis on Top is a three-piece playing alternative rock originals and covers.

Details: 8-11 p.m. Saturday. McCabe’s Irish Pub, 302 Old Main St., Bradenton. No cover.

Info: 941-896-3126.

Ari and the Alibis at Blue Rooster: Ari and the Alibis have a funky fusion sound that combines jazz, blues, funk, soul and rock into a smooth sonic concoction.

Details: 8-11 p.m. Saturday. Blue Rooster, 1525 Fourth St., Sarasota. $10.

Info: blueroostersrq.com.

Southbound at Joyland: Sarasota country band Southbound is led by the duo of Andrew Ditchfield and Kari Rae; Rae is also a lead vocalist with local country act The Daisy Dukes Band.

Details: 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Joyland Country Music Night Club, 5520 14th St. W., Bradenton. $7 cover.

Info: joylandbradenton.com.

Chiara Izzi at Fogartyville: Chiara Izzi is a singer-songwriter and vocalist who’s rising to fame on the New York City jazz circuit.

Originally from Italy, Izzi was awarded top prize by Quincy Jones in the Montreux International Jazz Festival Vocal Competition. Her debut album “Motifs” includes songs in English, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian.

Details: 6 p.m. Sunday. Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota. $20.

Info: wslr.org/fogartyville.

Bodie Valdez at Linger Lodge: Bodie Valdez strums and sings Americana, Delta blues and more.

Details: 4-7 p.m. Sunday. Linger Lodge Restaurant and RV Campground, 7205 85th St. Ct. E., Bradenton.

Info: 941-755-2757; facebook.com/LingerLodge.

Trinity ON80 at Woody’s River Roo: Trinity ON80’s high-energy covers include “everything from Queen to U2 and Journey to Guns N’ Roses.”

Details: 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Woody’s River Roo, 5717 18th St. E., Ellenton. No cover.

Info: woodysriverroo.com.

This story was originally published November 13, 2019 at 8:39 AM.