Weekend guide: 20 fun things to do around Bradenton and Sarasota this weekend

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

Circus on horseback: Horses and humans perform amazing feats in Cirque Ma’Ceo, an equestrian circus at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota this weekend.

The show blends acrobatics, aerial acts, dance and equestrian arts, and features more than 10 breeds of horses and multiple riding styles. There’s even a ballet dance atop galloping steeds.

Details: 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday; 4 p.m. Sunday. Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St., Sarasota. $10-$50.

Info: cirquemaceo.com.

Bull riding big shots: The best and bravest bull riders from around the Southeast will saddle up and face off in Palmetto this weekend during the 10th Annual Conley Invitational Premier Bulls Tour Finals.

“Bull riders from Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida have competed throughout 30 events in the Southeastern United States to get to this event,” organizers say.

Out of 30 riders, only one will claim the champion’s gold buckle and the better part of $17,500.

Better still, the event benefits Manatee County 4-H programs.

Details: Gates at 5 p.m., competition at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Manatee County Fair Grounds, 1499 13th St. W., Palmetto. Ages 6-14: $10; Ages 15 and up: $15-$25. Reserved seating and multi-day passes available.

Info: conleyinvitational.com.

Food, music, crafts and craft beer: Motorworks Brewing will host a night market and food truck rally this Friday featuring an array of local vendors and tasty eats. Grab a craft brew and get in on the fun in the beer garden.

Award-winning local act the Betty Fox Band will provide soul-infused blues rock from 7 to 11 p.m.

The event is kid and pet friendly.

Details: 6-10 p.m. Friday. Motorworks Brewing, 1014 9th St. W., Bradenton. No cover.

Info: motorworksbrewing.com.

Do you hear bagpipes?: The 26th annual Sarasota Highland Games and Celtic Festival happens Saturday at the Sarasota Fairgrounds.

The celebration includes live Celtic music, dancing, food, vendors and traditional athletic events.

Details: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. $12.

Info: sarasotahighlandgames.com.

Night out

Parrish under the stars: The Parrish Rotary Club is inviting locals on a romantic adventure by railroad this weekend.

The Parrish Under the Stars gala begins at the Florida Railroad Museum with champagne, cheese and crackers.

Guests will then board a train and take a 15-minute ride to the event grounds in the ghost town of Willow. There, wine, beer and liquor tastings, food stations, dessert, dancing and live music await.

The night also includes a silent auction and a raffle for a diamond necklace.

The non-profit’s second annual event will benefit several community projects and services.

Details: 6-10 p.m. Saturday. Florida Railroad Museum, 12210 83rd St. E., Parrish. $75 per person.

Info: parrishrotary.org.

Pig Floyd at SCF: No, it’s not a pig named Floyd. It’s one of Florida’s top Pink Floyd cover acts, and the band will perform on Saturday at State College of Florida’s Neel Performing Arts Center.

The eight-piece band will play songs from albums “The Wall,” “Dark Side of the Moon,” “Wish You Were Here” and “Animals.”

Lights and lasers are included; bacon is not.

Details: 7:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday. Neel Performing Arts Center, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton. $21-$25.

Info: pigfloydinc.com.

At the theater

Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical: “Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl’s “Matilda The Musical” is the captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life,” the Manatee Performing Arts Center says.

This is the final weekend to catch the Manatee Players’ production of the magical story turned stagework.

Details: Through Sunday. Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. $27-$40.

Info: 941-748-5875. manateeperformingartscenter.com.

At the museum

Watercolors on display: The watercolor works of local artist Pat Robertson will go on display this Saturday at the Palmetto Historical Park & Agricultural Museum.

Robertson’s works focus on flora, fauna and Florida’s natural beauty; several of the pieces will be for sale.

An opening reception with light refreshments will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday; RSVPs are requested by Jan. 29.

The museum is open to visitors from 10 a.m.-noon and 1–4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and on the first and third Saturday of every month.

Details: Through April 9. Palmetto Historical Park & Agricultural Museum, 515 10th Ave. W., Palmetto. Free.

Info: 941-721-2034. palmettohistoricalpark.com.

Dining guide

NEW IN TOWN — Casual eats in retro digs: With some retro flair and modern minimalism, the new Whitney’s restaurant on Longboat Key is open and serving up breakfast and lunch at the site of a former filling station.

Order at the counter, grab a seat and relax. The breakfast menu that includes bagels, burritos, egg sandwiches and french toast; lunch offerings include sandwiches, salads, bowls, wings and tacos. Drink options include wine and beer, coffee and soda.

There’s also a mini-market located inside of the business stocked with essentials for beachgoers.

The restaurant is currently open from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday with plans to expand hours in the future.

Whitney’s is at 6990 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key.

Info: whitneylbk.com.

Live music highlights

Rodney Atkins at Joyland: Chart-topping country artist Rodney Atkins will bring hits including “If You’re Going Through Hell,” “Watching You” and “Take a Back Road” to Joyland this Friday.

Details: 9:30 a.m.-midnight Friday. Joyland Country Music Night Club, 5520 14th St. W., Bradenton. $20 advance; $25 day of show.

Info: joylandbradenton.com.

David Julia Band at Blue Rooster: Teen guitarist/singer-songwriter David Julia and band are taking the Florida music scene by storm with jam-heavy blues rock.

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

Otis on Top at Peggy’s Corral: Otis on Top is a three-piece playing alternative rock originals and covers.

Details: 7-11 p.m. Friday. Peggy’s Corral, 4511 U.S. 41, Palmetto. No cover.

Info: peggyscorral.net.

Micheal Ross and Fred Johnson at Cafe in the Park: Accomplished double bassist Michael Ross and dynamic vocalist Fred Johnson will bring their talents together for a night of world-class jazz.

Details: 7-9 p.m. Friday. Cafe in the Park, 2010 Adams Lane, Sarasota. No cover.

Info: cafeinthepark.org.

The Divebombers at Blue Marlin AMI: Three-piece outfit The Divebombers plays rockabilly and classic country in style.

Details: 7-10 p.m. Saturday. Marlin AMI, 121 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach. No cover.

Info: bluemarlinami.com.

Raw Vinyl at Clancy’s: Raw Vinyl is a Bradenton band that brings dance rock and blues to the table.

Details: 10 p.m. Saturday-2 a.m. Sunday. Clancy’s Irish Sports Pub, 6218 Cortez Road W., Bradenton. No cover.

Info:clancysirishsportspub.com

Buzz Factor at Woody’s River Roo: Buzz Factor plays high-energy rock and roll covers of songs from the 1970s to the 2000s.

Details: 7-11 p.m. Saturday. Woody’s River Roo, 5717 18th St. E., Ellenton. No cover.

Info: woodysriverroo.com.

The Bird Tribe at Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse: The Bird Tribe is a three-piece that blends heavy groove, rock and soul into an experimental sound.

Details: 3-6 p.m. Sunday. 19 E. Road, Sarasota. No cover.

Info: stottlemyerssmokehouse.com.

Debbie Keeton Jazz Quartet at Mattison’s: The Debbie Keeton Jazz Quartet brings a smooth concoction of sound to Mattison’s City Grille in downtown Sarasota every Sunday.

Details: 7 p.m. Sunday. Mattison’s City Grille, 1 N. Lemon Ave. Sarasota. No cover. mattisons.com/mattisons-city-grille.

Totín Agosto Arará y la Liga Rumbera at Fogartyville: Totín Agosto Arará and his masterful band will bring the dance music of Puerto Rico to Fogartyville this Sunday.

Details: 7 p.m. Sunday. Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota. $18.

Info: wslr.org/fogartyville.

Gospel music galore: One of the biggest gospel music conventions in the country is about to raise the roof in Palmetto.

Bill Bailey’s 2020 Winter Gospel Music Convention will bring six days of uplifting and spiritual music to the Bradenton Area Convention Center.

Popular gospel acts from throughout the South will perform.

10 a.m. chapel services and 1 p.m. matinee shows throughout the week are free to attend (an offering is requested).

Purchase individual tickets for nightly shows or get a pass for the whole convention.

The event concludes on Feb. 8 with an all-day singing finale.

Details: Monday-Feb. 8. Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto. $5-$145.

Info: billbaileyconcerts.com.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story included an item about an exhibit at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature that has been deleted because it included an incorrect start date for the exhibit.

This story was originally published January 29, 2020 at 8:02 AM.