Weekend guide | Baseball, arts festival and 18 other fun things to do around Bradenton 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, Palmetto, Sarasota, Tampa Bay and beyond.
Are we missing a big event? Drop us a line at rballogg@bradenton.com.
Fun for everyone
Outdoor art fest: ArtCenter Manatee will host the 19th annual Fine Arts Festival of Manatee County this weekend.
The outdoor event brings displays of local, regional and national art to the Bradenton Riverwalk on the Manatee River.
Visitors can also enjoy art demos, shopping, music and food vendors.
Admission is free, and proceeds of the festival benefit ArtCenter Manatee’s education programs.
Details: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Riverwalk Splash Park, 452 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. Free.
Info: artcentermanatee.org.
Spring training begins: Peanuts and Cracker Jack, anyone? It’s that time of year to get out to the ball games.
Major League Baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates will take on the Minnesota Twins for the opening game of spring training at LECOM Park in Bradenton on Saturday; split squad games on Sunday will see the Pirates face the Detroit Tigers in Bradenton and the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles will play the Atlanta Braves on Saturday in North Port and the Boston Red Sox on Sunday in Sarasota.
Details: The Pirates play in Bradenton at 1:05 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. $18-$29.
Info: mlb.com/pirates.
Farmers markets galore: Three local farmers markets bring a bounty of food and fun to the Bradenton area every weekend.
On Saturday, the Bradenton Farmers’ Market takes over Old Main Street. Stock up on fresh fruits and veggies, shop for crafts, listen to local live music, check out cooking demonstrations and more.
Details: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. 400 12th St. W., Bradenton. Free.
Info: realizebradenton.com/farmers_market.
Held on Sundays at the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center campus, the Market at Lakewood Ranch is chock-full of produce, artisan crafts and plants.
The new format also includes weekly yoga sessions and occasional special events like cooking demonstrations.
Details: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Free.
Info: lakewoodranch.com/life-on-the-ranch/themarket.
Find fresh produce, arts and crafts, jewelry, local artists, apparel, pottery, purses, health and beauty items, music and more at the Beach Market at Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island.
The market is held on Sundays from November through July.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Dr. S., Bradenton Beach. Free.
Info: islandsandbeaches.com/market.
At the museum
Wildlife watercolors: The watercolor works of local artist Pat Robertson are now on display at the Manatee County Agricultural Museum at Palmetto Historical Park.
Robertson’s works focus on flora, fauna and Florida’s natural beauty; several of the pieces are for sale.
Other exhibits currently on display include a look at the bygone turpentine industry in Manatee County and a historical perspective on tomato growing through the stories of local families. There’s also more to see on the grounds of the surrounding Palmetto Historical Park.
The museum and park are 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. Manatee County Agricultural Museum, 515 10th Ave. W., Palmetto. Free.
Info: 941-721-2034. palmettohistoricalpark.com.
At the theater
Award-winning new play: Manatee Performing Arts Center has been chosen from theaters around the country to premiere a daring new play.
“Goat Song Revel,” is the latest winner of a festival for new stage works held by the American Association of Community Theatre.
The play blends Christian lore and Greek myth for a bit of divine comedy — or is it tragedy?
At the center of the teeter-totter is Job (of biblical fame) who finds himself caught in the midst of a cribbage match between God and Satan. How’s that for high stakes?
Details: Through Feb. 23. Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. $27. Student and teacher discount available. “Rated R” for adult content.
Info: manateeperformingartscenter.com.
John Fogerty at Van Wezel: Rock and roll great John Fogerty will headline Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall’s Inspiration Gala this Friday.
Fogerty, of Creedence Clearwater Revivial fame, is renowned for his slick guitar work, gravelly vocals and a knack for folksy songwriting on tunes like “Proud Mary” and “Centerfield.”
The Inspiration Gala benefits the Van Wezel Foundation, a non-profit that raises funds for the performing arts hall and its educational programs for local students.
Details: 8:30 p.m. Friday. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $166-$226.
Info: vanwezel.org.
Day trip
Bay Area Renaissance Festival: Now through the end of March, one of Florida’s biggest renaissance festivals will draw thousands to Tampa for medieval revelry.
Jousts and sword fights, fair food and beer, dancing, music, animal exhibits and vendors selling mystical odds and ends are among the many wonders of the festival.
New additions this year include a castle escape room and a viking encampment featuring games, lore and battles.
Themed weekends, like a Celtic Highland games event this Saturday and Sunday, will add to the fun.
Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays (plus March 27) through March 29. 11315 N. 46th St., Tampa. Ages 13 and up: $22.95. Ages 5-12: $14.95.
Travel time: About one hour.
Info: bayarearenfest.com.
Dining guide
NEW IN TOWN — Sandwiches and more: The owner of a popular local food truck has put it in park and moved into a full-fledged deli space serving tastiness to go on Bradenton Beach.
Basic ‘Wiches has a lot to offer the hungry beachgoer, morning to afternoon.
On the A.M. menu, there are breakfast bowls and sandwiches as well as lighter options like avocado toast and chia bowls.
The lunch menu should please and any deli die-hard with its subs and sandwiches, and there are also salads and flatbread pizzas to try.
With its and creative and conveniently quick offerings, Basic ‘Wiches is a welcome addition to bustling Bridge Street.
Basic ‘Wiches is at 119 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach.
Info: facebook.com/basicwichesbradenton.
NEW IN TOWN —Sushi and Thai, oh my: Newly opened fusion eatery Thai Seed arrives on the scene with a satisfying split of Japanese and Thai foods.
Admirers of either cuisine should find something to order off of an extensive menu that covers soups, salads, stir fries and curries as well as nigiri, sashimi and sushi. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, there are even deep fried rolls to be had.
The fusion doesn’t stop at dinner; pick from map-hopping dessert options like green tea ice cream and sticky rice with Thai custard.
Reviewers are already complimenting Thai Seed’s cooking as well as its welcoming environs.
Thai Seed is at 5215 University Parkway #108, University Park.
Info: thaiseedutc.com.
Live music highlights
Sister Hazel at Joyland: A new concert series at Joyland Country Music Night Club is bringing some big names to the country venue.
It kicks off this Thursday with Sister Hazel. The alternative rock band got its start in Gainesville before making it big in the ‘90s with hits like “All for You” and “Champagne High.”
Details: 9:30 p.m. Thursday. Joyland Country Music Night Club, 5520 14th St. W., Bradenton. $20 advance; $25 day of show.
Info: joylandbradenton.com.
Justin Layman at Truman’s Tap & Grill: Justin Layman is a Sarasota singer-songwriter performing folk and blues.
Details: 7-10 p.m. Friday. Truman’s Tap & Grill, 11161 S.R. 70 E. #100, Lakewood Ranch. No cover.
Info: trumanstap.com.
Klick Band at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille: Klick Band is a five-piece rock outfit inspired by the early rock and roll legends of the 1960s and ’70s.
Details: 7-11 p.m. Friday. Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille, Downtown Bradenton, 101 Riverwalk Blvd., Bradenton. No cover.
Info: mattisons.com.
Cahoots at JR’s Old Packinghouse Cafe: Cahoots is a five-piece rock, blues, and funk band out of Bradenton playing a wide range of toe-tapping and dance tunes from the ‘60s and ‘70s.
Details: 7-10 p.m. Saturday. JR’s Old Packinghouse Cafe, 987 South Packinghouse Rd., Sarasota. No cover.
Info: packinghousecafe.com.
Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones at Blue Rooster: Doug Deming and his band are lifelong blues musicians. Experience and energy meet when they take the stage.
Details: 8-11 p.m. Saturday. Blue Rooster, 1525 Fourth St., Sarasota. $5.
Info: blueroostersrq.com.
Twinkle & Rock Soul Radio at Motorworks Brewing: Warner Bros. recording artist Twinkle Yochim and band play rock and roll laden with powerful vocals and skillful guitar solos.
Details: 7-11 p.m. Saturday. Motorworks Brewing, 1014 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. No cover.
Info: motorworksbrewing.com.
The Divebombers at Darwin Brewing: Three-piece outfit The Divebombers plays rockabilly and classic country in style.
Details: 7-10 p.m. Saturday. Darwin Brewing Company and Taproom, 803 17th Ave. W., Bradenton. No cover.
Info: darwinbrewingco.com.
Nikola Baltic at Cafe in the Park: Classical guitarist and member of local string group Hot Sun Quartet Nikola Baltic will perform jazz manouche this Sunday at Cafe in the Park.
Details: 3:30-5:30 p.m. Sunday. Cafe in the Park, 2010 Adams Lane, Sarasota. No cover.
Info: cafeinthepark.org.
Gina Chavez at Fogartyville: The bilingual pop music of songstress Gina Chavez has won her numerous awards, fans around the globe and a role as a cultural ambassador with the U.S. State Department; you may have also seen her on NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concert” music series.
Details: 8 p.m. Sunday. Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota. $23.
Info: wslr.org/fogartyville.
Raiford Starke at Jigg’s Landing Outpost: Enjoy the country folk sounds of Raiford Starke in the scenic Florida surroundings of Jigg’s Preserve on the Braden River.
Details: 4-7 p.m. Sunday. Jigg’s Landing Outpost, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. Free.
Info: 941-727-4181. jiggslanding.com.
Eric Von at Clancy’s: Eric Von is a country music singer-songwriter from Cortez with Nashville experience.
Details: 5-9 p.m. Sunday. Clancy’s Irish Sports Pub, 6218 Cortez Road W., Bradenton. No cover.
Info:clancysirishsportspub.com
This story was originally published February 19, 2020 at 7:11 AM with the headline "Weekend guide | Baseball, arts festival and 18 other fun things to do around Bradenton this weekend."