Bradenton has the blues all weekend

When people talk about the Bradenton Blues Festival, they're usually talking about that phenomenal all-day concert on the Riverwalk that features some of the country's best and best-known blues musicians.

But each year, that concert has increasingly become the centerpiece of a packed weekend of music, food and festivities.

Here's a look blues-related events going on around town:

Blues Appetizer concert

Friday's night's Blues Appetizer Concert has grown into one of the most popular free events of the year in Bradenton. This year the music comes from the Bridget Kelly Band and the Lauren Mitchell Band.

The appetizer show runs from 6 until 9 p.m. Friday at the Riverwalk Pavilion. It's the last opportunity to buy Bradenton Blues Festival tickets for the $30 advance price. (Tickets are $40 at the gate on the day of the show.)

But this year, Friday night features a couple of other great blues events, in addition to the appetizer.

Blues on Main

Blues on Main, from 5-10 p.m., features Matt & Sidney Dueling pianos, the Steve Arvey Band and Bodie Valdez, all playing for free on Old Main Street.

Later, one of the festival's musicians, Chicago blues singer EG Knight, will perform in the Brickyard behind O'Brick's Irish Pub on at 427 Old Main St. That runs from 7-11 p.m. and tickets are $125. Most of the ticket revenues will go to the Women's Resource Center of Manatee. Call 941-896-8860.

On Saturday, the music continues after Ball finishes her headlining set at the festival. There's another free Blues on Main event from 5-11 p.m., featuring Karen and the Big Bad Wolves. And from 7 p.m. until midnight, the Sean Chambers Band performs at Tarpon Pointe Grill & Tiki Bar, 801 E. Riverside Drive.

Aces after-parties

Aces Live, 4343 Palma Sola Blvd., Bradenton, is hosting a Bradenton Blues Festival After Party starting at 9 p.m. Saturday. Selwyn Birchwood, the phenomenal young blues guitarist from Tampa who earned a rave review from Rolling Stone for his latest album, will be playing at that party.

Tickets are $7 in advance. Call 941-795-3886 or go to aceslivemusic.com.

Another after-party is 3-7 p.m. Sunday at the Cortez Kitchen, at 4528 119th St. W., Cortez. It features Doug Deming and his band, fresh off the blues festival stage.

Call 941-798-9404. (The two after-parties are not official Bradenton Blues Festival events.)

Gospel Blues Brunch

Finally, blues weekend comes to a tasty and tuneful finish with the Gospel Blues Brunch at SOMA. Rebecca the Songbird and the New Soul Revue featuring Henry Lawrence will provide the music. SOMA Creekside Chef Dave Shiplett will be serving Southern-inspired gourmet items. SOMA Creekside is at 1401 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. The brunch costs $25. Call 941-567-4001.

This story was originally published December 4, 2014 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Bradenton has the blues all weekend ."