Weekend guide | ArtSlam and other fun things to do around Bradenton and Sarasota
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
ArtSlam: ArtSlam is an annual event that brings a day of craft and creativity to Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton.
Public art displays by students and community artists will make a colorful sight.
Watch a giant chalk mural materialize, take part in a drumming workshop, watch a juggling and escape act and laugh at a one-man circus show.
Kids can participate in lots of interactive art-making all day long.
This year’s offerings include an origami station, edible cookie art,print making, face painting, optical illusion art and colorful photo ops.
It will coincide with the Bradenton Farmers’ Market.
Details: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. 400 12th St. W., Bradenton. Free.
Info: realizebradenton.com/artslam_2020.
Get your art on: There’s always something new to see in Bradenton’s most creative neighborhood.
The popular monthly Art Walk features open galleries, studios, specialty shops, healing arts, food, music and more.
Whether you fancy folk art or fine art, creative cuisine, antiques, tattoos, records, quilting or a psychic reading, Village of the Arts has something special to offer every visitor.
The theme for March’s event is “Walk on the Wild Side.”
Details: 6-9:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Village of the Arts, 1113 12th St. W., Bradenton. Free.
Info: villageofthearts.com.
Bradentucky Bombers: The Bradentucky Bombers Roller Derby League will take on Greensboro Roller Derby from Greensboro, N.C., on Saturday at Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex.
A roller-derby game, a.k.a. a “bout,” consists of two 30-minute periods and usually lasts about an hour and a half with intermission and timeouts.
Sit in the bleachers or bring your own folding chair and set up trackside to get close to the action.
Beer is available for purchase at the sports bar and in the rink.
Proceeds from raffle prizes at Saturday’s game will benefit local youth roller derby league the Junior Rolling Rebels.
Details: Doors: 4:30 p.m. Game: 5 p.m. Saturday. Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, 5309 29th St. E., Ellenton. Ages 13 and up: $10 advance; $12 door. Ages 6-12: $6.
Info: bradentuckybombers.com.
Spring training fun: 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 play at LECOM Park on Saturday against the New York Yankees. Catch them at away games on Friday vs. the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark in Dunedin and on Sunday vs. the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles will go up against the Rays on Saturday in Port Charlotte and the Yankees on Sunday in Sarasota.
Details: The Pirates play in Bradenton at 1:05 p.m. on Saturday. 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.
Live music highlights
Nick Hickman at Joyland: Nick Hickman is an up-and-coming country artist from Tennessee with an knack for catchy songwriting.
Details: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Joyland Country Music Night Club, 5520 14th St. W., Bradenton. Ages 21 and up: $7. Ages 18-20: $15.
Info: joylandbradenton.com.
JP Soars and the Red Hots at Blue Rooster: JP Soars and the Red Hots are polished musicians who play blues numbers packed with mesmerizing instrumental jams.
Details: 8-11 p.m. Friday. Blue Rooster, 1525 Fourth St., Sarasota. $10.
Info: blueroostersrq.com.
Eric Von Band at Motorworks Brewing: Eric Von is a country music singer-songwriter from Cortez with Nashville experience who has opened for the likes of Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Jake Owen, Aaron Tippin and John Anderson.
Details: 7-11 p.m. Friday. Motorworks Brewing, 1014 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. No cover.
Info: motorworksbrewing.com.
Shift Change Band at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille: Shift Change Band plays classic rock and dance-ready music.
Details: 7-11 p.m. Saturday. Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille, Downtown Bradenton, 101 Riverwalk Blvd., Bradenton. No cover.
Info: mattisons.com.
Passerine at Cafe in the Park: Get a little folksy with Passerine’s contemporary Americana and bluegrass sound that combines dobro, fiddle, guitar and harmonizing vocals.
Details: 3:30-5:30 p.m. Sunday. Cafe in the Park, 2010 Adams Lane, Sarasota. No cover.
Info: cafeinthepark.org.
This story was originally published March 4, 2020 at 7:54 AM with the headline "Weekend guide | ArtSlam and other fun things to do around Bradenton and Sarasota."