Weekend guide | Street festival, free concert and other fun things to do around Bradenton
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
Free concert: Realize Bradenton’s annual outdoor concert series kicks off on Friday at the Bradenton Riverwalk.
Music in the Park brings top local talent to the scenic Mosaic Amphitheater.
Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs and sprawl out for the show. Food and drink (beer and wine included) will be offered for sale.
This week, The Divebombers will play.
The three-piece outfit plays Americana, rockabilly and classic country in style.
Details: 6-8 p.m. Fridays through April. Mosaic Amphitheater on Bradenton Riverwalk, 606 Third Ave. W., Bradenton.
Info: realizebradenton.com.
Street festival: The first ever Bradenton Street Fair will bring plant-powered fun to the downtown area this Saturday.
Over 40 plant-based vendors will offer food, beverages, apparel, health, wellness and beauty products and more.
Local musicians will provide live music throughout the day, and free yoga sessions will be held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The event is family-friendly, and pets on short leashes are also welcome.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. 13th Street West (between Manatee Avenue and Sixth Avenue West) in Bradenton. Free.
Info: bradentonstreetfair.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 Thursday versus the Toronto Blue Jays and on Friday against the Minnesota Twins. Catch them at away games on Saturday vs. the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota and on Sunday vs. the Philadelphia Phillies at Spectrum Field in Clearwater.
The Baltimore Orioles have another home game in Sarasota on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Details: The Pirates play in Bradenton at 1:05 p.m. Thursday and 6:05 p.m. Friday. LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. $18-$29.
Info: mlb.com/pirates.
At the theater
Motown Magic: The entertainers of South Florida group Motown Magic will make a two-show stop in Bradenton this Sunday. The tribute act covers major hits from a golden age of R&B and soul music that includes The Temptations, The Platters, The Drifters, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Sam Cooke, The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, The O’Jays, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Aretha Franklin and more.
Details: 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. $26-$41.
Info: manateeperformingartscenter.com.
Dining Guide
NEW IN TOWN — Real Italian eats: Angelino Palmetto, a new Italian restaurant with ties to Rome, is now offering authentic regional Italian cuisines in Manatee County.
The trattoria (that’s Italian for tavern and a term for a casual restaurant) is located in a homey two-story building with a quaintly decorated dining area that just screams date night.
The menu has diners covered for appetizers, soups and salads, pastas, pizzas, meat and seafood dishes as well as dessert.
A sister restaurant, Angelino Sarasota, also recently opened at 481 North Orange Avenue.
Angelino Palmetto is at 336 Eighth Ave. W., Palmetto.
Info: angelinopalmetto.com.
NEW IN TOWN — Fresh Greek: A Florida Greek food company with a big reputation is now doling out gyros, falafel and potato-laden Greek salad in Bradenton.
Louis Pappas Fresh Greek promises not only fresh ingredients, but a modern take on the culture’s culinary achievements with recipes developed by founder Louis L. Pappas.
The fast-casual eatery is also affordable; most entrees are offered for around $12 or less.
Imported Greek beer, wine and sangria are also on the menu.
Louis Pappas Fresh Greek is at 8512 Cooper Creek Blvd., Bradenton.
Info: louispappas.com.
St. Patrick’s Day is coming
Start your planning early for St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, as numerous bars and restaurants are planning special events.
For example, all three Mattison’s restaurants in Bradenton and Sarasota will be serving corned beef and cabbage, as well as other chef-created specials, and specialty drinks all day long.
Details: Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille, 101 Riverfront Blvd., #120, Bradenton, 941-896-9660; Mattison’s City Grille, 1 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota, 941-330-0440; Mattison’s Forty-One, 7275 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-921-3400.
Live music highlights
Jorge Luis Pacheco Trio at Fogartyville: Cuban jazz dynamo and composer Jorge Luis Pacheco and his trio will bring high-energy music featuring piano, rhythm and multi-genre influence to Fogartyville this Friday.
Details: 8 p.m. Friday. Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota. $25.
Info: wslr.org/fogartyville.
Renesito Avich at Cafe in the Park: Guitarist Renesito Avich plays Cuban classics with elegance and occasionally rounds out his sound with a little help from a loop pedal.
Details: 7-9 p.m. Friday. Cafe in the Park, 2010 Adams Lane, Sarasota. No cover.
Info: cafeinthepark.org.
Hymn for Her at Darwin Brewing: Hymn for Her is a backwoods country blues band with punk, folk and psychedelic sensibilities.
Details: 7-9 p.m. Friday. Darwin Brewing Company and Taproom, 803 17th Ave. W., Bradenton. No cover.
Info: darwinbrewingco.com.
Justin Lee Partin at Joyland Country Music Night Club: Joyland is a great place to catch local and national country acts in Bradenton — and get in some line dancing.
This week, Gainesville-based country artist Justin Lee Partin will perform on Friday and Saturday nights.
Details: 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Joyland Country Music Night Club, 5520 14th St. W., Bradenton. Ages 18-20: $15. Ages 21 and up: $7.
Info: joylandbradenton.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.
Fred Eaglesmith with Tif Ginn at Blue Rooster: Alternative country singer-songwriter Fred Eaglesmith will join talents with folk rocker Tif Ginn on duets, ditties and ballads.
Details: 9 p.m. Saturday. Blue Rooster, 1525 Fourth St., Sarasota. $20-$25.
Info: blueroostersrq.com.
LC Williams and the Driver at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille: LC Williams and the Driver plays groovy blues and roots music featuring electric guitar and harmonica.
Details: 7-10 p.m. Saturday. Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille, Downtown Bradenton, 101 Riverwalk Blvd., Bradenton. No cover.
Info: mattisons.com.
Bickley Island Chill at Caddy’s: Reggae and tropical music are the specialties of Bickley Rivera and band.
Details: 2-6 p.m. Sunday. Caddy’s at the Pointe, 801 Riverside Dr. E., Bradenton. No cover.
Info: caddysatthepointe.com.
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.
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.
This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 9:23 AM with the headline "Weekend guide | Street festival, free concert and other fun things to do around Bradenton."