10 things to do near Bradenton this weekend: Music and art festivals, Celtic games, rodeo

The first weekend of February is almost here — and there’s plenty of local fun on tap to help you enjoy it. Still need plans? We’ve got you covered.

Here’s a hand-picked guide to good times around Bradenton and Sarasota this weekend, Feb. 4-6, 2022.

Village of the Arts Art Walk

The creatives of the Village of the Arts in Bradenton will open their businesses this weekend for a display of crafts, goods, healing arts, food, live music and more.

Whether you fancy folk art or fine art, creative cuisine, antiques, furniture, records, quilting or a psychic reading, Village of the Arts has something to offer most any taste.

The theme for February’s Art Walk is “Sounds of the Village.” There will be live music performances through the village on Friday and Saturday, including a cigar box guitar music festival.

• Details: 6-9:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Village of the Arts, downtown Bradenton.
• Info: villageofthearts.com.

Bradenton Cigar Box Guitar Festival

The cigar box guitar, a homespun folk instrument with origins in the mid-19th century, has developed a a dedicated following of instrument makers and blues music players.

Realize Bradenton and the Village of the Arts will celebrate the instrument this weekend with the second annual Bradenton Cigar Box Guitar Festival (the first one happened in 2018). The bulk of the event will take place in the Village of the Arts, but there’s also a performance to catch at the Downtown Bradenton Public Market.

• Details: Friday-Sunday. Village of the Arts and the Downtown Bradenton Public Market. Free and ticketed performances.
• Info: facebook.com/BradentonCBGFest.

Music and venue schedule:

• Cottonmouth Southern Soul Food, 1114 12th St. W., Bradenton: 5-10 p.m. Friday with Steve Arvey, Stumpy Joe and the Memphis Lightning Band; 4-10 p.m. Saturday with Kristine Jackson and Ben Prestage; and live music brunch event 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday with Meg Willams And Travis Bowlin. Reservations recommended. (Some performances ticketed. Call 941-243-3735 for details.)
• Dowtown Bradenton Public Market, 400 12th St. W., Bradenton: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. with Steve Arvey and Stumpy Joe.
• Ortygia, 1418 13th St. W., Bradenton: Music starts at 1 p.m. Saturday with Kristine Jackson, Devin Neel and Mark LeClair. The restaurant will also host an all-day display of vintage cigar box guitars. Call 941-741-8646 for reservations.
• Birdrock Taco Shack, 1213 13th Ave. W., Bradenton: 1-4 p.m. Saturday with Meg Willams And Travis Bowlin. Call 941-545-9966 for reservations.

Bull riding pros in Palmetto

The best and bravest bull riders from around the Southeast will saddle up and face off in Palmetto this weekend during the 11th 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.

Kids games and rides, including a mechanical bull, will be on site, as well as food, drink and shopping vendors.

The event benefits Manatee County 4-H and Future Farmers of America 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: $20-$30. Reserved seating and multi-day passes available.

Info: conleyinvitational.com.

Giving Hunger the Blues

Giving Hunger the Blues, now in its 24th year, is an all-day music event that brings jazz and blues performances to Sarasota for a good cause. The event is hosted by the Jazz Club of Sarasota, and all proceeds benefit Mayors Feed the Hungry, a nonprofit that provides food services to communities in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

This year’s event will be co-headlined by national blues artists Selwyn Birchwood and Albert Castiglia. Other acts include local and regional bands playing jazz, Latin jazz, blues, rock and more.

Food, drink and alcohol will be available for purchase at the concert.

Tickets must be purchased in advance online, and festival goers must present a negative COVID-19 test or proof of being fully vaccinated to enter.

• Details: 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday. Nathan Benderson Park, Ages 11 and under: Free. Ages 12 and up: $25.
• Info: jazzclubsarasota.org/giving-hunger-the-blues.

Sarasota Highland Games

Do you hear bagpipes? The 27th annual Sarasota Highland Games and Celtic Festival happens Saturday at the Sarasota Fairgrounds.

The celebration includes live Celtic music, dancing, food, vendors, traditional athletic events a British car show and more.

Details: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. $12 advance; $15 at the gate.

Info: sarasotahighlandgames.com.

Hawkins Road Festival

This free family festival hosted by Suncoast Community Church will include 14 bounce houses, rock climbing, axe throwing, games, a chance to meet rescue dogs and more.

Food trucks and shopping vendors will also be there.

• Details: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. 8000 Hawkins Road, Sarasota.
• Info: hawkinsroadfestival.com.

‘Chaplin: The Musical’ at Manatee Performing Arts Center

A Manatee Players production of the Tony-nominated show “Chaplin: The Musical” will be in full swing this weekend at the Manatee Performing Arts Center. The musical explores what was happening behind the scenes as prolific 20th century film artist Charlie Chaplin rose to fame.

“Chaplin tells the touching story of the man who makes the world laugh as his legendary screen persona, the Tramp, but struggles to find happiness in his own life,” a show preview says.

Masks are required to enter the arts center.

• Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. $30-$38.

• Info: manateeperformingartscenter.com.

Farmers’ markets

Downtown Bradenton Public Market: Formerly the Bradenton Farmers Market, this weekly community gathering is back on Saturdays with a fresh name. But you’ll still find a bounty of produce, food, handcrafted goods, arts, music, cooking demonstrations and more along Old Main Street. The market offers more than 40 vendors.

• Details: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, Oct.-May. Old Main Street, Bradenton. Free.
• Info: realizebradenton.com/public-market

The Beach Market at Coquina Beach offers fresh produce, arts and crafts, jewelry and apparel, health and beauty items, music and more on Anna Maria Island. The market will be held on Wednesdays and Sundays December through March.

• Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Dr. S., Bradenton Beach. Free.
• Info: facebook.com/BeachMarketAtCoquinaBeach

The Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch boasts more than 50 local vendors. Offerings include produce, prepared foods and breads, crafts, plants and pet treats. Local musicians are another regular feature at the market.

• Details: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Free.
• Info: mylwr.com/185/Farmers-Market-at-LWR

Oneco Farmers Market is open seven days a week. The permanent market boasts more than 100 vendors in one location, including meats and seafood, fresh produce, sweets and treats. There are also restaurants and arts and crafts vendors to check out, and the market frequently hosts free community events.

• Details: Open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. Oneco Farmers Market, 5108 15th St. E., Bradenton.
• Info: onecofarmersmarket.com

Sarasota Farmers Market brings vendors selling arts and crafts, goods and services, produce, food, plants and more to downtown Sarasota. There’s also live music to enjoy.

• Details: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Lemon Avenue and Main Street, downtown Sarasota.
• Info: sarasotafarmersmarket.org

Red Barn Flea Market combines the best of a farmers market, a flea market and a food court in one stop. At Red Barn, you’ll find permanent storefronts, vendor booths, fresh produce, local food offerings, live entertainment and more.

• Details: Open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday-Sunday. 1707 First St. E., Bradenton.
• Info: redbarnfleamarket.com.

Fun at the museum

Florida Maritime Museum: Florida Maritime Museum documents the age-old relationship between Floridians and the water. Visitors will find marine life displays, historical photos and documents, revolving exhibits and a gift shop.

On the second and fourth Saturday of each month, the museum hosts a “Music on the Porch” outdoor jam session. From 2-4 p.m., local pickers and players come together to share tunes and singalongs with the crowd.

Masks are currently required inside museum buildings.

• Details: Open 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Free.
• Info: floridamaritimemuseum.org or 941-708-6120

Manatee County Agricultural Museum: Explore Manatee County’s rich agricultural past and present at the Manatee County County Agricultural Museum. Permanent exhibits include displays of authentic farm tools and equipment and highlights of various crops and industries that have taken root in Manatee County over the decades. There’s also a revolving lineup of special exhibits to check out.

• Details: Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and on the first and third Saturday of each month. Manatee County Agricultural Museum, 1015 Sixth St. W., Palmetto. Free. Donations accepted.

• Info: manateecountyagmuseum.com or 941-721-2034

The Ringling in Sarasota offers a treasure trove of fine art and architecture. See collections of European works from the Baroque period and modern and contemporary art; witness the colorful history of the big top in the Circus Museum; take a tour of the Ca’ d’Zan, a Mediterranean revival mansion; and stroll The Ringling’s 68 acres of waterfront grounds and gardens.

• Details: Open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Ages 6-17: $5. Ages 18 and up: $25. Ages 65 and up: $23. Ca’ d’Zan entry $10 extra. Admission to the Museum of Art and grounds is always free on Mondays.
  
  
• Info: ringling.org or 941-359-5700

See a movie

Ruskin Family Drive-In: In operation since 1952, this drive-in plays classic flicks, family favorites and new movies with showings Wed.-Sun.

There are two options for audio: bring a portable radio or leave your car radio turned on during the film. You can also bring folding chairs to set up outside of the vehicle (bug repellent is recommended if you go this route).

▪ Moonfall (PG-13): 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sun.

▪ Zeros and Ones (R): 9:40 p.m. Fri.-Sun.

• Details: 5011 U.S. 41 N., Ruskin. Ages 9 and up: $6. Ages 5-8: $1. Cash only. $5 fee for bringing your own food. Alcohol not permitted.
• Info: ruskinfamilydrivein.com

Sarasota Film Society: Sarasota Film Society’s Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota theaters are a great place to catch a weekend flick. Screenings include independent and art films as well as blockbusters. Check the society’s website for the current lineup of movies. Masks are recommended for unvaccinated guests.

Many of the society’s movie offerings can be streamed virtually from home.

• Details: Lakewood Ranch Cinemas, 10715 Rodeo Drive 8, Sarasota and Burns Court Cinemas, 506 Burns Lane, Sarasota. Online streaming available any time.
• Info: filmsociety.org or 941-955-3456

Other Bradenton area movie theaters:

• AMC Bradenton 20, 2507 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton. amctheatres.com. 941-752-3796

• AMC Sarasota 12, 8201 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. amctheatres.com. 941-922-4900

• CMX CinéBistro Siesta Key, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail #1100, Sarasota. cmxcinemas.com. 941-361-2456

• Regal Oakmont, 4801 Cortez Rd. W., Bradenton. regmovies.com. 844-462-7342

• Regal Hollywood, 1993 Main St., Sarasota. regmovies.com. 844-462-7342