Weekend

9 things to do near Bradenton this weekend: Taco fest, Blues & BBQ, art fairs and more

May has begun, and there’s plenty of local fun on tap to help you enjoy the upcoming spring weekend. Still need plans? We’ve got you covered.

Here’s a hand-picked guide to good times around Bradenton and Sarasota this weekend, May 6-8, 2022.

Manatee Taco Fest

Calling all taco lovers: the first ever Manatee Annual Taco Fest promises “tacos, margaritas, assorted beers, delicious indulgences, music and all around fun for the family” this Saturday at the Manatee County Fairgrounds.

The event will feature over 70 vendors, including dozens of diverse taco options, as well as other food and desserts. Daring eaters can participate in taco or jalapeño-eating contests.

For kids, there will be face painting as well as free inflatable jump houses and a free petting zoo.

  • Details: Noon-6 p.m. Saturday. Manatee Fairgrounds, 1402 14th Ave W., Palmetto. $10. Ages 10 and under: Free.
  • Info: manateeannualtacofest.net

Sarasota Blues & BBQ Festival

The Sarasota Blues & BBQ Festival will bring three days of blazing music and food to the Sarasota Fairgrounds this weekend.

The musical lineup features a mix of local and regional acts playing blues, rock and roots. Headliners include The Outlaws, Atlanta Rhythm Section and Sean Chambers.

Local restaurants and food vendors will serve up barbecue, meat, seafood and vegetarian options as well as desserts, alcohol and drinks.

There will also be a market of arts, crafts, food and other items to explore.

Guests are encouraged to bring chairs for the show.

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 May’s Art Walk is “Seen in the Village of the Arts.”

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

Sarasota Spring Craft Fair

Dozens of vendors of handmade items, including jewelry, pottery, ceramics, photography, painting and clothing, will set up at Selby Five Points Park this weekend for the second annual Sarasota Spring Craft Fair.

In addition to arts, event will also include a “green market” with plants, orchids, exotic flora, handmade soaps and gourmet spices for sale. A kettle corn vendor will be on site.

Bradenton Marauders at LECOM

The Florida State League’s Bradenton Marauders are home at LECOM Park this week for a six-game series with the Tampa Tarpons, Tuesday-Sunday.

On Friday, the Marauders will play as the Bradenton Barbanegras for Copa de la Diversión, a celebration of Hispanic and Latino culture. The team will also host a Margaritaville Night on Saturday with pre-game music and a charity jersey auction, and Sunday’s game will include a Mother’s Day celebration.

Details: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; Noon Sunday. LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Tickets range from $7-$11.

Info: milb.com/bradenton.

Repticon: Reptile expo

This reptile and exotic animal expo at Robarts Arena in the Sarasota Fairgrounds will showcase a whole menagerie of creatures.

Vendors offering lizards, geckos, snakes, frogs and other amphibians, butterflies, arachnids and more will be there. In addition to shopping pets and pet supplies, visitors can learn more about the world of herpetology.

Performing arts and shows

“Titanic the Musical” at Manatee Performing Arts Center: “Based on real people aboard the most legendary ship in the world, Titanic the Musical is a stunning and stirring production focusing on the hopes, dreams and aspirations of her passengers who each boarded with stories and personal ambitions of their own,” a show preview says.

  • Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Through May 15. Manatee Performing Arts Center. 502 Third Avenue West, Bradenton. $30-$41.

  • Info: manateeperformingartscenter.com

    • Anna Maria Island Players present “The Psychic”: “Down on his luck and desperate to pay rent, Adam hangs a sign in his window offering discount psychic readings,” a show preview says. “Much to his surprise, the unemployed writer finds himself involved in a string of bizarre and hilarious murders in this 2011 ‘Edgar Allan Poe Awards’ winner.”

    • Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Through May 15. The Island Players, 10009 Gulf Dr., Anna Maria. $25.
    • Info: 941-778-5755. theislandplayers.org

    “The Legend of Georgia McBride” at Florida Studio Theatre: “Casey is struggling with his gig as an Elvis impersonator in a run-down, small-town Florida bar,” a show description says. “When the bar owner brings in a B-level drag show to replace his act, Casey finds that he has a whole lot to learn about show business — and himself.”

    “A Skeptic and a Bruja” at Urbanite Theatre: “Priscilla buys a home in the middle of nowhere with the hopes of turning it into a lucrative bed and breakfast,” a show description says. “When she starts having paranormal experiences, she calls Sam and Jess from the hit ghost-hunting show “A Skeptic and a Bruja” to help her. None of the women are prepared for the haunting they encounter next.”

    • Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Extended through May 8. Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second Street, Sarasota. Ages 40 and up: $36. Under 40: $20. Students: $5.
    • Info: urbanitetheatre.com

    John Carfi at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre: A joke writer for Joan Rivers and Rodney Dangerfield, Carfi’s comedic talent has been featured on Comedy Central and Entertainment Tonight.

    • Details: 6:30 and and 8:50 p.m. Friday and Saturday. McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. $25.

    • Info: mccurdyscomedy.com
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    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.

    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.

    The Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch welcomes more than 90 regional vendors to Waterside Place each Sunday. Offerings include produce, meat and seafood, prepared foods and breads, crafts, jewelry, plants and pet treats. Live music from a rotation of local musicians and yoga sessions are another regular feature at the market.

    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.

    Newtown Sarasota Farmers Market offers local produce, fresh-baked goods and other items twice a week in the Newtown neighborhood. The market also hosts community gatherings including events for kids and food festivals.

    • Details: 10 a.m.-5p.m. Friday and Saturday. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 2523 Cocoanut Ave., Sarasota.
    • Info: newtownfarmersmarketsrq.org

    Meadows Farmers Market: Started in Oct. 2021, the Meadows Farmers Market promises organic fruits and vegetables straight from local farmers. Other attractions include artisans, food vendors and live music. Events at the market include yoga, tai chi, wellness talks and holiday celebrations.

    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.

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    See a movie

    Whether you’re interested in Hollywood blockbusters, independent film or an old-timey drive-in movie experience, there’s a theater nearby that can satisfy. Here are your local movie options:

    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).

    ▪ “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (PG-13): 8:15 p.m. Fri.-Sun.

    ▪ “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” (PG-13): 10:20 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.

    Some 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

    This story was originally published May 5, 2022 at 11:49 AM.

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    Ryan Ballogg
    Bradenton Herald
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    Ryan Ballogg is a local news and environment reporter and features writer at the Bradenton Herald. His work has received awards from the Florida Society of News Editors and the Florida Press Club. Ryan is a Florida native and graduate of USF St. Petersburg. Support my work with a digital subscription
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