Things to do: April 28-May 4

FAIRS, FESTIVALS & MORE

Annual Embracing Our Difference Art Exhibit: Sarasota Island Park, at Ringling Boulevard and Bay Front Drive, Sarasota

The 13th annual Embracing Our Differences Exhibit will be on display through May 31. The annual outdoor public art exhibition consists of 45 billboard-sized works of art, each accompanied by an inspirational quote. On display are entries pouring in from students from 104 countries 104 and 44 states. Information: 941-404-5710 or embracingourdifferences.org.

Art After 5: John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota

Enjoy Art After 5 and explore the Museum of Art permanent and special exhibition galleries, and the Circus Museum during 5-8 p.m. Thursdays. Ca' d'Zan is not open for viewing during Art After 5, except on select dates in November and December. Tickets: $10. Information: 941-359-5700 or ringling.org.

Replicas of Historic ships "Nina" and "Pinta" visit: Regatta Pointe Marina, 1005 Riverside Drive, Palmetto

Come see history at Regatta Pointe Marina as full-size replicas of Christopher Columbus' Nina and Pinta ships are docked April 28-May 2. The historically accurate ships are floating museum and are open to the public 9 a.m.-6 p.m. General admission: $8 adults, $7 seniors ages 60 and up, $6 children ages 5-16, children ages 4 and younger are admitted free. Information: 941-729-6021 or regattapointemarina.com.

The DeSoto Heritage Festival Ball: Bradenton Area Convention Center, One Haben Blvd., Palmetto

The DeSoto Heritage Festival Ball will be 6:30 p.m. April 29 featuring an elegant, black-tie evening, celebrating the investiture of the newest Hernando de Soto with all the glitter, pomp and circumstance.

Music in the Park Concert Series: Riverwalk Mosaic Amphitheater, Bradenton

Realize Bradenton's popular free, family friendly, outdoor concert series "Music in the Park," will be 6-8 p.m. Fridays through April with live music by La Lucha April 29. Audience members are encouraged to bring hampers, blanket, chairs, and their furry companions on leashes. Local craft beer and other beverages and snacks will be available for purchase. Each event will also showcase dogs from local shelters who will be available for adoptions. Proceeds from the sale of beverages will benefit local animal rescue organizations. Information: 941-621-6471 or realizebradenton.com.

The DeSoto Heritage Festival 5K Run, Grand Parade and After Parade Party: Manatee County School Support Center, 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

The DeSoto Heritage Festival 5K Run will begin with pre-registration at 4:30 p.m., run starts at 6 p.m. immediately prior to the DeSoto Heritage Festival Grand Parade which starts at 6:30 p.m. April 30. The Grand Parade, an illuminated night parade with more than 150 entries will proceed west on Ninth Avenue, north along 39th Street West to Manatee Avenue and then east toward downtown. The parade is followed by an After Parade Party at 8 p.m.-midnight at the Courtyard Marriott, 100 Riverfront Blvd. W., Bradenton. Race registration: $25-$30, ticket prices to the After Party are $30. For detailed information: desotohq.com.

Children's Book Fair and Family Fun Day: Downtown Main Street, Bradenton

Realize Bradenton will host a Children's Book Fair and Family Fun Day 9 a.m.-2 p.m. April 30, featuring several local children's authors. There will be food, music and fun for the entire family. Information: 941-773-5340 or realizebradenton.com.

'Purple Rain' screening: Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa

Tampa Theatre, a gorgeous and historic 90-year-old movie house in the heart of downtown Tampa, has just announced that it will offer a free screening of Prince's 1984 film "Purple Rain" on April 30. Doors open at 8 p.m. For more information, call 813-857-9089 or go to tampatheatre.org.

"We Built This City": Straz Center, 1010 N. Macinnes Place, Tampa

"We built This City," a giant public construction site utilizing thousands of cardboard boxes and the energy of kids and families to build a magnificent imagined city, will be 12:30-5 p.m. April 30 and May 1. The event will feature performers from the Polyglot Theatre, music will be provided by a DJ. The event is free and open to the public. Information: 813-229-7827 or strazcenter.org.

"Discover the Food" Festival:" Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 US 301 N., Tampa

Get a taste of the best that the Tampa Bay region has to offer at the "Discover the Food" festival 11 a.m.-7 p.m. April 30 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. May 1. The festival includes offering from new restaurants as well as tried and true area eateries and caterers and well as food trucks and will highlight multicultural cuisine, including authentic Indian and Caribbean flavors. Classic rock band Radio Crime will headline the festival. There will be a Kid's Fun Zone. Admission is free. Information: floridastatefair.com/events.

Coquina Beach Market: 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach

Stroll the Beach Market at Coquina Beach 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays through July featuring local artists, arts and crafts, jewelry, fresh produce, plants, apparel, pottery, purses, collectibles, health and beauty items and much more. Information: 941-518-4431.

DANCES

Adult Singles Dance Club: YMCA, 1075 S. Euclid Ave., Sarasota (corner of Bahia Vista Street)

Dance Party featuring live band plus a DJ, 7:30-10:30 p.m. every Saturday. The dance is open to the public. Admission: $10, includes snacks and optional free group dance lessons 6:40-7:10 p.m. For more information or directions: 941-756-8303 or 941-807-2226.

Ballroom Dancing: Bayshore Gardens Recreation Center, 6919 26th St. W., Bradenton

Ballroom dancing 10 a.m.-noon Fridays with live music by Ernie Litz. Coffee will be served. Cost: $5. Information: 941-756-9255.

Bella Danza Dance and Ballroom: 5917 Manatee Ave. W., Suite 305, Bradenton

Friday beginner group lessons 6 p.m. Cost: $10. Friday advanced group lessons 7 p.m. Cost: $10. Additional classes are offered. Dance Information: Dwayne Biggs at 941-465-1031 or belladanzaballroom.com.

Bradenton Woman's Club: 1705 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

Dance to live music 8-11 p.m. Fridays. Cost is $8. Lessons from 7 to 8 p.m. Open to the public.

Singles are welcome. BYOB, sodas available. Smoke-free facility. Proceeds will benefit renovation of the clubhouse, built in 1921. Information: 941-773-0177 or bradentonwomansclub.com.

Sara Dance Center: 5000 Fruitville Road, Sarasota

Ballroom dancing lessons 7-8 p.m. and general dancing 8-10 p.m. Mondays. No partners necessary. Admission: $8 members, $10 nonmembers. Singles dance information, call Stephen at 941-587-3365 or Michelle at 941-812-7311, for all other schedules, call 941-685-7026 or saradancecenter.com.

FARMERS MARKETS

Downtown Bradenton Farmers Market: Old Main St., Bradenton

The Bradenton Farmers Market will be 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through May, featuring more than 30 vendors offering locally grown fruits, vegetables, plants, organic products, prepared foods, work of local artists and craftspeople. Information: 941-840-0017 or visit bradentonfarmersmarket.com.

Palma Sola Farmers Market: Geraldson Community Farm, 1401 99th St. NW., Bradenton

The Palma Sola Farmers Market will be 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through May featuring organic vegetables and watermelon. Information: 941-792-0985 or geraldsoncommunityfarm.org.

Sarasota farmers market: Lemon Avenue at the intersection of Main Street, Sarasota

Fresh produce, plants, coffee, crafts, food and more are available 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. Information: 941-951-2656.

SOCIAL CLUBS

American Legion Kirby Stewart Post 24: 2000 75th St. W., Bradenton

Lunch is served 11-2 p.m. Monday-Friday. Dinner, varied menu, 5-7 p.m., and Queen of Hearts 8 p.m., Mondays. Hamburgers 5-7 p.m., Bingo 6-8 p.m., Tuesdays. Ladies Auxiliary sponsored Bingo 1-3 p.m., meatball sandwiches and chili 5-8 p.m., karaoke with Franky Allen 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays. Dinner with new menu selections 5-7 p.m. Fridays. Dancing and live music 7-10 p.m. Saturdays. Foxhole Lounge: hot dogs and Sloppy Joes 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays. Breakfast 8-11:30 a.m., dancing and live music by Bob Dewart Band with Eddie Tobin on piano 2-5 p.m. Sundays; Cost: $5 members, $5 nonmembers. Smoke free. The public is welcome. Information: 941-794-3489 or americanlegionpost24.com.

American Legion Post 312: 1610 67th Ave. E., Oneco

Queen of Hearts drawing, 7 p.m. Monday; bar poker, 6 p.m. Wednesday; Wings and strings, 6-9 p.m. first and third Thursday; dinner 5-7 p.m. and music 6-10 p.m. Fridays; music 2-6 p.m. Saturdays; and $6 all-you-can-eat breakfast 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Sundays. Information: 941-758-6616.

American Legion Post 325: 3420 U.S. 301, Ellenton

Tacos and dart tournament, Tuesdays. Karaoke, 7-10 p.m. Fridays. Music, 2-5 p.m. Saturdays. Feather Your Nest 1-3 p.m., hot dogs, Sundays. Information: 941-981-3819.

AmVets Post 301: 2443 U.S. 301 N., Ellenton

Sunday bar bingo and wings 5-7 p.m. Open daily at 10 a.m. Information: 941-722-0393.

Disabled American Veterans Chapter 18: 111 63rd Ave. E., Bradenton

Enjoy music 7:30-10:30 p.m. Fridays. Karaoke first Saturday of every month. Bar Bingo 4-7 p.m. Tuesdays and 1-4 p.m. Saturdays. Information: 941-755-5425.

Fraternal Order of Eagles Chapter 3171: 5831 15th St. E., Bradenton

Breakfast, 8:30-11 a.m., Feather Your Nest 2-5 p.m., "Party in the Pavilion" with music 4-7 p.m. Sundays; breakfast $7. Tacos and more 4-7 p.m., bar poker 5-7 p.m. Mondays. Various mini meals $5, 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays. A weekly varied menu dinner is served 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays. Fun night 5-7:30 p.m., music 6-9 p.m., Thursdays. Family fish fry 5-7 p.m., Feather Your Nest 7-9 p.m., Fridays; Fish $7, Steak $10. Bar Poker 3-5 p.m. Saturdays. Information: 941-756-2113.

Marine Corps League Desoto Detachment 588: 5225 26th St. W., Bradenton

All past and present military personnel and their guests are welcome to the Bunker Bar for fellowship, camaraderie, entertainment, and refreshments. Bar hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Sunday. Information: 941-301-4598.

North Manatee American Legion Post 309: 2419 Bayshore Road, Palmetto

Lunch is served 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Sundays. Bingo, 4-7 p.m. Thursdays. Bar poker, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Fridays. Feather your nest 1-3 p.m. Saturdays. Information: 941-722-8689.

VFW Post 2488: 810 Sixth St. W., Palmetto

Lunch, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Fridays. Karaoke with Bob Dunn, 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Fish fry, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Fridays. Information: 941-722-9588.

VFW Post 9226: 3511 12th St. E., Ellenton

All You Can Eat Breakfast 8-11 a.m. every first and third Sunday of the month, Bar poker at 4:30 p.m. Sundays; $1 hotdogs. Ladies Auxiliary Feather Your Nest, 4:30-6:30 p.m., progressive jackpot, Mondays; $1 hotdogs. Queen of Hearts, 7 p.m. Wednesdays; $1 hotdogs. The public is welcome. Information: 941-729-8535.

VFW Palma Sola Post 10141: 5105 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

Music with Holly Rae, 7-10 p.m. April 30. Breakfast, 9 a.m.-noon, bar poker 4 p.m. Sundays. Monday night dinner, 5-7 p.m. Hamburgers, hot dogs, brats 4-6:30 p.m., bingo 6:30 p.m. Thursdays. The public is welcome to all dinners and events. Information: 941-794-6394.

COMING SOON

Main Street Live: along Old Main Street, Bradenton

Enjoy food vendors, arts and craft vendors, and live reggae rock by Kettle of Fish 5-10 p.m. May 5. Information: realize

This story was originally published April 27, 2016 at 6:10 PM with the headline "Things to do: April 28-May 4 ."