Weekend guide: Here are 10 fun things to do around Bradenton and Sarasota this weekend

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, Sarasota, Tampa Bay and beyond.

Are we missing a big event? Drop us a line at rballogg@bradenton.com.

Fun for everyone

Village of the Arts Art Walk: 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, records, quilting or a psychic reading, Village of the Arts has something special to offer every visitor.

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.

Outdoor art: “The Fence” is the largest public photo exhibition in North America, and it is displayed in eight city parks every year.

Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota is one of them.

The open-air exhibit features compelling photos from photographers of all skill levels. The pictures are arranged to tell stories.

Details: Through Feb. 8, 2020. Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Free.

Info: fence.photoville.com.

Brew and browse: 3 Keys Brewing and Eatery’s monthly craft market features artisan goods from local vendors.

Browse jewelry, apparel, home decor, baked goods, ice cream, hemp products and more.

Brunch is available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends (including bottomless mimosas), or grab something from the regular menu of burgers, pizza, salad and more.

Details: Noon-5 p.m. Sunday. 3 Keys Brewing & Eatery, 2505 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton.

Farmers markets galore: Two 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.

The Market at Lakewood Ranch is back and bigger than ever with a new time, date and location.

Now held on Sundays at the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center campus, the market 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.

Go outside

Beach cleanup: Start the new year by doing some good for the environment with a cleanup at Coquina Beach on Thursday. Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department will provide trash bags and grabbers.

And hey, nothing is stopping you from picking up trash on the beach on any old day of the week.

Details: 9 a.m.-noon. Coquina Beach, Gulf Drive South, Bradenton Beach.

Dining guide

New year, new restaurant: Here’s one way to get 2020 off to a mouthwatering start: visit a local restaurant that you’ve never tried before. There are a ton of tasty things happening in the Bradenton food and drink scene with many new restaurants opened in the last year.

And if you’re only interested in the cream of the crop, here’s a short list of restaurants that members of our food enthusiast group Manatee Eats claim are the best in town.

enRich Bistro, 5629 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Michael John’s Restaurant, 1040 Carlton Arms Blvd., Bradenton.

O’Bricks Irish Pub and Martini Bar, 427 12th St. W., Bradenton.

The Sage Biscuit Café, 6656 Cortez Road W., Bradenton and 1401 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Star Fish Company, 46th Ave.nue West, Cortez.

For more suggestions, join the Manatee Eats group on Facebook.

Live music highlights

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. $7.

Info: joylandbradenton.com.

Betty Fox Band at Blue Rooster: Award-winning local act the Betty Fox Band will play this Saturday in Sarasota. Betty Fox’s live performance draws from her background in gospel and passion for soul music, and she is backed up by a skillful band.

Details: 8-11 p.m. Saturday. Blue Rooster, 1525 Fourth St., Sarasota. $10.

Info: blueroostersrq.com.

Sunday Soul Sessions: Local music event gurus Independent Jones are kicking off the new year with a new monthly concert series.

The lineup of artists is curated by someone who knows good music — local blues and soul singer extraordinaire Lauren Mitchell.

January’s act is Johnny Rawls. Rawls is a touring singer and guitarist who has won top honors in the blues world.

There’s also a unique twist on the new concert series. The concert location will vary, and it will only be provided to ticket-holders via email 24 hours before the show.

Details: 4-7 p.m. Sunday. Location to be announced. $20.

Info: facebook.com/independentjones.

This story was originally published January 1, 2020 at 7:04 AM.