Extreme car stunt show, free concert, museum day: What to do in Bradenton this weekend

Another September weekend is 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 fun times around Bradenton and Sarasota this weekend, Sept. 16-18.

Nitro Extreme at Ellenton Premium Outlets

Nitro Extreme, a motor stunt show produced by local entertainment group Cirque Italia, has daily showings through this Sunday at Ellenton Premium Outlets.

“Nitro Extreme features more than 10 motor vehicles all custom-built in our own garage located in Sarasota, FL. In addition to our cars, we have motorcycles and monster trucks, all performing a variety of motor vehicle stunts,” an event preview says.

The show is held in the back parking lot of the outlet mall.

• Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Ellenton Premium Outlets, 5461 Factory Shops Blvd., Ellenton. $15-$55.
• Info: nitroextreme.com.

Friday Fest at Van Wezel

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall’s free outdoor Friday Fest music series will wrap up this weekend with a performance by local reggae band Jah Movement.

Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs and enjoy the show on the lawn overlooking the Sarasota Bayfront.

Food trucks, drink and alcohol stations will be on site.

• Details: 5 p.m. Friday. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Free.
• Info: vanwezel.org/boxoffice/friday-fest-2022

Bat City Comic Professionals grand opening

Bat City Comic Professionals, a nonprofit that uses comic books for education, will host a grand opening in Bradenton this Saturday.

The event will include free comics for all ages, door prizes, photos with costumed characters, face painting, a create-your-own-comic station and a sneak peek at Bat City’s classroom facilities.

“Bat City works to create educational opportunities and resources for students, parents, teachers, and life-long learners through comics education,” the organization’s website says. “Our team of volunteers features reading specialists, behavioral therapists and educators who work to develop curriculum, workshops, and resources that can be used to help with reading, writing, emotional development and imagination skills.”

• Details: Noon-7 p.m. Saturday. Bat City Comic Professionals, 915 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton. Free.
  
  
• Info: facebook.com/batcitycomicbooks

Free visit to The Ringling

The Ringling Museum in Sarasota will host “Experience Extraordinary Day” this Saturday.

Visitors to the museum will get free access to the Museum of Art, the Circus Museum and the Bayfront Gardens.

Tickets must be reserved online; guests who sign up will automatically be entered in a drawing for a one-year museum membership.

• Details: Open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota.
• Info: ringling.org or 941-359-5700

Sarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival

Formerly known as Taste of Downtown, this foodie fundraiser supports the Sarasota Youth Opera.

The tasting event includes specialty foods, wine, coffee and offerings from local restaurants. There will also be raffle drawings throughout the event.

The Sarasota Youth Opera will perform at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

• Details: 1 p.m. Saturday. Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. $75 advance; $85 at the door.
  
  
• Info: sarasotaopera.org/foodandwinefest

Discount weekends at Mote Marine

Mote Aquarium is offering discount admission to Florida residents on weekends throughout September. Tickets must be purchased in advance online using the discount code “HALF.”

Mote’s resident creatures include aquatic reptiles, otters, sharks, colorful fish, manatees, sea turtles and more.

• Details: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Mote Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. Ages 13 and up: $26. Ages 3-12: $19. Ages 2 and under: free. Half-off for Florida residents on weekends through September.
• Info: mote.org. 941-388-4441

Performing arts and shows

RENT at Manatee Performing Arts Center: The Manatee Players will kick off their 2022-23 season with Pullitzer Prize-winning musical RENT. “Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. ‘RENT’ has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages,” a show preview says. Rated R.

• Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Through Oct. 2. Manatee Performing Arts Center. 502 Third Avenue West, Bradenton. $30 from Sept. 14-25; $34 from Sept. 29-Oct. 2.
  
  
• Info: manateeperformingartscenter.com

The Jersey Tenors: Part II at Florida Studio Theatre: “Back with a new show, this opera/rock mash-up sensation blends iconic opera classics with Rock & Roll hits from artists like Queen, Journey, and Elton John, along with the songs from Jersey’s finest—Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and Bon Jovi,” a preview for this music review says.

• Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Through Sept. 18. Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N Palm Ave., Sarasota. $34-$37.
  
  
• Info: floridastudiotheatre.org

Monty Franklin at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre: “Australian born and LA based Monty toured the Country with Rob Schneider on his stand up tours and appeared in Rob’s Netflix show, ‘Real Rob,’ the comedian’s bio says.

• Details: 7 p.m. Thursday, 6:30 and and 8:50 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday. McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. $25.
  
  
• Info: mccurdyscomedy.com

Farmers’ markets

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.

• Details: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Dr., 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

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.

• Details: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. Held in the parking lot of 5041 Ringwood Meadow, Sarasota.
• Info: sites.google.com/view/meadowsfarmersmarket

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.

See a movie

Ruskin Family Drive-In: In operation since 1952, this drive-in plays new movies, classic flicks AND family favorites 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).

▪ “The Woman King” (PG-13): 8 p.m. Fri.-Sun.

▪ “The Invitation” (R): 10:15 p.m. Fri.-Sun.

• Details: 5011 U.S. 41 N., Ruskin. Ages 9 and up: $7. Ages 5-8: $2. 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

Fun at the museum

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature: Explore the past, present and future of the natural world with interactive displays and exhibits, stellar shows in the famed Planetarium, an indoor manatee habitat, the Mosaic Backyard Universe for kids and more at The Bishop in downtown Bradenton.

• Details: Open Tue.-Sat. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Ages 18-64: $25. Ages 65 and up: $23. College students with ID: $19. Ages 5-17: $16. Ages 4 and under: Free with paying adult.
  
  
• Info: bishopscience.org or 941-746-4131

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

Sarasota Art Museum: Operated by Ringling College of Art and Design, the Sarasota Art Museum displays revolving exhibits of contemporary artwork.

The museum is housed in the former Sarasota High School building and offers 15,000 square feet of gallery space to showcase paint, sculpture, photography, furniture making, experimental art and more.

Events at the museum include curator and artist talks, live jazz every second Thursday of the month and free entry and family fun on the second Sunday of each month.

Visitors can also enjoy a gift shop and a bistro.

• Details: Museum open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Shop open daily 11 a.m.-5 p.m.. Bistro open daily 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Ages 17 and up: $15. Ages 0-16: Free with paying adult. Veterans and active military: Free with ID.
• Info: sarasotaartmuseum.org

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

This story was originally published September 14, 2022 at 2:48 PM.