Weekend Sounds June 2-4

BRADENTON  There's only one weekend in a week, so it s important to spend it wisely. What better way to make the most of the weekend than by taking in some great live music at one of your favorite local venues? There are plenty of free shows to choose from this week. Check out the Bradenton Times Weekend Sounds to see what bands you can catch and where.

Rye Road

Big Top Brewers Collective

Friday: 7-10 p.m.

Country-rock band Rye Road returns to the ""Big Top"" stage to perform in the expansive beer garden of Sarasota s favorite Brewery. Rye Road has been rocking audiences up and down the Gulf Coast of Florida for over a decade. Their sound is a unique blend of new country and rock. The band features Pete Tamburin s emotional vocals and country-influenced guitar, drummer Dan Garrido s solid rhythms and amazing high harmonies, the energetic and booming bass lines of Bryant Crawford, and the soaring keyboards of Tim Meyer. Catchy, accessible melodies under lyrics that everyone can relate to, a sound sure to rock and move you! No cover.

About the Venue:

The Big Top Brewing Company has re-envisioned what the former Naughty Monk Ale Works was at its core and brings you, The Big Top Brewers Collective. Going back to the roots of all Belgian-inspired beers, the Big Top Brewing Company has located its brewing base at the former Naughty Monk location in Lakewood Ranch. 2507 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Bradenton.

The Freecoasters

Big Top Brewing Company

Friday: 7-10 p.m.

Originating in Fort Myers, The Freecoasters infuse American southern soul sounds with reggae and rocksteady rhythms. Founded in 2014, the project was the brainchild of bassist and band leader John Schiller. The vision was to blend in equal-measure '60s and '70s era American Southern soul music with Jamaican reggae and rocksteady. The union of like-minded musicians, with the vocal and songwriting talent of singer and guitarist Claire Liparulo, has generated the band a supportive and receptive following reaching outside of their home city. From humble beginnings, The Freecoasters have performed more than 500 shows, embarked on multiple national and regional tours, and produced two full-length albums; Show Up in 2016 and A Different Kind of Heat in 2021. No cover.

About the Venue:

Big Top Brewing Company is a Sarasota-based production brewery. Valuing their great town and its great history, they set out to add in great local beer. A compliment to Sarasota s historical associations with The Ringling Circus, performing arts, famous architecture, the best art and design schools, and world-renowned tourism, Big Top Brewing artistically crafts world-class beers, inspired by their hometown. A great outdoor venue with an expansive beer garden and porch bar. 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota.

Memphis Rub Band

Island Time Bar and Grill

Friday: 7-10 p.m.

Memphis Rub Band is a 4-piece band from the Sarasota/Bradenton area performing a blend of blues, rock, funk, and R&B. Starring Gary Drouin on guitar, Scott Matzke on bass and vocals, Dan Ryan on keys, and David Wells on drums/vocals, they perform both covers and original music. In 2018, Memphis Rub released their first album, ""Taste,"" and several tracks from the album have been played on area radio stations WMNF and WSLR, including ""Red Tide Blues."" No cover.

About the Venue:

Island Time Bar and Grill is located on Anna Maria Island s Bridge Street. Situated on the ground floor beneath the Bridge Street Bistro, Island Time Bar & Grill offers an open ""no-walls"" tropical indoor/outdoor beachside bar setting with welcoming gulf breezes. Their varied menu serves from their upstairs restaurant, Bridge Street Bistro, featuring fresh ingredients, surf-to-turf, and made-from-scratch recipes. Full bar, beachy cocktails, specialty and classic margaritas, and cold beer! 111 Gulf Drive South, Bradenton Beach, Anna Maria Island.

Twinkle and Rock Soul Radio

Stottlemyer's Smokehouse

Friday: 7-11 p.m.

Twinkle and Rock Soul Radio return to Stottlemyer's this Friday! An accomplished musician and songwriter, Twinkle has worked with Aerosmith, Dickie Betts, Rod Stewart, Gregg Allman, and countless others. In the '90s, she was signed to Warner Brothers for her debut album Haunted by Real Life, produced by Patrick Leonard (Madonna, Roger Waters, Pink Floyd) where it gained ready attention on the jazz/pop charts for its title song. Twinkle is known for her authentic powerhouse rock-soul blues vocals. Rock Soul Radio members are lead vocalist Twinkle, guitarist Lenny Brooks, bassist Tony LeClerc, and Benny Puckett on the drums. No Cover.

Looking to catch Twinkle closer to Bradenton? Twinkle and the band with also perform on Saturday, 7-11 pm at Bradenton s Motorworks Brewing, 1014 9th Street West, Bradenton, near the Village of the Arts. No cover.

About the Venue:

East of I-75 on Fruitville Road, Stottlemyer s Smokehouse is an open-air barbecue restaurant set under an expansive outdoor tiki hut, including an old-Florida style Tiki-bar. Established by the Stottlemyer family, the family-friendly restaurant and live music venue serves brisket, ribs, pulled pork, sandwiches, and salads in a unique atmosphere. Reservations are accepted. 19 East Road, Sarasota.

The Schmitz Brothers Band

Big Top Brewers Collective

Saturday: 7-10 p.m.

They re back! You catch The Schmitz Brothers Band this Saturday at the Big Top Brewers Collective! The Schmitz Brothers Band is a dynamic family band with skilled musicianship and memorable harmonies. Band members include father Dave Schmitz on guitar and vocals, twin sons Tim and Dave on guitar, bass and vocals, and long-time professional area percussionist, Phil Anderson, on drums. For more than a decade, The Schmitz Brothers Band has been performing for local audiences a catalog of classic rock and blues-based music along with reggae, jazz, bluegrass, and band originals. No cover.

RJ Howson & Friends

Gilligan s Island Bar

Saturday: 6-10 p.m.

Fire branded in the Chicago blues circuit, roots-rocker and bluesman RJ Howson picked up his skillful guitar chops performing and sharing the stage with blues icons and fellow musicians at Buddy Guy s Legends, Rosa's Lounge, Kingston Mines, BLUES on Halstead, and many other clubs in the Windy City as well as countless other venues across the Midwest. RJ continues to be steeped in the southern stews since moving to Florida, with openers for Butch Trucks & the Freight Train Band, Dickey Betts & Great Southern, the Atlanta Rhythm Section, Molly Hatchet, Buddy Guy, and a host of other legendary musicians. Having played music beginning in his youth, RJ has played everything from Chicago Blues to funk, soul, rock, gospel, country, salsa, and World Music.

On Saturday, RJ will be joined by bassist Chuck Riley and drummer/percussionist Garrett Dawson. No cover.

About the Venue:

Founded in 2001, Gilligan s Island Bar prides itself on serving quality food, cocktails, and great service. The venue hosts live music, offers a tiki bar, and an awesome outdoor stage. The flickering tiki torches, palm trees, and cool Gulf breezes are exactly what you have been looking for. Located on Siesta Key, 5253 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota.

Dr. Dave Band

Island Time Bar and Grill

Saturday: 7-10 p.m.

The Dr. Dave Band is a high-energy country and classic rock band. They ve received five Reader's Choice Awards including 2021 Reader's Choice Best Local Musical Group/Performer for their feel-good, make-you-smile performances. Band leader Dr. Dave plays guitar, electric fiddle, and banjo. Dr. Dave describes their music as ""Kick-grass country-rock."" No cover.

James Varnado Jam

Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen

Sunday: 5-8 p.m.

Join James Varnado as he hosts Cottonmouth s Sunday ""Jazz and Blues Open Jam."" Born in New Orleans, James Varnado relocated to Florida s Gulf Coast in 2006. The locally known and respected drummer has years of performances under his belt. Varnado has performed and toured with the likes of George Porter Jr (The Meters), Charmaine Neville (Neville Bros Family), Tab Benoit, Mem Shannon Blues Band, Jon Cleary, Dickey Betts (of the Allman Brothers), The Dixie Cups (Doo Wop), and has shared the stage with various local bands.

The venue's stable Sunday jam offers audiences something a bit more like a variety show, leading the jam with opening songs, and welcoming a rotation of other talented local guest musicians to join the stage. No cover.

About the Venue:

Located in Bradenton Village of the Arts, Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen has quickly become one of Bradenton s more popular outdoor music venues. Known for its eclectic Southern dining, Chef Dave Shiplett puts his creative spin on Southern classics serving up his brand of soul food in this 100-year-old cottage that doubles as an art gallery. The venue offers craft beer, wine, a list of creative hard ciders, and non-alcoholic beverages. Reservations are recommended due to limited capacity. 1114 12th Street West, Bradenton.

For more local music listings in Bradenton and throughout the area, check out GoTonight.com or download the GoTonight app. Know of an awesome local venue or upcoming show?

Email us: dawn.kitterman@thebradentontimes.com