Weekend Sounds May 5-7

BRADENTON – There’s no shortage of great live music options this weekend across Bradenton and Sarasota! Check out the Bradenton Times Weekend Sounds to see what bands you can catch and where.

Realize Bradenton's seven-week concert series, Music in the Park, is coming to a close. This Friday, the family-friendly event will wrap up with its final free live show at the Riverwalk Amphitheater with a performance bySweet Fleet–a local Fleetwood Mac tribute band. Sweet Fleet was formed in early 2020 by Sarasota-based music teacher Greg Burke. Led by the young female singer Alyssa Dodge as Stevie Nicks. The rest of the group is comprised of Gannon Torrella, 20, as Lindsey Buckingham; Grace Burke, 18, as Christine McVie; Joey Worthley, 21, as John McVie; and Sylvan Nadel, 19, as namesake Mick Fleetwood.

The show runs from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs–and their furry companions on leashes are welcome as well! Food, beverages, beer, and wine will be available for purchase.

The Riverwalk Mosaic Amphitheater is located at 606 3rd Avenue West, Bradenton, Riverwalk Park.

On Friday, partners in music and life, Meg Williams and Travis Bowlin, will deliver the blues to music lovers at VOTA’s Cottonmouth Soul Kitchen. The Nashville-based guitarists, songwriters, and singers, boast long lists of notable blues circuit performances at venues and festivals nationwide. Partners in life and a shared love of the blues, the artists hold solid musician resumes. Meg Williams has recorded and released four albums, including Live and Learn in 2021, and she has been interviewed and featured on Blues Radio International, FOX17 Rock Review with Eric Dahl, Knoxville’s WDVX Blue Plate Special, and Acme Radio Live. Travis Bowlin has also recorded and released original music and is currently working on his latest album, Hooks & Grooves, due out in 2023. In 2022, Bowlin received the Best Of Huntsville, AL for his singing and also accepted the Josie Music Award as the Jazz/Blues Artist of the Year. Cover $10.

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 his eclectic Southern dining, Chef Dave Shiplett puts his creative spin on Southern classics serving up his brand of Southern 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.

Sinewaves is a southwest Florida rock band comprised of multi-instrumental musicians and friends. The band’s setlists include renditions of popular songs from multiple genres including rock, blues, funk, soul, country, and more. Through their reworked interpretations of yesterday's classics and today's hits, plus soulful vocals, Sinewaves is on a mission to deliver listeners "sonic nostalgia" and party vibes to keep the dance floor moving all set long. 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 on its front deck, and offers back patio seating, a tiki bar, and a fire pit for cooler nights. 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.

Head down to the Big Top this Friday and Saturday for two days chock-full of awesome tribute jams. Big Top Brewing will open its stage to three tribute bands performing the music of The Grateful Dead and Phish this weekend. Over the course of two days, beginning on Friday Night with Dead Set Florida playing the music of The Grateful Dead, and continuing Saturday with a tribute to Jerry Garcia by Jerryland in the afternoon, and closing out Saturday night with Florida’s premier Phish Tribute band, Antelope. Food Trucks and vendors will be onsite during the event. No cover.

The Line Up:

Friday 7 p.m.- Dead Set Florida

Saturday 3 p.m.- Jerryland

Saturday 7 p.m. - Antelope

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 complement 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. Featuring brewing, tasting, and live music from some of the area’s best performers. A great outdoor venue with an expansive beer garden, porch bar, and food truck. 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota.

This Saturday, Birdrock Taco Shack brings together an all-star lineup of musicians and cigar box guitars. The free event kicks off with live music at 11:30 a.m. and runs through the evening. No cover.

The Line Up:

11:30 am- Rusty Talent

1:30 p.m- The Applebutter Express

3:30 p.m.- Meg Williams, Travis Bowlin, and BanJoey

5:30 p.m.- Steve Arvey & Friends

8:00 p.m.- Memphis Lightning

About the Venue:

Located in Bradenton Florida's Village of the Arts, Birdrock Taco Shack is not your average taco joint, but a unique funky-fun taco spot and live music venue. Owner and chef David Shiplett–also the owner of popular Cottonmouth South Soul Kitchen–doesn’t serve up just any tacos. Dave has worked as a Chef in San Francisco, San Diego, Sarasota, and now Bradenton. Dine inside the eclectic artsy shack or outdoors on the porch and back patio. Great food, cool people... and TACOS! 1213 13th Avenue West, Bradenton

Twinkle and Rock Soul Radio return to the Motorworks’ beer garden stage this weekend! An accomplished musician and songwriter and an authentic rock soul and blues powerhouse singer, 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 strong, bluesy, Rock Soul Radio members are lead vocalist Twinkle, guitarist Lenny Brooks, bassist Tony LeClerc, and Benny Puckett on the drums. No Cover.

About the Venue:

Since its opening in 2014, Motorworks Brewing has become one of the most awarded breweries in Florida, with over 22 national and international medals. With 20+ beers on draught, a full liquor bar, wine, and a rotating batch of seasonal and specialty brews available, Motorworks is a great place to join friends for a fresh pint of beer or a cocktail. Its tree-canopied Beer Garden hosts a raised deck, games, an outdoor stage, ample patio seating, and plenty of room to dance. Food offerings from local food trucks. 1014 9th Street West, Bradenton, near the Village of the Arts.

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.

Over its years of performing, Kettle of Fish has shared the stage with numerous bands and musicians including Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Roger Waters’ Band, Devon Allman, Pat Travers, Damon Fowler, and Dickey Betts, and they have played opening performances for artists such as Eddie Money, Molly Hatchet, Elvin Bishop, Tommy Castro, Trombone Shorty, the Marshall Tucker Band, Jimmy Buffett (at the famous Blue Heaven in Key West), and many more. Led by lead singer, guitarist, and band founder Dana Lawrence, Kettle of Fish delivers a sound that is a rootsy "blues rock with soul" that works to bring together soulful blues with the energy of rock n’ roll. If you like the sound of the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Otis Redding, Robert Cray, the Neville Brothers, Buddy Guy, Stevie Wonder, the Allman Brothers, or The Grateful Dead, you will love Kettle of Fish. 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.