Manasota Music Scene

Posted Thursday, June 9, 2016 12:00 am

Dennis Maley

BRADENTON – The weather is rainy, and it's a good time to get the blues in Sarasota and Bradenton this weekend, where music fans can catch bands like Koko Ray and the Keepers, Steve Arvey, Reverend Barry & Funktastic Soul, Danielle DeCosmo & Blackbird Morning, the Memphis Rub Band and much, much more.

THURSDAY

Things get kicked off tonight with the Kim Betts Trio in the beer garden at Motorworks Brewing from 6-10 p.m. Out on the island, Steve Arvey will be at the Bridge Tender Inn on Bradenton Beach for a 7 p.m. show, while Doug Demming & the Jewel Tones will do their regular show at Ace's.

^{Doug Demming & the Jewel Tones}

Down in SRQ, you've got your pick of three regular Thursday shows featuring some of the area's best talent. Spanish guitar extraordinaire Renesito will be at Servandos from 6:30 until 9:30 p.m., while Kettle of Fish will be at Marina Jack's from 6-9 p.m., and reggae legends Democracy will play the 5 O'Clock Club at 10 p.m.

FRIDAY

Kettle Of Fish will be over in Bradenton Friday for a no-cover 6 p.m. show at Clancy's. Down the road, you can catch three-time Super Bowl Champion, Manatee County native and R&B favorite Henry Lawrence at Ace's for an 8 p.m. show.

Down in Sarasota, Koko Ray and the Keepers will be playing the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall's free outdoor summer series from 5-9 p.m. This is a great series and beautiful venue to see one of the area's most consistently-entertaining bands.

^{Koko Ray & the Keepers}

Out on Siesta Key, the always amazing Reverend Barry & Funktastic Soul featuring the Hellacious Horns will be at the Beach Club from 8-11 p.m. with a $5 cover. On Hillview, local reggae sensation Jah Movement will be at the 5 O'Clock Club for a 10 p.m. show.

SATURDAY

Ace's will host a giant three band show on Saturday night, featuring the Bloody Jug Band, Dealbreaker, and Faceless Bandits with just a $5 cover. Things jump off at 9 p.m. Over at Cortez Kitchen, acoustic songstress Twinkle will play a 6 p.m. show, with no cover. At Clancy's, Koko Ray & the Keepers will be back in action from 6-10 p.m.

At Motorworks, Concrete Edgar will have a no-cover, 6 p.m. show. Out on the island, everyone's favorite jam band Kettle Of Fish will be back in action for a 10 p.m. show at Decoy Ducks on Holmes Beach. Out east in Lakewood Ranch, dance band favorites soulRcoaster will be at the Ranch Grill on S.R. 70 from 7-10 p.m.

Down in Sarasota, Reverend Barry & Funktastic Soul featuring the Hellacious Horns will be back in action at the 5 O'Clock Club for a $5 show from 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.

At the Blue Rooster, you can catch the unique sound of Danielle DeCosmo & Blackbird Morning from 8-11 p.m. DeCosmo has a genuinely beautiful voice that is backed by a very solid band, making for one hell of a show.

^{Danielle DeCosmo}

SUNDAY

Former Koko Ray guitarist Gary Drouin's kick ass new project, the Memphis Rub Band, will be at Ace's on Sunday for a 5 p.m., no-cover show. Down the road at the Cortez Clam Factory, you can catch the classic rock and R&B sounds of Brian McCarthy from 6-10 p.m.

Down in SRQ, the Hatley Band will have their unique blend of country rock with sprinklings of Americana, bluegrass and old school blues at the Siesta Key Oyster Bar from 7-11 p.m.

Dennis Maley is a featured columnist for The Bradenton Times. His regular column focuses on politics and appears each Thursday and Sunday. He also occasionally covers the local theater and music scenes. Dennis' debut novel, A Long Road Home, was released in July, 2015. Click here to order your copy.