BRADENTON – Summer is here and you can feel the heat! There's music in the air and plenty of chances to hear live performances this weekend, including a couple of big shows at Ace's Live. The all-star break is over and even the Marauders are getting in on the musical fun with a free concert. Tease your hair and grab your leather, it's time for a Rock n' roll Weekend Adventure in Bradenton!
The weekend gets started early with a big show tonight at Ace's. Australian blues sensation Anni Piper stops off for an intimate (no cover!) show at one of Florida's best roadhouses. Get an up close seat – the only kind Ace's has – for this blues bombshell's not-to-be-missed performance. Anni takes the stage at 8 p.m. for a non-smoking show.
On Friday, local band Have Gun Will Travel returns to Bradenton for a show at Ace's. They'll be playing songs from their recent album, Postcards From The Friendly City, named in tribute to their hometown. The group features Matthew Burke singing and playing acoustic guitar, banjo and harmonica; Daniel Burke on bass, J.P. Beaubien playing drums, Scott Anderson on electric guitars and lap steel, and Joshua Hernandez on the viola.
They've been compared favorably to successful national acts like Death Cab for Cutie and Wilco. The video for Salad Days (below) was shot entirely in Bradenton and features several recognizable landmarks. The band takes the stage at 9 p.m. for a non-smoking show with a $10 cover ($7 in advance).
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Main Street Live finale
This Thursday is also the last Main Street Live of the season. Old Main Street will remain barricaded to vehicular traffic until midnight, so the food trucks can stay a bit longer.
Old Main Street between Manatee-3rd avenues will close to vehicular traffic at 2:30 p.m.
Live music from the band Kimberly Betts & the Gamble Creek Band starts around 6 p.m. The live music will end at 10 p.m. as usual. Main Street Live will then go on hiatus for two months.
The 2013-14 season starts in September. The event is managed by the Old Main Street Merchants Association.
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Also on Friday night, you can catch a free post-game concert at McKechnie Field featuring 80's throwback band SuperBot (game ticket is needed to attend concert).
Friday is also a Happy Hour Friday presented by Pier 22 Restaurant. The first 500 hot dogs are free with drink specials by Kayem and Cheney Brothers from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
The Marauders are in town all weekend, hosting the Charlotte Stone Crabs Thursday and Friday and then the Palm Beach Cardinals Sunday afternoon.
There will also be a free post-game firework show after Saturday's game, courtesy of Budweiser.