Weekend Adventures: September 6-8, 2013

BRADENTON – This weekend is bustling with entertainment in Bradenton and its surrounding cities. ArtWalk takes off in the Village of the Arts on Friday and goes on until Saturday. A special Hawaii-themed night of festivities, music, food and fun will be in Bradenton Beach on Saturday night, and a special benefit concert for young Austin Baxter happens Saturday at Robart’s Arena with great local live acts (and Dickey Betts!). Plus, the Tampa Boat Show is finally here and will be staying all weekend long with attractions for boat lovers and the whole family. Get your ArtWalk on, put on your chillest island wear, ready your ears for some spectacular live music, and check out the best in boating. It’s time for a Weekend Adventure!

It’s ArtWalk week in the Village of the Arts on Friday evening (6-9:30pm) and Saturday (11am-4pm). Visitors can stroll through the village to take in works by local artists, with 25 galleries on display, and dine on culinary eats in the village’s five restaurants.

Among the artists who will be present at ArtWalk is Laurel D. Rund, will be exhibiting artwork from her exhibition “Art From the Heart,” a very personal series of works from a very personal loss. Calling the work a poem from her soul, Rund said in a statement, “In 2009, a life-changing event transformed me into the woman I am today. Never could I have imagined that the death of my husband of 42 years would take me on a journey through loss and grief to a redefined sense of self.  Death, an unexpected teacher, was the catalyst of my metamorphosis. The slow and painful healing process unfolded my creativity, and the ‘Essence of Laurel’ was born."

Opening night for Laurel’s exhibition is Friday.

ArtWalk
September 6 & 7: Friday Nights 6-9:30pm and Saturdays 11am-4pm

Village of the Arts
1113 12th Street West

Bradenton

On Saturday night, the Bridge Street Merchants are bringing Hawaii to Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria, with Hawaiian Barbeque and live music by steel drum solo artist Frank Catalina (5-7) and local island band Tangled Mangos (7-10). A full beer, wine and liquor bar will be available. Admission is free.

Along with the jamming music, many other family-friendly activities will be on hand, including a luau Limbo game hula-hooping, dancing, life-size Jenga and a costume contest for the best-dressed Hawaiian look.

A free trolley, with 80 stops throughout Anna Maria and another right at Bridge Street, will run until 10:30pm.

Bridge Street Merchants present "LUAU" on Bridge Street
Saturday, September 7 5-10pm
Bridge Street Market Lot
107 Bridge St
Bradenton

From 4-11pm on Saturday, Robart’s Arena in Sarasota will host a benefit concert for Austin Baxter, who is fighting the rare eye cancer Retinoblastoma. Music will start at 6 and end at 11. Bands to play include Gamble Creek Band, Michael Kach Group, Kettle of Fish, and a special guest appearance from Dickey Betts of Great Southern.

A free barbeque dinner will be served from 4-6. Beer will be available; no coolers please. Tickets are $20/person; kids 12 and under are free. For more information, visit www.savingaustinsbabyblues.myevent.com.

Saving Austin's Baby Blue's: Blues Concert to Benefit Austin Baxter
Saturday, September 7 4-11pm
Robarts Arena
3000 Ringling Blvd

Sarasota

The Tampa Boat Show will be around all weekend long, with an ocean of of attractions and entertainment.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Johnathan Hillstrand from popular Discovery show Deadliest Catch. The co-captain of the Time Bandit will be present on all three days (Friday 1–3pm & 5–7pm, Saturday Noon–2pm & 4-6pm and Sunday Noon–2pm).

Other featured attractions include: scuba diving in the warmth of a heated pool (ages 10 and up); Fred’s Shed will attract boat lovers everywhere with his DIY boat seminars and interactive learning center; hands-on training workshops to improve your boating skills; boat fishing seminars; SpongeBob SquarePants, and free power boat rides!

Admission is $12 for adults 16 and up. Kids 15 and younger get in free (must be accompanied by an adult). Go to www.TampaBoatShow.com for more information and to purchase tickets.


Tampa Boat Show
September 6-8; Friday 10:00am–8:00pm; Saturday 10:00am–8:00pm; Sunday 10:00am–6:00pm
Tampa Convention Center
333 South Franklin Street
Tampa