BRADENTON — It's another weekend, and you know what that means. If you guessed another great lineup of local, talented musicians in Manatee, Sarasota, and surrounding counties, you would be correct. Check out The Bradenton Times Weekend Sounds to see what bands you can catch at your favorite venues.
Jah Movement
Bridge Tender Inn
Friday - 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The winner of Manasota Honors 2021 Musical Artist of the Year, reggae band Jah Movement features a glorifying sound where individual talents of each member come together. Highlighting the talented ensemble is hometown hero and vocalist extraordinaire Shantel Norman. Adding their own touch of R&B, soul and funk to some of the best live reggae music, Jah Movement has won the hearts of many across the Suncoast and creates a show that can’t be missed.
No cover.
About the venue:
Established 30 years ago, Bridge Tender Inn (BTI) is Bradenton’s favorite sports bar and grille to eat, drink, and socialize while watching a televised sports event. You can chug beers, eat lip-smacking food, enjoy live music, and make great memories in a comfy, laid-back setting.
This Packer bar is owned by Fred Bartizal and has a staff of 50+ veteran servers who love to offer the best drink-and-dine experience to their guests. The general manager, Sue, has been here for 25+ years and the assistant manager, Shannon, has been here for 10+ years. They’re the ones that oversee making that experience happen!
KoKo Ray
Cortez Clam Factory
Friday - 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Koko Ray Hansen is a multi-instrumentalist, band leader, music producer, Transcendental music practitioner, visual artist, and teacher. He lives on the gulf coast of Florida and works several acts in that area as well as touring and recording on an ongoing basis.
About the venue:
Located in the San Remo Shores area, about a mile down the road from Cortez Fishing Village. This eatery/watering hole forgoes the posh nightclub vibe in favor of a more down-home pace, but it is still plenty tropical.
The Clam Factory books a steady stream of Sarasota and Bradenton-based bands. This 'Five Star Dive' Bar has some of the best Music, Food and Service on the West Coast of Florida!
It is locally owned and the owners combine 100 years of experience in the seafood business in order to give great food at the best price in town. On top of the excellent food, there is much to keep you entertained.
Sara Nelms
Swordfish Grill
Friday - 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sara Nelms is an Americana singer-songwriter based in Sarasota, FL. Nelms' sound combines the control and melodic power of her classical training, melancholy of lost loves, the southern stylings from a lifetime love affair with country music, and the grit and truth found in her former home in New York City. Nelms performs throughout the Sarasota and Bradenton areas. No cover.
About the venue:
Good vibes, great food and beautiful views!
Like a jewel hiding in the mystique of the Cortez Fishing Village, the Swordfish Grill is right on the Sarasota Bay, creating a place that initiates relaxation and a laid-back ambiance. The staff is trained to take care of your every need, whether it be a cocktail, beer, or an item on the menu. Management oversees the kitchen, making sure all food items are fresh and prepared properly.
Steve Junot
Floridays Woodfire Grill
Saturday - 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
In the last 20 years, Steve Junot has played over 5000 gigs.
When you ask him how he's lasted so long, he'll give you one big reason. "I realized early on that it's not about me... it's about playing what the audience wants to hear."
He loves giving 'em what they want so that they can have fun.
" If the audience is in the mood to chat with each other, I'll play some laid back, softer stuff so that they can chat. Or if they're in the mood to really listen, dance or cut up and I'll deliver that too. It's all about reading the crowd and giving them what they want so they have a great time. "
Sometimes someone in the crowd will make a request, other times Steve just scans the audience and seems to be able to pinpoint the right song at the right time. And with a repertoire of over 1000 songs, he can pretty much handle any audience.
But his favorite is taking requests.
"I love when I get a crowd who has eclectic tastes. One of my favorite nights was when someone requested an Elvis song. Right after I played it, someone else requested a Lil' Wayne song. Man, that's about as far reaching as it gets in a two song span, but I loved it! And so did the crowd."
To sum it up, Steve has the repertoire and experience to deliver the fun. No cover
About the venue:
Floridays - We’re not just seafood and orange groves - we’ve got acres of farmland producing strawberries, tomatoes, okra, green beans and a variety of greens. We have a rich heritage of southern cooking and family gatherings.
Our bones are classic old school Florida Fish House, done with a lot of personality and a little dash of “quirkiness”. Expect to be greeted by a manatee hanging from the ceiling and to feel like you stepped into a scene from a 1960’s postcard.
St. David
Cottonmouth
Saturday - 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Cajun & Creole, Americana, Roots Rock, Other Folk/Traditional
St. David has spent a lifetime spreading Southern Soul Music up and down the highways of Florida and Louisiana doing a mix of Gospel, country, blues, and psychedelic sounds.
St. David is a life long musician from Southern Louisiana. He brings little pieces of his history to every note.
No cover.
About the venue:
Cottonmouth - Bradenton Florida’s music venue serving southern soul cuisine and live music on our beautiful patio in the Village of the Arts. Dave Shiplett and crew will to serve you and give you an evening you will long remember with seating inside and outside and art from local artists on display. Cottonmouth is the place to hang and feed your soul.
Emilie-Claire Barlow
Fogartyville
Saturday - 8:00 p.m.
Emilie-Claire Barlow is an award winning and critically acclaimed Canadian jazz singer, arranger, record producer and voice actress. A two time Juno Award winner and 6 time nominee, she has released 12 self-produced albums on her own label, Empress Music Group.
Her performing career spans over 24 years in venues ranging from Toronto’s storied Montreal Bistro & Top of the Senator, to Tokyo’s Cotton Club and more recently concerts with symphony orchestras at Toronto’s Massey Hall and Montreal’s Maison Symphonique. She has performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival on seven occasions including a 2015 performance on the Main Stage with 50,000 people attending.
Ms. Barlow has lead bands featuring the finest musician’s in Canada. Her work as a band leader and producer has been recognized with a Juno Award nomination for “Producer of Year” for her recording “Clear Day” (2015) — notable for being only the 2nd Jazz recording nominated in this category. Ms. Barlow is also one of very few women to be honoured as “Producer of the Year”.
Ms. Barlow’s all French recording “Seule ce soir” won a Juno and Felix Award in 2013 representing a major achievement in Canadian bilingualism.
After releasing her second holiday album Lumières d'hiver in 2017, Emilie-Claire turned her attention to her duo project with Steve Webster, Bocana. Bocana has released 8 singles over the last couple of years in the electro-pop, lounge, world music genres, amassing a healthy following on streaming platforms. ECB has also released a collection of James Taylor covers as part of her JT Project.
Her 13th full album "Spark Bird", was released on March 31st, accompanied by a tour throughout 2023/24.
Emilie-Claire Barlow | Saturday, Aug. 3, 8 p.m. | Doors open at 7 p.m.
Tickets: $30 members; $34 not-yet-members; $14 students (13+)
For tickets: Click here
About the venue:
Fogartyville is a special gathering place for those who truly appreciate music and community. Nothing draws people together like a shared musical experience, and the listening room atmosphere at Fogartyville enables people to fully appreciate that experience.
Bryan Spainhower
Island Time Bar & Grill
Sunday - 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Bryan Spainhower is a world-renowned guitarist and musician, known for his exceptional skill and passion for world music. Born and raised in the United States, Bryan was first introduced to music as a child, learning to play the guitar at an early age.
Over the years, Bryan has traveled extensively, immersing himself in the musical traditions of cultures from around the world. From the flamenco rhythms of Spain to the intricate melodies of India, the percussive beats of Africa to the haunting ballads of the Middle East and the dancing rhythms of Cuba, Bryan has studied and mastered an incredible array of musical styles.
Today, Bryan is recognized as one of the world’s leading experts in world music guitar. His performances are renowned for their virtuosity, complexity, and emotional depth, drawing on a lifetime of musical experience and a deep appreciation for the rich cultural traditions that inspire his art. 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 by chef Jimmy Lopatinski. Full bar, beachy cocktails, specialty, and classic margaritas, and cold beer!
Tony Tyler
Freckled Fin Irish Pub
Sunday - 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
When you see one of Tony Tyler's live shows you can expect a driving performance with nonstop energy guaranteed to get you out of your seat, whether that be with his original songs or a funky cover of some of your favorites. A multi-instrumentalist since childhood, his solo shows provides keyboards, bass, guitar and pulsing beats guaranteed to make any crowd move.
Raised near Macon GA, Tony was steeped in the southern soul styles of Little Richard, Otis Redding, The Allman Brothers Band, and The Black Crowes. His cover song selection is a wide range of Classic Rock, R&B, Soul, and Americana from the 70’s till now, interpreting everything with a modern funky feel!
About the venue:
The Freckled Fin is an Irish pub environment with a Full Service Bar, Fresh Fantastic Food, Fun Atmosphere and Friendly People! The Cheers of Anna Maria Island. Outdoor Seating available.
For more local music listings in Bradenton and throughout the area, check out GoTonight.com or download the GoTonight app.
Artists and local venues, you can now sign up and input your own calendar info directly into the Bradenton Times website. Click here to learn more.
