Weekend Sounds: December 15-17

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.

The Barker Project
Birdrock Taco Shack
Friday - 6:00 p.m.

The Barker Project is a Sarasota-based fusion band under the musical direction of Johnnie Barker. Since studying at Berklee College of Music, locally renowned Tampa Bay area bassist, Johnnie has assembled an array of his talented friends and colleagues that include musicians from all around the nation. With their roots in Jazz, they blend Funk, Rock, Blues, & Gospel into what makes the musical gumbo that makes the sound of The Barker Project. Their creative interpretations of well-known songs, as well as their original music, are a thrill for audiences throughout the region.

Cover $15/$5 Livestream

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 (who also owns the 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.

Emily Frost
Blue Marlin AMI 
Friday - 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Emily Frost was born and raised in Sarasota and has been performing up and down the cultural coast since 2015.

Her voice and style of singing has been compared to Allison Kraus, Norah Jones and Sarah McLachlan and she is recognized for her talent with rhythm guitar and fingerpicking. She classifies her genre of music as acoustic sweet soulful folk and enjoys writing music and recreating covers of her favorite songs. She is frequently accompanied by percussionist Maureik Robison who plays the cajon and uses other percussive instruments on both feet. Together they create a fun unique sound that captures a wide array of audiences.

Their favorite newly arranged covers include: More than a woman, Blue Skies, Fast Car, and Champagne Supernova. Their catalog spans many genres and decades to deliver a thoroughly enjoyable playlist for all ages. You can find Emily's original album "Songs That Belong in the Sun" on Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming services under her maiden name Emily Ross. No cover. 

About the venue:

Blue Marlin's cuisine focuses on daily fresh fish brought in directly from the Cortez fishing fleet.

Daily, local fish selections not only provides our restaurant with the freshest possible fish, but also gives us the ability to offer daily specials with that day’s catch.

Although the focus of the menu at Blue Marlin Seafood is fish, we also offer a variety of dishes including steaks, chicken & other landside features. There is something on the menu for everyone at every price point and they offer children’s meals too on the “Mini Marlins” menu.

Billy Lyon Band
The Freckled Fin Irish Pub
Friday - 7:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. 

Billy Lyon started in 2002 as the lead singer of a rock band based in Donegal, Ireland. After spending 6+ years playing in Europe, Billy established himself as a singer and guitarist in Sarasota, performing at corporate events, trade shows, conventions, galas, weddings, private parties, festivals, charity events, theme parks, and of course, local pubs and bars. Billy Lyon has opened for internationally known groups, including The Undertones, Pat McManus, and Johnny Gallagher.

The Billy Lyon Band is Sarasota’s premiere live rock band performing across Florida to audiences ranging from intimate groups of 50 to significant events with over 6,000 attendees. Depending on your needs, you can book the Billy Lyon Band as a solo act, duo, trio, or a full band playing musical genres ranging from oldies, classic rock, and pop hits to jazz, Motown, blues, and country. No cover 

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.

Noan Partly
The Bradenton Market
Saturday - 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Oklahoma native / Florida migrant Noan Partly delivers dexterous finger picked instrumentation, lucid- resonant vocals and deft ruminative lyrics. A self-taught musician, her performance brings about a musicality that feels self-actualized yet vulnerable, astounding yet comforting. Heavily rhythmic and melodically discerning, Noan Partly is sonically distinct. Though folk lovers will detect recognizable elements of traditional Americana, subtle grunge-adjacent and psychedelic influences peek through as well.

Her works often encourage the listener to revel in their own vulnerability and give into the intrinsic sense within us that yearns to better understand all things existential. No cover.

About the venue:

Welcome to the Bradenton Market, a place where the community meets each week to enjoy fresh produce, local art, music, and free family activities on Old Main Street.

The Bradenton Market is held on Saturdays, October through May, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton.

The Nutcracker Suite
Manatee Performing Arts Center  
Saturday - 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Presented by the Rosemary Youth Ballet at Onyx Studio 2

Mischievous elves sneak into the holiday party and whisk the children off to the Land of Sweets!

Onyx Ballet Studio is a studio for students of all levels, from pre-ballet to pre-professional who are given the opportunity to train in classical ballet. The Nutcracker is a showcase performance of these non-professional children and adult dancers on our stage and their interpretation of the ballet.

Tickets
$41.50-$76.50
•Our concession area will offer beverages and light snacks for purchase
•This show is reserved seating
•Everyone coming to see the show must have a ticket regardless of age
•All ticket sales are final and non-refundable

Additional FREE Parking
401 7th Street West

RJ Howson
Caddy's Bradenton 
Saturday - 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Fire branded in the Chicago blues circuit, roots rocker and bluesman RJ Howson picked up his skillful guitar chops performing and sharing the stage with blues icons and fellow musicians at Buddy Guy’s Legends, Rosa's Lounge, Kingston Mines, BLUES on Halstead and many other clubs in the Windy City and playing countless shows all over the midwest. RJ continues to be steeped in the southern stews since moving to Florida with openers for Butch Trucks & the Freight Train Band, Dickey Betts & Great Southern, the Atlanta Rhythm Section, Molly Hatchet, Buddy Guy and a host of legendary musicians.

Having played music since being a child, RJ has played everything from Chicago Blues to Funk, Soul, Rock, Gospel, Country, Salsa and World Music. "My goal is to use music to show that the roots of all people are the same and to play it forward while paying tribute to the past and my mentors". No cover.

About the venue:

Located riverside, Caddy's Bradenton can be reached by foot from the nearby Riverwalk Park, by car, or by boat via the Manatee River. This pet-friendly tropical-themed venue has scenic riverside views, two large tiki huts, and an outdoor stage. They offer a full bar with local craft beers and an American food menu. 801 Riverside Drive East, Bradenton.

Barbara Jordan
Scarpino's Family Restaurant
Sunday - 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Barbara Jordan is a talented, versatile vocalist who sings in many musical genres. She has performed in Canada, the U.S. and internationally with leading jazz, pop and country/western bands.

Barbara was born in Montreal and began her musical career as a folk singer and then moved on to become a dynamic, multi-lingual vocalist with several leading disco, pop and country/western bands in and around the Montreal area.

In the Sarasota, and St. Petersburg area, Barbara has appeared with The Al Hixon Band, The Swingtide Combo, The Gulf Coast Dixieland Band, Billy Marcus and Don Mopsick.

Internationally, Barbara has appeared with Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks at Sofia’s Restaurant in New York City , the Palm Court Cafe in New Orleans, and also with Les Rois du Foxtrot at Le Petit Journal in Paris France. Barbara also sang at the Whitley Bay Jazz Festival in Newcastle England in 2010 as well as The Glacier Jazz Stampede in Kalispell Montana – October 2013 and recently as a guest vocalist with Jon Seiger and the AllStars at the Alexandria Bay Jazz Festival in Alexandria New York. No cover.

About the venue:

With over 30 plus years in the Restaurant Industry, Frank and Rocco bring to you the quality and comfort of old school family Italian food, with family recipes as old as Italy itself. Scarpino's use only the fresh ingredents. We look forward to seeing you soon, as the Scarpino's like to say "Have a nice Day!"

The Scarpino's Family Crest is deposited in the museum in Florence Italy, which dates back to 1500, A.D.

For more local music listings in Bradenton and throughout the area, check out GoTonight.com or download the GoTonight app.

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