Weekend Sounds December 2-4

BRADENTON – Bradenton will be alive with music this weekend, especially the blues! Between the return of the Bradenton Blues Fest and the multiple after-party performances planned at area venues, as well as the other bands taking to local stages this weekend, the 941’s live music fans are unofficially invited to a proverbial smorgasbord of live music. Check out the Bradenton Times Weekend Sounds to see what bands you can catch and where.

Join Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones in the garden of Cottonmouth for a Friday night Blues Festival after-party performance. Playing traditional blues, West Coast and Texas swing, and early '50s roots rock, Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones are sure to get your feet tapping. Deming is an American blues and roots guitarist/vocalist, earning a Blues Blast Music Award nomination for Best Blues Band in 2013 and 2019. They also reached No. 3 on Billboard’s blues albums chart for their 2018 record "Complicated Mess." Accompanied by bassist Andrew Goham (formerly of the Bottom Feeders), and percussionist Zack Pomerleau (a seasoned musician born and raised in Auburn, Maine), this trio is rockin' rhythm & blues. No cover.

About the Venue:

Located in Bradenton Village of the Arts, Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen has quickly become one of Bradenton, Florida’s more popular outdoor music venues. Music is hosted on their intimate 80-seat capacity patio garden, a perfect setting under the branches of towering live oaks in the heart of VOTA. Known for his eclectic southern dining, Chef Dave Shiplett puts his creative spin on southern classics serving up his brand of southern soul food in this 100-year-old cottage that doubles as an art gallery. The venue offers craft beer, wine, a list of creative hard ciders, and non-alcoholic beverages. Reservations are recommended due to limited capacity. 1114 12th Street West, Bradenton.

Keeping with the weekend’s blues festivities, head over to Mattison’s Riverwalk for the sophisticated blues with a hint of jazz and hot guitar that define Kat Crosby and the Rhythm Gators. As lead singer and songwriter, Kat Crosby presents blues from a woman’s perspective. From songs that celebrate the man she loves to songs from a woman’s perspective of the world around her, Crosby's playlist is a combination of original music and storytelling and carefully chosen cover songs. An experienced and nationally recognized band that has played numerous festivals and other venues together for more than 20 years. No cover.

About the Venue:

Mattison's Riverwalk Grille is located along Bradenton's Riverwalk Park downtown. Mattison's and its staff pride themselves on their commitment to using sustainable practices and serving only foods that are hormone and antibiotic-free. They work with small family farms and source their produce and seafood locally. While their food draws a crowd, their live music gets them on their feet–the outdoor dining patio is spacious with plenty of room for dancing! 101 Riverfront Blvd, Bradenton.

Dean Johanesen is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who originates from New York. He has resided and performed in several US states, but currently calls Sarasota home. Johanesen's passion for gypsy jazz music in the vein of Django Reinhardt has put him on a musical path focused on stories of old times, placed in a backdrop of gypsy swing, a style that he has coined "circus swing“. Throughout his career, Johanesen has shared bills with notable musicians such as Robby Krieger (formerly of the Doors), Donovan Frankenreiter, Martha Wainwright, Howard Jones, Steve Forbert, John Waite, and Peter Mulvey. No cover.

About the Venue:

Located in Payne Park, Downtown Sarasota, Cafe in the Park captures the spirit of a quintessential urban cafe terrace. It's the perfect place for great coffee, a fresh sandwich, and live music. The family-friendly spot has menu selections of healthy cafŽ-style food, non-alcoholic beverages, beer, and wine, all served in a community park setting. Truly a great place to catch a live show. 2010 Adams Lane, Sarasota.

This Saturday, Cottonmouth will host its most epic Blues Fest after-party of all. Musicians Steve Arvey and James Varnado will join Biscuit Miller to keep the blues party rolling until 10 p.m. Biscuit Miller–who has performed during past year’s Blues Fests–has earned two Blues Music Instrumentalist Awards for bass performance. No cover.

Rye Road Band returns to Joyland this Saturday. Rye Road has been rocking audiences up and down the Gulf Coast of Florida for over a decade. Their sound is a unique blend of new country and rock. The band features Pete Tamburin’s emotional vocals and country-influenced guitar, drummer Dan Garrido’s solid rhythms and amazing high harmonies, the energetic and booming bass lines of Bryant Crawford, and the soaring keyboards of Tim Meyer. Catchy, accessible melodies under lyrics that everyone can relate to, a sound sure to rock and move you! Cover is $8.

About the Venue:

Joyland Live is located on the Manatee/Sarasota county line off of Lockwood Ridge Road in Sarasota. The nightclub’s new location boasts a concert stage and sound system, 1800 square feet of dance floor, and live music 3 nights per week. Wednesday evenings are the venue’s blues nights, Fridays they host variety and/or dance bands, and Saturday nights feature country music performances. Serving local crafts on tap, a bottled beer selection, and a fully stocked liquor bar with depth in whiskeys and tequilas. Joyland’s menu features its own brand of "elevated bar fare," including gourmet burger selections. 8341 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota.

"Country rock, island style." Singer-songwriter Eric Von is a Nashville recording artist, born and raised in Cortez, Florida. Von started playing guitar and writing music at just twelve years of age and was performing live by fourteen. Eric spent three years in Nashville, playing on Broadway, and writing and recording his second CD. His song, I Can't Help but Smile made it to number 64 on the Country Breakout Charts. In 2007, Von was named the Colgate Country Showdown winner for Central Florida, and advanced to secure the title of Colgate Country Showdown winner for the State of Florida that same year. In 2008, he was named the winner of Kenny Chesney’s Next Big Star of the Tampa Bay Area. No cover.

About the Venue:

Since its opening in 2014, Motorworks Brewing has become one of the most awarded breweries in Florida, with over 22 national and international medals. With 20+ beers on draught, a full liquor bar, wine, and a rotating batch of seasonal and specialty brews available, Motorworks is a great place to join friends for a fresh pint of beer or a cocktail. Its tree-canopied Beer Garden hosts a raised deck, games, an outdoor stage, ample patio seating, and plenty of room to dance. Food offerings from local food trucks. 1014 9th Street West, Bradenton, near the Village of the Arts.

Eric Von Band

The popular local band Kettle of Fish has been performing in clubs, pubs, and venues across Manatee and Sarasota, as well as across Florida and the U.S., for years. Lead singer, guitarist, and band founder Dana Lawrence is one of the area’s favorite singer-songwriters. Kettle of Fish is a band with an ever-fluid rotation of talented local and guest musicians.

Over their years of performing, Kettle of Fish has shared the stage with numerous bands and musicians including Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Roger Waters’ Band, Devon Allman, Pat Travers, Damon Fowler, and Dickey Betts, and they have played opening performances for artists such as Eddie Money, Molly Hatchet, Elvin Bishop, Tommy Castro, Trombone Shorty, the Marshall Tucker Band, Jimmy Buffett (at the famous Blue Heaven in Key West), and many more. Kettle of Fish delivers a sound that is a rootsy "blues rock with soul" that works to bring together soulful blues with the energy of rock n’ roll. If you like the sound of the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Otis Redding, Robert Cray, the Neville Brothers, Buddy Guy, Stevie Wonder, the Allman Brothers, or The Grateful Dead, you will love Kettle of Fish. No cover.

About the Venue:

East of I-75 on Fruitville Road, Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse is an open-air barbecue restaurant set under an expansive outdoor tiki hut, including an old-Florida style Tiki-bar. Established by the Stottlemyer family, the family-friendly restaurant and live music venue serves brisket, ribs, pulled pork, sandwiches, and salads in a unique atmosphere. Reservations are accepted. 19 East Road, Sarasota.

On Sunday, Nora Jean Wallace (formerly Nora Jean Brusso) will perform a special Sunday Blues Brunch at Cottonmouth after her scheduled performance on Saturday at the Bradenton Blues Festival. Nora’s singing career began in 1976. She released a single, "Untrue Lover" in 1982, and her first solo release came in 2002. Her 2004 album, "Going Back to Mississippi,"was nominated for a Blues Music Award for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year. Having stepped away from the music scene in 2004, Nora returned to the absolute top of blues music with just as much power as when she left it with her most recent album, "Blues Woman." Tickets are $25 and can be reserved by calling (941) 243-3735.