Weekend Sounds: September 22-24

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
Friday Fest at Van Wezel 
Friday: 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.  

The winner of Manasota Honors 2021 Musical Artist of the Year, reggae band Jah Movement, features a glorifying sound where the 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:

Friday Fest, the free, outdoor summertime concert series returns this year with an exciting lineup of bands who will bring the audience to their feet! The events run from 5-9 p.m. and are located on the lawn of the Van Wezel.

Bring blankets or lawn chairs, take in the music and the sunset, and enjoy food and beverages from local vendors!

Note: Bringing in food, beverages and coolers from outside Friday Fest is prohibited.

Kristopher James with Speakeasy
Oscura
Friday: 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.  

Though he’s lived in the Sunshine State for most of his life, Kristopher’s talent for melody and song (now) extend far past the state’s line. Like his influencers Otis Redding, Amos Lee, and Roberta Flack, Kristopher’s voice is clear, controlled, and full of all-the-feels. As with all artists, Kristopher’s sound has ebbed and flowed, evolving yet remaining instantly recognizable. With the growth he’s experienced as an artist, Kristopher felt it was time to capture his songs, in their fully-imagined sound!

With his debut album “Kindness Never Quits”, featuring members of Scary Pockets, Kristopher caught the attention of Relix & Glide Magazine, Spotify Playlist curators and continued praise, such as “vocals are so powerful and as the song progresses, he showcases why he is one of the best singers out there. All that soul in one artist is just unbelievable” from Reignland Magazine.

Speakeasy:  With effusive lyrics, danceable energy, tasteful electric guitar solos, tight harmonies, and groove-driven rhythm, this 4-piece band delivers an undeniably positive vibe to any room. Fueled by a passion for making people move and a strong desire to entertain, it is hard to find something not to like about these guys who speak nice and easy in person, too. With singer/guitarist Eric Yoder, singer/keyboardist K. Sahagian, singer/bassist Brendon Porter, and drummer Jack Clements, this group delivers the right mix of classic style, well-developed musicianship, and a sunny disposition that is winning over fun-loving fans of all ages.

Cover: $10 ADV / $15 DOS; 18+

7 PM Doors; 8 PM Music 

About the venue:

OSCURA has been reimagined and relaunched in the neighborhood of Old Manatee, with award-winning food and beverage programs, creative events, quality live music, and entertainment.

We are taking that established brand that was built over two and a half years in the previous location and adding new layers; with aesthetics that represent our view of Bradenton past, present and future.

John Allen James 
Fiorelli Winery & Vineyard
Saturday: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.  

"You sound like Bob Dylan," people often tell John Allen James, "except you can sing!" That doesn't make any sense to him, either. "But everyone means it kindly," he says, "so I don't argue."

John never intended to sound like anyone else. Unlike most musicians, who cut their teeth on songs of others, he wrote and recorded two albums of his own music before he learned his first cover song.

John does mean to write songs with heart and brains. A review of John's 2018 release Fire Sky read, "John Allen James delivers a very versatile and beautiful album on which he proves that it should now be over with those Dylan comparisons. He is going to grow very big on his own!" Another critic described John's 2016 album Harder Roads as "timeless, enduring, yet also current and relevant." American Songwriter Magazine chose the title track of John's debut album Light of Day for its Daily Discovery feature.

John played all the instruments except for drums and did all the production on his first two albums before enlisting the help of studio musicians for Fire Sky. John has returned to a one-man-band approach for his subsequent EPs – 2022's Jericho, and 2023's Love Songs of Outlaws and Squared. No cover. 

About the venue:

Fiorelli Winery was started with humble beginnings in 1998, now more than 20 years later we are happy to continue sharing our love of wine with our guests who we consider a part of our family!

Aside from making wine, we offer wine tastings as well as private tours. We also host a wide range of private events such as weddings, birthday parties, corporate gatherings and so much more. If you can dream it, we can host it.

Suzanne Lucas and The Hot Boyz 
Tamiami Tap
Saturday: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.  

Suzanne Lucas, the extraordinary jazz singer from Brooklyn, captivates audiences with her unparalleled ability to craft each song into a unique masterpiece. In the world of jazz, her spellbinding phrasing and soulful interpretation weaves stories through her music like no other. Suzanne has been captivating audiences with her unique blend of jazz, blues, and folk since she was a young woman.

The Hot Boyz: Suzanne’s performances are elevated by the mesmerizing accompaniment of “The Hot Boyz.” Berklee graduate and multi-instrumentalist, Ruffus, is on piano, saxophone, melodica, flute and more. His fingers dance across the keys and instruments, adding depth and dimension to every note. James Varnado, an exceptional drummer, grew up playing music in the church, and studied at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. Varnado provides the intrinsic rhythmic foundation, infusing each piece with energy and precision. Jazzy hot boy, Glenn Paladino -- a New Hampshire native -- is a talent on keyboards and left-hand bass. Paladino also sings tenor with a rich and playful upbeat voice, adding his own jazz and pop tunes to the mix. No cover.

About the venue: 

Live Music Friday & Saturday Nights
Our mission here at Tamiami Tap is to be the neighborhood entertainment night spot for the whole family right here in Historic Laurel Park in Downtown Sarasota Florida.

Zack Pomerleau 
Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen 
Saturday: 7:00 p.m. 

Zack Pomerleau is a Maine-born multi-instrumentalist blues musician based in Bradenton, Florida. He is currently the full-time drummer and harmonica player for award-winning band Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones. As of 2023, he has toured internationally with the band, been nominated with the band for Blues Blast Band of the Year (2019), and has appeared on the band's latest album "Groovin' at Groove Now" on the Endless Blues label featuring Terry Hanck, Sax Gordon and Bill Heid.

Outside of his band work, he plays solo around the Tampa Bay area. His solo act consists of playing electric guitar, harmonica, vocals, and foot percussion while playing classic blues and originals. 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 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.

Jimmy Buffet Celebration with Koko 3 Way
Jiggs Landing Outpost
Sunday: 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.  

 On scenic Braden River and Evers Reservoir, join Jiggs Landing Outpost for a celebration of Jimmy Buffet on Sunday, September 24, 4-8 p.m. Tickets are limited and include appetizers and a souvenir cup. Koko 3 Way will entertain with tropical rock music in celebration of Jimmy Buffet's life with dancing, fun prizes and island-inspired tasty bites. There will be a serving of special frozen beverages & sliders in paradise.

Jiggs Landing Outpost is commonly referred to as a "hidden treasure" and spoken fondly as a spot that's only a mile away from the busyness, but a tranquil world away.

You are invited to experience this Old Bradenton Country Paradise, connect with nature, neighbors and all the parrot heads at their peaceful venue where it'll be "5 O'clock all evening!" Tickets $15 

WSLR+Fogartyville’s Fall Fest Featuring DJ GratiDude, Me Umbra, Natural Vibes
WSLR+Fogartyville
Sunday: 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.  

WSLR+Fogartyville welcomes the community for a complimentary evening of live music, studio tours, socializing with your favorite programmers and so much more! Celebrate 18 years of community radio here in Sarasota!

The party gets started with music from DJ GratiDude, host of “Attitude of Gratitude” on WSLR, followed by performances from Sarasota favorites Me Umbra (R&B, pop and rock) and Natural Vibes (reggae), which includes WSLR programmer Marco Ciceron (“Music of the World”).

Crate diggers will enjoy perusing our selection of CDs for sale on the patio. Proceeds benefit WSLR+Fogartyville!

Station Manager Jesse Coleman will give tours of the WSLR studios and programmers will be on hand to help attendees record WSLR station IDs.

We’ll also host Venice Photo Booth with fun props and backdrops, Big Blue Grilled Cheese Company truck, and have beer and wine for purchase. See you on the dance floor at Fogartyville!

Free and open to the public.

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.