Weekend Sounds August 12-14

BRADENTON – It’s another weekend packed with great live music options for 941’s music lovers! Check out The Bradenton Times Weekend Sounds to see what bands you can catch and where.

Hymn For Her has toured across the country and abroad over the years, injecting juiced-up backwoods country blues with a dose of desert rock psychedelia that has been described as "Hell’s Angels meets the Amish," and "Hillbillies with electronics opening Pandora's Box." The beloved duo, comprised of Lucy Tight and Wayne Waxing, deliver listeners folk songs with a deep roots vibe. Their instrumentation, while simple, is the perfect backing to Lucy's moving vocals and Waxing's tight harmonies. You won't want to miss Hymn For Her, Friday, as they return to the CafŽ in the Park stage. 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. Please no outside food or drink. 2010 Adams Lane, Sarasota.

Dead Set Florida is a Tampa Bay-based band performing music of the Grateful Dead and The Jerry Garcia Band, as well as solo material from Bob Weir and Phil Lesh. The group was founded in 2017 by bassist and vocalist Christian Walker. Walker is joined by Paul Wolff (lead guitarist), Tucker Waud (keyboardist), Michael Garrie (rhythm guitar and vocals), Mike Garrie (drums and vocals), and Michael Pandiscio (rhythm guitar and vocals). Pandiscio is the band’s newest member, joining during the 2020 pandemic. A year later, the five-piece is complete and continuing its mission to keep the legacy of "the greatest musical presence of the 20th century" jamming, spinning, and dancing. No cover.

About the Venue:

Big Top Brewing Company is a Sarasota-based production brewery. Valuing their great town and its great history, they set out to add in great local beer. A compliment to Sarasota’s historical associations with The Ringling Circus, performing arts, famous architecture, the best art and design schools, and world-renowned tourism, Big Top Brewing artistically crafts world-class beers, inspired by their hometown. Featuring brewing, tasting, BBQ, and live music from some of the area’s best performers. A great outdoor venue with an expansive beer garden and porch bar. 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota.

Friday: 7-10 p.m.

The "Greatest One-Man Band," Ben Prestage is also the only two-time recipient of the Lyon/Pitchford Award for Best Diddley-Bow Player. Prestage's interesting approach to instrumentation–fingerstyle guitar, harmonica, banjo, lap-steel, fiddle, resonator guitar, foot drums, and strong vocals–has earned him invitations to perform across North America, Europe, and as far as North Africa. A 2012 nominee for the Independent Music Awards and the Blues Music Awards, his original songwriting earned him recognition as The Most Unique Performer at The Songwriters' Showcase of America, and he earned a 4th, 3rd, and 2nd placement at the International Blues Challenge over three consecutive years. Prestage performs American Blues, Roots Music, and Americana. $10 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.

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 as well as countless other venues across 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 other legendary musicians. Having played music beginning in his youth, RJ has played everything from Chicago Blues to funk, soul, rock, gospel, country, salsa, and World Music.

RJ will be joined on stage by bassist Pedro Arevalo, guitarist Nate Howell, and Garrett Dawson on drums. No cover.

About the Venue:

Founded in 2001, Gilligan's Island Bar prides itself on serving quality food, cocktails, and great service. The venue hosts live music on their front deck, offers back patio seating, a tiki bar, and a fire pit for cooler nights. The flickering tiki torches, palm trees, and cool Gulf breezes are exactly what you have been looking for. Located on Siesta Key, 5253 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota.

Sycamore Shade is an acoustic ensemble known for its rich bluegrass harmonies and its living room performance style. The band showcases familiar old-time folk, Americana, and bluegrass standards as well as original compositions, playing a wide variety of music from bluegrass to contemporary music. Cover $5.

About the Venue:

Jiggs Landing Outpost is located inside the Manatee County Park Jiggs Landing. The outpost features a public boat ramp, fishing, cabin rentals, kayak and canoe rentals, bait shop, and small cafe–but they are also a live music venue! The outdoor venue is on the Evers Reservoir and Braden River with prime views of the sunset. Enjoy a beautiful natural venue in a historic area in the heart of East Manatee. The cafŽ offers a light menu, adult and soft beverages, snacks, and Big Olaf ice cream. 6106 63rd Street East, Bradenton.

Rye Road Band 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.

Locally-based singer and performer Twinkle has worked with Aerosmith, Dickie Betts, Rod Stewart, Gregg Allman, and countless others. In the 90s, she was signed to Warner Brothers for her debut album Haunted by Real Life produced by Patrick Leonard (Madonna, Roger Waters, Pink Floyd) where it gained ready attention on the jazz/pop charts for its title song. Rock Soul Radio members are lead vocalist Twinkle, guitarist Lenny Brooks, bassist Tony LeClerc, and Benny Puckett on drums. Twinkle & Rock Soul Radio was recently named the area's best band in TBT's Best of Manatee Bradenton Awards. 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, an expansive wine collection, and a rotating batch of seasonal and specialty brews available in the taproom, Motorworks is a great place to join friends for a fresh pint of beer or a cocktail. Their tree-canopied Beer Garden hosts a raised deck, games, an outdoor stage, ample patio seating, and room to dance. Food offerings from local food trucks. 1014 9th Street West, Bradenton, near the Village of the Arts.

Dirty Byrd is one of the area's favorite party bands. The Sarasota-based jam band performs blues, country, R&B, funk, jazz, rock, southern rock, and more. Led by two seasoned local musicians, Brian Byrd (pedal steel guitar and lead vocals) and Thorson Moore (electric guitar and vocals), and joined by talented musicians Damon Owens (percussion/drums) and Andrew Glasgow (electric bass). The band's shows frequently include some of the area’s most talented musicians as guest performers, creating shows that are unique each time the band takes the stage. No cover.

Sarasota-native Brian Byrd has been performing nearly all of his life. He began his music career on the drums at age two. Byrd has performed with numerous bands in the Sarasota/Bradenton area and has built a large following across Florida's Gulf Coast. His true passion–and perhaps what the musician is most known for–is the pedal steel guitar; however, his strong vocals do not go unnoticed against his many years' experience with his favored instrument.

Thorson Moore is best known for his distinctive tone and invaluable guitar skill. Born in Hawaii, Thorson moved with his family at the age of 10 to Sarasota, beginning his musical journey in his early teens. The guitarist began as a drummer but later evolved into a highly experienced professional guitar player. Having performed and recorded with various bands and artists, played to festival crowds, and released an album of his own in 2014 entitled, Mr. NoBody, Thorson is a guitarist who carries a reputation not built upon raw talent and a genius intuition of music alone, but years of impassioned dedication to the instrument.

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. They have also 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. No cover.

Born in New Orleans, drummer James Varnado relocated to Florida’s Gulf Coast in 2006. Varnado has performed and toured with the likes of George Porter Jr (The Meters), Charmaine Neville (Neville Bros Family), Tab Benoit, Mem Shannon Blues Band, Jon Cleary, Dickey Betts (of the Allman Brothers), The Dixie Cups (Doo-Wop), and has shared the stage with various local bands.

Johnny Barker and Sergae Glushenkov join Varnado for this eclectic rotating jazzy blues jam. Barker is a bassist and the founding member of "The JBP," also known as The Johnny Barker Project. Sergae Glushenkov is a Ukrainian-born pianist who currently serves as band director at Southside Elementary school.

The trio offers audiences something a bit more like a variety show, leading the jam with opening songs, and welcoming a rotation of other talented local guest musicians to join the stage. A jam session guaranteed to bring sound surprises you won’t hear anywhere else. No cover.