Weekend Sounds September 3-5

BRADENTON – Make the most of this three-day weekend by filling it with some local sounds. Check out the Bradenton Times Weekend Sounds to see what bands you can catch and where.

Emily Ross is a talented and versatile singer-songwriter born and raised in Sarasota, Florida. She recently completed production of her full-length album, "Songs that Belong in the Sun“, recording and releasing it out of her Nokomis home studio. The album features nine original songs which Emily describes as, "soulful folk“. Emily will be performing her heartfelt and uplifting originals as well as her fun and eclectic take on some of your favorite 90’s covers as she live loops with vocal harmonies. Her album is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, and Youtube, and will be available for purchase in CD form this Friday when she makes her first appearance at Bunny & Pirates. No cover.

About the Venue:

Located on Cortez Rd in West Bradenton Bunny & Pirates is a place where you can always feel welcome. Whether it’s your first visit or hundredth, their intimate space is, "like hanging out in a friend's backyard“. The pet-friendly venue is a mix of deli, market, and pub. Their drink menu offerings range from coffee and tea to craft beer and wine. Food menu includes charcuteries, sandwiches, salads, paninis, and treats. Live music is hosted in the "picnic" beer garden. Call ahead for reservations. 12404 Cortez Road West, Bradenton.

Folknharmony is a cocktail of close vocal harmony, expressive acoustic guitar, and folk-ish songs. With two guitars, vocals, and percussion, Dr. Zach Johnson and Nancy Gauvreau bring their musicality and humor to their audiences for a unique light-hearted experience. A recent fixture to Folknharmony, Beau Wilberding, lends his cajon to bring energy and thump to the setlist. Listeners are impressed by Folknharmony’s song choices which span the decades, and many are pleasantly surprised hearing the group's unexpected arrangement of their personal favorites.

Though they have only been playing together since January 2021, listeners are often surprised by the seasoned and polished sound of this newer union. With his doctorate in guitar, Zach Johnson plays across many genres, including Irish speed folk (think Flogging Molly) as a member of the successful trio Clover’s Revenge. Nancy Gauvreau, a former fine arts teacher, has been performing solo and in various duos and trios since 2010. With Beau Wilberding, also of Clover’s Revenge, adding his supportive percussive talents, the three have created a trio that snaps and thumps. No cover.

About the Venue:

Located in Payne Park, downtown Sarasota, Cafe in the Park captures the spirit of a quintessential urban cafe terrace. The perfect place for a 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.

Band members Ron Kraemer on the electric guitar and vocals, Gregg Germony on the upright bass, and Michael Finley on da' brushes come together in a trio that jumps and swings. They're a swingin’ jazzy blues band that brings cool jams and good time. No Cover.

About the Venue:

Mattison's Riverwalk Grille is located along Riverwalk Park downtown Bradenton. Mattison's prides itself on its 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 Suite 120, Bradenton.

Backtrack Blues Band performs original, high-energy blues. This Tampa Bay band has been performing the blues since 1980 and is one of the longest-running blues bands in Florida. The group has released seven CDs and has won multiple Tampa Bay music awards for "Best Blues Band" and has appeared in concert with some of the greatest blues legends. The band has opened shows for B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Greg Allman, Robert Cray, Koko Taylor, Delbert McClinton, and others. $10 cover charge.

About the Venue:

Sarasota's only roadhouse serving up classic Southern comfort food and live music nightly, the Blue Rooster offers a welcoming and comfortable roadhouse-chic, urban warehouse atmosphere. Their 50 feet of bar, indoor and outdoor seating, with a music-centric layout providing space for dancing, echoes the juke joints of old. 1525 4th Street, Sarasota.

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 legendary musicians.

Singer-songwriter, Pedro Arevalo, is a multi-instrumentalist who joined Dickey Betts and Great Southern as bassist in 2004. Pedro toured internationally with the bands The Lotus Fire and Honeytribe. More recently and locally, Arevalo performs in a duo project titled Pedro & Zooey, with vocalist and violinist, Zooey Seraphine. Besides bass, Arevalo has performed on an array of other stringed instruments (slide, lap steel, dobro, and Puerto Rican cuatro) with numerous other acts, including Brethren of the Coast (a project co-founded with Duane Betts). Arevalo has recorded on numerous albums with other artists, as well as albums of his own original music, blending his love of Delta blues, Americana, jazz, and world music.

This Sunday at Big Top, RJ and Pedro will be joined by musicians and friends, Chuck Riley on bass (of Damon Fowler), and drummer Mike Fender. A not-to-be-missed lineup!

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 a 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-renown tourism, Big Top Brewing artistically crafts world-class beers, inspired by their hometown. Featuring brewing, tasting, and live music from some of the area’s best performers. Partnered with Sunshine Grill as a permanent food truck, they also have other offerings on rotation. The popular Sarasota venue recently reopened in their freshly renovated new location, the former site of Cock n Bull. Be sure to try their seasonal Pumpkin Stiltskin on tap! 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota.

Ship of Fools is a popular local Grateful Dead tribute band, formed in 2012 in Sarasota, Florida. Their fans appreciate their soaring leads, driving rhythm, and tight harmonies. Ship of Fools performs improvisational rock and blues, blending folk, bluegrass, and reggae, into a dynamic mixed sound. The five-piece classic rock band also plays the classics from the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, and others. A danceable stable for your weekend sounds. No Cover.

About the Venue:

Since its opening in 2014, Motorworks Brewing has quickly 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, 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.

Music group soulRcoaster covers a diverse array of genres. From Etta to Gaga, classic rock to Motown, jazz, ballads, disco, and even a little country. Featuring female lead singer and rhythm guitarist, Sheri Nadelman, founding member and band leader, Dr. Tony Rizzo on lead guitar and vocals, keyboardist Mike Poncelet, bassist and back-up vocalist Jim Klein, and Joe Hornberger on drums and supporting vocals. This five-piece energetic band intends to engage you, entertain you, and take you on a ride.

About the Venue:

Located in Ellenton, Woody’s River Roo has that "Old Florida" charm. The venue provides outside dining overlooking the Manatee River. Ask locals for a great place to eat with a great view and they’ll tell you to go to "The Roo with a View!“ The Roo serves up American cuisine while their Tiki bar offers a full bar menu and cocktails. This beachy riverside setting is just the place to catch some live music. 5717 18th Street East, Ellenton.

For more local music listings in Bradenton and throughout the area, check out GoTonight.com or download the GoTonight app. Know of an awesome local venue or upcoming show?
Email us: dawn.kitterman@thebradentontimes.com