Bradenton’s environmental management is under scrutiny once again following a significant sewage spill into the Manatee River. Approximately 1.2 million gallons of partially treated sewage were discharged this week, marking another chapter in the city’s struggle with sewage management. Infrastructure Engineer Kim Clayback cited a malfunctioning bypass valve as the culprit, promising further investigations and coordination with environmental agencies.
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Chronology of Events
The spill occurred when a blocked bypass valve caused a containment tank to overflow for roughly 90 minutes, until manual intervention stopped the discharge. This incident adds to a troubling history of sewage management issues in Bradenton, with the city having settled a lawsuit in May 2022 over an estimated 160 million gallons of sewage spills since 2018. Environmental advocacy groups and concerned citizens are increasingly alarmed at the frequency and volume of these spills, questioning the adequacy of the city’s infrastructure and response measures.
Response and Cleanup Efforts
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In the aftermath of the spill, Bradenton officials and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection mobilized swiftly to mitigate the environmental impact. Cleanup crews were dispatched to the affected areas, focusing on a 200-yard stretch around the plant on 17 Avenue, which was cleared, cleaned, and treated. Despite these efforts, the incident has reignited concerns over the city’s ability to manage its sewage infrastructure and prevent future spills. Environmental advocates, including Manasota-88 Chair Glenn Compton, express little surprise at the incident, citing long-standing infrastructure demands that have not been met.
Looking Forward
The recent sewage spill in Bradenton serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing the city’s wastewater management system. As investigations continue, there is a growing call for systemic upgrades and stricter oversight to prevent similar environmental crises. The incident not only highlights the need for immediate action but also raises broader questions about the sustainability of current sewage treatment and infrastructure maintenance practices. Stakeholders, including local government officials, environmental groups, and concerned citizens, await concrete steps towards a long-term solution.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are at home today against the Pittsburgh Pirates looking to grab a win against the Tampa Bay Rays.
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On the same day that Senator Mitch McConnell announced that he would be stepping down as Senate Republican leader, the Supreme Court agreed to decide whether former President Trump is immune from prosecution on charges of plotting to overturn the 2020 election, virtually assuring that Trump will not face trial by Election Day.
McConnell’s influence on the ideological makeup of the Court is indisputable and perhaps the crowning achievement of his long career. In 2016, with McConnell leading the charge, President Obama was denied the right to fill a vacancy on the Court upon the untimely death of Justice Antonin Scalia. “All we are doing is following the long-standing tradition of not fulfilling a nomination in the middle of a presidential year,” McConnell said.
Of course, that was a gross fabrication, as there have been multiple election-year vacancies filled since the Civil War. The vacancy was eventually filled by President Trump in 2017. Then, when Justice Ruth Bader Ginzburg died in the final year of Trump’s term, McConnell disavowed the previously concocted reasoning, allowing Trump to fill another slot, his third.
The Supreme Court’s ruling on the immunity claim, regardless of the outcome, may ultimately provide the exemption that Trump so desperately seeks. If re-elected in November, Trump, with a tip of the cap to McConnell, would likely stop all proceedings, shattering the principle that no one is above the law.
The city of Bradenton bypassed 1.2 million of partially treated sewage into the Manatee River this week.
Wednesday’s spill adds to hundreds of millions of gallons of sewage spills by the city since 2018. In May of 2022, the city settled a lawsuit levied by environmental advocacy groups over an estimated 160 million gallons of sewage spilled into the Manatee River at that time.
“The city is further investigating and analyzing the operation and malfunction of the system,” Bradenton Infrastructure Engineer Kim Clayback said in a statement. “We will be working with the appropriate environmental agencies regarding the discharge and drainage.”
This week’s spill occurred after a blocked bypass valve seized and caused a containment tank to overflow for about 90 minutes until the valve was manually reopened. It caused the release of 1.2 million gallons of partially treated sewage to be released into the Manatee River, according to the city and Florida Department of Environmental Protection records.
Clayback said other affected areas surrounding the plant have been cleaned.
“The street’s curb and gutter area surrounding the plant of approximately 200 yards along 17th Avenue was immediately cleared, cleaned, treated, and has now returned to normal operation,” she said.
Manasota-88 Chair Glenn Compton said he’s not surprised to see more trouble with the city’s infrastructure. Manasota-88 is one of the four environmental advocacy organizations that levied the lawsuit settled in 2022.
“It’s not surprising,” Compton said. “Bradenton hasn’t been able to keep up with their infrastructure demands for decades now.”
“We recognized long ago that you don’t demand local governments keep up with growth that is taking place with infrastructure, such as sewage, we’re going to continue to have these problems,” he said. “We’re hoping things will improve in the future, but we’ll keep a close eye on it to see if changes take place.”
MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Four women were arrested and charged for their roles in a counterfeit check-cashing ring, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office news release.
Detectives learned Wednesday that fake checks were being cashed at Ace Cash Express, 5169 14th Street W. in Bradenton.
A detective who visited the location surprised two women as they were in the process of cashing fraudulent checks, the sheriff’s office said.
Find out what’s happening in Bradentonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Shavondra Davis, 26, and Keyondris King, 27, were taken into custody and another woman drove away from the business.
Detectives later learned the woman who left the scene was Francine Duff, 39, a known counterfeiter and the ringleader of the fake check-cashing scheme, MCSO said.
Find out what’s happening in Bradentonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for Duff’s Palmetto home. There, they found personal identity information, check template stock, currency and computer equipment used to make fake checks.
The investigation led them to the fourth suspect, 54-year-old Yolanda Brown, the contact person inside the Ace Cash Express, the sheriff’s office said. She was arrested Thursday when she arrived at work.
During an interview with detectives, Brown confessed to her involvement in the counterfeit ring.
The four women were all charged with four counts of uttering a false check, one count of using another person’s ID and a first-degree felony for criminal conspiracy to commit a felony.
Duff has fraud and personal identity information charges dating back to 2008. She’s also been suspected in dozens of other incidents, but has eluded prosecution due to a lack of assistance from the accomplices she was doing business with, the sheriff’s office said.
Detectives believe there could be more victims involving this counterfeit ring. Those with information about Duff and her accomplices or those who suspect they have been a victim of stolen checks or identity theft, should contact the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 941-747-3011.
TAMPA, FL – Thompson Thrift, a full-service nationally recognized real estate company, announced the development of The Stadler, a 279-unit multifamily community in the Tampa suburb of Bradenton. Thompson Thrift plans to welcome new residents beginning in summer 2025.
“The Sarasota-Bradenton metro has seen significant household growth in recent years and Thompson Thrift looks forward to providing residents with an upscale rental living option with views of Sarasota Bay,” said Josh Purvis, managing partner for Thompson Thrift Residential.
Located off El Conquistador Parkway, the nine-acre site will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes with up to 1,445 square feet. Its location near Sarasota Bay will provide ocean views from a number of apartment homes as well as an array of in-demand amenities including stainless-steel appliances, timeless tile backsplashes, designer fixtures and finishes, hardwood-style flooring, patio and balcony options, a full-size washer and dryer, detached garage option, as well as a suite of Alexa-compatible smart home technology. Community amenities will include a fully equipped 24-hour fitness center, bike storage, pickleball court, dog park with pet spa and grooming station, a covered sky deck and Thompson Thrift’s first ever lazy river-style swimming pool.
Brian Timberman, president of Thompson Thrift Construction, added, “Our team puts their hearts into each of our communities, but this one holds a very special place for us as it has been named in honor of Henry Stadler, late senior vice president and chief operating officer of Thompson Thrift Construction. We are forever grateful for his 27 years of service, friendship and dedication to our organization.”
The Stadler is located on the southern border of the Lake Flores master planned community, a mixed-use development that will encompass nearly 1,300 acres and feature 6,500 homes, 2 million square feet of retail, 1 million square feet of office space, 500 hotel rooms and a beautiful 19-acre man-made lake. Residents of The Stadler will also enjoy easy access to the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport, downtown Sarasota, downtown St. Petersburg and downtown Tampa.
The Sarasota-Bradenton MSA has soared to the top of many charts in recent years, including #1 Best Places to Live on the Coast, #1 Best Quality of Life in America, #1 Beach in America and #2 Most Entrepreneurial Area among midsize metros in the U.S.
Thompson Thrift is a full-service real estate development company focused on ground-up commercial and mixed-use development across the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest. The company continues to expand its footprint with eight new residential developments targeted for 2024, including new markets in Georgia, Utah and Idaho. The Stadler marks Thompson Thrift’s 15th multifamily community in Florida.
Spring in Florida is synonymous with vibrant community events, and this year is no exception. From the rhythmic beats of Music on Main to the cultural immersion of the Coquina Beach Seafood and Music Festival, locals and visitors alike are in for a treat. Add to this the traditional festivities of St. Patrick’s Day and the thrilling performances of Circus Sarasota, and it’s clear that March in Bradenton, Sarasota, and Anna Maria Island holds something special for everyone.
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Music and Seafood under the Sun
March kicks off with Music on Main, a family-friendly event that brings live music to Lakewood Ranch on the first Friday of every month. But the musical journey doesn’t stop there. The Coquina Beach Seafood and Music Festival promises a weekend filled with performances from local and regional bands across genres like rock, blues, and country. This festival not only offers an auditory feast but also delights the taste buds with fresh seafood and showcases Florida’s rich arts and crafts scene.
St. Patrick’s Day Festivities
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March also brings a wave of green with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations across the region. The Lakewood Ranch Irish Celtic Festival sets the mood early with its all-day affair on March 9, featuring traditional food, beverages, and a Lucky Dog Parade. Downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island keep the spirit alive with their own unique celebrations, from street parties to beachside parades, ensuring that the luck of the Irish is felt far and wide.
A Circus Spectacle and Spring Training Excitement
The Circus Art Conservatory brings its annual Circus Sarasota to Nathan Benderson Park, showcasing an array of international performers in a thrilling three-week showcase. Meanwhile, sports fans can get their fix as the Pittsburgh Pirates return to LECOM Park for spring training, offering a preview of the baseball season to come. Whether you’re a fan of acrobatics or athletics, there’s excitement in the air.
As March unfolds in Bradenton, Sarasota, and Anna Maria Island, the array of events on offer is a testament to the region’s vibrant cultural tapestry. From music and food to sports and circus thrills, there’s something to captivate every interest. As the community comes together to celebrate the season, these events not only entertain but also strengthen the bonds that make this area so special. March in Florida is more than just a time of year; it’s a celebration of life, culture, and community.
Yes, as I’ve said before, everything tastes better on the water, and this is a list of my 10 favorite waterfront restaurants in all of Sarasota and Manatee counties. Actually, it’s a dozen favorites if you include my two bonus picks at the bottom, devoted to a couple of funky bait shops that happen to serve good food.
These are all dining destinations offering lots of local history and Old Florida charm. They’re all flip-flop-friendly while ranging from pricey to affordable. Each restaurant serves fresh seafood as well as other tasty dishes such as burgers, deep-fried hot dogs, and Key lime pie. They overlook the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota Bay, and various points along the Intracoastal Waterway.
Each of these restaurants is a place that I love to recommend to family and friends and visit as often as possible with my wife, Kristin. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Boasting decades of history and myriad accolades, Beach Bistro excels at fine dining done Florida-style. Secure a table on the soft white sands of Anna Maria Island and watch the waves gently crash on the shoreline while indulging in a fabulous five-course tasting menu. It begins with a mini cocktail and an equally sublime shot of ice cream, and somehow, only gets better from there. Choose from iconic dishes such as Lobstercargots and Bistro Bouillabaisse, as well as my personal favorite, the grouper grenobloise.
The more casual and less famous sister restaurant of Dry Dock Waterfront Grill on Longboat Key, also owned by the Sarasota-based Gecko’s Hospitality Group, this Venice gem is located about 23 miles to the south down U.S. 41. It offers a laid-back, mostly open-air setting in the Fisherman’s Wharf Marina on the Intracoastal Waterway. While the menus at Dockside and Dry Dock are very similar, both serving the citrus grouper entrée I adore, only Dockside offers the house-made potato chips that originated at Gecko’s and elevate any meal they touch.
This Longboat Key landmark, which opened in 1989, places guests right on Sarasota Bay with several dining area options, including umbrella-covered outdoor tables that provide a front-row seat of the arriving boats, pelicans, and occasional dolphins. Dry Dock excels at routinely offering fresh, deftly prepared grouper dishes. Additionally, I’ve enjoyed excellent red snapper, as well as scallops served wrapped in perfectly crispy bacon with a delightfully decadent side of maple syrup.
This downtown Sarasota destination, with more than a half-century of history, boasts a nationally acclaimed marina, sunset dinner cruises, and three restaurants, including my favorite, the Blue Sunshine Patio. It offers a large bar and lots of covered open-air seating, ideal for enjoying live music by local favorite Bain Beakley while noshing on, say, a Grouper Reuben or Double Angus Cheeseburger, which I also adore. Of course, no visit to Marina Jack is complete without a walk along the Bayfront for a beverage or two at sister business O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill.
There might not be a more enchanting waterfront dining experience in Florida than being seated at the wrought-iron tables located under the buttonwood trees overlooking Sarasota Bay at Mar Vista, which also offers a charming covered deck for seating that overlooks the restaurant’s 14-slip dock. To complement the Old Florida setting with more than 100 years of history, Mar Vista serves delectable Southern cuisine including the Lemon & Herb grouper entrée that features a fresh filet of fish covered in a superior beurre blanc, served with a side of smartly seasoned rice and delectable sausage made from Florida wild boar via Shogun Farms in Seffner. Local resident Ed Chiles, son of former Gov. Lawton Chiles, owns Mar Vista along with the nearby Anna Maria Island waterfront restaurants Beach House and Sandbar.
Located on City Island overlooking the New Pass Inlet, next to the boat retailer MarineMax, Old Salty Dog offers covered, open-air seating right on the water. The restaurant regularly features fresh grouper at reasonable prices, complementing its pub grub staples, including its most famous item, the Salty Dog — a quarter-pound hot dog dipped in batter and fried to a golden brown. Feeling adventurous? Try the “fully loaded” hot dog Adam Richman devoured during an episode of “Man v. Food.” Old Salty Dog has another waterfront location on Venice Island, and its original spot is in Siesta Key Village, which offers a bit more of an English pub vibe while still within walking distance of the world-famous Siesta Beach.
Pop’s offers a tropical getaway along the Intracoastal Waterway by the Albee Road Bridge connecting Casey Key to Nokomis. Originally opened as Urbanek’s Fish Camp in 1954, Pop’s offers a winning combination of Old Florida charm and modern features, such as the three-level, full-liquor tiki bar. While stopping by Pop’s for libations and daily live music is always fun, be sure to bring your appetite. Personal favorites include the smoked mahi spread, fresh grouper cooked on the open-flame grill, and a veggie skewer that is not to be dismissed.
Nestled along Sarasota Bay in the fishing village of Cortez, Star Fish Company offers exceptional Gulf seafood with a generous serving of Old Florida charm. Credit Karen Bell, a third-generation Cortezian dedicated to preserving her family’s commercial fishing heritage. She not only owns Star Fish and its adjoining fish market but also a fleet of commercial fishing boats and the adjacent “fish house.” While dining at her dockside restaurant boasting a century of history, you’ll be captivated by the fishermen working alongside seabirds and the occasional dolphin. Star Fish serves expertly prepared Florida favorites like grouper, shrimp and oysters. However, the restaurant is particularly renowned for its mullet, a fish best enjoyed fried or blackened with a side of cheese grits.
You can see the downtown Sarasota skyline from the large, covered back patio of Swordfish Grill that regularly features live music, but you feel like you’re a thousand miles away from city hassles while relaxing here along the bay waters and working docks of Cortez. Swordfish Grill’s many fresh seafood delights include the newly introduced Nashville Hot Fish. Typically consisting of fried grouper. the bite-sized pieces are tossed in house-made hot seasoning, drizzled with honey and served with razor-thin pickle slices. Fourth-generation commercial fisherman John Banyas owns Swordfish along with newly reopened next-door restaurant Cortez Kitchen, another one of my favorites.
For those who appreciate fresh grouper, perhaps no one in Florida consistently does a better job of this than Tide Tables, which celebrated its 10th anniversary Feb. 24 and is owned by three beloved locals: Bobby and Gwen Woodson and Karen Bell (who also owns nearby Star Fish Company). At Tide Tables, they cut their fish right on the restaurant’s dock on the Intracoastal Waterway, overlooking Anna Maria Island, and use it for delicious dishes such as their recent Thai chili grouper bites and blackened grouper sandwich. In addition to any and all grouper dishes you see on the menu or specials board, be sure to consider an order of Tide Tables’ famous fish tacos featuring blackened fillets of mahi-mahi and a show-stopping sesame ginger sauce. Also, they make an outstanding Key lime pie that tastes extra amazing while watching the sunset spill over the water.
Bonus picks: Best bait shops in Sarasota and Manatee
Neither New Pass Grill & Bait Shop on Sarasota’s City Island nor Annie’s Bait & Tackle in Cortez are the kind of places I recommend to someone seeking a proper restaurant. But for folks who want a funky, Old Florida waterfront dining experience adjacent to a bait shop, then you can’t beat either one of these places. At New Pass, I highly recommend their New Famous Angus Burger, while at Annie’s you’ll want to order the grouper sandwich — it only comes fried and it is delicious — while their burger is very good, too.
Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
March and its lengthy lineup of local events, including plenty of concerts, kicks off this week. A Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-inducted vocal duo still featuring one of its original singers will be among the performers visiting our area, along with multiple Blues Music Award and Latin Grammy-nominated musicians.
Some of those BMA-nominated performers will be playing two separate Sarasota County music festivals this weekend, both spanning three days and featuring free admission. And a concert series featuring up-and-coming artists is set to make its return, headlined this month by a comedic musical group whose fans include Jack Black and his band Tenacious D. Here are this week’s highlights. Event details are subject to change.
Cuban-born, Sarasota-based musician Renesito Avich, who is known for playing the Cuban-originating tres and has been nominated for two Latin Grammys, will return to Fogartyville for two shows this weekend. Avich earned his latest Latin Grammy nod last year in the Best Instrumental Album category for his 2023 full-length “Tres.” His other Latin Grammy nomination came the year before in the Best Traditional Tropical Album category for 2022’s “Café con Cariño.” 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show Friday and Saturday; Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota; $30, $26 members, $15 students ages 13 and up; 941-894-6469; fogartyville.org
Sean Chambers Red Hot Blues Festival
The three-day blues music festival will kick off Friday with its namesake, former Hubert Sumlin band member and solo artist Sean Chambers, performing with the Savoy Brown Rhythm Section. Saturday will feature Sarasota-based bluesman RJ Howson with special guest Les Dudek, who played on the Allman Brothers Band’s classic 1973 album “Brothers and Sisters” and its famed tracks “Ramblin’ Man” and “Jessica,” as well as Sarasota blues-rock prodigy Trey Wanvig and Blues Blast Music Award-nominated Bradenton band Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones. The festival will close out Sunday with Damon Fowler and J.P. Soars, two Blues Music Award-nominated solo artists who also play together in the supergroup Southern Hospitality. 7 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; Big Top Brewing Company, 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; free, $30 reserved seat all three days; 941-371-2939; bigtopbrewing.com
Englewood Food Truck Rally & Music Festival
Some of the same musicians playing Sean Chambers Red Hot Blues Festival will also perform this weekend at this other three-day Sarasota County music festival, organized by the locally based Paragon Festivals. Damon Fowler, J.P. Soars and Sean Chambers will all perform Saturday, with Fowler headlining, along with All Fired Up and The Whole Band. The lineup also includes Memphis Lightning, K-Luv and the United Funk Foundation, and Prodigal Sons on Friday and Grateful Dead tribute act Dead Set Florida, Yaya Diamond and the Dream Chasers and Kara Nally Band on Sunday. 4-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday; Pioneer Park, 348 W. Green St., Englewood; free admission; 941-487-8061; paragonfestivals.com
Kenwood Dennard’s Grateful Groove
Local Grateful Dead fans will also want to be sure to take note of this show at Birdrock Taco Shack, featuring jazz drummer Kenwood Dennard and other musicians bringing their interpretation of the Dead songbook. Dennard has worked with numerous notable musicians including Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and Jaco Pastorius, and is a retired professor from Berklee College of Music. He’ll be joined by other performers including Gent Treadly, aka Greg Koerner, who has played with musicians such as late Grateful Dead member Vince Welnick and Dark Star Orchestra. 7 p.m. Saturday; Birdrock Taco Shack, 1213 13th Ave. W., Bradenton; $20 advance, $25 day of; 941-545-9966; facebook.com/birdrocktaco
Kat Riggins
Meanwhile, Birdrock Taco Shack’s sister establishment Cottonmouth in the same Village of the Arts neighborhood will feature a show by blues singer-songwriter Kat Riggins on Saturday. Hailing from Miami, Riggins has become a rising star in the blues scene, recently earning a Soul Blues Female Artist nomination at this year’s upcoming Blues Music Awards. She was nominated in the same category the previous two years, as well as Soul Blues Album for 2022’s “Progeny” and Contemporary Blues Album for 2020’s “Cry Out,” her debut on Mike Zito’s Gulf Coast Records. 7 p.m. Saturday; Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen, 1114 12th St. W., Bradenton; $12 advance, $17 day of; 941-243-3735; facebook.com/cottonmouthsoul
Have Gun, Will Travel
Bradenton alt-Americana act Have Gun, Will Travel, whose music has appeared on the TV shows “The Good Wife” and “The Ranch” and covered by outlets such as NPR and No Depression, will play a Manatee County show this weekend. The group recently released “Pharaohs and Kings,” a cover of a song by the band The Chase Theory that featured HGWT members and was included on the 1999 compilation “The Emo Diaries, Chapter 3.” HGWT previously released the 2022 EP “Silver Sounds” featuring songs including “Our Fair City,” which pays tribute to Bradenton with lyrical references to the Riverwalk, Village of the Arts and other local landmarks. 5 p.m. Saturday; Waypoint Bar & Grill, 11000 U.S. Highway 41 N., Palmetto; 941-212-6600; waypoint27north.com
The Righteous Brothers
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-inducted vocal duo the Righteous Brothers — still featuring original singer Bill Medley, now performing with Bucky Heard following fellow founding member Bobby Hatfield’s death in 2003 — return to Van Wezel this week. The Righteous Brothers are known for songs such as “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” and their rendition of “Unchained Melody,” which were both hits during their initial release in the 1960s and found a revival in popularity after appearing onscreen in 1986’s “Top Gun” and 1990’s “Ghost,” respectively. Around that same time, Medley had an Oscar and Grammy-winning No. 1 solo hit with “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” a duet with Jennifer Warnes that was the theme to the 1987 movie “Dirty Dancing.” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $40-$80; 941-263-6799; vanwezel.org
Igor & Red Elvises
“Siberian surf rock” band Igor & Red Elvises will return to our area this week with shows at Englewoods on Dearborn and Celtic Ray Public House. The group is fronted by Igor Yuzov, who grew up in the former Soviet Union, seeking out the forbidden sounds of rock ‘n’ roll. He later moved to America and formed the Red Elvises, which has released albums including 1996’s “Grooving to the Moscow Beat” and 1997’s “Surfing in Siberia,” and is still going strong today. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday; Englewoods on Dearborn, 362 W. Dearborn St., Englewood; $10; 941-475-7501; englewoodsondearborn.com; 8 p.m. Thursday, March 7; Celtic Ray Public House, 145 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda; 941-916-9115; celticray.net
J.P. Soars and the Red Hots
In addition to his festival appearances this week, South Florida guitarist/singer-songwriter J.P. Soars and his band the Red Hots will play a headlining show at Englewoods on Dearborn. The group received four Blues Music Awards nominations in 2022: Band of the Year, B.B. King Entertainer and Instrumentalist — Guitar for Soars, and Instrumentalist — Drums for bandmate Chris Peet. Along with leading his own band, Soars also performs in the supergroup Southern Hospitality with Damon Fowler and Grammy-nominated pianist Victor Wainwright. 6:30 p.m. Thursday; Englewoods on Dearborn, 362 W. Dearborn St., Englewood; $7; 941-475-7501; englewoodsondearborn.com
Ringling Underground
The concert series held in The Ringling’s courtyard, also featuring up-and-coming artists and free admission for students, returns for its latest installment. March’s headliner will be comedic musical group Wolves of Glendale (from the namesake California city), which released its self-titled debut album earlier this year and has opened for acts including pop-rock band Jukebox the Ghost, comic David Cross and fellow music-comedy melders Tenacious D, with Jack Black saying “they sound f—ing fantastic.” Treedomm and House of I will also perform. 8 p.m. Thursday; The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota; $15, free students with ID/members; 941-359-5700; ringling.org
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Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalismby subscribing.
