Here's the thing about the "Fast & Furious" movies: they're cartoons.

I would think this is fairly obvious to anyone who's watched even five minutes of the series -- the high-speed chase sequences that flaunt the laws of physics, the muscle-bound lunks strutting and blustering, the emaciated hoochies with incongruous combat skills.

The whole enterprise is garish and bogus, like sun-tan lotion smeared over plastic surgery scars.

There's nothing inherently wrong with cartoonish movies -- when they recognize and accept their just-for-kicks nature. But "Fast & Furious 6," like all its predecessors, takes itself way, way too seriously to allow any fun.

At least a half-hour too long at 130 minutes, it interrupts its infrequent car chases with lots of scenes where Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson growl their dialogue, usually at each other. We also have a new villain, Owen Shaw (Luke Evans), who's so busy telling everyone how much smarter he is than them he keeps making obvious mistakes.

Oh, and Michelle Rodriguez, who was pretty definitively offed earlier in the franchise, somehow is brought back with that ol' standby of the lazy screenwriter, amnesia. It's not a very convincing device, nor does it explain away the fact that leader Dom Toretto (Diesel) had already replaced his dead girlfriend with a new one.

Director Justin Lin, who has now helmed all the "Fast" movies except the first two, appears to have simply grown bored with car chases. There's more hand-to-hand fighting than driving, and what road action that remains is muddled and over-caffeinated, like a yippy little dog that barks so furiously it chokes itself. Screenwriter Chris Morgan, also back for his fourth go-round, hasn't improved with experience.

If you'll remember from the last movie -- and why would you? -- Dom and his team of racer-thieves had successfully heisted $100 million in cash. As the story opens they're living the quiet life of luxury as expat criminals. Then their nemesis lawman, Hobbs (Johnson), shows up with proof that Letty (Rodriguez), Dom's old squeeze, is alive and working for Shaw.

Shaw's exact motivations remain a mystery ... something about stealing computer chips from the U.S. government worth billions. He's got his own crackerjack team of tech specialists, plus some cool low-slung cars that can act like ramps for pursuing vehicles, sending them hurtling.

Brian O'Conner, the former cop-turned-criminal played by Paul Walker, is largely shunted to the side in this outing, other than a set-up about being a new daddy and therefore less wild than the old days.

Also returning are Tyrese Gibson as comic relief Roman, Ludacris as hacker Tej, and Sung Kang and Gal Gadot as crime couple Han and Gisele.

Dom & Co. have plenty of cash and little reason to help out the feds, other than finding out if Letty is really alive. It's the familiar claptrap about sticking together.

Diesel does that strange thing he does where he turns his head sideways to the camera, not looking at the person he's talking to while spouting some heavy-sounding gibberish. Like, "You don't turn your back on your family. Even when they do."

The movie occasionally finds the right gear with some particular piece of roadway mayhem -- a sequence where the good guys take on a tank comes to mind. But whenever the movie detours into characters just standing around talking, it's a complete wipeout.

- Christopher Lloyd is co-founder of The Film Yap.com.

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Local lessons
The FPAN guys were pretty friendly, so I felt free to tease them about their bikes. We talked about baseball and the Tampa Bay Rays as we pedaled along.
And I learned some things.
The first thing was that I’ve been mispronouncing Perico Bayou for more than a decade. It should be “per-EE-co,” with stress on the second syllable.
The bayou was named for Perico Pompon — great name, by the way — a Spanish fisherman who lived on the Gulf Coast back in the 1830s.
I also learned/remembered that the Manatee River was once known as Oyster River. For centuries, the shores of the river were lined with shell middens.
“Those things would have been gleaming white back then,” Moates said. “Completely free of vegetation.”

Parks and docks
That kind of bonus image is the whole idea behind an FPAN bike route. The archaeology network wants to give us a little more to see and think about.
Eventually, the state agency would like to use those QR scanner codes or other applications for cellphones.
On our Bradenton bike ride, we passed the Palma Sola Botanical Park on 17th Avenue. That’s a good place for cyclists to stretch their legs.
We stopped at the Boca Del Rio Marina on 88th Street. This hidden away spot on the river was the site of the Lee Hickok Boatworks back in the 1920s.
We also visited what’s called the Pillsbury Temple Mound, even though it’s not really open to the public. A better spot for that kind of thing would be the Portavant Temple Mound on Snead Island, but that’s a whole different bike ride.
With or without PFAN, we should stick to one trail at a time.

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A women's "garage party" at Rossiter's Harley Davidson welcomed both seasoned bikers and total noobs (like me).

With one hand resting on the handlebar of a shiny Harley-Davidson V-Rod, Sharon Edwards looked me up and down as I stepped into the circle of women surrounding her and the muscly motorcycle.

"Ladies who own this bike like to wear t-shirts that say, 'My vibrator comes with two wheels,'" Sharon was saying to the group, eliciting a burst of laughter that rang out through the Rossiter's Harley-Davidson (330 Cattlemen Rd., Sarasota 34232) showroom.

"And you, what kind of bike do you have?" she asked me. I could feel the other eyeballs slide my way, and I found myself wishing I'd stopped at Carol Prokap's wine tasting table first before diving into this women's Garage Party at the motorcycle shop. I might not have stammered as much.

"Oh, me? Uh---no, no bike."

"Do you have a helmet, boots?" Sharon asked. "Do you know how to ride at all?"

"Uhm---well, no," I admitted, "I'm a total newbie."  Impostor would be a better term, I thought.

"Hey, that's great!" Sharon exclaimed, and the whole group showered me with smiles, welcoming me into the world of chrome, leather and speed. My tension evaporated, and within a few minutes we were all straddling different Harley models, discovering our perfect fit.

Sharon Edwards (R) lets Chris, a police officer, get a feel for one big mama of a touring bike.

"The most common mistake women make when they're shopping for a bike is to buy one too small," Sharon said as I hopped on a zippy Sportster, then a plush Softtail. She held the massive machines steady as I lifted them off their kickstands and put my feet up. She had me close my eyes and reach out for the handlebars to find my natural riding posture.The bike wasn't going anywhere, but behind my eyelids I saw miles of highway flashing under my tires. I got a rush. I was bitten by the motorbike bug---oh, I was bitten bad.

In the parts department, Garry Montague (L) showed us ways to make an awesome bike absolutely perfect for an individual rider.

My new friends could easily tell from the way I hogged the customizable bike over in the parts department. They grinned and gave each other knowing nudges as Garry Montague had me try out some "mini-ape" handlebars. I felt like a complete and utter boss and had a hard time peeling myself off the model.

But by that time our glasses were all empty, so we made a quick pit stop at the wine tasting table. Then we were called to the motorclothes department. After all, what ladies night at the motorcycle outfitter would be complete without swag? Louise Hébert and her lovely assistants demonstrated the proper fitting for the most important accessory, the helmet, and we ooh-ed and aah-ed over some killer boots and butter-soft leather jackets for good measure.

Louise Hébert (R) proved that helmets are just as cool as any studded jacket or thigh-high pair of boots.

Our grand tour of Rossiter's was coming to a close, and I was feeling the pangs of impossible love. I wanted so badly to be one of these cool, confident women strolling around the showroom, talking lovingly about their bikes like they were Triple Crown thoroughbreds, about the hundreds of miles of road they'd be eating up over the weekend. Rossiter's was huge, but not so huge that a lovestruck new Harley enthusiast could hide out in a coat rack until everyone left and sit on motionless bikes to her little heart's content.

Then the stars aligned during the raffle. Guess who won a spot in a new rider's course and will be getting her motorcycle license in July? That's right. This guy. The amount of badassery my summer now holds simply boggles the mind. Rossiter's, I'm ready to rumble.

- What are you looking forward to this summer? Share with the Scenestress in an e-mail, or on Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter.

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DAN WHITNEY, aka LARRY THE CABLE GUY

“It was Les McCurdy who suggested that I try on for size the persona that has put me on the comedy map. While I was playing his place back in the early ’90s, Les said, ‘Have you ever thought about doing your whole show as Larry the Cable Guy? Just try it here for one show and see what happens.’ I went and did it and from that day on, I’ve never looked back and it’s paid huge dividends. Git ‘er done!”

CAROLINE RHEA

“I love everything about McCurdy’s, the club, the couple, the ponytail. It is a true comedy club that continuously inspires me and reminds me of why I love being a stand-up comedian and what it’s all about. By far my favorite club in the country.”

DAVID BRENNER

“I want to congratulate McCurdy’s on this 25th year anniversary. I also want to personally thank Les McCurdy for all the times that I have stood on his stage and for his friendship, and I hope to continue playing McCurdy’s for as long as it continues to bring laughter to the people.”

AMY SCHUMER

“So much love for Les and the whole fam at McCurdy’s. Thanks for believing in me before anybody. Always a blast there!”

BOBBY COLLINS

“Twenty-five years ... it was just yesterday when I met Les McCurdy at the Sarasota airport (arriving flight number 1, to Gate #1) and I walked up to him and he said ‘Hey Bobby, a pleasure to meet y’all and welcome to Sarasota F L O R I D A.’ My response: ‘Either you really speak like that or you’re giving me a really bad Elvis impression.’ We’ve been friends ever since — and what he has brought to that part of this country with McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre is laughter and comedy that few cities can claim. He’s an institution there with his dedication and love for the art of bringing laughter, love and teaching to everyone he touches.”

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Les and Pam McCurdy are celebrating 25 years of McCurdy's Comedy Theatre. (Herald-Tribune staff photo by Dan Wagner)

Without his wife, Pam, Les McCurdy might be just another starving stand-up comic.

Instead, here it is 2013, and their McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre is coming up on its 25th anniversary next month, big-name comics are coming through to help celebrate, and the McCurdys, the king and queen of Sarasota-Bradenton comedy, are pondering the future.

Les and Pam McCurdy reached this point as a team. But Les freely admits Pam is the spark. She jokingly refers to their business relationship as “The Tortoise and the Hare.” She’s the hare — the one who makes quick decisions, jumps at opportunities and prods people. He’s the tortoise — he’s slow and methodical, and yes, he’s the one Pam is usually prodding.

Together, they are formidable, wholly successful and charitable small-business owners. Apart, they’re still pretty darn funny.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

In 1985, Tennessee-born-and-raised Les McCurdy and his childhood friend, Ken Sons, founded The Comedy Catch in Chattanooga, Tenn. (It’s still there, under new management.) They left after two years and Les moved to Sarasota, where his future wife, Pam, was an Asolo Conservatory graduate. Sarasota already had a comedy club at a Ramada Inn but, McCurdy said, “it was terrible.”

“I went to them and proposed that for $200 a week I will be your house emcee and run this room,” Les said. “The general manager said thanks, but no thanks. I said, ‘Well, you know what? Sarasota deserves something better. I’ll open up something else myself,’ and the manager said, ‘Good luck with that.’”

They then set their sights on the Holiday Inn Marina on the North Trail. The owners turned them down twice before relenting the third time. They took over a banquet room that was formerly the Moonraker Lounge and it was dubbed McCurdy’s Comedy Club. Working out of their garage, with no advertising budget and no media coverage, the McCurdys booked five shows over a weekend in June 1988.

“Pam and me hit the streets with fliers, free passes, everything we could throw out there, and by the second week we made a profit,” Les said.

TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

In some people’s eyes, “a comedy club is just one step up from a strip club. They’re thinking we’re just a bawdy backroom,” Les said, so the McCurdys wanted to move up another notch. They wanted a big name ... a real big name.

“We thought, ‘Jeff Foxworthy, he used to work for IBM here,’ ” Pam said.

Foxworthy, who was voted “Best Stand-Up Comic” at the 1990 American Comedy Awards, cut the McCurdys a good deal for their 1990 New Year’s Eve show. And if it bombed, oh well, they would work something out.

The McCurdys were nervous. They had sold hardly any tickets in the weeks leading up to the show. Then the Herald-Tribune’s entertainment section put Foxworthy on its cover, and “it just exploded,” Les said. “That was the power of the press right there. The phone would not stop ringing. We had to leave an answering machine message saying ‘Just show up at the club, we’ll sell you the tickets there.’”

Les McCurdy opens the show at McCurdy's Comedy Theatre last week. (Staff photo / Dan Wagner)

HIGH TIMES

So many big-time comics have taken the stage at McCurdy’s over the years: Soupy Sales, Jeff Dunham, Bobby Collins, Pam Stone, Tommy Chong, Diane Ford, Larry Miller, Chris Rock, Michael Winslow, Darryl Hammond ...

... and a former Tampa radio personality named Dan Whitney, a comic from Nebraska who liked to take on several personas on stage; one in particular — Larry the Cable Guy — caught Les McCurdy’s attention. “I said, ‘Dan, that Cable Guy is pretty funny, you should do your whole routine around him,’ ” Les said. “He’s like, ‘Naw. Really?’ But he followed my advice, and look at him now.”

Some of Les McCurdy’s favorite memories are of Chong, one half of the stoner legends Cheech & Chong.

“So, I go to Tampa airport to pick Tommy up, and Ken Sons is with me,” Les said. “We have five radio stations we’re going to for interviews, between 6:30 and 9:30 in the morning. At each station, there’s at least 10 fans in the lobby waiting for Tommy to sign autographs. Each time he signs an autograph, the fan would hand him a joint. He’d say, ‘Thanks, man,’ and he’d put it in his shirt pocket.

“At the end of it all, he’s got like 30 joints in his pocket. I look at Ken and I turn to Tommy and I say, ‘Tommy, how often does happen?’ He said, ‘Every day, man. They give me joints everywhere I go, man. I take them home.’

“I said, ‘Tommy, but why? Why do they do it?’ He said, ‘Because I’m Tommy Chong, man!’ I said, ‘You know, you’re right ... you are Tommy Chong.’”

CHANGE OF VENUES

After 14 years of marriage, the McCurdys finally wanted to settle down and raise a family. Les stopped going out of town for his own stand-up shows, and they adopted their daughter, Taylor, in 1994 (she’s an aspiring comic now). Meanwhile, the family-owned Holiday Inn Marina went corporate. Without notice, they were told they could no longer have their club there.

“We already had comics booked and we had five days to find a new place,” Pam said. “Jerry Gibbs, the owner of The Big Kitchen on Clark Road, said they had a room that could fit 99 people. I said, ‘Let’s do it.’ ” They intended on staying there six months, but it took them two and a half years to find a new permanent home: 3333 N. Tamiami Trail, in a nondescript strip mall called Trail Plaza.

Fast-forward to Sept. 11, 2001.

“That morning, they’re going to lay down carpet in our new place and the tables and chairs are going to be delivered,” Pam said. “We know we had to be there early, so we take our cars separately and I’m driving down the Trail when all of a sudden these sirens are blasting and limos are whizzing by. I pulled over, and one of the cars nearly sideswiped Les.

“I turn on the radio and Bubba the Love Sponge says, ‘There’s another one hitting the towers!’ I figured it out. That was the president’s limo that went by us; he was rushing to the airport.”

Two weeks away from opening McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, they figured comedy was the last thing on people’s minds. Les called around to other club owners across the country: Should we open? What should we do?

“One of them told me, ‘We are a designated place to come laugh. Anyone who walks through the door, they need us. That’s why they’re here, to laugh,’ ” Les said. David Brenner was their first big draw at the new McCurdy’s, about two weeks after 9/11.

“I approached the shows at McCurdy’s as I always did on every stage everywhere, and, that is, to make as many people laugh, as heartily and as long as they could, taking them far from the horrors of the world and their personal lives,” Brenner said. “The audience that night and all the nights I stayed on my tour, Laughter to the People, until I had performed in all 50 states, they were the best and most rewarding nights in my career, because laughter was never needed more in our lifetimes.”

Les McCurdy chats with guests before a show. (Staff photo / Dan Wagner)

NOW WHAT?

Even though the bottom fell out on the economy in 2009, McCurdy’s stayed in business. Things, though, didn’t truly improve until January this year. Credit Pam’s business plan and keeping overhead reasonable. Now the McCurdys are deciding what their future is in the Sarasota-Bradenton area.

“Do we stay where we are or do we move?” Les said. “There’s a lot of commercial property available out there. We’re just not sure yet. We’re looking at our options, and we feel we’ll make a decision in the next year.”

No matter what, they love their club. “We have a passion for this,” he said. “We enjoy what it brings to the community and us personally.”

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Twenty-three years ago, in the thick of his four-year stint on "Saturday Night Live," Rob Schneider became a father for the first time. He just wasn't ready for it.

Now, with a 6-month-old daughter with his third wife, Schneider is fully embracing fatherhood.

"Back then, I chose 'SNL' over everything," he said. "I've told my 23-year-old daughter that I'm sorry I wasn't there for her, and I'm so happy she turned out great. But with this new baby, I get another shot at it, and I'm loving every minute of it."

He loves being a father again at age 49 so much, it's fine fodder for his topical stand-up comedy show, which he's bringing to McCurdy's Comedy Theatre this weekend (May 24-25).

"Being on a television show and doing movies requires a lot of time being away from home," Schneider said, "but with stand-up, I can spread it out here and there and do it at my own pace and still have time with the baby.

"I was in Adam Sandler's movie 'Grown Ups' (2010), and we had a great time making it and I love Adam, he's like a brother to me, but when he asked me to be in 'Grown Ups 2' (in theaters July 12), I had to turn him down. I just didn't want anything to take me away from our baby."

Now that he has his priorities straight, Schneider has a few other goals in mind, including better movie roles.

Schneider's Hollywood resume is littered with poorly reviewed movies, like "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo" (and its sequel), "The Animal" and "The Hot Chick." He's not apologizing for any of it, but he would like to break out of that mold.

"Believe me, I'm not complaining, because I've made a darn good living at this," he said, "but I've been typecast as the same funny guy in every movie. Did you know that Steve Buscemi started out as a stand-up comic? But he never gets typecast as a comedian. He's had so many great roles in his career. That's what I want: I want to be considered for dramatic roles."

What would he say to a movie director if the right script came around?

"I would tell them, 'Look, just give me a shot. I know I can do this,' " he said. "I was very fortunate to be on 'SNL.' One day, I'm a nobody, and the next I'm on 'SNL' and I have a huge career, and it made me lots of money. But I love to act and I want to do different things."

He's even toying with the idea of teaching, passing on his knowledge of comedy, acting and filmmaking.

In the meantime, he's enjoying his new ride - right here, right now - and "I'm really looking forward to see what's coming ahead."

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The Homemade Veggie Burger at Sage Biscuit Cafe in Bradenton. PHOTO BY WADE TATANGELO

Homemade Veggie Burger, $7.99
Sage Biscuit Cafe
6656 Cortez Road W., Bradenton,
792-3970
sagebiscuitcafebradenton.com

In less than three weeks, I've consumed eight burgers at various restaurants and beach bars from Sarasota to Bradenton to Anna Maria Island. Noshed on ground beef of varying flavors and shapes served between an assortment of buns with everything from marbled blue cheese to baby bella mushrooms to barbacoa. Did I mention many of these burgers were also covered in layers of bacon? Last weekend, my amazing wife decided I desperately needed a vacation from meat.

We went to Sage Biscuit Cafe, a favorite breakfast and lunch destination spot of ours, and I forced my eyes away from such carnivorous delights as the Sage Biscuit House Cured Pastrami, Corned Beef Melt,Ultimate Cheese Steak, Classic Cheeseburger and ordered the Homemade Veggie Burger. Would I enjoy this ground beef substitute? Our server promised I would not regret my decision.

Wow. It had been a long time since I had consumed a veggie burger and this one hit the spot. A homemade patty of healthiness with fresh roasted vegetables and black beans nicely grilled and smothered in sharp cheddar cheese topped with field greens and tasty tomato. A pepper mustard spread on the brioche roll sealed the deal, leaving me more than satisfied with my meat-free selection that also included a killer side of cucumber chickpea salad. Paired nicely with the Bells Two Hearted Ale, a mildly hoppy IPA.

May is Burger Month here at Ticket and we want to know where you go for beef on a bun. Go to our Burger Month page to see other reviews, read about making your own excellent burgers at home, or tell us about your favorite burger below:

The post Burger Mini-Review: Sage Biscuit Cafe appeared first on Ticket Sarasota.

Monster Truck. (Photo provided)

No one is more surprised than Monster Truck about winning the Juno Award for Breakthrough Group of the Year over heavy favorite Walk Off the Earth.

The Hamilton, Ontario, rock quartet stunned the Canadian awards show last month, beating out Walk Off the Earth, Hey Ocean!, The Pack A.D. and Yukon Blonde.

“We were the underdog by a mile,” said guitarist Jeremy Wilderman. “Walk Off the Earth had made it big first with their cover of Gotye’s ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’ and just got bigger from there.

“They were the David and we were the Goliaths. We were absolutely shocked. You should see our faces on TV. Look it up, it’s on YouTube.”

Even at age 30, Wilderman says winning Breakthrough Group of the Year is nothing to scoff at.

“We busted our asses off touring across Canada last year. That and some of our songs getting airplay gave it some traction.”

They’re bringing that spunk to St. Petersburg’s State Theatre on Sunday (May 26), opening for Sevendust at 8 p.m. (tickets are $22).

Two days later (on May 28), their full-length debut album, “Furiosity,” will be released via Dine Alone Records.

With the help of producer Eric Ratz, the old-school rockers fed off their classic-rock influences and a few other twists.

“It was about walking the line of giving the fans exactly what they wanted,” Wilderman said. “We didn’t want to confuse anyone, but we also wanted to add some new elements without deviating too much. If you go too far off track, it can be dangerous. We threw in our spin on our influences, like Nirvana and NOFX.

“We had all been in other bands before, and I can honestly say, this is the first time I’ve been happy about a band. This was a no-brainer for us: simple rock riffs and awesome vocals. Everyone complements each other really well. Everyone brings their ideas to the table.”

THE PEOPLE’S PEEPLES

Folk troubadour Grant Peeples returns to Sarasota, playing at 9 p.m. Friday (May 24) at the Blue Rooster, 1525 4th St. He will be accompanied by Atlanta fiddle/mandolin player Tim Higgins. The show is free, but you can call 388-7539 for reservations.

A SMASH CD PARTY AHEAD

David Smash, a multi-instrumentalist musician and composer from Lithuania, is throwing a CD-release party for his new release, “State of Sunshine,” at 8 p.m. May 31 at the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased in advance at wslr.org.

PLAYING THIS WEEK
(Shows are listed chronologically and alphabetically)

THURSDAY 5.23

Banjo music, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. every Thurs. (Snook Haven)
Dagmar, 11:30 a.m. (O’Leary’s)
Mike Sales, noon-3 p.m. every Thurs. (Blu Que)
Tropix, 1-5 p.m. (Flounders)
Karen Greenley, 5 p.m. every Thurs. (Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe)
Mike Markaverich, 5-8 p.m. every Thurs. (Caraguilos)
Melanie Massell & Hot Item, 5:30-9:30 p.m. every Thurs. (Marina Jack/patio)
Pete Messina, 5 p.m. (O’Leary’s)
Apple Scruffs, 6-10 p.m. (Flounders)
Blue Mason Barter Co., 6 p.m. (Swordfish Grill)
Ricci Degatano, 6 p.m. (Tarpon Pointe Grill)
Sam Domicolo, 6-8 p.m. every Thurs. (La Dolce Vita)
Matthew Frost, 6-9 p.m. (Star Keeper Cafe)
Rock Lee, 6-11 p.m. every Thurs. (Marina Jack/lounge)
David Moore, 6-10 p.m. every Thurs. (Sharky’s on the Pier)
Regis Moreira, 6-9 p.m. every Thurs. (Maximo)
Chris Otto, 6-10 p.m. every Thurs. (Captain Curt's)
R.P.M., 6-10 p.m. every Thurs. (Gilligan's)
Rye Road, 6-10 p.m. every Thurs. (Clancy’s)
Straight Shooter, 6-10 p.m. (Woody's River Roo)
Taylor & Taylor, 6 p.m. (Cortez Clam Factory)
Joe Thayer, 6-10 p.m. every Thurs. (Main Street Trattoria)
Pat Walsh, 6-9 p.m. every Thurs. (Pier 22)
Patricia Dean Trio, 6:30-9:30 p.m. every Thurs. (JD's Bistro)
BC Hathaway, 6:30-9 p.m. (LeBarge)
Terry Helm, 6:30-10:30 p.m. (Cortez Kitchen)
Al Hixon Jazz Quartet, 6:30-9:30 p.m. (15 South)
Kate Keys, 6:30-9 p.m. (Beyond the Sea)
Kitt & Mike Moran with Dominic Mancini, 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Zydeco Grill, 8501 Placida Road, Placida)
Tanya & Matt, 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Ace's)
Acoustic Pete, 7-11 p.m. every Thurs. (SKOB)
House Concerts, 7-9 p.m. every Thurs. (Local Bean)
Jack Mosley, 7 p.m. (Lock 'N Key)
Kara Nally and Howlin’ Bob’s Open Jam, 7-10 p.m. (British Open Pub)
Open Rock & Blues Jam, 7-10:30 p.m. every Thurs. (Flying Dog)
Jimmy Reagan, 7-11 p.m. every Thurs. (15 South/piano bar)
Billy Rice Band, 7 p.m. every Thurs. (Mannatees)
Shotgun Justice, 7-10 p.m. (Island Time)
Ted Stevens & The Doo-Shots, 7 p.m. (Old Packinghouse)
“Thursday Blues Under the Stars” feat. Selwyn Birchwood Band, 7 p.m. (Englewoods on Dearborn)
Mark Zampella, 7-9pm, every Thurs. through June (Sarasota Vineyard)
Scott Curts, 7:30 p.m. every Thurs. (Salute!)
Debbie Keeton, 7:30 p.m. every Thurs. (Haye Loft)
Twinkle, 7:30-9:30 p.m. every Thurs. (Eat Here Sarasota)
Gals' Night Out feat. DJ Russ Deep, 8 p.m. every Thurs. (Libby's)
Suitcase Full of Blues with Fadden, Fuller & Engelsman, 8 p.m. (Ocean Blues)
Backlash, 8:30 p.m. every Thurs. (Dean’s South of the Border)
Come Back Alice, 8:30-11:30 p.m. (Blue Rooster)
Justin Kaiser, 8:30 p.m. (Broadway Bar)
Darrell Lawhorne, 8:30 p.m. every Thurs. (Crow's Nest)
Zombie University, 8:30 p.m. every Thurs. (Dean’s South of the Border)
DJ Flipmode, 9 p.m. every Thurs. (Bleachers)
Ladies Night with DJ Imminent, 9 p.m.-midnight every Thurs. (Darwin's on 4th)
Ladies Night with 95.7 FM Live, 9 p.m. every Thurs. (Froggy's)
The Cherry Bombs, 9:30 p.m. every Thurs. (Gator Club)
RJ Howson, 9:30 p.m. every Thurs. (Cabana Inn)
Ladies Night with Ansidis and DJ O.D., 9:30 p.m. every Thurs. (Tavern on Main)
Marvin, 9:30 p.m. every Thurs. (Tequila Cantina)
Cream Thursdays (two drag shows with Arica Love and guests), 10 p.m. every Thurs. (Ivory Lounge)
Democracy, 10 p.m. every Thurs. (5 O’Clock Club)
DJ Daze, 10 p.m. every Thurs. (Daiquiri Deck Siesta Key)
Flurgin Light, 10 p.m. (The Celtic Ray)
A Gentlemen Army, 10 p.m. (Ace's)
Matt Gerhardt, 10 p.m. every Thurs. (Beach Club)
Ladies Night with DJ Marcus Molano, 10 p.m. every Thurs. (Findaddy's)
Ladies Night, 10 p.m. every Thurs. (Prana)

FRIDAY 5.24

Albert Noe, 11:30 a.m. (O’Leary’s)
Chakulla & Me, noon-3 p.m. (Snook Haven)
Mike Sales, noon-3 p.m. every Fri. (Blu Que)
Sons of Beaches, 1-5 p.m. (Flounders)
Swamp Donkie, 2-6 p.m. every Fri. (SKOB)
Joey Lavalle, 3-7 p.m. every Fri. (Marina Jack/patio)
Don Huntsinger, 4-7 p.m. (Woody's River Roo)
Mike Markaverich, 5-8 p.m. every Fri. (Caraguilos)
Roadblock, 5 p.m. (O’Leary’s)
Tim Sukits, 5-8 p.m. every Fri. (Blue Rooster)
Kokomo Chris, 5:30-8:30 p.m. every Fri. (Howards Restaurant on the Water)
Mike Sales, 5:30 p.m. every Fri. (Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe)
Charli, 6-8 p.m. every Fri. (Word of Mouth)
Al Fuller Band, 6 p.m. (Ocean Blues)
Rock Lee, 6-11 p.m. every Fri. (Marina Jack/lounge)
My Generation, 6-8 p.m. (5 O’Clock Club)
Chris Otto, 6-10 p.m. every Fri. (Captain Curt's)
Spark Notes, 6-9 p.m. every Fri. (Tequila Cantina)
Taylor & Taylor, 6-10 p.m. (Clancy’s)
Michael Hirst, 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Blue Lagoon)
Howlin’ Bob, 6:30-9 p.m. (LeBarge)
Charlie Morris Band, 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Stump Pass Grille)
Natural Vibes, 6:30-10:30 p.m. (Cortez Kitchen)
Straight Up!, 6:30 p.m. (Swordfish Grill)
Pat Walsh, 6:30-9:30 p.m. every Fri. (YachtSea Grille)
Swinging Bridge, 6:45-9:45 p.m. (Mango Bistro)
Bandana, 7-11 p.m. (Flounders)
Big Z Band, 7-11 p.m. every Fri. (Marina Jack/patio)
Bud Buckley, 7-10 p.m. every Fri. (Back Eddy Bistro)
“Caribbean Nights” feat. Democracy, 7-11 p.m. (Englewoods on Dearborn)
Santo Gagliano, 7-11 p.m. every Fri. (15 South/piano bar)
Karen Greenley, 7-11 p.m. every Fri. (Sharky’s Seagrill)
Karmic Tattoo, 7-11 p.m. (Woody's River Roo)
Missing Links, 7 p.m. (Old Packinghouse)
Jimmy Reagan, 7 p.m. (Zeke's)
Danny Sinoff Trio, 7-9 p.m. every Fri. (JD's Bistro)
Ray Biscoglia and Glenn Stevenson Duo, 7:30-11 p.m. every Fri. (Haye Loft)
Renegade (’80s rock tribute band), 7:30-10:30 p.m. (Flying Dog)
Wally "Gator" Sirotich, 7:30 p.m. every Fri. (Eat Here Siesta Key, 240 Avenida Madera)
Lotta Love Lounge, 7:30-11 p.m. every Fri. (Divino)
Mike Moran, 7:30-9 p.m. (Burns Court Cafe, 401 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota)
The Crashers, 8 p.m. (Sharky's on the Pier)
Ground Zero, 8 p.m. (Lock 'N Key)
KVLTA, Mike Harvey, Ben Thurmond, 8 p.m. (Word of Mouth; 18+, $5)
Kara Nally Band, 8-11 p.m. (British Open Pub)
Open Mic Jam, 8 p.m.-midnight every Fri. (White Horse Pub)
Twinkle, 8-10:30 p.m. every Fri. (Eat Here Sarasota)
Selwyn Birchwood Band, 9 p.m. (Ocean Blues)
DJ Russ Deep, 9 p.m. every Fri. (Libby's)
Jurassick Bass, 9 p.m. every Fri. (Cabana Inn)
Frankie Lombardi, 9 p.m. (World of Beer)
Mama's Love, 9 p.m. (Ace's; $5)
Grant Peeples, 9 p.m. (Blue Rooster)
Greg Roché, 9-11:30 p.m. every Fri. (Hillview Grill)
Sarasota's Got Talent, 9 p.m. every Fri. (Throb Nightclub)
soulRcoaster, 9 p.m. (Polo Grill)
Tex-Mex with 1420 AM Live, 9 p.m. every Fri. (Froggy's)
The Boneshakers, 9:30 p.m. (Gator Club)
FUSE, 9:30 p.m. (Cabana Inn)
Come Back Alice, 10 p.m. (5 O’Clock Club)
DJ Andrew, 10 p.m. every Fri. (Tequila Cantina)
DJs Mike Anthony & Steve Rice, 10 p.m. every Fri. (Tango Upstairs)
DJ Daze, 10 p.m. every Fri. (Daiquiri Deck St. Armands)
DJ Kiko Memorial Day Weekend Kick-Off Party, 10 p.m. (Ivory Lounge)
Evan Eastmoore, 10 p.m. (Gulf Gate University Bar & Tap Room)
Flight 19, 10 p.m. (Clancy’s)

SATURDAY 5.25

BeThere Bros., noon (O'Leary's)
Mike Sales, noon-3 p.m. every Sat. (Blu Que)
Acoustic Pete Blues Trio, 1-5 p.m. every Sat. (Gilligan's)
Democracy, 1-5 p.m. every Sat. (Bearded Clam)
Shark Jumpers, 1-4 p.m. (Snook Haven)
Sons of Beaches, 1-5 p.m. (Flounders)
Terry Ciceron, 2-6 p.m. (Woody's River Roo)
Dana Lawrence & Friends, 2-6 p.m. every Sat. (SKOB)
Chris Otto, 2:30-6:30 p.m. every Sat. (Marina Jack/patio)
Beau & Becca, 5-8 p.m. (Stump Pass Grille)
Gator Creek, 5-8 p.m. (Snook Haven)
Pirates Life, 5-9 p.m. every Sat. (The Factory)
Bob Comeau, 5:30-8:30 p.m. every Sat. (Howards Restaurant on the Water)
Eddie Garrett & Point Blank, 6-10 p.m. (Stragglers)
Matt Gerhardt, 6-11 p.m. every Sat. (Captain Curt's)
Fremont John, 6 p.m. (O’Leary’s)
Rock Lee, 6-11 p.m. every Sat. (Marina Jack/lounge)
Kitt Moran, 6-9 p.m. every Sat. (JD's Bistro)
R.P.M., 6-10 p.m. every Sat. (Captain Curt’s/tiki)
George Worthmore, 6-9 p.m. (Star Keeper Cafe)
Stephen Cruce, 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Bentley's)
RJ Howson Band, 6:30-10:30 p.m. (Cortez Kitchen)
Memories: Shower of Stars Tribute, 6:30-10 p.m. (Beyond the Sea)
Henry K. Monzello, 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Blue Lagoon)
Ted Stevens & The Doo-Shots, 6:30-9 p.m. (LeBarge)
Taylor & Taylor, 6:30 p.m. (Swordfish Grill)
Key of Life, 6:45-9:45 p.m. (Mango Bistro)
Big Band Dinner Jazz with Ocean's Eleven, 7-9 p.m. every Sat. (Ocean Blues)
Blue Mason Barter Co., 7-10:30 p.m. (Pop's Sunset Grill)
Boogiemen, 7-11 p.m. (Flounders)
Bud Buckley, 7-10 p.m. every Sat. (Back Eddy Bistro)
Jeff Evans Band, 7-10 p.m. (Linger Lodge)
Frayed Knot Band, 7 p.m. (Old Packinghouse)
Santo Gagliano, 7-11 p.m. every Sat. (15 South/piano bar)
Joy & the Gang, 7 p.m. (Zeke's)
Joey Lavalle & the Groove Hounds, 7-11 p.m. every Sat. (Marina Jack/patio)
Messenger, 7-11 p.m. (Woody's River Roo)
Kitt & Mike Moran with Dominic Mancini, 7-10 p.m. (JD’s Bistro)
The Lisa Ridings Band, 7 p.m. (Englewoods on Dearborn)
Soul Sensations (Motown tribute), 8 p.m. (Prana; $5)
Lotta Love Lounge, 7:30-11 p.m. every Sat. (Divino)
Mike Markaverich, 7:30-11 p.m. every Sat. (Haye Loft)
Randy Stephens Band, 8-11 p.m. (British Open Pub)
Torched, 8 p.m. (Lock 'N Key)
Mike Tozier, 8 p.m. every Sat. (SKOB)
Tropical Ave, 8 p.m. (Sharky's on the Pier)
Twinkle, 8-10:30 p.m. every Sat. (Eat Here Sarasota)
Wally Gator, 8:30 p.m. every Sat. (Crow's Nest)
DJ Rafferdy, 9 p.m. every Sat. (Cork's Cigar Bar)
Eartheart, 9 p.m.-midnight every Sat. (Cafe Amalfi)
Florida Mountain Boys, 9 p.m. (Blue Rooster)
Glass Onion Band, 9 p.m. (Polo Grill)
Lady Katt & The Howlin' Doggs, 9 p.m. (Ocean Blues)
Latin Night with Speedy Jr. of 92.5 FM, 9 p.m. every Sat. (Froggy's)
Jason Longoria Duo, 9 p.m. (World of Beer)
Wikked Jester, 9 p.m. (Clancy’s)
The Cherry Bombs, 9:30 p.m. (Gator Club)
Kettle of Fish, 9:30 p.m. (Cabana Inn)
The Boneshakers, 10 p.m. (5 O’Clock Club)
DJ Rus Deep, 10 p.m. every Sat. (Tequila Cantina)
DJ Scotty B, 10 p.m. every Sat. (Daiquiri Deck St. Armands)
Mighty Mongo, 10 p.m. (Beach Club)
Robert Remy, DJ Daze, 10 p.m. every Sat. (Daiquiri Deck Siesta Key)
Special K Memorial Day Weekend Edition, 10 p.m. (Ivory Lounge)

SUNDAY 5.26

Shelly Torman (Jazz Brunch), 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (Ophelia's on the Bay, 9105 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key; 349-2212)
Pete Messina, 11:30 a.m. (O’Leary’s)
Kitt & Mike Moran with Dominic Mancini, 11:30-3 p.m. (Zydeco Grille, 8501 Placida Road, Cape Haze; 828-1472)
Ricci Degatano, 1 p.m. every Sun. (Tarpon Pointe Grill)
Brian Lowe, 1-5 p.m. (Snook Haven)
Chris Otto, 1-5 p.m. every Sun. (Cha Cha Coconuts)
Shift Change, 1-5 p.m. (Flounders)
Taylor & Taylor, 1-5 p.m. (Woody's River Roo)
Bill Vinhage, 1 p.m. (Hub Baja Grill)
Cort Farris and the Cougar Wranglers, 2-6 p.m. every Sun. (SKOB)
Sunday Funday Patio Party with live reggae, 2 p.m. every Sun. (Gilligan's)
Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones, 3-7 p.m. (Cortez Kitchen)
Jeff Hughes, 3-7 p.m. every Sun. (Lido Beachside Tiki Bar)
Jimmy McCarthy, 3 p.m. (Zeke's)
Rick Quimby, 3-6 p.m. every Sun. (Banana Cabana)
UnderRated, 4-7 p.m. (Linger Lodge)
Zombie University, 4 p.m. (Lock 'N Key)
Big Z Band, 4:30-8:30 p.m. every Sun. (Marina Jack/patio)
Frankie Catalina, 5 p.m. (O’Leary’s)
Joel Fisher, 5-8 p.m. (Woody's River Roo)
Terry Helm, 5-9 p.m. (Clancy’s)
Jennifer Leigh and the New Digs, 5-9 p.m. every Sun. (Blu Que)
Bobby Remp, 5 p.m. every Sun. (Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe)
Kool Breeze, 6-10 p.m. (Flounders)
Rock Lee, 6-11 p.m. every Sun. (Marina Jack/lounge)
Nick LeValley, 6-10 p.m. every Sun. (Captain Curt's)
Open Blues Jam, 6 p.m. every Sun. (Gilligan's)
Joe Thayer, 6-9 p.m. every Sun. (Mattison’s Forty-One)
The Trinidudes, 6-10 p.m. (Sharky's on the Pier)
Howlin’ Bob, 6:30-9 p.m. (LeBarge)
Jazz Juvenocracy, 6:30-8:30 p.m. every Sun. (Broadway Bar)
Liz Pennock & Dr. Blues, 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Blue Rooster)
Sarasota Jazz Project (17-piece big band), 6:30-8:30 p.m. every Sun. (Floribbean)
Ocean Blues Sunday Jam, 7-11 p.m. every Sun. (Ocean Blues)
Chris Otto, 7-11 p.m. every Sun. (SKOB)
Luigi Toth, 7-10:30 p.m. every Sun. (15 South/piano bar)
Mike Markaverich, 7:30-11 p.m. every Sun. (Haye Loft)
Open Jam Session (hosted by Dan Garrido), 8 p.m. every Sun. (Tavern on Main)
Open Mic Night, 8 p.m. every Sun. (The Celtic Ray)
Spark Notes, 8:30 p.m. every Sun. (Tequila Cantina)
James Albritton, 9 p.m. every Sun. (Gator Club)
Mike Sales, 9 p.m. (World of Beer)
Voces Libres & Rafy Roman, 9 p.m. every Sun. (Froggy's)
Democracy, 10 p.m. every Sun. (Blu Que)
Roadblock, 10 p.m. every Sun. (Beach Club)
"Soul'd Out Sunday" feat. The John Beal Collective, 10 p.m. (Blue Rooster; $10)
SuperBot, 10 p.m. every Sun. (5 O’Clock Club)

MONDAY 5.27

2nd annual Myakka River Blues Festival feat. Belmont & Jones, George Worthmore, Roger Hurricane Wilson, Steve Arvey and Friends, Bob Diehlman Band, Kettle of Fish with RJ Howson, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (Snook Haven; $10)
Rick West, noon (O'Leary's)
Black Velvet, 1-5 p.m. every Mon. (Flounders)
Tommy D, 1-4 p.m. (Stump Pass Grille)
Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones, 2 p.m. (Zeke's)
Sam Domicolo, 4-7 p.m. (Bentley's)
Trio de Janiero, 4 p.m. (Lock 'N Key)
Chris Otto, 4:30-8:30 p.m. every Mon. (Marina Jack/patio)
Karen Greenley, 5 p.m. every Mon. (Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe)
Long Island Johnny, 5 p.m. (O’Leary’s)
Brian Lowe, 5-8 p.m. (Snook Haven)
Doug Bidwell, 6-10 p.m. every Mon. (Clancy's)
Coastal Jamz, 6-10 p.m. (Sharky's on the Pier)
Danny Fox, 6 p.m. every Mon. (Tarpon Pointe Grill)
Jam Night, 6-10 p.m. every Mon. (Flounders)
Nick LeValley, 6-10 p.m. every Mon. (Captain Curt's)
Open Mic Monday, 6-9 p.m. every Mon. (Star Keeper Cafe)
Open Mic with Noel, 6-10 p.m. every Mon. (Blu Que)
Jimmy Regan, 6 p.m. every Mon. (Tarpon Pointe Grill)
BC Hathaway, 6:30-9 p.m. (LeBarge)
Al Hixon Jazz Jam, 6:30-9:30 p.m. (15 South Ristorante)
Irish Night with Bobby Vesey, 6:30-9:30 p.m. every Mon. (The Queen Anne)
Joe Thayer (with George Rice on sax), 6:30-9:30 p.m. every Mon. (Mattison’s Forty-One)
Open Mic with Rick Alvis, 7 p.m. every Mon. (Old Packinghouse)
Luigi Toth, 7-10:30 p.m. every Mon. (15 South/piano bar)
Tony Tyler, 7-11 p.m. every Mon. (SKOB)
Eddie Tobin, 7:30 p.m. every Mon. (Haye Loft)
Melanie Massell Music, 8-11 p.m. every Mon., except May 27 (Bridge Tender Inn)
Monday Night Jazz Jam, 8 p.m. every Mon. (Ocean Blues)
Muffin Men, 8-10 p.m. every Mon. (Cork's Cigar Bar)
Wally Gator, 8:30 p.m. every Mon. (Crow's Nest)
Al Fuller Blues Jam, 9 p.m. every Mon. (5 O'Clock Club)
Patio Daddies, 9 p.m. every Mon. (Swordfish Grill)
Project Yourself: Interactive Art Night, 9 p.m. every Mon. (Growler's Pub)
Scott Curts, 9:30 p.m. every Mon. (Tequila Cantina)
DJ Jimi O, 10 p.m. every Mon. (Beach Club)
Matt Gerhardt, 10 p.m. every Mon. (Gator Club)

TUESDAY 5.28

Evan Eastmoore, 11:30 a.m. (O’Leary’s)
Mike Sales, noon-3 p.m. every Tues. (Blu Que)
Kenny Rose, 1-5 p.m. every Tues. (Flounders)
James Blain, 4 p.m. every Tues. (Daiquiri Deck St. Armands)
James Blain, 5 p.m. (O’Leary’s)
Patti Highland & Hank Lee, 5-8 p.m. every Tues. (Snook Haven)
Joey Lavalle, 5-9 p.m. every Tues. (Marina Jack/patio)
Tanya McCormick, 5 p.m. every Tues. (Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe)
Open Mic Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m. every Tues. (Hot Diggity Dog)
Gulf Drive Band, 5:30 p.m. every Tues. (Mannatees)
Jazz Jam Session, 5:30-8:30 p.m. every Tues. (Valenti's Allegro Bistro, 1740 E. Venice Ave., Venice)
Tom Barrett Jam Session, 6-9 p.m. every Tues. (Floribbean)
Crossover, 6-10 p.m. (Flounders)
Justin Layman, 6-10 p.m. every Tues. (Poblanos Mexican Grill & Bar, 5779 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton)
Rock Lee, 6-11 p.m. every Tues. (Marina Jack/lounge)
R.P.M., 6-10 p.m. every Tues. (Gilligan's)
Danny Sinoff Trio, 6-9 p.m. every Tues. (JD's Bistro)
TC and the Troublemakers, 6-10 p.m. every Tues. (Clancy's)
Michael Mac, 6 p.m. (Lock 'N Key)
Joe Thayer, 6:30-9:30 p.m. every Tues. (Mattison’s Forty-One)
Al Donadi, 7 p.m. (Old Packinghouse)
Nic & Ari, 7-10 p.m. (Blue Rooster)
Open Mic Jam with Ben Hammond, 7-11 p.m. every Tues. (SKOB)
Mike Sales, 7-10 p.m. every Tues. (Feeling Swell)
Luigi Toth, 7-10:30 p.m. every Tues. (15 South/piano bar)
Jennifer Leigh and the New Digs, 7:30-11 p.m. every Tues. (Mattison's City Grille)
Eddie Tobin, 7:30 p.m. every Tues. (Haye Loft)
Clam Jam, 8 p.m. every Tues. (Cortez Clam Factory)
Michael Kach Group, 8 p.m. every Tues. (Ocean Blues)
Open Mic Nite, 8 p.m. every Tues. (Growler’s Pub)
Torched, 8 p.m. every Tues. (Dean’s South of the Border)
Comedy Night, 8:30 p.m. every Tues. (Swordfish Grill)
Chameleon, 9:30 p.m. every Tues. (Gator Club)
Pineapple Aardvark Erik, 9:30 p.m. every Tues. (Tequila Cantina)
Josh Magwood, 10 p.m. every Tues. (Beach Club)
Tuff Sons, 10 p.m. (5 O’Clock Club)

WEDNESDAY 5.29

Dulcimers, noon-2 p.m. every Wed. (Snook Haven)
Sea Breeze, noon (O'Leary's)
Mike Sales, noon-3 p.m. every Wed. (Blu Que)
Joey & The Chill Hounds, 1-5 p.m. (Flounders)
Dan Crawford, 5 p.m. (O'Leary's)
Darrell Lawhorne, 5-8 p.m. (Snook Haven)
Larry Rich, 5-8 p.m. every Wed. (Martini Bistro)
The Sea-Notes, 5 p.m. every Wed. (Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe)
Chubby Funsta, 6-10 p.m. (Flounders)
Jay Crawford, 6-10 p.m. every Wed. (Clancy's)
EZ Street, 6-10 p.m. (Woody's River Roo)
Rock Lee, 6-11 p.m. every Wed. (Marina Jack/lounge)
Billy Lyon, 6-8 p.m. every Wed. (Tavern on Main)
David Moore, 6-10 p.m. every Wed. (Sharky’s on the Pier)
Kitt Moran, 6-9 p.m. every Wed. (JD's Bistro)
R.P.M., 6-10 p.m. every Wed. (Blasé Café)
Joe Thayer, 6-10 p.m. every Wed. (Main Street Trattoria)
The Venturas, 6-10 p.m. every Wed. (Marina Jack/patio)
Ted Stevens & The Doo-Shots, 6:30-9 p.m. (LeBarge)
Kettle of Fish, 7-11 p.m. every Wed. (SKOB)
Just2Rock, 7 p.m. (Englewoods on Dearborn)
Joey Lavallee, 7-11 p.m. every Wed. (15 South/piano bar)
Frankie Lombardi, 7 p.m. (Old Packinghouse)
Metro Connection, 7-9 p.m. every Wed. (Floribbean)
David Munoz ("An Evening of Flamenco y Sangria"), 7 p.m. every Wed. (Divino)
NexxLevel, 7 p.m. (Lock 'N Key)
Open Jam hosted by Bad Influence, 7-10 p.m. every Wed. (Stragglers)
Open Mic with Joe B., 7-10 p.m. every Wed. (Pastry Art)
TC and the Troublemakers, 7 p.m. every Wed. (Mannatees)
Michael Royal Solo Piano, 7:30-11 p.m. every Wed. (Haye Loft)
Bird Tribe Jaz Funk Band, 8-11 p.m. (Blue Rooster)
Blues Jam with RJ Howson Band, 8 p.m. every Wed. (Ace's)
Dakota Rose, 8 p.m. every Wed. (Bleachers)
Soapy Tuna, 8 p.m. every Wed. (Dean’s South of the Border)
Mike Tozier, 8 p.m. (Ocean Blues)
Wally Gator, 8:30-11:30 p.m. every Wed. (Crow's Nest)
DJ Ryan Madcow (reggae, R&B), 9 p.m. every Wed. (Froggy's)
The Send Offs, The Other Ryan Willis, 9 p.m. (Growler's Pub; 21+)
Karma, 9:30 p.m. every Wed. (Gator Club)
Berry Duane Oakley and Skylab, 9:30 p.m. (Cabana Inn)
Spark Notes, 9:30 p.m. every Wed. (Tequila Cantina)
Come Back Alice, 10 p.m. every Wed. (5 O'Clock Club)
DJ RevKev, 10 p.m. every Wed. (Beach Club)
DJ Kaiser, 10 p.m. every Wed. (Daiquiri Deck Siesta Key)

The post Soundboard news and live music calendar, May 23-29 appeared first on Ticket Sarasota.

Sarasota Jazz Project

3rd annual Ringling College Film Screening — 10 p.m. Thursday (May 23). Growler's Pub will screen three short films produced by Ringling College of Art and Design students: "Pierrot," "Brevity's Siren" and "Attorneys at Flaw." Free. 2831 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

Tow to Go — Friday through Memorial Day (May 27). If you or someone you know is thinking of drinking and driving, this program offers drivers a free tow and ride home. The concept, serving Sarasota and Manatee counties since 1998, was created by Gold Coast Eagle Distributing president/owner John Saputo. To use the program during Memorial Day weekend, call (855) 286-9246.

Historic Downtown Village "Fourth Friday" celebration — 5-9 p.m. Friday (May 24). Village shops, studios and restaurants will be open for an evening of food, music and shopping, with a theme of the Roaring 20s. The downtown Sarasota village is bordered by Fruitville Road, Osprey Avenue, Gillespie Avenue and 4th Street. DowntownVillageSarasota.com.

Friday Night Live — 7 p.m. Friday (May 24). Free concert by Larry & Friends. Centennial Park, downtown Venice. Sponsored by Venice MainStreet.

Sarasota Jazz Project — 9:30 a.m.-noon Saturday (May 25). The 17-piece big band will perform at the Farmers' Market in downtown Sarasota. Free.

Make LOVE Not WAR Dance Party with Big Z Band — 7:30-11:30 p.m. Saturday (May 25). Dance the night away at Mannatees Sports Grill, 7423 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. No cover. 794-1400; MannateesSportsGrill.com.

The post Cheap Thrills, May 23-29 appeared first on Ticket Sarasota.

Previously, the brewery hoped to be in Florida in May.

Founders went on to tweet that their ongoing expansion is taking time.

Via BeerPulse

The post Founders Brewing won't hit Florida until July, brewery says appeared first on Ticket Sarasota.

We The Kings is (left to right) Hunter Thomsen (guitar), Coley O'Toole (auxiliary/background vocals), Travis Clark (guitar/vocals), Danny Duncan (drums) and Charles Trippy (bass). The band resides in Bradenton. COURTESY PHOTO

We The Kings, the Bradenton-based band with an international following, just announced a July 6 concert at Jannus Live in St. Petersburg. It's part of the pop-punk quintet's Summer Fest tour that features opening acts Breathe Carolina, T. Mills and The Ready Set. Tickets are $20, go on sale at noon Friday (May 24) and can be purchased online through St. Pete-based Daddy Kool.

We the Kings performed last month during the inaugural Funshine Music Festival in Tampa and treated fans to the hit new single "Just Keep Breathing." It's a song that finds Travis Clark, the band's singer, songwriter and guitarist recalling nights when he was “too sad to sleep” before reminding his many listeners, which range from tweens to twentysomethings, that they’re not alone.

“It’s a song I’ve been waiting to write for a long time,” Clark told me for this Ticket cover story. “Growing up as a redhead it was hard to fit in, kids were mean and bullied me during a good part of my childhood.

“This was a song I’ve been holding in for a long time, a song capturing how I felt, that feeling I had and what I had to do to get through it all. It has helped a lot of our fans. I’ve already heard amazing compliments, people saying how things are so much better now because they realize they’re not the only one going through something like this.”

The post Bradenton's We the Kings returns appeared first on Ticket Sarasota.

Juliet A. Boghossian, founder of Food-Ology. (Courtesy Photo)

More than 20 years ago, behavioral food expert Juliet A. Boghossian devised Food-Ology, a “belief that eating styles are related to character traits, so we aren’t only what we eat, but how we eat as well.” She uses it to determine personality traits by observing how and what people eat, how they cook, make buffet choices and even clean up the dishes.

EATING STYLES
Don’t be surprised if you fit into more than one category.

Speed eater: If you eat fast, you are likely ambitious, and successful, a quick study, practical and methodical. Your task-oriented nature may prevent you from enjoying certain stages and experiences of your life once you have achieved them. And even though you are dynamic and have lots of associations, you tend to have time for only two or three close friends.

Chameleon: If you adapt your eating pace based upon that of your companions, you can adapt to almost any environment comfortably and be open to whatever comes your way. Although you cultivate and are known for an easy-going nature, you can reach a breaking point. You have a diverse group of friends, most of whom run in different circles. You are seldom the priority for changes you make in your life. You depend on others to capitalize on your spontaneity by nudging you out of your comfort zone.

Regimented: If your eating pace is determined by your schedule, you are reliable and always get the job done. However, you may not have time to enjoy your life. You may find yourself feeling satisfied at all you have accomplished by the end of the day while at the same time wondering where the day has gone. While you may want to take some relaxing "me" time, you tend instead to find enjoyment with friends in a coffee shop, meeting someone new at a business meeting or striking up a conversation with a stranger in an airport.

Slow eater: If you eat slowly, you pride yourself on being in control and believe there is never a good reason to get rattled. Because you don't bend to peer pressure, and instead do what is right for you, you are sometimes thought of as selfish. In fact you may alienate yourself from others who are not like you. This can limit your scope of life experiences. But when you are with friends, you are totally present and attentive. You are grounded and able to appreciate the simple things in life.

To mix or not to mix food: In an excerpt from divinecaroline.com, Boghossian says that people who mix foods can take on responsibilities efficiently, but might have trouble deciding what is most important to accomplish. He or she can also have trouble concentrating on a particular task. People who eat foods one at a time are “task-oriented” and “methodical,” but less flexible when it comes to adapting to situations that they are not used to.

Boghossian believes that certain eating traits can provide insight into how well a prospective employee might fit into a particular job opening. A person who cuts his or her meat all at one time is usually methodical, strategic and forward thinking. This person would be well-suited for positions in the scientific field that require logical thinking and precision, such as engineering, accounting or computer technology.

A prospective candidate who is excited about sampling new foods and different cuisines would do well in creative positions because they are willing to explore new paths and will likely be open to new and unorthodox ideas. Asking questions about the menu is indicative of an open mind as well.

Folks who season food before tasting it or who order without looking at the menu are less likely to embrace change.
Boghossian offers many more observations about the traits revealed by eating habits. Besides more workplace observations, Boghossian’s Web site, food-ology.com, offers insight into personal relationships as well. And while it is often helpful and always fun to match eating habits to personality traits, Boghossian reminds readers that Food-ology does not provide answers or make decisions for you, but challenges you to consider issues you may not have thought of.

SNACK FOOD REVELATIONS
And while we are on the subject, in, forbes.com, contributor Jennifer Cohen wrote a delightful article about a study by psychiatrist/neurologist Dr. Alan Hirsch in which he not only profiles personalities of snack food eaters, but suggests the best partners for each.

Tortilla-chip eaters are perfectionists and humanitarians who are often distressed by social inequities and injustice. They tend to be organized, dependable and self-disciplined. Best partner: another tortilla chip eater.

Cheese Doodle eaters share an affinity for proper manners and high morality. They have a deep sense of right and wrong and treat people based on merit not status. Best partner: potato chip snackers.

People whose preferred snacks are meat-based, such as Slim Jims or pork rinds are fiercely loyal.

They are fun-loving and like being the life of the party, but along with their trusting nature may have a predisposion to emotional turmoil, especially in romantic break-ups. Best partner: other meat eaters and potato chip eaters.

If potato chips are your snack of choice, you are likely successful in business and personal life. Potato chip eaters may be competitive in good and bad ways and may be frustrated at slight inconveniences. Best partners: pretzel eaters and other potato chip eaters, as long as they don’t compete.

Cracker eaters are shy, contemplative and thoughtful, basing their decisions on logic rather than emotions. They value private time and are most creative when they are allowed to think without interruption. Best partner: pretzel eaters.

Pretzels may not be the most exciting snack in the world, but folks who choose them tend to be lively and energetic, seeking novelty and thriving in a world of abstract concepts. They love being part of groups, but may over-commit causing personal and business relationships to suffer. Best partner: cheese curl lovers.

What, no popcorn or salted nuts?

TODAY’S RECIPES
After that, what could be more fitting than a recipe for Potato Chip Cookies with pretzel and tortilla chip variations? These are from "Crazy About Cookies" by Krystina Castella (Sterling, 2010).

POTATO CHIP COOKIES
Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups coarsely crushed potato chips

Method:
Preheat oven to 325 F. Line 2 cookies sheets with parchment paper.

Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla, flour and 1 cup potato chips; mix well.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls and roll them in remaining potato ships. Place on cookie sheets, 2 1/2-inches apart, and press to flatten slightly.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Let cool on the pans for 5 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely. Makes 36 cookies.
VARIATIONS
Chocolate Pretzel Cookies: Replace the potato chips with crushed pretzels and add 3/4 cup chocolate chips to the dough after the wet and dry ingredients have been combined.

Peanut Butter Cheesy Cracker Cookies: Replace potato chips with crushed cheese crackers. Add 3/4 cup peanut butter chips to the dough after the wet and dry ingredients have been combined.

Spicy Tortilla Chip Cookies: Replace potato chips with spicy tortilla chips and add 1/8 teaspoon finely chopped jalapeno peppers to the dough after the wet and dry ingredients have been combined.

BUTTER RUM POPCORN COOKIES
Ingredients:
2 1/2 quarts popped popcorn
1 cup almonds
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/3 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter cut into pieces
2 tablespoons rum

Method:

Line 2 baking sheets with waxed paper.

Put popcorn and almonds in a large heatproof bowl; set aside.

Combine corn syrup, water, sugar and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture reaches the hard-ball stage (255 F). Remove from heat.

Add butter and stir until melted. Add rum.

Pour syrup over the popcorn and almonds, stirring until coated.

Spread mixture on baking sheets and let cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Shape into 3-inch rounds. Let cool for 20 minutes to harden slightly before serving.
VARIATIONS
Cherry Popcorn Cookies: Replace almonds with 1/2 cup chopped dried cherries. Replace rum with 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. If desired, add 3 drops red food coloring to wet ingredients.

Peanut Popcorn Cookies:Replace almonds with peanuts and the rum with 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.
Observations of a behavioral food expert

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Blues Music Magazine headquarters in Bradenton's Village of the Arts. COURTESY PHOTO

There has been a significant change in the publishing corner of the blues music world — with the biggest move occurring in Bradenton.

The premiere issue of Blues Music Magazine, expected to reach subscribers in about 55 countries this month, is being published by MojoWax Media Inc. Jack Sullivan, a prominent figure in the blues music scene, formed the media company earlier this year in Bradenton. He has split from Blues Revue, where he worked in various capacities for more than a decade and had served as circulation director since 2009.

“We severed ties because of irreconcilable difference in management of the publication,” Sullivan said when reached at his Bradenton home.

Chip Eagle, publisher of Blues Revue, could not be reached for comment.

Ruthie Foster on cover of first issue of Blues Music Magazine/COURTESY PHOTO/Cover Photography © Scott Allen/VividPix

In addition to Sullivan, the Blues Music Magazine production staff includes Art Tipaldi (editor-in-chief), Andrew Miller (art department director) and Kyle Morris (customer service manager). All four men worked together at Blues Revue. MojoWax Media has also hired many of the writers and photographers whose work has appeared in Blues Revue.

“Retaining the core members I worked with during the past three and a half years was vital in achieving our goal of global awareness of the blues and creating a multimedia company through print, digital, online and radio,” Sullivan said. “It was essential.”

Blues Music Magazine, which should seem quite familiar to Blue Revue readers, will be published in print and digital format six times a year. It also will include six digital CDs for download. Grammy-nominated singer Ruthie Foster will appear on the cover of the first issue.

“The last issue we produced of Blues Revue shipped March 25,” Sullivan said.
In 2011, Blues Revue moved its headquarters from California to Bradenton’s Village of the Arts, where Sullivan continues to operate MojoWax Media.

Sullivan played a key role in the success of last year’s Bradenton Blues Festival and plans to have Blues Music Magazine sponsor the event when it returns to Bradenton Riverwalk Dec. 7.

“We want to continue to support the Bradenton Blues Festival and blues festivals around the globe,” Sullivan said.

bluesmusicmagazine.com

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Perq owner Keith Zolner works theinfamous Slayer espresso machine. (PHOTO BY BRIAN RIES)

Last week, Erin and Keith Zolner, owners of Southside Village’s Lollicake Queen, opened the doors to Perq Coffee Bar, the first craft coffee shop of its kind in Sarasota. With a focus on single origin, artisan coffee, and with eight distinct and unique brewing methods, Perq introduces Sarasota to what many coffee geeks in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and New York have been drinking for years: Third Wave Coffee.

Third Wave Coffee basically takes the same approach to coffee that xenophiles and winemakers have taken with wine. There’s a focus on direct- and/or fair-trade, single-origin beans; a care for roasting techniques (the beans are roasted much more lightly than most macro-roasts, resulting in more pronounced and nuanced coffee flavor); and artisan methods of preparation.

Perq’s origins can be traced to Keith’s career in agriculture, managing orange groves. A passion for wine and, subsequently, coffee followed.

“Wine and coffee have been personal passions that I’ve really enjoyed geeking out about,” Keith says. “For the longest time, with coffee, it was, you know, ‘So-and-So’s Blend,’ or you only knew what country it came from. But like with a good bottle of wine, I want to know where it came from – where it was grown, what farm made it, how it was processed. The whole farm-to-cup idea.”

Keith began roasting his own coffee at home, ordering green coffee beans from all over the world through a network of fellow coffee enthusiasts.

“Keith would wake up each morning and roast beans in a modified popcorn maker to make us coffee,” Erin says.
After two years of success with The Lollicake Queen, and well aware of the area’s lack of a real, artisan coffee shop, Erin and Keith decided to expand from their 500 sq ft bakery, into the adjacent space. They added almost 2,000 sq ft, making room for a larger baking operation, as well as space Perq.

Their coffee vision became a family affair. Erin’s 19-year-old daughter, Olivia, designed their logo. Erin’s sister, Amy, designed the interior space. Keith and his brother, Mark, did the buildout, a mix of cool, industrial stainless steel and warm, raw wood, with Perq’s signature bright green accents.

“People kept asking why it was taking so long,” Erin says. “The answer is that we did it all ourselves.”

The couple took trips out west to scout roasters and shops they had admired from afar, taking bits and pieces of San Francisco’s Blue Bottle, Oakland’s Sweet Maria’s, and Portland’s Coava and Heart, picking roaster’s brains along the way.

They settled on the Grand Poobah of modern espresso machines, the infamous Slayer (though Keith did also splurge on a gorgeous, vintage Faema as well). Since there were no shops in the south that used Slayers, there were also no mechanics to service them, so Keith underwent full training to be able to service the machine. They decided on Coava and Heart Roasters to provide the beans, though they will bring in guest roasters frequently to mix it up. They settled on six other brewing methods (see sidebar), and worked towards an opening date.

A year after getting the keys, they’ve finally started pulling shots and changing local perceptions of coffee.

They’ve hired almost a dozen new employees, including a new pastry chef, Selena Campbell, who along with Erin will make special daily pastries and treats – from white chocolate crème brulee and organic fruit tarts to mini-scones and what Erin has decided to call “Wheels” (something between a muffin and a donut).

“It’s all small-batch,” Erin says. “After two years of doing 30 different Lollicakes a day, it’s been really fun coming up with a new menu.” They will also offer a number of sandwiches from much-loved Main Street sandwich shop Mozzarella Fella. Perq will be open late Thursday through Saturday, serving a limited selection of craft beers and wines, as well as special desserts, and some very unique coffees.

They’ve brought in an experienced head barista, as well as a number of employees with experience at other craft coffee bars around the country.

But mostly, Perq is about offering unique coffee experiences to interested customers.

“I’ve been trying to save my voice,” Keith said, after the second day of Perq’s soft launch last week. “A lot of what we’ll be doing is educating people.”

“Coffee goes through all these incredible processes – thousands of hours of labor – from growing and harvesting to roasting and packing, and it gets to you and you get to make it as good as it can be, or you can screw it up,” says Keith.
“But really, in the end, it’s supposed to be fun. And it’s supposed to taste good. And so far people have been really excited. They stand at the counter and watch and ask questions. It’s really fun to watch.”

PERQ’S EIGHT BREWING METHODS
Conventional Drip: Yeah, they still offer drip coffee, but only in the morning and only until it’s gone. You can rush in and grab one on the fly, but if you have an extra five minutes, take the time to try out the other options.

Slayer and Faema Espresso Machines: The Slayer is widely considered one of the more magical modern espresso machines on the market. They’re hand-built, and less than 30 of them exist on coffee shops around the country. It offers baristas unique control over water pressure, allowing for low pressure extractions, and longer, slower pulls. The Faema, on the other hand, is an homage to the history of espresso machines, a true analog wonder, requiring great skill and care by the barista to monitor and pull a shot correctly (Keith knows his way around both of these bad boys).

KyotoCold Brew: As we approach the hellish heat of Florida summer, you will be glad that Perq has adopted Blue Bottle’s Kyoto method of cold brewing coffee. This one-drip-at-a-time process is time-intensive and beautiful to watch, yielding intense, caffeine-heavy, smooth, delicious iced coffee.

Aero Press: A full-immersion, single-cup method, similar to a French Press, but run through a paper filter to keep out any of the fines or grit.

Kalita Wave Pour Over: Popularized by Nick Cho at San Francisco’s Wrecking Ball, this method utilizes a glass brewer and a paper filter with a flat bottom, allowing for uniquely even extraction, and yielding what is basically a large cup of really clean, bold coffee – 450 grams, or 16 ounces.

Chem-X: Perq uses an Able Brewing Fine Metal Cone and a reusable, washable filter. The coffee is then decanted into a carafe, then decanted again when poured into each individual mug, making for a very clean, shareable pot of joe.
Siphon: Using a Hario siphon system, the coffee is brewed through a beautiful and ingenious process involving two glass chambers and heat, resulting in vacuum-brewed deliciousness. Places like Blue Bottle in San Francisco and Brooklyn have dedicated “Siphonistas” solely in charge of this method.

Woodneck Hario Flannel Filter: The sipping whiskey of coffees, also known as a “Nell” – short for “flannel.” A coffee elixir made by a radically slow pour-over method, which yields a low-temperature, slow-drip, high concentrate shot of coffee that allows for every tiny flavor variation to present itself.

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Dana Lawrence singing and playing guitar with his band Kettle of Fish at the Herald-Tribune's Ticket turns 21 birthday party at H-T headquarters in downtown Sarasota. (April 25, 2013, Herald-Tribune Staff Photo by Thomas Bender)

Kettle of Fish, which recently performed at Wanee Music Festival and our Ticket turns 21 birthday bash, is headlining the second annual Myakka River Blues Festival at Snook Haven in Venice on Monday.

One of the best live bands in Southwest Florida; blues, rock and soul are alive and well on Kettle of Fish’s self-titled new EP, which finds singer-songwriter Dana Lawrence delivering searing vocals over memorable melodies goosed by the potent guitar work of Thorson Moore, Berry Duane Oakley (yes, son of that Berry Oakley) and late, great Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dan Toler.

Guitarist RJ Howson, a great purveyor of Chicago blues and more roots styles, will perform with Kettle of Fish at Snook Haven just like he did when Kettle rocked Herald-Tribune headquarters during our birthday bash.

A wide variety of blues performers, including the highly versatile singer-songwriter Steve Arvey and Windy City electric blues man Bob Dielman, are also scheduled to perform at the Myakka River Blues Festival.

Schedule:

11 – 11:45 a.m. Belmont and Jones
Noon – 12:45 p.m. George Worthmore
1 – 1:45 p.m. Roger Hurricane Wilson
2 – 2:45 p.m. Steve Arvey and Friends
3 – 4:00 p.m. Bob Dielman
4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Kettle of Fish with RJ Howson

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The late beer writer Michael Jackson.

The craft beer world owes a huge debt to Michael Jackson. No, not that Michael Jackson. I'm talking about the late British journalist whose 1977 book "The World Guide to Beer" was the first of its kind. Jackson's writing and 1993 T.V. series "The Beer Hunter" inspired many brewers and beer geeks, including me. Jackson was the most influential beer writer out there.

J.R. Richards, a colleague of Jackson's, has directed "Beer Hunter," a documentary tribute to Jackson, who died in 2007 at 65.

Mr. Beery's (2645 Mall Drive, 343-2854) will be hosting a free screening of the movie on May 28 a 7 p.m., and Richards will be on hand to talk about it and answer questions.

For more information, visit the event's Facebook page.

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A cheeseburger "all the way" with grilled onions at Council’s Bradenton Recreation. PHOTO BY WADE TATANGELO

Cheeseburger, $4.75
Council’s Bradenton Recreation
536 12th St. W., Bradenton
746-8350

The story goes that men, and only men, because women were forbidden, frequented Council’s Bradenton Recreation for decades to shoot pool, gamble and drink beer. Burgers were just made to give the fellas sustenance during epic billiards battles like the ones depicted in the “The Hustler” and “The Color of Money.” But Council’s, which opened in 1926, would not remain a boys club or gambling den forever. People still play pool there and yes, they’re mostly men, but men and women of all ages from well beyond Bradenton come to dine on the burgers served on thin white napkins.

That’s because what remains from those gambling days is the original Garland grill. Owner, burger maven and master raconteur Lawton Smith reminds me it’s that old grill that has kept the place in business all these years when my amazing wife and I stopped by for the umpteenth time on Saturday. We each had a cheeseburger – served on napkins of course – “all the way” with grilled onions. The Merita bun toasted nicely with mayo, a freshly sliced, thick cut of tomato, iceberg lettuce, plenty of pickles and American cheese just like Mom served.

Sounds simple enough. But then, while gripping the gift of edible goodness with both hands, comes that patty dripping and bursting with the flavor of the 77-year-old grill that gives Council’s the best old-school burgers in all of Manatee and Sarasota counties. The burgers, incidentally, pair excellently with the Budweiser draft served in ancient mugs so freezer-cold the first several sips are literally icy. And remember, Council's, located in the heart of downtown Bradenton, is cash only.

His and Hers: Cheeseburgers "all the way" with grilled onions and mugs of Budweiser at Council's in Downtown Bradenton. Notice the Garland grill in the background. PHOTO BY WADE TATANGELO

May is Burger Month here at Ticket and we want to know where you go for beef on a bun. Go to our Burger Month page to see other reviews, read about making your own excellent burgers at home, or tell us about your favorite burger below:

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Crowd enjoys a concert on the grounds of the Phillippi Estate Park. HERALD-TRIBUNE ARCHIVES

The Sarasota Concert Band performed its first Memorial Day concert at Phillippi Estate Park in 1992. This tradition has continued every year since. The Memorial Day Observance Concert is now a major annual event drawing as many as 3,000 attendees.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or sit on the lawn Monday while listening to the inspirational words of youth speaker Whitney Stewart (Winner, Youth of the Year Sarasota County, Boys and Girls Clubs) and soaking in the sounds of Jeanette LaVoy sing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic." There will be plenty more patriotic music, light classics and popular tunes performed. Food and drink vendors will be there, too.

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Tina Pinho shows her patriotic spirit during a Memorial Day parade on Main Street in downtown Sarasota on Monday, May 28, 2012. (Herald-Tribune staff photo by Elaine Litherland)

The Tribute to Heroes Parade starts rolling down Main Street in Lakewood Ranch at 6 pm. Sunday. Growing more popular each year, it will feature more than three dozen floats, bands, clubs and organizations in the procession. The Veteran’s Poppy reading will take place immediately following the parade, which is the “Tribute to Heroes,” followed by a white dove release. There will be a VIP Veterans viewing area set up near the walkway, past the fountain.

The event begins at 5 p.m. with speeches and acknowledgements from the stage. The street festivities will include face painting, balloon artists, music, grilled foods and beverages. American flags will be flowing proudly, along with many other sponsor and vendor booths with activities. Manasota Operation Troops Support (MOTS) is the charity for the event and attendees are asked to bring toiletry and non-perishable food items.

The Sarasota Memorial Day Parade starts rolling down Main Street at Osprey at 10 a.m. Monday. It's theme this year is "A Nation Forever Grateful." A ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m.

The Venice ceremony hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8118 will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at Patriots Park at the northern junction of Business 41 and Bypass 41 in Venice. The guest speaker will be Randy Smith, who, as a 17-year-old Marine, pulled down the flag at the American Embassy in Saigon on April 29, 1975. He left on one of the last helicopters departing from Vietnam. Attendees to the events should bring their own chairs. Water will be provided

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More than 300 fans enjoyed the Roller Derby at the Astro Skate in Bradenton, Sunday evening February 13, 2011. (Sarasota Herald-Tribune Staff Photo by Thomas Bender)

The original roller derby team of Bradenton, Sarasota and Venice, Bradentucky Bombers have been bashing opponents from around the state for the past seven years. The team of women is led by Bombers founder Gigi Ramoan (aka Valeri Rose). She's best known in the rink for her height, nose ring and signature stride.

On Sunday, the Bombers have a bout against the Alachua Hunnies. For those not up to date on the roller derby of today, at least as practiced by the Bombers, it no longer resembles the pro wrestling-style silliness seen on TV in the1960s and ’70s. It's a real sport. Fighting, tripping, kicking and hair-pulling are not allowed and severely penalized. Also, the tracks are flat rather than banked.

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