Free waterfront festival with music, food, drinks; more fun things to do in Sarasota area
Embrace the Florida heat, my friends, and enjoy some of our hot August events taking place this weekend in Sarasota and Manatee counties. We have a free outdoor festival, as well as four indoor activities for those who wish to remain in the air conditioning this weekend — or perhaps for the rest of the summer.
The indoor events include a fantastic opportunity to dress up as your favorite comic book character, a classic film screening in a luxurious setting, the last weekend for our beloved providers of summer circus excitement, along with laser light shows featuring classic rock and the wonderful tunes from Motown's golden era.
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1. Friday Fest outside Van Wezel along Sarasota Bay
Who's ready for some free, summer fun on the water? Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall's outdoor concert series overlooking Sarasota Bay continues with local favorite TEN-76, which covers classic and modern rock. There will be food vendors and beer, wine and cocktails for sale, and while blankets and lawn chairs are welcome, outside food and beverages, including coolers, are prohibited. 5-9 p.m. Friday; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; free admission; 941-263-6799; vanwezel.org
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2. SarasotaCon at Carlisle Inn & Conference Center
Time to break out your finest superhero costume! Comic books, cosplay, special guests, and a "Super Smash Bros." tournament will be the primary attractions at SarasotaCon, which again takes place at Carlisle Inn & Conference Center in the heart of Pinecraft. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; Carlisle Inn & Conference Center, 3727 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota; $20, free kids under age 11; thesarasotacon.com
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3. 'Vertigo' movie showing at Sarasota Opera House
The historic Opera House in downtown Sarasota continues its annual summer movie series with a screening of Alfred Hitchcock's 1958 masterpiece "vertigo." The psychological thriller stars James Stewart and Kim Novak and was named second best last year on Sight and Sound film magazine's Greatest Films of All Time. 7:30 p.m. Friday; Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota; $12; 941-328-1300; sarasotaopera.org
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4. Final weekend for Summer Circus at The Ringling in Sarasota
It's the final week for Summer Circus Spectacular, the annual collaboration between the Circus Arts Conservatory and The Ringling that brings family-friendly entertainment to the lavish and intimate Historic Asolo Theater. The production features world-class circus artists including aerialists, acrobats, contortionists and clowns. Also, keep in mind after attending Summer Circus Spectacular, you can enjoy access to the Circus Museum on the same day for just $5 more. Today-Saturday; Historic Asolo Theater, The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota; $20, $13 ages 12 and under; 941-360-7399; ringling.org
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5. Laser Light Nights continues at Bishop in Bradenton with music by Aerosmith, Pink Floyd, The Doors, Van Halen and Motown legends
Since relaunching last May, the planetarium laser light shows set to music by star rock and pop acts have been a huge success. This week's lineup, which features part-time Sarasota resident Joe Perry's band Aerosmith, is as follows: Motown legends 7 p.m. today (Aug. 10), The Doors 9 p.m. today (Aug. 10), Pink Floyd: "The Wall" 7 p.m. Friday, Pink Floyd "The Dark Side of the Moon" 9 p.m. Friday, Van Halen 7 p.m. Saturday, Aerosmith 9 p.m. Saturday.
The shows are held at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in downtown Bradenton, located at 201 10th St. W., near the west entrance to Riverwalk. Beer, wine, soda, water, and snacks will be available for purchase in the planetarium lobby from 6 to 9 p.m., and they can be taken into the theater. Please note that no outside food or drink is permitted inside the lobby or theater. Tickets are priced at $15. For more information, visit bishopscience.org/laser-light-nights.
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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.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Free waterfront festival, fun things to do in Sarasota, Bradenton
