Halfway to St. Patrick's Day party and more fun things to do near Sarasota this weekend
I love a good Irish pub, and fortunately, Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties have plenty of great places to savor a true pint of Guinness or Smithwick's, paired with a tasty plate of fish and chips or perhaps shepherd's pie.
In fact, I've spent a fun portion of my adult life visiting Irish pubs, especially those in Florida, and none quite match the authenticity, drink selection and food quality of The Celtic Ray Public House. Situated in charming downtown Punta Gorda, near the Peace River and just a short drive from Charlotte Harbor attractions like personal favorite Fishermen's Village, and the soon-to-open Sunseeker Resort, Celtic Ray makes for the perfect centerpiece if you're planning a day trip or staycation from Venice, Sarasota, or Bradenton.So, for this week's edition of our Top 5 Things to Do, the Celtic Ray's Halfway to Saint Patrick's Day party leads our list, followed by events closer to home including ones in downtown Sarasota and Bradenton's Village of the Arts.
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1. Halfway to Saint Patrick's Day at The Celtic Ray Public House in Punta Gorda
The all-day festivities, featuring excellent Irish food and beverages, include authentic Irish music by Paul Duffy from 2 to 5 p.m. Then, be sure to stick around for the second act, featuring 13-year-old guitar prodigy Champ Jaxon from 5 to 8 p.m. Following an appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," Jaxon led his ace band through a crowd-pleasing performance of mostly classic rock covers when I saw them play at a packed Celtic Ray about a year ago. 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Sunday; Celtic Ray Public House, 145 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda; 941-916-9115; celticray.net
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2. Cinema at The Bay in Sarasota with 'Remember the Titans'
The free Cinema at The Bay series continues today (Sept. 14) with a screening of the 2000 football film "Remember the Titans," starring the always formidable Denzel Washington. Bring your blankets and chairs and keep in mind that food and beverage will be available for purchase at Kilik’s Kitchen Food Truck, and The Nest Concession. The Nest is part of the Venice Pier Group that owns such landmark waterfront Sarasota County restaurants as Sharky's on the Pier and Snook Haven. 7:30-9:30 p.m. today (Sept. 14), The Bay, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota; free; thebaysarasota.org
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3. Damon Fowler at Birdrock Taco Shack and Big Top Brewing Company
It's a great weekend for us fans of Damon Fowler. The gifted singer, songwriter, and guitar hero who has performed alongside the likes of Dickey Betts and George Thorogood will be playing his singular brand of Southern blues music on Friday at Birdrock Taco Shack in Bradenton's Village of the Arts. Then, two days later, he'll be in Sarasota for the Big Top Brewing Company Blues & Brews Sunday concert series. 7 p.m. Friday; Birdrock Taco Shack, 1213 13th Ave. W., Bradenton; $20 advance, $25 day of; 941-545-9966; facebook.com/birdrocktaco; 3 p.m. Sunday; Big Top Brewing Company, 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; 941-371-2939; bigtopbrewing.com
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4. Watch 'From Here to Eternity' at Sarasota Opera House
The historic Opera House in downtown Sarasota continues its annual summer movie series with a screening of the 1953 war drama "From Here to Eternity." Directed by Fred Zinnemann, the film features superb performances by Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Deborah Kerr, Donna Reed, and Frank Sinatra, earning numerous Oscars, including Best Motion Picture, as well as individual ones for Zinnemann, Reed, and Sinatra. 7:30 p.m. Friday; Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota; $12; 941-328-1300; sarasotaopera.org
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5. Sundays by The Bay free concert with Bri Rivera
Sarasota-based Bri Rivera and her band will be performing Latin fusion, blues and funk rock favorites during this week's edition of Sundays at The Bay. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair to the free, outdoor weekly music program that in case of rain will move indoors to the Sarasota Garden Club. 6-7 p.m. Sunday; The Bay, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota; free; thebaysarasota.org
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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: St. Paddy's Day party best things to do this weekend near Sarasota
