Taylor Swift laser light show and more fun things to do in Sarasota, Bradenton this weekend

Taylor Swift fans will want to be in downtown Bradenton on Friday for dinner and perhaps some drinks at one of the neighborhood's excellent restaurants ahead of the Laser Light Nights presentation at Bishop Planetarium featuring songs by their ridiculously talented hero. Swifties, and the rest of us, will also want to consider productions there this week starring the likes of Elton John, Prince, Queen and Pink Floyd.

In Sarasota, the big events this weekend include the inaugural Shark Tooth Festival, Big Gay Weekend activities, and a free concert at The Bay. Planning ahead? The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature's annual Laser Lights Nights series, which started in May, concludes Sept. 2.

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1. Taylor Swift headlines this week's lineup at Laser Light Nights at Bishop in Bradenton

The Bishop Planetarium's in-demand series of laser light shows set to music by rock and pop acts continues with tunes by megastar Taylor Swift, the singer-songwriter who recently played three sold-out shows at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Here's this week's complete lineup: Elton John at 7 p.m. today (Aug. 24), Queen at 9 p.m. today (Aug. 24), Prince at 7 p.m. Friday, Taylor Swift including songs from "Midnights" at 9 p.m. Friday, Pink Floyd "The Wall" at 7 p.m. Saturday and Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" at 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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2. Sarasota Shark Tooth Festival

While the city of Venice is known as the "Shark Tooth Capital" of the world and debuted its annual Shark Tooth Festival in 1992, which took place in April, now Sarasota has its own Shark Tooth Festival. The inaugural event will be held inside Robarts Arena with vendors, activities and education displays. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota; $12 ages 13 and up, $8 ages 6-12, free ages 5 and under; 941-365-0818; sarasotafair.com

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3. Sarasota's Big Gay Weekend

SarasotaOUT.com hosts its annual Big Gay Weekend with various events at Golden Host Resort on the North Trail starting Friday with a happy hour kick-off at the adjacent Bahi Hut. Throughout the weekend there will also be pool parties, drag bingo, and several other events including a "leather and lace" soiree. Friday-Sunday, Golden Host Resort, 4675 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $15-$50; biggayweekend.com

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4. Sundays by The Bay free concert with The Wandering Hours

Tampa Bay-based Americana string band The Wandering Hours plays 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 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota; free; thebaysarasota.org

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5. Watch 'The Great Escape' at Sarasota Opera House

The historic Opera House in downtown Sarasota continues its annual summer movie series with a screening of director and producer John Sturges' classic 1963 war film "The Great Escape." Starring Steve McQueen, James Garner and Richard Attenborough, the film is perhaps most famous for its motorcycle chase and jump scene performed by McQueen and his pal, legendary stuntman Bud Ekins. 7:30 p.m. Friday; Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota; $12; 941-328-1300; sarasotaopera.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: Taylor Swift light show fun things to do in Sarasota area this weekend