Top 10 concerts this week in Sarasota, Venice, Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, Punta Gorda
As we reach the halfway mark of January, we're in the thick of January's lineup of local events, including live music. Among those visiting our area this week include a famed '70s rock band still featuring a founding member, an acclaimed singer-songwriter performing a headlining show before heading off on a cruise, and a group comprising four performers who've all played the title role in the longest-running show in Broadway's history.
Other notable concerts this week include the main stage entertainment lineup for an annual fair and a slew of blues musicians, including multiple Blues Music Awards nominees, a Chicago Blues Hall of Famer and one coming all the way from Germany. Here are this week's highlights. Event details are subject to change.
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Paul Thorn
The day after headlining Clearwater's Capitol Theatre, and the day before heading off on the Sandy Beaches Cruise with a roster of other roots music acts, Paul Thorn will play Sarasota's Fogartyville. Formerly a professional boxer who once fought Roberto "Hands of Stone" Durán in a televised bout, Thorn went on to a successful career as a singer-songwriter, most recently releasing 2021's "Never Too Late to Call." He previously put out 2018's "Don't Let the Devil Ride," featuring guest musicians including Thorn's soon-to-be cruise-mates the Blind Boys of Alabama and the McCrary Sisters. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show Friday; Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota; $45, $40 members, $22.50 students ages 13 and up; 941-894-6469; fogartyville.org
Manatee County Fair
The annual Manatee County Fair will make its return this week, including its lineup of main stage entertainment musical acts. Micah Tyler, known for songs such as the No. 1 Billboard Christian airplay hits "I See Grace" and "Praise the Lord," will headline Sunday. Other notable performers will include Carolina, a country and gospel vocal group from its namesake Carolinas, who'll perform Friday and Saturday. 7 and 9 p.m. Friday, 3, 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday (Carolina), 7:30 p.m. Sunday (Micah Tyler); Manatee County Fairgrounds, 1402 14th Ave. W., Palmetto; $10 adults, $6 military with active status ID/children ages 6-12, free children ages 5 or younger; 941-722-1639; manateecountyfair.com
John Ford
After a Jan. 11 show at Cortez Clam Factory, Cincinnati-based blues singer-songwriter John Ford will continue a lengthy run of local dates this week. Ford describes his sound as blending "the blues of the 1920s and '30s, the blues of Robert Johnson and Son House, a bit of 1940s country and a pinch of gospel rhythm." 7 p.m. Friday; Bunny & Pirates Bazaar, 12404 Cortez Road W., Cortez; 941-281-2582; bunnyandpirates.com; 7 p.m. Saturday; Big Top Brewers Collective, 2507 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton; 941-708-2966; bigtopbrewing.com; 5 p.m. Monday; Stottlemyer's Smokehouse, 19 E. Road, Sarasota; 941-312-5969; stottlemyerssmokehouse.com; 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18; Troll Music, 628 E. Venice Ave., Venice; $15; 941-484-8765; trollmusic.com
Foghat
The Center of Anna Maria Island's Bradenton Gulf Island Concert Series will continue with a show featuring Foghat. The group rose to fame in the '70s with albums including 1975's platinum-selling "Fool for the City" and songs such as the Top 20 hit "Slow Ride" (which appeared on "Fool for the City") and their rendition of the Willie Dixon-penned "I Just Want to Make Love to You." Foghat still features founding drummer Roger Earl and longtime guitarist Bryan Bassett, a former member of "Play That Funky Music" group Wild Cherry, and last year released their first album in seven years, the Billboard blues album chart-topping "Sonic Mojo." 6 p.m. Saturday; The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria; $59 and up; 941-778-1908; centerami.org
Roy Book Binder
The night before he co-headlines St. Petersburg's The Palladium with Rev. Billy C. Wirtz, and plays Suwannee Spring Reunion later in March, blues-roots singer-songwriter and guitarist Roy Book Binder will visit Venice's Troll Music for a concert. Book Binder was friends with Dave Van Ronk and Rev. Gary Davis, and blends their respective folk and blues sounds into his music. Along with solo shows, Book Binder has performed locally along with musicians such as Damon Fowler and Todd Albright. 8 p.m. Saturday; Troll Music, 628 E. Venice Ave., Venice; $20; 941-484-8765; trollmusic.com
Ben Prestage
Florida-raised, self-described "Deep South Swamp Music" performer Ben Prestage will return to one of his favorite local spots, Punta Gorda Irish pub and venue Celtic Ray, this weekend. Prestage grew up in rural Florida and later lived in Memphis, where as a street performer he started playing drums with his feet while simultaneously singing and playing other instruments, a setup he'd bring back to his home state. His repertoire of instruments he plays includes the diddley bow, which earned him a Blues Music Award nomination for Instrumentalist — Other in 2012. 7 p.m. Tuesday; Celtic Ray Public House, 145 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda; 941-916-9115; celticray.net
Kat Baloun and Liz Mandeville
Two blues musicians, one from as far away as Germany, will play together for two Sarasota-Manatee shows. Harmonica player Kat Baloun, who was born in El Paso, Texas but has lived in Berlin for several years, will perform with guitarist and singer-songwriter Liz Mandeville, who was inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame in 2013. They'll be joined by locally-based bluesman and cigar box guitarist Steve Arvey at their Englewoods on Dearborn show. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday; Englewoods on Dearborn, 362 W. Dearborn St., Englewood; $5; 941-475-7501; englewoodsondearborn.com; 6:30 p.m. Thursday; Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen, 1114 12th St. W., Bradenton; 941-243-3735; facebook.com/cottonmouthsoul
The Four Phantoms
As the group's name alludes to, The Four Phantoms features four performers who've all portrayed The Phantom in the longest-running show in Broadway's history, Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera." The quartet of Brent Barrett, John Cudia, Franc D’Ambrosio and Ciarán Sheehan will perform a show celebrating the iconic music of Broadway and more. Don't be surprised if that includes songs from "The Phantom of the Opera," especially with their special guest: Kaley Ann Voorhees, one of the youngest sopranos to sing the role of the musical's other lead character, Christine Daaé, on Broadway. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $50-$80; 941-263-6799; vanwezel.org
J.P. Soars and the Red Hots
Englewoods on Dearborn's live music lineup this week will also feature South Florida blues guitarist and singer-songwriter J.P. Soars with his band the Red Hots. The group received four Blues Music Awards nominations in 2022 including Band of the Year, B.B. King Entertainer and Instrumentalist — Guitar for Soars, and Instrumentalist — Drums for his bandmate Chris Peet. Soars also plays in the supergroup Southern Hospitality with Grammy-nominated pianist Victor Wainwright and fellow Floridian Damon Fowler. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday; Englewoods on Dearborn, 362 W. Dearborn St., Englewood; $7; 941-475-7501; englewoodsondearborn.com
Seth Walker
Fogartyville's live music lineup this week will also include North Carolina Americana-blues singer-songwriter Seth Walker. The performer's releases include 2009's "Leap of Faith," which reached No. 2 on the Billboard blues albums chart, and 2016's "Gotta Get Back," which landed at No. 6 on the same chart. He most recently released the 2022 album "I Hope I Know," produced by Jano Rix of The Wood Brothers. 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show Thursday; Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota; $18, $15 members, $9 students ages 13 and up; 941-894-6469; fogartyville.org
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Top 10 concerts this week in Sarasota Bradenton Venice Punta Gorda
