Top 6 concerts in Sarasota, Bradenton, Punta Gorda

Season is coming to an end here in Sarasota-Manatee with the start of May, yet there are still plenty of events taking place locally, concerts among them. Musicians visiting our area this week include a Grammy and Oscar-winning singer-songwriter headlining Van Wezel. That same venue hosts a celebration of Aretha Franklin and her classic album "Amazing Grace" (one of several tribute shows taking place this week, also including RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles on Friday and The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA on Thursday, May 11 at Van Wezel, and the two-day Jamfest with Grateful Dead/Jerry Garcia and Phish tribute acts Friday and Saturday at Big Top Brewing Company.)

Other notable concerts taking place this weekend include another two-day music festival in Bradenton's Village of the Arts neighborhood, along with notable names in blues and jazz. Here are this week's highlights. Event details are subject to change.

Looking for more fun things to do? Top 5 events in Sarasota, Bradenton area this weekend

Nearly 100 fun things to do in May in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties

Ticket Newsletter: Sign up to receive restaurant news and reviews plus info on things to do every Friday

Cigar Box Guitar All-Star Weekend

Sister restaurants and venues Birdrock Taco Shack and Cottonmouth Southern Soul Food in Bradenton's Village of the Arts neighborhood co-host this two-day event. Nashville-based musicians Meg Williams and Travis Bowlin kick things off Friday at Cottonmouth. They'll also perform Saturday at Birdrock with numerous other artists including Tampa "uncut ukulele funk" group The Applebutter Express, Bradenton bluesman and cigar box guitarist Steve Arvey, Memphis Lightning, Rusty Talent, BanJoey, Jason Baker and Zach Rogers. 5 p.m. Friday; Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen, 1114 12th St. W., Bradenton; $5; 941-243-3735; facebook.com/cottonmouthsoul; Noon Saturday; Birdrock Taco Shack, 1213 13th Ave. W., Bradenton; free; 941-545-9966; facebook.com/birdrocktaco

Eric Alexander

New York-based jazz saxophonist Eric Alexander visits Sarasota's Fogartyville for a concert. Falling in love with jazz and taking up tenor sax while in college, Alexander came in second place at 1991's Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition and began releasing albums, both as a bandleader and as part of groups including One for All. He'll play with pianist Alex Nakhimovsky, bassist Joe Porter and drummer John Jenkins at the Fogartyville show. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show Saturday; Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota; $30, $26 members, $15 students ages 13 and up; 941-894-6469; fogartyville.org

‘Grace: The Spirit of Aretha’

Sarasota's Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and Key Chorale team up for this show celebrating the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin and her album "Amazing Grace," which won the Best Soul Gospel Performance Grammy 50 years ago and was co-produced by longtime Sarasota resident Jerry Wexler. Singers Matelyn Alicia and Naarai join the 100 voices of Key Chorale to perform some of Franklin’s most soulful gospel and R&B favorites. Those should include songs such as "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," "Amazing Grace," "Mary, Don't You Weep," "Think," "Respect" and "Chain of Fools." A pre-show reception will take place 6-7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Monday; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $35-$100; 941-263-6799; vanwezel.org

Shayna Steele

Fogartyville also hosts soul and jazz singer-songwriter Shayna Steele this week. She visits the venue just a few weeks after releasing her new album "Gold Dust," featuring covers of Fleetwood Mac's "Gold Dust Woman" and Cole Porter's "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home to" alongside original material. Along with her solo career, Steele has appeared on other musicians' albums such as Moby's "Hotel" and Snarky Puppy's "Family Dinner — Volume 1" (performing her own song "Gone Under" on the latter) and on Broadway, including as one of the members of The Dynamites in "Hairspray." 6:30 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. show Tuesday; Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota; $30, $26 members, $15 students ages 13 and up; 941-894-6469; fogartyville.org

Melissa Etheridge

Grammy and Oscar-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist Melissa Etheridge visits Van Wezel this week. Rising to fame in the late '80s and early '90s with albums such as 1993's six-times-platinum "Yes I Am" — featuring the trio of Top 25 hits "I'm the Only One," "Come to My Window" and "If I Wanted To" — Etheridge has won two Grammys (out of 15 nominations) and an Oscar for her song "I Need to Wake Up" from the 2006 documentary "An Inconvenient Truth." Her most recent album is 2021's "One Way Out," which earned her a GLAAD Media Award nomination for Outstanding Music Artist. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $67-$102; 941-263-6799; vanwezel.org

Ben Prestage

Florida-raised "Deep South Swamp Music" performer Ben Prestage returns to Punta Gorda Irish pub and venue Celtic Ray Public House this week. The musician 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. Prestage's 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. Thursday, May 11; Celtic Ray Public House, 145 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda; 941-916-9115; celticray.net

If you would like to be considered for this story, please email ticket@heraldtribune.com with your event information at least 10 days before our Thursday publication date.

Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Best live music concerts near me in Sarasota Bradenton Punta Gorda