Tag: entertainment

Bottle boats do battle

Written by Tom Vaught on April 10, 2019. Posted in Entertainment, Family fun.

On Saturday, April 13, the 41^st Annual Bottle Boat Regatta brings wet and wild fun to the waters south of the Palma Sola Causeway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Bottle Boat Regatta is part of the Hernando de Soto Historical Society’s celebration of the area’s history.

The boats may be simple, or they may be fancy, but they share two things – buoyancy from empty plastic bottles and propulsion by oars.

Teams of kids and adults build them for a sponsor and they share the joy of victory or the agony of defeat trying to keep the rudderless watercraft from going off-course. Hernando de Soto will be there to give the teams his blessing and his court will be there to cheer them on.

It’s fun, it’s free and there will be food and liquid refreshments. Don’t forget to bring a beach chair.

Eric Von Band releases new CD

Written by Cindy Lane on February 19, 2019. Posted in Entertainment.

CORTEZ – Local musician Eric Von has a new CD, released the first day of the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival on Saturday and coming out on iTunes and other digital platforms on March 15.

Broken Hearted, his third album, features his latest music video, Still in Love With You. He’s planning a summer 2019 tour with the Eric Von Band.

One of the eight acts that entertained crowds at the festival, the singer/songwriter was born and raised in Cortez and has been performing since age 14. He has opened for Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Jake Owen, Aaron Tippin, Casey James and John Anderson.

Von is based in Florida and plays regularly at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Universal City Walk in Orlando.

In 2007, he was named the Colgate Country Showdown Winner for the state of Florida. In 2008, he was named the winner of Kenny Chesney’s “Next Big Star” contest for the Tampa area.

Entertainment

Written by Tom Vaught on February 20, 2018. Posted in Entertainment.

Museums

Shake Your Buoy

The Florida Maritime Museum (FMM), at 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, presents the Shake Your Buoy donor event and soft opening for the Burton Store on Wednesday, Feb. 28, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Shake Your Buoy features light refreshments and live music from the Shanty Singers with traditional tunes from salty sailors. Short tours of the museum and the newly-renovated historic Burton Store will also be given throughout the evening along with some sneak peeks of the projects the museum has on the horizon. This event is open to the public and is a celebration of donors who have contributed to the renovations of the Burton Store coming to a completion and to the members of the community who have encouraged the progress over the years. The two-story historic Burton Store was the original general store for Cortez and was originally located on the Cortez waterfront where the present day Coast Guard Station is located. The downstairs of the store has been renovated to be used as classroom space for The Folk School at Florida Maritime Museum and the upstairs to be used for collection storage and a research library. RSVP is appreciated by calling 941-708-6120.

Folklore program

The Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W. Cortez, will be closed to the general public on Saturday, Feb. 24, to host a day-long program from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. where members of the community can immerse themselves in the region’s traditions and culture. The study of folklore is the study of the traditional beliefs, legends and customs of a people. This full-day program is a community-based educational event that highlights tradition-bearers, someone who “is an expert at a traditional art or skill and passes that knowledge on within a cultural group” according to Florida State Folklorist Amanda Hardeman. The event is presented by the Florida Department of State’s Florida Folklife Program and will be hosted at The Folk School at Florida Maritime Museum. The forum provides community members the opportunity to learn about southwest Florida’s traditional arts and culture while learning techniques on how to conduct their own oral history projects. Full day admission to the Southwest Florida Cultural Conference is $25 including lunch, which is being generously donated by SwordFish Grill & Tiki Bar. To register, visit FloridaFolkSchool.org.

Books

Local author Mary Maki will sell and sign copies of her new mystery, “Fatal Dose,” at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, on Thursday, Feb. 22, from 1-3 p.m. Maki spoke previously of her first mystery, “An Unexpected Death.” The main character of both books is Caitlyn Jamison, a fictional character who gets drawn into solving the mysteries. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.

Lectures

Dream come true

Hear how a dream came true at the Island Branch Library’s Friends’ Travel and Lecture Series event on Thursday, Feb. 22, at 2 p.m. at 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Adam Ellis opened the Blue Marlin restaurant on Bridge Street in 2011 with a dream of combining fresh seafood with great recipes, and it became an award-winning dining establishment. He thanks his friends, family and locals for his recipe for success. The lecture is free, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.

Digital Future

Alex Beavers presents “Our Digital Future: Hopeful to Hopeless” at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. This free event is part of the Lifelong Learning Academy’s series of lectures. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.

Markets

Senior Adventures will hold its end of month book sale and potluck lunch at Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23. Join them for a relaxing time shopping for books and learn what they have planned for the senior’s future entertainment and education. For more information, call Kaye Bell at 941-538-0945.

Parks and nature

Join Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources for a naturalist-led wagon tour of Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 9 to 10 a.m. These special tours provide access to portions of the preserve that normally take 30 to 45 minutes to reach by foot. The tour guide will interpret the land’s history, habitat, wildlife and plants. The tour is suitable for all ages. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tour organizers recommend arriving 15 minutes in advance during this busy time of year; meet at the wooden ramp near the screened-in pavilion.

Health

Medical advice at JOY

JOY (Just Older Youth), of Roser Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, invites all to a talk by Kathleen Hnat, CPh, director of pharmacy, HealthSouth and Erin McKeown, BSN, RN, HealthSouth infection preventionist, on “Bugs and Drugs” at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28. Lunch will be provided at no cost. Those interested are asked to make a reservation before Sunday, Feb. 25 by calling the church office at 941-778-0414 or visiting www.roserchurch.com/joy. Please notify of dietary restrictions.

Find your Zen

Sheryl Spikes will teach a healing meditation class on the fourth Saturday, of every other month; March 24, May 26, July 28, Sept. 22, and Nov .24 at the Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Boulevard, Holmes Beach. A full-time Island resident for more than 30 years, Spikes has been a licensed registered nurse for more than 50 years, practicing energy healing work and teaching meditation and is a Reiki Master for the past nine years. The cost is a donation and proceeds go to the AMI Art League. Space is limited. For more information or to register, call 941-778-2099 or visit The Anna Maria Island Art League between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays.

Entertainment

Written by Tom Vaught on January 12, 2018. Posted in Entertainment.

Art

Art League presents silk painting

The Anna Maria Island Art League, at 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, hosts a Painting on Silk Workshop with Mark Mizener on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 2-5 p.m.
Mizener spent his childhood in Downers Grove, Ill. He majored in theater arts at the University of Illinois and also at Columbia College in Chicago.
The cost is $60 and it includes art supplies. Spaces are limited. Scholarships may be available. Call the Art League for more details.
Pre-register by calling 941-778-2099 or at the Art League on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Churches

Music at Roser Church

The first in a series of musical performances at Roser Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, will be held at Sunday, Jan. 28 at 4 p.m. featuring Songeaters. A voice and piano duo created by acclaimed pianist Eunmi Ko and Grammy-nominated mezzo-soprano Thea Lobo, Songeaters is a voice-piano duo offering a new look at art song. Songeaters produces programs that thread together diverse repertoire based on story and text themes, pairing selected popular chestnuts with lesser-known gems and newly-composed responses that expand the world of classical song and deepen understanding. For this performance Lobo and Ko will present ‘Seasonscape,’ a program tracing the course of the year through a wide variety of eras and countries.

Food and fashions at St. Bernard

St Bernard’s Women’s Guild will host its annual fashion show and luncheon, “It’s A Birthday Party,” on Thursday, Feb. 1, at noon in the Activity Center at 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Ginny’s & Jane E’s will serve lunch. Irene’s Resort Wear will supply the fashions. Many raffle and door prizes will be available. Proceeds benefit local area charities. A ticket donation is $25. A limited number of tickets will be sold with none at the door. For tickets and info call or text Justine at (410) 241-0481.

Classes

Fermenting lessons

Jillian Ross returns to the Folk School at the Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, on Saturday, Jan. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon to teach about lacto fermentation, a traditional way that food has been preserved for centuries. Fermented foods are full of probiotics and known to assist in healing digestive issues. In the basic fermentation class, Jillian will go over the science and methods of how to properly ferment foods and beverages of all kinds. She will also discuss the tools that are used and how to source the products needed to use ferments in the home. Jillian will bring items to show and share with the class so they can become more familiar. These include sauerkraut, kimchi, beet kvass, milk/water kefir, kombucha, and various lacto-fermented pickles and vegetables. Everyone will get to sample different items. There is a registration fee of $20. Register by Thursday, Jan. 18 here.

Fermentation class at Florida Maritime Museum

Learn storytelling

The Folk School at the Florida Maritime Museum hosts a class in storytelling on Tuesday, Jan. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon. Students will be introduced to the different kinds of stories common in three traditions of Florida folklore: African-American, Florida Cracker and Seminole. For example, some tales teach a lesson, others explain traditions, and many tales explain the origins of animals and plants or people. Students will learn the techniques of telling, such as using voice and mime to develop characters and build suspense. Students will have the opportunity to tell a story with the techniques they learned at the class. Students will need to bring a pen/pencil and paper/notebook. The class fee is $20. Register by Tuesday, Jan. 16 here.

Dance

Irish Ceili and set dancing returns

The Anna Maria Irish Ceili dancers offer their winter dancing at the Sandpiper Mobile Resort, 2601 Gulf Drive N. in Bradenton Beach beginning Wednesday, Jan. 10 from 1-3 p.m., and will continue every Wednesday through the end of March. All, including beginners, are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Judy at 941-779-1416 or Willie at 734-276-2242.

Events

Cheeseheads take note

The Wisconsin Club of Manatee County is hosting its 61st Wisconsin Day Potluck Luncheon Buffet at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, on Wednesday, Feb. 7, with registration starting at 10 a.m. The buffet runs to approximately 2:30 p.m. Wisconsin residents, transplants, vacationers and visitors are welcome. Each party is asked to bring enough food for eight to 10 people. Hot entrees are welcome and they have space for many slow cookers. Attendees also need to bring their own table setting. Organizers will have the names of Wisconsin cities or areas posted around the room so people can sit with others from where they live. There will be live polka music for listening or dancing and they will have a 50/50 raffle and many door prizes. The cost is $5 per person and for answers to any questions, call Denny at 941-907-6646.

Family Fun

Register now for run

The 12th Annual Anna Maria Elementary Dolphin Dash 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run will be held this Saturday, Jan. 13 at the school, 4700 Gulf Drive. The Dolphin Dash is a fundraiser for the school’s PTO. It is sanctioned by the Bradenton Runner’s Club. Race day registration and packet pickup begin at 7 a.m. at the school. The 5K Dolphin Dash starts at 8 a.m. and the 1 Mile Fun Run starts at 9 a.m. Immediately following there will be refreshments, door prizes and the awards ceremony. The fee for adults is $25; children under 18 are $10. All money must be received by Jan. 11. Bradenton Runners Club members can pre-register for $20 by Jan. 11. Race day registration for adults is $30; children under 18 is $15.

Breakfast is served

Roser Memorial Church, at 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, is serving a hearty breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 13, from 8-11 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. For $6, enjoy pancakes, sausage, syrup and/or melted butter, applesauce, biscuits and gravy, juice and coffee or tea. There is no charge for children under the age of 5. Proceeds will go toward upgrading the kitchen equipment. After breakfast stroll across the street and browse the bargains in the Guild Thrift Shop from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The church needs volunteers to help with the breakfasts they serve during season. There will be additional breakfasts on Feb. 10 and March 17. They need 16 people for each shift and five people for the clean-up crew. Shifts are 7:30-9:30 a.m., 9:30-11:30 a.m. and the 10:45 a.m. cleanup crew. Sign up online or call the church at 941-778-0414.

Einstein’s Circle is back

The world situation is ever-changing and it is difficult to keep up with it. Einstein’s Circle is a free exchange of ideas that meets at The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays on Jan. 17 and 31 and Feb. 7, 14 and 28. It’s free and all you need to bring is your knowledge, ideas and curiosity. Einstein’s Circle is affiliated with the Lifelong Learning Center.

Political party’s future discussed

Political theorist and communications consultant Claire Snyder-Hall presents “Wither Democrats – 2018?” at the Anna Maria Island Democratic Club monthly meeting on Monday, Jan. 15, at the IMG Clubhouse, 4350 El Conquistador Parkway, Bradenton. A buffet lunch will be served. The cost is $17 for members and $20 for non-members. Registration begins at 11:15a.m. No prior reservation is necessary. All are welcome. For information contact Harry Kamberis at 941-779-0564.

Test yourself

The Manatee County Library Department is hosting “Are You Smarter Than a Librarian?” at the Main Library in downtown Bradenton on the fourth Wednesday of each month through June 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. Teams of two to four people are invited to compete in this trivia game. Register by emailing jyna.johnson@mymanatee.org or calling 942-748-5555, ext. 6308. It’s free and there will be refreshments and prizes.

Health

Catch it early

You could be alerted to possible stroke or other health problems by taking Prevention Plus Stroke and Vascular Screening offered on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at The Center, 407 Magnolia, Anna Maria. The screenings are being offered at reduced prices. They include stroke/carotid ultrasound for $40, abdominal aortic aneurysm for $40, arterial disease test for $40, thyroid ultrasound for $40, abdominal ultrasound for $95 and heart scan-echocardiogram for $95 or all six tests for only $179. Blood tests, liver, cholesterol, PSA and TSH tests are also available. To register, call 888-667-7587.

Library

The Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, offers a wide array of free programs for people of all ages. Here’s a look at what’s scheduled this week.

Saturday, Jan. 13, origami with Judy Pruitt, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Tuesday, Jan. 16, Preschool Story Time with Trudy Bell, “When it Roars, Go Indoors,” from 10 to 11 a.m.; Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources program on Florida Scrub Jays, from 2 to 3 p.m.; free technical help from 2 to 4 p.m.

Call the library at 941-778-6341 for more information.

Manatee County Library Sunshine For Your Mind

Library events this week

Written by Tom Vaught on December 19, 2017. Posted in Entertainment.

Thriller discussed

The Island Branch Library Book Club meets at 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, on Thursday, Dec. 21 from 10:15-11:15 a.m. They will discuss “”Somebody I Used to Know,” a mystery by David Bell. Call 941-778-6341 for more information.

Needlepoint for fun

If you’re good with needles or want to be, there is a meeting at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, about knitting and crocheting. The next one is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. Bring your latest project and enjoy. Call 941-778-6341 for more information.

Mahjong players meet

The Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, hosts mahjong on Friday, Dec. 22 from 1-3 p.m. Call 941-778-6341 for more information.

Entertainment

Written by Tom Vaught on December 5, 2017. Posted in Entertainment.

Clubs

Needles and hooks

The Island Branch Library Knit and Crochet Club meets at 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, on Thursday, Dec. 7 from 2-4 p.m. Enjoy working on a project in the company of others. For more information, call 941-778-6341.

Family Fun

Forty Carrots

The Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, hosts Forty Carrots, a parenting program based in Sarasota, on Friday, Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. This is a program where kids from mobile babies to 5 years of age and their parents experience new activities, join in circle time fun, spend time with other families and get valuable parenting information.

The program is free and tickets are available at the library desk. Space is limited to 12 families. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.

Paper folding at library

Judy Pruitt presents her origami class at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon. Learn this ancient Japanese art of paper folding. The class is free. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.

Gingerbread dreams at story time

Trudy Bell, children’s specialist at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, will talk about “Gingerbread Friends” during preschool story time on Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 10-11 a.m. There will be music and crafts, and parents can join in. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.

Games

Mahjong is fun

The ancient Chinese game of mahjong, a popular pursuit for those wanting to compete and have fun, is at the Island Branch Library at 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, on Friday, Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to noon. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.

Health

Alzheimer’s caregivers meet

Sue Fox, a representative of the Sarasota Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, will host a program for caregivers of people with memory problems, including Alzheimer’s disease, on Friday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. The program is free. Call 941-778-6341 for more information.

Give blood at the library

The One Blood Bus will be at the Island Branch library parking lot, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, on Wednesday, Dec. 6. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.