The five best things to do this weekend in Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice.
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Our list of hot August events happening in Sarasota and Manatee counties this weekend includes five events we hope will inspire you to get up off the couch and have some fun.
These include items for fans of cosplay, Celtic music, Hooters Wings, circus thrills, and laser light shows set to the music of pop and rock acts such as No Doubt and Pink Floyd.
In addition to the five events highlighted below, major restaurants such as Deep Lagoon Seafood and Oyster House are also expected to open this week in Lakewood Ranch’s Waterside Place neighborhood. The restaurant is being touted as a “fresh take on casual coastal dining,” with indoor and outdoor seating and bars overlooking the lake.
You may also want to visit (or revisit) the Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern in nearby University Town Center before it closes for good.
One of the best restaurants in the University Town Center of Sarasota will be permanently closed
Restaurant news: Opening of a new waterfront restaurant in Sarasota County
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1. SarasotaCon at the Carlisle Inn & Conference Center
It’s time to pull out your best superhero costume! Vendors, a cosplay contest, a video game tournament and celebrity guests are the main attractions of SarasotaCon, once again held at the Carlisle Inn & Conference Center in Pinecraft, Sarasota’s Amish community. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Carlisle Inn & Conference Center, 3727 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota; $20, free for children under 11; thesarasotacon.com
2nd Celtic Summer Jam at The Freckled Fin on Anna Maria Island
One of my favorite Irish pubs in Sarasota-Manatee, the Freckled Fin on Anna Maria Island is a top spot for homemade corned beef with a pint of Guinness and live music. This weekend, the pub is hosting its fourth annual festival celebrating Celtic music, with bands like Mac Tier playing music driven by bagpipes and fiddles. Saturday, noon-11 p.m.; Freckled Fin Irish Pub, 5337 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach; 941-251-3930; freckledfin.com
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3. Hooters of Bradenton’s celebrates its 21st birthday
While the original Hooters is in Clearwater and opened in 1983, the younger Hooters of Bradenton is celebrating its 21st anniversary with a party Friday. Deals include 20 wings for $21 and domestic draft beer for $2.10. Bradenton Hooters is also offering sweepstakes, a chance at a Plinko and giveaways during the party. Friday, 2-8 p.m., Hooters, 4908 14th St. W., Bradenton; 941-782-9535; hootersflorida.com
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4th Summer Circus Spectacle at Ringling in Sarasota
Summer Circus Spectacular, the annual collaboration between the Circus Arts Conservatory and The Ringling, brings family-friendly entertainment to the spacious, intimate and air-conditioned Historic Asolo Theater. The production features world-class circus performers, including contortionist Uranbileg Angarag, the acrobatic hand-balancing performances of the Bello Sisters and the hair-suspension act of Camille Langlois. Also remember that after attending Summer Circus Spectacular, you get same-day access to the Circus Museum for just $5. Today through August 17; Historic Asolo Theater, The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota; $20, $15 for children under 12; 941-360-7399; ringling.org
5. Laser Light Nights at the Bishop Museum in Bradenton
The Bishop Planetarium continues its popular series of laser shows with music from rock and pop acts. Performances are today through Saturday at 7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W. in downtown Bradenton, offers beer and wine during Laser Light Nights. Tickets are $15 per show. For more information, call 941-746-4131 or visit bishopscience.org/laser-light-nights.
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 ÞjórsárdalurFacebook and Instagram. Email him at [email protected]. Support local journalism by subscribing.
