Christmas Parties Already?!

A couple of local bars aren’t waiting for December to host Christmas parties.

But any excuse to have a party in the dog days of summer is fine with us. Check out the bullets below to see what Last Call Sports Bar & Grill and Drift-In Liquors have in store for Saturday.

Even the Bradenton Marauders are getting in on the Christmas-theme craze this weekend. The game at 5 p.m. Sunday against the Daytona Cubs is the Marauders’ Christmas in July celebration. Visit www.bradentonmarauders.com for more info.

And, be aware, the Drift-In that’s hosting this event is the one on Bradenton Beach, not the one on Cortez Road. Haven’t heard of any Christmas-related celebrations at the mainland Drift-In, but I guarantee they’ll have beer and shot specials along with live music from local acoustic band Faultline starting at 8:30 p.m. Friday.

Also mentioned below is a local fund-raiser for the new Manatee Performing Arts Center, which is under construction on the Promenade at Riverwalk, a new section of downtown Bradenton. Live music and a cash bar, of course!

Other events around town:

• , 5131 14^th St. W., hosts karaoke every Thursday night starting at 9 p.m. Drink specials and food available all night.
• Enjoy acoustic music from Ricci Degaetano from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday at , 801 Riverside Drive E. Get there early for happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. for $2.50 domestic bottles, $2.25 domestic drafts, $3 wells, $4 calls, $5 select premiums and $4 Smirnoff Martinis. Shotgun Justice is playing at 7 p.m. Friday and Tropical Avenue at 7 p.m. Saturday. Ricci Degaetano returns at 2 p.m. Sunday.
• Drift-In Liquors, 120 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, is hosting “Help Rescue Santa’s Sleigh” from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday starting with a Fish Hole Adventure Mini Golf next door to the bar at 3 p.m. Cost is $5 per person. Bring a dish for the pot luck dinner at 6 p.m. and your camera for Santa’s arrival at 7 p.m. The event is a fund-raiser to save the Anna Maria Island Privateers’ sleigh.
• Another Christmas party is happening Saturday night at , 2604 Manatee Ave. E.. Enjoy a turkey dinner, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce, Christmas music and a white elephant gift exchange.
• , 7423 Manatee Ave. W., has Texas Hold ‘em Poker at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Monday. Here are a couple food and drink specials: Burgers are $5 and Fireball shots are $3. Now THAT is an interesting mix.
• Coming soon: Local rock bands GoodbyEddie and Lawyers, Guns & Money are teaming up to help raise money for the Manatee Performing Arts Center, which is currently under construction on Third Avenue West. It will replace the Manatee Players Riverfront Theatre, 102 Old Main St., site of the benefit concert. The event starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4. Tickets are $25. Sponsorships are $500 to $1,000, although any contribution is welcome. Sponsorships, in addition to recognition, will include eight tickets for $1,000 and four tickets for $500 with priority seating along with your logo or color ad being displayed on the stage. There will be a cash bar available before and during the concert. Call the Manatee Players Box Office for tickets at 941-748-5875 or buy them online at www.manateeplayers.com. For sponsorships contact Tom Nader at 941-737-6880 or tom4639@verizon.net.