Live Music At Joyland, Ace's This Weekend

Two of Bradenton’s live music venues are doing their thing this weekend – bringing the best music of their respective genre to your backyard.

, 5520 14^th St. W., the area’s biggest country music nightclub, has a live concert from country music rock star Joe Nichols Friday night. But get your tickets now. Joyland has a following and tickets go fast. See the bullets below for ticket info.

If you’re a blues fan, then , 4343 Palma Sola Blvd., is your place to be this Saturday as Australian blues artists Harper & Midwest Kind take the stage at 9 p.m. Ticket info is below.

Around town this weekend:

• , 2907 Cortez Rd., has house band Faultline playing Friday night from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Get there early for happy hour specials from 8 a.m. until noon and again from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Ask your bartender about specials for the day.
• Joe Nichols is playing live at Joyland Friday night. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and can be purchased at , 5515 14^th St. W., Joyland or online here. According to the Joyland website, Nichols has had 13 Top 20 hits and three No. 1 singles, which are “Brokenheartsville”, “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off” and “Gimmie That Girl”. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert starts at 9 p.m.
• , 2604 Manatee Ave. E., is issuing another challenge to the amateur chefs. The bar is hosting a rib cookoff Saturday. Turn in time is 3 p.m. Get there for the ribs and stay for the flip cup. Last Call is Bradenton’s official home of the popular drinking game.
• Pay homage to one of Manatee County’s oldest and most famous residents at the annual Snooty’s Gala, a black-tie affair at the , 201 10^th St. W. The event is 6 p.m. Saturday. It’s a major fundraiser that supports the museum’s educational and cultural programs and exhibitions. The event will feature an open bar, dinner by local restaurant Michael’s on East, live music by Double Vision, a silent auction and a jewelry raffle featuring a custom-designed piece from Jess Jewelers. Tickets are $175/person. Contact Jamie Jalwan at 941-746-4131, ext. 14 or jjalwan@southfloridamuseum.org for reservations or more information.
• Australian artists Harper & Midwest Kind bring their blend of blues, funk, soul, jam and world music to Ace’s Lounge at 9 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $7 in advance or $10 at the door. Get them online here. According to their website, singer/songwriter Harper “creates a heady mix of roots, jam music through his creative use of the harp, and didgeridoo. Borrowing from western and world music, this musical visionary develops a highly original take on the roots genre." Harper is backed by his incredible Michigan based band "Midwest Kind.”