WEEKEND: ArtSlam on Bradenton Riverwalk, Gloriana at Joyland, Ribfest in St. Pete

Bradenton Riverwalk continues to be the area's top destination spot.

After relocating to the newly renovated park from downtown, the long-running Taste of Manatee reported its best year ever last weekend.

The third annual ArtSlam, formerly held on Old Main Street, is ready for similar success Saturday.

The Realize Bradenton event will again bring together professional artists, students, faculty and the public for a celebration of collaborative creativity.

Read more.

• Popular country act Gloriana to play Joyland in Bradenton following postponement in July

• Buddy Guy, Heart, Montgomery Gentry bring the noise to Ribfest in St. Petersburg

• 'Little Nemo in Wonderland' to have world premiere at Sarasota Opera 

And more in Weekend

• Also, don't forget about the fabulous Suncoast Food & Wine Fest. The 11th annual bash sponsored by the Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club will be 1-4 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Sarasota Polo grounds

Orlando Calling: Greatest Florida music fest ever?

Jack White (far left) and his rock band The Raconteurs. Publicity photo.

Is Orlando Calling the greatest, most eclectic, big name, Sunshine State music fest ever?

Top alt-country, hip-hop, blues, modern and classic rock acts....

My vote is yes.

Here's the lineup playing the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium Nov. 12-13:

Sat. Nov. 12

The Killers
Pixies
The Avett Brothers
The Roots
The Raconteurs
Gogol Bordello
O.A.R.
Iron and Wine
Pete Yorn
Gavin DeGraw
Jenny and Johnny
Drive By Truckers
Civil Twilight
Lucero
Dr. Dog
Justin Townes Earle
Felice Brothers
Ben Sollee
Renee & The Translators

Sun. Nov. 13

Bob Seger &The Silver Bullet Band
Kid Rock
Doobie Brothers
Dwight Yoakam
Buddy Guy
Warren Haynes Band
Chris Isaak
Brandi Carlile
Robert Randolph & The Family Band
Michelle Branch
The Flatlanders
Los Lonely Boys
Blues Traveler
Justin Townes Earle
The David Mayfield Parade
The Supervillains


Tickets are on sale at http://www.orlandocalling.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000.

Purchased before Sept. 1:
Single Day Tickets
$80 – Stage One Field Access and Reserved Seating options
$165 – VIP

2-Day Weekend Tickets:
$145 – Stage One Field Access and Reserved Seating options
$285 -- VIP

The Raconteurs cover the Sonny Bono-penned Cher/Nancy Sinatra hit 

"Bang, Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)"

Damon Fowler nominated for two Blues Blast Music Awards; headlining Sugar Shack Mondays tonight at Aces in Bradenton

Damon Fowler/Blind Pig Records

Blind Pig recording artist and Bradenton Beach resident Damon Fowler has been nominated for a Blues Blast Music Award in the Contemporary Blues CD category. He's up against superstar Buddy Guy and Sugar Shack Monday's debut guest JP Soars, among others.

Both Fowler and Gina Sicilia, last week's Sugar Shack Monday guest, have been nominated for the Sean Costello Rising Star Award.

From the press release issued this morning:

In early May, a group of Blues music industry professionals including music critics, journalists, festival promoters, music venue managers, musicians and other Blues music industry professionals nominated the best of 2011 Blues music in eight categories.



Voting to determine the winners begins July 1, 2011 and continues until August 31st, 2011 on our website at http://www.TheBluesBlast.com/. Voting is open to anyone who is a Blues Blast Magazine subscriber. Subscriptions are FREE and you are automatically signed up as part of the voting process on our website.



The 2011 Blues Blast Music Awards ceremonies will be held at Buddy Guys’ Legends in Chicago, Illinois, October 27th, 2011. The awards ceremony will feature music by some of the artists nominated. Tickets for the event will go on sale in mid August at  http://www.TheBluesBlast.com/.

Click for complete list of nominees and listening links.

This week's edition of Damon Fowler's Sugar Shack Monday at Aces Live in Bradenton features the Damon Fowler Group with special guest Ed Zeppelin.

What's Ed Zeppelin?


A killer side-project full of surprises that Fowler has maintained for years.

Damon Fowler's Sugar Shack Monday

Showcasing the best in touring talent

8:30 p.m. Mon., June 20 with
Damon Fowler Group 
and special guest Ed Zeppelin

Aces Live, 4343 Palma Sola Blvd., Bradenton

No cover

Click to watch the performances and my interviews with Fowler and others in Ed Zeppelin 

8:30 p.m. Monday, June20

Watch live streaming video from sugarshackmonday at livestream.com

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