We're nearly halfway through July and the month's local event lineup across Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties, including live music, with this latest concert picks installment spanning a wide range of genres.
This week's notable concerts include a Billboard chart-topping Colombian singer visiting Sarasota, ska/reggae and blues artists playing the same spot in Punta Gorda, and a summer market and soul music show in Bradenton. And as Sarasota Improv Festival makes its return this weekend, we also highlight a "hip-hop improv comedy team" from New York City playing the festival. Here are this week's highlights. Event details are subject to change.
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Frank Bang
Punta Gorda Irish pub and venue Celtic Ray Public House's live music lineup this weekend will kick off with bluesman Frank "Bang" Blinkal. The performer started out in the blues hub of Chicago, working at Buddy Guy's Legends club before joining the blues legend's band as a touring guitarist for five years. These days, he serves as a frontman himself, having released albums such as 2016's "The Blues Don't Care" under the name Frank Bang & The Cook County Kings. 8 p.m. Friday; Celtic Ray Public House, 145 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda; 941-916-9115; celticray.net
North Coast
Sarasota Improv Festival will return for its 14th year this weekend, featuring troupes from Sarasota to Chile, including the "hip-hop improv comedy team" North Coast from New York City. Built around a single suggestion from an audience member, improvised scenes escalate into full-blown hip-hop songs complete with beatboxing, in a show that "blurs the line between comedy show and concert." North Coast's fans include Dick Smothers, one half of the Smothers Brothers and onetime Sarasota resident, who said their show was "spectacular! I loved it." 9 p.m. Friday and 7 p.m. Saturday; Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota; $10; 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org
Jessi Uribe
Strobes Venue, which has hosted multiple well-known names in Latin music, will continue that trend when it features Colombian singer Jessi Uribe this weekend. Uribe rose to prominence with appearances on singing competition TV shows such as "Latin American Idol," "La Voz Colombia" and "A Otro Nivel." He scored a No. 1 hit on Billboard Mexico Popular Airplay chart in 2021 for his song "El Alumno" with Joss Favela, followed by another No. 1 hit on Billboard's Regional Mexican Airplay chart in 2022 for "Si Ya Hiciste El Mal" with Luis R. Conriquez. Uribe recently visited Florida while attending last year's Billboard Latin Music Awards in Coral Gables along with stars such as Bad Bunny and Karol G. 9 p.m. doors, midnight show Saturday; Strobes Venue, 3251 17th St., Sarasota; $80; tickeri.com
The Freecoasters
Celtic Ray's live music lineup this weekend will also include ska-reggae-soul group The Freecoasters on Saturday. Though the group hails from nearby Fort Myers, they've found fans nationally, playing Washington, D.C.'s famed venue Black Cat in December with two big names in ska, The Slackers and Mustard Plug. Jesse Wagner of Los Angeles reggae band The Aggrolites also produced their two full-lengths, 2021's "A Different Kind of Heat" and 2016's "Show Up." 9 p.m. Saturday; Celtic Ray Public House, 145 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda; 941-916-9115; celticray.net
Summer & Soul
Bradenton venue Oscura and Friendly City Flea will present this event (with a name that recalls "Summer of Soul," Questlove's recent Oscar-winning concert documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival) featuring live music and more. Indie/neo-soul group Lémon Royale will host the music inside the venue, featuring fellow soul musician Nasja Moné as a special guest. The event will also feature an artisan market, soul food and food trucks, and nonprofit community partners outside. 6 p.m. Saturday; Oscura, 816 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton; free; 941-201-4950; oscura.live
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