Free events and more in Sarasota-Bradenton-Englewood
1. Englewood Seafood & Music Festival
Local company Paragon Events' popular seafood and music festival series that now covers much of Florida will have its Englewood premiere starting Saturday. Like last weekend's bash in downtown Sarasota, this one will feature the winning combination of local seafood and other dishes including vegetarian options paired with live music by a roster of Sarasota-based acts including rock and blues standouts Kettle of Fish, Twinkle and RJ Howson. Beer vendors are a plus, too, as well as free admission. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (Jan. 28); Pioneer Park at 300 W. Dearborn St., Englewood; free; seafoodfestivals.com
2. Forks & Corks Winemaker Events
This year's Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival presented by the Sarasota-Manatee Originals launches its 11th year of culinary events with winemaker dinners Thursday through Saturday. Held at participating Originals restaurants across Sarasota and Manatee counties, the winemaker dinners will feature multi-course meals paired with top wineries such as Neyer’s Vineyards, Bell Wine Cellars, Sparkman Cellars and more. The dinners range from $80 to $125 a person. A complete listing of winemaker events can be found at eatlikealocal.com.
3. Creedence Clearwater Revisited
Stu Cook, founding Creedence Clearwater Revival bassist and a Sarasota area resident for about the past four years, will play a hometown show this week at Van Wezel. Following their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cook and drummer Doug “Cosmo” Clifford (another original members of Creedence Clearwater Revival) started touring as Creedence Clearwater Revisited in 1995. Expect to hear CCR's biggest hits including "Fortunate Son," "Bad Moon Rising" and "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" 8 p.m. Saturday; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota;$61-$76; 941-953-3368; vanwezel.org
4. Mr. Beery's 8 Year Anniversary Bash
Mr. Beery's, one of Sarasota's first and best craft beer bars, celebrates its 8th anniversary with live music by popular local bands Babyl and Fiyah Wata plus eats by 941 area food truck faves Mother Truckin Good, BulGoGi Sarasota and Solid Slab BBQ. Oh, yeah, there will excellent brews, too. "We'll be loading up our tap lines with a ton of awesome beer," says Mr. Beery. Noon-close Saturday; Mr. Beery's, 2645 Mall Drive, Sarasota; 941-343-2854; mrbeeryssrq.com
5. Mermaid Faire at Mangrove School of Sarasota
The public is invited to attend Mangrove School of Sarasota's annual Mermaid Faire, a free admission event featuring many free activities "celebrating the magic and wonder of childhood." There will be fair food, too, with a variety of organic selections including gluten free and vegan options, as well as live music. 2-6 p.m. Saturday; Mangrove School of Sarasota, 6210 Crestwood Ave., Sarasota; 941-927-3711; mangrovesarasota.com
Find more featured events at ticketsarasota.com.