Looking for fun things to do this weekend May 17-19? Top 5 events in Sarasota area

If you're a fan of classic rock, country, and blues music, and interested in supporting a beloved local musician in need, be sure to attend the Pat McDonald and Family Benefit this Sunday at Stottlemyer's Smokehouse, one of Sarasota's top barbecue destinations.

McDonald's impressive career includes spending 17 years playing drums on classics such as "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," "Long Haired Country Boy," and "Drinkin' My Baby Goodbye" in the band of Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie Daniels. McDonald left Daniels' band in 2016 (and Daniels passed away in 2020) and has since played with Sarasota-based acts such as Kettle of Fish as well as The Monsoons.

McDonald recently suffered a stroke, and his wife, Jen, was diagnosed with breast cancer. To support the family, Stottlemyer's Smokehouse will host this benefit concert featuring an all-star roster of musicians with local ties and national acclaim.

In addition to the McDonald and Family Benefit at Stottlemyer's Smokehouse, we have four exciting events taking place in Sarasota, Bradenton, and Punta Gorda's Fishermen's Village.

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1. Pat McDonald and Family Benefit at Stottlemyer's Smokehouse

The Pat McDonald and Family Benefit at Stottlemyer's Smokehouse features Kettle of Fish and The Monsoons as well as R.J. Howson, Mike Kach, Al Fuller Trio, Bain Beakley, Berry Oakley Jr., Kara Nally, Dirty Byrd and Twinkle. There are also planned guest appearances by Chris Anderson and Damon Fowler, who is playing nearby at Big Top Brewing the same day. In addition to Stottlemyer's popular barbecue and adult beverages, there will be giveaways and auctions, including a guitar signed by the event's performers and another by country duo Big & Rich. Noon Sunday; Stottlemyer's Smokehouse, 19 East Road, Sarasota; 941-312-5969; stottlemyerssmokehouse.com

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2. Damon Fowler at Big Top Brewing

Singer, songwriter, and guitar hero Damon Fowler has announced the highly anticipated studio follow-up to his 2021 record "Alafia Moon," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Blues Albums chart. Set to release on June 7, "Barnyard Smile" features eight eclectic and potent Fowler originals, including the ebullient sing along "Grab My Hand" and the gorgeous instrumental "Fruita." The originals are complemented by a slide-guitar-laced cover of Bo Diddley's "Roadrunner" and a poignant rendition of Jerry Reed's "Misery Loves Company" — selections that underscore Fowler's diverse musical tastes. As a former resident of Anna Maria Island and a native of Florida, Fowler's musical influences encompass blues, country, rock, and various other roots genres. His impressive resume includes numerous solo albums, extensive tours, and notable collaborations playing lead and slide guitar alongside legends such as Dickey Betts, who passed away at his Sarasota County home last month. 3 p.m. Sunday; Big Top Brewing Company, 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; 941-371-2939; bigtopbrewing.com

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3. Day of Celtic Music at Fishermen's Village in Punta Gorda

Fishermen's Village, on Charlotte Harbor near downtown Punta Gorda, has partnered with the Cultural Heritage Center of Southwest Florida and the Sarasota chapter of the New World Celts for its fourth annual Day of Celtic Music. There will be will be various Celtic musicians as well as family-friendly activities including face painting, balloon creations and Celtic vendors. Noon-9 p.m. Saturday; Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda; fishermensvillage.com

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4. Pure Country at Motorworks Brewing in Bradenton

Featuring a giant beer garden with plenty of tables and shade from a sprawling live oak tree, as well as a large, elevated covered stage, Motorworks Brewing on the east edge of Bradenton's Village of the Arts is one of my favorite places to enjoy live music. This award-winning brewery, which also offers a rotating roster of food trucks, is hosting Pure Country on Saturday. The band plays country music with a concentration on favorites by 1980s and '90s country stars such as Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, and George Strait, who starred in the 1992 film "Pure Country" and released a hit soundtrack album of the same name. Personally, I'd love to just sit back, sip on some of Motorworks' V Twins lagers, and hear nothing but Strait hits for the entire four hours. 7-11 p.m. Saturday; Motorworks Brewing, 1014 Ninth St. W., Bradenton; 941-567-6218; motorworksbrewing.com

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5. Sundays at The Bay in Sarasota featuring free show by Matthew Frost Band

Looking for a relaxing Sunday afternoon? Consider enjoying a concert at The Bay, the stunning waterfront park located next to the Van Wezel overlooking Sarasota Bay. The free Sundays at The Bay concert series continues with a performance by Sarasota's Matthew Frost Band, which bills its sound as "where alternative blues, soul, rock, and fusion collide to create a musical experience like no other." Bring a chair and be sure to visit the adjacent Nest concession stand for snacks and beverages, such as an ice-cold can of Sun King Brewery's delicious Orange Vanilla Sunlight Cream Ale, which I enjoyed there a couple Sundays ago. 4 p.m. Sunday; The Bay, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota; free; thebaysarasota.org

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Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. He can be reached by email at [email protected]. Support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Best things to do in Sarasota area this weekend May 17,18,19