We're another week deeper into July and its lineup of local events, including live music, and this week's concert calendar should be of particular interest to fans of two genres: blues and reggae.
For blues fans, there's a performer visiting from the musical hub of Memphis, and two acts recognized by the International Blues Challenge from that same city. For reggae lovers, one of the area's top acts in the genre will play multiple Sarasota-Manatee shows, while another kicks off a series of weekly reggae concerts at a local venue. Here are this week's highlights. Event details are subject to change.
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Apostoli Floyd
Update: David Julia is now playing Friday at Cottonmouth, according to the venue's Facebook page.
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Bradenton restaurant and venue Cottonmouth, one of the top spots in Sarasota-Manatee to see live blues music, will welcome a musician from farther south in Florida with Miami's Apostoli Floyd. Last year, Floyd competed at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis representing South Florida Blues Society and in 2022 released "Beach Blues," his debut album after releasing singles such as 2018's "Cupid's Dealer," produced by Grammy winner George Noriega. Floyd's follow-up album, "Dusk till Dawn," is set for release later this year. 7 p.m. Friday; Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen, 1114 12th St. W., Bradenton; $5; 941-243-3735; facebook.com/cottonmouthsoul
Greg Roy
Birdrock Taco Shack, Cottonmouth's sister restaurant/venue in the same Village of the Arts neighborhood in Bradenton, will meanwhile feature reggae musician Greg Roy on Friday night. Originally from Montego Bay, Jamaica and now based in Florida, Roy is one of multiple reggae artists set to play Birdrock Taco Shack on Fridays in July, also including Undercover Rasta on July 12, The Intracoastals on July 19 and The New Rulers on July 26. Roy's show at Birdrock, and Floyd's at Cottonmouth, are also part of this month's Village of the Arts ArtWalk festivities. 7 p.m. Friday; Birdrock Taco Shack, 1213 13th Ave. W., Bradenton; 941-545-9966;facebook.com/birdrocktaco
Jah Movement
After recently headlining Sarasota's inaugural Juneteenth Jubilee Jam, and before playing a post-game concert at the Bradenton Marauders' July 12 match, local reggae favorites Jah Movement will play multiple Sarasota-Manatee shows in between. Jah Movement features singers Shantel Norman and Damie Caines, who used to play in fellow reggae favorites Democracy with his late father Oswald Caines. Jah Movement also host Osfest, a reggae block party held in Oswald's honor, annually in downtown Sarasota. 6 p.m. Friday; O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill, 5 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota; 941-953-7505; olearystikibar.com; Noon Sunday; Gulf Drive Cafe, 900 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach; 941-778-1919; gulfdrivetiki.com; 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 11; Gator Club, 1490 Main St., Sarasota; 941-366-5969; facebook.com/gatorclub
Memphis Lightning
Cottonmouth's live music lineup this week will also include blues band Memphis Lightning, featuring guitarist Darren "Lightnin'" Thiboutot Jr. and his father, Darren "Big Red" Thiboutot. The group released the album "Borrowed Time" in 2021, featuring guest musicians including Grammy winners Brent Mason and Paul Nelson, the late Johnny Winter band member and producer. The following year, "Borrowed Time" won the award for Best Self-Produced CD at the International Blues Challenge. 7 p.m. Monday; Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen, 1114 12th St. W., Bradenton; 941-243-3735; facebook.com/cottonmouthsoul
Tony Holiday
Sarasota County restaurant and venue Englewoods on Dearborn, another one of the top spots to see live blues music locally, will welcome Memphis bluesman Tony Holiday this week. Fitting for the diverse musical history of Memphis, Holiday blends genres including blues, rock and soul into his sound that can be heard on his solo albums, last year's "Motel Mississippi" and 2020's "Soul Service." He has also released 2019's "Porch Sessions" and 2021's "Porch Sessions, Vol. 2," which see him joined by other blues musicians ranging from legends like Bobby Rush and John Primer to contemporaries such as Victor Wainwright and John Nemeth. 6:30 p.m. Thursday; Englewoods on Dearborn, 362 W. Dearborn St., Englewood; $5; 941-475-7501;englewoodsondearborn.com
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