This Season, Manatee County is the Place to Rock, Roll, Tap & Swoon

By Jacqueline Miller

This month, The Manatee Players, Inc. presents a full and diverse line-up of live concerts throughout Manatee County starting with the famed rock and roll doo-wop group, Sha Na Na, on December 14. 

The series is sponsored by the Bradenton Area Tourist Development Council with concerts taking place at the Manatee Performing Arts Center, The Center of Anna Maria Island, and Sutton Park in Palmetto. The concert series includes a wide range of popular artists throughout the decades from various music genres including Rock, Contemporary Christian, Jazz, Folk and more.  

With a vision to present concerts within our community, The Manatee Players, Inc. has partnered with The Center of Anna Maria, which has 700 seats, great live acoustics, complimentary valet, and is in walking distance of fantastic restaurants. The concerts are sure to attract locals and vacationers alike. 

On February 8, Contemporary Christian artist Michael W. Smith headlines at Sutton Park. The concert is part of the weekend festivities for the 2020 Annual Bradenton Area River Regatta.  

Here’s the exciting concert series line-up:

SHA NA NA
December 14 | 7:00 p.m.
The Center of Anna Maria Island

Rock and roll doo-wop legends, Sha Na Na combined their love for the classics of rock and roll with a dynamic theatrical approach as fellow college students at Columbia University in New York. In 1969 they appeared just before Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock. The band rose to stardom with four seasons of their own worldwide television series, The Sha Na Na Show, and their portrayal of Johnny Casino and the Gamblers in the movie Grease.

ABBA-Salutely 70s
January 4 | 8:00 p.m.
Manatee Performing Arts Center

Two girls, two guys, and the number one hits of the 70s makes for a great night of fun. This Florida-based quartet brings a high energy show featuring the songs of The Eagles, The Bee Gees, and the Swedish sensation ABBA. There will be clapping, singing, and dancing in the aisles so get ready to shake your groove thing and don’t miss ABBA-Salutely 70s. 

Rat Pack: Together Again
January 11 | 2:00 p.m.
Manatee Performing Arts Center

Enjoy a musical journey featuring the greatest hits from the legendary Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. This production will treat you to Sinatra classics including “Come Fly With Me”, and “New York, New York”, Dean Martin’s great songs like “Everybody Loves

Somebody” and “That’s Amore!” And from the dynamic Sammy Davis Jr., “Mr. Bojangles” and “Candy Man”. 

Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas
January 23 | 7:00 p.m.
The Center of Anna Maria Island

Mickey Thomas joined Jefferson Starship in 1979 and the group recorded their first hit, “Jane”, almost immediately after getting together. In 1985, Starship released the album that would come to define the 80s—Knee Deep in the Hoopla—which featured two #1 hits—”We Built This City” and “Sara”. The album reached #7 on Billboard and went platinum.

Michael W. Smith
February 8 | 2:00 p.m.
Sutton Park, Palmetto

During Michael’s storied career he’s been honored with three Grammy Awards, 45 Dove Awards, an American Music Award and he has sold more than 15 million albums. His biggest success in mainstream music was in 1991 when “Place in this World” hit No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. He continues to be one of the most influential artists in today’s very popular Contemporary Christian music scene.

Danny Seraphine – Take Me Back to Chicago Tour
February 13 | 7:00 p.m.
The Center of Anna Maria Island

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and pioneering jazz-rock drummer Danny Seraphine is a founding member of the legendary band Chicago, which has become one of the world’s biggest and most beloved rock and roll bands, selling more than 130 million albums. For the past 12 years, he and his new jazz-rock powerhouse group, California Transit Authority (CTA), are often described as “Chicago on steroids”.

It Was A Very Good Year
February 29 | 2:00 p.m.
Manatee Performing Arts Center

You’ll never get a chance to see Frank Sinatra, or even Frank Sinatra Jr. perform in concert, but some people say that Tony Sands is the next best thing! This show is a must-see for any Sinatra fan. Tony Sands has incorporated stunning graphics of Sinatra’s life from 17 to 70 that entice you the moment the stage lights dim, and the music begins. The show starts with Sinatra’s early days with Tommy Dorsey to Sinatra’s comeback.

The Grass Roots
March 19 | 7:00 p.m.
The Center of Anna Maria Island

This highly successful rock and roll group consistently produced quality music in their heyday from 1966 to 1975, with their hits like “Live for Today”, “Midnight Confessions”, and “Temptation Eyes” being a top pick of disc jockeys and frequent requests from listeners. From 1967 to 1972, The Grass Roots set a record for being on the Billboard charts 307 straight weeks.

Atlantic City Boys
April 25 | 8:00 p.m.
Manatee Performing Arts Center

The Atlantic City boys have wowed audiences from Las Vegas, New York, and of course Atlantic City. These four dynamic singers share their world-class vocals to the harmonies of the 60s singing the hits of The Drifters, The Beach Boys, and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Inspired by the hit musical, Jersey Boys, the Atlantic City boys combine smooth dance moves, fun audience participation, and show-stopping numbers. 

Concert Locations:

Manatee Performing Arts Center
401 7th Street West, Bradenton
941.748.5875

The Center of Anna Maria Island
Complimentary valet
407 Magnolia Ave, Anna Maria
941.778.1908

Sutton Park
950 6th St W, Palmetto
Bradenton Area River Regatta happening same day as Feb 8 Michael W. Smith concert. Green Bridge will be closed.

For Ticket Sales:
Phone: 941.748.5875
Box Office Location: 502 Third Avenue West, Bradenton
Hours of Operation: Tuesday – Friday, 10 AM – 5 PM
Saturday, 9 AM – 2 PM
ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com