Top 10 concert picks in Sarasota, Bradenton, Englewood, Punta Gorda

This week's top concerts feature two notable shows at Sarasota's most prominent performing arts hall, Van Wezel: first, an "American Idol" winner turned country star, then a Tony and Emmy-winning singer and actor. It won't be the only busy venue locally, with Big Top Brewing Company, Englewoods on Dearborn and Fogartyville among those hosting multiple noteworthy shows this week. The last venue will even hold a concert on Valentine's Day, if you have a live music lover in your life and are looking for ways to celebrate the holiday locally. Here are this week's highlights. Event details are subject to change.

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Scotty McCreery

"American Idol" season 10 winner turned country star Scotty McCreery makes his Van Wezel debut. After winning the singing competition series in 2011 at 17 years old, McCreery released his first album "Clear as Day" later that year, becoming the first country act and youngest male musician to top the Billboard 200 with their debut release. Since then, McCreery has scored numerous No. 1 country airplay hits including "Five More Minutes" and "This is It" off 2018's "Seasons Change," and "You Time" and "Damn Strait" off his latest album, 2021's "Same Truck." 8 p.m. Friday; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $65-$88; 941-263-6799;  vanwezel.org

House of Hamill

Fogartyville kicks off its live music lineup this week with Pennsylvania-based Celtic folk trio House of Hamill. Since forming in 2014, the band has released multiple full-lengths, most recently 2021's "Folk Hero," which features reimagined folk ballads, instrumentals and originals. The group is also known for their violin covers of popular rock songs including Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child O' Mine," with a video that went viral, and Muse's "Hysteria." 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show Friday; Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota; $21, $18 members, $10.50 students ages 13 and up; 941-894-6469; fogartyville.org

John McDermott

Bradenton waterfront destination Jiggs Landing welcomes Scottish-Canadian tenor John McDermott and his band for a concert. Known for his renditions of songs including "Danny Boy," the musician who most recently released last year's album "As the Sky Gives the Ocean" is also a former and founding member of The Irish Tenors. The ticket price includes lunch with a Canadian menu that includes a peameal sandwich, poutine, cranberry-walnut salad, maple-walnut ice cream and maple leaf cookie. 2 p.m. Sunday; Jiggs Landing, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton; $50 (includes lunch and nonalcoholic beverages); 941-727-4181; jiggslanding.com

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Damon Fowler

Guitarist, singer-songwriter and former Anna Maria Island resident Damon Fowler visits Big Top Brewing Company (brewer of Fowler's IPA) for the Sarasota brewery and venue's Blues & Brews Sunday concert series. Earlier this year Fowler released "Live at The Palladium," recorded at the St. Pete venue of the same name, the follow-up to his 2021 full-length "Alafia Moon" that topped Billboard's blues album chart and earned a Blues Music Award nomination for Blues Rock Album. Fowler has also played in the bands of founding Allman Brothers Band members Dickey Betts and the late Butch Trucks, and in the blues supergroup Southern Hospitality with Victor Wainwright and J.P. Soars. 3 p.m. Sunday; Big Top Brewing Company, 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; 941-371-2939; bigtopbrewing.com

Calixto Oviedo’s Cuban Music Train

If you're looking to celebrate Valentine's Day with a concert — especially if you or your significant other loves Latin music — Fogartyville hosts Calixto Oviedo's Cuban Music Train for a show Feb. 14. Percussionist Oviedo is a former member of NG La Banda, a pioneering group in the Cuban music genre of timba. Oviedo, who currently resides in Miami, has released numerous solo albums as well, including 2020's "Latin Funk." 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show Tuesday; Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota; $25, $22 members, $12.50 students ages 13 and up; 941-894-6469; fogartyville.org

Jeremiah Johnson Band

St. Louis blues guitarist and singer-songwriter Jeremiah Johnson will visit the area for shows in Sarasota and Charlotte counties. Johnson (who was named after the 1972 Robert Redford film) most recently released 2022's Billboard blues album chart-topping "Hi-Fi Drive By." Johnson also earned a Blues Music Award nomination for Blues Rock Album last year for his previous full-length "Unemployed Highly Annoyed." 6 p.m. Wednesday; Englewoods on Dearborn, 362 W. Dearborn St., Englewood; $7; 941-475-7501; englewoodsondearborn.com; 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16; Leroy's Southern Kitchen & Bar, 201 W. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda; 941-505-2489; leroyspg.com

Mandy Patinkin

Also visiting Van Wezel this week is Tony and Emmy-winning actor and singer Mandy Patinkin for "Being Alive," a concert of classic American and Broadway tunes. Known for his roles in TV shows such as "Chicago Hope" and "Homeland" (winning an Emmy for the former) and films including "The Princess Bride," Patinkin has also had roles in Broadway musicals, including his Tony-winning turn in "Evita," and released numerous albums. Accompanied by Adam Ben-David on piano, Patinkin will perform the work of artists such as Cole Porter, Harry Chapin, Irving Berlin and Stephen Sondheim — likely including the Sondheim-penned classic "Being Alive" from "Company." 7:30 p.m. Thursday; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $47-$82; 941-263-6799; vanwezel.org

The Lee Boys

Miami-based group The Lee Boys, one of the biggest acts of the sacred steel music genre, is set to make their return to Big Top Brewing Company this week. Featuring brothers Alvin, Derrick and Keith Lee along with their nephews, the group plays in the sacred steel tradition, originating from church services featuring steel guitar for a sound that blends gospel with a hard-driving, blues-based beat. Can't make this show? The group is also scheduled to play Feb. 18 at Port Charlotte Seafood & Music Festival. 6 p.m. Thursday; Big Top Brewing Company, 975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota; free; 941-371-2939; bigtopbrewing.com

Matt Woods

Tennessee singer-songwriter Matt Woods will play Bradenton restaurant and venue Cottonmouth while on his Escape the Cold Tour. Woods has regularly visited Florida in the past, playing last year's The BASH music festival in Gainesville alongside artists such as Mavis Staples and Drive-By Truckers as well as multiple years of the city's annual punk extravaganza Fest, with his sound blending the Americana and roots music of The BASH's lineup with a punk sensibility. Sammy Kay will also perform. 6:30 p.m. Thursday; Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen, 1114 12th St. W., Bradenton; $5; 941-243-3735; facebook.com/cottonmouthsoul

Tas Cru Band

Englewoods on Dearborn's live music lineup this week will also include Syracuse, New York-based blues musician Tas Cru, heading on tour after releasing his latest album "Riffin' the Blue" this month. Along with the new full-length, featuring guests such as blues-rock favorite Mike Zito and piano/organ guru Bruce Katz, Tas Cru's releases include 2016's "Simmered & Stewed," which earned a Best Emerging Artist Album Blues Music Award nomination. Can't make this show? Tas Cru also has shows scheduled Feb. 17 at Big Top and Feb. 18 at Cottonmouth. 6 p.m. Thursday; Englewoods on Dearborn, 362 W. Dearborn St., Englewood; $7; 941-475-7501; englewoodsondearborn.com

If you would like to be considered for this story, please email ticket@heraldtribune.com with your event information at least 10 days before our Thursday publication date. Show schedules are subject to change; check with venues in advance to confirm or for questions on COVID-19 protocols.

Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Best live music concerts: Sarasota, Bradenton, Englewood, Punta Gorda