Weekend picks: 5 things to do Feb. 3-5

  • sgames30a

    Rob Schulz competes in the caber toss during the 17th Sarasota Highland Games and Celtic Festival on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at the Sarasota Fair Grounds. (Sarasota Herald-Tribune photo by Craig Litten)

    Sarasota Highland Games

    The day will include border collie demonstrations, performances in the Irish Rover Tent (featuring Paul Duffy and friends), Scottish country dancers, the Jacobites Pipe and Drum Band, food and, of course, those traditional athletic games. $10 in advance, $12 at the gate (children 12 and under free). 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. (Feb.4), Sarasota Fairgrounds; sarasotahighlandgames.com.

  • Shoebox Monsters

    Shoebox Monsters band members, from left, Patrick Finazzo, Jesse Spiegel, Justin Whitmer and Joe Loyet. (Sarasota Herald-Tribune photo by Dan Wagner)

    Rock Out For A Cause

    One night, five hours, six regional bands, seven sponsors, hundreds of hand-waving spectators and thousands of dollars in charitable revenue. Sounds like the annual recipe for “Rock Out for a Cause.” 6 to 11 p.m. Friday (Feb. 3) at Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. 404-5825; rockoutforacause.com, takingbacklives.org.

  • scrub jay

    A scrub jay appears at Oscar Scherer State Park (Sarasota Herald-Tribune photo by Dan Wagner)

    3rd Annual Scrub Jay Festival

    The Florida Scrub-Jay Festival will feature tram tours of the scrub-jay habitat, guided nature walks, a panel discussion, music and arts and crafts for children. Admission is free and food will be available for purchase. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. (Feb. 4), Oscar Scherer State Park, 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. floridastateparks.org.oscarscherer

  • Ovation 2-63

    (Courtesy photo)

    Ovation Celebration

    The arts festival, now in its fifth year, will feature performances by Sarasota Ballet, Chorus of the Keys, Sarasota Opera, Manatee Players, Lakewood Ranch High School Silver Stars Dance Team, Diversity, Let’s Rock Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch High School Drama Club, FTS Children’s Improv, The Players, Sarasota Dance Academy, Women’s Contemporary Artists and more. Free. 10 a.m., Saturday (Feb. 4). Lakewood Ranch Main Street, 757-1548, 907-9507; lakewoodranch.com.

  • d15

    D15 (Courtesy photo)

    Bleachers Metal Night 2

    This night of mayhem will feature five face-melting metal makers: Sarasota’s own masters of metal D15, along with fellow SRQ hardcore outfits Gatlin, Barrelhead, Pushmower and the straight-up blackhearted death metal of Death Requisite. Sat. Feb. 4, 9 p.m., Bleachers Sports Bar & Grill, 5606 14th Street West, Bradenton, $4


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