GET OUT: Weekend Events Preview, July 28-31

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you're doing this weekend.

Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for entertainment and things to do around Bradenton. As always, you can also browse our Events Calendar, and if you spot something we missed, be sure to add it!

Be sure to check Bar Tab for what's happening around this weekend.

When/where: Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.  at Manatee Players, 102 Old Main Street.
Why go: Broadway Bootcamp is custom tailored to older kids who participate in intensive training in acting, technical theatre and performance preparation.  All of that work culmnates in this stage production of  Once On This Island, the Caribbean adaptation of ‘The Little Mermaid’ by the creators of Ragtime. Presented as a 'play within a play', a cast of village storytellers, attempting to calm a frightened young child, tell the romantic tale of a peasant girl who saves a rich city boy from death.
Pricing:  Tickets are $25 for adults and $11 for ages 12 and under and can be purchased by calling the Manatee Players’ box office at 941-748-5875 or online at www.manateeplayers.com.

When/where: Saturday from noon to 3:00 p.m. School of Russian Ballet, 8029 Cooper Creek Boulevard, University Park. For information call 941-962-6664 or 941-962-6607.
Why go: The studio welcomes highly motivated students for classical ballet training, using the Vaganova Method, in this exclusive ten-month school year program, August 15 through June 16, 2012. The Adult Ballet fitness program is also offered August 15 through June 16, 2012. Artistic Directors Sergiy Mykhaylov and Darya Fedotova and guest teachers from the Ukraine will provide Russian style instruction in ballet, jazz, pointe, character, pas de deux, and variations classes.
Pricing: Free Open House

When/where: Saturday at 2 p.m. bring the kids to the , 6081 26th St W.
Why go: The lively and entertaining show takes place in the library, giving everyone a break from the heat, as wll as a few laughs. It is open to all ages. And the price is just right for families.
Price: Free. For more information call 755-3892 or go online.