Weekend Events: Beer Tastings In Bradenton

1. You know, St. Patrick's Day seems so far away. 

Bradenton Marauders are celebrating the half-way point to St. Patrick's Day at their Thirsty Thursday game 6:30 p.m. tonight against the Tampa Yankees at .

The night includes a free beer tasting and Thirsty Thursday specials. 

2.  opens tonight. It's a haunting story about a piano teacher, Mrs. K, who is widowed and wondered what her former piano students are up to now, and she receives some surprising stories. Check out the Arts Sarasota preview for more. The play shows at 8 p.m. with select 2 p.m. matinees.

Tickets cost $28.50 and the plays are staged at the Jane B. Cook Theatre on the campus. For tickets, visit the Banyan Theater website.

3. It'll be a laugh a minute at this weekend's Sarasota Improv Festival at  Shows are on Friday and Saturday nights.

Individual show tickets are $10 and one-night passes are $29. A pass for the entire weekend is $49 and improv workshops are $29 each. To purchase tickets, visit  or call (941) 366-9000.

4. Time to strip down to basics this week.  will transform into bit of a speakeasy with the Black Diamond Burlesque Show on Saturday.

Miss Petite Coquette, Mademoiselle Rowdy Pants, and the whole Black Diamond cast of characters are part of a classic burlesque show includes live music, vaudeville, and the elegant art of the tease, according to the comedy theater.

Tickets are $20 or $30 for VIP seats in Black Diamond's up close and personal "glitter zone." Late show Saturday, July 28th, is 9:15 pm. Contact McCurdy's for tickets and information: www.mccurdyscomedy.com or 941.925.FUNY

5. This summer needs some soul, so let some songbirds do the work for you.

The  will stage Songbirds of the '70s running through July 29. 

Tuesday through Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m. Sunday matinees are at 2 pm. All tickets are $29.50 and may be bought on line at www.wbttsrq.org or by calling the box office at 941-366-1505.