South Florida Museum celebrates the music and personalities of the American Blues movement in conjunction with the first annual Bradenton Blues Festival. 

The new Film Fridays series will run most Friday evenings, Oct. 12 through Dec. 14. All screenings are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in the South Florida Museum’s all-digital Bishop Planetarium Theater located at 201 10^th Street W. in downtown Bradenton.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and guests are welcome to enjoy a selection of beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks available for purchase prior to and during the screening. Tickets to each film are $5 for general admission with discounted rates of $3 available for Museum Members. Group rates are also offered for parties of 15 or more people. Seating is limited and reservations are strongly recommended. Sweaters or jackets are recommended as the theater may be cold.

Film Fridays is a year-round South Florida Museum program which showcases films and documentaries focusing on cultural, social and scientific topics based on themed multi-week series on most Friday evenings. There is no film on Nov. 2 and Nov. 23.

For reservations and additional information about Film Fridays offerings, please call 941-746-4131, ext. 27 or visit www.southfloridamuseum.org.

“The Blues Downtown” Schedule
6 p.m. (most) Fridays, Oct. 12 through Dec. 14

Oct. 12

The Blues Brothers – (1980) Rated R, 133 minutes. In one of the great comedy classics from John Landis, ex-con Jake Blues (John Belushi) and his brother, Elwood (Dan Aykroyd), put the old band together to try to save the Catholic home in Chicago where they were raised… and the blues ensues.

Oct. 19

O Brother, Where Art Thou? – (2000) Rated PG-13, 106 minutes. The Coen Brothers’ loose interpretation of Homer’s ‘Odyssey’ set in the Depression-era South, three escapees from a chain-gang attempt to make their way back home. Featuring a Grammy Award winning soundtrack filled with music from American roots, folk and the blues.

Oct. 26

Crossroads – (1986) Rated R, 99 minutes. A brilliant guitar player makes a deal to take an aging blues musician on the lam from the minimum security hospital where he is being held – IF the old man will teach the kid the secrets of the blues. Featuring the music of Ry Cooder and Steve Vai.

Nov. 2 – NO FILM THIS WEEK

Nov. 9

Lady Sings the Blues – (1972) Rated R, 144 minutes. Diana Ross offers a stunning performance as the legendary blues singer, Billie Holiday. Chronicling Holiday’s rise and fall – the film depicts her childhood, early life of prostitution, marriages, career, and drug use.

Nov. 16

Schultze Gets the Blues – (2003) Rated PG, 113 minutes. Schultze, a retired East German miner and enthusiastic Polka musician, becomes obsessed with undertaking a transition into playing his beloved accordian in the styling of zydeco and blues from the American South.

Nov. 23 – NO FILM THIS WEEK

Nov. 30

Leadbelly – (1976) Rated PG, 124 minutes. Covering 25 years in the life of Huddie Leadbetter, a blues and folk singer, Gordon Parks’ film depicts the hard life, short temper, brute strength, and musical brilliance of the iconic figure in American music history. Featuring vocals by HiTide Harris.

Dec. 7

Ray – (2004) Rated PG-13, 152 minutes. This film depicts the life and struggles of cross-generational musical superstar Ray Charles. Highlighting his poverty-stricken childhood and onset of blindness, his struggles with racism, and his amazing knack for blending musicals styles and genres, the film earned Jamie Foxx an Academy Award for Best Actor.

Special Holiday Screening: Dec. 14

It’s a Wonderful Life – (1946) Not Rated, 130 minutes. George Bailey has the blues. Loveable angel, Clarence, presents the downtrodden protagonist with the opportunity to see the true impact he has made on the world in Frank Capra’s heartwarming holiday classic.

About the South Florida Museum 

The South Florida Museum is the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast, featuring engaging exhibits as well as educational programs which interpret the scientific and cultural knowledge of Florida, the world and our universe. The facility includes the all-digital Bishop Planetarium and Parker Manatee Aquarium which is home to Snooty™ the manatee.

The South Florida Museum is located at 201 10^th Street West in downtown Bradenton. Current operating hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. Regular General Admission is $15.95 for adults, $13.95 for seniors (65 and over), and $11.95 for children (ages 4-12). Children ages 3 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult. For more information, please call 941-746-4131 or visit www.southfloridamuseum.org.