Step back in time with the sweet, soulful sounds of Motown and other classic ballads this Friday when Verceal Whitaker and Allen Holland join the Dan Toler & Steve Tucci Band this Friday at Ace’s Lounge, 4343 Palma Sola Blvd.

The show starts at 7 p.m. Cover: $20.

Whitaker and Holland have performed with The Platters, a Motown group that started in the 1950s and continues to tour with various members today. Whitaker is lead vocalist for the Powerhouse Group, a Florida-based band that covers everything from rock, R&B, Motown, and Disco through the 1960s-90s. Holland is an accomplished cellist, keyboardist and vocalist.

Rounding out the weekend is feast fit for a king at Pier 22 on Saturday, a benefit at Cortez Clam Factory and more. See below:

• Gecko’s Grill & Pub, 4310 S.R. 64 E., has an Ultimate Happy Hour with drink specials all day, every day from open to close including 2-for-1 well cocktails, margaritas, martinis, frozen drinks and house wines. Reduced prices on draft beer, too. Thursdays are even more special for the ladies with $3 Pinnacle martinis, $3 for a glass of wine or $12 for a bottle of wine from 5 p.m. until close. There’s also live music from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Thursday.
• David Ralston Band, a blues-rock-Americana-jam band, is playing at 8 p.m. Thursday at Joe’s Bar, 5254 S.R. 64 E. This bar opened March 30. Its Thursday hours are 3:30  p.m. to 11:30 p.m. The bar accepts cash only, but you won’t have to spend any money to get through the door: No cover!
• It’s a feast for a king at Pier 22 on the marina in downtown Bradenton. The restaurant-bar is hosting a luau and pig roast from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday in its restaurant, outside patio and upstairs ballroom with live tropical music, a limbo contest, fire dancers and all kinds of food and drinks. Reservations are required. Call 941-748-8087. Cost: $24.95.
• Cortez Clam Factory, 10104 Cortez Rd., is hosting a benefit this Sunday for Nicole Babette Rinaldi, who was seriously injured in an accident that left her with a broken neck and wrists. The benefit is from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday and features live music from Hunnert Proof, a high-energy rock band from Sarasota that lists as some of its influences Motley Crue, Ozzy, Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, Lynch Mob and ZZ Top. There also will be a live performance from Cellfish, a Bay-area rock band with a “fresh, ever expanding library of popular music (that’s) adaptable to any venue,” according to its website. The Clam Factory has a full liquor bar and fresh seafood available all day and night. Cover: $5 at the door.
• Remember this when you're hungry on any Tuesday night: Bleachers Sports Bar & Grill, 5606 14th St. W., celebrates Taco Tuesday from 8 p.m. until midnight with $1 tacos and $1 wells and drafts.