The Village of the Arts presents our most popular Artwalk weekend of the year – the 13th Annual Festival of the Skeletons!

Festival of the Skeletons is a celebration of life as we remember our departed loved ones in the tradition of Dia de Los Muertos. Each year the Village of the Arts dedicates a community shrine during the festival to an iconic artist or other public figure. This year the Village will honor two beloved southwest Florida icons, Snooty and Gregg Allman!

Snooty will be honored with a community shrine on 12th St. W. Snooty was a resident manatee at the South Florida Museum who hosted other sick or injured manatees as they went through rehab programs as part of Manatee Rehabilitation Network. He was internationally known and loved by all who visited the museum. Snooty served as an official mascot for Manatee County and greeted over 1 million museum visitors in his lifetime.

Gregg Allman, founder of the Allman Brothers and a native of southwest Florida, will be honored with a tribute concert on Friday evening performed by members of the Allman Brothers Band family and friends. The music begins at 7pm Friday, November 3 at Village Veranda. located on 11th Ave. W. The performing artists include:

Michael Allman – special guest vocalist
(son of Gregg Allman)

RJ Howson – host, guitars and vocals

Mike Kach – keys and vocals
(Dickey Betts & Great Southern)

Berry Duane Oakley – bass, guitar and vocals
(son of original Allman Brothers bassist)

Pedro Arevalo – lap steel, bass and vocals
(Dickey Betts & Great Southern)

Pat McDonald – drums
(Charlie Daniels Band)

A shrine dedicated to Gregg Allman will be located at Firestone Gallery on 12th St. W. In addition to the Snooty and Allman shrines, more shrines and altars will be available to view at individual galleries and shops. Other festivities include a Memory Wall for the public to honor friends and family, and food and music throughout the Village.

We would like to extend a big thank you to our concert sponsors! The Gregg Allman Tribute concert is sponsored by: Bradenton Herald, Keeton’s, Motorworks Brewing, Manatee Apparel Graphics, The Village Veranda, Back Street Arts, Acqua Aveda, Rose Bay International, Mark Goodman Photography and Design, REVO, Gulf Coast Wealth Advisors, Bijoux Anew, Jim Hartzell Event Photography, and the Friends of the Blues.