Oscar night celebrated Bohemian Rhapsody’s Freddie Mercury with a win for best actor Rami Malek and reminded us how much music is the gas in our engines. Catch a show at Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater this spring, where tribute bands (Queen! Beatles! Billy Joel! BeeGees! The Hit Men), comedy, progressive metal and more take the stage. Country star Clint Black is still “Killin Time” during his 3/22 appearance while New York iconic legends Interpol play 5/8. Al Lang Live Concert Series kicks off next door on April 18th with Santana. Plan to enjoy dinner before some of the shows at Bayside Bistro, Mahaffey’s waterfront restaurant.
Mahaffey Tickets: TheMahaffey.com (727) 300-2000
Al Lang Live Tickets: Ticketmaster.com (800) 745-3000
“1964” … The Tribute (4/5@8pm):
“1964” … The Tribute takes audience members on a musical journey to a beloved moment in rock and roll history: the Beatles performing on their first world tour! Beatles fans will love this tribute for capturing the essence of “Beatle Mania.” “1964” showcases the band’s world tour hits prior to the release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Rolling Stone calls “1964” “The Best Beatles Tribute on Earth.” From the onstage banter, to the mop tops and costumes, come experience the Best Beatles Tribute on Earth!
Michael Carbonaro Live! (4/11@7pm):
Magician and bizarre antics performer, Michael Carbonaro, brings his hit hidden camera show The Carbonaro Effect to the stage. After a successful 2018 Michael Carbonaro Live! Tour, Michael brings his tricks and mind-blowing illusions back on the road to amaze and astonish the public once again. You’ve seen his antics and ability to shock the unsuspecting on television, now witness the insanity for yourself! The show is hands-on with tons of audience participation, hysterical video clips, and mind-blowing magic you have to see to believe. Michael’s accolades include being named “Magician of the Year” by the Academy in Magical Arts, and receiving the first Copperfield Prize, which is given to an individual who has elevated the art of magic. Don’t forget to pick up your jaw on the way out, it is sure to be on the floor!
Dream Theater: “The Distance Over Time Tour” (4/26@8pm):
Grammy®-nominated progressive metal titans Dream Theater embark on a worldwide tour for their fourteenth studio album, The Distance Over Time. Most recognizable for their single “Pull Me Under,” from the 1992 album Images and Words, The Distance Over Time shares the same dark guitar riffs and intense drum beats that brought them acclaim more than 30 years ago. Selling more than 12 million records worldwide, “The Distance Over Time Tour” brings the band from California around the globe to Russia and stopping everywhere in between. This tour also signifies 20 years of their 1999 concept album release Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory, sure to bring longtime fans a dose of nostalgia.
One Night Of Queen (4/28@7pm):
Bohemian Rhapsody’s Rami Malek may have won Best Actor but it’s Great Britain’s Gary Mullen & the Works bringing the magic of Queen to audiences across America on their 2019 US tour. Mullen struts around the stage and excites his audience just as Freddie Mercury had, mimicking his behaviors and style to bring the passion of Queen to a new generation. It’s hard to compare yourself to one of the most recognizable voices in classic rock history, but Mullen exceeds expectations and shares the same dynamic vocal range and tone of Mercury. If you close your eyes it’s almost indistinguishable. One Night of Queen brings the pomp, power and classic rock staples to cities all over the world with more than 150 performances annually. They will certainly rock you with their performances of “Killer Queen,” “We are the Champions,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and many more!
Article by Nanette Wiser