Music & Nightlife By Nanette Wiser
I love discovering quirky bands and venues, especially bands playing outdoors. At Trader Joe’s, I grooved to a guitar player sitting on the sidewalk near the parking lot. You can see how desperate I’ve been to see live music reappear with safety protocols and social distancing. Let the music move you at these locations; check Facebook for times (they can change), prices and other details.
If you’re an ‘80s girl in a brave new world, you will love The Spazmatics Florida, an eclectic 80s tribute band that sports all the eighties style, from horn-rimmed glasses to skinny ties. Mesmerized by their moves, you can catch the magic at Ringside (3/19), Ka’ Tiki (3/26) and sometimes at 3 Daughters Brewing.
March 19 Ringside Café downtown St. Pete
March 26 Ka’Tiki Sunset Beach
The Florida Social Club on Central Avenue is slowly opening, showcasing the restoration and transformation of the former State Theater. With the promise of a lounge menu and cocktail list, March kicks off with Gloria West & The Gents, The Black Honkeys with more local music coming. Mandarin Hide’s famed mixologist Niall McCourt is the beverage director, so expect retro-hip drinks. With 200 seats in the 800-capacity space, concerts will resume when the pandemic ebbs and expect more live-stream shows till then.
Missing all the outdoors concerts, from Clearwater’s Sea Blues, but excited to picnic at Horan Park for the St. Pete Beach Spring Concert Series (3/19 Doobie Brothers, Santana tribute bands; 4/16 and 5/7) as well as the return of the Music in the Afternoon 3/28 with Lew Barrows & The Rhythm Kings. Hoping the Reggae Rise-Up Festival will happen March 18-21 this year in Vinoy Park DTSP with Matisyahu, Dirty Heads and Iration headlining on Sunday, three of my faves.
At DTSP St. Pete Side Lot 3/12, rock out with Core – A Stone Temple Pilots tribute band with the best 90’s alternative music. The Petty Experience @ Caddy’s Treasure Island 3/20 will be a spring fling featuring the music of Petty and The Wilburys. On my birthday 3/25, you’ll find me at Sunset Beach’s Ka’Tiki sipping a mai tai with the Cozmic Cowboyz (Jim Hamlin on lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitar and L.A. on (3-D) harmonica and vocals). Jannus Live’s monthly Grateful Dead tribute legend Uncle John’s Band performs 3/25. Slip into the nautical Galley downtown 3/27 for the talented Chris Powers, awesome eats and serious libations. And there’s always live music Friday-Saturday at Clearwater’s 49th Street Big Storm Brewery and 3 Daughters Brewing (DTSP).
