By Nanette Wiser
ALEX HARRIS Our favorite legendary local musician and philanthropist (CEO at Arts Conservatory for Teens) will present Moonchild at the Floridian Social Club 12/2-12/3. LA-based trio Moonchild (Amber Navran, Andris Mattson, and Max Bryk) exemplify a mix of intricate, progressive musicality with a classic laid-back and blissful sound that has been famously associated with the West Coast legacy across the decades. The result of 10 years spent working and growing together, their new album “Starfruit” showcases the respect, musical understanding, and love the trio have, both for each other and for the noteworthy list of collaborators featured on the album. Bringing a host of beautiful melodies and personal lyrics, ‘Starfruit’ beholds offerings from Lalah Hathaway, Alex Isley, Tank and The Bangas, Rapsody, Ill Camille, Mumu Fresh, Chantae Cann and Josh Johnson. Moonchild has collaborated and toured across the world with highly respected names including Kamasi Washington, Stevie Wonder, The Internet, Jill Scott, and built up a host of supporters from Robert Glasper, Laura Mvula, James Poyser, Jazzy Jeff, 9th Wonder and Tyler The Creator.
HOLIDAY MUSIC Book your tune tickets now; it’s a fab holiday gift! At freeFall, a group of Florida friends and a surly house cat (Stephen Sondheim) gather round a piano for music and games in the hit holiday romp The Night Before, written by Matthew McGee and music/arrangements by Michael Raabe; 11/25-12/24. The Florida Orchestra presents Classical Christmas Carols 12/17 but you can start celebrating early with the music of Led Zeppelin 11/18 @ The Mahaffey Theatre. At Capital Theatre, catch Herb Alpert and Lani Hall Christmas special 12/3, Rockapella Christmas 12/16, Mindi Abair’s I Can’t Hate Christmas 12/17, and Celtic Angels Christmas 12/18. Englebert Humperdinck croons at Ruth Eckerd Hall 12/3 and New Year’s Salute to Vienna 12/31 ushers in 2023. Looking for a Motown gift? Get tickets for The Tina Turner Musical 1/31-2/5 @The Straz. iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball Tour is back in Tampa 12/16 at Amalie Arena with the Backstreet Boys, Black Eyed Peas, Big Time Rush, Cheat Codes, Tate McRae, Ava Max, Jax, and Nicky Youre.
The Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulf Coast presents Noah Aronson 12/18 at the Pinellas Park Performing Arts Center, sure to set the dreidels spinning. Visit your local vinyl shops (Banana Music, Sound Exchange, Daddy Kool Records) for holiday gifts, especially these classic Christmas albums: Nat King Cole’s The Magic of Christmas/The Christmas Song; Vince Guaraldi Trio’s A Charlie Brown Christmas; A Beach Boys’ Christmas Album; James Brown’s A Soulful Christmas or 2022’s Nora Jones’ I Dream of Christmas, Tori Amos’ Christmas Tide, TranSiberian Orchestra and Mannheim Steamroller.
CLUB CRAWL Clearwater Beach’s Evy’s Terrace & Bar at the Hampton Inn & Suites hosts live jazz and blues concerts as well as Clearwater Jazz Rooftop Experience (11/18 already sold out). The breathtaking sunsets from the rooftop bar, hand-crafted cocktails and delicious flatbreads, charcuterie, salads, and apps (ahi, warm spiced olives, spinach/artichoke dip) make for a perfect date or girls’ night out. We caught PN’s pal Fiona Frensche and her new return to Evy’s 11/18; she’ll be back as well as playing Verducci’s or the Deck at Isla Thurs., Grape Wine Café Weds. and 82 Degrees some re fab entertainment including downtown St. Pete (Ale & The Witch, Ruby’s Elixir, Flute & Dram, Ringside Café), beaches (Salt Water Hippie, Jimmy B’s, 82 Degrees, Rumfish, Ka’Tiki, Caddy’s, Crabby Bill’s) and in Tierra Verde, Island Grille.
