By Nanette Wiser
In the dog days of summer, what’s cooler than live entertainment? Sea Grapes in St. Pete Beach is doing Vino and Vinyl Wednesdays serving up clever craft beers, vino, charcuterie, and vintage albums 5-9pm. In Pasadena, Vino Simpatico is the place to be for tippling wine and food with live music most Fridays and Saturdays. Downtown St. Pete’s Kozuba Distillery serves up free live Musical Bingo on Wednesday @ 7pm. And for dancing and live country music, we look forward to country star Chase Rice’s Welcome to The Farm (WTF) downtown next to Caps in the old MacDinton location on 1st Ave. N.
Get groovy at Hippiefest in Tarpon Springs 8/20 with VW Bugs, costume and hula hoop contests and musical entertainment from Blackbird, Shevonne and The Force and Black Honkeys in the evening. Back on the music scene in Key West is local favorite Gloria West and The Gents as she mermaids by day and sirens at night, most recently in July at Blue Heaven. The BOSS is kicking off his 2023 tour of 31 cities at Tampa’s Amalie Arena; tickets went on sale July 20th.
BOSSA NOVA Daniela Soledade’s Pretty World, her second full-length album, debuted in July and her album release party is 8/19 at The Palladium Theater. A rising star among legends in the Brazilian music scene, she is known for her poignantly expressive vocal style and intimate aesthetic. Special guest Bossa Nova legend Roberto Menescal joins Daniela and her band featuring guitarist and producer Nate Najar, Patrick Bettison on electric piano and harmonica, Joe Porter on bass, drummer Jean Bolduc and Alvon Griffin on percussion. Recorded in Rio de Janeiro, Pretty World is a musical exploration of love. The title track is a 1967 composition from pianist and composer Antonio Adolfo. A gifted songwriter, Daniela collaborated with Bossa Nova icon Roberto with Menescal to compose Como É Gostoso Sonhar (It’s So Good To Dream). Legendary and brand-new compositions from Daniela, father Paulinho and grandfather Paulo, and well-loved melodies from Michael Franks and Antonio Carlos Jobim round out the collection.
JAZZ Upcoming Oct. 14-16 is the fabulous Clearwater Jazz Holiday at BayCare Ballpark (and hopefully back on the bay in 2023). Celebrating jazz around town, you can enjoy CJH’s Wanderlust series 8/12 at The Palladium when Eric Darius releases his new album. Kicking off the night @6pm is New Orleans: Then & Now with Dr. Matt Leder, Alejandro Arenas, Mark Feinman, John O’Leary, Valerie Gillespie & Tyler Wertman in The Side Door, followed by CJH Young Lionsfeaturing Charlee Loyst, Nick Love, Noah Bennett and Cooper Madden and Darius in Hough Hall. Wanderlust Rooftop Concerts at Evy’s Bistro Rooftop in the Hampton Inn & Suites is always a great party with Ariella and Cienna Alida 8/18 and Modern Legends featuring David Pate and Alex Malkovich followed by Fred Johnson and The Michal Ross Trio 9/15.
PEACE & LOVE On July 22nd, I saw Future Vintage Band at The Blueberry Patch in Gulfport, now celebrating its 40th anniversary and around since 7/7/77. The St. Pete trio have a great mix of dance music, threading through jamtronica, disco, and funk with Matt Giancola on keyboards, guitars, talk-box, and vocals; Trevor McDannel on bass and bass synthesizer; and Tucker Sody on drums and electronic drums.
Celebrating their 45th anniversary in June, Gulfport’s Blueberry Patch Since 7-7-77, the Blueberry Patch has been a place of art, love and music. They are located in Gulfport, FL. Events are held on the 1,7,11 & 22. Volunteer day is every Saturday from 11:11am till about 3pm, and they host 7pm open mics, open jams, open band nights as well a literary afternoon one Sunday a month. The oldest thriving artist retreat in the state of Florida is BYOB with a suggested $5 donation at the door. Follow the Facebook page and website for announcements. The 1st and 7th are Open Mics, the 11th is an Open Jam, and the 22nd is a featured Band Night.