Florida Aquarium Rhythm & Brews By Bay Event To Feature Gin Blossoms

TAMPA, FL — After a two-year hiatus, the popular Rhythm & Brews by the Bay event is back, and is expected to be one of The Florida Aquarium's biggest events yet with a concert by the alternative rock band, Gin Blossoms, and an acoustic set with Ken Block and Drew Copeland of the Gainesville-based alternative rock band Sister Hazel.

The newly named Rhythm & Brews by the Bay event takes place Friday at 7 p.m. at The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, and will offer attendees a chance to taste some of Tampa Bay's best craft beers while exploring the aquarium's 8,000 aquatic and terrestrial animals at home in natural ecosystems including the new penguin habitat.

Attendees can also search for wild dolphins from the aquarium's newest event space, a rooftop terrace overlooking Port Tampa Bay with views of the Tampa cityscape.

The shaded rooftop terrace features a new solar-panel-covered pavilion, emphasizing the aquarium's commitment to sustainability. The aquarium partnered with Tampa Electric Co. to create this unique rooftop venue powered by the sun with the help of 1,140 solar panels.

VIP admission is sold out but there are still general admission tickets available for $125, including unlimited beer samplings provided by Big Storm Brewing Co., Florida Avenue Brewing Co., Press Premium Alcohol Seltzer, Motorworks Brewing, Bold City Brewery, Kona Brewing Co., Green Bench Brewing Co., Mullet, Funky Buddha, 3 Daughters Brewing, Hidden Springs Ale Works, Canteen Spirits, Cantina Especial Tequila Soda, Coppertail Brewing Co., Kopparberg, Copper Shaker and Bastet Brewing.

General admission tickets also include a 5-ounce commemorative beer stein, photo opportunities and food provided by:

• Copper Shaker
• Jotoro
• Fresh Kitchen Westshore
• New York New York Pizza
• Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
• Outback Steakhouse
• James Joyce Irish Pub
• Splitsville
• Jeremiah’s Italian Ice
• The Rusty Pelican

Tickets can be purchased here.

The fundraiser comes at an opportune time for the aquarium, which has just launched a capital campaign to build a $40 million expansion featuring the first California sea lion habitat on Florida's west coast, a rotating special exhibit gallery, a multi-species gallery featuring puffins and a new African penguin habitat.

In 2022, The Florida Aquarium was named the No. 3 aquarium in the country in 2022 by USA Today's 10 Best.

Gin Blossoms

According to Gin Blossoms band spokesman Chad Jensen, the Gin Blossoms appear at the Rhythm & Blues by the Bay event following their sold-out summer tour with Barenaked Ladies and Toad the Wet Sprocket.

Based in Tempe, Arizona, the Gin Blossoms have been entertaining music lovers for decades. In fact, this year marks the 30th anniversary of their five-time Platinum debut album, "New Miserable Experience" featuring “Until I Fall Away,” “Found Out About You,” “Hey Jealousy” and “Allison Road.”

Those hit tracks were followed up by the Empire Records Platinum Soundtrack hit, “Til I Hear It From You.” In 1996, the singles “Follow you Down” and “As Long As It Matters,” followed.

The Gin Blossoms have undoubtedly left their mark on the Rock music map. The Grammy-nominated band’s fusion of melodic rock, pop, folk and country elements has helped pave the way for the modern rock of today.

Boasting record sales of over 10 million, the band continues to burn up the road, performing over 100 tour dates per year.

Block and Copeland

Ken Block and Drew Copeland are best known as two of the five members of the platinum-selling Southern rock band Sister Hazel based in Gainesville.

Block has long been praised by both media and fans alike for his powerful and emotion-evincing voice which is both unique and instantly recognizable thanks to a string of radio hits including “All For You,” “Change Your Mind,” “Happy,” “Champagne High” and others. Over the last 15 years, he and the band have been prolific in the studio and at live shows.

Similarly, Copeland is a celebrated songwriter and vocalist. In 2004, he released a solo album, “No Regrets.” An avid sports and music lover, Copeland has been honing his songwriting skills in Nashville, Tennessee. over the last decade with some of country music’s finest tunesmiths.

Sister Hazel is known for their personal approachability and fan-friendly events. Their songs have appeared in many motion picture soundtracks over the last decade including “10 Things I Hate About You,” “Major League: Back to the Minors,” “The Wedding Planner,” “Clay Pigeons,” “American Wedding” and “Bedazzled.”

See related stories:

• $40M Expansion Includes Sea Lion, Puffin Habitats At Florida Aquarium
• Tampa Mayor Dives Head On Into New Florida Aquarium Program
• Florida Aquarium Makes Historic Breakthrough To Save Coral Reefs
• Help Saving African Penguin Comes From Florida Aquarium Donation
• Florida Aquarium Takes Another Step To Saving Endangered Coral
• Florida Aquarium Celebrates 25th Anniversary With Expansion