Weekend Performances To Strike Right Chord With Music Lovers Of All Genres

TAMPA BAY, FL — No matter what your preferred genre, music lovers should take note of this weekend's performances. Musical artists ranging from '70s jazz fusion artists Spyro Gyra to the hip-hop sounds of Nas will perform in Tampa Bay.

Gasparilla Music Festival

The 10th annual Gasparilla Music Festival takes place Oct. 1-3 at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park,

Presented by Coppertail Brewing Company in Tampa, the Gasparilla Music Festival will welcome more than 35 local and national bands across four stages along downtown Tampa's Riverwalk.

Headliners at this year's Gasparilla Music Festival include Grammy nominee for best dance/electronic album Sofi Tukker and hip-hop superstar Nas. Featured Saturday night is Durham, North Carolina, duo Sylvan Esso. And closing the festival on Sunday will be the celebrated Southern rock and jam band Gov't Mule.

Included in the lineup are entertainers specifically geared to kids.

Almost as popular as the music is the food at the festival. This year's festival will feature:

Big Ray’s Fish Camp – Grouper sandwiches and peel-and-eat shrimp
Cafe Hey – Cuban sandwiches and vegan truffle mac & cheese
Cena – Nduja meatball subs and Italian sausage
Dochos – Jerk chicken and seafood rice bowls
Dough Nation – Cookie dough ice cream
Ella’s Folk Art Cafe – Chicken and waffle sandwich
Ichicoro – Yakisoba and Gangchu dog
The Independent – Belgian frites
Kona Ice – Shaved ice and novelty ice cream
King of the Coop – Chicken tender baskets
Loli’s Mexican Cravings – Tacos
Nebraska Mini Mart – "Kick Ass" vegetarian (or not) nachos
Parnell Foods – Lemonade
Shadrach’s Fiery Furnace Pizza – Wood-fire pizza
Spaddy’s Coffee Company – Coffee
Teer Tea – Cold-brew iced tea
The Bricks – Bird and Pig and The Goodness Wrap
Whatever Pops – Gourmet ice pops

Click here for the festival lineup.

Tickets range from $40 to $250. Kids 12 and under are admitted for free. Click here for tickets.

98 RockFest

The 98 RockFest returns to Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa, Saturday.

There will be a free show on the plaza at 2 p.m. featuring performances by rising rock stars Ayron Jones and Zero 9:36, hosted by 98ROCK’s Skratch N’Sniff.

Then starting at 5 p.m., rock legends Shinedown, Seether, Candlebox, Fozzy and Dirty Honey will take the stage.

Tickets start at $35. Click here.

Spyro Gyra Performs At Capitol Theatre

The Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater will present Spyro Gyra on Saturday, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m.

The popular jazz fusion group from the ‘70s and ‘80s has sold more than 10 million albums.

Tickets are $35, $40, and $55. Click here.

4th Annual '70s Fest

Meanwhile, the four annual '70s Fest will take place Saturday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. at Ruth Eckerd Hall, starring Little River Band and the Lords of 52nd Street.

Music fans can also take in the '70s Marketplace outside the hall starting at 5 p.m., featuring a classic car show, vintage vinyl, '70s-inspired vendors, food and pre-show entertainment.

Little River Band has claimed its place as one of the great vocal bands of the '70s and '80s with chart-topping hits including Reminiscing, Lady, Cool Change, Lonesome Loser, The Night Owls, Take It Easy On Me and Help Is on Its Way. Little River Band will add a 10-piece string section to this year's show.

The Lords of 52nd Street, the band that helped establish Billy Joel’s sound, is led by multi-instrumentalist Richie Cannata, drummer/percussionist Liberty DeVitto and guitarist Russell Javors. Four of the five Joel albums released during their tenure reached the top 10 on the Billboard charts: The Stranger, 52nd Street, Glass Houses, and the live Songs in the Attic.

Tickets are $35, $45, $55 and $79. Click here.

Leonid & Friends On Stage

Fans of Chicago will want to check out the Moscow-based tribute band Leonid & Friends at the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre Friday, Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. It took less than four years for this band that started as a fun studio project amongst friends in Moscow to become an international phenomenon.

Tickets are $49.50, $69.50, $79.50 and *$124.50 for meet-and-greet tickets that include a premium seat and post-show photo opp.

Click here.

Crowder Debuts At Ruth Eckerd

Christian rock band Crowder will bring its "Milk & Honey Tour" to Clearwater for the band's Ruth Eckerd Hall debut Sunday, Oct. 3 at 8 p.m.

The band has sold more than three million records and received three Grammy nominations. Over 3 Million records sold and 3 GRAMMY® Nominations. Crowder’s first solo album, Neon Steeple, debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200, was named iTunes 2014 Christian Album of the Year, garnered multiple radio hits, two Grammy nominations, a Grand Ole Opry debut and a Dove Award.

Tickets are $28.75, $38.75, $48.75 and $103.75. Click here.

Pinellas Park Concerts In The Park

Country music singer-songwriter Tracy Lawrence will headline Pinellas Park's free Concerts in the Park Friday, Oct. 1 and Saturday, Oct. 2, at the England Brothers Park Bandshell, 5010 81st Ave. N., Pinellas Park.

• Shot of Courage Band from 6 to 7 p.m.
• Angie Rey Band from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.
• Chad Montana Band from 8:30 to 9:45 p.m.

The concert lineup on Saturday includes:

• St. Petersburg School of Rock from 5 to 5:45 p.m.
• Pirate Flag from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
• Tracy Lawrence at 8 p.m.

Food, soft drinks and beer will be available for purchase and proceeds will benefit Pinellas Park Boys & Girls Club and the Kiwanis Club of Pinellas Park. The event will also include limited crafters and vendors. Lawn chairs permitted, but coolers are not allowed.

Sponsors are Taylor Funeral Home and the Pinellas Farmers Market.

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