WMNF’s Tropical Heatwave Turns 35 This Saturday!
We’re having a heat wave, A tropical heat wave…
Yes, WMNF 88.5 Community Conscious Radio wants you to know that they’re having a heatwave, THE Tropical Heatwave, an outrageous evening of music all around Ybor City. This is the 35th Tropical Heatwave, in fact, this time presenting 50 bands on ten different stages.
It will be a one-day blow-out this Saturday, April 30th, at clubs up and down 7th and 8th Avenues in Ybor City. Music begins at 5 PM and ends about 2 AM. (Full disclosure: I program the Colors of Jazz show on Sundays.)
So what kind of music can you expect? It would be a whole lot easier asking what you won’t find!
CIGAR CITY CIDER & MEAD 1812 N. 15th Street (2 on the map)
The evening begins with four acts in the Teen Showcase. Then, the singer-songwriters take over, including Grant Peeples, Dean Johanesen and the remarkable Geri X.
The WILL CALL table is also located at Cigar City.
TEQUILA’S 1613 E. 7th Avenue (6)
A wide range of genres invades Tequila’s, from the funk/reggae/rock of The Get Right Band and deluxe jazz and funk fusion from Acme Jazz Garage, with the brilliant Flat Land from Gainesville, who just knocked ‘em dead at the Ocheechobee Music and Arts Festival.
THE ITALIAN CLUB 1731 E. 7th Avenue (7)
There are two stages at the Italian Club: the Cantina and the Dance Stage. Lots of alt-country and folk fill the Cantina, including WMNF favorites the Hummingbirds, and the night closes with Cello Joe, a cellist/beatboxer. Now you know you need to check him out!
Meanwhile, on the Dance Stage, Vanessa Collins gets things rolling with blues, soul and jazz, Dropin Pickup jams the rock, Caravan of Thieves is your gypsy-folk-swing connection, and Rocket 88 does rockabilly with the best of them. And previous Heatwave early-evening sensations The Peterson Brothers from Austin close the night out.
NEW WORLD BREWERY 1313 E. 8th Avenue (1)
Just about everything makes its way to NWB, from ukulele fusion (Jct 27) and roots reggae (Badda Skat) to dark psych/synthwave (Pleasures) and good ole’ rock (King of Denmark).
THE CROWBAR 1812 N. 17th Street (8)
Some big, big names blow up the Crowbar. Max Norton and His All-Star Friends kick it off, followed by a special event with Barely Pink covering Ziggy Stardust. Stokeswood (from Atlanta) is up next, with English post-punk madness from Wreckless Eric on tap as well, and finally Dash Rip Rock delivers full-frontal ultra-high energy roots rock, representing New Orleans.
THE RITZ YBOR 1503 E. 7th Avenue (4)
Get jumping early with the dynamic ska/fusion of UNRB. Then stick around for the funkiest damn show you’ve seen in ages, Trae Pierce and the T-Stone Band, who just headlined the recent WMNF Little Manatee April Fool’s Jam Fest. After Mingo Fishtrap has their soul and funk way with you, The Mantras are guaranteed to melt your face right off with blistering prog-rock and funk by way of North Carolina. Nikki Hill has the honors, shutting down the Ritz with her powerhouse R&B.
The Ritz is also your location for TICKET SALES, but you should buy them early to save you money!
TROPICAL BREEZE STAGE 1402 E. 7th Avenue (3)
Kansas Bible Company (who are from Indiana) is a wild ten-piece band with horns ranging from surf and prog to trippy psychedelia. Then master Texas singer-songwriter James McMurtry returns to Heatwave to tell you about “Choctaw Bingo” and more. Energetic psychedelic rock comes next from The Bright Light Social Hour, fellow Texans. WMNF favorite Chuck Prophet and the Mission Express play “white-trash soul” and more, followed by Ra Ra Riot’s Syracuse brand of indie rock.
FIRST CHANCE, LAST CHANCE BAR 1707 E. 7th Avenue (5)
If folk is your thing, then FCLC Bar is the place for you, as they present Florida Folk Night, full of great promise.
JOFFREY’S COFFEE YBOR 1811 N. 15th Street (9)
And if you are fan of spoken word and poetry, then be sure to drop in to check out THW16 Poetry Slam. This is going to smoke!
So you have great music from across the Tampa Bay area, across Florida, across the country and across the pond! Use the map to help you work on your schedule plans, and listen to some of the Heatwave performers before you go! Find more information on the official website.