The Bar-Kays Credit: The Bar-Kays / Facebook
Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival is a 10-day event promoting “diversity and cultural sensitivity” that includes a two-day music fest at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.

Soul-funk legends Bar-Kays headline the party Saturday night, so you better wear dancing shoes. Songs like “Freakshow on the Dancefloor” and “Too Hot to Stop (Pt. 1)” are guaranteed booty poppers.

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Jane Eugene of British R&B act Loose Ends starts off the concert; I’m pretty sure Loose Ends’ 1985 song “Hanging on a String” could be released on a Blood Orange album without anyone knowing it was 37 years old.
On Sunday, singer Erica Campbell brings contemporary Gospel to downtown Tampa, and If you’re wondering what new gospel sounds like, “I Luh God” is definitely not your Grandma’s worship jam. Jazz from Euge Groove rounds out the weekend the best way possible: smooth and saxy.

Free COVID-19 PCR testing will be available on site.

This article appears in Jan 6-12, 2022.

Freelance contributor Stephanie Powers started her media career as an Editorial Assistant long ago when the Tampa Bay Times was still called the St. Petersburg Times. After stints in Chicago and Los Angeles,...