On Tuesday, state data showed that Florida added 5,062 coronavirus cases, 92 deaths (locally, Tampa Bay added 831 cases and 24 deaths). A Tampa Bay Times analysis showed that “on average, the state has reported about 5,133 infections and 76 deaths per day over the past seven days.” And while vaccinations are up— 329,720 people in Hillsborough, and 289,544 in Pinellas—Florida’s positivity rate was about 8.9% Tuesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. That’s more than a few reasons to stay safe at home, but the live local music scene is picking itself up.
We’ve marked the gigs at venues that have joined a Tampa-based and city-recognized “Safe & Sound” initiative that pledges to strictly enforce limited capacity, mask wearing and social distancing—and tried our best to explain COVID-19 protocols at venues that not able to join Tampa’s “Safe & Sound” program. Visit cltampa.com/magazine to listen to some of the music described below.
Thursday, April 1
- Rock the Park Tampa: The New Rulers w/P.M. Tiger/Element (Tampa Museum of Art at Curtis Hixon Park, Tampa)
Friday, April 2
- Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival: Sugar Ray (Gwazi Field at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Tampa)
- G.W. Souther (Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe, Tampa)
- Hip-Hop Explored: Gat$ w/Reeves/Bottemboy Fish/Lundy/Ayo Mama/DJ Dfaz (Crowbar, Ybor City)
- New Brutarians w/Bite-Size (New World Brewery, Tampa)
- Spring Break of Rock: Everclear w/Fastball/Vinnie Dombroski/Folk University (Ferg’s Sports Bar, St. Petersburg)
Saturday, April 3
- Boho Sideshow (Independent Bar, St. Petersburg)
- Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival: Sister Hazel (Gwazi Field at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Tampa)
- First Saturday Jazz: James Suggs (Independent Bar & Cafe, Tampa)
- Mindi Abair w/Bernie Williams (Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater)
- Sunset Saturdays: Morten w/Kyle Kinch (The Ritz, Ybor City)
Sunday, April 4
- Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival: Latin Explosion Selena, Santana and Gloria Estafan Tribute (Gwazi Field at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Tampa)
- Katara Trio (Independent Bar & Cafe, Tampa)
See a list of Tampa “Safe & Sound” live music venues here.
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This article appears in Apr 1-7, 2021.