History says Barry Manilow is 79 years old. Don’t tell that to ageless iconic American songwriter though. Mr. “Copacabana” was in Tampa last Saturday night for a hit filled show that was preceded by the pop star naming local teacher Christopher Allen as a “The Manilow Music Project” winner. The win brings $5,000, plus another $5,000 in “Manilow bucks” to help Allen purchase instruments for Newsome High School.

Credit: Photo by Phil DeSimone
Credit: Photo by Phil DeSimone
Barry Manilow plays Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida on Jan. 14, 2023. Credit: Photo by Phil DeSimone / Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
Credit: Photo by Phil DeSimone
Credit: Photo by Phil DeSimone
Credit: Photo by Phil DeSimone
Credit: Photo by Phil DeSimone
Credit: Photo by Phil DeSimone
Credit: Photo by Phil DeSimone
Credit: Photo by Phil DeSimone
Credit: Photo by Phil DeSimone
Credit: Photo by Phil DeSimone
Credit: Photo by Phil DeSimone

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief...