✔️= Critic's Pick
✔️ Toots and the Maytals Bob Marley gets all the shine (and licensing deals) when it comes to reggae music in pop culture, and that’s unfair to Toots Hibbert. The 76-year-old songwriter is as much of a reggae godfather as Marley, and the hits he recorded with the Maytals (“Pressure Drop,” “Sweet and Dandy,” “Monkey Man,” “54-46 (That’s My Number),” and “Do the Reggay”) are sacred parts of the genre’s canon. While his Grammy-winning ensembles recorded more than a dozen albums during a 15-year-run from the late ‘60s through the ‘70s, Hibbert’s last album — Unplugged on Strawberry Hill — was released six years ago. He recently said that the group has recorded more than two albums’ worth of new music, so hope that you hear some of it at this outdoor gig on the Jannus courtyard. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg) INFO
✔️ Shelly Berg The Florida Orchestra spent last weekend giving Tampa Bay a heavy dose of Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue, and Grammy-nominated pianist Shelly Berg is set to give jazz fans a little more from the American composer at the Palladium (Berg, 63, released his latest album, Gershwin Reimagined: An American in London, last year). Expect the dean of the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music to dip into whichever part of his massive discography he wants to, as well, for this show where he’ll be backed by La Lucha’s Mark Feinman on drums and Alejandro Arenas on bass. (Side Door Cabaret at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg) INFO
Dar Williams On “Christians and the Pagans,” Dar Williams weaves a tale about a lesbian, pagan couple that spends the holidays with a Christian relative. The 51-year-old songwriter and author has called the tune an ecumenical Christmas song that tackles religion and sexual orientation, and we’re hoping to hear it when Williams plays The Attic above Rock Brothers Brewing’s tasting room. (The Attic at Rock Brothers Brewing, Ybor City) INFO
Proud/Father w/fri(G)id/Whirlynn/Kai Jera The final days are approaching for Ybor City DIY shed The Red Light (not to be confused with the Bunker’s Red Light Café series, which also has a show on January 10). For this penultimate show, the space hosts two New Orleans acts which both like to pull listeners in with soothing textures before assaulting them with a barrage of noise. St. Petersburg synth-pop composer Kate Swan (aka Whirlynn) opens the show along with one of Red Light’s caretakers, Kai Jera. You should ask somebody for the exact address. (The Red Light, Ybor City) INFO
✔️ Critical Hits w/Changer/Community Couch A new St. Petersburg watering hole has been booking live music over the last few months, but Green Light’s offerings are much more ambitious than its “bar” title might suggest. This no-cover concert features poppy-punk tunes from Vic Alvarez’s Critical Hits project, indie-leaning rock from Changer and ukulele-driven punk from Community Couch. (Green Light Bar, St. Petersburg) INFO
ALSO PLAYING
*See a list of venues hosting residencies and tribute or cover bands at the bottom of this post.
ALSO PLAYING
Thursday
DJ Maus (SubCentral at Iberian Rooster, St. Petersburg) INFO
The Bronx Wanderers (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater) INFO
Sweet n' Sticky Jam Launch w/The Dags (Hooch and Hive, Tampa) INFO
Florida Orchestra Coffee Concert: Spirit of America (Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg) INFO
Peter J. w/John Alexander (Cage Brewing, St. Petersburg) INFO
Nate Najar w/John Lamb/James Suggs/Bryan Hughes (The Horse and Jockey, South Pasadena) INFO
January 10, Red Light Café: Yanni's Birthday Extravaganza(The Bunker, Ybor City) INFO
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Below is a list of clubs and restaurants that either regularly book both original music acts as well as tribute and cover bands or feature a concert calendar stocked with higher-quality residents. Follow the links to see more.
Residencies
c. 1949 Florida Beer Garden 6905 N Orleans Ave., Tampa
Hideaway Café 1756 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Jazz House Supper Club 9331 East Adamo Dr., Tampa
The Landing at Jannus 200 First Ave N., St. Petersburg
The Living Room 487 Main St., Dunedin
The Mandarin Hide 231 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Ringside Café 16 2nd St N., St. Petersburg
Ruby's Elixir 15 3rd St. N., St. Petersburg
Seminole Hard Rock Café 5223 Orient Rd, Tampa
Tampa Armature Works 1910 N Ola Ave., Tampa
The Vinoy Renaissance 501 5th Ave NE, St. Petersburg
Tribute/Cover/Open Mics
3 Daughters Brewing 222 22nd St., St. Petersburg
Barefoot Billy's Friendly Tavern 3120 W. Gandy Blvd, Tampa
Buckets Grill & Tap 4535 Gunn Hwy., Tampa
Captain Jack’s On The Water 21 Oscar Hill Rd., Tarpon Springs
Caddy's On The Beach 9000 W Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island
Café Hey 1540 N Franklin St., Tampa
Gator's 12754 Kingfish Dr., Treasure Island
Green Iguana 4029 S. Westshore Blvd., Tampa
Ferg's Live 490 Channelside Dr., Tampa
JD's Restaurant & Lounge 125 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach
Hula Bay Club 5210 W Tyson Ave., Tampa
O'Briens Irish Pub Multiple Locations, Tampa
Rick's On The River 2305 N Willow Ave., Tampa
Smokin' 19 3080-3090 34th St N., St. Petersburg
Two Buks 1915 N. Hercules Ave., Clearwater
Yeoman Cask & Lion (two locations: 202 N. Morgan St., Tampa; 200 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg)
This article appears in Jan 10-17, 2019.