In 2015, promoter Sean O’Brien—along with Bay area Americana hero Have Gun, Will Travel (HGWT) and friends—staged a local recreation of Martin Scorsese’s iconic concert film documenting The Band’s all-star farewell concert at the Winterland Auditorium in San Francisco. O’Brien & co. did it again in 2018, and, well, the band is back together, this time raising money for National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) at the David A. Straz Center’s Ferguson Hall.
Besides the HGWT crew, a who’s who of Tampa Bay talent join the show including Nervous Turkey’s Ernie Locke, Poetry ‘N’ Lotion’s Matt E. Lee, J.T. Brown, Rebekah Pulley, NIVA ambassador Tom DeGeorge and Shae Krispinsky (pictured above, she'll play Joni Mitchell).
O’Brien, who left the promoting biz in 2016, is back in the industry under the moniker MNE Presents.
“It stands for Mnemosyne…She is the Greek Goddess of Memories and mother to the 9 Muses,” O’Brien wrote on Facebook. “And much like the Muses, I wish to not just focus on music; but also film, art, history, comedy, drama, food, and anything else that inspires Tampa's creative side.”
MNE already has several events lined up including the Reel Deal series which pairs a movie with live soundtrack performances (and where the first local “Last Waltz” show originated).
The party continues after the Straz at the Hub’s afterparty with DJ Mes (Rock & Soul, Emo Tampa) and indie funk fusion outfit BadCameo.
The Last Waltz NIVA Fundraiser w/Have Gun, Will Travel & Friends. Friday, Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m. $20-$25. Ferguson Hall at Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa. strazcenter.org
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This article appears in Nov 11-17, 2021.
