Erik Hempel Credit: erikhempelmusic/Facebook
Erik Hempel is at Red Star, and GMF is trading tickets for instruments. ‘Tis the season to give back, and Red Star Live’s Live Creation Music & Art Festival is the perfect opportunity to do so.

The all-day event benefits the nonprofit of the same name, giving children and underserved people free music lessons, musical instruments, and scholarships. Over a dozen bands play throughout including local contemporary funk and jazz fusion bandleader Erik Hempel. In addition to the $10 suggested donation, gently-used instruments are also accepted.
And if you’re in a giving mood and can’t make it to Brandon this weekend, Gasparilla Music Festival is also having its Recycled Tunes Music Instrument Drive on Saturday, Dec. 111 from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. at Sparkman Wharf (a donation there gets you a free ticket to the festival happening Feb. 25-27). Stay up to date with music news, events and concert announcements as the Tampa Bay music scene recovers from coronavirus shutdowns. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow @cl_tampabay on Twitter.

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,...