December is officially underway, as is the month’s concert offerings. Take a look at what’s happening on this Thurs., Dec. 3.


The Acacia Strain with Counterparts, Glass Cloud, Fit For An Autopsy, Kublai Khan Last year saw the release of Coma Witch, the seventh studio album from misanthropic deathy-though-hates-to-admit it Massachusetts metalcore outfit The Acacia Strain, which saw the debut of new guitarists Devin Shidaker and Richard Gomez (who provide a dual attack in place of single axe crusher and founding member Daniel “DL” Laskiewicz), and marked the final recording with bassist Jack Strong before he exited the band in May. Also of note: Canadian melodic hardcore outfit Counterparts supporting a fourth LP, Tragedy Will Find Us, that was dropped via Pure Noise Records this summer. (Orpheum, Ybor City)

I Am Prodigy Music Festival This free, two-hour (4-6 p.m.) festival celebrating the 15th anniversary of UACDC’s Prodigy Cultural Arts Program – which empowers, educates and enables at-risk youth ages 7 to 17 via performing and visual arts – is led by jazz and world music vocalist/percussionist Fred Johnson with fine guest support in jazz trumpeter Tom “Ziegelhofer and pianist James Crumbly. Other Prodigy-affiliated talents scheduled to perform includes The Collective (led by guitar instructor/musician Rory Winter) and emcee Hyfa tha Prospect. Johnson also performs a more intimate jazz gig at The Underground on Saturday night. (University Area Pavilion, Tampa)

The 5th Annual Rock n’ Roll Holiday Concert with Terry Sylvester & more One-time Hollies singer-guitarist Terry Sylvester (“He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother,” “Air That I Breathe”) hits the stage with Tommy Mara and The Crests (“Summertime,” “16 Candles”); Paul Wilson (of the Wilson Van) doing a set of tunes from the ‘50s through the ‘70s, and Nick Dukas (“One and Forever Love”), all performing to raise money and collection new, unwrapped toys to donate to Toys for Tots. (Largo Cultural Center, Largo)

ALSO TONIGHT
Rock the Park w/Underhill Family Orchestra/The Duppies/The Freecoasters Curtis Hixon Park, Tampa
Gino Vannelli Capitol Theatre, Clearwater
Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
Shawn Jay/The Krunkadelux/Ken Kong/Soopa Local 662, St. Petersburg
Damon Fowler Ale And The Witch, St. Petersburg

This article appears in Dec 3-9, 2015.