It'll always be near-impossible to match the over-the-top eclectic feel of the lineup at WMNF's now-on-hiatus/in-cruise-mode Tropical Heatwave, but a new-to-Ybor music festival now has a chance.
WhigFest — which intially established itself on St. Pete's First Block — took a break in 2016, but its founders made plans to revive it in Ybor City in 2018 by staging a two-day party at the Cuban Club. Now, the itinerary has changed just a bit.
"Originally, the two main stages were slated for the Cuban Club courtyard, with the other stages at The Attic and the side stage at The Ritz," WhigFest co-founder Kevin Lilly wrote in a press release. "Last month, following the 311 concert at the Cuban Club, the club foundation alerted the promoters of WhigFest that the venue was not going be available as originally contracted due to the rehabilitation project the Cuban Club was undergoing as a result of deteriorating foundation."
UPDATE: In a phone call to CL Cuban Club Foundation secretary/treasurer Patrick Manteiga explained that The Cuban Club has received several state grants for restoration, and that the biggest one ($1 million) requires improvements to be done by June 1. In an effort to comply, the Club immediately went under construction in December. The Club has since removed air-conditioning out of the ballroom, second and third floors. In addition to that are in-process structural repairs that require the Club to tear up the slab on the ground floor, expand the foundation, add supporting columns and eventually replace some columns as well.
"Thankfully, as Ybor City usually does… the promoters, business owners and venue operators stepped up and rallied to keep the festival on track with replacement venues and stages," Lilly added.
That means the fest will now take place on February 18 at four different Ybor City venues.
Located two blocks southeast of the Cuban Club, The Attic at Rock Brothers (owned and operated by Lilly and Rock Brothers Brewing co-founder Tony Casoria) will put on an acoustic show by Stokeswood and a full-band set by FayRoy (the latter of which put out one of CL's favorite local albums of 2017).
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The big shows (a three-hour set by Umphrey's McGee and one from the Heavy Pets) will move a block south of The Attic to the Ritz Ybor's mainstage, while The Ritz's side room hosts sets by Stokeswood and Loose Talk.
The Orpheum (on the eastern end of Seventh Avenue) will play host to Polyenso, Uncle John's Band and Antelope while First Chance, Last Chance Bar (near the corner of Seventh Avenue and 16th Street) will host acoustic sets by Heather Maloney, JT Brown, Mountain Holler, Kristopher James, Forrest Hoffar.
See a map of the venue changes below.
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“This will turn out to be a pretty cool experience for Umphrey’s McGee’s fans," Casoria wrote in the statement. "The main stage at The Ritz is a great place to see a show, we had 311 and Rebelution there earlier this year for two of our Rock Brothers beer releases and it was incredible. Secondly, we won't have any weather worries, and the intimacy of the venue will make for a truly special 3 hour extended Umphrey’s set.”
More bands have yet to be announced, but tickets are available starting at $40. Visit whigfest.com for more info.
CL sent an email to Cuban Club officials checking on the status of the venue's foundation. We will update the post as necessary.
This article appears in Jan 4-11, 2018.