Free downtown Tampa concert series Rock the Park returns to Curtis Hixon next week

And programming at ‘The Square’ nearby kicks back up on May 6, too.

click to enlarge Rock the Park Tampa at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in Tampa, Florida on June 6, 2019. - Michael M. Sinclair
Michael M. Sinclair
Rock the Park Tampa at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in Tampa, Florida on June 6, 2019.

It’s been more than a year since downtown Tampa concert series Rock the Park had an in-person concert at Curtis Hixon Park. And while limited-capacity shows under the awning of Tampa Museum of Art were a nice reprieve from virtual gigs, May’s installment of the free, family-and-pet friendly series will be another step towards “normal.”

Today, Tampa Downtown Partnership announced that Rock the Park’s return to in-person concerts at Curtis Hixon Park—where it’ll celebrate 12 years of concerts on Aug. 5—is set for next week on Thursday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Bands on the bill for the show include electro-noir duo Fantastical Tigers, songwriter Deb Ruby and funky indie-rock outfit Badcameo. The evening will be MC’d by Tampa Bay Lightning in-game host Greg Wolf.

The Downtown Partnership’s post said the tiered lawn will still be sectioned off into socially-distanced pod sections and that early arrival is suggested. A rep for the Partnership said it’s still unclear how many pods could roughly fit on site, but rough numbers could be available by Monday.

And the Curt—at 400 N Ashley Dr. on the Hillsborough River—isn’t the only downtown park getting the live music treatment. Lykes Gaslight Square got a revamp recently and on Thursday, May 6 it brings live music back with a set by Ella Jet who’s recently started teasing new music as a follow up to her wonderfully dark Black Wave Diary.

Music continues at “The Square”—located at 241 E Madison St., just a few blocks away from the Curt—every Thursday through June 24.

More information on all the shows is available via brokenmoldentertainment.com.

See a list of Tampa “Safe & Sound” live music venues here.

Support local journalism in these crazy days. Our small but mighty team is working tirelessly to bring you up to the minute news on how Coronavirus is affecting Tampa and surrounding areas. Please consider making a one time or monthly donation to help support our staff. Every little bit helps.

Follow @cl_tampabay on Twitter and subscribe to our newsletter.

WE LOVE OUR READERS!

Since 1988, CL Tampa Bay has served as the free, independent voice of Tampa Bay, and we want to keep it that way.

Becoming a CL Tampa Bay Supporter for as little as $5 a month allows us to continue offering readers access to our coverage of local news, food, nightlife, events, and culture with no paywalls.

Join today because you love us, too.

Ray Roa

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief in August 2019. Past work can be seen at Suburban Apologist, Tampa Bay Times, Consequence of Sound and The...
Scroll to read more Show Previews articles

Join Creative Loafing Tampa Bay Newsletters

Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox.