If you haven't realized it yet, the National Hockey League is bringing its All-Star Game to Hockey Paradise (aka Tampa Bay).
Starting today, fans will descend upon downtown for free shows, ticketed ones, the All-Star Skills Competition and the game itself.
CL has already told you about performances by Fitz and the Tantrums, Moon Taxi, Flo Rida, Kid Rock and a host of amazing locals, but we figured we'd gather the links together here and give you some tips on how to get around.
Here's a day-by-day guide:
NHL ALL-STAR GAME MUSIC SCHEDULE*
times subject to change
Friday, January 26
- UNRB (Cotanchobee Park, FREE) — 7 p.m.
- Fitz and the Tantrums w/Moon Taxi (Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, FREE) — 8 p.m. (Gates at 6 p.m.)
Curtis Hixon Park is on the northwestern end of downtown Tampa and less than a mile from Amalie Arena. Friday night's show with Fitz and the Tantrums and Moon Taxi is free-to-attend, and gates open at 6 p.m. A list of prohibited items can be seen here. If you want to stay closer to the arena, then check out Bay area ska-punk band UNRB, which is reuniting for its free-to-attend All-Star game concert at Cotanchobee Park (on the southeastern end of Amalie Arena, near the Tampa Bay History Center).
Parking and Transportation (Friday) Details on using transit to get in and out of downtown are available here, and if you must drive and park then you can buy parking from Parking Panda. Otherwise try to find an on-street spot that isn't already reserved or go to a parking garage.
Saturday, January 27
- Ella Jet Trio (Cotanchobee Park, FREE) — 12 p.m.
- Dean Johanesen (Cotanchobee Park, FREE) — 1:30 p.m.
- Tribal Style (Cotanchobee Park, FREE) — 5 p.m.
- Flo Rida w/Joshua Cruz & the Experience (Amalie Arena, ticket required) — 7 p.m.
Saturday will be a long day for music lovers who already have tickets to the sold-out Skills Competition (Flo Rida is playing inside of the arena), but those not going inside of the arena can still take in some free concerts at Cotanchobee park (on the southeastern end of Amalie Arena, near the Tampa Bay History Center) starting at 12 p.m. when pop songwriter Ella Jet plays an outdoor stage before vintage-folk singer Dean Johanesen (1:30 p.m.) and roots-reggae band Tribal Style (5 p.m.). If you're in arena on Saturday, you must do your best to check out Tampa local Joshua Cruz and the Experience.
" It’s such an honor to be able to share my songs and deliver a dreamy set to so many different new people who are music lovers," Jet, who normally plays with a six-piece, told CL. She says her All-Star game set will be more stripped down, but her band is like family, so it'll be cool to see how it adjusts to the temporary lineup change. She's also working on a full-length with legendary Bay area producer Steve Connelly, so we're hoping to hear some of the record at the gig, too.
Parking and Transportation (Saturday) It's important to remember that Saturday, January 27 is also the same day as the Gasparilla day parade, so traffic is gonna be weird to say the least. If you must drive, then see changes to parking, traffic and circulation here. Details on using transit to get in and out of downtown are available here, and if you must drive and park then you can buy parking from Parking Panda.
Sunday, January 28
- Cliff Brown (Cotanchobee Park, FREE) — 12 p.m.
- Have Gun, Will Travel (Cotanchobee Park, FREE) — 2 p.m.
- Chase Rice w/Brett Young/Lindsay Ell (Amalie Arena, player introductions and national anthems)
- Kid Rock (Amalie Arena, ticket required) — Second intermission, first match is 3:30 p.m.
Cliff Brown and Bay area Americana favorites Have Gun, Will Travel are providing the free outdoor tunes on Sunday at Cotanchobee Park (on the southeastern end of Amalie Arena, near the Tampa Bay History Center), and fans inside the arena will get to see Kid Rock perform during the second intermission. Country singer Chase Rice who'll perform during player intros for the All-Star Game on Sunday, January 28, and another country boy — Brett Young — who will handle the "Star-Spangled Banner." Canadian Country Music Association Female Singer of the Year nominee Lindsay Ell will perform the Canadian national anthem.
Parking and Transportation (Sunday) Details on using transit to get in and out of downtown are available here, and if you must drive and park then you can buy parking from Parking Panda. Otherwise try to find an on-street spot that isn't already reserved or go to a parking garage.
