THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26
Gil Mantera's Party Dream w/Sunbears!/Vasti The duo-turned-trio from Ohio produces synthtastic New Wave-flavored pop melodies with overaffected and vocoder robotic vocals trading off over bleeptastic beats. This is the band’s second round in town since the release of their 2009 album, Dreamscape, and their live show is worth checking out for sure. Frontmen/maybe-brothers Ultimate Donny and Gil Mantera are ringmasters of absurdity in tacky spandex who bring a sort of gross animal magnetism to their alcohol-fueled, performance art chaos. 9 p.m., Crowbar, Ybor City, $8 in advance/$10 dos (18 and up).
[image-1]FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27
Paul Van Dyk [pictured] Among the elite of electronic music artists is Berlin-based DJ/producer Paul van Dyk, who’s been doling out his trance dancing beats since the early ’90s. His current winter tour supports Volume: The Best of Paul van Dyk, a collection that draws from his studio debut, 1994’s 45 RPM, his Grammy-nominated Reflections (2003) and his most recent, 2007’s In Between. 9 p.m., VENUE CHANCE FROM The Ritz Ybor TO The Kennedy, Tampa, $25 general/$45 VIP.
Pink Floyd's "The Wall" WMNF 30th Anniversary Re-creation w/The Vodkanauts and special guests It’s been more than three decades since Roger Waters wrote the semi-autobiographical outline of Pink Floyd’s bleak prog rock opera, The Wall, a double album that deals with themes of alienation via the story of a tortured musician and the barriers that keep him from becoming a functioning member of society. The latest fundraiser for WMNF features a full-scale performance of the venerated album in its entirety. Retro rockin’ fivesome The Vodkanauts play as an “enhanced” lineup with musical guests fleshing out The Wall’s vocals and instrumentals – Brian Merrill and Stan Arthur of The Ditchflowers, singers Heather Harrison, Mich Sullivan and Freight Train Annie, and Dan LaJoy of The Lake Audition. Rubix Cubed and Rebekah Pulley and the Reluctant Prophets kick off the show with their own sets of (non-Wall) Floyd covers. 8 p.m., Largo Cultural Center, Largo, $17 in advance/$20 dos.
Damon Fowler w/Daryl Hance 8 p.m., Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa, $7 in advance/$10 dos.
Mother's Finest *CANCELED due to low ticket sales* The Ritz Ybor, Ybor City.
[image-2] [pictured] w/The Script/Green River Ordinance Seventh season American Idol winner David Cook got Tampa watchers rooting for him for reasons that reached beyond his talent – the orange wristband the rockin’ singer-songwriter wore in Idol was to show support for a young local fan battling leukemia. Cook’s self-titled 2008 album was produced by Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls) and has been certified Platinum by the RIAA. 8 p.m., Progress Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg, $30-$35.
Classical Mystery Tour with The Florida Orchestra Last season, The Florida Orchestra performed the music of Pink Floyd with a full band and psychedelic lights. This season, conveniently close to the release of the re-masters and a resurgence of interest in the Fab Four, TFO pays tribute to The Beatles with Classical Mystery Tour. Actor/musicians from Broadway’s Beatlemania – Jim Owen on rhythm guitar and piano, Tony Kishman on bass and piano, Tom Teeley on lead guitar and Chris Camilleri on drums as John, Paul, George and Ringo, respectively – perform note perfect renditions of Beatles hits ranging from “Yesterday” (presented on acoustic guitar with a string quartet), to “A Day in the Life” (complete with live orchestral crescendo). The foursome also draws on solo Lennon and McCartney songs, and executes costume changes throughout the night to represent different eras in Beatles history. Nov. 27-29, 8 p.m. Fri., Carol Morsani Hall-Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, downtown Tampa, and 8 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., Progress Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg, $20-$67 ($10 students).
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28
MAWFEST! w/Crash Mitchell/The Tim Version/The Lake Audition/Zero Time Ghost This benefit concert is staged by local raucous rocker Crash Mitchell in tribute to his late friend, Robyn Curtiss, who passed away in August. (According to Crash’s email, “I always called her Maw, hence MawFest.”) Proceeds support Curtiss’ immediate family and go towards expenses accumulated from her memorial and funeral services. 9 p.m., New World Brewery, Ybor City, $7.
Thomas Wynn and the Believers w/Shak Nasti Tasty Southern rock jams and funky good times. 8 p.m., Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa, $7 in advance/$10 dos.
[image-3]industrial metal group that has influenced scores of like-acts with their experimental, pioneering recording techniques (layering, tape-splicing, distortion) and use of synthesizers, drum machines, samplers and found sounds. Skinny Puppy is also known for controversial performance art-style live shows marked by improvisation, visual projections, and elaborate stage props and machines. Key and Ogre, the band’s only constant members, parted ways in 1995, reunited in 2000, released their first new album in eight years in 2004, The Greater Wrong of the Right, and then 2007’s Mythmaker; a new album, In Solvent See, is planned for 2010. 7 p.m. doors, State Theatre, St. Petersburg, $21 in advance/$25 dos.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29
R. Kelly w/Marcus “Pleasure P” Cooper Any artist who can still play 2,600-seat venues and wrangle no less than $50 per ticket after making headlines for allegedly peeing on a minor should get a little credit for staying power. And the three-time Grammy-winning R&B singer-songwriter-producer R. Kelly does have rather nice pipes, if a questionable sexual history. This show is part of his “Ladies Make Some Noise” tour and takes place on the eve of the release of his ninth studio album, Untitled, out December 1 on Jive Records. 7:30 p.m., Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa, $53-$98.50.
Benefit Concert For the People Of El Salvador w/Alfredo Rivero and Manigua/Ray Villadonga and PBS/Point 6/Somos Musica/Baye Kouyate A benefit featuring world flavors of Latin rock and jazz, flamenco, salsa y merengue, Afro beat and more to benefit the Mission of Mercy, a group of doctors, nurses and volunteers who provide medical supplies and free health care to thousands of sick and poor El Salvadorans every year. 4 p.m., Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa, $10 suggested donation.
Sharon Scott’s Palladium Praise Party Local actress-singer Sharon Scott leads a program of traditional and contemporary gospel music with a seven-piece back-up band, a children’s group, gospel group and other musical guests. 4 p.m., Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg, $18 (all ages).
