Look, we're not saying Tampa doesn't know how to party. We're just saying that sometimes it's fun to party a little differently for a change — like with beads and headdresses and soca and steel drum music instead of Daisy Dukes and PBR and Nickelback. After about a week's worth of pre-parties at places that include North Tampa's Club Tropix, the Latin/Caribbean-style celebration known as the Tampa Caribbean Carnival kicks off at the Florida State Fairgrounds this weekend for two days of parades, outrageous costumes, suggestive dancing, and, of course, music you aren't going to hear at Old Wave Night or Sink or Swim. This year's highlights include a Steel Drum Jamboree, various salsa, calypso and reggae acts, and a notable headlining set on Saturday by "Soca Queen" Denise Belton. April 29-30, beginning at noon each day, 4800 U.S. 301 N., Tampa, $8-$10 (children 12 and younger enter for free), 813-622-7275, www.carnivaltampa.com.
This article appears in Apr 26 – May 2, 2006.