Shelby Sol warms up for album release when Rock the Park resumes in-person concerts in downtown Tampa

20 socially-distanced 'pods' will be utilized to maintain the safety of attendees.

click to enlarge Shelby Sol warms up for album release when Rock the Park resumes in-person concerts in downtown Tampa
Shelby Sol/YouTube

On Sunday, Shelby Sol saw her album release concert unexpectedly postponed until Nov. 1 when the venue, Crowbar, decided to do the right thing and close doors when it found out that members of the tight-knit music community could have been exposed to coronavirus at an unrelated event a few blocks away in the Ybor City historic district.

Sol was not at risk, however, so it’s good to see the Tampa songwriter on the bill for a Thursday concert where 10-year-old outdoor concert series Rock the Park makes its return to hosting in-person events at downtown Tampa’s Curtis Hixon Park. And while the Curt’s address (600 N. Ashley Dr.) is still the one that’ll get you to the show, the music will move a few yards up and under the awning at the nearby Tampa Museum of Art.

The Tampa Downtown Partnership—which has long promoted the show along with local community activist/promoter Joe D’Acunto—told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that 20 socially-distanced “pods” will be utilized to maintain the safety of attendees. Each pod can hold six people. The first 10 pods, closest to the stage, must be reserved. The other 10 pods will be made available on a first come, first served basis. Thursday’s show is also special since it sees the return of Poetry n Lotion, which is joined by its longtime guitarist Matt Lee who moved out of town some years ago.

Rock the Park Tampa: Poetry n Lotion w/Shelby Sol/Ken Apperson. Thurs. Nov. 5, 7 p.m. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa. Visit tampadowntownpartnership.com for details on how to attend.


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