MacDill Happenings

Come out to downtown Tampa to listen to the sounds of some of the best local musical artists! Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is the location of the City of Tampa sponsored Rock the Park Series on Thursday 2 February. Music starts at 6:30pm and should run until 9:30pm. The concert will include performances by indie rock band The Semis, country rock band Urbane Cowboys and hip hop artist Jinx. In addition to live music, there will be food and beverages on site. The Tampa Museum of Art offers free entry during this event. The beautiful Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is located in downtown Tampa along Ashley St between the Tampa Museum of Art and the Sykes building.  Food is available at nearby restaurants including Five Guys Hamburger across the street from the Park and a new nearby Mexican restaurant Urban Cantina located at the corner of Madison and South Tampa. Get it to go! You can also bring a picnic dinner and don’t forget the blankets and chairs!  Alcohol is not allowed but well behaved pets are!  Curtis Hixon Park has a fenced animal park along the water.  This park is one of nicest parks in Tampa.  With an interactive playground, wide open flat grass play area, a view of the University of Tampa, and cooling water fountains, this is a great place to relax on a Thursday evening or any evening!   Parking is available at the Curtis Hixon parking garage or at nearby public parking lots.  On street parking is free in Tampa after 6pm, so you don’t have to place any quarters into the meters!  If you’re lucky, you can get a parking spot in front of Five Guys Hamburgers right across the street from the Park at the corner of Ashley and Polk.

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Come out to Curtis Hixon Park for the 12th Annual Tampa Bay Black Heritage Street Festival and enjoy a free music, food vendors, arts and crafts, as well as unique villages. The Artist’s Village will have local and national artists showcase their wide variety of original, ethic artwork. The Author’s Village will have local and national authors showcase their literature. The Children’s Village will have face painting, storytelling, educational activities, arts & crafts, as well as several other intriguing activities for children. The Health Village will offer free health screenings for HIV, diabetes, hypertension, breast cancer, glaucoma, and many other prevalent health concerns. The Corporate Village will have Bay Area businesses. The Festival starts at 10am on Saturday and 11:30am on Sunday. On Saturday, Rose Royce will headline the free musical entertainment.  The beautiful Curtis Hixon Park is located on the waterfront in downtown Tampa along Ashley St between the Tampa Museum of Art and the Sykes building. Food is also available at nearby restaurants including Five Guys Hamburger across the street from the Park and a new nearby Mexican restaurant Urban Cantina located at the corner of Madison and South Tampa. Alcohol is not allowed but well behaved pets are! Curtis Hixon Park has a fenced animal park along the water. This park is one of nicest parks in Tampa. With an interactive playground, wide open flat grass play area, a view of the University of Tampa, and cooling water fountains, this is a great place to relax on during a Tampa evening. Parking is available at the Curtis Hixon parking garage or at nearby public parking lots. On street parking is free in Tampa after 6pm, so you don’t have to place any quarters into the meters! If you’re lucky, you can get a parking spot in front of Five Guys Hamburgers right across the street from the Park at the corner of Ashley and Polk.

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For a fun free evening of fun, come out to downtown St. Pete  tonight for free music from 5:30pm to 10pm as part of the “Get Downtown First Friday Music Series“.  This musical and community event takes places the first Friday of every month.  This is an old fashioned block party that takes place between 2nd and 3rd St South. Central Street is closed down and turned into a block party. Tonight’s musical headliner is jazz saxophonist Mike MacArthur. From the be-bop sounds of Charlie Parker to the modern sounds of Michael Brecker, you will be sure to love his music! There is plenty of room at the parking garages within a block of the event to the east and west on Central Avenue, in addition to on-street parking on the immediately surrounding city streets. There’s plenty of food and drinks available at the many local establishments. Coolers are not allowed, but the Breakfast Optimist Club will sell water, soft drinks and beer and wine. Pets are not allowed because this is a crowded event. But if you want to bring a chair to sit on, you can! St. Petersburg more popularly known locally at St. Pete is across the bay from MacDill AFB and about a 20 minute drive from the base. With an average of some 360 days of sunshine each year, it is nicknamed “The Sunshine City.” It is also home to Tropicana Field and the Tampa Bay Rays. Downtown St. Pete is vibrant place to live and socialize with many museums and a great nightlife destination.

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The Pinellas Youth Symphony will present a Holiday Chamber Ensemble Concert at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. The performance starts at 7pm on Friday 9 December. This is a great way to hear wonderful holiday music and support local youth music education at a very reasonable price. Admission for adults is $10 and $5 for students. String, Woodwind and Brass Chamber Ensembles will perform in the Murray Studio at Ruth Eckerd Hall. The Pinellas Youth Symphony Chamber Ensembles are composed of advanced level string, brass, woodwind, and percussion students, who enjoy the experience of working together in small groups to learn and perform ensemble music. PYS Chamber Ensembles meet weekly on Sunday afternoons at Ruth Eckerd Hall and rehearse under the direction of the PYS artistic staff. The ensembles perform in a variety of settings throughout the season. From time to time chamber ensembles are invited to perform at community/charity functions and on occasion prior to concerts and programs in local halls. Each season PYS chamber ensembles play in several chamber concerts as part of the “Evening At The Murray” series at Ruth Eckerd Hall. They also perform in an end-of-the-year Finale Chamber Concert. In order to participate in a chamber ensemble, a student must be a member of the PYS, the senior level orchestra. Ensemble rehearsals are scheduled on Sundays to allow students time to practice with their chamber groups prior to participating in the 5pm PYS rehearsals. Placement in a chamber ensemble is determined by audition as well as appropriate instrumentation to warrant forming a group. Ruth Eckerd Hall is a 73,000-square-foot performing arts venue, located in Clearwater, Florida, in the Tampa Bay area and is part of the Richard B. Baumgardner Center for the Performing Arts. Each year, over 350,000 adult and young audience members visit Ruth Eckerd Hall for performances ranging from world renowned classical artists and dance companies to Broadway musicals and pop stars. Through its many arts education programs, the education department of Ruth Eckerd Hall serves over 130,000 students and adults annually.

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Come out to Old Hyde Park Village for the Free Live Music Series on 26 October. The show runs from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. The Vodkanauts will be playing their unique style of lounge music. Although the concert is free, donations are appreciated and tonight’s proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is a limited admission shelter. They only accept animals that they feel can be adopted. The Humane Society is a “No Kill for Space” shelter which means the shelter will not euthanize an animal to make space for another animal. Hyde Park Village is an open-air shopping center located in the neighborhood of Hyde Park. The weather should cooperate and so come out and enjoy strolling around the Village. The Village center is situated in several buildings located between Swann and Rome Avenues. Although are national retailers, the majority of tenants in the center are independent boutiques and eateries. The neighborhood of Hyde Park is located near the University of Tampa and close to Tampa’s business and cultural arts district. The boundaries of the neighborhood include the Hillsborough Bay to the east, Kennedy Blvd to the north, historic and picturesque Bayshore Boulevard to the south, and Armenia Avenue to the west. Major thoroughfares within the historical district include Kennedy Boulevard, Bayshore Boulevard, Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway, Howard Avenue, and Swann Avenue. There are 3 free parking structures available in Hyde Park.

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The President’s Own United States Marine Corps Band will provide a free concert today at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Tampa. In the style of the band’s 17th director, John Philip Sousa, who initiated the concert tour tradition in 1891, Marine Band Director Colonel Michael J. Colburn has compiled a diverse program, with music ranging from traditional band repertoire and marches to instrumental solos. Founded in 1798 by an Act of Congress, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band is America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization. Today, “The President’s Own” is celebrated for its role at the White House and its dynamic public performances. “The President’s Own” encompasses the United States Marine Band, Marine Chamber Orchestra, and Marine Chamber Ensembles, and performs regularly at the White House and for more than 500 public performances across the nation each year. The Straz Center for the Performing Arts is located downtown on a picturesque nine-acre site along the east bank of the Hillsborough River. As the largest performing arts complex south of the Kennedy Center, the 335,000 square-foot Straz Center provides an environment for a wide variety of world-class events. It boasts one of the nation’s leading Broadway series and is nationally respected for producing grand opera, as well as presenting a wide variety of concerts, performances and events. Tickets are required for show. Patrons may obtain tickets (limit four per request) by coming to the Straz Center for the Performing Arts ticket office during regular hours. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. A ticket does not guarantee a seat. Ticket holders must be seated by 2:45 p.m.; non-ticket holders will be admitted after that, pending seat availability. Parking is available at nearby lots and parking garages. If you get there early, sometimes on free on street parking is available behind the center.

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The 32nd Annual Clearwater Jazz Festival continues on Friday and runs until Sunday at Coachman Park.  With the backdrop of the beautiful water, make plans to stop and by listen to this free international jazz concert. The Clearwater Jazz Holiday is a world-class gathering of the some of the greatest talents and greatest fans of jazz. Over its 30-year history, the Clearwater Jazz Holiday has featured such legendary talents as Tony Bennett, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Mann, Dave Brubeck, Tito Puente, Stephan Grappelli, Stan Getz, and the Count Basie Orchestra. On Friday, the gates open at 4:30pm. On Friday, music will be provided by Valerie Gillespie Ensemble, Gerald Clayton Trio, Miss Tess & the Bon Ton Parade, and Brian Culbertson. On Saturday gates open at 1:30pm and you can listen to the sounds of Jazz Juvenocracy, Whitney James, LaRue Nickelson Group, Sammy Figueroa & the Latin Jazz Explosion and Maceo Parker. Friday night will close with a fantastic fireworks display. The final day, Sunday, gates open at 1:30pm and the festival will finish up with REH/CJH Youth Jazz Band, Mike Markaverich Trio, Christian McBride & Inside Straight and Dianne Reeves . In conjunction with the Jazz Festival, there will be the Fourth Annual Clearwater Jazz ‘N Art Walk in downtown Clearwater, October 15th and 16th from 10am – 5pm. Please don’t bring alcohol or other drinks, food, pets or canopies. You should bring portable chairs, blankets or towels to sit on. There will be plenty of vendors offering refreshments for purchase. There are parking lots available near Coachman Park and there will be a shuttle running around.

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Classic Albums Live performs The Who’s “Who’s Next” on 23 September at the Straz Center for Performing Arts. The Who’s blistering, unhinged, massively successful album, will be recreated live on stage. The performance starts at 8pm. Founded in 2003 by Craig Martin, Classic Albums Live has become the ultimate destination for music lovers wanting to hear the greatest albums performed live without all the gimmickry and cheesy impersonations. Relying only on the music, using what Martin refers to as ‘the world’s best musicians,’ Classic Albums Live has defined itself as a mainstay in performing arts centers across North America. Who’s Next was first released by Track Records in August 1971, and in the 1980s as a CD with a remixed and remastered CD following in 1995. It is currently available as a Deluxe Edition 2-CD set (Polydor 113 056-2), issued in 2003. The Straz Center for the Performing Arts is located downtown on a picturesque nine-acre site along the east bank of the Hillsborough River. As the largest performing arts complex south of the Kennedy Center, the 335,000 square-foot Straz Center provides an environment for a wide variety of world-class events. It boasts one of the nation’s leading Broadway series and is nationally respected for producing grand opera, as well as presenting a wide variety of concerts, performances and events. Come early to your show and dine steps away from your theater seats at one of the Straz Center’s three restaurants. Parking is available at nearby lots and parking garages. If you get there early, sometimes on free on street parking is available behind the center.

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Hyde Park Village is hosting a Block PAWty on 15 September from 6pm to 9pm. Pets are welcome! The Block PAWty is a free, festive neighborhood pet party featuring live acoustic music, Yuengling, Barefoot Wine & Opulent Vodka drink specials, free pet photos and an awesome raffle table. The PAWty takes place in the courtyard via way at the Snow Cirlce Shops by Downtown Dogs and all proceeeds benefit The Humane Society of Tampa Bay. A $10 donation is suggested at the door. Hyde Park Village is an open-air shopping center located in the neighborhood of Hyde Park. The Village center is situated in several buildings located between Swann and Rome Avenues. Although are national retailers, the majority of tenants in the center are independent boutiques and eateries. The neighborhood of Hyde Park is located near the University of Tampa and close to Tampa’s business and cultural arts district. The boundaries of the neighborhood include the Hillsborough Bay to the east, Kennedy Blvd to the north, historic and picturesque Bayshore Boulevard to the south, and Armenia Avenue to the west. Major thoroughfares within the historical district include Kennedy Boulevard, Bayshore Boulevard, Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway, Howard Avenue, and Swann Avenue. There are 3 free parking structures available in Hyde Park. Friendly dogs on leashes are always welcome in the Village.

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Supporting America’s Finest, Inc., based in Valrico is sponsoring concert today at 6pm. The concert is scheduled to end at 8pm. This is a free concert for military personnel, but will cost $20 for non-military personnel. Military personnel/government civilians will be guests of the City of Tampa. A military or government ID is all that is required to attend. The concert will take place at the Tampa Convention Center. Supporting America’s Finest was created for the primary purpose of supporting the men and women of the United States military services and their families. Specifically, to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom as well as those who continue to serve our country while deploying around the globe in our defense. Volunteers in this organization receive no compensation. Theresa Sareo, a singer/songwriter, with a powerful story to tell will sing about a story of survival, inspiration and proof that being passionate about your dreams can mean the very essence of one’s survival. Southern Souls Band, formed in Daytona Beach, Florida in 2006, will jam on with a perfect blend of tropical/southern rock. They have played leading venues throughout Florida, Reno, Vegas, and Canada. There are various public and private parking lots near the Convention Center and at Channelside. Usually the public lots offer the most cost effective price. But wherever you park, the Convention Center and Channelside are within walking distance of each other. The Florida Aquarium has a parking lot and Channelside has parking structure across the street. There is a large variety of restaurants from casual eateries to fine dining. If you’re looking for pizza, sandwiches, steak, Thai, Spanish food or something in between, Channelside has it. Or if you’re just interested in dessert, then you can find some delicious ice cream at Channelside!

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