On Thursday, March 19, a staple of St. Petersburg’s grassroots music scene will take its final bow. Sector.FM’s beloved “Selectors” night returns to Smallbar (2662 Central Ave) for one last, extended session, marking the end of a community-driven experiment that reshaped how locals engage with music. This final rendition takes place from 5-10 pm.
Selectors has offered something rare since debuting in St. Pete: an open-deck vinyl night where anyone, not just seasoned DJs, could step up, drop a needle, and share their sound. The experience operates on a simple premise: sign up, show up, and play. “No gatekeeping, no hierarchy, just music,” organizers say.
Most participants aren’t traditional DJs. They are bartenders, baristas, servers, and regulars from across the city – people more accustomed to being on the dance floor than behind the decks. The sign-up sheet itself became a kind of equalizer, breaking down barriers and turning curiosity into confidence.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own vinyl, but even newcomers can jump in thanks to a curated selection available for purchase throughout the night, courtesy of Elsewhere Records.
Vonne Parks and Andre “Dre” Gainey of the band ‘They Hate Change’| Photo via Bandcamp
From idea to movement
Selectors is just one piece of a larger vision from Sector.FM, founded by Vonne Parks and Andre “Dre” Gainey of They Hate Change. Inspired by independent radio stations they encountered while touring the U.K., the duo returned home with a mission: build a platform rooted in community, one that amplifies emerging artists and underrepresented voices along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Organizers estimate the event helped cultivate more than a dozen new Sector residents with recurring radio shows, alongside countless guest mixes and first-time DJs. Some attendees even went on to purchase their own turntables, inspired to keep learning and performing beyond the event.
Each session was also recorded and archived, preserving the energy and evolution of a scene in motion.
The last dance (for now)
Both Sector.FM and the team behind Smallbar have been working toward permanent spaces, with plans to continue building environments where music and community intersect. Selectors, in many ways, served as a blueprint for what’s next.
Still, Thursday night will carry weight. It’s a final chance to step up to the decks, or simply soak in the atmosphere that’s made Selectors a local favorite.
Organizers are encouraging everyone to sign themselves up in person—no exceptions this time to make room for as many voices as possible. And if history is any indication, you’ll want to get there early.
Sector.FM continues to broadcast live on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with more announcements on the horizon.
Selectors @ SmallBar
Date: Thursday, March 19th
Time: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: SmallBar St. Pete – 2662 Central Ave
Live Broadcast: Sector.FM
Sector.FM DJ at The Bends dive bar getting the crowd hype| Photo by Kaylen Ross