The United States of America turns 250 Saturday, July 4, and Tampa Bay is getting right in there with the celebrations.
Even without the Commodores, Vanilla Ice or even Lee Greenwood, we’re gonna party like it’s 1776.
Tickets are available for three patriotic concerts:
Sultry jazz vocalist Allyson Briggs sings with an 18-piece big band July 1 at the Palladium Theater’s Side Door Cabaret. It’s Briggs’ third Side Door appearance in less than a year.
The occasion is America 250: Together in Harmony, a show featuring trombonist and bandleader Dan Gabel at the podium; he’s President and CEO of the American Big Band Preservation Society.
The program, which is St. Pete College’s “official” celebration, is designed to illustrate the way music has reflected, and united, generations of Americans. Among the set list: “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “Over There,” “We’ll Meet Again,” “God Bless America” and “Sentimental Journey.”
Tickets can be found here.
July 4 brings the St. Petersburg Opera Company to the Mahaffey Theater, for the very first time in its 20-year history. The organization’s 4th of July Pops Spectacular, with a 70-piece orchestra, a 100-voice chorus and vocal soloists blends Broadway and Hollywood favorites with patriotic music.
The program begins at 6 p.m., so that the audience will get outside just in time for the city’s 4th of July fireworks show over Tampa Bay.
Tickets can be found here.
Florida Jazz Express, a big band with 18 players, has an Independence Day-centered concert at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 5. Find info and tickets here.
Family festivals
July 3 and 4 brings Clearwater Celebrates America to Coachman Park. The free event (5-11 p.m. each day combines an interactive children’s zone, musical performances, live performers, local food vendors and more. Sunset brings a laser light show on the 3rd, and a fireworks spectacular on the 4th.
Liberty by the Bay, at Tampa’s Julian B. Lane Park July 4 (4-9 p.m.), is a free event with a 250-drone light show with a fireworks finale. The afternoon delivers live entertainment, food and family activities.
The City of St. Petersburg’s July 4 party, The Fourth, is set for 4 to 10 p.m. at the St. Pete Pier. Look for a craft beer garden, food trucks and vendors, live music, roaming entertainers and more, with fireworks at 9 (or 8:30, or 10, depending on the weather).
The morning’s Pier Run is already sold out.
Fireworks on July 4 have been announced for St. Pete Beach (Horan Park), Treasure Island (Gulf Front Park), Madeira Beach (Madeira Beach Recreation Center), Largo (Central Park), Gulfport (Gulfport Beach), Lealman (Raymond H. Neri Park), Safety Harbor (City Park). The City of Dunedin’s fireworks show takes place July 3.
Here at the Catalyst, we’ll recap all the fireworks displays, with additional details, close to July 4.