Randi M. Zimmerman, WMNF General Manager
Science and poetry were the mental fertilizer of my childhood, feeding my soul during hard times. When I became a public-school science teacher, students during the month of April could write poems about science instead of turning in homework because April is National Poetry Month. Every April 22nd, I read The Lorax aloud on Earth Day – Dr. Seuss’ blend of poetry and science. At WMNF, Environmental issues are also the focus of our mission calendar, where each month of the calendar connects issues, people, and organizations through what we do on air. What’s special is that April offers even more this year, because this month, we celebrate independent music in Tampa Bay with both Gasparilla Music Festival and Tropical Heatwave.
Tampa Bay has always been vibrant with talent. More than 30 years ago, when WMNF presented Tropical Heatwave for the first time, the landscape changed dramatically. Tropical Heatwave since its inception has brought in great music that is fun to listen to AND great to watch! Music lovers enjoyed Tropical Heatwave so much, they developed other eclectic music festivals like Gasparilla Music Festival, one of the few still around. But, make no mistake about it: they were following WMNF’s lead. Now, independent music lovers have both to attend in one month, April 2026.
What no one else has been able to duplicate is the Tropical Heatwave vibe. Whenever people attend the event for the first time, the first thing they notice is hundreds of happy people smiling hard… for hours. I am quite sure that just being at Tropical Heatwave is enough to bring on those happy faces, and WMNF staff and volunteers work tirelessly for hours to make sure you will feel it too. Tropical Heatwave 2026 promises to give you more of that joy and then some! If you need more convincing, check out the lineup here:
Welcome to April! A month for poetry, science, the environment, and great independent music.
Randi M. Zimmerman
General Manager, WMNF 88.5FM