The United States of America turns 250 Saturday, July 4, and Tampa Bay is getting right in there with the celebrations.<\/p>\n
Even without the Commodores, Vanilla Ice or even Lee Greenwood, we\u2019re gonna party like it\u2019s 1776.<\/p>\n
Tickets are available for three patriotic concerts:<\/p>\n
Sultry jazz vocalist Allyson Briggs sings with an 18-piece big band July 1 at the Palladium Theater\u2019s Side Door Cabaret. It\u2019s Briggs\u2019 third Side Door appearance in less than a year.<\/p>\n
The occasion is America 250: Together in Harmony, a show featuring trombonist and bandleader Dan Gabel at the podium; he\u2019s President and CEO of the American Big Band Preservation Society.<\/p>\n
The program, which is St. Pete College\u2019s \u201cofficial\u201d celebration, is designed to illustrate the way music has reflected, and united, generations of Americans.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Among the set list: \u201cYankee Doodle Dandy,\u201d \u201cBattle Hymn of the Republic,\u201d \u201cOver There,\u201d \u201cWe\u2019ll Meet Again,\u201d \u201cGod Bless America\u201d and \u201cSentimental Journey.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tickets can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n July 4 brings the St. Petersburg Opera Company to the Mahaffey Theater, for the very first time in its 20-year history. The organization\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n The program begins at 6 p.m., so that the audience will get outside just in time for the city\u2019s 4th of July fireworks show over Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n Tickets can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n