Ferg\u2019s Entertainment Complex<\/p>\n
Wang Chung<\/p>\n
ST. PETERSBURG \u2014 Wang Chung will perform on Monday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m., at Ferg\u2019s Entertainment Complex, 1320 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.<\/p>\n
Tickets start at $29.99. Visit www.fergssportsbar.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Wang Chung came out of the post-punk, new wave scene in the UK and went on to achieve global success by selling millions of records. Throughout their 40-year career they have released six albums and two greatest hits compilations. They have had six U.S. Top 40 hits including a No. 1 and other international smash hits including \u201cDance Hall Days\u201d and \u201cLet\u2019s Go.\u201d They achieved cult status with their soundtrack and score for legendary director William Friedkin (\u201cThe Exorcist\u201d and \u201cFrench Connection\u201d) in his movie \u201cTo Live and Die in LA,\u201d as well as their original song contribution to John Hughes\u2019 legendary movie, \u201cThe Breakfast Club.\u201d<\/p>\n In the process of all of this, Wang Chung became part of the contemporary culture of North America. Their huge smash \u201cEverybody Have Fun Tonight,\u201d with its now famous line ”Everybody Wang Chung Tonight” saw the invention of a new U.S. verb \u201cto Wang Chung,\u201d the band being name-checked by everyone from Homer Simpson and Austin Powers to James May and Richard Hammond of \u201cTop Gear.\u201d<\/p>\n More recently their music has featured in TV shows \u201cThe Walking Dead,\u201d \u201cBreaking Bad,\u201d \u201cSouth Park,\u201d \u201cGlee,\u201d \u201cThis is Us,\u201d and \u201cThe Goldbergs.\u201d<\/p>\n In 2012 they ventured back into the studio to record an album of new material, called \u201cTazer Up!\u201d and in 2019 they released a newly recorded album of orchestral reinterpretations of their biggest songs, performed with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. It is called \u201cOrchesography\u201d and is available on August Day Records.<\/p>\n Ruth Eckerd Hall<\/p>\n Ruth Eckerd Hall Chorus<\/p>\n CLEARWATER \u2014 The Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts at Ruth Eckerd Hall presents The Ruth Eckerd Hall Chorus Holiday Concert on Saturday, Dec. 6, 6 p.m., in the Murray Theatre at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater.<\/p>\n The chorus concert will be conducted by Yohance Wicks, Marcia P. Hoffman music department chair. Tickets start at $15 for adults and $10 for students and military with photo ID. Call 727-791-7400 or visit www.rutheckerdhall.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Brighten your season with holiday classics and carols from around the world and join the Ruth Eckerd Hall Chorus for an evening of celebration. The concert will be filled with songs, poetry and more, that will bring a sense of nostalgic wonder to your season. There will be traditional carols, songs from many regions and languages including Latin, Spanish, German and French. There will be something there for everyone to enjoy, whether you are a child or simply a child at heart.<\/p>\n “The Holiday Concert is always a highlight of our year as we share music, merriment, and the magic of the season with our audience. We look forward to another memorable evening and hope to see you there,\u201d said Sharon Reid-Kane, Marcia P. Hoffman vice president.<\/p>\n The Ruth Eckerd Hall Chorus is the adult chorus of Ruth Eckerd Hall\u2019s Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts and is comprised of members ages 18-and-older. Annual repertoire includes selections from the Middle Ages to modern day pop and rock, along with Disney classics and favorites from the stage. From weekly rehearsals, holiday celebrations, and sporting events to concerts on stages of all sizes, the Ruth Eckerd Hall Chorus performs regularly throughout the Tampa Bay area and beyond.<\/p>\n Ruth Eckerd Hall<\/p>\n Lady A<\/p>\n CLEARWATER \u2014 Bringing irresistible holiday cheer in the heat of the summer, multi-platinum and Grammy-winning group Lady A will perform on Saturday, Dec. 6, 8 p.m., at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater.<\/p>\n Tickets start at $83.25. Call 727-791-7400 or visit www.rutheckerdhall.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Lady A is on the road for their 2025 \u201cThis Winter\u2019s Night Tour.\u201d<\/p>\n Known for consistently delivering harmony-soaked performances, the trio\u2019s inaugural Christmas tour will support the Sept. 26 release of \u201cOn This Winter\u2019s Night, Vol. 2.\u201d The album and tour will be packed with holiday classics as well as new festive originals as a companion and refresh of \u201cOn This Winter\u2019s Night,\u201d which featured a variety of musical styles.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have been in such a season of family and that\u2019s the first thing we think of when we think of Christmas and the Holiday Season,\u201d said Lady A\u2019s Hillary Scott. “We hope this record and our first ever Christmas tour will be an opportunity for families and fans to usher in the Holiday Spirit with fun, joy and gratitude.\u201d<\/p>\n Built around rich vocal harmony, vivid emotional writing and a smooth fusion of country, rock and pop, Lady A has long been a model of mainstream success. The group has become one of the 21st century\u2019s premier vocal groups, blending deeply felt emotions with classic country sounds. The trio has amassed 11 No. 1 hits and over 9 billion digital streams. Known for their hit \u201cNeed You Now,\u201d which is the highest certified song by a country group, they have earned ACM and CMA Vocal Group of the Year trophies three years in a row and countless other honors including seven Grammy awards, Billboard Music Awards, People\u2019s Choice Awards, Teen Choice Awards and a Tony Award nod.<\/p>\n Ruth Eckerd Hall<\/p>\n Three Dog Night<\/p>\n CLEARWATER \u2014 Legendary rock band Three Dog Night will perform on Sunday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m., at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater.<\/p>\n Tickets start at $54.75. Call 727-791-7400 or visit www.rutheckerdhall.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n The band, now in its sixth decade, claims some of the most astonishing statistics in popular music. In the years 1969 through 1974, no other group achieved more Top 10 hits, moved more records, or sold more concert tickets than Three Dog Night.<\/p>\n Three Dog Night hits weave through the fabric of pop culture today, whether on the radio where they are heard day in and day out, in TV commercials or in major motion pictures \u2014 songs like \u201cMama Told Me (Not To Come),\u201d \u201cJoy to the World,\u201d \u201cBlack and White,\u201d \u201cShambala\u201d and \u201cOne\u201d serve to heighten our emotions and crystallize Three Dog Night\u2019s continuing popularity.<\/p>\n Boasting chart and sales records that remain virtually unmatched in popular music, Three Dog Night holds a Billboard Magazine record for releasing 21 consecutive Top 40 hits, including three No. 1 singles \u2014 \u201cMama Told Me (Not to Come),\u201d \u201cJoy to the World\u201d and \u201cLiar.\u201d The chart success drove seven platinum-selling singles and 12 straight RIAA Certified Gold LPs. Tens of millions of Three Dog Night records have been sold through the years.<\/p>\n Marking over 50 years on the road, Three Dog Night continues to grow its fan base by keeping up a full schedule of concerts at theatres, performing arts centers, fairs, festivals, corporate events, and casinos. Since 1986, the band has performed nearly 3,000 shows including two Super Bowls.<\/p>\n Central Park Performing Arts Center<\/p>\n The New York Tenors<\/p>\n LARGO \u2014 The New York Tenors will present their Christmas show on Sunday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m., at the Central Park Performing Arts Center, 105 Central Park Drive, Largo.<\/p>\n Tickets start at $30. Visit LargoArts.com<\/a> or call 727-587-6793.<\/p>\n The joyful sights and sounds of New York are all wrapped in the season\u2019s best show, combining the vocal talents of Andy Cooney, Daniel Rodriguez and Christopher Macchio in a memorable performance that is sure to inspire and entertain audiences of all ages.<\/p>\n Cooney has been taking the Irish-American music scene by storm for the last 20 years. His unique tenor voice has been heard in concert halls internationally, including hallmark venues ranging from Dublin\u2019s National Concert Hall to sold-out performances in New York\u2019s iconic Carnegie Hall.<\/p>\n Rodriguez first captured the attention of Americans everywhere during some of the darkest moments in our nation\u2019s history. He was the New York City police officer whose amazing voice soothed our grief in the days following September 11th. His career highlights include performing with Boston Pops Orchestra and debuting before a worldwide audience at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Other multimedia appearances include, ESPN broadcasts, The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Late Show with David Letterman.<\/p>\n Macchio is a gifted performer with a voice of exceptional power and beauty. A classically trained tenor from the Manhattan School of Music, this New York native has been wowing audiences by combing his golden-era sound with an engaging stage presence that resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds. Macchio\u2019s growing reputation has brought him to sold-out theaters and events in the U.S. and Europe.<\/p>\n The BayCare Sound<\/p>\n Dark Star Orchestra<\/p>\n CLEARWATER \u2014 Dark Star Orchestra will perform on Thursday, Dec. 4, 6 p.m., at The BayCare Sound, 255 Drew St., Clearwater.<\/p>\n Tickets start at $58. Visit www.rutheckerdhall.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Performing to critical acclaim for nearly 30 years and over 3,300 shows, Dark Star Orchestra continues the Grateful Dead live concert experience. The seven-piece band performs shows based on actual Grateful Dead set lists from their 30 years of touring or creates unique sets from the Dead\u2019s extensive catalog. This approach allows fans both young and old to share in the experience while offering a continually evolving artistic outlet within this musical canon.<\/p>\n Dark Star Orchestra offers much more than just the sound of the Grateful Dead \u2014 they truly encapsulate the energy and experience. It\u2019s about that sense of familiarity and contagious energy that creates the complete concert experience fans expect.<\/p>\n The band has featured guest performances from six original Grateful Dead members: Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart, Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, Vince Welnick, and Tom Constanten, plus longtime Dead soundman Dan Healy. Other notable guests have included Mike Gordon and Jon Fishman of Phish, Warren Haynes, Steve Kimock, and many more.<\/p>\n \u201cFor us it\u2019s a chance to recreate some of the magic that was created for us over the years,\u201d said keyboardist and vocalist Rob Barraco. \u201cWe offer a sort of historical perspective at what it might have been like to go to a show in 1985, 1978 or whenever. Even for Deadheads who can say they\u2019ve been to a hundred shows in the 90s, we offer something they never got to see live.\u201d<\/p>\n The Palladium<\/p>\n The Second Winds Symphonic Band<\/p>\n ST. PETERSBURG \u2014 The Second Winds Symphonic Band will present the Holiday Spectacular on Monday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m., at the Palladium at St. Petersburg College, 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg.<\/p>\n Tickets start at $15. Visit mypalladium.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Get ready to kick off the season with the Holiday Spectacular, a festive concert that brings together some of St. Petersburg\u2019s most beloved musical groups for one unforgettable evening. Enjoy the smooth sounds of the St. Pete College Jazz Band, the high-energy spirit of the Second Time Arounders Marching Band, and the dazzling headliner, The Second Winds Symphonic Band. With special appearances by Santa\u2019s Rockettes and the Dancing Elves, plus plenty of holiday favorites (and maybe even a few surprises!), this joyful celebration will have you singing along and brimming with holiday cheer.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s Holiday Spectacular carries extra meaning \u2014 it will be the final time that our beloved conductors, Bill Findeison and Roger Green, take the podium for this treasured tradition. For decades, their passion, talent, and leadership have filled our community with the joy of music and the spirit of the season. Join us as we celebrate their legacy and give them the unforgettable sendoff they deserve.<\/p>\n Jannus Live<\/p>\n Queensr\u00ffche<\/p>\n ST. PETERSBURG \u2014 Queensr\u00ffche will perform on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 6 p.m., at Jannus Live, 200 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg.<\/p>\n Tickets start at $57.91. Visit www.jannuslive.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Queensr\u00ffche first burst onto the music scene in 1982 with the release of their self-titled four-song EP \u201cQueensr\u00ffche.\u201d They very quickly gained international recognition and performed to sold out audiences around the world. The band followed up with their first full-length album, \u201cThe Warning,\u201d in 1984. In 1986 came the groundbreaking \u201cRage For Order.\u201d<\/p>\n Queensr\u00ffche continued to prove their worldwide dominance as one of the most respected and creative bands of the 80\u2019s. In 1988 the band turned out yet another monumental album \u201cOperation: Mindcrime,\u201d which would go on to become one of the Top 10 bestselling concept records of all time and set the stage for continued sold out performances around the world. With the release of the critically acclaimed and commercially successful \u201cEmpire\u201d in 1991, the band earned multiple Grammy Award nominations and won the MTV \u201cviewer\u2019s choice\u201d award for the No. 1 chart topping hit \u201cSilent Lucidity.\u201d During the next 10 years, the band continued to release albums and tour the world to sold out audiences. Queensr\u00ffche has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and have continued to break new ground and push their creative process.<\/p>\n Jannus Live<\/p>\n Andy Frasco & The U.N.<\/p>\n ST. PETERSBURG \u2014 Andy Frasco & The U.N. will perform on Saturday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m., at Jannus Live, 200 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg.<\/p>\n Tickets start at $39.56. Visit www.jannuslive.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n According to Roam Artists, Andy Frasco & The U.N. have long been the high-flying DIY renegades of the touring scene known and loved for their kaleidoscopic musical fusion and one-of-a-kind onstage audacity. Now celebrating their longevity, the band is shaking things up with \u201cL\u2019Optimist\u201d on Fun Machine Records\/Soundly. As its title suggests, it is Frasco\u2019s most hopeful and enthusiastic collection to date.<\/p>\n A testament to Frasco\u2019s wide-ranging influences and boundless energy, his band\u2019s sixth released studio album sees the magnetic frontman continuing to chart his path of self-exploration and personal discovery through increasingly introspective lyricism and musical adventure. Songs like \u201cEverything Bagel,\u201d featuring Artikal Sound System,\u201d and the deeply moving \u201cIowa Moon\u201d touch on matters of the heart and mental health, emotional struggle and the sheer vulnerability of the human experience, all relayed through a wildly eclectic approach navigating funk, jazz, surf rock, blues, swing, gospel, reggae, exotica, and more with horn-blasted positivity and soulful power.<\/p>\n With so much constant activity, Frasco delegated just 30 days to making \u201cL\u2019Optimist,\u201d traveling to Nashville, Los Angeles, and other cities to work with friends and top songwriters until he had a cache of 10 songs of which he felt truly proud. In summer 2022, Frasco and the core U.N. roster \u2014 including guitarist Shawn Eckels, saxophonist Ernie Chang, drummer Andee Avila, and bassist\/multi-instrumentalist Floyd Kellogg \u2014 set to work, taking a sweeping approach towards the recording with production and writing contributions from friends and studio collaborators.<\/p>\n \u201cL\u2019Optimist\u201d sees Frasco continuing to develop as a songwriter, band leader, and human being, his restless spirit giving way to something more firmly grounded yet no less adventurous. Having built a still-expanding career on forward motion, Frasco remains positive in his determination to keep on keeping on, pushing himself and his music to grow and improve with every passing day.<\/p>\n Benchmark International Arena<\/p>\n Stevie Nicks<\/p>\n TAMPA \u2014 Stevie Nicks will perform on Sunday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m., at Benchmark International Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa.<\/p>\n Tickets start at $54.75. Visit www.ticketmaster.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n The legendary singer, songwriter and storyteller is one of rock and roll\u2019s most successful, inimitable and groundbreaking artists. As a multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning solo artist and member of Fleetwood Mac, Nicks is the first woman to have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice and has collectively sold more than 220 million albums. Having captivated audiences for decades with her iconic live performances, distinctive songwriting and constant cultural influence, Nicks continues to be an inspiration and mentor to younger performers.<\/p>\n A member of Fleetwood Mac since 1974, the band\u2019s enduring spirit stands for an incredible body of music \u2014 including \u201cRumours,\u201d one of the best-selling albums of all time \u2014 that has connected with generations of people all over the world for more than 50 years.<\/p>\n Crowbar<\/p>\n Cowgirl Clue<\/p>\n TAMPA \u2014 Cowgirl Clue will perform on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m., at Crowbar, 1812 N. 17th St., Tampa.<\/p>\n Tickets start at $27.51. Visit www.crowbarybor.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n According to Ground Control Touring, Cowgirl Clue was born and raised in the heart of Texas. She is an artist and producer best known for her eclectic electronic pop music and esoterically-trendsetting visuals. Taking influence from her experience as an underground DJ; mixing drum and bass, jungle, footwork, pop, and techno as early as age 17, she started to develop her diverse sound in 2015. Cowgirl Clue\u2019s earliest release, \u201cCherry Jubilee\u201d showcases her creative soar of drum and bass meets sugary vocals. Cowgirl Clue\u2019s live performances leave the audience spellbound to the charm of Cowgirl Clue, as she flips the room with edgy bass lines and a fairy-like, catapulting performance. Cowgirl Clue is a longtime asset and contributor to California-based collective, Vada Vada. She ignites her ability to innovate rave\/pop genres and articulate suburban-fantasy-nostalgia in a present fashion.<\/p>\n Her recent release, \u201cTeacup\u201d, a one minute, 38 second breakbeat pop track, lassos her connection between satire and optimism, illustrated with a bold music video that coins her true artistic nature. In 2019, she broke out with her debut album, \u201cIcebreaker,\u201d which best captivated the spirit and birth of Cowgirl Clue. Written and produced by Clue, herself, \u201cIcebreaker\u201d soon became an anthem to the Y2K revival generation, as her bubbly sound captured a niche, stylish audience. Cowgirl Clue has shared the stage with acts such as Dorian Electra, Kero Kero Bonito, The Garden, and Crystal Castles and more.<\/p>\n Crowbar<\/p>\n TRSH<\/p>\n TAMPA \u2014 TRSH will perform on Saturday, Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m., at Crowbar, 1812 N. 17th St., Tampa.<\/p>\n Tickets start at $24.92. Visit www.crowbarybor.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n TRSH exists in the tension between extremes, a tightrope walk that\u2019s volatile and unpredictable yet built on intentional detail. The Springfield, Missouri-founded quartet\u2019s fusion of punk and Midwest emo has cemented them as one of the brightest young acts in the underground, with releases like their 2022 debut LP, \u201cKiss Me\u201d and breakthrough single \u201cDad Rock\u201d racking up more than 15 million collective streams.<\/p>\n On their new album, \u201cString Theory,\u201d their first for Wax Bodega, Derek Berry (vocals\/guitar), Keiran Andrews (bass), Bowen Pennell (drums) and Gunnar Pennell (guitar) unleash their most explosive collection yet, equal parts introspective and irreverent and topped off with powder-keg energy and self-deprecating charm. Tracks like the fervent first single \u201cdusty,\u201d galloping \u201cdrown me in a bathtub\u201d and pained \u201chyperpop killed my dog\u201d are transparently honest portraits of falling short: bad decisions that felt right at the time, awkward apologies and late-night spirals. The moments when you should shut up but the voice in your head won\u2019t let you stop talking.<\/p>\n They\u2019re all delivered in raucous form, in sub-two-minute bursts of intricate technicality while retaining the energy that\u2019s made TRSH\u2019s live show the stuff of legends \u2014 where the gap between the group and their audience disappears and there\u2019s no telling whether frontman Derek Berry will end up in the crowd or hidden deep behind dozens of fans who climb onstage to scream along with his cathartic words.<\/p>\n Hard Rock Event Center<\/p>\n The Bee Gees Now!<\/p>\n TAMPA \u2014 The Bee Gees Now! tribute band will perform on Sunday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m., in the Hard Rock Event Center at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa.<\/p>\n Tickets start at $62. Visit Ticketmaster.com<\/a> or seminolehardrocktampa.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Close your eyes and you\u2019ll swear the real Gibb Brothers are performing. Open your eyes and you\u2019ll experience the uncanny illusion that they\u2019re right there in front of you. Bee Gees Now! is more than a tribute \u2014 it\u2019s a full theatrical production that captures the look, the sound, and the magic of the Bee Gees like never before.<\/p>\n From the soaring falsettos and flawless harmonies to the unforgettable disco grooves, this show delivers hit after hit \u201cStayin\u2019 Alive,\u201d \u201cNight Fever,\u201d \u201cHow Deep Is Your Love,\u201d and many more. It\u2019s a dazzling night of music that touches your senses, stirs your emotions, and brings generations together.<\/p>\n The Orpheum<\/p>\n The Spill Canvas<\/p>\n TAMPA \u2014 The Spill Canvas will perform on Saturday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m., at the Orpheum, 14802 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa.<\/p>\n Tickets start at $34.73. Visit www.theorpheum.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n According to TKO Management, The Spill Canvas have a slew of albums under their belt, including 2005\u2019s \u201cOne Fell Swoop,\u201d 2007\u2019s follow-up \u201cNo Really, I\u2019m Fine\u201d \u2014 which was released on Warner and reached the No. 2 spot on Billboard\u2019s Top Heatseekers chart \u2014 and 2012\u2019s \u201cGestalt.\u201d In 2018, they also released the EP \u201cHivemind.\u201d<\/p>\n In 2021, The Spill Canvas returned with \u201cConduit,\u201d the band\u2019s first LP in almost a decade. The album marked the start of a second phase for the band. Together, vocalist Nick Thomas, longtime bassist Landon Heil, drummer Bryce Job and lead guitarist Evan Pharmakis, reached deep into Thomas\u2019 heart and soul to create something that bristles with the earnest, emotional urgency that was always at the band\u2019s core, but which also reflects who Thomas is now and everything that made him into that person.<\/p>\n \u201cConduit\u201d was recorded at Soundmine Studios in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. Self-produced by the band with help from their manager John Rupp, it was mixed by Soundmine Studio owner Dan Malsch and then mastered by Grammy Award-winning mastering engineer Emily Lazar. The result is a collection of rich, full songs that, while still recognizable as The Spill Canvas, certainly highlight Thomas\u2019 intention for this to be the start of something new. At its heart, though, the purpose of the band remains the same as it always was \u2014 to write songs that move people and to be able to connect with them.<\/p>\n The Ritz Ybor<\/p>\n TroyBoi<\/p>\n TAMPA \u2014 British DJ, record producer, and musician TroyBoi will perform on Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 p.m., at the Ritz Ybor, 1503 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa.<\/p>\n Tickets start at $43.10. Visit www.theritzybor.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Born Troy Austin Attoh Henry, TroyBoi is an elusive producer who got his start making his beats standing up in his London studio apartment kitchen with his MacBook and a midi keyboard. Today, the TroyBoi Experience is a musical journey of hard-hitting beats, lights, visuals, and the unexpected. While his musical style can be broadly classified as trap, it’s extraordinarily unique, versatile, and fuses various textures from multiple genres.<\/p>\n Beyond his career releases which include his debut album \u201cLeft Is Right\u201d (2017) and a series of \u201cV!BEZ\u201d EPs in 2018 and 2019, his productions have caught the ear of major music stars, including Bille Eilish and Rihanna.<\/p>\n In 2022, Troy showed his true love and inspiration for Latin music with an EP titled “Influendo.\u201d In April 2023, the long-awaited EP “Say Less” was released.<\/p>\n Safety Harbor Art & Music Center<\/p>\n Toronzo Cannon<\/p>\n SAFETY HARBOR \u2014 Award-winning, world-beloved Chicago bluesman Toronzo Cannon and his band The Chicago Way will perform on Friday, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m., at the Safety Harbor Art & Music Center, 706 Second St. N., Safety Harbor.<\/p>\n Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Visit www.safetyharborartandmusiccenter.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n With his richly detailed, truth-telling original songs, blistering, inventive guitar work and impassioned vocals, Cannon is on the cutting edge of today\u2019s contemporary blues scene and is known as one of the genre\u2019s most creative artists. His sound is inspired by his heroes, including Hound Dog Taylor, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Albert King, Son Seals and Jimi Hendrix.<\/p>\n On Cannon\u2019s 2024 Alligator Records album, \u201cShut Up & Play,\u201d he blazes his own path with 11 emotionally charged originals. From serious to humorous, his imaginative songs are fueled by his powerful, cathartic guitar solos and his soulfully authoritative voice.<\/p>\n The album finds Cannon, a former Chicago Transit Authority bus driver, delivering timeless stories of common experiences, often unfolding in uncommon ways. His passionate and focused guitar playing sets his lyrics ablaze. From the first radio single, the attention-grabbing \u201cI Hate Love,\u201d to the gospel-inspired, autobiographical \u201cHad to Go Through It to Get to It,\u201d to the slow-burning, reflective \u201cGuilty,\u201d to the deeply personal \u201cMessage to My Daughter,\u201d \u201cShut Up & Play\u201d tackles the gamut of human emotions. Song subjects range from the heartbreak of lost love, to the humor of daily life, to the pain of feeling invisible in today\u2019s society, all as seen through Cannon\u2019s wide-open eyes.<\/p>\n Safety Harbor Art & Music Center<\/p>\n Gareth Asher<\/p>\n SAFETY HARBOR \u2014 Gareth Asher will perform on Sunday, Dec. 7, 4:30 p.m., at the Safety Harbor Art & Music Center, 706 Second St. N., Safety Harbor.<\/p>\n Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Visit www.safetyharborartandmusiccenter.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n According to his official website, Asher is a Georgia-born singer-songwriter and guitarist with a style identified as Southern soul. His expressive voice cuts straight into the core of his listener\u2019s emotions. The passion in his singing, along with the relatable lyrics have brought fans along with him on an extraordinary musical journey. Through Asher\u2019s music he brings together a community to make this world a better place.<\/p>\n Asher, son of musical parents, latched onto rock and roll before he turned 5. He grew up in the Appalachian foothills of West Georgia, listening to his parents’ rock and roll band and singing along with the records of great artists like Don Henley, Jackson Browne, Bob Seager, and Bruce Springsteen. The day he picked up a guitar and strummed it, he knew he’d found his instrument. Passionate about singing, he wrote his first song at age 15 and was jamming with local performers as soon as they would let him in the clubs to play. He continued working on his songwriting and guitar playing while a student at the local university and soon became the featured entertainer in local venues, where his passionate voice delivering original lyrics \u2014 the kind that makes you want to sit up and listen \u2014 quickly developed a loyal audience.<\/p>\n As a touring artist, Asher has shared the stage with Shawn Mullins, Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), Emerson Hart (Tonic), Angie Aparo, Corey Smith, Sister Hazel, Collective Soul, 3 Doors Down, Steve Cropper and many more.<\/p>\n Safety Harbor Art & Music Center<\/p>\n Kristy Lee<\/p>\n SAFETY HARBOR \u2014 Kristy Lee will perform on Sunday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m., at the Safety Harbor Art & Music Center, 706 Second St. N., Safety Harbor.<\/p>\n Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Visit www.safetyharborartandmusiccenter.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n According to her website, Lee\u2019s career started in the early 2000s with an exclusive deal through Target Stores across the United States releasing her first album, \u201cLifescapes.\u201d She’s been touring the U.S. and overseas for the last 20-plus years.<\/p>\n Although she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2012, her creative spirit is proving to be the therapy that is stronger than the disease.<\/p>\n Her latest release is \u201cThe Olive Tree,\u201d released in August 2023. It debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes blues charts.<\/p>\n Lee\u2019s raw authenticity has captured the hearts of a loyal international fan base as well as some of music\u2019s top names. She has toured and shared the stage with Leon Russell, Zac Brown Band, Indigo Girls, G. Love & Special Sauce, Jack Johnson, Jason Isbell, Sister Hazel and Imagine Dragons. She has played some of the most prestigious music festivals in the world including BluesFest Australia, the Hangout Fest, 30A Songwriters Festival, Cayamo & The Rock Boat Festivals at Sea, and her own conception, the Unleashed Women’s Music Festival in Pensacola, Florida.<\/p>\n Lee also landed an original song, \u201cOne Night Romance\u201d with G.Love & Special Sauce on the album \u201cSugar,\u201d featuring \u201960s soul legend Mary Clayton. It is the ultimate incarnation of the \u201cDirt Road Soul\u201d Lee has become known for.<\/p>\n Her music transcends genres, lifts heavy spirits and promotes the healing that we all sometimes need. Her songs tend to be true stories of her own journey, her loved one\u2019s struggles and accomplishments, and overall positive messages that the world can relate to \u2014 and needs to hear. Lee\u2019s unique style of music is the background music to all our lives.<\/p>\n Skipper\u2019s Smokehouse<\/p>\n Toubab Krewe<\/p>\n TAMPA \u2014 Toubab Krewe will perform on Thursday, Dec. 4, 8 p.m., at Skipper\u2019s Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa.<\/p>\n Tickets start at $25.03. Visit skipperssmokehouse.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n According to their official website, the music of Toubab Krewe is so original it seems snatched from the great, invisible substrata that runs below all human activity, a sound aching to be born without a flag or fixed allegiance \u2014 free, questing, overflowing with immediate, tangible life. The vibrant instrumental powerhouse creates a sonic Pangaea that swirls together rock, African traditions, jam sensibilities, international folk strains and more. While nearly impossible to put into any box, it takes only a few moments to realize in a very palpable way that one is face-to-face with a true original who recognizes no borders in a march towards a muscular, original, globally switched-on sound.<\/p>\n Formed in 2005, Toubab Krewe has tenaciously honed their craft through relentless touring and a fierce dedication to carving out something they can truly call their own.<\/p>\n Toubab carries echoes of African greats like Ali Farka Toure, Orchestra Baobab and Salif Keita, no doubt picked up during the group’s travels to study and live in Guinea, Ivory Coast and Mali. But what truly differentiates Toubab Krewe from other American bands inspired by African music is how they innovate on what they’ve learned instead of simply recreating tradition. Toubab Krewe carves out a new trail honoring the African originators they admire by making something alive and contemporary.<\/p>\n Skipper\u2019s Smokehouse<\/p>\n Blood Brothers<\/p>\n TAMPA \u2014 Blood Brothers will perform on Friday, Dec. 5, 8 p.m., at Skipper\u2019s Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa.<\/p>\n Tickets are $20 in advance. Visit skipperssmokehouse.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Gulf Coast Records\u2019 Blues Music Award-Winners Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia bond as Blood Brothers on their recent CD. \u201cBlood Brothers\u201d was produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith and recorded at Dockside Studio in Maurice, La.<\/p>\n Zito and Castiglia are true \u201cblood brothers\u201d in life and in the music they create both individually and collectively, joining forces in a collaborative effort of songwriting and performances to create a total listening experience greater than the sum of its parts. Added to that process are the talents of Bonamassa and Smith, who brought fresh ideas to the recording sessions, according to a press release from Intrepid Artists.<\/p>\n The Straz Center<\/p>\n Carolmania<\/p>\n TAMPA \u2014 The spirit of the season will take on new meaning at Carolmania, set for Thursday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m., in Ferguson Hall at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa.<\/p>\n