Mark your calendar with these major events
Written by Caitlin Ashworth, Jan 7, 2015, 0 Comments
So the holidays are over, and school is back in session, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to end. The Tampa Bay area is a place worth exploring, whether you are new to the area or you have lived here your whole life. Not only does the Tampa Bay area have local scene of our own, but also artist, musicians, filmmakers and athletes from around the globe come to our community to unite, compete and celebrate.
Check out these events happening around the Tampa Bay area this spring.
Picasso/ Dali, Dali/Picasso
Now until Feb. 16
Check out two of the most influential artists, right here in your backyard. The Picasso/Dali, Dali/Picasso exhibit at the Dali museum will be going on until Feb. 16. USF St. Petersburg students receive free admission with a student I.D.
Thedali.org
WhigFest Music & Arts Festival
Feb. 14
Celebrate freedom, independence, music and art at WhigFest Music and Arts Festival, held every year on President’s Day weekend with an array of independent music and art. WhigFest.com says, “The word “Whig” was a widely recognized label of choice for people who identified themselves as Patriots, Rebels and Revolutionaries.” Twenty five artists will play at four stages in and around Jannus Live in downtown St. Petersburg. The visual arts portion of the festival will be on display at Mandarin Hide on Feb. 5 and for the duration of the festival.
whigfest.com
Phillies Spring Training
March 1-April 2
The Philadelphia Phillies migrate south to Clearwater for spring training. Phillies Spring Training takes place at Bright House Field — home of the Clearwater Threshers. Spring Training tickets go on sale Jan. 8.
philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com
Gasparilla Music Festival
March 7-8
Listen to local music as well as a mix of national headliners. Gasparilla Music Festival is a community-funded festival located at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and Kiley Gardens Park in Downtown Tampa. The event will feature New York Gypsy Punk band Gogol Bordello and New Jersey based rock band The Gaslight Anthem.
Gasparillamusic.com
Gasparilla International Film Festival
March 24-29
Independent films will take on the silver screen this March. The Gasparilla International Film Festival is currently trying to raise $20,000 to re-open Channelside Cinemas for the 2015 GIFF. Last year, GIFF screened films such as Boys of Abu Ghraib, from the producers of Blood Diamond. Vote on your favorite screenings with a ballot of text messaging codes given before and after each screening.
http://gasparillafilmfestival.com/
Firestone Grand Prix
March 27-29
Get ready for the smell of burning rubber. Downtown St. Petersburg streets will be blocked off into a 1.8-mile temporary street course for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg featuring the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series.
Tampa Bay Blues Festival
April 10-12
Enjoy “Blues by the Bay” at Vinoy Park. As one of the world’s most preeminent blues concerts and recipient of the Blues Foundation’s 2011 “Keepin’ the Blues Alive” award for Best U.S. Blues Festival, Tampa Bay Blues Festival provides the best of the blues every night until 10 pm. The show will feature Tower of Power, Boz Scaggs and Southern Hospitality.
