in case you missed it
As the new year began, Tampa certainly did not disappoint in the event lineups for the beginning of 2017. Your favorite peppermint flavored foods may no longer be served, but Tampa will not stop keeping you entertained throughout the remainder of the year. In case you missed it, here are some of the fantastic events that have taken place since the new year started.
For those whose new year may have seemed like a joke, Jerry Seinfeld visited at the end of January, so many were able to let loose for a night and enjoy Seinfeld’s humor. He performed at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. His show has been described as keeping everyone laughing the entire time. However, Tampa has been full of laughter these last couple of months because The Comedy Get Down Tour also made its way over. This performance featured Cedric ‘The Entertainer,’ Eddie Griffin, D.L. Hughley, George Lopez and Charlie Murphy. These five comedians spent the night joking and laughing and leaving attendees in a great mood as they left.
What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than listening to great music with great people? Bon Jovi had a concert at the Amalie Arena on February 14. He sang 21 of his most popular songs in addition to his encore, and the crowd went wild. This was Bon Jovi’s 13th album, and the first without the former guitarist, Richie Sambora. Twenty One Pilots helped end the short month of February in Tampa with their concert on the 28th also at the Amalie Arena. The alternative hip hop band gave their local fans an unforgettable night.
A favorite musical among many spent the month of February in Tampa. Wicked was performed at Straz Center of the Performing Arts almost every day of the month. As usual, the crowds all loved the play and some sang along to the music. Cirque Dreams also came to Tampa for their Jungle Fantasy show in January. The event has received the 2011 Brass Ring award for entertainment excellence at Busch Gardens Tampa and was featured on an episode of MTV’s MADE, so bringing the performance back to the area at the Mahaffey Theater was fitting. The show was beloved by people of all ages and had a great turnout.
For more of a daytime event, many people attended the 70th Annual Fiesta Day on February 25 at La Setima (7th Avenue). The “street festival” was family friendly and was a celebration commemorating the Cuban, Italian, Spanish, Jewish and German immigrants that settled in Ybor City in the late 1800s as the cigar factories thrived. There was also the Color Fun Fest 5K at the Raymond James Stadium on February 25. Participants came in their whitest clothes ready for them to be splattered in vibrant paint colors.
If you didn’t get a chance to attend any of these fun events, don’t worry! There is plenty more to come in Tampa this year. The next coming months are full of more concerts, shows, festivals and other great events.
