Tampa Bay music fans have a full weekend ahead, with shows spanning Americana, jazz, and indie folk across Tampa and St. Petersburg — including one event that comes with a caveat about private property.
Friday night kicks things off at Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa, where Americana songwriter Ward Smith takes the stage at 8 p.m. Smith has penned songs for country legends including Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Trace Adkins. General admission is $25 at 910 Skipper Rd.
Saturday afternoon, Seven C Music and Coffee in St. Petersburg hosts Guitars Galore at 4 p.m. — a showcase featuring five local jazz guitarists: Carl Amundson, Bart Hanchey, Charlie Robinson, Jose Velandia, and Vincent Sims. Each performer gets a 20-minute set, and tickets are $25 at 535 22nd St S.
Also on Saturday, from 8 to 10 p.m., the parking lot of the longtime-closed Haslam's Books at 2025 Central Ave in St. Pete becomes an impromptu concert venue. Local artist Filipe Bergson — who has been raising funds through T-shirt sales in hopes of reopening the beloved bookstore — organized the free show to draw the owners' attention, though he has not received permission to use the property. Singer-songwriter Delaney Staack opens, followed by St. Pete indie-folk band Little Giver. Attendees should be aware the event is on private property without owner authorization.
To close out the weekend, Green Light Lounge and Kitchen at 221 2nd Ave N in St. Petersburg hosts free Sunday Jazz Sessions with vocalist Sasha Tuck and local jazz musicians from 3 to 5 p.m. This roundup was originally reported by Warren Buchholz for WUSF.
