As Pinellas County arts institutions and creators celebrate milestones, favorites such as the Morean (pictured above), Bananas Music and local creatives are getting big platforms to strut their stuff.
Tampa Bay Music Hall of Fame Festival
Saturday, July 8
The first event of its kind, this local-centric festival features enduring and lauded local acts including the Greg Billings Band, The Black Honkeys, The Hazies, and the Tropics. It will benefit the Tampa Bay Music Hall of Fame Foundation, an effort to recognize Tampaäó»s musical heritage.
2-10 p.m., $20 at the Gate
Coachman Park, 301 Drew Street, Clearwater
Creative Clay Move-In Celebration
Saturday, July 8, 5-9 p.m.
This is the week of St. Peteäó»s monthlyæArt Walk, so youäó»ll be able to tour whatäó»s going on at a plethora of local studios. But this monthäó»s Art Walk is of special note because Creative Clay, which helps create art access for the disadvantaged, has move to an exciting new location. Theyäó»re also in the midst of a majoræfundraising campaign, so itäó»s a great time to check out what they do.
Free admission.
1846 1stæAvenue South, St. Petersburg
Morean Members Show
Opening reception Saturday at 5-9 p.m.; show up through Aug. 19
Also scheduled during the ArtWalk, the Morean’s most anticipated event features works by the art center’s members on a variety of themes. Amazingly, it will be the 99th annual memberäó»s show, showing just how deep the arts run in our community.
Free admission.
Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Pete
Bananas Music 40th Anniversary Party
Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Probably one of the most unique things about Pinellas is that, through whatever miracle, a lot of its record stores survived the Great Retail Purge of the 2000s. Now, with vinyl surging back, Bananas Music is celebrating with free beer, bands, giveaways and DJs all day.
Free admission.
Bananas Music, 2887 22nd Ave. N., St. Pete
Tampa Bay Etsy Crew Party
Saturday, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Etsy, the company, is in the midst of a bit of an identity crisis. But the culture of makers it helped foster is as strong as ever, and this annual event, now in its sixth year, offers a lot for anyone crafty and entrepreneurial. There will be a dozen skill shares and demos, free swag, a raffle, and of course, a chance to browse the huge diversity of local Pinellas creativity.
Free admission.
The Coliseum, 535 FourthæAve. N., St. Petersburg
Honorable Mentions:
Freddie Fred, Faded Black Jeans:æFormer Bloom Arts Collective member presents new work. Saturday, 8 p.m., Bar548, 548 Central Ave., St. Pete. More Info Here.
Meow Twins: These California punks, repping up-and-coming Burger Records, bring along four other rough and ready bands (including locals the Spuds and Sonic Graffiti) for a probably gleefully raucous show.Sunday, 8 p.m., Free, Lucky You Tattoo, 9633 Bay Pines Blvd, St. Pete.
