By Nanette Wiser
MUSICAL GIFTS What’s better than two tickets to see your favorite concert? Music soothes the savage beast. I’m taking everyone to see Diana Krall and Chris Botti. Check out these perfect presents; for more concerts, check PN’s Arts & Leisure listings. Capital Theater: Al DiMeola (1/7), Lucinda Williams (3/5); Ruth Eckerd Hall: Sarah Brightman (12/15) Joss Stone & Corinne Bailey Rae (1/15); Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater: Broadway Rocks (12/10), Tina Turner Tribute (1/14), Pink Martini (1/18); The Florida Orchestra: Holiday Brass (12/18 @ Palladium), Handel’s Messiah (12/18 @ Mahaffey); Gulf Coast Players: Gilligan The Musical stars local realtor Ron Goldstein as the Skipper.
BARS & BANDS Day and night, there’s music for every taste in Gulf Beach tikis (Bongo’s, 82 Degrees@The Saint, Jimmy B’s, Sloppy Joe’s @Bilmar Beach Resort, Tiki Woo@Thunderbird, Caddy’s, Salty’s Tiki, Toasted Monkey, The Saltwater Hippie, Ka’Tiki, Island Grille) and along Beach Drive (Flute & Dram, Canopy at The Birchwood), DTSP (Ruby’s Elixir, Trophy Fish, Ale & The Witch, Hideaway, Ringside Café, Mandarin Hide) and venues such as Jannus Landing and Floridian Social Club.
DOUBLE M BAND This popular duo can be found regularly at St. Pete Beach’s Blue Parrot (12/17, 1/7), Gulfport Caddy’s (1/8) and on New Year’s Eve and 1/21 at Hurricane Eddie’s in Gulfport. You gotta go the Christmas Eve Pajama Party at The Twister Tiki, more fun and less drama than family gatherings. Get your groove on with Mario Jooste (lead vocals, piano), Michael Aaron Monrad (vocals, keyboard, composer) and guest artists.
BARNYARD OWLS Caught these guys at The Hideaway; these four Pinellas musicians share some serious music creds. Keyboardist Mark Brumby grew up on R&B and Southern rock, playing juke joints and touring nationally, ending up in Florida in 1995. Guitarist and songwriter Larry Tambini (El Tee) is a founding member of Anxious Moments, recorded an album with famed producer Jack Douglas, and plays lead, rhythm, and bass guitar when he’s not writing songs. Bass player and guitarist Dan Mockensturm went to Berklee College of Music, then did five world tours as engineer and guitar tech for Al DiMeola. In addition to working as an audio engineer, he plays rock venues and is a regular member of pit orchestras for traveling Broadway productions. Drummer John Neenan (Jay) studied at the Metropolitan Opera under Abe Marcus and has recorded in NYC’s best studios with legendary producers.
What started out as Contemporary Christian music (a hybrid of pop, gospel, country, and rock) has morphed into a musical journey for the four amigos who returned to their R&B/classic rock roots as the Barnyard Owls, releasing their debut CD, “High Expectations” in Oct. 2021.
GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH Get your tickets now for Alvin Productions’ black-tie gala 3/11 on the Starship Yacht benefiting six non-profit Tampa Bay charities. Featuring amazing four-course wine pairing dinner from restos such as DaSesto Italiano, you can dance the night away with exceptional music from Ariella, Shawn Brown, Daniela Soledade/Nate Najar, James Suggs, Gumbi Ortiz, Boris N’ Sax plus a magician and burlesque show followed by an after-party with DJ Fresh (a weekend staple at Club at Treasure Island). One 100 percent of proceeds go to these charities/causes: Brooke’s Butterfly Bash (lupus), Heels to Heal (domestic violence), The Shawn Brown Foundation (cancer), St. Pete Fools (local charities), PAL (children in need), I Love St. Pete Emergency Relief Fund (help for those in crisis) and Remember Honor Support (first responders). www.thegreatestshow.org