Tampa Bay music scene offers diverse lineup from Elvis to Sonic this weekend
Performers include a clown Elvis tribute, a 35th-anniversary video game concert, and a British techno DJ in Ybor City.
By Matthew Qureshi ·
An Elvis Presley impersonator named Clownvis Presley opens the week's entertainment slate on Thursday. The performer, who describes himself as the King of Clowns, will present a stand-up comedy routine mixed with magic tricks at Skipper’s Smokehouse in Tampa. He starts at 8 p.m. and charges $20 for admission. LA Weekly previously described him as better than the real Elvis, and he has appeared on the television show America’s Got Talent. The event is restricted to ages 21 and up.
Music fans can celebrate 35 years of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise on Friday. A live ensemble of rock musicians, electronics, and vocalists will perform songs from the video game series at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg. The show runs from 8 p.m. and features instrumental versions of tracks from the Genesis era through the present. Ticket prices range from $35 to $120.
The Ale and the Witch in St. Petersburg hosts a Halloween event on Saturday featuring Uncle John’s Band. The group is a Grateful Dead tribute act that has performed in the Tampa Bay area for more than 37 years. The concert runs from 7:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. with free admission. The venue is located at 111 2nd Ave NE.
Also on Saturday, the funk and jam band Ajeva returns to the Blueberry Patch in Gulfport for a two-set Halloween party. The group plays a mix of funk, experimental rock, and jamtronica. They have shared stages with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and The Disco Biscuits. The show begins at 8 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m., with general admission tickets costing $20.
Eli Brown, a British techno DJ and producer, performs at The RITZ Ybor in Tampa on Halloween night. He plays a high-energy blend of techno and house music in a warehouse-style setting. The event starts at 10 p.m. and runs until 3 a.m. Costumes are encouraged for the crowd, which is limited to those 21 and older. Tickets are priced at $38.
Bassist and composer Alejandro Arenas concludes the weekend's schedule on Sunday with a concert titled Mixtura at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center. The performance features his original compositions and arrangements, reflecting his experience as an immigrant in the United States. He will be joined by an all-star band of fellow immigrants. The show takes place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., with tickets available for $20 to $28.
