Hotels near Tampa Bay Blues Festival
Calling all music fans who also happen to love a good, healthy dose of Florida Gulf Coast sunshine: The Tampa Bay Blues Fest is right around the corner, and your closeby accommodations at the Westshore Grand await!
The festival, which has been a signature event of our area for more than 20 years, falls April 6th through 8th in Vinoy Waterfront Park in St. Petersburg, only about a half-hour away across Old Tampa Bay from our Tribute Portfolio hotel.
A Blue-Ribbon Lineup at the 2018 Tampa Bay Blues Fest
The Tampa Bay Blues Fest invariably presents a fabulous blend of legendary blues-smiths and hot up-and-comers, and the 2018 iteration won’t be an exception, needless to say. You’ve got three full days of world-class blues music awaiting you on the Vinoy Park mainstage.
On Friday, April 6th, guitar ace Jonn Del Toro Richardson kicks things off at 12:30 PM, followed by Chris Beard (2:30 PM), John Nemeth (4:30 PM), and Beth Hart (6:30 PM). The evening’s headliner is esteemed bluesman Robert Cray, who takes the stage at 8:30.
Saturday’s entertainment (scheduled by the same time slots) begins with young gun Quinn Sullivan and segues thrillingly through Eric Gales, Janiva Magness, and Ronnie Earl, the whole shebang topped with an appearance by one of the greatest blues guitarists to ever live, Buddy Guy himself.
On Sunday, meanwhile, Tad Robinson gets things going at 1 PM, followed by Bands of Friends: “A Celebration of Rory Gallagher” with Davy Knowles, Gerry McAvoy, and Ted McKenna at 2:30. Mississippi Heat keeps the party going at 4:30 PM, and then, at 6:30 PM, Sugaray Rayford brings his gospel- and soul-inflected brand of the blues to the festival spotlight. The three-day celebration of a quintessential American artform closes with a Sunday-night set by Delbert McClinton.
Other Festival Highlights
The Thursday evening ahead of the festival (April 5th), there’ll be a Kickoff Party at 7:30 PM at the Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg featuring festival performer John Nemeth.
The Friday and Saturday concerts, meanwhile, will be followed up by “after shows” at two St. Petersburg clubs—the Ringside Café and the Ale & the Witch—by Janiva Magness, Tad Robinson, Mississippi Heat, Jonn Del Toro Richardson, Eric Gales, and Chris Beard.
Whether you’re aiming to catch a nighttime performance by some of the most legendary names in the blues business or you’re taking in the entire Tampa Bay Blues Fest, choose the Westshore Grand for your luxurious accommodations just a stone’s throw away!