WMNF Community Radio's 29th Annual

TROPICAL HEATWAVE

An extravaganza of eclectic and exotic entertainment

Tropical Heatwave returns for the 29th spring with more stages and bands than ever before. With eight stages and more than forty bands, Heatwave is more than ever the musical event of the year for the eclectic music connoisseur in the Tampa Bay area.

No longer just a Cuban Club event, Tropical Heatwave is spreading out across Ybor City. The Crowbar, one of Ybor City’s top clubs, is a new Heatwave venue where you can catch an eclectic lineup of young appeal music including hip hop, electronica, metal and punk/ska. The old Jazz Cellar in Ybor Square is brought back to life this Heatwave as The Ybor Square Cellar where you can see acoustic acts and the always wonderful Poetry Is Showcase.

In booking Heatwave we look for artists who meet many of the Heatwave criteria of musical excellence, strong visual appeal, fun, and high energy. When acts come through town who put on exciting live shows, we put them on our wish list as “Heatwave worthy” bands. Tornado Rider, Alex Meisner, Rachel Goodrich, Jason Ricci, Kevin So, HuDost, and Somos Musica are bands/artists who created huge buzz with amazing shows when they came to the area in the last year.

Bob Schneider and Ruthie Foster have been near the top of our Heatwave wish list for a few years. In concert Bob Schneider is a party animal who specializes in loosening his audience’s inhibitions. Ruthie Foster’s previous WMNF concert was one of our most memorable shows; the connection she makes with the audience shows why her CD sales at several major festivals have broken records.

The most fun for many Heatwave veterans is the magical experience of collectively discovering new artists who never have played before in this area. We send talent scouts across the country looking for exciting up-and-coming bands and regional artists who meet the Heatwave criteria. This year, highly anticipated bands who make their area debut at Heatwave include The Ettes, Black Blondie, BoomBox, Luminescent Orchestrii, The Movement, Mark Levine & the Latin Twinge, and Stone River Band.

While some of the national bands may be on your radar, you should not forget to check out the great local and regional artists who will showcase at Heatwave. We have handpicked great bands who are ready to compete for audiences with the national bands. It's always thrilling for both local bands and their fans to rise to the occasion by turning in some of the hottest music of the Heatwave. In particular New World Brewery, the showcase of the best local bands, is always hopping with some of Tampa coolest hipsters.

With eight stages of choice, everybody gets a unique experience by making their own strategy for seeing the best or the most music. Some people hang out at one or two stages where they know some of their favorite bands are playing. Others try to challenge themselves to keep moving and see as many bands as possible. Some just go with the flow. After Heatwave you will often find two people saying it was one the best nights of music they ever experienced, and they find out their paths never crossed watching the same bands.

When you need a break from dancing, check out the street festival on 9th Avenue where delicious food, art and crafts vendors, and political activists hold forth. Find old friends and make new connections. Tropical Heatwave is a manifestation and celebration of the sense of community this radio station has created. We invite you to join with the other members of the WMNF family to share the fabulous music and friendship.