SAFETY HARBOR — Florida bluesman Selwyn Birchwood will perform Saturday, Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m., at the Safety Harbor Art & Music Center, 706 Second St. N., Safety Harbor.
Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the show. Visit www.safetyharborartandmusiccenter.com.
Birchwood, currently celebrating the release of his fourth Alligator Records album, “Exorcist.”
On “Exorcist,” Birchwood delivers the most far-reaching, musically adventurous album of his career. Recorded in Florida and produced by Grammy Award-winner Tom Hambridge, each of the 13 vividly detailed songs was written and arranged by Birchwood.
The soul-baring tracks all hit with lasting rhymes and unexpected rhythms. Each twists its own tale, ranging from the love-gone-wrong “Horns Below Her Halo” to the love-gone-terrifying “Exorcist” to the autobiographical “Underdog.”
Birchwood first hit the blues scene in 2011 with the self-released, self-produced “FL Boy.” After winning the 2013 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, beating 150 other bands, Birchwood found doors swinging open.
He took a giant step forward in 2014 with his Alligator Records debut album, “Don’t Call No Ambulance.” The album earned rave reviews from critics and won both the Living Blues Award and the Blues Music Award for Best New Artist Debut. He followed in 2016 with fan-favorite “Pick Your Poison” and, in 2021, with the groundbreaking “Living in a Burning House.” He won the BMA Song of the Year Award for that album’s “I’d Climb Mountains.”
Now, with “Exorcist,” Birchwood and his band are ready to deliver the new songs live to audiences around the world.
“My goal is to be sure you cannot listen passively,” Birchwood said. “We’re going to make you dance, and we’re going to make you think.”
The young guitarist, lap steel player, songwriter and vocalist continues to chart a course for the future of the blues with his original music. He has developed a sound he calls “Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues” — part deep blues, part psychedelic rock, part booty-shaking funk and part Southern soul.
CLEARWATER – The Rockapella Christmas show will roll into town a few days before Santa Claus.
The performance will be presented Friday, Dec. 22, 8 p.m., at the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater.
Tickets start at $30. Visit www.rutheckerdhall.com or call 727-791-7400.
A capella singers will perform holiday classics such as “Silver Bells,” “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” and “White Christmas” with their original holiday hits “The Hope We Hold,” “Christmas Without You” and more.
Rockapella is an influential group in the new era of network television a cappella shows such as NBC’s “The Sing-Off,” movies like “Pitch Perfect,” and innumerable college vocal groups that own the corner of cool on campuses everywhere.
Since the early ’90s when they first achieved TV fame on PBS’s “Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?,” they’ve toured the globe and provided a funky powerful soundtrack to several generations of vocal music fans.
The current Rockapella lineup features Scott Leonard (high tenor), Jeff Thacher (vocal percussionist), Calvin Jones (tenor), Manny Houston (tenor) and George Baldi (bass). The lineup marks a new generation of Rockapella, who remain keenly focused on musical excellence.
“People have a hard time believing it’s just us making all of that music. It’s still those same elements that make modern band music: percussion, bass, melody and harmonies,” said Leonard, the group’s chief songwriter and arranger.
Leonard grew up in Indianapolis and attended the University of Tampa on a baseball scholarship. Somewhere along the way, he ended up a voice major. He sang in rock groups for Disney in both Orlando and Tokyo for two years, releasing solo albums while in Japan. Leonard’s soaring vocals, songwriting skills and gift for arranging music helped shape Rockapella’s characteristic sound.
Thacher is responsible for the astonishing percussion sounds in each Rockapella show. He was born into a musical family and began piano lessons at an early age. Later on, he amassed vocal and choral experience. He earned a degree in music and recording from Boston’s renowned Berklee College of Music.
Since joining Rockapella in 1993, Thacher been known as a pioneering giant among professional mouth drummers (a select group of beatboxers) who, as he likes to put it, “spit for a living.” His powerful virtuosity forms the funky rhythmic heartbeat of Rockapella.
Jones was born and raised in East St. Louis, Illilnois. He started singing at an early age, idolizing Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. He previously performed with the vocal group Men of Note and was featured in such theater productions as “Dreamgirls,” “Fabulous ’50s” and “Little Shop of Horrors.” Rockapella found Jones performing as a featured singer at Busch Gardens in Tampa.
Houston and Baldi are the two newest members of Rockapella.
“There’s nothing between us and the audience – it’s very human music – with nothing missing,” Thacher said.
“We make it rock and make it interesting,” said Leonard.
ST. PETERSBURG — The Imagine Museum of Contemporary Glass Art recently announced its latest exhibition opening at the United Nations headquarters in New York, New York.
Showcasing a curated collection of glass artworks, the St. Petersburg cultural pillar presents a compelling exhibit that gives emphasis to the social responsibility of art coinciding with the importance of human rights. This momentous occasion aligns with the 2022 International Year of Glass declared by the UN General Assembly and commemorates the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 2023.
In partnership with glass artists from around the world and the UN Human Rights Office, Imagine Museum has developed an exhibition that seeks to unite mankind and educate on human rights. The exhibit reflects the values and principles outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, using the universal language of art to convey messages of unity, diversity, and inclusion.
Trish Duggan, the founder of Imagine Museum, played a pivotal role in securing this opportunity to showcase the intersection of contemporary glass art and human rights at the United Nations. Her dedication has not only elevated the museum but has also contributed significantly to the global dialogue on the importance of artistic expression in promoting understanding and unity.
Imagine Museum invites the public, dignitaries, and art enthusiasts to witness this exhibition at the United Nations, at 46th Street and First Avenue, New York, New York. The exhibition opened on Dec. 6 and will continue through Jan. 15.
For information about this exhibit, visit www.un.org/en/exhibits/page/now-view.
Since 2018, Imagine Museum has been a cultural pillar of the city of St. Petersburg. With a collection of contemporary glass art from around the globe, Imagine Museum delivers exhibitions, programming, and events that seek to inspire, uplift and educate. For more information, visit www.imaginemuseum.com.
ST. PETERSBURG — Eem Triplin will take the stage Wednesday, Dec. 20, at Jannus Live, 200 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg.
Gates open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Visit www.jannuslive.com or call 727-565-0550.
Naeem “Eem Triplin” Muhammad is a 21-year-old artist from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, with a natural ear for melody, a sharp wit, and knack for going viral. He’s been releasing music since 2017, first earning notice as a producer on $NOT songs like “Revenge,” “Stranded” and “Benzo.”
Eem’s fanbase rapidly expanded in 2022, following the success of his track “Awkward Freestyle” from last year, which samples Tyler, the Creator’s 2013 song “Awkward” and has garnered over 30 million streams. After several weeks of virality on TikTok, the song caught the attention of Tyler himself who gave his cosign.
He’s since dropped eight more singles, including “Just Friends ?” featured on Spotify’s RapCaviar playlist, as well as “Louie V” and “Let You Know” featuring $NOT. He was featured as the cover artist for Spotify’s Most Necessary playlist. He performed at Rolling Loud New York, and joined Lucki’s “Flawless Like Me Tour” as the primary supporting act.
With his catalog currently streaming over 5 million per week in the United States, Eem Triplin has established himself as one of rap music’s most exciting rising stars.
CLEARWATER — Grammy nominated solo pianist Jim Brickman will perform Thursday, Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m., at the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. Tickets start at $35. Visit www.rutheckerdhall.com or call 727-791-7400.
Brickman will present “A Joyful Christmas,” a live holiday concert event. His captivating Christmas concert experience dazzles audiences with his signature piano style and soothing vocals. A heartwarming evening of music and laughter fill the air with the sounds of yuletide carols, classics and all of Brickman’s biggest hits.
He has written three best-selling books, starred in five TV concert specials, and is in the 22nd season of hosting the popular syndicated radio show: “The Jim Brickman Show.” He strikes the perfect chord of musical intimacy, compelling storytelling and audience interaction.
Concertgoers will celebrate the spirit of the season with faith, love and togetherness, and be part of the fun with Jim Brickman’s “A Joyful Christmas.”