It took summer a little longer to get here this year, but it’s hit with a vengeance. Still, as the Lovin’ Spoonful told us, at night it’s a different world: “Come-on come-on and dance all night. Despite the heat it’ll be alright.” Check our local music calendar below to find some cool tunes for a balmy, Southern night.
So once again, other plans are keeping me from hearing live music in Lakeland this weekend, but if I could go I’d be looking forward to:
Assuming the rain holds off on Saturday — and it looks like it will — I’ll be roaming around doing family things that don’t include live music. However, I could make a strong case for a day full of live sounds in Lakeland, starting with listening to Russ Brode at the downtown market, followed by Laurie and Rusty Wright at Swan Brewing at 2. After that, maybe a bit of rest at home before checking out the Americana of the Hummingbirds at Hillcrest Coffee at 6 and then Raney Wade’s soulful singing and keyboards at the Pink Piano at 8:30. After that, depending on my mood it would be either the classic rock of Kat and the Dawgs at Frescos or Swan City Jazz Project at Lakeland Loft. For more options, check out our full music calendar after the jump.
Retired productivity consultant Michael Maguire started a discussion at City Hall last week when he suggested that the city’s proceeds from red-light camera fines be spent to bolster established arts organizations through grants. City commissioners then shared their own ideas for how to spend the fine money now that the Florida Supreme Court has upheld red-light camera use.
ALSO: Read Maguire’s presentation | Watch video of the City Commission discussion.
Justin Grant, a correspondent with The Times’ entertainment-oriented tbt.com, visited Swan Brewing on a Friday night, was impressed by the size of the crowd, and concluded, “What Lakeland lacks in number of breweries, it makes up for in character and scope. Swan Brewing has a large audience to look forward to, and based on early impressions, it appears up to the task. I look forward to seeing the direction it takes as time goes on.”
| Lakeland guitar virtuoso Joe Gavin doesn’t perform publicly that often, so it’s a treat when he does. He headlines an acoustic showcase at LkldLive Friday night — and is also scheduled to return to Hillcrest Coffee June 14. Also this weekend: a country music festival at Masons Live Saturday night. For more, check our entire music calendar after the jump. |
Touring musicians passing through Lakeland this weekend include country rapper Big Smo at Wild Greg’s Saloon tonight; busking troubadour J Gilton at Patio850 Friday; Americana pickers/singers Jennings & Keller at Among Friends Music Saturday; singer-songwriter Ray Cerbone with Nancy Koerner at Swan Brewing Sunday afternoon; and Classic Albums Live re-creating Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” at the RP Funding Center Sunday. See more listings after the jump.
