Tampa Bay kicks off the Aug. 13–16 weekend with a full calendar of live music, art, sports, and nightlife. Thursday evening, WMNF presents Chuck Prophet and his trio at Skipper's Smokehouse (7 p.m.), offering an intimate roots-rock set from a singer-songwriter with decades of touring under his belt. Running throughout the weekend at the Straz Center, The Art of Banksy brings more than 150 authenticated works from the anonymous street artist — prints, sculptures, murals, and immersive installations — to Tampa for one of the more distinctive exhibition stops in the region right now.
Sports fans have plenty to work with as well. The Tampa Bay Rays host the Baltimore Orioles in a three-game home series at Tropicana Field, with first pitches Friday at 7:10 p.m., Saturday at 6:10 p.m., and a Sunday afternoon wrap-up at 12:15 p.m. Meanwhile, Monster Jam rolls into Benchmark International Arena Friday evening and returns Saturday for both afternoon and evening performances, plus a final Sunday matinee.
Saturday night turns up the volume considerably: Mötley Crüe takes the stage at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at 6:30 p.m., while the Tampa Bay Rowdies face Rhode Island FC at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg at 7:30 p.m. — waterfront views included. DJ and producer Wax Motif closes out the night at The Ritz Ybor from 10 p.m. to nearly 3 a.m.
A few other highlights worth noting: two-time Emmy-nominated comedian Michael Yo plays the Funny Bone Friday evening and twice on Saturday (21+, full dinner service available); Hotel Haya in Ybor City hosts the four-year anniversary of the ¡SAMBA! dance night Friday from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. (21+, international DJ lineup); and the Gipsy Kings featuring Tonino Baliardo bring their flamenco-inspired sound to The Mahaffey Theater Sunday evening at 7 p.m.
The full event guide, including ticketing links for each event, was compiled by WMNF 88.5 FM.
