Six-Ring Circus Returns to the Ringside Café
What’s twice as good as a three-ring circus? Why, a six-ring circus, of course! And where would you hold such an event? Why, at the Ringside Café, of course!
Saturday, February 20th, marks the second time groups have banded together to hold such an event (the first one was in September). And this one benefits WMNF 88.5. That is what you call a win-win-win-win-win-win-win!
This six-band lineup put together by Don’t Fret Entertainment includes music from South Florida to Gainesville, Orlando to St. Petersburg. Let’s take a peek at what’s in store:
Displace is the perfect definition of a jam band; that’s exactly what they do. And they do it with verve and élan. The band is: Chris Sgammato, saxophone/rhythm guitar/keys/lead vocals; Sam Dobkin, lead guitar/vocals; Tucker Sody, drums; and Vinny Svoboda, bass guitar. Their excellent album Eureka! was a 2015 smash.
Future Vintage is a superb jamtronica trio from St. Pete. The band released their new album Doin It Right in December. They have been on the festival scene and in clubs all over the area. Matt Giancola (keyboards) and Trevor McDannel (bass) also play with The Juanjamon Band. Drummer Eric Layana was formerly with Currentz.
It was just a year ago that Flat Land, the amazing quintet from Gainesville, knocked everybody out at Gov-Fest. Since that time, they have played a number of festivals, including Purple Hatter’s Ball, Hulaween and last week’s Little Econ Love Fest. And it was just announced that they will play the main stage at the Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival on Sunday, March 6! Fae Nae’s wonderful vocals and violin front a rock-solid band: Chris Storey, guitar; Brandon Miller, bass; Grant McLeod, drums; and Ian McLeod, percussion.
The Happy Campers were supposed to play a farewell late-night show at Little Econ, but illness got in the way. This may be the grand finale for Sean Maloney, Colin Getts, Andy Lytle and Ian McLeod as tHC; you don’t want to miss it.
South Florida is represented by Gator Wine, a trio (sometimes more) bringing blues, rock, funk, jam, and soul to the stage.
Maybe you remember Homestar Runner and Strongbad. If so, you might also remember Teen Girl Squad. This musical version features Sam Dobkin (Displace), Trevor McDannel (Future Vintage), Tucker Sody (Displace), and Daniel Mandelman on keyboards (Ziggy Marley, Barrington Levy). Your job: decide who is which girl: Cheerleader, So and So, What’s Her Face and The Ugly One (you have to say them in the Strongbox voice).
Doors open at 5. A donation is suggested for the WMNF benefit. You won’t find a better deal for Saturday, and you certainly won’t find more music.