|
Good music at good prices
That's the goal of Twilight in Ybor City. And it's succeeding in bringing in an eclectic lineup of national acts while keeping tickets affordable.
By GINA VIVINETTO, Times Pop Music Critic
© St. Petersburg Times
published November 14, 2002
[Times photo: Ken Helle]
Guiding Twilight are, from left, Jonathan Cordeau, 22, the promotions director; Keith Zlomsowitch, 41, the general manager, and Richard McSherry, 33, the booking agent.
|
If you noticed a slew of top-notch national acts zipping through Ybor City in recent months, you can thank the guys at Twilight. The nightclub has taken it up a notch when it comes to booking live shows in a small venue.
Richard McSherry, 33, Twilight's booking agent, first worked at the club, which accommodates about 1,000, when it opened as the Rubb in 1995. Back then, the owners featured dance nights and DJs but were primarily concerned with bringing in good music -- music they found interesting and music that would appeal to locals. That meant cutting edge artists and well-known national acts.
That philosophy is back in vogue under owner Robert Solomon, with the help of McSherry, who has returned to Tampa after living out West for several years, general manager Keith Zlomsowitch and promotions organizer Jonathan Cordeau.
McSherry says the club aims to mix it up, booking multicultural acts from every genre -- "emo" punk and world beat, jazz and mainstream rock. McSherry says that's why folks can choose from avant garde acts such as Friday's stellar triple bill of electronica/dance music starring Supreme Beings of Leisure, Baldwin Brothers and trumpeter Ben Neill, or Monday's gig by the all-female punk rock band the Donnas.
Other artists who have performed recently at Twilight include mainstream rocker Eddie Money, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, former Parliament/Funkadelic keyboardist Bernie Worrell and folk rocker Melissa Ferrick.
McSherry says Twilight is committed to bringing exciting music to Tampa, even if that doesn't always mean big bucks. Keeping concerts affordable for young people is a priority, he says.
"The Donnas for seven bucks?" McSherry says. "They're on TRL. That could be a very expensive show in another town. That's not what we care about. Our hearts and souls are in this business. Music is everything to me. I love watching a crowd get into it."
McSherry says he respects the promoters at the area's other smaller venues, such as the Orpheum in Ybor City and Jannus Landing and the State Theatre in St. Petersburg.
"Those guys have been doing it for so long," McSherry says. "They're so good at it. I think it's the same for them; it's all about a love for the music. We're all out to bring in great music."
McSherry says he often visits other venues to catch bands he likes. "I always encourage everybody to go to every show and support the community."
But, he says, he thinks Twilight's reknown sound system and stylish decor make it special.
"It's the best-looking and -sounding venue in central Florida," McSherry says.
Bands on the way to Twilight in the next several weeks include blues rockers North Mississippi Allstars and songwriter (and pal of Dave Matthews) Tim Reynolds.
McSherry says Twilight has a philosophy when booking acts that dates to the days of the Rubb. "To us, the artist is what it's all about. The artists and the fans coming to see them. The music is more important than making money," he says.
"We want to bring in good music first and foremost. We want the artists to come to a place that will be completely hospitable to them, where they will enjoy playing. Then the fans enjoy the show. And everybody's happy."
PREVIEW
Twilight is at 1507 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. (813) 247-4225. This week's acts: Supreme Beings of Leisure with the Baldwin Brothers and Ben Neill, 9 p.m. Friday, $12 advance, $15 at the door; the Donnas with Camp Fire Girls & Your Enemy's Friend, 9 p.m. Monday, $7 advance, $10 at door.
Back to Weekend
© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111
|
