BayCare Sound moves up in Pollstar rankings
CLEARWATER — Pollstar, an industry trade publication, recently released its mid-year rankings and based on ticket sales, for amphitheaters with 10,000 seats and under, The BayCare Sound is ranked No. 2 in the United States, up from No. 3 in 2025. It is also ranked No. 3 in the world.
These rankings are from the period of November 2025 to May 2026. The BayCare Sound ranked higher than such prestigious venues as Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado; The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, California; The Orion Amphitheatre in Huntsville, Alabama; and The Ascend Amphitheatre in Nashville, Tennessee.
“It’s exciting to see the impact when a beautiful location, national talent, and a great experience align,” said Susan M. Crockett, Ruth Eckerd Hall president and CEO. “The numbers show the venue has become a special place for Tampa Bay residents, while also drawing audiences from outside the area. We are proud to rank so soon with the very best in the country.”
To celebrate the third anniversary this summer of the opening of The BayCare Sound, special offers will be announced to upcoming shows and a limited quantity of one-of-a-kind promo items will be handed out at select shows on a first-come basis.
The BayCare Sound will present a wide variety of concerts and events including AEW Presents Dynamite Beach Break (July 8), Men at Work and Toad The Wet Sprocket (July 18), The Black Keys (July 28), Deep Purple and Kansas (Aug. 8), Squeeze with Adam Ant and Haircut 100 (Aug. 19), Devo (Aug. 27), Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms and The Spin Doctors (Sept. 1), 97X Next Big Thing Legends with Yellowcard (Sept. 4), John Fogerty and Steve Winwood (Sept. 19), and many more.
In addition, The BayCare Sound will present several festivals including Mersiv Flo Fest (Sept. 12), and the venue’s first two-day show with Tape B Presents: Tapesgiving (Nov. 27-28). More festivals will be announced soon.
For information, visit www.TheBayCareSound.com.
Help fund scholarships for art camp
ST. PETERSBURG — The studios are buzzing, imaginations are soaring, and another incredible season of Morean Summer Art Camp is officially underway.
Each day, young artists are painting, sculpting, experimenting, and discovering the joy of creative expression. At Art Camp, they enter a space designed to inspire confidence, curiosity, and connection. Already this summer, hundreds of children have stepped into Morean’s studios ready to create, learn, and make memories that will last far beyond the season. Thanks to generous supporters, more children have the opportunity to experience the transformative power of art, regardless of financial circumstances.
Last summer, the Morean welcomed more than 500 campers and awarded over 100 scholarships, ensuring that financial need did not stand in the way of creativity. This year, the need continues, and there is still time to help us make an impact. Your gift today helps provide supplies, scholarships, and meaningful creative experiences for young artists throughout the remainder of the summer.
Here is how your gift can make an impact:
• $50 provides a full week of essential art supplies for one camper, fueling their imagination and giving them the tools to explore, imagine, and create.
• $100 covers two weeks of creative materials for a young artist, ensuring they can dive into every project with confidence and curiosity.
• $300 gives one child a full scholarship for a week of camp, an experience filled with creativity, discovery, and connection they will never forget.
• $500 equips 10 campers with the art supplies they need to bring their visions to life, helping build a community of young creators.
• $1,000 sponsors four full scholarships for campers who would otherwise miss the opportunity to experience the joy and inspiration of summer camp.
Every gift, no matter the size, helps ignite creativity and foster joy. For more information and to donate, visit https://moreanartscenter.org/support/.
Imagine Museum to present comedy showdown
ST. PETERSBURG — Laughter League: Comedy Showdown will be presented on Tuesday, July 14, 6:30 p.m., at Imagine Museum, 1901 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.
Tickets are $10 for general admission and free for Imagine Museum members. Seating is limited, and previous shows have sold out. Tickets are available online at www.eventbrite.com.
“Laughter League: Comedy Showdown” is a high-energy, interactive comedy competition where local comedians go head-to-head, and the audience decides the winner through laughter and applause. Hosted by Tampa Bay comedian Dan Bakst, the event offers a fun and unique night out in an intimate museum setting. Audience participation determines the winner. Museum admission is included with the ticket. Light refreshments will be available for purchase.
SHAMC awarded Music In Action Grant
SAFETY HARBOR — The Safety Harbor Art and Music Center was recently named a recipient of the Music in Action Grant from the Live Music Society.
This national organization is dedicated to supporting music communities from across the country. The award will support SHAMC in launching several new creative initiatives designed to uplift artists, engage the community, and expand access to the arts.
Among the funded projects is the development of the center’s first-ever in-house podcast, “Caravan Conversations,” which will feature dynamic discussions with musicians, artists, and cultural community connectors. The podcast aims to spotlight creative voices, share meaningful stories, and strengthen connections across the arts community.
In addition, the grant will help fund a Teen Singer-Songwriter Camp, led by nationally touring musicians. This program will offer young artists the opportunity to develop their craft, gain mentorship, and build confidence in their creative expression.
The funding will also support live music experiences in local public schools, bringing touring musicians directly into educational settings and expanding access to high-quality arts programming for students.
“This grant allows us to build audiences, support emerging artists, and keep the arts alive in our community,” said Autumn Pearson, SHAMC director. “We are over the moon and deeply honored to be seen and supported by such an incredible organization like the Live Music Society.”
SHAMC is a nonprofit creative hub in Safety Harbor, dedicated to nurturing the arts, supporting artists, and providing accessible arts programming for the community. Visit SHAMC.org.
James Museum invites everyone to connect, cool off and save
ST. PETERSBURG — As the Florida summer heats up, the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art is inviting the greater Tampa Bay community to escape the humidity and discover some of the country’s most compelling stories. Starting July 1, the museum is launching its Summer of Savings initiative exclusively online, making a day of world-class art and culture in one of the most inviting and refreshing indoor experiences in downtown St. Petersburg.
To kick off the season with a nod to American history, the James Museum is offering a unique patriotic promotion. Throughout July, all adult and senior general admission tickets purchased online will be priced at just $17.76. The seasonal savings roll right into late summer, with online adult tickets priced at $19 for the months of August and September.
Beyond the cool relief of the galleries, July visitors will have the rare opportunity to dive deeper into the collection with the debut of “America 250: Lesser-Known Stories of the Collection.” In anticipation of the nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial, this special 60-minute tour explores the often overlooked histories of the American West and its relationship with the U.S. government over the past two and a half centuries.
Led by Caitlin Pendola, associate curator, the limited-capacity tours feature 12 works of art in the collection, each paired with a compelling historical vignette that shaped the nation. The highly curated sessions offer guests a new perspective on the collection and an exclusive look at some works currently not on view. This intimate experience is limited to 20 visitors per tour, and advance registration is required.
Following is the America 250 tour schedule:
• Tuesday, July 7 at 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 14 at 11 a.m.
• Tuesday, July 21 at 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 28 at 11 a.m.
Tickets are $15 for the public and $10 for museum members. Museum admission included with the tour.
The James Museum’s summer initiative is designed to ensure everyone has a welcoming place to gather, find inspiration and learn during Tampa Bay’s hottest months. To maintain this spirit of access, the museum’s popular $10 Tuesday deal will continue uninterrupted all summer long, providing a budget-friendly staple for local families and art lovers alike.
As usual, educators will receive complimentary admission with their ID for in-person ticket purchases in July. In August and September, standard pricing and discounts also remain intact for seniors, students, teachers, active military, and youth throughout the season.
Visitors must purchase tickets online to unlock the special July through September admission rates. For more information, to view upcoming summer programs or to book an America 250 tour, visit thejamesmuseum.org.
The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art is at 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.
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