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TICKETING STAR AWARDS FEBRUARY 2021 VOLUME 20 | NUMBER 2 VENUESNOW.COM

WITH THE SUPER BOWL, WINNING SPORTS AND HOT MUSIC, THIS PLACE IS BLOWING UP TAMPA GOES BOOM! WINNING TIME COURTESY TAMPA SPORTS AUTHORITY

22 FEBRUARY 2021 PRO SPORTS BOOM IN THE TAMPA AREA IS LIFTING SPIRITS AND SETTING THE BAR HIGH BY DON MURET

he Tampa-St. Petersburg region Bay Lightning won their second Stanley Buccaneers were one win away from stands among ’s idyllic destina- Cup title in 16 years, competing in a bubble reaching Super Bowl LV in their hometown under tions, known for its sparkling beaches, format at ’s after the ageless quarterback Tom Brady. gorgeous sunsets and signature tourist pandemic put the 2019-20 season on ice for Even the , a member of attractions. Sports development for the five months. the USL Championship soccer league owned most part has grown in tandem with In St. Pete, the reached the by the Rays, advanced to the title game before Tthe market’s big league teams over the past 25 2020 after playing a shortened 60- USL officials canceled the Oct. 31 match due years. game regular season. They lost to the Los Angeles to COVID-19 cases on the Rowdies team. To- On both fronts, it’s proved to be a winning Dodgers in six games at neutral site Globe Life ward the end of the 2020 season, the Rowdies combination of late. In September, the Tampa Field in Arlington, Texas. At presstime, the played a few matches with limited fans at Al

PIRATE BEAUTY: Raymond James , where the have provided some light during a dark year, will host Super Bowl LV on Feb. 7. COURTESY TAMPA SPORTS AUTHORITY SPORTS TAMPA COURTESY

FEBRUARY 2021 23 Lang Stadium. 2020 WAS UNEXPECTED...

PROVIDING SOME GOOD NEWS Across the region, the four PREPARE YOUR BUSINESS FOR THE teams lifted spirits through the doom and gloom of the lengthy pandemic. LIVE INDUSTRY’S FUTURE WITH “All the teams in the market had tremendous success,” said Bill Walsh, the Rays’ vice presi- dent of strategy and development. MIND THE CHANDELIER: The , in town for the NBA season to eliminate the need to cross POLLSTAR & VENUESNOW “It was wonderful to watch the the border during the pandemic, have practice courts in a hotel ballroom across from . Lightning’s run and we almost got there ourselves. In many ways, it care workers with complimentary For the Lightning, it helped that Edition, the first residential/hotel picked us up as a community.” tickets to the game. The NFL de- team President Steve Griggs was project, opened a sales office in To keep up with emerging termined that number in working among the first 15 employees November, with 37 condominiums trends tied to the fan experience, with the authority and local health hired by Maple Leaf Sports & starting at $2 million, according to both , officials, Hart said. Entertainment back in 1994. The a story in the . where the Bucs play, and Amalie In Hillsborough County, where native retains strong All told, the district is projected Arena, home of the Lightning Tampa is situated, local leaders connections with the ownership to take up 9 million square feet by and a leading concert venue, have pushed for the stadium, arena and of the Raptors and Leafs. the time the project is completed gone through $100 million-plus Steinbrenner Field, the New York “The setup for them was per- in 2027. It is designed to strength- renovations over the past decade. Yankees’ facility, fect,” Griggs said. en Tampa Bay’s emergence Most recently, both buildings, to receive millions of dollars in Toronto played a few home as a sports and entertainment as well as , the CARES Act funding to help pay for games at Amalie Arena with bulkhead with bars, restaurants, Rays’ stadium, have gone through touchless technology, improved crowds limited to 4,000 before office space, residential and three extensive COVID upgrades, driv- air flow and other protective mea- officials hit the pause button on hotels, including the JW Marriott. en in part by the region’s effort sures against coronavirus. fans attending games due to new “It took a bold vision and the to keep tourism dollars flowing “Our county officials took the spikes in COVID cases in January. right resources, plus a commit- despite the restrictions across the position that they wanted us to The switch came just a few days ment from the city and county country that have made it difficult keep people employed,” Hart before the Lightning’s first regu- and Jeff to continue to do great to generate revenue. said. “We had several thousand lar-season home game. things in this community,” Griggs Florida, a state marked by few- people working at every NFL Together, the Lightning, public said. “It was already sitting here er restrictions than most of the game, trying to do as many events officials and the team’s three and just needed someone to con- country, does not have a mandate as we possibly can, safely. We’re health care partners made that nect all the key pillars.” requiring face coverings in public. happy that our health department difficult decision, recognizing Griggs has seen downtown Gov. Ron DeSantis allowed ven- has indicated there have not been there will be additional losses in Tampa evolve after the Lightning ues to reopen at full capacity, de- any high contacts coming out of event-related revenue. They hope hired him in 2010, five months af- spite the state recording some of our venues.” to reopen the arena with fans for ter Vinik acquired the team. The the highest rates of coronavirus. NBA and NHL games by March, old Channelside Mall near the In the Tampa Bay region, A NEW TEAM IN TOWN team executives said. arena had fallen on hard times, venues and public officials were In , Amalie and coming out of the recession, prudent as they started to reopen Arena added a second tenant DOWNTOWN the venue had fallen behind on for business in the fall, going with during the pandemic. The Toron- DEVELOPMENT fan amenities. partial attendance in the range of to Raptors, Canada’s NBA team, Lightning owner Jeff Vinik “It was just the arena with 40 LIMITED TIME OFFER 22% to 23% for NFL games, which decided to play a good portion of sees the long-term play, revolv- acres of barren parking,” he said. amounted to about 16,000 fans their 2021 home games in Tampa ing around a hot team and the “We had the convention center, attending Buccaneers contests. as part of a mini-bubble format Water Street District, the $3.5 the history center, aquarium and Raymond James Stadium to cut down on potential spread billion mixed-use development the port where the cruise ships served as the model for all area of the virus from travel between next to the arena arena. He’s come in. The bones were there; it venues post-pandemic. two countries. spearheading the 40-acre district was just a matter of building ev- 20% OFF “From start to end, masks are They set up temporary resi- with Strategic Property Partners, erything in between and turning required,” said Eric Hart, president dency at the new JW Marriott whose investors include Micro- it into a (true) district.” POLLSTAR & VENUESNOW COMBO SUBSCRIPTIONS and CEO of the Tampa Sports Water Street Tampa, a 500-room soft co-founder Bill Gates. Sparkman Wharf, the initial Authority, governing body of Ray- lodge that opened in December Nine buildings are now under piece of development, replaced mond James Stadium. “The biggest across the street from the arena. construction. The first of three the old mall and opened in No- challenge that buildings have faced The Raptors converted a large phases, encompassing three vember 2018. It’s designed as a COURTESY TEAM is fighting the whole mask issue. ballroom into two practice courts. residential complexes, should casual pop-up-style environment We’ve done pretty well.” Other hotel spaces were made into be completed by early 2022. The with local chefs running street VISIT POLLSTAR.COM/COMBO FOR MORE INFORMATION The 65,890-seat stadium, site of a locker room, weight and condi- vision is to have 3,000 to 4,000 food destinations in shipping con- Super Bowl LV, will have atten- tioning area and coaches’ offices. people living in the district, tainers, plus a craft beer garden, dance capped at 22,000, which The Raptors considered three Griggs said. office lofts and lawn space to ac- includes 7,500 vaccinated health cities before selecting Tampa. The Residences at the Tampa commodate live music and fitness

24 FEBRUARY 2021 2020 WAS UNEXPECTED... PREPARE YOUR BUSINESS FOR THE LIVE INDUSTRY’S FUTURE WITH POLLSTAR & VENUESNOW

LIMITED TIME OFFER 20% OFF POLLSTAR & VENUESNOW COMBO SUBSCRIPTIONS

VISIT POLLSTAR.COM/COMBO FOR MORE INFORMATION LIGHTING ROUND: A rendering shows Phase 1 of the Water Street District, a downtown development area next to the arena district and led by Light- ning owner Jeff Vinik with Strategic Property Partners.

events. Sparkman Wharf’s retail venue. All told, 1.8 million people either market. St. Petersburg Mayor dise sales for the Rays for what was and office space is just starting to annually attend events at the has dismissed the otherwise a “pretty devastating” open, project officials said. 25-year-old arena, including con- idea, stating the Rays must adhere year financially for the organiza- Over the past 20 years, mixed- certs and family shows. to the lease terms before consider- tion without fans attending games, use projects tied to sports venues ing a move elsewhere. he said. have been a defining trend across LAB FOR INNOVATIONS Over the past few years, the Rays The Rays, in conjunction with North America. In Tampa, the Across the bay, there’s a much have used The Trop, where average Rank & Rally, Levy’s merchandise point of difference is the district different dynamic going on with paid attendance has declined over group, reopened the team store at

sits right on the city’s waterfront, the Rays in terms of the facility the past decade from 23,000 to Tropicana Field in August. During COURTESY STRATEGIC PROPERTY PARTNER providing an authentic coastal equation. 14,700 in 2019, as a laboratory for the postseason, there were long vibe unlike its landlocked coun- They’ve been trying for the innovation and experimentation. lines of fans standing 6 feet apart terparts, Griggs said. better part of 15 years to build a Two years ago, prior to the pandem- outside the doors waiting to buy “There’s a real sense of health new ballpark to replace 31-year- ic, they were among the first teams the latest gear, Walsh said. and wellness because we are on old Tropicana Field, which stands in big league sports to go complete- “There was a lot of hunger in the the water,” he said. “It’s different as Major League ’s only ly cashless in-venue. community to just interact with the than up north. There’s a real focus indoor facility with a fixed roof. “Once you train fans and they club and the brand,” he said. on brand ethos and turning Water The Rays’ lease at the city- get used to being in a cash-free The retail demand led to the Street into a district and we’re a owned stadium runs through environment, there are a lot of Rays launching a new concept part of it.” the 2027 season and they remain interesting things you can do called “Rays and Rowdies on the Amalie Arena, after going committed to pursuing a proposal with mobile ordering and digital Road.” through extensive renovations, to split home games at new open- wallets and fan rewards and The focus is on fan engagement, has driven most of the develop- air ballparks in St. Petersburg and loyalty and all of that,” Walsh said. tied to a new website and a brand- ment, due in part to the Light- Montreal, Walsh said. “We’re going to be moving in that ed merchandise trailer set up over ning’s success on the ice. The The team announced the concept space this season.” lunch hour in downtown Tampa team has sold out 250 consecutive in June 2019 and there has been no Advancing to the World Series and the new pier in St. Petersburg, games at the 20,500-capacity movement to build new in provided a nice bump in merchan- among other sites. Player appear-

26 FEBRUARY 2021 ances, plus Raymond, the Rays’ furry blue mascot, are part of the RAYMOND ON THE retail caravan. ROAD: “We started off with tents, do- Raymond, ing it as quickly as we could, and the Tampa then got the trailer toward the Rays mascot, end of the postseason,” Walsh is part of said. “We did about a half-dozen a new fan events in December and into engagement New Year’s Eve. We’ll ramp back campaign up as we get into February and built around a traveling the start of the season.” merchandise Overall, sports executives trailer. forecast continued growth for Tampa-St. Petersburg as an entertainment destination. “What we’re creating here with our district and the whole region itself is attractive,” Griggs said. “We have another crack at the Playoff, WrestleMania 37, Frozen Four and Women’s Final Four. Our building alone is booked (most years) for an NCAA

COURTESY TEAM COURTESY event.”

FEBRUARY 2021 27 UP’ COURTYARD CONCERTS: Jannus Live is a 2,000-capac- ity club in St. BLOWN Petersburg. ‘IT’S

TAMPA’S DIVERSE MARKET IS ENJOYING A MUSIC BOOM

BY ERIC RENNER BROWN

ampa Bay’s sports pa Bay market is characterized ‘Guess what! We’re not coming the stadium’s single-night gross market, which includes the by its diversity. While Miami is to Florida!’” explains Douglas, record with an August 2018 show NHL’s 2020 Stanley Cup known for Latin, hip-hop, and who’s been booking shows from that raked in $7.2 million. winner, the MLB’s 2020 EDM, and Jacksonville has more punk to reggae to jazz at Jannus In recent years, Amalie Arena, pennant in common with the country since the mid-’80s. which typically holds 14,000 to winner, a team playing for and rock inclinations of other If traveling down the Flori- 16,000 for concerts, has hosted Tthe NFC title, and Super Bowl LV Deep South markets, Tampa Bay da Panhandle isn’t financially talent from to Chance in February, is just one aspect of its offers up something for everyone, worthwhile for an artist, Douglas the Rapper to Eric Church, while booming live sector. from classic rock icons to touring says, “they dip into Jacksonville , which accom- “I can’t explain how much it’s Broadway. and then just head west or north” modates about half that, has changed, how much it’s blown up,” “The Tampa Bay demographic to other regional markets like presented shows by artists such as says Summer Bohnenkamp, vice is very diverse and very vast,” Atlanta and New Orleans. Lizzo and Old Dominion. president of programming and says Steve Minick, director of Still, north-south Interstate While the market’s Live Na- marketing at the Straz Center for entertainment at the Seminole 75 and east-west Interstate 4 run tion-operated shed, MidFlorida the Performing Arts, situated in Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tam- through the market, making it Credit Union Amphitheatre, downtown Tampa on the eastern pa, which sits on the city’s eastern a convenient stop for any tour stages plenty of rock and hip-hop, bank of the Hillsborough River. edge. “You can be in an area embarking on a Florida leg. country is its forte, with recent “It’s barely recognizable,” that’s very rural very quickly, just “What attracts tours to come box-office highlights dominated Bohnenkamp says. “Downtown outside of the Tampa Bay metro, through here is that we are right by the likes of Luke Bryan, Sam Tampa, it just used to go to sleep or you can be in a very urban envi- off major crossroads that get to Hunt, Jason Aldean and Dierks at 5 o’clock. Everything was dark. ronment very quickly.” all these other destinations,” Bentley. If you were coming to the show at Tampa Bay’s varied nature Minick says. “We’re really poised Below the market’s largest the Straz Center, you were alone means that sometimes the indus- locationwise.” rooms, acts of all stripes can find downtown. Now, we have a vibrant try’s conventional wisdom doesn’t (Sources agree that, for most homes among Tampa Bay’s rich nightlife.” hold true in the market. acts at the club level or above, lo- tapestry of theaters, performing Tampa and St. Petersburg, a half- “We’ve always felt that our cation within the market doesn’t arts centers, and clubs. hour drive across Tampa Bay, rank market here was a very unique matter much — fans will generally Among Tampa Bay’s most third and fifth in population among market, and I think is still is in a go from St. Petersburg to Tampa acclaimed spaces is the 2,200-ca- Florida’s cities, and the metro lot of ways,” says Rob Douglas, or vice versa to see shows.) pacity Ruth Eckerd Hall, located area’s population of 3.2 million director of music operations at in the coastal enclave of Clear- — more than those of Denver, St. Jannus Live, a lauded 2,000-ca- DIVERSITY OF VENUES water, north of St. Petersburg. It Louis, and Baltimore — is second pacity club in St. Petersburg. “You Once in the market, artists opened in 1983. only to Miami’s within Florida. can’t take anything for granted, have plenty of options. Raymond The theater hosts a little “The Tampa Bay market is cer- at least in the Tampa Bay market, James Stadium also hosts mar- of everything, from traveling tainly one of the most vibrant and because something may be trend- quee music talent when it comes shows — recent highlights include strongest markets in the state,” ing wonderfully elsewhere, but through town; Taylor Swift set eight-show runs of “The Book of says AEG Presents senior vice when they get to us, it collapses – president John Valentino, who or the opposite.” has booked shows in Florida for Like other Florida markets, COURTESY VENUE more than 40 years, including a geography plays a key role “Downtown Tampa, it just three-decade stint with legendary in determining Tampa Bay’s regional promoter Fantasma Pro- bookings. used to go to sleep at 5 ductions. (see story, Page 32.) “If you can’t get them four or five dates up and down the state o’clock. Everything was dark.” A TASTE OF EVERYTHING — or at least the money that is the More than anything, the Tam- equivalent to that — then it’s like, — SUMMER BOHNENKAMP

28 FEBRUARY 2021 UP’

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ROLLING IN TAMPA8

10 7 6 18 19 9 13 5 4 14 17 15 3 12 1

ARENA STADIUM ROLLINGROLLING CLUB AMPHITHEATER ININ TAMPATAMPA THEATER

MAJOR VENUES IN THE AREA Based on box-office data reported to Pollstar 2000-2019.

#MAP VENUE CITY TYPE CAPACITY AVG. GROSS AVG. TICKETS TICKET PER SHOW PER SHOW AVG. PRICE

23 21 1 Amalie Arena Tampa Arena 20,000 $427,036 7,536 $56.66

25 22 20 2 Brass Mug Tampa Club 650 $2,279 192 $11.87 3 David A. Straz Jr. Center for Tampa Theater 2,610 $110,205 1,846 $59.70 24 the Performing Arts 4 Cuban Club Tampa Club 6,300 $96,447 2,863 $33.68 5 Dallas Bull Tampa Club 2,165 $14,853 1,187 $12.52 6 George M. Steinbrenner Field 10,000 $1,034,686 14,929 $69.31 7 MidFlorida Credit Union Tampa Amphitheater 20,000 $477,539 11,761 $40.60 Amphitheatre 8 New World Brewery Tampa Club 250 $1,052 102 $10.31 9 Raymond James Stadium Tampa Stadium 65,422 $4,335,573 46,049 $94.15 10 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa Theater 1,500 $68,760 1,534 $44.82 11 Skipper’s Smokehouse Tampa Club 700 $9,323 526 $17.72 12 Tampa Theater 1,238 $34,949 1,010 $34.60 13 The Attic Tampa Club 175 $3,467 105 $32.89 RANIER LESNIEWSKI/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM 14 Orpheum Tampa Club 720 $8,577 459 $18.67 15 Tampa Club 1,786 $22,722 947 $24.00 16 Yuengling Center Tampa Arena 10,500 $160,398 4,079 $39.32 17 Capitol Theatre Clearwater Club 800 $26,976 491 $54.91 18 Coachman Park Clearwater Amphitheater 13,500 $181,163 4,530 $39.99 19 Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater Theater 2,180 $72,432 1,444 $50.16 20 Stadium St. Petersburg Stadium 12,000 $273,997 4,888 $56.06 21 Jannus Live St. Petersburg Club 2,000 $27,923 1,240 $22.52 22 Local 662 St. Petersburg Club 250 $3,392 245 $13.86 23 State Theatre St. Petersburg Club 705 $8,576 481 $17.82 24 Mahaffey Theater St. Petersburg Theater 2,031 $78,176 1,415 $55.25 25 Tropicana Field St. Petersburg Stadium 50,000 $169,973 2,713 $62.66 ROLLING30 FEBRUARY 2021 IN TAMPA COURTESY VENUES PHOTO CREDIT HERE TK Tampa Theatre, and Clearwa- and Tampa Theatre, Arena, Amalie as such spaces concert at traditional gigs staged has Road the on Hall Eckerd pandemic. the during shows duced-capacity re- booking success found has Capitol the Hall, Eckerd Ruth like March; 100 in turns that facility ahistoric Theatre, Capitol Bilheimer 700-cap Clearwater’s books 2019. company The in list worldwide promoters year-end Pollstar’s on No. 81 ranked which Presents, Hall Eckerd of Ruth umbrella the under itself hall the of walls the beyond well extends with $1.5 million grossed. $1.5 million with venue’s the record ting box-office set- nights, for Eckerd three Ruth to 2017, returned musician the January in Hall,” Eckerd and Ruth perceive way people the changing in acatalyst 1997 “was in run Eckerd’s business. ofRuth part acore made that and centers, arts performing and at theaters runs multinight mate, inti- to more were transitioning acts rock arena-level many that after.” night the you did what or before night the you did what didn’t care really They come. will “Audiences, we 1996. learned, in hall the joined who Rossi, Bobby ofentertainment director Hall Eckerd Ruth says community,” this in for well us really really, worked has really that direction that’s the and to Tony Bennett, musicians. esteemed —to Boots” “Kinky and Mormon” NOT JUST ATHEATER JUST NOT For the last decade-plus, Ruth Ruth decade-plus, For last the Eckerd’s influence Ruth A four-night Van Morrison Van Morrison A four-night identified ’90s, Rossi the In Jane’s go from “We’ll Addiction and hip young acts (Bon Iver, (Bon The acts young hip and Live!”), Patrol (“Paw gramming pro- family Shlesinger), (Iliza comedy edgier booking versified, di- venue has decade,the last the 1987. in over opened But which at Straz, bookings reliable are comedy stand-up Broadway and Hall. Ferguson 1,000-capacity the and Hall Morsani 2,600-capacity the include which spaces, mance perfor- six Straz’s oversees we can.” if ofapin head the on do We’ll ashow wherever we can. to be “We try says. ues,’” Rossi and havewe ven- first, promoters LV. Bowl ofSuper noon after- the guests for special 500 show +Shay Dan invite-only an on even is putting Presents Hall Eckerd Ruth Championship. spar Tour’s PGA the hosts Val-which Resort, Innisbrook and Bay Rays, Tampa ofthe home Petersburg St. the at Tropicana Field, games to baseball music brought also has and Park, ter’s Coachman Like Ruth Eckerd, touring touring Eckerd, Ruth Like bay, the Bohnenkamp Across ‘We’re been, has “My mantra people perceive Ruth Eckerd Hall,” says the venue’s Bobby Rossi. Bobby venue’s Hall,” the says Eckerd Ruth perceive people WILD NIGHTS: Event Center. Rock Hard the plays Robinson MAN: Smokey MIRACLE A four-night stand by Van Morrison (left) in 1997 “was a catalyst in changing the way the changing in acatalyst “was 1997 in (left) by Van Morrison stand Afour-night the best seat in an arena.” an in seat best the is place our in seat worst “Our says. else,” Minick anywhere able to see they’re not that show one-of-a-kind closure. temporary forced its pandemic the before Clinton George and Smokey Robinson as legends such hosted subsequently 2019, and 4, Oct. on concert Urban aKeith with opened that space Center, a1,500-capacity Event Rock Hard the was project expansion ty’s $750 recent million proper- ofthe aspects buzziest the Among post-pandemic. market the player in aformidable become to poised seems Rock nole Hard or 10 15 first years.” our we in had areputation certainly was which ofvenue, kind aformal much as people don’tso effort so it an “see made has Straz that adding kamp, younger,”cantly Bohnen- says signifi- venues have become our Cole). J. Weeknd, outdoor pool area modeled after modeled after area pool outdoor 20,000-square-foot Anew tion: Also included in the renova- the in included Also [fans]“We’re to give a looking Semi- the ofdowntown, East to coming are who folks “The FEBRUARY 2021 ballgame yet.” ballgame the aren’t back in just quite nies compa- larger the “because says, to Douglas. on,” according to carry ability our thwarting are that ... regulations municipal and county, state, federal, between “disconnect the navigate – and pandemic the from to rebound Tampa looks market Bay music play akey the role as it will like operation. in decades over three-and-a-half its jokes – Douglas down, way –or up its on act major every about just hosted has and regionally, cachet holds particular block, ter ofacity theaters. and arenas market’sthe higher-profile to alternatives smaller-ball offer still Ybor Ritz 1,500-cap bar, and Crow- 400-cap Jannus, like clubs has diminished in clout, though market. the selves in them- found artists two – when Was Was) (Not and Brothers Neville ofThe consisted show ing co-headlin- Jannus ‘80s late – one pairings unusual create readily he’d and Jannus, through passed that tours national to the support as on favorites local slap regularly Fantasma. at Valentino worked with both Rossi and Douglas when ‘80s, the for in Tampa known Bay that was scene it as “a in the market.” the in “ait as run home describes Minick of3,000. ences haveSnoopadelic) played to audi- (as DJ Dogg Snoop and Alesso, Tiësto, DJs like top-tier where parties, pool Vegas-style Las THE FUTURE IS HERE IS FUTURE THE “We’re taking the risk on,” risk he the “We’re taking venues small and Jannus cen- the in acourtyard Jannus, Today, scene music local the would Douglas then, Back club outré the from It’s cry afar

31 FROM SMOKED AEG PRESENTS’ VALENTINO: MULLET TO GREEK

Tampa Big for All Kinds of Music SPONGE DIVERS

BY ERIC RENNER BROWN FLORIDA MAN: The Outlaws’ Henry John Valenti- no has been a Paul on Tampa/St. promoter in the f you’ve seen a show in Florida over James Stadium. The market for more Pete’s Many Charms the last four decades, there’s a reason- stadium is a great play than 40 years. able chance John Valentino had a hand for a lot of our larger BY ANDY GENSLER in it. shows. Amalie Arena From 1979 to 2008, Valentino worked and Yuengling Center alongside Jon Stoll at Fantasma Produc- are great venues that he Outlaws’ founder and Itions, helping to make Florida’s music mar- we frequent often. prime mover, Henry Paul, may ket the powerhouse it is today. After Stoll’s Both are viable arenas, be one of the biggest rock stars to untimely death in 2008, Valentino joined midsize and full size. We do a lot of shows hail from Tampa. Though he no AEG Live, now AEG Presents, as senior at Ruth Eckerd Hall, between them and longer lives there, he still visits vice president of its Southeast region, where their smaller theater, the 700-cap, seated every year, partakes in its culinary he has continued to shape Florida’s varied Capitol Theatre; Ruth Eckerd, Straz and Tdelights and actively roots for its sports markets for the last decade. even Mahaffey to the south in St. Peters- teams — which are having a banner year. Today, Valentino and his small team burg, all great theaters. We do a lot of shows Here, the 71-year-old recalls building his ensure AEG has a presence at venues in the at (2,000-capacity) Jannus Live, and that’s music career there as well as the region’s Tampa Bay metro area from Clearwater’s one of the most unique and fun experiences hidden gems including smoked mullet, the 700-capacity Capitol Theatre all the way up for going to a show of any place I’ve been, historical Columbia Restaurant and, of to Raymond James Stadium. just because it’s an open outdoor courtyard course, Greek sponge divers. The veteran promoter connected with area. It’s been there for decades and it’s VenuesNow to discuss the market’s idiosyn- in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg. You grew up in Tampa. What’s the crasies, carrying on Fantasma’s spirit and We’re well over 100 shows a year in that overarching thing people should an impressive string of bookings his team market. know about Tampa? pulled off at Amalie Arena. Mine is culinary because the Span- How does your work with AEG today ish personality of that city is incredible. How have you seen the market evolve in carry on Fantasma’s legacy and what Cuban sandwiches, deviled crabs, black recent years? you learned there? beans and rice, chicken and yellow rice. I’ve been in Florida my entire career. We were able to take the independent The Columbia Restaurant is the crown The Tampa Bay market is certainly one of spirit of what we had at Fantasma with Jon jewel of that culture and that’s a very the most vibrant and strongest markets Stoll and bring it to the next level and further important part of Tampa. in the state. There are some great venues develop it with the resources and support of and it’s a great market for most all kinds of a company like AEG Presents. It sounds very diverse. music. Oh, very much. The cigar industry was What particularly big successes have there and the influx of Cuban workers, What differentiates it from other Florida you had in the Tampa market? immigrants was huge. And Italians, and markets like your Miamis or your Jack- Just a couple of years ago — and it was all the other familiar suspects. It has a very sonvilles? really by happenstance, and not by design pronounced Latin personality. Florida is very diverse from market to — our touring division had Roger Waters market. Miami is the strongest by far for on sale. Then, I worked with my office What clubs did you play coming up? Latin music in the state. Jacksonville is and (Marshall Arts’) Barrie Marshall in The In-Crowd, and there was a club out much more Deep South and country-based bringing Paul McCartney into the state, on Waters Avenue, a big one called the and things like that. But all the markets and we played Tampa the very same week- FCA, the Florida Confederate Association. are balanced and can support all styles. end. Then, Rod Stewart popped up and I It had this big building where they had COURTESY AEG PRESENTS Tampa Bay and Central Florida — across worked with Artist Group (International) a band called Mike and the Hurricanes. the Orlando-Tampa Bay corridor, in the and Dennis Arfa in bringing Rod Stewart They were really good. heart of Florida — is a good mix of all of into Tampa. Those three shows played the those things, with the north and south as Amalie within a four-day period (July 8-11, What does its position on the Gulf the extremes. 2017). We wanted to make sure we didn’t Coast mean? cannibalize ourselves. All three of those Smoked mullet, of all things, was a huge Can you walk me through the various shows sold out. That was when I was like, local, popular item. The fish is an herbi- venues at each tier that AEG handles in you know, this can be done. This market vore, and they’re cheap and they would the market? is very supportive and there is a balance smoke them. They’re very oily. And you We’ll start at the top with Raymond there. could drive around and there would be

32 FEBRUARY 2021 DIVER DOWN: The Sponge Diver Memo- rial Statue in Tarpon little smokers on the side of the Springs just outside of road and people with spray-paint- Tampa, which is known ed signs up, “Smoked Mullet, as the sponge capital of . 25 Cents.” And Tarpon Springs, which has the Greek sponge div-

GETTY IMAGES ing community. It’s very diverse.

Wait, you just said Greek sponge diving community? Yeah, the Greek sponge diving community. It still has an incredi- bly European feeling. It looks like a little enclave when you go down there. The tourists love it. They have great restaurants.

So Greek sponge diving is a real thing? That’s a real thing. And the Tampa Latin cigar rolling com- munity is a very real thing.

What about the music scene? There was a coffeehouse in Pi- What’s in the water in Tampa? nellas Park, halfway between St. GHOST RIDER: They’re just winning everything. Henry Paul Petersburg and Clearwater, called They’re spending money. The leads The Out- Beaux Arts, and Jim Morrison laws, among the Rays have this beautiful farm played there. All these folk music biggest rock system and these really smart luminaries would come through bands to come guys that can make chicken salad and play. I would go and hang out of Tampa. out of chicken shit and every- around with my guitar in the back body else is spending money. and play with different people and The Lightning are spending and eventually got the nerve to get on the Bucs are definitely spending stage and sing two or three songs. it. The Gators — Florida State’s It was a very important cultur- in the tank right now, but the al destination, it was the Jack Gators are hot. The whole sports Kerouac crowd. Kerouac actually scene down there has always lived there and wound up dying in been — especially on the football Tampa or St. Petersburg. front — something religious. Ted Peters is a smoked fish the NFC title game, the Super I know you went to NYC and restaurant in a little town be- Bowl’s there. What do you What do you think Tampa will moved back to Tampa with a tween St. Pete and St. Pete Beach make of Tampa being Sports be like as they host the Super band that eventually became called Pasadena. They have City USA this year? Bowl? The Outlaws. smoked mackerel, smoked mul- Well, if you take it a step fur- We had one before that I actu- We had a five-piece group and let, just the greatest little smoked ther, the Florida Gators (football ally went to. Back before the new all these songs and a handful of fish house in the world. If you go team) won the Southeastern stadium was built, I went and clubs we played in North Tampa to St. Petersburg, there’s a beach Conference (East Division) and saw Washington Redskins play where we carved out a following. at the south end of St. Peters- played Alabama to within six the Oakland Raiders. burg called Pass-a-Grille. Artsy points. I’m an avid sports fan. I What’s North Tampa like? fartsy, really small, really old love the Gators. I love the Bucs. It was the saddest Super North Tampa was out near school Florida beach commu- I love the Rays, and I love the Bowl. Redskins got destroyed the University of South Florida nity. If you go north you get to Lightning. I’m a Tampa fan and by the Raiders. and a geographical area unique Tarpon Springs on the Anclote lo and behold, the Lightning The town lit up. Ybor was unto itself. There must have been Bay and that’s where the sponge have been threatening for a packed and Bern’s (Steakhouse) 15,000 kids going to the Univer- diving fleet is docked. There’s a while. They had won the (Stan- was packed. Tampa’s a swing- sity of South Florida in the early barbecue restaurant in the black ley) Cup and now they’ve come ing-ass town. And now it’s ‘70s and they would patronize community on 40th Street called back and won it again. But the gotten to be such a big town. these bars and come see The Big John’s Alabama Barbecue. Rays lost () , The town that I used to live in, Outlaws. There were bars like The I swear to God, on my mother’s and I thought, “Oh, what a horri- it doesn’t exist anymore. Whipping Post, The Depot, The name, it is the high tabernacle of ble thing.” But the guy that took Losers, Mi Backyard. the best barbecue on the planet his place rebuilt that team into Do you still go to Tampa reg- in the Deep South. The Columbia a contender on no money. And I ularly? When you got bigger, where Restaurant is a fine dining desti- don’t think Tom Brady is going to I do. I fly there every year and I did you play? nation and it is to this day out of win the Super Bowl, but … still have family down there. My The and the this world. wife and I go down occasionally. Lakeland Civic. You never know. I drive her around and show her So the Rays went to the World He’s done a good job bringing all the places we used to play and What Tampa spots would you Series, the Lightning won the the Bucs back. the house I used to live in. It’ll

COURTESY HENRY PAUL HENRY COURTESY recommend to visitors? Stanley Cup, the Bucs are in always be home to me.

FEBRUARY 2021 33 Henry Paul Charlie Brusco Bill Walsh Eric Hart Bill Wickett Rob Douglas

We’ve asked some of the Tampa/St. Petersburg market’s power training facility, I really enjoy players their favorite spots in town. While some predictably picked George Steinbren- attending events their own venue of interest, there are some hot takes and good at Amalie Arena. advice for anyone looking to do business in or enjoy the sights and ner Field, is a great sounds of this bustling market, which has been extensively profiled place to see big They’re very profes- in VenuesNow’s and Pollstar’s first Market Focus deep dive. leaguers up close sional. They’re very and have a hot dog spot on, they have and a beer. The a great operation. 1) What’s your kamp, Vice President, on Clearwater grapefruit league Amalie’s really got favorite venue in Programming and Market- Beach. is the best bang some top-notch tal- Tampa/St. Pete to ing, Straz Center for the — Bill Wickett, for your buck and ent there. They do a see a live music Performing Arts Executive Vice President a Florida tradition great job delivering performance and of Communications, Tampa dating back to on the fan experi- why? Jannus Live – Bay Lightning 1913. ence. the unique and — Henry Paul, The — Steve Minick, I can’t really intimate setting Ruth Eckerd Hall Outlaws Director of Entertainment, just call one out. among downtown and the Capitol Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & There’s nothing like buildings, bars, and are my favorites – Raymond James Casino Tampa seeing Elton John restaurants feels they’re my second Stadium. Have play Amalie, and like you are watch- and third homes. been there for I’m a huge base- then you’ve got the ing the show in an But I do have a Bucs games and a ball fan, but my love intimacy of a place urban living room. fondness for Tampa Super Bowl! affair goes through like Ruth Eckerd Hall — Bill Walsh, Vice Theatre in Tampa, — Charlie Brusco, the more boutique where you could President, Strategy and because I met my Red Light Management historic spring train- see somebody like Development, Tampa Bay wife there in the ing venues. With no Van Morrison do Rays lobby 30 years ago. Still love Amalie offense to the major three nights. And I was at Fantasma, Arena for a hockey league stadiums, then to be at Jannus Capitol Theatre promoting a Cow- game. Grew up play- here is one of the Live and have the or Ruth Eckerd Hall boy Junkies show ing hockey and the few places where feeling of the open in Clearwater. and she came in design and layout you can get the old floor, GA vibe there — Charlie Brusco, the lobby with an- of Amalie is perfect time spring training – they’re all very Red Light Management other friend of mine for a game. With all baseball. I’m a different in their who I had known the added amenities massive Yankees own way. Raymond James from high school and promotions, fans, so Steinbren- — John Valentino, Stadium. No feeling and that was it. one of the best in ner Field in Tampa Senior Vice President, AEG like 50,000 plus — Bobby Rossi, Direc- game experiences obviously is very Presents live fans in one of tor of Entertainment, Ruth in the NHL. dear to me. the best outdoor Eckerd Hall — Eric Hart, Tampa — Bobby Rossi, Ruth Ruth Eckerd Hall environments in Sports Authority Eckerd Hall in Clearwater is a the world. Perfect 2) Your favorite beautiful state of weather, great ven- place to take in My team has won 3) What’s your the art venue that ue and awesome a sporting event two Stanley Cups favorite place to stays in close touch fans! there and why? (calling Amalie Are- eat in the area? with the contempo- — Eric Hart, President na home), so I’m rary popular music and CEO, Tampa Sports Tropicana Field – not going to stray A lot of people scene and books a Authority home to memories from that one. will tell you Bern’s wide variety of mu- of some of the best — Bill Wickett, Tampa Steak House. If it’s sical acts. It’s small- Amalie Arena, sports moments Bay Lightning a formal meal, it’s er sister venue, the of course. (Else- I’ve ever experi- got to be at Bern’s. Capitol Theatre, in where), the weather enced, including I go to concerts I’m a beach guy,

RECOMMENDED: TAMPA BAY TAMPA RECOMMENDED: Clearwater is also a in Tampa Bay is so Game 7 of the so much that I re- so anything with popular local music good, especially 2008 ALCS, Game ally don’t get to go sand and a sunset HOT venue that provides from September 162 in 2011, and to sporting events (such as) Salt Rock the through April, the 2019 ALDS, the as much as I’d like Grill. Great spot. SPOTS with a beautiful anything outdoors, Trop rocks like no to, but I’d have to They catch all their TO HIT destination for live no matter where other venue during say Amalie Arena. seafood fresh daily. music. it’s at, is great. when it’s packed — John Valentino, AEG —Bill Wickett, Tampa Bay FROM THE — Henry Paul, The One man on guitar with fans for big Presents Lightning Outlaws on a beachfront moments. MARKET’S balcony, in front — Bill Walsh, Tampa The Amalie There’s a great The Independent of a bar or restau- Bay Rays Arena. little communi- POWER Bar & Cafe. I really rant, is wonderful. — Summer Bohnen- ty called Tarpon love going out there. Can’t beat that. (For The Yankees kamp, Straz Center for the Springs which has PLAYERS — Summer Bohnen- example) Frenchy’s baseball spring Performing Arts a place called Rusty

34 FEBRUARY 2021 FOR BOOKING ACTS INTO HOTELS, HE APPLIES THE John Valentino Summer Bohnenkamp Steve Minick Bobby Rossi GOLD STANDARD

Bellies Waterfront Sports Authority — Charlie Brusco, Red Clearwater Beach’s Entertainment Travel, based in Nash- Grill, which is the Light Management Sandpearl Resort is ville, specializes in putting bands on the local favorite that Ted Peters the one that we we road for tours. And for Nick Gold, who we go to. Famous Smoked 4) Your favorite love to go for our founded the company in 1985, every tour — Bobby Rossi, Ruth Fish. It’s a little fish Tampa/St. Pete special occasions. is different. Eckerd Hall shack out on the hotel? It’s a really good “From an accommodation point of view beach that has the quiet escape. there are three main things we look at: An El Cap best cheeseburger Le Méridien — Bobby Rossi, obviously, the band and its budget; the cheeseburger (all in town – go figure. downtown is a cool Ruth Eckerd Hall location from the hotel to the venue; and the way, LTMPO) is I don’t know how spot. It used to be the service at the hotel being what the the com- that worked out. a courthouse. It’s a The Don CeSar band is looking for,” Gold said. “I’m not fort food. But for — Rob Douglas, Jannus neat space. on St. Pete Beach – going to take an A-listed act and put them a night out (adher- Live — Summer Bohnen- aka “The Don.” in a Holiday Inn (and) I’m not going to put ing to pandemic kamp, Straz Center for the — Bill Walsh, Tampa a club act at the Ritz-Carlton.” safety protocols of You have to expe- Performing Arts Bay Rays Fortunately for Gold and bands he course), the menu rience Bern’s if you tours through Tampa-St. Pete, he’s got at Brick and Mortar never have. Bern’s The Opal Sands 5) What do you plenty of options, but he names the in downtown St. Steak House is in Clearwater Beach think is the most Westin Tampa Bay, the Tampa Marriott Pete is tough to certainly the place is my personal quintessential on Water Street and the Sheraton Tampa beat. Pop across I think that every- favorite hotel in the place in Tampa/ Riverwalk as his go-to properties. the street to Cycle body should go to area. St. Pete everyone “Those are the main ones I go to, but Brewing and grab at least once. — John Valentino, AEG who visits should that doesn’t mean they’re the only ones a delicious barrel —John Valentino, AEG Presents go see? I go to. They specialize in entertainment aged stout for Presents and even some of my small acts, relative dessert. The JW Marriott St. Pete has really to what’s going on in the city, it’s (possi- —Bill Walsh, Tampa I like Armature that just opened in become an amazing ble) that they could give me a rate that Bay Rays Works. Not a tradi- downtown Tampa art destination, would work for a budgeted band. So, tional restaurant. and it’s beautiful. and that began I’ll always try them initially to see if that Rooster & The It’s a place where — Bill Wickett, Tampa with the opening works because then they are getting a Till. Chef Ferrell you can get 20 Bay Lightning of the Salvador Dalí really good property for a low rate, and Alvarez was nomi- different types of museum [in 1982]. so why not?” Gold said. “If you can get nated for a James cuisines all under Marriott Water- St. Pete’s Salvador into a Sheraton with a really Holiday Inn Beard award – he’s one roof. side. Have not tried Dalí museum has band, well then, they’re living large on the pretty great. I’d say — Steve Minick, the (new) JW as of the second largest road. If the budget’s the same because it it’s the best thing Seminole Hard Rock yet, but my favorite collection of Dalí happens to be a good time to go into that around. place for a stayca- work in the world. hotel, then it’s a win-win. — Summer Bohnen- The Columbia tion. I remember doing “Once I’ve looked at the band, looked kamp, Straz Center for the Spanish Restaurant — Eric Hart, Tampa a show with Pearl at the budget, looked at where the show Performing Arts in , and Sports Authority Jam, touring the is, then I’m going to work through that Bern’s Steak House first album (in 1992). series of hotels based on those three This is a tough in South Tampa, The Don CeSar They got there and criteria,” Gold said. one. There are so are the two crown Hotel sits on the they’re like, “We Special requests — from pet friendly many great places jewels of fine dining Gulf Of Mexico in want to go to the hotels to 24-hour room service or an all- to eat in Tampa. in Tampa. There are the quaint South St. Dalí museum. Who night gym — are common, and again, the For the experience, a number of family Pete beach town can take us to the Tampa Bay area has options to satisfy all either Sparkman style Cuban restau- of Pass-A-Grille. It Dalí museum?” We such needs. Wharf or downtown rants led by La Tere- was a boarded up shuttled them all off Aside from new health and safety pro- Ybor. I am a big sita in , abandoned prop- with a runner to the tocols prompted by the pandemic, which fan of Ulele for a and probably one of erty as recently as Dalí museum. They Gold expects to remain in place “easily modern twist of the best barbecue the early mid-70’s. spent the afternoon through 2022” and possibly beyond, Gold Florida favorites restaurants in the Since then it was there and they were said smokers have been getting squeezed but still love going south in Big John’s sold to a caring de- just happy as they at all properties over the last decade at to the Colum- Alabama Barbecue veloper, renovated, could be. the same time that more acts are seeking bia in Ybor. Best on 40th Street. and has become — Rob Douglas, Jannus things like ready access to health clubs. grouper nuggets —Henry Paul, The the premier hotel Live In that regard, the mild climate in Tampa and atmosphere Outlaws destination in the offers a number of outdoor options for is at Frenchy’s in bay area. Mons Venus. If health and recreational activities for those Clearwater. Noth- Bern’s Steak- — Henry Paul, The you don’t know with any spare time available, he says. ing like a sunset house or Donatello Outlaws about it you are too “I have had some tours that have request- at Frenchy’s with Italian. Both old young and not in a ed the closest vegan restaurants,” Gold said. some grouper and style and great food There’s so many rock and roll outfit! “I have various different food types.” a cold beer. and service and wonderful hotels — Charlie Brusco, — Eric Hart, Tampa wine! on the beach. Red Light Management — James Zoltak

FEBRUARY 2021 35