Downtown Tampa Celebrates Gasparilla Music Festival
Bringing African culture to the Gasparilla Music Festival, Kuumba Dancers and Drummers brought a djembe and a djundjun for kids to play and learn about.
Gasparilla Music Festival has once again swept onto Downtown Tampa with both large and small bands playing on March 10 and 11.
“The music is more important than people think,” junior Charley Yost said. “People might want to focus on academics like reading and writing, but without culture from the music people would have nothing to read or write about.”
This festival included booths with concessions, Jenga towers, African drum circles and available musical instruments. The environment catered well to young kids, and many children got to experience everything from smooth jazz to Mozart.
“I play cello in the youth orchestra [that had performed earlier].” 11-year-old Cameryn Conley said. “There are about eight or nine cellos. I really only play as a hobby, but I like practicing and performing with something I care about.”
The festival provided many opportunities. Indie artists or crafters could set up small booths to sell goods, up-and-coming musicians could play in front of an audience, while more popular bands like “The Roots” played on the main stage and many fans got a chance to dance or jam out to the live shows.
“I started playing guitar when I was 10,” performer and Blake High School senior Sarah Money said. “Tampa’s been a great environment to grow up as a musician, and for this festival they got in touch with me and wanted me to play. I’m glad I could add good vibes to the festival!”
As the event is annual, Gasparilla Music Festival will return to Tampa next year.
