The Best Thing You Can Do This Weekend: Have a four-day musical Holiday
Our counterparts in colder climes are already pulling out the scarves and mittens, but what do we do in Tampa Bay? We shake our tailfeathers at outdoor music festivals, starting with the 39thAnnual Clearwater Jazz Holiday in Coachman Park Oct. 18-21. Tonight’s headliners kick off the festivities with a bang: St. Pete’s own sax star Mindi Abair with her band, the Boneshakers (6:45 p.m.), followed by the blues rock of George Thorogood and the Destroyers (8:30). Tailfeathers should really get a workout Friday night with a Prince tribute featuring Sheila E. (7:45) and Morris Day and the Time (9:45); Saturday brings The Fabulous Thunderbirds (7:15) and The Doobie Brothers (9:15); and JJ Grey & Mofro close things out on Sunday night (8:30). If you’re concerned that some of these artists don’t exactly conjure up “jazz,” you’ve got to get down to Coachman Saturday afternoon, when a set by the Clearwater Jazz Collective brings together a truly awesome group of local favorites, including La Lucha, John Lamb, Nate Najar and James Suggs — just one of several daytime and early evening sets throughout the weekend. For full Clearwater Jazz Holiday schedule and ticket information, go to clearwaterjazz.com.