Erykah Badu to Headline Tampa's 5th Annual Gasparilla Music Festival Next Month

Following its exciting 2015 sell-out, The Gasparilla Music Festival (GMF), presented by SYKES, announces the complete line up of music, consumables, children's artists and more, joining the 2016 festival for its 5th incarnation, taking place March 12th-13th along downtown Tampa's picturesque Riverwalk. This year, the festival will increase its footprint by including the beautiful McDill Park into the fold. This expansion will add an additional stage, bringing the total to 5 active stages, featuring Soul, Indie Rock, Dance, Bluegrass, Kidsmusic, Jazz, Latin artists and a few that defy categorization!

Five years is an incredible milestone for GMF and this year the scope and quality of the talent assembled by the festival organizers has raised the bar again! The producers of GMF are thrilled to kick off this year's event with such high quality and wide-ranging talent. Headlining Saturday night is the incomparable Erykah Badu, fresh off the release of her latest, "But You Caint Use My Phone," rounded out by the all-star Saturday line up of: Hailing from Brooklyn (a 12-piece Afro-beat ensemble), Antibalas and the sparkling power pop of MS MR. Joining are Memphis' modern southern rockers Lucero, Indiana's melodic Indie sounds Houndmouth, genre-defying rapper Taleb Kweli , Porlandia's kitchen sink esthetic of Blitzen Trapper,EDM/Rock mashup SAVOY and bringing the spice from N'awlins is Kermit Ruffins & The Barbecue Swingers. Like the Cajun spices in a good gumbo, you'll find these tasty groups sprinkled throughout the festival as well: electronic trio from Toronto theNEWDEAL, Orlandos' Indie/Folk/Gypsy Rock The Getbye, Tampa's DieAlps! and the inspirational Mt. Zion Gospel Choir.

Headlining Sunday is Reggae Royalty, Stephen "Ragga" Marley, sweet pickings with Greensky Bluegrass, Psychedelic country from theFuturebirds, the Soulful Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires and the powerful funk of New Breed Brass Band. In addition, there will be a Latin stage featuring local and international artists: from Habana - Carlos Varela, from Puerto Rico - Pirulo Y La Tribu, Tampa's hottest Salsa band - Sol Caribe and Larry Duran "the Doctor of Vallenato."

The festival will also present a fantastic array of food offerings from the best chefs in the area. New for 2016: Big Rays Fish Camp, Buddy Brew,Ichicoro , Spain , Rooster & the Till in addition to festival favorites : Anise Global Gastrobar,Cafe Hey Dochos, Ellas Folk Art Cafe, Holy Hog BBQ, The Independent, Inside The Box Cafe, Fodder & Shine, Malio's Prime Steakhouse and more!

Each morning will offer fun, greasy, kid stuff at The Kidsfest, featuring the Family Friendly Music from artists such as: Andrew & Polly, Silly Sam, Mr. Tommy, DJ Kitty with an Interactive Kids Zone, Face Painting and best of all for the parents; same day re-entry for Mom & Dad.

"Gasparilla Music Festival is a Tampa favorite bringing a diverse and eclectic mix of music to downtown," said Tampa's Mayor Bob Buckhorn. "It's non-profit serves the community by bolstering our quickly growing urban core by providing support to our local arts scene and highlighting Tampa's rich cultural heritage."

The eclectic array of exciting talent situated in beautiful downtown Tampa, Fl will tempt eyes, ears and palates of all tastes.

The Gates open at 10am both days. There are several parking lots downtown for your vehicle but the best ways to Get there early by foot, bike, boat or board. Tampa Bike Valet will be on hand to provide free and secure bike parking. Over 900 attended on bike last year. There are shuttle revealers.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.gmftickets.com.

GA - 2 Day 3/12-3/13 - GA - Two Day - Advance $60

GA - Saturday 3/12 - GA - Saturday - Advance $40

GA - Sunday 3/13 - GA - Sunday - Advance $30

VIP - Saturday 3/12 - VIP - Saturday - Advance $100

VIP - Sunday 3/13 - VIP - Sunday - Advance $75

Latin Stage - 3/13 - Latin Stage only - Sunday $20

Note: last year, the festival sold out of its Saturday and two day tickets well in advance. Additional information for 2016 edition of GMF is available at www.Gasparillamusic.com.

GMF is produced by the Gasparilla Music Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. In addition to the music festival held each year during the second weekend of March, the foundation works year round to support music outreach and education initiatives. Its flagship program, Recycled Tunes, is now entering its fourth year of providing instruments to local schools. This past year, the festival announced a partnership with Little Kids Rock, a national organization dedicated to providing underserved schoolchildren across the U.S. access to fun, engaging, Modern Band music classes and brand new instruments at no cost to the students, teachers, or school districts.

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