TAMPA, Fla. –Fantastic Negrito, winner of the 2017 Grammy award for best contemporary blues album, is scheduled to headline day one of Safety Harbor SongFest on Saturday, April 1st.
Fantastic Negrito earned critical acclaim for his infectious 13 song studio album, “The Last Days of Oakland”, which features heavy slide guitar sounds fused lyrical perspective on life, society and love. Self described as “Blues with a punk attitude”, Fantastic Negrito channels his unique narrative into his work, experiences that include selling drugs to make ends meet, sneaking into University of California Berkeley classrooms to learn music and recovering from a three week long coma after a severe accident.
“Fantastic Negrito’s music and his life are an inspiration,” said Kiaralinda, SHAMc co-founder and festival organizer, “Our goal is to provide our community with the opportunity to experience new and upcoming artists and Fantastic Negrito shines bright among many gems in this year’s line-up.”
Spectacular music is not all that’s on tap at Safety Harbor SongFest. Attendees will be treated to culinary delights, art demonstrations, and other wonders to keep them amazed and amused.
The festival’s confirmed musical lineup consists of national recording artists, including Grammy award winner Fantastic Negrito, The Wood Brothers, Rising Appalachia, Magic Giant, Charlie Mars, Kina Grannis, Daphne Willis, Joe Craven, The Mulligan Brothers, Emily Kopp, The Accidentals, Birds of Chicago, Dan Rodriguez, Davin McCoy, Fuzz and Carrie of Caravan of Thieves, Kristin Diable, Victor and Penny, Trevor Green, Chasing Lovely and local musicians Urban Gypsies of Florida, Joshua Reilly, Tim Hutchinson, and Alex Wald. This year’s artists draw inspiration from a wide range of musical genres, including blues, indie alternative, folk, bluegrass, country, jazz, pop, world beat and more. Additionally, award-winning Canadian spoken word artist, Shane Koyczan, is scheduled to perform on stage throughout the weekend.
Tickets are on sale now for the two-day event, which takes place on the town’s picturesque waterfront park located next to the Safety Harbor marina and pier. Members of the public interested in purchasing tickets can do so by visiting www.safetyharborartandmusiccenter.com/.
Performances will be enjoyed at two stage areas on both days, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Musicians will also perform at local venues in downtown Safety Harbor throughout the weekend.
About Safety Harbor Music and Art Center and Safety Harbor Song Fest
SHAMc is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to promote the arts. Todd Ramquist and Kiaralinda (no last name) created this art and music center to benefit their community. SHAMc is located in downtown Safety Harbor and is quickly becoming a popular landmark. Founders Ramquist and Kiaralinda are both local artists who are globally renowned for their art house, Whimzeyland.
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