FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

12 FLORIDA BANDS PERFORM AT THE STATE FAIR'S OUTDOOR DOMES

4800 U.S. Highway 301 North
Tampa, FL 33610
Phone (813) 621-7821             Fax (813) 740-3505             http://www.floridastatefair.com/

[NEWS RELEASE] TAMPA, FL. — January 27, 2008.  The music heard at the Florida State Fair outdoor domes will be quite different this year.  Twelve bands coming from all over the state of Florida will be playing music ranging from the blues, reggae, steel drums, funk, and classic rock.  And even better, there’s no extra charge to enjoy it -- it’s all included with your gate admission ticket! 

This is the first time the Florida State Fair has booked such extensive music talent for the popular outdoor domes. The music schedule will be showcased in two different locations: the Budweiser Great American Lager Dome and the Bud Light Latin Dome. Each weekend features different musical tastes suited for all ears and ages. 

Ashleigh Csikos, the Coordinator of the performers, states:  “We are proud to have found such a diverse group of musicians to play at the Florida State Fair.  Each performance set against the backdrop and energy of the Florida State Fair is sure to please people of all ages.”

The first weekend of performances includes live music by Git R Dunz, Amberly Drive, Dueling Pianos, Burn, Traveling North, and Made of Hemp. The first two bands that play on Friday, Feb. 8 are Git R Dunz and Amberly Drive.  Git R Dunz will be playing southern rock, pop, and blues in the Bud Light Latin Dome from 5-9 p.m. Originally formed in 2005, this band is known extensively throughout the Bradenton area for their former Wednesday night house band spot at The Distillery. Nationally, Git R Dunz has opened for Craig Morgan, Keith Anderson, and Emerson Drive. This five-man band is sure to bring high energy to the Bud Light Latin Dome.  For more information on Git R Dunz, visit their website at www.thegitrdunz.com. 

While Git R Dunz is on stage, Amberly Drive will be performing in the Budweiser Great American Lager Dome from 7-11 p.m.  Audience members that have ever visited the USF area or Ybor City have probably seen this band.  Amberly Drive has played numerous times at Tia’s Tex-Mex, UA Hangout, and the Sky Bar at Prana.  Nationally, the band has opened up for Less Than Jake and Cartel.  Amberly Drive formed in the fall of 2005 and what originally began as a local college band turned into something much bigger.  For more information on Amberly Drive, visit their website at www.myspace.com/amberlydrive. 

The Fair’s first Saturday is sure to be a hot day filled with the musical talent of Dueling Pianos, Burn, and Traveling North. The Bud Light Latin Dome premiers the day’s musical talent with the ear-catching sounds of Orlando’s Dueling Pianos. The Dueling Pianos have performed over 3,000 shows at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, and some of the world’s top corporations, conventions and private parties.  The dueling duo includes Craig Kerr, who regularly performs at New York New York in Las Vegas; and Skip Green, a featured pianist at Universal CityWalk® for Pat O'Brien's®. Audiences have more than one chance to see the Dueling Pianos on Saturday, February 9; the pianists will have four show times between noon and 4 p.m. For more information, visit their website at www.theduelingpianos.com.

Later on that night in the Bud Light Latin Dome, you’ll find Burn performing from 6-10 p.m.  In our own backyard of Tampa, Burn delivers a high-energy performance that will surely entertain the crowd with their danceable rock and pop covers, classic tunes, and acoustic material. These guys have been playing together since 2006 but are no strangers performing in front of large crowds; one of their members can even be found playing in the Tampa Bay Symphony!  For more information, visit www.burnband.com.

The last performance on Saturday, February 9 is Traveling North from 7-11 p.m. in the Budweiser Great American Lager Dome..  Hailing from Safety Harbor, this band has been playing together since 2004 and are no strangers to hitting the road.  Hence the name; Traveling North does travel and can be found playing shows all around Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana.  Their sound is quite unique ranging from delta, Texas blues, classic rock, reggae, and even a little new alternative rock. Nationally, Traveling North has opened for the North Mississippi All Stars, Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes, and has even jammed with Colonel Bruce Hampton.  For more information on Traveling North, visit thetriplethreat.com.

The first weekend of music wraps up on Sunday, February 10 with one more performance by Dueling Pianos and Made of Hemp. The Dueling Pianos will be back in the Bud Light Latin Dome to give one last duel with show times between 1 and 5 p.m... Immediately following their performance, head over to the Budweiser Great American Lager Dome to check out Made of Hemp.  All the way from Miami, Made of Hemp is one of the top reggae/surf-rock bands in Florida.  Don’t let their looks fool you as these guys are very talented musicians complete with a saxophone and trombone player.  This band started playing together in 2006 and can be found touring up and down the east coast of Florida.  Made of Hemp will be playing from 3-7 p.m. on Sunday with Lance-O of Kulcha Shok Muzik DJ-ing in between sets.  Their one-of-a-kind performance is certainly not to be missed.  For more information on Made of Hemp, visit www.kulchashok.com.

The second weekend of outdoor Dome performances at the Florida State Fair features an even richer variety of music. Performances for the second weekend include 60s Groove, Offshore Riot, The Sauce Boss, Cope, Dos Locos, and Kool Vibes.  Two bands, 60s Groove and Offshore Riot, kick off the weekend on Friday, February 15. The band, 60s Groove, will be playing some of the biggest hits in music history from 5-9 p.m. in the Bud Light Latin Dome.  Known for their “music that shaped a decade”, 60s Groove brings a repertoire of professional sound and experience to the Florida State Fair.  They’ve shared the stage with the likes of the Moody Blues, Temptations, and The Monkees; just to name a few.  Don’t miss the sounds of a great generation put on by a great band.  For more information, visit www.60sgroove.com.

While 60s Groove is on stage, Offshore Riot plays from 7-11 p.m. in the Budweiser Great American Lager Dome. This band is from Clearwater and has been cranking out funky, original music since 2005.  Their simple yet unique blend of nearly every genre of music is easy on the ears for just about anybody.  Offshore Riot has shared the stage with many national acts including The Dave Matthews Band, Green Day, Reel Big Fish, Slightly Stoopid, Santana, Kid Rock, Godsmack, and many more. These three guys love playing music and frequently travel around Florida showing listeners the grassroots way of getting their name out there.  For more information on this band, visit www.offshoreriot.com.

Saturday, February 16 leads the way to another show-stopping, music-filled day with performances by The Sauce Boss, Cope, and Dos Locos.  The Sauce Boss starts off the day in the Bud Light Latin Dome with two musical performances catered around cooking gumbo live on stage.  Not only does the Sauce Boss cook gumbo for his audience, he flavors it with his very own hot sauce.  This Tallahassee bluesman started a non-profit organization called PLANET GUMBO (planetgumbo.org) and donates a portion of profits (along with free gumbo) to Homeless Shelters all over the United States.  Jimmy Buffett even wrote a song about the talented musician in "I Will Play for Gumbo".  Make sure to stop by Saturday afternoon to enjoy the Sauce Boss and try a bowl of his tasty gumbo for yourself.  For more information, visit www.sauceboss.com.

Immediately following the Sauce Boss, Cope performs in the Bud Light Latin Dome on Saturday night from 6-10 p.m.  Tampa’s own Cope plays everything from classic rock to funk and they know how to jam! They can be found regularly playing shows at Skipper’s Smokehouse, Dunedin Brewery, and in Ybor City.  Their laid-back style and gifted musicians bring a positive and uplifting performance to the Fair not to be missed.  For more information, visit www.copemusic.net.

The last performance of Saturday, February 16 is Dos Locos from 6-10 p.m. in the Budweiser Great American Lager Dome.  Audiences will be treated to a special acoustic set covering everything from reggae to classic rock.  Hurricane Johnny and Conga Mark are known for sharing their feel-good music at Green Iguana, Jack & Willies, Thunderbird Tiki Bar and many other places around the Tampa Bay area.  Sit back, relax, and enjoy the sounds of an unplugged performance rarely heard at the Florida State Fair.  For more information, visit www.doslocosband.com.

Sunday, February 17 rounds off the last weekend of local music at the 2008 Florida State Fair with The Sauce Boss and Kool Vibes. The Sauce Boss will be serving a sampling of gumbo one last time in the Bud Light Latin Dome with Kool Vibes in the Budweiser Great American Lager Dome.  If you want to hear an authentic, feel-good Caribbean band, then make sure to check out this steel drums band from 3-7 p.m.  Band members are from the beautiful island of St. Lucia and have been performing together since 1999.  This happy-go-lucky bunch plays everything from smooth reggae to lively soca.  Audiences are likely to feel like they are at an island getaway, kicking back to enjoy their favorite beverage in the perfect outdoor ambience of the Florida State Fair.

All acts, concerts, scheduled times, exhibitors, prices, and other advertised events are subject to change and/or cancel without notice.  Fair gate admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages six to 11; and free for children five and younger.  NO RE-ENTRY is permitted without an admission ticket.  Gates open daily at 9 a.m. and parking is free during the 12 days of the Fair. 

The Florida State Fairgrounds is located just seven miles east of downtown Tampa, with easy access via I-75, I-4, U.S. Highway 301, Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, and Orient Road.  For more information about the 2008 Florida State Fair, call toll-free (800) 345-FAIR or (813) 621-7821, visit http://www.floridastatefair.com/ or http://myspace.com/floridastatefair.

The 104th annual Florida State Fair will take place on February 7-18, 2008.  The Florida State Fair – always in Tampa and always in February – is organized by the Florida State Fair Authority under the leadership of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson leads the Fair Authority, which oversees the Florida State Fairgrounds and the annual Florida State Fair.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Denise Shreaves:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  
Manager of Marketing & Public Relations
Florida State Fair Authority
Phone (813) 627-4314
Cell (813) 732-0141
 
OR

Vince Caruso:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Marketing Director 
Florida State Fair Authority
Phone (813) 627-4222