Looking ahead: The month of June in the arts
June 2023 is a month for concerts, that’s for sure. The snowbirds are all but gone, which means the roads are slightly more navigable and Floridians can get out and about with ease for some early-summertime music and comedy-show fun.
Even with today’s big-money ticket prices, for the big shows, there are already at couple of sellouts, including comedian Kevin Hart’s performance June 2 at the Seminole Hard Rock Event Center, and the June 29 appearance by Britain’s sad-pop icons The Cure (although just maybe it was frontman Robert Smith’s pledge to “keep tickets affordable” that made them disappear so quickly).
The Sound, Clearwater’s new outdoor amphitheater in Coachman Park, debuts June 28 with a free show from the estimable Cheap Trick – although the RSVP freebies were gone almost as soon as they became available.
Here are the month’s other concert highlights:
Alicia Keys June 30 at Amalie Arena. The multi-talented singer/songwriter and her band will perform on a rotating “in-the-round” stage, set in the middle of the arena floor. “I describe it as a celebration of freedom and self-liberation,” the artist says of her 360 experience. “It’s going to be colorful, magical and will light up your body, soul and all of your senses.”
Noel Gallagher; Photo: LiveNation.
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds June 22 at the Mid-Florida Credit Union Amphitheatre. How often do we get a visit from of the founding (and famously fighting) British brothers of Oasis? That’s right, never. Until now. Shirley Manson and Garbage open the show.
Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade June 20 at the Seminole Hard Rock Event Center. The legendary Primus bassist and musical maverick’s band includes John Lennon’s son Sean on guitar; not only that, the set includes a full performance of Pink Floyd’s Animals album.
The Original Misfits with Megadeth and Fear June 24 at Mid-Florida Credit Union Amphitheatre. Glenn Danzig, Jerry Only and Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein, founding members of “horror” punk pioneers the Misfits, have “put the band back together, man” and this show marks the start of the reunion tour. Dave Mustaine’s thrash metal band Megadeth shares the bill, along with the ageless punk outfit Fear, with singer Lee Ving.
Tori Amos June 18 at Ruth Eckerd Hall. The second date on Amos’ summer tour finds the singer, songwriter and pianist revisiting her 30-year-old debut album, Little Earthquakes, among other highlights. The album was recently reissued with a second disc of outtakes and B-sides; there’s even a Little Earthquakes graphic novel.
Duran Duran June 17 at Amalie Arena. The ‘80s juggernaut remains hungry like the wolf to entertain its many still-devoted fans. The band includes four original members: Lead singer Simon Le Bon, bassist John Taylor, keyboardist Nick Rhodes and drummer Roger Taylor. Opening: Bastille, and the great Nile Rogers.
Other concerts in June: Lady A, the country trio formerly known as Lady Antebellum, June 29 at the Mahaffey Theater; Comedian George Lopez June 1 (this Thursday) at the Seminole Hard Rock Event Center; The Voice alum Melanie Martinez, June 20 at the Yuengling Center; Bryan Adams with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, June 21 at Amalie Arena; Buckcherry, June 20 at the Capitol Theatre; Lettuce and Steel Pulse, June 16 at Jannus Live; Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw, June 29, The Sound; Dream Theatre, Devin Townsend and Animals as Leaders, June 21, Ruth Eckerd Hall.
Pride-ful
Tony winner Idina Menzel (Rent, Wicked, Disney’s Frozen) sings June 23 at Jannus Live. It’s the pre-parade day concert for St. Pete Pride. The June-long activities for Pride ’23 begin this Thursday with the traditional flag-raising outside City Hall. The festival and parade will take up much of the 24th.
On June 25, Sheena Easton and Tiffany are the headlining performers on a free outdoor stage at 2355 Central Ave., for the 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Pride Block Party.
New theater
There’s a lot of new theater on the boards this month, including the long-awaited world premiere of a locally-written musical. That’s freeFall’s OZ, with book by Eric Davis and music by Michael Raabe, opening June 3 (this Saturday), following a couple of previews, and running through July 9. It’s the story of L. Frank Baum, creator of The Wizard of Oz, and his relationship with his characters.
Of course, Ragtime in Demens Landing Park is a hard act to follow, but American Stage is pulling out all the stops for the drama Disgraced, which launches this Wednesday (May 31) and will continue through June 25, on the mainstage.
Tampa’s Stageworks opens The Great American Trailer Park Musical June 9; it’ll be onstage through the 26th.
And Arthur Miller’s classic American drama All My Sons is presented by Tampa Repertory Theatre June 1-18 at USF Theatre Centre.
The June entry in the Straz Center’s touring-Broadway season is that musical warhorse Annie, June 6-11.
And a few more
The St. Petersburg Opera Company returns to the Palladium Theater with performances of Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algeri June 2, 4 and 6.
Un/Natural Selections: Wildlife in Contemporary Art is the latest exhibition at the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Arts (opening June 10). Drawn from the museum’s permanent collection, it “centers on wildlife images from the last two decades that dynamically confront categorizations.”
At the USF Contemporary Art Museum (Tampa), Rico Gatson: Visible Time opens June 2 (this Friday). The Brooklyn-based artist is inspired by significant moments in African American history, identity politics and spirituality; part of this exhibit is a kaleidoscopic, life-size image of Zora Neale Hurston, with installation, created with the assistance of USF students. Visible Time runs through July 29.
New Orleans alto saxophonist Donald Harrison and his Quartet have a Palladium Theater Side Door date June 8.
Ona Kirei. Photo provided.
At thestudio@620: Jazz vocalist Ona Kirei (June 29), who promises a new musical direction (and a new band); singer and actress Janelle “J’Nelle” Richardson (June 30). And “Dirty” John Huls and his comic cabaret squad are back with the sketch show Gays ‘R Us June 22-24.
Events are subject to change, and others may (and probably will) be added as the month progresses.
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