Gasparilla fever has taken over Tampa Bay and this February, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is supporting the Gasparilla Music Foundation! In its' continuing effort to support local non-profits and area musicians, the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa has announced an ongoing partnership with the Gasparilla Music Foundation. The casino will be selling Gasparilla Music Foundation memorabilia as well as customized limited edition earbuds. To further support the foundation, the casino will host a Charity Slot Tournament on February 27th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m in the Hard Rock Cafe Tampa.
The Gasparilla Music Foundation is a Florida non-profit foundation that organizes the Gasparilla Music Festival, an annual music festival in downtown Tampa. This year's festival will take place in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and Kiley Garden Park on March 12th & 13th and will feature musical acts from a wide variety of genres on multiple stages as well as eats from some of Tampa Bay's top restaurants. "The Seminole Hard Rock Tampa is one of our biggest partners and we're thrilled to have their support. Their large presence in the region, along with their commitment to local live music, allows us to expand the festival and offer more amenities to attendees. We couldn't do this without their help and are truly thankful for their philanthropy" said David Cox, Executive Director of the Gasparilla Music Foundation.
In addition to the festival, the Gasparilla Music Foundation supports and promotes music and education in the Tampa Bay area by organizing several initiatives throughout the year that provide scholarships and instruments to local music students. Their largest campaign, the Recycles Tunes program, provides new and refurbished instruments to elementary and middle school students in the Hillsborough and Pinellas County school systems. They host several instrument drives throughout the year where they collect used musical instruments in exchange for a free 2-day ticket to the Gasparilla Music Festival. The collected instruments are then donated to local schools and other music programs. "In many cases, we're providing instrument for classes that the students can also take home with them to practice. This helps students who might not be able to afford an instrument take the next step
to further develop as musicians" said Cox.
The Seminole Hard Rock Tampa is currently selling customized limited edition Gasparilla Music Foundation earbuds as well as GMF t-shirts, hats and assorted memorabilia in its retail shops. The earbuds are only $10 and 100 percent of the proceeds, as well as a portion of the proceeds from memorabilia sales, will be donated to the charity. To further support the Gasparilla Music Foundation, the Hard Rock Cafe Tampa will host a Gasparilla Music Benefit Concert immediately following the Charity Slot Tournament on Saturday February 27th. This event will feature a red carpet ceremony, performance by Kristopher James and a check presentation of funds raised during the month of February to the Gasparilla Music Foundation.
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Kristopher James is no stranger to the Hard Rock Cafe Tampa stage. James participated in the Hard Rock Cafe's Tampa Bay Acoustic Music Festival this past June and Wild 94.1's Tampa Bay Talent Search, also held at the cafe. James started his musical career playing drums in high school. He transitioned to guitar during college and over the years, started to develop his singing and songwriting skills. James is an extremely passionate and talented musician who turns personal lessons of life, love, doubt and hope into a captivating performance you definitely don't want to miss!
Head to the Hard Rock Cafe Tampa on Saturday, February 27th for a night of slots, songs and fun and help support the Gasparilla Music Foundation.
See you there!
