ABOVE: (L-R) Rest in North Dakota, the Scott & Patti Show and Daphne Ferraro. Photos via performers’ Facebook pages.
TAMPA BAY | Entertainers throughout Tampa Bay are utilizing social media to share their craft with the community as closures mount in response to COVID-19, the coronavirus declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization.
LGBTQ and ally organizations throughout Tampa Bay began announcing event cancellations, postponements and closures in mid-March. Many of the decisions preceded Gov. Ron DeSantis’ order to close nightclubs and bars for 30 days statewide, impacting a growing number of area entertainers and performance venues financially dependent on scheduled performances.
Tampa Bay’s Scott & Patti show first announced a “Scott & Patti Quarantine LIVE” March 15. The fan favorite duo will “stream a greatest hits show from their heavily guarded and routinely sanitized home studio,” going live on Facebook and Instagram for a free show March 19 at 7:30 p.m.
“Get ready for songs, laughs, sequins and a limited number of healthy, low risk special guests,” they shared.
“We do ask that you donate to any of our local non-profit theatre companies that are currently in desperate need after cancellations and suspensions of programs,” Patti herself, Matthew McGee added.
View the event page here and read more below:
UPDATE: You can watch the performance below.
St. Petersburg’s Punky’s Bar & Grill initially planned to live concert featuring band Rest in North Dakota from its patio March 20 at 6 p.m. “You may know Whitney Smith as one of our bartenders/servers but she will be trading her apron for a guitar and blessing us with her music,” the eatery shared. “Order online for pickup or delivery! Punkysbar.com Please send tips via FB, Venmo, Zelle!”
The event was ultimately postponed and on March 20, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered all on-premises dining and alcohol consumption at restaurants across Florida to cease. Punky’s subsequently announced that they would suspend operations.
Daphne Ferraro, the Tampa Bay WAVE Award winner for favorite drag performer two years running, will also host “A Socially Distant Drag Show” March 20.
“I’m one of those people that likes to keep things as normal as possible in times of crisis, and someone who wants to help,” she shared March 19. “With that being said, I present my new Friday night gig. It’s a work from home gig. Please make plans to join us and tip the entertainers if you can.”
The show beganat 9:30 p.m. on Instagram Live and featured six performers. “I will bring each of this week’s guests on, talk with them about how they are doing and how their community is being affected and then they will do a number/performance for you live from the comfort and safety of their own location,” Ferraro shared ahead of time.
In addition to Ferraro, the initial week’s performers included Lilith Black, Fifi DuBois, Mickey Hedden, Mystique Summers, Addison Taylor and Juno Vibranz. View the event page here and read more below:
On March 22, Miss GayDayS 2019 Twila Holiday will also host a “Driveway Drag Show,” featuring a number of area entertainers. “With the clubs closed don’t worry we will bring the show directly to your Facebook!” Holiday shared. “This SUNDAY Live on my page at 5pm. We have an amazing cast of performers and don’t worry the venue is closed for the day and big enough to spread out.”
Entertainers include Holiday, Kaija Adonis, Bearonce Bear, Maryah Beary, Eleanora Diamond, Eros Gemini, Kitana Gemini, Savannah Lynn, Cherilyn Matthews, Mya Buena Matthews, Crystal Michaels, Kraven Moorehead and TianaRay Plenty. The live feed will be directed by Joshua Orsini-Collins and Collins Creative.
View the event page here and read more below:
View additional Central Florida performances here. For more information about Tampa Bay’s performances, visit the event pages above. To have additional events added to this list, please email Tampa Bay Bureau Chief Ryan Williams-Jent at Ryan@WatermarkOnline.com.
For the latest updates about COVID-19 and its impact on the LGBTQ communities in Tampa Bay and Central Florida, view Watermark’s frequently updated coverage here.
