Heatwave Envelops Music Fans

TAMPA - Latin-flamenco-rock and brass band-jazz-hip-hop joined the notes of folk and African drumming blowing through the warm night air Saturday in Ybor City. Tropical Heatwave, the 27th annual fundraiser and concert festival for community radio station WMNF, 88.5 FM, played in full blast.

"It's our biggest concert and biggest fundraiser of the year," program director Randy Wynne said.

The crowd, from hippie and braided to flashy and crew-cut, was as eclectic as the music. Henna tattoo artists and animal rights activists set up booths along Ninth Avenue, next to the lemonade stand and vendors selling organic veggie burgers and barbecue sausages. Handmade clothes, tie-dye T-shirts and underwear with anti-war statements added to Heatwave's flair.

Joining the thousands milling about between Palm and Seventh avenues were Cindy Chittick and her three daughters. Chittick, a "WMNF junkie," said Heatwave is an unparalleled opportunity to give her daughters.

"It is an absolutely amazing experience to hear live music and such a variety of it," said Chittick of St. Petersburg, dancing to the reggae at New World Brewery.

Katie Hunter, Chittick's 15-year-old daughter, said she wasn't looking forward to any particular band because she likes all genres.

"I didn't even look at the schedule until the car ride here," she said. "I just knew it'd all be great."

New this year was a Louisiana stage featuring acts such as teenage fiddler Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys and Sonny Landreth.

"It's always been a crowd favorite, and we've had more bands than ever so we're able to fill a stage," Wynne said. "Maybe it'll become a tradition."

Wynne expected about 5,000 people to attend the event, raising as much as $60,000 for the station. Venues included the Cuban Club's band shell, cantina and ballroom, El Pasaje Plaza and the Orpheum.

Anne Feely of Nokomis came with her friend, Celina Wood, who flew in from Washington, D.C., for Heatwave. Wood, a member of the D.C. Blues Society, came to hear the blues bands. Feely was excited to have a friend accompany her.

"I've been waiting 15 years for this," said Feely, who has wanted to attend the festival since she heard about it. "It's an incredible tradition for this area. It's an asset for us because we get to listen to all this great music. It's an asset for the musicians because they get to experiment and try new things. Plus, it's Ybor City."

Steven Vestey of Tampa has attended Heatwave every year for the past decade. The intimacy of the venue and the community feel are just two of the reasons he supports the festival.

"The music makes you cry and then brings you right back up again. That's what music is supposed to do - evoke emotion. Where do you find that? Here," Vestey said. "This thing is phenomenal."