Here are a few concerts announced so far for this year to be held in the Tampa Bay area in Florida. Be sure to check your venue website for the latest updates and guidelines as entry requirements are subject to change.
Christian Nodal at Amalie Arena Friday, October 6 at 8:00 p.m. Purchase your tickets here.
Benise at Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater in St Petersburg Friday, October 13 at 7:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, click here.
Willie Chirino at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center Sunday, October 15 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets available for purchase here.
Maluma at Amalie Arena Saturday, October 28 at 8:00 p.m. Purchase your tickets here.
Ednita Nazario at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center Sunday, Nov 5 at 8:00 p.m. Get your tickets here.
Luis Miguel at Amalie Arena Tuesday, November 7 at 7:00 p.m. Get your tickets here. Rescheduled to June 19, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Romeo Santos at Amalie Arena Wednesday, November 15 at 8:00 p.m. To purchase tickets, click here.
Fonseca at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center Thursday, Nov 30 at 8:00 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets.
Who would have known that history would repeat itself, well sort of, for a Tampa resident, my mom. Twenty seven years ago Brunilda Irizarry had a special bonding with Marc Anthony.
Since the first time we met Marc Anthony in December 1995, we had a special connection with him. My family and I assisted Imagen Latina Productions with an end of year dance in which Marc was the performer. I was his chauffer and mom accompanied me, my Dad may he RIP chauffeured the band. Marc’s itinerary after picking him up at Tampa International Airport included an autograph session then dinner just before his performance. Marc was more than an artist, he was like ‘family.’
Our last family photo in 1996 at Marlboro Music Festival Raices in Orlando, FL (another beautiful story behind it too)
The evening of the dance, we wished Marc Anthony luck just before his performance. It was his second performance in Tampa since his Spanish music crossover in the 1990s. His first performance was in 1994 for a local Latin magazine event in which I voluntarily contributed to its entertainment column. The farewell the next day was bittersweet not only with Marc but also with his band and Mikey Jimenez. We wished him well and like a mother, mom also gave him a ‘motherly’ pep talk along with her blessings.
Marc Anthony's longest band member Erben Perez and Mikey Jimenez
Mom and Dad blessed him a few times after up until Marc became well known, making it impossible to have that close interaction. We have followed his growth in his profession since our first encounter and have voluntarily contributed and supported him in our own way. We are extremely proud of his success and of all his accomplishments.
Volunteers for Marc's foundation - Maestro Cares (2013)
Little did we know what was going to transpire on Marc's return to Tampa 20 years later to perform at Amalie Arena that was formerly called Ice Palace Arena and where Marc had performed in 2002. We were already downtown to meet up with friends from MAC La Familia/Marc Anthony Fan Club (fan clubs from back in the days) that came to Tampa to attend the concert. It was a spur of the moment decision for me to try to purchase tickets about three hours before the concert. Luckily we scored an affordable and irresistible price for floor tickets, three rows from the stage. It was the only way Marc could see the small sign I made for mom, well try to see it at least.
Mom and I had attended Marc’s concert at the same venue 20 years ago, although we’ve seen him perform in Orlando, St. Petersburgh, and Miami, it was great to have him perform in our hometown again. Mom had told me I should make a welcome back sign. She had no idea I had made a sign that read, “¿Marc te puedo dar mi bendición como la primera vez en 1995?” (Marc can I give you my blessing like the first time in 1995?). We didn’t know if Marc would see the 8x10 sign from our third row seats.
For my family and I to have been part of his beginnings here in Tampa in 1994 and 1995 gives me so much nostalgia, happiness, and more so to watch mom sing, dance, and feel so proud of Marc and the band... I am forever grateful and blessed to share so many beautiful Marc memories with mom. There were many times I envisioned this but had no idea why, how, when and where. It is finally sinking in and each time I remember I get choked up. May we have many more Marc memories together.
Thanks to Marc, his band, his crew, Joey Vega, and Luis Figueroa for an unforgettable evening in Tampa. And of course to those that were around us that were trying to get Marc's attention to notice mom with the sign and to Marc's crew that spotted her and moved us to the front of the stage... Mom had a slight sore shoulder for a few days but it was all worth it.
“Que me imaginaba yo que me iba encontrar con Marc otra vez después de tantos años... Si me acordó, no sé. Son tantos años ya. Que Dios me lo siga bendiciendo, a todos. Gracias hija.” (I didn't imagine I was going to meet Marc again after so many years... If he remembered me, I don't know. It's been so many years now. God keep blessing him, all of them. Thanks daughter).
Read Marc Anthony's Tampa concert review here and additional reviews here.
Missed Marc Anthony this time around, well his Viviendo tour continues, check it out here for information of where he'll be performing this year and in 2023.
Photo and video credits Doris Irizarry
Content is not to be reproduced without consent
(We normally don't write in first person but it was easier and more meaningful to write in first person this time).
What an honor to have one of the top salsa music artists there is today return to Tampa for an exclusive concert 20 years later. It was December 15, 2002 that Marc Anthony and his band had last stepped foot at the Amalie Arena which back then was the Ice Palace Arena.
On Friday, November 4, 2022 the biggest and best salsa dance party was set for downtown Tampa. The excitement was felt all around, ladies and gents all decked out, traffic was a hustle bustle since early Friday morning. Marc Anthony (Marco Antonio Muñiz), el flaco (skinny) as he’s referred to by many, his band (da baddest band as they’ve been baptized by their fans), the hilarious comedian Joey Vega (he’s been Marc Anthony’s opening act for 20+ years), and special guest performer Luis Figueroa, the latest salsa sensation were going to light up Tampa. And indeed they did!
Joey Vega was all set promptly at 8 p.m. to entertain the early arrivals. It was 20 years he had performed at the very same venue with Marc. He took us back to the pandemic days and how ladies need to look to attend a Marc Anthony concert. By the time Luis Figueroa started singing, the venue was three fourths full. He took us back in time with oldies but goodies among them one of my all-time favorites “Hasta el sol de Hoy.”
Yes, Latinos show up late or arrive early to hang out around the venue mingling, drinking, eating, waiting for the most acclaimed artist to start. As the lights start to dim, Marc’s baddest band take their places on stage. The band plays a medley of Marc Anthony songs just before he appears on stage sporting his signature shades as usual that don't last long on him, black jeans, black blazer, a white button down dress shirt, and of course he wore shoes too.
Osvaldo Figueruelo with his wife and mother - photo courtesy Osvaldo Figueruelo
The audience ranged from families with their children, sons and daughters with their mom or dad or both, couples, groups, and fans that came from far and near all ready to sing and dance their hearts out. Osvaldo Figueruelo was happy to see Marc Anthony for the first time with his wife and his mother.
“Que sentimiento de felicidad, sabor, orgullo es haber sido parte de ese público anoche. Y que bendición presenciar a una de nuestras mas grandes estrellas. Solo queda tomar las palabras de Marc Anthony anoche y decir: ¡Viva la raza latina!” (What a feeling of happiness, taste, pride to have been a part of that audience last night. And what a blessing to have witnessed one of our greatest artists. It only leaves me to take Marc Anthony's words last night and say: long live the Latin race) posted Osvaldo on Facebook.
Santi Socorro attended the concert with his family, They had seen Marc perform 20 years ago also at the same venue. It left them wanting for Marc to continue singing. “His voice is one of a kind. All of his songs are also hits. If he comes back to Tampa Bay we will be there,” said Santi.
Santi Socorro and his family - photo credit Alisha Estevez
The welcoming was surreal, the sold out venue went into hysteria as soon as Marc was spotted and belted out the first lyrics to his recent hit “Pa’lla Voy.” Marc Anthony is a showman within himself. He doesn’t need dancers, props, laser lighting, boom and bangs… It’s his voice and band that completes him for an extraordinary evening of singing and dancing.
The communication between Marc and his people was indescribable. The Latin pride was visible throughout the night with flags from Venezuela, Cuba, and of course Puerto Rico being waved as Marc repetitively yelled “Dios los bendiga y que viva la raza latina” and at one point almost slipped into the ending "puñe...” (God bless and long live the Latin race).
Marc never disappoints as the fan followers know. He keeps holding out notes, dances all over the stage making sure to cover every angle so everyone could see him. Of course he blew kisses, gave eye contact, blessings, bowing respectfully as he did to Brunilda Irizarry when he spotted her with an 8x10 sign stating “¿Marc te puedo dar mi bendición como la primera vez en 1995?” (Marc can I give you my blessing like the first time in 1995?), he even said jokingly, “Why you all sitting.” Marc wants everyone to have a great time, he wants you to sing and dance as is the message in his hit “Vivir mi Vida.”
Many times the fans out powered Marc in singing and he just let them sing. He does encourage his fans to sing with him if they know the song, “Si la saben, cántenla” and of course dance too. They knew all his songs from the first one to the last one.
The band outshined too, each in their own way and a few doing solos – Mario Sebastian strumming his guitar and Jessie Caraballo with his drum solo until Marc joined him on a set of drums. Let’s call out the additional phenomenal band members Alexandra Taveras and Franklin Torres vocalists, Ozzie Melendez trombonist and Erben Perez bassist, the four also formed their own group, A Tempo Band, during the pandemic. In addition, Curtis Rodriguez plays the bongos, Eric Velez the congas; Angel Fernandez is the musical director, guitarist and trumpeter; Bayron Ramos and Dan Reagan trombonist, Gerardo Rodriguez trumpeter, Marc Lopez percussionist, and last but not least Juan Carlos Sierra pianist.
Marc’s repertoire consisted of oldies but goodies of his endless all time hits and of course his recent hits. The setlist included “Valio la Pena,” “Y Hubo Alguien,” “Hasta Ayer,” “Flor Pálida,” “Contra la Corriente,” “Palabras del Alma,” “Si te Vas,” “Que precio tiene el Cielo,” “Mala,” “Te conozco Bien,” and after Marc sang “Parecen Viernes” he said, “buenas noches, que Dios me los bendiga,” as he waved and walked towards the back of the stage until he disappeared.
Although the arena lights were off, the arena was lit with cellphones as chants for more of Marc got louder and louder. Some started to leave but regular concert attendees and fans know a Marc Anthony concert isn’t over until Marc sings his closing theme song. For those that stayed until the end, they had an extra song to enjoy “Tu amor me hace Bien,” before ending a great and unforgettable night with “Vivir mi Vida.” Just what we all did Friday night, vivir mi vida (live my life). Indeed we did.
Vive tu vida que la vida es una, baila y canta, gózala (live your live, life is only one, dance and sing, enjoy it).
What an incredible evening it was in Tampa with the return of the salsa sensation and his band after 20 years of absence. Hopefully it’s not the last Marc Anthony concert in Tampa or a long wait for one.
To Marc Anthony, his band, his crew, and staff thanks for an awesome evening. Please come back soon!!
As the Marc Anthony duo with Carlos Vives goes, “hasta que nos volvamos a encontrar” (until we find each other again).
Missed Marc Anthony this time around, well his Viviendo tour continues, check it out here for information of where he'll be performing this year and in 2023.
Check out a few Marc Anthony reviews and what happened with Brunilda Irizarry's sign here.
