TAMPA BAY BLUES FEST "KICK OFF PARTY" -- Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 7:30 pm, with GA-20 and JACKIE VENSON!

The Tampa Bay Blues Festival is excited to present the music of the GA-20 And Jackie Venson at our Official Kick Off Party at the historic Palladium Theater on Thursday, April 9, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.

GA-20 brings its high energy, raw blues to the Palladium, influenced by Chicago blues masters like Otis Rush, Howlin’ Wolf, Hound Dog Taylor, and Junior Wells. The band has won multiple Boston music awards for best blues band, and GA-20’s albums have charted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Charts on 3 separate occasions ! Using vintage instruments and amplifiers, GA-20 brings an authentic electric blues show to the intimate Palladium Theater. GA-20’s show starts at 9:30 pm.

Jackie Venson brings her original songs and exceptional vocals to the Official Kick Off party at 7:30 pm. Jackie is a graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of music and has released 5 albums of blues influenced music. Described by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of “ Austin’s rising stars “ , Jackie delivers an inspiring show to get things off to a joyous start !

It’s the perfect way to meet up with blues lovers from around the world, buy your 2026 festival merchandise, and jump start your weekend of fabulous blues!