Shakespeare wrote, “Beware the Ides of March,” and we like to think he was referring to the lineup of music and events we have here at Orbit 19 this month. Because, you need to watch out: if you’re not careful, you may just explode from all of the excitement we have in store. As always, we have a diverse and eclectic lineup of shows to go along with our weekly events, and March may be the best yet. And remember, as usual, all shows are 21+up, 9pm – 2am, and no cover!

Friday, March 8 -

We could not be more excited to have local star Geri X with us at Orbit 19! It’s her first time here, and it is sure to be an amazing show!  From her website:

“Bulgarian-born Geri X is a composer, a musician and a singer hard to put a label on. Fans and critics spotted it from the moment she broke onto theTampa Bay Music Scene: Geri is an artist with a singular sound you have not heard before. One can see it in the way she confidently plays her Babicz guitar, eyes half open and soul pouring out with a rich, crisp and mesmerizing voice.

What started with a classical training in piano, guitar and voice, evolving out of a broad and eclectic blend of influences, has become wonderfully her own. In the process of sharing her songs, Geri bares her soul to ease the audience’s emotions. It is the strength of the voice and the charge to each word that draws them to a halt. Geri X is a poet, rebel, and a singer with a voice that is demanding to be heard. She carries the intensity of a Mike Tyson punch with the serene beauty of one of the best female vocalists of this era (L.A. Times)

She has received countless accolades for her work, including Creative Loafing’s Best Singer Songwriter for 2 years in a row, as well as playing Summerfest and Steel Bridge Song Festival in the last few years.

Aside from being a workaholic and an alluring performer, often carrying out few shows in a day, Geri is a prolific songwriter. This is a fundamental quality, which combined with her work ethic and the gift of sharing make her a true artist: one you can connect to.

Whether with a full band or on stage with just a guitar, she is simply captivating. One only needs to experience it.”

So what are you waiting for? Get in here and see this!!!

Sunday, March 17 -

O boy! You must have a little luck o’ the Irish, because you certainly lucked into an amazing lineup for St. patty’s Day here at Orbit 19!

Johnny Cakes and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypto will be here bringing their unique mix of calypso, punk, ska, reggae, tropical, rock and much more all marmaladed together featuring steel drums and a massive horn section.

Also appearing is Stop The Presses who will also bring a ska/punk flair to the whole night. Toss in some of our favorite DJs and you’ve got yourself a rockin’ St. patty’s Day party!

Just follow the rainbow to Orbit 19!

Friday March 22 -

Guess who’s back? That’s right – one of our favorite acts here at Orbit 19, The Wooly Bushmen -  playing rousing frat rock, rollicking garage meets punkabilly songs. A fantastic mix of guitar-driven songs that invoke a 50s/60s vibe, all the while punctuated by incredible vintage organ work. They always put on an incredible show full of hijinx and fantastic musical acrobatics.

Joining them will be Saganaki Bomb Squad from right here in the Tampa area. A gentle mix of ska, punk, and good times, they will be a perfect compliment to the whole night.

Friday, March 29 -

besides it being this humble little blog writer’s birthday, this date is awesome for another reason : The Mother Machine is back!

The Mother Machine is self-described as ” an experimental, dreamy, psychedelic, rock band out of Orlando, Florida. The Mother Machine blends visual art with heavy melodic sonic stimulation…”

Joining them, as he often does, is Joe Walsh, who provides an intense, exciting visual light show during the performance. The “Liquid Light Show” is a unique visual experience that blends psychedelic imagery and movement. It really makes the show fantastic.

Also appearing is Florida Night Heat. Check out their sound at bandcamp.com here.

At Orbit 19 Lounge, March may come in like a lion, but it’s also going out with a BLAM! Because we’ve got the shot in the arm that your social life needs: amazing music and events, incredible atmosphere, a friendly and knowledgeable staff, and the best drinks in the area. So march on in, grab a seat at the bar, and enjoy the best kept secret in Tampa Bay, Orbit 19 Lounge.

Sure February is the shortest month of the year; that’s why we’ve made sure to jam pack it with a amazing lineup of shows.

Check out what we have lined up:

Thursday, Feb. 14th-

Awwwwwwwww love is in the air! That’s right you sappy lovebirds, come celebrate the Hallmark Company’s greatest achievement right here with us!

Sure, we know it’s a made-up, corporate holiday designed to boost sales in the flower, chocolate, and greeting card industries. So what? Who doesn’t want, and frankly, NEED a little lovin’ sometimes? And we’re always looking for an excuse to throw another one of those kickass parties that we’re known for.

First, we are proud to have Miss Vita Devoid here with us again and her troupe of Vaudevillains, an exciting group of young ladies skilled in the art of burlesque.. There’ll be tassles and classic pin-up beauties gracing our stage teasing and titillating, getting all the lovebirds prepared for the night’s festivities.

Providing the music is Izzy & The Catastrophics, who “stitch together rock n’ roll, swing, surf, honky-tonk, and bebop. Izzy and the Catastrophics are a profoundly exciting and challenging group. Often compared to rockabilly greats of the past, Izzy and his boys are carrying the tradition into the 21^st century with flair and frenzy.”

Then, the highlight of the night will be our second annual Miss Orbit 19 Pin-Up Girl Contest where we crown our  spokesmodel and representative for the lounge! Contestants must register prior to the competition and meet all eligibility requirements, which in addition to some technical stuff means that the #1 requirement is that you are as badass as Orbit 19 itself. The winner will represent Orbit 19 at all special events, and will win an assortment of prizes. So make sure you get there early and check out all the contestants and make your voice heard for who you think should be the next Miss Orbit 19!

Friday, Feb. 18th -

We are so excited to have Paleface with us here at Orbit 19. “Paleface is an American musician and artist currently on tour as high-energy indie-folk three piece band featuring darlin Mo Samalot (drums, back-vocals), and Soren Mattson (electric guitar, harmonies) in support of his Ramseur Records follow up One Big Party. Paleface was schooled musically by friend Daniel Johnston and soon discovered by the legendary Danny Fields (The Stooges, The Ramones, MC5) at an NYC open mic.  He has since released over a dozen records including two major label releases, and he’s collaborated and performed on three albums by The Avett Brothers.  Paleface has influenced and inspired a wide range of musical acts, from electropopsters YACHT, to Grammy Award recipients Kimya Dawson (The Moldy Peaches / Juno), and Beck who calls Paleface “a big influence on my early work” on Annie Leibovitz’s book American Music.  At the moment, Paleface is in the process of writing a new album to record with his band later in the year, and in the meantime he’s just self-released Multibean Bootleg Vol.3, a collection of raw demos, live performances and outtakes.”

This is going to be an incredible show that you do not want to miss. Also appearing is Florida’s Beartoe.

Friday, Feb. 28th -

The best way to finish off the month is to welcome back one of our favorite acts. Orbit 19 favorites The Proper Crooks are back again bringing their unique blend of alternative/post-punk-meets-jazz sensibilities. Each and every time they grace our lounge they put on an incredible live show, and this night should be no exception. They always pack the house and bring together all the classic elements of a vintage rock-n-roll show, complete in almost every way.

A little bit of love, a little bit of catastrophe, and a little leather. Sounds like a winner of a month!

Be sure to stop in during the week for one of our weekly events as well, whether it be Open Mic Monday with Stick Martin or Vintage Youth on Thursdays with VJ Jason Barco.

And as always, we have the best atmosphere, friendliest staff, and most amazing cocktails anywhere! Come on in and see for yourself!

It’s the most wonderful time of year at Orbit 19! This holiday season, we bring you gifts of fun, frivolity, and incredible live music and shows! We know you can’t wait, so here’s a look at what Santa is bringing all you boys and girls this year:

Friday, December 2

We’re starting December (and possibly the last month of our existence – aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!) with a bang! Wait. Poor word choice. Ummm… let’s just say it’s gonna be hella fun. Live on our stage will be Orbit 19 favorites The Proper Crooks and The Red Rock-Its.

The Proper Crooks are back again bringing their unique blend of alternative/post-punk-meets-jazz sensibilities. Each and every time they grace our lounge they put on an incredible live show, and this night should be no exception. They always pack the house and bring together all the classic elements of a vintage rock-n-roll show, complete in almost every way.

And they’ll be playing along with The Red Rock/Its, a blues/rock/folk duo from Spring Hill. Self described as, “pulsating guitar playing and pounding backbeats. The drumming and guitar playing kept simple to drive home the melody of the song through tasteful lyrics and catchy turnarounds.” Sounds good to us! We can’t wait to hear it. This is going to be an incredible night of music that you do not want to miss!

Friday, December 14

They’re baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack…

No need to share the bill on this one; these guys can hold down the whole night all by themselves –  The Stick Martin Show. You’ve seen him here at Orbit 19 every Monday night, hosting one of the Bay area’s most entertaining and hip Open Mic nights, but this time, Stick Martin brings the rest of the guys along with him for the wildly-entertaining Stick Martin Show. As a recurring winner of Creative Loafing’s Reader’s Poll for “Best Hip Hop Act” and “Best Local Singer/Songwriter”, The SMS infuse every performance with a perfect balance of “party –rocking hip-hop and dance tracks with alternative, pop and a Ween-like sense of prankishness.” Stick Martin describes it as, “Lots of hip-hop, a bit of punk, bar rock and some country stomp.” Whatever it is, we always want it here at Orbit 19. Come check them out.

Friday, December 21

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, at least according to a bunch of ancient people who made a calendar or schedule or a spreadsheet or something. I don’t know. I don’t watch sports. Anyway, if they were right, and the world does end tomorrow, there’s no place I’d rather be than right here at Orbit 19. DJ D-Volv will be spinning, and the Black Honkeys will be here!

You’ve come to expect nothing less than the very best from resident DJ D-VOLV on Saturday nights, spinning underground hip-hop and mash-up, and the trend continues. But, D-Volv won’t be going it alone on HorrorTrash weekend. Local favorites The BLACK HONKEYS stop in and share their mix of soul, funk, blues and rock ‘n’ roll. After more than a decade, the band still brings the funk and the energy reminiscent of such acts as Ohio Players, Rolling Stones, Temptations, J. Geils Band and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. With a combination like D-Volv and The Honkeys, there’s sure to be enough quality music to go around.

So come on in, have a few drinks, and we’re gonna party like there’s no tomorrow – literally!

Monday, December 24

‘Tis the Night Before Christmas, and all through Orbit 19,

patrons are looking to get merry at the place to be seen.

With karaoke on the menu, spirits will be bright,

It will be a party for all, and for all a great night.

Monday, December 31

Blast off with us for an “out of this world” party! That’s right – help us ring in the new year at the best party spot in the galaxy, right here at Orbit 19. The night’s featured event.. BLAST-OFF DANCE-OFF dance competition! First place takes home $250!!! Hosted by the incomparable Vita DeVoid with Emcee Price Golden, this thing is going to be wild! There will also be incredible music with DJs Count Zero and D-Volv, as well as giveaways and FREE CHAMPAGNE at midnight! Chicks get in FREE, while the dudes are just $5! So get ready to shake what yo momma gave ya, and prepare for another fantastic party at the only place that knows how to REALLY do it – Orbit 19 Lounge!

Oh, and last but not least – free champagne at midnight!

2012 has been a great year at Orbit 19, but we are confident that 2013 is going to be even more spectacular, and we want you to be with us as we welcome in the new year. We will see you soon!