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Music

Sounds & seafood in Safety Harbor

The Harbor Sounds festival is this weekend, with Joey Dee and the Starliters and all manner of food and drink.

By JILL ANN PERRINO
Published March 3, 2006

SAFETY HARBOR - Rock, blues, oldies. Two full days of continuous, high-energy music are likely to have visitors to the 14th annual Harbor Sounds Seafood & Music Festival up and dancing.

And when headliners Joey Dee and the Starliters hit the stage, expect to see folks doing the twist.

The festival features lots of food and arts and crafts displays. Cyndi O'Donnell, chief executive officer of the sponsoring Chamber of Commerce, estimates the crowds at 12,000 to 14,000, including many from outside the Tampa Bay area.

"Come on in, put on a straw hat, spread out a blanket, have a cool drink," O'Donnell said this week. "The weather promises to be fabulous."

With a children's activity area and music from the 1960s, '70s, '80s and '90s, the event promises something for nearly everyone. No doubt many will be coming to enjoy a top rock act from the early '60s, Joey Dee and the Starliters, who will close the event Sunday evening.

"Joey Dee has a tremendous draw nationwide," O'Donnell said. Over the years, she said, "our goal has been to continue to bring better entertainment, such as this act."

The three-man act includes David Brigati, an original Starliter who went on to sing with the Rascals, and Bobby Valli, brother of Frankie Valli.

The group's repertorie includes such recognizable hits as Can't Take My Eyes Off of You, Oh, What a Night and How Can I Be Sure? The Starliters' hits include Shout, Peppermint Twist and What Kind of Love Is This?

But don't forget the seafood - blackened, grilled, baked and fried.

Other dishes include barbecue, jambalaya, gyros, turkey legs, frog legs, alligator and desserts. Beer, wine and soda will also be available.

Proceeds from the event, the chamber's biggest fundraiser of the year, go to scholarship funds, the chamber's operating budget and educational programs.

This year a portion of the proceeds will also go to sister city Ocean Springs, Miss., which sustained damage from Hurricane Katrina.

For more information, call the chamber at 727 726-2890 or visit www.safetyharborchamber.com

[Last modified March 3, 2006, 02:15:34]