BAAMO

The FLORIDA BANDANGO is an unofficial showcase sponsored by BAAMO, the Bay Area Arts & Music Organization, Inc., formerly known as SMLG (South-by-Southwest Music Lover’s Group). We’re a dozen self-described schmos who love live music on Florida’s Suncoast and hope you do, too.

The FLORIDA BANDANGO is a grass-roots party. We have no major corporate sponsors; no magazines, no record labels; no deep pockets. For the past three years we have sponsored shows in the Tampa Bay area to fund the annual FLORIDA BANDANGO event in Austin. The goal is to expose Tampa Bay musicians to the press, industry and music-loving attendees of the SXSW Music Conference.

To make the FLORIDA BANDAGO unique and memorable, BAAMO offers guests free beer, free alligator black bean chili (donated at cost by Skipper’s Smokehouse in Tampa) and free hand-rolled cigars from Ybor City (donated by JC Newman Cigar Company in Tampa). From any funds remaining after bills are paid, performers will receive a small stipend to help cover some of their travel expenses.

Neither the Florida Bandango nor BAAMO are officially affiliated with the SXSW Music Conference. However, BAAMO representatives have worked hard to forge ties with the all-important music press and music industry attendees of SXSW. They come to the Florida Bandango because they know it’s one of the best unofficial daytime parties with legendary Florida hospitality; they stay for the superb local music provided by Tampa Bay’s best bands.

Click here to learn more about the SXSW Conference on their official website.