It’s like jumping in the DeLorean and taking a trip back to the 80s and 90s when Freestyle Explosion comes to Tampa. Legends of freestyle, pop, hip hop and dance come together for one big old school party at Amalie Arena in Tampa this Friday night (August 12). Here are some good things to know.

• Are there any tickets left? How much?

  Tickets start at about $40, but there are still some great floor seats near the mixing board for $50-60!  There are NO “nosebleed” seats – they close off the 300 level. Orlando’s Freestyle Explosion last month sold out. It looks like Tampa will as well. Grab the good seats that are left now instead of waiting until the the day of the show Friday. By the way, DON’T pay scalper prices on those third party websites. The show isn’t sold out yet… save that money for a drink or two!

• Who will be there this year?

  Stevie B, Lisa Lisa, TKA with K7, The Cover Girls, Lil Suzy, Lisette Melendez, Jaya, The Jets, Sugar Hill Gang, Noel, JJ Fad, Connie and Brenda K Starr will perform live. Geno and DJ Slice from The Q105 Saturday Night Dance Party will be your hosts.

  The updated #FreestyleExplosiontampa ad! LOVE it! 2 months to go #Tampa! pic.twitter.com/Yp0cYl2ISP

  — The Q105 Saturday Night Dance Party (@Q105SNDP) June 14, 2022

• Is Q105 still giving tickets away?

  No, sorry.  We’ve been giving them away every Saturday night for months, but the last pairs of tickets were given away this past Saturday night.

• There are so many acts... how long is the show?

  The show begins at 7:30 and it’s non-stop hits all night. Since most of the acts don’t bring a full band, the set changes are fast. There’s little downtime! You’ll hear your favorite jams from one artist for 10 or 15 minutes and then we move on to the next performer in seconds. Stevie B and Lisa Lisa generally have longer sets, but the show usually ends around 11. Here’s what the schedule looked like for Freestyle Explosion in 2019 at USF.

  I was talking on the show last night about how crazy busy it gets during a Freestyle Explosion concert. As mom used to say before a road trip, better go now.

  Posted by Q105 Saturday Night Dance Party on Sunday, June 6, 2021

• Do people dress up 80s style?

  Yes!  And it’s part of the fun of Freestyle Explosion.  Some bust out the bright neon colors, MTV shirts, parachute pants… you name it!  But you certainly can dress how ya like.  But the more retro you dress up, the more fun you’ll have!

• What time do doors open?

  Amalie Arena usually opens the doors about an our before the performances begin. You’ll want to get there early this year because 17 year old turntables phenom DJ Kid K will provide the beats as you take your seats!

• What can I bring in? What can't I bring in?

  From the Amalie website: “Bags larger than 12x12x12″ are prohibited at AMALIE Arena. Large bags (not including small clutches) are required to go through an x-ray scanner prior to entry. Medical and parenting bags exceeding these sizes are permitted but are subject to additional search procedures.”

  You can bring in binoculars and those small “point an click” cameras but not cameras with detachable lenses. No GoPros or selfie sticks either. You are also not allowed to record audio or video at Amalie Arena concerts.

• What about parking?

  My tip for parking – find a garage in Ybor and take the free street car over to Amalie Arena.  The lots near Amalie are quite a bit more expensive and obviously much more crowded as you try to leave… and you won’t want to leave early.  Gotta hear Stevie B do “Spring Love!”

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