Features

Gancho Tampa 2012

January 26, 2012

Get ready to party for a good cause! On January 27 through 29 Ybor City will host the second annual Gancho Tampa Weekend. This outrageous event benefits Metro Wellness & Community Centers, the nation’s fifth largest Gay & Lesbian community center which serves the GLBT community throughout Tampa Bay, known for providing premier HIV services, counseling, social networking, and other health and wellness programs.

Gancho & Gasparilla are Tampa’s Mardi Gras Weekend – January 27-29

Gancho Tampa is held in conjunction with the 108-year-old Gasparilla Pirate Invasion and Festival. Gasparilla is a daylong festival is one of the longest running events of its kind in the country and features one of the largest parades in the United States with over 500,000 people along a 3.5 mile parade route. The celebration begins with the world’s only fully-rigged pirate ship sailing into the heart of Tampa Bay flanked by hundreds of pleasure craft and vessels and ends with a huge street party with live bands and vendors throughout downtown Tampa. The history and name of this Tampa tradition traces its roots back to the legendary antics of Jose Gaspar who reputedly patrolled the waters of West Florida during the late 18th century.

Gancho, a three day event, will feature world famous entertainers like DJ Abel, DJ Ralphi Rosario, DJ Oren Nizri, DJ Scorpio, and DJ Power Infiniti at parties and special events throughout the weekend.

The events include the Friday ‘Havoc Party’ with DJ Abel (Miami) spinning from 10 p.m. till 3 a.m. at the Amphitheater Ybor and the Saturday ‘Gancho Party’ with DJ Ralphi Rosario (Chicago) spinning from 10 p.m. till 3 a.m. at the historic Ritz Theater.

Other Gancho Tampa Weekend events include after hours events with DJ Power Infiniti (Tampa/Orlando) and DJ Scorpio (Atlanta) at Emperors, Saturday morning ‘Gasparilla Party’ at local retailer Urban Body, and the ‘Unleashed Closing Party’ at RISE on Sunday from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. with DJ Oren Nizri (Miami/Tel Aviv) at RISE Sunday’s.

“Last years Gancho Tampa was simply incredible,” said event promoter, Manny Alvarez, from J.A.M. Promotions. “We had such a great turnout from Florida and the Southeast U.S. we hope the word spreads and more people visit Tampa for this year’s weekend of parties.”

“Gasparilla Weekend is Florida’s Mardi Gras and what better time of year to hold an event like this than during Tampa’s biggest party weekend of the year.” he continued. “Gancho is a relatively new event on the circuit scene with a completely different vibe. It’s fresh, new, and unique.”

Event producer Tony LaColla said, “This event will help promote historic Ybor City and Tampa nationwide, benefit a local Tampa Bay area non-profit, and provide a party weekend unlike any other in the U.S.”

For more information on Gancho Tampa Weekend visit Ganchotampa.com. For more information about the Gasparilla Pirate Festival visit Gasparillapiratefest.com