Ybor Art Talk
The Ybor City Art Association's dedicated members envision Ybor City as a vibrant arts center where artists in every medium can live and work. In the 1970's and 80's, Ybor City had a very lively and rich music and art scene. Ralph was playing music by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, and Leon Russell on a small stage that was built specifically for him and his baby grand
above the entrance door at Carmine's Restaurant. Cosmic Dave was going around with his 3-string guitar living vicariously through Bob Dylan and Keith Richard. Other notables included Rocky Kester, the neighborhood potter, tile artist Richard Sorrentino, Ron Britt who was conducting the Saturday Night Jam in his storefront on 7th Avenue, and the Playmakers who occupied the historic Cuban Club, presented musicals like Jesus Christ Superstar, Company, and Promenade as well as comedy and drama in the Cuban Club's theater. Zenith Nadir was the top punk band in the city, and White Witch wound down their career after two amazing albums. Steve Martin, the singer from The Left Banke who had a hit with Walk Away Renee in the 1960's, moved into town. Gayle Natale was running Strangers in Hyde Park , a hangout for the poets and performance artists in the area, and ARTS ALIVE! was the place to go if you wanted to perform your original music or display some of your bag or foam art. Magical inspiration was in the air, and the artists and musicians who inhabited the storefronts along 7th Avenue envisioned Ybor City as a creative arts community on par with Bourbon Street, Greenwich Village, or Liverpool. Sometime in the 1990's, someone had the brilliant idea to turn Ybor City into an alcohol district. The artists and musicians were driven out of Ybor by special interest groups, developers, and politicians who were determined to 'revitalize' the historic quarter. Consequently, rents increased, and storefronts and buildings became prime real estate for nightclubs, tattoo shops, and retail outlets that had the backing and the resources to set up shop. The artists have returned!
