Bright House Networks presents Clearwater’s Blast Friday in the Cleveland Street District with a performance by The Romantics on the Tampa Bay Times Cleveland Street Stage directly in front of the Capitol Theatre in downtown Clearwater on Friday, October 26. Special guests Southern Drawl Band will open the show. This FREE street festival will feature a variety of vendors, as well as food, beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages. The street fair begins at 5:30 pm with entertainment outside until 10 pm. Blast Friday is produced by Ruth Eckerd Hall On The Road.

The Romantics cut their teeth on the Detroit sound characterized by the MC5, the Stooges, Bob Seger and the Last Heard, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, the Rationals, SRC, and the Underdogs, and infused it with sincerity, irony, spontaneity and, of course, volume. They favored short hair, short songs and popularized red leather suits.

Nearly 30 years after the band formed, they are still known for having created some of the most influential and beloved rock and roll of all time. Their musical credo, then and now, was a simple, joyful affirmation, epitomized by the "Hey!...uh-huh!" intro to What I Like About You, the unforgettable, high-energy track that still bridges generations, times and musical genres. In 2011 original bass player, vocalist, Rich Cole rejoined the band. With his addition, the band is able to expand their set list and include more songs from their first two albums, as well as new and unreleased material. The current lineup of Wally Palmar, Mike Skill, Rich Cole, and Brad Elvis is touring throughout the country and writing songs for their next record. A limited number of VIP tickets are available in the Bud Platinum VIP section priced at $20. The Bud Platinum VIP package includes a general admission ticket in the reserved seating section directly in front of the stage and two free Bud Platinum beers. VIP tickets will be available at the Ruth Eckerd Hall Ticket Office located at 1111 McMullen Booth Road in Clearwater, by calling 727.791.7400 or by logging onto www.atthecap.com.  The Ruth Eckerd Hall Ticket Office is open Monday through Saturday, from noon to 6 pm.  The Capitol Theatre Ticket Office opens one hour prior to showtime.