Creative Loafing Tampa — January 25, 2024 by Chava Communications

JAN. 25 - 31, 2024 (VOL.37, NO.04) • $FREE CREATIVE LOAFING - CLTAMPABAY.COM

game Let Us Do Th

taco-bus.com/taco

2 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

e day The Cooking!

taco-bus-catering

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 3

PUBLISHER James Howard EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ray Roa

DAVE DECKER

Editorial DIGITAL EDITOR Colin Wolf MANAGING EDITOR Kyla Fields THEATER CRITIC Jon Palmer Claridge FILM & TV CRITIC John W. Allman IN-HOUSE WITCH Caroline DeBruhl CONTRIBUTORS Josh Bradley, Jennifer Ring, Chelsea Zukowski PHOTOGRAPHERS Dave Decker, Javier Ortiz, Jennifer Ring SPRING INTERN Suz Townsend Creative Services CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jack Spatafora GRAPHIC DESIGNER Joe Frontel ILLUSTRATORS Dan Perkins, Cory Robinson, Bob Whitmore Advertising SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Anthony Carbone, Scott Zepeda Events and Marketing MARKETING, PROMOTIONS AND EVENTS DIRECTOR Leigh Wilson MARKETING, PROMOTIONS AND EVENTS COORDINATOR Kristin Bowman SOCIAL MEDIA AND MARKETING MANAGER Corrie Miserendino

José Gaspar belongs to Tampa Bay.

Circulation CIRCULATION MANAGER Ted Modesta

chavagroup.com cltampabay.com cldeals.com EDITORIAL POLICY — Creative Loafing Tampa Bay is a publication covering public issues, the arts and entertainment. In our pages appear views from across the political and social spectrum. They do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. Creative Loafing Tampa is published by Tampa Events & Media, LLC, 633 N Franklin St., Suite 735. Tampa, Florida, 33602.

There’s now a romance novel about Tampa’s favorite pirate, p. 49.

NEWS+VIEWS �� 13 FOOD & DRINK �� 21 SPRING GUIDE �� 31 A&E �� 49

DAVE DECKER

Chava Communications Group FOUNDER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Michael Wagner CO-FOUNDER, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Cassandra Yardeni Wagner OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Hollie Mahadeo DIRECTOR OF AGENCY SERVICES Mindi Overman SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Meradith Garcia DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL CONTENT STRATEGY Colin Wolf ART DIRECTOR David Loyola DIGITAL OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Jaime Monzon

MUSIC �� 51 MUSIC WEEK �� 55 ORCLE OF YBOR�� 59 SAVAGE LOVE �� 61 CROSSWORD �� 62

The physical edition is available free of charge at locations throughout Tampa Bay and online at cltampabay.com. Copyright 2023, Tampa Events and Media, LLC. The newspaper is produced and printed on Indigenous land belonging to Tampa Bay’s Tocobaga and Seminole tribes.

Our main number: (813) 739-4800 Letters to the editor: comments@cltampa.com Anonymous news tips: cltampabay_tips@protonmail.com

I couldn’t be more proud to support their decision. Ybor gallery has names of killed Palestinians instead of art, p. 42.

ON THE COVER: Photos by Stage Photography of Tampa/Dalton Hamilton. Design by Joe Frontel.

twitter.com/cl_tampabay instagram.com/cltampabay facebook.com/cltampabay Creative Loafing is printed on a 90% recycled stock. Please do your part & recycle it when you're done with this copy.

4 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

JENNIFER RING

/food Another Drew Brees concept /music No comps /news Tampa judge drama /arts Expanded listngs /slideshows More ‘Nature of Art’

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 5

Get loose

Photos by Dave Decker

year after moving in, Ybor City’s Kress Collective has become the beating heart of the district’s visual arts scene. Last weekend, one of its galleries, Tempus Projects, opened shows from Lisa McCarthy ( “Loose Intentions, Tight Pajamas”) and Duke Riley (“Non Essential Consultants Inc”). Both sets of work will be up until Feb. 22 and available to view when Kress hosts its Open House Exhibition on Jan. 25-27. See more photos from the openings via cltampa. com/slideshows.—Ray Roa

6 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 7

Film Festival 34th Annual

ST. PETERSBURG EDITION

January 25-28, 2024 www.tiglff.com

8 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

20% OFF! FIRST 8 SHOWS ONLY - LIMITED AVAILABILITY

FRIDAY

FEB

THRU

SUNDAY

MAR

SPONSORED BY:

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 9

do this

Tampa Bay's best things to do from January 25 - February 01 Planting seeds BEPOPCOUNTYBIGBAND/FACEBOOK

Tampa’s Sweetwater Organic Community Farm is celebrating its 30th birthday this weekend and inviting longtime supporters and new faces alike to a night of live music, tasty, organic fare and dancing. Live music will be provided by Noan Partly and Swallowtail Cousin while Sweetwater’s team dishes organic tapas and a vegetarian, family-style meal with the help of big name sponsors like Sprouts, Trader Joe’s and Publix and local businesses like St. Pete Ferments and Rollin’ Oats. Sips include local beer, wine and kombucha, and all proceeds raised from the 19th annual Planter’s Ball support the local farm’s “ongoing mission to promote land stewardship, education and building community from the ground up.” Children 12 and under can attend 2024’s rendition of the Planter’s Ball for free.

19th Annual Planter’s Ball: Saturday, Jan. 27. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. $30. Sweetwater Organic Community Farm, 6942 W Comanche Ave., Tampa. sweetwater-organic.org

Bebop bop

Cowboy Bepop Live: Thursday, Feb. 1. 8 p.m. $30-$50. Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St., Tampa. tampatheatre.org —Kyla Fields

While Ybor Heights art compound Crab Devil won’t ever open, parts of it have found a home elsewhere in Tampa Bay. “The Bait Ball” (pictured right, in construction), a kinetic sculpture by Tampa artist and Crab Devil founder Devon Brady, is swimming across the Bay to St. Pete and will be unveiled to the public this week at the immersive art installation Fairgrounds. Devoted art lovers might remember the eight-foot “zoetrope” from the 2022 Gasparilla Festival of the Arts where lucky festivalgoers got to experience the way 3D printing, light, motion, and sound create a hypnotizing display that looked like fish swimming in a ball.

BKN CREATIVE

Something fishy

‘Bait Ball’ debut: Thursday, Jan. 25. Noon. $19 & up. Fairgrounds, 2606 Fairfield Ave. S, St. Petersburg. fairgrounds.art —Ray Roa

10 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

—Kyla Fields

SWEETWATER ORGANIC COMMUNITY FARM

Although “Cowboy Bebop,” the beloved “neo-noir space” anime, is almost 30 yearsold, its fans have remained devoted to both the original 26 episodes and its 2021 liveaction resurgence. A handful of devotees in Central Florida recently formed the Bebop Bounty Big Band and are now providing a high-energy live soundtrack to accompany its main characters’ exciting journeys throughout the solar system. The 14-piece jazz band—which consists of members from the Jazz Orchestra at Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando Jazz Orchestra, and Disney’s Main Street Philharmonic—perform about two dozen songs from the “Cowboy Bebop” universe alongside scenes of the popular anime displayed on a big screen. Tampa’s Thursday night gig marks the start of a multimonth tour for the Bebop Bounty Big Band, which will bring its interactive, multimedia experience to cities across the southeast and west coast.

See more (and submit your event) @ cltampa.com Nobody knows

SOUTHERN DOCUMENTARY FUND

Not everything in Louis Armstrong’s world was wonderful, and an Emmywinning documentary, “Little Satchmo,” explores many facets of the jazz icon’s life. Green Book of Tampa Bay, together with St. Pete’s Woodson African American Museum, Pinellas County Urban League, and others, screens the film produced by late Bay area filmmaker Lea Umberger and then opens the floor for a talk with Armstrong’s more-or-less invisible daughter, Sharon PrestonFolta, who lives part-time in the Bay area. “The acclaimed documentary is based on Preston-Folta’s memoir of the same title, detailing how Sharon, the product of a two-decade love affair between Satchmo and Harlem dancer Lucille ‘Sweets’ Preston, had no option but to harbor and conceal her identity for decades before making it public,” a press release states.

Little Satchmo w/Sharon Preston-Folta: Tuesday, Jan. 30. 6:30 p.m. $5-$10. The Studio@620, 620 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg. thestudioat620.org

—Ray Roa

A pirate’s life

ALEKSANDR VOROBEV/ADOBE

Love it, or hate, it Gaspy is here. The City of Tampa expects about 300,000 people to flood Bayshore Boulevard and downtown Tampa this weekend and take part in this parade that’s been happening for 120 years. Please, please, please write your emergency contact information somewhere on your body, carry extra phone batteries, and drink a lot of water, folks. Check out a list of Gasparilla parties (before, after, and on day of) on p. 21, and read about José Gaspar’s romantic life on p. 49. The invasion gets going on the water near the convention center around 11:30 a.m., with the parade starting on the south end of Bayshore at 2 p.m. and festivities on the Pirate Fest stage wrapping around 8 p.m.

Gasparilla Parade of Pirates. Saturday, Jan. 27. Noon-7:30 p.m. Free to watch,

For one flavorful weekend the Pinellas TacoFest will occupy England Brothers Park, which comes alive with sounds of live music and aromas of local Mexican fare, and a chance to taste Tampa Bay’s best tacos, hot sauces and frozen drinks. Saturday includes a competition for Best Taco in Tampa Bay where attendees can vote for their favorites in categories like chicken, beef, pork, veggie, seafood and “other.” Bonus awards will be given in categories like “Most Creative” and “Most Craveable.” Then on Sunday put on your stretchy pants for the taco eating competition, where participants will eat as many tacos as they can in three minutes and one victor will take home a $100 cash prize. The family-friendly event also features live music from The 727 Band, Greg Woodruff and LongNeck Band.

DAVE DECKER

Shell yeah

with select viewing tickets available ($30 & up). Bayshore Boulevard and downtown Tampa. gasparillapiratefest.com —Ray Roa

3rd Annual Pinellas TacoFest: Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 27-28. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. No cover. England Brothers Park, 5010 81st Ave. N, Pinellas Park. @pinellastacofest on Facebook —Suz Townsend

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 11

THE TAMPA BAY AREA’S LARGEST WHISKEY FESTIVAL FEBRUARY 3, 2024 @ THE COLISEUM BUY TICKETS AT: WWW.WHISKEYRIOT.COM 12 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

“Accountability, transparency and having citizens involvement is essential to the trust of the community.” POLITICS

ISSUES

OPINION

Stand down

Florida’s police oversight boards are in jeopardy and could be dissolved. By Mitch Perry/The Florida Phoenix

A recent report by the LeRoy Collins Institute looked at the impact that such oversight review agencies have on Black and white arrest rates in Florida. The report found that cities with such agencies have seen a reduction in total Black arrest rates per 100,000 compared to cities that do not have such agencies. They also found that cities with citizen review boards experience about a 15% reduction in the total Black arrest rates compared to cities not adopting such agencies.

take that position after heading the New Orleans Independent Police Monitor’s Office. She said that the committee needed to understand the limitations of what civilian review boards can actually do. “There is no way for any oversight agency to reinvestigate some officer to discipline him, to do anything but open up a public discussion about the incident that occurred,” she said, adding that there was nothing punitive about the police oversight process. “In fact, it benefits officers a great deal,” Price added. “Officers come to me to be whistleblowers to talk about issues of race and gender discrimination inside the police department and to offer suggestions for how to improve policing.” The bill is strongly supported by law enforcement in Florida. “The fact that everybody’s thinking that law enforcement officers are not being investigated? That’s incorrect,” said Lisa Henning, a lobbyist with the Florida Fraternal Order of Police. “Every single one of these IA [internal affairs] investigations when closed are available to the public with a public records request.” The committee approved the proposal mostly along party lines, with one exception: South Florida Democratic Rep. Mike Gottlieb, a criminal defense attorney, joined the Republicans in supporting the bill. The Senate companion bill (SB 576) is being sponsored by Hernando County Republican Blaise Ingoglia. It will receive its first hearing in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on Monday. Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Diane Rado for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com. Follow Florida Phoenix on Facebook and Twitter.

FLORIDA NEWS

JAVI ORTIZ/ZITROVISION

n 21 jurisdictions across Florida, so-called citizen review boards were created as a way to hold police officers more accountable, with more than half of the boards established following the death of George Floyd in 2020. But all of the boards would be dissolved if a proposal filed by Duval County House Republican Wyman Duggan (HB 601) gets approval in the current legislative session. The local boards relate to the ability to investigate allegations of police misconduct, but Duggan says there are no “uniform standards” among the 21 different police oversight agencies across the state. “There are no uniform standards as to the qualifications or expertise of anybody to be a member,” Duggan told the House Local Administration, Federal Affairs and Special Districts subcommittee on Friday. “There’s no uniform standards on how they choose which cases to investigate. There are no uniform standards by which that investigation is conducted. There are no uniform standards by which they reach their decisions, and there are no uniform standards as to the due process protections afforded to the officer who is subject of the misconduct review.” And Duggan dismissed claims that removing these oversight agencies will allow law enforcement officers to escape scrutiny or accountability if they are accused of misconduct. Numerous entities — police departments, sheriff’s offices, state attorneys, the attorney general’s office, the FBI and the Department of Justice — can and do conduct such investigations.

would be making a terrible decision if they removed citizen advisory boards. “Accountability, transparency and having citizens involvement is essential to the trust of the community,” said Susan Khoury, a candidate running for sheriff in Miami-Dade County. In 2022, a federal jury awarded Khoury $520,000 in damages for physical and mental harm after she claims she was wrongly institutionalized for a psychological examination under the Baker Act, a state law that allows for involuntary emergency mental health services. Khoury said that there was no civilian oversight group in Miami when the incident

2020 VISION: Police accountability protests in Tampa, Florida on June 8, 2020. Tennessee passed legislation last year removing the police oversight boards that had existed in Memphis and Nashville, replacing them with review committees that have no power to investigate police misconduct allegations. At the House committee meetings, several members of the public said that the Legislature

happened, and she said she wished there had been. “I’m letting you know that it is important as a committee that you don’t overreach, and allow the communities have a say so.” Ursula Price is the executive director of the Miami-Dade County Independent Civilian Panel. She moved to South Florida last year to

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 13

WUSF PRESENTS THE LONGEST TABLE

WUSF’S Longest Table will be held on Thursday, April 4th. Please mark your calendars for our rain date, Friday, April 5th.

Details available online at wusflongesttable.org or by calling (800) 741-9090.

THANK YOU SPONSORS

14 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

YOUR

GASPARILLA

HEADQUARTERS!

No Fuss. No Attitude. Just Great Hair.

OPEN 7-DAYS A WEEK 12pm-7pm

Offering both Vintage and New Clothing - Hats - Shoes - Jewelry & so much more!

THE

HOUSE S A LO N

813.270.4444 3220 S. Macdill Ave. - Tampa, FL 33629

housesalontampa.com cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 15

16 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

An absolutely irresistible brunch invitation. or f e c n a Last chly Bird Ear ricing! P Ticket increase s Ticketry 3, so get Februaurs now yo

SAVOR THE DATE!

SATURDAY MARCH 9th, 2024 Tampa River Center 402 W. Laurel St. in Tampa

Sample brunch bites by Tampa Bay area restaurants as you sip on bubbles, enjoy spectacular downtown waterfront views & photo opportunities, & much, much more. Plus, an epic not-to-be-missed Bloody Mary Battle!

brunchedtampabay.com cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 17

HAPPY HOUR AT AMSO Monday - Friday, 4pm-7pm Saturday 3pm-6pm

$4, $5 & $6 Liquor, Beer & Wine $8 Hand-Crafted Cocktails

Sultry Celebration

18 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

911 Central Ave. | St. Petersburg, FL | 33705

buyaramen.com | 727.202.7010

you are invited to our celebration a safepoint community

JAN 25, 2024 3-8 PM 2075 SAFE HAVEN WAY, CLEARWATER, FL 33755 elevateseniorliving.com/clearwater

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 19

tbbc.beer @tbbco #beerisyourfriend 20 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

BOTTOM’S UP: Several bars and restaurants surrounding the parade route are hosting parties and pregames.

RESTAURANTS

RECIPES

DINING GUIDES

CITYOFTAMPA/FLICKR

Scallywag city

Over 25 parties, events and pregames to help you celebrate Gasparilla. By Kyla Fields

t’s finally time to dust those pirate costumes off and start preparing your liver, because one of the wildest parties of the year is right around the corner. With Tampa’s annual pirate parade and “invasion” happening on Saturday, Jan. 27, bars, clubs, restaurants and other local businesses are hosting a variety of pirate-themed parties. From Friday night pregames and preparade brunches to late-night music festivals and “hair of the dog” specials on Sunday morning, there are tons of debaucherous ways to celebrate 2024’s Gasparilla season. Here are over 25 Gasparilla parties, pregames brunches and events to help you celebrate this beloved Tampa tradition. All events happen on Saturday, Jan. 27 and are free to attend unless marked otherwise. Bar Hwrd Block Party This Howard Avenue hotspot hosts a massive block party under a 5,000-square-foot tent where folks

can indulge in food and drink specials, ride a mechanical shark, take shots from an ice luge or play a variety of outdoor games. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $20 & up. 302 S Howard Ave., Tampa. barhwrdtampa.com Bar 23fifty The best way to prepare yourself for Saturday’s big parade day is to start drinking the night before, of course. This casual Palm Harbor haunt is offering cheap drink specials and bumpin’ DJs to help you do exactly that. Friday, Jan. 26. 10 p.m.-3 a.m. 2350 Curlew Rd., Palm Harbor. @bar23fifty on Facebook Brew Bus’ Gasparilla Shuffle Tampa’s Brew Bus tours are providing Tampeños with a comfortable, yet boozy ride to the parade festivities on Saturday. It will pick guests up at Cigar City Brewing (at times like 10 a.m., 11 a.m., or noon) and drop them off at the Winn-Dixie on Swann Ave., which is only a 15-minute walk to

GASPARILLA

the parade route. The round-trip ride includes a complimentary beer and a voucher for a free 6-pack of Florida Avenue Brewing Co. beer at Winn-Dixie. 10 a.m.-noon. 3924 W Spruce St., Tampa. Brewbususa.com Flexx Sports Bar & Ultra lounge This popular Ybor City club and bar is marketing its pirate party as “The Official Black Gasparilla Party,” and tickets come with food and drinks, extra-large pong and bumpin’ music. 3 p.m.-8 p.m. $25-$300. 2003 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. @ flexxtampa on Instagram Grove Soho Enjoy free mimosas from 11 a.m.-noon on parade day and continue the festivities at Grove Soho’s classy champagne pregame before joining the swaths of pirates heading down to Bayshore Boulevard. The popular bar also hosts a “pre-invasion” party on Friday night. 5 p.m.-3 a.m. 406 S Howard Av.e, Tampa. Grovesoho.com Gasparilla Pirate Fest Stage In addition to the annual pirate parade and the beloved reenactment of Tampa’s historic pirate invasion, live performances on Curtis Hixon Park’s mainstage and at MacDill Park (100 N Ashley Dr.) will kick off the pre-parade festivities during the day and keep things going well into the

night. 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. 600 N Ashley Dr., Tampa. Gasparillapiratefest.com Jackson’s Bistro Bar & Sushi Party on this waterfront patio with a DJ and breakfast drinks to kick-off your day-long celebration. There’s no cover for Jackson’s Bistro’s Gaspy gig, but you can always book a VIP table or cabana for bottle service. As always, pirate attire is encouraged. 11 a.m. 601 S Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa. jacksonsbistro.com Jimmy Guana’s If you live in Pinellas County and don’t feel like dealing with all of the parade craziness across the bridge, then you can always head to Indian Rocks Beach for a pre-party on Friday. There will be live music, casual grub and tons of pirate-themed fun. Friday, Jan. 26. 6 p.m.-10 p.m. 401 2nd St., Indian Rocks Beach. Jimmyguanas.com La La’s Sangria Bar This 21-and-up, dragthemed brunch is full of hair of the dog drink specials like $6 mimosas and $20 pitchers of sangria. Guests can enjoy performances from locally-loved queens like Chanel Cartier, Esme Russell, Kiala Santi and Sadi T. Elise—and don’t forget that tip money. Sunday, Jan. 28. 2 p.m. $10. 203 N Meridian Ave., Tampa. Exploretock.com continued on page 24

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 21

Wilton Morley's latest novel:

“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo meets The Boys from Brazil”

.00

FEB 14

FREE

PINEAPPLE FAJITA

Glass of

Available only at:

WITH THE PURCHASE

OF $30.00

Champagne

*Oﬀer may not be combined with any other promotions. *Valid 1 coupon per check or table.

WITH THE PURCHASE OF

2 ENTRÉE

-ANTHONY CARBONE, CREATIVE LOAFING

Exp: March 31 / 2024

Bottomless Margaritas

4115 S MACDILL AVE / TAMPA, FL / 33611 / MADDOGS.COM

TAMPA BAY'S AWARD WINNING CHEF

Monday/Thursday

.99

ASIAN TAPAS & BAR HAPPY HOUR: WED/THU/FRI • 11AM-6PM FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS

*Only small house margarita.

TACO TUESDAYS -----PRIVATE EVENT SPACE

730 BROADWAY STREET DUNEDIN • CARACARATAPAS.COM

CATCH ALL THE GAMES! 4th Street St. Pete

727-256-9770

399 11th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

St. Pete Beach

Tyrone Square Mall

4393 Gulf Blvd, St Pete Beach, FL 33706

2424 Tyrone Blvd north. St. Petersburg ﬂ 33710

727-317-4971

Tampa

813-475-5610

11955 Sheldon Road. Tampa, ﬂ 33626

727-302-0777

Feather Sound

727-623-9140

2325 Ulmerton Rd. Suit#3. Clearwater, ﬂ 33762

WWW.GRANDHACIENDARESTAURANT.COM

22 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

MARGARITA TUESDAYS 2 MARGS + MARGHERITA PIZZA

FOR $20

POOL TABLE • DAILY SPECIALS

HAPPY HOUR TUESDAY-FRIDAY 3-6PM 718 BROADWAY STREET • DUNEDIN • 727-754-2573

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 23

continued from page 21 Loud Runners of Tampa Bay Scavenger Hunt Early risers can indulge in a casual run and Gasparilla-themed scavenger hunt along Bayshore Boulevard as event organizers are setting the parade route up. There will be prizes for all participants. 6 a.m.-8 a.m. 409 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa. Loudrunnersoftampabay.com MacDinton’ Irish Pub Howard Avenue’s resident party bar hosts a Gasparilla kickoff party on Thursday, an “Invasion Eve” with $15 Bacardi buckets and DJs on Friday, and an official celebration on Saturday. MacDinton’s kicks off parade day with a free breakfast from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. and entertainment all day-long. It also hosts a hair of the dog-themed brunch with unlimited mimosas and bottomless bloody marys on Sunday morning. Thursday-Sunday, Jan. 25-28. Multiple times. 405 S Howard Ave., Tampa. @ MacDintonsIrishPub on Facebook Melting Pot Social This downtown Tampa restaurant hosts an all-you-can-eat brunch with bottomless mimosas, and you’ll still have plenty of time to catch the parade. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $45. 105 W Tyler St., Tampa. Eventbrite.com Modern Medical Aesthetics This St. Pete med spa is helping Gasparilla party goers take care of themselves with a “Buccaneer Boost IV” the night before the big parade. Folks that come dressed in their best pirate gear can win a free facial, too. Friday, Jan. 26. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $120.104 Main St. N St. Petersburg. eventbrite.com Off The Wall Adventures & Outfitters Join this South Tampa scuba diving company as its crew heads to the parade on a scenic party boat, which also provides complimentary rum punch and beads. Its Gasparilla boat ride departs from its Tierra Verde Marina Resort at 9 a.m.; folks can book by calling 863-709-9253 or emailing Cassi at OTWACassi@gmail.com. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. $175. 200 Madonna Blvd., Tierra Verde. Offthewalladventures.com Pete’s Place South It’s no secret that Pete’s Place is South Tampa’s go-to spot for karaoke, so it’s not surprising that singing is at the center of its pre-Gasparilla party. Live tunes will also be provided by OG Tampa band Ladder 9. Friday, Jan. 26. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. 4145 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. @PetesPlaceTampa on Facebook Postcard Inn on the Beach This popular St. Pete Beach mainstay hosts two days of Gasparilla-themed fun that you don’t have to drive to Tampa for. Just a few of the Postcard Inn’s festivities include a kid-friendly scavenger hunt, rum tasting for the parents, and pirate costume contest. Friday-Saturday, Jan. 26-27. 6300 Gulf Blvd., St Pete Beach. postcardinn.com Pre-Invasion Party Local recreational boat organization Cruis-A-Cade Club hosts the ultimate pregame at its clubhouse on Friday night, complete

with live music, beer and BBQ, raffles and more. Friday, Jan. 26. 6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. $10-$15. 2002 Cruis A Cade Pl., Tampa. Tampaccc.com Revive Hydration and Wellness South Tampa’s revIVe Hydration Therapy & Wellness wants you to “drip before you booze” and hosts a pregame party with music, games, a hydrating IV drip and the lure of “real bathrooms.” 8 a.m.-11 a.m. $150. 2201 W Swann Ave., Tampa. Eventbrite.com Shipwrecked Music Festival It’s no GMF, but the Cuban Club-hosted Shipwrecked Musical Festival will keep the parade festivities going with its two-day lineup of popular electronic and EDM acts like the Sweden-based Liquid Stranger, The Floozies, Haywyre and Black V Neck. Festival organizers say there will be local food trucks, vendors, live art and heritage exhibits, too. Friday-Saturday, Jan. 26-27. $50-$100. Cuban Club. 2010 República de Cuba, Ybor City. eventbrite.com Soho Run Club A healthy spin on 2024’s Gasparilla festivities: a special pirate-themed 5K. It starts at Bar Hwrd and hits a few other South Tampa hotspots throughout the run. Thursday, Jan. 25.7 p.m.-10 p.m. 302 S Howard Ave., Tampa. @SoHoRunClubTampa on Facebook

the parade ($30 cash or card), but you can always pregame with cheap beer and casual eats like burgers and smoked turkey legs. Food will be available after the parade, too. 9 a.m. 2010 W Morrison Ave., Tampa. @VfwPost4321 on Facebook Yacht Starship’s Gasparilla Invasion Brunch Cruise Instead of watching the parade from the sidelines, enjoy the festivities from the water. Yacht Starship’s brunch cruise will meet the Pirate Ship Jose Gaspar and the Pirate Invasion Flotilla as it departs Ballast Point in Hillsborough Bay. Its lofty price ticket also includes a brunch buffet, two alcoholic drink tickets, and DJ entertainment. 10:30 a.m. 1 p.m. $299.95. 603 Channelside Dr., Tampa. Yachtstarship.com 7th Annual Gasparilla Bar Crawl and Brunch Nationwide party organizers Downtown Crawlers hosts a city-wide bar crawl through South Tampa, Ybor City and Downtown Tampa. Just a few participating bars and restaurants include: Southern Belle, The Patio, Grove Soho, Four Green Fields and District Tavern. Guests can enjoy a buffet-style lunch, bottomless mimosas, access to multiple after-parties and exclusive drink specials from participating bars. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Various locations throughout Tampa. $29-$89. Eventbrite.com

YACHTSTARSHIP/FACEBOOK

GASPARILLA

Shuff le’s Gasparilla Happy Hour Tampa Heights’ resident shuff leboard spot and neighborhood bar invites folks for a chill night of drinkin’ and shuff lin’ before all of the parade-day madness; lanes can be reserved on its website. Friday, Jan. 26. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. shuffletampa.com Tampa Convention Center Rubix Cubed is described as “the southeast’s biggest ’80s tribute,” and it’s reuniting for Rough Riders’ Gasparilla Pre-Invasion party this Friday. Drinks can be purchased from a cash bar. Friday, Jan. 26. 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m. $25 & up. 333 S Franklin St, Tampa. Tamparoughriders.org Tangra Nightclub Local radio station Wild 94.1-FM takes over Ybor City’s Tangra Nightclub for a rooftop day party with bottle specials and a costume contest. 5 p.m.- 9p p.m. $15-$100. 1611 East 7th Ave., Ybor City. eventbrite.com Trophy Fish Tampa Seminole Heights’ Trophy Fish teams up with Bacardi to host a Gasparilla kick-off party on Thursday. DJ AJ Hall will be spinning vinyl while guests sip on rum-based cocktails and other happy hour specials. Thursday, Jan. 25. 7 p.m.-11 p.m. 5901 N Florida Ave., Tampa. trophyfish.com VFW Post 4321 South Tampa’s resident VFW is a great place to park if you’re attending

24 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

FOLLOW THAT FLOTILLA: Yacht Starship’s brunch cruise follows the Pirate Invasion Flotilla from Ballast Point to downtown Tampa.

AMERICAN SCRATCH

KITCHEN + BAR

HAPPY HOUR IN THE BAR AREA: MONDAY-FRIDAY 5-7PM

224 Beach Drive NE • Saint Petersburg • FL 33701 • 727.350.1019 www.StillwatersTavern.com

Do You

BELLABRAVA?

With three locations to serve you throughout Tampa Bay, BellaBrava brings classic Italian fare with a modern New World twist to the table. Enjoy house-made pasta, pizza, desserts, and more from our scratch-made kitchens. We know you’ll love our food and service. Benvenutti!

Scan to lean more

Authentic & Original. . . Always BellaBrava! TM cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 25

Celebrating 30 years in Downtown Dunedin. ~ Asi es la Vida! ~

Expanded bar, additional seating and small gift shop. 365 Main St • Dunedin • 727-734-9226 • www.CasaTinas.com

s i a’s

l l e B en Late! Op

1413 S. Howard Ave, Ste 100, Tampa, Florida 33606 813-254-3355 • bellasitaliancafe.com 26 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

Nah-argh: Six Tampa bars to help you escape Gasparilla

MARLO MILLER

Tampa’s annual Gasparilla parade arrives on Saturday, Jan. 27, and the raucous parties that surround it are certainly not for the faint of heart. If you’ve had your costume ready since last year and are already planning your Drizzly order, then this list probably isn’t for you. Here are the best Tampa bars if you need to escape the nautical madness and don’t have the option to get out of town for the weekend. New World Brewery Begin your afternoon in Sulphur Springs with a pint and pizza in the biergarten and stick around for the a looper set from instrumentalist Fil Pate. New World is well off the South Tampa madness and a quiet refuge despite being just a couple blocks from I-275. 810 E Skagway Ave., Tampa. newworldtampa.com Corner Club Located a safe distance from the end of the parade route, this Old Seminole Heights bar and cafe should be a good place to find pirate-free peace. Whether you’re looking for coffee and quiche to start the day, or a glass of wine and charcuterie to finish it, Corner Club has you covered.1502 E Sligh Ave., Tampa. @ cornerclubtampa on Facebook Independent Bar & Cafe This neighborhood haunt has been a favorite of beer enthusiasts and local music lovers for over a decade. Indie hosts a variety of monthly events, including singer-songwriter nights, DJ sets, jazz, bluegrass afternoons, “Meet the Brewery,” and even the occasional drag show. There’s also a well-curated menu that includes breakfast until 3 p.m. as well as lunch and dinner fare. Its dog-friendly patio is a great place to watch the world go by on this Seminole Heights stretch of Florida Avenue, which includes the Microgroove record shop just a block away. Stay late for

the no-cover Third Saturday Jazz show, this month featuring Scott Murley Trio. 5016 N Florida Ave., Tampa. @independentseminoleheights on Facebook C. 1949 Florida Beer Garden Located just outside the northern Edge of Riverbend, Circa is another neighborhood hangout with a roomy patio and an extensive craft beer list, as well as wine and non-alcoholic options. One thing that makes this bar standout is the daily happy hour from 4 p.m.-7 p.m., even on weekends. Check out Circa’s Facebook (@c1949) for monthly events and notifications of rotating food trucks. 6905 N Orleans Ave., Tampa. c1949. com Shuffle It’s a bar. It’s a restaurant. It’s an entertainment venue. It’s Shuffle! There’s never a shortage of good vibes and good company at this Tampa Heights staple, and the recently renovated backyard is a great place to relax on a nice day. The food menu has something for everyone, from tots and tacos to the surprisingly yummy spaghetti sandwich. If you’ve never tried your hand at the game of shuffle before, the staff will be more than happy to show you how it’s done. 2612 N Tampa St., Tampa. shuffletampa.com Skipper’s Smokehouse This long-running music venue gave us all a scare when it closed for around eight months due to pandemic related issues, but has since come back with welcomed improvements. Skipper’s 2.0 features everything you loved about the former spot, with the addition of longer hours Thursday-Sunday and a brunch menu on the weekends. While you’re here, be sure to try the famous blackened grouper sandwich, smoked gator ribs and oysters on the half shell. 910 Skipper Rd., Tampa. skipperssmokehouse.com

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 27

TACO TU EsDAY 200 E MADISON ST • DOWNTOWN TAMPA • 813-221-TACO

28 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

Buckle up

OPENINGS & CLOSINGS

Popular bar 5 Bucks Drinkery opens third location in Seminole next week, plus more local food news By Kyla Fields and Suzanne Townsend County—or who are interested in a franchising partnership— can email Connell directly at Whatsup@fivebucksdrinkery.com. Hyppo Ice Pops and Mayday Ice Cream to open joint storefront in St. Pete St. Petersburg’s Central Avenue is home to one of several Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops stores, and the newly-renovated location will soon share its storefront with Mayday Ice Cream, becoming a one stop shop for sweet tooth satisfaction. A grand reopening from Feb. 12 - 16 will mark the occasion and offer a 50% off discount on ice cream and popsicles, as well as limited-edition Hyppo x Mayday shirts. Mayday, which focuses on handmade sprinkles and waffle cones, will also offer a limited-time flavor in celebration of the opening: ‘Andalusia’ is a Spanish olive oil ice cream infused with rosemary and topped with flaky sea salt. “If you love dynamic flavor combinations and dedication to fresh, seasonal ingredients, our ice cream is going to blow your socks off,” said Mayday owner Stephen DiMare in a press release. “We like to take classic flavor combinations – sweet and savory – and bring them to the next level. We have tons of fun creating unique and craveable flavors!”

The combination popsicle and ice cream shop, located at 627 Central Ave., will be open Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Known for eccentric flavors like pistachio rosewater and mango habanero, Hyppo first opened its St. Pete location in September of 2015, and now has locations throughout Florida, including Tampa, St. Augustine and Gainesville. Glamper, a new camping and outdoorthemed bar, will open in downtown St. Pete this summer While summertime in Florida often means heavy rainfall and borderline unbearable humidity, a new bar and restaurant will soon bring the Midwest’s laidback, midsummer vibes to St. Pete. Outdoor-themed bar Glamper will open out of downtown St. Pete’s former Caddy’s space at 217 Central Ave. Forward Hospitality Group recently told St. Pete Rising that Glamper will be “inspired by camping, backyard cookouts, Fourth of July celebrations, and other summertime activities,” and is slated to debut sometime this summer. While the flagship Ohio location of Glamper is a seasonal concept that closes in the winter, it can be assumed that St. Pete’s will be open

year-round because of the warm weather. In addition to an extensive drink menu of craft cocktails, beers and seltzers, Glamper will also have a full-service kitchen that dishes out burgers, hot dogs, grilled meats and any other backyard BBQ-type grub. In terms of ambiance and decor, Glamper’s Ohio location boasts a variety of beach umbrellas, picnic tables, patio furniture, tiki thatch, tents, astroturf and other Instagrammable photo ops. Cleveland’s Forward Hospitality Group brought country bar Welcome to the Farm and ‘70s-themed club Good Night John Boy to downtown St. Pete in 2022 and 2023. While those two concepts are mainly entertainment-focused, Glamper will offer more of a laid back atmosphere where casual food and drinks are the star—although the camping-themed bar will certainly host DJs, too. A seafood concept called Nauti Dutchess was slated to open out of downtown St. Pete’s former Caddy’s on Central space last spring. It’s unsure how far the space’s former tenants—the owners of downtown hotspots like Yard of Ale and 260 First—got through their build out process. For the latest updates on Glamper’s build out and eventual grand opening, head to its Instagram at @glamperstpete.

JOSH CONNELL

highly-anticipated new bar and restaurant has finally set its official grand opening date. Seminole’s newest bar—5 Bucks Drinkery’s third location in Tampa Bay—will debut at 7498 Seminole Blvd. out of the former Sea Hags Bar & Grill (which closed its OG St. Pete Beach spot last year). Its grand opening is slated for Thursday, Feb. 1. Like its newly-opened sibling in Pinellas Park, Seminole’s 5 Bucks will offer a variety of beers, wines, seltzers, shots and craft cocktails alongside a menu of casual fare like burgers, sandwiches, wraps, tacos, loaded mac and cheeses, salads and more. 5 Bucks Drinkery is also known for its “Big A$$” 32-oz margaritas, mules and Long Island iced teas which shockingly used to be only $5 each. The 6,755 square-foot bar and restaurant will feature a massive, wraparound bar, a large dining room and patio, about 70 TVs, and tons of free parking spaces. And since food and drinks are 5 Bucks’ priority, owner Josh Connell tells Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that his upcoming Seminole location—like its siblings in Pinellas Park and downtown St. Pete—will not be hosting bands or DJs, although he is “not opposed to it.” He says that his business’ success is rooted in the wide variety of clientele it reaches. “We’re kind of moving into this new phase of existence now that 5 Bucks has proven to be successful outside of downtown St. Pete, and our new Pinellas Park location has exceeded all expectations,” Connell says. “It’s not just college kids eating and drinking here, it’s an even mix of senior citizens, middle-aged people, blue collar workers, folks that live in the surrounding neighborhoods— and we think Seminole’s spot is going to appeal to all walks of life, too.” Its flagship bar opened in downtown St. Pete over a decade ago and has maintained its reputation for large, yet stiff drinks, casual grub and a laid-back atmosphere since then. Connell also tells CL that he’s looking to open even more locations across the bridge in Hillsborough County, and eventually in Pasco County and beyond. The process of looking for new spaces to build out in cities like Brandon, Westshore, Wesley Chapel and even Lakeland has already begun. He also says that he’s open to franchising future 5 Bucks Drinkeries. For the latest news on 5 Bucks’ upcoming grand opening, head to its Facebook page, where updates are posted regularly. After Feb. 1, 5 Bucks will be open from 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Anyone that may have an ideal space for a future 5 Bucks in Hillsborough or Pasco

HIGH FIVE: 5 Bucks Drinkery is known for its cheap, yet stiff drinks and casual bar fare.

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 29

The Tampa Bay History Center is proud to present the third annual Black History Month Reception, an evening of inspiration, recognition, and cultural celebration

Friday, February 23, 2024 at the Tampa Bay History Center

Janaina Tschäpe’s fantastical scenes dissolve boundaries, seamlessly intertwining in an ever-flowing continuum of evolution and transformation in a grand opera that delves into themes of change, gender, and the construction of myth and history. The universe created by artist Tschäpe beckons one into a parallel world of ambiguous scale—indeterminate in both time and space. Join us for a special talk with the artist as she discusses her collaboration with the mermaids from nearby Weeki Wachee, which resulted in Tschäpe’s video piece Blood, Sea, one of three works currently on view in The Nature of Art, and what is inspiring her work today.

SEN. ARTHENIA JOYNER, ESQ.

REV. DR. BERNARD LAFAYETTE, JR.

SPECIAL GUESTS

Sen. Arthenia Joyner, Esq. & Rev. Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr. Featuring an African Fashion Show presented by African Extravaganza, Classic Hair & Beauty Salon, and Mascutz Barbers

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., program begins at 6:30 p.m. Complimentary valet, live entertainment, music, spoken word, gallery access, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar African attire is optional; space is limited

Purchase tickets at www.TampaBayHistoryCenter.org GOLD SPONSOR

Visit mfastpete.org for tickets, RSVPs, event information, and additional programs. Events are subject to change. 30 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

STAGE PHOTOGRAPHY OF TAMPA

FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE: Production photo from Jobsite Theater’s ‘Twelfth Night.’

Yes, and…

Local theaters are finding ways to give audiences what they want without losing themselves. By Jennifer Ring

merican theaters are in crisis. New York Times theater reporter Michael Paulson noticed some alarming trends in the summer of 2023. Post-pandemic theater audiences are smaller than they were pre-pandemic. While ticket sales declined, production costs increased, donations dwindled, and struggling newspapers published fewer theater reviews. As a result, theaters across the country produced fewer shows and staged fewer performances. Many theaters are going out of business. According to Greg Reiner, director of theater and musical theater at the National Endowment for the Arts, two to three theaters closed monthly in the U.S. in 2023. Tampa Bay theaters are dealing with similar challenges. The government assistance money is spent, everything is more expensive, and people aren’t going out as much anymore.

“It’s not like all of a sudden we reopen, and more people are coming to the theater,” David Jenkins, Ph.D., Producing Artistic Director and co-founder of Jobsite Theater in Tampa, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “There are fewer people, overall, going to the theater. And this is proven, over and over again, at the national level.” When theaters finally reopened, audiences wanted something different. Multiple sources in the theater community report that postpandemic audiences, like post-war audiences, seek lighter, familiar fare. “People want escapism” is the popular refrain, and these people include Tampa Bay theater audiences. Pre-pandemic, freeFall’s logo was a falling man. The company’s tagline was “Unexpected, Daring, Authentic.” Matthew McGee, freeFall Theatre’s Community Outreach Director, told CL that post-pandemic, his company got Bay

area artist Chad Mize to design a bouncy, happy freeFall logo. “And now our motto, our moniker for the company, is ‘simply escape awhile,’” he added. Though the impulse to show lighter fare is substantial, those who run Tampa Bay theater companies emphasize the importance of continuing to do what they do well because that’s what their audiences want. freeFall audiences show up for cabaret and drag. For Jobsite, that’s horror and Shakespeare. “When we do that stuff, people come out,” said Jenkins, giving Jobsite’s 2023 production of “Lizzie,” a rock musical based on the life of accused axe murderer Lizzie Borden, as an example. For Stageworks in downtown Tampa, it’s plays that celebrate differences and promote social justice. Even the company’s more commercial hits, like “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” and

“The Great Ch r istma s Cookie Bake Off,” celebrate differences and uniqueness. “Trailer Park” is full of quirky Florida people, and “Christmas Cookie” was about a bunch of weird kids with a shared passion for baking, Stageworks Theatre’s Artistic Director, Karla Hartley, said. “At the works’ core, we deal with communities or segments of communities that aren’t listened to,” Harley added, “and poor people in a trailer park in Florida absolutely fit that mission.” Post-pandemic audiences aren’t taking any risks either. “People are much more selective in what they want to come see,” said McGee. “Before the pandemic, you would see shows where people were just along for the ride because they wanted to see what freeFall continued on page 33

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 31

COOK & CR EAT E 32 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

LOOKING AHEAD: freeFall’s changed a lot to adapt to its audiences post-pandemic needs. continued from page 31 would do with it,” McGee added. “They don’t do that as much anymore.” All the Tampa Bay area theaters I spoke with felt this change in audience behavior—so they’re all finding ways to adapt. Mostly, they’ve chosen to stage surefire hits that fit their mission statements. But what does a surefire hit look like? Fun and familiar is the winning formula these days. Often, the biggest audience hits are the plays with the greatest name recognition. “For Jobsite’s 22-23 season, we picked shows we knew were household names that we didn’t need to explain to anybody. And the proof was in the pudding—we had our best season in 25 years,” Jenkins said. Like Jobsite, freeFall and Stageworks pushed familiar fare in 2023-2023. “This past season, one of freeFall’s biggest mainstage hits was ‘Baskerville,’” McGee told CL about the work that featured himself and freeFall Artistic Director Eric [Davis] playing Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. “It’s five people doing ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles.’ It was comedic. It was fun. It was inventive in the way we changed costumes and did all the different settings. We sort of moved

furniture around and stuff, and people were really delighted by it.” McGee said. “And why is that? They know the story well; they already know who those characters are. And we did it in a freeFall way that was exciting and different.” Stageworks produced “The Diary of Anne Frank,” “Murder on the Orient Express,” and Nilo Cruz’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama “Anna in the Tropics.” Changes in programming were just the beginning. Tampa Bay theater companies also changed pricing and introduced cost-cutting measures. Jobsite introduced dynamic pricing—that’s when the cost of a show goes up as you get closer to show time. freeFall added a monthly subscription plan. “When we opened in 2021, we began to do our monthly season ticket where, like Netflix, you pay a monthly fee,” McGee told CL. In addition to its mainstage performances freeFall presented cabarets, concerts, film screenings, and special events. At one point there was even a game night. “We’re trying a lot of different things to add value to the subscription without having to remount a whole other show. Because with

everything down, we didn’t have the revenue to continue to do that amount of shows or hire that many actors,” McGee said, adding that the extra offerings are doing well. Trying to cut costs without sacrificing audience enjoyment has led to some interesting challenges for local theater companies. As McGee commented for this feature, freeFall was being tented for termites. They’d started keeping materials from old sets around to recycle into new sets. Unfortunately, those materials are wood, and we all know what wood attracts in Florida. Theaters are even reconsidering showtimes and run lengths. “I was getting a lot of feedback from people who thought that our shows should be earlier,” Jenkins told CL. “I was resistant for a really long time, but I bet on it.” Jobsite moved their 4 p.m. matinees to 2 p.m., and their 8 p.m. shows to 7:30 p.m. “Saturday nights used to be the big theater night; it’s not anymore,” McGee told CL, which is why he’s considered a 1 p.m. matinee and a 5 p.m. evening show instead of freeFall’s usual 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. shows. “It’s something I keep toying with, but everyone says it’s just too weird.”

SPRING GUIDE

THEE PHOTO NINJA

freeFall’s Davis has considered doing fewer shows with longer runs so everyone gets a chance to see popular shows like “Baskerville.” “We probably had another three to four weeks in that run,” says McGee. “There were people who couldn’t get in, and they were kind of upset at the end of the run because they couldn’t get in. But we had another show right up against it, so we had to go on to the other show.” Adding a little extra space between shows could prevent this issue in the future. “It’s really a matter of programming and scheduling that’s keeping us in a place where we can continue to do what we do,” said McGee. Despite pandemic challenges, Tampa Bay theaters feel optimistic about the future. “I would venture that, since the Greeks, any number of people have probably talked about how theater is going to die tomorrow,” says Hartley, “and I just don’t think that’s true. I have to move forward in a positive space that we create here. And I can’t move forward and be creative if I have this monkey on my back about theaters closing around the country. I just can’t. I feel like we have to move forward as if. It’s classic improv instructions. Yes, and…”

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 33

34 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

Our town

16 local theater productions to check out this spring. By Jennifer Ring and Ray Roa

The Diaries of Adam and Eve Boyd Hill Nature Preserve becomes the Garden of Eden in Mark Twain’s comedic exploration of relationships between men and women. Part of American Stage’s “Beyond the Stage” initiative. Feb. 2-18. $38. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve,1101 Country Club Way S, St. Petersburg. americanstage.org I Am My Own Wife Inspired by interviews with Charlotte von Mahlsdorf— and the letters he exchanged with her until she died in 2002—Doug Wright’s one-person play about a transgender woman living in Nazi Germany has won just about every award there is, including a Pulitzer and a Tony. Feb. 9-25. $45. Stageworks Theatre, 1120 E Kennedy Blvd. Suite No. 151, Tampa. stageworkstheatre.org God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater freeFall stages Kurt Vonnegut’s witty satire about kindness (and wealth in the upper classes). The

SPRING GUIDE

STAGE PHOTOGRAPHY OF TAMPA

merican theaters are facing unprecedented challenges (read more on p. 31), but that doesn’t mean they’re not pressing on. Across the Bay area, companies are staging tried and true familiar works, plus hosting domestic and world premieres, all while staying true to their individual missions. Here are 16 productions happening this spring to get you inside the theater (and outside of it, too). Twelfth Night Jobsite does what Jobsite does best: Shakespeare. Specifically, a Shakespearean love triangle that features a majority of plain English, not Shakespeak. It’s all soundtracked by company wunderkind Jeremy Douglass and revolves around a shipwreck which a young Viola believes drowned her brother. Jobsite staged “Twelfth Night” a decade ago, but promises an all-new production here. Through Feb. 11. $20 & up. Jaeb Theater at David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N Macinnes Pl., Tampa. jobsitetheater.org The Chinese Lady Afong Moy was a real person and possibly the first Chinese woman in the U.S. The New York Times said Lloyd Suh’s play about her puts the “lens on contemporary racism,” while American Stage says its production is told with both winking humor and forthrightness. Wednesdays-Sundays, Jan. 31-Feb. 25. $28 & up. American Stage Theatre Company. 162 3rd St. N, St. Petersburg. americanstage.org Whiskey & Soda What happens when Margaret Thatcher and John Lennon meet at a dinner party? Find out when The Off Central Players stage the U.S. premiere of Ben Randall’s production, which has worked well inside smaller theaters overseas. Set in Washington D.C. circa 1979, the work sees the prime minister offer the Beatle a deal that could change his life. “I wrote this play off the back of a night out! My friends and I were playing a game, drunkenly trying to work out who would be the worst two characters from history to be stuck in a lift together,” Randall told U.K. press. Feb. 1-11. $15 & up. The Off-Central Players, 2260 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg. theoffcentral.com Straight White Men Let’s get it out of the way: this one at Tampa Repertory Theatre was not written by a straight white man. Young Jean Lee—the first female Asian American playwright to be produced on Broadway—wrote her 2014 satire based on minority usage of the phrase “straight white men” as a synonym for privilege in America. A certain nastiness marked early performances of this work, which got cleaned up on Broadway. We’ll see what Tampa Rep does with it. Feb. 2-18. $12-$60. Theatre Centre at University of South Florida (TAR 120), 3837 USF Holly Dr., Tampa. tamparep.org

groups like Lab Theater Project continue to present new work like this world premiere from Craig Houk whose two-act drama tells the story of Sydney Trahan (Mandy Keen), who in 1973 was taken into custody and charged with lewd and lascivious conduct for dancing together at Brady’s, a notorious lesbian bar in the French Quarter. Feb. 22-March 10. $31. Lab Theater Project. 812 E Henderson Ave., Ybor City. labtheaterproject.com Fully Committed “The Menu” was a nice snack for anyone remotely familiar with high-end dining, and Becky Mode’s “Fully Committed” comes with a somewhat similar flavor profile. The one-act play includes more than 40 characters, and it’ll be interesting to see how Off-Central updates the nearly 25-year-old work. Feb. 29-March 10. $20 & up. The Off-Central Players, 2260 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg. Theoffcentral.com Powerstories: The Voices of Women Theatre Festival Powerstories once again stages a hybrid festival with self-produced short plays and 60 minute shows which will open live

NICE JAEB: Rehearsal for Jobsite Theater’s ‘Twelfth Night’ showing now. pretty much plot-less book is a mess in the best way, complete with poetic flourish and squiggles, and it should come to life magnificently in the hands of freeFall’s Artistic Director Eric Davis. Feb. 9-Mar. 10. $25-45. freeFall Theatre, 6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. freefalltheatre.com Syd While some theater companies’ audiences demand more familiar, escapist offerings,

in the theater and then move online. The 2024 Voices of Women slate includes 12 original local, national and international works from both novice and veteran women playwrights including Krystle Dellihue (“Too Woke To Book”), Alli Hartley-Kong (“The Wives; A Post-Roe American Abortion Odyssey”), Kathleen Maule Holen (“The First Step”) and more. March 7-16.

$15 & up. Theatre Centre at University of South Florida (TAR 120), 3837 USF Holly Dr., Tampa. powerstories.com The Beauty Queen of Leenane “The Beauty Queen of Leenane ‘ was written by British-Irish playwright and filmmaker Martin McDonagh, the pen behind award-winning 2022 film “The Banshees of Inisherin,” who is also known for absurdist black humor. “The Beauty Queen of Leenane,” a modern classic of Irish theater arriving just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, relays the tale of a mother-daughter relationship so horrific it’s funny. Mar. 13-Apr. 7. $40 & up. Jaeb Theater at David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N Macinnes Pl., Tampa. jobsitetheater.org The Immigrant In line with Stageworks’ mission to spotlight marginalized communities, Mark Harelik’s timeless musical tackles immigration and assimilation via the true story of a young Russian-Jewish couple who immigrated to a small Texas town in the early1900s. At a time when Jews across the U.S. are caught between generational trauma and the war waged by Benjamin Netinyahu, this work about how we are all far more alike than we are dissimilar might hit harder than anything else showing this spring. March 15-31. $45. Stageworks Theatre, 1120 E Kennedy Blvd. Suite No. 151, Tampa. stageworkstheatre.org Beauty and the Beast American Stage brings Disney’s Beauty and the Beast to Demens Landing Park for its annual American Stage in the Park event. There are purists who think theater is meant to be inside, but this is a chance to sing along and be outside once more before the heat kicks in. Apr. 3-May 5. $28 & up. Demens Landing Park, Bayshore Drive & Second Avenue S, St. Petersburg. americanstage.org Nollywood Dreams The recent unveiling of Oscar nominations reminded us how silly Hollywood is, and this work from Jocelyn Bioh helps throw a little more shade on tinseltown. Two sisters dream of finding success in the Nigerian film industry in this heartfelt romantic comedy set in the early-’90s when Nollywood was still cutting its teeth. April 12-May 12. $25-45. freeFall Theatre, 6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. freefalltheatre.com Our Town Downtown Tampa turns into Grover’s Corners when Stageworks performs a multicultural, multilingual (with supertitles) version of Thornton Wilder’s iconic, 1930s Pulitzer-winning three-act play about life in small-town America. April 26-May 12. $45. Stageworks Theatre, 1120 E Kennedy Blvd. Suite No. 151, Tampa. stageworkstheatre.org Scenes from the Odyssey Homer’s “Odyssey” is way too long, so Hillsborough Community College theater students will perform Mary Zimmerman’s abridged version of the Greek epic poem. April 4-6. $23. Mainstage Theatre at Hillsborough Community College, 1411 E 11th Ave., Ybor City. hccfl.edu

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 35

SPECIALIZED MEDICAL CARE SINCE 1991 Providing premier medical care in your community through outreach, advocacy, education, and research.

36 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

SERVICES * Comprehensive Primary Care

Lab Draws

Ryan White Provider

Gender Affirming Care

Linkage to Care Services

Spanish Speaking Staff

Medical Peer Navigators

Support Groups

HIV, STD & Viral Hepatitis Testing & Treatment

On-Site Pharmacy

Telehealth Services

Prevention, Education & Outreach

Patient Care Coordination

Transportation Services

PrEP & nPEP Services

LOCATIONS CLEARWATER 2349 Sunset Point Road #405 Clearwater, FL 33765 Office: (727) 216-6193 eFax: (877) 868-0981

NEW PORT RICHEY 4758 Rowan Road New Port Richey, FL 34653 Office: (727) 312-2040 eFax: (888) 806-9655

ST. PETERSBURG 3251 3rd Ave N #125 St. Petersburg, FL 33713 Office: (727) 498-4969

TAMPA 2105 N Nebraska Ave. Tampa, FL 33602 Office: (813) 769-7207

PALMETTO 408 7th Street West Palmetto, FL 34221 Office: (941) 803-7939 Fax: (941) 417-2328 eFax: (866) 622-3009 WALK-INS WELCOME AT ALL LOCATIONS

(844) 922-2777 CANCOMMUNITYHEALTH.ORG

* services vary by location

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 37

The James Museum

feb. 17 – may 26, 2024 TheJamesMuseum.org Wilhelm Kuhnert (Germany, 1865 – 1926), Giraffes in Blooming Field–detail, Ulanga, Tanzania, n.d. Oil on canvas. 30 × 47 inches. Collection of the Rijksmuseum Twenthe, Enschede, Netherlands. Photograph by Rik Klein Gotink. Survival of the Fittest: Envisioning Wildlife and Wilderness with the Big Four, Masterworks from the Rijksmuseum Twenthe and the National Museum of Wildlife Art is curated by Adam Duncan Harris, Grainger/Kerr Director of the Carl Rungius Catalogue Raisonné and organized by the National Museum of Wildlife Art.

38 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

Good nature

Rats on Coke cans, bougie baby bottles, among ‘Nature of Art’ easter eggs. By Jennifer Ring Loíza, Puerto Rico. We saw a drum, a bucket, and possibly a shop vac in Lind-Ramos’ monumental “Sentinels of the New Moon.” Lind-Ramos’ sentinels are protectors who fight to preserve our threatened coastal mangroves. Look closely, and you may find a reference to fighting; think boxing paraphernalia. Place yourself within Brookhart Jonquil’s “E)A)R)T)H)” Miami artist Brookhart Jonquil is one of many contemporary Florida artists taking climate change as inspiration. The MFA has three Jonquil works in “The Nature of Art,” but “E)A)R)T)H)” is the only one you can literally see yourself in. The sculpture centers an expanded polystyrene Earth within five pieces of mirror glass, encouraging viewers to consider their relationship to the planet. Take a trip to the moon in “The Overview Effect” Seeing Earth from space affects Astronauts with a profound sense of awe. It’s called the overview effect, and it’s something you can’t experience in an art museum. But you can see the next best thing at the MFA’s “The Nature of Art” — an iconic photograph of Earth taken by U.S. astronaut William Anders from a lunar orbit during the Apollo 8 mission in 1968.

Watch plants propagate in Jonquil’s it is. The MFA nestled Tschäpe’s work in a “Multiplication Portal” You’ll have to step dark room filled with floor pillows and bean out into The Stuart Sculpture Garden to expe- bag chairs. Dancing mermaids, filmed at Weeki rience this work of art. Jonquil’s “Multiplication Wachee Springs, are projected onto the gallery Portal” is a hexagon-shaped sculpture made of walls, immersing the viewer in the underwaplexiglass hexagon planters. Each planter con- ter world of mermaids. tains a plant cutting growing roots in water. Find the naked lady in Sarah Meyohas’ Jonquil created the work to inspire viewers to “Interference #19” The MFA’s Curator of continue doing the small things that nurture Contemporary Art, Katherine Pill, walked us life on our planet. through “The Artist as Look up to the Curator” section of “The sky in Jonquil’s Nature of Art.” Here, visi“Groundless” Don’t fortors can view two pieces get to look up. That’s what of art created by contem‘The Nature of Art’ Jonquil did when he creporary artists in response

SPRING GUIDE

ated “Groundless,” clouds to works in the MFA’s perMuseum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg. 255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. Tuesdayspainted on steel en plein manent collection. Sarah Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays, noon-5 p.m. air. Jonquil gave up control Meyohas created a holo$12 & up. mfastpete.org graphic work inspired by of the work the moment he incorporated mirrored surfaces. But thanks to the Georgia O’Keefe’s flowers, which commentators mirrors, Jonquil’s clouds change and move like often sexualized since flowers contain a plant’s real clouds, but also not like real clouds. reproductive organs. From a distance, Meyohas’ Chillax in a sea of dancing mermaids “Interference #19” looks like a simple geometric Head up to the second floor to see German- arrangement of black glass. But come closer, and Brazilian artist Janaina Tschäpe’s “Blood, you’ll see body parts within the colorful flora in Sea,” which sounds far more foreboding than Meyohas’ hologram.

JENNIFER RING

eadlines be damned, “The Nature of Art” is a serious exhibition. The show—at St. Petersburg’s Museum of Fine Arts through April 14—is full of great art and smart commentary on humankind’s relationship with Earth. Anyone who takes the time to fully experience this campus-wide exhibition stands to learn a lot about humanity’s relationship with art and nature throughout history. But it’s easy to miss things because of the sprawling nature of this exhibition divided into eight themed sections scattered throughout the museum. After a couple of hours roaming the MFA, soaking up all the amusing and eyeopening details within “The Nature of Art,” we made a list. Here are 10 fun ways to experience “The Nature of Art” at the MFA. Find the condoms in Duke Riley’s “Tidal Fool” Fans of USF Graphicstudio will recognize Duke Riley’s work the moment they walk into the MFA’s Hough Minor. Riley’s prints are like the fine art version of “Where’s Waldo,” except in Riley’s work, you’re looking for trash, not some guy in a striped suit. And since “Tidal Fool” covers an entire wall at the MFA (it’s wallpaper), there’s a lot of trash to find. Riley’s embedded everything from Chinese takeout boxes and branded beer cans to condoms, tampons, and sex toys into this work. See if you can locate the rat sailing on a crumpled Coke can across the ocean or the mermaid guzzling Colt 45. It’s all there. We couldn’t make this stuff up. Find the baby rattle among the ivory carvings in the MFA’s Hazel Hough Wing Through documenting art history, the MFA’s collections also document the history of rich people showing off. In this case, by placing priceless luxury items into the hands of babies and small children. The point of these pieces, nestled within the “I Love You to Death” segment of “The Nature of Art,” is to demonstrate how humanity has depleted limited natural resources to pad their wallets.The item on the far left is a baby rattle made from silver and ivory. Cut your teeth on coral Unidentifiable antiques are the most interesting kind of antiques. We never would have found Hester Bateman’s luxury silver rattles with coral teethers if MFA Curator of Collections and Exhibitions Stanton Thomas hadn’t pointed them out to us during a press preview. These silver rattles with coral teethers are for the wealthy toddler who likes rare, shiny things. Find the boxing references in Daniel Lind-Ramos’ “Sentinels of the New Moon” Contemporary artist Daniel Lind-Ramos makes sculptures out of everyday materials he finds in the streets and on beaches in his hometown of

“The sprawling exhibition is divided into eight themed sections.”

WOULD YOU LOOK AT RAT: ‘Tidal Fool’ also includes takeout boxes, beer cans, condoms, tampons, sex toys and more.

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 39

40 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

Be heard

Focus groups aim to shape the future of Pinellas County’s art scene. By Jennifer Ring

ews of Pinellas County’s new cultural plan I noticed that you have these focus groups landed like a ton of bricks last month. coming up. What are Creative Pinellas and Pinellas County had just hired a cultural Cultural Planning Group planning to discuss planning group, with offices in California, South in these focus groups? And what are they hopFlorida, and Pennsylvania, to help shape the ing to learn? One of the things that we want to discuss future of Pinellas County’s art scene. And artists wanted to know why the county was giving is how we can help artists be and remain artthis money—about $1 million—to a group of ists. The funding needed to grow and support perceived outsiders and the artists who have not directly to Pinellas chosen to build a career County artists. here needs thoughtful This spring, Cultural investment, long term Planning Group receives investment. And this direct input from these Pinellas County Artist Focus Group plan will, with the artartists, along with ists’ input, create the Wednesday, Jan. 31 (Noon & 4 p.m.); Next Thursday, Feb. 1 (10 a.m.) No cover Pinellas County arts narrative that we can use Creative Pinellas. 12211 Walsingham Rd., organizations and comto seek that support. We Largo. currentartscoast.com munity members, at a want to look at the curseries of focus groups and community outreach rent state of the arts. What successes and what events held January through April. Creative challenges are there? I think we need to be very Pinellas’ new CEO, St. Pete native Margaret frank about both of those. Murray talked to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay about the new plan and why Pinellas County What are the obstacles to success here? artists, arts organization, and community memAnd we want to take a very frank look at bers should take part. Here’s what she had to what we can do, and exactly what needs to say, in her own words, with light editing for be built, to ensure that artists can overcome length and clarity. these obstacles and build a sustainable career in the arts. What did we already know about the needs and wants of Pinellas County artists and arts organizations going into this? Artists want a way to sustain and grow their practices, and the rapid growth we’re seeing in Pinellas County isn’t always aligned with those goals. We know that arts organizations, like many businesses, are still shaking off the impact of the pandemic. Artists and arts organizations want to grow their audiences—that’s become very clear to us. Those are the major needs and wants. People want to know how they can sustain themselves as artists or members of the creative economy at this time. What would you say to artists who maybe don’t see why this money went to a cultural planning group and not directly to Pinellas County artists through grants or other means? I understand those concerns. But this plan is built on the belief that we’re going to create a long term, strategic and sustainable framework for supporting the cultural sector for the next 10 years and beyond. We’re using this money to plant seeds that will support artists long term, that will allow everyone in the county to benefit from this plan. Creative Pinellas does a wonderful job of providing funding to artists, but this is a way to provide a future for artists.

Speaking of community involvement, I feel like it’s a greater challenge to get people outside of the art community to participate. Do you have a plan in place for that or are you still working out where you’re going to have your pop ups and how you’re going to get people to show up? Yes, we’re still working on those details. And because I want this to be available to as many people as possible, we’ve actually moved it to April so that we give ourselves some more time to plan. Cultural Planning Group is going to distribute a countywide survey through a number of different mechanisms—digital and in person. And we’re looking at hosting these community gatherings in places where people already are— churches, community centers, places where people

are gathering, where they are primed to make changes in their communities. So we plan on having them throughout the entire campaign in north, mid and south county areas. What are some of the areas where the community will be able to provide input? Will people in the community be able to offer specific types of entertainment options they’re interested in? Absolutely, that’s exactly what we want to hear. What sort of arts experiences do people want in their community? What sort of arts experiences did they have at one point that they don’t have any longer? What are some successes that we can help build out even further? What would you like to say to artists and arts organizations as to why they should join these focus groups? We need their voices. Who better to tell their story and who better to articulate their needs than themselves? We need to know their struggles and successes because if we don’t know them, we can’t solve for them. I’ve been through a lot of strategic plans with organizations, and I’ve been researching different strategic plans for communities in this process. And I have never come across a plan so driven by the belief that the community knows what they want. There is a trust in our community to tell us what they envision for the future. And that is such a rare opportunity. I hope that every artist and every arts organization can understand that and put their trust and their belief in this process.

CITYOFSTPETE/FLICKR

SPRING GUIDE

What pathway can we create for everyone to experience the arts here that includes visitors as well as people and communities who have historically been shut out of the arts? How can we make sure that we take the data we know, which is that the arts enrich people’s lives, and make sure that we can do that as broadly as possible? And I think the other thing that I’m looking forward to seeing come out of this is a defining of what makes Pinellas County’s arts and cultural landscapes so unique. Some of that has bubbled up in conversations. And it was nice to see that the cultural planning group picked up on that immediately. So I’m looking forward to having more conversations and seeing what comes out, because if we know it, we can measure it, and then we can build on it.

FLOWER POWER: A mural by George Rose

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 41

Change of plans

St. Pete artist replaces works with names of deceased Palestinians. By Suz Townsend

he opening reception of St. Petersburg artThe text also illuminates Hartle’s perist Cort Hartle’s latest exhibition, “Swamp spective that it is necessary for artists to be Church,” was set for last Thursday at Ybor political, that as participants of the world they City’s Department of Contemporary Art (DoCA). have a responsibility to use art as protest. Instead of Hartle’s paintings, however, exhibi- Following Hartle’s artist statement is an explation attendees found the gallery walls covered in nation of the conflict including numbers of dead, pages and pages of white paper. One hand-written injured and displaced Palestinians and the U.S. note in the center states, “In solidarity with the response in support of Israel. people of Palestine there is no art show tonight.” While artists around the world are seeing Hartle’s note continues, “The pages on the their shows canceled over criticism of Benjamin walls around us contain the names and ages of Netanyahu’s government, Hartle said they were 6,747 Palestinians killed by the state of Israel grateful that they have a day job that provides from October 7-26, 2023.” some flexibility. Hartle was sup“I don’t ever want to ported by DoCA founder be in a position where I and director Emiliano have to consider my career Settecasi to create the as an artist over my valexhibition-that-wasn’t. ues, even if that means I ‘Free Palestine’ “I felt that standget fewer opportunities,” Thursdays until Feb. 8. 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. Department of Contemporary Art. ing in solidarity with Hartle told CL. “On a 1624 E 7th Ave. Suite 237, Ybor City the Palestinian people, broader scale, the backcorthartle.com amplifying their voices, lash against and silencing and hopefully moving others to action was a of artists—like Samia Halaby, for instance— more important use of the space and the plat- over their support of the Palestinian struggle form I was given in this moment,” Hartle told is beyond shameful, especially coming from Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. institutions that outwardly position themselves Settecasi told CL the decision to host the as progressive. I think that it points to much action wasn’t difficult. His space, from incep- larger issues in the art world.” tion, was meant to evolve the concept of a gallery Settecasi said he believes that communities into something that suits the needs of artists in are called to face emergencies whether locally, material ways, from exhibits to fashion shows, nationally, and internationally.”The people in sticker shops and more. When Hartle approached charge unfortunately continue to demonstrate him in December about changing the show, the they have no regard for human life,” he added. world was two months removed from the Oct. “Cort validated that belief with their request 7 Hamas attack that Israeli officials say killed to show the names of the killed rather than approximately 1,200 people. “I was hoping by their artwork and I couldn’t be more proud to the week of install there would be a ceasefire, support their decision.” but another 40 days passed and Israel killed Hortle’s zine implores readers to take action tens of thousands more people, and to this day by listening to Palestinian voices, by contactthere is no end to the ing their representatives, destruction of human protesting, boycotting, life and human infradonating and learning. structure in Palestine in Since an Oct. 7 sight,” Settecasi added. Hamas attack that The show was still Israeli officials say killed marketed as “Swamp approximately 1,200 Church,” rendering the people, Palestine has change of plans unexbeen subject to relentpected and thus more impactful for the opening less bombing, airstrikes and annihilation of night audience. Palestinian life and infrastructure. Hartle’s act Though Hartle, a University of South Florida of protest includes less than 7,000 of what the alumni, typically works in mediums of paint and Healthy Ministry says is more than 25,000 esticeramics, at DoCA they offer a zine titled “Free mated Palestinians killed by Israeli airstrikes. Palestine” to gallery-goers as an explanation of The response to the opening was overwhelmwhat motivated them to pull the show. The zine ingly positive, and Hartle hopes it will carry cites the Israeli government’s “relentless bombard- further outside of the gallery and into daily life. ment of civilians in Gaza’ and the United States’ Hartle’s show is on display until Feb. 8. DoCA support for the ‘settler colonial state of Israel.” is open from 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. on Thursdays only.

SPRING GUIDE

“I don’t ever want to be in a position where I have to consider my career as an artist over my values.”

42 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

TAKE ME TO CHURCH: Hartle’s exhibition includes the names of 6,747 Palestinians killed from Oct. 7-26.

MARK SFORZINI - GENERAL DIRECTOR

2024

MARCH 15 8:00 PM

MARCH 17 2:00 PM

MARCH 19 7:30 PM

G I A C O M O

P U C C I N I

T H E PA L L A D I U M : 2 5 3 F I F T H A V E N , S T. P E T E R S B U R G , F L 3 3 7 0 1 EVENT SPONSORS:

S C A N Q R F O R S H O W D E TA I L S

Michele Kidwell Gilbert & Dr. Gordon J. Gilbert

SEASON 18 PRODUCING SPONSORS:

Charlotte & James Edmiston Jo-Ann Hammack

SEASON 18 ARTISTIC SPONSOR:

Belinda Dumont

STPETEOPERA.ORG

(727) 823-2040

Votum Foundation The Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Fund

Gift in memory of Maurice Raymond

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 43

Hop To It: More than 40 events to put on your spring calendar 5017 E Washington St., Tampa. @effylives on Instagram

CARLTON WARD JR.

Carlton Ward Jr.

Open now Carlton Ward Jr: Path of the Panther Featuring the work of Tampeño and National Geographic photographer Carlton Ward Jr., this exhibit not only sheds light on the ongoing work to expand the Florida Wildlife Corridor, but showcases Ward’s work using his hands and camera traps to photograph the elusive Florida Panther (which are still endangered and threatened by the development of housing projects and roads). Through March 17. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. $10-$12. Sunday noon-5 p.m. Florida Museum of Photographic Art, 1630 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. fmopa.org Four Decades: PCCA Faculty and Alumni Exhibition The Pinellas County School District opened PCCA at Gibbs High School’s Arts magnet program in 1984 to help high school students prepare for a career in the arts. Forty years later, the big question is, “Did it help students transition into a career in arts?” The answer is yes and more. Not only did countless PCCA students graduate to successful careers in the arts, but many did so here in Tampa Bay. Art from PCCA’s alumni, infamous and otherwise, covers every inch of the Morean this spring. Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Through March 28. No cover. Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. moreanartscenter.org Offset: Robert Rauschenberg At USF Graphicstudio This show at USF Graphicstudio tells the story of Robert Rauschenberg who was one of the first artists Graphicstudio founder Donald J. Saff invited to Graphicstudio in the early-1970s. Rauschenberg left a “tremendous legacy” at USF and beyond, printed on unconventional surfaces—paper bags, cardboard, and gauze—and combined methods in ways that inspired a generation of artists. In addition to the artist’s experimentation across mediums, Rauschenberg’s legacy is explored through

the works of artists that recall his radical approach to materials, process, and concepts, including Trisha Brown, Rochelle Feinstein, Christian Marclay, Narsiso Martinez, Bosco Sodi, and Tavares Strachan. Monday-Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Saturday 1 p.m.–4 p.m. Through March 2. No cover (bring money for parking). Contemporary Art Museum at University of South Florida, 3821 USF Holly Dr., Tampa. usfcam.usf.edu Roving at Gallery221 Roving has two definitions, and this exhibition at Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry campus is part of the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, and hits on both. The show features fiber art created by Nneka Jones, Kandy G. Lopez, and Eugene Ofori Agyei, all meant to “examine the psychological and emotional complexities of self-reflection, movement and memory, intertwining our sense of being with the process of becoming.” Through Feb. 28. Mondays-Fridays. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. No cover. Gallery 221 at Hillsborough Community College (2nd floor DLRC). 4001 W Tampa Bay Blvd., Tampa. hccfl.edu

This month Effy’s Big Gay Brunch 8 A hot daddy of the independent wrestling circuit is bringing his sweet cheeks to Tampa Bay to do some eatin’. Taylor Gibson—aka Effy—is two-and-ahalf years into his Big Gay Brunch series, and he brings the eighth iteration of “wrestling’s gayest event” to Tampa. The 33-year-old Tallahassee-born wrestler with a degree in public relations has over 90,000 followers between Twitch, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and was ranked no. 95 in Pro Wrestling Insider’s ranking of the top 500 wrestlers of 2021. While there’ll be food on the agenda, the main attraction at the brunch is wrastlin’, which focuses on LGBTQ athletes in the indie wrestling world. Saturday, Jan. 27. 12 p.m. $32.32-$69. Egypt Shriners,

44 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

WWE Royal Rumble and Monday Night Raw One of the best events involving large groups of large people in spandex is finally here. WWE stages the 37th Royal Rumble at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Jan. 27 then brings Monday Night Raw to Tampa’s Amalie Arena on Jan. 29. For those who’ve never Rumbled, the main event centers around 30-man and 30-woman Royal Rumble matches, which start with just two wrestlers and add a new one every 90 seconds. The winners of each division will receive a Championship match opportunity at WrestleMania 40, says WWE. It’s been awhile since local wrestling fans have seen a Royal Rumble in person. The event was last in Tampa Bay back in 2021, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, guests were not allowed in attendance. The last time it was in front of a live audience in Tampa Bay was 1995 at the USF SunDome, which is now called the Yuengling Center. wwe.com ‘Decade of Change: Florida in the 1920s’ and ‘Sharps & Marks in Paradise: Selling Florida in the 1920s’ If you think Tampa’s changed a lot in the last few years, you should see what it did in the 1920s. A temporary exhibit at the Tampa Bay History Center explores that decade using more than 100 objects—including underwear worn by the mother of late Tampa Tribune journalist Leland Hawes—plus interactive elements. Music, dance, recreation, housing, prohibition, the Pentecostal religious movements and even Jim Crow are all covered, and as a bonus, the Touchton Map Library has a separate exhibit (“Sharps & Marks in Paradise: Selling Florida in the 1920s”), which explores the Florida land boom that started in south Florida and made its way up through the Tampa Bay area. Whether you’re a newbie or native, both exhibitions will help you deepen your sense of place. Daily through July 14. 10 a.m-5 p.m. $12.95-$16.95. Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Water St. Tampa. tampabayhistorycenter.org The Roast of Jose Gaspar Jose Gaspar was never even a real person. Yet, for more than a century Tampeños have spent at least one Saturday in January putting aside their inhibitions so they can dress up like pirates, drink too much, do some drugs, and throw plastic beads at people (and into the ocean). Gasparilla is asinine in so many ways, and for this improv show, comedians from across the Bay area will shove a metaphorical cannonball up Gaspar’s ass. Friday, Jan. 26. $10. The Commodore, 811 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. commodorecomedy.com

February Arts Legacy Remix The Straz brings a series of free cultural celebrations to Tampa’s Riverwalk. Jetsetters low on dough can “travel” to the Philippines, India, the Middle East and North Africa without leaving Tampa this spring. February brings a celebration of Filipino culture, including art, fashion, music, and food at “Mabuhay Fiesta - A Celebration

of Filipino Culture.” Then in March, the series takes Tampa on a journey across India with music, dance, and visual art. In April it’s MENA’s turn, as the Straz brings Middle Eastern and North African art, music, and dance to the Riverwalk Stage. Select dates, no cover. Riverwalk Stage a David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N Macinnes Pl., Tampa. strazcenter.org Dunedin International Film Festival The Sixth Annual Dunedin International Film Festival brings 15 feature films to downtown Dunedin (primarily on Douglas Avenue at House of Beer and Dunedin Brewery’s Moon Tower venue) during the first four days of February. Flicks includes the Dunedin debuts of “Taste of Love” and “RADAR: The Bionic Dog,” both filmed in Pinellas County, on Friday and Saturday nights. Other highlights include a rare scheduled performance from The Witches of Dunedin; several industry workshops; a Saturday-night screening of feature documentary, “Unfiltered: The Truth About Oysters,” starring Apalachicola Bay oysters; a Saturday-night screening of “The Martini Shot,” a feature-length film about confronting one’s mortality starring Matthew Modine and John Cleese; and a red carpet awards ceremony at The Fenway Hotel Sunday night. Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 1-4. $15 & up. dunedinfilmfestival.org Growhouse Rap Slam 3 If the heart of Ybor City’s art scene is now the Kress Collective, then the Growhouse slams are its mouth and attitude. For Rap Slam 3, the writers collective that calls Kress home models its poetry slam format to pit a dozen rappers against each other, all judged by three of the Bay area’s most gifted emcees (Nico Sweet, Perception, Hmtwn). The winner of the three-round elimination-style skills challenge gets a $500 sponsorship from Symphonic Distribution, and guests will get an additional special performance from Charlie G. Thursday, Feb. 1. 8 p.m. $10. Crowbar, 1812 N 17th St., Ybor City. @growhousetampa on Instagram Carmada en Ybor Mitzi Gordon’s Carmada celebrates a 10-year anniversary with two Tampa events including this art car show on Seventh Avenue, between 15th and 17th Streets. It’s the same two blocks that host Kress Contemporary, The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, Marcolina’s Fine Arts Gallery, and Drip Ybor. With DJ Donnie Luv spinning tunes, it’s an art block party in the making. Saturday Feb. 3, noon-4 p.m. Seventh Avenue, between 15th and 17th Streets. artcarmada.com Indie Flea In the realm of hip makers markets, Indie Flea reigns supreme. The homegrown gathering has launched brickand-mortars for dozens of local artisans and started its 12th season last November. It features three more dates in its homebase of St. Petersburg (at The Factory, 2606 Fairfield Ave. S, first Sundays through April 7) and another trio of happenings across the bridge in Ybor City (second Sundays through April 14 on the 1900 block of 7th Avenue). 12 p.m.-4 p.m. No cover. theindieflea.com

Florida State Fair Besides farm animals, carnival rides, and mildly famous musicians, the other vital pillar of any respectable state fair is big, dumb, (preferably fried) food, and this year’s menu at the Florida State Fair does not disappoint. Once again, the fair is out-doing itself with nearly two dozen, various gut bombs up for grabs, like pickles covered in Pop Rocks, fried Spam grilled cheese, and hot dogs doused in beans and bacon. Feb. 8-19. $7 & up. Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S.-Hwy. 301 N, Tampa. floridastatefair.com

Tampa Zine Fest St. Petersburg’s zine scene gets a party the next weekend, but fans can get a sneak peek when Print St. Pete joins a list of nearly two dozen vendors for this festival at an underrated Seminole Heights brewery. The food will be on point thanks to Rene’s across the street along with This Little Pig food truck, while Micaela and Anne Mansfield play tunes. Saturday, Feb. 10. 6 p.m.-10 p.m. No cover. Southern Brewing & Winery. 4500 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. @TampaZineFest on Facebook Collard Green Festival A celebration of the leafy vegetable, but also a gathering around community, culture and health. Organized by St. Pete residents that strive to highlight the connection between food, community and African American culture, this festival features over 200 local vendors, a kid-friendly activity zone and collard green samples alongside fitness, cooking and agricultural demonstrations.

James Beard award-winning culinary historian Adrian E. Miller aka the “Soul Food Scholar” will also host a live presentation titled “Black Chefs in the White House.” And if you think you make some of the best greens in Tampa Bay, then there’s still plenty of time to sign up for the festival’s cooking competition, where the winner will take home a $500 grand prize and bragging rights. Saturday, Feb. 17. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. No cover. Woodson African American Museum. 2240 9th Ave. S, St. Petersburg. tbcgf.org SPZF24: St. Pete Zine Fest and Symposium There aren’t many better feelings than reading something on paper. For four hours in February this festival organized by Print St. Pete celebrates that feeling alongside dozens of independent publishers who’ll set up their comics, zines, books, small presses and more. Nearly all of the St. Pete Zine fest takes place outside at SPC’s Gibbs campus but Dr. Tyler Gillespie will also read poetry in the library. Saturday, Feb. 17, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. No cover. West Community Library at St. Petersburg College-Gibbs Campus. 6605 5th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. printstpete.org/spzf

VISIT TAMPA BAY

St Pete Opera Puccini (“Turnadot,” March 15-19) and Donizetti (“Lucia di LammerMoor,” June 7-11) are on the schedule for St. Pete Opera’s mainstage series, but the action gets started in February when Maestro Sforzini stages two “Opera Scenes” shows (Feb. 8 &10) where the company does scenes from “La Bohème,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “A Hand of Bridge” performed with just piano. stpeteopera.org

Argh you ready? Gasparilla Arts Month 2024

Cirque du Soleil: ‘Bazzar’ Tropicana Field is home to some pretty elite athletes this season (read: Major League Baseball leaders the Tampa Bay Rays), but it’ll be home to even more this spring thanks to Cirque du Soleil’s new show. The“Bazzar” shows are the fourth stop on the national tour, and mark the production’s local debut (it world premiered in India in 2018 and toured the Middle East). A press release calls the presentation “a high-energy spectacle of intrepid acrobatics, dynamic stunts and exhilarating performances that pays homage to the entertainment company’s legacy.” In the show, 35 performers—including musicians acrobats, plus gymnasts who practice the traditional Indian sport of Mallakhamb

Gasparilla’s best-attended event is hands down the daytime pirate parade happening this weekend on Bayshore Boulevard and downtown Tampa, but it’s by no means the highlight of the next few weeks. Gasparilla arts month brings a handful of top-notch events to the 813, here are a few worth checking out. Knights of Sant’ Yago Knight Parade A separate animal from the day parade, this 50 years-running post-sunset party finds the floats—and pirates and rough riders—making their way down Seventh Avenue for an even more debauched and drunken affair than the main parade. Bleacher seats are available for $30, and there’s a “Night before the Knight Parade” party at Carmine’s on Feb. 9, but most people just spill onto and all over the Ybor City streets for this one. Saturday, Feb. 10. 7 p.m. No cover. Seventh Avenue, Ybor City. krewesantyago.org

continued on page 46

RYAN RAHMAN/ADOBE

Arts Legacy Remix

Gasparilla Music Festival: Lake Street Dive w/Young The Giant/Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram/Louis the Child/ more There’s more to read on p. 51, but Gasparilla Arts Month kicks off in loud fashion when Tampa’s premiere homegrown, nonprofit music festival Gasparilla Music Festival (GMF) lands ina new home (Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park) after more than a decade down river at the Curt and Kiley Gardens. Headliners across the pop, jazz, EDM and blues spectrum will help GMF fill the expanded digs, which’ll also play host to ambient entertainment and the Calle Cocina food row featuring some of the best local eats in Tampa Bay. FridaySunday, Feb. 16-18. $45 & up. Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. 1001 N Boulevard, Tampa. gasparillamusic.com

Gasparilla Distance Classic Gasparilla isn’t all unhealthy. On two usually picture-perfect mornings, runners take over Bayshore Boulevard for two days of racing featuring 5K, 8K, 15K, half-marathon, and a challenge option that includes a combination of races. Last minute registration for all races is still open through Feb. 18, and if you run, don’t pass up the guy giving out donuts to all the runners. Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 24-25. $60. Bayshore Boulevard, Tampa. rungasparilla.com Gasparilla Festival of the Arts Artists compete for $100,000 in prizes at the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts (GFA) at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park the first weekend in March, with Best of Show going home with $15,000. GFA hasn’t released the full 2024 program yet, but they’ve already lined up a Carmada appearance, a glass art experience courtesy of Duncan McClellan, and a chalk walk. Saturday-Sunday, March 2-3. No cover. Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, 1001 N Blvd., Tampa. gasparillaarts.com Gasparilla International Film Festival Tampa Bay’s largest celebration of independent film celebrates opening night at the Tampa Theatre. Filmmakers submitted in nine categories: narrative short films and features, Tampa Bay short films, made-in-Florida features, documentary shorts and features, high school and college films. Organizers are sifting through film submissions now and will notify filmmakers Feb. 16 if their film was Thursday-Sunday, March 21-24. $100 & up. gasparillafilmfestival.com

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 45

Hop To It: More than 40 events to put on your spring calendar

DREW WIEDEMANN

Napoleon Dynamite Live! So meone bring me my Chapstick. Napoleon Dynamite is coming to Clearwater, and he’s bringing Uncle Rico and Pedro along for the ride for a very special 20th anniversary celebration of the 2004 comedy cult classic. The event will feature Jon Heder (Napoleon), Efren Ramirez (Pedro) and Uncle Rico (Jon Gries, who currently is best known as “Greg” on HBO’s “White Lotus”). Unfortunately, Kip is not part of the show, because he’s probably staying home and eating all the freakin’ chips, or chatting with babes online. A press release promises a screening for the film, plus “a wild and hysterical blend of Q&A, comedy improv, game show, and party, with plenty of audience participation,” surrounding the uncomfortably-hilarious coming of age comedy full of quotes and quips that injected themselves into the daily lexicon long before meme culture ruined everything within one news cycle. Friday-Saturday, Feb. 23-24. 7:30 p.m. $39 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. rutheckerdhall.com Fiesta Day 2024 For its 77th edition, Ybor City’s big street festival once again brings music, arts, food and more for this familyfriendly celebration of the neighborhood’s heritage and culture shaped by Cuban, Italian, German and Spanish families from the past and present. Saturday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. No cover (bring money for food & vendors). Ybor City Chamber of Commerce. 1800 E 9th Ave., Ybor City. ybor.org Spring Training Last year, more than 1.4 million fans attended Florida Grapefruit League games, and the Bay area should expect a similar crush of snowbird baseball fans when six of the league’s 15 sides—Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays—return to small parks on both sides of the Bay. Games kick off on Saturday, Feb. 24 and wrap a month later on March 26. floridagrapefruitleague.com

Tampa Roller Derby

(aerial yoga, on a hanging wooden pole)— work under the direction of a “maestro” who directs the “high-energy excitement, collision of sounds and colors, and meeting place of diverse characters.” Select times WednesdaySunday. Feb. 22-March 24. $24 & up. Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg. cirquedusoleil.com

completed artworks at The Morean Center for Clay and create their own art at a St. Pete-themed Pop-Art Painting Station. Also included in the evening ticket: an auction, an open bar, charcuterie from Lolita’s Wine Market, local food truck entrees, and Nothing Bundt Cakes for dessert. Saturday, Feb. 24. The Morean Center for Clay, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $150 members, $175 nonmembers. moreanartscenter.org

cameras or paint, but through code and custom-designed electronics. “Code is a creative medium, akin to paint, wood, metal, or glass,” Mansion said in a press release. “Each piece in this exhibition is an embodiment of the software I’ve crafted, expressing a mix of my own values, mixed with live data culled from nature.” Feb. 22-April 21. The Gallery at Creative Pinellas, 12211 Walsingham Rd., Largo. creativepinellas.org

Morean Iconic: Paint St. Pete Edition Local artists are painting in the streets this spring as part of the Morean Art Center’s annual Iconic fundraiser. More than a dozen St. Pete artists, including plein air guru Shawn Dell Joyce, set up at iconic locations throughout St. Pete to paint en plein air during the event. Ticketholders receive a map to locations where they can watch the art unfold from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Later that evening, from 7 p.m.-10 p.m., participants get to see the

Nature Pix Exhibition Creative Pinellas opens 2024 with a solo show featuring technology-inspired works by St. Pete-based artist Mikhail Mansion. Mansion, who is this year’s Creative Pinellas Artist Laureate, is also the mastermind behind the technology that makes Fairgrounds St. Pete hum. Mansion literally elevates coding to an art form. Mansion’s Nature Pix aren’t your average landscape photograph or painting. They’re not created by store-bought

Black History Month Reception State Sen. Arthenia Joyner, a Lakelander and civil rights activist, will be joined by Tampa native and fellow civil rights legend Reverend Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr. for this celebration recognizing an individual who has played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Black history throughout the years. Friday, Feb. 23. 6:30 p.m. $75. Tampa Bay History Center. 801 Water St., Tampa. tampabayhistorycenter.org

continued from page 45

46 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

New Tampa Unplugged: Judy Tampa & Friends There’s a new home for the arts in New Tampa, and it’s built around a 354seat multipurpose theater that’s part of the 20,000-square-foot facility that aims to give the neighborhood a place to enjoy, celebrate and teach the arts. Backed by Hillsborough County, the New Tampa Performing Arts Center stages plays, cultural events, musicals, film, ballet and more. For this concert in the style of MTV’s long-off-air “Unplugged” series, Judy Tampa plays Americana and cover tune in a cabaret setting. Sunday, Feb. 25. 3 p.m. $13-$15. New Tampa Performing Arts Center. 8550 Hunters Village Rd.,Tampa. newtampaartscenter.org Florida Strawberry Festival A day spent at the Strawberry Festival is a rite of passage for any self-respecting Bay area resident, and in 2024 there are 11 chances to do just that. Plant City’s signature export is the main attraction, but the festival also features headlining entertainment (read more on p. 51), plus agriculture exhibits and shows, parades, marching bands and more. Night

owls who want to avoid the biggest crowds should consider doing the “Moonlight Magic” hours between 10 p.m-2 a.m. on March 5-8. Feb. 29-March 10. $5 & up (children under 5 are free). 303 BerryFest Pl., Plant City. flstrawberryfestival.com

March Carmada Decade Mitzi Gordon’s other show throws it back to Carmada’s beginnings, with an appearance at Gasparilla Arts Festival. The special event includes live art car painting, hands-on activities, and the customary art car show. Saturday-Sunday, March 2-3. Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, 1001 N. Blvd., Tampa. gasparillaarts.com 18th annual Taste of South Tampa In addition to both sweet and savory samples from dozens of South Tampa restaurants, this annual foodie event also features live entertainment, chances to win prizes, a beer garden, non-food vendors and scenic views of Hillsborough Bay. Sunday, March 3. $40-$100. Tampa Garden Club. 2629 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa. @southtampataste on Instagram Franky Panky 2024 Tampa Roller Derby hosts its season opener on Feb. 9, but a collection of teams and clubs from across the south—including Nashville, Jacksonville, West Palm, Atlanta, Baton Rouge and Texas—come to the Bay area in March for 18 bouts across three days. FridaySunday, March 8-10. $25 & up. Florida State Fairgrounds. 4800 U.S.-Hwy 301, Tampa. tamparollerderby.com

with a parade that takes over Ybor City on Saturday, March 23 (tampapride.org), plus the smaller Gulfport Peace, Love & Pride Festival on Sunday, March 10 (gulfportpride.com).

April St. Petersburg Jazz Festival A festival for the squeaky wheel purists who demand that any jazz festival lineup only feature artists from the genre. David Manson has long curated a sharp celebration of jazz and does it again this year with four nights of concerts featuring big band (Alexis Cole and Ronnie Dee with Helios Jazz Orchestra), Latin jazz (Mauricio Rodriguez), Brazilian sounds (Rafael Pereira & Jose Valentino Ruiz with O Som Do Jazz), swing (Hot Club SRQ), and a set from Austrian pianist Markus Gottschlich. TuesdayFriday, April 2-5. $25. Various venues, St. Petersburg. stpetejazzfest.com 56th Annual Dunedin Highland Games & Festival Event organizers promise that 2024’s rendition will be “bigger and better,” complete with pipe bands, dancers and heavyweight athletes from around the world. There will also be Scottish beer and fare available, in addition to local vendors and other cultural festivities. Saturday, April 6. $20 & up. Highlander Park, 1920 Pinehurst Rd., Dunedin. dunedinsafoundation.com

Also happening

2nd annual Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival A popular foodie fest returns to hotspots like Water Street Tampa, Hyde Park Village and downtown Tampa, and organizers promise that it will be even bigger and better than the inaugural. The five day-long run of “unforgettable foodie events” features a variety of programming from live music, interactive sponsor experiences and culinary demonstrations to its “Grand Tasting” event with samples from dozens of Tampa Bay restaurants and “Chef Showdown” competition featuring celebrity chef Robert Irvine. Tuesday-Saturday, April 9-13. Various locations throughout Tampa. tampabaywff.com Fresh Squeezed Once a year, Morean Arts Center staff travels the state of Florida looking for the next great Florida artists. After the search, they land on five emerging artists to feature in “Fresh Squeezed,” now in its eighth year. As I write this, the team is already planning their studio visits, considering who to feature in this year’s show, a perennial favorite. April 13-June 26. No cover. The Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. moreanartscenter.org —Jennifer Ring, Kyla Fields and Ray Roa contributed to these listings.

6th Anniversary Fire & Light Celebration: Louis Markoya Saturday, Feb. 3. 6:30 p.m. $40. Imagine Museum, 1901 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. imaginemuseum.com 12th annual Plant City Planes, Trains, & Automobiles Saturday, Feb. 10. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $7.50-$10 (children under 10 free). Plant City Airport, 4007 Airport Rd., Plant City. mytbaa.org St. Petersburg Science Festival Saturday, Feb. 10. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. No cover (bring money for parking). University of South Florida and Poynter Park, St. Petersburg. stpetescifest.org Shurti Foundation: East West Music Dance Festival Sunday, Feb. 11. 2 p.m.-7 p.m. No cover. Water Works Park, 1710 N Highland Ave., Tampa. Shrutifoundationtampa.org The Dalí’s fashion design runway & awards show Saturday, Saturday, Feb. 24. 5:30 p.m. No cover. Gibbs High School, 850 34th St. S, St. Petersburg. thedali.org Water Street Dance Milwaukee Friday, Saturday, Feb. 23-24, 7:30 p.m. Mainstage Theatre at Hillsborough Community College. 1411 E 11th Ave, Ybor City. hccfl.edu Fairgrounds celebrates ‘Mystical Mermaid Month’ with a new mermaidthemed event every weekend in March Fairgrounds St. Pete. 2606 Fairfield Ave. S., St. Petersburg. fairgrounds.art

Trashy Treasures Dunedin Fine Arts Center (DFAC), per usual, has a busy spring calendar, Which crescendos for this version of a garage sale that starts to come together when folks drop off art and art supplies on select dates in January and February before its all collected, organized and cataloged for an online auction, “Best of Trashies” party (Friday, March 15) and that main event—a giant garage sale on Saturday, March 16. More information is at dfac.org. CITYOFSTPETE/FLICKR

Live-Work at Gallery22 Gallery221@HCC meditates on development and the environment through the work of contemporary artists Matthew Anthony Batty, Dakota Parkinson, and Andres Ramirez in “LiveWork,” a play on the popular development phrase, “Live, work, play.” Mar. 18-June 27. Gallery221@HCC, Learning Resources Center, 4001 W Tampa Bay Blvd., Tampa. hccfl.edu Sugar Sand Festival Clearwater Beach’s signature sand sculpting event returns for its tenth year this April with a walk-through exhibition of artist-made sand sculptures, nightly sunset celebrations, street performers, free sand sculpting classes, live music, fireworks, and more. Mar. 29-Apr. 14. Clearwater Beach. sugarsandfestival.com Tampa Pride, Gulfport Peace Love and Pride St. Pete Pride is Tampa Bay’s big gay celebration, but springtime is home to a pair of Bay area Prides including Tampa Pride,

Morean Arts Center

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 47

Indulge Your

Inner Foodie Introducing new dining options at Hilton Carillon Park hotel. Experience Luna Lux, Lakeside Cafe & The Terrace now open daily!

Reserve Now (727) 954-2140 THE TERRACE O U T D O O R

48 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

L O U N G E

MOVIES

THEATER

ART

CULTURE

Love, Gaspy

Florida author’s historical pirate romance novel reimagines the legend of José Gaspar. By Chelsea Zukowski

BOOKS

“It’s Tampa Bay’s story.”

COURTESY

here may not be much evidence that José But Gaspar soon discovers the ship is Gaspar ever existed, but a new historical captained by a ruthless pirate, who becomes romance novel gives the infamous pirate instrumental in his transformation from honthe tall tale he deserves. In “The Legend of orable Spanish servant to swashbuckling thief. Gasparilla,” author S.T. Fernandez weaves It takes Gaspar years to fully embrace his dark historical fact and fiction together to create a nature and proudly wear the moniker of pirate. sweeping and steamy love letter to both Gaspar Central to this romantic Gasparilla tale is and the culture born from the legendary “Last the pirate’s love interest, Joséfa de Mayorga, of the Buccaneers.” who is loosely based on conflicting folk stories “The story of Gasparilla had been on my of a Spanish princess whom Gaspar kidnaps. computer for decades,” Fernandez told Creative In Fernandez’s book, Joséfa’s father is based Loafing Tampa Bay. “I had been researching and on the real-life Martín de Mayorga, who was tucking away articles that Viceroy of New Spain in the told the story of Gaspar. I late 1700s. think that the most intriguUseppa Island in Lee ing thing for all of us who County is so named because ‘The Legend of Gasparilla: A Historical Pirate Romance’ have lived in the Tampa Bay of the lore surrounding area is, is this man real?” Joséfa. The island is just By. S.T. Fernandez. stfernandez.com Fernandez’s debut south of Gasparilla Island, novel is just as much an epic and spicy pirate which is, of course, named for José Gaspar. romance as it is an homage to the region that The novel’s Lieutenant Kearny also has a knows and loves Gaspar best: Tampa Bay. real-world counterpart in U.S. Navy Commodore The former Orlando resident who now lives Lawrence Kearny, who commanded the USS in California even dedicated the book to us— Enterprise in the West Indies (Caribbean) in “For the people of Tampa Bay. Hoist the sails the late 18th century. and fire the cannons!” Fernandez’s book is filled with historical “It’s Tampa Bay’s story,” she said. “José connections like these, from Gaspar’s trips to Gaspar belongs to Tampa Bay.” Spanishtown Creek (now known as Hyde Park) The book charts Gaspar’s life from admired to he and his crew’s founding of Gasparilla admiral in the Spanish navy to reluctant pirate in Island as a pirate oasis. Gaspar’s first mate the Caribbean and eventually to a fearsome legend. Rodrigo Lopez and John Gómez also appear “The actual legend is not a in the novel. romance by any means. This is Gaspar’s ship is still La a pirate through and through,” Floridablanca and his story ends Fernandez said. “But I said, well, in the same thrilling and mystewhy not turn this into a romance? Let’s just rious way—with an anchor and a chain in the change this story to José Gaspar, the Spanish waters of the Gulf of Mexico. admiral who fell from grace, who fell in love The author gives much credit to the Boca with this woman and was going to do everything Grande Historical Society and its archives, espethat he could to get back to her despite falling cially “The Story of Gasparilla” pamphlet from into darkness.” 1928. The brochure was used to advertise the The story is a twist on one version of Gasparilla Inn and attract tourists to Boca Gaspar’s story, purporting the pirate nick- Grande on Gasparilla Island. It’s also the first named Gasparilla was falsely accused of stealing and primary source of the Gaspar legend. the crown jewels from the king of Spain by a A reimagined version of the pamphlet scorned former lover. Facing arrest and severe appears as a sort of prologue in “The Legend punishment, Fernandez’s story shows Gaspar of Gasparilla.” befriending a fellow inmate who helps him “This pamphlet…that’s where the escape onto a ship out of town. story originated,” Fernandez said. “That’s

TWISTED OVER YOU: S.T. Fernandez reimagined the life of Tampa’s famed party pirate. fascinating to me. I just said, gosh, I really want to bring this story to life.” Myth, legend or something in between, the story of José Gaspar is foundational to the history and culture of the Tampa Bay area, especially to the city of Tampa’s Gasparilla celebration, which returns this weekend on Saturday, Jan. 27. The annual Pirate Fest has been invading the old Spanishtown village of Hyde Park and Bayshore Boulevard for over a century. “I wanted (readers) to understand just how much the story meant to the people of Tampa Bay,” Fernandez said.

Writing Gaspar’s tale also meant the world to Fernandez, whose family is from Spain and migrated to Puerto Rico during the rule of Francisco Franco. Fernandez fell in love with Tampa and its Spanish influences during excursions to the area when she was in college at St. Leo University. “Look at the architecture of downtown. Look at Columbia restaurant. It’s gorgeous down there,” she said. “(With writing the book), I took a lot of that and said to myself, we need to take that history and make it come alive in our own area.”

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 49

50 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

SPRING GUIDE REVIEWS

PROFILES

MUSIC WEEK

Always on my mind

The biggest concerts coming to Tampa Bay this spring. By Josh Bradley and Ray Roa

he 2024 concert calendar is a behemoth, and the slate of shows this spring is jampacked, too. There’s really no way to fit all the best concerts coming to Tampa Bay this spring onto one page of newsprint, but have a look below to see some of the biggest tickets on the agenda, and bookmark cltampa.com/music to stay in the loop. John Moreland w/Chris Staples From Sallisaw to Safety Harbor, Americana diehards fall down in the wake of John Moreland’s painfullyintrospective lyricism and deceptively-genius approach to songwriting. The 38-year-old Oklahoma-native last played SHAMC in 2018 and is on the road in support of his 2022 album, Birds in the Ceiling, where he challenged his fans by going in a more electronic, experimental direction for a record that still features a lot of the darkness from past outing, just in a different overcoat. Thursday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m. $35-$40. Safety Harbor Arts and Music Center, Safety Harbor

Willie Nelson & Family Ninety years old has never looked better on anyone than it has on Shotgun Willie. Last year alone, he was finally granted a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, while also expanding his fabled Outlaw Music Festival Tour, and releasing two new studio albums. The most recent one, Bluegrass, is Nelson’s first-ever Trigger-free collection of songs since acquiring the guitar, and features

guitarist who’s been called the future of the blues became is the latest addition to the Gasparilla Music Festival (GMF) lineup. The addition of the 24-year-old—who recently played headlining and festival sets in Clearwater—continues the festival’s tradition of bringing in fast-rising roots acts before they completely break out (Marcus King played in 2017). Also added to the lineup are masked, melodic Tampa rapper Pusha Preme (whose 2023 GMF appearance got rained out), plus Bay area rap scene staple Aych, party-ready punk-rock band Pet Lizard, Tampa’s godfather of hip-hop DJ Sandman, saxophonist Zeta the Babe and more. The additions come less than a month after GMF announced its initial 2024

Pantera w/Lamb of God Pantera lead vocalist Philip H. Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown— both living members of the best-known lineup of Pantera that included the late Dimebag Darrell and his brother, Vinnie Paul—are still in the band, and covering for the Abbotts are Ozzy guitar whiz Zakk Wylde, and longtime Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante. And as if the new all-star metal cast isn’t enough, Virginia-based metal outfit Lamb Of God is slated to open, along with more acts to be confirmed in the coming weeks. While the Abbotts’ Damageplan played Ybor City’s Masquerade in 2004, this will mark the first time that Pantera as a group has taken a stage in Tampa Bay since 1997, when it brought the “Great Southern Trendkill” tour to Expo Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds, with Anthrax in tow. Monday, Feb. 5. 7:00 p.m. $25.75 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa

SHOCK INK PR

Drake w/J Cole Tampa gets two dances with Drake this year. J. Cole, 38, appeared on Drake’s latest album, For All the Dogs, released last year, and welcomed Drizzy to his own Dreamville festival last April. Friday & Sunday, Feb. 2 & 4. 7 p.m. $85.75 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa

HE WON’T EVER BE GONE: The immortal Willie Nelson is coming back to Tampa Bay revamped versions of his timeless anthems in the style of, well, bluegrass. Saturday, Feb. 10. 7:30 p.m. $54.50 & up. The Sound, Clearwater Gasparilla Music Festival: Young The Giant w/Louis The Child/Big Gigantic/Lake Street Dive/Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram/Coin/Trevor Hall/Digable Planets/more Grammy-winning Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, a Mississippi-based,

lineup topped by indie-pop favorite Young The Giant, soulful Americana roots act Lake Street Dive, and livetronic hip-hop and jazz duo Big Gigantic. Friday-Sunday, Feb. 16-18. $45 & up. Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, Tampa William Elliott Whitmore w/Noan Partly Fourteen years after a legendary set at New World Brewery’s Ybor City location, William

Elliott Whitmore has plans to return to Tampa Bay. The 45-year-old Iowan will release his 11th studio album, Silently, The Mind Breaks, on Jan. 26 and be just outside of downtown Tampa a month later to support it. Noan Partly, a firebrand Bay area songwriter, and truly the most appropriate act to open for Whitmore, is also on the bill. Tuesday, Feb. 20. 7 p.m. $20. Hooch and Hive, Tampa Billy Joel w/Sting A tour was announced months after the Tampa Bay Sports Authority unveiled this show, but it marks the first time Joel and Sting have performed together. The two rock icons will perform separate sets, but likely join in on each other’s performances. Saturday Feb. 24. 7 p.m. $122 & up. Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Hiss Golden Messenger w/Color Green Jump for joy and crack open an Ol’ Grape, M.C. Taylor—the North Carolina songwriter and leader of Hiss Golden Messenger—is coming to town. Taylor is on the road supporting Hiss Golden Messenger’s 15th studio album. Jump For Joy finds the poignant-yet-sometimescynical songwriter channeling unabashed optimism into a somewhat autobiographical album about the life of a musician named Michael Crow. Monday, Feb. 26. 7 p.m. $25. Crowbar, Ybor City Florida Strawberry Festival: Oliver Anthony and more After earning the love and adoration of right-wingers, Oliver Anthony is continuing his “out of the woods” era and bringing his single “Rich Men North of Richmond” to Florida to kickoff the Strawberry Festival’s 2024 concert series. The songwriter—whose hit single features lyrics that demean obese people on food stamps in its Roganesque attempt at social commentary—became an overnight sensation last summer and closes out night one of the Strawberry Festival on Thursday, Feb. 29. Other artists coming to Plant City for 11 days of concerts include the Black Eyed Peas (March 2), surviving members of ZZ Top (March 4), country bro Riley Green (March 6) and Flo Rida (March 9). Tickets for the 2024 Florida Strawberry Festival headline concerts must be purchased in addition to admission to the festival, which runs Feb. 29-March 10 in Plant City. Enrique Iglesias w/Ricky Martin/Pitbull This most sexy triumvirate of Latin pop megatars has eight Grammy awards and sold hundreds of continued on page 52

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 51

DAILY HAPPY HOUR!11AM-6PM

NORMAN WONG

$3 YUENGLING & BUD LIGHT DRAFTS FRIDAY 1/26

LIVE MUSIC • 7-10PM

SATURDAY 1/27 LIVE MUSIC • 7-10PM

THE LITTLE RAZED BIG SHOW BY WOLVES

SUNDAYS

$4 WELL DRINKS / $5 CALL DRINKS & HOUSE WINE BLOODY MARYS, MIMOSAS OR SANGRIA PLUS...

FOOTBALL

FOOD & DRINK

SPECIALS

CARL AUGUST 6-9PM NIGHTS +.99 CENT CHICKEN WINGS WEDNESDAY 1/31

from 5PM

to CLOSE

471 MAIN STREET, DUNEDIN FL • 727-736-2BBQ (2227) • THEDUNEDINSMOKEHOUSE.COM

PARTY POLICE: It’s time to rev up with Alvvays. continued from page 51 millions of records. Shows on the “Trilogy” tour have been as long as four hours and featured what a press calls, “an electrifying mix of their biggest career-spanning hits with influences of reggaeton, salsa pop, dance and electronic music, backed by world-class production and state-of-the-art visuals.” Sunday, March 10. 7 p.m. $56.20 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa Tim McGraw w/Carley Pearce Ten years after he graced the cover of Men’s Health, Tim McGraw is still the leanest country music stud on the radio, and he’s giving fans a chance to see the bod—and revel in his body of work. A press release promises a huge production and McGraw’s biggest hits when the 56-year-old hits the road in support of his forthcoming 17th studio album, Standing Room Only (rest assured, seats will be available at the show). Friday, March 15. 7:30 p.m. $35.75 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa

bands. Late last year, 50 limited-edition copies of Alvvays’ gem of an album, Blue Rev, sold-out in minutes, and while the records were filled with the blue flavor of the Canadian malt liquor drink, fans have been drinking up the record since 2022 when it held up as one of the year’s best and benchmark setting power-pop albums. The show happens in the wake of the band’s NPR Tiny Desk debut and three months after Alvvays finds out whether or not its hit single “Belinda Says” is a Grammy-winner for Best Alternative Performance (competition in the category includes boygenius, Lana Del Rey, Paramore and Arctic Monkeys). Wednesday, May 1. 8 p.m. $30. The Ritz, Ybor City

SPRING GUIDE

Madonna Rumors of a new Madonna tour of stadiums and arenas across the globe swirled this time last year, and after rescheduling the show, Madge diehards can now revel in a tour that a press releases says takes fans through four decades on the Madonna’s career and pays respect to New York City where her career began. “I am excited to explore as many songs as possible in hopes to give my fans the show they have been waiting for,” Madonna added. Thursday, April 4. 7 p.m. $40 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa Alvvays Tampa Bay indie-rock fans have a chance get drunk on one of the genre’s buzziest

52 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

Waxahatchee w/Good Morning It took forever, but the world is starting to realize how much country music influences indierock. Those worlds don’t sound much better together than they do in the hands of Katie Crutchfield, and her band, Waxahatchee. Good Morning, an Australian indie-rock band supporting a handful of 2023 singles, opens the St. Pete show, along with Waxahatchee’s only other Florida date (May 4 in Orlando). The Bay area has not seen Crutchfield play a show since the 2017 Et Cultura festival when she played the since-revamped and renamed State Theatre as part of one of the best festival lineups in the region’s history. Waxahatchee’s new album, Tigers Blood, is due March 22, and is the follow up to the band’s acclaimed 2020 album, Saint Cloud, which was released at the height of the pandemic and became something of a warm blanket for a country forced to stay away from their community. Friday, May 3. 7 p.m. $27.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

R ES TAUR A N T | BA R | M U S I C V E N U E | PR I VAT E EV E N T S

EST. 1995

810 SKAGWAY AVE | TAMPA

LOCATED NEAR BUSCH & NEBRASKA

813.304.0460 | newworldtampa.com | OPEN TUE-SUN THURSDAY JANUARY 25 MUSIC HALL

EASY HONEY

W/ ROHNA + TAVERNS

B I E R G A R TE N

PETE HENRY

DOORS 7PM | SHOW 8PM $17 ADV | $20 DOS | 18+

(ONE-MAN BAND) 6:30PM - 8:30PM | $FREE

FRIDAY JANUARY 26

MUSIC HALL

ONE FIVE TWO PRODUCTIONS PRESENT:

CINEMA STEREO

W 1.31

JUSTIN HOWL

Th 2.1

COMEDY OPEN MIC

F 2.2

MATTHEW MCCARTNEY

F 2.2

DEAD ON A SUNDAY

Sa 2.3

W/ NO. 9 + ROSECOLD

OLD BONES

NEW WORLD ART + VENDOR DAY

Th 2.8

S.G. WOOD

F 2.9

THE NEWEST OLYMPIAN & POTTERLESS

F 2.9

JAMIE MCELMAN

SUNDAY JANUARY 28

Sa 2.10

GOZADERA

MONDAY JANUARY 29

Su 2.11

A CARNIVOROUS PLANT POP-UP

Tu 2.13

SMASH BROS TOURNAMENT

DOORS 6:30PM | SHOW 7PM | $10 ADV | $15 DOS | 18+

SATURDAY JANUARY 27

B I E R G A R TE N

FIL PATE LOOPS (LOOPER/SINGER-SONGWRITER) 7:30PM - 9:30PM | $FREE

RESTAURANT & BAR OPEN 11AM-11PM CLOSED

TUESDAY JANUARY 30

B I E R G A R TE N

TAKING BACK TAMPA

SUPER SMASH BROS MELEE TOURNAMENT | EVERY OTHER TUESDAY

BRACKET STARTS AT 6:30PM | $5 VENUE FEE | $5 TOURNAMENT ENTRY

UPCOMING CONCERTS

LAUGH LAB

Sa 2.3

W/ ACE MONROE, THE DIRTY JAMES, MORTAL SONS + PERSEPHONE'S CHOICE

JANNUSLIVE.COM

BOWLING FOR SOUP

SUN, JAN 28

THU, FEB 01

FRI, FEB 02

SAT, FEB 03

SUN, FEB 04

SUN, FEB 11

LATIN DANCE

EAT YOUR HEART OUT TAKING BACK TAMPA:

BOLD shows are in the Music Hall

VIP EXPERIENCE 727.688.5708 - KENDALL@JANNUSLIVE.COM

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 53

54 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

'S SKIPPER SMOKEHOUSE FLYING IN THE FACE OF CONVENTION SINCE 1980

FRI JAN 26 • 8PM $10-$13

THU JAN. 25-THU FEB. 01

MEMPHIS LIGHTNING

By Josh Bradley, Kyla Fields & Ray Roa C CL Recommends

THU 25

C Wyatt Flores w/Jonathan Peyton Ahead of dates opening for Mitski and a slot on his home state’s Born & Raised festival, Oklahoma songwriter Wyatt Flores plays an intimate show for anyone who likes to say they saw an artist when. With a piercing vocal a la Tyler Childers and an impeccable ear for harmony, the 24-year-old MexicanAmerican is an Island/Universal Records signee who represents hope for mainstream country and is in town as part of a short spring run with just three Florida dates and another at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House. (Crowbar, Ybor City)

FRI 26

Ernest If bro-country is your bag, you’re probably familiar with Ernest Smith in one fashion or another. The 32-year-old has written for the likes of Jason Aldean and Morgan Wallen (the latter duetted with Smith on the title track of his latest album, Flower Shops). It won’t be too much of a shock if he only brings himself and an acoustic guitar to Tampa’s hottest line dancing spot. And if you end up going only to check out a new talent, Ernest also opens for Brooks & Dunn at the ol’ Gary this summer. What have you got to lose? (Dallas Bull, Tampa) C Matthew Lowry & The Flamingo County Players w/Here Here/Marrison In the “Coming For You” video, Matthew Lowry’s Flamingo County Players compete in some kind of backyard olympic games. The Orlando outfit could make a medal stand in a rawk ranking though, all on the strength of the unit’s brawny, good-time riffs from the its latest, Flamingo County, recorded in Lakeland at Aaron Marsh’s Vanguard Room. The record is the perfect soundtrack for smoking weed with your friends, or growing your hair out. It's also got space for listeners to reflect on family and what it means. Lowry’s band is on a weekender that includes a hometown stop at the Norsekorea 13th anniversary show, plus this one alongside City Beautiful emo band Here Here and Lakeland grunge-rock outfit Marrison. (Hooch and Hive, Tampa)

+ SPECIAL GUESTS

SAT JAN 27 • 8PM $22-$25

ROAD TO ROCK BOAT

ALCHEMICAL RECORDS

Ace Monroe w/Cinema Stereo/Domino Pink/Meteoreyes/The Roulettes On Monroe’s new eponymous album—half of which was tested while on the road—inspiration lies in breakup letters, billboards, and a weekend in the North Carolina mountains. Hell, there’s even a Cheap Trick cover only four songs in. The hard-rock quintet, flooded with influence from the groups of the ‘70s and ‘80s, kicks off its year in Florida, with additional gigs at Tampa’s New World Brewery, as well as in Orlando, Jacksonville, and Pompano Beach, respectively. (Oscura, Bradenton)

W/ RED WANTING BLUE SUN JAN 28 • 11AM-12PM

SLOWDOWN SUNDAYS

Matthew Lowry & the Flamingo County Players Tanner Usrey The Texas-bred singer-songwriter is set to play Bonnaroo this summer and has dropped a handful of traditionally melancholic singles onto streaming services. With the recent release of his gritty debut album Crossing Lines—which is heavily built on an acoustic guitar foundation—Usrey will be seeing his tracks appear in far more television than “Yellowstone” in no time. He makes what appears to be his Tampa Bay debut this weekend with no support act currently lined up. (Orpheum, Tampa)

SAT 27

C Al Di Meola The latter quarter of 2023 was a scary one for Di Meola. While onstage in Europe, the 69-year-old began to suffer a heart attack. While he had the strength to walk offstage immediately, he had to postpone all tour dates. The Return To Forever guitar whiz seems to be doing better, because not only is he bringing his “Electric Years” tour to Clearwater—in which he’ll revisit his days of working with Chick Corea and beyond—but he apparently has a new album set for release sometime this spring. (Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater) C Barely Pink w/Florida/Ed Wotil and the Good Losers Described as “Tampa Bay’s Power Pop icons” Barely Pink plays a rare reunion gig for the 20th anniversary of its popular Last Days of Summer album. Although Barely Pink’s lineup has shifted over its 27-year existence, the local band has remained devoted to its steadfast pop anthems and “irony-free” rock n’ roll throughout the years. Alternative and americana singer-songwriter Billy Summer and Ed Wotil’s pop band the Good Losers joins Barely Pink on Bayboro Brewing’s stage this week. (Bayboro Brewing, St. Petersburg)

Chew w/Liquid Pennies/Jensu If you’re a metalhead and want some instrumentals the next time you get high, Atlanta-based psychedelic metal outfit Chew might just be your perfect fit. Its latest album Horses (stylized “HORSES”) was born out of a mental dream sequence in 2021, when members Sarah Wilson, Brett Reagan, and Morgan Soltes locked themselves in their rehearsal space a few times, just to look for licks and riffs that sounded passable. “We did all we could to salvage the integrity of the original dreams, but we did lose a lot in the process,” the band wrote in the album’s BandCamp bio. Physical copies are sold out online, but you’ll probably be able to find a few at this Bradenton gig loaded with St. Pete support. (Oscura, Bradenton) C One Deviant Year: Deviant Libation 1st Anniversary Party w/The Path of Increased Indifference/TJ Trainwreck/ Tiger 54 Against most odds, Ybor Heights brewery Deviant Libation is thriving in its niche of unique sours, stacked hardcore gigs and its beloved, cathedral-inspired interior. Despite the rest of the Crab Devil art compound failing to open its doors (after three years of hard work nonetheless), owner and award-winning brewer Tim Ogden and the rest of his team has worked hard to build Deviant Libation from the ground up. To celebrate all that hard work, the brewery hosts a day-long party filled with beer releases, specialty cocktails and performances from a variety of Tampa bands like Ogden’s hardcore group The Path of Increased Indifference, “$p00kY Bitche$” singer TJ Trainwreck and “industrial synthpunk” act Tiger 54. The party itself kicks off at 2 p.m. with music starting at 6 p.m. (Deviant Libation, Tampa)

continued on page 56

DONATION BASED

SLOW FLOW YOGA IN THE SKIPPERDOME! SUN JAN 28 • 1PM-4PM $FREE

ACOUSTIC SUNDAYWITHBRUNCH

SHANE MEADE HAPPY HOUR

THURSDAY• ALL DAY! *ENDS 1HR BEFORE SHOW TIME* FRIDAY • 4-8PM TWENTY OZ DOMESTIC DRAFTS: $4 GLASSES OF HOUSE WINES: $3.50 NOW SERVING SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS ONLY!

BRUNCH

SKIPPER'S SMOKEHOUSE SMOKEHOUSE

910 SKIPPER ROAD • TAMPA

813-971-0666

SKIPPERSSMOKEHOUSE.COM

LIVE MUSIC VENUE RESTAURANT CATERING TALENT AGENCY TA LICENSE #438

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 55

continued from page 55 Tantric w/Lydia Can’t Breathe The buttrock band from Louisville has come to Tampa fairly frequently in the last few years, but as of last year, frontman Hugo Ferreira is the only remaining original member left in the group. Nonetheless, his new comrades are still set to play tracks off of Tantric’s latest album (well, 2021 Tantric, anyway), The Sum of All Things and beyond. Up-and-coming metal outfit Lydia Can’t Breathe opens. (Brass Mug, Tampa)

SUN 28

C Bowling For Soup w/Lit/The Dollyrots Whether you want to go back to when there were still music videos on MTV, or to staying home sick from school and binge-watching “Phineas and Ferb” and “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius” (both of which the band wrote the respective theme songs for), Bowling For Soup has a way of making you remember a simpler time. Other than a cover of Miley Cyrus’ Grammy-nominated track “Flowers,” even its latest projects are rerecordings of greatest hits, most of which you’ll probably hear at this biannual Tampa Bay appearance. And, how the hell can you say no to seeing husband-and-wife punk duo The Dollyrots play opener for Jaret Reddick and friends, and Lit? (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg) C Circle Back w/Heavy is the Head/ Jar Hailing all the way from Charleston is “metallic” hardcore five-piece Circle Back, which headline’s Deviant Libation’s outdoor stage alongside tourmates Heavy is the Head from Virginia and local punkers Jar. All three bands on this brewery-hosted bill fit neatly into the hardcore and metal genres, despite each having a unique sound and heavy melodies. After Tampa’s Sunday night gig, Circle Back and Heavy is the Head wrap up their winter tour in Orlando, Panama City and Pompano Beach before heading back up to their respective home states. This Sunday night gig was originally slated to happen at Hooch and Hive, so make sure you don’t mix your venues up. (Deviant Libation, Tampa) The Intracoastals The reggae four-piece brings its beachy ditties to a “Sunday service” at Florida’s oldest microbrewery. Don’t hold back if saxophonist Rachel Welch is selling and signing copies of her “Weed Bible,” which was published last fall. (Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin) Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken Aiken, a 45-year-old performer-slash-politician, is more than his Broadway experience with “American Idol” alum Ruben Studdard, you know. Aiken also appeared in “Spamalot” as everyone’s favorite chickenshit, Sir Robin. It would definitely be a treat to see the “Apprentice” contestant (who despises Donald Trump) back in New York—now that the Monty Python musical is back on Broadway—but in the meantime, his gig with Studdard will consist of soft rock covers, and surely a few anecdotes about their 20-year friendship. (Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo) C Tiesto Fifty-five year-old Dutch producer and DJ Tijs Michiel Verwest, better known as Tiesto, has gained impressive titles like “godfather of EDM” and “best DJ of the

last 20 years” over his almost four decadelong career. We just hope the weather for this outdoor, poolside gig is sunny enough to give this Grammy award-winning DJ a warm, Sunshine State welcome. Tieso’s set may transcend popular electronic genres like trance, deep bass, tropical house and hardcore techno, but fans may most likely hear his latest tunes, like 2023 single “Thank You (Not so Bad)” and 2022’s “10:35.” (Hard Rock Event Center Pool at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa)

Florist

THU 01

C Highly Suspect w/Dead Poet Society After a hefty few years promoting its latest, ultra-raw album The Midnight Demon Club, Cape Cod rock band Highly Suspect appears to be winding down in 2024 for the most part. But not before playing a trio of in Florida shows, where the band’s first full-fledged, post-COVID run actually commenced in 2022, as a part of the inaugural Tampa version of Innings Fest. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg) C Joe Popp w/Dave Reeder/Jeremy Gloff Joe Popp’s in a lot of headlines about him “coming home.” The singer-songwriter was a Bay area scene champ in the ‘90s (he even starred in a ‘96 Fox baseball commercial where he appeared alongside MLB great Lenny Dykstra at the since closed Junction Pizza) and even wrote and produced musicals for Jobsite Theater. Cross your fingers for cuts from Popp’s eponymous trio or old punk band Dogs On Ice when he plays comes home again for a show alongside beloved songwriters Jeremy Gloff and Car Bomb Driver’s Dave Reeder. (Hooch and Hive, Tampa) C John Moreland w/Chris Staples Described as a “compelling blend of acoustic folk and avant garde pop playfulness,” Oklahoma-based singer-songwriter John Moreland will bring his latest group of songs—2022’s nine-track LP Birds in the Ceiling—to Safety Harbor, with some help from Florida native and opener Chris Staples. Moreland got his start by playing in metal and hardcore bands as a teen and eventually moved towards alternative-rock with his debut album in 2008. He made his eventual pivot to acoustic folk a few years later and is now known for his raw, scratchy vocals and tender, yet introspective lyrics. It seems like tickets to Moreland’s stop in Pinellas County are sold-out, but the venue still has a waiting list for any hopeful fans. (Safety Harbor Art and Music Center, Safety Harbor) C Lucinda Williams The 70-year-old country-rock icon had a hell of a lineup on her latest album, Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart, her first since a 2020 stroke that robbed Williams of her ability to play guitar. Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa provide backing vocals on lead single “New York Comeback,” while Steve Ferrone of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (whose final three shows Williams opened, merely a week before Petty’s sudden death) plays drums on the majority of tracks. Margo Price even makes two contributions, one in each half of the 10-track record. Williams will be leaning on her band, Buick 6 for all instrumentation, but don’t change the locks: It’s still a

56 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

DAVE DECKER

two-and-a-half-hour gig with her at the forefront. (Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater) Melody Trucks w/The Tony Tyler Band Usually, the only member of Allman Brothers drummer Butch Trucks’ family Tampa Bay gets to see headline a gig on a regular basis is his nephew Derek, when he’s playing alongside his wife in Tedeschi Trucks Band. But next Thursday, the late drummer’s daughter Melody—an acclaimed percussionist with her own dynamic stage presence—performs under the Skipperdome with her own ensemble. Don’t be surprised if Sarasota resident Berry Duane Oakley—a fellow Allman Brothers family member—shows up for a guest spot, or just to enjoy himself. (Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa) C Rock The Park Tampa: Florist w/The Easy Button/SV Noir The minds behind Curtis Hixon Park’s beloved Rock the Park series (ie. Brokenmold Entertainment) certainly know how to put together an eclectic, yet exciting lineup, and February’s installement is no different. Folks can enjoy the “heavy stoner psyche sounds” of Tampa’s own Florist alongside soothing R&B vocals

from solo artist SV Noir and easy-listening pop rock from The Easy Button. And if these free local tunes make you hungry, you can always grab a plate from Jam Dish, a local Jamaican pop-up. (Curtis Hixon Park, Tampa) What We Seek w/Royal Hearts/ Ceraburial/Scapeghost Orlando-based metalcore act What We Seek headlines Bradenton’s go-to venue with support from post-hardcore band Royal Hearts, Brookesville’s Ceraburial and melodic pop punkers from The ‘Burg, Scapeghost. What We Seek is kicking off a multi-month run of shows throughout the southeast deemed “The Digital Damnation” tour, where fans will hear songs from its self-titled LP from 2022 and its latest single, 2023’s “Overcome.” While What We Seek’s Christian themes may be buried in its deeply melodic riffs and midsong breakdowns, those themes are quite apparent in tracks like “Found My Way” and “Fire From God.” (Oscura, Bradenton) See an extended version of this listing—and submit your gig to the CL concert calendar— via cltampa.com/music.

p r es

e n ts

UPCOMING SHOWS ON SALE NOW!

BERRY DUANE OAKLEY from ALLMAN BETTS BAND BERRY DUANE LESOAKLEY DUDEK from ALLMAN BETTS BAND Columbia Recording Artist recorded ‘Brothers & Sisters’ with THE ALLMAN BROS. BAND Columbia Recording Artist recorded ‘Brothers & Sisters’ with ALLMAN BROS. BAND originalTHE GRATEFUL DEAD pianist

LES DUDEK TOM CONSTANTEN t TOM CONSTANTEN MARK KARAN original GRATEFUL DEAD pianist t from THE OTHER ONES, BOB WEIR RATDOG MARK KARAN SCOTT GUBERMAN

APRIL 5 SCOTT PETEGUBERMAN LAVEZZOLI

JULY 1

from THE OTHER ONES, BOBLESH WEIR&RATDOG from PHIL FRIENDS

Jannus Live PETE LAVEZZOLI

fromOTEIL PHIL LESH & FRIENDS from JAZZ IS DEAD, & FRIENDS, JGB special guest BOBBY LEE RODGERS from JAZZ IS DEAD, OTEIL & FRIENDS, JGB special guest BOBBY LEE RODGERS

JANUARY 28

FRIDAY, APRIL 05 BOWLING FOR JANNUS LIVE05 FRIDAY, APRIL SOUP + LIT JANNUS LIVE Jannus Live jamming the music of

Jannus Live APRIL 27

MARIAH THE SCIENTIST Jannus Live

grateful DEAD & the allman bros. BAND jamming the music of Now gratefulGet DEADTickets & the allman bros. BAND

FEBRUARY 13

MAY 3

Jannus Live

DESTIN CONRAD Get Tickets Now

WAXAHATCHEE

FEBRUARY 21

JUNE 15

Jannus Live

The Ritz Ybor

TWIN TEMPLE

OCEAN ALLEY

MARCH 15

LESS THAN JAKE Jannus Live

FOR TICKETS & UP-TO-DATE CONCERT INFO VISIT NOCLUBS.COM @NOCLUBS

tix&info: www

dot

aestheticized

dot

com

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 57

WINNER BEST KARAOKE 4 YEARS IN A ROW

7 Nights a Week! AT

hoot gibson & MARTY DJFX DOLAN

with KJ's

DINE IN & DINE IN & TAKE OUT • OPEN 8AM-3AM TAKE OUT 2116 E BAY DR • LARGO, FL • 727-584-3126 2116 E BAY DR • LARGO, FL • 727-584-3126

thecornerbarandgrill.com thecornerbarandgrill.com

58 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

Friendly fired By Caroline DeBruhl

Dear Oracle, I know, I know. “Don’t mix business with friendship.” Well, I did just that. I hired two friends to do a job for me, and I’m very disappointed by the end result. It was an expensive mistake. I don’t think they delivered, and if it was anyone else, I would let them know and not hire them again. But I don’t want to sink this friendship. How should I navigate this?— Friendly fire(d) Cards: Knight of Swords (reversed), Four of Swords, Ace of Pentacles, Five of Wands (reversed) Dear Friendly, bad business has sunk many a relationship, be they romantic, familial, friendly, or diplomatic. I’m sorry you’re on both the receiving end of a service/product that didn’t deliver, and I’m sorry that you have to walk this high wire. The cards, interestingly enough, can be read two ways. The Knight of Swords is honest and bold. The Four of Swords can be about removing the ego, while the Five of Wands is about conflict and war, and the Ace of Pentacles is about steadfast work. You can be honest and bold about your disappointment. You can leave your personal feelings—the ego—at the door and treat this just as a business decision. It will, of course, end with some hostility and fighting. That path will most likely sour the relationship if it doesn’t sink it completely.

DMITRIY/ADOBE

a subpar job but be honest that you’re looking for something different. And then schedule a time to hang out as soon as possible, so embarrassment and resentment don’t build and the friendship dies anyway from neglect. Best of luck, my dear.

However, the cards are nuanced and do offer a second path that isn’t so blunt. The Court of Swords is clever. While the honest Knight moves fast and lives boldly, he does possess some of the Dear Oracle, I’ve got those Winter blues. Any analytical traits of the King. You can be tactful advice for getting through damp and depressing with your honesty and strategize with it. January?—Winter Bummerland The Four of Swords, too, is not only about the death of the ego but the awareness of limiCards: The Lovers (reversed), Knight of tations. It might not be that your friends did a Wands, Three of Pentacles, Three of Wands purposeful lousy job. It just might have been a Dear Winter, recently, while on the phone job beyond their ability. with the receptionist at my therapist’s office, I Which brings us back to the Five of Wands. asked if it was busy this time of the year. “Oh This can be a card of war, and telling your yeah,” she said. “We have, like, three times as friends they fucked up and many clients in January as cost you a pretty penny would we do in June.” certainly ensure some hostilSo, while my evergreen ity and rage. But, it can also advice of “seek professional be a card of working together help from a licensed therato overcome that hostility Send your questions to oracle@cltampa. pist” still stands, I realize and hardship. It might be com or DM @theyboracle on Instagram you might have to wait for that in order for your friends an appointment. So, this is to do a good job, you need to be more involved: the advice for the meantime. a captain rather than a customer. It is important to remember that while malIf you can frame it as you’re all on the same aise may feel dull or numbing, Depression is a side, then I think you have a better chance of sonofabitch that is trying to isolate you in order saving this friendship. No one likes to hear that to kill you. Relationships are vital in fighting it they did a bad job; to hear it from a friend is twice off, which we can see here with The Lovers. The as embarrassing. If you don’t want to hire them King of Wands, too, is a fiery figure, one who is again (and don’t feel like you “have to”), frame it active in getting what he wants and protective in a way that still gives them the benefit of the of those he loves. You have to protect yourself doubt. Again, they probably didn’t mean to do like you’re a precious thing, and you need to

ORACLE OF YBOR

actively seek out your friends. Don’t just wait for a party or a concert. Invite people over to watch TV, go for an evening walk, or do something low-key that can easily fit into your schedule and energy level. With the Three of Pentacles and Three of Wands together, I’m actually going to go with lesser-used interpretations of artistry and higher perspective (respectfully) and suggest some creativity as a cure. I don’t know if you currently have an art or are thinking of dabbling, but turning to an artistic pursuit at this time will be a great way to buoy yourself. You can even combine friendship and art and do something collaborative or host a “draw-jam” type of event where people come to do their lonesome art together. (Or a regular jam session if you’re a musician or a party where you play Oulipo games if you’re a writer.) The point being, in this harsh month in these bleak times, you need a steady diet of love and art to feed the soul. That love can be romantic, friendly, or familial. That art can be solitary or collaborative, new or a deeper study. Hopefully, this, plus some talk therapy, can help you through the wintery days. (Also, while not in the cards, I do staunchly believe January is the time for deeply spiced food, preferably jewel-toned in shade: anything with turmeric, cumin, chilis, or ginger, dotted with pomegranate seeds and pistachios. Eating things that are fiery and bright and comforting isn’t a cure-all, but it’s certainly better armor for the soul than a cold salad. Save that shit for June.)

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 59

60 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

Script doctor By Dan Savage

I’m a cishet woman, married 20 years, three kids at home. My marriage is generally happy but it’s also sexless. Being “companionate” was his decision, not mine. The absence of sex is driving me crazy, so my husband has given me his blessing to get sex elsewhere. It’s tricky, though, as it’s hard for me to be sexually attracted to someone without feeling a special connection. I’ve tried the apps, but the thought of discussing the mechanics of sex with someone I’ve just met on Hinge or Bumble or whatever leaves me cold. The thing is, I periodically develop crushes on male colleagues. I work in a project-based industry where everyone works on three-to-fourmonth contracts. We come together, work hard, get to know each other quickly, and then head off to new jobs. So, fucking someone I met at work feels like the perfect solution. And there is currently a guy at work that I’m having the most intense flirtation with. The flirting is off the charts and it’s driving me insane. But he’s happily married with a child at home. So, how do I find out if he wants the same thing I do? I get the impression he desires me as much as I do him, but this doesn’t mean he wants to have sex with me. I also don’t want to cause drama or accidentally blow his life up. I just want to have sex with him. There must be other people out there in sexless marriages or open marriages who have hall passes like mine but how do I find out if he is one of them? Do I have to ask? Can you give me a script? I don’t want to offend him or make things awkward, even if the awkwardness only lasts the few weeks until the end of our contracts. I would also hate to be accused of inappropriate workplace behavior. What can I do?—Workmate Only Wonderland On the one hand… your workplace crush could be flirting with you because you’re a married woman with a husband and kids at home and he assumes your marriage is monogamous—most straight marriages are—and regards flirting with you as harmless because 1. he hasn’t been paying attention to evolving standards of workplace conduct and 2. he doesn’t think there could be any repercussions, personal or professional, because [see 1] and you’re a married woman, WOW, and so nothing sexual and/or dramatic and/or actionable can happen. On the other hand… your workplace crush could be flirting with you because he wants to fuck you and he may even have his wife’s OK to fuck other people—he may, like you, have the hall pass he needs—but he’s kept the flirting within the zone of plausible deniability because 1. he actually has paying attention to evolving standards of workplace conduct and 2. he doesn’t know if you’re allowed to fuck

other people and doesn’t want to cause drama or accidentally blow your life up. On the other other hand… he may not be flirting with you at all, WOW, and your sexual deprivation (and desperation) has induced a really bad case of clitful thinking. If you wanna make something happen—if you wanna fuck this guy or even know if fucking this guy is a possibility—you’re gonna have to risk asking him if he wants anything to happen. And seeing as you asked me to script this for you, WOW, I’m gonna assume you’re willing to run the risk. So, I’ve written your lines for you, WOW, now you all have to do is memorize them (and your best impression of Meg Ryan, circa 1993): “We’ve been flirting—at least I think we’ve been flirting—please stop me if I somehow got the wrong impression—but if we have been flirting, I wanted you to know—before our contract ends and we go our separate ways—that my marriage is open. I don’t want to leave my husband—I truly love my husband—which means I’m no threat to your marriage. So, if your marriage is open or companionate or something close, we’d be a really good match—as affair partners go—since I don’t want to take you away from your wife and child. I just want to fuck your brains out and I’m pretty sure you want to fuck mine out. What do you say?” Finally, WOW, since hitting on coworkers isn’t a risk you’re gonna wanna take regularly, and since this particular workplace crush is going to leave town when your contract ends whether he’s down to fuck or not, I’ve taken the liberty of drafting some suggested language for your profile on Binge or Humble or whatever: “I’m in a loving, stable, companionate marriage and I’m not looking to leave my husband. But I don’t feel sexual attraction in the absence of actual affection. So, if you’re willing to meet up at least twice to make a real connection, we might be a match. If you’re not willing to make even a minimal investment of time and energy, we’re definitely not a match.”

SAVAGE LOVE

There’s a chance I’m engaging in some dickful thinking here. I’m a late-30s, non-binary, queer transmasc who passes as a man. I have a circle of outdoor “activity buddies.” It’s not a sexual thing, more of a we-go-hiking-and-camping thing. I took a shine to one of these friends on our first group trip. He’s strong and an athlete, and yet he’s incredibly sweet. This friend is a few years older, divorced, with nearly grown kids. He’s one of the few in the group that I’ve told I’m trans. After a recent overnight group trip, I realized that I have a crush on my cis and probably het after

he opened up to me about his kids (one of whom is non-binary!) and a recent date with a woman. I don’t know if it’s insane to want to tell him how I’m feeling. For what it’s worth, my spouse also likes him and telling Spouse how I was feeling inspired us to talk about moving toward a more open marriage. Now I keep having daydreams about landing this guy as a FWB and sharing him with Spouse. Am I, as the kids say, completely delulu here? Is there a chance in hell that my friend would be down for a little experimentation with my exotic self? (I haven’t had bottom surgery.) Is this a case of “you can’t know until you ask”? If so, can you give me a script?—Longshot Longing So… you’re not only hoping Crush is attracted to men and/or is willing to make an exception for a man with a vagina—which some online types consider transphobic—you’re also hoping you’re that man, LL. And that’s not all: you’re hoping your marriage can smoothly transition to not just open, but poly, and that Crush is just as into Spouse as Spouse is into Crush. That’s a lot to hope for. While Crush could be bi or pan or open to sleeping with trans men who haven’t had bottom surgery, LL, it sounds like he’s straight. And if Crush joined this we-gohiking-and-campi n g -

butnotfucking group because he was seeking meaningful friendships with other men—too many straight men report having no friends at all and more straight men should join groups like the one you describe— your “ask” may not only derail your friendship, LL, but ruin this group for Crush and Crush for this group. Given the odds that Crush is heteroflexible or bi or willing to make an exception for a trans man who hasn’t had bottom surgery—and you’re that man—are slim, and given the odds that, even if he’s into you, he’d be into Spouse, whom he’s presumably never met, are even slimmer—I

would urge you to keep your mouth shut for the time being. If he begins to telegraph any interest in you at all, if he gives you some unambiguous sign, then you can make the first move. (First moves are asks, not lunges; use your words, not your hands.) And even then, LL, you should open by asking for the “no” you’re hoping not to get: “I have a crush on you—if you’re not interested for any reason, please tell me and I will absolutely take your no for a final answer. And if this makes things awkward between us, I’ll do whatever you need me to do to get past the awkwardness, including giving you all the space you need, including skipping the next few overnight group trips.” I’ve recently entered into a long-distance relationship with someone six years younger. This may not seem like a huge age gap, but since we’re both in our 20s, it feels significant. I’ve been told by everyone in my life that I’m too old for him and that the affection, support, and commitment he’s flinging my way is due to his age and lack of experience. All my friends say that once he’s gotten older, he’ll move on to someone else. So far, it’s been the most loving and serious relationship I’ve ever been in, despite the fact that it’s long distance. I think if we were in our 30s, the six-year age gap wouldn’t be important, but since the difference between 22 and 28 can be vast, I don’t know how to proceed. I feel some overwhelming judgment from close friends, and everyone is telling me to get out because he’ll probably leave me anyway. He’s very committed and looking for ways to move to my city, even though it’s only been a little over a month. Should I take him seriously? What do I tell my friends? And what if they’re right?— Continental Age Difference Tell your friends this: “Most relationships don’t work out. People meet, hookup, feel like they’re really into each other, and then it fizzles out for whatever reason. But it can’t work out—nothing ever works out—if we aren’t at least willing to give it a chance. And I’m going to give this a chance.” That said, CAD, this boy’s willingness to move to the city where you live after four weeks is a pink flag. Tell him you want to keep seeing him but unless he was already planning to move to your city for some other reason (work, school, whatever), you wanna keep the doing longdistance thing for at least another six months. Because as good and right as this may feel four weeks in, it’s too soon for a move that big. If he can’t hear that without melting down, that’s a bad sign. If he’s willing to wait, that’s a good sign. P.S. I met a guy when I was 30 who was only 23—and we’re still together 29 years later. P.P.S. Find better friends. Got problems? Everyone does! Send your question to mailbox@savage.love! Podcasts, columns and more at Savage.Love

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 61

creative loafing puzzler

Buying Old Guitars & Old Musical Instruments I buy old musical instruments. ANY CONDITION THE OLDER, THE BETTER !

IS ALCOHOL A PROBLEM?

CALL OR TEXT (937) 767-2326

ADVERTISE

HERE! Contact Anthony Carbone:

acarbone@cltampa.com 813.956.4429

If You Want To Drink, That's Your Business

If You Want To Stop, That Is Ours Call Alcoholics Anonymous For More Information

813.933.9123 AA Meetings at WWW.AATAMPA-AREA.ORG

69 Threat to peace? 102 Drinking toast 3 Impression 65 Affront 66 Fiddler on the 4 Painter of Grand 70 Lit. compilation 103 Like a certain Life Saver Roof role 72 Put a dent in Jatte fame by Merl Reagle 67 Quayle’s home 105 Old enough 5 Shade tree 73 Clams (up) 71 Pie ___ ACROSS 6 Ogle 74 Currier & Ives 107 Ornamental 73 Wild plums nailheads 1 Long-billed 7 “Whatever-yourprint 75 Hit on the head waders name-is” 76 Actor Reeves 109 Fashion’s Ricci 77 Groan-inducing, 7 Long-tailed 8 Feat of Klee? 79 As much as you 110 90 degrees from as a pun squawker norte 9 Lit. analysis like, 1960s-style 12 Practitioners’ org. 78 Billiard table’s rim 10 More spacious 111 A relative of 80 As a joke 82 Helping hand for 11 Sad 15 Actress Joanne mine? 81 Like The Taming Morticia 18 Reo rival 112 Singer Horne 12 Rose’s guy of the Shrew 83 Serengeti 19 King novel 13 Like a bodybuilder 82 Office comedy, 115 Dutch cheese stampeder 20 Where Jackson 116 Utah ski area 14 Poe, partly 9 ___ 87 Unconscious got his “Stonewall” 117 High-schooler 15 Bond classic 83 Decrease 88 Part of B.C.E. nickname 118 Shannon Lucid’s 16 Loutish 84 Slender wire 90 Pointy 22 John Dunlop’s home for 188 17 Young ___ nails 1888 invention for 91 House tops days 19 Reversible car 85 Silas Marner girl 92 N.Y.C. closes it on bicycles 120 Talk a lot model 86 Memorable Easter Sunday 24 See 129 Across 121 Flamenco 21 Covered with Robin of 95 Day break 25 Cook fast, as a dancer’s shout wool Locksley 96 Dinghy thingy steak 122 ___ whim 23 ___ story 89 Prepared to 98 ___ reaction 26 Pastor’s abbr. 28 Animal rights grp. travel again 99 Cousin of 911 27 Harrison’s 30 Liquid Plumr rival 93 Perceptive 100 Apiece nickname 31 Lethal loop 94 Night bear 101 Group with no 29 Girl of song 32 Singer John 96 Furry river coverage? 33 Needle part 35 Slangy assent animal 34 Spanish number 104 ___ degree 36 Yale of university 97 Of light’s ability 106 Wind dir. 35 Beige, for one fame to produce 108 Space Needle city PUZZLE FANS ! 39 Start of a city chemical 109 Soft, white French 37 The Jungle author 41 “Tool Time” For info on Merl's Sinclair cheese changes, as in subject Sunday crossword 38 Klemperer et al. 113 Maui memento 44 Snow-capped photography anthologies, visit 114 Atkins diet staple 40 Shorten a peak www.sunday 101 Rob Roy sentence? 118 Goof 45 ___ glance crosswords.com. portrayer 42 Teed off 119 Best way to solve 46 A giant among 43 Intro to “Yes, you!” this puzzle Solution to Surprise Endings Giants 47 Outspoken sister- 123 Prime candidate? 47 Skier’s concern B O P H A H A B U S S T A L C 48 Done in by in-law of Vietnam’s 124 Date for Daisy A N A A L A C K I N E R T A L OH A Kasparov B E V E R L Y H I L L S C OW S I B O N Duck President Diem AWA R EO F N I GE L I T T L CD 125 Existing from birth 49 Part of SUV, for in the 1960s R A N I F I DD L E RON T H E ROOK short 50 2000 Super Bowl 126 Norma ___ Y E N S E R S ROS E E L L E UC L A A P L UM A S I L A Y 51 Director’s word 127 Wynn et al. player MA RR I E D T O T H EMOP ON Y X 53 Salad type 128 Plumber’s tool 52 ___ voce E L I O T S H A I G U T A 129 Columbus’s 1503 57 The Beatles, e.g. D I P S A S T A L U S T F O R L I F T 54 Saver’s option 58 1960s ring master CI BI TI SI Z RE NE PK RA ON T P GE UR SF ST CA EF OR OS discovery, 55 Came down with 59 Do “the most 56 Sweet, crunchy I S T E A T A A S T AGE with 24 Across T H A N AMA NC A L L E DHOR S T important job center T H E NC E A L DOS A L A I in the world” 61 Leader of the DOWN R E S T G I R L I V E P A T S I S P I T ON YOURGR A V Y CH E R 60 Addis ___ Mel-Tones 1 They’re up to A T E U S C S T OA E E A T H E R E 63 As Good As It 62 Go too far with something D I R E R A R A I S I N I N T H E S U B S N I C K SOUC I E S T E E EMU Gets Oscar-winner 2 Fish or wish 66 Demon barber K AOS B R A N A H SO A S S follower 64 Barrister’s order? 68 Israeli desert

TOTALLY NEW!

18 22

73 82

109

106

107

111

116

117

102

103

112

113

114

119

123

124

125

128

129

127

108

118

126

95 101

105

110

94 100

104

93 99

76 84

66 71

83 88

65 70

41 48

64 67

52 57

34 39

28 33

38 45

26 29

62 | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | cltampabay.com

120

121

122

115

cltampabay.com | JANUARY 25-31, 2024 | 63

11206 Sullivan St • Riverview, FL • 33578 donovansmeatery.com