Creative Loafing Tampa — January 26, 2023

POLITICS ISSUES OPINION

Won’t back down

Tampa City Council overrides several mayoral vetoes.

By Justin Garcia

Last Thursday, Tampa City Council shot down four of Mayor Jane Castor’s attempts to block voters from deciding on potential changes to the city’s charter. But three council members voted against giving the public the right to vote on giving the police citizens review board an independent attorney.

The votes came after Castor blindsided council members in a Tampa Bay Times Op-Ed, which said that she was vetoing council’s past decision to leave the suggested changes up to the voters. Castor argued that the changes would do harm to Tampa’s “strong mayor” form of government and wrote that the proposed changes weren’t deliberate and transparent enough— even though residents have been calling for several of the changes for years.

Council members Lynn Hurtak, Bill Carlson and Orlando Gudes immediately pushed back on the mayor’s move. To overturn the mayor’s red pen, five out of the seven council members were required to vote against each veto.

The four proposed changes that will now go to the voters include: allowing city council to create oversight boards, making sure council approves department heads before appointment, prohibiting council members from serving more than four consecutive terms, and having the Charter Review Commission convene every eight years, instead of every decade.

The independent attorney for the Police Citizens Review Board (CRB) failed on the floor, with Charlie Miranda, Guido Maniscalco and Joe Citro voting against it. In response, Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak vowed to present the CRB attorney as an ordinance later in the meeting.

Before the votes, council chair Citro attempted to change council’s approach by suggesting they pass all of the changes via city ordinance, instead of leaving it up to the voters. He called City Attorney Andrea Zelman, who works for Castor, to the dais and asked if council had the power to do what he suggested. Zelman said that council did have that power. Citro told his fellow council members that they should change routes last minute and have city staff start writing an ordinance. “Let’s show our backbone,” he said to his fellow council members.

However, councilwoman Lynn Hurtak pointed out that Citro’s suggestion would

actually disrupt the process of passing the charter changes.

“You’re basically just starting the cycle all over again,” she told Citro. “If you want to go that route, it’s actually going to take longer.”

Hurtak added that council has tried the resolution and ordinance method several times to get charter changes passed, but that council keeps getting shot down by Castor’s legal staff. Despite Hurtak’s correction and the rest of city council agreeing with her, Citro pushed the idea multiple times.

transparency and thoroughness in the charter amendment process.

“Our accountability is getting higher every day,” Bennett said of Castor’s administration. “And it does take a lot of accountability to make sure that we work together to get things done.”

Carlson asked Bennett if he thought it builds trust that city council should find out about her veto decision via a column in the Tampa Bay Times.

ELECTIONS

“I think, if you look at it from a timing continuum, it was really the only way possible,” Bennett said. However, Castor didn’t send her memo, which defended the vetoes, to council until hours after the Times editorial was published.

“I do respect the mayor’s administration, but sometimes I don’t respect their tactics,” Gudes said.

against that. “It’s expressing your opinion as a democratically elected official,” Viera said.

However, he added that the proposed ballot measures were “not radical,” and supported them all.

Councilman Charlie Miranda voted against all of the proposed changes, arguing that the charter review commission process was his preferred way to make any amendments.

Councilman Guido Maniscalco voted against city council having more oversight of the appointment of department heads and the CRB attorney. Citro voted against ending term limits and giving the CRB an independent attorney.

Before council voted, several members of the community sounded off about Castor’s vetoes.

Robin Lockett, who is running against Maniscalco in District 2, wondered how councilmen can change their votes, when previously, they voted all for all of the amendments to be up to the voters.

“How are you going to change your vote? If you vote one time, one way, why not be consistent?” Lockett asked. “So we shouldn’t even be having this conversation. If you vote, you stand by your vote.”

Local attorney and activist James Michael Shaw Jr. said that Castor’s moves amounted to nothing more than denying people the right to vote. “The kind of voter suppression that we saw yesterday was based on the content of the ballot, to make sure that it is whitewashed of things that will affect the outcome for the voters that approve them,” Shaw added.

In regards to the “strong mayor” form of government, Shaw said that nowhere in the city charter does it mention that Tampa is legally designated as such a form of government.

“There is pseudoscience, and there is also pseudo law, and that is pseudo law,” Shaw said of the strong mayor government.

Councilman Carlson asked Citro if the mayor or anyone from her administration had approached Citro to throw a “monkey wrench” in the proceedings. “In answer to your question councilman Carlson, no, and if you wish to make a public records request into my cell phone or computers, please do,” Citro said.

Several city council members wondered why Castor herself hadn’t shown up to defend her vetoes. Chief of Staff John Bennett said that Castor was out of town. He added that Castor is the “epitome of Democracy” and just wanted

He added that when the administration doesn’t get its way, it tends to “sabotage” people and pursues other unethical methods of retribution.

“I don’t like the strong mayor form of government because it’s a dictatorship at times,” Gudes said. He added that “money and power” run the administration.

Councilman Viera called for civility from council and chalked Castor’s vetoes up to her expressing her rights as a leader. He said that if there is a measure presented to the voters that is unacceptable, the mayor should stand

Kelly Benjamin, a local activist and CL contributor, said that the Op-Ed was contradictory. He said that Castor mentioning that the “voters deserve better” in her column was the exact opposite of what the mayor was doing by attempting to stop the vote. “Whoever wrote that Op-Ed for the mayor was skilled in Orwellian doublespeak,” Benjamin said.

Stephanie Poynor, President of Tampa Homeowners Association called on the mayor to show up to council in person to defend her decisions.

“I’m sorry, but Mayor Castor needs to be here,” said Poynor. “She needs to woman up and say it to everybody’s face.”

“I’m sorry, but Mayor Castor needs to be here.”

CASTOR SHADE: Protesters outside Tampa City Hall last Wednesday.

DAVE DECKER

Be the change

The tragic irony in Tampa Mayor Castor’s latest calls for transparency.

By Ray Roa

Last week, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor published a tragically ironic column in the Tampa Bay Times. Or, should we say, she got her communications director’s old bosses to publish a piece explaining why she planned to veto proposed changes to the city’s charter. The news came after Tampa City Council heard hours of public comment, and went back and forth for months, before deciding that voters should get final say on whether or not to adopt five changes to the city’s constitution.

In one thought, the mayor claimed to “believe in the right of voters to make decisions about our city government.” But she was quick to argue that council’s decision to send the changes to a vote was not “thoughtful, deliberative and transparent” enough for Tampeños.

“Our voters deserve better,” she added.

One speaker during public comment told council that, “Whoever wrote that Op-Ed for the mayor was skilled in Orwellian doublespeak.”

We’ll add that before saying ‘Voters deserve better,’ Mayor Castor should take a look at herself.

It’s rich for this mayor to talk about transparency.

She told financially-distressed voters that rent control is a bad idea, knowing full well that at one point, her campaign was more than 50% funded by those with interests in development.

It took five months of questioning for her to admit that it was she who approved Tampa’s City Center at Hanna Avenue—a project that not only jumped from $10 million to $108 million without a public bid, but also lacked participation from unions and the Black community until after it came under scrutiny.

She also waited five months to tell the public that the city’s “crime free multi-housing” effort was under federal investigation after journalists discovered that the program—colloquially known as “renting while Black”—disproportionately evicted renters of color.

And it’s rich for the mayor to suggest that concerned citizens asking their leaders to do better should wait until 2027 for the next charter review.

Another item voters will decide on in March is whether or not council—Tampa’s legislative branch—should have more of a say in directorial appointments. Not once in Mayor Castor’s latest Op-Ed did she mention the words “leader” or “leadership.” That should come as no surprise, however, since she’s had trouble picking them in her own administration.

At one point, Castor’s top city attorney—who refused to represent a city councilman facing a lawsuit over his use of personal email to discuss city business—was caught using her own

CARTOON BY BOB WHITMORE

“This smacks too much of an attempted do-over by a few people who did not get their way in a much more methodical charter review process conducted just a few years ago,” Castor wrote.

But so much has happened since the last charter review in 2017, and the voters want changes. In fact, one of the amendments they’ll decide on is whether to make the charter review happen every eight years instead of once a decade.

personal cell phone to communicate with an attorney who had filed that very lawsuit.

Late last year, the mayor’s police-chief— handpicked during a secretive selection process and in spite of repeated outcry from the community which believed that someone who beat up a cop shouldn’t be tapped to lead

them—was forced to resign after being caught abusing her position to get out of a traffic stop.

In her apology to the public—which came 18 days after Creative Loafing Tampa Bay requested the body cam footage of the incident—Mary O’Connor told the citizens who paid her salary that, “In hindsight, I realize how my handling of this matter could be viewed as inappropriate, but that was certainly not my intent.” One of the Times’ columnists called the former police chief’s explanation “classic passive voice, blaming others for their perception of reality.”

COLUMN

In her own statement about the chief’s resignation, Castor didn’t even get close to apologizing to the public for her bad selection. Instead, she wrote about “disappointment” that “runs so deep” and that she believes in “second chances for people.” The funny thing about the mayor’s latest Op-Ed is that it comes just as she’s about to get a second chance of her own.

In the March election, Castor is running against a write-in candidate who’s reported just $895 to the mayor’s $55,000. That means there’ll be no debates, advertisements or discussions that’ll force Castor to address the shortcomings of her time as Tampa’s top executive. I’d love to be the campaign manager who’ll have to do virtually nothing to get the mayor to the finish line in that race.

After she’s re-elected, there’ll only be the press, activists and concerned citizens at city hall to push back on the administration or speak truth to the power that the mayor wields. And while some council members showed grit last week by voting to override four of the mayor’s five vetoes, there might not be much of a council for those citizens to talk to anyway.

March’s election could see the ouster of city council members who’ve been the only powerful voices against the mayor’s misdeeds. Among those vying for a seat on Tampa’s legislative branch are a former cop with nearly a dozen sustained violations, a businessman whose family recently sold off a shitload of its McDonald’s properties (naturally, financial details of the deal were not disclosed), and Janet Cruz who just flamed out her her state senate seat and is the mother of Castor’s partner, Ana.

All three of those aforementioned candidates are running against city council people who’ve challenged the mayor on some of her mistakes and policy decisions—all functions of a healthy democracy. Still, Castor decided last week that Tampa’s taxpayers and residents shouldn’t get a chance to amend their own city’s charter. Thankfully, most of council pushed back. But that might not be the case the day after the election.

Mayor Castor said she had “no firm deadline for selecting the next chief but fully expects that a national search and hiring process will take several months.” Naturally, we’ve heard nothing, except for a rumor in La Gaceta that after the March election, “she will appoint her chief of staff, John Bennett, Jr.” as Tampa’s top cop.

In her Op-Ed, Castor wrote, “I have an obligation to look out for Tampa taxpayers and residents, and believe voters have an important voice in shaping how their city government functions.”

Then let them use their voices, mayor. Use your pulpit to embody the change you want to see in council. Because as you said, voters deserve better.

“It’s rich for this mayor to talk about transparency.”

EDITORIAL

Frack no

Tampa Bay environmentalists push back on proposed pipeline expansion.

By Justin Garcia

Energy companies are pushing for the expansion of a pipeline that would increase the amount of fracked gas sent from Pinellas to Hillsborough, but environmental advocates say it infringes on local clean energy goals.

Last November, Florida Gas Transmission Company (FGTC), which is based in Texas, and Tampa Electric Company quietly introduced a pipeline expansion proposal to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The proposal, called the “Tampa West Project” says the expansion includes, “the construction of approximately 1.26 miles of 8-inch lateral loop pipeline” along with piping attachments.

The proposed area would run alongside the Gandy Bridge, and would attach to a current pipeline to help increase the flow of gas from Pinellas to Hillsborough.

Proposal documents say the addition of the piping could allow the peak hourly flow of gas to the TECO Energy Plant at Big Bend Road to double, from 360 million thermal units of gas per hour to 667 million.

The gas increase would consist of fracked gas from other states, mainly via the Gulfstream Natural Gas Pipeline, which runs across the gulf from Alabama to Florida and is fed by other pipelines.

Estimates show that fracking produces about 67% of America’s natural gas. For decades, the process has proven harmful to the environment via creating large amounts of wastewater, emitting greenhouse gasses, such as methane, and releasing other toxic air pollutants.

The cost of the proposed project does not yet have an estimate, which is dependent on what’s agreed to during a suggested contract agreement date of April 1, 2023, should FERC approve the project.

If the project is approved, the cost would most likely be passed along to the taxpayer. The proposal indicates that part of the preliminary agreement says that the companies will seek to, “recover the cost of service associated with the Project.”

Environmentalists say that the proposed expansion goes against the local efforts for green energy, and is also a threat to public health.

Brooke Ward, Senior Organizer for Food & Water Watch, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that the proposal caught many environmentalists off guard because it was introduced so quietly. But resistance is now mobilizing.

Already, nearly 100 residents of the Tampa Bay area have signed a pledge to oppose the expansion, which says that, “These expansions are destructive to our neighborhoods and they are in direct opposition to public policy.”

ENVIRONMENT

In a press statement released last week, Ward voiced concerns about the project, writing that FERC should not endorse an expanded gas pipeline at a time when the region has committed to moving away from dirty fossil fuels.

other adverse effects. The record was hit at a time when scientists have warned that carbon emissions must be reduced or climate induced chaos will only worsen and become irreversible.

Ward said that Tampa Electric should be decreasing its use of dirty energy, not building new fossil fuel infrastructure to increase its use, especially when ratepayers will be handling the bill.

The project documents highlight that the construction of the pipeline could have adverse environmental effects.

“Potential soil impacts include loss of topsoil due to water or wind erosion, and soil compaction due to construction traffic which can hamper root development,” the document reads.

Environmentalists say that the move to increase fracked gas to the area goes against green energy pledges that local municipalities have made in recent years.

Recently, both St. Pete and Tampa joined the Ready for 100 Campaign, which aims to make cities free of fossil fuel use by 2035. Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act says that public health, safety, convenience and necessity must be taken into account when approving pipeline projects.

“All this project would do is deepen Tampa Electric ratepayers’ reliance on these destructive and costly fuels,” Ward wrote. “Each new fossil fuel project locks us into decades of reliance on expensive and dangerous gas. Not only are we paying for the increasing cost of that fracked gas, we are paying for these projects as well — at the expense of our health and climate.”

Carbon emissions from fossil fuels hit a record high in 2022, which contributes heavily to global climate change and results in catastrophic weather changes, sea level rise, and

The proposal also says that the companies would replace that vegetation after construction. However, oil pipelines in general often have issues with leaking and have spilled millions of gallons across the U.S., causing inestimable environmental destruction. Just last December, the controversial Keystone XL pipeline spilled an estimated half a million gallons into a creek in Kansas.

As FERC considers the proposed project, activists say they will continue to mobilize to stop the project from being approved.

Florida Food & Water Watch advised FERC that the project should require, “a robust environmental review of cumulative and indirect effects of this project,” and says that a thorough review will show that the project should not be approved.

cltampa.com

TROUBLED WATERS: A proposal wants to run a 1.26-mile pipeline along parts of Tampa’s Gandy Bridge.

EXHIBITIONS

SPRING 2023

TIME FOR CHANGE: ART AND SOCIAL UNREST IN THE JORGE M. PÉREZ COLLECTION

On view through August 27, 2023

Exhibition Sponsor:

PURVIS YOUNG: REDUX

On view through June 30, 2024

Presented in part by:

JACOB HASHIMOTO: THIS PARTICLE OF DUST

On view now

LIFE & DEATH IN THE ANCIENT WORLD: INTRODUCTION TO THE ANTIQUITIES COLLECTION

On view now

TRAVELS IN ITALY: A 19TH-CENTURY JOURNEY THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY

On view January 28 through July 9, 2023

Supporting Sponsor:

14TH CONGRESSIONAL AND NEXT GENERATION HIGH SCHOOL ART COMPETITION – 2023

On view February 4 through April 16, 2023

SALMAN TOOR: NO ORDINARY LOVE

On view February 23 through June 4, 2023

Presenting Sponsor: Life On Canvas

DRAPO VODOU: HAITIAN VODOU FLAGS FROM THE PERMANENT COLLECTION Opening early 2023

Grave discovery

By Justin Garcia

Universities, museums and government organizations in Florida are really bad at returning Native American gravesite remains to the tribes that they rightfully belong to, a new report shows.

ProPublica recently published an article highlighting universities and government institutions across the country that are hoarding the remains of Native people, along with other sacred items from grave sites.

According to data from the report, of all 50 states, Florida comes in as one of the worst.

Florida institutions have only returned 20% of an estimated 7,500 stolen remains. In total, just 736 Native remains have been returned to tribes. Only 12 other states have returned a lesser percentage than the Sunshine State. However, Florida has far more Indigenous remains stockpiled than several of the other states mentioned in the report.

For example, Delaware has returned none of its remains, but the state only has an estimated seven in total, in contrast to the thousands sitting in Florida institutions.

A majority of Florida’s robbed Native remains reside in Gainesville’s Museum of Natural History, which is operated by the University of Florida (UF). There, 2,589 remains are held, while just 372 have been returned. The Florida Department of State comes in second, holding 1,426 remains and only returning 79.

In the Tampa Bay area, the University of South Florida took 142 remains and has so far returned 100. And the Sarasota County History Center has returned none of its 93 remains.

ProPublica lists other Florida institutions failing to return remains, including 508 held by Florida State University and 160 held by The HistoryMiami Museum.

The report also said that the actual number of hoarded remains are likely higher than the estimated numbers, because universities sometimes don’t report all that they have, and sometimes forget to count some stockpiled remains.

Native remains are sacred and are supposed to be protected by the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), which was made law in 1990 after decades of uncontrolled grave robbing.

However, institutions across the country have found a way to shirk the law via a loophole. According to NAGPRA, if a remain is considered to be “culturally unidentifiable” the institution is allowed to hold on to it, because it can claim that, technically, it’s unknown to what tribe the remain belongs.

But Native activists and tribal representatives have long refuted this notion.

Sheridan Murphy of the Florida Indigenous Alliance told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that the term “culturally unidentifiable” is used to prevent and fight repatriation of the stolen objects.

He said that the Natural History Museum at UF deems many of the items it holds as coming from the “pre-Seminole” era. But traditional Seminole and Miccosukee tribe leaders have long argued they are the descendants of those earlier people, and that the remains should be returned to them.

“The language was used by thieves to hang on to their loot, nothing more nothing less,” Murphy said.

Murphy added that some museums have complied with NAGPRA when pushed by Native groups, such as the Founders Museum in Barre, Massachusetts. Last year, the museum repatriated items from the battle of Wounded Knee. But the process was burdensome to the tribal governments and Native communities.

The Founder’s museum had 150 objects from Lakota tribe members killed at Wounded Knee, and it was a nearly 30-year process to get the items repatriated.

“The burden of proof in the NAGPRA process is not with the museums who hold the stolen property or bodies, but with the Indigenous nations from whom the items were stolen,” Murphy said.

CL reached out to several of the Florida institutions listed in the report, including UF, USF and the Florida Department of State, but has not yet received a response for this story.

Aside from the normalized hoarding of remains by powerful institutions, there are also grave robbers who sell artifacts on the black market.

In 2021, CL reported that Native American burial mounds within USF’s forest preserve in Hillsborough County were being robbed. The university says it is now keeping a closer eye on the area, but local Natives say there needs to be more security to protect the graves.

ID, PLEASE: Sheridan Murphy said the term ‘culturally unidentifiable’ is used to fight repatriation of stolen objects.

DAVE DECKER

FIRST SATURDAYS, HISTORY ALIVE

Family-friendly activities are included with regular museum admission.

NOW

Between 1985 and 2001, the Orlando concert promoter Figurehead invigorated the musical landscape in Central Florida. Catch a glimpse into what made this time in the Central Florida music scene so memorable – the bands and the clubs, the community and the chaos.

CELEBRATING BLACK ARTS AND CULTURE

February 18, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Join us as we honor Black History Month with a celebration of Black American history, arts, and culture in Central Florida. This free event will offer fun learning opportunities for the whole family, including hands-on activities and exciting guests and performances!

Celebrating Community February 4, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Florida’s First People March 4, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. TheHistoryCenter.org 65 E. Central Boulevard | Orlando, FL 32801 407-836-8500

Wake up

Don’t fall for the right’s attempts to whitewash DeSantis for a national audience.

By Jeffrey C. Billman

That was the explanation Larry Keefe, a Republican political hack working for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, offered in federal court when asked why he doggedly pushed for the suspension of Andrew Warren, the district attorney of Hillsborough County.

There was no justification for Warren’s suspension, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Hinkle ruled last week. He hadn’t violated any law or ethical norm. He never demonstrated incompetence or neglected his duty as a prosecutor. He did not—as DeSantis falsely alleged in his Aug. 4, 2022, order suspending Warren—have “blanket” nonprosecution policies.

“[Warren] never said he would not prosecute a case that absolutely deserved to be prosecuted. Quite the contrary,” Hinkle wrote. “He said repeatedly that discretion would be exercised at every stage of every case.”

Though Hinkle said that DeSantis violated both the federal and state constitutions, the judge dismissed Warren’s lawsuit on what amounted to technicalities. In part, DeSantis won because he operated in bad faith. Hinkle ultimately ruled that while the suspension clearly violated Warren’s First Amendment rights, the alleged reasons for the suspension were pretextual.

Keefe admitted that suspending Warren was the result of a “project,” not an “investigation.”

Evidence produced in Warren’s lawsuit showed that DeSantis wanted to target a “reform prosecutor.” Keefe picked Warren after a Google search and a chat with a right-wing sheriff. Drafts of the suspension order—written before DeSantis’ lawyers tried to sanitize it—faulted Warren, a Democrat, for taking money from (wait for it) the Democratic Party.

One draft went out of its way to link Warren to liberal philanthropist (and Jewish person) George Soros, who funds an organization that funds an organization that put out a pro-abortion-rights statement that Warren (along with dozens of other prosecutors) signed, which means … something?

“Soros has supported Warren and other ‘progressive prosecutors’ through a series of shell organizations, affiliates and pass-through entities, including the Democratic Party,” the draft added.

“There it was, stripped of pretext: a motivating factor in Mr. Warren’s suspension was that he was a ‘progressive prosecutor,’ Hinkle wrote. “He was being supported by a contributor to, of all things, the Democratic Party.”

Seeking to curry favor with the far right, DeSantis appeared on Tucker Carlson’s White

Power Hour the night he suspended Warren. He later refused to testify under oath.

It should go without saying that Warren is an elected official: that the voters of Hillsborough County knew that Warren was a progressive when they elected him, that DeSantis brazenly disregarded them for no reason other than to further his political ambitions.

Even DeSantis’ predecessor, Rick Scott, himself a pustulant boil on the ass of democracy, wasn’t so cavalier. When Orange County voters dared to elect a progressive prosecutor who pledged never to seek the death penalty, Scott

most importantly, the massive losses his endorsed candidates suffered in November. But DeSantis is no less craven or cynical; as Florida’s governor attempts to emerge from his former benefactor’s shadow, with the far right desperate to find a new, unsullied champion, he might be more dangerous.

DeSantis, of course, first rose to prominence in conservative circles for his gaslighting and defiance of public health guidance during the early COVID pandemic. Last week, he went back to the conspiracy theory well, proclaiming that “almost every study” showed that people who receive boosters are “more likely” to get COVID. (I hope this is self-evident, but DeSantis is either lying or dumb as a rock.)

under legislation DeSantis signed into law, it does not allow teachers to discuss material that might make white kids feel bad. (Also under that law, the school system in Jacksonville is currently reviewing whether “Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates” is too controversial for young minds.)

DeSantis invented a “crisis” of “woke” indoctrination, then “fixed” it by rescuing white children from the scourge of learning about the shitty things their ancestors did—and how those shitty things created the modern world—so as to anoint himself a culture war Napoleon. He similarly invented the crisis of a progressive prosecutor because, as Keefe put it, he “wanted” to.

merely stripped her office of potential capital cases; he didn’t try to remove her from office.

This window into DeSantis’ callous mindset is worth keeping in mind as he pivots to an expected presidential run in the coming months—and as MAGA operatives try to turn him into Trump Without the Baggage.

The former president’s luster might be tarnished by the insurrection he inspired, the criminal investigations he’s hoping to survive, and

But perhaps his main claim to fame is as an avid opponent of anything and everything that he considers “woke,” a word so expansive that it now includes Black history. His administration announced that it will block Advanced Placement classes in African American studies, alleging that the course violates some unspecified state law and is, somehow, historically inaccurate.

Florida allows high school students to take AP classes in European history, naturally. But

As the right tries to whitewash DeSantis for a national audience, remember that this is who he really is: The guy who removed a democratically elected prosecutor because, as Keefe put it, he “wanted” to. The guy who literally flew migrants to Florida from Texas so that he could then deport them to Massachusetts to win points on Fox News.

He’s not Trump Without the Baggage. Just Trump Without the Entertainment Value.

“Iwanted this to happen.”

DESANCTIMONIOUS: DeSantis is no less craven or cynical than daddy Trump.

“DeSantis invented a ‘crisis’ of ‘woke’ indoctrination.”

Shit Happened

WEDNESDAY 18

Florida Politics says the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee will hold a fundraising event at Bruce Springsteen’s world tour kickoff inside Tampa’s Amalie Arena. The Boss did more or less give in to free market “dynamic” ticket pricing for this tour, so it makes sense. Read a less cynical take on p. 51.

FRIDAY 20

A federal judge said that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ suspension of Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren violated the law, but also that he lacked the power to reinstate the twice-elected Democrat. So basically DeSantis or the State Senate has to do the right thing and reinstate him. Only if the Springsteen benefit raises enough money.

MONDAY 23

When CL asks Tampa city council candidate Chase Harrison about his 10 sustained violations as a police officer, he says, “if you don’t get complained on, you’re probably not doing your job.” This election is off to a very on-brand start.

The Florida Museum of Natural History shares a study about an invasive, air-breathing fish that now inhabits the Tampa Bay area. Heard one of them is running for Tampa City Council.

The 2023 Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest says its grand marshal is none other than “stylin’, profilin’, limousine riding, jet flying, kiss-stealing, wheelin’ and dealin’ son of a gun” Ric Flair. Woo!

More shit, jumping off the top rope after crushing a dozen White Claws as Gaspy, via cltampa. com/news.

RESTAURANTS RECIPES DINING GUIDES

By Alexandria Jones

Tampa’s famed Gasparilla season started last weekend with the children’s parade, and there’s an abundance of events for you and your pirate posse to partake in when the big, oft-debauched day parade takes over Bayshore Boulevard on Saturday, Jan. 28.

American Social AmSo’s fifth annual brunch party comes with bottomless brunch, an open bar, and live music. $165$250. Jan. 28 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 601 S Harbour Island Blvd., #107, Tampa, 813-605-3333. eventbrite.com

p.m.-9 p.m. 238 Harbor Village Ln., Apollo Beach, 813-331-3907. eventbrite.com

GASPARILLA

Apollo Beach Wine Bar In the days leading up to the big parade, trade swashbuckling tales over five Spanish wines, cheeses, meats, and treats. Pirate garb is encouraged and best dressed wins a bottle of wine. $45. Jan. 26 7

Bar Hwrd The biggest and baddest Gasparilla block party has a mechanical shark, full service bars, VIP cabanas, food stations, and more. DJs keep the party going inside and outside. $10-$3,500. Jan. 28 noon-3 a.m. 302 S Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-9067885. eventbrite.com Downtown Crawlers Join this “Barrr Crawl” and hop around to a selection of Tampa restaurants including District Tavern, Bello Bar & Kitchen, and Rose Bar. $29-$89. Jan. 28 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Various locations. downtowncrawlers.com

Gaspar’s Grotto For the Knight Parade, Scream Machine Band returns with its “arena rock show” performing hits from bands including

Van Halen, Guns n’ Roses, Kiss, AC/DC. Feb. 11 9 p.m.-midnight. 1805 E 7th Ave., Ybor City, 813248-5900. @screammachinetampa on Facebook

Hooch & Hive Hang out with The Tampa Alphas and turn up to live music by A’lon & the Desire Band and DJ Shy Guy plus free food, a cash bar, and more. $10-$190. Jan. 28, 11 a.m. 1001 W Cass St., Tampa, (800) 892-2706. tampaalphas.com

Hula Bay Club A day-after-Gaspy pool party to revive your pirate spirit. $40. Jan. 29 1 p.m.-6 p.m. 5210 W Tyson Ave., Tampa, 813837-4852. eventbrite.com

The Jerk Hut A huge island-style afterparty with a wide selection of rum punch and a cash prize for sexiest Gasparilla pirate. $10 before midnight. Jan. 28 10 p.m.-3 a.m. 1241 E Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-977-5777. @thejerkhut on Facebook

O’Toole’s Irish Pub Join the Krewe of Sea SaveYours after the parade is over for food, drinks, and live entertainment. Jan. 28 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. 1215 W Brandon Blvd., Brandon, 813-251-3663. @otoolesirish on Facebook

Pepin Distributing Co. Enjoy complimentary sampling stations, views of the parade,

and surprise acts when one of the area’s biggest distributors stages a party on the parade route. Free. Jan. 28 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 200 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa, 813-626-6176. eventbrite.com

The Ritz Ybor Trade in your beads for free booze at the bar during this afterparty customer appreciation show. Everyone on the guest list free before 11 p.m.; sign up for the guest list on their Facebook event wall. Free. Jan. 28 10 p.m.-3 a.m. 1503 E 7th Ave., Tampa, 813-8738368. theritzybor.com

Salty Shamrock Irish Pub and Restaurant Two days before the big parade, gather up the girlies for Ladies Night with local vendors, DJ Eddie spinning plus door prizes, raffles, food/drink specials and $100 cash for the best Gasparilla costume. Jan. 26 6 p.m.-10 p.m. 6186 N U.S.-Hwy 41, 813-938-5282. @saltyshamrockfl on Facebook

Yacht Starship Cruises Set course for the greatest pirate invasion with close-up views plus pleasures and treasures along the way. Adults $199.95- $269.95, children $129.95-$199.95. Jan. 28 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 603 Channelside Dr., Tampa, 813-223-7999. yachtstarship.com

DAVE DECKER

A PIRATE’S LIFE: It’s acceptable to dress like this on Saturday.

Walk the plank

Six Tampa bars to help you escape Gasparilla.

By Jourdan Ducat

Tampa’s annual Gasparilla parade arrives on Saturday, Jan. 28, 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 classic car show and swap meet with vendors starting at 3 p.m. This free event also features “surf noir/ spy-fi music” from Sam Williams. Grab a pint and pizza in the biergarten and stick around for the Rockabilly Battle Royale in the Music Hall. According to New World’s Facebook, this ticketed concert features “impromptu fake bands made up of Tampa Bay’s finest

Rock n” Rollers.” Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, with the show kicking off at 7 p.m. 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. The day after Gasparilla, CC hosts a chili cook-off from 4 p.m.-8 p.m.. Buy-in is $5 a head and vegan options will be available as well. Make sure you say hi to Skele, the resident giant skeleton, who will likely be the only one dressed up for the occasion. 1502 E Sligh Ave., Tampa. @cornerclubtampa on Facebook

GASPARILLA

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. Indie doesn’t hav e events scheduled for the day of Gasparilla so you can enjoy its dog-friendly patio and watch the world go by on this Seminole Heights stretch of Florida Avenue. 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 is still here, 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

SKIPPER’S THE PARADE: You don’t have to be a pirate to get oysters at Skipper’s.

Libation station

Ybor Heights’ new brewery, Water Street popping off, and more.

By Kyla Fields

Nearly three-and-a-half years after getting the keys to his Ybor Heights brewery, longtime Tampa brewer Tim Ogden is ready to open the doors to his very own temple of beer, Deviant Libation. Ogden told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that the taproom and brewery—located on the southern end of the future Crab Devil compound at 3800 N Nebraska Ave.—will welcome the public inside starting Friday, Jan. 27 at 4 p.m. For now, hours at Deviant Libation will be ThursdayFriday, 4 p.m.-9 p.m. and Saturday, 1 p.m.-9 p.m. While that means there are now at least seven great bars to help you escape the Gasparilla day parade madness next weekend (see them on p. 25), the “inglorious opening” is more importantly the

OPENINGS

Deviant Libation ‘Inglorious Opening’

Friday, Jan. 27, 4 p.m. 3800 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. @deviantlibation on Facebook

next phase in Ogden’s storied career. After starting homebrewing in 1998 while living in Maine, he moved to Tampa, worked at Hops, got in on the ground floor at a then-fledgling Cigar City Brewing in ‘09, steered Cigar City’s Carrollwood brewpub, and landed at Tampa Bay Brewing Company. Some of Ogden’s greatest beers to date include Cigar City’s Tocobaga amber ale, the brewpub’s muscadine grape double IPA, the Skatepark of Tampa 20-year anniversary “Moat Water” stout, and a host of music-inspired beers from TBBC.

Deviant Libation’s taproom can seat 12 people at the bar fashioned out of old, resin tables from the University of South Florida. About 30 more folks can fit at communal tables, and an

outside patio is available, too. The 17 taps may not all be full on day one, and may have limited quantities of Deviant beer, but Ogden promises solid guest taps nonetheless. “This room is way too sweet to enjoy by myself,” he said.

It certainly is. The back wall fashioned by the artists at Tampa’s Livework collective looks like a cathedral, and the dark interior, complete with plenty of walnut, gets a big pop from the floor, which is bright pink in person, a color that Ogden feels will call him back to the brewery even when he’s not there.

“I think you can curate an environment that speaks to more than just the typical target demographic without alienating the normies. I believe this, because plenty of normal folks are comfortable around my weird ass,” he said. “The pink floor was the obvious choice to me because it makes me happy, and if it brings me joy then it will bring joy to others.”

Behind the taproom, Ogden’s got three 10-bbl kettles inside a brewhouse with huge speakers hanging from the ceiling. Nearby, is a smaller room that will one day be a distillery. There is art everywhere. Some of it is his and has been

waiting for the day he opened his own brewery, and some it was gifted to him by friends. All of it means everything to him.

And over the next few months Tampa Bay beer lovers are going to really get to know Ogden as Deviant Libation brew occupies more and more of the taps. There’ll be classic styles, like helles, stout, IPA and sours, but the outside-thebox, high-concept beers he’s come to be known for aren’t going away. “In my own aging process, my ‘weird’ hasn’t diminished, or even softened. If anything, I’ve more comfortable with my own strangeness and more eager to express that in whatever way strikes at the time,” Ogden said.

That’ll manifest itself in lots of collaborations not just with brewers, but outside of the brewing discipline. Cider, mead, whiskey and gin could all be on the table soon. “All I can say is keep coming back and watch it evolve,” he said.—Ray Roa

Water Street Tampa’s long-awaited French bistro Boulon Brasserie is open

Self-described as a “French-style brassiere with a modern twist,” downtown Tampa’s newest fine

HERE WE GO, OGDEN: Deviant Libation’s opening is the next phase in this brewer’s storied career.

DAVE DECKER

“If it brings me joy then it will bring joy to others.”

dining concept finally opened its doors on Tuesday.

Boulon Brasserie, a new restaurant, cafe and fullservice bar located at 1001 Water St. still has both dinner and lunch reservations available via boulontampa.com. Water Street Tampa says that the neighborhood’s newest addition will offer a “menu highlighted by fresh-caught seafood and modern interpretations of classic French pastries.”

Although its menu had not yet been released at press time, guests can expect a full spread of steak and seafood entrees from Chef Habteab “Hab” Hamde when Water Street Tampa’s newest eatery debuts this week. Hamde was the executive chef of Bern’s Steakhouse for 26 years before leaving the iconic Tampa institution at the end of 2022.

Boulon Brasserie is the newest eatery from Next Level Brands, a Tampa-based restaurant group behind other concepts like Forbici and the upcoming Union New American. The group consists of Andrew Wright, Joseph Guggino and Jeff Gigante, co-founder of the popular Ciccio Restaurant Group.

The soon-to-open French bistro was first announced in late 2021 and originally slated to open sometime last year. The Tampa Bay Business Journal says the 7,000 square-foot restaurant can seat 275 patrons in its dining room and two outdoor patios. Renderings from Canadian architect Atelier Zebulon depict Boulon Brasserie as a warm-toned space adorned with unique lighting, floor-to-ceiling windows and sleek decor.

Other long-awaited concepts heading to Water Street Tampa include Wagamama (opening next month, see below), Proper House Group’s Italian restaurant Ash, Mediterranean restaurant Predalina, Toastique and Wine on Water alongside many more.

Florida’s first Wagamama opens at Water Street Tampa next month

Downtown Tampa’s “live-work-play district” is getting a new and highly-anticipated addition next month. Wagamama finally celebrates its grand opening on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 1050 Water St. According to a press release, Tampa’s newest restaurant is a “high-energy dining concept inspired by fast-paced Japanese ramen bars that showcases a fresh take on Asian plates”.

Its large fusion menu spans different Asian cultures, largely pulling from Japanese cuisine with a sprinkle of Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Korean influence as well. This “wok-to-table” eatery prides itself on its playful atmosphere, signature craft cocktails and a variety of ramen, noodle dishes, rice bowls and curries. A few heavy hitters on its menu include its short rib ramen, shrimp yaki soba noodles, chicken teriyaki rice bowls, duck massaman curry and beef brisket banh mi. Wagamama also prides itself on its plant-based and vegan options, which include dishes like barbecue-glazed seitan, spice-rubbed tofu and stir fried soba noodles.

A wide spread of fresh-squeezed juices, beer, wine, sake, and craft cocktails like its Thai chili margarita and Japanese highball accompany its large Asian-inspired food menu.

This Wagamama—which translates to “self indulgent” or “naughty child”—will be Florida’s first location, with the next closest restaurant residing in Atlanta. There are other American locations of U.K.-based chain in New York City and Boston.

When the opening of Tampa’s Wagamama was first announced in late 2021, it was initially slated to open by early 2022. A full year after its original debut date, Wagamama will soon join the ranks of other Water Street Tampa hotspots like Noble Rice, Dang Dude and justopened Boulon Brasserie.

The 4,200-square-foot restaurant will boast an outdoor patio in addition to its large indoor

mayor Jane Castor will pour the first draft beer out of its 1971 Airstream trailer-turned-bar to help kick off opening day.

With an ample amount of outdoor seating, an Airstream bar stocked with a variety of local and national beers and almost a dozen 65-inch TVs, The Rollin’ Mullet is set to be a new Seminole Heights hotspot. According to therollinmullet. com, the open-air bar’s tap list will always consist of at least 50% local beers. It currently features Tampa Bay-based breweries like 3 Daughters, Coppertail, Green Bench, Tampa Bay Brewing Company and Motorworks Brewing.

Mullet. Her 1971 Airstream originally served as a temporary job site trailer during a large construction project back in 2016, but she always joked about creating a lounge for “partying in the back.” Hence, the name Rollin’ Mullet was born.

For more information on The Rollin’ Mullet Bar and Grill and its highly-anticipated grand opening, visit @rollinmullet on Facebook and Instagram.

OPENINGS

After next month’s debut, The Rollin’ Mullet will be open from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5 p.m.-midnight on Fridays, 11 a.m.-midnight on Saturdays and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Sundays.

Although its food menu hasn’t been announced yet, Rollin’ Mullet promises a rotating menu of gourmet hot dogs, in addition to more handcrafted bar food items. A variety of wines ranging from

All-you-can-eat Hong BBQ and Hot Pot is now open in Tampa

A new, all-you-can-eat buffet experience is now

dining room, where guests can choose to sit in private booths or at communal tables. After next month’s grand opening, Tampa’s newest Asian fusion restaurant will be open from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11a.m.-midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. In the meantime, head to wagamama.us to browse its stacked menu (and to get the earliest scoop on when its reservations open.)

Seminole Heights’ Rollin’ Mullet Bar and Grill, an open-air bar and food truck, opens next month

Just when you thought Seminole Heights had enough watering holes comes the debut of an incredibly unique outdoor bar concept. The Rollin’ Mullet Bar and Grill—located at 6401 N Nebraska Ave.—celebrates its grand opening on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 3 p.m.—but we’re not exactly sure when the party ends (if there will even be one.) A press release says Tampa

“dry reds to buttery whites and fruity rosés” will also be poured from the Airstream bar.

Both dog and kid-friendly, The Rollin’ Mullet also plans to stream sports and host different types of events when it grand opens in February.

“I am thrilled to finally celebrate the launch of The Rollin’ Mullet and have the opportunity to bring something new and exciting to the beloved Seminole Heights area,” says owner and beer-lover Angi Brittain in a press release. “My goal is to provide a safe space for everyone to celebrate life, community, and beer!”

Brittain announced the opening of her openair concept in the summer of 2021, but has been working on her “cool as shit” outdoor bar since 2019. She also owns Eva Claire Corporation, a general contracting company open out of the octopus mural-adorned building next to The Rollin’

open in North Tampa, adjacent to the University of South Florida and Busch Gardens. Hong BBQ and Hot Pot officially opened its doors this month at 5840 E Fowler Ave. in Tampa, boasting a stacked menu of both Korean BBQ and Chinese hot pot favorites.

The restaurant’s menu breaks down all of the proteins, vegetables and sides available for grilling or boiling in a soup of your choice. Hong pretty much offers all the meat you could ever desire—from marinated mussels and octopus to beef, lamb, chicken, pork, sausages and more.

Hong also provides a variety of unique meats that you might not see at other hot pot or KBBQ places around Tampa Bay, like gelatinized pork blood, chicken gizzards, beef tongue, liver and tripe.

Soup bases—which range from mild and savory to extremely spicy—include flavors like

COME TO ‘MAMA: Wagamama first announced plans for U.S. expansion in 2020.

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Chinese herbal style, Thai Tom Yum, tomato soup and mushroom. Specialty boba teas, smoothies and slushies are also available to help cool you down after sipping on Hong’s lipnumbing spicy Szechuan broth.

Guests can pay $30.99 to do hot pot or KBBQ, or $35.99 to partake in both dinner methods. Children ages 4-10 cost $15.99 for one style of dinner, or $21.99 for both. But, like at most hot pot restaurants, don’t bite off more than you can chew (literally), because Hong can charge you $13.99 per pound for any wasted food.

This new Tampa restaurant joins the ranks of other popular hot pot and Korean BBQ places like Boil Spot, Yum Yum, SaRiOne Grill and Nine Spices across the bridge in Pinellas Park and Clearwater. The only other location of Hong BBQ and Hot Pot resides in Bradenton at 445 Cortez Rd. W.

food spots like Jollibee, Huey Magoo’s, Chic-fil-a, Church’s Chicken and PDQ are all located within a 10-mile radius of Clearwater’s soon-to-open Raising Cane’s. Head to raisingcanes.com for more information on Clearwater’s upcoming chicken spot.

The 2nd annual Pinellas TacoFest heads to England Brothers Park this weekend

OPENINGS

Pinellas Park is already chock full of low-key taquerias and food trucks, but this weekend’s foodie festival will feature the best the city has to offer. Pinellas TacoFest 2023 runs from Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 28-29 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. The festival takes place at Pinellas Park’s England Brothers Park, located at 5010 81st Ave. N. Both admission and parking for Pinellas TacoFest is free. According to the event organizer’s website, the festival has an estimated attendance of 4,000 folks, so you might want to get there a little early.

Tampa Bay’s first Raising Cane’s opens in Clearwater this month

Known for American delicacies like chicken tenders and crinkle cut fries, Raising Cane’s is finally heading to Tampa Bay at the end of this month. Although chicken tenders dipped in its tangy signature sauce are the name of the Raising Canes’ game, popular sides on its menu also include coleslaw and Texas toast.

Located at 2525 Gulf to Bay Blvd. in Clearwater, the Bay’s first Raising Cane’s celebrates its grand opening on Tuesday, Jan. 31, according to the The Bradenton Herald. Currently, the only other Raising Cane’s storefronts in the entirety of the Sunshine State are located in Homestead and Miami.

When Tampa Bay’s inaugural Raising Cane’s debuts in a few weeks, it will be the newest contender in Pinellas County’s competitive chicken tendy market. Chicken-centric fast

Although a full list of participating businesses has not yet been released, the festival says that there will be dozens of food trucks, taquerias and spicy vendors slinging their best tacos, burritos, hot sauces and other popular Mexican fare. A few announced vendors include local spots like Divinos Tacos, Taco Cartel and Sea Dog Cantina’s food truck.

There will also be a “Best Taco in Tampa Bay” competition where attendees can vote on their favorite tacos in different protein categories like chicken, pork, beef and seafood. For more information, head to @pinellastacofest on Facebook, where updates will be posted as the event nears closer.

And across the bridge, Tampa hosts its very own taco festival at Al Lopez park next month. The Tampa Taco fest happens on Thursday, Feb. 23 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., also featuring a full spread of local Mexican eats.

cltampa.com

RHYME TIME: Tendys and sauce is the name of the Raising Canes’ game.

COURTESY

MOVIES THEATER ART CULTURE

Collective spirit

A pocket guide to Ybor City’s newest arts center, plus more of the best A&E events happening this spring.

By Jessi Sherbet

The Historic Ybor City Kress Collective is Tampa’s vibrant new arts hub and houses a multitude of creative entities. With 14 different groups spanning literary, cinematic, visual, dance, and performance arts, there’s something for everyone on the second floor of the Kress building.

Located on the 1600 block in Ybor City’s arts district, the Kress Collective refers mainly to the second floor of Kress, while the third floor will be utilized for artist residencies.

“The Writer’s Room,” the space designated to the literary arts groups of Kress, includes GrowHouse Tampa, Heard Em Say Youth Arts Collective, and Kitchen Table Literary Arts. While they share one space, each group operates separately and offers something unique in the field of literary arts.

SPRING ARTS

Downtown Tampa’s Florida Museum of Photographic Arts (FMoPA) is also in the midst of moving into the first floor, and will be its own entity separate from the Collective.

Tracy Midulla, facilitator of the Kress Collective and founder of the art gallery Tempus Projects, was born and raised in Tampa. She’s the fourth generation of women in her family to work in Ybor City (her grandfather was also born just blocks from the collective).

On Thursday, Jan. 26, she hosts a grand reopening for Tempus, from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. where there’ll be four exhibitions, plus DJs and live music.

With such deep roots in Tampa and Ybor, it was important for Midulla’s collective to provide something meaningful for the Tampa community at large.

“Particularly on the second floor, I really wanted to focus on organizations, community groups, and individuals who are outward facing,” Midulla told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “In other words, those who are not just looking for a private studio to make their own work or a gallery to show their own work, but those who are providing a platform for others and who prioritize the work of underrepresented artists.”

She continued that she wants the space to feel welcoming for everyone—with representation not just from the visual arts but also dance, theater, literary arts, film and more. Each of the several groups within the annex offers something slightly different.

GrowHouse Tampa, an organization founded by Curtis Davis and Dennis Ammadaus, is a poetry collective dedicated to growing community, creatives, and culture through spoken word and hip-hop. It will host a variety of monthly events, including weekly poetry workshops, and will curate the Ybor City Poetry Slam every fourth Saturday at 7 p.m..

Heard Em Say is a nonprofit that caters to youth poets and artists. It hosts a monthly youth open mic for ages 19 and under every last Friday at Kress from 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

Kitchen Table Literary Arts is a nonprofit focused on building awareness, appreciation, and support for Black women and women of color writers and poets.

Just a few feet away, is Screen Door Microcinema, which brings cinematic arts to the annex. Dedicated to building community through visionary moving-image work of all kinds, the curators show screenings of a variety of genres every Thursday-Sunday.

For dance, Tampa City Ballet will have an office in the building and host special events in the large, shared flex space on the second floor. Its mission is to serve the community by creating unique performances and providing quality arts education, with a simple goal to positively change lives through the power of dance. The group teaches ballet classes of all levels, curates a variety of dance programs, and hosts community engagement events.

Two spaces in the Kress building are dedicated to photographic arts. “Gratus” is the studio space of photographer Jenny Carey, while CL contributor Dave Decker has a studio space for photographic portraiture and more.

Tempus Projects is a visual art studio which has been a part of the Tampa art scene since 2009, when Midulla founded it. The studio previously lived in several locations in Seminole Heights before its move to Ybor City. Tempus Volta and Drift, two new exhibition spaces, also have homes within Kress. The two galleries are extensions of Tempus Projects’ programming. While Tempus Volta serves as a project space for solo exhibitions that don’t require a large footprint and other special projects, Drift has a slightly more specialized directive.

Also among the visual arts spaces in the Kress Collective are Emiliano Settecasi’s The Department of Contemporary Art, an artist cooperative gallery called Quaid, and Jessica Todd’s Parachute Gallery.

In February, Fringe Festival plans on bringing theater arts to the Kress Collective.

Since many of the entities in Kress are run by one person or a limited staff, all of the spaces will rarely, if ever, be opened all at once.

While the collective’s curators will often sync

their calendars to have openings and events on Thursday nights, Midulla thinks that everyone not being open at the same time makes a strong case for a return visit.

"Every time you come here it’s a different experience and you have access to a different collection of spaces,” she added.

With Tampa rapidly growing, Midulla wants people to feel like they have a central location to gather and experience the arts from a range of disciplines and perspectives.

“Having a gathering point helps to build networks, encourage collaboration, share and grow audiences, and gather the infrastructural and financial support needed to truly foster a sustainable arts community in a rapidly growing city like Tampa,” says Midulla.

—

Check out the next five pages to see more of the best Arts & Entertainment happenings going down this spring, and get even more things to do by bookmarking Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s event calendar at cltampa.com.

SHINE A LIGHT: Inside these windows are some of Tampa’s brightest ideas.

GEORGE LANSING TAYLOR JR./UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA

“Every time you come here it’s a different experience.”

There’s never enough newsprint for all the arts events happening in Tampa over the spring, but Creative Loafing Tampa Bay contributors and staffers, plus select community members actively submitting to CL’s events calendar have rounded up some of the best happening in between now and Memorial Day. See some of the list below, and catch more at cltampa.com.

January

Art+Design Faculty Showcase Alexander Nixon has found a way to create mind-bending sculpture exclusively from bamboo. His work is part of the Art+Design Faculty Showcase inside University of Tampa’s Scarfone/Hartley Gallery. Through Feb. 25. Free. The University of Tampa’s R.K. Bailey Arts Studios, 310 N Blvd., Tampa. alexandernixondesign.com—Ray Roa

Poor People’s Art: A (Short) Visual History of Poverty in the United States A social history of the experience of underrepresented and underserved communities in the U.S. since 1968. Individually and collectively, the artists tell a story of intersecting injustices of race, class, immigration status, healthcare systems, food insecurity, and gender issues. Poor People’s Art is curated by Christian Viveros-Fauné, CAM Curator-at-Large; organized by the USF Contemporary Art Museum; and supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Through March 4. Times vary. Free. USF Contemporary Art Museum, 3821 USF Holly Dr., Tampa. usfcam.usf.edu

Time For Change: Art and Social Unrest in the Jorge M. Pérez Collection From Miami’s contemporary art space El Espacio 23, the exhibition aims to give viewers a glimpse into how artists explore conflict and contradiction in contemporary society and throughout history, reframing the past within the present. Tampa Museum of Art. Through March 12. Included with admission. 120 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. tampamuseum.org

Tom Kramer: Forever Changed Late photographer Tom Kramer documented feelings of pain and loneliness in his final collection of photographs, “Forever Changed.”Kramer, known for his masterful dance photography, passed away in late 2022 at the age of 87. He shot “Forever Changed” at St. Pete’s Palladium Theater during a time when the art community was hit particularly hard by the COVID pandemic. Through March 23. Free. Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. moreanartscenter.org

‘Out Of Eden’ exhibition Yolanda Sánchez is the artist behind Creative Pinellas’ first exhibition of 2023, called “OUT OF EDEN.” The Cuban American artist brings her natureinspired art and will take you on a creative meditation of natural beauty. Her textiles are created using the traditional Korean Bojagi wrapping technique while her fabric choice and color are anything but traditional. Her artwork is full of lush, vibrant colors that reflect the landscape surrounding the Gallery at Creative Pinellas and all of Pinewood Park. Through April 16. Creative Pinellas, 12211 Walsingham Rd., Largo. creativepinellas.org

The Shape of Dreams “The Shape of Dreams is a powerful exploration through painting of how we understand ourselves and the world,” said Dalí Museum Director Hank Hine. “Are dreams useful? Are they prophetic? Do they tell us things about ourselves that we did not know?” Through April 27, included with museum admission. The Dalí Museum, 1 Dali Blvd., St. Petersburg. thedali.org

WTR Cooler: Edit & Chill As it approaches its second anniversary, downtown Tampa studio WTR Cooler invites creatives to bring their laptops to work and chill in a relaxed, inspiring setting. The Cooler kids will provide the snacks, and drinks. When you get there, try and get an interview for WTR Cooler’s Artists In Residency Program, which starts March 1 and provides 10 hours of studio time to create a project and stage an opening showcase. Thursday, Jan. 26, 6 p.m. Free, registration required. 715 N Franklin St., Tampa. wtrcooler.studio—RR

Clearly Collaborative Head to Florida CraftArt to find out happens when nine of the best craft artists in Tampa Bay collaborate with glass master, Duncan McClellan on new work. The most interesting thing about this exhibition is that the nine craft artists are not glass artists. They’re all masters of different craft media, from ceramics (William Kidd, Charlie Parker, Sue Shapiro) to jewelry (Pamela Fox), metal (Dominice Gilbert), paper mâché/sculpture (Joyce Curvin), fiber/ painting (Nneka Jones), paper cutting (Lucrezia Bieler), and wood (John Mascoll).

“I felt it would be interesting to offer these artists the opportunity to combine their skills and creativity with blown glass,” exhibition curator David Ramsey said in a press release. McClellan supplied each of the nine artists with a blank glass vessel or plate to work with, and showed them how to use his sandblasting equipment.

Palm Harbor artist Joyce Curvin turned her McClellan vessel into a rocket sending two of her signature paper mâché dogs into space. Nneka Jones painted one of McClellan’s glass plates and incorporated it into a glass-top side table with a wooden drum base. And Sue Shapiro added her signature geometric patterns to one of McClellan’s glass vessels. That’s just a few examples of what you’ll see at “Clearly Collaborative.” Jan. 27-Mar. 11. Florida CraftArt, 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. floridacraftart.org—Jennifer Ring

Cory Robinon: Surprise, Surprise This longtime Tampa artist and CL cartoonist hosts his first solo art show at Tampa Heights gallery Mergeculture. Opening night coincides with Bloom On Franklin’s first block party of the season, showcasing the newest work from Robinson, known for his “fresh color palette and adorable characters.” Friday, Jan. 27. Free. 1544 N Franklin St., Tampa. mergeculture.com—Kyla Fields

‘Tina’: The Tina Turner Musical This new musical reveals a comeback story like no other – of a woman who dared to defy the bounds of racism, sexism and ageism to become the global Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is a celebration of resilience and an inspiration of triumph over adversity. Select nights, Jan. 31-Feb. 5, $49.50 & up. Morsani Hall at David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N W C Macinnes Pl, Tampa. strazcenter.org

February

Vinyl Fever Nite at Daddy Kool The Burg’s most treasured record shop hosts a party for vinyl-lovers of all walks of life. Come chat about your favorite records, reignite the

Every Friday from noon-1 p.m., proponents of the local arts scene, creative folks and lovers of background noise tune into WMNF 88.5 for JoEllen Schilke’s “Art in Your Ear” radio show.

From in-depth interviews to previews of exhibits, performances and other creativecentric events happening throughout Tampa Bay, Schilke has had years to practice the art of talking about art.

Folks may recognize her friendly face or made-for-radio voice from her now-shuttered downtown St. Pete cafe The Globe, which hosted grassroots arts shows and DIY gigs for almost a dozen years before its closure in 2011.

Although the radio show encourages Tampa Bay’s art proponents to visit their local theater or art gallery on the weekends, Schilke tells Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that she also hopes to convince her listeners from all walks of life that they can be artists, too.

“Everyone has some sort of entrance into creativity…I think that we all have that ability inside us to create something that will communicate,” Schilke says. “I can usually find a pathway into it—whether it be cooking, gardening or writing, but everyone has the ability to take something that isn’t there and manifest it.”

While the show itself has been on WMNF’s airwaves for almost four decades, it’s gone through various evolutions. It started in the mid-80s by a USF arts professor and was taken over by one of the station’s radio engineers a few years after that, remaining a 30-minute show for many years. When Schilke took the temporary position in the early ‘90s—around the time she first started volunteering at the

“Oasis v Blur” debate or add your ever-growing collection. Kool’s daddy, Manny Kool, told CL that he’s wanted to have the reunion for years, and found out that CL’s Senior Music Correspondent Gabe Echazabal was organizing one, too. Vinyl Fever founder Lee Wolfson is headed to the Bay area for vacation, so all employees—and the community which saw Vinyl Fever as a church of sorts—is welcome

station—she thought it would only last a few weeks.

Since then, Schilke has opened and closed The Globe, transitioned from being a volunteer at WMNF to a full-time employee back to a part-time radio host, and has helped found local organizations like Keep St. Pete Local. But she’s never relented on her enthusiasm and fervor for art and the community that surrounds it.

In 2023, “Art in Your Ear” is now an hourlong show, boasting in-depth interviews and curated tunes weaved in between poetry, artistic advice and whatever else Schilke wants—but she always makes a concerted effort to stay away from stale, PR-sounding content.

Simply put, “Art in Your Ear” is a call to action for listeners to get in touch with the creative part of themselves, no matter how buried out of touch it may be.

“You know, no matter what, this is my favorite hour of the week, every single week. I love being on the radio. I love being behind that mic. I love interviewing people. I love having listeners. I love my listeners themselves.”

She compares hosting her radio show to cooking. Sometimes you don’t feel like feeding yourself, but preparing a meal for your loved ones is worth it every single time.

To listen to “Art in Your Ear,” tune in to 88.5 FM on Fridays from noon-1 p.m. or head to wmnf.org, where programming from previous weeks can be found as well. Jan. 27’s show previews The Tampa Repertory Theatre’s production of “The Elephant Man,” while Schilke discusses Studio Grand Central’s rendition of “This is Our Youth” on her Feb. 3 program.—Kyla Fields

to join. “It really was more than a job or workplace for many of us: it was a rite of passage and a lifestyle,” Echazabal added. Friday, Feb. 3. Free. Daddy Kool Records, 2606 Fairfield Ave. S, St. Petersburg. daddykool.com—KF

Central Avenue West Walking Tour Inspired by Rowena Ferrell Brady’s book “Things Remembered,” Fred Hearns, the curator of Black

An Earful: WMNF program is the local art scene’s no. 1 fan

RAY ROA

history, leads this special 90-minute tour with stops at the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church Historic Building, the historical marker for Historic Harlem Academy School/School no. 2, the graves of enslaved Africans in Oaklawn Cemetery, the former site of Beulah Baptist Church, the International Longshoremen’s Association Local no. 1402 Building (former Tampa Branch of the NAACP Office), Kid Mason Community Center, and 813 Short Emery Street where Ray Charles made his first recording. Saturday, Feb. 4, meet at 10 a.m. Sold-out.

Telephone Co-directed by choreographer/ filmmaker Heather Shaw and Dark Room Ballet Founder Krishna Washburn, “Telephone” is a disability arts film project, transforming the world’s perspective on accessibility and allowing the full inclusion of blind and visually impaired people while simultaneously educating audience members about audio description as an art form; creating a new paradigm of anti-ableist artistic expression. Saturday, Feb. 4, 8 p.m. $10-$15. Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Rd., Tampa. carrollwoodcenter.org

Black Love Classic Movie Series Sidney Lumet’s “The Wiz” kicks off a series that includes four films chosen in collaboration with the City of Tampa’s Community Engagement & Partnerships Department which aims to help Tampeños “explore journeys of discovery and the roads that lead back, as told by Black filmmakers and diverse casts.”

Other movies in the series include “To Sleep With Anger” starring Danny Glover, Eddie Murphy’s 1988 classic “Coming To America” and Vincente Minnelli-directed musical “Cabin In the Sky.” The Wiz, Sunday, Feb. 5, 3 p.m. $7-$10. 711 N Franklin St., Tampa. tampatheatre.org—RR

Florida Entertainer of the Year Drag Pageant Top Drag Queen performers from around the country compete for a coveted spot at the 2023 National Pageant. Special guests include RuPaul Drag Race Winners Trinity the Tuck and Kylie Sonique Love and 2022 EOY National Winner Shontelle Sparkles. Sunday, Feb. 5, 7 p.m. $12. The Ritz, 1503 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. floridaeoy.com

St. Pete Indie Flea It’s no surprise that one of Tampa Bay’s biggest maker’s markets is back for another full season of block parties this spring. Happening on Feb. 5, March 5 and April 5 this year, Indie Flea always has an incredibly stacked vendor list of local artists, bakers, jewelers, food trucks, vintage resellers and everything in between. 14 18th St. S, St. Pete. Free. theindieflea.com

Melody Artisans of the Crooked Thumb

A now seven-years running open mic style songwriters night where Josh Reilly invites artists from across the country to not only write a new song based on a prompt, but perform it in the brewery courtyard. Tuesday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m. every other Tuesday. No cover. Crooked Thumb Brewery, 555 10th Ave. S, Safety Harbor. @ melodyartisans on Facebook—RR

Hope Spot Festival Will Dunedin host its first zero-waste event? That’s the question as Blue-Green Connections prepares for its third annual Hope Spot Festival in Edgewater Park this February. If you still don’t know what a Hope Spot is, check out “Mission Blue” on Netflix. The documentary film follows Dunedin resident oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle as she works to conserve our oceans, creating and monitoring Hope Spots around the world. She calls it her Mission Blue.

The idea is to protect the ocean in the same way that we protect the land. As a National

Park is a spot of land protected from development, a Hope Spot is a spot in the ocean protected from fishing and drilling. When Earle gave her TED talk in 2009, less than 1% of our oceans were protected—that’s compared to 12% of land, globally. Now, there are 147 Hope Spots around the world.

Dunedin nonprofit Blue-Green Connections applied for, and was granted, a Hope Spot on Florida’s Gulf Coast in 2019 and they’ve been celebrating ever since. A beach cleanup, live music, eco-friendly costume contest plus the Taste of Dunedin are all part of the festivities. Saturday, Feb. 11, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Edgewater

Park, 51 Main St., Dunedin. bluegreenconn.org/ hope-spot-festival-2023—JR

La Gaceta The Documentary: 100 years and 3 Generations Behind America’s Only Trilingual Newspaper After an initial outing last October, filmmakers Lynn Marvin Dingfelder and Larry Wiezycki stage an encore screening of their documentary about La Gaceta, founded in 1922 as the country’s only tri-lingual newspaper, which has documented Tampeño politics, news, social fodder

Here’s Johnny! World’s largest triceratops finds home in Tampa

Big John, Guinness World Records’ largest documented triceratops skeleton, is coming to Tampa’s Glazer Children’s Museum. Debuting at the end of spring on May 26, Big John will become Tampa Bay’s firstever large fossilized dinosaur skeleton on long term display. At nearly 26-feet long and 10-feet high, Big John is the centerpiece of Glazer’s brand new exhibit, which will take viewers into the Late Cretaceous period.

According to a press release, the exhibit will include tunnels with clear domes, where curious viewers can pop up and see the 66-million year old skeleton from underneath. Roughly the size of an RV, the fossil is 60% complete, and is estimated to be 5-10% larger than any other known triceratops.

Tampa’s Pagidipati family purchased Big John at auction in 2021 for a record $7.7 million, the second largest sale ever for a set of dinosaur fossils.

The sale was controversial at the time, and added fuel to an ongoing debate about the ethics surrounding private auctions which drive up sales of scientifically valuable fossils and often prevent scientists from further studying the specimens. But, as it turns out, the Pagidipati family did not plan to keep Big John behind closed doors.

in a violent encounter before its death. The study states that a rival triceratops may explain why Big John has a keyhole-shaped opening on its frill. Signs of healing on the skull also suggest that he did not immediately die from this injury but perhaps from infection months later.

9th Annual

St.

Petersburg

Fine

Art Festival Downtown St. Pete will be taken over by hundreds of local artists, all peddling their artistic wares. From painters and sculptors to ceramicists, photographers, woodworkers and any other type of art you can think of, the St. Petersburg Fine Art Festival will showcase a variety of the Bay’s artisans. Saturday, Feb 11. Free. South Straub Park, St. Petersburg. paragonfestivals.com—KF

According to National Geographic, the specimen was discovered unintentionally in 2014, when commercial paleontologist Walter Stein discovered it on a ranch in Perkins County, South Dakota. Named after the ranch where it was discovered, Big John was later sold to an Italian firm, which prepared it for auction in 2020.

“Our interest in purchasing Big John and other specimens is first and foremost to make them available to the public and for research,” said Sidd Pagidipati in a statement. “We want to do our part to help the Tampa Bay area become the best place in our country for families to live and raise their children.”

Big John made headlines last year, when a study published in Nature suggested that the gigantic triceratops was likely involved

“The location, shape and size of the lesion suggest that it was caused by the horn of another Triceratops of similar size,” said lead researcher Ruggero D’Anastasio, a professor of biological anthropology at G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara in Italy to LiveScience. “The impact probably came from behind, as suggested by the location of the lesion itself and the shape of the ‘exit hole,’ which resembles the bullet holes described in forensic cases.”

Kick grass: Pro soccer is indoors and out this spring

A new era of indoor soccer in Tampa Bay kicks off this weekend when the Tampa Bay Strikers take the field for their inaugural season. The team’s mens and womens sides will take the field against the Columbus Rapids on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. inside the Yuengling Center at University of South Florida.

Season ticket packages are available, too. Each match day features two games, womens and mens, for the price of one ticket. Each game consists of four, 15-minute quarters, with each side putting five players and a goalkeeper on the 200-foot long field.

Matches on Sunday, Feb. 26 feature new cross-state rivals, Orlando’s Central Florida Crusaders coming to Tampa.

As previously reported, the team is competing in the two-year-old, six-team, National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) and will play 16 games this season, with a postseason tournament planned to determine the champion. A press release says, “The regular season champion in both divisions will automatically advance to the postseason championship match. The teams that finish in second and third place from the regular season will meet in a semi-final game with the winner advancing to the championship game.”

After several summer and fall tryouts, former Buccaneers kicker and Strikers Head Coach Martin Gramatica (pictured above) has named his 19-person womens roster, which includes Puerto Rican national team member and University of Tampa alum Madison Cox, plus University of South Florida player Bri Blethen.

Tampa Bay’s plan to launch an indoor soccer team were announced over the summer.

The Strikers the second indoor soccer team in the Bay area, joining Major Arena Soccer League’s Lakeland Tropics, which plays at the RP Funding Center. St. Petersburg’s long-demolished Bayfront Center was also

home to a pair indoor soccer teams: the Tampa Bay Rowdies (1975-1987) and the Tampa Bay Terror (1995-1997).

Tampa Bay Rowdies will open 2023 season with March home game

It’s been just two months since the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ 2022 campaign came to a heartbreaking end during the conference final in Louisville, but the team already has a date to welcome fans back to Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg.

Single game tickets to see the Tampa Bay Rowdies kick off the 2023 season in St. Petersburg against Indy 11 on Saturday, March 11 should be on sale in the coming weeks, but for now only season tickets are available. The match is one of 17 home games in the Rowdies 2023 schedule of more than 30 matches, which run through the fall.

While the team has re-signed players like Sebastian Dalgaard and Dayon Harris, it’s also watched favorites like captain Sebastián Guenzatti, Steevan Dos Santos and Jordan Scarlett move on to new ventures. New faces on the Rowdies 2023 roster include Charlie Dennis, Connor Sparrow and JJ Williams.—Ray Roa

Petersburg, 255 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg. stuartsociety.donorshops.com

sets from some of Florida’s top comedians. Guests are encouraged to shop, take pictures, and meander through the magical museum of oddities of the space before and after the show. Saturday, Feb. 11, $25-$30. Ashbriar Abbey event venue. @alchemy.ashes on Facebook

Florida Conversations: Voices Of Carver City / Lincoln Gardens Lisa Armstrong, Ph.D. shares stories and research from her quest to uncover the history of Carver City / Lincoln Gardens. Armstrong uses ethnographic research methods to gain insight into Black experiences and perspectives from this small but important historically Black neighborhood in Tampa. Wednesday, Feb. 15, 6 p.m. Free, registration required. tampabayhistorycenter.org

ReadOut Festival 2023 Back for its sixth consecutive year, Gulfport’s celebration of LGBTQ+ literature highlights some of the most celebrated queer authors in the country. Folks can also virtually attend this year’s festival via Zoom. Friday-Sunday, Feb. 17-19. Free. Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S, Gulfport. readout.lgbtqgulfport.org—KF

Localtopia 2023 It’s already pretty hard to find parking in downtown St. Pete these days, but the one day a year that Localtopia returns to Williams Park, it’s nearly impossible. Although the full list of 300-plus vendors and food trucks hasn’t been released yet, a few popular businesses we can expect to return to Localtopia include Made Coffee, Fox & Crow, The Hive, Recycled Earth Pottery and AfterBurnt. The festival prides itself on accepting strictly St. Pete-based makers, steering clear of franchises and multi-level marketing businesses. Saturday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free, bring money to buy shit. Williams Park, 350 2nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. keepsaintpetersburglocal.org

St. Petersburg Science Festival An annual regional celebration where families and the public can explore the wonders of handson science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). The event will be held in conjunction with MarineQuest, the annual open house of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Saturday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. USF St. Petersburg. 140 7th Ave. S, St. Petersburg. stpetescifest.org

Arts, 1010 N WC MacInnes Pl., Tampa. strazcenter.org—Chloe Greenberg

‘The Last Laugh’ screening Florida Holocaust Museum hosts a screening of this funny, thought-provoking and poignant film, as well as an interview with its director and producer Ferne Pearlstein afterwards. Wednesday, Feb. 22. Free, RSVP required. Florida Holocaust Museum, 55 5th St. S, Saint Petersburg. thefhm.org—KF

McArthur Freeman: ‘Finding Form’ (closing reception) The exhibition of work by McArthur Freeman is on display now at Gallery114@HCC Ybor City Campus. McArthur Freeman’s practice explores how identity construction and hybridity are visually generated. The artworks in “Finding Form” consist of globular, amorphous forms spliced together and given organic features. The strange mutations suggest familiarity while simultaneously collapsing into abstraction, proposing the breakdown and reformation of new identities. Freeman join us for a closing reception and artist talk to close the show. Thursday, Feb. 23, 5 p.m. Free. Gallery114 @ HCC Ybor City Campus. Ybor City Performing Arts Building, 1411 E 11th Ave., Ybor City. hccfl.edu

76th annual Fiesta Day Once a year, the heart of Ybor City shuts down as Tampeños celebrate the immigrant history and culture of the historic district. Seventh Avenue will shut down to host a variety of local vendors, businesses and restaurants, historical exhibits and live entertainment when this hyper-local celebration returns for its 76th year. Please note that this event doesn’t take place at Ybor City’s Columbia specifically, but all throughout E 7th Avenue. Saturday, Feb. 25, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free (bring money for vendors). 7th Ave., Ybor City. ybor.org —KF

and more. Tampa Theatre can hold considerably more people than the Cuban Club which hosted that fall screening, but it’ll never be big enough to host all the people whose lives have been touched by the work spearheaded by three generations of the Manteiga family. Saturday, Feb. 11 $10.50-$13.50. Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St, Tampa. tampatheatre.org—RR

A Night to Remember: The Stuart Society 60th Anniversary Gala The Stuart Society will celebrate its 60th Anniversary with an elegant ‘60s-themed gala featuring a 17-piece orchestra, gourmet food, celebrity impersonators, a DJ, and much more.

Celebrity designer, Ian Prosser, of Botanica Design Studio will transform the Museum of Fine Arts into a ‘60s scene. Saturday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m. $250. Museum of Fine Arts St.

Second Saturday Art Walk From 5 p.m.-9 p.m., the St. Pete Arts Alliance coordinates a trolley that will connect riders to 40 different venues in a handful of districts as part of its monthly Second Saturday Artwalk. Service starts at stop No. 1 located at 2955 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg. Feb. 11, stpeteartsalliance.org

Unholy Comedy Show: A Night of Stand-Up Comedy, Audience Tarot Readings, Oddities, and more An immersive night of stand-up comedy, audience tarot readings, music, oddities, and more is back at Tampa’s new Gothic-themed event venue, Ashbriar Abbey, located at Alchemy & Ashes in Lutz. Expect sinful stand-up comedy along with a dip into divination as your hosts Lauren Gray and Hugh Carey lightheartedly provide audience (21 & up) tarot readings between comedy

National

Geographic Live: Ami Vitale

‘Wild Hope’

The National Geographic Live series is back at Straz Center. The traveling series brings audiences into the experiences and research of speakers from across the world. Ami Vitale and archaeologist Alicia Odewale close out the series’ first all-female lineup. Vitale presents “Wild Hope” starting Feb. 21, taking audiences through her personal journey documenting the realities of war to the reintroduction of northern white rhinos and giant pandas to the wild. Her award-winning work focuses on communities working to protect wildlife and our natural world. On May 23, Odewale presents “Greenwood – A Century of Resilience,” where the archaeologist uncovers stories of resilience in the 100 years since the attack on Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Odewale, Tulsa native, explains how archaeology and radical mapping can be used in pursuit of restorative justice following the Tulsa Race Massacre, considered one of the worst cases of racial violence against Black people in American history. Tuesday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. $33.50 & up. Ferguson Hall at David A. Straz Center for the Performing

Iconic: Portrait Edition Witness the portraits of three local icons being created live, as nine talented artists compete head-to-head for a variety of prizes. Watch the creative process from start to finish, then vote for your favorite artist’s portrait in the People’s Choice awards at the end of evening, which is a fundraiser for the Morean Arts Center. The experience includes beautifully crafted cocktails and delectable cuisine from some of St. Pete’s most “iconic” vendors. Grab your glamour shot on the red carpet, browse our silent auction inside the Morean Arts Center, and step outside on Central Avenue to enjoy our outdoor lounge and bar. Don’t forget to paint your own pop art portrait to show off your true self. Saturday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m.-10 p.m. $150-$175. Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. moreanartscenter.org

Living History Saturday: The History of Rogers Park A part of TBHC’s Black History Month programming, attendees can learn about the historic Rogers Park Golf Course and its service to the local Black community. Lionel Ballard, West Tampa native, author of a new book about the course, and outreach coordinator for First Tee of Tampa Bay, will host this educational event. Saturday, Feb. 25. $12.95$16.95.Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Water St., Tampa. tampabayhistorycenter.org—KF

March

Music School: The Art of Music Happening inside Ybor’s exciting new Kress Collective, Screen Door Microcinema co-founder Sean

O’Brien reaches back to his music promoter days to stage this series where local music makers (on March 2, it’s Americana songwriter Matt Burke) explain their craft, take questions, and then play a show. Other confirmed artists included this spring include DJ Casper who’ll walk attendees through the art of turntablism on May 4. CL’s own Ray Roa will moderate. Thursday, March 2, Time and cover TBD. Tempus Projects at Kress Collective, 1624 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. tempus-projects.com—RR

A Night of Classic Burlesque Vol. 3 ND Theatricals, in association with the Palladium Theater, is proud to present “A Night of Classic Burlesque, Vol 3. “ Back again by popular demand (after two sold out shows!) for our third show in the series at the Palladium, we are excited to bring our night of classic entertainment and burlesque to Tampa Bay! Step into our theatrical time machine and you’ll be transported to an era of glitzy showgirls, hilarious comedians, masterful musicians, and a singin’, jokin’ emcee that’ll keep you chuckling until it’s time to hit the hay. March 4. $25-50. Palladium Theater, 253 5th Ave. N, St. Petersburg

Tampa Zine Fest Back for the first time in several years, this DIY fest celebrates all types of homegrown prints, zines, music and other types of art. This family-friendly festival is free to participate in and attend. Saturday, March 4. Southern Brewing & Winery, 4500 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. @tampazinefest on Facebook—KF

Gasparilla Festival of the Arts Each year, Tampa Bay’s best painters, jewelers, ceramists, sculptors and other types of artists compete for this festival’s lofty prizes. Browse the works of hundreds of local artists while enjoying live entertainment and waterfront views. SaturdaySunday, March 4-5. Free. Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, 1001 N Blvd, Tampa. gasparillaarts.com—KF

Etched Feathers: A History of the Printed Bird Birds have mesmerized and inspired artists for centuries. Etched Feathers examines the works, and artistic processes, of John Costin and other bird artists and devotees, whose creations capture the essence of winged beauty. March 4-Oct. 15. Wayne Thomas Gallery at the Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Water St., Tampa. tampabayhistorycenter.org

6th Annual Pride Music and Art Festival

“The Roots of Nature” is the theme for Ybor City’s 6th Annual Pride Music and Arts Festival, featuring the Tampa Bay Pride Band, Tampa Bay Symphonic Winds, Tampa Brass Band and more. Children ages 10 and under can attend this music and arts festival for free. Sunday, March 5. $20$25. HCC Mainstage Theatre, 1411 E 11th Ave, Ybor City. tampabayprideband.com—KF

MythCon Costumes encouraged for the opening of a new exhibit, “Monsters, Myths, and Magic in the Sunshine State,” and experience a day of stories, tales, myths and legends alongside over 30 vendors, special guests, authors, and gaming tent sponsored by Reboot, fire hooping, fortune telling and a cosplay contest. Saturday, March 11, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Dunedin Museum, intersection of Railroad Road and Main Street. dunedinmuseum.org

Green Book of Tampa Bay 4th anniversary brunch

In an homage to Victor Hugo Green’s famed travel guide, Green Book Tampa Bay founders Hillary Van Dyke and Josh Bean have

spent the last four years doing everything they can to support and shine a light on local Blackowned businesses by listing them in a huge online directory and sending regular newsletters about the best Black-centric happenings in Tampa Bay. To celebrate another year of the Green Book, Van Dyke and Bean have teamed up with St. Petersburg’s Studio@620 to throw a brunch party where guests are invited to dress up in their “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” cosplay. Brunch, two mimosas and sweets are included in the ticket prices. Sunday, March 12. $50 - $250. Studio@620, 620 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg. eventbrite.com—RR

HEP Fashion Show Fundraiser: Renewing Hope on the Runway Join the Homeless Empowerment Program (HEP) at Ruth Eckerd Hall for an afternoon of fun, fashion, and fundraising during our 8th Annual HEP Fashion Show: Renewing Hope on the Runway! Guests will enjoy a fashion show featuring sustainable styles all found in the HEP Thrift Store, hors d’oeuvres, and boutique shopping. Plus, a chance to win raffle prizes! Proceeds benefiting HEP’s Youth & Family Services. Sunday, March 12. $60. Homeless Empowerment Program (HEP), 1120 N Betty Ln., Clearwater. hepempowers.org

Iliza: the Florida Only Tour Iliza Shlesinger is an award-winning comedian, actor, writer, producer and author, selling out theaters around the globe with a devoted fan base who are known for creating their own Iliza-inspired swag to wear to her shows. She just released her 6th Netflix special “Hot Forever” and her second book “All Things Aside.” Thursday, March 16. $55-$100. Seminole Hard Rock Event Center, 5223 Orient Rd., Tampa. seminolehardrocktampa.com

Historic Kenwood Artist Studio Tour 2023 What better way to ingest art than to take a self-guided tour through dozens of different studios? You’ll get a chance to purchase original artwork and chat about creative processes during this year’s artist studio tour through one of St. Pete’s most charming neighborhoods. Saturday-Sunday, March 18-19. Free. Historic Kenwood, St. Petersburg, kenwoodartistenclave.org—KF

Trashy Treasures Dunedin’s premiere “trash” party unfurls when DFAC shows off all the cool art and art-related items people dropped off by community members. A silent auction starts on March 10 and wraps on March 18 with the big “Best of Trashies Party” and March 19 Art Supplies Garage Sale. Registration opens at noon on March 3, with bidding starting seven days later. Best of Trashies party, Saturday, March 18, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Dunedin Fine Arts Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. dfac.org—RR

Gasparilla

International Film Festival

Wrapping up Gasparilla arts season is this long-running festival that brings in littleknown indie-filmmakers before they take home awards at Tribeca (looking at you Tyler Riggs). A lineup and schedule has yet to be announced.Thursday-Sunday, March 23-26. gasparillafilmfestival.com—RR

Ink the Bay Tattoo Convention For an entire weekend, the Florida State Fairgrounds transforms into a celebration of all things tattoo, art, fashion, media and welding (a truly unique combination, right?) Whether you choose to get inked or attend its educational seminars, this three day-long event features a wide range of

entertainment. Friday-Sunday, March 24-26. $50. 4800 N U.S.-Hwy 301, Tampa. inkthebay.com—KF

April

Taste at the Straz 2023 The Straz Center’s TASTE event is one of the best ways to sample the most popular restaurants, breweries and bars in town, all while getting a tasty view of downtown Tampa’s Riverwalk.While the full restaurant list for 2023’s installment of Taste has yet to be announced, a few popular Tampa Bay restaurants that we hope return for another year include The Brunchery, Fresh Kitchen, Bavaro’s, Noble Crust, Buy Ramen, Columbia, Portillo’s and Butter’s Burgers— alongside many, many more. Saturday, April 1. $95 & up. Straz Center, 1010 N Macinnes Pl., Tampa. strazcenter.org

The London Séance Society: An Evening

sensational bestseller “The Lost Apothecary” comes a spellbinding tale about truth, illusion and the grave risks women will take to avenge the ones they love. Wednesday, April 5, 7 p.m. $28.99-$36. Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave S., St. Petersburg. tombolobooks.com

Steve Martin & Martin Short This highlyanticipated show will highlight the two comedy legends and Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” co-stars as they fire self-deprecating jokes and mock Hollywood’s celebrity culture— and each other. Martin and Short will be joined onstage by pianist Jeff Babko and bluegrass band The Steep Canyon Rangers. April 28. $103.25 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater. rutheckerdhall.com

“greatest show in sports” all

Imagine AI: Artificial intelligence and Afrofuturism meet in Pinellas

Some artists argue that AI image generators aren’t creating anything new. Others, like USF professors McArthur Freeman II and Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman, enjoy enlisting AI as a collaborator. The Freemans used AI to explore Blackness and Black representation in a new set of works on display at the Gallery at Creative Pinellas this spring.

Afrofuturism’s been around ever since Kwame Nkrumah declared Ghana’s independence on March 6, 1957. “We face neither east nor west… We face forward. We face the future,” Nkrumah spoke. More than 60 years later, in a 2019 lecture at The Kennedy Center, Augustus (Gus) Casely-Hayford, then director of The National Museum of African Art, described Nkrumah’s speech as “the soil upon which Afrofuturism was planted.”

At its heart, Afrofuturism encompasses any Afro-centric art form—literature, music, visual art, film—that focuses on the future. This can take many forms, from sci-fi to AI.

In case you haven’t noticed all the AI selfies made by Facetune and Lensa on your Facebook feed, the future is here. And an Afrofuturism revival has come with it.

Thanks to recent innovations, AI is more sophisticated than ever. It started creeping into Tampa Bay art galleries and museums around 2019, bringing Salvador Dalí back to life in St. Pete. Now it’s “creating” artwork from a few words and a collection of images ripped from the internet. You can see it in action at The Dali through April 30 (), or at home, if you’re a Washington Post subscriber. Or, you can go to Creative Pinellas and see what an Associate Professor of Video, Animation, and Digital Arts can do with it. As Kevin Kelly pointed out in Wired, AI generators require prompting, and there’s an art to that.

“Combining exceptional artistic talent with technology and sociology, McArthur Freeman II and Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman have created

a panoply of Afrofuturistic images that propel us past the challenges, injuries and pain entangling us today, enabling us to craft and experience new realities that are more expansive, beautiful, and just,” Creative Pinellas Director of Arts and Cultural Programming, Beth Gelman, said in a press release. “This is the power of art. Art can open minds to new ideas and ways of thinking which have the potential to truly transform our community and world for the better.”

Imagine Blackness is up now through Feb. 26 at The Gallery at Creative Pinellas, located at 12211 Walsingham Rd in Largo, but that’s not all Creative Pinellas is up to.

Through Feb. 13, artists who “have a history of increasingly successful work on the local, national, or international stage” are invited to apply for Creative Pinellas’ unrestricted, $5,000 professional artist grants, which aim to support local creatives and promote the county as a cultural destination. There’s one more virtual grant workshop on Monday, Feb. 6 from noon-1 p.m. Registration is happening now at creativepinellas.org, and more information is available via @creativepinellas on Facebook.—Jennifer Ring

cltampa.com

with Sarah Penner From the author of the

Savannah Bananas Banana Ball World Tour This Tik Tok-famous baseball circus is taking the

around the country. Expect baseball-related shenanigans, dances and more when these entertaining athletes host their first Tampa gig. Saturday, April 29. George Steinbrenner Field, 3802 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Tampa. thesavannahbananas.com

May

St. Petersburg Month of Photography In case you haven’t noticed, St. Pete has a lot of talented lens-based artists and photography professionals. This year, six of them teamed up to bring St. Petersburg its first photography month in May 2023, and they’re adding a photo festival in 2024.

“I think we’ve cumulatively attended every photo festival in the world,” says Beth Reynolds, who’s in charge of outreach. “A museum might have one photo show a year, but then you go to a photo festival and it’s like jumping in the ball pit at Chuck-e-Cheese.” That’s the kind of energy SPMOP founder Marieke van der Krabben and crew want to bring to St. Pete with Saint Petersburg Month

of Photography in May 2023 and Lumen Photo Fest in May 2024. Director of Programming, Agueda Sanfiz, told CL that SMOP has already launched an open call to find a photo laureate that will shoot Tampa Bay all next year and added that there’ll be an exhibition in April/ May at the Morean with the finalists.

“The rest is still in the works,” says Sanfiz, who’s seeking venues to host photo shows, photo book events, photo documentary screenings, photo talks, and more. Head to spmop.org if you’re interested in hosting a photography-related event, attending photography-related events, or being St. Petersburg’s first Photo Laureate. spmop.org—JR

Alice Jobsite Theater’s “ALICE” is a brandnew cabaret spectacle based on the writing of Lewis Carroll that fuses live music, visual art, puppetry, aerial and circus arts, and plenty of good ol’ fashioned theater magic in an evening audiences may not be able to simply categorize as a play, musical, or something altogether different, but that they will surely talk about for years to come. Select dates May 10-June 4, $39.50. Jobsite Theater at David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N Macinnes Pl., Tampa. jobsitetheater.org

Onstage: Tampa Bay theater this spring

This Is Our Youth St. Pete’s Off-Central Players opens its 2023 spring season with Kenneth Lonergan’s story of early-’80s Manhattan where the ‘60s are dying as the county moves into the Reagan years. Sydney Reddish leads a cast that tells the tale of three lost souls navigating the world “armed only with the ideas and techniques they developed as teenagers.” Performances include a pay-what-you-can show on Feb. 15. Select nights Feb. 9-19, $15 & up. The Off-Central Players, 2260 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg. studiograndcentral.com—Ray Roa

In McClintlock’s Corn Powerstories Theatre’s performance space will soon meet the wrecking ball, and this is the second to last program scheduled for the room. To mark the occasion, Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s Best Actress (Staff Pick 2022) Nicole Jeannine Smith leads the cast for “In McClintock’s Corn,” which the company describes as “a play about gender-non-conforming, neurodivergent geneticist Barbara McClintock and her companion/partner Harriet Creighton.” Select nights Feb. 23-March 12. $25 & up. Powerstories Theatre, 2105 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. powerstories.com—RR

Lift Every Voice: New Play Festival

For the first time ever, downtown’s James Museum and American Stage are partnering to bring you the three-day “Lift Every Voice: New Play Festival.” Five brand new plays will see a staged reading on the James stage. Festival-goers will meet an established playwright at our opening night reception, discover new perspectives in one of the many writer-hosted panels, and celebrate upcoming theater in a beautiful location. Come for

the entire weekend, or pick and choose what you’d like to see. Select dates March 3-10. $25-$100. The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art. 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. americanstage.org

Misery “Misery” follows successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon, who is rescued from a car crash by his “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes, and wakes up captive in her secluded home. While Paul is convalescing, Annie reads his latest book and becomes enraged when she discovers the author has killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain. Annie forces Paul to write a new novel, but he realizes Annie has no intention of letting him go anywhere. The irate Annie has Paul writing as if his life depends on it—and it does. Select nights March 15-April 9. $39.50. Jobsite Theater at David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa. jobsitetheater.org

When the Righteous Triumph Tampa playwright, and former Creative Loafing Tampa Bay theater critic, Mark E. Lieb retells the story Tampa’s civil rights lunch counter sit-in with “When the Righteous Triumph,” commissioned by Stageworks in 2021. The play takes place in Eisenhower-era America. Local heroes of the civil rights movement—”the barber Clarence Fort, who started the sit-ins, Reverend A. Leon Lowry of the NAACP, who brought the force of his organization behind the downtown protests, and Major Julian Lane”—all show up in the work, alongside students from Middleton and Blake. The F.W. Woolworth Department Store on the corner of North Franklin and East Polk Streets in downtown Tampa is where the sit-in began on Feb. 29, 1960, just one mile away from where Stageworks is located in Channelside. Select nights March 16-April 2. Stageworks Theatre, 1120 E Kennedy Blvd., Suite 151, Tampa. stageworkstheatre.org Chloe Greenberg

School days: ‘Spirit’ and

‘Snow’ at HCC Dale Mabry

Gallery 221 at HCC Dale Mabry campus is, for the time being, bathed in blue. It’s a vibe, but if you don’t slow down, you’ll miss it. That’s because there are only five works of in Le’Andra Leseur’s “Spirit, Rhythm, Blues”—four videos and a neon installation.

They’re easy enough to take in at a glance, but only if you don’t care what they mean. For meaning, you’ll have to take pause, sit on the gallery bench, watch “Superwoman,” and read the materials that HCC Gallery Director Amanda Poss prepared for you.

In the words of Junot Diaz, “The whole culture is telling you to hurry, while the art tells you to take your time. Always listen to the art.”

“Spirit, Rhythm, Blues” is on display inside Gallery 221—located at 4001 W Tampa Bay Blvd., on the second and third floors of the college’s Learning Resources Center (DLRC)—through March 2. After that, the gallery makes room for snow. It’s fascinating to hear how various ideas and concepts come together in Kirk Ke Wang’s head. This was especially true when Creative Loafing Tampa Bay chatted with Wang about “Snow in September,” coming to Gallery 221 this spring. For this new body of work, Wang took inspiration from 9/11 and the classic Chinese play “The Injustice to Dou Yi That Moved Heaven and Earth.”

For Wang, who’s developed a habit of processing past tragedies through his work, the two ideas came together on a recent trip to The National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. Wang describes

the memorial as a place where people can go to ponder the sacrifice and loss that go along with being human.

“Many times I meditate just sitting there in the waterfalls…” Wang said. “You remember that snow when the building collapsed. Everything nearby was covered in dust, powder, like snow falling down.

Sacrifice, loss, and tragedy also have a home in Guan Hanqing’s “The Injustice to Dou Yi That Moved Heaven and Earth.” In it, Dou Yi is wrongly accused of murder and sentenced to death. Moved by her innocence, snow fell in midsummer. The snow in the story reminded Wang of the ashes in the air on 9/11, linking the tragedies together in his mind.

As always, Wang’s work aims to convert tragedy into something beautiful. Some of the paintings and collages coming to Gallery 221 contain bright colors despite their dark subject matter. And they’re abstract, so the 9/11 aspects could go unnoticed. But “once you know it’s 9/11, you can see it,” says Gallery Director Amanda Poss.

Another set of paintings/collages are primarily white, a symbol for mourning the past in Chinese culture. Site-specific blue paper cuttings will cling to gallery windows, creating unique patterns of light and shadow while a gallery projection casts snow upon visitors like the ash that clung to New Yorkers on 9/11. Like snow in September.

“Snow in September” runs March 20-May 11 inside Gallery 221. More information on both shows is available via hccfl.edu/gallery221.—Jennifer Ring

KIRK

BURGERT BROTHERS COLLECTION OF TAMPA PHOTOGRAPHS

An annual rite of passage, Spring Bloom presented by AdventHealth is the most colorful time of the year as thousands of azaleas, camellias, and annuals signal a new season. The festival celebrates the majesty of Mother Nature, February 1 through April 30.

CONCERT UNDER THE STARS SERIES

A partnership of the Lake Wales Arts Council and Bok Tower Gardens, enjoy amazing music, starlit nights, and the beautiful setting for a truly unique concert experience.

CLEARLY Collaborative

Master of Glass meets Masters of Craft

January 27 - March 11, 2023

Florida CraftArt presents an exhibition of original glass and multi-media sculptures created through an exceptional collaboration between ten fine craft master artists and glass master Duncan McClellan, founder of DMG School Project and Duncan McClellan Gallery.

CERAMICS

William Kidd

Charlie Parker Sue Shapiro

JEWELRY Pamela Fox METAL Paul Eppling

Dominice Gilbert

MIXED MEDIA

Joyce Curvin Nneka Jones PAPER

Lucrezia Bieler WOOD John Mascoll CURATOR

David Ramsey

Roger Shimomura, American Neighbors, 1996, Woodcut on Rives BFK; Ed. Of 25, Published by UNO Print Workshop, Gift of Dr. Karen White

State of the scene

Some of the biggest concerts coming this spring.

By Ray Roa

If you miss the old State Theatre, you might want to check out the schedule at 687 Central Ave. as of late. Tennessee Americana favorite Lucero makes a return to the address on Feb. 7, and Drive-By Truckers has plans to play the space in April. The Truckers’ Patterson Hood just played two solo shows in Ybor City last month, but this stop find his Athens, Georgia rock and roll band on tour in support of a new album, Welcome 2 Club VIII, which plays like a tip of the cap to the band’s honky-tonkin, Muscle Shoals origin. Lydia Loveless opens the show.

The Truckers booking came ahead of a push by Floridian Social’s talent buyer Shawn Kyle to start booking”#statetheatresundays” at the venue, which was once known as a somewhat grimy, but cozy and near perfect place to catch shows. On Instagram, Kyle said the new concert series will highlight local, regional and community sounds, including indie, punk, alt, hip-hop, metal, DIY and beyond inside “the room that was the center of many of those scenes for decades for so many of us.”

that Collins’ voice still sounds “as clear as a spring wending through a field of wildflowers.” Wednesday, Feb. 1, 8 p.m. $39-$69. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater

—Matthew Moyer

Roger Daltrey Local fans last saw Daltrey last April when he battled sound issues as his bandmate Pete Townshend turned down shouted requests for songs by telling fans, “We don’t do requests …but I love you. You paid for my Ferrari.”

Expect the 78-year-old to play a healthy amount of material by The Who, but also dip heavily into his solo catalog for the show. Saturday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m $68.25-$168.25. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater

Neko Case Case—who last played the Bay area in 2019—will be featuring songs from her latest album, Hell-On, which she says represents her ‘best self.’”

SPRING ARTS

Expect the 52-year-old, Grammy-nominated songwriter to look back on her storied career, in the wake of a new retrospective, Wild Creatures, released early this year. Wednesday, Feb. 8, 8 p.m. $40.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland Street, Clearwater

This weekend’s edition is Americana flavored with Adam Randall and Beartoe joining staple Bay area songwriters Geri X and Will Quinlan, but past State Theatre Sundays have included pop acts (Summer Hoop), indie (Chlorinefields) and rock and roll acts (Dirty Janes) all playing no-cover shows. See more Bay area springtime concerts to look forward to below—get links to all of these concerts, plus more, via cltampa. com/music.

Bruce Springsteen As promised earlier this year, Springsteen and the E-Street Band are finally ready to hit the road, and will kickoff the band’s U.S. tour in Tampa (read more on p. 51). Wednesday, Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m. $59 & up. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa Judy Collins The 83-year-old Collins is touring with an orchestra to play her 1967 album Wildflowers. Last year, she played the same room in support of a brand new album, Spellbound Reportedly, Collins knocking ‘em dead nightly, playing songs from her now 60-year career in music. No less than the New York Times gushed

Emmylou Harris A lot’s happened in the world in the six years since Harris played Tampa Theatre, and we’re guessing the living legend of country music will address it all when she returns to Tampa Bay. The 14-time Grammy winner’s last local set was a masterclass in songwriting where she traversed “Sin City” key changes and sprinted alongside her band on “Luxury Liner.” During the 20-song affair, Harris, now 75 years old, effortlessly showcased underrated guitar prowess and even shouted out Winter Haven’s Gram Parsons. Tuesday, Feb. 21, 8 p.m. $43.25-$113.25. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater

The Judds: The Final Tour Wynonna stages a star-studded, yet tearful farewell show. Naomi Judd, Wynonna’s mother and the other half of The Judds, passed away in April 2022. The mother and daughter duo rose to fame in the late 80s and early 90s, acquiring five Grammys for singles like“Mama He’s Crazy” and “Give A Little Love,” which are chock full of their iconic harmonies and acoustic guitar riffs. Although most of Judd’s greatest hits are duets with her

late mother, a few newer songs—like 2020’s single “King Bee”—might make its way onto the final tour’s setlist as well. It’s still unclear who the special guests will be when the tour hits downtown Tampa. Friday, Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m. $39 & up. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa—Kyla Fields

Lyle Lovett No telling if his tour bus driver will hit the stage again, but Americana icon Lovett has made plans to come back to Clearwater where the 65-year-old songwriter will be backed by his acoustic band, including string geniuses Leland Sklar, Jeff White and Luke Bulla who make up the pared down version of Lovett’s large band. Expect Lovett to pull from the breadth of his catalog from this show and also include material from his latest album, 12th of June, released

last year. Tuesday-Wednesday, Feb. 28-March 1, $69.50-$99.50. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater

Jake Wesley Rodgers Fresh off his recent performance at Amalie Arena where he opened for Panic! At the Disco, Rogers is returning to Tampa to kick off a 30-date, nearly twomonth North American tour. The 25-year-old is crossing the United States and Canada, and announced the tour after releasing Love, his critically acclaimed EP, which features the most full-realized version of his flamboyant, anthemic, piano-driven pop music. Friday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m. Sold-out (only VIPs available). Crowbar, 1812 N 17th St., Ybor City—Brandalynn Nuñez Cepeda

TAKE ME TO CHURCH: Hundreds are pouring into Floridian Social for its no-cover Sunday concerts.

Nnamdï Nnamdï (stylized “NNAMDÏ,” a Nigerian name pronounced “nahm-dee”), is a Chicago-based singer and rapper known for his ability to cross genres with his music. Sounds on his records range from freeform jazz, underground hip-hop, and electronica. Over the past two years he has released an album, Brat, a punk EP, Black Plight, and a crazy instrumental tape Krazy Karl, with several other projects. From composing, producing, rapping, singing, drumming, when it comes to his music, he does it all—and his most recent album Please Have a Seat was some of his most vulnerable work so far. Friday, Feb. 24, 8 p.m. $12-$15. Hooch and Hive, 1001 W Cass St., Tampa—Tyana Rodgers

The Florida Orchestra: ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ TFO’s Soundwaves series is a must-see (more on p. 57), but don’t sleep on enchanting performances of the score from “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” which happens while the entire film plays in high-definition on a 40-foot screen behind the musicians. Ron Spigelman will conduct. Friday-Saturday, March 3-4, $52.50 & up. Morsani Hall at David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N W C Macinnes Pl., Tampa

Florida Strawberry Festival: Willie Nelson/ Tanya Tucker/more The Red Headed Stranger is no stranger to the Florida Strawberry Festival stage, and he’s headed back to Plant City in March. Willie Nelson (March 3) is among the highlights for the festival set for March 2-12. Nelson, 89, last played the fstival in 2019, and this appearance will be his first in Plant City since the heartbreaking death of Willie’s sister, a vaunted pianist who toured with her younger brother’s band until her death last March at the age of 91. Tucker, playing March 8, is in the midst of a career resurgence after being largely inactive for almost 20 years. The 64-year-old “Delta Dawn” singer recently re-entered the studio with Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings who helped Tucker re-emerge with her 25th studio album, While I’m Livin’, which earned two Grammy awards in 2020. All prices are in addition to gate admission, which is $5-$10. Children five and under are free with a paid adult. Select dates and times in March, 303 BerryFest Pl., Plant City Reggae Rise Up: 311 w/Dispatch/ Rebelution/Sublime with Rome/Koffee/ Dirty Heads/more Reggae Rise Up has grown into a downtown St. Petersburg staple and it’s back with a 2023 lineup that includes 311, Wiz Khalifa, Damian Marley and more. More than two dozen acts—including Iya Terra, Matisyahu, Collie Buddz, J Boog, Pepper and The Movement—make up the rest of the lineup for the four-day affair. Thursday-Sunday, March 16-19. $40 & up. Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg

Innings Music Festival: Imagine Dragons w/Dave Matthews Band/Weezer/Japanese

Breakfast/Third Eye Blind/more Before his festival even opened for the first time in Tampa, Innings Music Festival founder Tim Sweetwood had plans to come back. “We can already say that we’ll be giving it a go again in ‘23,” he told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. He’s making good on that promise. Imagine Dragons and Dave Matthews Band are headlining Saturday and Sunday, respectively, as part of the festival outside the local football stadium. Other bands on the lineup include Weezer, Pitbull, The Avett Brothers, Marcus Mumford, Grouplove, Japanese Breakfast, Third Eye Blind, The Breeders, The Revivalists, Faye Webster and more. Hometown boys done good, The Ries Brothers, are also on the bill. Per usual, baseball and spring training will play a big part in the Innings experience, which includes activations with stars like John Kruk, Tampa native Wade Boggs, Edwin Encarnacion, Jake Peavy and more. Saturday-Sunday, March 18-19. $110 & up. Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa

The Eagles When The Eagles closed out their show in Tampa last February, Don Henley looked out at the crowd and said, “In case we don’t pass this way again, I want to thank all of you for a wonderful ride, for a wonderful 50 years”—but we all knew the iconic classicrock group would land here again. The encore features Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit, with Vince Gill in a lineup that will play The Eagles’ classic album front-to-back, accompanied by an orchestra and choir. There’ll be an intermission (leave the Flomax at home!) before a second set featuring the band’s greatest hits. Tuesday, March 28, 8 p.m. $129 & up. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr, Tampa

Taylor Swift Tampa Bay was apparently very ready for Swift to bring a tour back to this neck of the woods. The 32-year-old songwriter is playing three nights at the region’s biggest venue. The tour comes in support of a new album, Midnights, but what remains to be seen is whether or not Swift will now take the opportunity to present different setlists each night since “The Eras Tour” is being dubbed as a deep look back at the record-breaking artist’s entire catalog. With more than 200 songs in her cache, there’d be plenty of material to pick from. Thursday-Saturday, April 13-15, $45 & up. Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa.

Tampa Bay Blues Festival: Robert Cray w/Tab Benoit/Fabulous Thunderbirds/Ana Popovic/more In its 27th year, the Tampa Bay Blues festival welcomes a stable of the most-established, well-regarded, blues acts to a picturesque St. Pete patch of waterfront for three days of music. Friday-Sunday, April 14-15. $70 & up. Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg

Billy Strings Strings has been on a rapid rise since he played Safety Harbor Songfest in 2017, and that journey comes back to Tampa Bay. The show is in support of the Michigan-born,

SPRING ARTS

BE SWEET: Japanese Breakfast is a welcome aberration in a very Tampa-ready Innings Festival lineup.

Nashville-based picker’s 2021 inward-looking album, Renewal, plus the release of this year’s Me/And/Dad. The latter is a covers record where Strings and his father Terry Barber play new renditions of 14 bluegrass and country songs that they’ve been playing together since Strings was a child. Tuesday, April 18, 8 p.m. $39.50 & up. Yuengling Center, 4202 E Fowler Ave., Tampa

Wilco It’s a cruel country out there, and Wilco wants to see more of it. The Chicago indie-rock band’s Bay area show arrives nearly a year after the release of its latest album, Cruel Country, where Wilco sprawls out on a 21-track, 80-minute meditation on the U.S.’ tumultuous last few years. The appearance at Ruth Eckerd—where Wilco played in 2010—also has a cool local angle since guitarist Nels Cline routinely plays guitars made by locally-based luthier James LeClair. Tampa Bay last got a taste of Wilco when frontman Jeff Tweedy headlined the Tampa Theatre in March 2019. Amelia Meath and Alexandra Sauser-Monnig’s band The A’s open the show. Thursday, April 20, 7:30 p.m. 53.25-$103.25. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater

guitarist for Silver Torches, past member of Perfume Genius’ touring band and co-owner of Seattle taco spot Comal—opens the Tampa show in support of his own solo full-length, which celebrated its first birthday this month. Friday, April 21, 7 p.m. $25-$30. Crowbar, 1812 N 17th St., Ybor City

SPRING ARTS

Pedro the Lion In April, Pedro The Lion’s third full-length album Control turns 21 years old, and to celebrate, the band is bringing the Jade Tree classic on the road. The show— Bazan’s first in Ybor City since a 2016 gig in the same room—finds him leading the band as it plays not just every song on Control, but also every cut from its landmark 1998 debut album It’s Hard To Find A Friend which turns 25 years old in November. While Bazan played most of the instruments himself on record, drummer Terence Ankeny and guitarist Erik Walters will help in Tampa. Walters—former

WMNF Tropical Heatwave: Shemekia Copeland w/Eilen Jewell/Seratones/Glove/ GA-20/more Last summer, Tampa Bay community radio station WMNF 88.5-FM announced plans to revive its revered Tropical Heatwave music festival—and now we know who’s playing. The lineup is topped by Alligator Records’ blues powerhouse Shemekia Copeland, Idaho songwriter Eilen Jewell and Louisiana soul-rock favorite Seratones. Blues duo GA-20 (which played in town last week) is also on the bill along with Detroit funk and soul specialist Laura Rain & the Caesars. The 16-band bill headed to Ybor City in May includes a host of locals, plus a rare set from Tampa new wave-rock band Glove., which has spent the last year opening for outfits like Spoon, A Place To Bury Strangers, Nation Of Language and Jack White. Old school ska favorite Magadog is also among local highlights. Saturday, May 6. $40-$50. The Cuban Club, 2010 N Avenida Republica de Cuba, Ybor City

Ed Sheeran After four years away, Ed Sheeran is coming back to Tampa Bay. The 31-year-old is the only active pop star that can fill stadiums with just himself, an acoustic guitar and loop pedal, and there are fan theories suggesting the songwriter will also play an intimate theater show in every market, too. Khalid and Dylan will open the show, which is the only Florida date on the tour. Saturday, May 20, 6 p.m. $49 & up. Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa

HIT ‘EM BACK: Shemekia Copeland leads WMNF’s Tropical Heatwave revival.

VICTORIA SMITH

I’m on fire

A humble city councilman and not so humble Springsteen fan welcomes The Boss to Tampa.

By Luis Viera

On Feb. 1, Tampa will be the first American City to welcome Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band on its 2023 American tour—a big deal for the city, which will see outlets like Rolling Stone pop into town to cover the kickoff.

For non-Springsteen fans, the question is often asked: What is the big deal with The Boss?

COLUMNS

I am an unapologetic and passionate Springsteen fan for many reasons. But none greater than the Jersey native’s role as our unifying American storyteller. Not the storyteller of “Red America” or “Blue America” but our United States. All of it.

Songs like “Youngstown,” “Badlands, “The River,” “Death to My Hometown” and “Factory” express the dignity a good society should give for one’s labor. They tell of workers left behind in a new economy: International trade, runaway corporate profits and disregard for families workers represent on the job all form a new insecure world for workers in Springsteen’s America.

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m. $185 & up.

Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa amaliearena.com

Fact: Nobody does the outcasts and underdogs who defiantly stand up when others command them to sit down like Springsteen.

And he tells the tale of so many narratives of our America. Taken together, they unify our experiences outside of many of our identities and they tell one hell of an American story.

Fact: Nobody sings on veterans like Springsteen.

While numerous Springsteen songs deal with vets, there is a special place for the Vietnam soldier who grew up in Buddy Holly’s idealized America and came home post-war to Janis Joplin’s fractured America. Vietnam Veterans of America Co-Founder Bobby Muller said it best on Springsteen’s advocacy: “[If] it wasn’t for Bruce coming forward, there would not have been a coherent national movement on behalf of Vietnam vets.” And the songs reflect this passion. “Born in the USA” is his most overplayed and yet most under-appreciated song: It describes a Vietnam veteran’s tough road to war and even tougher return home. “The Wall,” “Shut Out the Light,” “Lost in the Flood” and “Brothers Under the Bridge” tell unique Vietnam veteran tales. Springsteen reminds us that these heroes—the greatest of their generation—still need to feel welcomed home.

Fact: No popular artist responded to the tragedy of our time, September 11th, like Springsteen.

His album The Rising is the finest artistic response to 9/11. It stands the test of time through mourning and resolve. “Into the Fire” poignantly tells of first responders racing “up the stairs, into the fire” to save lives and die. “Nothing Man” tells of a post-September 11th first responder numb from service-related trauma and dodging community labels of heroism. “You’re Missing” speaks of sorrow from that day. This proud father of a Jersey City firefighter showed a lyrical commitment to first responders on our darkest day.

Fact: Nobody does American workers like Springsteen.

DANNY CLINCH

His “Streets of Philadelphia” was an early song to explore the isolated plight of HIV-AIDS victims. “Ghost of Tom Joad” reminded prosperous Clinton-era America of immigrants, farm workers and those who call the outside concrete home. The topics tackled are many: “American Skin (41 Shots)” tackled racial

injustice; “Johnny 99” speaks to a social pipeline to prison; “American Land” speaks of early 20th century American immigrants expecting “diamonds in the sidewalk”; “Galveston Bay” speaks of Vietnamese refugees; and history’s lynched and intentionally hidden voices speak in “We Are Alive.” Springsteen writes that good Americans “take care of our own”—a populist slogan used thoughtfully to back fellow Americans stranded in the too many Katrinas and Badlands of our affluent land.

And last fact: Nobody does life’s unique stages like Springsteen.

Songs like “Night,” “Rosalita,” “Thunder Road, “Fade Away” and “Drive All Night” reflect sorrow, relentless ambition and just being out on a midnight run. "Tunnel of Love” as an album is a personal journey through divorce. Many songs, such as “Jesus was an Only Son,” show a lapsed IrishItalian Catholic connecting to his faith through aspiration and nostalgia. And songs like “Walk Like a Man,” “Long Time Coming,” “Independence

Day” and “My Father’s House” reflect on a constant Springsteen theme: fathers and sons. Speaking as a 45-year-old-guy, I can tell you that many of these songs have carried the day for me.

Few artists better challenge us to live up to our American creed in song like Springsteen. Many songs do this, but none better than “Long Walk Home,” which reflects: “You know that flag flying over the courthouse, means certain things are set in stone: Who we are, what we’ll do and what we won’t.”

In the end, Springsteen’s songs are our America: our best and worst moments, with a reminder that our best moments serve as a guide to overcome our worst injustices and tragedies. It is part of our American journey. These are our ties that bind us—all of us.

So I, as a humble public servant and not so humble Springsteen fan, declare to Mr. Springsteen and his E Street Band: Welcome to our beautiful City of Tampa!

Luis Viera is the Tampa City Councilman for District 7, where he just won his third term.

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band

“Few artists better challenge us to live up to our American creed in song.”

TUNNEL OF LOVE : At least one of Tampa’s elected officials is stoked for Springsteen’s arrival.

By Josh Bradley & Ray Roa C CL Recommends

FRI 27

Bloom On Franklin: Sundé w/Psych Montano/Kay Three/more Tampa Heights’ must-experience block party returns in the New Year with art shows (including a solo outing from CL illustrator Cory Robinson, read more on p. 38), food and goods vendors, plus this live music lineup topped by soul-pop songwriter Sundé and rapper Psych Montano. This one where a half-dozen venues are open is a donation-based affair, and you can just type “Oceanic Market downtown Tampa” into your GPS to get there. (Franklin Street between E Kay and Estelle Streets, Tampa)

Chris Botti Oregon-bred trumpeter Chris Botti is starting his 2023 in a stereotypically tropical state of mind. Before the 60-year-old heads across the pond for a limited run of shows in Taiwan and Tokyo, he spends a full week covering most corners of Florida. Next month, he plays over in Honolulu for a few days. Botti hasn’t frequented recording studios in a hot minute, but his setlists include a few licks of classic rock, Great American Songbook selections, and even “Danny Boy.” (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)

Gat$ w/Hollowhouse/Ahrod There’s a lot of hip-hop happening on Friday, but this is the show to be at. The gig is not only a chance to check out some of the best beer in the Bay area, but your last opportunity to see rap scene staple Gat$ before he moves to Los Angeles. What’s more is that the emcee who’s approaching a dozen big stage festival shows also has new music to share. Thank You For Robbin’ doesn’t have a release date and is still technically cooking at Ybor City’s Iconic Sound Factor, but the album is Gat$’ most dynamic, and danceable, outing to date thanks to an abundance of melody, arrangements that flip the listener on their head, plus enough samples for a separate DJ set featuring inspiration for the works. Gat$ promises to play a little bit of it at this set that’ll span his nearly decade-long career in the Bay area rap game. (The Brutalist, St. Petersburg)

Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials Slide guitar legend J.B. Hutto is in part responsible for Chicago-based bluesmen Lil’ Ed Williams and Dave Weld coming together in the late-‘80s to establish the Blues Imperials. The fourpiece that counds Conan O’Brien among its superfans swings into the outdoor Safety Harbor Art & Music Center stage for its first Tampa Bay appearance since a 2007 spot at Bluesfest. (Safety Harbor Art & Music Center, Safety Harbor)

one headlined by Sam E Hues (in support of his latest album, When Tigers Used To Smoke , and steady opening for big name acts coming to Ritz) features a balanced mix of heavyweight homegrown talent (Jay Browne, Pusha Preme, Jroc Jones), plus the next generation of great Bay area rappers (Jstray, Notsew), and a CL favorite who’s back onstage after the recent birth of his first child (Louis Junior). With DJ Qeys on the ones and twos, there won’t be a dull moment. (Crowbar, Ybor City)

Streetcar Live: Applebutter Express TECO’s no-cover, monthly streetcar live music series returns for this pre-Gasparilla voyage where Applebutter Express brings uke-driven, funky bluegrass to the rail line that runs between Ybor City and downtown Tampa. Best bet is to hop on at stop no. 1 near Centennial Park then ride the length of the route and back. (The TECO Streetcar line between Ybor City and downtown Tampa)

SAT 28

Air Supply Fifty years of Air Supply, err, supplying us with songs about love and heartbreak is quickly approaching. But cofounders Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell still have no intentions of slowing down. In 2018, a theater group in the Philippines put on “All Out of Love,” a jukebox musical dedicated to Air Supply’s yacht-rock ballads, and while that hasn’t been put on in ages, the real thing—Russell and Mr. Russell, that is—arrives in Clearwater this weekend, for what seems to be an annual shindig. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)

Bit Brigade w/Symphonic Pheenix Force/DJ Wally Rios Tell junior to put Minecraft down for a night and get learned on some old-school video game culture when

Bit Brigade—a band that does 8-bit rock covers of Nintendo games while a gamer speedruns the games live onstage—takes on the sounds of two Capcom classics: 1988’s “Mega Man 2” and “DuckTales” from 1989. Symphonic Pheenix Force, a homegrown hip-hop outfit that loves vintage gaming, too, opens alongside DJ Wally Rios whose discography includes a “Naruto” beat tape. (Crowbar, Ybor City)

Cathedral Bells w/Sleeping Pills/ Witch Hiatus Last time Cathedral Bells hit the 813, the dream-pop band brought along Drama -making rock duo Surf Rock Is Dead. This time, the Bells toll for homegrown new wave post-punk favorite Sleeping Pills and rock and roll unit Witch Hiatus who open the show. (Hooch and Hive, Tampa)

Houseparilla: Miguel Migs w/Jask/ Brian Busto/more Surviving Gasparilla in South Tampa is a rite of passage, but the real ones keep it together long enough to spend an hour or two at this annual house music throwdown just a few blocks off the madness on Howard Avenue. Staples of the scene man the decks for Houseparilla, and you better not puke inside. (Hyde Park Cafe, Tampa)

Rockabilly

Battle Royale: Round 8 w/ Rod Hamdallah/Hillbilly Hellcats/Gold Hope Duo/The Wildtones/more If you’re sick and tired of the 2020s enough that you want to go back a few decades, you might want to fall into this 1950s time warp. The morning begins with a classic car show, and vintage market for you to grab your grandmother more Elvis memorabilia. Around 3 p.m., live music begins in the biergarten with the “surf noir/spy-fi” sounds of Sam Williams. You have to pay for anything further than that, but getting to experience local rockabilly names perform—and then getting shuffled around with fellow

Sam E Hues w/Jay Browne/Pusha Preme/Jroc Jones/Louis Junior/Jstray/ Notsew/Lil Fancy/DJ Qeys If you’re the kind who likes rap concerts long and strong, then Ybor City has your prescription. This

names to imitate rockabilly giants—it’s worth every penny. And if you’re doing the pirate thing Saturday, but still want to see Rod Hamdallah, Atlanta’s crown prince of soul-drenched garage-blues, without paying a cover, then catch him when he plays a free set at Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe on Friday night. (New World Brewery, Tampa)

SUN 29

Death Cab For Cutie

Al Di Meola

The 68-year-old Jersey boy was taken under Chick Corea’s wing at the age of 19, when he was invited to replace Bill Connors in his band, Return to Forever. Even with Corea gone, a reunion between multiple surviving members is technically possible, but until that day comes, Di Meola will almost certainly mention the late jazz pianist at the Cap. And not only because Corea called Tampa Bay home, but because the Church of Scientology is located within a walking distance from the historic theater (shouts to the god, Xenu). (Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater)

Tenci w/Fast Preacher Chicago’s altweekly, The Reader, might as well be a periodical for those who seek to learn more about the midwest’s best emerging indierock. Last year, the publication’s music guru Leor Galil had about a dozen nice things to say about Tenci, the bedroom project turned quartet fronted by Windy City singer-songwriter Jess Shoman. The outfit—touring behind a new album A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing —is for fans of bands like Squirrel Flower, but also Big Thief and its guitarist Buck Meek who shares a record label with Tenci. The lush arrangements never rattle your eardrums and instead embrace you in a wash of saxophone, violin, flute, clarinet and xylophone all driven by rootsy, electrified folk that’s some of the best stuff coming to Tampa Bay this week. (Hooch and Hive, Tampa)

TUE 31

Death Cab For Cutie w/Momma Ben Gibbard and friends have a lot of catching up to do with Tampa Bay. Since Death Cab For Cutie’s last stop here in 2004 over at Masquerade—which is now The Ritz Ybor—the band has released a plethora of albums, written “I Will Follow You Into The Dark,” and on Gibbard’s end, even worked with The Monkees on their last two albums, saying that having written “Me and Magdalena” for them was “the greatest honor of [his] career.” Before heading on a co-headlining tour with The Postal Service—on which Death Cab will perform both Give Up and Transatlanticism in their respective entireties, the group rolls into St. Pete with support from L.A-based indie rock duo Momma, which opened Snail Mail's Ybor show back in August. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)

Durry w/Pet Lizard Live Nation is America’s largest concert promoter and predicting record profits for 2023 after already reporting record earnings last year. The company plays an outsized role in Tampa Bay’s concert calendar, but the newly founded D Tour network of indie venues and promoters

is working together to offer touring artists unique packages in multiple markets—and keep more money in the hands of your homegrown local venues. This gig featuring Durry, a now TikTok famous brother and sister indie-rock outfit from Minnesota, is a great example of how D Tour works. Expect the room to be full of people singing along to the earworm “Who’s Laughing Now,” and make sure to get to the show early for an opening set by Tampa rock band Pet Lizard which has rightfully become a darling of disciples of 97X’s Next Big Thing where the Lizard has wowed early crowds.(Crowbar, Ybor City)

WED 01

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Elitists rejoice, because Bruce Springsteen—the longtime musical posterboy for the working class—and the mighty E Street Band are finally kicking off their first U.S. tour since Barack Obama was president at Amalie Arena on Wednesday, in front of fans who spent up to thousands of dollars on tickets. The Boss, 73, just celebrated the 50th anniversary of his debut album Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ , and a reunion

between surviving E Street OGs Vini Lopez, David Sancious, and current bassist Garry Tallent recently took place at Monmouth University in New Jersey. It would be interesting to hear the band open the Tampa gig—its first here since 2014—with the first track “Blinded By The Light,” but after indulging myself in Letter To You at least 50 times since its 2020 release, my money is on “Ghosts.” (Amalie Arena, Tampa)

D.R.U.G.S. w/Varials/The Callous Daoboys/156/ Silence We can’t help but wonder what Craig Owens’ old bandmates in the original lineup of Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows—a.k.a. D.R.U.G.S—because following a messy 2012 breakup, Owens reformed the band with mostly all brand new members. Ever since it was dubbed at least somewhat safe to get back on the road from COVID, D.R.U.G.S has been out there killin’ it—even having stopped at Jannus Live last summer—and promoting a semi-eponymous new album, Destroy Rebuild . This time around, the regenerated hardcore band takes on the other side of Tampa Bay, and will tear down the newish Orpheum alongside a plethora of metal and hardcore names playing support. (Orpheum, Tampa)

what the size is—on the Cap stage is very intriguing, considering how many Florida Orchestra gigs we’ve seen in larger rooms, but if Judy Blue Eyes is cool with it, you don’t

THU 02

Rock the Park: Andy and the Argonauts w/Bishop The Artist/Jenn Marsh Americana scene staple Andy Brey is no stranger to Tampa’s local music scene lurkers, and his 21st century gothic folk sound is going to be in good company when downtown Tampa’s no-cover, family-friendly outdoor music series taps Bishop The Artist to bring sultry, chill-pop singles like “Parachute” and “Pop Out” to a bill that also features acoustic strummer Jenn Marsh.

(Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa)

Judy Collins The 83-year-old singer-songwriter isn’t ready to step away just yet. We’re still a bit bummed that her tour with Stephen Stills a few years back skipped Tampa Bay entirely, but she’s performing her iconic Wildflowers album (no, not Tom Petty’s) from 1967 in full with an orchestra behind her. The idea of an orchestra—no matter

dare question anything.

(Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater)

Here’s a good reason to go to church. The Florida Orchestra (TFO) has plans to expand its “Soundwaves” chamber music series by bringing three concerts to downtown Clearwater’s Church of the Ascension. The shows happen on Feb. 10, March 9 and April 21. Admission to each is $25, with 8 p.m. start times across the board. The historic Episcopal church (rare for downtown Clearwater these days, we know!) was built in 1925 and an icon of Florida Gothic architecture, complete with stunning stained glass windows.

TFO assistant conductor Chelsea Gallo (pictured) wields the baton for the first two concerts where the small ensemble— roughly 16 musicians playing strings, woodwinds, brass, harp and percussion— will take on a Julian Yu arrangement of Modest Mussorgsky’s 1874 piano suite “Pictures at an Exhibition,” plus one of Beethoven’s greatest hits, septet for “Winds and Strings in E-flat major.”

On March 9, Gallo & co. move through an intermission-free program that includes French composer Paul Dukas’ symphonic poem “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” the work of another Frenchman (Camille SaintSaëns’ tone poem “Danse macabre”), and Stravinsky’s “Dumbarton Oaks” concerto. Michael Francis, TFO’s musical director, steps in on April 21 when the ensemble plays an intimate chamber version of Anton Bruckner’s Richard Wagner tribute, “Symphony No. 7 in E major.”

Have Gun, Will Travel Friday and Saturday, Feb. 3 & 4. 7:30 p.m.

Jesus Piece Tuesday, Feb. 14. 6 p.m. $20. Orpheum, Tampa

Cardiel Saturday, Feb. 25. 8 p.m. $12. Hooch and Hive, Tampa

Happy Landing Thursday, March 2. 8 p.m. $15. Hooch and Hive, Tampa

Cannibal Kids Friday, March 3. 8 p.m. $13. Hooch and Hive, Tampa

Psyclon Nine Saturday, March 11. 8 p.m. $15. Crowbar, Ybor City

Robert John & The Wreck Friday, March 17. 8 p.m. $35 & up. Murray Theatre at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Death To All Saturday, March 18. 6 p.m. $27.50. Orpheum, Tampa

Madwomen w/Late Night Losers Friday, March 24. 8 p.m. $12. Hooch and Hive, Tampa

Weeping Wound w/Downswing/Enox Friday, March 24. 7 p.m. $15. Crowbar, Ybor City

Combichrist w/iVardensphere/Esoterik/ DJ Gold Wednesday, March 29. 8 p.m $22. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

If you’re sure to burst into flames when you step into a church, TFO is staging the same exact programming at St. Petersburg’s Palladium Theater on Feb. 11, March 12 and April 22.

See Josh Bradley’s weekly concert announcement roundup below.—Ray Roa

Unwritten Law w/Authority Zero/Mercy Music Wednesday, March 29. 7 p.m. $25. Crowbar, Ybor City

David Nail w/Drake Milligan Friday, March 31. 7 p.m. $20 & up. Sims Park, New Port Richey

Magic Giant Friday, March 31. 8 p.m. $22. Crowbar, Ybor City

Phoneboy Friday, March 31. 8 p.m. $16. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

Ford. w/Erez Saturday, April 1. 8 p.m. Prices TBA. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Starship feat. Mickey Thomas w/John Waite Saturday, April 1. 7 p.m. $20 & up. Sims Park, New Port Richey

The Hirs Collective Monday, April 3. 7 p.m. $13. Crowbar, Ybor City

Wage War w/Nothing,Nowhere./Spite Wednesday, April 12. 7 p.m. $25.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Tim Barry w/Rancho La Chua Thursday, April 13. 7 p.m. $17. Crowbar, Ybor City

Jake Shimabukuro Friday, April 14. 8 p.m. $25 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Burned out

By Caroline DeBruhl

Dear Oracle, what do you do when a friendship is beginning to feel one-sided? I love my friend and have been close with her for years, but I’m noticing that I’m starting to feel drained after spending time with her. It definitely didn’t use to feel that way, and I don’t want to end the friendship, but I haven’t really enjoyed hanging out with them for a while.—Burned Out Bestie

Cards: Page of Wands, Ace of Swords (reversed), King of Cups (reversed), Waning Gibbous Dear BOB, one of my favorite movies last year was Martin McDonagh’s ”The Banshees of Inisherin” because it asks the very common but rarely acknowledged question of “what do you do when you don’t like your friend anymore?”

The answer the movie provides is equal parts absurd and brutal, neither of which I’d recommend, but there is a hint of that sorrow in your question. You love your friend. You loved them for years. But at the moment, you don’t really like spending time with them.

You mention your relationship feels onesided and draining, and it’s important to figure out why it feels that way. Let’s start with you, the Page of Wands. The wands are all about creation (AKA Newness), and as the freespirited Page, you probably enjoy adventure or novelty or simply discovering something you didn’t know before. You probably feel best when you’re intellectually stimulated—and

probably dislike talking about the same things over and over again.

The reversed Ace of Swords and King of Cups suggests that you’re giving a lot of mental and emotional energy to this friendship but aren’t receiving it back. Which makes me wonder: are you, by any chance, your friend’s unofficial therapist? Do your conversations mostly revolve around them and their problems, but they don’t ask about yours? That could certainly make a friendship feel one-sided.

Now, it’s normal for a relationship to become unbalanced from time to time. People go through shit, and sometimes they need to take more emotionally than they can give. We’ve all been there, on both sides of the equation.

20-minute phone call over a lunch break. Or go see a new movie so you’ll have something new to talk about after.

Whatever is happening, I hope your relationship regains balance. True Friendship is a type of True Love, and our lives are richer for it.

Dear Oracle, about six months ago, my adult daughter began divorce proceedings. I moved in with her to help care for my two young grandchildren since she works full-time and is now a single mother. I love my grandchildren, and I love being able to help my daughter, but it’s exhausting raising little children, and I’m not a young woman anymore. Is there a way for me to help without feeling exhausted?—Gi-Gi

ORACLE OF YBOR

Cards: Temperance, Four of Cups, Queen of Wands (reversed), Full Moon

all or nothing. Right now, you’re giving it your all: you’re helping with the day-to-day every day. I wonder if you might feel more balance if you were able to have your own space (like an apartment nearby) or if there is a way for you to take a step back so that you have energy for yourself.

Your daughter is a warm and protective mother, and this divorce is probably taking a lot of her. The reversed Queen of Wands suggests that she cannot be her whole self at the moment (probably due to the difficulty of said divorce), but that wasn’t always the case. She was a powerful woman before and will be again.

With the Full Moon bringing energy and clarity, it might be a good time to sit down with your daughter and figure out the next chapter of this story.

You mention your friend hasn’t always been like this—are they going through a hard time right now? If so, it’s important to acknowledge that they might not be a giving friend for a while. And depending on their situation, they might not be able to change that even if you tell them your concerns.

The Waning Moon suggests that you may need to let go of some expectations for this friendship. They might not be able to be the kind of friend they once were. This might be temporary, or you two might be growing apart. I don’t know.

I know you want to keep the friendship alive, so I recommend shorter visits that won’t leave you drained or resentful. A drink instead of dinner, a

Dear Gi-Gi, I am sure your daughter is deeply grateful for your presence during this difficult time. I’m sure it’s great for your grandchildren, emotionally and practically, to have you around to love them and help them. But I think you and your daughter know that this isn’t sustainable in the long run. The Four of Cups shows up when we know something isn’t working in our relationships, and while this arrangement was made with the best of intentions, it’s taking a lot out of you.

While you don’t specifically ask about “finding balance,” that’s what the cards want you to do.

Temperance is a card of balance and sometimes appears when we feel like we have to give

You asked if there was a way to help without feeling exhausted, and while I would love to give you a specific answer, I can’t. I don’t know the details of your daughter’s finances/custody agreements/relationship with her ex or what’s feasible right now.

But I encourage you to be honest about how you’re feeling and what you have the energy for. Perhaps you can help in the evenings but not the mornings or can offer help on certain tasks but need outside help on others. I’m not sure.

But I hope you are able to be honest with your daughter and yourself. Changing your role does not mean you love your daughter or grandchildren any less. It just means acknowledging how very human you are.

Best of luck, my dear.

Send your questions to oracle@cltampa.com or DM @theyboracle on Instagram.

Manners

By Dan Savage

I’m a gay man who recently started seeing a guy in an open relationship. He’s intelligent, funny, and sexy. He told me early on that his partner is a Dom top, into kink (leather, latex.), that his partner has caged boys, and so on. Moreover, with his partner he’s a “bratty sub,” meaning he engages in erotic disobedience and defiance. I was initially indifferent, but have begun to become aware of his partner’s presence in a way I don’t like, even though I’ve never met him. I also find myself feeling resentful and jealous of the idea of him being told what to do, held back, or controlled. (The sex we have is hot, intimate, and intense, as well as completely vanilla.) I know his relationship with his partner is none of my business, but if he truly is a bratty sub, and his partner is a “tamer,” am I just a pawn? Is the intimacy we share in the service of his primary D/s relationship? I like this guy and wish I could be with him but that’s not possible because he and his partner are engaged. I’m OK with that. But I can’t stand the idea of our connection being incorporated into an erotic game he’s playing with his partner. I don’t want to be conscripted into their power exchange. I welcome your advice.—Neither

Brat Nor Tamer

Let’s call the guy you’re hooking up with “Brat” and call his fiancé “Dom.” Worst-case scenario, NBNT, Brat goes home and tells Dom everything you’ve been doing together, presumably in a very bratty way. Then Dom punishes Brat for being slutty. If that’s what they’re doing—and we don’t know if that’s what they’re doing—then, yeah, I guess the vanilla sex you’re having with Brat is being “incorporated” into the erotic powerexchange games they play. You could ask Brat not to tell Dom anything about the time he spends with you, NBNT, but you ultimately can’t control what Brat does or says when he’s alone with Dom… and them telling each other everything might a condition of their open relationship. Your attempt to control what Brat says to Dom when they’re alone while at the same time objecting to the control Dom has over Brat is a little hypocritical.

Zooming out for a second: Anyone who doesn’t like the idea of someone they’re fucking talking to a primary partner about the fucking they’re doing shouldn’t fuck primarily partnered people and/or should only fuck primarily partnered people who have DADT arrangements with their primary partners. (Submissive English majors: I order you to diagram that sentence.)

Back to you, NBNT: I think the real issue here you’ve caught feelings for Brat. But since you can’t object to Dom’s existence, as Dom was a given at the start (and Dom’s willingness to open the relationship made your connection with Brat possible), you’ve subconsciously landed on the idea of objecting to the sex Brat has with Dom and the possibility that the sex Brat has with you—in

addition to being great and hot for you—fuels his connection to Dom. So, it’s not that Brat plays a subordinate role in his relationship with Dom that bothers you (e.g., Brat being told what to do, Dom controlling Brat), but the subordinate role you play in Brat’s life. You want Brat the way Dom has Brat—not the sub part, NBNT, the partner part—and you’re going to comes to terms with that if you decide to keep seeing Brat.

P.S. Just in case there any Tucker Carlson producers are digging through my column looking for things to get outraged about: “caged boys” is a reference to submissive adult men, sometimes called “boys,” who enjoy wearing locking male chastity devices, sometimes called “cages.” Brat’s fiancé is holding the keys to cages with cocks in them, not the keys to cages with children in them.

What is the etiquette for running into people you’ve hooked up with? My partner and I, both males, practice ENM, so long as he doesn’t know who I hook up with. I always play safe. I was recently on my own at a store and saw a guy I hooked up with. I would’ve said hi/acknowledged him, but he was with another guy, so I actively avoided eye contact since I didn’t know if they were together. But we definitely saw each other just not at the same time. I want to be ready for when this happens again either when I’m alone or with my partner.—Ran Into Guy I Dicked

SAVAGE LOVE

It’s a small world. The gay world is even smaller; even if you were to stick to horny tourists and business travelers, your chances of running into a hookup when you’re out with your partner are high. So, you should say something like this to your hookups as you’re showing them to the door: “Hey, that was great. If we run into each other and I’m with my partner, I might not be able to say hi. We’re open but we’re doing the ‘Don’t ask/don’t tell’ thing, and saying hello to a hot guy like you is a tell. Apologies in advance.”

Now, in the example you mentioned, RIGID, you were alone, but your hookup was with someone else, and you opted to pretend not to see him. Was that the right thing to do, etiquette-wise?

STI train for two years. Every three months we test positive. It’s a roller coaster ride of shots and pills. My partner wants us to close our relationship. My partner enjoys being topped by me, but he is older and struggles to top me. I’m vers and love bottoming. So, I end up exploring all the normal spots for anonymous sex when I want to get topped. I tried going to these spaces and just giving oral. something I also love doing, but I always end up bottoming. And I quickly go from “please wear a condom” to “load me up.” My doctor isn’t supportive, and I get lots of “you need to stop doing this” from him. What should I do?—Lusting Over Anon Dick

Fucking questions, sucking questions, cocklocking questions—I feel qualified to answer those on my own. But etiquette? Those are outside my areas of expertise, RIGID. So, I shared your letter with Daniel Post Senning, great-great grandson of Emily Post and co-author of “Emily Post’s Etiquette: 19th Edition.”

“Etiquette says we acknowledge people we know with our eyes, a wave, a nod, and a polite ‘How’s it going?’ when we meet in passing,” said Senning. “So long as the other person understands the limits of your romantic connection, there’s no reason for the encounter to be awkward.”

Since you weren’t with your partner, RIGID, you were free to acknowledge your hookup without your partner both noticing and knowing. But let’s say you were with your partner. What then?

“In a small world where we might be managing multiple relationships where the parties would rather not interact or know about each other, it’s a good idea to make explicitly sure everybody knows that fact,” said Senning, “and everyone knows that might mean walking past each other in public or otherwise limiting interactions.”

In other words, RIGID, what you know about your partner—he would rather not know about your hookups—your hookups need to know, too.

“Thinking about how you manage these moments with consideration for all involved is the right way to think these things through,” said Senning. “RIGID was right to consider the possibility the guy he saw might not want a past hookup to say ‘Hello’ or otherwise engage when he was with someone else.”

While I agree with Senning—and defer to him on matters of etiquette—I think gay men should err on the side of acknowledging the existence of men whose asses we’ve recently eaten, whenever possible. Ignoring someone we’ve fucked is cold. It can leave that person wondering what they may have done wrong. So, a quick smile and a nod. If the guy he’s with notices—or if the guy you’re with notices—telling a small lie to spare someone’s feelings is a courtesy that etiquette allows. Some suggestions: “We used to work together,” “He goes to my gym,” “That’s George Santos.”

Daniel Post Senning co-authored “Emily Post’s Etiquette: 19th Edition” with Lizzie Post, also a great-great grandchild of Emily Post. Together they co-host the podcast “Awesome Etiquette.”

I’m a 42-year-old gay man living in San Fran, and I can’t stop playing the cum dump. My partner of 10 years wants to marry me next year. That’s not the problem. My problem is that we have ridden an

Find a few regular fuck buddies who can load you up. That won’t eliminate your risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections, LOAD, but having more sex with fewer people will—under most circumstances—significantly lower your risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. If you find it hard to stick to using condoms or oral when you visit places where men have anonymous sex, LOAD, you should avoid those places.

I wanna emphasize that finding a small group of regular fuckbuddies isn’t a perfect system for avoiding sexually transmitted infections—only abstinence is, it saddens me to say—but taking non-anon and/or nearly-anon loads from a small number of regulars as opposed to anon loads from a large number of irregulars should result in less time on STI train. If you like the sleazy vibes at “the normal spots” for anonymous sex—bathhouses, sex clubs, public sex environments—you can arrange to meet your regular fuck buddies at them.

P.S. Your doc shouldn’t shame you but you can’t expect them to congratulate you after you’ve contracted your fourth STI in less than a year. Your partner sounds frustrated with the track you’re on. He’s talking about closing the relationship, LOAD. If you don’t want him to start thinking about ending it, you’ll make some changes.

P.P.S. Therapy.

Send your burning questions to mailbox@savage.love. Podcasts, columns and more at Savage. Love!

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22

Oxidation coat

Ms. Hagen

Ballerina’s bend

Certain residence: abbr.

DOWN

Beast-ly boat

“When ___ start?”

Network that fired Bill Maher

Pinball feature

47

Cobb who played Arthur Miller’s Willy

It fell on 4/30/75

Horse preceder?

Shower room wrap

Switch back?

Julius Caesar character

Karl in Patton

Condiment with a real wallop?

Iditarod city

Tic-tac-toe line

Fashion mag

Dog food that’s unanimously popular?

Itty-bitty birdies

Do a tire job

Dumas dueler

Weasel type

Architect Maya

Indian wrap

Offers an orison

More than a little

“Yeah, right”

Store that boasts, “Even our shopping bags are chic”?

Illuminated, camp-style

Job for Ford

Old taping choice

After expenses

Motel-rating org.

Certain Muslim

Stuffy room’s need

Stats for A-Rod

Wipes that are strong enough to write on?

Yes, to Yves

Actress Pitts

Oft-shared graphic 81 “___ the Nile” 85 Company that solves empty tank problems?

Broad lowland 90 Against 91 As a companion 92 Stare in amazement

Potential perch 95 West Side Story Oscar winner

Hermosillo homes 100 Blake’s rank on M*A*S*H, for ex. 102 “Waves of grain” hue 105 Store where readers can’t reach anything? 108 Store where readers hang out way too long?

Bird with an eerie call

“I’ll bet that hurt”

Rice-a-___ 115 Store where readers can’t find anything?

Evelyn Waugh’s brother

C to C, e.g.

Notes from people who are short?

Out of cards in a suit

Cover up

Less cluttered

Fork part

Former partners

Thailand-Laos separator

Crummy car

Historic time

Geologic time

“The Father of Electronic Music,” Edgar ___ 60 Taoism VIP 65 Besieged 66 Sprite in The Tempest 68 Run, as colors

98

Baseball’s Matty 99 Plaited straw used in making hats (anagram of TENNIS)

Mr. Pulitzer

Sunshine State director John

Goose genus

Call ___ day

Turgenev turndown

English playwright

Love, Italian-style

Noodles for Nomo

Kilmer poem

Nerve thingies

Mixed bag

Grain beard

Where Angels tread: abbr.

Grafton’s A

S.F. pro

Lapidary unit

Eary?

Helot’s cousin

Wound on the set of Willard, perhaps

Rescuee’s cry

“The wolf ___ the door”

Tibetan, e.g.

Pan dessert

Heath’s character in Brokeback Mountain

Regrets

So far

“Waterworks”

Drummer Gene

Sitting site

Constructed

Wrestle

Sailor’s saint

Sound of Charlie Brown hitting the ground

Destruction

Son-gun insert

On ___ with (similar to)

Confab: abbr.

Partly

It means “sleep” 83 “___! the sun begins to rise” (Tennyson) 84 Is of the opinion 86 Oft-perverse verse

Sufficient, formerly 88 “Holy cats!” 93 Nudger’s need

Start of a Hemingway title 102 President Garfield’s middle name 103 Dough 104 Scourges 106 Tylenol rival 107 Old West “necktie” 109 Black, to Blake 110 Test of speed 111 Sp. girl

Crooner Cole 117 Colorful carp 118 Taker of vows 119 Go a round in a ring

Titleist’s position 121 Bk. reviewers?

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