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Roughly 300,000 pirates headed to Tampa’s Bayshore Blvd last Saturday afternoon for the 2025 Gasparilla Pirate Fest. Amid security concerns following the New Orleans terrorist attack, Tampa law enforcement beefed up security, adding thousands of officers from state, local and federal agencies to assist with the festivities. Despite copious amounts of borgs, the festivities weren’t too unruly. According to TPD, nine people were arrested on misdemeanor counts, along with three felony arrests and three on charges of boating while intoxicated. See more photos via cltampa.com/slideshows.—Colin Wolf
LAGUNA LAGUNA BLUE BLUE
do this
Tampa Bay's best things to do from January 30 - February 05
So gay
Kicking off this weekend, just a couple weeks after the Trump administration launched an attack on transgender people across the U.S., Tampa Bay’s long-running queer film festival kicks off its 35th year. Opening night features seven shorts that’ll screen in under two hours, while the rest of the long weekend includes more shorts blocks, lesbian drama (“Drone”), classic gay coming-of-age stories (“Duino”), Asian bromances (“Extremely Unique Dynamic”), gay islands (“A House Is Not A Disco”), a documentary about a pride prom for students who don’t feel comfortable at their own school dances, and more.
Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival: Thursday-Sunday, Jan. 30-Feb. 1. $12-$80. Green Light Cinema, 221 2nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. tiglff.com—Ray Roa
Separation powers
Buildings tell you a lot about themselves, and their architects, before you even walk in. In a beefy and enthralling, text released last year on Tarpon Springs’ Two Penny Publishing, Jerel McCants dives right into the architecture of segregation. “It’s more about how architects have influenced cultural decisions, legislation, and policies, more than just looking at different styles,” he told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “It’s about how people move through spaces.” Inspired in part by his father, a veteran who grew up in Alabama when it was the hotbed of civil rights, McCants—a well-traveled, spaceplanning-obsessed architect himself—will be interviewed live by Nashid Madyun, Executive Director of Florida Humanities, inside Tampa Union Station (opened in 1912, it has separate entrances, and you know what those were for). “I even go into a deep dive into Nazi architecture. Hitler was an evil genius, he wanted to create a new world society based on a totalitarian, dictator style, so he had an architect in his cabinet that created that,” McCants added. “For better or worse, historical figures valued architecture.” Topical indeed.
Book Launch—’The Architecture of Segregation’ w/Jerel McCants: Friday, Jan. 31. Noon. $20-$50. Tampa Union Station, 601 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa. jmccants.com—Ray Roa
A beloved St. Petersburg coffee shop combines two of its major events into one weekend, for a two-day bash celebrating nine years on Central Avenue. On Saturday, Bandit will serve cake by the slice, a returning tradition for the coffee spot, while offering t-shirts live screen printed for guests from 10 a.m.- noon. Cake and shirts are limited and will be served while it lasts. A pop-up for all members of the family, along with more merch and raffles, happens from 5 p.m.-8 p.m., with live music and Cipolla Rossa pizzas. After that, Bandit says leave those kids at home, their Small Bar event is for legal drinkers, from 5 p.m.- midnight. Bandit will serve wine and open its kitchen, including the famous oldschool cake trifle. Whether you are attending Saturday, Sunday or both, the fan-favorite birthday cake latte and Bandit crunchwraps will be available all weekend.
Nine Years of Bandit: Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 1-2. No cover, bring money for food and drink. Bandit Coffee Co., 2662 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. @banditstpete on Instagram—Julia Saad
Mighty nine
House party
After a long wait after being pushed back to a later date due to the hurricanes, the 2024 BungalowFest is set for this weekend, and ripe for anyone interested in exploring more of the Historic Kenwood district and its architecture. The one-story small houses with long porches, or bungalows, offer a more accessible and manageable style of living. “Living large is small spaces,” is the event’s motto. During the event, guests can stroll through the 375 acres of bricked streets and tour inside a selection of houses throughout the neighborhood. Funds from the event go back into Kenwood and its projects. Close to Downtown St. Petersburg, Kenwood was the first suburban neighborhood in the area to have year-round residents, according to the district’s site. Boston Globe wrote that approximately 170 bungalows were moved from downtown St. Petersburg to Kenwood in the mid1930s, adding that, “Today there are more than a thousand properties in the district.”
Take flight
Florida harbors 30 species of birds of prey, and 20 of them can be found at Boyd Hill. A chance to get up close and personal with them returns in the spring, when the 11th annual Raptor Fest welcomes more than 5,000 visitors who’ll help raise over $10,000. The funds go towards the Bird of Prey Program, a partnership between the city and Friends of Boyd Hill that covers food, shelter, veterinary services, and general wellbeing for the birds. To educate the community on birds of prey, Raptor Fest chooses one species to showcase and build activities around. The star this year is a non-native rare visitor, the short-tailed hawk. Dart, Boyd Hills’s hawk, arrived in Florida in June of 2021 with a permanent wing injury, according to the preserve. The bird is part of programming that includes three flight shows featuring various other species, two bird walks, plus vendors and loads of activities for kids and adults alike. Parking is free, but limited on site. Additional parking, with free shuttle service is available at nearby Lakewood High School (1400 54th Ave. S) and Lake Vista Recreation Center (1401 62nd Ave. S.).
BungalowFest: Saturday, Feb. 1. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $25. Check in at St. Petersburg High School, 2501 5th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. historickenwood.org—Julia Saad
RaptorFest 2025: Saturday, Feb. 1. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. No cover. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S, St. Petersburg. friendsofboydhillnaturepreserve.wildapricot. org—Julia Saad
Analog shuffle
The good weather is supposed to roll into the weekend, and that bodes well for this pop-up which is kind of a like a warm up for Record Store Day happening in April. Five Bay area brick-and-mortar stores—Daddy Kool, Microgroove, Planet Retro, Bananas and Modern Needs—are setting up camp at St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, which opens its doors to the public and offers free play, too (donations will be accepted). Radio St. Pete will be on site with a turntable, too, ready to broadcast your selections on 96.7-FM and radiostpete.com.
Record Store Pop-Up: Sunday, Feb. 2. Noon-4 p.m. No cover (bring money for records, duh). St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, 559 Mirror Lake Dr. N, St. Petersburg. @ Daddykoolrecords on Facebook Ray Roa
THESE THINGS MUST BE DONE DELICATELY: More parking changes could be coming
No place like home
Councilwoman will introduce ordinance for residential and business parking on Tampa’s ‘Yellow Brick Row.’
By Julia Saad
While Hope Donnelly listened to Tampa City Council discuss her situation last month, she hoped councilmembers would walk a few steps in her ruby red shoes.
Donnelly, owner of the Rialto Theatre, said that after months of pushback on the new parking meters across five blocks of the city’s “Yellow Brick Row”, she’s been consistently reaching out to both the parking division and council hoping to get at least residential parking.
Council Member Lynn Hurtak told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that although she never received direct communication, she will introduce an ordinance that includes Franklin Street in an existing city permit program. The program, which Hurtak expects will pass, would grant two residential spots for residents and four business spots for storefronts, Hurtak said.
the south, N Florida Avenue to the east, E Oak Avenue to the north and N Tampa Street to the west—to the existing code, which details residential parking permits in certain parts of the city.
But if complaints were made, even before the meters were activated, why didn’t the permitting happen sooner?
concern with small businesses in the area. Hurtak interjected.
“Here is the thing, we went through the exact same thing with Ybor City. They did not lose business because of this. I asked the Ybor Chamber of Commerce. They lost no businesses. I understand that this is difficult, but just like that, we’ve got to give it a shot before we do something,” Hurtak said in the council meeting.
“This is an area that is still developing. It is not like Ybor where there is people and traffic, it is still developing,” Carlson rebutted.
LOCAL NEWS
During new business at the Jan. 23 Tampa City Council meeting, councilmembers unanimously agreed to amend a previous a motion so that city legal staff could report back about a change to the city charter’s “Sec. 15-104.Residential parking permit only area” on Thursday, Feb. 20. The change would add the N Franklin Street corridor—E Kay Street to
“I asked the parking director (Fed Revolte) why haven’t we done this before… we started putting down the meters and knowing the business owners were concerned and he said ‘Well, it’s because we can’t do it, the ordinance has to be done by council’,” Hurtak said. Revolte initially said there was no pushback from the community on the meters being installed. When asked about the delay on the Tampa Parking Division’s communication to the council, a spokeswoman said they had no additional information beyond their first statements to CL.
On Dec. 12—nine days after metered parking was activated on Yellow Brick Row— Councilmember Bill Carlson requested a report on businesses at N Franklin Avenue, with the possibility of banning the meters on “Yellow Brick Row.” Carlson mentioned the
Hurtak added that the demand from parking that came from the overflow in Ybor City, Channelside and Armature Works was pouring into Yellow Brick Row, and that the meters were already placed and activated. She said growth from the surrounding areas might bring traffic into the N Franklin Street businesses.
Elevation Coffee’s bar manager might agree with Hurtak.
Last December, when CL first interviewed employees on Yellow Brick Row, Caleb Wright said his biggest concern were the returning clients that came in for more than coffee. What would they do if parking costs $2 an hour?
“It will definitely make people less inclined to stay here for an extended period of time and hang out with us,” he said.“And that is kind of what we are about, what we do, is hang out with people.”
Kate Swann, owner of the Florida School of Woodwork, said each business will have a different report to hand back to the council; hers will include the fact that the school will have to spend unexpected funds to cover student parking.
“Our students don’t have a place to park for hours on end, they now have to park further away and it’s hard to bring all their tools in,” Swann said. “Obviously as a small business, finding extra money is a hard thing.”
At the end of Dec. 12 meeting, the council decided that the business report for Yellow Brick Row should be brought back on Thursday, Feb. 20.
Before that meeting, however, Hurtak said her plan is to introduce the ordinance for permitting during the Feb. 6 council meeting. Council, she added, will have to move quickly because of new construction happening in that district, and the demand it will have for street parking.
“Could the city have done a bit better with planning for this? Yes, but unfortunately that’s not what occurred, so we are going to do what we can to fix it in the meantime,” Hurtak said.
Studies are usually conducted to determine the best outcome for meters in specific areas such as Ybor City or Channelside. Hurtak added that she does not know if a study on the “Yellow Brick Row” district was conducted prior to the installation of the meters.
Hurtak said she hopes businesses will gain foot traffic due to the new eight-story residential building and YMCA developments.
When CL returned in January, Wright had a different outlook. In fact, he said they are doing better than average. “Our sales this month actually already surpassed last month’s total. I guess I haven’t noticed a decrease in business,” Wright said.
to a burgeoning Tampa corridor.
RAY ROA
Freezing over
Abortion rights advocates at St. Pete rally aren’t optimistic about the future.
By Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix
Two months after a proposal to repeal Florida’s six-week abortion law and enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution failed to gather the 60% required for passage, more than 100 people gathered last Wednesday on four street corners in downtown St. Petersburg to advocate for the cause.
The late morning event took place under what for Floridians was considered frigid weather conditions (the temperature was in the low 40s) on the 52nd anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that enshrined a federal right to an abortion—a right removed by the high court in 2022’s Dobbs decision and given back to the states to decide.“We’re very disheartened with the defeat of the ballot measure but we know that doesn’t change the fact that Floridians still need abortion care,” said Amy Weintraub of Pinellas NOW (National Organization for Women). “Women are accessing abortion with the help of the providers that are still open and providing service up until six weeks of pregnancy.”
Bree Wallace is director for case management with the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund, which provides financial assistance and logistical support for patients seeking abortions.
“I don’t think that we’re going to get back abortion rights for a while in Florida,” she acknowledged. “I think that we went even more red in this [past] election and [state Republicans] just have a lot of power right now. And it doesn’t mean that we don’t have a lot of power too, but we have to use it in the moment at least in more community ways.”
“Florida is gone,” said Linda Darin, treasurer for Pinellas NOW, in describing the state of politics in the Sunshine State in 2025. “I’m from Detroit originally, and when I moved here at least Florida was semi-purple. It’s gone now. And you know we had a meeting the night after the election where we had about 20 women there, and we’re just all looking at each other saying, ‘What happened to this country? Something is wrong here.’”
Following the 1973 Roe decision, Florida’s abortion rights laws were further boosted by a 1989 Florida Supreme Court ruling holding that a 1980 constitutional amendment that added the right to privacy to the state Constitution included a right to an abortion before viability. Then, in 2022, the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved a 15-week abortion ban just months before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe. The Legislature and the governor went even further in 2023, approving the six-week abortion ban.
In April 2024, the Florida Supreme Court voted to overrule its 1989 precedent, upholding the 15-week ban. Thirty days later, the six-week law went into effect.
Amendment 4
Abortion rights activists spent more than $100 million on a 2024 constitutional amendment (Amendment 4) to restore a woman’s right to an abortion up until the time of viability, estimated to be around 24 weeks. The measure received strong support from the public, getting 57% of the vote, but short of the 60% threshold required for passage.
Drea Thew, of Gulfport, said she felt “devastated” after Amendment 4 failed at the ballot box, but she says she’s not giving up the fight. But she acknowledged that she doesn’t see any legislative or initiative process on the horizon.
of this state to make their voices heard. So, I’m not that hopeful.”
Weintraub recently stepped down as reproductive rights program director for Progress Florida after leading that group’s efforts in the Yes on 4 campaign. She’s not sure there will be a similar effort anytime soon.
“Florida is gone.”
“I knew that [Yes on 4] movement spent a very large amount of money. Tons and tons of money to do this. We weren’t able to do this because of suppression, oppression, and lies by the [DeSantis] administration and the legislators. So, if we didn’t do it then, I’m not sure it’s going to happen again. And now DeSantis is back with the legislators to make the citizen’s initiative process even harder for the citizens
“It was a tremendous amount of energy that was poured into that effort,” she recounted. “I dedicated a year-and-a-half, maybe two years of my life into that, and many, many other repro leaders did too. And we raised an unprecedented amount of money—more than $100 million dollars. We did get a strong majority, 57%, but it just wasn’t enough to get that inflated requirement. So, it’s unclear to me what the movement will do, but I’m skeptical that will happen anytime soon.”
Scott Mahurin, president of Florida Preborn Rescue, told the Phoenix the pro-life movement in Florida is excited and motivated.
“We are emboldened—not only by the Trump victory but the defeat of Amendment 4 last November,” he said. “We must protect
ABORTION
the preborn of Florida from destruction and discrimination. Much work remains to be done, but it is easier to have a national administration that is not fighting us every step of the way.”
Web purge
Among the moves the Trump administration has performed this week on abortion was removing a government website focused on reproductive health called reproductiverights. gov. It was launched by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2022 as a part of a public awareness campaign to safeguard information on rights to access reproductive care, as well as provide details on what health insurance is required to cover and where to go if one needed health insurance.
It also shared details on how to access birth control and abortion care and offered a list of other services covered by most insurance plans, including breast and cervical cancer screenings, prenatal care, and HIV screenings, according to USA Today.
continued on page 20
SIGNS OF LIFE: Posters inside the office of Tampa Bay Abortion Fund.
continued from page 19
Trump himself called the Florida six-week ban “too short” last August but, after drawing heat he reversed himself a day later and said he would oppose Amendment 4. The president said earlier in the campaign that he wanted to allow the states, and not the federal government, to pass any such laws.
St. Petersburg resident Peggy McCloud believes Trump will stay out of the issue.
“I think he will because he understands political expediency,” she said, adding, “I don’t think that he’ll mess with it.”
DeSantis spent much of 2024 on the campaign trail denouncing Amendment 4 (as well as Amendment 3, which would have legalized recreational cannabis), including spending public funding to make sure the measure failed to get the 60%.
the amendments that unfortunately did pass. They will not stand.”
‘I’m hopeful’
Orlando Democratic state Rep. Anna Eskamani, who worked at Planned Parenthood for six years, said in a statement last Wednesday that the fact that 57% of Floridians voted to repeal the six-week law last November sent “a clear message: Floridians oppose abortion bans.”
ABORTION
“Across the state, people are stepping up— supporting abortion funds, volunteering, and fighting to protect the right to decide when or if to start a family,” she said.
“Across the state, people are stepping up...”
He’s now being feted by anti-abortion groups. Last Friday he was scheduled to receive a “National Pro-Life Recognition Award” from Priests for Life, a Florida group, during the National Prayer Service in Washington, D.C., along with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, all of whom helped defeat abortion measures in their states last year.
“No matter the outcome, the work that was done in these battles to educate and mobilize our fellow citizens has lasting value,” said Priests for Life National Director Frank Pavone in a press release. “We will celebrate the victories and we will commit ourselves to undo
“Access to abortion care should not depend on who you are, where you live, or how much money you make. Together, as a powerful majority, we will fight for a future where every person has the freedom to make decisions about their body and life. The road ahead will not be easy, but our cause is just, and we will not back down.”
“I’m hopeful,” said St. Petersburg resident Joy Williams at the rally. “What are we going to do? We can’t go back. … I would be happy to put these signs down and not have to be out here anymore. But it appears that we go forward, and then we go back.”
Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.
MARCHING ON: Orlando state Rep. Anna Eskamani in June 2022.
Taste the Sunshine: Vibrant
VOTED BEST BUFFET
RESTAURANTS RECIPES DINING GUIDES
Más to come
A local favorite readies West Tampa brick-and-mortar.
By Kyla Fields
Two longtime Tampa hospitality veterans are getting ready to open the doors of their first coffee shop. Una Más’ debut brick-and-mortar resides at 1715 N Howard Ave. Suite B in the heart of West Tampa, adjacent to other concepts like Lucky Tigre, Catrinas Tacos and Tequila Bar and Taqueria El Victor.
Owners Paola Chamorro Ward and Curt Hensley tell Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that their first brick and mortar cafe—which specializes in Cuban and Colombian-inspired comfort food and beverages—is slated to open by mid-February.
The duo has been hosting regular pop-ups at venues throughout Tampa for the past several months and have been steadily creating a customer base for their specialty coffee and homemade burritos.
And anyone who hasn’t made it out to an Una Más event just yet, may recognize Chamorro Ward or Hensley from their time at the now-closed concepts Union, Foundation Coffee or King State.
“Luckily, we already have some regulars at our pop-ups. It’s really cool when we get to talk and get feedback from them—it’s all very helpful. Of course we’ll still make mistakes and learn new things, but it does give us a little bit more confidence going into it,” Chamorro Ward adds. “Going forward, we can focus on the physical space and not stress on the other things because we’ve already been working on the menu and quality of service.”
The duo announced its debut Una Más pop-up last spring and served specialty coffee, burritos and other snacks to a sprawling crowd at Fancy Free Nursery on May 11, 2024.
After plans to open a cafe in Tampa Heights fizzled out, Una Más moved to Magnanimous Brewing’s Seminole Heights taproom in the summer and resumed a steady schedule of breakfast and brunch services from Thursday-Saturday. While the two were focusing on the weekend popups, Chamorro Ward tells CL that they “almost gave up a little on finding a permanent space” for Una Más.
The opportunity to move into the brick-andmortar space was actually presented to them by Raw Smoothie Co. owner James Rue, who is the landlord of the West Tampa parcel. The former King State patron and regular customer approached Chamorro Ward and Hensley about opening Unà Mas in his building, which also houses private artist studios, and the duo quickly received the keys to their spot on Dec. 1 of last year.
After some light plumbing and electrical work, the space only needs a few more cosmetic touches to bring it to life. The 700 square-foot cafe will seat about 20 patrons inside and an additional 10 or so when outside tables are eventually added.
In terms of the Una Más food menu, Hensley will continue to sling a variety of beloved breakfast burritos (accompanied by cilantro crema or homemade ají), sweet corn arepas, a few sweet and savory pastries and other breakfast and lunch items.
“We’re going to be adding more lunch options like picadillo plates and Cuban-style chicken sazón and small snackie stuff—hopefully they’ll be available by the time we open, but we’re definitely planning on it,” Hensley says. “It’s never been our goal to have a huge menu, but we want it just varied enough so that our customers still have options.”
OPENINGS
The coffee menu will offer all of the expected drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, cortados, Americanos and cold brew, with some seasonal beverages here and there. Just a few specialty drinks that Unà Mas has recently offered include its “Fall-ish” latte with ginger lager syrup and additional spices and its “Panelada,” made with cold brew, panela (raw unrefined sugar) syrup and sparkling water.
Retail bags of Colombian beans, most-likely roasted by Pinellas-based Eastlick Coffee, will also be for sale.
Chamorro Ward and Hensley also recently launched the Unà Mas Club, a coffee and breakfast membership program that’s designed to help fund the cafe’s buildout while providing patrons with a variety of perks and discounts. Folks who pay a one-time, annual fee of $150 receive a bunch of merch, a birthday present, free coffee on the first Wednesday of each month and a year-round discount on food and drinks. Head to @unamastpa on Instagram for the latest updates on Una Mas’ buildout, future pop-ups, the Uná Mas Club and the cafe’s slated soft opening date.
SMOOTH OPERATOR: Raw Smoothie Co. owner James Rue is the landlord of the Una Más parcel.
KYLA FIELDS
Friday, Jan. 31, 2025 • 7:00 PM
Aych Birthday Party @ Crowbar
1812 N 17th St Tampa
$20 General Admission, $100 VIP crowbarybor.com/calendar/#/events
Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 • 8:00 PM - 12:00 AM
COLORS Worldwide Presents: R&B ONLY LIVE
10-Year Anniversary @ The Ritz Ybor
1503 E 7th Ave, Tampa
$60 General Admission tampa.rnbonly.com
Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 • 8:00 PM
Ax and the Hatchetmen - Way Too Late Tour @ Crowbar
1812 N 17th St Tampa
$20 General Admission crowbarybor.com/calendar/#/events
Saturday, Feb. 1 • 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Grown Folks Only Day Party @ 7th & Grove
1930 East 7th Avenue Tampa
$10 GA, $160 Upstairs Section for 6 guests rb.gy/gx4aob
Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 • 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM 14th Annual Cuban Club Bocce Ball Tournament @ The Cuban Club Patio
Thursday, Feb. 6 • 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Mission Thursday @ 7th + Grove Ybor City
1930 East 7th Avenue Tampa
$12 for General Admission bit.ly/40DkjJc
Thursday, Feb. 6 • Doors at 6:15 PM, Show at 7:30 PM
Sarah Hester Ross: Serving @ The Funny Bone Comedy Club
1600 E 8th Ave C-112, Tampa Tickets start at $32 bit.ly/40qlzxX
Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 • 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Knights of Sant’ Yago Knight Parade
Parade begins on 7th Avenue in Ybor
Free to the public krewesantyago.org/knight-parade
Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 • 10:00 PM - 2:45 AM
Bad Bunny Night @ The Ritz Ybor
1503 E 7th Ave, Tampa Call 813-690-0938 for limited VIP tables bit.ly/badbunny0208
Saturday, Feb. 15 • 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
A Tour of Italy Wine Dinner
2010 N Avenida Republica de Cuba Tampa
$1,000 per team, Free to spectators bit.ly/40IaWI0
@ Chateau Cellars Ybor
2009 N. 22nd St. Tampa
$175 per person bit.ly/TourOfItalyYbor
LARA - NOW OPEN 1919 East 7th Avenue tampalara.com
Copper Shaker Ybor 1502 E 7th Ave coppershaker.com
Acropolis Greek Taverna - Ybor City 1833 E 7th Ave acropolistaverna.com/tampa
Casa Ybor
Casa Ybor off ers unique retail spaces, offi ce spaces, and apartment homes for rent or lease in both newly constructed and lovingly restored historic buildings throughout the vibrant National Historic Landmark District of Ybor City near Downtown Tampa, Florida. casaybor.com
Ybor City Saturday Market 1901 N. 19th Street Tampa The largest continually operating outdoor market in the Tampa Bay Area ybormarket.com
La France 1612 E 7th Ave Unique vintage clothing store instagram.com/lafranceybor
SpookEasy Tours - A Haunted Walking Adventure 1909 N 15th St Explore the Eerie Secrets of Ybor’s Historic District in this Spooky Historic Ghost Tour! spookeasylounge.com/about-8
Stay golden
Current and former staff and volunteers reflect on 50 years of relationships that built Dunedin Fine Arts Center.
By Jennifer Ring
The Dunedin Fine Art Center was a community project from the beginning. Before there was an art center in the town that covers just over 10 square miles of land, there was just Meta Brown’s love of art and the support of her friends at the Junior Service League of Dunedin. When Brown passed, her legacy fell to Syd Entel.
“I was in the Junior Service League of Dunedin, and my dearest friend was president,” Entel recollects. “I was fine arts chairman. I remember seeing her ill, and she said, ‘Dunedin needs art and culture in the community.’ And then it did not take long before she passed on. She never saw it.’”
In the wake of her friend’s passing, Entel teamed up with fellow Junior League members Gladys Douglas, Elizabeth S. Searles, Patricia Grills, and Jewel Andrews to make Brown’s dream a reality.
“We decided that we were going to build an art facility for the community,” says Entel. “And we, of course, had women in our Junior Service League whose husbands were architects and contractors. And they said they could build something for $20,000 if we could raise it.”
The city offered a plot of land in Highland Park, and the Junior League hosted a series of evening fundraisers for the capital to build.
“By the time we had all the events, we needed
$40,000,” Entel recollects, a large sum of money in 1970 (about $300,000 now, adjusted for inflation).
There were two banks in Dunedin at the time. Entel reached out to both, and both agreed to help finance the art center. They broke ground in June 1974.
“The first art center that they built was like a small house,” Syd’s husband, Irwin Entel recalls. “This is how it started.”
INTERVIEW
“We hired our first director, and of course, we had to pay her” Syd recalls. “And subsequently, when one left, we hired another. And it came to a point where we needed to have staff, art and people who could teach classes.”
50th anniversary gala
Friday, Feb. 15. 6 p.m.$250
Dunedin Fine Art Center. 1143 Michigan Blvd. Dunedin. dfac.org
The second director, Nancy McIntyre, spearheaded early Dunedin Fine Art Center (DFAC) growth with a tile wall fundraising campaign in the early-1990s.
“The wall was constructed during an expansion/renovation project with Creative Contractors,” McIntyre’s husband and past DFAC curator David Shankweiler told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “Its purpose was to block the smoke, hazards and unattractive view of the outdoor raku firing area. Nancy McIntyre decided to cover it with hand-made tiles instead of stucco.” DFAC resident artist and board member Susan Gehring directed the project, whereby schoolchildren and community members painted and drew on 3,000 tiles to form the Florida Treasures Art Mural which still stands outside the outdoor raku ceramic firing area. “I glazed all 3,000 of them,” Shankweiler told CL. Individuals, businesses, and other groups were asked to underwrite the tiles, raising continued on page 35
TURNING PAGES: Junior League hosted fundraisers for the capital to build Dunedin Fine Arts Center.
JENNIFER RING
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$50,000 for the center’s expansion campaign. The tile wall remains a symbol of the community’s support for the art center to this day.
Growing up together
When DFAC expanded in 1997, McIntyre hired Todd Still to run the youth camp and DFAC curator Catherine Bergmann as a weekend manager. For DFAC, McIntyre was foundational.
about $7 million, increased the staff from three to 17 full-time employees, and grew the center’s physical footprint from 18,000 to 40,000 square-feet.
How’d she do it? Some of it was luck—the center received two large legacy donations during her tenure. The rest sprouted from Bissett’s dogged determination to be the best.
INTERVIEW
“She gave the art center its love of art— art for everyone, art for all,” McIntyre’s successor, George Ann Bissett, told CL.
But, according to multiple sources, McIntrye wasn’t great with budgets. When George Ann Bissett took the reins in 2005, DFAC was almost bankrupt. Still, Bergmann and Bissett were the art center’s only full-time staff. Bissett completed the core team by hiring Ken Hannon to do the marketing.
Although she loves art, Bissett doesn’t consider herself to be a creative person like Bergmann, Hannon, and Still. She came to the DFAC with a different kind of expertise—fundraising.
“Catherine made all those galleries a haven—they’re better than many museums,” says Bissett. “And Ken’s talent was supreme. I was good at asking people for money.”
She’d get to know them first, then she’d share her vision for DFAC.
“It doesn’t have to be one tiny room with one little gallery,” she’d say. “It could be so much more.”
“And people bought into it because Todd, Catherine and Ken were just so passionate, so devoted, and it was our life,” Bissett told CL.
During her 19 years at DFAC, Bissett spearheaded four major capital campaigns that raised
“She has this fierce competitive spirit,” Bergmann told CL. “She wanted to be the best. First, it would be, ‘We want to be the best in the region. Then, ‘We want to be the best in the state of Florida.’ Then, ‘We want to be the best in the southeast.’
DFAC enters its 50th year without the core team that helped define it. Bissett and Hannon both retired in 2023 after 19 and 18 years of service, respectively. Current CEO Andrea Nalls came on in September 2023. Still resigned a year later. And Bergmann, who’s worked at the art center for 25 years, announced her resignation, to take effect on Feb. 14.
In light of this, we asked DFAC’s core team to tell us what they think has contributed to the the art center’s success and what they think it will take to get to 100 years.
Don’t change a thing “My quick response is, ‘Don’t change a thing,’” says Hannon. “What do you do with a brand everyone loves? You don’t change it.”
Art for all The Dunedin Fine Art Center is known for its educational programming, its support of local artists, and being a welcome place for all members of the community.
“Community accessibility is everything,” Bergmann told CL. “Community support, engagement, and accessibility are everything. That translates to accessibility and maintaining the art center as an inclusive, safe, welcoming, diverse space that honors all age levels.”
Part of that accessibility is keeping DFAC programs affordable through fundraising. One of the things Bergmann found valuable in Bissett’s leadership was how she roped everyone into fundraising.
“We decided that we were going to build an art facility for the community.”
Before retiring, Bissett gave the board one year’s notice, hoping she’d have an opportunity to guide the art center’s new leadership, but the board had another idea.
“They [the board] wanted this new person to come up with their whole new ideas and all that, which, to this day, in my opinion, was not a good choice to do,” Bissett told CL. “They’ve had a lot of upheaval there.”
“We’re all part of this fundraising effort,” is what she said, Bergmann told CL. “And she would educate everyone.”
Be a community art center, not a museum
Hannon presents the Florida Gulf Coast Art Center at Bellair as a cautionary tale.
“They were a very successful art center, and then they decided they would be a museum,” says Hannon, “and you know where that story ends up.”
The Gulf Coast Museum of Art, which occupied the space where Creative Pinellas Galleries currently lives, lasted ten years in Largo, from 1999 to 2009. Before that, the Florida Gulf Coast Art Center at Bellair had thrived for 49 years, from 1950 to 1999.
“The people who are there really need to stop, look at the organization, and say, ‘what a wonderful thing,’” Bissett told CL. “This is considering what life can be like today. It’s an area where people respect each other. They listen. It’s a sense of community. It will never be a Dali. Sorry, but it never will be. If they think they’re going to turn it into a museum, well, you’d have to turn the studios into a vault. It doesn’t have a collection.”
Continue DFAC’s support of local artists “You’re nothing without the artists,” says Bergmann. DFAC’s commitment to the community is built into every exhibition cycle. There’s a call to artists with each passing season, ensuring that the community gets to see their local artists on each and every visit to DFAC.
“I think that’s just such an important part of building and maintaining that community,” Hannon told CL.
Listen Bergmann and Bissett both stressed the importance of listening to the community
that helped build the place. The art center’s success was built on its relationship with the community. As Bergmann puts it, success comes in embracing the community as “joyful collaborators.”
“Leadership, in my mind, is listening to what the people tell you,” says Bissett. “Then you try and figure out what’s going to work.”
“Remember that this art center was built by the people, for the people,” Bissett continues. “It was a home-grown organization by a very determined, bright woman, Syd Entel, and her friends in the Junior League. It’s kind of like, don’t forget where you come from. Because if
TURNAROUND: When George Ann Bissett took the reins in 2005, DFAC was almost bankrupt. continued on page 38
MOSAIC OF MEMORIES: 3,000 tiles form the Florida Treasures Art Mural.
you do, you’re probably not going to know where you’re heading.”
Moving forward
In a phone call with CL, Nalls expressed gratitude for the insights shared by DFAC’s original crew and said she plans to keep the signature fundraising events, especially Trashy Treasures (The fate of the Garden Party will depend on how well February’s gala goes.) Nalls added that by definition, DFAC is already a museum.
center focuses on making the arts accessible to everyone in their community. A museum has a permanent collection (DFAC does not). A community art center showcases work by local artists (DFAC does this regularly). Nalls describes DFAC as though it’s both a museum and a community art center. She said DFAC prides itself on being many things depending on who’s asking.
INTERVIEW
“A museum would be a place that exhibits culturally significant material,” Nalls told CL. “We’re showing in seven galleries every day, so I feel like we already kind of are.”
What’s the difference? It’s a matter of focus. An art museum focuses on collecting, preserving and displaying art, while a community art
“So we’re an arts education center—we’re the largest in the southeast U.S. We are a place where working artists can exhibit their works. We have a children’s gallery and a children’s museum. We’ve got our seven gallery spaces where we do exhibit cultural material. We’ve got a cafe. We’re a gallery shop [that] only carries handmade artist items,” she added. “So we’re kind of a lot of different things.”
At the center of all these things, Nalls added, is support for the arts in our community.
Everything else, like being a museum, is just an offshoot of that. And she has a background in that world, too since Nalls’ last job was Director of Experience and Operations at the Tampa Bay History Center, so she has a background in looking back.
“I really recognize the significance of an institution being able to sustain for that long. That means not only that the people that come to the art center really care about it, but the people who have worked at the art center, the people who have taught at the art center, people who have taken classes at the art center, the community that the art center is within,” she said. “These entities are what the art center is.”
are its welcoming nature, its commitment to encouraging creativity and participation in the arts, and its status as a community gathering place.
“It’s just so much more than a place where classes are taught or where culturally significant materials are exhibited,” Nalls concludes. “It’s really about expressing yourself, being yourself, and having some fun.”
“Leadership, in my mind, is listening to what the people tell you.”
Like Bergmann, Bissett and Hannon, Nalls said the things she loves most about DFAC
What does Nalls think it will take to go another 50 years?
“Keeping what works, which is a lot,” says Nalls. “The formula that the Art Center has had in place for the last 50 years is a winning formula. Remaining at our core, who we have always been while breeding some innovative ways to keep people’s interest and further their involvement with the visual arts.”
LISTEN BACK: Catherine Bergmann looks through DFAC scrapbooks.
JENNIFER RING
Electric avenues
First-ever Tampa Art Week kicks off Feb. 19.
By Jennifer Ring
Tampa art insiders will tell you that any week in Tampa is great for seeing art. Beyond the Tampa Museum of Art, local college galleries are always showing something interesting for free, and Ybor City’s art scene is thriving. And that’s just focusing on the visual arts.
“I feel like almost any week in Tampa could be Tampa Art Week,” says Tempus Projects founder Tracy Midulla, who’s organizing the first Tampa Art Week. “There’s so much going on.”
So why now? Because people are more open to collaboration than they were five to 10 years ago.
INTERVIEW
“There was a time when everybody was working in a silo,” Midulla told CL. “It’s really great to see people collaborating more.”
Much of that collaboration, according to Midulla, is due to a small group of strong, productive, positive women who know how to cultivate a good, collaborative environment. Among them, Midulla lists Hillsborough Community College’’s Amanda Poss, the University of South Florida’s Sarah Howard and Margaret Miller, the Museum of Fine Arts’ Katherine Pill, TMA’s Joanna Robotham, Tampa Arts Alliance’s Michele Smith, and Liz Dimmitt of Floridarama (stylized “FloridaRAMA”) and Dimmitt Chevrolet.
“These are really powerful people that are doing really important work, and they are being assisted by really important philanthropists,” says Midulla. “We have people like the Gobioffs propelling us all forward; we have people like Darryl Shaw creating opportunities; and even at USF—I feel like there’s been a little more opportunity there lately.”
Thanks to the hard work of several Tampa Bay area arts professionals and philanthropists, Tampa’s art scene is in the midst of a renaissance, and that’s worth celebrating.
There are reasons Tampa Art Week is in February, too. There’s a lot going on in Tampa art-wise next month. And having an event like this at the beginning of the year allows arts venues to let visitors know what they’re doing the rest of the year, encouraging repeat visits.
“It’s a good way to start the year,” Midulla told CL. “It’s a beautiful way for participating venues to say, ‘This is what we do. Here are the things coming up this year. We invite you back.”
It’s also the answer to a persistent question in Tampa’s art scene, “Why don’t we have a signature event other than Gasparilla?”
“We need this kind of thing so we can highlight all of the different avenues in which people in Tampa can seek out art,” Midulla concluded.
“I think now is a good time for it, not just because of all of the people who are making changes and being more collaborative. I think we are just on the edge of another cultural boom in the city. I feel like, with all of the new residents that have come from different places and all of the development that’s happening, it’s important to highlight what we are all doing. So I think that Tampa Art Week should be a little bit about unity and celebration, but also information, like here are all the cool things you can do in Tampa.”
The first Tampa Art Week runs from Wednesday-Saturday, Feb. 19-22 and includes the most active people and places in Tampa’s art scene.
Start at the Tampa Museum of Art (120 W Gasparilla Plaza) on Wednesday, Feb. 19 for a 3 p.m. curator’s tour of “Under the Spell of the Palm Tree.” The Cuban art exhibition features more than 80 paintings, drawings, photographs, prints, mixed media, art books, and sculptures by 50 artists.
On Thursday, Feb. 20, the party moves to Ybor City, where Kress Contemporary, HCC Ybor and the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts anchor a vibrant art district. All the art venues that normally participate in the Ybor Art Tour are invited to participate in Tampa Art Week.
Kress Contemporary (1624 E 7th Ave.) hosts an open house from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. with a Tampa Fringe open mic at 7:30 p.m., a solo exhibition of Neil Bender’s work, a group exhibition of domestic interiors and housewares called “Staying In,” and multiple open studios.
Doors at FMoPA (1630 E 7th Ave.) will be open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. for folks to check out “Land Land Land,” featuring photographs by Cuban-born artist José Ney Milà Espinosa exploring Afro-Cuban spiritual practices.
Gallery114@HCC Ybor (1411 E 11th Ave.) hosts a reception and artist talk for “Eszter Sziksz: Let It Go,” a snow-white exhibition featuring several experimental printmaking projects from Sziksz’s artist residency in the arctic, from 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
Marcolina’s Fine Arts Gallery (1517 E 7th Ave Unit B) is open from noon-9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20. Stop by and see “Untamed,” an exhibition exploring the connection between nature and human emotion featuring works by Guillo Pérez III, Gabrielle Pérez, Willy Pérez, Blake Emory and introducing emerging artist Morgan Guinessey.
On Friday, Feb. 21, head to the University of South Florida Contemporary Art Museum (3821 USF Holly Dr., Tampa) for “X Factor: Latinx Artists and the Reconquest of the Everyday,” an art exhibition featuring work by 15 Latin American artists. There’s also an artists conversation at USF School of Music Barness Hall (3755 USF Holly Dr.) at 6 p.m. followed by a dessert reception at 7 p.m. at USF CAM.
Tampa Art Week’s grand finale comes on Saturday, Feb. 22, when six Tampa artists bring interactive public art projects to three Ybor City venues—Kress Contemporary, HCC Ybor and Hotel Haya—for Now on View. The free, one-dayonly public art festival features a Tampa-inspired version of Fax 727’s Poetry Alley, an original Kress-inspired play by Erin Lekovic, a dance battle, a floral galaxy, and a tribute to Tampa’s LGBTQIA+ history by Victoria Alvarez.
Start at the HCC Ybor Performing Arts Building (1411 E. 11th Ave.) for parking and a guidebook with project locations and descriptions. You can also catch an Art & History walking tour with Best of the Bay awardwinning tour guide Max Herman from this location during the festival (reservations required for tours).
Interested in knowing more about Tampa Art Week? Find this post on cltampa.com/arts to see suggestions for Tampa’s most active arts venues on Instagram and Facebook.
ART-VENGERS: (L-R) Larry Corwin, Michele Smith and Tracy Midulla.
JENNIFER RING
SIGNS WERE THERE: Sam Modder knew something interesting was about to happen.
Sock it to ‘em
Sam Modder tackles consumerism, greed, status and oppression.
By Jennifer Ring
When Tampa artist Sam Modder drew a person growing out of her hair in 2020, she had no idea this single illustration would plant the seed for a story. Now, that story climbs the walls of three galleries at Creative Pinellas.
Modder created that first work, “Portrait in Quarantine” before she started grad school. Then in grad school, she looked at it and thought, “Well, what’s next? What comes after this image?”
Thus the series “Source of All Hair, Wearer of All Socks” was born.
She refers to that first image as a herald—a sign that something interesting is about to happen.
Modder pulls viewers into her story with a few lines of text at the exhibition’s start: “On a Monday morning in Massachusetts, a Black woman awoke to find that she had grown a person out of her hair…”
INTERVIEW
‘Source of All Hair, Wearer of All Socks’ Through Sunday, Feb. 23. No cover. The Gallery at Creative Pinellas. 12211 Walsingham Rd., Largo. creativepinellas.org
The herald plays an important role in the “Hero’s Journey,” a timeless storytelling structure Modder used as inspiration for the art that is now on display at Creative Pinellas.
“That’s the strange moment that pulls my character into her world,” Modder told CL. “When she grows a person out of her hair.”
Then the hair person is like, ‘This world sucks. Why don’t you just go to your own world where it’s just you and whatever you bring in?’” she summarizes. “It’s in the morning, so she’s wearing her pajamas, this big oversized dress and her striped socks. And she decides to go in what she’s wearing. That’s when the story begins.”
And now, through Feb. 23, you can walk through that story at Creative Pinellas.
“The idea is that you feel a bit immersed in the story,” says Modder. “Maybe it towers above you.”
The larger-than-life-size works serve as a throwback to childhood, when everything and
everyone was so much bigger than you were, and your parents read you fairy tales by Dr. Seuss.
“You kind of have to discover it as you’re walking through, but it’s an immersive fairy tale,” Modder told CL.
Why present these works in fairy tale format?
“I think fairy tales are fascinating,” Modder told CL. “They’re appealing. I feel like they have universal appeal. And I think a lot of the stuff that I like to think and talk about is quite sad. When you think about overconsumption or just all of these different issues, they can be a bit more approachable as a fairy tale or allegory as opposed to tackling these issues head on.”
her “Source of All Hair, Wearer of All Socks” series to date.
“Usually, you just see maybe one storyline,” Modder told CL. “But at Creative Pinellas, there’s three or four different tangents or storylines you can follow.”
In the writing world, the four-year project would be a novel. “Each of these stories is like chapters, but it’s all the same world,” says Modder.
It’s an ongoing story for Modder, who explored the idea of creating more scenic, landscape-style works at Creative Pinellas.
“The idea is that you feel a bit immersed in the story.”
“Source of All Hair, Wearer of All Socks” tackles consumerism, greed, status and oppression through the collection of socks.
“Everyone has two socks,” Modder tells it. “All the duplicates have two socks. But some of the characters want more socks. They want to collect all the socks to make cool things. And you have the Wearer of All Socks, the top of the hierarchy. She’s got this huge sock dress that’s just pooling on the floor.”
That’s just one story.
Modder’s tales take the form of nine murals at Creative Pinellas. It’s the largest showing of
“’Mountain of Rest’ is kind of reminiscent of those great American landscape paintings with huge mountains and scenic water and tiny little characters looking out in this great landscape,” Modder told CL. “So it kind of looks like that, but it’s just built out of people and hair and socks.”
Modder’s story is told in nine murals, or scenes, at Creative Pinellas: The Wearer of All Socks, The Sock Factory, The Attack of the Hair Monster, The Source of All Hair, A Field of Lost Hair Ties, Mountain of Rest, Sock Hero, Her Hair Like the Sun and Clouds and the war towers.
“Once I hit this storyline, there was just a lot for me to explore, and it hasn’t dried up yet,” Modder told CL.
JENNIFER RING
Join us for Art After Dark on select Thursday evenings throughout the year! Enjoy discounted admission and exclusive programming, including engaging docent-led tours, thought-provoking lectures, film screenings, and more. Explore the galleries after hours, soak in the distinctive ambiance, and experience art in a fresh, captivating way. It’s the perfect night out for everyone to enjoy!
From instructor Angelo Spoto, Library Education Director: “Since its publication, after Jung’s death in 1961, MDR has been read and re-read both as a means to better understand Jung’s own individuation process and, equally importantly, as a comprehensive treatment of the evolution of the field of Analytical Psychology.
In this 10-part lecture/intensive seminar, we will approach MDR as an ur-text in the field of Jungian studies. Upon enrollment, a bibliography of biographies of Jung, numbering now over 20, will be provided. Each participant will be encouraged to select at least one to read along with our primary text. Barbara Hannah, one of the first generation Jungians, who also has written a notable biography of Jung, has gone on record as having read MDR 60 times. My goal as your instructor is to provide an in-depth treatment of this text this one time around. If I do my job well, I promise you will be reading MDR for yourself again and again.”
Many happy returns
Old favorites come to life on local stages—and new works, too.
By David Warner
Local professional theaters are bringing back past favorites with new twists this spring, and staging musical classics rarely (or never) seen before in these parts. But they’re also giving us some newbies: regional premieres of critically acclaimed plays and world premieres by emerging playwrights.
Straz Center’s Broadway series Welcome to the Wayback Machine. In addition to perennial crowd-pleasers like “Mamma Mia!” (closes Feb. 2) and “Disney’s The Lion King” (Apr. 2-20), the Straz Center’s Broadway Series is jivin’ with jukebox musicals, drawing on the songbooks and lives of Neil Diamond (“A Beautiful Noise,” Feb. 11-16) and Michael Jackson (“MJ the Musical,” Feb. 25-March 2). They’re literally going “Back to the Future” with the musical based on the movie (Apr. 29-May 4). But I’m most looking forward to “Shucked” (June 3-8), the rollicking 2022 Tony winner about… corn! 1010 N Macinnes Pl, Tampa. strazcenter.org
Stageworks Theatre Shows so nice we’re seeing them twice! Natalie Symons’s funny, poignant “The People Downstairs” premiered at American Stage in 2021, and now Stageworks is giving us the chance to pay a return visit to her quirky, endearing characters (Feb. 7-23). Bonus: the playwright, who’s also a terrific actor, will star alongside Gavin Hawk, Don Walker, and Karla Hartley. Later in the season, another return engagement: Mark E. Leib’s “When the Righteous Triumph” (Mar. 6-9 at the Straz Center), a powerful drama about the movement that led to the desegregation of Tampa’s lunch counters in 1960. Though the premiere two years ago was a success, the history is still too little known, which is why a group of supporters led by former Congressman Jim Davis raised the money to give the play a second run, this time with many more student matinees. In April, another hit returns: “Morningside” (April 25-May 11), the comedy described as “the worst baby shower ever,” with several returnees from the crackerjack 2020 cast. Finishing out the season, Desiree Montes plays Billie Holiday in “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill” (June 6-29), a role that won her accolades in Orlando. 1120 E Kennedy Blvd, Suite 151. Tampa. stageworkstheatre.org
Jobsite Theater Giles Davies’ star has always shown brightly in Jobsite’s innovative Shakespeare productions, and now he’s back in the title role of “Macbeth” (through Feb. 9) for the second time since 2013. The staging has what they’re calling a “Pictofuturist” aesthetic (think “Dune”). Next up is another reprisal of a past company hit, Martin McDonagh’s darkly comic “The Pillowman” (Mar. 12-Apr. 6), a Best of the Bay winner in 2006. The new production
brings back Steve Garland and Paul Potenza, but this time in the roles of the police interrogators, with Georgia Mallory Guy as the writer under suspicion and Troy Padraic Brooks as her brother. Next up is “The Butterfly’s Evil Spell” (May 7-June 1), a devised ensemble piece adapted from Garcia Lorca and staged in the tradition of the wondrous “Shockheaded Peter.” Come summer, look for a sly take on a certain school of magic in “Puffs” (July 9-Aug. 3). 1010 N Macinnes Pl., Tampa. Tampa. jobsitetheater.org American Stage “This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing” is described by American Stage as a “modern fairytale” about three sisters trying to find their way in the world; it’s running now through Feb. 9. Starting this weekend, the company opens the latest offering in its Beyond the Stage series, “Tales By Twilight”
THEATER
at the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve (6 and 8 p.m. performances Jan. 30-Feb. 23). In “Don’t Feed the Animals” by Anthony Gervais, two park rangers go in search of an injured falcon and encounter a menagerie of talking animals along the way; the flashlight-equipped audience follows along. Hairy creatures of the human variety frolic and sing outdoors in this year’s American Stage in the Park show, “Hair” (March 26-Apr. 27), followed (indoors) by one of my most-anticipated productions of the season, James Ijames’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “Fat Ham.” Think “Hamlet” set at a backyard barbecue in a close-knit AfricanAmerican community; I’ve seen clips of the original production, and it’s sublime (and very funny). 163 3rd St. N, St. Petersburg. americanstage.org
Tampa Rep In the realm of many happy returns, this is one of the happiest: the brilliant Ned Averill-Snell in the one-man show “Every Brilliant Thing” (Jan. 30-Feb. 9), Duncan Macmillan’s captivating play about a list kept by a young boy to lift his mother out of depression. I first saw Averill-Snell perform the show in 2021, when it was staged outdoors in Ybor
City Museum State Park. This time around he’ll be indoors at USF Theatre Centre. Next up is another of my most-anticipated shows of the season: the acclaimed musical based on the popular novel “The Bridges of Madison County” (April 17-27 at the Straz Center’s Jaeb Theatre) featuring Emilia Sargent as Francesca, the lonely Iowa housewife stirred to life by a charismatic photographer. tamparep.org
freeFall Theatre Company Much to get excited about in freeFall’s spring season, beginning with a lesser-known Sondheim musical. “Road Show” (Feb. 14-March 16) is based on the exploits of the Mizner Brothers in the Alaskan Gold Rush and the 1920s real estate boom in Florida, where the Spanish-accented architecture of Addison Mizner made an indelible mark. Joey Panek and Robert Teasdale lead the ensemble as the two brothers. Florida real estate also figures in the world premiere of “For Closure!” by Hannah Benitez (Apr. 11-May 11), a satirical romp involving Realtors, psychics and a shady politician on our very own Gulf Coast. Word has it Matthew McGee will play the psychic, described as a mix of “Liberace, Walter continued on page 47
DOUBLE DOWN: ‘The People Downstairs” premiered at American Stage in 2021.
Mercado and Dom De Luise.” Kelly Pekar will also play multiple roles. Finally, Eric Davis leads what sounds like a fascinating project, “The House of Future Memory” (June 13-July 13), in which performers draw on “the dreams, fears and desires of the audience to create a unique evening of storytelling and theatre that can only happen once.” Also of note: the fabulous Varla Jean Merman brings her “Errors Tour” to freeFall for two performances on March 7. 6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. freefalltheatre.com
The Off-Central Romance rules this spring at the Off-Central, beginning with the crossword puzzle comedy “Two Across” (Jan. 30-Feb. 9), starring Debbie Yones and Michael Gregory (see this week’s Do This). The charming “Morning After Grace” follows (March 6-16), in which a liaison at a Florida retirement community leads to confusion and new possibilities. Sara Nower, Larry Corwin and JC Anthony star. Finally, there’s “Love Bird” (April 10-20), in which a seabird living on a trash-strewn island falls in love with… well, don’t want to spoil the surprise, but an actor who performed this play in a prior production called it “sweet, silly, sincere, and strange.” The actors cast at the Off-Central, Roxanne Fay and Katherine Yacko, seem like an inspired pairing. 2260 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg. theoffcentral.com TheatreFor The Bay area’s newest theater company, Clearwater’s TheatreFor, opened its spring season last weekend with “Venus in Fur” (through Feb. 9), David Ives’s twisty two-hander. Following, from Feb. 13-23, is “A Complete History of America (Abridged),” produced in cooperation with Marshall Paddon’s Super Secret Syndicate and billed as “a ninety-minute rollercoaster ride through the glorious quagmire that is American history.” Next, director Michael
Cote presents “A Lighter Shade of Noir” (March 6-23), an evening of eight short plays in the noir genre. The spring closes out with Steve Martin’s absurdist comedy “Meteor Shower” (Apr. 17-May 4) and Dee O’Brien’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor” (May 29-June 15), promising touches of Monty Python and Norman Lear. 1863 N Highland Ave, Clearwater. theatrefor.com
THEATER
Lab Theater Project The only area theater devoted entirely to premieres of new plays has two shows on tap for spring. In Paula Fell’s “Trust Me” (March 13-30), a businessman in debt to a loan shark faces an impossible choice, and in Craig Houk’s “Cooler” (May 15-June 1), two aging actors face off over a game of poker, confronting their future legacies and past loves. 812 E Henderson Ave., Tampa. labtheaterproject.org
Opera is theater, too Opening this weekend, Opera Tampa at the Straz Center brings us Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide” (Jan. 31-Feb. 2).
Adapted from Voltaire’s novel about an almostincurable optimist, the operetta is known for its incandescent overture and the fiendishly difficult soprano aria “Glitter and Be Gay.” Also on tap: Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale” (March 7 & 9) and Puccini’s “La Bohème” (April 11 & 13).
In March, St. Petersburg Opera at The Palladium offers the lilting melodies and romantic intrigues of Stephen Sondheim’s delightful “A Little Night Music” (March 7-11). Also on tap for the St. Pete Opera: Bizet’s “Carmen” (June 6-15).
Addendum: The Tortoise and The Mayor For full disclosure’s sake, I’m duty bound to tell you that I’m playing Art the Tortoise in American Stage’s “Tales By Twilight: Don’t Feed the Animals” and Mayor Julian Lane in Stageworks’ revival of “When the Righteous Triumph.” See you in the audience!
Join us for colorful camellias, melodic music, scenic stargazing, historic home tours, and more! Experience a day like none other in the beauty of Bok Tower Gardens this season.
CAMELLIA TOUR
January 21 & February 4
PEACE INTO THE NEW YEAR WITH MOONFLOWER LIVE
January 24
WINTER GARDENING: OUTDOOR KITCHEN GARDEN TOUR January 28
STARRY, STARRY NIGHT: AN EVENING OF STARGAZING, ART, & SCIENCE January 31
CROSSING THE MOAT FOR DEDICATION DAY February 1 & 2
RICKY SKAGGS & KENTUCKY THUNDER LIVE: A BENEFIT FOR REFUGE ON THE RIDGE February 7
AN EVENING WITH MURIEL ANDERSON February 11
VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER AT THE GARDENS & THE BLUE PALMETTO CAFE February 14
SPRING WINE WALK February 22
NIGHT MUSIC: St. Petersburg Opera brings Sondheim to Palladium Theater.
The spring arts calendar is exploding with events across Tampa, St. Pete, Dunedin, Clearwater, and Gulfport, and the diversity is incredible. There are gallery shows addressing both topical and timeless issues, like addiction, immigration, consumerism, sickness, and recovery from natural disasters. Festivals are celebrating Ybor’s culture, Tampa’s history, zine-making and LGBTQ literature. There are even Valentine’s Day-themed events, miniature art, painting, drawing, sculpture, comedy, Black art, public art, teapots and tin cans.
This spring, the Bay area arts scene invites the community to escape the womb at the Museum of Motherhood in St. Pete, Rock & Roll at FMoPA, celebrate the Year of the Snake in Water Works Park, make love with Gloria Munoz and Tyler Gillespie at Print St. Pete, sit under the spell of the palm tree at the Tampa Museum of Art, and so much more. There are few places in the world where you can see so much art in so little time, so mark your calendars and make the most of what Tampa Bay’s creative community has to offer.
See an extended version of this listing via cltampa.com.—Jennifer Ring
Now open
The Museum of Motherhood’s Escape Womb This educational escape room experience takes players on a journey into being, from conception to birth. Thursday-Saturday, Noon-6 p.m., Sunday, Noon-3 p.m.The Factory St. Petersnurg, 2606 Fairfield Ave. S, St. Petersburg. escapewomb.resova.us
50th Annual International Miniature Art Exhibition It’s art, but smaller. Through Feb. 9. Creative Pinellas.12211 Walsingham Rd., Largo. creativepinellas.org
Faces of Addiction Conceived by artist and woodworker Nick Reale and curated by Liliana Beltran, is at the Dunedin Fine Art Center through Feb. 9. 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. dfac.org
Teapots and Tin Cans Clearwater artist Fran Failla gets a solo show at the Clearwater Main Library. Recommended for fans of still life oil paintings, public libraries and free admission. Through Feb. 15. 100 N Osceola Ave., Clearwater. @clearwaterarts on Facebook
Lisa Bagley: Hopes + Fears—My Diary of Cancer Through Feb. 15. Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg moreanartscenter.org
Audubon’s Birds of America Produced by National Museums Scotland—unfortunately, all remaining Birding on the Bay experiences are sold-out. Through Feb. 16. Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. $12-$22.Children age six and younger and SNAP EBT participants free. mfastpete.org
Land Land Land Explore Afro-Cuban spirituality through the photographs of Cuban-born artist José Ney Milà Espinosa. Through Feb. 19. Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. 1630 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. fmopa.org
In Bloom: A Spring Arts Calendar
Eszter Sziksz: Let It Go The Arctic meets Florida in works from Sziksz’s Arctic residency alongside a piece inspired by hurricanes Helene and Milton in this climate change-inspired show. Through Feb. 20. Reception Feb. 20, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. with an artist talk at 6 p.m. Gallery114@HCC Ybor, 1411 E 11th Ave., Ybor City. hccfl.edu/galleries
Kaitlin Crockett: Movable Type—For My Younger Self What would you tell your younger self? Through Feb. 23. Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. dfac.org
Once Upon a Time A showcase of local artists’ takes on fairy tales. Through Feb. 23. Dunedin Fine Art Center. 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. dfac.org
Exploring the Human Form: Painting, Drawing, Sculpture & Words of Stephen Schatz Curated by Lynn Whitelaw. Through Feb. 23. Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. dfac.org
Fandom: Celebrating Rock & Roll with Jay Nolan and Davy Alder Through March 2. Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. 1630 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. fmopa.org
The X Factor While we’re debating whether LatinX is a good term to use anymore, USF CAM showcases the works of 15 Latin artists. Sometimes, language evolves faster than it takes to plan a big exhibition like this. Through March 8. USF CAM, 3821 USF Holly Dr., Tampa. ira.usf.edu/cam
Burst Gulfport-based fiber artist Akiko Kotani tackles Mother Nature in a colorful, larger-thanlife art installation made entirely of satin. In a press release, Amanda Cooper, chief curator at the Morean Arts Center, said, “. ..Kotani’s exuberant installation BURST is a perfect fit for the featured artist space here at the Chihuly Collection. Both Akiko and Dale Chihuly find their inspiration in nature, share a love for vibrant color and form, and delight audiences with their over-the-top installations that defy the parameters of the traditional gallery space. Visitors to the Collection will be amazed by the scope and hand-crafted detail of Akiko’s latest creation.” Through March 8 with an artist talk as part of Cocktails at the Collection on Friday, Feb. 7, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. $20-$40 (includes two drink tickets). The Chihuly Collection, 720 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. moreanartscenter.org
Skinner and Skinner: Works by Arthur and Joe Skinner Father and son show together for the first time. Through March 27. Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. moreanartscenter.org
Ukombozi: Reclaiming Place and Self Empowering artworks from Kenyan-born artist Njeri Kinuthia. Recommended for fans of African textiles and large-scale installations. Through April 17. Gallery221@HCC Dale Mabry, 4001 W. Tampa Bay Blvd., Tampa. hccfl.edu/galleries
The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art Explores the human condition in three exhibitions—Dignity: The Light Within,
Reflections: The Legacy of Frank Rampolla, and X-Ray Vision vs. Invisibility. Through April 27. 600 E Klosterman Rd., Tarpon Springs. leeparattner.org
The Subversive Eye: Surrealist and Experimental Photography from the David Raymond Collection Through May 4. $12-$32. Children 5 and under are free. Dalí Museum, Dalí Blvd, St. Petersburg. thedali.org
TIGLFF Tampa Bay’s LGBTQ+ film festival celebrates 35 years. Jan. 30-Feb. 2. Green Light Cinema. $12 per film or $80 for an allinclusive festival pass. tiglff.com
February
Florida Strong Opens during the 1st Saturday Artwalk. This won’t be the first time Florida artists have responded to Hurricanes Helene and Milton with art, but it’s not tired yet. We all love Florida art, even when it’s inspired by horrible storms. Studios at 5663. Feb.1, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. 5663 Park Blvd, Pinellas Park. @Studios5663 on Facebook
Chinese New Year Celebration Celebrate the Year of the Snake with the Suncoast Association of Chinese Americans. Listen to traditional music and watch lion and dragon dances while chowing down on authentic cuisine at this free event. Feb. 1, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Water Works Park. 1701 N Highland Ave., Tampa. sacatampabay.org
Make love with Gloria Muñoz and Tyler Gillespie This two-part workshop starts with a love poetry workshop with poets Muñoz and Gillespie on Sat. Feb. 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The following week, on Sat. Feb. 8, Kaitlin Crockett of Print St. Pete teaches participants how to print Valentine’s Day cards. $175. Print St. Pete. 4903 8th Ave. S, Gulfport. printstpete.org
Under the Spell of the Palm Tree Opens Feb. 6, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. with a panel discussion featuring several of the Cuban artists whose work is featured in this large exhibition of modern and contemporary Cuban art. $5-$25. Children six & under, college students with ID and SNAP EBT participants free. Tampa Museum of Art. 120 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. tampamuseum.org
Iamnotsocool Vintage Grand Opening
Another vintage store in St. Pete? Why not? Especially since this one’s in Historic Uptown and comes with live music and a special retro night menu from Uptown Eats. Thursday. Feb. 6, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. 689 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N, Saint Petersburg. @iamsonotcool on Facebook
Staying In What if the everyday objects that populate our homes were art? Tempus Projects attempts to answer this question with a group exhibition of domestic interiors and housewares featuring artwork by John Byrd, Kyra Connolly, David Kibby, Gigi Lage, Walter Matthews, Lisa McCarthy, Carola Miles, Sam K. Newton, Kaylin Price, Jib Projects, Heather Rosenbach, Gary Schmitt, Andrew Watson and more. Feb. 6-April 10. Artist reception Friday, Feb. 14. Tempus Projects, 1624 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. tempus-projects.com
Edge Beyond his delightful use of the color pink, Tampa artist and USF professor Neil Bender is known for making paintings and collages that explore gender and sexuality. Feb. 6-March 20. Artist reception Fri. Feb. 14. Tempus Projects, 1624 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. tempus-projects.com
Valentwe’en 2025 In its 11th year, this year’s theme is the fiction of H.P Lovecraft and features Darjuxena’s Darksplay Bats & Brews Dance Show, edible chocolate roses and tarot card love readings. During the February ArtWalk on Saturday, Feb. 8. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Artlofts Gallery, 10 5th St. N, St. Petersburg. @theGrimCupid on Facebook
Architecture meets clay at the Morean Center for Clay Ceramic artist Jan Richardson shares a series of mini architectural sculptures inspired by historical New England buildings. Richardson’s made hundreds of these handbuilt clay cottages over the past three decades, producing them in limited and numbered editions as Windy Meadows Pottery. The Morean has pieces dating back to 1977. Feb. 8-March 1. Morean Arts Center, 420 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg. moreanartscenter.org.
The Gulfport Fine Arts Festival With work by more than 50 artists. Feb. 8-9. Clymer Park, 5501 27th Ave. S, Gulfport. visitgulfportflorida.com
Heartizaar Hauntizaar and Holizaar organizers host a new spring market. Feb. 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club. 559 Mirror Lake Dr. N, St. Petersburg. @ StPeteShuffle on Facebook
Alligator Tears: Edgar Gomez Florida writer Tyler Gillespie talks with High-Risk Homosexual author Gomez about his latest book. Described as “a darkly comic memoirin-essays about the scam of the American Dream and doing whatever it takes to survive in the Sunshine State,” “Alligator Tears”
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Ya La’Ford at The James Museum
details Gomez’s experience growing up in poverty in Orlando. Feb. 13, 7 p.m. Tombolo Books. 2153 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg. tombolobooks.com
ReadOUT! OUT Arts & Culture’s Annual Festival of LGBTQ Literature returns to Gulfport Feb. 14-16 with three days’ worth of panel discussions, LGBTQ+ author readings, book signings, cocktail hours, and evening entertainment. Some of the events, like the author showcases and book signings, are targeted at readers of LGBTQ fiction, whereas others are meant for writers or aspiring writers. Those entering the craft can learn to write better characters, dialog, and love scenes through a series of panels on each day of the festival. Friday night’s “Be My Spicy Valentine,” is sure to be entertaining, as six sapphic romance writers discuss the art of writing love scenes on Valentine’s Day at 6:30 p.m. And for those who don’t feel like reading or writing anything, we recommend the Saturday evening entertainment—an all-new show from comedian Poppy Champlin (7:30 p.m. $30-$40). Feb. 14-16. $10 for a full weekend of panels and readings. Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave S, Gulfport. outartsandculture.org
St. Pete Zine Fest Back with more than 40 artists, zine makers and independent publishers. Feb. 15, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. West Community Library-SPC -Gibbs campus. 6700 8th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. printstpete.org/spzf
Ya La’ford interprets the American West At the James Museum, of course. Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s been covering the brilliant Ya La’ford since 2015 and can’t wait to hear about her travels out west and to see this new body of work. Feb. 15-May 18. $10$23. Children under six, James Museum Members and SNAP EBT participants free. 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. thejamesmuseum.org
Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin’s Art Harvest Rescheduled and relocated due to last year’s hurricanes. Feb. 16-17. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. 750 San Salvador Dr., Dunedin. clearwater-dunedin.jl.org
Crowbar. 1812 N 17th St., Ybor City. @danny. smyth.351 on Facebook
Localtopia Celebrate all things local at Localtopia, voted Best Makers Festival in 2023. Feb. 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Williams Park, 330 2ns Ave. N, St. Petersburg. @keepsaintpetersburglocal on Facebook
Black Art Gala Nneka Jones, Zulu Painter, Wayward Walls, iBOMS and Painkiller Cam are just a few of the two dozen local artists participating in the Third Annual Black Art Gala. Feb. 23, 7 p.m. $29.75 & up. David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts. 1010 N Macinnes Pl., Tampa. blackartgala. splashthat.com
11, 7 p.m. $5. Tombolo Books. 2153 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg. TomboloBooks.com
Historic Kenwood’s Tour of the Arts Twenty-nine artists are participating in this popular self-guided artist studio tour. March 15-16. 2550 Dartmouth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. @artistenclavehistorickenwood on Facebook
Gulfport Art in the Yard Gulfport’s city-wide art yard sale returns. March 22. mygulfport.us
Murder She Wrote Pub Crawl A Jessica Fletcher-themed bar crawl with drag performers and a 500-word fan fiction contest? Sign us up. March 22, 3-8 p.m. St. Pete’s Grand Central District. @WordierThanThou on Facebook
iBoms Imagine Nation Presented by the Woodson African American Museum of Florida and Creative Pinellas, opens Thursday, Feb. 20 with an artist-led tour, (5:30 p.m.-6 p.m.) followed by a reception, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Through May 10. Creative Pinellas, 12211 Walsingham Rd, Largo. creativepinellas.org
Untamed Explore the connection between nature and human emotion, featuring works by Guillo Pérez III, Gabrielle Pérez, Willy Pérez, Blake Emory and introducing emerging artist Morgan Guinessey. Thurs. Feb. 20, Noon-9 p.m. Marcolina’s Fine Arts Gallery. 1517 E 7th Ave Unit B, Ybor. marcolinas.com
Illustrating the News A showcase of 30 years of artwork by Joe Tonelli, chief news artist at the St. Petersburg Times during the 1960s-1980s. See it during the March 8 ArtWalk. Feb. 22-March 27. Morean Arts Center. 719 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. moreanartscenter.org
Valentwe’en Ghost tour of Roser Park
This year’s Valentwe’en comes with a ghost tour of the most haunted historic neighborhood in St. Pete. Sat. Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m. & 8 p.m. $25. roserparkishaunted.com
HCC Art Galleries’ Now on View Back in Ybor City for its second year. Six artists are participating, bringing four hours of interactive poetry, theater, visual art, and dance to three Ybor City venues: HCC Ybor, Hotel Haya and Kress Contemporary. Feb. 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 1411 E 11th Ave., Ybor City. hccfl.edu
Fiesta Day Back in Ybor City for its 78th year. The free street festival celebrates the Cuban, Italian, Spanish, Jewish and German immigrants who settled in Ybor City in the late-1800s with a parade of flags, ethnic food and entertainment.
Pink It Up 16! Ska Bands Against Breast Cancer Horns meet art by Michelle Sawyer and Yhali Ilan. Feb. 22, 7 p.m.-midnight.
St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District Association celebrates Black History Month with the Count Basie Orchestra The last time the Count Basie Orchestra performed in St. Pete was in 1962, when the King of Swing was still alive and well. Basie passed in Hollywood, Florida in 1984, but the orchestra he formed in 1935 is still on tour, under the leadership of trumpeter Scotty Barnhart, and celebrating its 90th Anniversary this year. On Monday, Feb. 24, the ensemble returns to St. Pete for a special Black History Month celebration featuring a free hands-on workshop for aspiring musicians at 2 p.m., a 6 p.m. panel discussion on the orchestra’s role in the Chitlin’ Circuit, and 7:30 p.m. concert. St.Petersburg College Gibbs Campus Music Center. 6605 8th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $25. WADA Members $20$35. warehouseartsdistrict.wildapricot.org/ event-6043988
March
Studios at 5663 present Pride at the Village Pride meets art in Pinellas Park. March 1, 3 p.m. 5663 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park. @diversityartsinc on Facebook
Gasparilla Festival of the Arts Bringing more than 250 artists. March 1-2. to Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, 1001 N Blvd., Tampa. gasparillaarts.com
St. Pete at Dusk Mize curates another oneday art show. March 6. Green Bench Brewing Co., 1133 Baum Ave. N, St. Petersburg. fb.com/mizegallery
The Underground Book Fair This is your opportunity to hang out with local authors and booksellers at the Jack Kerouac House in St. Pete. Maybe you’ll find your next great read. March 8, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Jack Kerouac House, 5169 10th Ave N., St Petersburg. @ WordierThanThou on Facebook
Kimono: The Triumph of Japanese Dress Bringing over 100 kimonos, dating from the late Edo period (1603-1867) through Showa era (1926-1989). March 8-June 8. MFA St. Pete, 255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. $12$22. Children age six and younger are free. mfastpete.org
Celebrate the launch of Craig Pittman’s latest collection of Florida essays Pittman discusses “Welcome to Florida: True Tales from America’s Most Interesting State” with fellow local author Paul Wilborn. March
Gasparilla International Film Festival Tampa Bay’s largest celebration of independent films returns. March 25-30. Various venues. gasparillafilmfestival.com
April
Mainsail Art Festival Celebrating its golden anniversary, Mainsail returns to the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront for a two-day celebration that welcomes not just visual artists, but culinarians, performers, and kid artists, too. April 5-6. No cover. Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. mainsailart.org—Ray Roa
ArtHouse XXV USF Tampa’s annual visual art extravaganza returns with more student art, open studios, an art history symposium, live music, free food and drink. It’s the biggest event of the year for Tampa’s college art community. April 4, 8 p.m.-11 p.m. Fine Arts Building at University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave. usf.edu/arts
Art in Bloom This annual event challenges professional florists and botanical artists to create bouquets inspired by artwork in the museum’s collections. April 10-13, with an opportunity to speak with the designers on Sun., April 13, 2-4 p.m. $12-$22. Children age six and younger free. Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. mfastpete. org
Fresh Squeezed Now in its ninth year, once again showcasing another fresh crop of emerging Florida artists. April 12-June 26. Opening reception April 12. Morean Arts Center. 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. moreanartscenter.org
Sunscreen Film Festival A must for aspiring movie-makers, Sunscreen brings another week of workshops and film premieres to St. Pete. April 24-27. sunscreenfilmfestival.com
Spotlight Hurricanes postponed USF Tampa’s inaugural one-day-only festival of design, art and performance. But things are back on schedule for April 25. 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Fine Arts Building, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave. usf.edu/arts
Back to the Future Musical “Damn fun” according to The Hollywood Reporter. April 29-May 4. $74 & up. David A. Straz Center for Performing Arts. 1010 N Macinnes Pl., Tampa. strazcenter.org
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Mainsail Art Festiva l
TAMPA BAY’S
FILM FESTIVAL
FREE GENERAL ADMISSION
MATT WALDEN
FRI., FEB. 28
KICKOFF PARTY
from 6-10 p.m. with performances from Flow Tribe and more.
SAT., MARCH 1
The Shaelyn Band
Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast
Eddie 9v
Mr. Sipp
Eric Gales
SUN., MARCH 2
Dig3 Band
Chris O’Leary Band
Ally Venable
Blood Brothers
REVIEWS PROFILES MUSIC WEEK
Tuneching up
10
of the biggest concerts coming to Tampa Bay this spring (and summer).
By CL Staff
Of all the blockbuster concerts coming to Tampa Bay over the spring and summer, Lil Wayne’s might be the hottest. The 42-year-old is bringing his old Cash Money labelmates—B.G., Juvenile & Turk—for a reunion of the Hot Boys that stops in just three cities (St. Louis and Charlotte are also on the agenda). The trio’s hits (“I Need a Hot Girl,” “Neighborhood Superstar”) along with their solo bangers (“Back That Azz Up,” “Bling Bling”) are all on the agenda. Tickets to see Lil Wayne & Hot Boys play Amalie Arena in Tampa on Friday, Feb. 21 are still available and start at $44.75. Check out a listing of some of the other big shows coming to town over the next few months.
Willie Nelson w/Randall King Don’t let the name of his 152nd album fool you, Willie Nelson is on the road again and headed to Florida for seven dates in the spring. The 91-year-old country music icon released Last Leaf On the Tree to kickoff November and is coming to the Bay area to support it. The 13-track outing, produced by his youngest son, Micah, Leaf features more Trigger than Nelson’s recent outings and includes covers of Tom Waits, Neil Young, Nina Simone, the Flaming Lips, Beck, and more. Saturday, Feb. 15. 7:30 p.m. $39.50 & up. The BayCare Sound, Clearwater Kate Pierson Pierson will peel away from The B-52s’ ongoing Las Vegas residency to dance this mess around the country on a string of solo dates in early 2025. That includes three Florida shows in February, including one at The Cap. Wednesday, Feb. 26. 8 p.m. $44.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater
Rod Stewart British rock legend Rod Stewart—who played Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center almost exactly a year ago —is once again back at the casino for an inmate show. So, if you think this 78-year-old Grammy winner is sexy, come on sugar, just tell him so! Who knows when he’ll be back. Wednesday, Feb. 26. 8 p.m. $275 & up. Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Tampa
They Might Be Giants John Linnell and John Flansburgh just released a new, horn-heavy live album properly titled Beast of Horns, which was recorded partially when the boys were on a highly successful, very sold-out tour celebrating the anniversary of their breakthrough album
Flood. That collection is a DIY, indie-exclusive that’s only available at record stores, the band’s website, and Bandcamp. There’s a sampler on streaming services, but if you’re craving more brand-new material, Linnell told Creative Loafing Tampa last year that there is a great amount of progress being made on the band’s next album. This show, part of the band’s “Big Show” tour, promises to continue its tradition of completely changing up the setlist every night,
dates supporting the outing. Wednesday, March 5. 7:30 p.m. $45. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg Ani DiFranco DiFranco has an album for a lot of this bullshit we’re going through right now. Over the summer, the 54-year-old American songwriting icon released a new album, Unprecedented Sh!t, where she stepped outside of the norm and worked with a producer, BJ Burton, for only the second time in her career. The Bon Iver and Charli XCX producer charted new territory for DiFranco, who saw her signature vocal get manipulated with effects and filters. While the sound may be new to listeners, DiFranco is still using her voice to speak to the political and social landscape of the world (the lead single is called “Baby Roe,” guys). “We find ourselves in
along with an all-star horn section featuring alumnus of Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, and beyond. Friday, Feb. 28. 8 p.m. $37.50.
Jannus Live, St. Petersburg
Bright Eyes Rainbows on the overpass are a somewhat common sight in the Tampa Bay area, and you can count on Conor Oberst & co. to sing about it when they come to Tampa Bay. The 44-yearold’s trio, Bright Eyes, released a new album, Five Dice, All Threes, last year and has a trio of Florida
unprecedented times in many ways, faced with unprecedented challenges. So, our responses to them and our discourse around them, need to rise to that level,” DiFranco added. Sunday, March 9. 7:30 p.m. $39.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg Khruangbin Grab your wigs, cool kids. Khruangbin announced a new run of U.S. tour dates this month, including three springtime stops in the Sunshine State. The Texas trio released its debut studio album in 2015, but
is nominated for Best New Artist in the 2025 Grammy Awards (Tampa rapper Doechii is in the same category). Known for its wiggy aesthetic and genre-defying instrumental sound that travels between funk, psych-rock and even disco, Khruangbin last played locally in 2022 and is adored in both indie-rock and jam scene circles. Its new album, A La Sala (stylized in allcaps), even features ‘60s Brazilian MPB vibes. Florida-born experimental Latin-folk producer Roberto Carlos Lange, aka Helado Negro, opens the shows in support of his own 2024 album Phasor. Friday April 18th, 8:00pm, $35 & up. The BayCare Sound, Clearwater Country Thunder Apparently, the popular Country Thunder Florida musical festival has outgrown its home in Kissimmee, and is instead headed to Tampa with a lineup packed with some of country’s biggest names. Some of the big names include Riley Green, Jelly Roll, Blake Shelton, Ella Langley, Jake Owen, and Ashley McBryde, and more. Friday-Sunday, May 2-4. $275.88 & up. Raymond James Stadium grounds, Tampa
AC/DC w/The Pretty Reckless Power up, folks. AC/DC just announced its first U.S. tour in nearly a decade, and one of its 13 dates will take place in Tampa. The last time the Aussie hard rock pioneers did a U.S. run, frontman Brian Johnson suffered from hearing issues, leading to Axl Rose infamously filling his vacancy. And while Johnson is returning to the fold for this run (along with founding band member and forever schoolboy Angus Young), the band isn’t the same one your dad knew and loved. Stevie Young continues filling in for his late uncle Malcolm (who died of dementia in 2017), while former Alanis Morissette bassist Chris Chaney covers for Cliff Williams, and Matt Laug of Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs will drum for Phil Rudd, who’s sitting out due to his partner’s ill health. Friday, May 16. 7 p.m. $72 & up. Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
Metallica After 15 years away, Metallica is coming back to Tampa. Metallica’s M72 World Tour launched back in 2023, and now the ninetime Grammy Award winning metal outfit has added more dates. According to a press release, Limp Bizkit and Ice Nine Kills will open for Metallica on June 6, while Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies will offer support on June 8. The Tampa stops are the only Florida shows on the tour. Limp Bizkit and Ice Nine Kills open on night one, with Suicidal Tendencies and Pantera handling night two. Friday-Saturday, June 6-7. $52.50 & up. Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
PRESHA COOKER: (L-R) B.G., Lil Wayne, Juvenile, Turk at Lil WeezyAna Fest 2024.
THU 30
C La Tropicana Hi Fi Music Lounge: Okay Benny w/Svntos Just Some Friends, a newish collective of music and event curators, takes over Café Quiquiriqui at this pretty Ybor City hotel and turns it into a lounge. The soundtrack comes courtesy of Dove Award-winning producer Okay Benny (stylized “okay.benny”) and Svntos (stylized in all-caps), both spinning nothing but vinyl records from their Latin, soul, funk and jazz collections. (Café Quiquiriqui at Hotel Haya, Ybor City)—Ray Roa
C Taylor Hollingsworth w/The Burke Brothers/Shawn Kyle Tampa Bay is rich in songwriters, and there’s never any shortage of troubadours trudging through either. Hollingsworth’s gig is cream of the crop. The Alabamian’s 2024 album, Yahola , is a fingerpicked love letter to the miracle that is getting up every day. On it, he cuts his soul open (“Symphony From God”), plays barnburners (“Double Trouble”) and deploys the slide to great effect, too (“Lickity Slim”). A couple of OGs of the Bay area scene open. (The Nest at St. Pete Brewing Co., St. Petersburg)—RR
FRI 31
C Homeshake w/Deadharrie It’s easy to forget that some of our favorite musicians started off as a member of someone big’s backing band. Some of the Eagles used to back up Linda Ronstadt, and Sheryl Crow shredded on Michael Jackson’s Bad tour in the late-‘80s. Then you have Peter Sagar, who used to be a guitarist in his teenhood
buddy Mac DeMarco’s band. After releasing a few solo tapes, he opted to shift his full focus on his new project Homeshake in 2014, and amicably left DeMarco’s band. And he’s been pretty busy, too. With Homeshake, Sagar dropped two chill, indie albums last year, and in a Reddit AMA explained the meanings behind both of them. CD Wallet is centered around the pros and cons of where he grew up and his relationships with his family, while the latest installment, Horsie , mostly stemmed from his experiences on Homeshake’s first tour since COVID-19 lockdowns, and “seeing it with fresh eyes, trying to relate it to other parts of [his] life.” There’s also the fact that this show may very well be one of the last times the U.S. ever sees the full Homeshake touring band. Its impending split was confirmed in an emotional social media post last year. (Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa)
C Mary Gauthier Last year marked the 25th anniversary of the 62-year-old singersongwriter’s most semi-autobiographical tune, “Drag Queens and Limousines,” written after a pre-fame, NYC night. It’s inspired by Gauthier’s experience growing up queer in the South, making ends meet after running away from home at a young age, and moving to Boston. Against all odds, Gauthier has defied the odds of being a queer country musician in Music City and become a regular performer at the Opry. Ahead of this intimate show, Gauthier told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay about Bruce Springsteen’s The River tour being the best gig she ever saw. Read her full quote at cltampa.com/music. (Safety Harbor Art and Music Center, Safety Harbor)
C Peace Cult w/Pilot Jonezz/Hot Honey You shouldn’t need an excuse to get sweaty inside St. Petersburg’s fanciest dive, but this no-cover gig featuring a trio of rowdy indierock favorites should push you over the edge. (The Bends, St. Petersburg)—RR
The Rachel Z Trio feat. Omar Hakim The jazz keyboardist and her husband Omar are loaded with music industry stories that go back to the Reagan years. Before becoming a jazz professor at a number of music colleges, Rachel Hakim spent time touring with Peter Gabriel and even had a hand in co-writing a handful of Grammy Award-winning pieces with saxophonist Najee and the late Wayne Shorter, respectively. As for her husband, Omar banged the cans on two David Bowie albums, as well as every drum part on Dire Straits’ Brothers In Arms, excluding the iconic intro to “Money For Nothing.” Rounding out this trio is new kid Jonathan Toscano, a dynamic, up-and-coming New York-bred bassist who has collaborated with more contemporary musicians. (Side Door Cabaret at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg)
SAT 01
Default Friends w/Mossheads/Sure Thing/Just Courtesy Musically speaking, there’s no shortage of Ramones influence on this young, Orlando-based indie punk foursome’s debut EP Not Over It . Default Friends has previously played reproductive rights gigs and hosted a top surgery fundraiser, so if a potential resurgence of punk’s fascist side is making you skeptical in the era of Elon Musk’s Inauguration Day salute, just know that, as per usual, this stacked Deviant Libation gig ain’t no Nazi show. (Deviant Libation, Tampa)
SUN 02
C Tampa Jazz Club: Chuck Redd w/La Lucha If the concertgoing experience is all about vibes, know that Chuck Redd, literally, has them on lock. The 66-year-old composer and percussionist has recorded and performed with greats like Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Byrd—and appeared in close to 100 albums, according to Jazz Times. He arrives in Tampa supporting his 2024 outing, Groove City, which includes standards, a couple of Monty Alexander tunes and originals. Redd, a bonafide master of the vibraphone, will be backed by La Lucha for this matinee put on by the remarkably consistent organizers at Tampa Jazz Club. (Mainstage Theatre at Hillsborough Community College, Ybor City)—RR
Jason Wade “You Belong To Me” may not be the most recognizable song from “Shrek” (thanks a lot, Smash Mouth), but the frontman of Lifehouse just put out a mostly acoustic album called A Likely Story, which is an extension of last year’s EP with the same title. Before heading to Australia to plug the new songs as an opener for Train, Wade holds a Florida and Texas-exclusive run of solo gigs, including this sold-out stop. It’s his first time back in Tampa Bay since fronting Lifehouse in 2019 at Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall, a gig which turned out to be one of the group’s last post-COVID shows before seemingly fading into the shadows. (Crowbar, Ybor City)
C Jesse Royal w/Ichroniq/Akiva/Badda Skat As a precursor to his upcoming slot at Reggae Rise Up (which has a lineup for the ages), the 35-year-old Grammy Award-nominee brings his lesson about the importance of human emotion. In an interview promoting his second and most recent album, Royal mentioned how one of the record’s core messages is that it’s OK to be tough, but it’s also OK to be honest about the world being a shit place from time to time, which is pretty essential after the politically exhausting month we’ve just endured here in the States. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)
WED 05
C The Get Up Kids w/Hot Rod Circuit What became of everyone you used to know? If you’re an emo kid, you might find out when The Get Up Kids revisit their 1999 breakthrough album, Something To Write Home About . The 13-track-outing inarguably changed the trajectory of the genre’s third-wave, with its melodic choruses, anthemic instrumental bridges and breakdowns, plus lyrics that bottled up angst that only got worse as the country descended into the post-9/11 doldrums. And if you’re not taking a holiday of your own on Thursday, it’s best to say goodnight right after this mid-week treat. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)—RR
THU 06
Rock The Park: Anthill Cinema w/Hex Appeal Every time a new band made up of St. Pete’s Ladies Rock Camp comes on the scene, things start to look a little brighter. That’ll certainly be the case for Curtis Hixon’s second Rock The Park of the year, when Hex Appeal—a semi-new, witch-punk quintet—opens for experimental fusion collective Anthill Cinema. Also, don’t be afraid to lament the recent postponement of this year’s Gasparilla Music Festival, which took place around this time of year at Curtis Hixon every year until 2023. We’ll be sentimental, too. (Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa)
C Sound of Justice: Ending Qualified Immunity Through Music A decade after the death of their son, Andrew Joseph III, Andrew Jr. and his mom Deanna continue the fight against qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that shields public officials, including cops, from liability for misconduct. Every February, the Josephs—who in September 2022 were awarded $15 million in a lawsuit against Hillsborough Sheriff—spend a week reenergizing the community in the ongoing push to not only heal and honor lives lost, but work for justice and a better future. This concert next Thursday is preceded by a Feb. 4 panel discussion with survivors of police brutality, a candlelight dinner, and masquerade dinner. More information is at andrewjosephfoundation.com. (Crowbar, Ybor City)—RR
See an extended version of this listing via cltampa.com/music.
By Josh Bradley
C CL Recommends
Looks like Tampa is going to get what it deserves. Two weeks ago, Nine Inch Nails announced a new world tour with a possible stop in Tampa, only to promptly postpone everything and “unannounce” it all due to the wildfires in California. Well, last week the legendary industrial rock outfit confirmed that it is indeed coming to Tampa this fall.
The “Peel It Back Tour” will make its only Florida stop at Tampa’s Amalie Arena in September. The show is Nine Inch Nails’ first show in the Tampa Bay area since a stop at MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre in 2014. The run marks the band’s first show since 2022 when classic members of the band returned for a one-off. The band was inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.
Tickets to see Nine Inch Nails play Tampa’s Amalie Arena on Wednesday, Sept. 10 went on sale Wednesday, Jan, 29 at noon and start at $44.75. See Josh Bradley’s weekly roundup of new concerts coming to Tampa Bay below.—Colin Wolf
Corey Kent Saturday, April 5. 8 p.m. $25. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg
Denzel Curry w/Kenny Mason/454/Clip Tuesday, April 8. 8 p.m. $39.50 & up. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg
Barely Alive w/Rated R/Myr Friday, April 11. 10 p.m. $10. The Ritz, Ybor City
The Millennium Tour: Trey Songz w/ Omarion/Bow Wow/Rick Ross/Boosie BadAzz Saturday, April 12. 8 p.m. $69.75 & up. Yuengling Center, Tampa
D’Aydrian Harding Friday, April 18. 7:30 p.m. $39.50 & up. The Ritz, Ybor City
Pity Party (Girls Club) w/TBA Friday, Saturday 19. 7 p.m. $22. Bayboro Brewing Co., St. Petersburg
Michigan Rattlers Saturday, April 19. 8 p.m. $22. Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa
Meshuggah w/Cannibal Corpse/Carcass Saturday, April 19. 7 p.m. $44.75 & up. Yuengling Center, Tampa
Elderbrook w/Eli & Fur/Jerro Saturday, May 10. 7:30 p.m. $41 & up. The BayCare Sound, Clearwater
Mat Kearney w/Augustana Saturday, May 10. 8 p.m. $34.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater
Breaking Benjamin w/Staind/Wage War/Lakeview Tuesday, May 13. 5:30 p.m. $48.15 & up. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa
The Damned w/The Bellrays Wednesday, May 14. 7 p.m. $38. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg
BoyWithUke w/Ethan Bortnick Friday, May 16. 8 p.m. $30 & up. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg
Pierce The Veil w/Sleeping With SirensThursday, May 15. 7 p.m. $61.88 & up (resale only). Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa
Brit Floyd Friday, May 16. 7 p.m. $45 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
Forrest Frank w/Elevation Rhythm Saturday, May 17. 7 p.m. $29.50 & up. Yuengling Center, Tampa
Hauser Saturday, May 17. 8 p.m. $53.25 & up. The BayCare Sound, Clearwater
The Crane Wives Wednesday, May 21. 8 p.m. $25. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg
Ninja Sex Party w/Twrp Wednesday, May 28. 7 p.m. $45.50 & up. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg
Happy Together Tour: The Turtles w/ Jay & The Americans/Little Anthony/ Mark Lindsey/more Friday, May 30. 7 p.m. $45 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
Styx w/Kevin Cronin/Don Felder Saturday, May 31. 6:45 p.m. $49 & up. Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa
Disney Descendants Friday, Sept. 5. 7 p.m. $39.50 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa
Thomas Rhett w/Tucker Wet/more Friday, Sept. 5. 7:30 p.m. $40.75 & up. Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa
Empty cup
By Caroline DeBruhl
Dear Oracle, I feel guilty about not spending enough time with one of my parents. This parent is getting older, and as I’ve started my own family, I would like all of us to spend more time together, but they make it difficult. I don’t think my parent is honest with me about several things, we often get into fights about perceived slights on their end, and when we spend time together, they’ll be on their phone. I feel like I’m the only one making an effort, but I don’t know if my parent is worried about encroaching and needs more assurance that I want to spend more time with them or if they don’t want to be that involved in our lives. Can the cards guide me in a direction?—Guilty Ass Son Cards for your current feelings: King of Cups (reversed), Ten of Swords, Ten of Pentacles (reversed)
Cards for immediate action: Full Moon, Three of Cups (reversed), Four of Pentacles Cards for how that action will affect the relationship: Seven of Cups, The Devil, Page of Pentacles
Dear GAS, you may notice I didn’t draw any cards about your parent’s feelings. There are two reasons for this: the first is that with such little information on such a significant, complex relationship, I could cause harm to you with a misreading. The second is that, in a way, it doesn’t really matter how your parent feels. We can’t control other people’s feelings
or actions, only our own, so I drew cards for you alone. Let’s get to it.
At this moment, the Ten of Swords shows strong negative emotions you have toward your parent, particularly anger and fear. With Ten of Pentacles reversed, the card of legacy, I think the truth of your parent’s mortality weighs heavily on you. Is your guilt about not spending enough time with them tied to a fear that you’ll regret it when they’re not around?
It’s understandable to want to be on good terms with our loved ones when they pass. But, I also think you should acknowledge that your feelings about your parent are complicated—and became even more so when you had your own child.
clarity and know that your emotions will be close to the surface with this one. (Which, of course they are, it’s your parent!) But, as a card of direct action, you should keep reaching out.
The Three of Cups is an interesting card here. It can mean working together and even helping people out—and sometimes, people manufacture a crisis to get attention with that help.
be able to help you navigate the thornier parts of your relationship.
ORACLE OF YBOR
Send your questions to oracle@cltampa. com or DM @theyboracle on Instagram
Sometimes, when people become parents themselves, they find forgiveness for their own parents’ faults, seeing they did their best. Other times they see with cold clarity how royally their parents fucked up. With the King of Cups reversed it would not surprise me if you want to be this all-giving, all-loving father who values relationships. It also wouldn’t surprise me if you have anger and hurt toward your parent for not acting the same way.
Keeping all of that in mind, as far as steps go, the Full Moon urges you to look at this with
Part of me wonders if your parent might be playing hard to get. Do you get the impression that they like being persuaded, or do they seem bothered by it? Are the fights about the perceived slights a way for your parent to engage you, keep that attention, and perhaps get you to apologize? It might not be the healthiest behavior, but if this feels true, it does suggest that your parent does want to spend time with you—albeit on their terms and possibly as the star of the show. I think that to spend time with them, you have to continue in the role of the initiator.
However, with the ever-reflective Four of Pentacles searching for what’s blocking you, I highly recommend talking to a therapist about this. They will be able to give you way more specific advice than I ever could and speak to you about your relationship with your parent in a more in-depth way. Your parent might be disengaged because their parents were. Your parent might have a personality disorder. Maybe they’re just getting ornerier as they age. Whatever it is, a licensed therapist would
It’s important to keep a very level head about your actions because, with the Seven of Cups and The Devil, the wrong choice might lead to you bringing out the absolute worst in each other. The Devil can be all-consuming thoughts, amplifying our base selves. And if our Ego is The Devil, then we can become someone who needs to be served, who is all-important, who doesn’t compromise or empathize, and who can be just an all-around asshole.
This might be a role that your parent can slip into—especially if they want to be pursued and be made the center of attention. This might be your unchecked anger and hurt that causes you to lash out at them. I don’t know. But I do know that you have to be conscious as you move forward. Again, a therapist would be able to provide help in that way.
I do think you can go about this in a conscious and curious way. As the hardworking Page of Pentacles, you understand nuances in behavior and can see good intentions where others may only see bad behavior. It’s absolutely ok to give grace to your parent—as long as your also giving it to yourself. I do hope that talking with your parent (ideally with a script hammered out with that therapist you started seeing) will bring about some change and that you’re able to establish deeper family bonds for yourself, your parent, and your child. It is not easy work, and you should be proud of yourself for doing it. Best of luck, my dear.
Fear factors
By Dan Savage
My wife and I are a lesbian married couple in Chicago. We are also proud moms to our wonderful, dynamic 17-year-old trans son. “Michael” is a great kid, and we have always enjoyed a close relationship. It has recently come to light that he is engaging in penetrative sex with men he meets on a gay hookup app. We discovered this because of bloody laundry which we thought was breakthrough bleeding, a trip to his gender doc and a subsequent chlamydia diagnosis brought this all out. Since this revelation—and after a lecture about safe-sex practices—I am now living in a state of terror. I’m terrified our son will be a victim of sexual violence. I am terrified that he will be emotionally scarred by some fetishist. I am terrified he will get a lifethreatening STI. My instincts are telling me to take a leave from work, and whisk him away from the city and talk and talk until he sees the danger of this behavior. Is that an overreaction? Are there therapists who specialize in this? Is there any way this will work out well for him? I desperately want to do right by my son, and he is acting like this is “no big deal,” but my mama instincts are screaming shut this down!—Manic Over My Son
The stage of life your child is going through— the transition from childhood to adulthood autonomy (which kids do without a fully functioning pre-frontal cortex)—is filled with risk, and you can’t protect your child from all of it. Zooming out for a second: The age of consent in Illinois is 17. I don’t wanna get derailed by a debate about whether that number is too low, but that’s the number. So, no laws were broken here. But polices were violated: your son is too young to be on Grindr or Scruff or Sniffies—you have to be 18 to get on those apps, and it’s inarguably far too easy for minors to get on them. And while meeting strangers is always risky, the apps are a normal part of gay life and they’re where most queer people find their partners, life and otherwise. And most gay and bi men I know under 35, both cis and trans, got on the apps the moment they turned 18; they had good and bad experiences and sometimes their moms had to get involved, but most survived and learned from their mistakes. Moving on…your instinct to “shut this down” is understandable—you love your son and you wanna protect him from the kind of shitty adult man who gives chlamydia to teenagers—but your plan won’t work. Even if you were to whisk your son off to Peoria, he can download hookup apps just as easily downstate. And he’s 17, MOMS, not 14 which means he’s almost an adult and will soon be free to make his own choices. So, instead of locking your son in the basement for the next year (or 10), get him on PrEP, keep communicating (you can talk and talk and talk at home), and let him know his moms are ready, willing, and able to swoop in an emergency. Lecture him about regular STI testing, ask him where he’s going and who’s he’s seeing,
and tell him—from me—that adult men who fuck teenagers can’t be trusted. And then go find him a therapist, if you haven’t already, who specializes in working with trans teens, and identify one or two adults in his life—people you know and trust— that your son can turn to for confidential advice.
As for being emotionally scarred by some fetishist…your fears are understandable. Unfortunately for you and your son, it’s hard to draw a clean line between cis men who are attracted to trans men for the right reasons and cis men who fetishize trans men. (Your son has probably encountered both types already.) But not every man who is drawn to trans men is a fetishist. So, he’s going to meet some men who are attracted to everything about him—including the fact that he’s trans—and others who are only interested in him for one reason. The sooner he learns to tell these guys apart, the better. And like all gay and bi men, your son is going to walk away from some experiences feeling used in ways that leave him feeling demeaned and dehumanized and walk away from others feeling used in ways that make him feel powerful and desirable. (And if he’s on PrEP before he walks in, you don’t have to worry about him walking out with a life-threatening STI.)
SAVAGE LOVE
My partner and I have been together for nearly 20 years. While our love for each other is as strong as ever, our sex life has hit some bumps. We’ve talked about it a lot, and while we’re both feeling the disconnect, it’s been particularly frustrating for them. One thing that has always sparked our imagination is the idea of them being with someone else. Over the years, we’ve explored this in playful ways: checking out profiles on apps, sharing photos, and even roleplaying scenarios about them having an adventure with someone else. It’s thrilling in the moment, but eventually, we fall back into old routines. Recently, though, something shifted. A colleague has caught their eye. They’ve mentioned being attracted to this person, and the interest seems mutual. This colleague, while shy, has been flirting back—buying thoughtful little gifts and inviting them out for drinks. Because of our shared fantasy and my deep desire to make them happy, I’ve been letting this play out. But here’s the thing: I’m feeling increasingly jealous and worried. What if this becomes something bigger? What if I end up pushed aside? Even though my partner reassures me that I’m the only one they want to come home to, those fears keep creeping in. How can I navigate these feelings without losing the connection we’ve worked so hard to build?— Apprehensive Now Getting Super Tense
socialized as a woman, having a sexual adventure might expose them to more risk of violence, pregnancy, sexually-transmitted infections, etc.
Anyway…I’m going to assume you’re a cuck or cuck-adjacent, ANGST, because there’s something about your partner fucking around—but not you fucking around—that turns you on. Venus, the host of the Venus Cuckoldress Podcast and perhaps the smartest person on the planet about cuckold relationships, describes cuckolding as a “one-sided open relationship,” and that’s essentially what you’re talking about here. Venus also talks a lot on her show about something she describes as “cuck angst,” ANGST, which seems to describe you perfectly.
“One of the things that attracted me to cuckolds was their ability to turn something potentially painful and uncomfortable—their partner having a sexual experience with someone else—into something pleasurable and fun,” said Venus. “And while cucks can experience intense feelings of jealousy, doubt, and anxiety, ‘cuck angst’ is a part of the thrill for the cuckold. But it can be very scary and uncomfortable, particularly before that first experience.”
How do you get over the angst and learn to enjoy your partner fucking around on you in actual-fucking-around-on-you practice and not just fantasizing-about-them-fucking-aroundon-you theory?
In addition to getting your son on PrEP right now and off the apps until he’s 18 (he agrees to phone spot checks or he loses his phone), you should encourage your son to recognize his own sexual worth. Some trans people are convinced no one will want them, MOMS, so they jump at— or jump on—anyone who shows interest. One of the lessons your son should take from his experiences on the apps thus far is this: there are men out there who are interested in him. Which means he can hold out for guys who aren’t just interested in him as a trans man, but also as a person; he can hold out for guys who will have a conversation with him about safety, not just guys who wanna know how soon he can get to their apartments; he can hold out for guys who might be interested in dating him, not just hooking up with him. I’ve personally watched trans friends go from a scarcity mindset (“No will want me, I have to take what I can get”) to an abundance mindset (“Lots of people want me, I can afford to be choosey”) and it transformed their lives.
It’s going to be a rocky few years, MOMS, but with you and your wife on his side, I’m confident your son will make it one piece. Good luck.
Just wanna make sure I’m following you: You and your longterm partner are still in love but you don’t fuck much anymore and that’s a bigger problem for your partner than it is for you. But the one thing that reliably inspires you to fuck your partner are shared fantasies about them getting with someone else. Not you getting with someone else, ANGST, just them getting with someone else. Enter someone else. Zooming out for a second: I don’t know if you’re a cuckold (a man who gets off on being cheated on) or a cuckquean (a woman who gets off on being cheated on) or a cuck (a non-gendered term for someone who gets off on their partner cheating on them) because there’s no data in your letter about who was assigned exactly what at birth. While I respect nonbinary identities and they/them pronouns—because I’m not Mark Fucking Zuckerberg—it can be hard to craft practical sex advice when you don’t know the sexes (assigned or otherwise) of the parties involved. For instance, ANGST, male socialization might impact your reaction to your partner getting with their colleague (if you’re male); conversely, if your partner is a woman or they was (they were?) assigned female at birth and was
“The only way to get the post-cuck glow on the other side is to lean into it,” said Venus. “That’s not to say that you have to navigate these powerful emotions all on your own! Your partner has a role to play in helping you through it. They can write a little lovely reassurance letter for you to open when you absolutely need it, or make a point to set aside time each week to have a check-in conversation, and spend some extra quality time with you.”
I would also recommend your partner fuck the shit out of you immediately after they get with this colleague—setting aside whether getting with a colleague is advisable—because reclamation sex, according to cucks, is the best part.
“I’ve also found that cucks supporting other cucks during those anxious times has been really helpful,” said Venus, “so, consider reaching out to other couples with similar dynamics who may be open to friendships. Lastly, I would suggest a somatic sex coach who can give you some exercises you can do at home to help you relax your body and your mind when the angst gets difficult. Ultimately the whole dance of emotions and feelings involved with being a cuck gets easier over time and you can both enjoy the next-level love, trust, and connection that this kind of relationship is known for.”
Follow on BlueSky and check out her podcast at venuscuckoldress.com.
Got problems? Yes, you do! Email your question for the column to mailbox@savage.love! Or record your question for the Savage Lovecast at savage.love/askdan! Podcasts, columns and more at Savage.Love
Legal, Public Notices
Notice of Public Sale Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell, to satisfy lien of the owner, at public sale by competitive bidding on www.storagetreasures.com. ending on February 14th 2024 at 10:00 am for units located at Compass Self Storage 1685 Hwy 17 N Eagle Lake Florida 33839 . Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at time of sale. All Goods are sold as is and must be removed at the time of purchase. Compass Self Storage reserves the right to refuse any bid. Sale is subject to adjournment. The personal goods stored therein by the following may include, but are not limited to general household, furniture, boxes, clothes and appliances, unless otherwise noted. 3164 Leslie Frazier D302 Kayla Westmoreland E402 Kevin Blackmon. Run dates 1/30 and 2/6/25.
Notice of Public Sale Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell, to satisfy lien of the owner, at public sale by competitive bidding on www.storagetreasures.com ending on February 14th, 2025 at 10:00 am for units located at: Compass Self Storage 2291 S. Frontage Rd, Plant City, Florida 33563 . Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the time of sale. All goods are sold as is and must be removed at the time of purchase. Compass Self Storage reserves the right to refuse any bid. Sale is subject to adjournment. The personal goods stored therein by the following may include, but are not limited to general household, furniture, boxes, clothes and appliances, unless otherwise noted. 1051 Keundai Williams 1078 Gina Gardner 1095 Alysha Williams 1133 Mike Turber 2191-2205 Wilbur Brown. Run dates 1/30 and 2/6/25.
NOTE: This puzzle contains eight long theme answers, all of which read across. What is the connection between these eight answers and Christmas? And which two are not quite consistent with the other six? Think SANTA.
ACROSS 1 Rita Hayworth role 6 Bush-Clinton opponent 11 Finisher after 4 yrs.
