Creative Loafing Tampa — February 8, 2024 by Chava Communications

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PUBLISHER James Howard EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ray Roa

RAY ROA

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

We were always trying to get attention of the mothership.

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

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

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Downtown closure is the end of an era for the Tampa Bay Times, p. 17.

MUSIC WEEK ��39 ORACLE OF YBOR ��51 SAVAGE LOVE ��52 CROSSWORD ��54

Chances are you still probably have to take your loved one out to dinner.

Your Valentine’s plans, p. 22.

The newspaper is produced and printed on Indigenous land belonging to Tampa Bay’s Tocobaga and Seminole tribes.

ON THE COVER: Design by Joe Frontel.

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/food More Valentine’s listings /music Kurt Vile books St. Pete show /news White House Boys update /arts Hart’s coming /slideshows Billy Joel’s Florida house

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do this

Tampa Bay's best things to do from February 08 - 14 Never forget

KEIR MAGOULAS/VISIT TAMPA BAY

Andrew Joseph III would have been 24 this year. To celebrate their son’s life, Deanna and Andrew Joseph Jr. (pictured), together with the community, stage a week of Tampa-based memorial activities that's already included workshops on how to end qualified immunity and a vigil, plus Friday’s preview of “Power & Purpose: The Andrew Joseph III Story,” a play about the life and legacy of the boy who died on I-4 after deputies that ejected him from the state fair. A freedom boat ride happens on Saturday, and the week wraps with a Sunday service for victims of families impacted by police violence. “We ask any individual who wants to learn Andrew’s story, the impacts of police violence, and how to fight to end qualified immunity for the police to come out to any events that you can during the memorial week. It is a great opportunity to learn more about your community,” a press release says.

Andrew Joseph III 10 Year Memorial Week (Standing in Power): Daily through Sunday, Feb. 11. lnk.bio/ajfweek —Ray Roa

Knight rider

A separate animal from the day parade, this 50 years-running post-sunset party finds the floats—and pirates and Rough Riders—making their way down Seventh Avenue for an even more debauched and drunken affair than the main parade. Bleacher seats are available for $30, and there’s a “Night before the Knight Parade” party at Carmine’s on Feb. 9, but most people just spill onto and all over the Ybor City streets for this one. .

Knights of Sant’ Yago Knight Parade: Saturday, Feb. 10. 7 p.m. No cover. Seventh Avenue, Ybor City. krewesantyago.org —Ray Roa

THEICEHOUSEON49TH/FACEBOOK

Pinellas has new space for live music, and its calendar’s been heating up. The Icehouse started as an ice cream distributorship in 1964 and was reborn half a century later as New Groove City Music Complex, which provided lessons, space to practice, plus recording studios. Last year, the building got a new owner, Tim Church, who’s since renamed the space and shaped it into a community hub right off the Pinellas Trail. “I just enjoy being surrounded music, the people that make music," Church, a musician who is also a member of Creative Clay’s Board of Directors, wrote, “and a great fringe benefit; I can jump on the drums for a quick break between meetings.” This weekend, Icehouse goes punk for a day-long makers market complete with tacos, adult beverages, live music and more.

Pretty In Pink w/Mace Hardcore/Las Nadas/Swearwolf/more: Sunday, Feb. 11. 12 p.m.-6 p.m. No cover. The Icehouse, 701 49th St. S, Gulfport. ice49.com —Ray Roa 8 | FEBRUARY 08-14, 2024 | cltampabay.com

YVONNE GOUGELET

Icy hot

See more (and submit your event) @ cltampa.com Smells fishy

Once a year, the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s St. Pete’s outpost opens its doors to the public—kids and their parents alike—to celebrate Florida’s diverse wildlife, ecosystems and the state-wide organization’s cutting-edge research and conservation efforts. From touch tanks filled with marine critters and interactive, kid-friendly activities to demonstrations from some of the state’s top wildlife researchers, this free-to-attend event is the ideal balance between educational and entertainment. Even adults can learn a thing or two about the Sunshine State’s many sharks, rays, manatees, birds, coral and red tide from the FWC’s annual open house. Marinequest 2024 happens in conjunction with the annual St. Petersburg Science Festival, which happens on USF’s adjacent campus. Its waterfront grounds will be filled with even more educational exhibits and engineering demonstrations to help inspire the next generation of scientists.

MarineQuest 2024: Saturday, Feb. 10. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. No cover. FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 8th Ave. SE, St. Petersburg. myfwc.com —Kyla Fields

MYFWC/FLICKR

COURTESY

Paper chaser

Zine festivals have been happening around the country (and the world) for several decades, celebrating the DIY nature of printmaking, accessible information and anti-mainstream narratives—and Tampa’s own slice of counterculture happens this weekend in Seminole Heights. In addition to the dozens of artists, printmakers, writers, sculptors and creators that are tabling their zines and other creative wares, this family-friendly festival also features live performances, eats from Rene’s Mexican Kitchen and This Little Pig food truck and sips from Southern Brewing. Tampa’s annual zine fest has been happening off and on for about a decade, although there’s no one person or group that organizes the community-oriented event. To learn more about 2024’s rendition of this zine fest—in addition to St. Pete’s zine party next weekend—head to page 27.

Tampa Zine Fest: Saturday, Feb. 10. 6 p.m.-10 p.m. No cover. Southern Brewing & Winemaking, 4500 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. @TampaZineFest on Facebook —Kyla Fields

Downtown St. Pete’s Grand Central District is in a constant state of change, but one thing that doesn’t is its wide array of locally-owned breweries. If I Brewed the World (2200 1st Ave. S), Pinellas Ale Works (1962 1st Ave. S), 3 Daughters Brewing (222 22nd St. S) and Grand Central Brewhouse (2340 Central Ave.) are teaming up for their hyperlocal celebration of craft beer this weekend. This year’s rendition of the Grand Central District Beer Day event is themed “The Dark Side” in a homage to Florida’s recent chilly weather, so folks can expect more opaque brews like stouts, porters and brown ales represented on these tap lists. Each of the four breweries participating in this year’s GCBD will pour an exclusive beer in which $1 of every pint sold will benefit St. Pete’s Pet Pal Animal Shelter—a local nonprofit that any Pinellas Ale Works regular will surely recognize. The breweries are also hosting individual raffles and prizes at each location; folks that get their punch cards stamped at each business can be entered to win the event’s elusive grand prize.

CITYOFSTPETE/FLICKR

Pour decisions

5th Annual Grand Central District Beer Day: Saturday, Feb. 10. 11a.m.-11 p.m. No cover (but bring beer money). Various locations throughout St. Pete’s Grand Central District. @grandcentralsp on Instagram —Kyla Fields

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“There’s really nothing like just being in the newsroom, and throwing ideas around.” POLITICS

ISSUES

OPINION

Closing Times

Tampa Bay Times closes downtown Tampa office. By Ray Roa “We were always trying to get attention of the mothership,” he said. They in fact called the St. Pete office, 'the mothership.' Like, ‘Hey, pay attention to us over here. There’s a lot going on in Tampa,’ and, you know, always trying to get on the front page, always screaming for attention.” Day, who started at the times as a reporter in 2004 told WMNF she doesn’t miss her commute to and from New Tampa. “I always did not like to be in the car and the time that it took to get to work, but I loved the people once I got there. So there is something that I miss about that,” Day added. “But I have a lot of found time that I’m able to do some other things with and I’m very grateful for that.” While the Times has always had “MOJO” or “mobile journalists,” Tom Scherberger, who worked at the Times 13 years across several editorial departments, pointed out that “there’s no news in a newsroom, get outside, go find some stories.” Scherberger, however, admitted that the collegial approach to working was beneficial.

LOCAL NEWS

Last year, its longtime Tampa City Hall reporter Charlie Frago abruptly left the paper over philosophical differences. “I did not see a path forward,” Frago told CL at the time. In 2022, the feds refiled a $2.8 million lien against the Times Publishing Company, after first announcing plans to take over the paper’s pension plans in late-2021. Liens against the company were north of $103 million in 2019. In 2018, a trust controlled by the widow of Nelson Poynter—whose institute owns the Times—sued the Times publishing company, saying it owed her nearly $7.8 million after defaulting on a promissory note. In 2017, the Times was bailed out by an investment group—FBN Partners—that loaned the paper $12 million. The group included Tash, Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik, Tampa business heavyweights Frank and Carol Morsani, developer Ted Couch, investment company chair and former part owner of the Washington Commanders football team, Robert Rothman, plus Tampa entrepreneur and philanthropist Kiran Patel and his wife, Pallavi. Another investor in the group—which added $3 million to its loan in 2019—is Tampa developer and former Blue Pearl Veterinary Clinic CEO Darryl Shaw. One investor remains unnamed, but in 2021 Day told CL that the FBN loan had been paid in full.

JHVEPHOTO/ADOBE

hirty-two years after opening, the Tampa Bay Times’ downtown Tampa office has closed its doors. The bureau, which opened in 1992 on Ashley Drive near I-275, shut down with no fanfare in the first week of January, effectively closing the door on a generation’s worth of memories including multiple Pulitzer celebrations. In a statement to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, Time chairman and CEO Conan Gallaty said his team—which includes nearly 100 journalists—has embraced hybrid work and that it simply doesn’t need all that office space. “We still cover Hillsborough County vigorously and have decided on a different office space in Tampa that better suits our needs,” Gallaty, who is supposed to publish a column on the matter, added. Sherri Day, Communications Director for the Times also told CL that the “Tampa Bay Times” signage atop the 10-story building, will come down. The Times’ new office is technically out of Tampa city limits at 5505 Johns Rd. Suite 710 in the Town ‘n’ Country area. Day, who also serves on the paper’s editorial board, told CL that there are about 20 workstations at the outpost. The paper’s St. Petersburg office is still at 490 First Ave. S, but it too isn’t nearly as bustling as it was pre-pandemic. “We embrace hybrid work everywhere so none of our offices are as busy as they used to be,” Day added. The Times’ downtown Tampa office is where staffers used to overlook the city, sometimes even watching parts of it, like backyard sheds and even Ybor City itself in 2020, burn. The office was also a mile from the final offices of the Tampa Tribune, a Pulitzer-winning publisher that’d been publishing daily for 121 years before the Times purchased it in 2016. Approximately 265 Trib-ers lost their jobs after the purchase led by since-retired CEO and chairman Paul Tash, who closed the Tribune so quickly that its staffers didn’t even get to release a farewell edition. On The Skinny, his weekly public affairs program on WMNF 88.5-FM, Pulitzer-nominated former Times staffer Ben Montgomery noted how vibrant the newsroom was where exchanges of ideas were often shouted across the space. He also saw the Tampa bureau as the sort of stepchild of its St. Pete counterpart.

“You could throw some ideas out there, bounce ideas off of each other. That is missing now, in the remote world. I’m sure you can do it by Slack or Zoom, but there’s really nothing like just being in the newsroom, and throwing ideas around,” he added. “But of course, there’s also a lot of time wasted where you’re talking about last night’s episode of, you know, whatever TV show you were watching.” The closure comes at a time of relative calm for the Bay area’s vaunted paper of record, which has not reported any layoffs since February 2023 (past layoffs happened in 2020, 2019, and twice in 2018). It’s not been smooth sailing for the news industry, however, and the Times is not exempt. In 2021, it closed its printing plant, sold the land underneath it to vulturistic hedge fund Alden, and slashed 150 jobs related to the plant’s operation. The move meant the Times’ printing moved to the same location as local Gannettowned papers, as well as, Orlando Sentinel, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, which still keeps a tiny office a few blocks from the Times’ now-former downtown Tampa HQ. And of course, the Times ended daily printing back in 2020 in favor of a twice-weekly schedule that is still in effect today.

SIGN OF THE TIMES: A spokesperson said it’s coming down.

cltampabay.com | FEBRUARY 08-14, 2024 | 13

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BIG GAME GUIDE RESTAURANTS

RECIPES

DINING GUIDES

Are you ready?

Some of the best places to watch sports in Tampa Bay. By Jourdan Ducat and Kyla Fields

the spirit of the Crescent City and a whiskey and scotch list, plus revamped cocktail menu from some of the brightest minds in Tampa’s drinks game. 1704 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. thebigeasybar.com Bilmar Station This neighborhood bar in Town N’ Country has food that exceeds pub standards and drinks that strong enough to rival what you’d make at home. There are several TV’s and bar games to accommodate any game day, as well as beer and wings specials during every football game. They even offer an impressive list of craft drafts that will satisfy anyone who fancies themself as a beer aficionado. 8501 W Hillsborough Ave., Tampa. bilmarstation.com

RYAN KERN

t’s here, the Taylor Swift bowl, but sports aren’t important on just one Sunday a year, so here are some of the best places to watch the game on TV. Some of these spots of bonafide American football honey holes, but others are simply some of the Bay area’s most unique places to set your gaze on the TV inside a comfy local watering hole. See an extended version of this listing at cltampa.com/slideshows. 5 Bucks Drinkery While Pinellas Park’s 5 Bucks Drinkery offers the same stiff drinks as its flagship bar in downtown St. Pete, this large space and accompanying parking lot definitely draws more of a sports bar crowd from the greater P-Park area. But its soon-to-open Seminole location at 7498 Seminole Blvd. boasts an even bigger bar, full lunch and dinner menu, and a whopping 70 flat-screen TVs for all your favorite games. 7402 49th St. N, Pinellas Park. fivebucksdrinkery.com Anchor Bar Both locations of this Tampa staple are rife with televisions (the outside tube at Anchor’s Davis Islands location is clutch), and the menu of well-executed bar food favorites makes it a low-key place to watch sports elbowto-elbow with regulars who might as well have their names etched onto the barstools. anchortaverntampa.com Bar Louie Send your kids into the mall with a wad of cash and plop your ass on a barstool at this longtime International Plaza sports bar where the beer seems to be colder than anywhere on Westshore Boulevard. Bar staples like the wings, fried pickles and tots make it a no-brainer for someone who wants to waste away in front of the boob tube. 2223 N Westshore Blvd. 202 Suite B-202, Tampa. barlouie.com Beef O’Brady’s Beef’s is without a doubt a Tampa institution, and there’s one in pretty much every corner of Tampa Bay, which is great for anyone with a serious wing addiction. Be sure to stop by on Wednesdays for 99-cent wings, and pick from entry level sauces like garlic parm or their new “smokehouse maple,” to inferno levels of spice like “atomic” or “firecracker.” beefobradys.com Big Easy Dean Hurst and Daniel Bareswilt have breathed new life into this Seventh Avenue hotspot. There are enough TVs to watch a game, but the real draw is its renewed commitment to

turf pitches for five-a-side soccer (or “futsal”), and the club house boasts a gigantic, four-TV screen, plus FIFA gaming stations, an outside TV and the cheapest beer west of the casino. Show up on a day when Mayra’s taco stand or any of the other food vendors are open, and you’re talking about a full-day and night of footie on TV at a venue that embraces sporting culture in the purest way. 5305 E Henry Ave., Tampa. cincosoccer.com Dead Bob’s & Dead Bob’s Too With two locations on either side of the Bay, these locally loved restaurants serve up some seriously delicious food and offer rotating daily specials and hefty portions for a great price. Regulars suggest the fried pot roast, but a less adventurous diner will be just as pleased with the juicy burgers. Both locations have plenty of TVs for game day and promise a good time with good folks. 6717 Central Ave. N, St. Petersburg or 3681 S

WORLD LEADER: Ferg’s might be the most visible sports bar in St. Pete. Buffalo Wild Wings You know we had to put B-Dubs on here. For a national chain with more than a dozen Bay area locations, it’s still one of the best spots to get saucy fingers and stare at dozens of glaring flat screens. Sure it’s a little sticky, and a little dirty, but this chain is one of the only restaurants that is perfectly designed for both toddlers and grown men alike. A true family-friendly sports bar. buffalowildwings.com Cinco Soccer American football is cool and all, but East Tampa is home to a veritable mecca to real football. Cinco Soccer has five

West Shore Blvd., Tampa. deadbobsstpete.com & deadbobstoo.com The Dog The Dog is a popular place to watch a game due to the abundance of TVs, including individual sets for most of the suspended wooden tables. There’s also a variety of bar games and traditional pub fare that includes crowd pleasing chicken wings. The outside patio is a great spot to take a breather in between plays and watch a South Tampa sunset. 3311 W Bay to Bay Blvd., Tampa. @ dogsaloonsouthtampa on Facebook

Ferg’s Sports Bar Downtown St. Pete’s Taj Mahal of sports bars enjoys the company of Rays baseball fans 81 nights of the year, but for the other 284 afternoons you can find fans on any of Ferg’s two levels, firmly parked underneath the big ol’ globe (RIP World Liquors) taking in college games, hockey, and yes, American football, too. 1320 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. fergssportsbar.com Friendly Tarpon Tavern Formerly known as Barefoot Billy’s Friendly Tavern, this quaint “dive bar” on South Gandy has undergone some major renovations in recent months under new ownership. While the bar currently doesn’t serve liquor, it does offer a hefty selection of craft beers, seltzers and even sake-based spirits. For now, patrons can order hot dogs and snacks like boiled peanuts, but the food menu will soon expand to include more game day favorites. And, yes, say hi to Jourdan while you’re there. 3120 W Gandy Blvd., Tampa. thefriendlytarpon.com Hattricks For 27 years, downtown Tampa’s most tried and true sports bar has been a staple for Tampa Bay Lightning fans, but the high ceilings, friendly staff and smorgasbord of TVs and sports memorabilia make it one of Tampa’s greatest places to watch any game. Get the wings, and most definitely opt to have them “Shake & Bake” style (aka put in the oven after getting the sauce out of the fryer). And if you’re there for the Big Game, don’t leave without dapping up the big guy, Larry Heisel, manager at Hattricks and legend of the local hospitality scene. 107 S Franklin St., Tampa. hattrickstavern.com Hooters You already know. With more than 20 locations in the Bay area, including the OG at 2800 Gulf-to-Bay Blvd. in Clearwater, this restaurant is a rite of passage for any lowdown football fan. hooters.com The Hub Yeah, there’s just two TVs in this iconic downtown Tampa dive bar, but the people are amazing, the drinks are stiff. Hell, Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper once brought the Stanley Cup here, and if that doesn’t make it game-day worthy, then I don’t know what does. 719 N Franklin St. 813-229-1553 MacDinton’s This South Tampa Irish pub is a college student’s best friend on Friday nights, and its sprawling compound on Howard Avenue includes baby cave bars, a giant inside bar and stage, plus generous outside patio—all lined with TVs primarily for watching European football (but good for the NFL, too). 405 S Howard Ave., Tampa. macdintons.com Mackenzie’s Sports Tavern Locals love the wings at this Westshore staple, with many continued on page 18

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or their gigantic jumbotron. Plus, all the standard bar grub is on the menu, including beer, wine and cocktails. 25297 Sierra Center Blvd, Lutz, popstroke.com Riveters Tell your out-of-towner friends that you’re taking them to see the spaceship atop 2001 Odyssey—and then take a hard turn into Riveters next door. The restaurant is a hidden gem on its busy strip of Dale Mabry and pumps out opulent North American bar fare (get the Hellcat wings or poutine fries and BBQ chicken sliders) plus classic sandwiches and burgers, too. 2301 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. riveterstampa.com Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Come on, you wanna see the house that’s collecting all your bad bets on the Hard Rock betting app. The casino is the place where time stops and you always have a chance at redemption. The center bar alone has a tower of 12 TVs (and 17 slot machines), so there’s always something to do in between plays. 5223 Orient Rd., Tampa. seminolehardrocktampa.com Tapper Pub One of Tampa’s oldest bars is another in the long list of establishments that made some big changes in recent months, most notably nixing indoor smoking at the start of

ample seating and several TVs to accommodate any sports fan’s desires. Pair a Rock’s Rita, the signature house cocktail, with your choice of fresh fish dishes or traditional apps while enjoying the complementary views of adjacent Sunset Beach. 678 75th Ave., St Pete Beach, FL 33706 thetoastedmonkey.com Retreat This Hyde Park haunt, located across from the University of Tampa, is on the heels of celebrating its 85th anniversary and shows no sign of slowing down. Patrons can saddle up to the full liquor bar while cheering on their favorite teams with the locals and seasoned bartenders alike. Izzy’s Taco Truck parks out front several nights a week to serve hungry crowds, but you can also order a hot dog or brat from the bar if you’d like more traditional gameday fare. 123 S Hyde Park Ave., Tampa. retreattampa.com Shuffle If you’re looking for some additional recreation to accommodate game day, Shuffle’s four indoor shuffleboard courts have got the whole family covered. Be sure to check out the fun food menu that offers everything from loaded tots to a surprisingly delicious spaghetti sandwich. The indoor bar at this Tampa Heights staple has TVs on either end,

BIG GAME GUIDE

FELD

continued from page 17 claiming they’re the best in town. Mackenzie’s also offers the NFL Sunday Ticket, which means patrons don’t have to miss their favorite out of state teams that aren’t being shown on local networks. This all-ages sports bar has been around since 1995 and is still a great place for the whole family to have fun. 4015 S West Shore Blvd., Tampa. mackenziessportstavern.com Miller’s Ale House An ADHD nightmare, the walls at Miller’s are almost literally covered in TVs. With three locations in the Bay area (West Tampa, University, Brandon), Miller’s is a kid-friendly chain where a child can gorge on chicken Zingers while grandpa can feel all fancy eating the pork osso buco. millersalehouse.com North 30th Sports Pub & Grille Located in the former McAlister’s Deli spot, Uptown’s North 30th Sports Pub really is a true, no-frills sports bar. Cold beer, crispy hot wings, pickle chips and over 40 TVs are all on tap. Wings (with 12 different sauces) are the main event, but this spot also has a nice selection of sandwiches, pizzas, wraps and burgers. 1402 N 30th St., Tampa, north30thpub.com Peabody’s Restaurant, Bar & Billiards This expansive tavern, located in Tampa Palms, gets packed on game days due to the abundance of TVs and accommodating atmosphere. Peabody’s offers daily food and drink specials as well as discounted pricing during NFL games, which makes it a great place for the whole squad to meet up without breaking the bank. There are also tons of pool tables, dart boards and other bar games to ease the tension between friends rooting for opposing teams. 15333 Amberly Dr., Tampa. peabodystampa.com O’ Maddy’s Bar & Grille This Gulfport hotspot is a great place to watch the game while enjoying a beautiful day with a spacious outdoor bar and patio seating that overlooks Boca Ciega Bay. Foodies will love the expansive menu that is teeming with fresh catch options like crab cakes and grouper, all accompanied by daily drink specials that will make the pain of a loss or the joy of a win more enjoyable. 5405 Shore Blvd.S, Gulfport. omaddys.com Park & Rec In the backyard they play oversized beer pong with handballs and trash cans in the shadow of under construction hi-rises. Inside, they drink cocktails called the “Donkey Kong” (vodka, whiskey, lime juice and ginger beer) or shots like the “Grape Nerd (Absolut Citron, grape pucker, sour, sprite). With loads of TVs on the walls, it’s a good place to pretty much get shitfaced when your team starts to see a win slip away. 100 4th St. S, St. Petersburg. youthhasnoage.com Popstroke This Tiger Woods-backed, boozefueled mini-golf course is a great way to bonk around golf balls in a hot parking lot behind a Bonefish Grill and a Carraba’s. When you’re done, stick around for the restaurant and bar, which is actually a surprisingly good spot to watch a game on either one of their many TVs,

KEYS TO THE WHIP: The trolley makes the ultimate designated driver after a day at TBBC. 2024. The open kitchen behind the bar is still pumping out the delicious sandwiches that have drawn regulars in for years, including a Reuben sandwich that seems too good to be dive bar food. The recently added outdoor seating is a welcome option for fresh air in between plays. 3832 Britton Plaza, Tampa. 813-839-7845 The Toasted Monkey While it may seem like an unconventional option for game days given its location and tropical decor, The Toasted Monkey has an expansive outdoor patio with

18 | FEBRUARY 08-14, 2024 | cltampabay.com

and the impressive backyard expansion is the perfect place to relax in between plays. 2612 N Tampa St., Tampa. shuffletampa.com Top Golf Don’t be fooled, Top Golf isn’t just a decent place to pound some beers and whack a few balls with the fellas. There’s also an absurd amount of TVs up in here (200-plus to be exact), and they’re all tuned to sports. Plus, there’s wings, burgers, pizzas, tacos, and all the usual sports bar fare for when you’re done duffing ‘em into the ether. topgolf.com

Walter’s Press Box Sports Emporium In South Tampa, kids come of age inside Press Box. It’s where they see their relatives cry over the Bucs, and their really drunk uncle get mad when dad tries to put him in an Uber. And it’s where said kids repeat the cycle upon reaching adulthood. Approaching its 50th year serving the neighborhood, Walter’s has taken a step into the future with more than 40 TVs showing what feels like pretty much every sporting event happening in the U.S. on any given day. 222 S Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. pressboxsports.com Tampa Bay Brewing Co. Come for the game, stay for the brews and tasty bar grub. Located in the heart of Ybor City (right next to a streetcar stop, aka the ultimate designated driver), Tampa Bay Brewing Co. offers a comfortable place to watch the game and have dinner before heading home or continuing the party elsewhere in Ybor. Its second location in Westchase (13937 Monroes Business Park) also offers the same variety of craft beer and casual fare,too. 1600 E 8th Ave.,Ybor City. tbbc.beer Walk-Ons This New Orleans-inspired spot describes itself as “game-day bar” with a variety of beers and cocktails alongside its casual menu of fried alligator and po’boys. Walk-Ons is also one of the more kid-friendly sports bars on this list. 1140 Gramercy Ln., Tampa. walk-ons.com Yard House This house is huge. The 16,400-square-foot sports bar in the shadow of Amalie Arena is a concept from Darden Restaurant Group, which also owns Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse. The spot has over 80 locations nationwide features over 100 on-tap beers, with a modern industrial interior and outdoor seating area, as well as a menu spanning everything from burgers to poke bowls and vegan options—and yes, you can order a yard of beer to lug around the space rife with TVs surrounding the main bar, the tables around it and outside, too. 450 Channelside Dr., Tampa. Yardhouse.com Yeoman’s This British sports pub in downtown Tampa is a staple for before and after Lightning games and happily accommodates the whole family despite offering an expansive beer and liquor menu. Mac & cheese fans will be delighted with house-made varieties like philly steak and seafood and lobster, but there’s also elevated pub grub and British staples on the menu. The recently added Topgolf Swing Suite offers interactive games like golf, soccer and football played on a large screen, as well as billiards and shuffleboard. 202 N Morgan St., Tampa. yeomanstopgolfswingsuite.com Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen We all know it as “America’s oldest brewery” and the favorite beer of middle aged and boomer dads across the nation: Yuengling. The popular brewery opened a massive, state-of-the-art restaurant and beer garden in 2023 and it’s probably your dad’s favorite place to watch his team. It boasts five total bars and 88 different taps of lagers, ales and more. 11109 N. 30th St., Tampa. yuengling.com

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Fair games

All the over-the-top food coming to the 2024 Florida State Fair. By CL Staff

esides farm animals, carnival rides, and Belgian waffles with pearl sugar baked into mildly famous musicians, the other vital the waffle. (Macken’s Sliders) pillar of any respectable state fair is big, Banana cream pie funnel cake Fresh dumb, (preferably fried) food, and this year’s hot funnel cake topped with banana pudding, menu at the Florida State Fair does not dis- whipped cream and graham cracker crust. appoint. Once again, the Florida State Fair (Ryals Concessions Sweet Shop) returns to Tampa from Feb. 8-19, and is outBarbie funnel cake Funnel cake with doing itself with nearly two powdered sugar, Barbie pink dozen, various gut bombs up for icing and two kinds of springrabs, like pickles covered in kles. (Paulette’s Food Service) Pop Rocks, fried Spam grilled BBQ fried burrito BBQ cheese, and hot dogs doused in pulled pork and mac n cheese Florida State Fair beans and bacon. Here’s what’s stuffed burrito then fried to perFeb. 8-19. $6-$42. Florida State on the menu, with description fection! (Low N Slow Catering) Fairgrounds. 4800 U.S. Hwy.-301 N, from the fair, and the locations Campfire dog An all beef Tampa. floridastatefair.com where you can find the treats. hotdog topped with baked beans Bacon, caramel, peanut butter apple and applewood bacon. (DeAnna’s Donut Burger) fries Apple fries topped with crispy bacon, Chocolate dipped strawberry iced Ghirardelli caramel and peanut butter pow- tea Freshly brewed iced tea, flavored with der. Fair goers have the option of adding ice two delightful tastes, strawberry & chocolate. cream. (Apple Fries) Topped with three chocolate dipped strawberBacon waffle cheeseburger 100% All ries. (Tiki Tea) beef patties topped with cheddar cheese and Fried Spam grilled cheese A deliapplewood smoked bacon in between two cious twist on the classic, featuring crispy

DINING GUIDE

pan-fried spam layered with gooey melted cheese between toasted bread. The result is a delightful blend of savory and cheesy goodness. (Showstopper Concessions) Honey Bunny curd burger A flame-grilled fresh ground burger covered with a melted blanket of ooey-gooey cheese curds nestled between two Honey Buns. (Shockley’s Food Service) Jalapeño lemonade Famous fresh squeezed lemonade made the right way with a surprise hint of jalapeño to give it a pleasant compliment and touch of zest. Sweet and slightly spicy. (Coastal Concessions) Lemonade funnel cake Your fair favorite with a new twist. Classic funnel cake with a sweet lemon flavored topping. (Topscan Funnel Cakes) Pickle ranch loaded french fries Cheddar, bacon, pickle ranch loaded french fries! (Chester’s Gators & Taters) Pop rock pickle Kosher pickle wrapped in a Fruit Roll-up dipped in chocolate rolled in your choice of Pop Rocks, Fruity Pebbles, or Flaming Hot Cheetos. (Shockley’s Food Service) Poutine burger A flame grilled burger with fresh cut fries, warm cheese curds and topped with gravy served on a homemade bun. (DeAnna’s Donut Burger) Spicy Korean corndog Hot dog, dipped in buttermilk batter, layered with cheese, and

rolled in crushed spicy hot Cheetos. (Seivers Smokehouse Grill) Strawberry shortcake kebab Mini Donuts & Fresh Strawberry kebabs topped with icing, fresh lemon zest, whip cream, & Lemon infused Honey. Feeling adventuresome!? Dip it in chocolate!! (DeAnna’s Fried Banana Pudding) Temperamental hog funnel cake Funnel cake mix combined with cornmeal and BBQ seasoning rub to create a crunchy delicious funnel cake that is topped with pulled pork. You pick which temperament you want on your cake. Happy - sweet Angry - hot furious - super hot Then we smooth it down with cream cheese. (The Best Around) Bang bang tacos Fried cauliflower, oyster mushroom or vegan shrimp tossed with Bang Bang sauce on Flour or Corn Tortilla filled with Asian slaw Topped with Vegan creama, Cilantro, Green Onion and Chili pepper. (Seasoned Green) Oreo cookie cinnamon bun A unique combination that melds the flavors of a classic Oreo cookie with the delightful taste of a cinnamon bun.(Cinnamon Saloon) Waffle chicken sandwich Two waffles, pepper jack cheese for that spicy kick, chicken tenders and two eggs! It’s the best brunch around town! Pair this with a Cuban coffee and you’re set! (The Bean Bar Co.)

“This year’s menu does not disappoint.”

FLORIDA STATE FAIR

LOTS OF FUNNEL: Banana pudding, whipped cream and graham cracker crust come together at The Florida State Fair.

cltampabay.com | FEBRUARY 08-14, 2024 | 21

Love bites

Dinners and events to help you and your loved ones celebrate Valentine’s Day. By Kyla Fields advantage of its champagne specials and special “Lover Martini.” Give Bouzy a call for more details on its Valentine’s menu. $125 per couple. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. $125. 1640 W Snow Ave, Tampa. bouzybar.com Busch Gardens The theme park’s “Love is a Roller Coaster” special includes special pricing for couples ($125/persons; no singles, sorry) who’ll enjoy a welcome glass of bubble, plus unlimited food and beverage, open bar, animal interactions, plus unlimited rides on Cheetah Hunt and the newly-reopened SkyRide (weather permitting). 7 - 9 p.m. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. 10165 McKinley Dr., Tampa. buschgardens.com/ tampa—Ray Roa Chateau Cellars Ybor This Ybor City wine bar already offers an impressive spread of savory bites and charcuterie, but full-on entrees are on the menu at its pre-Valentine’s

Day dinner. The lofty price tag includes plates like french onion soup and seared cod with citrus beurre blanc alongside a variety of fancy wines like the Laurent-Perrier Millesime Brut 2012 or Grand Siecle par Laurent-Perrier No 26. Tuesday, Feb. 13. $200/person. 2009 N 22nd St.,Ybor City. chateaucellars.com Cru Cellars Wednesday night reservations are going fast for Cru Cellars’ $125 prix-fixe menu, which can be enjoyed alongside rosé bubbles or wine flights. The daily menu of flatbreads, steak frites and short rib pasta will be available, too. Noon-10 p.m. $125 per couple. 2506 S Macdill Ave., Tampa. crucellars.com The Dan Downtown Tampa’s newly-renovated Hotel Flor (fka Floridan Palace Hotel) has a new Roaring ‘20s-themed restaurant aptly named The Dan, and it may be your new go-to spot for romantic dinners with the significant

DINING GUIDE

other. Its inaugural Valentine’s Day, threecourse dinner is loaded with fancy plates like scallop risotto, short ribs with wild mushrooms and ricotta cheesecake for dessert. This specialty menu will also be offered on Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 10-11. 5 p.m.-close. $65pp. 905 N Florida Ave., Tampa. dineatthedan.com The Don CeSar Waterfront views of The Gulf are always considered romantic, but The Maritana’s three-course meal kicks the ambiance up a notch with a tasteful spread of tuna crudo, roast duck and raspberry chocolate mousse (with even more dishes to choose from). 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. $180pp. 3400 Gulf Blvd., Saint Pete Beach. doncesar.com Ember Rooftop Lounge Bottomless champagne anyone? Plus multiple courses of seafood-forward dishes, a surf and turf entree and 360-degree views of the sunset? This popular rooftop bar and restaurant has sit. 5:30 continued on page 25

GOODINTENTIONSFL/FACEBOOK

hether you genuinely believe in the romance of Valentine’s Day or not, chances are you still probably have to take your loved one out to dinner, the movies, or some other charming activity. From five-course meals, a la carte specials and wine pairings to more casual outings like golfing or chocolate tastings, there are dozens of restaurants and venues throughout Tampa Bay to help you celebrate Valentine’s Day this month. And if you’re looking for something more laid back, you can always order a heartshaped pie from South Tampa’s Westshore Pizza, write love letters at The Dalí or get your vows renewed by Beetlejuice at Spookeasy’s “Wedding Massacre” party in Ybor City. All events take place on Wednesday, Feb. 14 unless marked otherwise. Did we miss your holiday event/dinner? Email kyla@cltampa.com to tell us about your specials. You can also add your event to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s things to do calendar via cltampa.com. American Legion Post 14 Bacon-wrapped filet mignon and baked potatoes are on the menu at this affordable and casual American-Legionhosted dinner. Expect salad, rolls and dessert, too. 6 p.m. $18 per person. 1520 4th St N, St. Petersburg. American Legion Post 14 on Facebook Bamboozle Seminole Heights healthfocused Vietnamese spot Bamboozle is typically more of a fast-casual experience, but for V-day its staff is kicking it up a notch. Its full-service dinner consists of regular and seasonal dishes like coconut curry mussels, housemade dumplings and a variety of pho. 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. 7107 N Florida Ave., Tampa. eatbamboozle.com BellaBrava All three of BellaBrava’s locations offering their regular menu of pasta, wood-fired pizza and other Italian favorites on V-day. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Locations in downtown St. Pete, Tampa and Land O’ Lakes. Bellabrava.com Birch & Vine This downtown St. Pete restaurant (with a rooftop bar is also an ultraromantic post-dinner spot) offers a pre-fixe V-day menu of brown butter-seared scallops and dry-aged steak from Feb. 9-18. Various times. $90/person. 340 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. Thebirchwood.com Bon Appétit Restaurant & BarThis Dunedin favorite with one of the best waterfront views in Tampa Bay offers an exclusive, fourcourse Valentine’s menu of oyster Rockefeller, foie gras, pan-seared sea bass, rack of lamb and chocolate mousse for dessert. $99/person. 4 p.m.-9 p.m. 148 Marina Plaza, Dunedin. bonappetitrestaurant.com Bouzy Indulge in this Hyde Park bar and restaurant’s $125 prix-fixe menu or take

22 | FEBRUARY 08-14, 2024 | cltampabay.com

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE: St. Pete’s Good Intentions hosts a vegan, tapas-style dinner for Valentine’s Day.

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VISIT TAMPA BAY

continued from page 22 p.m.-9 p.m. $139. 15015 Madeira Way, Madeira Beach. cambriamadeirabeach.com Fairgrounds St. Pete While the immersive art installation is not open Tuesday-Wednesday, it offers a Feb. 10 cookie decorating date option ($27, including museum admission) and date night special including two adult admissions, an immersive game to play together, hologram glasses and one box of locally-made gourmet cookies. 2606 Fairfield Ave S, St. Petersburg. fairgrounds.art—RR Florida Avenue Brewing Co. This Seminole Heights brewery wants you to “forget the overdone dinners and crowded theaters” and opt for its casual night of beer and chocolate pairings led by advanced cicerone and microbiologist Ami Parrino. A ticket includes access to four different pairings plus a welcome drink. 7:30 p.m. $30/person. 4315 N Florida Ave., Tampa. floridaavebrewing.com Good Intentions There’s a good chance that someone you love follows a plant-based lifestyle, and a specialty dinner at St. Pete vegan concept Good Intentions will surely impress them— especially with its one-off, tapas-style menu of patatas bravas, heart of palm ceviche and tabla de queso. 5 p.m.-10 p.m. $99 per couple. 1900 1st Ave S, St. Petersburg. goodintentionsfl.com Hotel Haya Shop for a unique bouquet of flowers from 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., enjoy a comedy show at 8:30 p.m., listen to tunes from JT Brown or indulge at Flor Fina’s three-course Valentine’s dinner of roasted oysters, French onion agnolotti and Chilean sea bass. 5 p.m.-10 p.m. $85-$210pp.1412 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. hotelhaya.com Keel Farms Plant City’s Keel Farms may be a bit outside of the Tampa Bay area, but its “Valentine’s in the Vines” event is definitely worth the drive. A ticket to the inclusive experience includes a multi-course dinner, live music, a trip to the dessert bar and one glass of Keel Farms wine, ale or cider. 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. $75/person. 5202 Thonotosassa Rd, Plant City. keelfarms.com Krystal Yep, from Feb. 12-19, the fast food staple has a $20 “Twin Flame” Valentine’s special that includes chili cheese fries, four Krystals, two Chiks or two Krabbycake sliders, two apple turnovers, and two small drinks. And we think the flame is in your heart, not your butthole.—RR Lala St. Pete Opt for a music-filled Valentine’s day celebration at this Central Avenue restaurant with themed karaoke rooms. Lala offers holiday specials like duck lasagna and flourless chocolate cake alongside its daily dinner menu. 4 p.m.-midnight. 2324 Central Ave.,St. Petersburg. lalastpete.com La Sètima Club This intimate natural wine bar deviates from its regular menu this Valentine’s day to put a “lil’ lovey-dovey, plantbased twist” on classic food pairings like surf and turf or peanut butter and jelly. The ticket price includes a natty wine pairing, too. 6:30

THE EGG: Your date should react with child-like wonder when The Pearl’s deviled egg appetizer hits the table. p.m.-9:30 p.m. $100pp. 815 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. lasetimaclub.com Ocean Hai Guests can enjoy a five-course dinner alongside this Asian-inspired fine dining restaurant’s tasty waterfront views. Scallop crudo, endive and tuna salad, and bone-in country ribs are on the menu, with a nightcap at Ocean Hai’s speakeasy-themed dessert room. 5 p.m. $98/person. 100 Coronado Dr., Clearwater Beach. Wyndhamgrandclearwater.com Oxford Exchange Head to Oxford Exchange’s Valentine’s afternoon tea service for the chillest pregame possible. There are seatings at 3:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. for this laidback snack sesh, which boasts small plates like whipped feta, tenderloin-topped brioche and mini quiches to enjoy alongside your tea of choice. Reservations via resy.com are required. 3:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. $70. 420 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. oxfordexchange.com The Pearl In addition to its regular menu, this Water Street Tampa concept will offer V-day food and drink specials which include an 8oz filet with potato gratin, broccolini and truffle butter for $59 or a salmon entree with crab, potato confit and lemon pepper vinaigrette for $45. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Various prices. 823 Water St. C100, Tampa. Thepearlrestaurant.com

PopStroke Tampa If eating fancy dinners while wearing your best church clothes isn’t you or your loved one’s thing, then you can always head to PopStroke for its “Golf is for Lover’s” date night package, which comes with two golf passes, an appetizer, two entrees and a champagne toast for two. 5 p.m.-11 p.m. $100 per couple. 25297 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz. popstroke.com/tampa-wesley-chapel Rene’s Mexican Kitchen Chef Valenzuela hosts a multi-course Valentine’s dinner on Wednesday, and his fine dining-style dishes are definitely one step up from the straightforward tacos offered at various Rene’s Mexican Kitchen locations. The specialty dinner features courses like creamy goat cheese and caviar tostaditas, carne seca and fideo soup, and beef filet mignon and bone marrow tacos. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. $85/person. Southern Brewing & Winemaking, 4500 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. @ renesmexicankitchenofficial on Instagram St. Pete Cellars This intimate wine bar hosts a dinner that features both locally-sourced and imported ingredients throughout its spread of unique dishes, like crudo with charred citrus vinaigrette and sea urchin okonomiyaki. Folks can add an additional wine pairing for extra $45 or BYOB. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. $120/per person. 1501 22nd Str. N. St. Petersburg. stpetecellars.com

DINING GUIDE

Tampa Edition Tampa’s only five-star hotel has three options for your lover’s holiday, including a four-course Valentine’s dinner at Michelin-starred Lilac featuring East Coast oysters with champagne-fermented tomato mignonette, or prime filet mignon with pont neuf potato and morel garlic cream black truffle ($195/person, with $80/person add-on wine pairing). Duo massages are also available at the spa ($174-$275), while a more casual dining experience is available downstairs at Market. 500 Channelside Dr., Tampa. editionhotels. com/tampa—RR Vela Cru Cellars Hospitality’s new Italian restaurant hosts its inaugural Valentine’s day dinner on Wednesday, and its variety of wines and bubblies can be enjoyed alongside its $45 pasta-for-two dinner, which also includes a shareable tiramisu dessert. Reservations are recommended. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. $45 per couple. 5232 Bridge St., Tampa. crucellars.com Vista at the Top This Tierra Verde date night favorite is known for its impressive, Gulf Coast view, and its affordable Valentine’s menu of oysters, charcuterie, fresh pasta and beef tenderloin kicks the already-romantic atmosphere up a notch. You can chow down with your loved one while enjoying live music, too. 5 p.m.-10 p.m. $50/person. 214 Madonna Blvd., St. Petersburg. vistaatthetop.com

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MOVIES

THEATER

ART

CULTURE

Zine scene

As two local zine fests approach, event organizers discuss their love for analog mediums and the community they create. By Kyla Fields

LOCAL ARTS

The Amon Carter Saturday, Feb. 10. 6 p.m.-10 p.m. No cover. even in her collection), but Southern Brewing & Winemaking. Museum of American Art she learned things that she 4500 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. @ traces the origins of zines would’ve never researched TampaZineFest on Facebook in the U.S. back to the selfon her own and was able to published magazines of the 1930s and 1940s, but directly connect with the person who made it— the medium didn’t really become accessible until two aspects of zine culture that has encouraged the ‘70s and ‘80s, when the popularization of her to come back to Tampa’s fest year after year. copy machines coincided with punk culture and “Zines create this atmosphere where you’re its fanzines. The self-produced and published getting just total open access to ideas from curibooklets can be filled with photography, political ous, passionate people,” Lydon tells Creative content, illustrations, poetry, nonfiction prose Loafing Tampa Bay. “Maybe they didn’t go to or whatever else the creator wants—zines have school for it or didn’t have access to a publisher— no official standards or but what they have to say criteria, and never really is still important.” have. After years of tabling But do zines serve as a vendor, being an the same purpose or relattendee and performer, evance in 2024 as they Lydon decided to step up did during their heyday? as an event organizer this Organizers of both Tampa year, alongside fellow zinand St. Pete’s upcoming esters Dezeray Lyn and zine fests unequivoJimmy Dunson. The cally say “yes,” and the trio has been attending hundreds of vendors, performers, independent Tampa’s zine fest since its inception roughly publishers and attendees slated to attend each 10 years ago. Lydon credits the zine festival’s event agree. grassroots structure and mutual aid-focused Both festivals happening on consecutive ethos for its organic ability to last throughout weekends this month will host dozens of local the years; when someone steps away from an print makers, writers and artists all tapping organizational role, another zinester is always into the very ethos of zine culture: uncensored there to take their place. access to information, community building, and “One of the most beautiful things about unadulterated creativity beyond the confines of zine fest is that it’s so accessible to be a part the mainstream. of—every time I go I’m just filled with such

“This event is really just a celebration of the creative arts of DIY culture, accessibility and community building in general.”

C/O PRINT ST. PETE

ith technology constantly changing the While some zines can be serious and address ways people communicate with each other, topics of activism, liberation and climate change, ingest media and form opinions about others can wax poetic or delve into niche topthe world, oftentimes mediums of the past can ics far outside social media’s algorithmic be deemed as inefficient or even obsolete. But echo-chamber. forms of analog media—supported by folks with Tampa resident Micaela Lydon has attended nostalgic attachments to the tactile—always several of the city’s zine fests over the years and seem to find a comfortable niche decade after one of her all-time favorite acquired works is a decade. There’s been the resurgence of vinyl simple, straightforward, and highly-educational records and cassette tapes, newfound popular- piece about jumping spiders that she purchased ity of film photography and from a zine-making park the post-pandemic rise of ranger in 2023. Ross Wood independent bookstores— Studlar’s “Can Jumping but the art of zinemaking Spiders See the Moon?” wasn’t the most groundhas consistently stood the Tampa Zine Fest test of time. breaking zine ever made (or

THINK OF INK: Kaitlin Crockett has been in the world of print and bookbinding for over a decade. creativity and inspiration that it makes you want to become more and more involved,“ she says in a phone call. Tampa’s annual zine festival returns to Southern Brewing & Winemaking in Seminole Heights this Saturday, while Print St. Pete’s inaugural zine fest happens across the bridge next Saturday, Feb. 17 around SPC-Gibbs’ West Community Library. Both fests are free for patrons and vendors, and will boast a variety of live music and poetry performances plus food and drink options, in addition to dozens of zine vendors, artists and other community organizations that will sling their intellectual and creative wares. Some zines will be free or paywhat-you can while others will have a set price. And it wouldn’t be a zine fest without creators swapping and baterting content, because

according to Print St. Pete’s Kaitlin Crockett, zinesters absolutely love trading their art with each other. After all, Lydon refers to her zine collection as “little treasures.” Crockett is college librarian by day and leader of a community letterpress with an educational bent by night, and ultimately felt inspired to merge her profession and passion after seeing how popular Jacksonville Public Library’s annual zine fest has become. Some St. Pete zine fest festivities that Crockett is particularly excited about include a program called “The Symposium”—where a demonstration on political activism, a poetry reading by Dr. Tyler Gillespie and zine “show and tell”—will happen inside of the library’s multi-purpose room, alongside tunes from a DJ continued on page 30

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MICAELA LYDON

LITTLE TREASURES: Micaela Lydon has collected a wide variety of booklets throughout her time as a zine fest attendee. continued from page 27 and a handful of both local and out-of-town zine vendors. A collective called “Girls on Film” that creates zines about niche ‘80s movies is traveling all the way from Washington D.C. to participate in Crockett’s inaugural zine fest next week. While this library-hosted zine fest is certainly not St. Pete’s first, it’s been quite a few years since anyone has stepped up to organize one. “I had this moment where I was like—why am I not combining these two forces in my life? My boss, the director of the library, and a few other of my colleagues make zines and they’re also participating in the fest, so everything has just kind of organically fallen into place,” Crockett tells CL. “In both of my roles now, I’m able to kind of tap into that analog nature of things and celebrate the connection between community and print.” And with the recent rise of censorship and decrease of funding of public libraries across the country, the connection between the accessible nature of zines and free institutions like libraries may be more apparent (and needed) than ever. And like her passion for libraries, Crockett’s love of printmaking and zine culture has led her

to create one of Tampa Bay’s best resources for St. Pete, located at 4903 8th Ave S in Gulfport. up-and-coming zinesters. Just because zines are embedded in DIY culture Print St. Pete offers a variety of affordable does not mean that they have to be created by workshops, artist meetups and events that one person. Both Crockett and Lydon agree that welcomes anyone who’s interested to use its com- collaboration is key. munity letterpress. The organization—founded by “There’s kind of this history of community Crockett and her former professor at Florida State within the realm of print products. Newspapers University, Bridget Elmer, in 2016—is anchored especially were a cooperative effort with big at a studio in Gulfport and offers an inclusive teams of people behind them,” Crockett says. space to share equipment “So it’s nice to have as many and resources to Tampa Bay’s people as we can come to analog-loving community. the studio, learn these skills Print St. Pete’s cast iron and make stuff that means letterpress dates back to the world to them.” the late-1800s and creates St. Pete Zine Fest & Symposium Print St. Pete’s shop

LOCAL ARTS

prints by physically press- Saturday, Feb. 17. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. No cover features a variety of cutesy ing wood, metal or carved West Community Library at St. Petersburg Valentine’s Day cards, risoCollege (Gibbs campus). 6700 8th Ave. N, linoleum blocks against graph-printed zines about St. Petersburg. printstpete.org/spzf paper, while its JapanYbor City, sold-out calenimported risograph machine is a slightly more dars, poetry books, hyper-local postcards and modern approach that uses the same principles political posters for sale, all designed and creas screen printing. Letterpress is a labor inten- ated by Crockett and other local artists. sive process while risograph duplication offers a Both Lydon and Crockett agree that despite relatively easy entryway into the world of zines, living in the 21st century—during times that prints, posters and more. are vastly different from what can be considFor Crockett, teaching workshops and host- ered the heyday of zine culture— modern DIY ing creative meetups is the heartbeat of Print publications function on the same impetus of

30 | FEBRUARY 08-14, 2024 | cltampabay.com

resistance, freedom and creativity as they did forty or so years ago. “I think essentially they’re serving the same purpose—If you think about the AIDS crisis in the ‘80s, zines were distributed in these communities because mainstream media was not providing the proper information about it,” Crockett explains. “Even though we’re so connected to the world today through the internet, zine culture creates this way to authentically share things and give people access to your story in a way that maybe you couldn’t do on social media.” The presence of community care and mutual aid organizations like Found Family Collective, Love Has No Borders, Mutual Aid Disaster Relief and radical independent press Rebel Hearts Publishing at Tampa’s zine fest this weekend taps into the innately radical nature of the zine counter-culture. Folks can expect to find zines that cover topics like activism, politics, LGBTQIA+ rights, feminism, mutual aid and more at Tampa and St. Pete’s festivals—conventionally “controversial” ideas that physically cannot be censored in this intimate and direct exchange of information. And while Lydon, alongside Tampa’s other organizers, and Crockett prepare for the zine fests on their respective sides of the bridge, the idea of perhaps joining forces for a Bay area-wide celebration of underground arts is a prospective idea that both of them are certainly open to. “I think there’s a desire to connect those different creative communities—throughout the years I’ve definitely noticed that people in one place are interested in what the other city is doing, ” Crockett says. And while Lydon agrees with the notion of connecting these cross-bay communities, she also sees the innate value in “experiencing the two unique art communities of St. Pete and Tampa.” Since both Tampa and St. Pete’s upcoming zine fests popped up in an organic way, the possibility of a Bay area-wide zine fest may still happen in the future. And perhaps after attending these local zine events this month, there may be folks inspired to create their own works to share at future festivals—the same way that Lydon and many others like her found their own voices many years ago. “This event is really just a celebration of the creative arts of DIY culture, accessibility and community building in general,” Lydon explains passionately. “A lot of other art festivals have paywalls for both vendors and patrons, and one of the best parts about the zine fest is that it’s always been free to everyone.” For more information about Tampa and St. Pete’s respective zine fests happening this month, head to @TampaZineFest on Facebook or printstpete.org for more event details. Both events are still looking for volunteers; interested folks can reach out to the organizers via social media.

cltampabay.com | FEBRUARY 08-14, 2024 | 31

“It’s Ron DeSantis’s DEI nightmare.”

C/O JIM SORENSEN/TAMPA REP

Straight talk

MAN, OH MAN: (L-R) Don Walker, Jim Sorensen, James Putnam, and Christopher Marshall.

Tampa Rep’s latest offers a nuanced look inside complicated family dynamics. By Jon Palmer Claridge

s you enter the black box at University of South Florida, you are bombarded by the sounds of female driven hip-hop as directed in the script and made punishingly present by sound designer, Georgia Mallory Guy. It’s designed to be off putting to much of the crowd, and for aficionados it’s well, a privilege—as we are later informed. As one of the Straight White Men from the obviously provocative title, I wondered how Young Jean Lee, an experimental female KoreanAmerican GenX playwright would deal with MY privilege. I grew up as society morphed from the strictures of “Mad Men” through the tumultuous ‘60s. The pill spawned feminism, giving women the same sexual freedom men took for granted and opening doors for women to pursue careers. Concurrently, LBJ and MLK tried to create a more level playing field for people of color, and Stonewall gave LGBTQIA+ folks the courage to open the closet doors. Sadly, though, change is slow and as we learned on Jan. 6th, too many Americans are still threatened by equality. What Ms. Lee and the high-octane actors at Tampa Rep led by director, Emilia Sargent, deliver is not the obvious screed one might expect, but a nuanced look inside the complicated family dynamics as three brothers descend upon their widowed father to celebrate Christmas complete with stockings, eggnog and holiday pajamas. But the genius of the play is a framing device, beautifully realized here, of having a trio of women who are simply “Persons in Charge.” Each represents

oppressed minorities often excluded from the obvi- Putnam), is a hotshot novelist/professor who ous privilege enjoyed by the men onstage. It’s Ron relentlessly extols the virtues of therapy for DeSantis’s DEI nightmare: an imagined world all. Jake (James Sorensen), is the middle son, where trans, native, Latin, bi, Black, autistic, an obnoxious banker living a comfortable BMW etc. people pull the strings. life. Despite having a Black ex-wife and two biThese three charismatic women (Berry racial kids, he confesses an inability to escape Ayers, Gabby Cabrera, Randi J. Norman) work his myopic elevation of whiteness. the audience pre-show and later each has a Oldest brother Matt (Christopher Marshall), chance to shine through a personal story/song. once the family’s great white hope from Costumer Meli Mossey makes sure that each one Harvard, is in a soft-spoken office temp job is distinct & unmissable—from black leather “making copies for the oppressed,” and living pants, day-glo and pink ensembles, and even with dad. Burdened by decades of student debt zebra boots. The trio hovers and an unexplained failure over the action, in the audito thrive as expected, he’s a ence, on the stairs, and even self-described loser. As the on occasion bringing the most socially conscious and Straight White Men robotic brothers on stage and sensitive of the lot, Matt just Through Feb. 18. $12-$60. Tampa placing them in positions that Repertory Theatre. 3837 USF Holly Dr. wants to be “useful,” but the TAR 120, Tampa. TampaRep.org reflect arrested development family’s expectations for what leading to cheerful trashhe, as a privileged, highlytalking, energetic pranks, and an Xmas feast educated, straight, white man, should do with of Chinese takeout. Not to mention a hilarious his life becomes a dance (sometimes literally) version of Oklahoma choreographed by Michelle around the elephant in the room: how to explain Petrucci that somehow morphs into a KKK trib- and deal with Matt’s sense of ennui. ute. It’s just one of several spot-on dance routines The boy’s late mother created a “Privilege” conjured from the brother’s youthful exploits. version of Monopoly to remind her sons to be As an aging SWM Boomer, I could easily aware of what they were given and to escape be the father Ed Norton (a name stolen from the clutches of entitlement. Set designer Jim the early sitcom, “The Honeymooners”) and Sorensen has given the late mother’s game an here embodied with quiet strength by Don omnipresence by wrapping the square set with Walker, who largely functions as the straight two sides of the game board. One for each bank of man without the slapstick schtick of his three audience members who flank the two downstage adult sons. The youngest son, Drew (James edges of the intimate USF black box. There are

32 | FEBRUARY 08-14, 2024 | cltampabay.com

THEATER

spaces for Divine, Larry Kramer, Rosa Parks, Denial, Excuses (blah, blah, blah), MLK, Redlined mortgages, “Pay $100 as you pass GO if you’re white,” Harvey Milk, Gloria Steinem, Sacagawea and Sitting Bull. There is an upper level runway above the naturalistic, bourgeois beige living room evocatively lit by Keith Eisenstadt, which allows the three persons in charge each to command a moment to put their personal journeys in the spotlight. Needless to say, these stories/songs/ performances of acceptance are in sharp contrast to travails and antics of the straight white men. The play is a broadly comedic, yet compassionate exploration of the ways in which white men are both shaped by and complicit in systems of oppression. Identity is subjective. There is no one right way to be a man—or a human, for that matter. Director Sargent confesses she’s moved by the playwright’s conclusion that “you can have empathy for people without just leveling out all human experience as we all suffer equally.” The universal despair of the play affects people of all backgrounds. In a world where worth is determined by economic output, can good people like Matt still be useful? The play ends with a surprising application of “tough love” which leaves us with more questions than simple answers, which clearly was Ms. Lee’s intention. By upending our expectations, we’re forced to confront our natural biases on the bumpy road to empathy.

Survival story

Stageworks presents powerful play set in the Holocaust. By Suz Townsend

tate lawmakers have made life scary for He notes that in some ways transgender Florida’s trans community, and a produc- people in Florida have it even worse than they tion opening in downtown Tampa will stage did in Communist East Germany, where homoan act of resistance this month. sexuality was fully decriminalized in 1968 and “I Am My Own Wife,” playwright Doug transgender surgery was free under the nationWright’s 2003 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award- alized health system. winning one-person play, opens at the Channel When discussing laws which prohibit or district’s Stageworks Theatre this weekend and restrict cross-dressing or drag performances it runs through Feb. 25. The drama solely stars is worth noting that cross-dressing has been an RP McLaughlin as Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, a integral part of theater since its genesis. From real transgender woman who managed to sur- Ancient Greece to Shakespeare to 20th and 21st vive Nazi Germany and subsequent communist century popular film and television including regime. McLaughlin will also play all of the other “Some Like It Hot” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” more than 40 characters. “When he condemns it, This production of a Governor DeSantis reveals story about queer survival a painfully finite vision of comes to our community at the past, as well as a narrowI Am My Own Wife a time when the Sunshine minded, bigoted prescription Select nights through Feb. 25. $25-$55 State is steeped with anti- Stageworks Theatre. 1120 E Kennedy Blvd., for the future,” added Wright. Tampa. stageworkstheatre.org LGBT+ legislation. Stageworks Director Since 1965’s anti-gay Karla Hartley shares Wright’s Purple Pamphlet—state sanctioned, anti-gay sentiments. “I Am My Own Wife” wasn’t origipropaganda which framed gay men as pedo- nally on the Spring 2024 calendar for Stageworks, philes—Florida’s legislative tolerance of its and when DeSantis started coming down harder LGBT has been inconsistent at best. The legal- on Florida’s queer community a patron came to ity of same-sex marriage, adoption and even Hartley with concerns about what this could mean Pride events has swung back and forth in state for Stageworks and what the company was allowed and local legislation. The DeSantis era marks to show. Hartley—who has a trans family mema reinvigorated quest to annihilate queer life ber who moved out of the state in the aftermath and community beginning with 2022’s HB1557 of anti-gay legislation—knew she wanted to make or the ‘Don’t Say Gay Bill’ and continuing with an adjustment to the calendar and swapped one more anti-trans bills in 2023. of the plays for “I Am My Own Wife.” “It’s particularly cruel because we’ve seen “This is an important thing, not just to me so many advances in gay rights; harbingers personally but to Floridians and to the nation,” of fear want to revoke rights we’ve worked for Hartley said. “It’s a really important story.” decades to achieve, and that’s especially perTickets for “I Am My Own Wife” showing at nicious,” Wright told Creative Loafing Tampa Stageworks Theatre in Tampa on select nights Bay in an email. from Feb. 8-25 are still available and start $25.

THEATER

THE NATURE OF ART ON VIEW THROUGH APRIL 14

Janaina Tschäpe, Blood, Sea [video still] (detail), 2004, Courtesy of the artist

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15 6-7 PM

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Jane Poynter is the Co-Founder, Co-CEO, and Chief Experience Officer of Space Perspective

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29 6-7 PM

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THE NATURE OF ART

Presented by Senior Curator of Contemporary Art Katherine Pill

Visit mfastpete.org for tickets, RSVPs, event information, and additional programs. Events are subject to change.

SOLO STAR: RP McLaughlin plays more than 40 characters.

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Time to build

As he retires, Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen talks mental health, more.

yan Jensen’s story is nothing short of a roller coaster, and a new off-field venture will keep him busy now that he’s hung up No. 66. After an impressive four years of Division II college ball at Colorado State University Pueblo, the Baltimore Ravens took a shot on the six-footfive, 311-pound center in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. A year later, he was cut from the starting roster. With clenched teeth and “fire in his belly,” Jensen worked his way back and started all 16 games for the Ravens during the 2017 season. In 2018, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made Jensen the highest-paid center in football, penning him to a four-year, $42 million deal. He’d go on to start 81 consecutive games, buddy up with Tom Brady, win Super Bowl LV and earn a Pro Bowl honor. In 2022, the Bucs extended the 30-year-old to another three years for $39 million, but just a few months later, Jensen suffered a severe knee injury in training camp. He’s only played one game in two seasons since—and today he announced his retirement from the NFL. “With any chapter in the book of life, there is always an ending. The NFL chapter of my life is coming to a close,” Jensen wrote on social media. “It sucks getting struck down from the top of the mountain,” Jensen told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay last week. “I was really prideful … and that was just kind of a reality check for me. Like, hey, you’re not invincible.” Jensen’s mental health quickly became the forefront of his priorities. “It was definitely hard. You learn a lot more about yourself in the hard times than you do in the good times. It gave me a great opportunity to reflect on everything … my life, previous traumas and stuff like that,” he said. “I had all this anger and bitterness. [I learned] how to control my emotions, for when, you know, I start feeling that anxiety, that depression. For so long, especially as men, we just hold all that stuff in, and you don’t want to talk about it.” Aside from meeting with a sports counselor and surrounding himself with supportive friends and family, Jensen knew he needed to keep his competitive mind sharp while rehabbing. That’s when his college-enemy-turnedfriend, Garrett Gilkey, inquired about teaming up on the rebrand and expansion of his Tampabased company, Gilk. Gilkey, a former Bucs lineman from 2014-2016, completed a master’s degree in engineering, obtained general contracting and

plumbing licenses and began a master’s degree in business administration during his time in the league. He then founded Gilk in 2017, which was formerly positioned as HGC Design Build until this year. Unlike a vast population of professional athletes, Gilkey accepted the fact that his time on the field would inevitably come to an end and decided to focus on “life after football” before reality knocked on his door—that being, a career-ending knee injury in 2016. “I missed the whole journey of being in my 20s because I was isolated through the experiences of being an NFL player,” Gilkey said. “I wasn’t interested in partying, I wasn’t interested in living a lifestyle that most people were living.” For Jensen, it was a no-brainer decision, as he was already familiar with Gilkey’s expertise in the real estate field. In 2021, Gilkey helped Jensen negotiate and secure his 600-acre dream property in Evergreen, Colorado—just a twohour drive from his college. “I obviously trust Garrett. We’ve been friends for about 11 years now,” Jensen said. But that wasn’t always the case, not back during the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference days. “We played against each other in college and actually hated each other,” Jensen said. “We both played the same position, were both giant redheads and were both really good at football. So naturally, we didn’t like each other.” Now, they’ve been co-owners of Gilk, a luxury home-building company, for over a year and plan to keep building. Gilk specializes in new construction, residential community development, land acquisition and commercial space revitalization. With nearly 50 employees, the company is working on more than 35 projects throughout the country— including a luxury home on Bayshore Boulevard. Priding itself on thoughtful architecture through highly-individualized processes, Gilk conducts personalized sessions with clients and aims to impact their lives beyond physical structures. “Success is driven by the lives we impact and the people that are touched by being a part of our organization,” Gilkey said. Gilk works closely with multiple Christianbased nonprofits in Tampa, including Timothy Initiative, Abe Brown Ministries and Created. Through relationships with these ministries, Gilk employs men who have recovered from addiction abuse, homelessness, incarceration and other life challenges for a variety of jobs. “We’ve got a pretty substantial amount of guys in the field, doing construction projects all

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

By Max Steele

SPORTS

SAW RED: Ryan Jensen announced his retirement last week. throughout Tampa, who are completely sober, living in recovery,” Gilkey said. With Jensen on board, Gilk’s public profile has hit the mainstream. While he’s now retired, the hulking star of the Bucs’ offensive line was dedicated to his veteran role in the locker room. Jensen has been passionate about mentoring younger Bucs players, helping them navigate everything from financial decisions to mental health struggles to preparing for post-football careers. “Nobody gets out alive in the NFL,” Jensen said. “Like, ‘Hey, you probably shouldn’t be spending that kind of money. You’re making a lot of money compared to the average person,

but you’re out here spending it like you’re making $10 million a year when you’re making a million a year.’” “Even if they make $100 million in their career, we’re just not designed to just do nothing. You get crazy and go bored, and then that’s when other issues start coming up like addiction, gambling issues, alcoholism,” he said. “When your mind sits idle for so long, other things are going to start creeping in to get that dopamine fix.” Jensen is now at the end of his career snapping footballs for the Bucs. And off the field, he and Gilkey are just scratching the surface of what’s next, whether it’s snapping stigmas, and, yeah, drywall, too.

cltampabay.com | FEBRUARY 08-14, 2024 | 35

Stay fly

A rare ‘airplane’ bungalow is now for sale in St. Petersburg. By Colin Wolf

he Sargent House, a 100-year-old craftsmanThis particular airplane bungalow was desstyle bungalow designed for balmy summers, ignated a historic landmark by the City of St. is now on the market in St. Petersburg’s Petersburg in 2016, and was awarded a preservaHistoric Old Northeast neighborhood. Located tion award from Preserve The ‘Burg a year later. at 806 18th Ave. NE, the home was built in 1923 Today, the home comes with four bedrooms for realtor LeRoy Sargent, and is what’s referred and two bathrooms, as well as 2,190-square-feet to as an “airplane-style” bungalow because of it’s of living space, Cuban tile, exposed beams, builtunique pop-up second story in glass bookshelves, heart room that is said to resemble pine floors, original wood an airplane cockpit. windows, a wrap-around Airplane bungalows were porch and more. Sargent House Porch Party most popular between 1910- Saturday, Feb. 10. 4 p.m. Waitlist open. The Sargent House is curptb.wildapricot.org 1925, and predominantly rently asking $1,385,000, and found in the southwest and the listing agent is Eileen west coast of the U.S., where warmer climates Bedinghaus of Re/Max Metro. made the pop-up second story room a nice option There are no public open houses on this for catching a cooler breeze at night. home, but Preserve the ‘Burg is hosting its Though somewhat rare in Florida, a few still Sargent House Porch Party on Saturday, Feb. remain in Tampa Bay neighborhoods like Hyde 10, with waitlist spots still open. Park and Bayshore Beautiful. Visit cltampa.com/slideshows to see more.

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FRI 09

C Andy Boay w/Piper Harrow/Abilene/ Justin Depth/Dandelion Lakewood On a live album recorded last summer in Montreal, Andy Boay weaves together 27 minutes of devotional, stripped-back pop that channels a little Blake Mills and a some George Harrison with just a scratch of lo-fi that would fit right into the out-of-the-box sounds of indie-rock collectives like The Elephant 6. It’s all just a bit quieter than the psych-rock Boay (real name Andy White) and his brother Edwin make with their Orlando-based project Tonstartssbandht, and he headlines this no-cover, busy lineup that has everything from the sweet Midwestern folk of Dandelion Lakewood to experimental sounds (Abilene, aka Gooder), ambient production (Justin Depth) and the all-over-the-place output of St. Pete’s Piper Harrow. (The Bends, St. Petersburg) C Espericles w/The Anti-Don’ts/Razor and the Boogie Men Almost two decades after the arrival of its gut-punch debut Fuck Your Etiquette (featuring opening track, “O’l American Booger”), Dominican punk-rock band Espericles is stateside again, this time supporting a 2023 album, Citizen World which marries the sweaty spirit of Gainesville’s The Fest with more mainstream offerings like Green Day’s latest, Saviors. Florida favorite The Anti-Don’ts and St. Pete ripper Razor and the Boogie Men open the show. (St. Pete Brewing Company, St. Petersburg)

Liz Pennock & Dr. Blues Birthday Bash One half of one of the hardest working blues bar acts in the Bay area (Dr. Blues) celebrates another solar return on the beach. (Grapes Wine Cafe, St. Pete Beach) Moors & McCumber Nineteen years after first crossing paths at the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Song School—and 15 years since their debut album together—James Moors and Kort McCumber are still pals and on the road with their special brand of easylistening, harmony-driven Americana that flirts with Irish sounds, too. (Catherine A. Hickman Theater, Gulfport) C Punk Black Tampa: Pilot Jonezz w/ Bangarang/Being Hvman/Lady Heroine/ Over Anna/Cozy In The Black/Lvrxox/ Hijas De La Muerte/Kid Loki Black History Month is right now, and this festival celebrates mosh-worthy music made by melanized folks. Two modern day heavyweights of Tampa’s rock scene top the bill (Pilot Jonezz, Bangarang), which also features Being Hvman, a trio featuring members of Samurai Shotgun, one of the wildest live acts to ever take a stage in Tampa Bay. Orlando alt-rock band Lady Heroine makes the trek over for the gig, too. (Crowbar, Ybor City) Soulpax w/Blonde Gentlemen/Teal Peel Bands like Lawrence have brought the tenets of soul and R&B to pop-loving audiences,

C Kerry Courtney w/Geri X/Adam Randall This is really it. For a decadeand-a-half now, Kerry Courtney’s been a highlight of the Bay area indie-rock scene, but months after reuniting his band Goodnight, Neverland, the 33-year-old with a golden vocal is leaving for the west coast in less than a week. “If I’ve made a positive impact on you in this scene as a songwriter or as a person in some way, I would love to see you at my farewell show,” Courtney wrote on social media, “I wanna say bye and hug you all.” (Bayboro Brewing, St. Petersburg)

SAT 10

C Connor Kelly and the Time Warp w/ Mak/Soft Cuff Connor Kelly lives up to his band’s moniker. For one, he’s got a mop straight out of the ‘60s or ‘7-s. His voice, however, is harder to pin down. The range on songs like “Distant Forest” makes him come off like some kind of classically-trained choir freak, while the grunge balladry on “Tube Socks” and pop sensibility on “Anywhere But Here” hint at a rock band that will pick its own destiny in the years to come. Hot Tampa indie band Mak opens the show along with emergent St. Pete indie-rock band (FFO: Khruangbin, Menahan Street Band and Badbadnotgood). (Hooch and Hive, Tampa)

continued on page 40

Kerry Courtney

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Hot Tonic Orchestra Celebrates Bacharach On the one-year anniversary of the passing of music legend Burt Bacharach (“The Look of Love,” “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head”), Best of the Bay-winning jazz ensemble Hot Tonic— described as “Postmodern Jukebox meets Amy Winehouse”—pays tribute. (Side Door Cabaretat Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg)

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and Soulpax does a little of that work, too. With more of an edge than more sanitized funk and R&B revivers, the Miami outfit features the forceful vocal of songwriter Julia Camayd backed by a band that can go from the lounge (“Moonbeams”) to the dance floor (“Postcard Daze”) in a heartbeat. Tampa indie-rock band Blonde Gentlemen opens the show along with Jacksonville rock outfit Teal Peel which is on the road supporting a must-listen December 2023 album, Country River, which will please fans of Hovvdy (“How Many Bugs,” “Fruit Flies”), too. (Hooch and Hive, Tampa)

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C Old Man Bowl Jam 14: Intoxicated w/ Face First The Skatepark of Tampa is an OG venue, and the OGs of the spot (registration starts at 30 years old, with a 50 & up division available, too) will drop in over and over again this weekend in a skate-until-you-fall, judged jam. Skating starts at 6 p.m., with the beer and BBQ going off an hour before that. After awards, forefathers of Central Florida’s ‘90s trash and metal scene, Intoxicated, headline a post-tournament concert alongside ‘80s-channeling Boston hardcore band Face First. (Skatepark of Tampa, Tampa) C Willie Nelson & Family w/Amos Lee Ninety years old never looked better on anyone than it does on Shotgun Willie. Last year alone, he was finally granted a spot in the Rock Hall, while also expanding his fabled Outlaw Music Festival Tour, and releasing two new studio albums. The most recent one, Bluegrass, is Nelson’s first-ever Trigger-free collection of songs since acquiring the guitar, and features revamped versions of his timeless anthems in the style of, well, bluegrass. (The Sound, Clearwater)

SUN 11

Beartooth w/The Plot in You/Invent Animate/Sleep Theory Following its removal from 2021’s 98Rockfest, Columbus’ Beartooth finally got a chance to shed some light on its latest album The Surface at last year’s iteration. The LP, featuring a contribution from country dude Hardy, did pretty well in the rock charts, but if you’re pissed about it not being up for a Grammy, just remember that there’s a cutoff, and is more likely to be considered next year. On the bright side, the band will play most of the album and more live on Super Bowl Sunday. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg) C Veeze Everyone knows about Detroit’s Eight Mile, but Veeze reps Seven Mile where his dad runs the Clean Whips car wash, and Southfield, which mom calls home. The second phase of the 29-yearold’s “Ganger Tour” brings viral hits (“Rusty”), plus Veeze’s unbothered attitude and flow influenced by Motor City mainstays like Team Eastside and Doughboyz Cashout (his delivery has also been compared to Young Nudy and Babyface Ray). It’s all been enough to get the rapper on the cover of Fader and into Skye, maybe the last local club he plays before making a jump to arena opener or 2,000-cap room headliner. (Club Skye, Ybor CIty)

C Hells Belles: A Ladies Rock Camp Concert Kids under 13 get into this show for free, and all for the better, too. More than two dozen women were part of the week-long, first-ever Ladies Rock Camp (from the folks behind St. Pete’s popular, and essential, Girls Rock Camp), and they debut their new bands at this show where pioneers of the local femme-punk scene (Doll Parts) and the future of it (Anarkitty) open the show. (Bayboro Brewing, St. Petersburg)

TUE 13

C Gladys Knight Last year, twice did the Empress of Soul hypnotize adoring fans in Tampa Bay: Once at Tampa’s glorious Hard Rock Event Center, and again as a headliner for Clearwater Jazz Holiday’s first time back at Coachman Park this decade. Knight, 79, still remains as soulful as ever, and takes time in her gigs to speak candidly about God, and meeting with Barbra Streisand. With this Valentine's Day show, she joins Willie Nelson on a very exclusive list of international acts that have played Tampa Bay thrice over the course of a year. (Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg)

Destin Conrad w/Amaria I didn’t think I’d be feeling this sentimental about Vine two months into 2024, but here we are. Destin Conrad, Mr. “In The Air”, a 22-year-old born and raised in Tampa, has been out promoting his new, nine-track album of pop-R&B, Submissive2, and plays a homecoming gig on 1st Avenue fairly early into his career. Soul-pop singer Amaria opens. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg) Rudy Love & the Encore w/The Banned/ Hibiscus/Nate Mosley Midtopia, apparently, is a place on Earth. It’s somewhere around Wichita, Kansas, the place that gave us Rudy Love Jr., the offspring of the late Rudy Love Sr., who wrote “Good Morning Little School Girl” and worked with the likes of Sly Stone, Marvin Gaye and Ray Charles. The younger Love was in a band with his dad, but now leads the Encore, a party-starting pop outfit that blends world rhythms with joyous horns (“Good Time”), while being fully capable of busting out a slow jam, too (“Grey”). Tampa pop-rock crooner Nate Mosley opens the show along with local rock band Hibiscus and multi-decade cover band The Banned. (Crowbar, Ybor City)

WED 14

C Anemoia and Dionysus The Far Forest is the kind of place where you can learn a lot about someone you like. Yes, by their taste in clothes and books, but also when the Seminole Heights shop hosts concerts as part of its Forest Sounds series. This special Valentine’s show includes a set from instrumental rock Miami group Anemoia, plus party-ready, saxy-as-fuck Gainesville band Dionysus. Sweet-as-honey Bay area renaissance man Nick Ewing has curated a mocktail menu, and one drink is included along with sweet treats during this BYOB-friendly affair. (The Far Forest, Tampa) C Boyz II Men Boyz II Men’s version of “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” (popularized in 1956 by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers) is the epic opening track on the iconic R&B group’s all-doo-wop 2017 covers album. While you’ll probably hear the harmonious ‘80s heartthrobs do a few covers at the trio’s return to the casino where surving members did a surprise pop-up Valentine's Day show last eyar, the barbershop quartet material will probably be minimal. And don’t worry: “End Of The Road” has not been retired, and is not a place the boys will be pulling up to anytime soon. (Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa)

40 | FEBRUARY 08-14, 2024 | cltampabay.com

BARRY BRECHEISEN

House of Hamill Believe it or not, canceled flights were a contributing factor to the formation of this Philadelphia-based Celtic-folk outfit. According to its official website bio, fiddlers Rose Baldino and Brian Buchanan crossed paths at the 2014 Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City, when members of Baldino’s band, Burning Bridget Cleary couldn’t make the flight out due to crappy weather. Nearly a decade later, the two—and later addition Caroline Browning—have proven in their latest music video, for “Gaudete” that vocal harmonies are the furthest thing from a problem. Expect to hear delightful, Celtic-folk chemistry of such and more in Dunedin this weekend. (Scottish Cultural Center, Dunedin)

Evan Dando

THU 15

Evan Dando w/Willy Mason Nearly 40 years after their studio debut, Hate Your Friends, The Lemonheads released a new single, “Fear Of The Living,” last November. Evan Dando, 56-year-old frontman of the seminal alt-rock band from Boston, played all the instruments on the track, which is part of The Lemonheads’ first new album of original songs since 2006. No telling if Dando, who kicks this tour off on Feb. 7, will play any new stuff, but oddball New York songwriter Willy Mason opens the show. (Crowbar, Ybor City)

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Modern rock celebrates the theatrics of masked performers like Slipknot and Ghost, but perhaps most mysterious of all is Sleep Token. The masked London rock band is notorious for not speaking to the press, having only agreed to two interviews since the band’s 2016 inception. But the band—whose only named members remain anonymous under the pseudonyms Vessel and II—at least wants to get to know Tampa Bay better by making a local debut this summer. Tickets to Sleep Token play Tampa’s Yuengling Center on Monday, May 6 are on sale now and start at $45.75. Empire State Bastard, which recently released its first studio album Rivers of Heresy more than a decade after the band’s initial formation, opens the show, which is Sleep Token’s only Florida stop. Sleep Token

is known for a synthesis of various genres from atmospheric indie to progressive metal, and has also released cover versions of songs by OutKast and Billie Eilish. The band made the move from Basick Records to the Universal subsidiary Spinefarm Records in 2019, and released its third album Take Me Back To Eden last summer ahead of a sold-out North American tour. The rock band has developed somewhat of a lore to accompany their mysterious theatrics. In the only interview he’s ever done, Vessel explained that the band members are the mortal representatives of the ancient deity called ‘Sleep.’ Vessel is their leader, the master and creator behind the music, though II has received songwriting credits as well. In II’s only interview he discusses musical influences like Slipknot and Deftones.

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See Josh Bradley’s weekly new concert rundow below.—Suz Townsend

FOR TICKETS & UP-TO-DATE CONCERT INFO VISIT NOCLUBS.COM The Zombies Friday, April 12. 8 p.m. $44.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Decapitated w/SepticfleshTuesday, April 23. 5:30 p.m. Prices TBA. Orpheum, Tampa

Josh Meloy Saturday, April 13. 8 p.m. $20. Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa

Kenny G Friday, April 26. 8 p.m. $42.75 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Julia Wolf w/Scro Tuesday, April 16. 8 p.m. $15. Crowbar, Ybor City

The Dixie Dregs w/Steve Morse Band Saturday, April 27. 8 p.m. $44.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Alborosie w/F.Y.A.H./Jwadi Wednesday, April 17. 7:30 p.m. $25. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg Jesus Piece w/Sanguisugabogg/Gag/ Peeling Flesh Wednesday, April 17. 6 p.m. $25. Orpheum, Tampa Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes Wednesday, April 17. 8 p.m. $25 & up. Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa

Emo Orchestra w/Escape The Fate Friday, May 3. 8 p.m. $39.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater Brooks & Dunn w/David Lee Murphy/ Ernest Saturday, May 4. 7 p.m. $48.65 & up. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa Oceans of Slumber w/TBA Thursday, May 9. 7 p.m. $15. Crowbar, Ybor City

Benson Boone Friday, April 19. 7 p.m. Prices TBA. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Geese Friday, May 10. 8 p.m. $18. Crowbar, Ybor City

Morgan Wade Friday, April 19. 8 p.m. $30 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Chappel Roan Sunday, May 19. 7 p.m. $106 & up (resale only). Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Sextile w/Donzii Sunday, April 21. 7 p.m. $20. Crowbar, Ybor City

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The show: Every concert coming to Tampa Bay in 2024 Our weekly rundown of new concerts coming to Tampa Bay (aka “No Comps”) is a good resource for anyone hoping to find new shows to spend money on, but here’s a big ol’ listing of every concert coming to Tampa Bay (that we know about). Josh Bradley compiles and curates this calendar for Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, so if you don’t see your show listed here, please help us out by submitting your show to CL’s online calendar and then emailing josh@cltampa.com (with me, rroa@cltampa.com) on CC. Thanks for the support, Tampa Bay. Catch you at a show.—Ray Roa

February Evan Dando w/Willy Mason Thursday, Feb. 15. 7 p.m. $25.50. Crowbar, Ybor City

John Lodge Tuesday, Feb. 27. 8 p.m. $39.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Mark Lowry Tuesday, March 5. 3:30 p.m. $30.

Ronnie Dee and Helios Jazz Orchestra

Zach Williams Tuesday, March 5. 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 27. 7:30 p.m. $25 & up. Side Door at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg

Diana Krall Friday, Feb. 16. 8 p.m. $58.25 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Twen w/TBA Wednesday, Feb. 28. 7 p.m. $12.

Gasparilla Music Festival: Young The Giant w/Louis The Child/Big Gigantic/ Lake Street Dive/Coin/Trevor Hall/Digable Planets/Beach Weather/Surf Mesa/more MATTHEW TAKES

Jimmy Sturr and his Orchestra Thursday, Feb. 29. 10:30 a.m. Free with admission. Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City

Emo Nite Saturday, Feb. 17. 9 p.m. $17.50. The

Oliver Anthony Thursday, Feb. 29. 7:30 p.m.

Ritz, Ybor City

$35. Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City

Judy Kuhn Saturday, Feb. 17. 8 p.m. $29.50 & up. Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo

March

North Mississippi Allstars Saturday, Feb. 17.

City

Great Lake Swimmers w/Clem Snide Tuesday, Feb. 20. 8 p.m. $25 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

William Elliott Whitmore w/Noan Partly Tuesday, Feb. 20. 7 p.m. $20. Hooch and Hive, Tampa

Spyro Gyra w/Jeff Lorber Fusion Wednesday-Thursday, Feb. 21-22. 8 p.m. $40 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Thelma and the Sleaze Wednesday, Feb. 21. 7 p.m. $12. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

JP Saxe JP Saxe Friday, Feb. 23. 7 p.m. Prices TBA.

Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City

Gino Vannelli Thursday, March 7. 8 p.m. $69 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Kirk Franklin Thursday, March 7. 7:30 p.m. $45. Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City

The Jacksons Thursday, March 7. 8 p.m. $60. Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa

‘68 w/The Callous Daoboys/The Homeless Gospel Choir Friday, March 8. 7

The Beach Boys Friday, March 1. 3:30 p.m. $45. Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City

p.m. $18. Orpheum, Tampa

Jordan Davis Friday, March 1. 7:30 p.m. $55.

The Commodores Friday, March 8. 3:30 p.m.

Orpheum, Tampa

Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City

The Return of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer

Stars of the Sixties: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone w/The Lovin’ Spoonful/Bobby Miranda/Chris Ruggiero

Friday, Feb. 23. 8 p.m. $35 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Ripe Friday, Feb. 23. 8 p.m. $20. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg Carbon Leaf w/Shaun Hopper Saturday, Feb. 24. 8 p.m. $25. Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa Billy Joel w/Sting Saturday Feb. 24. 7 p.m. Prices TBA. Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

Daddy’s Beemer w/Homemade Haircuts/ Bedside Kites Saturday, Feb. 24. 8 p.m. $12. Hooch and Hive, Tampa

Drew & Ellie Holcomb Saturday, Feb. 24. 7:30 p.m. $29 & up. Polk Theater, Lakeland

Glenn Hughes w/Enuff Znuff/Bad Marriage Saturday, Feb. 24. 7 p.m. $15 & up. OCC Road House and Museum, Clearwater

ISOxo Saturday, Feb. 24. 10 p.m. $35 & up. The Ritz, Ybor City

Timeless Hip Hop: The Beatnuts w/Craig G/Mr. Cheeks of the Lost Boyz/MC Serch/ DJ Sandman Wednesday, Feb. 21. 10 p.m. $25.

Kidsgonemad Saturday, Feb. 24. 10 p.m. $35 &

Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa

Lettuce Saturday, Feb. 24. 8 p.m. $33. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Twin Temple w/Vows Wednesday, Feb. 21. 7 p.m. $21.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Nickel Creek Saturday, Feb. 24. 8 p.m. $38.75 &

Arden Jones w/Ty2Fly Thursday, Feb. 22.

Night Child w/Offerings/Fjshwife Saturday,

7 p.m. $25. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

Gene Watson Thursday, March 7. 3:30 p.m. $25.

Ash Friday, March 1. 8 p.m. $25. Crowbar, Ybor

7 p.m. $22.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Deadmau5 Sunday, Feb. 18. 11 a.m. Prices TBA. Hard Rock Event Center Pool at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa

Bill Haley Jr. and The Comets Thursday, March 7. 10:30 a.m. Free with admission. Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City

Social, St. Petersburg

p.m. $35. Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City

Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

1K Phew Thursday, March 7. 8 p.m. $20 & up. Crowbar, Ybor City

A Tom Petty Tribute: Steve Ferrone w/ Vota Thursday, Feb. 29. 6:30 p.m. $18. Floridian

Orpheum, Tampa

Chris Botti Sunday, Feb. 18. 7 p.m. $43.25 & up.

Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City

The Oak Ridge Boys Thursday, Feb. 29. 3:30

Yvie Oddly Friday, Feb. 16. 8 p.m. $30 & up.

Crowbar, Ybor City

Riley Green Wednesday, March 6. 7:30 p.m. $50.

Rodney Crowell Wednesday, Feb. 28. 8 p.m. $55 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Rod Stewart Friday, Feb. 16. 8 p.m. $275 & up. Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa

up. The Ritz, Ybor City

up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater Feb. 24. 7 p.m. $10. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

Paul Anka Friday, March 8. 8 p.m. $59 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

$65. Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City

Dave Shawty w/Yungster Jack/Caspr/ Bear1Boss/Bbygoyard/Scumbag Wrld/ Kent Loon/Smokingskul/more Saturday,

Celtic Woman Saturday, March 2. 8 p.m. $63 & up. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg

Dadi Freyr Saturday, March 2. 7 p.m. $27.50. Orpheum, Tampa

March 9. 5 p.m. $36. 1920, Ybor City

Extreme w/Living Colour Saturday, March 9.

Dirtwire w/Entangled Mind Saturday, March 2. 8 p.m. $17. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

7 p.m. $34.50 & up. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Flo Rida Saturday, March 9. 7:30 p.m. $50.

Sammy Rae & the Friends Saturday, March

Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City

2. 7 p.m. $30. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Jo Dee Messina Saturday, March 9. 3:30 p.m.

Steve Hackett Saturday, March 2. 8 p.m.

$30. Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City

The Lords of 52nd Street Saturday, March 9. 8 p.m. $32 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

$42.75 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

The Stews Saturday, March 2. 8:45 p.m. $17. Crowbar, Ybor City

William Black Saturday, March 2. 10 p.m. $15$20. The Ritz, Ybor City Ekkstacy w/Alexsucks Sunday, March 3. 7 p.m. $20. Crowbar, Ybor City

Grateful Dub w/Roots Of Creation/Dan Kelly Sunday, March 3. 7 p.m. $20. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Parker McCollum Sunday, March 3. 7:30 p.m. $65. Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City

and Hive, Tampa

Hooch and Hive, Tampa

Feb. 26. 8 p.m. $29 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

ZZ Top Monday, March 4. 7:30 p.m. $55. Florida

Hiss Golden Messenger w/Color Green

Bob Dylan Tuesday-Wednesday, March 5-6. 8

Monday, Feb. 26. 7 p.m. $25. Crowbar, Ybor City

Nems & Mac Lethal Friday, March 8. 7 p.m.

Black Eyed Peas Saturday, March 2. 7:30 p.m.

Jeff Brawer w/Marc Ganancias/Dan Padilla Thursday, Feb. 22. 7 p.m. Prices TBA.

Friday, Feb. 23. 8 p.m. $25. Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa

Strawberry Festival, Plant City $25. Crowbar, Ybor City

Codefendants w/Rutterkin/Dea & Saint/ Flag Burner Sunday, Feb. 25. 5 p.m. $17. Hooch

Band Of Heathens w/The Teague Brothers

$35. Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City

Foreigner Friday, March 8. 7:30 p.m. $55. Florida

Friday, March 1. 7:30 p.m. $46 & up. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg

Drake White w/TBA Thursday, Feb. 22. 7 p.m. $25. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Geoff Tate & Adrian Vandenberg Monday,

$40. Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City

Craig Morgan Wednesday, March 6. 3:30 p.m. $35. Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City

Hooch and Hive, Tampa

Friday-Sunday, Feb. 16-18. 4 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $45 & up. Julian B. Lane Park, Tampa

Pink It Up: Saganaki Bomb Squad w/ Victims of Circumstance/Bargain Bin Heroes/Chilled Monkey Brains/The Brainiacs/69 Fingers/Monument Beach/ Skabortion Twins Saturday, Feb. 17. 7 p.m. $7.

Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City

3:30 p.m. $25. Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City

p.m. $67.25 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Doo-Wop Reunion XXII: Little Anthony & The Music/The Coasters/The Duprees/ Joey Dee Sunday, March 10. 5 p.m. $49 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Enrique Iglesias w/Ricky Martin/Pitbull Sunday, March 10. 7 p.m. $56.20 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa

Mom Jeans w/Summer Salt/Hunny

The Bellamy Brothers Monday, March 4.

Strawberry Festival, Plant City

Cody Johnson Sunday, March 10. 7:30 p.m. $75. Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City

Sunday, March 10. 7 p.m. $35. The Ritz, Ybor City

Nick Shoulders and The Okay Crawdad Sunday, March 10. 7 p.m. $20. Crowbar, Ybor City

Burna Boy Monday, March 11. 7:30 p.m. $59.50 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa

continued on page 46

cltampabay.com | FEBRUARY 08-14, 2024 | 45

Taylor Dayne w/Tiffany Saturday, March 23. 8 p.m. $45 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Melissa Etheridge Thursday, April 11. 8

Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam w/The Jimmy Hall Band Sunday & Monday, March 24 & 25.

Billy Strings Friday-Saturday, April 12-13. 7:30 p.m. $39.50 & up. Yuengling Center, Tampa

7:30 p.m. $39 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Ministry w/Gary Numan/Front Line Assembly Sunday, March 24. 7 p.m. $39.50.

Snow Strippers w/Dres Friday, April 12. 7 p.m. $25. Crowbar, Ybor City

Joe Satriani & Steve Vai Monday, March 25. 7 p.m. $53.25 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

The Zombies Friday, April 12. 8 p.m. $44.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Faye Webster w/Upchuck Tuesday, March

Combichrist w/Dead Animal Assembly/ Plant Esoterik/Cultus Black Saturday,

POONEH GHANA

Juanes Tuesday, March 26. 8 p.m. $70. Hard

April 13. 7 p.m. $20. Crowbar, Ybor City

Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa

Ian Munsick w/Meghan Patrick

Juanes Wednesday, March 27. 8 p.m. $130 & up.

Josh Meloy Saturday, April 13. 8 p.m. $20.

Sleepytime Gorilla Museum w/ Indorphine/Flagman Wednesday, March 27. 7

Los Lonely Boys Saturday, April 13. 8

Al Stewart & The Empty Pockets Friday, March 29. 8 p.m. $39.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

The Artimus Pyle Band Friday, March 29. 8 p.m. $34.50 & up. Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo

The Temptations w/The Four Tops Monday, March 11. 7:30 p.m. $45 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Poolside w/TBA Tuesday, March 12. 8 p.m. $35. Crowbar, Ybor City

Larry Fleet w/Dalton Dover Thursday, March 14. 8 p.m. $27. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Super Indie All Stars Spring Break: Cannibal Kids w/Madwoman/Oceanic/ Pet Lizard Thursday, March 14. 8 p.m. $13.

Maddie & Tae w/Wiley Fox Saturday, March 16. 7 p.m. $20 & up. Chasco Fiesta at Sims Park, New Port Richey

One Hallelujah: Tasha Cobbs Leonard w/ Israel Houghton/Erica Campbell/Jekalyn Carr/Jonathan McReynolds Saturday, March 16. 6:30 p.m. $35.75 & up. Yuengling Center, Tampa

Saxsquatch Wednesday, March 20. 8 p.m. $20. Crowbar, Ybor City

Crowbar, Ybor City

I Dont Know How But They Found Me w/ Benches Thursday, March 21. 7:30 p.m. $25.

Colin Hay Friday, March 15. 8 p.m. $39.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Kelsy Karter & The Heroines Thursday,

Godsmack w/Bastian da Cruz Friday, March 15. 8 p.m. $53 & up. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg

Jared Petteys & The Headliners w/Little Sheeba and the Shamans/Skinny McGee Friday, March 15. 8 p.m. $15. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

Less Than Jake w/Strung Out/The Raging Nathans Friday, March 15. 7 p.m. $25.

Crowbar, Ybor City March 21. 8 p.m. $15 & up. Hooch and Hive, Tampa

My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult w/ Adult./Kanga Thursday, March 21. 7 p.m. $29.50. Orpheum, Tampa

Pat Metheny Thursday, March 21. 8 p.m. $55 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Anthony Green w/Queen of Jeans Friday, March 22. 7 p.m. $25. Orpheum, Tampa

Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Lime Cordiale Friday, March 22. 7 p.m. $25.

Chasco Fiesta: The Marshall Tucker Band w/The Georgia Thunderbolts Friday,

Nicki Minaj Friday, March 22. 7 p.m. $TBA.

March 15. 7 p.m. $20 & up. Sims Park, New Port Richey

Matt Maltese w/The Army, The Navy Friday, March 15. 8 p.m. Sold out. Crowbar, Ybor City

Tim McGraw w/Carley Pearce Friday,

Crowbar, Ybor City Amway Center, Orlando

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in Concert Friday-Saturday, March 22-23. 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday. $53.50 & up. Morsani Hall at the Straz Center, Tampa

March 15. 7:30 p.m. $35.75 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa

Air Supply w/Little River Band Saturday,

Bryce Vine w/Hoodie Allen/Yoshi T

Cole Swindell Saturday, March 23. 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 16. 8 p.m. $35 & up. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Joe Bonamassa Saturday, March 16. 7 p.m. $73.75 & up. The Sound, Clearwater

March 23. 7 p.m. $45 & up. The Sound, Clearwater Free with Valspar admission. Innisbrook Resort, Palm Harbor

The Motet w/Lespecial Saturday, March 23. 8 p.m. $25. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

46 | FEBRUARY 08-14, 2024 | cltampabay.com

Saturday, April 13. 8 p.m. $30. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa

p.m. $25. Orpheum, Tampa

continued from page 45

Peekaboo w/Lyny Friday, April 12. 8 p.m. $25. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

26. 8 p.m. $35 & up. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Faye Webster

p.m. $95 & up. Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa

Descendents w/Circle Jerks/The Adolescents Friday, March 29. 7 p.m. $36.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa p.m. $39 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Mitis Saturday, April 13. 10 p.m. $15. The Ritz, Ybor City Arm’s Length w/Carly Cosgrove/Ben Quad/Saturdays at Your Place Sunday, April 14. 7:30 p.m. $20. Orpheum, Tampa

The Crane Wives Sunday, April 14. 7 p.m. $20. Crowbar, Ybor City

Hot Mulligan w/Free Throw/Just Friends/Charmer Monday, April 15. 7 p.m.

April

$33. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox

Justin Hayward w/Mike Dawes Monday,

Wednesday, April 3. 8 p.m. $38.25 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

April 15. 7:30 p.m. $49.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Sematary Wednesday, April 3. 7 p.m. $27.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Julia Wolf w/Scro Tuesday, April 16. 8 p.m. $15. Crowbar, Ybor City

Teddy Swims Wednesday, April 3. 8 p.m. $70

Alborosie w/F.Y.A.H./Jwadi Wednesday,

& up. Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa

April 17. 7:30 p.m. $25. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Madonna Thursday, April 4. 7 p.m. $40 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa

Jesus Piece w/Sanguisugabogg/Gag/ Peeling Flesh Wednesday, April 17. 6 p.m.

Alabama Friday, April 5. 7 p.m. $49.50 & up. The Sound, Clearwater The Guess Who Friday, April 5. 8 p.m. $42.50 & up. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg

Live Dead & Brothers: An All-Star Celebration of Grateful Dead & Allman Brothers Friday, April 5. 7 p.m. $27.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Al Jardine and his Endless Summer Band Saturday, April 6. 7 p.m. $59 & up. The Center of Anna Maria Island, Anna Maria

Gregorian Saturday, April 6. 8 p.m. $40 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Inzo w/Tape B/Hayz/Blookah Saturday, April 6. 7 p.m. $25. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Josiah and the Bonnevilles w/Mon Rovîa/Abby Cates/Sydney Rose Saturday, April 6. 8 p.m. $15. Crowbar, Ybor City

Vs Self w/Party Hats/Knumears Saturday, April 6. 7 p.m. $25. Hooch and Hive, Tampa

Israel & NewBreed Sunday, April 7. 7 p.m. $33.50 & up. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg

Butcher Brown and Son Little Wednesday, April 10. 8 p.m. $25 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

$25. Orpheum, Tampa

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes Wednesday, April 17. 8 p.m. $25 & up. Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa

Billy Prine w/Scarlett Egan Thursday, April 18. 8 p.m. $35 & up. Murray Theatre at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

The Brook & The Bluff Thursday, April 18. 8 p.m. $22.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

98ROCKFEST: Staind w/Seether/Asking Alexandria/Dayseeker/Ayron Jones/ Austin Meade/Tim Montana/Sleep Theory Friday, April 19. 5:50 p.m. $35 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa

Benson Boone Friday, April 19. 7 p.m. Prices TBA. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg Don Felder w/Pablo Cruise/Firefall Friday, April 19. 7 p.m. $38.75 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Morgan Wade Friday, April 19. 8 p.m. $30 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Mo Lowda & The Humble w/The Bright Light Social Hour Friday, April 19. 7 p.m. $18. Floridian Social, St. Petersburg

continued on page 48

tbbc.beer @tbbco #beerisyourfriend cltampabay.com | FEBRUARY 08-14, 2024 | 47

Amon Amarth w/Cannibal Corpse / Obituary/Frozen Soul Saturday, May 18. 6:30

Red Hot Chili Peppers w/Ice Cube/ Irontom Friday, June 21. 7 p.m. $203.50 & up.

p.m. $35.75 & up. Yuengling Center, Tampa

MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

The Beaches w/G Flip Saturday, May 18. 8

July

p.m. $25. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Chappel Roan Sunday, May 19. 7 p.m. $106 & up (resale only). Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Bad Bunny Tuesday, May 21. 8 p.m. $99.95 & DEANIE CHEN

up. Amalie Arena, Tampa

Thievery Corporation Tuesday, May 21. 6 p.m. $37.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Dave Matthews Band Wednesday, May 22. 7:30 p.m. Prices TBA. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

Madison Beer w/Upsahl Wednesday, May 22. 6:30 p.m. $40 & up. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

NF Friday, May 24. 8 p.m. $32 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa

Lawrence continued from page 46 The Evolution of Drag: Daphne Ferraro w/Chi Chi LaLique/Jocelyn Summers/Kathryn Nevets/Kenya Black/ Conundrum/April Fresh/Jaeda Fuentes/ The Lady Janet/Imani Valentino/more

See You Next Tuesday w/ Mouthbreather/Implosive Disgorgance/ Thin Monday, April 29. 7 p.m. $17. Orpheum, Tampa

May

Saturday, April 20. 8 p.m. $19.50 & up. Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo

Alvvays Wednesday, May 1. 8 p.m. $30. The Ritz, Ybor City

Gloria Trevi w/Mar Saturday, April 20. 8 p.m.

Andy Frasco & The U.N. w/Dogs in a Pile

$35.75 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa

Sextile w/Donzii Sunday, April 21. 7 p.m. $20. Crowbar, Ybor City

Decapitated w/Septicflesh/Kataklysm/ Allegaeon Tuesday, April 23. 5:30 p.m. Prices TBA. Orpheum, Tampa

Johnny Mathis Thursday, April 25. 8 p.m. $37 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Mac McAnally Thursday, April 25. 8 p.m. $34.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater Rising Appalachia Thursday, April 25. 7 p.m. $38. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Upon A Burning Body w/Vctms/The Browning/Hollo Front Thursday, April 25. 7 p.m. $20. Orpheum, Tampa

Andrés Cepeda Friday, April 26. 7:30 p.m. $49.50 & up. Morsani Hall at Straz Center, Tampa

Flipturn w/The Hails Friday, April 26. 8 p.m. $25. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Kenny G Friday, April 26. 8 p.m. $42.75 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Born Of Osiris w/Attila/Traitors/ Extortionist/Not Enough Space Saturday, April 27. 5:30 p.m. $30 & up. The Ritz, Ybor City

The Dixie Dregs w/Steve Morse Band Saturday, April 27. 8 p.m. $44.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Mariah The Scientist Saturday, April 27. 7 p.m. $54, resale only. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg The Veronicas Sunday, April 28. 8 p.m. $34.50

Thursday, May 2. 8:30 p.m. $25. Crowbar, Ybor City

Emo Orchestra w/Escape The Fate Friday, May 3. 8 p.m. $39.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater Waxahatchee w/Good Morning Friday, May 3. 7 p.m. $27.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Brooks & Dunn w/David Lee Murphy/ Ernest Saturday, May 4. 7 p.m. $48.65 & up. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

Chris Renzema Saturday, May 4. 8 p.m. $22 & up. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Taj Farrant Saturday, May 4. 7:30 p.m. $38.50. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Cattle Decapitation w/Carnifex/Rivers of Nihil/Humanity’s Last Breath/The Zenith Passage/Vitriol/Face Yourself Monday, May 6. 4:30 p.m. $35. Orpheum, Tampa

Jacob Collier w/Kimbra Monday, May 6. 7 p.m. $43 & up. Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg

Sleep Token w/Empire State Bastard Monday, May 6. 8 p.m. $45.75 & up. Yuengling Center, Tampa

Saturday, May 25. 7:30 p.m. $34.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Slater w/Tony Velour Saturday, May 25. 7 p.m. $15. Crowbar, Ybor City Todd Rundgren Saturday-Sunday, May 25-26. 8 p.m. $49.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

The Allman Betts Band Monday, May 27. 7:30 p.m. $49.60 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Niall Horan Friday, May 31. 7:30 p.m. Prices TBA. Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

Kane Brown w/Tyler Hubbard/Parmalee Friday-Saturday, May 31-June 1. 7 p.m. $46.20 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa

June Hauser Saturday, June 1. 8 p.m. $53.25 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Happy Together Tour: The Turtles w/ Jay & The Americans/The Association/ Badfinger/The Vogues/The Cowsills Sunday, June 2. 7 p.m. $40 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

The Rolling Stones Monday, June 3. 8 p.m. Prices TBA. Camping World Stadium, Orlando Tyler Childers w/Valerie June/Willi Carlisle Wednesday, June 5. 7:30 p.m. Prices TBA. Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

John Hiatt Friday, June 14. 8 p.m. $49.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Amalie Arena, Tampa

Justin Timberlake Friday, June 14. 7:30 p.m. $55 & up. Amalie Arena, Tampa

Oceans of Slumber w/TBA Thursday, May 9.

Ocean Alley w/The Grogans Saturday, June

AJR Thursday, May 9. 7:30 p.m. Prices TBA.

7 p.m. $15. Crowbar, Ybor City

15. 6:30 p.m. $24.50 & up. The Ritz, Ybor City

Queensrÿche w/Armored Saint Thursday,

Melanie Martinez w/Beach Bunny/Sofia Isella Tuesday, June 18. 7 p.m. $45.75 & up.

May 9. 8 p.m. $29.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Chris Stapleton w/Grace Potter/ Nikki Lane Friday, May 10. 7 p.m. $191 & up.

& up. The Ritz, Ybor City

MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

The Wallflowers Sunday, April 28. 8 p.m.

Geese Friday, May 10. 8 p.m. $18. Crowbar, Ybor

$49.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

City

Wheeler Walker Jr. Sunday, April 28. 8 p.m. $40 & up. Hard Rock Event Center at

up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa

Kamelot w/HammerFall/Ad Infinitum

Don McLean Saturday, May 11. 8 p.m. $49 & Hozier w/Allison Russell Saturday, May 11. 8 p.m. Prices TBA. Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

48 | FEBRUARY 08-14, 2024 | cltampabay.com

Amalie Arena, Tampa

Alanis Morissette w/Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Wednesday, June 19. 7 p.m. Prices TBA. Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

Luis Miguel Wednesday, June. 19. 7 p.m. $168 & up (resale only). Amalie Arena, Tampa

Violent Vira w/Alexis Munroe/Max Diaz/ Brayton Thursday, June 20. 6 p.m. $25 & up. Orpheum, Tampa

PVRIS w/Pale Waves/Bruses Monday, July 1. 6 p.m. $33. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg The Spill Canvas w/Have Mercy Saturday, July 6. 8 p.m. $25. Orpheum, Tampa

The Doobie Brothers w/Robert Cray Thursday, July 11. 7 p.m. $48.65 & up. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

Morgan Wallen w/Jelly Roll/Nate Smith/ Bryan Martin Thursday, July 11. 6 p.m. $149 & up, resale only. Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

Sammy Hagar w/Loverboy Sunday, July 14. 7 p.m. $48.65 & up. Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

Janet Jackson w/Nelly Tuesday, July 16. 8 p.m. $54.80 & up. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa New Kids On The Block w/Paula Abdul/ DJ Jazzy Jeff Friday, July 19. 7 p.m. $54.80 & up. Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

Styx w/Foreigner/John Waite Saturday, July 20. 6:45 p.m. $43 & up. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

Third Eye Blind w/Yellowcard Thursday, July 25. 6:30 p.m. $49.40 & up. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

August Taking Back Sunday w/Citizen Saturday, Aug. 3. 7 p.m. $79 & up. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg Limp Bizkit w/Bones/N8noface/Corey Feldman/Riff Raff Wednesday, Aug. 7. 6:30 p.m. $54.35 & up. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

Zach Bryan w/Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit/Levi Turner Wednesday, Aug. 14. 7 p.m. Prices TBA. Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

Chicago w/Earth, Wind, and Fire Friday, Aug. 16. 7:30 p.m. $49.15 & up. Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

Thirty Seconds To Mars w/AFI/Poppy/ KennyHoopla Saturday, Aug. 24. 6:30 p.m. $51 & up. Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

September Hootie and the Blowfish w/Collective Soul/Edwin McCain Thursday, Sept. 26. 7 p.m. $54.60 & up. Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

Melissa Etheridge w/Jewel Thursday, Sept. 26. 6:30 p.m. $51 & up. The Sound, Clearwater

Lawrence Friday, Sept. 27. 7 p.m. $28. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

October Kidz Bop Live Saturday, Oct. 5. 6 p.m. $43 & up. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

November O.A.R. Friday, Nov. 15. 7 p.m. $40 & up. The Sound, Clearwater Amy Grant Tuesday, Nov. 19. 7:30 p.m. $69.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

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50 | FEBRUARY 08-14, 2024 | cltampabay.com

Change is coming By Caroline DeBruhl

ear Oracle, I (38F) have been good friends with Louie (38M) for nearly 20 years, since college. We’ve lived in the same city for the past 10 years, and even though we’re busy, we still make time to see each other. Louie has been dating “Clare”(45F) for four years. Clare really wants us to be friends, and I am friendly with her when we’re all out together, or my husband and I invite them over for dinner. But…I wouldn’t consider her a friend. A few months ago, Clare called and asked if she could come over to talk. I thought something was wrong with Louie, so I said yes. She came over, drank a bottle of my wine, and talked about how she thinks she might have to break up with Louie because he hasn’t proposed. (I kept asking her, “Do you think there’s someone else you could talk to about this?”) About a month ago, when we all went out in a large group, Clare didn’t speak to me the whole night, screamed at Louie, and fled in an Uber when she said she was going to the bathroom. Louie sobbed the rest of the night. While I’ve reached out to him, I haven’t heard from him since. Last week, I ran into a friend of Clare’s, and asked how everything was going and if things were alright between her and Louie. Clare called me TWENTY-THREE times over five days. When I finally answered, she was FURIOUS that I BETRAYED her by “TALKING SHIT” about her and her relationship. I didn’t! Now, I have

no idea what to do. This feels like an insane trip back to high school. I love my friend. I want him to be happy. But what am I supposed to do with this girl? —Exhausted Cards: Knight of Cups, The Magician, Four of Cups, Five of Swords Dear Exhausted, I know exactly how you feel. For more than a decade, one of my nearest and dearest friends has been a straight dude. Over the years, a new girlfriend or another would “confide” in me about all of their issues with him/their relationship, which led me to a threefold problem: 1.) I don’t know what they want me to do about it. 2.) I have to decide if I share this shit talk with my friend. 3.) I now know this girl doesn’t realize that our “friendship” is completely contingent on her dating my buddy. It’s a very weird place to be in. But none of those girls ever bombarded me with phone calls, so you got me there. I’m sure you know this, but for the record, Clare’s behavior is not OK. It wasn’t OK for her to come to you and talk shit about your friend, it wasn’t OK for the public shouting match/escape in the night, and it wasn’t OK for her to harass you like that with phone calls. You do not owe this woman a friendship. You do not owe her an explanation of why you’re checking in on your friend of two decades. You’re

ADOBE/DMITRIY

under no obligation to entertain her at your That nearest and dearest friend of mine? home moving forward. Long ago, I told him I was going to tell my If Clare is this emotionally volatile with shit boyfriend that he needed to treat me with you, she’s certainly been this way with Louie, respect. My friend simply said, “I don’t think you and you’ve seen how it’s upset him. You should should have to ask for respect in a relationship.” be there for your friend as he evaluates his It was like being shot through with lightning. He relationship…which the cards seem to point to. was right, profoundly so. I’ve never forgotten it. As the romantic partner (Knight of Cups), Again, keep reaching out to Louie. He Louie is becoming disillusioned and depressed might be embarrassed by his or Clare’s reacin his relationship (Four of Cups), is seeing this tion and want to hide. Invite him—and only high conflict, ego-driven fight play out again him—out for something like a show or a movie, and again (Five of Swords), and is feeling the anything where you can be quiet for a while. need to change something and The lack of pressure to talk to transform the situation (The might make him feel more Magician.) If he’s been in this comfortable to open up. pattern for four years, he might And if and when he starts need a lifeline to start that opening up, don’t be judgmenSend your question to transformation. Keep reaching tal. No, “She a fucking psycho, oracle@cltampa.com or DM out, keep telling that you love dude.” Ask questions that help @theyboracle on Instagram him and you’re there for him. Louie look inward. If you need Our culture has this sort of laissez-faire to say something about your feelings, frame it attitude that we shouldn’t comment on our with “I” statements, like “I don’t like seeing you friends’ relationships because “it’s whatever getting yelled at.” You can tell him what Clare makes them happy.” has said to you—but, again, do so delicately. But, sometimes what we really need is for The Magician symbolizes great work. It proba trusted friend to ask us: “Are you happy?” ably won’t be easy or quick for Louie to figure out Because we are all masters of lying to ourselves his next steps. Be kind. Show him compassion when need be. We can turn a blind eye to glar- and patience. Be tactful in your honesty. If he ing issues, hope things will be different this and Clare somehow work this out, you can decide time, and pretend we’re not upset when we are. if you want to spend time with her then. But Honest, simple questions like “Are you until then, you don’t need to answer those calls. happy?” or “Is this what you want?” can be I truly wish you the best, my dear. deeply shaking to someone lost in the haze of Find more of Caroline DeBruhl’s services at toxic love. carolinedebruhl.com.

ORACLE OF YBOR

cltampabay.com | FEBRUARY 08-14, 2024 | 51

Quickies By Dan Savage

1. How do you tell the difference between when someone says they love you in a Platonic way and when someone says they love you in a romantic way? Ask a direct question: “That’s nice—but do you mean that platonically or do you mean that passionately? Like, do you just wanna hang out or do you wanna hang and fuck and hang out some more and fuck some more?”

Jen Gunter’s invaluable book “The Menopause Manifesto.” Also, I would urge you to explore that area solo—your vulva, your clit, your vagina— before acting on anything with your would-be lover. And by, “explore that area solo,” what I mean is, “masturbate like crazy, using toys and lubes, and discover what feels good and works for you now so you can share that with your would-be lover when the time is right.”

2. What is the best body-safe material for pegging toys that’s compatible with siliconebased lube? “Normally my top choice for pegging is 100% silicone toys but we usually recommend only using them with water-based lube,” said Searah Deysach, the owner of Chicago’s sex-toy shop Early to Bed (early2bed.com). “But silicone-lubecompatible toys like glass, hard plastic, and steel are not ideal for pegging with a harness as they have no flexibility. So, you have two options if you’re wedded to the idea of silicone lube. You can roll an unlubricated condom over your silicone toy to protect it from the lube or you can do a small patch test of your preferred lube on your silicone toy to see if it affects the surface. But be warned! Some toy warranties are void if you use silicone lube on them!”

4. What does it mean if you straight and you gay friend seduces you and you like it that means you gay too right? could mean you gay or could mean you bi or pan or flex but doesn’t mean you can’t still identify as straight if straight feels like it comes closest to reflecting your usual desires, erotic targets, romantic interests, etc.

3. I have a would-be lover. We’ve talked. We’ve texted. But we haven’t acted on anything. It’s been so long that I’ve had a chance to do anything like this—I spent decades in a sexless marriage—that I’m afraid I don’t know how to do this anymore. And given that I’m in menopause, things don’t quite feel the same in that area. Any tips to get me back in the saddle? I think you would benefit from reading Dr.

5. I recently began dating a man who likes choking me as much as I like being choked. A few days after some rough choking, I developed a severe sore throat. Could this have been caused by the choking or is it a coincidence? Additionally, what are the risks if I let him choke until I pass out for a second? The risk for you: not waking up. The risk for him: going to prison. Look, choking is dangerous and choking “play” should only involve simulated or symbolic choking. The kind of throttling that leaves you with a sore throat days later—to say nothing of being choked out—is extremely dangerous. Please stop. 6. Young couple with two kids, married five years, now talking divorce. Will opening up the marriage help? If opening up the marriage is the only other

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option on the table—if it’s open or over—then opening up the marriage is obviously the better choice. But if opening up the marriage doesn’t resolve a key conflict in the marriage (say one person is done with sex and the other person isn’t), divorce is probably inevitable. 7. I’m getting mixed signals from someone who runs hot and cold, and I don’t know how to interpret some of the things he does. He used to want sex all the time; now he doesn’t as much. He doesn’t initiate much, save for hugs. How do I get him to be clear about whether he wants to be with me or cut me loose? Cutting him loose yourself will make something clear to him—namely, that you’re not thrilled with the trajectory of the relationship— and his reaction to being cut loose will provide you with the clarity you need from him.

penetration, and he will not finger me after he comes in me, fearing he will “push the sperm in deeper” and increase my chances of pregnancy. Can you help clear this up for us? I don’t think your boyfriend is actually worried about your IUD failing—IUDs have very low failure rates (you could’ve googled that yourself)—I think your boyfriend, like many men, not only rapidly loses interest in sex after he comes, he’s a little grossed out the same fluids and activities that were turning him on immediately before he came. Maybe instead of asking him to put his fingers back inside you, you could ask him to use a toy on you instead. 10. My boyfriend likes to be tied up and left alone. I’m happy to do it for him. But he also likes to be tied up and left alone when there are other people in our apartment who don’t know he’s tied up in another room. Is this a consent violation? Yes, but it’s a minor one, and I will allow it. To have a clearer conscience, let your friends know your boyfriend is in the apartment but he’s working on something and in the zone or not feeling well and under the covers—either way, he won’t be coming out to say hello. (For the record: Leaving someone alone in bondage is dangerous. If you’re going to do this dangerous thing—and I’m officially advising you not to do this dangerous thing—please follow the safety tips laid out in this post.)

SAVAGE LOVE

8. I’m in a sexless but otherwise wonderful marriage. Hubby knows about and supports my outside sex life. Recently, to my dismay, I contracted herpes. What are your thoughts about my obligation to tell potential sex partners? Most of them won’t wear condoms. Does your answer change if I’m on meds? Does your answer change if I’m with one person as opposed to a sex club? The two people I did tell ran for the hills. Your thoughts? People who have casual sex with multiple partners—one at a time or one right after the other in a sex club—are volunteering for herpes. And while I think you should disclose, I can certainly understand why you might hesitate, given the irrational reactions you’ve received from people who should know better.

9. My boyfriend comes in me frequently, but I’m not concerned about that. I have an IUD. However, I love to cum before and after

11. MM spanking. I want it. I know other boys are getting it, as I see their pics and videos all over Twitter. Why can’t I find it? “There’s a great app geared toward the MM spanking scene called whappz.com that I’ve had some luck with,” said The Spanking Boy, a gay spanking enthusiast who’s had a more luck

finding play partners than you and posts the proof on Instagram and Twitter (@thespankingboy). “But I’ve personally had a lot of luck just using Grindr and with the ‘spanking’ tag, a hot profile pic, and a bio that’s straight forward about what I’m looking for. A lot of men are into spanking and don’t even realize it—so, you just have to bring it up and see where it goes. With spanking and other kinks, it helps to be direct with what you’re looking for. And when I’m lucky enough to be talking to a real dad, I’ll say something like, ‘So, as a dad, do you think I deserve a spanking for showing off my bare bottom on Grindr and Twitter?’ The answer is almost always yes.” 12. What do you search for when looking for domination and submission? Take Spanking Boy’s advice and ask for what you want. If you’re a gay or bi man seeking D/s play, get on Recon. If you’re a straight or bi woman seeking D/s play, get on Fetlife or Feeld. But you can be out and kinky on “normal” dating apps, too, and being honest and direct with people you meet offline is a good strategy. (Remember: the people you meet in normie spaces assume you’re vanilla… and you’re not. They might not be either.) 13. I’m a gay male and I’ve been with my husband for 35 years. The sex has stopped. He has Crohn’s disease and feels a bit—to say the least—uncomfortable stopping sex to go take a shit in the middle of sex. I’m OK with it, but he uses it as an excuse to avoid it. Maybe I need to look outside our “love nest” for sex? You’re old like me, Dan. What would you do? If my partner wasn’t feeling up for butt stuff—especially if there was an underlying medical issue that made butt stuff impossible and/or uncomfortable and/or depressing—I would pivot to oral or mutual masturbation or an artfully deployed toy. He may not be able to

get fucked right now or anymore, but he might be able to put a Fleshlight between his legs and squeeze his thighs together, which would pretty effectively simulate penetrative sex. But if your partner has a chronic health problem that makes ass fucking impossible and you define sex as fucking your partner’s ass, well, then the sex is going to stop unless you get creative. 14. Eating butt—how clean does it need to be? For safety? Sparkling. For taste? You’re gonna want a little sweat—not fecal matter, not filth, just a little clean sweat from the gym, the dance floor, or a run. 15. Open/poly/married. We’re both talking to and flirting with the last people we were with before we met, fell in love with each other, and got married. Should we go for it? People are gonna want me to say something along the lines of, “What could possibly go wrong?!?,” thereby implying something almost certainly will go wrong. But in my experience, non-toxic exes who like your current partner (and partnership) are great regular guest stars. Rule of thumb: if they were at your wedding, that’s a good sign. 16. I’m almost four years widowed and miss sex. But I’m feeling too fragile for the app scene. I’m so sorry for your loss—and I hope you don’t mind that I’m answering your question in a Quickies column. If it had been four months or even a year, I would tell you to listen to your gut and wait. But at four years… you need to push yourself outside your comfort zone. Remember: you’re not obligated to meet up with anyone. And while you’re setting aside one gut feeling (still feeling fragile), you’re not deactivating your gut. If someone or something doesn’t feel right, you can and should listen to your gut and

bail. But it’s time to start taking risks again. I’ll be rooting for you. 17. My boyfriend of eight years has a thing that happens every once in a blue moon, and I would like to know if it happens to any other men out there. Every so often his dick appears to “molt” and in the process seems to grow a little. Like a snake shedding its skin. This has happened three times and he’s gotten noticeably bigger each time. Since we met, his cock went from 8 1/2 inches to almost 9. Have you ever heard of this? So, what you’re saying is that lizard people are real—they’re not just another lunatic rightwing conspiracy—and you’ve been fucking one since Donald Trump came down that escalator nine years ago. Coincidence? There are no coincidences. 18. I am a 42-year-old married mother of three. My husband has a heart of gold, is loving, committed and present for me and my family… and I’ve never been that sexually attracted to him. Now, almost 20 years in (and monogamous the entire time), I want to fuck other people. He tries in bed, but I am not satisfied. What do I do? I want to stay married, and I feel frustrated that I can’t resist the attention of a hot guy. Well, as I’ve repeatedly said, I think if you’re married to someone for decades and you only cheat on them once or twice, you were pretty good at monogamy. So, as you approach the twodecade mark, I hope you continue to be good at monogamy—and if your husband finds out you weren’t perfect at it at some point, well, here’s hoping he’s tolyamorous. 19. No question. Just wanted to thank you. Listening to you gave me the courage to be honest with my girlfriend. So, it’s thanks to you, Mr. Savage, that I have a wonderful fiancée now

who understands that, even though I’m straight, only gay men can suck my cock the way I need my cock sucked. Tell your fiancée I said, “Congrats!,” and tell your cocksuckers I said, “You’re welcome!” 20. Me: not using doxy pep, exclusive/not sleeping with other people. Him: using doxy pep, and open/sleeping with other people. Am I still at risk for the STIs doxypep counteracts? “I’m a huge fan of DoxyPEP for prevention of particularly syphilis and chlamydia (70-74% success rate in early studies) and less so gonorrhea (40-50%),” said Doctor Carlton (@doctorcarlton), a California-based gastroenterologist and gay sexual health advocate. “So, with these numbers, your reader is obviously still at risk from these STIs—and others DoxyPEP doesn’t cover—as it’s not 100% protection, even when taken properly. Nonetheless, it’s better than nothing if you’re having non-monogamous condomless sex!” 21. How do I stretch my foreskin? With as much force and velocity as you can muster up—just one massive, powerful tug is all it takes. 23. Are gay tops not interested in their partners’ dicks? Most gay men, tops and bottoms, are into dick. That said, there are tops out there who really don’t care whether a bottom has a dick or not. And while it’s fashionable to condemn these guys for being selfish, they make great sex partners for gay trans men and for gay cis men who want to have their cocks ignored, e.g., guys into caging, chastity, or look into a camera and say, “I’m just a hole, Sir,” and actually mean it. Got problems? Everyone does! Send your question to mailbox@savage.love! Podcasts, columns and more at Savage.Love.

ADOBE/ALEXKORAL

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59 Discoveries lake 61 Newsman 120 The Firebird guy Charles 121 Bald, as tires 64 ___ cable 122 Dispatches 65 Become vague 123 Sharp-tasting 66 (n.) one who 124 Authors keeps his gun near his shirt DOWN pocket 1 Supreme 69 Affectations Egyptian god 72 Intro to “Ike” 2 Myra in Myra 74 Tristan’s love Breckinridge 75 Pry 3 Tough 76 Wisconsin city 4 One way to vote 78 Max’s Emigrants 5 N.Y. women’s co-star college 80 Put out 6 Somewhat 82 She’s Mia in Pulp 7 Hayes of music Fiction 8 Like redwoods 83 Mecca folks 9 Adulterated 84 (n.) Indonesian 10 Henhouses island known for 11 Place for an ace its movie-star 12 Fact finisher tourists 13 Entertained 87 Taco toppers 14 (n.) a cannibal 89 Actress Winslet 15 “___ Rhythm” 90 Fail utterly 16 Solver’s help 91 (v.) remove 17 Peck, perhaps from boxes, as 19 Big snake bananas 94 Ralph Waldo et al. 23 Film fan’s channel, briefly 96 Mrs. Andy Capp 25 Made better, as 97 Bumbler cheddar 98 “Guess again” 28 O founder 102 Handouts 31 Zip, to Federer 103 Actress Ruby 34 Pessimistic 104 Seattle-area airport, Sea-___ 36 A law ___ itself 37 Slugger Mel 105 Truly intro 38 Set one back 106 Like vinegar 109 (n.) gas for people 39 (adj.) having a sexy physique who want to drive (said of Bo Derek) wherever the road 40 Spoken takes them 41 Irritate 112 Little one 43 “I’m all ___” 113 (adj.) tending to stammer in front 44 Sexy dance 45 Go head to head of dignitaries 47 Immobilize, 115 (adj.) to get a word in edgewise as a perp 5

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