Creative Loafing Tampa — February 23, 2023

PUBLISHER James Howard

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ray Roa

DIGITAL EDITOR Colin Wolf

MANAGING EDITOR Kyla Fields

STAFF WRITER Justin Garcia

FOOD and THEATER CRITIC

Jon Palmer Claridge

FILM & TV CRITIC John W. Allman

IN-HOUSE WITCH Caroline DeBruhl

CONTRIBUTORS Josh Bradley, Eric Snider, Arielle Stevenson

PHOTOGRAPHERS Nick Cardello, Dave Decker, Kimberly DeFalco, Phil DeSimone

SPRING INTERN Tyana Rodgers

Apply for summer via rroa@cltampa.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jack Spatafora

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Joe Frontel

ILLUSTRATORS Dan Perkins, Cory Robinson, Bob Whitmore

SeaWorld in February, animal rights claiming the practice of keeping wild dangerous. But even though public many don’t see a parallel between the kind and the practice of displaying animals asking for too much? Or is it time for a “entertainment” animals?

at SeaWorld in February, animal rights claiming the practice of keeping wild and dangerous. But even though public widespread, many don’t see a parallel between the kind Vick and the practice of displaying animals activists asking for too much? Or is it time for a “entertainment” animals?

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Anthony Carbone, Scott Zepeda

MARKETING, PROMOTIONS AND EVENTS DIRECTOR

Alexis Quinn Chamberlain

MARKETING, PROMOTIONS AND EVENTS COORDINATOR Lauren Caplinger

EUCLID MEDIA GROUP

Music: Tampa Bay Blues Fest 40

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Andrew Zelman

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICERS

Chris Keating, Michael Wagner

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Sarah Fenske

VP OF DIGITAL SERVICES Stacy Volhein

REGIONAL OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Hollie Mahadeo

DIGITAL OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

Jaime Monzon euclidmediagroup.com

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EDITORIAL POLICY — Creative Loafing Tampa 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

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

I do wish she was here so I could fight with her and argue with her.

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Ybor Festival of the Moving Image cltampa.com/arts

A candid interview with Wynonna Judd, p. 47.

debuts at Tampa Theatre this weekend, p. 44.

Bae-con

You came, you saw, you ate way more bacon than you ever expected. The most beautiful people in Tampa Bay all had a great time when Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s Brunched 2023 took over the Tampa River Center at Julian B. Lane Park during one of the most gorgeous days of the year, Thank you all for coming, and congrats to River’s Edge at Hotel Tampa Riverwalk, which won voting in the Bloody Mary Battle. See more photos via cltampa.com/slideshows.—Ray Roa

Photos by Nick Cardello

do this

Rogers Park History As part of Tampa Bay’s Black History Month programming, attendees can learn about the historic Rogers Park Golf Course and its service to the local Black community. Lionel Ballard (pictured), West Tampa native, author of a new book about the course, and outreach coordinator for First Tee of Tampa Bay, will host this educational event. When Rogers Park was constructed in 1952, it was one of the only places where Tampa’s Black residents could host picnics or other recreational activities. Guests will also have access to Black History Month activities that the History Center’s Teen Council will lead throughout the rest of the month. Saturday, Feb. 25. Noon-3 p.m. $16.95. Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Water St., Tampa. tampabayhistorycenter.org—Kyla Fields

Black History Month

Workday St. Pete Youth farm hosts community volunteer days throughout the year to support its mission of providing access to nutritious food in South St. Pete, but this weekend’s call to action is particularly important. Black History Month

Workday encourages community members to extend a helping hand at the urban farm whether you have a green thumb or not. “Culture and community are pillars of what we do at the farm, and providing space for the community to gather and have the opportunity to get involved and learn is important to us,” the farm’s Instagram reads. And if you can’t make it out to help this weekend, you can always donate directly to the St. Pete Youth Farm on its website. Saturday, Feb. 25.

9 a.m.-11 a.m.. St. Pete Youth Farm, 1664 12th St. S, St. Petersburg. stpeteyouthfarm. org—KF

19th Annual Get Rescued The Weiner Dog Derby is a big draw, but be ready to possibly bring home a new best friend at Gulfport’s “Get Rescued,” which has evolved from a block party to one of Florida’s largest animal rescue events. Expect adoptable animals, plus vendors, informational sessions, pet supply drive, fundraisers and more. And please, please, please while you’re there spread the word on a lost cat named Chappy—he’s a big, longhair black and white—who belongs to beloved animal advocate and author Arin Greenwood and was lost in Crescent Heights. Saturday, Feb 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 3101 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport. getrescuedinc.org—Ray Roa

5th Annual Tampa Taco Fest Get those Tums, Pepto Bismol and wet wipes ready, because the Tampa Taco Fest is making its yearly pilgrimage to Al Lopez Park. Taking place at Tampa’s Al Lopez Park, this popular food festival is back for another year of endless tacos, stiff margaritas, family-friendly activities and live entertainment. 2023’s rendition is kid and pet friendly as usual. Guests can expect a wide spread of tacos, of course—from quesabirria and al pastor to carne asada, chicken, seafood and more. Several vendors will also be slinging sides like elote and rice and beans, in addition to margaritas, cerveza and aguas frescas to help wash down your meaty feast. Saturday, Feb. 25. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. $7-$40. Al Lopez Park, 4810 N Himes Ave., Tampa. 813tacofest.com

The Helmet Art Show

2023 Local painters Chad Mize, Zulu Painter, Frank Strunk III, Jen Chandley and Audrey Jennifer (alongside many more) will display their decorated motorcycle helmets at this annual art show. Doors open at 4 p.m. but music won’t start until 7 p.m.

Local rockers Loose Talk, Deaf Company, FayRoy and Razor and the Boogiemen take the Floridian’s stage while the painted helmets are on display throughout the space. The venue will offer free motorcycle parking (while it lasts), in addition to various beer and cocktail specials.

Proceeds from the event benefit CASA Pinellas, which provides comprehensive domestic violence support services in Pinellas County. Sunday, Feb. 26 4 p.m. $10. Floridian Social, 687 Central Ave. N, St. Petersburg. floridiansocialclub.live—KF

Fiesta Day 2023 Once a year, the heart of Ybor City shuts down so Tampeños can celebrate the immigrant heritage and culture of the historic district. This year's Fiesta Day includes a variety of local vendors, businesses and restaurants, historical exhibits and live entertainment when this hyper-local celebration returns for its 76th year. This family-friendly celebration is free to attend, but make sure to bring enough cash for the dozens of local vendors that will be scattered across Seventh Avenue. Throughout Ybor City’s rich history, folks from Cuba, Africa, Germany, Spain ,Italy and beyond have made the district home, and Fiesta Day is the one time a year where we can celebrate Ybor City’s unique past. Saturday, Feb. 25. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Seventh Avenue, Ybor City. ybor.org—KF

Music School: The Art of Music

Happening inside Tempus Projects at Ybor City’s exciting new Kress Collective, Screen Door Microcinema co-founder Sean O’Brien reaches back to his music promoter days to stage this “Music School: The Art of Music” series where local creators explain their craft, take questions, and then play a show. Americana songwriter Matt Burke of Have Gun, Will Travel kicks it off, with Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s own Ray Roa moderating. Next Thursday, March 2. 6:30 p.m. $10. Tempus Projects, 1624 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. tempus-projects.com—RR

Black Love: Home Is Where the Heart Is feat. ‘Cabin In the Sky’ Tampa Theatre’s “Black Love” classics movie series wraps in downtown Tampa with one last Sunday matinee programmed in collaboration with the City of Tampa’s Community Engagement & Partnerships Department which aims to help Tampeños “explore journeys of discovery and the roads that lead back, as told by Black filmmakers and diverse casts.” Vincente Minnelli’s 1943 musical “Cabin In the Sky” (based on the 1940 Broadway musical of the same name) closes it out. Sunday, Feb. 26. 3 p.m. $7-$10. Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St., Tampa. tampatheatre.org—RR

ANTHONY MARTINO/GASPARILLA MUSIC FESTIVAL

POLITICS ISSUES OPINION

Unsure on PURE City

Council candidates unite against mayor’s wastewater plan.

By Ray Roa

From a crowded stage in a sold-out ballroom, incumbent Tampa City Councilman Bill Carlson told politicos that conflict among council members and the division between city council and Mayor Jane Castor are overblown by the media and pushed by the city’s communication department. His statement last Friday afternoon was in response to a member of Tampa’s Tiger Bay Club, who alleged that citizens have been disappointed with decorum in city hall.

“We sit there for 12, 14, 16 hour days and you might see a two-minute dispute over 50 meetings a year that last 12 or 14 hours,” Carlson said. “Council gets along very well. I encourage you to do is look at how we treat each other at events like this, and look at how we talk to each other.”

Carlson added that he recently had a meeting with Castor’s chief of staff to ask what council can do to better get along with the mayor. “I said for the 10th time: ‘Tell me what we can do to get along with each other. I’m going to be completely committed after I win to make sure we all get along,” he explained.

The response drew a big applause at The Cuban Club in Ybor City, and even prompted Carlson’s opponent in the District 4 race to agree with him.

“Some of this is overblown,” Blake Casper, who literally had to fly in to file his council paperwork in the 11th hour, said. “We do have to address differences, right? Just like in this room, right? We’re not going to agree on everything.”

That wasn’t all Casper and Carlson agreed on. Both made clear their positions against the Castor administration’s “PURE” drinking water plan.

Last fall, Tampa City Council called for a “radical restart” on the mayor’s controversial proposal to divert treated wastewater to the Hillsborough River and potentially use it to augment the city’s drinking supply. Proponents of the plan said the city was under pressure to comply with Florida Senate Bill 64, which requires municipalities to implement new wastewater procedures by Jan. 1, 2028. But last December, Charlie Frago reported that it was actually lobbyists for the City of Tampa who helped craft that very legislation.

“I’m against toilet for tap,” Casper said, siding with most of the nine candidates at the forum, running for seats in Districts 4, 5 and 6.

Nicole Payne, Hoyt Prindle, Rick Fifer—all candidates for District 6—all opposed PURE,

along with Councilman Orlando Gudes, who is running for re-election in District 5. Only Charlie Miranda—now running in District 6 after terming out in District 2—did not explicitly disapprove of PURE.

Tyler Barrett, running in District 6, said he was not 100% ready to speak on PURE, but promised to continue doing his homework. Gwendolyn Henderson—who switched from the District 3 race to District 5 after Jeffrey Rhodes dropped out—said she, too, would need more information.

The rest of the nearly hour-long forum, however, did shed light on discrepancies between the candidates who hope to be sworn into Tampa City Council this summer.

Most had different takes on what the mayor’s done well. Some praised her diverse staff, with

one cheer, then a chorus of boos as he tried to find something he didn’t agree with the mayor on.

“This isn’t a disagreement, but I think getting the right chief and in that position this time is something that I’ve been very focused on,” Casper added, alluding to disgraced chief Mary O’Connor, who was selected by Castor despite outcry from the community.

Asked by a Tiger Bay member about what issues the candidates disagree with the mayor on, Henderson stopped short of a disagreement but mentioned the challenging communication surrounding bidding for the City Center at Hanna Avenue project, which ballooned from $6.2 million to over $100 million without a public bid. “If I got a face to face with the mayor, I would want to know what happened there,” Henderson told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay in a phone call after the forum.

balance for the council and also for the administration,” Payne added. “I don’t believe that we should have an administration that is the voice of one. The administration should reflect the voice of many.”

ELECTIONS

Election Day is Tuesday, March 7 votehillsborough.gov

Prindle returned to his opposition of PURE. “Rarely ever have I seen a project that is supported by almost no one in the community be so heavily pushed for and that’s a little bit troubling,” Prindle said. “And so I appreciate the members of city council who have shown leadership to provide appropriate checks and balances to make sure that we’re not injecting forever chemicals into our aquifer.”

Miranda contended that he does not “agree or disagree with the mayor,” adding that he votes “the way I feel is best for the public.” He did bring up the City Center at Hanna project and asked anybody who’s a renter to raise their hand.

Gudes mentioned his disagreement with the mayor over charter amendments, citing inter -

“If you don’t build that, you’re going to be renting for the rest of your life… and you’re never gonna get anything done right,” Miranda said as he started on a trademark screed that prematurely ended when the mic inadvertently cut out.

And while some candidates on the forum stage tried to downplay the checks and balances, or perceived power struggles between Tampa’s executive and legislative branch, the most notable answers in last Friday’s Tampa Tiger Bay forum did center around council’s relationship with the mayor’s office.

Gudes went back to being a ball coach, saying that you have to respect everybody on the field, even when there’s disagreements. He talked about some of the compromises he’s made on his votes, but added that “you also have to have leadership” and bring your experience to the table to render support for ideas.

“We’re not always going to agree with the mayor, and that’s not our job to always agree with the mayor,” Gudes said. “Our job is to question what goes on in the city. Our job is to question the money in this city.”

Carlson lauding Castor’s hiring of Development & Economic Opportunity Nicole Travis. Prindle appreciated her handling of COVID in its early stages. Barrett lauded the mayor’s effort on sustainability. Gudes approved of how she came around to helping East Tampa.

Casper, a developer and McDonald’s heir who gave a shitload of money to Ron DeSantis, agreed with the mayor’s stance against letting voters decide on charter amendments in the upcoming election. “I believe in a strong mayor and that council needs to stay in its lane,” he said, eliciting

pretation of the city’s constitution and the way it allocates power. Last month, Tampa city council rejected four of five controversial Castor vetoes that attempted to prevent voters from making changes to the charter. “It’s not a matter of this council trying to be against a strong mayor form of government,” Gudes said. “The government has to be transparent for all people.”

Payne said she also disagreed with the mayor’s veto over sending proposed charter changes to voters. “I believe that you should have a strong city council that supports the people and is a check and

Barrett, who recently was the victim of anti-LGBTQ verbal attacks and stalking on the campaign trail, agreed that he believes in compromise, adding that, “I also believe you have to stand for something.”

He pointed to his background in community organizing and asked the room to look up the meaning of the word “agitation.”

“Being an agitator doesn’t mean being dysfunctional or confrontational. It means not being afraid to ask the hard questions that people are afraid to talk about,” he said.

“The administration should reflect the voice of many.”

CROWDED HOUSE: Tampa City Council candidates in Districts 4, 5 and 6.

Never forget

Indigenous group to honor 50th anniversary of Wounded Knee occupation.

By Justin Garcia

On Sunday, Indigenous activists will hold a rally in Tampa to honor an occupation that defied the U.S. government and ended in bloodshed.In 1973, around 200 Native Americans took over Wounded Knee, South Dakota, where hundreds of their ancestors were brutally massacred 83 years earlier as genocide was enacted upon their people. For more than two months, members of the Oglala Lakota tribe and the militant activist group the American Indian Movement (AIM) maintained the occupation, to the ire of U.S. Marshals and the FBI.

The Natives demanded that the U.S. government stop violating treaties they had agreed to, but were instead met with aggression. Armed law enforcement surrounded the area and tensions escalated. From March through April of that year, several volleys of gunfire had been unleashed. By the end of the occupation that May, two AIM members were dead, and a U.S. Marshall was left paralyzed.

and Platt Street—be removed because for Indigenous people, Columbus represents genocide, slavery and pedophilia. But for three decades local leadership has ignored the demands.

After a protest last year, two Indigenous men were charged with misdemeanors by the Tampa Police Department for allegedly vandalizing the statue, which was covered with removable fake blood toward the end of the gathering.

“The City of Tampa has doubled down on its symbolic support of the genocide of Indigenous peoples by protecting the Columbus statue at all costs,” FIA wrote. The group is calling for those charges to be dropped.

LOCAL NEWS

Sunday,

“Undoubtedly the liberation of Wounded Knee shocked the world and ensured the world knew American Indians were still alive and resisting,” FIA wrote in a statement about the event.

On Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. the Florida Indigenous Alliance (FIA) will host an event to remember the original massacre and the occupation of 1973. The group will hold the commemoration at Columbus Statue Park in South Tampa, a site that Natives have protested against for over 30 years.

The gathering will honor the history of Wounded Knee, but also to shine light on the contemporary issues that Natives are reckoning with, both nationally and locally.

FIA wants Tampa’s statue of Columbus— at the intersection of Bayshore Boulevard

Also last year during the Indigenous Day of Mourning, known to many as Thanksgiving, FIA members arrived at the statue to hold prayer, but the city had erected a fence around the area. FIA said that the fence was a violation of the federal American Indian Religious Freedom Act, which says that any site classified as a ceremonial site by Natives shall be accessible to for ceremonial purposes.

During the event, FIA will also honor Manuel “Tortuguita” Terán. The Indigenous environmentalist was killed by law enforcement earlier this year during a raid on activists who are trying to stop Atlanta’s “cop city.” Terán was killed under highly suspicious circumstances and shot at least 13 times by police.

Family, friends and activists who were close to the activist claim Terán was murdered in cold blood. Terán’s killing, along with other current issues such as the movement to regain stolen Native land, also referred to as “Land Back” will be discussed during the event.

TIME’S UP: Natives have protested Tampa’s Columbus statue for more than 30 years.

DAVE DECKER

Wounded Knee rally

Feb. 26, 1 p.m. Columbus Statue Park, 300 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa. @flaindianalliance on Facebook

Not so fast

Tampa o cer denied qualified immunity in wrongful death case.

By Justin Garcia

As the family of Dusharn Weems seeks justice in court for their loved one who died after being run over by a Tampa Police Department officer, the cops have tried to use a controversial legal doctrine to have the case thrown out. But a judge has ruled against TPD’s argument for qualified immunity, which is often used to protect officers accused of wrongdoing, leading police transparency advocates to call for an end to it.

Court documents obtained by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay show that Judge Mary Scriven wrote on Jan. 30 that TPD couldn’t prove Weem’s constitutional rights were upheld when he was run over—which is required in cases where qualified immunity is utilized.

On Oct. 20, 2017, Weems was running on foot from a police traffic stop where he was pulled over in a vehicle that was reported stolen two days earlier. Officer Brian Kremler pursued him into a nearby parking lot and drove toward Weems until his squad car collided with him, dashcam video shows. “Well, you ain’t going nowhere,” Kremler said after Weems hit the ground.

TPD said in the court documents that it wasn’t Kremler’s voice in the video, but provided no evidence. The court also noted that it seemed like the officer didn’t hurry to help the man who he had just run into. “It does not appear from the dash cam video that officer Kremler rushed to provide immediate aid to Weems,” the court filing said.

The 23-year-old died four days later in the hospital due to the injuries sustained by the collision, leaving behind a young daughter. He was unarmed when Kremler struck him.

According to a 2019 Tampa Bay Times article that was published when the family filed its lawsuit, an autopsy found that Weems died from blunt impact to the head that resulted in a skull fracture, causing contusions and lacerations on his brain. No media alert was issued when Weems went to the hospital, and his devastated family had to find out on their own that he was hooked up to life support in the days before he passed.

The coroner’s report listed Weems’ death as an accident, saying that he was “struck by police cruiser while running through parking lot.”

However, as Judge Scriven pointed out in court filings, Kremler and TPD’s claim that his striking of Weems was purely accidental hasn’t been proven.

Scriven said that the Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizure by law enforcement. She added that Officer Kremler contends that the evidence supports that he did not technically “seize” Weems, because he claims he did not intentionally strike Weems with his vehicle.

Kremler argues instead that Weems ran into the passenger side of his vehicle and that he did not use the vehicle to stop or strike Weems as a maneuver to end the foot chase. In his deposition, Kremler had even argued that he somehow didn’t even see his vehicle and Weems collide. But Scriven pointed out that when viewing the dashboard camera video, it’s not so cut and dry.

“The Court finds that there is record evidence that could support Plaintiff’s contention that Officer Kremler intentionally struck Weems with his vehicle,” Scriven wrote.

quick turn to the right, striking Weems’ body,” Scriven wrote.

“Additionally, Officer Kremler’s alleged statement immediately after the collision, ‘Well you ain’t going anywhere,’ which can be heard on Officer Kremler’s camera, supports Plaintiff’s contention that the collision was an intentional maneuver to use this deadly force to detain Weems,” Scriven continued.

She added that a reasonable jury “could determine that Officer Kremler intentionally struck Weems with his vehicle for the purpose of seizing him.” Scriven said that a jury could also conclude that if a seizure of Weems did occur, that it could be seen as unreasonable under the Fourth Amendment.

LOCAL NEWS

She said that in the video, Weems can be seen looking over his left shoulder at the vehicle as it approaches him, and, as he does so, he attempts to veer to the right, away from the vehicle just prior to contact.

“The video also can be viewed as showing that Officer Kremler turned his vehicle slightly to the left, away from Weems, before making a

Last week, TPD confirmed that Kremler is no longer employed there. TPD did not clarify the reason why Kremler is no longer with the department, but FDLE documents say that he voluntarily separated from the department in November of 2019.

In the court filing, several examples of previous court cases where it was ruled that officers are required to judge use of force based on the situation at hand were provided.

TPD officers have argued that Weems posed a substantial threat to officers, even though his back was turned and he was running away when he was hit. But Scriven pointed out that once Weems left his car unarmed, he no longer posed any kind of threat to officers.

“Moreover, any vehicular threat that Weems may have posed to others while behind the wheel of the Infiniti no longer existed when he encountered Officer Kremler,” Scriven said.

None of the officers involved claimed that there was ever a radio call-out to announce that Weems was a danger, Scrivens wrote. There was an object in his hand but it was identified as an empty Crown Royal bag. None of the cops mentioned the bag as a danger. “There is sufficient evidence, taken in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, from which a reasonable jury could find that Officer Kremler acted willfully or with malice when he used clearly excessive force to seize Weems,” Scriven wrote.

After her decision to deny qualified immunity and proceed with the case, TPD has the opportunity to appeal, a process that could play out over several months. TPD has not responded to a request for comment on the judge’s denial of qualified immunity.

JHVEPHOTO/ADOBE

TAPE DON’T LIE: TPD said Kremler’s voice wasn’t in the video, but provided no evidence.

MARCH 4-5

FREE ADMISSION

The 53rd Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts – one of the top outdoor, juried fine arts shows in the United States – will once again inspire and unite us in 2023. We invite you to join us at the stunning Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in downtown Tampa to experience the power of the arts.

• More than 250 artists

• Local Artists Spotlight

• Educational and interactive activities and displays

• Children’s activities

• The Showcase, celebrating the award-winning artists

• Local food and refreshing drinks

• Live music

PRESENTS PRESENTS HOTELTAMPARIVERWALK

Independence, please

Council asks for changes in ordinance related to Tampa police board.

By Justin Garcia

Last Thursday, Tampa’s city attorney was asked to make some changes to an ordinance that could give the police review board an independent attorney, and bring the potential law back before council next month.

The request came after council voted for the city to create language that could allow the Police Citizens Review Board (CRB) to obtain independent legal representation. Police transparency advocates say that the CRB having its own lawyer will help avoid a conflict of interest, because city staff lawyers often represent TPD in lawsuits.

But when City Attorney Andrea Zelman provided a draft of the ordinance before the meeting, council members noticed some adjustments that went beyond what they originally requested. Some council members felt that the language crafted by Zelman could potentially make the CRB attorney less independent and more under the control of Mayor Jane Castor’s administration, which has pushed back on police transparency efforts for years.

the CRB shall be represented by an independent attorney.

Zelman’s ordinance had used language that was more vague, saying, “Should a majority of the CRB vote to hire an attorney who is not a city employee to serve as their legal advisor” then the City of Tampa would hire one. Hurtak made it clear that it was council’s decision as elected officials that the CRB should have an independent attorney to avoid conflict of interest, and that should the ordinance pass, the CRB would definitely be hiring an independent attorney.

LOCAL NEWS

She also pointed out that the ordinance’s language should make it extra clear that the attorney will definitely be independent from Castor’s administration. To this point, Councilman Luis Viera suggested that the independent attorney be defined as a “privately retained non-city employee.”

Early last week, the ACLU Greater Tampa Chapter pointed out that some of the verbiage in Zelman’s memo could hinder the efficacy of the independent attorney role. So council asked Zelman to revise some of the points of the ordinance that she presented, specifically in regards to the hiring of the attorney.

Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak—who last month made the motion for the independent attorney ordinance after Castor vetoed the public’s right to vote on the matter—said that a couple things needed to change. The most major adjustment she asked for was to have a sentence in the ordinance that clearly says

Hurtak also asked for the ordinance to make clear that selection of the attorney would be done by the CRB itself and not by the city attorney’s office. “I would say, ‘the CRB may establish procedures to review and select its legal advisor’,” Hurtak said. Zelman’s current ordinance wasn’t as clear as what Hurtak suggested. It instead read that the CRB would “review and provide its recommendations to the city attorney for selection of a CRB legal advisor.”

Hurtak requested that Zelman come back with the changes by March 16 for the first reading of the ordinance. Two separate readings and two separate votes are required for the ordinance to be made into law.

Councilmen Charlie Miranda, Guido Maniscalco and Joe Citro voted against Hurtak’s suggestions, making it a close but passing vote.

In the re-zone

Amendment that could bring housing density to St. Pete advances.

By Arielle Stevenson

Arezoning amendment increasing residential density in St. Pete is moving forward. Last week St. Petersburg’s Community Planning and Preservation Commission (CPPC) approved its recommendations to the city council which meets again March 2. The amendment means developers or owners in certain areas could expand one housing unit into four. If approved by city council, the rezoning of 2,897 parcels across the city is possible.

The CPPC meeting lasted three-and-a-half hours, with over half that time being public comment in opposition. Stephanie Pitts, past neighborhood president of Crescent Heights and a resident for over 30 years, says the plan is a further encroachment.

“As a neighborhood, we have tried so many different options over the years to keep our neighborhoods intact,” Pitts told commissioners. “Somewhere, somehow, you guys need to understand that we need to preserve our neighborhoods.”

Derek Kilborn, manager of St. Petersburg’s Urban Planning and Historic Preservation Division, presented to CPPC in favor of the changes. He said the rezoning project began in 2017 as a way to provide housing diversity for those referred to as the “missing middle,” a concept that’s somewhat prevalent in neighborhoods like Hyde Park in South Tampa.

“Missing middle refers to the gap that exists between singlefamily houses and large-scale multifamily complexes,” Kilborn explained.

For a city in the midst of an affordable housing crisis, density is key. But CPPC Commissioner Manitia Moultrie, vice president of engineering and consulting firm Golder Associates, wondered about any stormwater studies. “Did your stormwater engineering group evaluate that increase to see what the overall impact would be? Did you do that to all the properties proposed?” Moultrie asked.

“I don’t recall a specific study or analysis that was performed by the engineering or public works department,” Kilborn said.

Kilborn noted none of the current properties are in the city’s coastal high-hazard area. The areas are currently zoned as NT-1 and NT-2 (neighborhood traditional), with restrictions on how many accessory dwelling units or ADUs like garage apartments are allowed. Under the city’s plan, those areas would become NTM-1 (neighborhood traditional mixed

“The fact that we are a national historic district, which promotes the preservation of our historical character, is in direct conflict with the request to build larger structures with upzoning,” Alexis Baum, president of the Historic Kenwood Neighborhood Association, said.

Baum asked the CPPC to make an exception to the rezoning plan for national register districts like historic Kenwood. Kilborn says that there are similar parcels in Uptown Round Lake, North Shore, and Roser Park. A motion to recommend those exemptions to the city council passed unanimously.

only occurs on future major roads with at least four lanes to curb the influx of traffic.

HOUSING

Some residents say they were never notified of the proposed changes. Resident Deborah Martohue is a land use attorney, landscape architect, and certified planner. She says she never got notice and lives just 15-feet away from affected properties.

“I can assure you that every development that I’ve represented in 30 years would have never gotten away with not notifying people across the alley with this type of rezoning going on,” Martohue said.

Kilborn says all necessary notifications were delivered and documented by the city. Martohue gathered her neighbors recently to speak with city council member Lisset Hanewicz about the project.

“She said it’s basically a done deal,” Martohue said. “I know there’s nothing any of us can do, but I’m still gonna complain.”

The CPPC’s acting chair Lisa Wannemacher, founder and architect behind local firm Wannemacher Jensen Architects, says she supports the plan and would like to expand the rezoning.

“Density is not a bad word, and it can be done well,” Wannemacher said last Tuesday. “If I’m honest, I would like to see it affect more parcels.”

Commissioner Todd Pressman said the issue boils down to density for the “missing middle.”

“Where are we gonna put density? Direction of staff is to increase housing diversity,” Pressman said. “What we’ve heard today is the haves versus the have nots.”

Local homeowner Judith Turner says this isn’t the right solution to the housing crisis.

“We don’t have a housing shortage...zoning will not create affordable housing, rent won’t drop just because there’s more,” Turner said.

Commissioner Moultrie was the lone no vote.

residential) meaning single-family homes could be developed into four residential unit apartments, townhomes, or condos. According to Kilborn,169 parcels are in a national register district, and another 70 are in local historic districts.

It remains to be seen whether short-term rentals like Airbnb are allowed under the proposed changes—something ADU advocates have dealt with in Tampa. A second motion passed recommending that rezoning

“We’re not targeting areas we’ve already upzoned,” Moultrie said. “I’m concerned with what this looks like with developers coming in. I understand the need but we could come up with a better solution.”

St. Pete City Council meets two more times on the proposed changes, with public comment. The first meeting is scheduled for March 2.

FRIDAY 17

Shit Happened

MONDAY 20

A new proposal in Florida would turn good boys into bad boys by criminalizing just about every dog’s favorite way to travel. The bill, written by a Democrat, would not allow “a dog to extend its head or any other body part outside a motor vehicle window while the person is operating the motor vehicle on a public roadway.” And this is how it gets worse for Florida Dems.

SUNDAY 19

On Truth Social, former President Donald Trump forcefully repudiated the “Meatball Ron” nickname for Ron DeSantis as “totally inappropriate,” in a post that nonetheless found other ways to insult his onetime political ally and endorsed candidate. Can these clowns just mud wrestle already?

The City of Tampa announces that its annual River O’Green St. Patrick’s Day celebration is coming back next month. Now we can all watch the waters around downtown Tampa turn from brown to green.

A Florida Republican files a bill that would prohibit considering ‘social, political or ideological interests’ in government contracting. But doesn’t the state just bow to the ‘social, political or ideological interests’ of the guv right now, anyway?

Tampa Bay’s ‘ABBA House’ is back on the market with a $1 million price cut. That’s a lot of “Money, Money, Money” to leave on the table.

More shit, dyeing its bath water green to get ready for St. Paddy’s Day, via cltampa.com/news.

CITYOFTAMPA/TWITTER

RESTAURANTS RECIPES DINING GUIDES

Eatin’ good

25 Black-owned restaurants in Tampa Bay everyone should know about.

By Tyana Rodgers

There’s plenty of praise to pass around when it comes to Tampa Bay’s restaurants. But any examination of our local dining scene isn’t complete without recognizing our rich history and tradition of Black-owned bars and restaurants in the region. Since February is Black History month, here are some incredible spots you should check out.

7th + Grove Southern restaurant and lounge 7th and Grove is the perfect harmony of good food and good vibes. Offering a menu stacked full of southern favorites like, catfish nuggets, fried alligator tail and seared salmon. The cocktail menu offers great pairings like the Beyoncé, which is made with Hennessy, lemonade, simple syrup, topped with champagne. 1930 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. 7thandgrove.com

Al’s Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que

If you see chickens in the alley you are most likely in front of Al’s Finger Licking Good BarB-Que. Serving up Tennessee-style barbecue, menu favorites include Sparky’s Pulled Pork, Aunt Nita’s Black Eyed Peas, and Mazie’s ServeIt-Up Yellow Rice and Chicken. 1609 Angel Oliva Senior St., Ybor City. alsybor.com

Big John’s Alabama BBQ Big John’s is known for its signature sauce and open pit-style barbequing using oak wood. Using a 40 yearold technique, the meat forward menu includes center cut, thin end, and sausage. Side dishes include macaroni and cheese, baked beans, collard greens, potato salad and cornbread. Say hey to pitmaster Corey Miller when you stop in. 5707 N 40th St., Tampa. bigjohnsalabamabbq.com

Bruh Mans BBQ Bruh Mans specializes in smoked proteins and southern style cuisine with various desserts and side dishes to add to your meal. Ribs, chicken, sausage and brisket are some of the featured smoked proteins on the menu. 2702 E Busch Blvd., Tampa. bruh-mansbbq.business.site

Burnz Located in the heart of West Tampa, Burnz (not to be confused with “Bern’s”) serves authentic Caribbean, Latin and classic Soul Food cuisine in an elevated setting. The menu includes highlights like, jerk cauliflower, gumbo and smoked oxtail. Grab a Burnz signature cocktail like the Casamigos sour punch crafted with Casamigos and sour mix. 1704 N Howard Ave., Tampa. burnzrbg.com

Chief’s Creole Cafe Enjoy a taste of Louisiana at Chief’s Creole Cafe, a St. Pete staple owned by Elihu and Carolyn Brayboy. The menu highlights vegan and non-vegan options like spicy jambalaya and popular gumbo (packed with chicken, shrimp, crab and crawfish) and plant-based versions of its gumbo. 901 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg. chiefscreole.com

Copa Located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg’s Edge district, Copa is the place for wine and beer lovers. Copa was designed and created by local brothers Maxim and Sebastien Thuriere, and offers a fusion of international

Jerk Hut Island Grille & Beach Club For over 25 years, Andrew Ashmeade’s Jerk Hut has served Jamaican cuisine and drinks to the Tampa area with food that takes you on a quick trip to the islands. Not only can you get curry chicken, jerk chicken and yuca, there’s also a fully stocked bar that serves up rum punch and Jamaican iced tea. 1241 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. jerkhut.com

Ladies of the Sea & Soulfood Whether you like soul food or seafood, Ladies of the Sea & Soulfood has a variety of options for both. The spot has been open for over 25 years and serves classics like conch, snow crab trays, jerk chicken, shila (a traditional rice dish originating from Georgia) plus fried fish and shrimp. 2705 E Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa. Ladies of the Sea & Soul on Facebook

Mama’s Southern Cooking If you’re looking for classic, homestyle goodness, Mama’s

soul food like turkey wings, collard greens, plus homemade mac and cheese. 9718 N 56th St., Temple Terrace. mangoscateringservice.com

The Outside Kitchen Located near the intersection of Hillsborough and 40th Street, The Outside Kitchen has a menu packed with flavor. Make sure you get there early because the kitchen is known for selling out quickly. The rotating menu includes glazed lamb chops, jerk crab cakes, shrimp and grits, bang bang pasta and rasta pasta. 5110 N 40th St., Tampa. @chef. jmagic on Instagram

Queen of Sheba Queen of Sheba owner Seble Gizaw curated a menu focused solely on traditional Ethiopian cuisine with a weekday lunch buffet. The food is served on a traditional flatbread called teff and if you’re new to Ethiopian cuisine, start with the Queen’s Eight Platter, loaded with four beef and chicken samplings, alongside four veggie choices. 11001 N 56th St., Temple Terrace. ethiopianrestauranttampa.com

Rays Vegan Soul Ray Milton, the owner of Rays Vegan Soul, combines soul food with a vegan twist. Menu items like cashew-based mac and cheese, African almond soup and quinoa meatloaf are on the lineup. Try the local kombucha, stick around for live jazz music on Sundays. If you want to indulge in your sweet tooth, options like plum cobbler and sweet potato pie are also on the menu. 1330 49th St. S, Gulfport. raysvegansoul.com

Red’s BBQ If you smell smoked turkey and the aroma of pecan smoke you are outside of Red’s BBQ food truck. Owned by brothers Joshua and Christian Jackson, the popular St. Pete food truck is known for slow-smoked meats and loaded dinner platters. Popular menu items include candied fried chicken, smoked lamb chops, and St. Louis-style ribs. Common side dishes like mac and cheese, collard greens and dirty rice complete the Southern and Creolethemed menu. 3325 5th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. @redsbbqfoodtruck on Facebook

dishes, such as jerk tofu spring rolls, seared ahi tuna plus copa tostones. 1047 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. copadtsp.com

House of Vegano If you have never heard of vegan sushi, well then House of Vegano should be your first stop. Owned by Thalia Tathaman and located within Body Electric Athletic Company, the menu includes Jamaican twists to the Japanese cuisine with dishes like oxtail dumplings and curry ramen, in addition to traditional flavors like miso and tonkatsu. 655 31st St. S Ste. A, St. Petersburg. houseofvegano.com

Southern Cooking is the spot for it. For over 15 years, Chef Reaves and Katrina have been whipping up classics like porkchop sandwiches, chicken liver and beef tips. 3701 E Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Tampa. mamassoulfoodrestaurant.com

Mangos Serving up Caribbean and Haitian Creole cuisine Mangos is a Temple Terrace favorite. The restaurant itself has a Haitian menu, a Caribbean menu, a soul food menu, and brunch menu on Sundays. Food selections like Jamaican patties, jerk chicken, and curry goat are staples across the menus with highlights of traditional

Roam Curated by the duo behind Red’s BBQ, Roam is French and New York steakhouse with a Southern twist. The rotating menu highlights staples like alfredo cavatelli, and a drink menu that contains signature cocktails like The Dirty Peach crafted with whiskey, lemon, peach, simple, and dirty cherry. 3405 34th St. N, St. Petersburg. roamsteakhouse.com

Rosebar Located in SoHo, Rosebar features cuisines from Latin, French, Italian, Asian, Caribbean, Mediterranean, and AfricanAmerican cultures. Menu highlights include

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continued from page 31 lamb lollipops, salmon sliders, and voodoo pasta. Signature cocktails like the espresso martini and Toki Highball crafted with Toki Japanese whiskey, lemon, white pepper and sparkling water. 122 S Howard Ave., Tampa. rosebartampa.com

Soulful Flavors Owner Andre Warren whips up Southern-style staples with various seafood selections, too. The rotating menu offers seafood eggrolls, Hennessy flavored wings and oxtails. But besides the soul food, there’s a full bar with hookah available, and don’t skip the Sunday brunch with bottomless mimosas and lobster tail and grits. 2001 E Fowler Ave. Unit B, Tampa. soulfulflavorsseffner.com

Steaming Pots One of the only west African spots in Tampa, Steaming Pots has a menu

packed with African flavors, like egusi with goat, attieke (cassava) with fish, and groundnut na peanut soup. 1109 W Waters Ave. Suite B, Tampa. @steamingpotstampa on Facebook

Thee Burger Spot A one-stop shop for burgers, Thee Burger Spot is known for having the best burgers in Tampa. Owned by husband and wife duo Joe and Tivona Hill, the neighborhood fave is known for whipping up unique burgers like the pizza burger, which is a quarter pound patty with pizza sauce, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, white American cheese on grilled Texas toast. 3917 N Tampa St., Tampa. theeburgerspot.com

Restaurant and Lounge takes diners straight to the Caribbean, with a menu curated of Caribbean classics like oxtail and beans, callaloo and fried plantains. 9291 Dr. M.L.K. Jr St. N, St. Petersburg. ti-bamboo-caribbean-restaurant-and-lounge.business.site

DINING GUIDE

Ti Bamboo Hard to miss because of the huge Bob Marley mural by Derek Donnelly on the outside, St. Pete’s Ti Bamboo Caribbean

Wing Boyz Known for over 100 wing flavors, WingBoys—with locations at the Citrus Park Mall and 4990 E Busch Blvd.—has plenty of flavors, like garlic, Buffalo, lemon pepper, ranch, Cajun, teriyaki, honey, bourbon, blue cheese and jerk. Besides sauced up flats and drums, the husband and wife duo Javier Rodriguez and Angelica Torres, also have a menu packed with non wing options like melts, wraps and bowls. Multiple locations. wingboys100.com

Yah Mon At Yah Mon, husband and wife duo Andre and Janise Thompson transport diners to the Caribbean with their spread of traditional island dishes. Casual dishes like stir-fry cabbage, banana fritters, brown stew chicken and curried tofu can be found on the menu. 301 W Platt St. Unit C, Tampa. yahmontampa.com

Yuppi At Yuppi’s two locations—and especially at its Ybor City counter on 7th Avenue—Executive Chef Kyle Luke is known for whipping up the infamous “Yuppi Wings,” with a sauce that is sweet, savory, and tangy (definitely squeeze the lime on it). The half and half special is great for newcomers because it features a little bit of everything, two proteins, and two sides. Choose between fish, shrimp and the Yuppi pattie, which is actually a plant-based burger. theblackchefs.com

SAW RED: Brothers Joshua and Christian Jackson run one of St. Pete’s most popular food trucks.

CITYOFSTPETE/FLICKR

On cloud wine

Downtown Tampa’s new fancy wine and bottle shop, plus more food news.

By Kyla Fields

Shortly following the debut of its Hyde Park Village bubbly-centric lounge Bouzy, comes two more brand new concepts from Cru Hospitality, the parent company of the popular wine bar Cru Cellars. New bar and restaurant Small Giant plus wine and modern spirits shop Wine on Water both opened at Water Street Tampa last weekend.

Small Giant celebrated its grand opening last Friday, Feb. 17 at 1011 E Cumberland Ave., while its retail sibling opened around the corner at 1057 Water St. two days beforehand. While Small Giant boasts a large dining room with approachable food and drink options—like Columbus-style pizza and popular cocktails—Wine on Water provides a more intimate sipping experience on its outdoor patio or nine-person tasting table. In addition to its selection of hundreds of local and international bottles, Wine on Water will also offer rotating by-the-list glasses of wine, different educational programs and tasting events. Bottles range from $15-$150, with most being in the $20-$40 range, Wine on Water General Manager Morgan Sarro, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. There’ll be a corkage fee for anyone who wants to consume on site, with Small Giant plates available to order, too. waterstreettampa.com

Openings

OPENINGS

Brandon’s first drive-thru Chipotle Because it’s a known fact that residents of Brandon are conditioned to be in their cars for long periods of time, it only makes sense that they’re getting one of Tampa Bay’s first Chipotle drive-thrus. Last Thursday Brandon’s first “Chipotlane” debuted at the 11137 Causeway Blvd. location. The drive-thru is not your standard drive-thru where you can place orders directly at the window, instead it is a drive-thru pickup lane that allows guests to conveniently pick up digital orders without leaving their cars.Guests who enroll in Chipotle Rewards by March 6 will earn a free side of guac dropped into their rewards account, as part of the company’s new “Freepotle” perk. Florida got its very first taste of a “Chipotlane” back in 2019 when it first debuted in Orlando. The Sunshine State is now home to over 25 “Chipotlanes” with more planned to open this year. 11137 Causeway Blvd., Brandon. chipotle.com–Tyana Rodgers Detroit Wing Co. Feeling saucy? The Michigan-based wing chain Detroit Wing Company opened its first Florida location in Tampa last weekend. Located at 5006 E Fowler Ave., the spot has 20 wing sauces and six variations of dry rubs. If wings aren’t your thing, the menu also has

various types of mac ‘n cheese, cornbread bites, poutine and seasoned fries. The big thing here is beer and sauce pairings. An interactive menu on the company’s website shows what beers taste best with each sauce. For example, the company’s spiciest flavor, Hot Garlic, pairs best with a hoppy/ bitter brew, like a Bell’s Two Hearted, says the site. The chain first opened in Eastpointe, Michigan in 2015 and currently has over 30 restaurants, mostly in Michigan and Ohio, and now its first outpost in Florida. 5006 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. detroitwingco.com—TR

Coming soon

The Adnoraf Hyde Park’s newest concept might be one of the most exclusive dining experiences in all of Tampa Bay. The Adnoraf, a membersonly supper and social club, officially opens early next month in South Tampa. Grander than your typical white tablecloths and upscale spots, The Adnoraf is all about offering an exclusive experience for its members—and it comes at a high price, of course. In total, The Adnoraf will allow 150 members— but only 25 platinum memberships. All members of The Adnoraf will have access to its monthly dinners, which will be hosted by a rotating selection of chefs that specialize in different techniques—from omakase sushi to avante-garde presentations and fusion

cuisines. In addition to unique dining experiences and events that The Adnoraf will host throughout the month, the South Tampa club will also offer its members different wellness rooms that specialize in reiki, yoga, meditation and IV therapy. The most expensive membership tier costs $5,000 upfront and an additional $175 in monthly dues. 119 S Dakota Ave.,Tampa. adnoraf.com

ICYMI

KFC is currently testing two new chicken sandwiches in Tampa KFC is curious if its latest chicken concoctions are suitable for mass human consumption, and so the company has turned to Tampa residents to test out two new menu items for the foreseeable future. Last week, the company announced that Tampa will be exposed to the new $6.99 Ultimate BBQ Sandwich, as well as the $5.99 Spicy Slaw Sandwich. According to a press release, The Ultimate BBQ KFC Chicken Sandwich features a crispy white meat filet, along with KFC’s Honey BBQ sauce, crispy fried onions, hickorysmoked bacon, cheese and pickles on a brioche bun. The Spicy Slaw Sandwich has a similar chicken and bun setup, but instead comes with the company’s standard coleslaw, spicy mayonnaise and pickles.—Colin Wolf

LOVIN’ THE CRU: Cru Cellars’ founder Jennifer Bingham (L) and Wine On Water GM Morgan Sarro.

Five centuries of dream-inspired paintings from renowned artists, plus one imaginative dream experience.

THEATER

Smell of the Kill

Friday-Sunday, Feb. 24-26, select times. $15 & up. Stageworks Theatre, 1120 E Kennedy Blvd., Suite 151, Tampa stageworkstheatre.org

MOVIES THEATER ART CULTURE

Funny Smell

Stageworks’ latest is a hilarious portrait of suburban hell.

By Jon Palmer Claridge

“The Smell of the Kill” by Michele Lowe roared into Stageworks Theatre last weekend like the Real Housewives of the Chicago ‘Burbs presenting the Schadenfreude Comedy Hour. If you aren’t familiar with this descriptive word used in the TONY-winning musical “Avenue Q, it’s German for deriving pleasure from the misfortune of others—which is a sad commentary on human nature. Perhaps, though, it’s even Darwinian. Are we programmed by evolution’s survival of the fittest to gloat emotionally?

Director Karla Hartley has assembled three of the region’s top flight female comedians to play long suffering wives lassoed into monthly reunions by their Neanderthal husbands, who were once college roommates, but (surprise) don’t really like each other. Every stereotype of bad male behavior is dialed up to eleven. The men are barely human; indeed they don’t even appear, but are instead portrayed by disembodied offstage voices that are clearly recorded. This only reinforces the “otherness” of the men who don’t fare well. Actually, the women are not much better. They’re selfish, petty, and delusional.

Scott Cooper’s expansive upscale kitchen/ dining room set is a suburban HGTV cathedral, gobbling up the Stageworks space as a celebration of conformity and blandness. It honors the stultifying lives lived in this “model home,” where nothing is what it seems. One dominant feature is a huge six-panel skylight which glows a Satanic-red (courtesy of Ms. Hartley who also designed the lighting).

The play—which runs select dates through Feb. 26 in downtown Tampa—is actually a hilarious portrait of suburban hell. Ms. Lowe shoots arrows through all manor of human foibles. I don’t want to say too much; that would spoil the many surprises. But when one spouse is facing prison after being caught embezzling a shitload of dollars and decides to brag to his best buds by visiting his subterranean meat locker, what could possibly go wrong? People gossip behind their friends’ backs, secrets are heard through a baby monitor, monogamy takes a big hit, as do differing parenting styles and military school. Friendship is strained, class blindness is on full display, envy gallops apace and passion dies. There’s even consideration of heaven and just which actions might damn you to hell.

It’s not a subtle evening. There are slapstick echoes of the iconic “I Love Lucy” chocolate factory scene, only this time it’s an ever flowing stream of golf balls that threaten to upend our heroines. They manage to emerge triumphant, only to create a bizarre treat with mounds of Cool Whip and multiple spoons. There’s a startling gunshot that stops time and multiple excuses to expose voluptuous, heaving bosoms

laughs build into seismic waves that rock the very foundation of Stageworks Channelside home for 75 minutes under Ms. Hartley’s brisk direction.

The three performers create distinct, interesting (if troubled) characters who mine the script for all its subversive verbal and physical comedy.

Heather Krueger (Nicky) who also designed the appropriately ugly outerwear covering sexy lingerie, is the sharp tongued catalyst. She’s a driven career woman who’s happy to outsource care of her crying baby, and doesn’t mind offending her guests or snatching a fistful of dripping greens from the garbage to make a point.

sputtering. Meyer is often cast in over the top roles, but here she’s more vulnerable than I’ve seen her previously and when she finally accepts her true feelings and turns downstage directly to address the audience, she explodes in a horrific speech that only elicits more laughter as she gets progressively graphic.

Critics noted that “the domestic politics seem seriously out-of-date” even for the 2002 Broadway production. Hurling a dinner plate through the kitchen door so that it flies across the stage and practically explodes is a wonderfully theatrical, yet boorish machismo behavior echoing Stanley Kowalski of the late 1940’s. Our

struggling for cover against expensive lingerie.

“Are we all taking off our clothes?”

It’s disheartening, perhaps, to admit that seemingly normal people are capable of horrible homicidal thoughts. And maybe even more disquieting that as this tale becomes gradually ever so twisted, bizarre, and shocking, that the

Susan Haldeman’s (Debra) apparently docile stay-at-home wife and mother starts as the moral compass of the play, but evolves her thinking as secrets are revealed and she has to grapple with her future. And the pseudo-naive Jonelle Meyer (Molly) is a daffy presence as part of a couple who smother each other with love, but whose passion is

society has grown and there’s greater mutual respect between partners. But relationships are still hard and require diligence to remain lively.

Luckily, I hope you know that “Real Housewives” are all for show, and aren’t so “real” after all.

So it is here, if you can get past the anachronisms, there are laughs aplenty.

STAGE PHOTOGRAPHY OF TAMPA LLC—SPOT

REAL HOUSEWIVES: (L-R)Heather Krueger, Jonelle Meyer, Susan Halderman in ‘Smell of the Kill.’

“It’s not a subtle evening.”

Trailblazer

NatGeo doc on Florida Panther premieres this weekend.

By Ray Roa

Anew film from National Geographic opens with the death of a Florida panther on one stretch of the state’s thousands of miles of highway—but “Path of the Panther” also ends with a glimmer of hope for an endangered species that once dominated the Southeastern United States.

In the 88 minutes between opening and closing credits, director Eric Bendick follows photographer Carlton Ward Jr. on his quest to use camera traps to capture images of the big cat—in particular, Babs, a female who’s the first to venture north of the Caloosahatchee River river since 1973. Ward—who grew up in Clearwater— hopes the images will convince policymakers that land in the wildlife corridor is worth more untouched than it ever will be pocked with rooftops or with toll roads running through it.

movie signing the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act in July 2021).

The film, produced in part by Leonardo DiCaprio, is surprisingly emotional thanks to the candor and candidness of Ward, who wears his heart on his sleeve throughout the nearly six years of conservation work captured in this documentary.

FILM & TV

Path of the Panther

National Geographic’s “Path Of the Panther” opens in theaters on Friday, Feb. 24, with both Ward and Bendick landing at the Tampa Theatre on premiere night (and Sunday, Feb. 26) for a postshow Q&A.

Feat. Q&A w/Carlton Ward Jr. & Eric Bendick.

Friday & Sundays, Feb. 24 (7 p.m.) & 26 (6:45 p.m.), $9-$12. Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St., Tampa. pathofthepanther.com

Along the way Ward’s traps let viewers see other Florida favorites (deer, ibis, racoons, otter, turkey, gator, more) while Bendick introduces us to Indigenous protectors of the land (activist and educator Betty Osceola), Florida cowboys (DeSoto County Commissioner Elton Langford) and veterinarians at ZooTampa who are all interconnected in their effort to preserve wildlands.

He also gives Floridians rare glimpses of the panther up-close-and-personal, plus even rarer footage of Gov. Ron DeSantis not being a douche (the guv is seen near the end of the

Tampa’s River O’Green St. Patrick’s Day celebration returns next month

The waters around downtown will soon turn from brown to green. The City of Tampa, on Monday, announced that its annual River O’Green St. Patrick’s Day celebration returns Saturday, March 8, at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.

The free festival will run from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and features live music, kid-friendly activities, food trucks and beer. "I love seeing the hundreds of people who come downtown, decked out in green gear, for a day full of food and fun. Tampa Downtown Partnership President and CEO Lynda Remund said in a press release. The fest was first celebrated in 2012 when Bob Buckhorn was mayor.—Tyana

Rodgers

CAT TALE: The plight of the Florida Panther reaches across demographics.

FURNITURE | MEN’S • WOMEN’S • KID’S CLOTHES | KNICK KNACKS | HOUSEWARE | ELECTRONICS & EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

THE STORY OF ART

ART UNTIL ROME 2700 B.C.-A.D. 300

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23 | 6 PM

The Story of Art series focuses on the story of art history, one that is continually being retold as we discover new things and look afresh at the familiar. Join MFA curators on a journey to learn more about our collection, contextualized with other objects from around the world, as we take a grand tour through the story of art.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 | 1 PM

Why do we sing? To comfort ourselves and our loved ones? Seduce? Heal? Unite groups and inspire revolutions? Author and New York Times journalist Bob Morris presents a talk with musical interludes about the subject of his next book, inspired after a stroke left his brother speechless but still able to sing with him. He’ll touch on everything from campfires to love songs to tone-deaf choirs and the comforts of singing during the pandemic. He may even ask about your favorite song and lead a sing-along!

The Judds: The Final Tour w/Wynonna/Brandi Carlile/Martina McBride Friday, Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m. $25.75 & up Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa amaliearena.com

REVIEWS PROFILES MUSIC WEEK

Love is alive

Wynonna opens up about her mom’s death and how she’s healing on ‘The Judds’ tour coming to Tampa.

By Eric Snider

“I’m an open book,” Wynonna Judd said emphatically, about two minutes into our recent phone interview. She proceeded to back up her assertion over the better part of an hour.

No topic was off the table, including the death of her mother, Naomi Judd, who took her own life on April 30 of last year, the day before The Judds were scheduled to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Wynonna discussed the often strained relationship she had with her mother, and how she’s working to lessen its impact on her life.

We also talked about music.

Wynonna is on the road fronting The Judds: The Final Tour, which celebrates the life and legacy of her mom. A number of prominent female artists have joined Wynonna to sing Naomi’s parts. They include Brandi Carlile (set for the Tampa show), Tanya Tucker, Little Big Town and Kelsea Ballerini.

The tour was originally cast as a final Judds reunion, with the first 10 dates announced in April 2022. Three weeks later, Naomi Judd was gone.

For the better part of the 1980s, The Judds were an adorable mother/daughter duo that charmed audiences, won over country radio, and scored six platinum albums and a slew of hit singles. Naomi had that twinkle—she looked far younger than her years—and sang backup. Wynonna was more serious, an uber-talented lead singer who, after a time, bristled at the constraints of being a country artist.

“Management sent me to media school,” she said during our interview. “They told me not to interrupt my mother and not to roll my eyes.”

The Judds’ enchanted run was interrupted in 1990 when Naomi abruptly retired due to health complications from Hepatitis C. Wynonna continued her career as a solo act, using her first name only, touring and releasing albums that increasingly veered from Nashville convention. The Judds reunited for one-off shows and one 29-date tour in 2011.

The mother/daughter relationship was fraught with conflict, ups and downs, and even, at times, full-on estrangement. But the love never waned. For Wynonna, these days are about reconciliation.

At 58, she remains a vocal dynamo, as capable of busting out with a bluesy wail or rock

snarl as a lilting country twang. On this tour, she’s performing the Judds songs true to the recordings, even without Mom looking over her shoulder.

Why? “The fans,” she said.

The following Q&A was edited for length and clarity. The questions have been shortened so you don’t have to suffer my ramblings.

After Naomi’s death, where were you on continuing with the tour?

I said, “No, absolutely not.” I was heartbroken. I couldn’t imagine it. I literally saw her body the day she died, kissed her and closed her eyes. My first reaction to the tour was, “I can’t, I won’t, I shouldn’t.”

Was there something specific that changed your mind?

Yes. Several of my counsel(ors) came to me. They said that standing on stage and singing those songs was absolutely the right thing to do. I had shut down, but they said that every step back is a set up, and that it would absolutely be healing to go out there. I said, “My gosh, I hadn’t really had a chance to think of it that way.” So I said, “I’m in.”

Now that you’ve been doing the shows for awhile, has it been what you hoped in terms of a healing experience?

Better than I thought. The other night I was onstage with Little Big Town—four of them, with me standing in the middle. I got this overwhelming sense that we were not pallbearers. They were there not to be at a funeral but to sing from their toenails and honor the music. I almost had to sit down. We did [The Judds’] “Love is Alive,” and every single person in the audience held up their cell phone—because we don’t do lighters anymore—and it was the brightest Christmas tree lights you could imagine. I couldn’t get over it. I have a funny story: The other day I was onstage doing soundcheck. There’s a part of the continued on page 49

TURN IT LOOSE: Wynonna Judd is an open book.

ERIC ANDERSON

“Every step back is a set up.”

continued from page 47

show with a video image of Mom behind me, and she’s singing with me. I turned around and saw this big video image of her and it shocked me, I was so in-the-moment singing. First thing that came out of my mouth was ‘[Mom], I’ve lost 20 pounds!’ All the guys [in the band] started laughing. What came out of my mouth was so reflexive. It was like breathing [chuckles].

I do wish she was here so I could fight with her and argue with her. But I feel like the baton has finally been passed. Now that she’s gone, I no longer have to report for duty in a way that I felt growing up. I’m an orphan now. I have permission not to ask permission anymore. I can open the refrigerator and drink straight from the milk carton. I drink rice milk, though. I don’t do dairy.

I’m sure you’ve given some thought to the fact that Naomi took her own life on the day before you were being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

It haunts me. It’s a mystery so deep. I have thought about it a million times. As far as the timing, the thing I’ve come up with is the fact that her husband was out of the country, and that she was determined to die. He would have done something to try and stop her, but she was alone in the house. That was very rare. They were never apart. It’s the story I’ve come up with.

INTERVIEW

& Company. He’s looking at me saying, “Our fans out there really love you.” So I’ll sing with Robert Weir one day and the next day I’ll be singing on stage with Brandi in Tampa and the next day I’m working on a song and looking forward to putting out new music.

Your sister Ashley is an orphan now, too. How has your mother’s death a ected your relationship

We’re pretty tight now. We’ve had to be. We went together to the Hall of Fame induction, holding hands. [Naomi’s death] has gotten us off a lot of our differences and forced us to talk about things, which is huge.

I read that when you and Naomi were putting the tour together, you each had certain conditions—like she wanted to do the songs Judds-style and you didn’t want a lot of wardrobe changes. You had your managers negotiate all that rather than talking directly to each other. Why was that?

It was manager to manager, so Mom and I could keep our integrity. It made the meetings mature. Mom and I were not allowed to talk about [business stuff]. For us to fight about little things, it wasn’t worth it. That made it possible for Mom to come to me and say, “My life is better because you’re in it. Thank you for being so gracious with me.” Besides wanting her approval and wanting her to love my hair and my outfit, I wanted her to know I was there for her.

Let’s talk a little more about your being liberated artistically.

I feel such freedom. I’m slinging snot [on vocals] like you can’t believe. I’ve been on stage with Bobby—I call him Robert—Weir, with the Dead

After 40 years, I feel kind of like I earned it. I don’t have any boundaries. I’m talking about making a real backwoods gospel record at some point, and an ‘80s rock record. I’m getting ready to record a song from the Beach Boys, and a song from Linda Ronstadt. I’m on a mission to get away with as much as I can.

Your earlier solo records were very produced. Are you now trying to embrace a new rawness in your music?

I picked producers who were incredibly successful [commercially], which I did on purpose. Now I’m ready to go back to the well, using sounds that get back to the beginning of mankind, when we didn’t have electricity [chuckles]. I recently watched the Ken Burn series Jazz, and I realized I have some jazz singer in me, too. I’d love to do something live with a band, no overdubs, like when Frank Sinatra made records with everyone in one room.

Brandi Carlile is your special guest in Tampa. Talk about what she brings to the show. Brandi wore a Judds jacket to school. She knows every single stinkin’ song and lyric in the catalog. She bounces onto the stage, and doesn’t put on a performance so much as a deep celebration of artistry. That’s very unique when you do a show, where in most cases you’re keenly aware of the production and the fact that you’re putting on a performance.

It’s become so personal for Brandi and I. We lock eyes and we are these people swinging, and when I let go she catches me. It’s like, “Whoa!”

GIRL’S NIGHT OUT: Brandi Carlile knows every single stinkin’ song and lyric in the Judds catalog.

NEIL KRUG

MURDER THE CROW

MEDAL MILITIA

NIGHTS OF FUTURE PAST

By Josh Bradley & Ray Roa

THU 23

Clem Snide For two-and-a-half decades now, Eef Barzelay has quietly made a name as a revered songwriter who can bring an audience to tears and induce big singalongs to melancholy versions of ‘80s pop hits like Journey’s “Faithfully” (he does other, more obscure covers, too). The 52-year-old who experienced a resurgence when he started to co-write with superfan Scott Avett of the Avett Brothers will work through cuts from Clem Snide’s 24-year-old discography, and hopefully do some storytelling since he’s also the brains behind the podcast, “A Life In Song with Clem Snide” where ordinary people share stories before Barzelay plays an original song inspired by the tale. (The Attic at Rock Brothers Brewing, Ybor City)

KC and The Sunshine Band “Disco sucks” people are definitely glad to know that disco bands and artists have been an endangered species in the last few years, with the deaths of Donna Summer, twothirds of the Pointer Sisters, and two-thirds of the Bee Gees. That’s not the way (uhhuh, uh-huh) KC & The Sunshine Band like it, but it holds strong anyway, still featuring original “KC” Harry Wayne Casey. (Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa)

St. Pete Jazz Festival: Alexis Cole & Helios Jazz Orchestra The St. Petersburg Jazz Festival kicked off Wednesday with a workshop from Alexis Cole at SPC, and the award-winning vocalist heads across town to Palladium Theater for this performance where she’ll be backed by the 18-piece Helios Jazz Orchestra. The festival continues on Friday when a trio featuring pianist Zachary Bartholomew pays tribute to the late Chick Corea at the Museum of Fine Arts. To close the festival out, American Stage opens its doors to one of the Bay area’s most promising young musicians, trumpeter Jason Charos, whose sextet—saxophonists David Mason (alto) and Kendric McCallister (tenor), pianist Connor Rohrer, bassist Joe Porter, and drummer John Jenkins—will celebrate the life of saxophonist Wayne Shorter. More information is at stpetejazzfest.com.

FRI 24

G. Love & Special Sauce Believe you me, Ben Stein’s early 2000s stint on Comedy Central had Philadelphia-based rock trio G. Love & Special Sauce serve as the house band. Almost 30 years after the release of their debut album, Garrett Dutton and friends just got off of yet another one of Train’s cruises, and there’s a tour in place to celebrate the release of a new record,

Philadelphia Mississippi . This is one of Dutton’s first local gigs since one of the few pre-COVID shows held at Jannus in early 2020. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)

Jake Wesley Rogers w/Stacey Ryan Ever since opening for what would turn out to be the last Panic! At The Disco tour, Rogers has been dubbed as Gen-Z’s Elton John. Not only has he been a pianist from a young age, but his outlandish outfits, flamboyant showmanship, and catchy hooks also make quite the argument. In short, don’t be shocked at whatever the 26-year-old decides to wear at his first Met Gala in the next five-or-so years. He’s surely on his way to preserving the musical authenticity left by those that came before him, and on this path, he’ll surely go down as one of the most eye-catching stars of the 2020s. Canadian singer-songwriter Stacey Ryan opens. (Crowbar, Ybor City)

The Judds w/Martina McBride/Brandi

Carlile Wynonna Judd is heading to Tampa, and now we know who’s joining her for the traveling tribute to Judd family matriarch Naomi, who passed last year at 76 years old. A press release says Brandi Carlile and Martina McBride will join Wynonna at Amalie, with a rep for Judd telling Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that McBride will also sing with Wynonna for a few songs. The show as a whole finds Wynonna & co. working through the Judd family’s biggest and most beloved hits. Read our interview with Wynonna on p. 47. (Amalie Arena, Tampa)

Nnamdï w/Chaunces/Jordan Esker

Chicago-based singer and rapper Nnamdï is known for his ability to cross genres. Sounds on his records range from freeform jazz, underground hip-hop, and electronica. Over the past two years he has released an album, Brat , a punk EP, Black Plight , and a wild instrumental tape Krazy Karl , with several other projects. (Hooch and Hive, Tampa

—Tyana Rodgers

Trapt California-based metal outfit Trapt usually makes a point to stop in Florida while on the road, but very seldom does the band make time for Tampa Bay, last having arrived here in 2019 for a Ferg’s gig. Four years and one lockdown masterpiece later, Chris Taylor Brown and company swing into Tampatown’s resident metal bar, Brass Mug, and I’m willing to bet real money that Trapt's first postCOVID set in town is going to close with—or at the very least, feature—”Headstrong.”

Don’t be surprised if Brown lets a Proud Boy or two sing a few lyrics either. (Brass Mug, Tampa)

SAT 25

Cardiel Cardiel, a skate-punk duo from Mexico City, spent its autumn touring the west coast with The Schizophonics. Founders Samantha Ambrosio and Miguel

C CL Recommends

Jake Wesley Rogers

Award-Winning Cuban

Fraíno originally aimed to make music for skateboarding videos. They seemed to succeed, because not long after they started, Thrasher magazine offered praise to the duo. (Hooch and Hive, Tampa)

King Buffalo w/Swell Fellas/Umbilicus/ Witch Hiatus There really isn’t a single term to sum up King Buffalo’s conclusion to its “pandemic trilogy.” Regenerator —which dropped last year—is a seven-track collection of lyrics that are zen, sentimental, and conscious of time. “Hours” has a guitar riff that sounds like something Mick Ronson would contribute to Ziggy Stardust-era David Bowie, and closer “Firmament” ends with a guitar epic, switching from an indierock groove, right to a metal lick. Last year, the band made its Tampa Bay debut at The Ritz Ybor, and this year, it’s giving the room down the street a shot, alongside a stacked lineup that includes bands feauturing members of Cannibal Corpse and Deicide in the middle of it. (Crowbar, Ybor City)

Nella After winning the 2019 Latin Grammy for Best New Artist, Nella (born Marianella Rojas) signed to Sony Music and released Doce Margaritas , an album heavily anchored on “the folklore roots of Venezuela, modern production, and Andalusian inspirations,” according to her website. The 33-year-old vocalist makes what appears to be her Tampa Bay debut at Straz Center. (Ferguson Hall at Straz Center, Tampa)

Rutterkin w/Plastic Flamingos/ Caught Fire The Rutterkin dungeon has been getting musty, so the St. Petersburg punk band is coming out to headline a show at the Legion in Seminole Heights where “Jimmy Buffett-inspired pop punk” band Plastic Flamingos visits as part of an early spring break. Buffett covers are not guaranteed, but not out of the question either. Caught Fire—which promoter Chewy Hemphill describes as a band for fans of Avail, Bouncing Souls, and Hot Water Music—opens the show. (American Legion Seminole Post 111, Tampa)

SUN 26

Jackson Harpe Collective The St. Pete Jazz festival is happening, but Tampeños who don’t cross the bridge might try Ella’s where trumpeter Jackson Harpe brings his band to play a no-cover gig in Seminole Heights. (Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe, Tampa)

Sarah McLachlan w/Vanessa Freebairn-Smith Not all of us only see McLachlan as television’s resident sad dog lady. The Canadian singer’s powerful vocals can shake even the coldest of cores, whether she’s taking on—and outsinging the original writer on—Gordon Lightfoot’s “Song For A Winter’s Night,” or providing the singing voice of Jessie in “Toy Story 2.” Don’t expect to hear “When She Loved Me” if you take your kids to her Ruth Eckerd gig this weekend, but Beatle-approved cellist Vanessa Freebairn-Smith opens. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)

TUE 28

Lyle Lovett with His Acoustic Group For this two-night stand, Americana icon Lovett will be backed by his acoustic band, which includes string geniuses Leland Sklar, Jeff White and Luke Bulla who make up the pared down version of Lovett’s large band. Expect Lovett to pull from the breadth of his catalog for this show and also include material from his latest album, 12th of June , released earlier last year. (Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater)

THU 02

Albert Cummings Acts being booked by the gang at the SHAMC are getting bigger and bigger. Blues legend Bobby Rush performed on the outdoor stage in January, and in the last week, patrons—who bought tickets to a mystery show that promised to be massive—were taken to see Paul Thorn “out of town.” Next Thursday, Blind Pig Records guitarist Cummings—who has shredded alongside Buddy Guy, Double Trouble, and the late B.B. King—will perform across all corners of his career, including his latest album 10 , which dropped last year. (Safety Harbor Art and Music Center, Safety Harbor)

Happy Landing w/Speak Easy/Kerry

Courtney Fans of foot-stomping, harmonyslinging Americana might want to check out Happy Landing, which WEGL called the first “‘skate-folk’ band in existence.”

Kerry Courtney, a songwriter with a vocal that wowed “American Idol” judges back in Season 15, opens the show, with the yachty, soft-rock styling of Speak Easy in the middle.

(Hooch and Hive, Tampa)

Nina On My Mind: Synia Carroll You know what’s crazy? There’s absolutely no evidence of Nina Simone having ever performed anywhere close to Tampa Bay before her death in 2003. The soul legend’s career has had a bit of a resurgence in recent years, following the release of Questlove’s “Summer Of Soul” documentary, which showed lost footage of 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival.

Simone’s performance of “To Be Young, Gifted, and Black” was certainly a highlight of the two-hour doc, and we can only hope that Sarasota-based jazz singer Synia Carroll throws it into her setlist when she pays tribute to the singer who would have celebrated her 90th birthday on Feb. 21.

(Hough Hall at Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg)

Florida Strawberry Festival: The Oak Ridge Boys Missing your annual GMF ugly cry with Mt. Zion Gospel Choir? The Florida Strawberry Festival, which kicks off next week, has…kinda, got your back. The Oak Ridge Boys—a non-personnel-based quartet going strong since the late-‘40s—still mixes country and gospel elements in an effort to give country music fans a little bit of church as well. And just a heads-up for if you go see the boys kick off the Strawberry Festival: William Lee Golden—the only Oak Ridge Boy who doesn’t talk conservative politics on Twitter— is most certainly not Gandalf, or bass legend Leland Sklar, the latter of whom is backing Lyle Lovett up in Clearwater a few days prior.

(Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City)

Sarah McLachlan

SARAHMCLACHLAN/TWITTER

The first concerts ever were house concerts, and a festival dedicated to the centuries-old tradition is back in Tampa Bay next month.

Suggested donations to get into the 12th annual Listening Room Festival concerts happening March 9-13 across various venues in Tampa Bay start at $20. Tickets for the Listening Room Festival Showcase happening Friday, March 10 at Palladium Theater start at $45.

The showcase features five artists playing folk, blues, country and soul: Peter Mulvey, Ariella, Jeffery Straker and A Tale of Two, who play Palladium’s Hough Hall, plus The Rough & Tumble playing a VIP afterparty in the Side Door Cabaret.

From March 9-13, all the artists are also playing more than a dozen private house shows happening in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tampa, Tarpon Springs, Lutz, Bradenton, Palm Harbor and Treasure Island. The shows are hosted by volunteers who open up their homes. There’s an additional public performance from Straker and Bryn Besse at Dunedin’s Faith United Church of Christ on Saturday, March 11 at 7 p.m.

More information is at listeningroomfestival. com. See Josh Bradley’s weekly new concert roundup below.—Ray Roa

Cro-Mags w/No Mas/Brat/Ringworm/ Stedfast/Summoned Skulls Thursday, March 2. 5:30 p.m. $22. Brass Mug, Tampa

Michael McArthur Sunday, March 5. 7 p.m. $25. Danforth Chapel at Florida Southern College, Lakeland

Vacancy (opening for Soul Glo w/ Cloudrat/Backslider) Tuesday, March 7. 7 p.m. $15. Orpheum, Tampa

Twin Suns w/Chlorinefields/The Drain Outs Friday, March 10. 8 p.m. $10. Hooch and Hive, Tampa

Jariah Higgins w/TBA Thursday, March 16. 7 p.m. $12. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

The Foreign Resort w/Sleeping Pills/ more TBA Wednesday, March 22. 7 p.m. $15. Music Hall at New World Brewery, Tampa

Lissie Thursday, March 23. 8 p.m. $40 & up. The Attic at Rock Brothers Brewing, Ybor City

Crywank w/TBA Sunday, April 23. 5 p.m. $17. Crowbar, Ybor City

Alabama Thursday, April 27. 8 p.m. $200 & up. Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa

The Travelin’ McCourys Thursday, April 27. 8 p.m. $75 & up. The Attic at Rock Brothers Brewing, Ybor City

Tampa Throwback Jam: Ice Cube w/ Bone Thugs n Harmony/Lisa Lisa/2 Live Crew/more Friday, April 28. 7 p.m. $59 & up. Yuengling Center, Tampa

UPSAHL w/TBA Saturday, April 29. 7 p.m. $17 & Up. Crowbar, Ybor City

Mike Love w/Dub Inc Friday, May 5. 6 p.m. $22. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

The Gaslight Anthem w/Oso Oso/Emily Wolfe Wednesday, May 10. 6:30 p.m. $37. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Jazz Is Dead Saturday, May 20. 8 p.m. $26.50. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Anees w/Michael Minnelli Friday, June 9. 8 p.m. $25. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

The

Slide in

By Caroline DeBruhl

Dear Oracle, I’ve been married to my husband for nearly a decade. I love him so much, and he’s my best friend. However, he’s not very “romantic.” I don’t get a lot of words of affirmation or quality time with him, two things that are important to me and my love language. (We have talked about it, and he gets defensive and thinks I’m criticizing him.) Recently, an old ex has been texting me, saying he regrets not fighting for me, thinks I’m beautiful, worships me, etc. It’s very over the top but also kind of thrilling! I don’t want to leave my husband… but I do really like this new attention. I’ve been texting back, and I’m not sure where I want this to go. Do the cards have any advice?—Flirting With

The Past

to a full-blown affair. You really get to decide how much you want to escalate things. Because it wouldn’t surprise me if your ex wants an affair. His card is the Knight of Wands: passionate, impulsive, with a streak of wildness. Of course this type of person would text a married ex with some fiery, dramatic declarations. He’d whisk you away, probably on the back of a motorcycle, from your dull domestic life to live deliciously—or so he’ll promise. This level of big “R” romantic energy can be intoxicating—which makes it hard for your less passionate husband to compete.

Regarding what you want, we have two Major Arcana: Temperance and Strength. I’ve written before about how Temperance is a card of balance. That’s true here—“flirting” is balanced, “seducing” is not—but Temperance is about the act of tempering. You can temper something by mixing it with something to bring it to a proper texture (like you would for chocolate), and I think you’re trying to temper your marriage.

I don’t believe you actually want to be with your ex. (There was a reason you two broke up.) But I do think you want your husband to be fiery and passionate and tell you the same things this guy does. Maybe not all the time—he’s a shy lil’ pentacle boy—but enough that you feel desired and that there’s still a spark.

ORACLE OF YBOR

head-on. I suspect it’s been bubbling under the surface even before the Knight of Wands galloped back into your life. Be honest about your feelings, marriage, and what you’re willing to accept.

If your husband doesn’t want to say loveydovey things to you or spend more quality time, do you think you could accept that and be happy in this marriage? If he does start making some small romantic gestures, would that be enough? Would you want to outsource your romance fix with an open marriage? What is your ideal situation? What’re your husbands’? Is there a realistic way to blend those two?

Cards:

Knight of Wands, Page of Pentacles (reversed) Temperance, Strength

Dear Flirting, it’s not surprising that you’re thrilled that your ex is telling you he regrets losing such a beautiful, heavenly creature. That’s some dramatic validation that you still got it— and I don’t think many people are immune to that kind of flattery, happily married or not. However, opening the door to flirting with an ex can lead to many paths with a range of consequences. You might just send some slightly flirty texts for a couple of weeks, and then it peters out to nothing. You might start with texts but then go to phone calls, dates, and then onward

Your husband is the Page of Pentacles reversed. He’s a hard worker, no doubt, and while he may appreciate beauty, he doesn’t know how to express it. Like all Pentacles, he might show love through more “practical” ways: financially, doing chores, things like that. It’s worth noting that your husband is a Page, not a King. Pages can be a bit on the immature or emotionally underdeveloped side. So that would make sense as to why when you say, “I’d like you to say more lovey-dovey things to me,” he hears, “you’re an unromantic piece of shit.” It also suggests that, at this moment, the Knight is taking up more of your mental energy. This ex is looming large, and your husband is dwarfed by comparison.

Now, society is shitty to men when it comes to emotions, so your husband might generally have a difficult time expressing his deep love for you. That’s 100% possible—and something you two can talk about in couple’s therapy. I recommend counseling because you’ve already talked to your husband about wanting more romance, and he wasn’t very receptive. And this isn’t something to be ignored. Romance is vital to a relationship—it’s what differentiates “a couple” from “two roommates.”

A professional can help you two talk about your issues in a way that doesn’t feel judgmental for him, and that may allow him to express his own desires in a way that you can hear.

With Strength as the final card, I think you’re looking for the courage to deal with this problem

Strength is not a card about forcing something. It’s not a show of brute power but a sign of mutual respect. If your husband doesn’t want to change anything, you can’t force him to. And if you find yourself in a marriage that isn’t making you happy and can’t be saved, I hope you have the strength to do what you need to do. However, I don’t think you’re there yet. Start looking for a therapist who takes your insurance and talk to your husband about it. He might bristle at the suggestion, but it might help to frame it as a practical step, like a car tune-up.

Also, keep an even head about your ex’s texts. Flirting is fun but you’re figuring out what you want with your husband. You don’t want to cross a line that will make that decision for you. Whatever happens, I know you have the strength to take this on.

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

Kant say no

By Dan Savage

Let’s say you’re a younger gay guy who’s been doing ethical FinDom (financial domination) for a few years and you’re good at it and you feel good about doing it because you take reasonable amounts of money, aka “tribute,” from your finsubs and you give value in return. In my case, I share sexy text messages, pics, and do meet ups with subs who’ve earned my trust. And let’s say one of your trusted subs—someone you’ve been draining in your own ethical way for a few years—offers to sign everything he has over to you. House, condo, vacation home, savings, stocks. Everything. This person says it’s their ultimate fantasy and they ask again and again. Do you have to say no? At what point can you ethically say yes? Let’s say this particular sub has no kids, no spouse, and his nearest relatives are Trump supporters and homophobes who were awful to him when he came out. He doesn’t want them to get anything. He says if I don’t take it all, he’s going to give it all to charity. I’m 32 (not that young, I guess) and he’s 72 and he’s not in great health. This would set me up for life and I would be able to help my parents out. Thoughts? What if I had to marry him to make it possible for tax reasons? Should I marry him? No one in their right mind would make an offer like this, right? I half expect him to come to his senses and think I’m a monster if I say yes. Can I do this and still think of myself as an ethical FinDom?—Seriously Entertaining This Unbelievable Possibility P.S. I told him he could leave me whatever he wants in his will, but he says wants to have the experience of giving it all to me while he’s still alive to enjoy it.

So… Dr. Earp doesn’t think you take the money? Not necessarily.

Dr. Earp cited a relevant debate in the field of bioethics, which is his specialty, that might argue in favor of taking the money, SETUP. Indeed, it would be “objectionably paternalistic” of you to assume your sub isn’t in his right mind just because he wants to do something others might regard as imprudent or even harmful.

“I don’t think marrying this person would be an ethical issue,” said Dr. Manon Garcia, quickly dispensing with one of your concerns. “Marriage has been used for a long time as a way to protect and transfer assets.

SAVAGE LOVE

“Take someone who refuses to go on kidney dialysis because she’s ‘tired of life’ and doesn’t want to deal with all the hassle,” said Dr. Earp. So, to avoid even the appearance of behaving in an objectionably paternalistic manner—because God forbid—Dr. Earp thinks you should take the money? Not necessarily. If there’s evidence of diminished mental capacity independent of the specific decision at issue here—your sub giving you everything he owns— that additional evidence of diminished mental capacity would argue against taking the money, the house, etc.

“Basically, if SETUP has some other, independent set of good reasons for thinking the sub is ‘not in his right mind’ apart from the sheer fact of offering to sign away all his assets,” said Dr. Earp, “then it’s not paternalistic to say, ‘No, I’m not going to honor your request.’ But if the offer is the only thing that makes the writer think the sub is not in his right mind, then the writer may be projecting their own values, preferences, or worldview onto the sub in a way that is, itself, disrespectful of the sub’s underlying autonomy.”

Zooming out, Dr. Garcia, Junior Professor of Practical Philosophy at Freie Universität (Berlin), thinks you should consider Kant’s Formula of Humanity: “So act that you use humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, always at the same time as an end, never merely as a means.” (This is German philosopher Immanuel Kant’s (17241804) first-ever appearance in Savage Love. Shame he isn’t alive to enjoy it.)

What that means, Dr. Garcia explained to me, is that we have an ethical duty—a positive duty—to treat people as ends in and of themselves, and not merely as means to our own ends.

“This positive duty is very demanding,” Dr. Garcia continued. “It requires attention to the particularities of persons and the fact that they are not abstract beings but individuals who have their own cognitive limitations that could affect their ability to consent in different situations.”

So again, if your sub’s not in his right mind, you can’t take the money. But if you know your sub well enough—and you love and respect

Financial domination took off as a kink over the last 15 years. Its sudden popularity has, I think, something to do with the mass cultural trauma of the worldwide financial crisis of 2008 and the way our smartphones have facilitated certain kinds of fantasy play and arms-length sex work. And while SETUP may be the first FinDom I’ve heard from facing this particular dilemma/good problem to have—a finsub nearing the end of his life who wants to leave him everything —I don’t think he will be the last. Assuming SETUP is telling us the truth—his sub offered, SETUP didn’t demand; there are no children or other dependents—this one seems like a pretty easy call.

But for sake of argument—and because this might come up again in the future—let’s say SETUP’s sub had children. Could he take the money then?

“Parents have some duties to their children,” said Dr. Garcia.He cited French law, which requires parents to leave their children at least 30% of their estate, even in cases where children may have been absolute shits.

Finally, SETUP, once it’s your money—if you take your sub’s money—you can do what you like with it. That could include setting up a generous trust fund that benefits your sub for

I shared your letter with three random gay dudes who do financial domination online. All three were extremely jealous and all three, perhaps unsurprisingly, felt you should take the money—and the house, the condo, the vacation home, all of it. But since you seem concerned with the ethics of the very unique situation you find yourself in, SETUP, I shared your question with a couple of actual ethicists.

“The fundamental, background, taken-forgranted ethical framework assumed by Dom/ sub relationships is that they’re entered into autonomously and both parties are ‘in their right mind’ in some relevant sense,” said Dr. Brian Earp, Senior Research Fellow in Moral Psychology at the Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics at the University of Oxford. “Running with that, if SETUP really does think his sub may not ‘be in his right mind,’ if he thinks his sub is offering to sign over all those assets due to some breakdown in his decision-making competence, then, yeah, it would be exploitative and wrong to say ‘yes’ to this offer.”

So, if signing over all his assets is the only crazy thing your sub wants to do, you can take the money. But if signing everything over to you is one crazy tree in a forest full of crazy trees, you can’t take the money.

But how crazy is wanting to give everything you own to someone anyway?

“If we were to think giving all your stuff away without ‘expecting anything in return’ is evidence of not being in your right mind,” said Dr. Earp, “I wonder why you wouldn’t reach the same conclusion if the person just wanted to give away most of their stuff, or half of their stuff. Why wouldn’t you conclude that entering into a FinDom relationship as a sub is not by itself evidence that someone is not in his right mind? But if SETUP isn’t willing to concede that, as I assume he is not, then I don’t see why—without other corroborating evidence of decision-making incompetence—SETUP should think that the sub’s desire to give away most or all their stuff is somehow, by itself, disqualifyingly irrational.”

Now, when it comes to big decisions—and this one more than qualifies—it’s always helpful to get a second opinion.

them—and you believe your sub truly wants to give you all his money and has the cognitive abilities to make this choice and it would make him happy—if it would achieve his desired end— you can take the money.

It should go without saying—but I’m going to say it anyway—that you have a conflict of interest here, SETUP. So, to be perfectly scrupulous about the ethics of this, you might want to ask your sub to get a full psych workup before you agree and maybe book a few sessions with an extremely sex-and-kink positive couples’ counselor you can talk with together before he gives you the ultimate tribute.

Zooming back out for a second…

the rest of his life, with remaining funds being returned to you after his death. If he doesn’t want and/or need the money from the monthly or quarterly check that comes in the mail while he’s alive, he can sign it over to you. So, even after everything is yours, he would still be in a position to pay you “tribute,” which he clearly enjoys doing.

Good luck to you, SETUP, whatever you decide to do. Also, best wishes to your sub, best wishes to your parents, and always remember to tip your advice columnist generously.

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

YURIY_K/ADOBE

NOTE: Here's another look at the life of the infamous 18th century composer.

ACROSS

1 ___ in a poke

5 Clear the decks?

9 Rein

14 Machine part

17 Area of London

18 Tempo

19 Bouquet

20 Composer Orff 21 P.D.Q. Bach’s calliope opus

23 Made of a certain cereal

24 Galop, e.g.

25 Instrument in Ricola ads

26 With 33 Across, P.D.Q. Bach piece with a lot of horn-blowing (and probably noseblowing)

29 At ___ for words 31 Telephonic

1

2

3

6

5

4

DOWN